kstetser

A crew member has a vlog - it sounds to be that they are quarantined in guest cabins with balconies.  

On 6/3/2021 at 11:38 AM, ChutChut said:

Don't think that will happen. Will conduct test cruises and go with testing prior to boarding no vacine requirement - out of Florida.

That is up for much debate (check out the Royal and Celebrity boards).   Celebrity is absolutely playing chicken with the state regulations.  They plan to sail on Sunday with fully vaccinated passengers.  It should be interesting to see how it all plays out.

12 minutes ago, Pratique said:

The case law is not on your side in this one. Remember that the CSO is directed at the cruise lines, not the state. The state's alleged injuries are indirect at best.

And isn't it true that the state's alleged injuries can be cured by the State dropping their proof of vaccine ban?    (The same vaccine they cite in their suit as being something the CDC was not taking into account in the older version of the CSO?)

7 minutes ago, kasowell2 said:

This is the most replies I’ve ever gotten. Also the friendliest posting I’ve ever gotten 

Thanks for asking the question - I've learned a lot (which will be super helpful for my first Celebrity cruise).

Interesting - do you know what capacity they are sailing?  I wonder if US cruises will maintain that same level.

3 hours ago, wrk2cruise said:

The last couple of years you can get Montaudon in the Retreat Lounge and with the Premium Drink package.  You need to ask for it or you will get the real cheap stuff.

Good to know and thanks for the tip!   (Concierge on DCL you have Moet and Veuve Clicquot.)    

Our very first Celebrity cruise will be next summer on Eclipse in a Celebrity Suite - this thread has been great to get a sense of what a first day is like on a Celebrity ship (we have been DCL cruisers for many years but now want to try something new since our daughter will be 18 next June).   Looking forward to delicious dining, great service and the beauty of Alaska!

I will admit to being a champagne snob.   In Concierge on DCL, they serve excellent champagne.  What can I expect on Celebrity?

24 minutes ago, kearney said:

The CDC keeps updating their guidelines... makes it impossible for cruislines to tell you anything until they feel that the CDC has stopped making changes... just in the last week rules changed on masks (first outside then inside), excursions,  and just a few days ago they indicated that somethings were left up to the discretion of the cruise line.. So as of May 26... still not firm...plus there is the court case in mediation... hopefully we will know more next week. They can't be transparent over things they have no visibility to. I suggest you cancel and wait until the smoke has cleared..because they are not mind readers.  One of the contracts..Royal or Celebrity..can't recall... basically alerts passengers that they may or may not have to wear masks, socially distance and a whole bunch of things that appear to be no longer applicable...but the CDC could always reverse course if there is a bad outbreak.. So until you are on the ship you won't know what to expect.

 

I cannot cancel without losing my deposit - and I don't want to cancel, I want to sail, but don't know enough. There are things cruise lines know now - like if they are going to do the 95% vaccination or not.  That would be super helpful for many of us to make a decision about sailing.

2 hours ago, graphicguy said:

That’s what my TA sent to me, too.  She said masks for vaccinated passengers are not required.  And, to expect to provide proof of vaccination in on-line check in.  

Masks are not required "when able to maintain a safe distance" that's very different than not required at all.   Safe distance is not something that is very common on a cruise ship.

14 minutes ago, Elkins45 said:

Whatever they decide I sure wish they would do it soon. 

That is exactly what almost everyone's issue is right now with cruise lines.  We have cruises booked for the next few months and we are getting very little, if any, information about IF they will sail and WHAT the requirements will be.  No one can make educated decisions about their specific situations without that information.   It just feels like a money grab at this point - they have to know what they are going to do in the short term.   We are booked on a very expensive DCL cruise in September (in concierge) - NOTHING from DCL, not a peep about their plans or expectations for returning to sailing in the Caribbean.    I would switch to Celebrity in a heartbeat if they are sailing with 95% vaccinated and DCL is not (which is what we are all assuming will happen).   Folks need to plan their lives and the lack of transparency from the cruise lines is unacceptable.

It's nothing like in the parks, but you will see ears on some folks pretty much any time you look around (adult restaurants being the exception).  I take my ears and wear them once in a while, definitely not most of the time.

2 minutes ago, jrapps said:

Just wait, Desantis is going to kick the Celebrity Edge out of FL...maybe it will go to Galveston LOL

I hope it comes to NJ!

10 minutes ago, marieps said:

IMO the governor has missed an important factor.  The overwhelming number of cruisers who've posted here FAVOR a vax mandate.  The Guv is fighting for choice, when if fact the cruising public chooses to be subject to the requirement.  I get the feeling he didn't take the pulse of the actual constituency for which he's supposed to advocating.  

 

 

Pretty sure the governor does not care what non-FL voting cruise passengers want.   Now, the FL residents that make a living from those tourists - that's a different story.  If they start making some noise, I think there could be different results.

2 minutes ago, cscurlock said:

 Right now the only mainline undecided company is Carnival. They haven't outlined what their policies are going to be.  If I had to choose between a cruise with no mask requirements and not sailing out of Florida and a cruise with many restrictions including masks I would sail out of another port plain and simple and take the restriction free cruise.  

This is exactly my issue - I'm a DCL cruiser (20 sailed and 4 more booked including this September).  We were supposed to go on our first Celebrity cruise this August to Alaska and have pushed to next August.  If DCL decides to not follow the 95% vaccinated requirement, I'll be jumping ship to Celebrity sooner than next August.  I love Disney, but I'm not paying DCL prices for a significantly reduced experience.  They have yet to message how they plan to go.

2 hours ago, dkjretired said:

Good luck getting the governors of NY or NJ to approve.   Notice all those Bermuda cruises this year!!!!  I took two of those cruises in the winter and they were quite nice.   Also, take in the cost of fuel now would not make them real economical.

I don't think my governor (Murphy NJ) will have any issue with cruises sailing from Port Liberty with the vaccination requirement.

We will hopefully be sailing August 2021 and I'm starting to look at ship excursions since it's possible they will be required (we tend to do port adventures on our own as I don't care to be herded).   Anyway - more than anything I want to see whales.  We will be stopping in Icy Straight Point, Juneau and Ketchikan.   My husband gets sea sick on small watercraft and is super hesitant to go on a whale whale watching tour.  What whale watching tours would you recommend based on type of watercraft and location?    

Happy Thanksgiving 

Kathi

Thanks!

I had a placeholder that was going to expire in December (with the $200 OBC) so I booked April 2022 on the Magic so I didn't lose the benefits.    

I remember someone saying there is a hotel right at the port in Vancouver that will take your bags to the ship (Celebrity Equinox).   I can't remember the name or any of the details.    Can anyone help?

Thanks,

Kathi

If you don't get a cabana on Serenity Bay, you should request Family Beach.  It's not crowded and has plenty of privacy.

Beverage tastings are awesome.  A week or so before you booking window opens, contact shoreside and ask for a list of the beverage tastings and the day/time of each.   Also the adult only restaurants (Palo - Italian and Remy - French) offer brunch on sea days (and sometimes  Nassau Day) and dinner each evening.  Remy also has a dessert tasting.  If you plan out each day in advance, you can request what you know you would like and not have overlap.   Keep in mind that you will have open bar happy hour in the concierge lounge from 5 to 10 each night.

If there are any DCL port adventures or spa treatments you are interested in, concierge can book those for you as well.

I hope you enjoy the experience - we feel that concierge on DCL is a wonderful indulgence when we can afford it.   We are trying Suite Class on Celebrity next summer to Alaska (After 22 DCL cruises).  I'm going to try not to compare, but I think it will be hard!

Yep - our June 27th 9-night southern was cancelled.  Rebooked for March 27, 2021 on a 7-night Western.  Really sad to miss the southern ports and the longer cruise, but we are sailing Alaska next August, so rebooking same cruise was not an option.  

Celebrity is our option because we are already booked on the Eclipse, but now that it is unlikely to go through upgrades prior to our sailing next summer, I'm considering other August sailings on Celebrity.   For us, it's not just about the ports, but also the ship itself.  We  want to have both active port days but also some relaxing/pampering on the ship.   We are in a Celebrity Suite and are looking forward to sitting on our veranda and just chilling a bit also.  

I suspect that we will return to Alaska for a second land/sea vacation in the future - it's just not on the table for this trip.

Thanks everyone for your comments - I think all opinions are important to consider and everyone has different reasons for what they like.  That is the beauty of cruising!

Which would you pick and why?

Seward-Hubbard Glacier-Juneau-Skagway-Icy Straight-Ketchikan-Vancouver on Millennium

or

Thanks for your input - I booked today.   Celebrity Eclipse, August 1, 2021.

• Vancouver, BC
• Inside Passage
• Icy Point
• Hubbard Glacier
• Juneau
• Ketchikan
• Inside Passage
• Vancouver, BC

Now on to the port research!

I think I answered my own questions - 1615 is under cabins not public spaces (I didn't realize there are cabins on deck 12).

If anyone has other thoughts - I'd love to hear them!  Travel planning is so fun, and I have a lot to learn about Celebrity and Alaska.