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On My way out in 8 days! Any thoughts about this ship?

Hideaway has free coffee all day

Hi, we have previously cruised with P&O and Cunard, once with Royal Caribbean. OH has a special birthday next year and the preferred itinerary is on Celebrity Constellation (Arabian Sea and India). Please - where do I start? We always book a balcony cabin or a mini-suite; we enjoy fine dining; and we really like coffee the second we wake up :o. I need as many hints and tips as you can muster!

TIA

I would go on your roll call ASAP and ask as many questions as you want/need. That way there is constant interaction, without having to go from thread to thread. In the beginning with Celebrity, we found we got the best help on the roll calls!

I hope everyone likes the Edge class ships and will pay premiums to sail on those ships. From my perspective, I'll stay on the S class ships with lower prices, those ships are just fine with me.

I feel the same. Cruising isn't our sole vacation and would much rather have 2 or 3 vacations (land and sea) rather than considering a room/suite the ultimate. Frankly, I am not keen on the Edge modern design in any way, and much prefer the S class ships (and don't mind the M class either). To each his own.

We need some help please.

We will be berthing Port Antigua from Celebrity Eclipse on Christmas Day this year, are their any shops open ? Taxis ? Excursions etc ?? Is it business as usual on the Island ??

Any help or advice would be fantastic so thank you in advance 😜👌

Have you joined your roll call? Often there's people on that forum which have answers to questions you have

TeaBag: Yes, that does sound nice. I noticed that. I feel a little guilty about it already, but it seems like that might mean while some others are still waiting in line, we'll already be on the ship enjoying a little lunch.

 

Since our take off time is c. 3:30, our cabin might not be ready until 2:30 or so?

 

PS Is there any reason to hold off on paying the balance of this cruise as long as I feel sure about it at this moment? I've paid $500, but I wonder if paying the remaining sooner rather than later might be a good idea just to get it over with. In other words, I don't see any plus side to holding that off, even though it's not due for two weeks, but am I missing something?

Only thing I would advise is paying at least a couple days in advance. Some had a problem waiting one cruise, and they paid the last day but cruise line system went down and people lost reservations.

Not sure when they have said you can get on the ship, and although many say noon, most allow entry at 11 or closely thereafter. Our rooms have been ready by 1:30-2:00, with only one time when room ready a bit later, as it was a 15 night cruise.

There;s nobody standing guard at the entrance to the Solarium. Don't worry.

Exactly. I've seen older adults more problem than teens with parents. Benjaminhuf, enjoy every minute as this special time with your daughter will go by all too quickly. Join in, dance with your daughter at night, play trivia together, listen to the several genres of music, sit outside on every deck,share laughter and make special memories. Does Corning still have their glass blowing show on Equinox? If so, watch that for awhile and then spread a blanket or two on the lawn! So much to do, and so little time!!

When your room attendant comes to ask for special requests, you might want to ask for ice daily or a couple times a day for soda, water etc. Beds are together when you get there, and just ask they be separated. They are accustomed to doing that when asked. If you need an extension cord, you can ask for that as well when you first meet the attendant. 99.9% are willing to do or get whatever you need. We always ask for two daily's (on your bed at nighttime usually) but since each one of us wants one for separate activities, they will give two.

Fantastic and thank you all. This cruising stuff is a little different but I'm learning!!!

If you aren't on your roll call, join. Lots of seasoned travelers there who love to answer questions! It's how we all learned. Have a great trip!

If you end up in select, they will ask as you check in what kind of table you want. At that time tell them your preference for 2-4-6-8. You can change nightly if you want, depending on time limits you might have.

You might want to call Celeb Captain's Club and see if there's a problem getting set reservations right now, or if they can help you out, should you prefer fixed dining.

Love the daily crème brulee, something I only have on a cruise.

Also agree with Café Al Bacio coconut cake and their oatmeal cookies.

For anyone who doesn't know, Al Bacio is free for desserts (not drinks) open early morning till nighttime. Great cookies and some good other items, but some cakes are pretty dry.

Variety of ice cream at buffet, with several kinds, free, the best goes quickly.

A few times in warmer weather, we've gotten soft vanilla, and made our own root beer floats!

Look at the Fall Transatlantics - Ports first then 7-8 days at sea.

I agree, much more relaxing that way.

Question - do you remember the name of the cab company you used to get to Bruges a couple years ago? I tried to find the info but must not have kept it. Thanks either way!

Have taken 4 repositioning cruises with celebrity, no perks, this year I found a repositioning on princess, got drink package, shipboard credit, and a specialty dinner, we go in October, I'm excited yet hesitate because of the happenings in the world

 

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How many months in advance did you book? Just asking as we have booked a TA next Spring and Celebrity prices were very expensive, about $400-$500 more than last year.

Looking to try another line Like Princess, as have sailed exclusively with Celebrity and don't like some changes and the prices this time around. In addition, we only have about 20 people on the roll call and the trip is in less than 9 months. Our last TA's have basically been booked solid early.

Does this cafe cost extra?

The drinks, coffee etc cost extra but the pastries, cookies, etc in the showcase are all free. They will even pack for you if you want to take to your room or elsewhere.

Coffee in the buffet area is free and can be taken everywhere in their supplied cups.

We did like all the formal evenings my husband always dresses in his full Scottish highland dress (kilt)

We are cruising on constellation In November 2016 & on infinity b2b in September 2017.

I am sure we will still dress up makes things so special.

However each to their own ideas of chic.

James & Kathleen Gillespie

Seeing a Gentleman in full Scottish Highland Dress is among my best memories of cruising. Go for it!

The major benefit in using Choice Air, for us, has been in one way transport to and from Europe. However, in recently talking with Choice Air, we have been told that they will meet nearly all flights, companies and prices that you can find. In nearly every case, the tickets are non-refundable.

We always use Choice when we take a Transatlantic. A couple years ago, our flight leaving Amsterdam was grounded, as the landing gear was not working. Choice/Delta put everyone up for the night in a couple different hotels, provided dinner and breakfast the next day and at no cost to any passengers.

We have always found that the flight schedules are usually available about 12 months out.

Of the many TA's we have taken, the food on the Silhouette last month was the worst. We finally ended up eating only 6 or 7 of the 15 nights meals. Actually, the food in the buffet was even worse than the MDR. I have never seen so much Indian food and jerk seasoned food. Chef is from Jamaica. On the good side, the cookies in Café Al Bacio were usually fantastic:)

Any idea when schedule for 2017 TA's will be released. Was to be last month and when I talked to Celebrity recently I was told the rep didn't know???

Beautiful!

Celebrity's bean-counters continue to disappoint me. So I will dish out a little disappointment of my own, to THEM.

 

I have 3 Celebrity cruises booked between now and the Fall of 2016. I'm not booking any more cruises after that, unless I see Celebrity put something better on the table.

 

Bingo, the way to do it. We have two scheduled and will not book again with Celebrity until or unless things change.

I love those oatmeal cookies...when you can find them:D

The best!

I assume that they mean that check in is the first day between those hours and then you are free to roam. If you want to plan to arrive day 2, I would surely call and talk to Celebrity before they think you are a no show.

Two long cruises in the last year. We had prime rib at least two nights and it was terrific! Also liked the tornados, lamb & onion soup is a favorite. Actually have had a few good chicken recipes too!

As far as we are concerned, love Café Al Bacio for the oatmeal raisin cookies. Other must feel that way about those cookies as they are always gone quickly!

Thanks for the info! The other choices sound fine to us. And I like the idea of asking for dressing on the side.

 

We've been pretty steady Princess cruisers and am looking forward to the dining on Celebrity.

I am rather picky about dressing & have never had a problem requesting something other than the dressing of the day. We also ask for the dressing on the side.

Remember, if you get it and don't like it, they'll gladly replace it. Make your needs and wants known - most of the staff is terrific!

Can't answer the question about where they might put all the food, but in the five TA's we have taken, they surely haven't run out of anything!

TA's are my favorite. Plenty of time to relax but, seriously, there are enough activities planned so that often we can't do all we want to do.

Although TA's are usually a bargain, we found that the price of the TA this year increased by $250-$300 over last year's cruise. Last two I have taken have basically been sold out.

Air fare one-way is quite a bargain via Choice Air. This year our flight to Florence from JFK is less than $500. (We then take the fast train to Rome and the port four days later.) To me, this is a perfect opportunity to tour one or several places in Europe prior to the cruise. Double the bargain with the air fare.

I think thatvCelebrity is doing fine in finding ways to increase revenue by cutting some things, & charging, or charging more, for others. The last thing I want to do is add to that.:rolleyes:

DITTO

Sorry but none of the suggestions are appealing to us.

 

The mailed luggage tags are much sturdier than self printed ones with a better chance of not getting detached . We are NOt looking for a craft project laminating, taping and affixing the tag. The mailed ones are color coded...much better odds at getting prompt delivery of one's bags,. Lost or misguided luggage is not a happy way to begin a cruise! We do not mind printing out salient parts of the cruise docs and contract, but hope Celebrity does not eliminate this service of mailing our tags!

 

In our opinion, Buckets of Beer would encourage even more drinking to excess as noted recently with the packages and create a frat party, bachanalia atmosphere on board. Seems inconsistent with Modern Luxury

 

Royal has a reserved section for suites...often empty on a very sunny day. Buying a reserved lounger would require more staff and tie up unused seating....already in short supply. First come first served is best with enforcement of no day long seat saving....

 

Sorry...none of these makes the cut!

Again, ditto

Has everyone actually taken a look at the latest profits? Cuts a $1 glass of champagne? Stop tags (for those who want them--remember there is the option) With the cuts in the last few years, ridiculous.

Woohoo for you - great fun!