catlover2027

We are cruising on the Celebrity Flora 8/21, going to Quito Ecuador first.  Ecuador seems ok with proof of vaccination from the US but the cruise out of Baltra, Galapagos requires a pre-cruise COVID test which Celebrity administers.  AND as bigbenboys noted, we need proof of medical insurance including emergency evacuation insurance to cruise out of Baltra.

Eileen Derrick

We were booked on the Xpedition 8/20/22 cruise with Quito package before and after.  I thought like most of you I'd like a smaller crowd.  But for me with my bad knees, finding the Xpedition had NO elevator was a deal breaker.  I figured my knees would be shot by the time I got into the Zodiac after coming down from deck 6, (and multiple times per day) so I might have to cut back on hiking on the islands.  We had a suite on the Xpedition so we switched to the Flora, sailing 1 day later.  One things I noticed, from the postings of Mary Greenburg,  (Flora April 20220 was that there might be more options for different excursions on the Flora with 100 than on the Xpedition with 48.  Whatever you choose it will be good!

Thank you for your great review.  We are going to be aboard the Xpedition August 20 for the Northern Loop cruise.  We're lucky to be living in FL so we're flying out of Miami.  I'll check out your blog for more details! 

On the Journey - Heard tonight that cancelling the rest of the Canary cruises had an upside.  So far they're expecting 290 of the cruise of January 29th. But some of the crew have already departed, so staff will need to work harder.  But have no fear - they will do an excellent job!

Eileen

Captain Filip of the Journey did not mention the cancelled cruises or anything unusual about the ship.  Perhaps he didn't want to put a damper on the evening.  Today there was another large AIDA ship berthed at Fuerteventura when we got up this AM so I don't think it has anything to do with the Canaries............. tomorrow to Madeira and we'll see how things are there.

Yes, the cancellation is real and sad.  Talked to our waiter tonight.  After a few awkward moments, he said it wasn't supposed to be broad knowledge yet but I said it'd all over CC.  He sighted the low  number of cruisers (loosing money) as reason for CX.  Some of crew to be transferred to other Azamara ships.  Yes, the new people are quarantined but to be transferred to other 2 Azamara ships.  I don't think it's the itinerary, Canary Islands are open (with vaccine and mask requirements)  And tonight the Mein Schiff and a large Aida ship pulled in to Lanzarote while we were having dinner.  Since we're mostly UK and a few Americans, maybe that's the reason.......

Eileen

We second everything being said about the Journey - we boarded yesterday and are loving every minute aboard again.  We had to fly in just in time for the cruise so the schedule change meant no resting sea day first but we're better after an early-to-bed and a good night's rest.  And I'd seen the rain predicted for Madeira so the re-arranging of the schedule was a great move.

They've not mentioned any February cancellations.  And one has to wonder why they would bring aboard a new crew if they were cancelling after our cruise ends?????  To anyone considering a cruise on Azamara Journey - DO IT.  And from the crowd today at Tramfaya NP there's no shortage of visitors.  Probably not like in the past but definitely not deserted!

Haven't met any fellow CC posters onboard yet but I hope to.........

Eileen and Harry

4 hours ago, govanguy said:

Another fine day on Journey. No reported Covid issues. Discovery dining has been superb. Everyone onboard going above and beyond to make this an exceptional experience and succeeding at every turn. So much energy displayed by the entertainment team. It's great to be cruising again

Thanks for the encouragement!  We can't wait to get aboard.  Now all we need to do is get there and pass the test!!  I'll keep the chain going for others when we are aboard.

4 hours ago, govanguy said:

Currently on Journey. All good. Excellent adherence to gagging up. Entertainment superb. With the significant  reduction of passenger numbers, attentiveness of staff is excellent. Currently floating around at 8 knots on the Atlantic on our way to La Gomera. 

Thank you for that update!!  We're getting on when you get off!  Report of conditions aboard sound good and we won't cancel.  Looking forward to seeing the Canaries, not looking forward to the long plane ride, Miami to Madrid.

2 hours ago, vtcruising said:

It started 10/10/19 - lots of talk here leading up to it and after. Here is the brochure that explains it:

 

http://creative.rccl.com/Sales/Celebrity/General_Info/Beverage_Pkg_Perk_Price_Increase-Field-Trade_One_Pager.pdf

 

Thanks for that info - I've downloaded it.  My question is the fee seems to imply the fee is when the perk is purchased.  Does this also apply to a promo from a TA where the 4 perks are included in the booking fee quoted by the TA??

We used our Celebrity OBC but did not use all the OBC from our online TA through a misunderstanding.  We were very surprised to get a refund from Celebrity for our TA OBC.  .  Has anyone else had that experience or was this just a fluke / mistake on Celebrity's part?? 

Eileen Derrick

I wrote a query to our on-line TA today, about a possible Celebrity cruise 9/15/2020, withe the 4 perks promo that Celebrity has been offering.  She wrote   "Also, Celebrity has a new policy with regards to the beverage package perk. When you have the beverage package as an amenity, they now have a fare supplement of $14 per person per day that goes along with that. This supplement would be included with your reservation balance at final payment time."   Anyone aware of this, when it starts (or started!) and how they will let you know about this new fee?????

Eileen Derrick

I wrote a query to our on-line TA today, about a possible Celebrity cruise 9/15/2020, withe the 4 perks promo that Celebrity has been offering.  She wrote   "Also, Celebrity has a new policy with regards to the beverage package perk. When you have the beverage package as an amenity, they now have a fare supplement of $14 per person per day that goes along with that. This supplement would be included with your reservation balance at final payment time."   Anyone aware of this, when it starts (or started!) and how they will let you know about this new fee?????

Eileen Derrick

Celebrity Moveup Tracker

• Ship:  Eclipse
• Length of Cruise: 14 nights
• Cruise Sail Date: February 2, 2020
• Date email offer received: November 19, 2019
• Captain’s Club Tier  Elite
• Booked through Celebrity Direct OR via TA: TA
• Current Cabin: Veranda
• Bid?  Yes/No: No

 -  Bidding Details: as advised by Celebrity

• Cabin Category: Aqua $250 pp, Concierge $100 pp minimum bid
• Bid Offer: None liked my current cabin
•  
•  

Yes I did learn (now) that the points remain the same.  But on reflection I would have bid anyway............

Hi Host Grandma Cruising.  I can't figure out how to anything to the bidding sheet, perhaps you can.    I finally realized since we hadn't completed the check-in, there wouldn't be an offer.  So I checed in and found how to receive offers.  Then we got a chance on 9/16 to bid for an upgrade on our October 10, 2019 cruise from our OV to a Veranda.  As an Azamara newbie I don't know their cabin category ins and out yet.  But I did see your upgrade bid sheet and it was very helpful.  We bid $500 for the cabin, still considered a weak bid,  (minimum was $400) and we got an email today 9/24 confirming the upgrade.  We wanted the extra points for the Veranda since are working towards our Elite plus on Celebrity so we went the extra $100.  If it matters, we went from 4042 to 7106.

Eileen

Once they started opening early, day 4, the wait was considerably shorter. But for people like us who are used to MTD and sharing on Celebrity, we never made reservations and just walked up and said 2 for sharing and were seated immediately. Can't say what went wrong here, but they do want everybody to have a reservation every day. But last night there was no line for "no reservations" and one of the couples they seated with usat a sharing table tried to make a reservation and they said 8:30 so she just walked up...... It is getting better....

It's gotten a little better in MTD. The first couple night, they stuck to the 5:15 opening and the crowd must have started gathering by 5. By 5:30 it was awful. Day 4 they must have opened early because when we showed up at the "problem solver's" desk about 5:10, they seated us right away at a "sharing" table and 2 other couples joined us by 5:15. Hence the wait is better. The concept of "2 for sharing" seemed foreign to them the first 2 nights. Yes this is their first trip out of Canaveral, but I think maybe they were trying something new or had new management in dining reservations. I'll let you to judge.

Queen of Oakville- this was my first time on Oasis class so I can't say about the old menu. But tonight was the second formal dinner and they predictably had prime rib or lobster tail.

gqboy1 - I don't know if you know (I didn't) that unlike other cruises where have 2 "shows" each night, YOU HAVE TO RESERVE the entertainment venues in advance, ideally before saiiing. I did it about 3 weeks out and had only 1 choice for each venue and was shut out of the comedy shows. You can come 10 minutes before the show as standby but so far no luck at the 9PM shows and I can't stay awake for the 10:30. Did have luck for the Headliner show and Cats also from what people tell me. Good luck

That's scary to hear. We sail in January and signed up for MTD. It'll be our first cruise experience and hope it doesn't get ruined by this!

If you haven't seen better, it might not be aware how smooth it CAN be. That said if you eat early at the buffet, it's not as bad. Probably OK later too. Plus port days are less crowded if you opt to stay aboard. Last night I finally went to guest services after dinner (they called and were told I can't switch). They gave me the name of the manager there and we're to ask for her tonight and see what they can do............. maybe I'll have good news to share later.

many cruises, first on this floating city. Eating here is a NIGHTMARE. We are full (6000 passengers they tell us). DO NOT PICK MY TIME DINING. Reservations or not, expect at least a half hour wait in line before you are seated. The larger your party, apparently the faster you are seated. Parties of 2 - longer wait. Asking to share a table doesn't get you there any faster. Presumably the fixed dining fares better, but now YOU CAN"T SWITCH. Buffet just as bad. Other complimentary fares no better, unless you eat very late. Maybe they're trying to steer you to specialty restaurants? Beautiful ship, very nice crew, but we'll never sail this one again!