whirlybird3

Glad you are all safe … Have a safe voyage.

On 8/13/2023 at 1:40 PM, GatorMomInNC said:

I will say I don't like the entertainment on EITHER however I also don't think I have found a show on either line - or RCCL or NCL or Carnival for that matter- that I can sit through the whole thing.  Personally, other than Disney, they all pretty much are the same stuff.     Having said that, I did find the glass blowing interesting on Celebrity; the port talks interesting on HAL (not just telling you where to shop to get a kickback).  Also, HAL has some classical music venues that I didn't go to but looked interesting.

 

From the limited experience I have on Celebrity and HAL, I found the Celebrity ships are newer/more modern; HAL is a little more traditional.   I really like the laid back feeling of HAL - less party time, more relax time.   

The entertainment on the RCCL Oasis class is outstanding!  (Broadway shows, Aqua Theater shows, Ice Skating shows)  I have only cruised on three TA voyages on the Oasis class and was never board.  

On 8/16/2023 at 5:33 PM, CNSJ said:

When I first started sailing HAL, I was told they have classical music because many of the four/five star mariners went to high school when the classical music was being first released.....😇

 

Now I enjoy the 1970/80s rock from my early days....Its "Classical" Rock.

 

 

Love the classical music venue on HAL!  Also, I’m a 80’s gal and have fond memories being in high school during the time when MTV all began. 

On 8/17/2023 at 8:33 AM, mcrcruiser said:

Being Elite Plus with Celebrity & 3 Star Mariner with Holland America  .the main differences I see is in the entertainment . Celebrity has  Broadway style shows  & other music through out the ship in small groups to as little as one guitar player . .Celebrity has entertainment past midm=night .Holland America lacks Broadway  style shows  uses a dance Team repeatedly for shows & has Music Walk with the Rolling Rock Group--rock music  ,Billboard on board 2 pianos with vocalists singing more typical songs & Blues Club which has some dancing & occasionally will have a comedian .They also have a studio for arts   .This is on their Pinnacle Class ships . HAL has the Dutch Cade which is excellent 

 

 The more I think of it they both pretty well match up fairly closely   .Then holland does have long itineraries which Celebrity generally does not .except trans Atlantics  ie 

The itineraries brings us back to HAL!  Although, we have been sailing a lot on Celebrity abroad and many TA/TP. 

On 7/22/2023 at 9:41 AM, Jim_Iain said:

Even though we always have Premium Packages I often drink the melted ice water.    In my humble opinion it tastes as good or better than the stuff in the can (which is filtered water). 

 

My preference is for San Pellegrino.      I also like to take the canned water with us when on excursions.

 

I prefer sparkling water and use a Soda Stream at home.  What sparkling water is included in the classic package? 

2 hours ago, ebtrip said:

Thanks for the updated flash sale. Called captain club had a 50 minute wait, but they had a call back. Was able to upgrade to premium beverage for $10.00 pppd plus gratuity. 

Thanks for the heads up!  I too was able to upgrade for $10.00 on my cruise in October… Now, I hope there is another sale for the following cruise in November. 

On 8/4/2023 at 6:49 AM, weacat said:

Hi everyone - hoping the hive will have some contact information for us.  While onboard the Apex this last sailing, our daughter was evaluated by the medical office after she fell on a bike ride in Copenhagen.  Thankfully nothing was broken and she came away with a sore arm.  After the visit, we were charged but have no other documentation from that office.  Since we have trip insurance, I would like to submit the claim but need additional documentation other than the final receipt.  Does anyone have information on how to contact the medical office or a main phone number to start with?  Thank you!

On 8/4/2023 at 8:37 AM, Bo1953 said:

• Celebrity Guest Relations Department 1-844-418-6824

Call Celebrity guest relations to retrieve your medical records. After each voyage, all medical records are scanned and uploaded into the main server at the headquarters.  Then the paperwork is shredded once received in the main system.  

I have an Independence of the Seas Crystal block and would love to trade for a Radiance of the Sea crystal block.  Please email me at Whirlybird2 at hotmail dot com if interested. 

Does anyone have an extra Radiance of the Seas block?  Please PM me at whirlybird2 at hotmail dot com. 

On 12/14/2022 at 7:19 AM, jelayne said:

We did a B2B 1st leg middle MC and 2nd forward end.  The wall with the window is solid so it does reduce the airflow on the balcony some.  

Yes!  And it was wonderful on those windy rough sea days ... We can actually enjoy the balcony.  The forward view was nice. 

We were able to call via basic wifi on the Edge in October and on the Millennium during a transpacific crossing & in Asia pre-COVID. 

Thank you!  How fast is the basic vs stream?  Is there a big difference?  

On 11/12/2022 at 9:42 AM, Nashna said:

Oh my...what a horrible experience.  In the future you might want to check out Medijet.  The insurance covers you when you are traveling.  They would have arranged for your care in a respectable hospital and would have flown you home.  You were very luck to survive the experience.  I hope you will have another opportunity to sail on the Apex.

On 11/12/2022 at 9:33 AM, frito58 said:

We flew to Rome on Oct 15/16 for our first European and Celebrity cruise. Itleft out on the 17th we had B2B cruises booked in a Retreat room we were so excited and it once we boarded we were not disappointed, it was fantastic. Our butler Albert was there for every need, Nancy our room gal was wonderful. We were in sky suite 8206 perfectly located . The Luminae was so great we loved eating there along with all the specialty restaurants. It was like my 30 something cruise and Joyce, my partner 12th or so but all the stops were just awesome. The Apex is as great a ship we have ever sailed just the perfect size . If I could sail this size ship every cruise I would .
 

Everything was going great UNTIL I woke up on our what was supposed to be our first sea day back with chest pains . I sat there for a minute BTW NO history ever of heart problems. I am a stage 4 colon cancer survivor of about 18 years. We are both widowed and have lost our spouses so we know what it is to face these things. So I am getting worse Joyce calls 911. They take me to medical. I won’t bore u with all the medical but I ended up staying there for the last 2 days . Their reading was I needed immediate angioplasty once I got off the ship between 48-72 hours of my presumed heart attack. They assured me they were in contact with the “hospital “ and a cardiologist.

 

Once in port of Civitavecchia we were taken by ambulance and were told we couldn’t take but 2 bags so somewhere we have 3 bags of luggage missing somewhere , which is now like finding Waldo . Anyway we are taken to the port hospital and we pull in and nothing, nobody was expecting us, the hospital was filthy, one nurse that I saw for like 5 minutes spoke broken English they ran a couple of test a Dr looks at me and says NO Angioplasty. They stick me in a hallway for 5 hours. Me not being a one that takes BS finally loses my temper just says BS on all This and says I’m leaving. They sent a guy supposedly a to help but basically all he wanted was to make sure we paid our bill $1200 . We can’t get back on the ship, Joyce contacts  a celebrity rep at the port who says he’ll call us right back and never did.

 

The liaison  arranges our transportation to Rome for the Bargain price of $230 euros.. it cost me $130 in a private van to get there . We have no place to stay . I go back to the Hotel we left . Sold out they send me down the street. One room left he says he can let me have it for $539 euros which I know is like 200 more than it’s worth on what I paid when came but I’m tired so whatever. So we stay 2 more days, hire a private doctor for 300 euros to clear me for flying and prescribed a nitro patch in case I needed it, flew home and now I’m dealing with insurance…..Oh on the ship customer service told my we HAD NO insurance. They said what I bought only covered canceled cruise which I knew was totally BS. I always take cruise insurance which I know covers medical. So now about 20k later the insurance is like a total PITA . I have called them 3 times they won’t email the forms I need . I used to be a TA so it’s not like I am clueless on how to do these things . It’s just frustrating dealing with what was supposed to be the best cruise of our life.
 

Oh BTW I did have another heart attack after I got home last Friday had a 100% blocked artery , I shutter to think what would have happened if I had to have surgery In Italy . The Dr on ship were right but they basically just get you off so they don’t have to deal with it. I do believe someone was looking out for us got us home and now I’m recuperating here . Dealing with the aftermath. Just never ever get sick outsiders the USA .LOL . Even our concierge at the hotel told us it wouldn’t be wise to go to. Rome hospital unless I was having some BAD symptoms.  . Sorry so LONG everyone .But stay well & happy sailing. 

Oh my goodness!!!  The ship doctor was correct on the diagnosis and referred you to ashore for medical cree that was not available on the ship.  Unfortunately, the hospital was a huge disappointment and thank heavens to were able to fly home safely and receive the care you needed.  

On 11/12/2022 at 2:20 PM, verizon said:

I never leave home without Med-Jet and GeoBlue.

Trust me I have used both.

I remember looking into Med-Jet in the past, however I think there are restrictions that does not cover COVID diagnosis if you were sailing on a cruise ship.  I agree to look into independent and also read the fine print ... Especially when it comes to cruising. 

On 11/15/2022 at 12:27 PM, FLCruiser97 said:

I asked a crew member and this is a one time thing when they first come in from a repositioning from outside the US to the US. They probably have to do the same thing going the other way.

The ship has to go through US coast guard inspection then all crew have to go through immigration before anyone disembarks.  The crew are usually up at 0400 going though immigration.  

Thank you for all of your posting and photos!  Do you know if this class of ship is still offering Elite breakfast and cocktail hour?  It was something we have enjoyed in the past. 

On 10/31/2022 at 8:57 AM, Another_Critic said:

If they charge you, they should give you a receipt to sign.  At that point, you tell them to use a voucher.

 

Six cruises since restart and the only place I've told them to use the voucher was Johnny Rockets (for an adult shake) and only because there's also a 50% off coupon.  Obviously YMMV.

 

 

Wow!  I would never have though of using a voucher for a yummy shake at JR. 

On 10/28/2022 at 6:34 PM, Tlbecker1 said:

We are D+ and 5 drinks a day is good for us.  Plus our wine, we are more than taken care of each day. 

How do you claim for the five drinks?  Do you ask the bar tender to deduct the drink from your sea pass and not charge you?  Also, I can not recall how much is a mojito ... Will a mojito qualify as a complimentary drink?

15 hours ago, mahdnc said:

well I’m officially sea sick today.

The front desk and infirmary has complimentary sea sickness pill (meclizine). If that does not work, you may consider in going to the infirmary for a prescription of Zofran (for nausea) or a stronger medication would be phenagran (for nausea but will defiantly make you sleepy) 

We loved sailing on the Connie from Abu Dhabi to Rome.  Question:  How is the Persian Garden?  Are the ceramic seating still heated?  We were disappointed that the Millennium's ceramic seating is no longer heated. 

12 minutes ago, sbcs5390 said:

A change for sure, or a supply chain issue?

Not sure as my husband had the same for his green tea.  We could have had the same in the lido buffet without the charge. 

10 minutes ago, bama4cruisin said:

Which ship did you find this?

Edge 😞

I just noticed that the Cafe al Bacio is now serving Bigelow tea. 😮

If I go to the slot machine and load it with onboard credit, play one slot, then cash it out …. Will there be a service fee?  I like handing out cash to the crew for their exceptional service. 

5 hours ago, Sekhmet said:

We are shortly to depart on a b-t-b;  the first part is less than 9 nights and so falls into the "no pre-boarding testing is required", and the second part is 10 nights and also calls into Greek ports.  For this part, we expect to need a supervised test.  In their frequently asked questions section there is an entry on b-t-b cruises, with the quote:

 

"Vaccinated guests will be permitted to sail on back-to-back cruises. Guests sailing on back-to-back cruises must show proof of vaccination and are required to take a COVID-19 test producing negative results between each sailing. Guests who are not fully vaccinated or are not eligible to be vaccinated, are not able to sail on back-to back-cruises.

For guests sailing back-to-back on any Royal Caribbean Group ship, complimentary testing will be provided onboard."

 

 

 

For those guest who have had COVID within 190 days, a Dr Note of recovery and proof of positive test will be accepted in place of testing? 

6 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

Definitely would wait and see what happens.  The rules are changing so rapidly that they could change again before your cruise.

 

We are on Summit now on a B2B Transatlantic (2n leg).   Originally they thought we would not be tested.  Even though Canada requires testing for all passengers prior to board they considered B2B's transit passengers and we would be covered by our first test before boarding.   Due to a large number of positive passengers we had to be tested on board. 

 

We have a Zenith lunch today so will be asking if B2B's will be tested for our 3rd segment - Boston to Quebec and back.  

 

Interesting ... Keep us updated and wishing you to stay well.  Curious ... What is the cruise line currently doing for those who are testing positive?  Are they still designating a certain deck to isolate?  

1 hour ago, Rustyman said:

We’re just back from doing that. All went smooth on arrival, collected baggage pretty quickly and straight through. On return again no problems, you should be fine with time to spare if you’re there 2 hours before your flight. It very much depends who you’re flying with and whether you have fast track.we were Lufthansa and our only delay was in the queue to check our bags in, about 20 minutes.

Thank you.  We will be spending one night in Rome after our cruise, then flying out the following morning.  Just trying to plan the transportation time.  The first leg will be from FCO to Frankfurt, so hopefully the screen process will be seamless.  

My husband and I are traveling to FCO and then flying out of FCO after our cruise.  What has been your experience in checking in and wait times though security?  We are trying to plan on how many hours to arrive to the airport. 

How about back to back cruise COVID testing requirement to test?  Will the COR apply?