lilianani

I am not at all surprised to see this. I don't think it is cost-saving; rather, I suspect that Celebrity are sensibly acting on customer feedback.

Although we saw some lovely things in New Mangalore, the port was not pleasant, nor was the powder being unloaded from a ship nearby when we were there. We quickly moved indoors and the crew were constantly wiping down outdoor surfaces.

It took a day and a half of hosing down all outdoor surfaces to remove it.

Sorry if you are missing the port, but I think this is a sensible move on Celebrity's part.

We were on the recent Singapore - Abu Dhabi cruise and had the speciality dining package. Consequently, we ate in Ocean Liners a number of times throughout the cruise. Several wait staff and the Maitre D' mentioned on numerous occasions that Constellation had the last Ocean Liners restaurant in the fleet and it would be removed at the forthcoming dry dock - it would be replaced with a number of staterooms and a QSine restaurant.

This is great news and a positive change from Celebrity.

I'm curious as to how those of you who have upgraded your beverage packages using your OBC did so. I have tried doing this and if I add a Premium Package to my cart, it just shows the full amount (rather than the upgrade amount). I could not see a separate upgrade amount or an option on my reservation to upgrade the beverage package.

Any tips? I could always call Celebrity but wondered whether there was a simple way of doing it.

Thanks for any help you can offer.

We have stayed twice at the Hotel Icon on Kowloon - closer to your cruise terminal than the others mentioned (but further from the airport and Star Ferry terminal).

It is close to the Hung Hom metro station and many restaurants/bars on Salisbury Road. If you don't mind walking, the Star Ferry terminal is about 15/20 minutes walk from the hotel.

The club rooms have access to the Above and Beyond Lounge for breakfast and cocktails (excellent). Would recommend the hotel.

A, I've never had to print luggage tags when sailing on Celebrity. Celebrity sends them out.

 

B, the only thing I've ever seen on luggage tags is the cabin designation.

 

Not sure whether the OP is from the UK, but they may be. In the UK we no longer have the option of having the luggage tags mailed to us; our only choice is to print them out.

Hi Jann

Yes looking forward to my first ever trip to the geegees! If you're going to do it - might as well do it in style:D

Hubby and I made a guess that if things escalate and we have to miss Busan, it might mean an extra day in Nagasaki, Jeju or Beijing.

We're researching back up plans as to what else we might like to do with out time in Nagasaki or Jeju - plenty of DIY options as we'd only picked the highlights on our to do list for those anyway. With Beijing, we have a private car and guide for the whole day on day 3, so if necessary we could take longer to do the things we have scheduled there and be delievered back to the ship later than planned I suppose, then look at more local options (e.g. Tianjin itself) for the last day.

We're on the same cruise as you. It does seem to be a volatile and unpredictable situation.

I suspect that nothing will change unless official governmental advice changes (as that will impact on travel insurance policies).

I've signed up to our government's (UK) travel advisory alerts service for the area. At the moment it's saying that it's still ok to travel to the south, but watch this space. So I guess that's all we can do for now.

Shortly after passing the trailhead I heard the familiar sounds of Brazilian Portuguese. At first, being where I was, I thought I was hallucinating and just hearing Portugal Portuguese, but no, it was the sounds of my mother country. Being Brazilian myself, I walked up and started a conversation with these strangers, who very quickly were strangers no more.

 

My new friends were from Rio and were staying in two of the Celebrity Suites. They were celebrating the 45th birthday of one of the ladies and having a grand time. They said the suites were very well appointed and spacious. The ship is going to go into refurb and these same suites will be given a balcony which will make them even cooler in my book.

 

Wasn't it a fantastic cruise! We were there too - on the same hike to the Glacier, it was an amazingly beautiful walk. Loving your review, it's great to re-live the cruise.

I'm working through processing my photos at the moment and loving every moment.

I know the two Brazilian couples! We made friends with them and spent many a happy hour with them at the Martini Bar - they did indeed have a grand time.

Can't wait to read the rest!

Thank you very much - it's great to get feedback from people who have some experience.

Great photos! Thanks for those:D - we too were concerned as to what people on deck 12 might be able to see. We're not now:)

Thank you!

Any comments that the occupants of the Deck 11 AQ class made about possible noise or lack thereof would be great too. Of specific concern is the deck above the cabins.

Did many use that deck on your cruise?

Many thanks for your feedback, we're in a Deck 11 AQ in 2013 and are looking eagerly for feedback from those earlybirds who have already occupied one.

lilianani: Thank you for sharing the website. I love fascinators but honestly, they are delicate and would be difficult to pack. Too bad:(. But wouldn't we all feel more feminine wearing one!

 

 

SPEAKING OF PURSES/HANDBAGS - Vera Bradley is a popular brand in my area. The prints are pretty and the handbags well made. BUT - does it matter if the pattern clashes with your outfit:confused:? I've heard differing opinions. Maybe I'm old fashioned and need to update my attitude...

 

 

I took some hair decorations that were similar to fascinators with me to the Caribbean and they survived the journey well. You're right, it does add a nice touch of feminity to an outfit.

Those Vera Bradley bags are pretty, but I would probably go for the plain ones in her range, simply because it does matter to me if the pattern clashes with the outfit. Maybe I need to move with the times, but for me the bag is part of the outfit and all should complement each other. Perhaps that's why I have a cupboard stacked with bags:o

Being a fashionista, I watched endless hours of "The Wedding" of William and Kate...for the clothes and commentary, of course.

Were you as taken by the hats as I was?:eek:

 

What is the protocol of Hat Wearing? Are they (especially the fascinators) suitable for formal nights? And if they are, will we rush out to buy one (or more)?? Will airlines allow more carry-ons so we can tote hatboxes??

 

Aside from the headwear, there were many hits and many misses in the rest of the outfits. Kate, her mother and sister, looked Gorgeous. With an endless budget, wouldn't we all.

 

All in all, it was a nice respite from the bad things happening in our world.

For any of you who have been affected by the destruction in the South, my prayers go out to you.

I agree with your points, it was a lovely event.

There were a lot of hits and misses dress-wise. It amply demonstrated that money does not necessarily buy taste;)

It also gave force to the statement that less is more - those dressed more simply and elegantly appeared to draw the most praise.

With regard to fascinators - there are some lovely ones out there. Some are more like hats which probably wouldn't be suitable for formal night. Some are more like hair decorations which I think would be just fine. The department store in the city near to me has a good selection, I particularly liked this one http://www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10001_10001_58607+7790011956_-1?breadcrumb=Home%7EWomen%7EAccessories%7EHats+%26amp%3B+hairpieces

As our next cruise is not until next June, I plan to watch the sale prices carefully at the end of the wedding season and may pick some up for next year. There is plenty to choose from http://www.debenhams.com/women/accessories/hats-hairpieces

If I pick one up, I'll need to put it away carefully otherwise I expect the kitty mafia will decide it must be some kind of indoor prey that must be hunted:rolleyes:

Some respondents here have doubted whether a passenger will be asked about colds/sore throats prior to the cruise on the health declaration.

I can confirm that the Celebrity health declaration form at check-in asked us to confirm that we had not suffered from gastrointestinal complaints or cold/flu/sore throat in the period immediately preceding the cruise. This was at the beginning of April 2011.