Silhouette around Britain staycruisecations

[Minnie29]

We have tried to book first night discount in Tuscan Grill but it says not available. Also phoned Celebrity to ask and they said only a certain number of pre bookings are available and to try when onboard. 
just wondered if the usual first night discounts WERE available? 

[isdoo]

1 hour ago, Nick&Simon said:

By way of an update, our experience so far today has been disappointing. We wanted coffee around 11am today, the coffee bar was full all morning. There are no indoor bars open and all of the outdoor bars were washed down at the same time. There is no room at The Porch, The Mast Bar or Mast Grill. 

 

We ended up eating in Ocean View and in my opinion it was terrible. I started with a plate of cold meats which were put on a very hot plate, then luke warm pasta with no spoon available and no condiments such as tabasco.

 

 It's the worst cruise food I remember experiencing. 

 

I know I will get flamed for daring to say anything negative, but it is what it is.

 

What have they said when you complained about the Internet and indeed the food etc? 

[gonecroozin]

6 minutes ago, Minnie29 said:

We have tried to book first night discount in Tuscan Grill but it says not available. Also phoned Celebrity to ask and they said only a certain number of pre bookings are available and to try when onboard. 
just wondered if the usual first night discounts WERE available? 

We booked Tuscan Grill with discount for the first night on our 21/08 cruise .

[ighten]

A certain number of first nights are available for each cruise(youll find these on your my cruise page - when there gone there gone).. You may find the offer is also given onboard for other nights based on capacity (though never for Murano)

[phoenix1975]

Just wondered what time I need to select for my check-in, if I'm having the ABP parking at Southampton (have to park and take my keys with me). Do I select the time that I want to park at, or do I need to allow a specific amount of time to do that and then walk round to the terminal? 

 

I've only ever done the parking where the ABP driver takes your car away for you.

[Esprit]

40 minutes ago, Minnie29 said:

We have tried to book first night discount in Tuscan Grill but it says not available. Also phoned Celebrity to ask and they said only a certain number of pre bookings are available and to try when onboard. 
just wondered if the usual first night discounts WERE available? 

We got a first night discount for Murano on our 31st July Silhouette sailing.

[BestGuessed]

Thank you to everyone who is currently on board and posting here.  There are many of us who are booked on the following cruises who are avidly following your updates and we really appreciate you taking the time to post.

My husband and I will be onboard next week and having an insight into how things are working is very useful.  Nothing will dampen our spirits and we appreciate all feed back from you whether it be good or not so good !!

The Celebrity crew are obviously doing the very best they can under difficult and very different circumstances.  We can’t wait to be on board again.

Thank you guys … enjoy your cruise. 

[Emmandjay]

Agree wholeheartedly with the above sentiments.  We will also be on board for the next cruise and looking forward to everything after the deprivations of the last eighteen months.  Doubly exciting as we only booked last Friday!

[Goaty]

2 hours ago, phoenix1975 said:

Just wondered what time I need to select for my check-in, if I'm having the ABP parking at Southampton (have to park and take my keys with me). Do I select the time that I want to park at, or do I need to allow a specific amount of time to do that and then walk round to the terminal? 

 

I've only ever done the parking where the ABP driver takes your car away for you.

When we’ve parked at the port the car park has been right next to the ship. We’ve parked up and left our suitcases behind the car where they have been collected and taken on board. There are plenty of port personnel about to help. Lock your car and take your keys with you and head off into the terminal!

[little britain]

4 minutes ago, Goaty said:

When we’ve parked at the port the car park has been right next to the ship. We’ve parked up and left our suitcases behind the car where they have been collected and taken on board. There are plenty of port personnel about to help. Lock your car and take your keys with you and head off into the terminal!

AB Parking were no longer taking the luggage from the car - you have to take it to the terminal yourself. (My experience with Virtuosa)

[barbette165]

6 hours ago, Nick&Simon said:

 

 

 

I don't think they have realised that with only organised tours available, many many people have remained onboard. 

 

 

It would require some joined up thinking between the Excursions team and the Food & Beverages team, but with only (cruise line) organised tours available, they should have a really accurate view of how many people would remain on board.

[swjumbo]

5 hours ago, Nick&Simon said:

 

The weather is good this afternoon and from where I am sitting - at a bar, that rule seems to have been relaxed - there isn't a spare seat. 

 

I don't know if it is usual for Celebrity, but there are no bar waiters and no-one clearing tables.

 

I suspect - but it's just a guess - with AI the bars three outdoor bars that see open are busier than expected.

 

Can you post more pics please as everyone on here is v excited! 

[Definitas]

7 hours ago, Nick&Simon said:

 

The weather is good this afternoon and from where I am sitting - at a bar, that rule seems to have been relaxed - there isn't a spare seat. 

 

I don't know if it is usual for Celebrity, but there are no bar waiters and no-one clearing tables.

 

I suspect - but it's just a guess - with AI the bars three outdoor bars that see open are busier than expected.

 

 

[Definitas]

Sadly, staff levels pre-pandemic were already reaching new lows and table clearing and availability of waiters was becoming poor. Now everyone is at least on the classic drinks package it makes commercial sense for RCCL to limit the amount of alcohol served.  Unfortunately, one way of achieving this is to minimise the numbers of wait staff. Until a fall in profits caused by a direct link to a fall in passenger numbers is established, this unfortunate scenario is unlikely to improve. Establishing a rapport with wait staff (extra tipping) can alleviate the problem but getting up and queuing at the bar had already become necessary and is likely to be the norm for some time. 

[madmacs]

Great to hear from those pathfinders on the first cruise. We are not due on board until October but great to see how things go over the next few weeks

[phoenix1975]

3 hours ago, little britain said:

AB Parking were no longer taking the luggage from the car - you have to take it to the terminal yourself. (My experience with Virtuosa)

So how long do I need to leave from entering the dock gate to walking into the terminal? For example, if I select a half-hour slot am I going to get everything done in that half-hour, or am I best saying I will check-in, in the next half-hour slot to be on the safe side?

 

Once you've checked in on the app, can you change your check-in time if necessary?

[little britain]

6 hours ago, phoenix1975 said:

So how long do I need to leave from entering the dock gate to walking into the terminal? For example, if I select a half-hour slot am I going to get everything done in that half-hour, or am I best saying I will check-in, in the next half-hour slot to be on the safe side?

 

Once you've checked in on the app, can you change your check-in time if necessary?

Car to terminal….anywhere between 1 minute and 5 mins depending on where you park! 

[isdoo]

7 hours ago, phoenix1975 said:

So how long do I need to leave from entering the dock gate to walking into the terminal? For example, if I select a half-hour slot am I going to get everything done in that half-hour, or am I best saying I will check-in, in the next half-hour slot to be on the safe side?

 

Once you've checked in on the app, can you change your check-in time if necessary?

They ask you not to arrive any earlier than 30 minutes before your check in time. 

 

[scifimonkey]

On 7/4/2021 at 7:01 AM, Nick&Simon said:

 

There was a quiz scheduled for 7pm in Craft Social last night. No-one turned up (or to be more precise, no one wanted to join) so it was cancelled. I have seen a couple of tables of more than 6 people, although I don't think it is officially allowed.

 

 Big scoop for me is that you can sit at the bar outside Murano, and you can order via the bar man, however a server has to bring the drink to you. 

 

Max four people to a lift with X on the floor to tell you where to stand.

 

I have seen quite a few people with visors rather than face masks.

 

I would describe service as amazingly willing, but rusty. For example I asked for a Heineken in Craft Social and the waiter just didn't understand, I ended up with some hoppy ale. My room steward is unable to bring me sparkling water. He has brought champagne, instead  he has brought tonic, but water with gas he can't do. 

 

My only real gripe (anything else being a niggle) is the AI wifi. It's unusable for anything other than the Celebrity App and the odd message on Whatsapp. You can't browse this site for example, you can't send a picture on whatsapp. 

 

Can you get and open your email?

 

 

 

[scifimonkey]

18 hours ago, Nick&Simon said:

. 

 

 

I know I will get flamed for daring to say anything negative, but it is what it is.

keep telling it as it is. As long as you also flag the things that have not changed and anything that is good to keep some balance there should be no negative response.

Edited July 5, 2021 by scifimonkey

[lovetoholiday]

Thanks to everyone giving their time to answer our questions and tell us about life onboard.

I have a question to add.  Are the prices on board in Sterling or Dollars and the casino slots if they take notes which are they?  (ok that's 2 questions)

Many thanks and enjoy your cruise.

[york survey]

Also - if anyone would be so kind - how are they handling VAT as it should be charged on all services including drinks etc as it’s a Uk only cruise

[bluwes]

21 hours ago, Minnie29 said:

We have tried to book first night discount in Tuscan Grill but it says not available. Also phoned Celebrity to ask and they said only a certain number of pre bookings are available and to try when onboard. 
just wondered if the usual first night discounts WERE available? 

We managed to book the  first night discount in Murano for our 21st August sailing

[Mim Lloyd]

I know Celebrity's Surf WiFi is pretty rubbish so we'll probably use our phones' mobile internet data to check stuff when we're in port or within range of the shore. But do we need to turn off data roaming when out of range at sea to prevent excess charges? I can't remember whether we should or shouldn't when on a cruise ship.

[8611202]

Silly question but can anyone help with understanding the pre purchase premium wine package? I was interested in buying this for our 17 July voyage, but the system allows you to select one guest or two? Does that mean if you select both guests in your cabin you both get the wine package, or should you just book one package in one name?
And does anyone know whether it is more cost effective to pre purchase the package or to purchase bottles separately on board and get the 20% discount for guests who are on the premium package ?