sunlover33

If this trial is successful and rolls out across the fleet, this will be my last Celebrity cruise. I have sent an e mail to head office. The more complaints they get may make them back off, otherwise they may lose a large chunk of their regular cruisers. I will be interested I see if I get a response. E- mails to executiveoffice@celebrity.com with any comments or concerns.

Thank you for taking the time to answer my question. That’s really very useful information for us to be aware of.

Thanks Don I have posted on several boards hoping for a response, I am looking for information to inform our roll call. We have already arranged several tours but I am looking for someone who has experienced this trip in Sri Lanka with an independent organisation. We booked this cruise with Azamara in 2020 just prior to covid shutdown but like many others it was cancelled. I posted on here hoping someone had managed to do this cruise and experience a private tour.

Hi Everyone, just wondering if anyone has experience of private tours tours in Sri Lanka. We will be in Hambantota port from 08.00- 19.00 and were particularly interested in visiting Udawalawe National Park, does anyone have a recommendation for a private tour guide please?

Hi Everyone, just wondering if anyone has experience of private tours tours in Sri Lanka. We will be in Hambantota from 08.00- 19.00 and were particularly interested in visiting Udawalawe National Park, does anyone have a recommendation for a private tour guide please?

Has anyone been in a small group private tour of Udawalawe National Park Safari from Hambantota Port and can you recommend a tour operator?

We always use Rome cabs and just recently again for three transfers for our recent cruise. FCO to Civitavecchia port, Civitavecchia to Rome to spend a few days in the city and finally Rome to airport. Service as always first class. Drivers always on time, polite and professional. We actually arrived at FCO slightly early, but they had clearly been tracking and immediately had a text telling us driver was on his was and another driver from Rome cabs was looking out for us. Wouldn’t ever use anyone else and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend. First class service.

Loving your posts and can’t wait to board on Friday, flights and covid tests permitting. The photos bring back some lovely memories of Istanbul on the various stops we have had. Just love sitting in the balcony listening to the Al Adhan calling the faithful to prayer, they echo all around the city.

Can’t wait, we follow you onto reflection of the 15th . Michaels Club looks wonderful. Now to decide what drink to order when we get there as the tension melts away, hopefully. Looking forward to your excellent reports.

Hi Everyone seen lots of post about the martini bar and martini drinking in general which seem to be a very popular pastime while onboard. I’m a whiskey and red wine drinker normally but may branch out on this cruise to try some martinis. Are there any particular martinis you would recommend based in my usual drinking habits or any martinis that are a must try?

Think I came across him on one cruise too on Azamara, or maybe there is more than one of his type. 😉

We book aft cabins. I don’t care what level of aft it is as long as it’s aft. On our cruise in 2 weeks we have an aft sky suite. Our next cruise we have an aft balcony cabin. We have had great aft concierge cabins and had an aft aqua cancelled. Whatever level you decide Celebrity is a great cruise line and I’m sure you will enjoy it. There sometimes appears to be a snobbish element on here, but remember anyone can post they have cruised only Penthouse suites when they really cruise in inside cabins. Really no one cares. Buy the perks that appeal to you and don’t worry what everyone else is doing. Enjoy x

We went to Japan just pre covid. We booked independent flights with emirates which were wonderful but 17 + hours with layover in Dubai. It was only when we were discussing with other Brits who had flown with BA direct LHR to Tokyo 11 hours direct. Depends if you have a preferred airline, but if you want to get there asap choose BA. Have a great time we loved Japan and had a three day stop in Tokyo. Getting around on the railway was so easy once we figured it out and the people were amazing and very helpful. Unfortunately we booked with Princess, never again!

Yes I have read that so many times and thought we would be ok, but something made me double check. I quoted the COR information to Sam and as you can see this was the reply. I have decided it’s just easier to get tested than to start the cruise arguing. We start from Civitavecchia in just over 2 weeks.

I have just asked the same question and had a direct reply from celebrity saying you still need to produce a negative antigen test before boarding, as we were planning just to use the COR, but have now booked antigen tests.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/somethings-gone-wrong-with-a-purchase/if-you-want-a-refund-because-of-coronavirus/ https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2020/02/coronavirus-travel-help-and-your-rights/ https://www.celebritycruises.com/content/dam/celebrity/pdf/cel-covid-19-cancellations-and-refunds-policy.pdf because there is a complexity of scenarios maybe you can see if any if the above helps. Did you book a package with a TA or direct with Celebrity? Abta may also have some advice? You may have to claim via your travel insurance.

But that’s the whole point, tip extra if you want to, and the amount is whatever you deem acceptable or affordable for yourself personally, but you do whatever feels ok for you depending on your culture and don’t feel obligated to do whatever anyone else does or is expected. It’s so personal. Gratuities are already paid, anything else is an extra given for good service.

Me think thou dost protest too much. Surely tipping extra is a private and personal matter and no one else’s business?

Appreciated yes, expected no, this infers that a tip should be given even if you are unsatisfied with the service. Food cold, not as ordered, very late? Would you tip in a restaurant for poor service?

Unfortunately some are more obnoxious than others.

I would agree, we have had many flights from fumancino. Most flights at 12.15 onwards with private transfer from the ship with Rome Cabs at 7.00 am with very little time to spare at the airport. No time to eat drink or shop. This was in ‘normal’ times so goodness knows what it’s like now. It’s a very busy airport.

If you find yourself in Civitavecchia again. I would highly recommend Rome Cabs. Very professional company, have never been let down by them. Usually large Mercedes and very professional drivers. You can book and check prices on the website.

I think you were fleeced. We just paid €130 euros transfer private taxi for 2.

In that case we are all guilty as charged.

Bribe : to influence the judgment or conduct of (someone) with or as if with offers of money or favor : Giving tips before a service is definitely a bribe. After a service would be a tip. What’s your definition? I would also argue on ‘ the right thing to do’. Maybe if staff were paid a decent living wage, they would not need to rely on tips. But there again is the cultural divide between countries. In Japan it would be considered an insult.