vmarq

For those of you who have toured St. Petersburg, what sites were your favorites and not to miss and which ones could you have done without?

I am so worried about getting so utterly exhausted on this Baltic itinerary so don't want to spend time going to sites that perhaps are not worth the effort.

I appreciate any feedback you can give.

Our first cruise was on the Monarch back in 1993. We were on our 15th Wedding Anniversary and were seated at dinner with 3 other couples who were all on their honeymoons!! One thing I distinctly remember was that the waiter did everything. He would even cut my lettuce salad while it sat in front of me which I felt kind of embarrassed about since I wasn't used to that kind of service.

The theme nights in the MDR with waiters dressed the same and many nights they would sing for us. The midnight buffets every night but I have to admit they were kind of a waste since I didn't see that many people eating at them.

Every time we left our stateroom, our steward magically knew we were gone and would come and straighten our room - even if it was just putting away our shoes.

I still enjoy today's cruising and it is a good value. I enjoy being able to eat when I would like and even sit at a table for 2 when we choose. There are definite advantages to cruising today.

I have been on many Celebrity cruises and have never had a stomach virus. In fact, I was on the March 29th Infinity that had the breakout of the norovirus and was lucky enough not to get sick. I am a health professional and I suspect the itinerary that the Infinity is doing lends itself more to passengers picking up the Norovirus on shore and bringing it back onboard the ship. Many of the Panama Canal ports are not the cleanest. I don't believe it is a problem with the ship itself. They worked very hard to keep the virus contained.

Another interesting thing I observed while in Cabo San Lucas. Since this was a tender port, I saw a crew member enter each one of the tenders when they emptied, and spray it down with some type of spray gun. I think Celebrity did a good job based on the circumstances. It is interesting that each of the ships coming into San Diego with Noro had done the Panama Canal. I believe the virus was brought on the ship after people went on their excursions. Let's be honest, these cruise ports in South America are not the cleanest.

We just got off the Infinity. Luckily, we did not get sick but half way through our 15 day Panama Canal cruise, the staff instituted the strict Norovirus protocols. For example, in the Oceanview Cafe, you were not able to serve yourself any food or even get your own coffee, water, juice. Everything was removed from tables such as salt/pepper, sugar. No longer would the staff take your sea pass card when you ordered a drink. They had you hold it up so they could write down your folio number. In the dining rooms, they no longer would place a basket of bread on your table. They went around and served it. When you had coffee, they would come around with tongs and grab the splenda, equal out of container and give it to you. Constant cleaning was seen throughout the ship. They removed our decorator pillows from the staterooms 3 days before the end and our bedskirt 2 days before. Paper cups showed up in our cabin 1 day before so they could remove the glasses. The Emporium area where the shops are was roped off and everyone entering/leaving area had to have hand sanitizer squirted on their hands. There were people squirting your hands in major public areas. The staff was getting so over worked that they actually had the Celebrity Dancers handing out coffee, juice, water. They were all working so hard to keep us safe and it was much appreciated. The protocols made it that you had to wait in line for about everything but understandable. The captain, during his noon updates, would always tell us to wash our hand. Anyone that had GI symptoms was quarantined to their room for 2 days. In fact, they requested if you had symptoms that you call and have the medical staff come to your room instead of going to the medical facility. These were some of the main changes we saw. Everyone was very hush hush as to how many people were affected but we knew it had to be substantial if they were going to these lengths.

Vicki

We just got off the Infinity. Luckily, we did not get sick but half way through our 15 day Panama Canal cruise, the staff instituted the strict Norovirus protocols. For example, in the Oceanview Cafe, you were not able to serve yourself any food or even get your own coffee, water, juice. Everything was removed from tables such as salt/pepper, sugar. No longer would the staff take your sea pass card when you ordered a drink. They had you hold it up so they could write down your folio number. In the dining rooms, they no longer would place a basket of bread on your table. They went around and served it. When you had coffee, they would come around with tongs and grab the splenda, equal out of container and give it to you. Constant cleaning was seen throughout the ship. They removed our decorator pillows from the staterooms 3 days before the end and our bedskirt 2 days before. Paper cups showed up in our cabin 1 day before so they could remove the glasses. The Emporium area where the shops are was roped off and everyone entering/leaving area had to have hand sanitizer squirted on their hands. There were people squirting your hands in major public areas. The staff was getting so over worked that they actually had the Celebrity Dancers handing out coffee, juice, water. They were all working so hard to keep us safe and it was much appreciated. The protocols made it that you had to wait in line for about everything but understandable. The captain, during his noon updates, would always tell us to wash our hand. Anyone that had GI symptoms was quarantined to their room for 2 days. In fact, they requested if you had symptoms that you call and have the medical staff come to your room instead of going to the medical facility. These were some of the main changes we saw. Everyone was very hush hush as to how many people were affected but we knew it had to be substantial if they were going to these lengths.

Vicki

Thanks to all the posters for the information. I read through the guide but did not see Vantage listed. How would you compare them to AMA?

Thank you.

Vicki

Just wondering what European cruise cities have been your favorites on any river cruises you have been on. Trying to decide what itinerary to do. Leaning towards either Danube or Rhine.

Thank you in advance.

Vicki

We have done many ocean cruises and prefer Celebrity for that. Would appreciate recommendations for river cruise lines through Europe. Am thinking the Danube and possibly Rhine rivers.

Thank you in advance.

Vicki

Does anyone have a way to reach odysseytourscr.com? That website is suspended, whatever that means.

I have been corresponding with them via: odysseytours@gmail.com

In fact, I just sent them an email yesterday to ask about their website being down since we are scheduled to be on a tour with them in April. Haven't heard back yet.

Vicki

How horribly sad for the family. I can't imagine someone booking a cruise to commit suicide. If they're intent on doing it, there must be another way.

And what does being a good swimmer have to do with going overboard from the 11th deck? I can't even begin to imagine the impact from that height....and yes, I know it's water, but wouldn't you get sucked under the ship?

Sadly, there will always be many unanswered questions. :([/QUOT

 

I wonder if it comes down to life insurance for the family since it really never could be proved that it was a suicide.

I'm not saying this is true of this particular incident; however, I once read there a certain number of people that plan their suicide on cruise ships by jumping overboard.

I read where people request the egg crate toppers for their beds. I would doubt these toppers get cleaned in anyway. Is anyone concerned about the body fluids that are probably inside these foam toppers? If there is a way that Celebrity cleans these, please correct me but the whole idea grosses me out.

I'm a huge fan of AQ and Blu. Last year I was in 1141 on Summit and it was amazing. For our March 15th sailing from Chile to Florida I am in 7202 on Infinity and couldn't be happier. We plan on spending the Panama Canal transit day right on that balcony. I love that it's a bigger cabin and I will have private space away from the teens. I will however miss Blu. Don't trade out of that cabin. I promise to take care of it for you. I see you will be boarding the day we disembark.

Thank you for your comment. Enjoy 7202 on your cruise and we will do the same.

Thank you for your opinions. I was eligible for a complementary upgrade because the senior fares are lower now than when I paid, and the Aqua cabins are actually less than what I paid for the FV but I think I will stick with the FV. Unfortunately, I didn't realize we wouldn't get the Beverage Pkg because of the Senior Fare but was still a good deal.

If you were me, would you do a complementary upgrade from the Family Ocean View cabin #7202 which is the large corner one to go to Aqua aft cabin #1141 on the Infinity to be able to eat in Blu?

Just wondering what I should do. Thank you for any opinions.

We were on the Reflection in May and vouchers were not used.

Is eating in Blu THAT much better than the MDR? What is the food/menu like? I'm trying to decide if I should upgrade and try it. Thank you for your opinions.

As soon as the muster drill is over.. then Vaca officially begins and the sail away party commences...

 

waking up and walking out on my balcony to the sea... ahhh... now I feel at home :D

 

 

 

CC

That is exactly the way I feel too. I take a deep sigh of relief once the muster is over, and let the fun begin!! I know several of you have mentioned being rocked to sleep. I love that too; however, the last 2 cruises have had such smooth seas I hardly felt any rocking. I missed it!!!

First of all I will say that Celebrity is our cruise line of choice. We have sailed Celebrity, Carnival, NCL, Royal Carribbean, Azamara, and Princess. Approx. 4-5 years ago, we sailed on the NCL Sun in a deal we couldn't refuse. There wasn't anything I felt objectionable, and the production shows were the best I have ever seen. They had contracted with an entertainment company to provide the shows and there were quite a few Russian dancers performing who took my breath away. The only one of the cruise lines I will not cruise with again is Carnival. Carnival is the only cruise line I have sailed on where we had something stolen which was our camera. A camera can be replaced but not the pictures.

We have done 3 Mediterranean cruises and it would be my suggestion you reconsider doing full day tours at all your ports. You will be so exhausted that you probably won't fully enjoy it all. Aren't there 1 or 2 ports you could limit a tour to a partial day?

Car is not needed, the only things to see are Fira and Oia and the main archeological site. The rest is just barren with some beaches.

 

The former, you arrive at the first the second is a ten minute bus ride and the latter a twenty minute bus ride.

 

 

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This thread is about Rhodes, not Santorini.

Is the end of August a bad time to take a Baltic Cruise? I have heard that a lot of Europeans take their vacations then. Any input would be appreciated. Thank you.

Vicki

I have a question some of you may be able to answer. We are on the Celebrity Reflection, in Santorini on Friday, May 29th. Last week I booked 4 transfers on the speedboat on the 10:45 trip, at 20 euros each. I went to the website today just to see how things were going, and there seem to have been changes. No 10:45 trip is listed for our day or any other, that I can see . Has anyone noticed this? I just don't want to be standing on the pier with nothing arranged and 4 worthless vouchers.

Hi,

We are on the same sailing as you, and I also noticed today that our 8:45am tour is no longer listed as well. I'm sure it is for the same reason as yours - that our tour is full. With 4 ships in port that day, I did think these would go fast.

Vicki

For those of you waiting to book your boat transfers from Santorini to OIA, their website is taking reservations today. I had heard it wouldn't be until March 11th but I just made my reservation. Whooppee!! Also, good news for those of you which ships arriving late, there is a transfer time in the afternoon as well.!!