cw2go

17 minutes ago, BuckeyeMark said:

We used this company. It was an electric bus (kind of cool) that held about 8 of us. The guide was nice, and I enjoyed being on a smaller vehicle instead of one of those 40+ passenger monsters. It also gave us a little more time between the Flam RR and the start time than the Celebrity tour did. 

Price plus VAT tax etc came out to be about $40 US per person.

Perfect!

Thank you, this is one of the companies I was considering. 

Patty 

17 hours ago, BuckeyeMark said:

We get back at 11:30 and promptly meet up with our (non-Celebrity) excursion to go to the Stegastein overlook. This too was quite impressive. A 30-minute or so ride up a winding road

Can you please post who you booked your tour with? I have been researching for next May, this is one of my ideas to fill our day. I'm not too keen on hanging out in the small port area. 

Thanks,

Patty 

On 5/29/2024 at 1:52 PM, Georgia_Peaches said:

Now here’s where it gets good…since I live in a mostly mild climate in winter with plenty of heat in the summer, the vast majority of my wardrobe is geared toward keeping cool.  I didn’t own a lot of layering pieces because I don’t layer! I’m happy to report that my entire Alaska wardrobe ran me less than $100 because the vast majority of it came from my local Good Will…to include my Lands End puffer jacket which was priced at $9.99.  However, it turns out I am considered a senior citizen (at age 56) and on Tuesdays I get 50% off…I can’t wait to sport my $5 jacket on glacier day…not to mention the other things I saved from going into a landfill somewhere.  Yay!

Wowzerz!  🤩

Patty 

1 minute ago, MissyDot said:

Ok this why I rarely post on these forums because of the obnoxious trolls.   I’m a long time celebrity sailer. The solarium has always been marketed as an adult only relaxation space part of the spa .  For this May cruise there’s been quite a difference FOR ME . Heavy drinking , drunk behaviors, it’s not pleasant Just wanted to ask if others see or feel the same.  Maybe this specific cruise has the big parties IDK

As a long time sailor, you most likely know that the time of year, the ship and the length of cruise are all factors to the over all onboard vibe. 

I've never had an issue with people having a good time while on vacation, as long as they're not hurting anyone. I've personally cruised Celebrity 4 times in the past year and haven't noticed what you're describing. 

No one is trolling or being obnoxious, just responding. 

Patty

5 minutes ago, Miaminice said:

People without the slightest trace of common sense or respect but with a giant feeling of entitlement - that’s what’s happening to Celebrity 🤷🏻

Does this equally apply to those who want it quiet? Do they have a giant feeling of entitlement? Is it posted anywhere that one can't drink or make noise while in the Solarium? Maybe those who are snoring louder than a freight train need to practice common sense and nap in their stateroom.  

Patty 

Cruising this June, I have the Celebrity shuttle booked VCE to Ravenna Cruise Port day of sailing. For those who have used the Celebrity Transfer, do you collect your own bags once at cruise terminal from the bus or are they off loaded to porters? I travel with carry-on only, if that makes any difference? Also how much room was available on the bus for personal items? Example overhead or under seat space? I'd like to collect my bags and personally carry them onto the ship if at all possible but if not, I'll need to think through my packing plan. 

Thanks in advance, 😊

Patty 

On 9/2/2023 at 6:18 PM, zitsky said:

Just a warning.  I was sure I had booked an excursion with tender transfer both ways. But at the end we were handed cable car tickets and a 45 minute wait.  So check and double check.

This happened to me as well. I even had a screenshot on my phone to verify that I wasn't mistaken! The write up and what was delivered didn't match! 

Patty 

Yes I have and am booked again on Apex May 2025 out of Southampton to Norway. 

Do you have any specific questions?

Patty 

14 minutes ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

Great tip!  Thank you.  We are taking the train but we're only going one way...up.  The return trip will be via bicycle 😎.

It's super fun! 🚲

My first trip to Alaska, I went kicking and screaming, was out numbered by my sons and hubby on the chosen vacation destination for that year. I have returned four times since and all by my doing. I can't get enough! I'm actually sailing the Solstice this July r/t Vancouver. Every sailing and every port is always different. I've done some incredible excursions that have made my experience unforgettable! My bet is that you'll love Alaska, as it's truly magnificent! 

To brag on my one claim to fame as an Outstanding Packer. I've sailed Alaska with several days on land with carry on only. I'm a rare bird 😜

Happily following along, 

Patty 

In my experience, Alaska isn't anything like the Caribbean or Europe as far as entertainment or sail away parties go.

They're usually more sedate sailings, mostly focused on Alaska. I'd expect a guest singer and maybe a naturalist who will hold a couple of informative talks regarding wildlife and glaciers. Not just with Celebrity, I've also sailed other lines in Alaska. 

As others have posted don't trust the app but don't expect a Caribbean or European vibe either, 

Patty 

6 hours ago, NMTraveller said:

 

 Hi @NMTraveller   I've seen you post on the Celebrity board quite a bit. I believe you're on a River Cruise now? If you don't mind me asking which line and river are you sailing? How is your experience? I have the Rhine with Avalon booked and yesterday I booked a Princess British Isles Sailing for July 2026. I found the pricing, booking terms and itinerary couldn't be matched by Celebrity. 

So for the first time in many years, I am spreading my wings... 

Looking for variety, 

Patty

7 hours ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

I just want to mention, that if someone is on the fence with an Alaskan cruise, strongly consider a Norway cruise instead.  Alaska was a one-and-done for us, perhaps when there's more to do in the ports we'll consider it again.  The Alaska Fjords were enjoyable, but the Norway Fjords were stunning in comparison plus you get 18 hours of daylight.  It was just magical to walk around the outside of the ship at 9 pm and it's still sunny out illuminating the Fjords.  In the Alaska ports, after you finish your tour there isn't a whole lot to do besides tourist shops, bars, and restaurants.  Much more to do in most Norway ports as they berth in major cities which are often several hundreds of years old.  Norway was occupied by Germany in WW2 so there's some interesting history in most ports

 

Thanks for the info... I've been to Alaska 4 times and I'm one who does love it but to be honest, I was very reluctant on my first trip, Hubby made me do it. 😁 

I fill my port time to the brim with amazing tours and always try to get the Glacier Express so that I get as much out of The Real Alaska as possible. 

Now he's making me go to Norway next May, I am hoping that I am as surprised with how much I love it as I was with Alaska, if not more. 

To be fair he does oblige me quite often with my desired destinations, Italy & France. 

Patty

For those who have used the Cel Transfer, do you collect your own bags once at cruise terminal or are they off loaded to porters? I travel with carryon only, if that made any difference? 

Patty 

I've sailed both and would pick Beyond. 

Patty

Just now, attitudeda said:

When were on the Apex in January they were for who ever rented the cabana. If someone was sitting there they were asked to leave by the attendants.

Apex doesn't have loungers in front of the Cabana because they face the ocean and it is 2 chairs that are set in the seating area that are included but not loungers facing the pool. 

5 minutes ago, attitudeda said:

Wrong those loungers are for the people who rented the canana.

Not in my personal experience on Beyond.

They're open to all guests and are not included in the cabana rental. 

59 minutes ago, 39august said:

Is the Bistro open for lunch on boarding day? Since we have the Elite Plus 15% discount, we may decide to eat there and avoid the buffet madness on the first day. 

It was on Beyond.

We've had lunch there on embarkation day. 

Patty 

By day, lunch is served at an additional fee and you can purchase sandwiches or small pastries. In the evening the space is used for Le Petite Chef, a specialty dining experience. I personally feel they need to swap this space with Craft Social which is tiny and always busy. 

Patty 

@WestLakeGirl and @patty1955 Not S or M class but as a heads up, I've been told by our Stateroom Attendant twice on Beyond and also on Apex, in the Caribbean and in Europe, to leave trays in the hall outside our door. They have someone come by with a cart to pick them up. Not because of covid.

Patty 

Have sailed Alaska on Celebrity with my kids. At the time they were 15yrs & 9yrs old and they had a blast! We made our family adventure 100% about Alaska and booked many fun and exciting excursions. Sometimes kids surprise us, they don't always need water slides or rockwalls to enjoy what the planet has to offer. 

Go...Enjoy...Soak in your family time! Trust me, it goes by way too fast! 

Patty 

14 hours ago, cruisetonowhere10 said:

Can anyone comment on the non steak offerings?  Are they any good? 😂

I've had the lobster ravioli and it was delicious. 

Patty

Personally I've had  fantastic meals at Fine Cut twice on Beyond BUT on Apex this past Feb it was a major miss! Steaks were overcooked, sauces and mushrooms were cold, service was super slow and the over all vibe seemed lackluster compared to my other experiences. 

We were a table of 4 who had all dined at Fine Cut previously and agreed it was "just okay" bordering on "meh"

Patty 

1 hour ago, hcat said:

Hilo was one of our ports.. and going to VNP was one of the best parts of our trip!   It was anazing!

 

What we recall of Lahaina was some very old stores, and a  dirty public  bathroom in a sketchy  small park area .l.We took a nice whale watching excursion.  Did not see any whales and not much else.  Sadly, we heard that the wooden boat burned some time  later..way before the recent fires.

 

cruising can be an adventure..no guarantees!

We've never sailed Hawaii, only visited with land trips. Although we've enjoyed Maui, I agree Lahaina was just okay, I loved Kauai and Hubby loved Big Island, enough to return several times. We witnessed this explosion while have lunch in VNP. The left is our pic, taken with an iPhone from over a mile away. The earth literally shook. Very COOL experience and nothing that anyone could ever plan for.  

So all that being said my best input for the OP is that any vacation wether be by land or sea will have many plusses & minuses, lots of variables at play. When it comes to price drops after final payment, you just need to let that go. Motto: You win some ~ You lose some, in the end it all comes out in the wash. IMO Celebrity still offers a great product, when looking at other comparable lines, they exceed in service, dining and overall ship design.

Cruising has changed, the traveler has changed and life as we know it has changed. 

Enjoy Hawaii, 

Patty 

I had the same issue. I called Celebrity, they had to submit an IT Ticket and it was fixed in only a few days. 

Patty