MCOgirl

The Equinox is going into dry dock once it gets  to Europe, on April 23rd.Hopefully it will get a nice refresh!!

Aqua class is wonderful imo and worth the price !

34 minutes ago, 39august said:

Our Sky Suites for the past 3 years have had new carpet and soft goods. No new couches and the old (better) chairs and table still on the balcony. 

Thank you 😊 

Could  someone tell me if any  of the suite categories  on Equinox have been refurbished? If so, what category of suite  and what was done?

Trying to figure out if it is worth bidding on a move up, if suites are not updated !

Thank you 🚢

8 hours ago, uktog said:

Onward cannot call at St John today due to high swell making tendering unsafe so we are over in St Thomas. Not my first choice but at least we got somewhere!  Unfortunately the local infrastructure is still to wake up to our arrival so no taxis around yet 

Hi UKtog,

Sorry to hear you couldn’t make it into StJohn . Happy they found an alternative port!Although is would not have been your first choice.

 We will be on the Onward for the   Dec 12th sailing.

I am curious, is the ship full?

Also are you happy with the ships

Remodel?

Thank you

Enjoy your time onboard🍸

On 2/11/2021 at 4:19 PM, Chunky2219 said:

Try this for a little thought excercise.................  Whatever your view about how the Covid versus vaccine dynamic might pan out in your own corner of the world, begin by recognising that no vaccine ever works 100% of the time for 100% of people - the best you can hope for is a high percentage of people avoiding the very worst effects of a disease.  Now assume that it is dramatically different in half a dozen other countries where:

• a new variant has just sprung up a month ago, or
• vaccine uptake is poor or patchy because of political/philospohical/theological or just plain stupid reasoning, or
• vaccines work great but some people, some countries, some groups won't use or don't trust vaccine passports, or
• vaccine uptake has been awesome but after 2, 3, 4 or more waves they now don't trust many other countries and don't want their citizens, plus
• one of these countries is on your cruise itinerary, or
• someone from one of these countries is on your ship, or
• someone from one of these countries was on your flight to your cruise start point

Now factor in that a cruise ship is an almost perfect breeding ground for the virus, like a big prison where people can mix freely 24/7.  Now think about the typical demographic of most cruise ships with respect to succeptibility to serious effects.  (it's not positive).

 

Once you've got this far, now imagine you are a cruise ship operator planning 3 years in advance normally and maybe 3 months in advance now.  All this while trying to make at least a break even position out of it all.  It's a high sunk capital cost, rapid revenue turnover and highly inflexible business.

 

I personally can't think of a more difficult industry in which to keep operating.  Unless and until Covid 19 naturally dies back to be as threatening as the common cold it's not going to be sustainable.  Sadly, vaccines won't change the game.

Well Said and well thought out!👏I agree

48 minutes ago, betmust said:

I had a cruise booked for Oct. 2020 and awhile back I did a lift and lock to Oct. 2021.

I paid the deposit, insurance and was making some payments on the cruise totaling $1050. I am thinking we may just cancel it.  I know I should get back insurance and payments that were made refunded to my credit card. Has anyone recently  cancelled  before final payment? How long did you have to wait to see it on your card?

 

Thanks

Hi BETMUST,

We are still waiting for our REFUND!!!!!We cancelled June30th prior to final payment.AS of today August14th all we have received is $1200 of our $3400 dollar refund.

We were told by our travel agent refunds are given in installments...what??🤨We are not happy.They sure know how to charge our credit cards!!!I am so disappointed in Celebrity.I think it may have soured me towards sailing on them again.We are elite  members and have given them thousands and thousands of dollars over the years.I feel the is horrible customer service.Yes I know we are mid pandemic.That being said they have known more cancellations were coming.Do something about it Please.

Instead they choose to send us emails daily about future cruises ,& new destination .Really?

If I sound frustrated  and disappointed I am beyond belief.

Thanks for listening and Sincerely GOOD LUCK🧡

Hope things go more smoothly for you.

5 hours ago, jelayne said:

A refund would include the fare, taxes, fees and port expenses as well as any pre cruise purchases you paid for, not items you used OBC for and not for the value of the booking perks ( beverage packages, prepaid gratuities, wi-fi) .

 

Refunds do not arrived in one lump sum.  They come is credits to you Credit card over a period of time.  You may get a refund of port fees and then a few weeks later get a refund of part of the cruise fare, followed by a refund of a excursion you purchased weeks later, then a refund of more of your cruise fare.  Keep good records as the credit comes through so you know when you have received everything. 

HI Jelayne,

Thank you for a thorough explanation.

Do you know why refunds are done this way.?t sure seems like it would be more work for someone.

This just happened to us.We are awaiting a $3400.00 refund.My cc was credited 3 small refunds $450.00, $566.94 and $216.00 totaling $1232.00.I was worried and immediately emailed my travel agent he said the same thing refunds come in stages!But did not explain why....I am curious.

17 hours ago, Krazeerae5 said:

Hello..my name is Bonnie and I am a Celebrity Cruiser for years, and noticed here on Cruise Critic your situation.  First of all, congratulations on your wedding coming up.  Secondly, I called for you and spoke to Celebrity.  I mentioned that I believe your cruise is February, 2020 and she confirmed to me that the Millennium is leaving on Feb 15th..with an overnight on the 16th . I mentioned your concerns with the Virus which we all are hearing about and the fact it's Hong Kong.  This is what they told me for you.

 

Celebrity would never take any chances with their passengers and if they did have any need to change something they would reach out to each and every passenger.  They are definitely keeping their schedule with Hong Kong, not changing but they are changing a few important things.  They are doing extreme precautions with their screening.  When you check in they will be doing temperature and screening with Dr.'s, and if for any reason anyone seems ill they will not allow them to cruise if it seems like a flu like symptom.  They are adding many Dr's. to the cruise and if anyone feels ill during the cruise they are there to screen and if needed the passenger will be  Quarantine.  If anyone gets sick and quarantined they will  remain quarantined for the remainder  of the cruise.

They don't want you to worry, go as you would normally and enjoy Hong Kong if you desire to leave the ship when they stay overnight.  

I can tell you from experience, they are very aware of viruses and take precautions on the ship.  

I hope this helps...I am on the Millennium Cruise Critic for a trip in October.  

FYI-The best way to reach Celebrity is calling.

 

Enjoy and Have a wonderful wedding and Honeymoon.

Bonnie

Hi Krazeerae5,

That was kind of you to call Celebrity.Well all of that sounds proactive.There is still a big problem the 10-14day incubation period with NO symptoms!!!!Also the possiblty of being quarantined on vacation sounds horrible IMO.

I just wish they would cancel the cruise and we could all stop worrying about the unknown and reschedule our vacations.

5 hours ago, Lololaura said:

Hi everyone👋 Has anyone any idea if our ship will be allowed to port in Hongkong?

I've emailed celebrity but no word yet.

I'm so worried, not about the virus but not making the ship.

Fingers crossed this has been months on the planning and is our honeymoon 

Hi LOLOLAURA

When are you scheduled to depart? WE too are curious as we depart HK on the Millenium Feb15th.There are so many variables.However as time goes by I am growing increasingly concerned.WE would hate to get stranded over there!!!

I hope Celebrity makes the correct moral  decision and one not based on the bottom line.

Best of Luck

7 hours ago, MrsWaldo said:

But is waitlist the same as a Gty.  My TA said waitlist is only when cruise is fully booked so you wait for a cancellation. 

 

A GTY means you are on board 

I agree MRS.WALDO They are two totally differnt things.Yes the Vista Suites are sold out and we are waitlist for one to hopefully open.All we had to put down was a deposit.Thats what I was curious about   -Have others had any success with this waitlist option .?If so how long do you wait to hear something.As we want to spend a month in Asia and hope to leave the US at the beginning  of Feb.

Thank you all for your replies

Hi fellow cruisers,

This is our first time on SS.WE  are waitlisted for a Vista suite. Having never experienced  this before.

Do you usually get a room and how far out would it be assigned prior to the sail date?

Thank you

Hi fellow cruisers,

This is our first time on SS.WE  are waitlisted for a Vista suite. Having never experienced  this before.

Do you usually get a room and how far out would it be assigned prior to the sail date?

Thank you

16 hours ago, MMDown Under said:

If the Government urges caution whilst travelling rather than "do not travel", it is up to the passenger to decide what they are comfortable doing.  I would rather a visitor make a decision which suits them, than makes a decision based on Australia's future tourism income.  I just had a friend from the US escape from Canberra's bush fire smoke and holidayed in Port Douglas, Queensland in lieu.  A smart decision, under the circumstances.  

Well said - I completely agree it is a personable decision. My biggest concern is our health due to the high levels of Air Pollution - not what will happen to the tourism . There is no comparison IMO.

Tourism will bounce back if  it is adversely affected.This would be short term situation .

Yes our fingers are crossed.I hope things work out for us all🛳️Will keep monitoring the fires

2 minutes ago, Shayna1900 said:

They say the fires will be going on into April. I’m trying to be optimistic as the weather ap shows a good amount of rain in Sydney on the 16-18 of January. 
We’re touring ourself the north island for 6 days... with a car when we leave Auckland . Then flying from Auckland to Queenstown ( 4-5 days with a car around Queenstown ) Then around Feb 28 we fly from Queenstown to Melborne, the next day we’re two days on the Great Ocean Drive, two days in the Grampions back to Melborne, flying to Cairns ( hoping for no cyclones ) spending 4 days and back to Sydney staying near Bondi beach.

 

I have bought a n95 mask just in case.

We are going to be in Sydney for 2 days prior to our 10 day cruise.Then spending 3 days in Auckland.We went on a road trip 5 years ago around the south island of NZ and it was amazing.You will enjoy the drive.Queenstown area is just spectacular .Gorgeous topography for sure.

I was looking at theN95 masks earlier today on Amazon...oh my!!!!!

30 minutes ago, Shayna1900 said:

We’ve talked to the insurance unless our government gives a travel advisory against going, the insurance won’t pay... or the Airbnb is on fire. Plus the boat leaves Sydney and goes to New Zealand.

Thank you all for your replies.

WE depart Feb.7th out of Sydney ,and stop in Tasmania and then onto New Zealand.I have been reading that New Zealand's air quality is deteriorating as well.Reports of smoke  in Christchurch.

I just spoke with my travel agent.He said to call the insurance agent.He wasn't sure of the cancellation policy.That being said he mentioned  things may be different  if the US issued a travel advisory .

Hello fellow cruisers,I would like to ask this to the locals on this forum-  Do you really feel that an outdoor vacation on Celebrity cruises can truly be enjoyed with this level of smoke and  air pollution??

We have been to your beautiful country 5 years ago NZ as well .One of the biggest joys was the wonderful fresh air and pristine  country side.

Do we have much recourse with the travel insurance?

Thank you

Mcogirl

Did you look for reviews on your particular stateroom?

Yes I have.... one person said it was lovely no complaints...but appeared to be reviewing the room and steward exclusively not the position. Another review said that they could not keep their sliding doors open because they would get the exhaust from the funnel in the cabin and had a lot of soot on their deck.Also commented they would never book a SV they were supposedly upgraded to SV....And they were questioning if it's truly an upgrade they felt it was a downgrade !!!

SV cabins have a great view but it's a lot of walking to the elevator.

It sure ;)looks that way

The SV is considered a upgrade from a 1a. We love being on the aft.

 

We had a 1a for the first time last year and while the balcony is large it would have been more enjoyable/useable if there were more chairs or loungers on the balcony. Just 2 chairs and a small table.

Thank you for sharing your experience.WE are a little apprehensive with a SV cabin,having

never experienced it.I have read mixed feelings on that cabin type.Folks either love it or do not!!!!!

WE loved the larger balcony on our previous sailings in 1a cabins.

Well, it depends lol!

The SV is usually more expensive and very desireable for the view, but you lose the large 1a balcony and convenient location. So, if YOU don't consider it an upgrade, call and argue your point politely with X.

Thank you for your reply....I am on the fence because we have never stayed in SV.We usually book Aqua class or a 1A for the larger balcony.The ship looks full except for suites...I feel We are partially to blame for booking a guarantee....AKA......gamble- tee !

HI Folks,

WE booked a 1A veranda guarantee and have been assigned a SV cabin..Is that considered an upgrade or a lateral move.:confused:

I looked and our veranda looks tiny compared to the ones on either side of us!!!

Thank You