ECCruise

It's possible to ZOOM at less 1/10th that speed, so yes. We were streaming on Quest at 4/2 compared to 135/24 on Onward, which has always been way faster than the rest of the fleet.

Unless it has changed, which is not likely, when we boarded Grand Princess in Adelaide in January, with a COVID test required, a self monitored test was fine. We photographed the negative tests along with our passports and a time stamp and they were acceptable when we boarded.

This is where I get confused. If you say you know full well that you won't drink as much as it costs, then why do you pay a big bill upfront (for the package) to avoid a big (but obviously smaller) bill at the end?

Sorry but definitely do not agree that customers are just supposed to live with decisions that a big corporation makes, well, just because... I'm not affected by this but would be doing exactly what the OP is doing. Never have been in this position since every time we've been in this situation the cruise lines--Celebrity. Royal, Princess, Azamara, NCL and Oceania--have treated us like valued customers and worked to make it right. But I guess that since bookings and prices are booming, they feel they can call the shots. Especially when some support what I consider a bit of hubris.

Maybe they don't have the "legal" requirement to "make you whole" but they absolutely should be obligated to bend over backwards to help. THEY made the change within booking windows and you should not bear the brunt of handling the fallout. We've had similar changes from cruise lines (including Celebrity) quite a few times and the response was always MUCH more customer friendly. Even when the changes were 1+ years out. You have every right to your response.

Either these prices are another website glitch (although same prices on TA sites), Azamara missed April Fools Day, or they really think they can suddenly garner these nose bleed prices. Only time will tell.

Finding exactly the same thing on our 4 booked sailings. Some almost doubled with current prices. Have great fears about the 2025 Europe prices on sailings that are about to drop.

Also true. There are always some choices, but the selections by the Chef is really the whole point of a Chef's Table. Otherwise just do a Specialty.

True. But the same could be said for Chef's Tables on many lines that have a similar experience for 10 guests in much more comfortable environments. But that is why there are so many choices available for today's cruise clienteles, which is a great thing. Some mesh with our needs, some don't but the choices are great.

I think this is probably a good thing for Celebrity, but for us, it just nudges it another small step away from our preferred line, with the caveat that we have 4 sailings with them, albeit in Asia and Europe, in the next year. Celebrity started to move away from our focus with the loud music beats (largely in the Martini Bar) a number of years ago. Then another tick away with the introduction of E Class, which we, frankly and ONLY in our opinion consider hokey with Magic Carpets and Eden and Infinite Verandas as examples. Not that we would ever sail the Caribbean again, so for us, CC isn't an issue, but it does define the direction the line is taking. Which, as I said, is likely a good thing for =X=.

The "prevailing rate" is, frankly a hefty slap in the face. Veterans of close to a dozen situations like this (redeployment, charters, mechanical issues and like this one, "cuz we wanna,") the rebooking has been much smoother. And nowhere near as costly, if at all. At least there is a airline change fee adjustment. Of course, if you have non-refundable lodging booked, you are likely out of luck.

It is quite unusual. Will be interesting to see what is offered re: change and cancellations fees.

Unless it is due to some mechanical issue, these changes are almost always handled 330+ days before sailing to avoid having to get involved in airline and lodging change/cancellation issues.

Have done check in with porters dozens of times. Saves time printing, having a stapler or tape at your point of embarkation, etc. Never once have had a problem with it. You watch the port person write the cabin number on the tag, so don't know how poor handwriting would be anyone's fault but your own.

I agree. Have no problem with long stretches of sea days (we've done 30+ crossings) but given the choice of 2 breaks in Ponta Delgada and Bermuda, would go that way. And the Silhouette has a good supply of balcony cabins available at pretty decent money. The suite prices are off the insanity chart.

Plus, the app, which only was available for Pursuit, no longer works at all.

My guess is with the problems associated with the website, promotion of drink packages/selection would be way down the list of priorities.

Room service is included with no extra charge. And for tipping, we always tip the person who delivers a couple of bucks. Maybe they didn't cook the food, but it is they who juggle the trays, handle multiple orders and try to be within the delivery time window. And every single time, they are very appreciative of this tiny show of gratitude. And there is no reason that you cannot do this as well as make donations to the crew welfare fund.

That is good to hear. None of our 5 sailings since restart have offered it.

That's strange. Every one of our 30+ sailings has had refundable OBC from our TA.

If the OBC is coming from your TA it should be refundable. And therefore go back to your CC.

Working fine (in a manner of speaking) from here. Meaning I can access bookings, itineraries, etc.

They don't need a drydock to upgrade the WIFI to Starlink, if that is the plan. Lots of ships have done that on the fly.

Correct. As of currently, you will, however, need to submit an application for s SG Arrival Card within 3 days of arrival in Singapore (no earlier). There is no cost and it is fairly straightforward to complete, but it will be required to enter Singapore (which is where the OP's cruise originates).

I am well aware of all that, however they (including the Governor of Bali) are considering some fairly stringent restrictions on Visa on Entry, which is the subject of this thread. These discussions started when we were there a couple of months ago and have accelerated in the last few weeks. Perhaps nothing will come of it, but if the VOE is scrapped, it is something that folks should be aware of.