RBKL

23 hours ago, shirazcruiser said:

We're looking into booking this cruise and wondered if anyone with experience could answer a few questions?  Is the initial flight from Quito to Baltra and back a non-stop contracted flight by Celebrity or is it a commerical flight and how long is it?   The tour indicates the cruise portion concludes with "heading to the Baltra airport for your flight to Quito and on to Lima".   How long long is the layover in Quito before flying to Lima and is the flight to Lima a non-stop?   I just wondered how long the day will be?  Thanks for any info.

23 hours ago, shirazcruiser said:

We're looking into booking this cruise and wondered if anyone with experience could answer a few questions?  Is the initial flight from Quito to Baltra and back a non-stop contracted flight by Celebrity or is it a commerical flight and how long is it?   The tour indicates the cruise portion concludes with "heading to the Baltra airport for your flight to Quito and on to Lima".   How long long is the layover in Quito before flying to Lima and is the flight to Lima a non-stop?   I just wondered how long the day will be?  Thanks for any info.

We were just on the Flora for the 16 night 2-3 weeks ago. Most of your questions were answered by others. 
 

The day from the Flora to Lima is long. You are it or your room by 8 and leave the ship between 9:30-10 and have a long wait in Baltra - about 2+ hours. The flight to Lima is at about 8 and you get to the Westin at about midnight. You get lounge access in both Baltra and Quito but recommend getting dinner in the Baltra airport. The lounge was okay but not a dinner. You can have dinner  the Westin either in the restaurant or room service provided. Monday doesn’t start until 12 so you can sleep in.

3 hours ago, SherriZ366 said:

Lots of good advice and insight

Agree. I appreciate all the great recommendations. I believe we’ve found better alternative options.

5 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

We have filed multiple claims with Aon and have no complaints. 
 

No insurance agency is going to gave an adjuster dedicated to just your claim. 

 

Be patient and your claim will be paid. 

Thanks for your response.

I’m not sure I expected a dedicated adjuster.

Actually, my request  was for recommendations for other travel insurance providers that others had better claims experiences with for my future travel.

How patient should we be. 4 weeks? 8 weeks?A year? Our cruise when we had the medical event was in April 2022. It’s now February 2023.  
 

We’ve paid AON for about 20 cruises. We paid for all of them in full and on time. It’s reasonable to expect the same.

I’m glad you’ve had a positive experience with them. We have not and it’s thousands of dollars in medical and trip costs we had to pay at the time.

2 hours ago, not-enough-cruising said:

I have had an annual travel policy for several years now.  I use Trawick International.  I have had a couple minor claims (none cruise related ironically, but the policy is in effect anytime you are 50 miles from your home address).  The claims were handled promptly and to my satisfaction, but I have had no major claims, knock on wood.

I believe up until final payment you can however defer to those with actual experience doing so. That is my plan.

5 hours ago, Luckynana said:

I have been using Steve's Trip Insurance Store for several years now.  I have talked to Steve, Kim, and Diana at different times.  They are so very helpful and patient.  I also have had to make claims twice, the first time in 2019 when I got ill a week before my DH and I were supposed to fly to London for a weeks stay before boarding a ship for our cruise to Iceland.  We got every penny back since we had a Cancel for any Reason Policy.  

 

This past October while cruising on RCI to NE and Canada, my DH became ill on the ship and we had to disembark in Halifax, Canada for emergency surgery.  We paid everything up-front for the hospital, doctors, surgeons, prescriptions, hotel, airfare, etc., and sent all receipts to IMG, along with all required information.  We received confirmation yesterday that the majority of our expenses will be returned to us shortly.  Things not covered, were our air insurance and seat preferences on the plane.  Win-win for us!  BTW, my husband is fully recovered!

So glad your husband is doing well. 

50 minutes ago, ARandomTraveler said:

I should also mention that unless someone chimes in with something Royal Caribbean insurance specific, this thread is gonna get moved in 3...2...1...

Understand, I did mention I purchased this through Royal Caribbean for our Wonder of the Seas cruise in April 2022. Regret if that wasn't clear.

1 hour ago, MommaBear55 said:

Allianz annual policy is less expensive than that for a single trip. Their trip interruption coverage is low ($2,000) but their medical coverage is excellent. 

Thanks for your reply. What is your experience with their claims process?
 

The less expensive is only a great deal and a factor to consider until you file a claim.

Had a medical emergency on an April sailing of the Wonder of the Seas.

Ships medical staff was amazing and exceptionally quick. We were disembarked in Cozumel for follow up. Doing great now but the insurance process is unreal.

Still waiting for AON to cover our expenses. Can’t get the status. Every few weeks we get a request for the same info we have submitted multiple times. Seems like a delaying tactic. I asked to speak to management but nobody returns calls. I reach out on line for updates but nobody responds even though the sight says they will within 1 business day.

We need to find a better travel insurance provider for future travel.

Looking for feedback from people who have made a travel insurance claim and received prompt service. Not looking for the cheapest policy, just one that when we need to make a claim will be responsive, provide the current status and pay on claims.

We have several cruises planned across several lines and they all seem to use AON. We need to find a new provider with better service.

30 minutes ago, kaymoz said:

Do the other Celebrity vessels in the Galapagos (Expedition, Explorer) also have microscopes on hand?

I have to defer to others that have experience on those ships. A couple recently on the Flora posted pictures of the lab area and wrote about the experience with the microscopes, books, etc. that are there. 

On 8/29/2022 at 3:36 PM, kaymoz said:

I have noticed that their adverts seem to be more welcoming about children than others I have seen.  (see example below)   Plus, I read somewhere they have a videomicroscope -- what a cool tool to help kids explore!  

 

Inspiring the next generation of explorers

Kids are natural explorers, and the Galápagos is nature-made for exploration. It’s no wonder then that all Lindblad-National Geographic Galápagos expeditions offer the National Geographic Global Explorers Program for kids and teens. This fun, family-centered experience, designed in partnership with National Geographic Education, features a variety of hands-on science, storytelling, and adventure activities designed to build real-world explorer skills and spark a passion for nature, conservation, and exploration.

Certified field educators lead activities, which can be tailored to fit specific interests, such as marine biology, geology, or photography. Participants continually learn by doing, whether recording wildlife observations in their Field Notebooks, hiking to a volcano, or counting nesting sea turtles as part of a citizen science project. Daily adventure options, such as snorkeling with sea lions and learning to stand-up paddle board, empower kids and teens to explore outside their comfort zones and try something new. Using video, photography, maps, drawings, and other creative tools, participants share their Galápagos discoveries and, likely, inspire others to start exploring.

The Flora has an entire research lab with microscopes and other activities.

You get current Celebrity sale, reduced deposit on most staterooms and additional OBC based on the stateroom and length of your sailing. 
 

There are posts on the Celebrity site that detail the OBC.

2 minutes ago, RosieRoo said:

I’ve done it. You will still receive the perks. My advice is just to know exactly what you want because I didn’t feel that the onboard booking staff was super familiar with Celebrity. 

Thanks

If we book a Celebrity cruise while we are on board a Royal Caribbean ship will we receive the Celebrity perk for booking on board ie. extra OBC and reduced deposits?

Would appreciate feedback and insight from people that have actually done this. 
 

Thanks.
 

Thanks for your review. We get on April 15.

what was the Playmaker credit for the UDP?

Were reservations required for the lunches using the UDP? How about on embarkation day?
 

Thanks in advance.

27 minutes ago, Joseph2017China said:

How do you know if you were in close contact?

Somebody you know tells you they tested positive and you were in close contact with them during that time. The definition of close contact has evolved so not sure what the latest definition is however, I suspect when you know you know.

4 minutes ago, LuCruise said:

Back in December it was no close contact to anyone with covid within 14 days.  Pretty sure the question was the same in March.  

Thanks

Does anybody have a picture of the health questionnaire. Trying to understand the time frame for close contacts, etc. 

I read you can’t be positive within ten days of sailing however, not sure what the other requirements are. Just trying to understand the requirements and expectations. 
 

Thanks.

Congrats on your Move up.

We just got off the Equinox in a Sky Suite that we received from a Move up offer. So thankful for the opportunity.

Our original show time was 11:30. We arrived at about 10:50. After a very quick check in we were brought to a Retreat Lounge. At 11:05 we were brought on board. We dropped our bees in our stateroom and headed to Luminae for lunch. 
 

Never encountered a wait at Luminae however, the ship was at BOUT 50% capacity with some suites still unoccupied.

It was a great experience.

Dress was mixed. Mostly dress shirts or polos with pants. Did see shorts once for dinner. Some people dressed up a bit for chic nights. Saw a handful of tuxes on the ship but none in Luminae.

The Retreat Concierges were amazing. Even escorted us off the ship through a back door in the Retreat lounge.

16 minutes ago, Sam.Seattle said:

She is still there....

Any updates?

The Captain said we’d probably be asleep when we depart. 

Not sure why the Edge hasn’t left yet. On the Equinox now. Was told there was a problem with the pipes in tge crew area. Making repairs now.  Captain expects to make up the time tomorrow. At 8:30 he stated  it would be a few more hours. Shops and casinos remain closed.

Just glad to be on board.

Thanks

9 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

From recent cruise.  
 

They may also have a less expensive on I believe $25 for 25 or 30 items.  This one wash and fold for all you can fit in bag

We are on a 12 night on the Equinox. When do you believe we’ll get this option and how long does it take to get back? Trying to determine packing.

See you both on board. We're on the March 13th Equinox sailing as well.

We have non-ships excursions booked in Dominica and Barbados. 

If you check out the Roll Call you'll find a lot of options for booking ahead. No reason to book at the port.

Silver Moon Catamarran in Barbados seems to still have room. Somebody just booked them this week. Others are reporting being fully booked.

If you find a non-ship excursion ahead of the sailing the company will state if they are "government approved".

It seems most reputable companies have complied with whatever the requirements are and are government approved. 

Admittedly, I am too much of a planner to wait until we're in the port.

On 1/13/2022 at 11:22 PM, RBKL said:

• Ship:  Equinox
• Length of Cruise:  12
• Cruise Sail Date:  March 13, 2022
• Date email offer received: Jan 13, 2022
• Captain’s Club Tier:  Select
• Booked through Celebrity Direct OR via TA: Direct
• Current Cabin:   Veranda (1A)
• Bid?  Yes/No:  No (probably not)

General Comments (offer details, etc.)

Minimum Bids

RS $2800 PP

CS $2100 PP

SS $1500 PP

AQ $250 PP

CON $150 PP

Family Veranda $140 PP

 

Was surprised to received the email a full two months prior to our sailing; just a day after final payments were due.

 

Would love to bid on a suite however, the minimum bids are too high for us. Not sure if they ever modify the minimum bids but if they do we will reconsider.

 

The Aqua and Concierge minimum bids seem reasonable however, we like our cabin location. Might still bid on the Aqua just to gain the experience.

Our $1600 PPbid for the Sky Suite was accepted on Feb 16 which is about 24 days from our sail date. We had also bidd $270 PP for an Aqua cabin. I was surprised but happy to get confirmation of the accepted bid so far ahead of our cruise. When I checked that morning my Aqua bid was Expired and I could no longer modify the Aqua or SS bids. Later that day we received email confirmation and the next day new eDocs. It is our first time in a suite. Looking forward to it particularly, since this is the longest cruise we have been on.

1 hour ago, M8lyx said:

HI I have bid on Veranda and Aquaclass the Veranda now says expired and I can not change any of my bids. What does this mean? I thought you should be able to change your bids up till 2 days before?

From what I have read and experienced, I believe that means your Aqua bid was likely accepted.

That was my experience last week. My Aqua bid was expired and my SS was still pending however, I wasn't able to modify it. Later that day I received the email confirming the SS offer was accepted and received new eDocs. There were 40-50 open Aqua class cabins open so there is a good chance it was accepted. Others have reported that same experience.

Recommend you keep checking your account, the app and/or your credit card. See you on board three weeks from today.