Shiba_Lover

Good to read a positive review. Thanks for sharing. I've got 6131 booked for an upcoming sailing (it is same cabin opposite side). Is the balcony shape / size good? We booked this one specifically since we wanted the balcony for the itinerary we have, so hoping it is good.

The availability and amenities of check-in /lounge/snacks/drinks for Retreat varies based on the embarkation port. There will be a separate line for sure, and some form of drinks. You don't necessarily have to arrive early. If you arrive at say 10:30 and all seats were taken - it is probably because many people arrived early, or they were a bit delayed in boarding people (maybe even a very small lounge or seating area). You will select a boarding time, but as Retreat - you can board whenever. So likely, most people just went ahead early. If you wait a bit, you can probably go later and not have all the seats taken. We've done that had no issue with seats. When we had an 11AM boarding time (earliest time), there were no free seats when we got there at 10:50. Another time, we had an 11:30 boarding and we arrived at 11:45 - lots of empty seats (but also a way bigger lounge). We finished our boarding checks very quickly but just told them we wanted to finish enjoying our cappuccinos before boarding - it was no issue. Once we finished, they walked us on board.

I would stay on deck 6. On deck 9, you will have pool loungers above you. You will hear them being dragged around early morning (I know from experience). I've had the deck 6 SS above the life boats, and when you are sitting on the balcony - it is not too terrible. You can use the website cruisemapper to see exactly what will be above / below you really nicely rather than trying to guesstimate. THey have deck plans and you can drag/drop them on top of each otther. Celebrity Millennium Deck-Drag (cruisedeckplans.com)

Thanks all who responded. I am familiar with how to take trains and taxi and have done DIY all over the world. I just did not want to do that in this one instance ( yes, I know it's easy, yes I know how). I haven't done excursions from the ship, and all of them say "free time on your own after the tour" so just was not sure if that meant you boarded one of the busses after you were done or you board a specific bus. Sounds like the answer is that you board a specific bus.

Well, if several people came back and said they had actually done this and were all told - get on any shuttle going back when you are done walking around -- that would be a pretty good indicator that is how it works.

I am hopeful the butler service will be restored. I have had a conversation (outside of Cruise Critic or the other famous group that is often mentioned) with someone on Beyond that said they were told it was in the works and would take a few months. We don't take much advantage of the butler but do like to arrange a time for regular coffee delivery and a few extra bottles of water. That's about it. I do have to say I am always surprised when I see the posts at people asking, "what all can I get the butler to do for me?" I remember one old video on the Celebrity page where it mentioned drawing a bath. I cannot even imagine calling someone and asking them to come draw a bath! Wow.

Has anyone done Celebrity's Small Group Bruges Walking Tour? Yes, I know we can take a train into town on our own. I'm not asking about doing that. We actually like the idea of the walking tour. On this tour, we have an option of going at 8 or 10. It is a 4 and a half hour tour. Our ship is only in port until 3. And this is a reasonable price on the "flash sale" It says there is free time on your own after. I'm trying to figure out if you can stay after as long as you want, or if you "have" to come back after 4.5 hours. Like if we go at 8, could we come back at say 1:30 PM on any of the X shuttles heading back to town? (There are lots of various excursions with "free time after" so I'm guessing all the people that have free time after just get on whatever bus)

I've done both world wine tour and food and wine pairing on various ships. We enjoy both. Food and wine can vary depending on who is leading it. It is more of a structured tasting. World wine tour is set up in different stations with regions and each has a sommelier to serve/talk about the wines with you. You walk around and try the wines you want. There will be some food to try if you want. I prefer world wine tour. If you watch the "sales" you can book for a really good price. We booked world wine tour for $28 each for an upcoming 12 night cruise.

They don't have a library, but there is a small dining room off of the buffet ( like a large group dining room or private function room) on Apex), maybe on other E class ships too. On Sea Days, there were games and puzzles set out in the.

Given the state of games, if they have puzzles, I would count on them having missing pieces. I would say bring your own and leave it after you finish to avoid frustration looking for "that one piece" 😁

Or the people that walk around the buffet eating. I saw a guy eating taco chips out of the serving bowl with his hands instead of using the tongs. I did report it and they removed the bowl.

I've done the world wine tour on every cruise we've taken when it was offered (some it was cancelled on). FWIW - we also stay in Retreat, and the wines are not anything above/beyond what you would get in Luminae or the Retreat lounge. If you are doing the world wine tour in hopes of finding a new hidden gem, I would say skip it. If you are hoping to find something that you won't be able to get anywhere else onboard, skip it. If you are doing the world wine tour as a way to enjoy an hour or so of sampling different wines and chatting with others and the sommeliers about the wines - then I would say sign up. We enjoy the experience of the event for the socialization aspect - talking to the other people about the wines - so that's part of the fun. I suspect it will be wines you'll find at the restaurants onboard, and wines you've sampled on the other trips. Hope that helps.

It's no different to anywhere else. Lots of hotels have executive lounges, resorts have special areas and pools for those in suites and top rooms. Airline lounges for certain passengers...... Sports stadiums have club level and suites and boxes while most people are in regular seats and they can't go on those levels. Focus on the areas that you get to enjoy and not the ones you don't. I can still enjoy the baseball game from my regular seat and not care that I don't get to go onto the club level.

We will be doing this Mumbai to Singapore in 2024. Looking forward to it. Thank you for the mini review. I have stayed at a few different Taj Palace hotels in India, and also plan to stay at the one in Mumbai. I will check out the Fullerton in Singapore.

They might need to know if you have some form of neuropathy or are a diabetic. Even if the instruments are perfectly sterile, if you were to sustain a small cut or nick, and did not feel it, you would need to be extra careful and examine your feet very carefully. Or they may advise you not to get the treatment, especially a pedicure being at sea, etc.

Yeah, I get what you are saying with regard to that, and I agree that the TA not seeing this to resolution is a problem with the TA. Yes, TA needs to get this fixed. But as far as a problem like occuring in the first place - it is random and can happen if booked with a TA or on your own. That's really my point.

The TA or the agency will have received a copy.

Yep - its the exact issue - a change to something on the reservation (bed configuration) is triggering a drop on the promotion codes (casino promo rate or casino comp promo). With as often as this is reported - it should be resolved by IT by now.

THis is not a "TA" messed up and if you book direct with celebrity it will not happen thing. What is happening is a change to the reservation, in this case, a change in dining time, is triggering a change that is "losing" a promo code (black friday) associated with the pricing. This is a Celebrity IT problem and it has been reported as happening by prople who booked directly with Celebrity. The fix is the promo needs to be added back onto the reservation. As that promo is no longer available, In order for it to be added back - Celebrity must do it, and there must be proof that the reservation had it to begin with. Now - if the TA won't call in and get this sorted out - then THAT is a problem with the TA. But the fact that this issue occurred could have happened if a TA or a celebrity rep booked or updated the reservation. The TA should have a copy of the original booking invoice showing the original fare and all promo codes.

You will have access to the Retreat so can eat in Luminae as well. You mentioned you don't drink, but you can still enjoy the Retreat Lounge. They do have non-alcoholic beverages such as coffees, teas, sodas and some juices. They also serve "tea" which is really snacks in the afternoon.

Think about what your kids will enjoy, and knowing what the ship has to offer. There is not a TON of things on the ship that are geared specifically towards kids outside of the kids club. Since they don't want to visit the kids club, if they are content to play a game, watch a video, etc - then they are probably fine. If they would prefer more of the amenities on an RCL ship because that will be more fun to them - the amusement park type things, the skydive thing, etc - then consider that. This sailing does have several days where the sail away time is pretty early (2PM in Bergen and 3PM in Brugges) - so as long as they are good to go without being bored back on the ship, you'll be fine. I doubt they would be out of place on Celebrity in the summer. A 7-day sailing in summer will have more kids on it - maybe not as many for Norway as a Caribbean, but still there will be other kids.

Thanks all. I checked and there is one other ship in port that morning with a large passenger count. I will have the hotel prebook a cab - that will probably be easier than trying to walk with luggage.

Often around holidays. I would suggest to book what you want so you don't risk it selling out. Check back for sales. If you are US based, President Day, July 4. If they are on sale, just call in and they can adjust the price.

Getting to City cruise terminal - I've checked and there is one other ship in port the day we sail. I will need to pre-book a taxi, or can we walk (is it feasible)? It looks like it is a 7 minute walk from Royal Leonardo Harbor, but we will have 2 pieces of luggage, and I don't know if they allow you to walk anyway. Where do you prebook a taxi? Thanks!!

You are arriving in Athens the day prior to the end of the cruise and "overnighting". Your actual "debarkation" time will be assigned onboard just like any other cruise - you will provide your departure information and be assigned a time based on flights, or you can select to self-debark at the earliest time on the disembark day. If you want to leave the cruise to sight see on the day you arrive in Athens - that's no issue - you will be permitted to leave / come back same as any other port day. If you wish to "disembark" a day early - let guest relations know in advance - as soon as you can (don't bother on day one because there are big lines, but do it on day 2 or so). Reason for this is they have a manifest of passengers / immigration of who is on board, etc that needs to be cleared on the actual disembark day. They will specially handle anyone disembarkation on the day prior.