Travelbug750

Jim, 

Not to confuse your options, my daughter and son-in-law took a National Geographic Expedition ship to Antarctica a few years back.  It was run by Lindblad, one of the most revered expedition leaders.  It was a photographic centric trip, with guides giving advice along the way.  Given your love of photography, I think you'd love this king of trip.  After each day, the guests came back to share photos and receive advice from the experts on how to improve.  There was even a lending library of photographic equipment to borrow if desired.  It sounded unbelievable.  I don't think you'd be disappointed.  

I'd also like to add my appreciation for all your Live posts.  I learn so much from you and now have a desire to visit destinations that I never thought I'd consider.  I know the time involved in writing - it's truly a gift to the CC board.

All the best for the New Year - Kathy

We've just returned from 21 days on the Rotterdam.  Fabulous cruise, btw.  We spent three days in Amsterdam prior to the cruise.  We took the covid test through Qured on the Friday before a Sunday departure.  All went well with that.  Then I proceeded to try to upload everything in Verifly.  It was very frustrating, taking many tries.  Amsterdam was also experiencing a heat wave which made our room very warm and I was beginning to overheat.  Many tries later and it finally took!  It was a mystery to me why my husband's information went through and mine did not.  In any case, when we went to the port on Sunday, the line was several hundred people deep.  I kept looking for the Verifly line and couldn't find it - because there wasn't any line!  We just zipped through the check-in process and were in our cabin within 15 minutes of arriving at the port.  It saved us from the long line, with very few masked passengers at that point.  My advice is to keep trying  - it is so worthwhile once completed.

I forgot to add that when FE downgraded us to economy from the premium economy that we paid for, we are on the same exact flights.  All segments have premium economy.  It was just their arbitrary downgrade. 

I want to thank you for publishing the phone number for FE.  Supposedly, they are working on an issue that they caused for the past week but I still have not heard back from them.  I purchased Premium Economy seats SFO/AMS, departing on June 5th.  I made the reservations in January, paid in full in March.  Sometime in the past few weeks, someone at FE moved us from Premium Economy to regular economy.  I know  this because Air Canada actually looked up the history of the record and saw that it was FE that made the change.  We are booked through Costco and, I have to say, I am disappointed at their lack of help.  The only thing on my agenda tomorrow is to sit and wait on hold until I get someone at FE to listen to me.  We leave in less than two weeks now and I really don't need this stress. 

Thanks, Jim!  What will I read now?  I'm sure I join a large group who is anxiously awaiting your next cruise adventure!

Kathy

I am so excited to be following along with you on the Rotterdam's maiden cruise.  Were booked on a B2B Norwegian Fjord cruise next June.  I'm so anxious to read your reports and see pictures.  Thanks for the time and effort to do this - much appreciated.

Kathy

Misty Fjords is also accessible by boat.  It's a long, lazy trip but truly spectacular once you arrive.  I've done it both ways and they are completely different experiences.  If you really want to see it, go!  It's so worth the trip.

Many thanks for your very complete review.  We're on the Eclipse in July and I was especially anxious to hear your impressions of the ship.  We're repeat offenders to Alaska - I think this is our fifth cruise to Alaska.  It's really spectacular, never boring.  I was also very happy to read that you're on the Silhouette in South America - we're booked on the same cruise in January, 2021.  That will be fun to follow along, too. 

Looking forward to your pictures!

We'll be in Ketchikan in July without any firm shore excursion plans other than to walk around town.  We'll be sure to stop in the Arctic Bar before boarding. Sounds like a jewel!

Thanks so much for doing this!  We're on a slightly different itinerary in July on the Eclipse so will be especially  interested in your impressions.  We're traveling with our son, daughter in law and two grandsons so it will be a family affair.  We've been to Alaska several times and, yet, jump at the opportunity to cruise there again.

Bon voyage!

I have done both type of shore excursions.  Interestingly, the best tours were on a Baltic Cruise last year.  We used one of the most recommended tour operators in most of the ports, as did many other Celebrity passengers.  All in all, we saved nearly $1000 for the two of us on all the excursions.  But best of all, we had fabulous tours!  They were mostly in small buses in order to get closer to where we were going.  Smaller groups are also easier to maneuver in crowded churches and museums.

As far as missing the ship - it wasn't an issue.  You have to know when an excursion is late and misses the ship, everyone on Cruise Critic (and other websites) will know about it.  The operator doesn't want that reputation and takes this responosibility very seriously.  We were always promptly returned.  

So my advice is to do your homework and see what operators offer a tour that interests you.  Read as many reviews as possible.  And pay attention to the correspondence - is your inquiry answered promptly and courteously, even after the 100th question?  If you use a reputable operator, you will have a great experience.   

I wish I could surprise you! A nonrefundable fare means payment and ticketing immediately. 

I spoke to Celebrity this morning and during the course of the conversation, the agent mentioned that they have some new options regarding air bookings.  The one that applies here is that they now have the option of using a refundable air fare instead of just nonrefundable.  A refundable fare does not have to be ticketed immediately but I would assume be subject to change until ticketed.  Once ticketed, the fare is locked in.  A nonrefundable fare needs to be ticketed immediately.  In days past, the nonrefundable fare is usually less expensive.

We did a Baltic Cruise on the Silhouette almost exactly a year ago. I agree with BruinSteve - the demographics have changed over the years. We had such a cross section of ages that it really didn't matter. We are 68 and 71 and I found the shore excursions (booked through SPB) challenging but not impossible. I wish I'd paid more attention to getting myself in better shape before the cruise! We've cruised a lot over the years and this one ranks at the top of our list. And please do plan on spending some time in Amsterdam - it's just a wonderful city. My advice is just to go for it!

Galaxy was our first introduction to Celebrity. We took a very lazy repositioning cruise from San Francisco to San Juan. Loved that ship and I'd do that itinerary again in a flash.

We were on the Silhouette last fall in the Baltics and I had a very serious discussion with the customer service people about the takeover of the Sky Lounge by various groups. When the art auction was being set up, we found some seating forward and made ourselves comfortable. I got the impression that the auction people would have left us alone but once the auction began, the sound system was so loud that we decided to leave. What I really resent is the takeover at cocktail time for an Elite event - every afternoon!!! I got into a heated discussion with another passenger who decided to stand over our table in an effort to intimidate us into leaving. When my husband got up to use the restroom, she promptly took his seat. I was initially polite but this woman was quite boorish and was really trying to intimidate me. We eventually went down to customer service but they really can't do anything about a passenger's behavior. Bottom line is the Sky Lounge is one of the most desirable spots on any of the Celebrity ships and, as such, should be open for everyone at all times.

We just returned from a Silhouette Baltic cruise on Monday. Grilled or poached salmon was definitely available in the Aqua Spa cafe. It was the best salmon on the ship.

Many thanks for your review. We're on the Silhouette 8/23 out of Amsterdam. I was very happy to hear you enjoyed the ship, as well as the ports. It's nice to hear a positive review of the food, bars, etc. instead of focusing on the negative. Thanks again!

I totally agree! I've completed my online check-in for our August 23rd sailing on the Silhouette but cannot print it out. I really hope something is resolved before we leave, otherwise the check-in process in Amsterdam will be a mess.

Understanding that every situation is different, I can say that cruising has been our son's favorite type of vacation. He's an adult now and is a very good traveler. You will find some quiet spots on the ship that may offer him some respite from the crowds. We also found that room service was a great help when he had trouble waiting for our assigned seating for dinner. We didn't have today's electronics when he was a child but he always traveled with a walkman and his tapes. So take what makes your child comfortable. A portable DVD player is a good idea in case you can't connect with the TV. The kids' program may be too stimulating for him - all you can do is visit and see his reaction. The pool and hot tubs were always a hit, even in the cold of Alaska. Our son doesn't have any food sensitivities, in fact we really found out just how much he is capable of eating. The buffet was his friend, although we always had dinner as a family in the dining room. Our cruises as a family allowed each of us to have the type of cruise we wanted. That's the stuff that makes memories.

My biggest issue was the food. It was very ordinary. The buffet was more like an ordinary diner quality. One meal, I had a piece of meat that was absolutely inedible. We had open seating for dinner that was an absolute mess. I always felt like it was a cattle call with most people in line waiting for tables. We often had a light dinner at the little Italian Cafe in the atrium instead. It had the best food on the ship. My husband pointed out that the dining room was only a single floor, making it feel very claustrophobic compared to the beautiful dining rooms on Celebrity ships with two levels. The ship itself is fine but doesn't compare to the M class Celebrity ships, IMHO (we haven't sailed on S class yet - scheduled next August). Princess is removing (or has already removed) that awkward cross piece at the top of the back of the ship that is just silly - again IMHO. We booked a mini-suite guarantee and ended up with a very nice cabin toward the aft. Their mini suites are a good deal - nice seating area, two separate TVs, plenty of storage, nice bathroom and closet arrangement. The service was just OK - I don't think anyone remembered names, preferences, etc. I don't remember much regarding entertainment except a nice string quartet in the atrium in the afternoon. I also didn't love the alternative restaurants much.

We both love the bars at the top of Celebrity ships (and Crystal for that matter) where you can just watch the sea, arriving or departing from port or just having a cocktail before dinner. There wasn't anything similar on the Grand, unfortunately other than the night club at the back of the ship.....which wasn't open much till late in the evening,

Hope this helps. I know I sound negative but I honestly think Celebrity has a superior product. I know there are rabid Princess fans out there and I don't mean to diminish their enthusiasm in any way.

Princess up to Crystal (or Crystal down to Princess) is interesting. After Crystal how could you go "slumming"?

I'm a retired travel agent. Princess was first as an agent cruise, then Crystal , Celebrity then Princess again. The only reason we did Princess for the second time is that it sailed from San Francisco round trip. Nothing like getting off a ship and being back home within an hour. Now I know why Floridians love to do last minute sailings. Crystal was unbelievable in every catagory. We did the Summit out of Vancouver and loved it. The Grand Princess was just meh, IMHO.

I'd go to Alaska in a row boat! It's our all-time favorite and have cruised 4 times - Princess twice, Celebrity and Crystal. It's different every time and always glorious. We've cruised the Canal also which is an experience not to be missed. But we're not so crazy about hot and sticky weather so that colored our opinion. Don't know much about HAL but have heard wonderful things. You can't lose!