Project_gal

We always found that our butlers appreciated the requests made in advance [much easier than changing a set up later] and kept a copy with them.

Frankly, requests are [or should be] personal to the individuals. For example, we like the bed in the PH [which do not split on S-class ships] to be made up with individual [single] bedding. It stops us fighting over the quilt and works for us but is not what most people would want. Other requests we have made would also not suit others.

My advice, therefore, has always been to think of what would make your cruise great rather than what butlers have done for others. If it is within their power to do it, they will but some things are not possible. If an item is not on board and they cannot source it, they cannot provide it. On one TA the plastic carrier bags [US = shopping bag?] had not been delivered to the ship before we set off across the Atlantic. No amount of goodwill could produce a bag on that cruise.

On reflection, I should add something to my earlier post. The five-night cruise was immediately following a TA from Europe. There had been no health authority inspection of the ship when we arrived in Fort Lauderdale and, thus, the crew were still preparing for a possible inspection when we docked at Fort Lauderdale again. Added to this, the Celebrity CEO was on board for an internal marketting conference. In other circumstances, when the crew were not as preoccupied with other things, they may have been more in control of the smoking issue. 

15 hours ago, Cruisenewbie20181 said:

Looking at 4 night cruise on the Silhouette out of Fort Lauderdale in November Thursday thru Sunday. Stops in Key West and Nassau. I have heard people say they avoid 4 night 3 and 4 night cruises because they tend to be booze cruises. Only cruised three times so your opinions would be appreciated.

In our experience, even a 5-night cruise with a similar itinerary was what we would consider a booze cruise - not only much drinking but also open smoking in the wrong places. Our fellow guests were not particularly young - although, perhaps, a slightly younger demographic than other Celebrity cruises. It certainly was not the type of cruise we would usually associate with Celebrity. We would never do such a short cruise again.

Thanks for the further responses. It sounds attractive. We often enjoy the Mast Grill Hot Dogs for lunch and being able to get them from the Retreat Sun Deck is positive.

Thanks for all the useful responses. 

I know I need to download the app but I need a new phone first. Mine really does not have enough storage.

Without going into the ins and outs of why, it will be 5 1/2 years since our last cruise on Celebrity when we final board our Silhouette cruise in just over a year's time. I have returned to CC, and searched elsewhere on the Internet, but am finding much of the information confusing. 

What facilities are there at the Retreat Sun Deck, please? Is there a bar? If so, what hours is it open? Do they serve any food? Is there a hot tub? Is there really a charge for use of the cabanas? Anything else I should know?

Many thanks for any information.

On 1/11/2023 at 2:29 AM, mcrcruiser said:

There is only one scooter that folds  .It weighs like 48 lbs . This is the problem with tender ports for the handicapped . Cabo should have a deep sea port .Perhaps one day in the future

That is untrue. There are many folding scooters available throughout the world. Many fold automatically. Ours are well travelled and have cruised the Caribbean but I would not consider taking them on a tender. Even if the crew were willing to help you on and off with them [and I am not sure that they would], I would feel guilty about the time, efforrt and space involved.

This thread has been increasingly difficult to read through my tears. I will always be grateful to CC for introducing me to Mrs Chemmo who has become my friend off-board and been a huge support to me over the years. We have never met in person, but I have had the privilege of learning that her intelligent and calming presence on CC is true in real life. Both Mr and Mrs Chemmo, as well as their son and future daughter-in-law, have lived the past several months with the utmost dignity, bravery and shared love. 

I join with you all in saying "RIP Mr Chemmo" and "thank you Mrs Chemmo".

12 minutes ago, NJRonbo said:

Thought I would bring this topic back up

 

Every year my GF and I buy a keepsake ornament from a prominent vacation spot we went to that year.

 

Next year it will be our Celebrity Summit cruise.

I take it you can buy a keepsake tree ornament onboard in one of the shops?

We do the same as you and there is usually a couple of different designs available in the onboard shops. 

On 12/9/2022 at 7:32 PM, welshwizards said:

https://www.rome2rio.com/s/Southampton/Heathrow-England

very much depends on how you travel and what time you disembark, just over an hour by car, regular national express coaches maybe just over 2 hours, train a bit longer

 

If the trains are running ...

This question has chimed with me because we have just [in the UK] discovered alcohol-free ciders and have been wondering if we can get these on board, and in the USA. We think that we may have a language issue trying to find out. What we call cider, our American cousins call hard cider. What they call cider, we call apple juice. What would Americans call alcohol-free cider or does the language problem mean it will never be available in the States?

5 hours ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

Not sure why you wouldn’t want to bother your butler. Serving you is their job. You paid for it and should feel encouraged to use their services. If you feel your butler has gone above and beyond or you feel you may have been a little extra needy, give them additional compensation in the form of a tip. 

Because if you simply want a quick, informal snack, you do not always want the butler bustling and setting up the dining table with tablecloth, etc. It is the reason you will often see us making a run for the buffet and back when the coast is clear.

The one aspect I would add is that, should you book through a TA, you lose the ability to deal with Celebrity directly and this becomes important at such times as Celebrity cancelling your cruise. My opinion is probably coloured by how often Celebrity have done this to us. Our current reservation has been affected multiple times. [If I said how many, I would probably lose credibility.] Each time we have only been able to resolve matters [more or less] satisfactorily by pulling out all the stops and emailing all my contacts at Celebrity direct. Just something to consider.

13 hours ago, chemmo said:

Our son and GF cruise with us….His logic is we are spending his inheritance so he might as well enjoy it too!!!

 

Seriously no complaints, wonderful to spend quality time with them…

Hi, chemmo, as you can see I have made it back to CC!

Reactions to ship movement are complex - it depends both on the person and the type of sea conditions. Low down, mid-ships is always the best position as there is the least movement there.My husband and I are affected by different types of motion - both different to the norm. I was most affected in the Mediterranean and most often when bending/straightening such as when packing and unpacking. My husband when no one else on board is affected - I cannot work out the conditions that affect him!

I am more affected by vibration and cannot happily eat on the lower deck of M-class ships but do not feel it on deck 6.

Having said that, we have sailed in both the PHs (rear-most suites) and RSs (forward-most suites) on M-class ships on Transatlantics, Transpacific, Mediterranean and Caribbean and not been affected by the motion at all.

However, not all M-class suites are deck 6 aft. If you are still worries, the Celebrity Suites on the M-class ships are mid-ships and most of the Sky suites and not situated in "Suite-Land".

We love the M-class Celebrity Suites for the totally dark, separate bedroom (I am a poor sleeper if the room is too light and, even on holiday, my husband and I keep different hours) and the proper dining table. We do not eat dinner in the suite very often but it is much more civilised eating lunch or breakfast and the occasional dinner at a table. The extra storage is convenient too allowing for organised storage even if you travel light.

The shower over the very high sided bath is the biggest disadvantage .

I know some readers see booking top suites as an unnecessary expense or some sort of ‘elitism’ but for us it is a reflection that more and more our ship is our destination.....We do spend more time in the room, appreciate having a bar set up and do find a butler has his uses, we make the most of our dining options too!

 

We are so blessed we did travel so much when we were fitter!

Spot on!

I agree! I can't access them either!

Please help!

Try this link: https://boards.cruisecritic.co.uk/showpost.php?p=57183563&postcount=6

Am I the only one who cannot see any of the attachments? There are all showing as a missing image.

Is it possible for someone to post the highlights as text, please?

Update: It's OK. Someone has posted a screen shot of the original post elsewhere which I can see.

The sun tried its best and gave limited sunshine from about 2pm but still quite chilly. At about 9pm there was lightening and heavy rain. Today we have arrived in Athens to thick cloud and quite heavy rain....

 

Much as we are a little upset by the weather our hearts really go out to those seeing this part of the Mediterranean for the first time. Even moreso to those who have traveled halfway around the world to get here.

 

Our initial plans for Athens were to go to Plaka and enjoy a nice lunch....With our mobility issues even if the rain stops we will have some concerns about slipping on the uneven cobbled (and very wet) pavement.

 

Our glasses continue to be more than half full. From our balcony we have a great view of ships coming and going, the rain is coming straight down rather than inwards so we can still enjoy the fresh air on our balcony, we can enjoy a swim in the Solarium later and tonight we dine in Murano’s!

Apologies, clearly the weather gods misread our calendar and thought we would be in Greece this year (rather than next)!

So glad the "new posh frock" finally got an airing.

Not the best of weather! We were rocking and rolling last night and cloudy and cool today (sea day). Time to catch up on my reading....

Always nice to catch up with the reading but it is still a shame about the weather. We have had a glorious day today.

Thanks Sue,

 

Presently sat in the harbour in Palma enjoying the view. As we spent a week here in June in a countryside villa we are going to enjoy a quiet ship day!

 

Your advice about Barcelona airport came in handy. We contacted the airline and said we would need mobility help if the walk from gate to the exit was too far. They arranged a golf cart for us which worked out great! I think airports are becoming increasingly difficult for those of us who are somewhere between mobile and disabled. Certainly neither of us could have made that long walk. Thanks again for your advice.

You're welcome!

chemmo

Have a great cruise. I am thinking of you.

We both agree that this was one of the best excursions we have ever taken but it does little more than visit the Green Monkey sanctuary. From memory we drove round the whole island on public road and had a short stop at a very beautiful beach but, in reality, it was just the sanctuary.

We did go on a Sunday and the roads were very busy with local traffic enjoying the beautiful day off and you may get to do more on a quieter day.

Other than that why bother with bringing a cake? Is it really necessary to have a cake? I would hope that you could survive a few days without cake.

For some, a cruise is one time in a year to indulge on things you love but resist most of the time. For Brits who happen to love a US-centric cruise line, our indulgences may not be available. US tastes are different to those in the UK. US crisps/chips, biscuit/cookies and, especially, cake are not the same as available in the UK. A Southampton-based cruise is an opportunity to enable such cruise enhancements.

It is not necessarily a case of "surviving".