OUBaylor1

3 hours ago, Insanityx4 said:

Thanks for all of your input and information. We found a plan through Travel Insured International that has really good benefits including $500,000 medical evacuation and Repatriation of Remains for much less than Viking's Tripmate and a lot more benefits. It's called FlexiPax. We used Travel Insured International on our last cruise when we got rained out in Ft. Lauderdale (flooded runway) at the end of the cruise for two days and had to fly out of Miami. They covered pretty much all of our added expenses. Our travel agent gave me a quote for them for our upcoming trip that was about the same cost as Tripmate so I started doing my own research and found FlexiPax! We are going to go with that plan and save almost $400!

This is the travel insurance company that we have gone with for years through USAA.  They are the best!

22 minutes ago, rmalbers said:

We have done a lot of X cruises and did this VO cruise last summer (end of summer).  The differences are more due to the size of ship than anything.  Less lines to no lines, getting on off the ship, etc.  Tendering is easier, stuff like that.  They do a similar thing to X with respect to tendering and excursions, you meet at the theater and they announce your group, you're guided to the tender, that type of thing.  The downside with small ships is the nightly entertainment, stuff like that.  One thing about VO that I don't see mentioned much is the retractable roof over the center pool area, that makes that area very usable even when the weather isn't nice.  They (supposedly) don't allow scooters and people in wheel chairs are supposed to have their own helper so there is not as much of that on VO as there is on X.  Anyway, the only real downside to VO is the cost and once you've been on VO you can kind of see why it costs more.  I really like the small ships, it's so easy to get around the ship and you really don't even need to use the elevators.  There is also the self serve laundry on almost every deck.

Thanks for responding.  I really appreciate you taking the time to give me some insight of the differences between Viking and Celebrity.

On 8/27/2023 at 9:14 PM, BluebonnetTexan said:

Almost time to head to NYC to depart on this itinerary. I feel like we've had it booked forever and can't wait to meet everyone from the great Roll Call we've had.

 

I'm starting this thread for everyone on our cruise to add their experiences as we go - when we have decent internet anyway! 

 

I'll also be blogging the trip at: http://notesbynancy.com. 

 

Safe travels everyone and see you onboard!

 

 I have been searching Cruise Critic for information on Viking's Iconic Iceland, Greenland & Canada cruise because we are taking this itinerary in August 2024 departing Reykjavik.  This is our first Viking cruise.  We have been Celebrity cruisers for the past 27 years and decided to try a different line.  Thanks so much for your review.  I am still not quite convinced that I did the right thing by choosing Viking over Celebrity who has a similar but not quite as extensive itinerary.  Have you ever cruised Celebrity?  If so, how does Viking compare toBy the way, my husband and I are both Baylor alumni.  My husband did a Ph.d while I finished my undergraduate work at Hankamer School of Business.  Sec 'em Bears!  Ah, yes, I did my graduate degree at OU.  I am always walking a fine line when it comes to sports!

Thanks to all who responded!

26 minutes ago, oskidunker said:

We are flying in  on Dec 31. For jan 6 cruise. Got a deal on United business award. So where is a good place to stay? Near the dock or maybe something in a different location?

We stayed at M Social in a Social King View for three nights.  Loved it!

For those who have taken Viking's Iconic Iceland, Greenland, & Canada cruise, do you actually spend one day cruising the Prince Christian Sound?  Or do you just have the two ports of call, Nanortalik and Qaqortoq?  

Received the original email but did not submit anything because I could not decide on the appropriate/acceptable wording in form of a question.  Received the email "YOUR RESPONSES WERE SO OVERWHELMING OUR SYSTEM COULDN'T KEEP UP.''  I did submit a question this time concerning Loyalty.  As a Celebrity Classic Captain's Member (where one PAID to become a Captain's Club Member), I am concerned about the direction that Celebrity is taking.   I am not expecting a response because I think this is a Celebrity PR promotion.  I will also add that last fall I was contacted by a Celebrity Captain's Club Representative concerning my absence from cruising which I explained was due to medical issues.  I shared many of your concerns posted on this website.  The representative stated that she was not personallly aware of their loyal cruisers becoming disenchanted with their line.  I encouraged her and Celebrity to read the Celebrity board on Cruise Critic to gain insight on the pulse of their loyal customer base.

As stated in previous threads related to this topic, this is the only Celebrity excursion I would recommend based on my February 2019 excursion on our Western Carribbean Cruise.  Our Chef's Market Tour stopped at a chocolate tour, visited a local market where we enjoyed amazing samples of local food.  Next we visited a tequila shop where I wished we would have bought more than 1 bottle of aged tequila!  Then we had a delicious lunch at a local restaurant.  The highlight was the evening dinner where I ate fresh local food and drank the best tequila I have ever experienced.  Does Celebrity offer this same wonderful experience today?  

2 minutes ago, njsmom said:

yes, I am.

Having cruised Celebrity's Southbound Glacier cruise and subsequently became a resident of Alaska, an aft cabin is ideal so that you can view scenery on both sides.  But I think that the only suite that is aft is a Penthouse Suite.  In my opinion, your decision to move from an aft cabin to a Sky Suite is a difficult one.  Have you checked to see what Sky Suites are remaining?

Are you on the 7 July 2023 Northbound Glacier cruise?

7 hours ago, aring75 said:

A pan-seared scallop followed and was paired with a Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc. Both were excellent. The crisp acidity of the Sauv Blanc perfectly cut through the creaminess of the parsnip purée.

 

After our holiday in New Zealand, our favorite Sauvignon Blanc is Cloudy Bay.

On 4/16/2023 at 12:31 PM, DaKahuna said:

 

Not on the menu but if you like gin martini's see if you can get a Cucumber Martini made with Hendricks.  I love those things. 

 

If you have never had one, the Fresca Martini comes highly recommended. 

 

Love gin and tonic.  Took a holiday in Wales and discovered Hendricks.  Best gin ever!

5 hours ago, Ken the cruiser said:

OK, we're hooked! We recently booked this 2024 cruise to your beautiful country! 😃 

 

12 Nights Norwegian Fjord & Arctic Circle from Southampton, England | Celebrity Cruises

 

Watching men's college basketball AND keeping up with this thread.  Cheering you on to make the ship on time.

I would also fly the day before.

I have had to cancel at the last minute four times due to medical reasons.  The latest cancellation was a week before departing 4 December 2022 on Beyond.  I think that your first step is to read your travel insurance policy to see what coverage is provided.  When I cancelled a week before the 4 December Beyond cruise, my travel agent did not give me an option of getting a future cruise credit.  So I do not know if this is still an option.  As stated previously, you should request your travel agent to contact Celebrity for all available options.  As to my personal experience, I always purchase my cruise AND travel insurance through my travel agent.  I first contact my travel agent who takes care of cancelling the cruise with Celebrity.  I have never had to contact Celebrity for any reason.  I then call the travel insurance company and notify them that I had to cancel.  Because of emergency medical reasons, I have always been past "final payment."  In my experience, Celebrity only refunds port fees and taxes because I am in the penalty phase.  I have always received full reimbursement for cruise fare from the travel insurance company.  So, I think your reimbursement depends on your travel insurance plan.  

Thanks again for your extensive review of your time on the Beyond.  We board the Beyond on 4 December and really appreciate your insights on Celebrity's new ship. 

Enjoying your review of the Beyond.  You are so kind to take time from your holiday to post information and photos.  

Thanks so much for your review!  Really appreciate the time you took to do this!

52 minutes ago, LongStrangeTrip19 said:

The stay was great! We chose the Villa for extra space since there were 3 of us and it allowed us to have 2 floors with 2 bathrooms and came with essentially all of the perks you could ask for; however, we all agreed that next time we’d probably do the royal suite. I’m not sure the extra space was worth the cost in the long run and the Royal suite would’ve given us the same perks and the layout would’ve been fine. It was a great experience overall though and glad we did it at least once. 

Thanks so much for responding!

How was your stay in this suite?  Would you give a review of the Beyond Edge Villa suite?  Understanding that this is subjective, in your opinion, was the Edge Villa worth the cost?  

My husband and I did the Chef's Market Discoveries Excursion in Cozumel.  As I had previously mentioned on another thread, the Chef's Market Discoveries is the only Celebrity tour that I have ever recommended.  I believe that each Chef's Market Discoveries excursion may differ depending on the port of call.  So I can only reference my experience in Cozumel.  Spending the day with one of the ship's chefs was a wonderful and fun experience.  The dinner that evening was fabulous!  The chef incorporated food items and tequila (which was quite expensive) that he had purchased that day into our evening meal.  I wish Celebrity was offering this excursion on our 4 December 2022 Beyond cruise because I would definitely do this tour again.

2 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

Three shots of espresso- it’s occasionally my eye 👁 opener.    
 

I order it Dry which is just foam and very little milk.  
 

Andril really knows how to make a perfect one.

 

Have you ever tried a con panna?  This is my husband's favorite - three shots of espresso with some whipped cream.  Have been cruising vicariously through your cruise travels this year.  We had reservations for the Silhouette's June 11 Iceland/Ireland.  Then I had a slip and fall accident at a local store, fractured my left kneecap in half, and had to cancel.   Really appreciate the time you take to post on Cruise Critic.  Wishing you continued good health and safe travels on your journey.

2 hours ago, DisneyJen said:

Thanks for the Tanqueray 10 tip!

 

Last night I tried Hendricks and Diet Tonic and it was delicious!

 

When we are at home I drink the Diet Fever Tree. On board they just have diet Canada Dry Tonic.

I use to enjoy Tanqueray 10.  Then I had Hendricks when I was on holiday in Wales.  Have never gone back to Tanqueray 10.

In our experience, cabins 1665 and 1668 on deck 11 are the best aft suites on the Silhouette.  First, the decks above and below these cabins contain cabins and do not have the noise factor from public venues.  Second, we have never experienced a problem with the ship's exhaust on this deck though some have experienced soot on the balconies.  Third, the window washing equipment is NOT parked next to these two balconies.  We enjoy spending a lot of time on our balcony, and the balconies on 1665 and 1668 provide a great view of the wake AND the scenery on both sides of the ship.  You do not have complete privacy on either of these two balconies.  As to the ship's motion, forward cabins get the most, aft cabins get the second worse with middle cabins getting the least.  We will always choose cabin 1665 or 1668 on the Celebrity Silhouette.