sippican

On 4/14/2020 at 3:13 PM, bluecruisin said:

Could you please tell me how much the beach club cabanas cost? Thanks

it varies from sailing to sailing. You can check prices in your Cruise Planner on the excursions page, for a specific date. For our August sailing, the regular beach cabanas are $1399 for 8 people. The floating cabanas are $2000. The price includes exclusive entrance to the Coco Beach Club, special lunch, etc. The cabanas are significantly larger with more/nicer amenities than those in  other locations on the island. 

12 hours ago, Lolou127 said:

Thanks everyone, the X website doesn’t seem to differentiate between SS1 and SS2, I was concerned that the aft suites would be more prone to movement but would the fact they’re on lower decks negate that?

The S1 and S2's are differentiated by the colors on the deck plans. The S2s are a lighter blue than the S1s (see above).

1 hour ago, conbon78 said:

We just returned from the Celebrity Eclipse that departed 3/1/2020. I had a hard time finding good information on this port, so I wanted to provide some insight and feedback. There are 3 main excursions to do in this port: Peninsula Valdes, El Pedral Lodge, Punta Tombo. We did Peninsula Valdes and toured with Babel Viajes.

 

Peninsula Valdes - things to know before you go:

• It is a 1 hour drive to the visitor center. There is nothing to see at the visitor center, but it is just a stopping point for bathrooms as there are NO areas to stop once you enter the park. 
• Once you leave the visitor center, it is another 1.5 hours (on a mostly gravel road) out to Caleta Valdes, which has 3 areas to stop. (Total of 2.5 hours of travel time from the port). This is where our excursion and all of the Celebrity excursion buses went.
• Try to go at high tide. It was low tide when we went and everything was super far away and we didn't really get to see much. Also, the season to see the majority of whales/seals/penguins, is not in March. In fact, the whales are not usually around during the cruising season, so it is unlikely that you will see them.
• Puerto Piramides was very pretty, but the shore excursions do not go here as I don't think the buses would be able to go on the roads surrounding it.
• Overall - this was the WORST shore excursion I've ever been on. We basically saw absolutely nothing and spent a lot of time to get there. We would look at the elephant seals that looked like rocks that were far away. Nothing was close up or close by. Do not go to the peninsula to see penguins as the other options have way more penguins. Bring good binoculars if you want to "see" anything. My recommendation is to avoid this excursion if it is March (and/or any other time of the cruising year) as it was awful.

 

El Pedral Lodge:

We did not go on this excursion, but everyone onboard that did - raved about it! It was 1.5 hours driving (about 30min on gravel) out to the lodge, but the penguins were all over and came right up to them! We saw a lot of pictures and it really looked fun. We were super jealous we did not do this.

 

Punta Tombo:

People onboard that did this felt similar to how we did about Peninsula Valdes. It was a 2 hour bus ride each way (not on gravel). In March, the penguins have mostly left, so they didn't get to see many and they were not very close by.

 

Onboard, we debated with other passengers about who had the worst excursions (Peninsula Valdes v. Punta Tombo). Puerto Madryn as a town is really awful as well. There was basically nothing to see, no where to shop, and all around not great place. However - IF you want to see penguins, I would recommend El Pedral. We did a penguin tour in Punta Arenas, but I think it was still better at El Pedral. I hope this review is helpful for someone because I wish I had not wasted 5 hours of my life in a van on a gravel road.

Thank you for your review. Sorry your experience was not at all what you had hoped for.

This validates my decision to visit El Pedral next January!

14 hours ago, phoenix_dream said:

I agree that is what has been happening.  My point is that now that it is confirmed that they are keeping their commissions, it would be nice if we were able to keep our equivalent.  I know it won't happen but I think it should!  With all the FCC to be used, you can bet there will be few if any deals to be had next year on cruises, including from the TA's.

Your TA has complete control over offering you OBC or other incentives on your new booking. 

As far as deals and promos - that's in Celebrity's hands. I expect some good offerings down the line. Remember - you can take advantage of price drops up until final payment.

52 minutes ago, henry1005 said:

The 125% FCC might be a good deal for some of us with cruises previously booked  with excellent rates/perks and final payment still due.  It's really a matter of individual comfort with risk and reward...we chose the 125% FCC as we will have an extra $1k for future travel.  I choose to believe RCCL (Celebrity) will be around for many years to come.  For others, the refund is the way to go.

 

There isn't one answer that fits everyone so I find it troubling when so many are urging everyone to take refunds vs. FCC...this might be the best answer for your circumstances, but not for others. 

I agree!

125% of our cruisfare in a suite, equals an attractive sum to apply to our two existing bookings in 2021. Heck, it might even be a nice upgrade. Add that to the 125% of our onboard expenditures and it becomes very attractive. 

They are changing policies frequently. You may place a cruise on extended hold pending FCC credits (although it does not specify the deposit, it sounds like the rule may be bending a bit). Also, FCCs are not for new bookings only and may be applied to existing bookings within the stated timeframe.

On 3/25/2020 at 8:57 AM, Pedro2400 said:

Just in case anyone is interested......

 

 Q: Can you use your Future Cruise Credit (FCC) on an existing booking? 

A: Yes. FCCs can be applied to an existing booking.

Please cite your source?

As recommended, best to check with your policy. Most do not cover a pandemic. In a usual situation, you need to be sure to purchase coverage of all expenses (air, hotel, tours, cruise, etc.) , to receive reimbursement for those expenses. Many only cover their cruise. Good luck. 

16 hours ago, Mallefiscent said:

Thank you so much.   I wasn't sure if the distance would be too great.   I'm a nurse with overtime out the wazoo right now.   It will give me something to imagine that I am working towards - lying with my eyes closed in the cool shade of a floating cabana, listening to the water gently lapping.  Why is there someone coughing in my cabana?  Oh yeah.  Back to work.  😛

We weregoing for the floating cabana, but the teens and tweens in the group are spending most of their time in the water park and  they will not be able to come and go from the Beach Club unless they have bands (part of the registered group), So us “older” folks went for the plain ole Coco Beach Club cabana (still $$$$). 

You will certainly earn a well-deserved treat at the end of all this. Stay safe, and thank you from the bottom of my heart.

The floating cabanas were $2000 for our sailing, and the Thrill water park tickets around $140 pp. If you've got the dough, go for it! (Be sure to reserve your caban early.)

Bookish Angel!

Interesting post and information.

Your post is well-taken. I feel the same way about those who decide to take a land-based trip to the Galapagos Islands.

The FCC cannot be used as the deposit so no reason to wait to book something new. 

1 hour ago, Pedro2400 said:

Sigh of relief.... Positive news..

It's only positive if they are actually honoring it for everyone. Vicki Freed, Senior VP of Sales, , during a recent webinar, said new bookings only. Fingers crossed - I'm planning on using it for current bookings.

10 minutes ago, blueridgemama said:

 

Wow! I'm a child of the sixties and was often irresponsible so I'm not going to berate these kids. 

We were all young and irresponsible once😊

Any what does reducing student loans have to do with this?

You also don't live in Florida to see/feel the impact of this behavior. As a child of the sixties myself, I can't recall that any of my irresponsible behavior was of the sort that endangered every single person or loved one that I might encounter.

 I could never afford spring break because I had student loans that I was committed to paying back.

17 minutes ago, MamaFej said:

Thanks for the information!

Do you have a link to this information or did it come in an email or other sort of communication, please?

First I heard it from a TA who attended an RCCL webinar today, then, with some research  I found it under the terms of the Cruise With Confidence guarantee.

I was origianlly told that FCCs could be applied to any cruise up unitl the end of 2021, even those already booked.

Now it seems the FCC is for new bookings only.

I've switched to the full refund camp.

On 3/11/2020 at 5:23 AM, Chiliburn said:

I would go ahead with it . It’s business as usual here.

Make sure you have insurance,They worst case you could be quarantined for 2 weeks in a 5 Star harbour view hotel room.

Most travel insurance has no coverage for a pandemic/epidemic.

1 hour ago, 2onboardagain said:

I can only share my experience regarding OBC but the short answer is that OBC is forfeited.

When our Millennium Hong Kong to Shanghai cruise was cancelled we were reimbursed every penny of our cash outlay for the cruise but the stockpile of OBC that we accrued through intermittent cruise fare reductions under the best price guarantee were not transferrable to our rebooked cruise on Apex out of Southampton (which is looking more and more doubtful).

 

I am beginning to develop a complex as my cruise selections get foiled by that virus!

Well here's "the longer answer".

I am aware that some OBC will be forfeited, those given as part of the sales promotions for one, however, it remains to be seen if they will take away all OBC. For instance, we have OBC from family purchased gifts, X compensation for a "problem" encountered on a previous cruise, etc. As far as I'm concerned, those are MINE, not X's to dispose of.

12 minutes ago, mahdnc said:

 

We have taken two cruises on Solstice out of Sydney including one to New Zealand.  There were a lot of Australians on board--I think they were the majority.  Even though this one originated out of New Zealand, I am sure there were a lot of Aussies on board as well. They would have to be repatriated sooner or later.

It actually departed out of Sydney, but the new regulations closing the port raised many questions as to whether the ship would be granted an exception (having called on New Zealand) and whether foreigners would be required to undergo the new 14 day quarantine.

It seems like a reasonable solution, as you say many Australians would be onboard. Glad it's working out for them.

1 hour ago, mahdnc said:

 

That was their originally scheduled date to arrive in Sydney.  It looks like they will be skipping their scheduled stop at Eden which means they got most of their itinerary done and the cruise length was not shortened.

Yes, the question was whether the Australian government was going to allow them to dock in light of the new ban.

The Solstice has been given special permission to return to Sydney on the 20th from New Zealand. Those disembarking - Aussies to return home to self-quarantine, foreigners to go directly to the airport, or hotel to quarantine until flight out.

1 hour ago, lizbeth said:

And, there is some truth to the rumors of RCL going under.  Take the 100% cash & be made whole.

The truth is that they are just that - rumors. The liklihood of going under increases with every refund taken instead of an FCC. I do inderstand that everyone needs to do what is best for them personally, without relying on a rumor for guidance. There are certainly plenty of those floating around right now, we don't need more.

We will take the FCC if our 4/25 sailing is cancelled and apply it to two bookings we have for next year. Being unable to afford the, or find an acceptable cabin on the transpacific for 2021, we have booked it for 2022 (of course knowing there will be no compensation or credit applied).

2 hours ago, az_tchr said:

The current situation is impossible to predict, but Alaska is clear for the coming months. X has an opportunity to do the right thing instead of hoping people will cancel and take a FCC in a "game of chicken". Sure hope maybe in a week or 10 days they cancell Alaska and Europe through at least 15 May. Hard to cruise without ports.

I'd like to amend the request to include the Solstice transpacific, which is now without any ports (Sydney, NZ, French Polynesia) including the final destination, Vancouver.

22 minutes ago, hvbaskey said:

 

Celebrity was offering refunds not inside the penalty box, “was” is the operative word.  I was able to snag it on the last morning offered; later that night - apparently it is FCC only.   This is a bit unfair to those who are eligible for cash refunds (in part).   The only way to get that cash is to refuse the FCC and go through your insurance company (credit or private) to retrieve the non-refundable penalty fare.

 

 

As a TA,  I was not aware for refunds being offered instead of FCCs uless X had cancelled the sailing. Can you be more specific?