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@Nike4000 Good question, but not to worry. There is no time limit on this portion of your training. There can be issues if there is a delay between the when a student finishes class/pool portion and completion of the certification dives. Clearly that won’t be an issue for you doing the course on the ship. Harris Denver, CO

@LorraineP No, you should not be concerned. you had the Classic package with yout booking (CALL), and then you upgraded to the Premium (PALL) so both show on your Xpress Passes. Harris Denver, CO

@gerelmx I don't know, but that's never stopped anyone on Cruise Critic before. I suspect the abbreviation is for Future Cruise Credit Redemption. I remember many issues with Future Cruise Credits coming out of COVID cancellations where Celebrity's accounting people caught errors long after the credits had been applied. They would then claw back anything they could. Was the cruise your on at least partially paid for with credit from a cancelled sailing? I would certainly call and get some explanation before I paid the additional $100.00. Harris Denver, CO

@Cruisechick59 That's why you're Elite on Celebrity, your reciprocal status from being Diamond on Royal Caribbean. Then, you've apparently cruised enough cruises on Celebrity ships to have 249 points. Harris Denver, CO

If you don't have a package you sign a slip, as you do with any other purchase on board. Harris Denver, CO

That post #2 guy must be a genius. 🙂

On Australia and UK sailings, instead of a 20% service charge per drink, that amount is built in to the price. Consequently, the limit is increased for those sailing. However, the end result is the same. Harris Denver. CO

You needn't really "sign up", either put your key card in the slot machine, or the dealer at table games will ask for it. You earn points for playing, but the conversion of points to benefits is far from transparent. It cost nothing, and I've received several free cruises, although those days are likely behind us, since ships are back to sailing full. Harris Denver, CO

There are several issues with full face snorkel masks: First, they don't allow for equalizing the ears using the valsalva technique (pinching your nose, and blowing out to "pop" the ears). As that is the easiest method for most people, and particularly those who'd be likely to use such a mask, that precludes diving down. Of course I know most user of these masks say they never wanted to dive down in the first place. The bigger issue is safety. There have been an inordinate number of deaths by persons using this type of mask. The circumstances preclude a definitive answer, but the most plausible theory is the large volume of the mask, combined with the snorkel placement results in the mask acting as a chamber for exhaled air. This prevents good exchange between exhaled air and new air. The result is a build up of carbon dioxide. Strangely enough, the brain's signal to breathe is not the lack of oxygen, but the presence of carbon dioxide. Therefore as carbon dioxide builds up, the person reflexively begins hyperventilating. In short order, this leads to unconsciousness. Needless to say, being unconscious in water is no good. This problem is alleviated in the good brands (Head and Tribord are two) by dividing the mask chamber with a system of compartments and valves. Even in this system, proper maintenance is required to keep the valves functioning properly. The bigger problem are the cheaper "knock-off" masks, where the entire mask is simply one large chamber, with the snorkel opening near the forehead. I've heard people say that "if that happened, I'd just take the mask off". Alas, this shows a woeful misunderstanding of the physiologic process at play. In summary, I wouldn't base the decision on what the policy of the cruise line or the destination is. Perhaps you could look at your husband's life insurance policy to guide your thinking. 🙂 Harris Denver, CO

Nothing to do at the end. Harris Denver, CO

Because the question seems to come up with each webinar, I timed this one. it's 40 minutes long. Harris Denver, CO

It's not uncommon for a course to require students to have their own mask, snorkel and fins. I can certainly imagine this being a requirement for a ship-based course. The shop where I teach takes the opposite approach. We discourage students from purchasing gear until they've tried different options in the pool during their course. That way they know, and we know, things fit them properly and they're happy. That's easy enough to do when you have dozens of pieces of equipment on hand. A ship-based program likely doesn't have that luxury. I stand by my advice above though, if you're going to spend money buy the right gear, so you only spend the money once. I wouldn't want to tell you how many times I've re-learned that lesson. Suffice it to say I could probably outfit you completely with gear I bought, then replaced when I upgraded. 😵‍💫 Harris Denver, CO

I'm not aware of any travel loyalty program that awards points for trips not taken. You've posted your concern, and now when pretty much everyone has pointed out that you're expecting something that the program rules specifically do not allow for, and no other cruise line, airline, car rental company or hotel program would do, you seem to be becoming more and more strident I am cognizant that you've suffered an injury, and that likely is influencing your attitude; add to that it can be difficult to judge nuances in the written form. However, not referring to your injury, but in general: Are you okay? Harris Denver, CO

Well then no need to be concerned with "loyalty points" since you won't be loyal. Harris Denver, CO

@Bobroo had great advice. The best mask for you is simply the one that fits best. Ideally the shop you buy from will have a pool, where you can try the mask in the water. Expect to pay somewhere between $85.00 and $150.00 for a mask. Snorkels are required for your Open Water course in the pool and for the four certification dive. However, once you're certified you'll likely not wear a snorkel while diving, so I wouldn't spend much money on one. Good snorkels range from $30.00 to $80.00. I'd borrow one, or use what's provided. For fins, a lot of people don't buy fins early because they're a hassle to pack. They're bulky and relatively heavy. Also new divers almost always buy fins based on price, and then end up spending the same money again when they replace those fins with good one. If you decide to buy fins now, look for an open heel fin, with a bungee strap. These work with a dive boot. The bungee strap provides in essence a perfect fit every time, versus an adjustable rubber strap that is (a bit) more effort to put on/take off, and is easy to over tighten. The boots are nice because they provide a buffer between your foot and the fin, so they're much more comfortable, for walking on the beach, and even on the boat. If you buy boots, get the boot height with a zipper, rather than the ankle height. The ankle height - while they don't seem like they would - will get sand and rock in them. I use the Scubapro Delta 5mm boots, and have for years. They're as good as any I've found. They're about $80.00 For fins my favorites are the Scubapro Seawing Novas. They are $260.00. Add your fins and boots, and you can see you're well over $300.00, which is why I'd rather see you wait, use what's provided, and then buy when the value of the good fins is clear. When a new diver asks me what to buy, I say mask first for sure, make a decision on fins second, and then look at a dive computer. There are a lot of good computers in the $400.00 to $500.00 range, and a computer is now just about a base piece of equipment. In fact none of the training agencies mandate teaching the dive tables as part of the Open Water Diver course, as computers have become ubiquitous. They definitely make diving safer, and allow you to get more out of each diving day. Harris Denver, CO