Sailawaytoday

On ‎4‎/‎30‎/‎2019 at 10:27 PM, kent9xxx1 said:

Despite my dissatisfaction with the wines on board, I find Crystal river cruise to be wonderful. I´m going to book the rhine cruise soon.  Which side of the ship should I be on if the route is from Basel to Amsterdam?  Will there be a lot of day light sailing?

We sailed this itinerary last year, and were on the port side.  Our cabin faced the water most times.  We spent very little time in the cabin, and were on the top deck or bow when the ship was sailing in daylight.

We are booked on that cruise, as well, with our family of four. We usually cruise Christmas week, but FINALLY our kids are not on the high school schedule and we can go earlier, when fares are way less. The Christmas week cruises were packed, but with exception of the Martini bar, nothing was crowded at night. We've never been overwhelmed by the drinking crowd on Celebrity, so anticipate a great time!

We were also on this sailing, and as the saying goes, "your mileage may vary". We had a great cruise, and found the staff to be amazing. One crew member made a reservation for our family in Tuscan, and remembered each of our family's names every time we saw him. We are not that memorable. Our Select Dining wait staff couldn't have been more helpful or outgoing. We found the bar staff to be very accessible, and the hot tubs to be warmer than the Solarium pool.

Our balcony (FV9156) could have used some varnish on the railings, and more water pressure in the shower, but so what.

Sorry your experience was less than you hoped for.

Thanks for replying! Glad you enjoyed your cruise. This will be completely different for us, and we are looking forward to it.

How was the weather? How did you dress to go ashore, and how were people dressed during the "sea days"?

Were people dressed for dinner, or was this more casual due to the late dining hours?

I guess we are concerned about clothes! We usually only need a bathing suit and Tshirts for most of the time, but not here!

Thanks!

We leave on Infinity this Sunday, as well. Hoping someone lets us in on what's happening up there!

Just off Oasis of the Seas over Christmas (and couldn't be happier that our next cruise is on Celebrity!). We enjoyed our fourth trip to Paradise Beach, this year with 7 ships in port, and over 20,000 passengers. Still, while Paradise had, I'm told, around 1200 guests, there was no trouble getting four chairs and umbrellas together, great bar and food service, and a very well done beach massage. They have a large fresh water pool, which was also popular, but by no means crowded. Free wifi. We'll be back next year.

Taxi back to port was caught in a long line. Probably 20 minute return ride.

If you want secluded, this isn't it, but its a very nice beach, and you should have a great day.

I don't know of any country that has experienced an inflation rate of 100% in the past two years.

 

Bistro on 5 was never free. There has always been a cover charge. The only difference now is you're paying double for a reduced menu.

 

As for pricing people out, if that was their goal they certainly achieved it. On our most recent cruise the place was always empty.

Bistro on 5 WAS technically free until it opened. When we booked our first Solstice cruise, it was advertised as a free venue, but was changed to $5 after final payment. Certainly not something I would cancel over, but I thought at the time that Celebrity should have honored some aspect of "free" for those who had booked and or paid before the change.

We still find our way there once each cruise, but won't particularly miss it. Overall, we have no complaints with the food quality onboard.

We were on Reflection week of Dec. 19. I must be an unworthy Cruise Critic contributor, because I have mostly positive things to say. Embarkation was painless. Cabin ready on time. Steward and his assistant were great, and always asked if everything was okay. Select Dining team was outstanding. We had drink packages, and other than a couple of waits on the pool deck during sea days, had no problem getting whatever we wanted in a timely and friendly manner. MDR food was great for us, and our one specialty dinner at Tuscan was the best quality and service of any specialty dinner we've had at sea (Limited sample size, but that's what I have to go on). Never had a problem finding deck chairs when we wanted, always found space in the Solarium. Didn't gamble, didn't shop. The internet was passable for quick email checks (I didn't need my full 90 minutes from CC, so that's a good thing!). Based on reviews from Cruise Critic, I expected the Cruise Director to be unbearable, and the house band, LAX, to be horrible. Neither was my experience. Neither are my new "best friends", but both were entertaining and professional.

Negatives- not many. Texed ate all the waffles. The age limits weren't enforced in the hot tubs or Solarium. Music in the Atrium invaded all open areas of the ship, and there is a shortage of live music. The level of talent in the production shows could have been better, and we werent' crazy about the comedian.

We had a great week, and will, without question, be back!

The sailaway from Venice is spectacular, not to be missed. On our sailing, the railings were full of passengers. I wouldn't give it up to be seated in a restaurant. Just my opinion. You won't be sorry!

We sailed this ship twice, once with my family, and once with my wife's. First (and only) time I saw a passenger escalator on a cruise ship! It was our first Celebrity cruise.

My experience exactly, except for the more outrageous minimums for the high roller group. And on a holiday cruise. I contacted Celebrity when I go home, and got lip service. Makes no sense to me.

I'm not a gambler, but have always enjoyed recreational gambling on a cruise. For most of my "cruising life", craps minimums at night have been $10, or sometimes even $5 (and Celebrity provided Captain's Club match play coupons for more fun!) My last cruise, the minimum was $25 on one table, and $50 on the second. The time before that (Christmas cruise), there were several "high roller" groups onboard, and the table minimums were $50 on both tables. Most times, until late at night, the tables were near empty.

I looked at the undisputed source of Celebrity Truth, the website, and found the Fortune's table minimum listed at $5.00.

Are there any true truth tellers out there who are familiar with the actual minimums? I assume that the website has no bearing on their actual obligation once onboard.

We've done this flight. We had the earliest time available, but still let Celebrity take our luggage the night before. No problem, even with a Customs line. If you are very concerned, you can book private transportation from the pier for a very nominal price. The taxi line can be long, depending on the day.

We did cave tubing and it was a blast. MANY companies offer this excursion. Our group ended up with Charley's (see Tripadvisor), because they carry your tubes for you and include lunch. You will travel an hour over a less than pristine road, but only the last 15 minutes are not so good. We were in a 10 passenger van, not a large bus.

Looking at a cruise Dec21/2015 Western Carib.on the Equinox.

What do people who have sailed on her think of the ship ?

The reviews are not much of a help.

Thanks.

We did the Holiday sailing over Christmas and New Years in December. It was a great family cruise. LOTS of kids, which was to be expected. No behavior issues, and always found a lounger when we wanted.

The ship was beautiful, the crew very accommodating. We booked this cruise because we wanted to see ports off the beaten track. This itinerary isn't especially "beachy", but there are interesting things to do and see in all the ports.

We found the MDR food to be great, ate once in Oceanview (surprisingly good), once at Bistro on 5 (same old, same old) and once at Tuscan Grille (okay, but I'd try another place before I'd go back)

Ship was nicely decorated, and had a great New Year's deck party. We found the entertainment, in general, to be just okay, and the casino minimums to be higher than "recreational".

Loved the Hot Glass Show, and were able to watch the OSU game and several playoff games in Gastropub. If ESPN has it, they will show it.

Don't hesitate! Its only money!

We were in Cartagena in November and had a private tour of the city with Marvely Pena Tours. It was a very nice day and we never felt unsafe.

 

Jane

We were with Marvely, off Equinox over Christmas/New Years this year. We were in several areas of the city, with lots of walking. I never felt anything less than safe and comfortable. In fact, we were so impressed with the city and the people, that its one of the places we'd like to return to for more time.

I'm sure that there are parts of Cartegena that are less safe, just like my hometown. However, we would not hesitate to experience the city.

(And Marvely is an outstanding and friendly ambassador!)

Is wind normally an issue on hump verandas? It seems that, at least technically, they would be more exposed.

We are just off Equinox, cabin 6233 at the stern end of the hump. Below is just the Promenade Deck. Our cabin was pretty much opposite the doorway to the elevators, and the noise from the Atrium (and even some elevator chiming) was noticeable in our cabin. There is a second doorway at the bow end of the elevators which has a sliding door. We've been at that end on other cruises, and didn't hear anything.

It wasn't horrible, and didn't affect our cruise, but on our next booking we are at the other end.

Wind wasn't an issue, the view is great, and there is nothing to obstruct your view.

Ship: Equinox

Cabin: 6233

Deck: 6

Class:

Area: Hump, 2nd cabin from stern end of hump

Bed: Near closet

Quiet: Usually quiet

Balcony View: Portside, unobsructed

Balcony Size:Standard 2 loungers with table

Wind: Not a problem

Soot: None!

Very accessible to elevators, BUT noise from atrium entertainment and elevator chimes were easily heard. There are two openings from the elevator/hall area to the cabin hallways. The opening further to the bow has a sliding door, which blocks the noise. The opening near this cabin is open at all times. I wouldn't book this cabin again, but would move at least two cabins forward, to avoid the line of site noise.

My wish list would include;

 

1. a true promenade deck

 

2. more closet space in every cabin level

 

3. more dedicated adult venues

 

I'd like to see the closets along the entry hall, and not by the beds.

Thanks for posting!! I sail on 12/22/14 and appreciate the information.

Looking forward to our 12/22 cruise, as well!

I'm expecting a bit different demographic to the OP's experience!

My clothes always shrink, the closer to the end of the cruise it is. :)

I've always seen donuts in Oceanview.

We were thinking of doing this on our own. I had read that their were cabs with bilingual drivers, available at the pier, who could take you where you wanted to go, and wait for you, for a nominal price. Maybe called STEP cabs? Do you know of this, and do you think it is practical?

We are also on this cruise December 22. Great itinerary, holiday pricing!

Hi Airbalancer,

 

Everything I'm hearing, suggests that the HGS show will remain on Solstice, Equinox & Eclipse for the forseeable future. I recently asked a contact at Corning, and they felt confident the HGS would remain. This is unconfirmed by Celebrity.

 

Even if Celebrity wanted to remove the HGS ? My guess is, it would be very extensive refit work. Of course, we can never say never, but I think it's unlikely.

This came up on an earlier thread, and a rep from Celebrity commented that the Glass Show was not going anywhere. With this being a short stay, it wouldn't be possible anyway.

Its punny to say this, but reaction to the show seems to run hot and cold. We really like it, and have booked this cruise for next Christmas (at an obnoxious premium) partly because the show is there. Missed it on Sillhouette.