Live – Constellation Singapore – Rome 2017

[Beanb41]

Could someone onboard check out my post #41 for me please

[TommyD3]

adding this below to the visa questions...its from Celebrity

 

 

FYI we are on the India cruise currently (#3 of 4 B2B). One is NOT required to have the India visa. You are NOT denied boarding w/o it. If you don't have the visa you just cannot get off the ship in India. Celebrity also offered one shore excursion per port for guests w/o visas. Charged approx. $50 per person in addition to the shore excursion for the visa.

[excitedofharpenden]

FYI we are on the India cruise currently (#3 of 4 B2B). One is NOT required to have the India visa. You are NOT denied boarding w/o it. If you don't have the visa you just cannot get off the ship in India. Celebrity also offered one shore excursion per port for guests w/o visas. Charged approx. $50 per person in addition to the shore excursion for the visa.

That's very good. It would be such a shame to miss out on mainland India because of no visa. Such an amazing place. Enjoy the rest of your trip. I'm flying to Mumbai on Thursday and no choice as had to get a multi entry visa.

[jannandjohn]

FYI we are on the India cruise currently (#3 of 4 B2B). One is NOT required to have the India visa. You are NOT denied boarding w/o it. If you don't have the visa you just cannot get off the ship in India. Celebrity also offered one shore excursion per port for guests w/o visas. Charged approx. $50 per person in addition to the shore excursion for the visa.

we did an Indian cruise 2 yrs ago..it went to Cochin, there were at least 4 groups denied boarding that we saw turned away at the check in desk..some in tears

and the Indian guide that we used, in Cochin, and will use again next year is now a personal friend..he says you must have one if you intend getting off ..

why would anyone want to go on a cruise with 4 ports in India and NOT get off?

ps..what happens if you are very ill ( eg heart attack etc) and HAVE to get off to go to hospital in India?..what then ??

on our last cruise 4 lots were taken off the ship by helicopter... it happens all the time.

if you can't afford a visa, you can't afford a cruise in my opinion.

[jmlh]

Thanks for the Visa information. We have done an extensive land tour of India and certainly had to get a Visa (quite a process!). I keep hoping that they will change the requirements for cruise ship passengers but guess that is just wishful thinking.

Jan

[Jim_Iain]

Hi folks we join the Connie after it comes out of dock on 26th May. I am trying to ascertain where we will tender into when we go to Monaco. There are a couple of possibilities as the town is holding the Grand Prix over the weekend we are there. I would be grateful if someone could ask on board for me and post the answer back here. The reason I am asking is depending upon where the tenders tie up I will have to make plans to uplift my Grand Prix tickets and get to my stand which is the furthest distance away from the port. Grateful for any assistance

Regards

Mike

 

Mike -

 

Sorry I don't have any information on the Tendering into Monaco. Possibly on the thread for your cruise someone will know. My experience is you will have a tough time finding out from Celebrity.

[Jim_Iain]

While the Indian Visa can be arduous for U.S., Canada and Australia it actually goes through rather quickly if you follow the tutorials to the T.

 

I have to say we had a bitch of a time rejoining the ship after our land tour. Celebrity didn't have our return properly handled after charging us $60. Recommendations if you do a multi day land tour is to find out in advance phone numbers of the port agent where you will rejoin and how you obtain a landing cruise to get past the first and subsequent security check points.

 

I am unable to verify TommyD3's reports that a Visa is not required as he was a multiple B2BBB Guests I spoke to boarding in Singapore reported passengers being denied boarding because of a lack of a Visa. Not sure if port specific enforcement. I did view about 50 people being processed without a visa for a day trip but the MC Concierge said they never know whether they will be let off for the escorted tour until hours before the scheduled tour.

 

The press has reported that India has approved sea ports to have electronic visa processing but no date when it might happen. When you personally view how manual the process is currently I don't see how in the world they will implement.

[Jim_Iain]

 

Arrival today at 5:00 into Muscat

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[Jim_Iain]

Arrived into Muscat this morning. What a beautiful arrival! Muscat is nothing like I had expected. There are steep mountains surrounding theport and the interior is a mixture of mountains, desert and lots of oasis’s.

 

 

We planned a cc tour setup by BCHappyGal (Ann andRoss). Ann and Ross are perfect hostsand did a wonderful job of arranging these tours.

Our original plan was to visit Fort Nizwa and Jabreen Castle, but we wereforced to cancel Jabreen Castle as the ship changed port time and we had to beback to the ship. The scenery wasreally interesting on the 2 hour journey to Fort Nizwa. Once there we visited the fort and thenwent on to the Souq(Markets). Oman is changing bywomen now being educated and taking on a career. Traditionally men do the shopping at theSouq. Modern women shop at the newmodern super markets. To this day themen still shop for all of the Meats, Vegs, Dates etc.

 

 

After spending about 1 ½ at the Souq we traveled to Fanjafor a traditional lunch. Reviews weremixed on the meals and people seemed to either enjoy it or were underwhelmed. We had a traditional soup, lamb, salad andsweet. Far too much food.

 

 

We returned to the ship just before 3:00 with an all aboardof 3:30. Suite and Zenith guests wereinvited for a sail-away from the Helipad. It was a nice sail away and I believe everyone really enjoyed.

[Jim_Iain]

[Jim_Iain]

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[Jim_Iain]

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[Jim_Iain]

Easter Sunday - April 16 Dubai

 

Ann has arranged another wonderful tour for today. I believe she now has 3 busses booked.

 

Dubai Tour – City Tour + Desert Safari with Dinner

 

Cost is $78. US pp

 

Pick up from the ship at 12:15pm

Meet guide at Dubai Port Main Gate (guide will be right in front of gate) holding a sign reading “Ann Thompson”

Begin 3 hour city tour in a mini van of 16 people – with English speaking guide & driver.

• Jumairah Mosque, a photo stop at this landmark mosque.

• Drive along the Jumairah Beach seeing the most luxury urban area in Dubai

• A photo stop outside the Burj Arab fancy hotel

• Continue to “Little Manhattan” or Sheikh Zayed Road to pass the world trade centre of Dubai, Emirates towers etc.

• Drive along Zabeel Road with a photo stop at Sheikh Muhammad Ben Rashid Palace; the beloved ruler of Dubai

• Visit the Dubai Museum at Fahidi Fort to learn something of the history and culture of Dubai.

• A photo stop at City Creek

• We cross the water by Abra or water ferry for a short shopping stop

• End of City tour

4 pm we start our Desert Safari by dividing into 4 wheel drive vehicles

We start with a drive in the sand dunes – over yellow sand – biggest sand dune adventurous driving! (Dune Bashing) Desert Sunset photo opportunity .

 

Upon arrival at the camp we can ride a camel and walk into the desert

Henna Designing

Entertainment area falcons

A BBQ meal in an open air tent with entertainment – Belly Dancers!

Unlimited Soft drinks, water, tea & coffee.

Return to ship

9pm at dock.

Included:

English speaking guide, driver & mini bus

All entrance fees

Abra fees (water ferry)

Desert drive

Camel ride

Henna Designing

BBQ Dinner in desert inc soft drinks, tea, coffee, water.

Belly Dance Show

 

Excludes:

Tips

Dubai Visa

Souvenirs

[Ex-Airbalancer]

Did you know you need a licence to buy booze in UAE

Loving our time in UAE

See you Monday

 

Mark

[Jim_Iain]

Did you know you need a licence to buy booze in UAE

 

Loving our time in UAE

 

See you Monday

 

 

 

Mark

 

 

Didn't know that. We were told you can't buy booze except in hotels. Maybe the sell you a license on the spot.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[Jim_Iain]

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[TommyD3]

You need a visa for your shore excursion? I guess the Celebrity excursions include the visa?

 

Sent from my LG-E980 using Forums mobile app

[Ex-Airbalancer]

Didn't know that. We were told you can't buy booze except in hotels. Maybe the sell you a license on the spot.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

No, need to apply , luckly our friend lives here , so we got our 2 bottles for the cabin :halo:

http://abudhabi.africaneastern.com/t-applylicenseabudhabi.aspx

Mark

[DYKWIA]

Hi folks we join the Connie after it comes out of dock on 26th May. I am trying to ascertain where we will tender into when we go to Monaco. There are a couple of possibilities as the town is holding the Grand Prix over the weekend we are there. I would be grateful if someone could ask on board for me and post the answer back here. The reason I am asking is depending upon where the tenders tie up I will have to make plans to uplift my Grand Prix tickets and get to my stand which is the furthest distance away from the port. Grateful for any assistance

Regards

Mike

 

Celebrity usually tenders in Villefrance Sur Mer when in that area, it's only about 12 miles away from Monaco and is very easy to do on Public Transport (train) , but I notice that Villefrance is supposedly your next port of call - Toms Port Guides has quite a bit of information on Monaco - on Tender locations , lifts etc http://www.tomsportguides.com/

[Ex-Airbalancer]

You need a visa for your shore excursion? I guess the Celebrity excursions include the visa?

 

Sent from my LG-E980 using Forums mobile app

As Canadians , we do not need visa

But when we were boarder in Toronto, the check in person ask if we had a visa , it was a *** moment, he said don't worry you can get one in Dubai, :(

At customs in Dubai , the office stamped our passport didn't ask what are we doing, where we were staying , not one question.

We have a lot worst time getting into the US

Mark

[Jim_Iain]

My understanding is with a U.S. Passport the visa if required is arranged by the ship. Not sure if we pay for it or not. I'll post information after our immigration process today.

[Beanb41]

Celebrity usually tenders in Villefrance Sur Mer when in that area, it's only about 12 miles away from Monaco and is very easy to do on Public Transport (train) , but I notice that Villefrance is supposedly your next port of call - Toms Port Guides has quite a bit of information on Monaco - on Tender locations , lifts etc http://www.tomsportguides.com/

 

The fact that there is a racetrack built whilst we are there apparently has an impact on where the tenders tie up. This is why I would like someone onboard if they would be so kind to ask where in Monaco they will tender ashore. Tom's port guide is of no use unless we know where the tender point is

[Jim_Iain]

Great Day in Dubai so far. We took a city Highlights tour. Now loaded into four wheel vehicles for dune rides. This will be followed by dinner under the stars, camel rides and belly dancers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[Jim_Iain]

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[jannandjohn]

The fact that there is a racetrack built whilst we are there apparently has an impact on where the tenders tie up. This is why I would like someone onboard if they would be so kind to ask where in Monaco they will tender ashore. Tom's port guide is of no use unless we know where the tender point is

We are doing this exact itinerary next yr, same time, same ship...thats the reason I am following Jims posts.

But ours does not have Monaco as a port?

 

Do they on this cruise even stop at Monaco to find out for you?

Maybe you are asking of the wrong itinerary.