laslomas

Just a thought on this as I have been unable to find any reviews or photos - how tight is it to get to the wardrobes when the beds are set apart as twins? I assume it is better to have them by the balcony in this instance, but on checking I believe on my upcoming cruise they will be next to the wardrobes. Thanks.

Before making any significant purchase I always ensure the product meets what I want to buy with my hard earned cash. This includes when I buy a cruise holiday. I do a bit of research and reading. Doesn't everyone? Why buy something that is not really what you are happy with and then try to bend or break the rules and guidelines?

There are cruise lines out there to suit everyone. Just research the product as you would with any big purchase. I got it wrong once, and learnt from that and didn't book with them again.

This seems to affect the online booking on Azura, I have not seen it on other ships. It is very off putting and you need to follow the wording on the plan - NOT the positioning shown. Very confusing. 

That is the transatlantic crossing coming back into Southampton, and repositioning cruises are usually cheaper than a full Caribbean cruise. I love sea days, and repositioning cruises, and think that seems a pretty good price at the moment. No one can ever predict what will happen with prices as the date gets closer, and as already stated, is worth it to you? I am sure we all monitor our booked cruises and some we win some we lose, but if you are happy with the price - go for it.

Previous posters have mentioned the simplicity of embarking on Princess. My last few cruises were from Southampton on Celebrity. Boarding for me, with Celebrity, has always been very smooth, with no queues. I understanding the thinking in giving priority to Suites, and also based on the Loyalty programme tiers, but to not be flexible in allowing choice or changes is ridiculous. People are travelling from all parts of the country with different travel times. Also some coming by plane.

To find you are expected to board at 12:30 when 3:30 would suit you better could prove stressful for some. Not everyone will be clamouring for the early embarkation, for some that would mean an extra early start, or even an overnight stay pre-cruise involving more expense. Yes, they can turn up late, but someone else could have had their earlier time slot. I really do not see how the current system can ever work any better than just adequately. Suite guests could always be given priority, but a choice is surely the simplest solution to the embarkation process.

I shall wait and see how it is for my cruise in September and keep my fingers crossed that I am not given the time to embark when hundreds arrive on coaches and get priority!! 😕

I had seen this reported and was also hoping to see updates of the current situation. Is Miami a scheduled port stop, or due to the situation?

Just another note on the Promenade deck. It is the area where Muster stations are set, and is the area to get into lifeboats if the worse happens. So they need to be roomy and free of too many obstacles. I remember in days gone by, all passengers would have to complete their muster safety drill on the Promenade deck at the same time - whatever the weather. Strangely it was not done before setting sail.

1 minute ago, Fionboard said:

The promenade decks on old ships tend to be wide and covered so can be used in all weathers. No sunbathers in the way! 

And would usually encircle the whole ship to allow passengers to 'promenade'.

15 minutes ago, Angel57 said:

And that’s the beauty of all the different cruise lines - you can check dress codes before booking and chose accordingly as to what best suits your pocket and your sense of style….😜 

Exactly. Chose a cruise line that you would be comfortable on. There really is so much choice in the market.

Over the past few years the attitude of some has been to ignore the code in the hope to 'get away with it'. Reminds me of being at school and rolling my skirt waistband over to shorten my skirt, which often resulted in a detention. I began cruising in the 1990's when the Formal Night was the norm on all cruise lines I sailed. For the last 10 years I have sailed mainly on Celebrity. They have gradually moved to 'Evening Chic' which is basically a very dumbed down version just meaning no shorts or flip flops. So should suit most people. But even with their new dress code people complain and try to ignore it.

Surely a cruise line can write their own rules / code / guidelines and if choosing that cruise line you know what to expect. I love the Formal nights and that is the reason I am looking at P&O. Personally I would be disappointed if they changed. But each to their own, which is why the choice of different cruise lines offering different expectations is available. Something for everyone. 😀🍸

Is there any knowledge on how embarkation times are allocated by P&O?

Several of my cruises recently were on Celebrity from Southampton and I was able to choose my boarding time during the online check in process. This seems sensible as passengers are arriving form all areas by different modes of transport and are aware of the most suitable time for them.

Has the Concierge Class 'expanded breakfast menu' been discontinued? It was always one of the extra amenities for CC that was worthwhile.

27 minutes ago, Bazrat said:

Mean isn’t the word my beloved used and it takes an awful lot to hear her swear.

the entire cruise is cancelled but strangely enough still on website 

On the website - but comes up with an error during the booking process and cannot be completed.

I sailed last October (Silhouette) and had a card where the film started to peel off after a couple of days. At one bar I was told I could just remove it. So I did. Everything still worked perfectly, so I assumed it was just for protection and should be removed. Who knows??? 😕

1 hour ago, villauk said:

 

Yes, received the same and our thoughts are also similar regarding Edge class.

I am not excited by the news. I am disappointed too. It would be great if Celebrity sailed an S Class from Southampton as well as the E Class, that would suit us all.

I have just received an email leading to this:

8 hours ago, Cruise Gopher said:

 

This Facebook page is sketchy at best. It appears to be a UK based page and does not have the blue check mark indicating it’s a verified account. It probably was created and is ran by some travel agency in the UK. 

I had this exact same advertising in an email from Celebrity along with other current offers - it is definitely from Celebrity, not an agency. I wonder how long I must wait for the exciting news!!

3 hours ago, C4HCG said:

We’ve sailed on Equinox twice this year and not had a problem with getting drinks, so don’t worry too much.  I was queue jumped a couple of times and that did wind me up to an extent.

Thanks for your input, I am trying not to worry too much. I sailed in May on a half full Reflection and service was reasonable, but still a bit hit and miss. Hoping to be able to get drinks without too much effort on Silhouette in a couple of weeks 🍹🍸🥂🍷 

1 hour ago, LGW59 said:

They have not been eliminated, or if they were, they forgot to tell me.  I am on a 14 nighter on Oct. 24

There are not many 14 nighters on Celebrity now, mainly the repositioning. For 2023 there are only 10 x 14 nighters in the whole year and another 8 longer than that. For anyone looking for 2 weeks plus holiday there is not much choice. HAL certainly offer some longer itineraries.

21 minutes ago, crash3x said:

Celebrity still requires you to test before boarding?   Tests are no longer required to fly or cross boarders.

Tests are still required for entry to some countries for unvaccinated. 

6 hours ago, cdn_tbird said:

How big a group are you leading? To be honest, when I read the email my first thought was that it was meant for someone that coordinating a charter.

 

We were on the Eclipse in late Aug and we had no idea whether the people next to us were vaxed or not. 

Until 5th September the only un-vaxxed on board were children. 

4 hours ago, grandgeezer said:

The cruise pricing I’ve checked post pandemic are quite higher that what we paid pre pandemic. With higher prices come higher expectations and in some cases it seems just the opposite is happening. No recalibrating expectations by us. Three years without cruising and it’s getting easier by the day.

I am with you on this, if I pay more I do not expect less.

Looking ahead to 2023 the prices are way higher than pre pandemic and the latest online Celebrity Brochure 2023/24 states: Unrivalled Service - with an almost 2:1 guest to staff ratio. They also boast the "most awarded wine collection at sea". This is what they are selling, so it is not wrong to expect at least that. Plus, I have read in this forum of disappointment that many wines are unavailable.

I will be onboard in a couple of weeks and at least have now been pre-warned of the lack of bar service. I am not looking forward to the prospect of possibly waiting a long time for service or having to go to a bar to get a drink. Many bars have seating around them and being on the short side, I often get overlooked, and people become queue jumpers without even realising it sometimes. I am hoping, fingers crossed, I will be pleasantly surprised and it will not be as bad as I fear. 

5 hours ago, Shadow9612 said:

An affogato from Al Bacio (espresso poured over a scoop of vanilla gelato, then drizzled with chocolate and served in a martini glass)

I absolutely love an Affogato. Shocked to see it is no longer on the Al Bacio menu 😕

4 hours ago, adolfo2 said:

Not lazy but I'm not carrying two, full to the brim, Martinis back to our table as they would never get there 🙂

Definitely agree with that. Virtually impossible to carry 2 full martinis without a tray. I would have to take a few sips to make it easier. 🍸😁

 With Select dining you can try any time you like, but due to the reservations already made, if there is no space you will be given a pager and called back once there is availability. If you discover on the first attempt that there is a long wait, then factor that in and go earlier in future and take the pager to a bar and get your pre-dinner drinks.

I sometimes wonder if Select would work better if reservations were not a thing, and if was just 'turn up'

1 hour ago, Brews'n'Cruise said:

I winder if this is down to the 18% gratuity for the drink package already being included in the GBP price, but would be added at checkout on the USD price. Celebrity does have a habit of including the gratuity for UK cruises so that would make sense, and the prices you show for the wi-fi and shore excursion are lower in GBP than USD which would match the current (awful) exchange rate.

 

Andy.

Thank you, I think that is possibly the difference in prices quoted.