kreemmer

We were delayed for several hours when our ship the Constellation arrived in Tampa. Our cruise was the end of Jan. of this year. We didn't arrive in port until mid afternoon. The people waiting to board were the most inconvenienced as they had to leave the port area as there was nowhere to wait. The same thing happened a few weeks before. I think it happens often in Tampa during this time of year. Our flight wasn't until 8 PM so it worked out fine for us. I would plan for a late flight or the next day. 

Think Holland America still has Catholic priest onboard for all sailings.

We tried to use them for virtual appointment while in Quebec last week. I had paid and scheduled appointment weeks before. I was sent a faulty link and could not get online for virtual test. Trying to call was futile spending several  hours on hold. Do not use them.  I requested a refund and have been told there are no refunds. Plan to pursue it with my credit card company. 

Any update for ships leaving this weekend for Canada? We leave Friday from Quebec... what will happen with ports scheduled? Any ideas or info?

Just off the Freedom and we could use free drinks in Dining Room. Our first night in the Diamond Lounge it was announced that the drinks loaded on our card could be used ANYWHERE on ship during the Happy Hour Hours and they were from 5 until 8:30PM.

Many on this thread including someone who has already experienced some changes on one of the ships are saying the DL is still available to Diamonds & D+ & that it is the D+ who are now unable to access the Concierge Lounge.

 

So nobody really seems to know 100% what is happening - I'm hoping Diamonds still have the lounge as that is the largest group of people & annoying them will have a larger negative impact, which if I were RCCL I would be taking into consideration.

 

Fingers crossed we get to keep the DL for Diamonds - logically it's the least offensive thing to do numbers wise as D+ still have a lounge to go to, even if it's not the one they prefer, whereas the other option means thousands of Diamond passengers have an existing perk stripped away with no lounge to call home.

I agree 100% and like your logic.

asope RCCL thinks like we do

Are there any rumors about the hours of Happy Hour being reduced? Celebrity limits the Happy Hour to two hours each night ( 5PM -7 PM). I believe RCCL 's has a 3 1/2 hour Happy Hour depending on times of first seating. Thanks.

Kathy

We are currently on the Silhouette and have not been hounded about anything. We bought the 4 dinner specialty dining because we wanted it, the 5 night and UDP are unavailable at this time. They were not discounting restaurants and have not been out there trying to sell them.

 

We do the specialty because we would rather have an intimate upscale quieter setting for our meals. We have dined in Moderno and Qsine so far. This was our second time in Qsine and we love it and have so much fun.

 

We also did Bistro on Five for lunch Embarkation day. Yes it was a bit slow but was SO quiet and not crowded. It felt like a suite specialty lunch for only $10 each... A wonderful way to start our cruise!

 

The service has been wonderful and so professional. We just did 2 NCL cruises and I cannot imagine people saying that they are leaving Celebrity. I cannot imagine cruising any other line except of course RCL :-) They have more than earned our loyalty. The changes are occurring across the board with the other lines. Celebrity still has the best product that we have found.

Maybe TA are different but all you had to do to get a discount was ask. Our friends paid for a package ahead of time and were limited where they could dine. I just asked if there was any specials and were given 30% off. Azamara charges $25 for all specialty restaurants. Why does Celebrity charge $45? Food is subjective but we did not think the food warranted these prices.

I posted this on our roll call also. There were many bad and good aspects of this cruise.

The good:

Tours arranged through this site. So happy we were able to tour with Lee and Morris, thanks for arranging these and also happy to have had Karen and Len join us for a tour. The transfer I arranged from Rome worked out great with Rome Cabs and it was easy and reasonable. Enjoyed the dinner that Monica arranged in Civitavecchia also. Everyone we met at dinner and the various bars on board were friendly and pleasant to talk to.

Staff also was a plus, from our cabin stewards to all the waiters and assistant waiters, and bar servers. Everyone had a smile and a positive attitude. Room service for breakfast was fabulous, always on time, accurate and hot. This was one of our favorite things

The ship also was beautiful and well maintained. The staff was great and the captain quite a character! Enjoyed the entertainment that we were able to see.

The weather was fabulous the best we have ever experienced in three crossings.

The bad:

We have been on many cruise (we are Elite) and have cruised on many different lines over many years and this was the worst food we have ever had. (IMHO) The selections especially were very limited. My husband (who is always positive) says "they can't all be gems" yet it was hard to find many gems at all. The second to the last night was the only meal we found to be wonderful-perfectly cooked lobster tails. Most nights we found it difficult to find something we really enjoyed and believe me we are very easy to please. The steaks were thin and tough, the chicken pounded and processed, the pastas bland. Lunches were even worse in the dining room and service very slow ( OK where do we have to go?) but waiting 45 min for lunch to be served is ridiculous. We avoid the buffet for many reasons and the one time we tried it, it was very crowded with long lines...but the food was better.

Thought the specialty restaurants were very expensive and the food very mediocore. It was also crazy that you could bargain for the cost of dinner. We were almost forced (being approached by waiter almost pleading with us) to go to Quisine for 30% off. It was a fun time but not worth the price and I would never go there again. The Lawn Club was overpriced too but we did get 30% off there also. Liked the Tuscan Grill, it is a beautiful setting, but I would have liked it better for $25... the cost a few years ago. Here we also got 30% off. I felt badly for our friends who booked a pack and only got 20% off. What kind of deal is that?

Overall we had a great time, went to many interesting ports and enjoyed our days at sea immensely. We were also fortunate to be cruising with good friends who made the trip even more enjoyable. Not sure about booking with Celebrity again. The food is an important aspect of a vacation for us and this one just did not meet our expectations.

Kathy

Just returned from Silhouette TA and as Elite had reduced rate for unlimited internet. We used it for three devices- MacBook, Ipad and iphone. We had very few problems accessing most sites. It was not very slow and we used it in our cabin and on our balcony. We thought it was a good deal and were not frustrated if it took a little longer as it was unlimited. For us, being able to keep up on our local news and be in touch with our kids it was a good thing.

Kathy

We are on Silhouette TA now and went to Bistro on Five on Embarkation Day. We were in no hurry but half of the dining room seemed to be and there were many complaints about the very slow service! Kind of struck us funny because "where were these people in such a hurry to go to?" Our biggest complaint was the food. Hamburger looked delicious but had a different "meatloaf" kind of taste and texture. My crepes were thicker than I remember. Many people seem to go there now on that day and every seat was taken at one time. For $10 per person I didn't think it was great. Don't think I would go again.

Kathy

Just received email from TA that the Oct. 2016 transatlantic on Rhapsody of Seas has been redeployed (cancelled). No idea why? Since I was taking the previous cruise on the Rhapsody (Mediterranean Tour Cruise ) on 10/17 , which is the itinerary I love, I now don't know what to do. I have been cruising for 30 years and never had this happen before. Guess I have been lucky. Does this happen often on RC?

Kathy

Hi,

I am currently on the Silhouette and, on a 13-day Baltic sea cruise, the unlimited package is $349 less a 35% discount for Elite+.

 

Hope this helps,

 

Best regards,

 

 

Daniel Tapie

What is the cost for Elite? I assume this is only for one device? Thanks.

Kathy

We took many cruises to the Caribbean and even the Baltic and had a aft facing cabin. We were big fans and loved the view. However, it was NOT the place to be on a TA. When we hit a Nor'easter it was very rocky and I so wished for a midship cabin. Now we only book midship if we are on a TA. The beautiful view doesn't matter when there are enormous waves. So I think it depends on the itinerary.

Kathy

Nice!

 

Do you mean you get the Diamond Lounge with pre-dinner drinks AND the 3 free drinks loaded on your cards each night?

We just took our first RCCL cruise and having elite status on Celebrity, we were able to go to Diamond Lounge for free drinks each night as well as get three free drinks at any bar before 8 PM each night. We could never drink that much but it was nice to have different options!

Kathy

We just returned from Budapest to Prague on Luminary and had large group (40?) from Michigan on our cruise. They couldn't have been nicer and friendlier to us, a group of 4. We liked them so much I gave their travel agent my email to let me know about their next trip! I guess everyone 's experiences are different .

Kathy

Was Grand Circle Tours mentioned? You should also check them . . . www,gct.com . I have been very satisfied with their products and will use them again.

 

 

 

We did not like GCT because of the cabins. The beds were they type the folded up into opposite walls on our Rhine Cruise with very outdated paneling. We gave them a second try and were no happier with the twin beds ( Paris to Nice). The food was good and price reasonable but the bedding, amenities and cabin was not to our liking. Our third river cruise was on Uniworld and our cabins were much nicer but their itineraries are not long enough for me. I think our next river cruise will be on AMA. From what I have read, I think they will fulfill our expectations. I hope so.

 

Kathy

Just back from Constellation, my husband and I both had the Premium Package. We each had a specialty coffee or two every morning. I loved the skinny cappuccino latte. A few days I went to the buffet to get the delicious freshly squeezed orange juice and I always had a caffeine free diet coke or two midday and a few bottles of water throughout the day. We really did not drink alcohol during the day except maybe a glass of wine. Before dinner, we enjoyed the martini bar and I would have a martini every night. (These cost $12 without plan). We had a few glasses of wine with dinner, mineral water and an occasional cappuccino after dinner. At the specialty restaurants a few nights, we had an after dinner drink. I loved the fact that all beverages were paid for before we boarded. We bought it when on special and got 10% off. I think it was well worth it and would definitely do it again.

Kathy