Kathy53

2 hours ago, phoenix_dream said:

You brought back an old memory for me.  A few years ago we were in Vancouver on a cruise (which I LOVE) and we wandered just a couple blocks outside of the main Gastown area.  OMG.  I couldn't believe it was the same city!  I am not unfamiliar with bad areas of town, living near Chicago, but I was shocked that all I had to do was turn a corner and I was in the middle of a homeless and drug-riddled area (and heaven knows what else).  Will never make that mistake again.

pheonix_dream, both of your comments are so true.  Your memory of Vancouver is spot on and unfortunately, I have to say it is worse now.  While there is a prominent police presence, we had 2 officers stabbed a few weeks ago in this very neighbourhood.  It's called as we know it, the DTES and in full, the Downtown East Side.  A very common occurrence are individuals shooting up in full view, used needles everywhere, opioid overdoses and homeless camps that keep our police and EMTs busy 24/7.  I'm glad you loved our city but wished you didn't have to see this but, unfortunately, it's everywhere. 

9 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

Murano's is a French Based fine dining experience while Tuscan is a Mediterranean based menu and is much more casual.    In my humble opinion I would choose Murano's.    I've never been disappointed but disappointed a number of times in Tuscan.  

Diddo.  We had both dining experiences on the Eclipse so felt we could compare fairly being on the same ship.  Murano's was fabulous in that each course complimented each other.  Tuscan Grille felt like it was all over the place.  So many sides to choose from which didn't coincide or compliment the pasta choices and the steaks, while very good, made us feel too full to enjoy since they were served at the end of everything else we ate.  We passed on dessert.      

On 6/2/2021 at 3:44 PM, gnome12 said:

Air Canada is T2. British Airways is T5 I think. 

You are correct.

1 minute ago, NMTraveller said:

So you are comparing Vancouver crime to San Francisco crime?  All that I can say is LOL.

Respectfully, I am not.  My reference is more to unsavory areas that exist in all large cities.

3 minutes ago, travlr21 said:

 

Hi from the Okanagan.  Back in 2016 we did Viking Amsterdam to Budapest, followed by a TA on the Silhouette, Rome to Ft Lauderdale. We spent a few days in Budapest and then a few more in Rome before the TA. In 2019 we did a TA on Regent to Barcelona and then flew to Paris for a river cruise on Uniworld.

 

We love both types of cruising, and they do have some differences. I would say timing is more structured on the river cruise since most people take the included tours. For meals there is usually a window when breakfast and lunch are served. In our experience, there is a presentation by the cruise manager before supper every night that everyone usually attends in the lounge, then everyone goes to supper at the same time. The presentation goes over the timing for the activities the next day. Your itinerary will show where you will be on a specific day, but you typically don't see specific times in a 'port' as you would on an ocean cruise. Have you checked the river cruise forum? Ask away if you have any specific questions.

Much appreciated.  We added the river cruise to our itinerary a few months ago since we'll already be across the pond, so to speak.  I've checked the river cruise forum but there are no current posts.  Thank you again and stay safe, away from the BC wildfires.

12 minutes ago, bikerunner said:

Pretty much, there is a wine pairing for each course at the cost of around 60.  The wine is matched with the course your eating.  If you choose not to pay extra for the pairing you can get wine that is included in your package at the venue being served.  The premium package for drinks does not include the wine pairing menu and those wines are usually (not always) are over the premium drink package.  I think I found it once with one wine that it was not.  I remember a dinner I had that paired Elks Cove Pinot Gris with one of the courses, that wine is available by glass at the Wine Cellar I know not sure where else

Perfect and thank you so much!  I think the confusion is when posts say that wine is not included.  "Wine pairing" is a very different thing to ordering a glass of wine covered under your beverage package.  Much appreciated.

I'm just going to chime in on some ports and cities of today who are experiencing more crime, homelessness, drug use and the like.  My city of Vancouver, BC has welcomed many US and International travellers and is recognized as a beautiful city.  Our port is in the heart of downtown, offers beautiful views and great restaurants BUT venture out of Gastown just a few blocks and you are in a cesspool.  I would never walk in this area and I can't tell you the number of times, while driving home from work, we've seen cruise passengers walking in this area, likely looking at a map, where we have actually stopped the car and told them to turn around and go either south towards the shopping district or west towards Stanley Park.  Every large city has its issues but I certainly would not like to stop welcoming visitors to Vancouver.  Maybe during port talks, these areas since so close to the port, should be identified as 'no go zones'.      

We booked The Chef's Table for our next cruise at a cost of $175.00 per person, CDN.  I continue to be confused on the issue of Wine Pairings.  On the Celebrity website, it says, "Delicious wine pairings for each course are available for purchase on board."   Does this mean that we are offered/served wine during our meal BUT if we wish to have wine pairings with each course, then we pay the additional $60 per person.  Also, we have the Premium Beverage Package so can I assume that we can order wine covered under this package without any additional cost.   

We are on a B2B on the Silhouette in May, 2022 in Europe.  We will leave out of Southampton for a 7 night Norwegian Fjords cruise, return to Southampton to and then do a 12 night Scandinavia/Russia cruise.  Thankfully, we have the same stateroom for both cruises.  Both cruises are quite port intensive so we'll have to pace ourselves.  I know that you would like to keep this discussion as it relates to Celebrity but would like to know if anyone has experienced a river cruise following an ocean cruise as once we leave our Celebrity cruises, we will be travelling to Amsterdam for 3 days and then board a Viking river cruise on the Rhine - 8 days, Amsterdam to Basel.  A river cruise in Europe is a first for us.  From my research, there is a vast difference between the 2.

In a word, YES.  Thank goodness for our TA!  We have FCCs from 3 cancelled cruises.  Celebrity issued FCC certificates.  Then, at one point, without our authorization, they refunded us certain portions of the FCCs.  Because Celebrity's accounting was skewed, I was under the impression it was refunds for taxes & port charges and excursions we paid for.  After many discussions with our TA, she spent HOURS with Celebrity trying to figure it all out.  Celebrity admitted that they should NOT have refunded portions of our FCCs so offered us "Goodwill" FCCs.  They also admitted that their accounting system was so overwhelmed with the FCC program for all of its passengers that our FCCs had to be re-calculated because of their error.  Our 1st cancelled cruise was in April, 2020 and Celebrity, our TA and ourselves JUST arrived at a decision for the FCCs in their totality as we want to apply them towards our May, 2022 cruise.  I know that May, 2022 is in the distant future but we decided to apply them now so it's all said and done and they won't be able to come back and say that they made further mistakes.  Thankfully, I keep impeccable records so after much calculation on my part, I'm satisfied with the end result but as a caution to everyone, make sure you don't get short-changed because that is a very real possibility.  Very frustrating.

Thank you jg51 for the great information.  I had no idea about the B2B discounts but whatever it/they are, we'll take them.  🙂

21 minutes ago, Northern Aurora said:

 

Kathy53:  Firedoors on the stateroom decks are generally closed.  The hallways are generally a mess as there are piles of large bags with laundry (sheets, towels and so forth).  

 

And a comment regarding a meeting for B2B passengers :  There may or may not be such a meeting.  

 

And I also agree that moving staterooms is very easy.  

Thank you Northern Aurora.  I know that the firedoors are closed until 1:00 p.m., at least that has been our experience.  Based on what you said, I guess we should take what we will need until everyone is allowed to go to their staterooms.  Much appreciated. 

We're on a B2B and have the same stateroom.  Once you go through the Immigration process and reboard, are you able to return to your stateroom at anytime or do you have to wait until the new passengers are told the time when the cabins are ready. 

26 minutes ago, LGW59 said:

Keep the faith, Kathy53, you all will get there!!!

We've waited this long so we're just staying the course. 🙂  We have 4 cruises in 2022 so to say that we are excited is an understatement.  

5 hours ago, LGW59 said:

Canada clearly has reasons for doing what they are, though that said, I am glad the US now doing what they are.  It’s time to resume.

We are avid cruisers, Canadian and live in Vancouver.  I am delighted that cruisers will be allowed to sail to Alaska from Seattle.  Not cruising out of Vancouver or stopping in Victoria, BC, does impact our economy greatly but both our provincial and federal governments feel that COVID still presents a risk and the exposure is too great.  I'm sad to say that according to today's numbers only 40% of BC residents have received 1 dose of the vaccine and only 2.06% are fully vaccinated.  So, as I'm sure you can appreciate, we're just not there yet.....sad to say.  

On 5/1/2021 at 12:02 PM, kitkat343 said:

I would agree that the scenic beauty of the Norwegian fjords outshined the beauty of Alaska for us.  I also loved our Baltic cruise, but that was all about museums and exploring cities. 

This post, along with some of the other posts, perfectly addressed our inquiry.  Thank you!  We live in Vancouver, BC and in 2019, we were on an Alaska cruise.  It was lovely but not overwhelming since we live on the west coast.  The Norwegian Fjords & Baltic cruises were on our bucket list and 'assumed' that it would be different from Alaska so I'm glad we booked a B2B - Norwegian Fjords (May 7/22) followed by Scandinavia/Russia (May 14/22) on Celebrity Silhouette.   

It's true.  I listened to the press conference today.  I'm a Vancouver, BC resident and have a cruise booked to the Caribbean in April.  I know that there is a lot of uncertainty out there but the fear factor being created and to consider closing down the cruise industry in Vancouver this year has created a lot of angst and many people do not support it.  The federal government is telling ALL Canadians to not cruise, which is ridiculous.

Great choice!  We've done an E/W full transit (15 days) Panama Canal cruise and absolutely loved it.  The history of the construction of the Canal (we did the old locks) and the workings of the locks was fascinating and would definitely do again, hands down.  Also did a 15 day Transpacific to Hawaii, and once was enough for us.  Loved the sea days but while the islands are picturesque, they all seem to come together as one.  Enjoy your Panama cruise in October, 2021.

1 hour ago, cruiseryyc said:

Don't just look at the rental rate, check out the parking rates at the hotel you're staying at - they won't be cheap.

Cruiseryyc, you are absolutely right.  Being a resident of Vancouver, parking rates at downtown hotels are very expensive, as are the public parking rates anywhere in the city.  Another consideration that should be factored into the decision is the price of gas.  Currently, in Vancouver, we're paying $1.49 per litre or $6.00 per gallon and I wouldn't count on it going down anytime soon.  

Thank you for your extensive review.  We're on the Eclipse in less than 3 weeks (July 21st sailing) and encouraged by your comments.  Our boarding passes show the boarding time between 10:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. and being in Concierge, we do want to take advantage of the lunch in the MDR on embarkation day.  We do appreciate your comments, however, and will be patient with the possible long lines. 😊  Like yourselves, we won't be in a hurry to disembark as we will have a very short ride home.  Glad that you had a lovely cruise with your Mom.  We're certainly looking forward to ours.  

Paul, thank you so much for your amazingly comprehensive review.  We're on the Eclipse on the July 21st AK sailing and after reading your review, are more excited than ever.  I'll look for your videos which I believe you said that you will post on you tube.  

Thanks again and we look forward to welcoming you and Edward back to Vancouver in September.

Cheers,

Kathy

I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for your comprehensive review, amazing photos and comments regarding your entire cruise.  We welcome you back to Vancouver - a city we love....because we live here and appreciate your gracious comments.  We were so fortunate to visit Chicago in July and absolutely loved your city as well.  We're on the Eclipse in July on a 7 day AK cruise and because of your many reviews, are so looking forward to it.  Safe journeys and THANK YOU, once again.

ChicagoPaul, I am so enjoying your thread.  As a Vancouverite, I thank you for profiling my city so beautifully.  I'm looking forward to your posts as my DH and I are on the Eclipse / Alaska sailing on July 21st.  I hope you are enjoying this glorious day in Vancouver today and wish you a safe and happy journey to Alaska.  

Fantastic review!  Thank you for sharing.  Your review is encouraging as we are booked on this cruise April 5, 2020.  I say 'encouraging' as I've been reading the recent reviews of the Eclipse which were disheartening as we're sailing on her to Alaska on July 21st, this year.  

So, thank you so much for you extensive review and photos.

Cruise Raider, thank you for your comments.

We love San Francisco as well, so I can appreciate that you play tourist in your beautiful city.

You absolutely got a great deal at the Pan Pacific and especially with a harbour view.

Ironically enough, I heard about Lago Mar and watched a YouTube video on the property and will likely stay there so thank you for the recommendation.  Much appreciated. 😊