bill0021

On 5/10/2023 at 2:31 PM, Grumpella said:

It is very difficult to book P and O cruise for an American.  We had to use a certified travel agent and we don't get to see the prices, categories, etc..

I am doing the research now for Norway in 2024.  I have spoken to the certified travel agent for P&O Americas who did not seem to be very well versed.  We do use this travel agent agent (I do not think we are allowed to write their name) at times and they are fine to deal with but we are able to at least use the cruise line's website to gather more intel. We like to see the options and pick our room.  The process just seems so cumbersome if you are not in The UK.  You can not access anything on the site other than some general info.  An almost total lockout.

I kinda like the idea of being on a boat full of Brits, but the process to book is annoying and whereas your review did not totally put me off P&O, it has given me something to think about.  Thank you for your review.

On 5/1/2023 at 10:15 AM, Presto2 said:

I'm surprised at this one. We've been with Celebrity 5 times now and can't ever remember them serving us tea / coffee at the table. Must have missed that one!

In the buffet it is self serve and table service on Celebrity.  I always just grab a cup myself as quicker.

On 8/4/2022 at 4:11 PM, zitsky said:

Pretty technical but new to iPhone.  I wonder if you can access iCloud.com using the basic wifi package, or do you need to update to streaming?  I plan mostly to read documents, maybe make a few edits.

If there are only a few docs you will be looking and editing, you could just download those into your device before you leave.  They will sync when you have a good connection.   The files do not have to exclusively live on The Cloud, they can be on the cloud and your device, eliminating the need to download them while on the ship.

On 8/10/2022 at 10:29 AM, barneymag said:

I wouldn't get hung up about La Spezia being a bad option, I agree Florence is not convenient from this port (about 2 hours by car) but the Cinque Terre is beautiful and well worth the visit. Last time were there we took a 20min drive to Porto Venere (lovely village in its own right) and spent 1 1/2 to 2 hours there, then got on a boat that visits all of the villages (we stayed on but you get the great views approaching each one) and it ends at Monterosso al Mare where we wandered around, had lunch and then took a train journey back from Monterosso to La Spezia (20 mins)

 

One of our best trips that day !!

Agreed.  That sounds like a perfect way to see Cinque Terre from the cruise.  It is gorgeous.  Don't try and see them all.  Monterosso is the largest one, you can make it a beach day, eat at a gorgeous resto.  If you like hiking, spectacular and historic but do your homework first.  The train is convenient is quick and convenient.

On 8/10/2022 at 12:28 PM, april_4_us said:

We are actually arriving around 1050 am and we aren't supposed to fly to vancouver until1830. we have plenty of time if the flights are on time and or we dont have a huge delay.

 

Thanks for the information. I can guarantee my mom will be going out to smoke for sure!

 

april

Haha, I feel for your mom.  I quit smoking over a decade ago so do not feel the pain now but did.  I remember when Canada and The US went smoke free in their airspace in the early 90's.  You could still smoke in Mexican Airspace.  We would all look out the window to see when we would cross the Rio Grande River, which is the border between Texas and Mexico then light up.  Crazy.  Have a great trip!

You may have done the trip already.

No smoking anywhere in either airport.  Those days are long gone.   You would have to go outside which is easy enough to do.  You will go through customs when you arrive so you can leave but will have to go back through security but you have lots of time.  Montreal is a beautiful city.  You do not indicate the time you are arriving?  If during daytime, grab a cab/uber to Old Montreal for a few hours.  If at night book the airport hotel, a Marriott or hit a lounge, you can pay a one time fee.

Toronto, book the hotel at Terminal 3.  I am pretty sure it is a Sheraton.

RCL Promising something....

I am not sure how they could make a promise on something they did not know would happen only a couple of weeks ago.

We were on The Symphony the week before.  I think only one of the comedy shows were cancelled and a couple rescheduled.  Hiro was postponed due to too much ship movement.

This is a case of bad luck/timing, but I can understand the OP's disappointment, I do not think we can pin this on RCL for being non-transparent unless they have a crystal ball.

9 minutes ago, Veinless said:

Interesting, thanks! It is missing for me. Maybe because I'm booked through a TA.

Yes, you have to go through your TA.

Bravo Canadians, if this was on one of the other forums where every one chimes in, there would be fighting and name calling, in place of information and respect of opinion.

I just pushed the cancel button on two B@B leaving Jan 3rd.

 - Expedia Hotel Canceled, click...click...canceled full refund.

- Air Canada, click....click full refund on the upgrades back to the credit card and points back to Aeroplan minus $9, which was A-OK.

- Travel Agent on-line booking: three clicks and confirmation that it will be confirmed with Celebrity within 24 hours.

So far pretty darn easy and painless.  Bravo to all the above companies.

Every minute there is another announcement and our health minister commented today that do not be surprised if there is a quarantine coming back.  The risk of a quarantine on top of the two week vacation is too long to be away at this time.  

It was painful hitting hitting that red button.  We are thankful that we just off off a 7 day that we booked recently.  Time to plan where and when to spend those FFC's.

We just got off the Symphony of The Sea's on Saturday and were selected for the Covid Testing at The Montreal Airport.  It took 2 days to get the results which were negative, but had to stay home for the 2 days, which we did.  Three tests in one week and each one would have had not so fun outcomes if positive.

We have B2B Celebrity Apex Jan 3rd with friends booked but it is looking like we will be cancelling and using the "cruise with confidence" FCC's as outlined above.

Aside from possible illness, testing positive on the way back to Canada would mean being away from the business for a month with the vacation and quarantine added together and that would not be a good thing.  The chances of testing positive are multiplying each day at a high rate.

IMO, it is a personal risk/reward/social responsibility decision.

Royal has a charter going in March that looks fun.

2 hours ago, Froufie said:

So technically my airline check in time is the afternoon before we are scheduled to get the test (next morning/day of flight) - does that mean we cannot check in at all?  or can we check in and upload test results the next day?  Or just bring results to the airport with us (the next day?).  Very confused!

You can upload the tests when you have the results.  If you have problems, you can show the documents at the airport.  You can do the rest of the checkin process before having the test results.

Back late last night Dec 18th from a 7 day Carribean cruise.

Went through the Nexus Line, still had to see an agent.  Ask for our passports, did not ask any questions, and just said, we will need to be tested.  

The test did go smoothly and we are at home for the next 24-72 hours waiting for the results.

2 minutes ago, hancogran said:

I had to "google" this.   Here's a link for anybody else that wants more info.

 

 http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trusted-travelers/2058977-u-s-nexus-fast-enrollment-centers-closed-again-effective-dec-20-2021-a-3.html  

Edited for clarity, thanks.

Arriving into Mtl last night, it would have been faster to use the electronic passport line instead of NEXUS as you still need to see an agent.

Starting Dec 20th, Nexus interviews are being suspended for an unspecified amount of time.

The antigen test is easy peasy and quick.  If you are worried, I would just get it done the day before and relieve that stress and get it over with.  The other stress is "what if you are positive".

As for the electronic upload, you need it to fully check-in electronically but it can and will be checked at the airport as well for travel from Canada to the US.

Hi currently on Symphony of The Seas.  
 

There was no notice anywhere to indicate that they they do the testing so you must book it yourself.   We went to Guest Services and booked the test.  They gave us the appointment.  Had the tests done at 5pm in the conference room.  Very well organized.  In and out in less than 10 minutes.   Got our results by email about an hour later.   
 

We will be tested again in Canada as we were in other countries in the past 14 days. 

We have only been on the Bliss but have experience with most of the other lines and different  class ships on RCCL.  Mark, I pretty well agree with your review.   We really liked our Bliss experience.  The food was excellent, the wrap around deck, the Irish Pub where you could just hang out and be entertained by all the always-on game shows and activities while having a pint and some pub food, the windowed area at the bow was just beautiful....  (sorry, I do not remember all the proper names).

BUT the pool deck was horrible, the worst.  A huge ship with a tiny pool, and the deck chairs so close it was an obstacle course just getting out of the chair, everyone is so jammed in like a nightclub.  The pool had two levels of defence to get in.  Every inch was taken by someone sitting with their feet in the water.  It was tough to get in or out.  The hot tubs the same, so small people only sat on the edge putting their feet in.  The vibe was good around the pool.  People were socializing and having a good time....but not for us all day everyday.

But lots of space on the go-kart track but they would not let me put a lounger on the track.

I was a bit miffed that we could not secure reservations at the Steak House for any day even trying to book before we unpacked on day one, but we did get other specialty reservations and were never disappointed by any meal even in the MDR.  

We would jump on The Bliss for a cold climate cruise like Alaska or Northern Europe but never again for the south.  

13 hours ago, Iamcruzin said:

Spandex, Speedos and Thongs are a privilege... not a right.

That is the best quote I heard this year!   LOL and truth!

25 minutes ago, Chickadees said:

Just got off Symphony yesterday and flew to YUL. Had onboard test for free on Day 6 (Thursday). Results that evening via email. On the last night (Friday) received paper copies. Downloaded to ArriveCan app. Testing took about 20 minutes and very organized. Booked test on day we embarked.

That is awesome to hear, thanks!

40 minutes ago, mackjack9139 said:

I’m early 30s and just got off a week on Reflection, my third Celebrity cruise. Haven’t sailed Princess but I really like the Celebrity product, more than RCCL and NCL. There were at least 20 other couples appearing to be in their 30s who we would see around and chatted with many, and the ship was at very low passenger numbers, around 700. Also I think for most 30ish and up age becomes less important, some of my favorite conversations from the week were with people appearing to be in their 40/50/60s. World Class Bar is great if you like craft cocktails (not sure if Princess has a comparable bar) and also a good number of craft beers in addition to the usual stuff. The gym is great and has yoga and Peloton. I also like to be in bed by 10:30 but made it to midnight during the Silent Disco 😂

Yeh, although I am older, I agree with this 100%.  My wife and I also say, we like Celebrity more than Princess but always want to do another Princess Cruise, so they are almost equal for us.  They both have their pros and cons.

We would put RCCL third on our list but we are on one next week and still love it.  We have done one NCL, The Bliss and it was beautiful and loved lots of it but really did NOT like the pool deck.  After making space for the go-karts, The Haven Suite Area, the slides, and kid's pool.   Totally overcrowded.  We go south for the sun and swimming, so the pool area is important to us.

We have done about 8-10 Princess Cruises and 4 Celebrity with 2 booked in January on the Apex.  We have not done Edge Class Ships yet but by most accounts wonderful.

IMO: Princess is more classic, than Celebrity where Celebrity is a bit more modern (modern luxury).  Both excellent.  This translates into some of the entertainment as well.  Age wise, you will be in the younger demographic on both but Celebrity might be a bit younger.  The service is good on both but found Princess to be better.  Little things like cutlery on your table at the buffet and super fast drink service instead of getting it yourself, even the complimentary beverages.  (This was pre-Covid)

MDR the same but again, on the last few cruises found Princess to be very good.  It was an improvement  over the past.  

A regular balcony room is smaller on Princess and as mentioned the regular side balconies on the Royal Princess up Ships are small, but compared to the new ones on the Edge Class not sure.

Sunset = Summit?

The Reflection is part of the Soltice Class but it has one more passenger cabin deck than the others so a bit more crowded.  The Carribean Princess has more pools, and they are separated.  Only one has the entertainment going on with the belly flops, band entertainment and big screen, so you have choice and there is always space.  The Sky, a newer ship, also has room at the pools, two in the middle and one in the aft.

I am 55 and have been doing between 1-4 cruises a year for the past 15 years.  We have done all the majors except Carnival and like them all but our preferences are Princess and Celebrity.  Look at itinerary, especially now with some extra restrictions at some of the ports and pick the one you like.  We tend to less on a Princess Cruise than on a Celebrity.  If I was forced to suggest for you, without knowing other specifics like Itinerary, it would be Celebrity.
 

This was at 8:35am Dec 9th 2019, so pretty much the same time that you are going this year.

1st Sea Day:  We pretty well stayed in, hung out at The Solarium and around the ship.  

2nd Sea Day: We were outside by the pool, in the pool, nice and warm, east of The Bahamas.

Yes,

From RCL:

Mixed Vaccines from Different Manufacturers

We accept a mixed vaccination series consisting of doses from different manufacturers, as long as your vaccine series meets the following requirements:

• Must consist of at least two doses of vaccines that are fully approved or authorized for emergency use by the U.S. FDA or the World Health Organization.
• The 2 doses must be administered at least 28 days apart
• The final dose must be completed at least 14 days before sailing.

Mixed vaccines may not be accepted at all ports of call. Guests who are vaccinated with a mixed series may not be allowed to go ashore at these ports, or may need to undergo additional testing if they wish to go ashore.

Vaccine Trial Participants

U.S. based AstraZeneca and Novavax clinical trial participants will be considered fully vaccinated 14 days after completing their vaccine series, and must provide required documents that show proof of vaccination.

The above vaccine policies are subject to change as we monitor evolving public health guidance and government regulations.

We generally do not do The Royal Up's but are giving it a try for the Symphony of the Seas in a couple of weeks.

I plugged in some bids for all the Up categories but went back and verified to make sure none where up front as my wife is not a fan of anything in the forward area and would throw me overboard if we were to "win" a forward cabin.  I pulled the bids for any categories that were not mid-ship to stern in an attempt to not have buyer's remorse.