6.3.26 Get Ready #3
Get Ready #3 for Chris Botti at Sea III
Ready to Get Ready? This is the third letter in Signature Cruise Experiences’ Get Ready series, designed to help prepare you for sailing on Chris Botti at Sea III.
In earlier messages, we covered showtime information and how to access your Celebrity Cruises’ Pre-Cruise Planner. The primary purpose of this letter is to inform Guests who require special assistance with arrival, boarding, seating or dietary needs about the resources available to them and how to request these accommodations. If you missed either of the first two letters or wish to refer to them again, copies may be found on Chris Botti at Sea III website in the Booked Guests portal. As always, our team is happy to assist with your questions or concerns. We are getting closer to Embarkation Day and the excitement is building!
Michael Lazaroff
Executive Director
Signature Cruise Experiences
Your Reservation Information
GUEST NAME(S): In your email
STATEROOM CATEGORY: In your email
STATEROOM NUMBER: In your email
SIGNATURE CRUISE EXPERIENCES' RESERVATION NUMBER: In your email
CELEBRITY CRUISES' RESERVATION NUMBER: In your email
MAIN SHOW TIME: In your email
Onboard Amenities Available for Purchase on
Celebrity Cruises' Pre-Cruise Planner
As you know, Celebrity Cruises’ Pre-Cruise Planner is now open and you may purchase Drink and Wi-Fi Packages, Specialty Dining Reservations, Spa Treatments and more. Signature Cruise Experiences and Celebrity Cruises have worked together to offer special discounts on Drink and Wi-Fi packages for those guests who complete their purchases BEFORE sailing. These discounts will expire on September 15, 2026.
To see all of the options available and to make purchases, just visit www.celebritycruises.com/booked, sign in or create an account, then choose “Plan My Cruise” to see all available options. Your Celebrity Cruises’ Reservation Number (listed above) will be required to complete these purchases.
Guests Requiring Special Assistance
Celebrity Cruises make every effort to make cruising accessible to everyone. Below please find information on assistance options that our guests frequently inquire about.
Pier Assistance
The Pier Assistance program offers boarding and departure assistance with wheelchairs to guests with mobility issues for you and your traveling companions. Please email Signature Cruise Experiences at [email protected] or call us at 888.852.9987 and a member of our Guest Services team will add this accommodation to your reservation. Please submit your requests no later than August 4th, 2026.
Scooter & Wheelchair Rental
Wheelchairs and scooters are available to rent from several sources and will be delivered to your stateroom before you board. Celebrity Cruises Access Department can assist by providing information for wheelchair and scooter rental companies. You can contact the Celebrity Cruises Access Department at 1.866.592.7225 or [email protected].
The following scooter and wheelchair rental services may also assist with rental needs:
- Special Needs at Sea: 800.513.4515 or visit their website HERE.
- Scootaround: 888.441.7575 or visit their HERE.
Please note: If you opt to rent from Special Needs at Sea or Scootaround, you must also contact the Access Department at Celebrity Cruises no later than August 4th, 2026, to document the delivery to the ship.
Main Show Seating Assistance for Entry (SAFE)
The Botti at Sea onboard accessibility program is designed to allow safe and convenient access (for a guest and one companion) to The Theatre for each evening’s Main Show. Designated SAFE areas will be clearly marked and are reserved for those who require assistance and submit the requested information. By utilizing the SAFE program, you are given an easily accessible seat, typically located near the rear of The Theatre on Deck 5. The SAFE program is only for Main Shows (RED/BLUE Shows) in The Theatre and does not guarantee a seat in other shows, including Late Night and matinee shows in The Theatre. Click here to complete the SAFE form no later than August 19, 2026 (30 days prior to sailing).
Please note: Utilizing SAFE in order to avoid wait time is strictly prohibited. Guests who attempt to misuse this service will be revoked from the program for the duration of the cruise and possible future sailings.
Dietary Considerations & Medical Needs
If you have special dietary considerations or medical needs (such as storing medicine or needing distilled water) you will need to discuss these needs with the Celebrity Cruises Access Department at 1.866.592.7225 or [email protected]. Please submit your requests no later than July 20th, 2026.
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance, not only to protect the investment of your Cruise payments, but to cover costs and expenses that may be incurred during the cruise, such as medical or travel emergencies. It is not too late to purchase travel insurance, though guests with pre-existing conditions must do so within 14 days after their deposit is paid.
The benefits of Travel Insurance go far beyond providing basic cancellation coverage. Other benefits can include:
- Your personal medical plan may not provide complete coverage outside the U.S. and its territories. The Travel Guest Preferred plan gives you $50,000 in accident, sickness, and medical coverage.
- Work related reasons which are state specific (please refer to the link below for your state).
- Medical emergency/death of an immediate family member or cabinmate.
- Travel Guard Preferred offers up to $500,000 in medical evacuation coverage if you need to be transported off the ship and to a U.S. hospital.
- Lost or stolen luggage protection, and personal effects coverage up to $1,000.
Travel Guard also provides many other valuable services. Click here to review the full details as coverage varies by state and country. To purchase the Preferred Plan or to receive a quote, please call us at 888.852.9987.
Bring a Friend to Botti at Sea!
There is still time to Bring a Friend with you on Chris Botti at Sea III! Veranda Plus, Veranda, Ocean View and Inside Staterooms are available and, if your friend completes their reservation either online or by calling the office and using Promo Code: FRIENDS, both you and your friend will earn a $500 Onboard Credit per stateroom which can be used for any purchases on the ship. Having a friend with you only magnifies the experience and fun!
This promotion is running now through July 15th, 2026. Guests must make a reservation using the Promo Code: FRIENDS. Referred Guests cannot have an existing reservation for Chris Botti at Sea III. This offer is not valid for reservations that are sponsored or travel companions sailing in your own stateroom.
West Coast Excursions Webinar
As your voyage aboard Chris Botti at Sea III approaches, we encourage you to check out our specially curated land-based excursions. To get an inside look at these exclusive experiences and learn how to make the most of your time ashore, join us for:
West Coast Excursions Webinar for
Botti at Sea III and
The Smooth Jazz Cruise '26.3
Tuesday, June 16th, 2026
4:00 PM EST
Hosted via Zoom
During this live session, members of the Signature Cruise Experiences team will walk you through the excursion reservation process and what to expect on our land-based excursions. To attend, please register using the link below:
Excursion Spotlight
Napa Valley Wine Train: Gourmet Express Lunch
Sunday, September 20, 2026 / Monday, September 21, 2026
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Signature Cruise Experiences has exclusively chartered the Napa Valley Wine Train just for our guests, offering two unforgettable excursions from San Francisco on September 20 & 21. These experiences are one of the best ways to make the most of your time in port, taking guests beyond the city and into the heart of beautiful Napa Valley.
We are thrilled to announce some of our amazing artists on Chris Botti at Sea III will be joining our guests onboard the Napa Valley Wine Train. On Sunday, September 20, John Splithoff and Benny Benack III and on Monday, September 21, Morgan James and Doug Wamble will be onboard the Wine Train. This excursion aboard a 1915 Pullman car combines a sumptuous three-course gourmet lunch, a three-hour unique train ride through the Napa Valley countryside and the opportunity to spend time with some of your favorite artists.
See below for more details about each excursion.
Reminders FROM Get Ready #1 – 2
The items below have been presented and discussed in detail in prior Get Ready letters. We are repeating them as some are time sensitive and most are important steps for you to take before sailing. Again, past Get Ready letters are located under the Booked Guests portal on Chris Botti at Sea III website.
- Passport: Every guest should have a current passport that expires no earlier than 6 months after the disembarkation date of their cruise (September 25, 2026).
Reservation Numbers: Each guest has two reservation numbers, one from Signature Cruise Experiences and one from Celebrity Cruises. You can confirm those numbers by reviewing your cruise information listed above. Your Signature Cruise Experiences’ Reservation Number is used when communicating with our office about the details of your reservation, payment plans, and any other aspect of the cruises that SCE controls. Your Celebrity Cruises’ Reservation Number is used when you complete your online check-in (available 45 days before sailing) and for purchases you wish to make before sailing through your Celebrity Cruises Pre-Cruise Planner.
Stay Tuned for More Cruise Information!
We will continue to provide you with more information to help you prepare for Chris Botti at Sea III in the coming weeks and months. This will include everything from how to board the ship, theme nights, showtimes and much more. In the meantime, we highly suggest reviewing our Booked Guest portal on the website.
5.20.26 Get Ready #2
Get Ready #2 for Chris Botti at Sea III!
The wait is over! Your Pre-Cruise Planner is now ready!
Chris Botti at Sea III is just a couple of months away and Embarkation Day will be here before you know it! Everything you need to plan your onboard experience is now available.
This message includes your Celebrity Cruises’ Reservation Number, which gives you access to Celebrity Cruises' Pre-Cruise Planner. Through this portal, you can make purchases and reservations you’ll enjoy once onboard. Taking care of these items now, not only saves time at the pier, it may also save you money.
Please remember:
- Your Celebrity Cruises’ Reservation Number is your key to managing your cruise experience with the ship (Celebrity Summit) including Specialty Dining reservations, booking Spa appointments, purchasing Beverage and Wi-Fi packages and more.
- Your Signature Cruise Experiences’ Reservation Number is your reference when contacting our office. This number connects to your stateroom selection, payment plan, dining/show seating preferences and all the music and entertainment programming we produce.
We’re ready to get you ready – and hope this letter provides you with everything you need. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at 888.852.9987 or [email protected]. It’s our job (and our pleasure) to make your cruise amazing.
Michael Lazaroff
Executive Director
Signature Cruise Experiences
Your Reservation Information
CELEBRITY CRUISES' RESERVATION NUMBER: Information in your email
GUEST NAME(S): Information in your email
MAIN SHOW SEATING: Information in your email
With your Celebrity Cruises’ Reservation Number now issued for Chris Botti at Sea III, you can begin planning your onboard experience before you even set foot on the ship. Through Celebrity Cruises’ Pre-Cruise Planner, guests may purchase Beverage and Wi-Fi Packages, Specialty Dining Reservations, Spa Treatments, Photo Packages and more.
Get Started with Your Celebrity Cruises' Pre-Cruise Planner
- CLICK HERE to log in with your Celebrity Cruises username and password.
- Select Sign In if you have previously utilized Celebrity Cruises' Pre-Cruise Planner to check-in online for a previous sailing.
- Forgot your password? Click “Forgot password?” to reset.
- New to Celebrity Cruises? Click “Create an account” and follow the prompts.
- Enter your Celebrity Cruises' Reservation Number (listed above).
- Under Chris Botti at Sea '26 in your upcoming cruises, click 'Plan My Cruise' to view and begin your Pre-Cruise planning.
Your Celebrity Cruises’ Reservation Number is also needed to complete your online check-in procedure which will be available 45 days prior to sailing. We will notify you when the Celebrity Cruises' online check-in process opens.
SIGN INTO CELEBRITY'S PRE-CRUISE PLANNER
Special Discounts for Signature Cruise Experiences' Guests
Signature Cruise Experiences and Celebrity Cruises have worked together to offer special discounts on Drink and Wi-Fi Packages for those guests who complete their purchases BEFORE sailing. These discounts (noted below) will expire on September 15, 2026, and require no special procedure as they are loaded into Celebrity Cruises' Pre-Cruise Planner.
These packages will also be available to purchase onboard the cruise; however, prices will be higher and completing the process may take time away from your vacation. SCE highly recommends completing this process now so that you can relax and enjoy the music without missing a beat.
Specialty Dining
As many of you know, we transform Celebrity Summit’s restaurants, Blu and Qsine, into unique dining experiences created exclusively for our guests. For our West Coast sailings, we are thrilled to bring back the Signature Steakhouse at Blu (formerly known as Chops House) and introduce a new restaurant concept created especially for this itinerary. In collaboration with renowned San Francisco Chronicle food critic, Michael Bauer, we are proud to present A Taste of San Francisco @ Qsine – a culinary experience featuring dishes inspired by the iconic food scene of the Bay Area.
We are pleased to share that we have worked with Celebrity Cruises to offer a special First Night Dining Discount at select restaurants on Night 1. On embarkation evening, guests dining at Signature Steakhouse at Blu or Tuscan Grille will receive 30% off their meal – the perfect way to relax and unwind after a long travel day. Reservations are limited and may now be made through Celebrity Cruises’ Pre-Cruise Planner.
Showtime Information
We’re excited to share an overview of how music and entertainment will be presented aboard Chris Botti at Sea III. Throughout the sailing, performances will be presented in two different formats: Main Shows and Festival-Style Shows. We will provide more detailed information about the onboard music schedule and entertainment experience in upcoming Get Ready emails, but we wanted to first share the general structure of Dinner and Main Show seating so you can make your reservations with confidence.
Main Shows in The Theatre
- Two Main Shows Each Night. Each night there will be two Main Shows presented in The Theatre. That venue comfortably holds 50% of our guests, so Guests are divided into two groups for attending the Main Shows. Guests with BLUE Cruise Identification Cards (BLUE Guests) will attend the 1st Main Show, which usually starts around 5:30/6:00 PM each night. Guests with RED Cruise Identification Cards (RED Guests) will attend the 2nd Main Show, which usually starts around 8:30/8:45 PM each night.
- BLUE or RED. The election of being a RED Guest or a BLUE Guest was made by the Guest upon completing their reservation and is reflected in either a BLUE or RED background on their Cruise Identification Card. For your convenience, your Main Show selection is noted at the top of this email.
- The Main Show Schedule is meant to be coordinated with the evening dining schedule. BLUE Guests usually dine after their Main Show (starting around 7:15 PM) and RED Guests typically dine before their Main Show (starting at around 5:00/5:30 PM).
Main Show. Every Main Show is performed twice, once for BLUE Guests and once for RED. Each Guest will be able to see all seven Main Shows.
SCE Excursions & Celebrity Cruises’ Shore Excursions
Our specially curated Land-based Excursions are live and ready to book! Signature Cruise Experiences has hand-selected a lineup of exceptional land-based excursions to showcase our ports of call - San Francisco (September 20 & 21) and in Victoria, B.C. (September 24). Whether you’re looking for culture, cuisine, and natural beauty, or the chance to explore each city’s most iconic sights, these excursions were designed to elevate your time ashore and perfectly complement the music and energy awaiting you each night onboard.
To explore full excursion details and secure your preferred experiences, visit Chris Botti at Sea III website.
Additionally, Celebrity Cruises’ Shore Excursions department will also be offering a variety of excursions via the Pre-Cruise Planner in San Francisco and Victoria. To explore those options simply log in to your Celebrity Cruises’ Pre-Cruise Planner.
Whether you book one of Signature Cruise Experiences curated excursions or a standard Celebrity Cruises’ Shore Excursion we hope you will make the most of our time in these amazing ports of call.
Questions About Your Celebrity Cruises' Pre-Cruise Planner?
Celebrity Cruises has a dedicated charter team for charter cruises. They can assist with any questions that you might have while using the Pre-Cruise Planner. You can reach them by phone at 844.278.9746.
Stay Tuned for More Cruise Information!
We will continue to provide you with more information to help you prepare for Chris Botti at Sea III in the coming weeks and months. This will include everything from how to board the ship, theme nights, showtimes and much more. In the meantime, we highly suggest reviewing our Booked Guest portal on the website.
5.4.26 Get Ready #1
Get Ready #1 for Chris Botti at Sea III!
This is the first in a series of messages you will receive from us over the next few months, each one prompting you to take "Get Ready" steps to help avoid last-minute anxiety and stress for your sailing on Chris Botti at Sea III.
Though Chris Botti at Sea III embarks in September, Embarkation Day comes quickly! By planning ahead, you can be ready for every aspect of your sailing with ease. As always, Signature Cruise Experiences will be here to guide you every step of the way.
This first note addresses tasks that may require some time to complete, such as locating (and possibly updating) your Passport and Identification. These items are essential to your ability to board the ship and participate in our activities. Later notes will address items of entertainment, excursions, dining and more. We will also share our theme night plans, programming highlights, artist-hosted events and more.
Ready to Get Ready? Follow our schedule and we promise that you will be set to sail on Chris Botti at Sea III! As always, our team at Signature Cruise Experiences will be here to guide you every step of the way.
Michael Lazaroff
Executive Director
Signature Cruise Experiences, LLC
Your Cruise Details
Sailing Dates: Friday, September 18 - Friday, September 25, 2026
Ship: Celebrity Summit
Itinerary: 
Tasks Requiring Immediate Response
Below are tasks that may require either prompt attention or some lead time in completing. The sooner you address these issues, the easier it will be to complete them.
Passports or Government-Issued ID
Guests are REQUIRED to have a valid passport which (a) expires no sooner than six months beyond the last day of the cruise and (b) contains two blank passport pages. Please confirm that the first and last names on your passport or government-issued ID match the first and last names on your cruise reservation to ensure that you will be permitted to board the ship. It is your responsibility to identify and obtain all required travel documents and have them available when necessary. Click here to view the complete list of required travel documents for U.S. and Non-U.S. citizens. Please note that a birth certificate and government-issued ID are not accepted forms of identification for this cruise.
Review Your Apparel Size
Your gift of Chris Botti at Sea gear will be available on the ship. Please take a moment to review the size(s) currently listed on your reservation (above).
This year’s gift is a unisex-fit pullover jacket, which may fit differently than the shirt sizes previously provided.
If you would like to update your size for the jacket, please complete the short form linked below by Friday, May 29, 2026.
Be sure to review the size chart before making your selection.
Planning Your Trip
If you have not already planned your arrival into the Los Angeles area, now is the time to start preparing. We highly recommend that guests arrive the day BEFORE embarkation in order to alleviate stress from any potential travel delays or issues.
To further assist you with planning, Signature Cruise Experiences has compiled a list of potential hotels at various locations and price points in the Los Angeles area, along with a direct link to each reservation procedure for your review. Going to the reservation link is the only way to determine both price and availability for each hotel. Please contact the hotel regarding airport / cruise port shuttle service.
EXPLORE PRE-CRUISE HOTEL OPTIONS
Friday, September 18, 2026 is Embarkation Day. Historically, boarding begins at 11:30 AM and all aboard time is 4:00 PM. During the Online Check-In process (starting at 45 days prior to Embarkation Day), you will be asked by Celebrity Cruises to select a Terminal Arrival Time, available in half-hour increments. For the most efficient embarkation, guests are required to arrive at the terminal (Los Angeles World Cruise Center) during their selected window.
The ship will dock at the Port of Vancouver/Canada Place Cruise Ship Terminal by 7:00 AM on Friday, September 25, 2026. Due to the time it takes to clear Customs and Immigration at the cruise terminal, it is difficult to estimate what time you will be able to depart for the airport.
However, if you are willing to carry your own luggage off the ship, you may be able to leave the port as early as 7:30 AM, if disembarkation proceeds without issue. To be safe, we do not recommend any flight scheduled prior to 12:00 PM from the Vancouver area airports.
More information/recommendations for Planning Your Trip can be found here.
Coming Soon – Celebrity Cruises' Pre-Cruise Planner
It is popular among Chris Botti at Sea III guests to purchase Internet Plans, Beverage Packages, Specialty Dining, Spa Treatments, Photo Packages and other amenities before boarding the ship. There is no central location on the ship for completing these purchases so doing so requires standing in several lines.
Most guests complete their purchases by using Celebrity Cruises’ Pre-Cruise Planner, an online platform that allows you to complete purchases from home, usually at prices lower than what is offered on the ship. In the coming weeks, we will provide you with your Celebrity Cruises Reservation Number for the cruise, which is all you need to initiate your Celebrity Cruises’ Pre-Cruise Planner and begin to make these purchases.
Special SCE Excursions Available
Chris Botti at Sea III is excited to feature a robust on-land component. With nearly two full days in San Francisco and a full day in Victoria, BC we have created shows, trips, and excursions just for you and are offering them at cost as our gift for sailing on this new program. Whether you’re looking for culture, cuisine, and natural beauty, or the chance to explore each city’s most iconic sights, these excursions were designed to elevate your time ashore and perfectly complement the music and energy awaiting you each night onboard.
As a booked guest on Chris Botti at Sea, these excursions are available exclusively for you! If you have not already planned your time while we are in port in San Francisco and Victoria, we invite you to peruse the options and sign up online (or call the office if you have specific questions). Many of the excursions have limited capacity and few are already Fully Reserved, so acting now is advised.
Stay Tuned
As mentioned, we will continue to provide you with more information to help you prepare for Chris Botti at Sea III in the coming weeks and months. This will include everything from how you board the ship, pre-cruise purchases, dining options onboard, Theme Nights, showtimes and much more. In the meantime, we highly suggest reviewing our Booked Guest portal on the website.
We cannot wait to welcome you onboard the ship!