harbormaster

We are boarding AMA Kristina Dec. 21 for a cruise Lyon to Arles. Have just read that a cruise last week had to remain in Arles due to Rhone river levels. Is anyone on the river now, or does anyone have information on Rhone river levels. We are still planning to travel, just want to be prepared. Thanks much! Happy Holidays to everyone.

We returned from Solstice Alaska a week ago. The ship is in decent shape for a ship of her age. It was clean and staff for the most part was friendly. We had issues with the cabin. We had a Concierge class.   There are only two plugs in the entire cabin, at the desk by the balcony. You have to carry the hair dryer out there to use it.  They will confiscate an extension cord or multiplug. Wifi was non existent and it was almost impossible to do any business unless in port.  The distance between the foot of the bed and wall is very narrow. Two people cannot fit. The bathroom is small but does have storage. The closet is set sideways next to the bed which makes it awkward spacewise to get into it. Our refrigerator did not work. Our steward was less than adequate. We ran out of toilet paper, kleenex and had to ask three times for water. You will be charged for the Evian water on the bureau and for everything in the minibar, even soda, even if you have a drinks package. 
Our main issue was the food. We loved Celebrity food in the past.  They have gone to cheap cuts,  fewer options and we had trouble finding any entree to eat three nights.  Murano dinner first night was great. Tuscan grill the last night was dreadful. Cold entrees, except steak, which was all overcooked well done when ordered rare.  We avoided the buffets after seeing people put their hands in the salad bowl. 
There is no large gathering area except the Observation Lounge which often was packed with people during trivia, which chronically ran long into dinner hour, affecting cocktail time with no seating. 
Entertainment was good. We were interrupted every night at dinner by the photographer. 
We did not like Solstice. We may try Beyond eventually, but will not return to Solstice. 

Hi

We and friends just disembarked Solstice in Alaska.  Our friend forgot to check the ship photographer’s gallery before leaving. Is it possible to contact the photographer to obtain photos once disembarked? If so, can anyone provide a contact number or email? Thanks much.

In May Tracys Crab Shack price for 3lb bucket was $200 just FYI.

It may be something in the future, but it is far from that now. It looks like a decaying manufacturing zone turning into a tourist zone.  The building was 1/4 utilized with mostly tshirts. If you like Icy Strait Point,eventually this will be similar. But is definitely is not now.  The shuttle vans were COVID risks. The transportation was not coordinated. I am happy for you if you do not have walking problems. But many people do, and there were MANY unhappy people.  It took an hour out of our time in Ketchikan. The townspeople and shop owners and artists who we know quite personally did not want this. NCL wanted it. 

Just disembarked smoothly in Vancouver after 12 days on Regatta doing the West Coast including Alaska.  Food was wonderful, service was topnotch and cabins were comfortable and well serviced. Peter, the cruise director was fantastic.  Unfortunately, we had to skip Sitka, which was a highlight for many of us. A storm came up the outside passage and the Captain decided that, due to wave height and winds, he would reposition to go up the Inside Passage instead. Since Sitka was a tender port, it would have been dangerous to attempt it.  A good decision, although unfortunate. We spoke with some Carnival passengers in Hoonah who had taken the open ocean route and they said the waves were 30 feet and many of the ship’s passengers were sick. That ship ran out of Dramamine.  We, instead experienced a smooth sailing and one extra sea day. Yesterday we took the COVID test in order to fly back to the US.  It was run smoothly and efficiently and we tested negative.  However, we saw at  least 8 people pulled aside for positive tests. One, who we knew, was told 10 days in quarantine in a Vancouver hotel.  Her husband was negative and was allowed back in the room with her and told he did not have to quarantine.  However, if he decides to stay in the same hotel with her he will have to pay for a different room.  We wish them well. Our only complaint is that Oceania now is docking 7 miles outside of Ketchikan, rather than at the town docks. It is an NCL built docking facility and frankly, is second rate and extremely inconvenient to anyone with walking difficulties. It is a long uphill walk from the ship to a building where the tour busses and shuttles into town depart from. There were no golf carts to assist people with walking difficulties and it was raining.  The shuttles only run every half hour and are vans which cram people tightly together.  Not COVID safe.  The dropping off place in Ketchikan is berth 4 which is a 7 minute walk to downtown. We took a cab and it was $14 roundtrip to get to the downtown from where the shuttle dropped us off. There was no one there to meet the first shuttle so folks were left to try to figure out where to go.  The shuttle people at the departure point had the wrong information and were telling passengers that the last shuttle was 4:30 when the ship was leaving at 4.  Very disorganized and a corporate decision that does not consider the passengers and forces them to cut time in town to take the shuttle a total of an hour roundtrip.  The crew also suffers as they did not have enough time to get to the WalMart for their shopping that they were anticipating. We hope Oceania reconsiders this poor decision but have been told that NCL, Regant and Oceania will all use this far away dock. Ketchikan shop owners also are unhappy about the decision. But, All in all a lovely cruise to beautiful Alaska. 

Hi I have a quick question. Solstice in July. Can someone tell me the time or times of the Captain’s Welcome Reception? It is usually the second night, correct? Are there two, one early and one later?  Or is there just one now? Is it held in the Theater?

Thanks for any help. 

I realize that the Argentine regulations require a COVID PCR test prior to arrival in Ushuaia.  I have one scheduled, but now see in posts that Atlas is doing them before the charter leaves, rather than a rapid antigen test. So, is the test they are doing sufficient and Can I cancel my appointment for the other PCR test? Thanks.

Where is the ship now?

We just got off after staying in 11011Z. The hallway down the way from us smelled strongly of cigars.  Not good.

And yesterday on a webinar Dondra VP Sales said that the test must be within 48 hours of boarding, not just two days.  So, if you are boarding in Seattle at 12:30, that is 3:30 EDT which is completely different. Test must be taken after that. We were planning on taking the test this morning but now are waiting until late afternoon.  It makes it more difficult to comply.

A bit OT but does anyone know if a single malt scotch is included in the classic package? Thanks.

Ok now we are confused. We are sailing Oct 1.  TODAY we just received an email from Celebrity saying this

”For US sailings departing through October 1, 2021, all guests two years of age and older, regardless of vaccination status, will now be required to present a negative COVID-19 test result at the time of embarkation. This test may be taken as either a PCR test or an Antigen test, conducted within three days of embarkation. Each guest is responsible for making their own arrangements with an accredited testing provider as well as all associated costs. For additional details on accepted COVID-19 tests please click here.”

Yesterday it was 2 days. So, is it 2 days or 3? Is Celebrity paying attention to what has been said to us?

we do not want to be refused boarding, but which is correct so we comply?  Did they get pushback on 3 days or is it 2 days and they lack internal communication?

Any definitive answers..???????

No. May 9.

Enjoying your posts! We will board November 30 as first time Azamara cruisers. Looking forward to it.

It sounds very fun and we appreciate Azamara doing something nice as a substitution. This is our fist Azamara cruise so we have not experienced Azamazing Evenings yet. But this, and the White Night look neat and we happily anticipate them!

So impressed with how kind everyone has been. Truly looking forward to this cruise and meeting Celebrity cruisers.

Thanks so much for the information!

Hi - This will be our  first Celebrity cruise and hope some of you experienced folks can give us a quick answer. We just booked a Royal Suite for the Infinity 5 night cruise Dec. 3.  We see that, in addition to other perks, that we receive free specialty restaurant dining. We WOULD like to try all the restaurants. Do we need to book online before sailing? When we go to the booking site, it shows a cost for dining at the restaurants. Do we wait until we are onboard and make the reservations with the butler? Will there be space available at that late date?  I know this is a basic question, but I can't find the answer on the site.  Thanks much. Looking forward to our first Celebrity cruise.

Here is some information on Greenland ports from our review of our June cruise on Poseidon’s Sea Spirit. We loved Greenland.

https://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=625244

Highly recommend the Kvosin Hotel right across from the church. Well located to the center, large clean rooms with facilities to make breakfast in the room. Close to restaurants and shopping. Also close to the Flybus stop.

You are right. Both are excellent and great trips. I guess it was the people as well as the amazing scenery that tipped it for us. Vut we did love Antarctica as well. We are so fortunate to have done both.

Hi tring and thank you for your kind comments. We just booked the Edinburgh to Spitzbergen cruise to which you refer. Have been there before and loved it. Look forward to next year.

Hi Chairsin. Thanks for your kind comments. Your Seabourn cruise sounds fantastic. They are our favorite cruise line. We saw whales, bowhead and humpback. Also musk ox. Did not see Narwal which we had hoped for. Polar bears are usually further north, although our flight attendant on Air Greenland told us her brother had shot a polar bear threatening their sheep herd south of Nuuk. But that is unusual.

Ilulissat was our favorite city. The Knud Rasmussen museum and art museum are worth a visit. The city is surroundd by icebers and if you have a chance to take a small boat excursion through them on the way to the glacier, do so. It is breathtaking! Also good place for shops with Inuit crafts. Nuuk is the biggest city and the museum is good. It is a shuttle ride from the port to the city. Also loved Sisimuit. A small friendly town where you can see the Greenland sled dogs. Have always wanted to see Nunavit so we envy you. Will be interest to hear how your trip is. Greenland now is on our list of favorite places. Liked it better than Antarctica because of the lovely people and amazing sites. Enjoy!

There are not many posts on Greenland or its cruises in detail in this forum, aside from Keith's excellent photos in one post. We have just returned from a 12-day cruise to West Greenland and Disko Bay on the Poseidon Expedition's Sea Spirit. I have written a review that can be found on the following link. I have included information on each of the ports that we visited in Greenland. I would be happy to answer any questions you may have.

https://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=625244