Majkman

Thank you everyone (especially for not flaming me!!😀)

So, apparently, I booked the 9278 originally, but when my friends decided to join us, AND I decided to move our kids to their own interior cabin (I have bid on a balcony for them), that is when our cabin was moved. I did go back and look at the correspondence and somehow, I missed the move.

Tough getting old!!......and forgetful!!

We're all good, half packed and ready to sail!!!

Keep the seas calm and the sun shining!!

Andy

So, we leave next Friday (6/16) on the Solstice for Alaska. It will be our 6th Celebrity cruise, but 1st time on Solstice. We LOVE this cruise line.

So, today, I am putting together my travel itinerary folder and I come across our luggage tags. And I happen to notice that we have been moved from 9278 (a prime veranda) to 9125, which I also believe is a prime veranda, but not next to our friends who were next door to us.

I contacted my TA, and she says she has no notes as to who or how this would happen, and she will get on it in the AM.

Now, our kids are in an inside cabin, and I did bid on a veranda for them, but have not received an acceptance or rejection yet (I know that should be about 2 days from sailing) and they are still located in their same cabin.

Has anyone heard of this happening before? Just a move, without notification? It's not gonna crush the trip, but I am just surprised. I have always held Celebrity to a higher standard after moving up from Carnival, then Princess, and I do not have plans of changing now that I am moving up in the Captain's Club Universe, but still.....what the heck?!

Keep the seas calm and the Sun shining,

Andy

Fly and Sail,

   You have been beyond kind and generous with your time, information, news, updates, photos and videos. We'll be on the Solstice in 4 weeks, and regardless as to how many machines are down, my friends and family will know to check the casino if they're looking for me. 🙂

Thank you for everything, and I am so happy the weather has cooperated for you, you deserve that!!

Enjoy your remaining time on her, and bring her back in one piece!!

Andy

On 5/12/2023 at 4:24 PM, Fly and Sail said:

My Balcony looks like there was an accident at Home Depot. Paint and dirt splattered all over the place. 🤔

 

This is one of the AQ cabins with the large balconies.

Did you address that with your room steward?

On 6/29/2022 at 12:07 PM, groryjm said:

In a little under 94 hours we hope to be flying to Fiumicino Airport with the aim to board Celebrity Reflection the next morning in Civitavecchia. In this post pandemic age of testing and flight cancellations nothing is ever quite sure and I won’t say for certain we are going on a cruise until we are actually sitting in Michaels Club drink in hand.

 

To give you a bit of background we have had 9 cruises cancelled in the pandemic and the three we managed last year were on a nearly empty Silhouette at 50% capacity. We cruised in May again on Silhouette but at nearer to 90% capacity. So the last four cruises we have taken have been in suites on a Revolutionised ship and from Southampton which is a mere 45 minutes’ drive from our home. In fact the last for cruise we took pre pandemic were also out of Southampton and also mostly on Silhouette. We haven’t actually flown to a cruise since 2016 and it is 7 years since our last time on board Reflection.

 

Silly has become a close and familiar friend and with four cruises on her since her uplift this cruise is going to feel quite strange, especially without the wonderful Retreat sundeck.

 

I stated earlier that we had had 9 cruises cancelled which if I am being strictly honest that is not quite true. In March 2020 I paid the balance for a cruise we had booked in July 2020 to St Petersburg. This cruise was a bucket list cruise and for my Gastrognome myself and my adult daughter. Being a 14 day cruise and with three in one cabin we had opted for a royal suite so as you can imagine not a cheap cruise. As the pandemic took hold the inevitable happened and this was our first of many cancellations. On the plus side however I took the FCC and with the offered 1.25% we were up £5k on the deal and as it has turned out a far better rate of interest than I would ever get leaving the money in our savings account 😎. Now we used up most of our FCCs on 2 cruises last summer and one in May this year. I paid separately for one of the cruises last year as it was a 30^th anniversary present for my Gastrognome. I doubt I’ll top 7 days in a PH over a card and a bunch of flowers!

 

Last year we realised we still had over £5k in FCCs to spend before the end of 2022 and with a cruise on Cunard booked for October that only left the summer to spend it. We found an Itinerary we liked out of Venice on Infinity and even if we booked the last available Royal suite we would not quite use all our FCCs. What else could I do but book that amazing back of the ship Penthouse. Then as the world changed first Venice was replaced with Ravenna and then to top it all our 10^th cruise was cancelled and Infinity got sent to the Caribbean 🙄.

 

Quite a tale of woe it might seem but a really a first world problem. So we booked this cruise on the Med aboard Reflection to fill the FCCs. Everything looked good and then the reason for choosing this cruise changed as we all discovered that the Grand bazaar and spice markets in Istanbul would be closed because of a religious festival during our overnight stop. ho hum said Pooh. Ok we could still enjoy the cruise but it was getting a little frustrating. Then last week our BA business class flights got cancelled! Another worrying couple of days and we eventually got a alternative flight sorted for the evening before sailing. We had hoped to spent the afternoon before sailing relaxing in a nice hotel in Civi but instead we now find we are spending the night before in an airport Hilton as we don’t arrive in FCO until nearly midnight. While checking our seats for our flights Monday afternoon, we had the front row on our original booking but can now only get to row 5, I noticed the wording “No checked-in bag - Your baggage allowance is different on your other flights”. Our return flight showed 2 x 32kg bags for each of us so yet more panic…. Are we destined to get to this cruise! So after two days of phoning I now have confirmation (in writing) that although it appeared the outward flights were rebooked without cabin baggage it has been corrected and we now have our allowance back……

 

I need a drink! Those of you who have followed my “live from’s“ before may remember that I have a passion for cocktails and like to do a countdown to our cruises. Rather like getting in training for a big event.  

 

So with 5 nights before we cruise I will make us a Division Bell. Alexandra at the World Class Bar introduced me to a Paper Plane last year and it soon became a favourite. This is similar and now my new fav, created in 2009 by Phil Ward at Mayahuel, New York City. 40ml Mezcal, 30ml Aperol, 20 Maraschino and 30ml lime.

 

Hope to be on board in 111 hours 🍸🍹🍷🍺🥂🧉🥃🍾😎

 

I look forward to meeting you, you already feel like a friend. Stop by the Sunset Bar sometime and let me spring for a cocktail to celebrate what we have truly been waiting for!!! We booked our trip 332 days ago, after having canceled one in 2020.

It's gonna be great, it's gonna be amazing and I can't wait to meet some new members of the 'Fam Damily'!!!

Keep the seas calm and the Sun out!!!

Andy

1 hour ago, Lisaisme0910 said:

We will be in Mykonos for a full day and would like to go to beach in the morning and the poke around town later in afternoon..or vice versa ...anyway we don't know which beach to go to.  Hubby and I are in our 50's and traveling with our 19 y/o niece. We don't want a wild party beach nor a secluded beach.  We would like to rent sun beds, have a few cocktails and experience a Greece beach day.  Any suggestions on which beach to go to...

Following!!!

Andy

On 6/15/2022 at 10:47 AM, Jkaczanowski said:

Hi everyone!  My family (me, DH, and 2 teen boys) will be cruising out of Citivecchia on May 6th, so are planning on arriving into FCO early morning Thursday, May 4th.  Plan is to do the LivItaly all day tour of colosseum and Vatican on the Friday, and walk around Thursday seeing Spanish steps, Trevi fountain, Pantheon, etc., with Galleria Borghese in the late afternoon.

 

I’ve started researching hotels and I see that “family” rooms are limited.   Alberto del Senato only has schedule available through 4/30, and only has 2 rooms that will work.  Hotel Damaso has no rooms large enough.  Singer Palace and Hotel Nazionale are both over $2000.  Hotel Navona has 2 rooms large enough - the smaller one is $699.48 (refundable) and the larger is $813 but only is non-refundable.  Albergo Santa Chiara has a small quad room for $812.   Artemide has a junior suite but schedule only through 2/28 and looks like it will also be about $800.  Hotel Smeraldo has a nice family suite for about $844 including breakfast.  I also found a Hotel Golden (close to Borghese and 15 minute walk to Trevi with good internet reviews) that has a large 2br suite for about $520 but doesn’t include breakfast.   2 doubles would also work, but the price seems to be more expensive that way.
 

Thoughts? Any experience with Hotel Golden or LivItaly?

 

thanks!

 

Jenn

Jenn,

   I haven't stayed there, however I will be there in 15 days. I booked the hotel for 2 reasons, the strong TripAdvisor reviews and the consistently high marks given to their concierge, Giuseppe. The past 2 months, Giuseppe and I have exchanged probably 20 emails, and everything that I have read about him, seems to be very true. Excellent communication. He's putting together a 1-day private tour of the city (there is 10 of us), he's also set me up for a dinner for our party on Sunday night, and made arrangements for us to be transported to a local pharmacy to get our pre-board testing done.

  Talk to him. He seems fantastic!!!

Andy

I too am hoping that Celebrity dumps it!!! We head off to Rome in 22 days for our Med cruise!!!! Keeping my fingers crossed!!!

Keep the Seas calm and the Sun out,

Andy

16 minutes ago, ROYALBOY said:

In October we are flying out of Florida early for Monday cruise out of Civitavecchia… is there somewhere on Sunday when we arrive at FCO to take a test if still required by Celebrity?

They are actually testing at FCO if you wish. I believe I heard it's 20 euro.

Andy

Beautiful!!! We'll be on her in 4 weeks!!! Can't wait!! Lovely video, thanks for sharing!!

Keep the Seas calm and the Sun out,

Andy

3 hours ago, dani negreanu said:

 

Sorry, frequent mistake. I'm NOT the famous Canadian poker player.... and female 😉

 

Daniel's parents immigrated from Romania to Canada, whereas my parents immigrated to Israel. My dad has changed his original very Jewish sounding name to the Romanian sounding "Negreanu" 😁

Oh I knew you weren't him. And I had assumed you had heard that before.....you're gonna have to find a way to get to Las Vegas and meet him.

THAT would be funny!!! 🙂

Andy

3 hours ago, dani negreanu said:

 

Check. Same here. We're 3 couples and paying for a van 170 Euro cash to the driver. I suggested to the other couples (I don't know them personally, just from the roll call) that each of us will pay 60 Euro to the driver 😁

 

 

I hope too... it is very stressful.

Dani,

     I am not even gonna worry about it anymore....we booked this trip 310 days ago and I am getting on a plane and flying over the pond.....then, hopefully on a cruise ship for an amazing time, and if that falls apart, or at the end, I have to quarantine for some additional time in Italy, or if I test and get to quarantine on the ship for another go around, so be it. It's still gonna be a blast!!!

By the way.......I am a HUGE fan of your poker playing!!! 😉

Keep the Seas calm and the Sun out,

Andy

Yep, we booked ours' through our hotel (Hotel Golden) and we got 2 vans (there are 10 of us) for 340euro (gratuities included).

Question....and I suppose this is a good place......are we currently still as of today (June 4) still expected to test prior to boarding the ship? We are cruising Celebrity, and I think they are still requiring that.....I know we are still required to test prior to flying by to the States, but I was hoping that since Italy has dropped their protocols, that the cruise lines would as well.....

Keeping the Seas calm and the Sun out,

Andy

boblin!!!! That CANNOT be your last post!!!! You are my news source and a calming factor!! 🙂

I can't seem to find, has Celebrity officially stated that no pre-cruise test prior to embarkation has now been implemented? Or has all of that been eliminated from the contract?

I am assuming that if it hasn't yet, it will be soon.

Thank you for your continued updates.....hard to believe I will be on a jet 4 weeks from today heading to Rome!!!!

Keep the Seas calm and the Sun out,

Andy

So, all we are waiting on, and boblin, correct if I am wrong, is for Celebrity to clear that hurdle as well and drop that requirement.

Of course, we'll still need a negative test prior to flying back to the US, but like I said before, if I have to stay a bit longer, so be it.

All I have wanted to do was get on that amazing ship in a beautiful country and have a truly remarkable vacation......if I can finally let my entire part (of 10) know that no one will be left in port......break open the champagne!!!

Doing my best to keeping the Seas calm and the Sun out,

Andy

boblin,

   Thanks for the constant updates. We are sailing on the Reflection on July 4th, and obviously we are following procedures and protocols closely....really....at this time, it's my only true concern is getting dumped back in Italy and forced to quarantine in a less than desirable location.

  If staying on the ship is an alternative, like you, I could make that work.

Keep the Seas calm and the Sun out!!

Andy

Oooooo.......following.

And if you are staying onboard, at what cost?

Keep the Seas calm, and the Sun out

Andy

That is great news!!!!! I do agree, however, I am hoping it goes away entirely by our cruise in July!!

Keep the Sun out and the seas calm!!!

Andy

We ail on July 4th.......hoping to get that email the next day or 2!!!!

Keep the Sun out and the Seas calm,

Andy

I for one am concerned. We sail out on Monday July 4th on the Reflection. It seems as if the labs and pharmacies in Italy close at noon on Sundays. We sail away at 5......and while we can't check in quite yet to get our boarding time.....I suppose, our time could be AFTER 12pm......then what?!?!

Hopefully all of this nonsense will end soon, and I can get a good night's sleep!!!

Keep the Sun out and the Seas calm,

Andy

7 minutes ago, dani negreanu said:

 

 

 

 

Up to Date* Guests: Must present a negative Antigen test taken within 2 days prior to sailing. Testing at the terminal will not be required.

 

As of today, May 3rd, it was changed BACK to one day....

Italy (Ravenna and Civitavecchia) Travel Requirements as of May 3, 2022

Pre-Arrival/Embarkation Covid-19 Test

• Up to Date* Guests: Must present a negative Antigen test taken within 1 day prior to sailing. Testing at the terminal will not be required.

 

Curious what tomorrow will bring... 15 hours???😁

 

 

Wait!!!! First I liked your reply.....then I read it, and then UNLIKED it!!! 🙂

Ugh!!!!

Andy

1 hour ago, steamboats said:

To enter Italy you don´t need a test when you´re "up to date" vaccinated meaning you need the booster if your second shot is older than 270 days. If you´re not "up to date" you are regarded as not vaccinated and therefore you need a test.

 

For boarding a cruise ship you need a test. Obviously Italy said 1 day old but now Celebrity changed it back to 2 days.

 

steamboats

THEY DID?!?!??!

I hope so!!!

Andy

10 hours ago, jwlane said:

Have you done this recently (last year or so).  The interface between redemption and Celebrity is down---a call is necessary.

I haven't....and that is good to know. I am cruising in 9 weeks, and waiting for the remaining points to clear and then I was going to (you used to be able to do it right on line) move the points and pick up an additional $100 OBC. I am watching, it should be anyday, so maybe there is a new process. Thank you for the info!!

Andy

I have had the Bank Of America Celebrity Card for years and have been very pleased with it. I have cashed in 10,000 point for the $100 credit 3 times the last 5 years, and there is a link on the BofA page to do so, and have yet (knock on wood) had any problem with it. 

I usually see the addition in my OBC within 2 weeks of doing so. I am closing in on the necessary points again and cruising in 9 weeks, so just waiting for my pending points to move over, and then I will convert them again.

Keep the Sun out and the Seas calm,

Andy

2 questions, and then maybe back to your pole dancing practices....:)

Is Patrick still the CD, and Captain Nikolaos the Captain.....(assuming they didn't switch gigs...)

Thank you and enjoy. We'll be on her in 10 weeks.......the Reflection, that is!!

Keep the Sun out and the Seas clam,

Andy