Shiba_Lover

I don't know why they are sideways - they were right side up when I posted. Maybe click on the image and open image / edit and rotate in your photo software? If someone can tell me why they posted sideways - I can repost too.

yeah - I booked a "guarantee" suite. (figured there were no bad rooms on this ship) for significantly less. I really wanted a proper balcony - oh well - I knew I may not get one, and I didn't. Have a great adventure! Let me know if other questions

Here's the details for Peru. One note... On the Sunday we moved from Quito to Lima, it was the day of presidential elections and we had a later flight. They gave us day rooms at the EB hotel near the airport. We were told they don't always do that, so I think it may have been because of the elections/ extra caution. Oh and on arrival in Lima, it was really late. I don't think anyone ate dinner, but it was available (as room service or in the restaurant).

yes, it does.

I doubt this can be solely on celebrity. Having worked in India, and been through the visa process multiple times, India is very particular. I suspect the ship has extra steps to get everything ready for the passengers getting off ( and making sure to block those that can't). Every time I had to renew a work visa ( which I know is more involved than a tourist visa) it was torture.

I used to work in India. They have some laws governing the use of phone calls over chat apps and other things like that. Suspect that is the reason for turning off wifi.

Ouch -- Jim - this is what our immigration line looked like when I mentioned (in the question about Southampton > Norway recently) we got stuck in one going from EU to UK onboard the Apex on a cruise. Very painful.

Enjoying your report - fun to relive the experience. Thanks for taking the time / effort to write it up each day!

I can add that on our trip, the steak people all sent the steaks back and reordered. One night someone asked the waiter about one of the beef specials and the waiter just said "No". They have to use beef from Ecuador and I think someone asked and was told it was so precooked before being brought onboard ( Galapagos rule). I'm also not a red meat eater, but this is what happened at the tables I was seated at

Exactly this!!! This is what I've done as well, and never had an issue. Also - Any of my super delicate stuff - like a really nice dress I wore on chic night - I figure unless I've spilled on it - I really don't need to get it cleaned onboard after 1 wear. My exercise clothes I wore to the gym are pretty good in the wash - so no worries with those. I can also rinse them in the shower and dry in the cabin in between going to the laundry.

Aww, yes, they are some of the best dogs. ( Currently have one snoozing at my feet)

That was also my dilemma. We opted for a 9:30 start with the guide, and did the cable car + a short hike at the top of the mountain, then we did a few things in town that did not overlap with the Celebrity tour, including some foodie type stops for snacks - we had a nice day, then capped it off at a small arts market - it had souvenier type things (took all of 15 minutes to walk through since the stalls repeated). Then back to the hotel around I think 4 ish. Lounged by the pool for a bit to relax. Was a nice day.

We also enjoyed the private full day tour. If you've already hired your private guide - they are probably aware of what Celebrity does. We hired Gabriella from Tours by Locals. She was well versed in what Celebrity did. We had her customize a foodie tour and add on the cable car. It was fantastic. We did this the day prior. You could also do the Mindo Cloud Forest - lots of people like that.

They always have some type of check. I am wondering if they physically check passports (have had it happen before going from EU into UK and it took hours) or if they just rely on immigration to inspect the ship manifest so no real physical check of each passenger. Sounds like we are good as they don't check each passenger.

Can't wait to see Mr's surprise with the suite!

Thanks both! Sounds like we will be good to go!

Thanks. We will be in our usual sky suite. I think you are normally in an upper suite? Last time we did UK to EU, it took forever. They had 2 agents come onboard and the entire ship Apex) had to queue up for that. It was hours... This excursion is for the first leg of the trip. First port.

One more question from me...Cruise departs Southampton them first stop is Stavanger, Norway. I know there will be some type of immigration check We dock at 7. Only in port till 3. Trying to plan a DIY excursion that only has a 10 am start time. A little concerned about being able to make it if passport checks are conducted onboard and it takes ages. Does anyone know if you are let off the ship and go through in a terminal or if you have to go through on board ( we had to do this on arrival in UK from EU once, with two officers and it took 2 hours) Thanks

Thanks both. Our cruise is to Norway/ arctic circle. Now I just need to try to figure out our first so after a sea day is Stavanger. I am trying to figure out if we will have time to make it to a 10am DIY excursion. Not sure if we will have to wait for some lengthy passport review onboard 😵‍💫

There is really not much. TV has really nothing. The evening activities are only three briefings for next day activities, then dinner. One night they had a trivia contest and a crossword puzzle. For both there are prizes, so they may like that. Both are all about the Galapagos, so have them pay attention to the little tidbits/fun facts the naturalists mention. And I've night there is a silent disco, which was a lot of fun. Other than that, I would say load up an iPad with Netflix shows or something for them. If course if you are going on August, there may be some other teens onboard, so they may find some new friends to hand out with

We flew home from Lima. If you are on the package, they take you back to Lima included in the package.

We arrived around lunch and had a lunch buffet in the restaurant there. Then we set off to explore. They ask if you want to explore the lower grounds only or hike up to the views. You have a choice which guide to go with. We went up to the top views. We explored hiked about 3.5 hours. Then we went back to the hotel for tea/ snacks before the train out. This was around 4:45 ish I think

I have searched and found some older posts pre-covid and from around 2009 and 2015 with Southampton as the turnaround port for a B2B. We are doing a B2B cruise with Southampton as the turnaround day, and wondering if the procedure is the same? Has anyone done this recently? We are not in the same cabin, so I know we will need to be packed up the night before (not real worried about if we can leave clothes hanging or need to pack those as well). More can we leave the ship early, or are we waiting until it clears and are last off if we want to go ashore? In retreat if that makes any difference.

If anyone is curious, I just got a quote for a transfer from LHR to a hotel in Southampton on a Friday morning from Gunwhatf Executive Travel. 160 GBP which includes the Heathrow pick up fees. This is a car for 2 with 2 checked bags. Return trip on a Saturday morning was 155 GBP. Prices seemed good based on other private transfer prices I have seen, and they have very good reviews

If there is a Sushi on 5 on the ship, you could go there. They also have hot food. Not exactly Chinese, but still Asian food.