KW Cruisers

Since the new RCCL ships have done away with formal night/s all together due to dynamic dining and most likely will happen to the refurb ships in the future, how much longer until the concept reaches Celebrity?

I HOPE NEVER!

Many of us choose to sail with Celebrity because of formal nights. If they reverted to NCL or RCCL ways, we would definitely move on to another line like Crystal. I think people complain way too much about having to dress up once in a while.

I wear a shirt and tie to work every day, and I'm happy to do the same thing one or two nights on a cruise.

I think X knows that many of their guests choose them because of this--doubt they would want to lose us.

Shawn

Just got off the phone with Captains club rep. She didn't even ask me my reservation number, she just stated that it was not combinable with the beverage package. Maybe I will try again tomorrow.

Why? They won't do it. Loyalty discount and OBC aren't enough?

Hi - probably a silly question from a newbie here, but if you are travelling in a suite and therefore (from April) theoretically get unlimited dining in speciality restaurants

This is only for Royal Suites (RS) and above--anything less is only 1 per 6 -7 night cruise and 2 for cruises of 8 nights or more.

Shawn

I was told that I couldn't combine 123Go with the CC loyalty discount. So you have to decide which is of more value to you. If you are booking a suite, then go with the CC loyalty discount. If a lower category, then go with the beverage package. We booked a suite, so we kept the CC loyalty discount.

I believe they will let you keep your OBC, but will not combine the 123Go with the CC loyalty discount.

Shawn

Regardless of whether other people can dine there, I'm looking forward to it! Unfortunately our next cruise in an RS in two weeks prior to the new suite class restaurant being available. Guess I'll just have to wait until my cruise in August- poor me (I think the world's smallest violin is playing a song for me).

We have recently moved from Aqua class to suites as this is the new perk (we liked having BLU). I've actually only dined once in the MDR--it was an OK experience, the people we met were the biggest plus.

I can't wait to see an rendering of the restaurant and a sample menu!

Shawn

You are permitted to join (space permitting), and I believe the cost is $50 per guest for dinner.

This is taken directly from the new Celebrity Suite Program brochure:

Will Suite Class guests be able to bring traveling companions in a non-suite stateroom to the Suite Class exclusive restaurant so then can dine together?

Yes, based on availability, Suite Class guests can invite non-suite guests to dine with them in Suite Class exclusive restaurant on a space-available basis by prior reservation and for a fee. The fee per non-suite guest will be $20 for breakfast (served from 7am), $35 for brunch (served from 10am) and $50 for dinner (served from 6pm). These fees will be waived for invited non-suite guests 12 years of age and under. Suite Class guests can also request to dine together with their non-suite guests in the Main restaurant at no additional charge by visiting with the Matre’D on embarkation day.

Shawn

Since you are flying to another EU destination from Rome (Dusseldorf), you should definitely be OK. When we flew from Rome this summer, there was a separate security line for flights to the US and Israel (it was a much longer/slower line)...everyone else went through the main screening lines in Rome.

If you are flying direct to the US, then you will need more time (I didn't consider that in my prior post as we were flying direct to Toronto, Canada).

No matter what you choose, you will love the trip!

Shawn

It is possible. This past summer we had a flight that left before noon from FCO after our Western Mediterranean cruise on Reflection. We booked airport transport/transfer with Celebrity. On your disembarkation questionnaire, tell them what flight you are on, and that you have transport with them (I suggest booking this) and they will make sure you are in one of the early groups. I believe we were off the boat and on the bus by 9:15 AM (without doing a "walk off").

Shawn

We just booked an Aft facing Aqua stateroom (A1) on the Aug 7/15 Solstice sailing. It will be our first time to Alaska, and first time in an Aft facing stateroom. We are really looking forward to it! I figure we might be able to see more having the Aft view (better than not being able to see the other side at all from our balcony).

We usually book suites, but it seems as though suites on the Alaska cruises next summer are astronomically priced (could have to do with the new suite program taking effect)! If you can't do a suite, choose Aqua, it's the next best thing (in my humble opinion).

Another interesting factor for us was airfare - it's cheaper to fly to Seattle than Vancouver from Toronto (go figure!).

Shawn

 

The fact the call center knows nothing is no surprise.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

This is so true. Our cruise on the Summit in March 2016 disappeared from the X site. I called to ask if it was being chartered, the X agent said she would check with her "supervisor". After a couple minutes, she came back and said it wasn't being chartered. It was only undergoing an "inventory price adjustment" and that I had nothing to worry about.

THE NEXT DAY I received a call from X informing me that our cruise had been chartered and that we had to make alternate arrangements. Wonderful communication at X. ;)

You could and can have all meals served in your room regardless of whether you are in a suite or not.

Hmmm....I'm not sure this is true... Are you talking about the "room service menu"? If so, then yes, everyone can have food served in their room.

I believe upper suites can have meals served in their room from the MDR by their butler (and the suite restaurant starting next April).

I'm looking forward to that. The room service menu gets a bit tiring.;)

We have been loyal to Princess and are Elite also. The staff don't care but it seems to bother some pax. Our meal has never been spoiled because someone was not dressed to code. People need to lighten up. The days of gowns and tuxs are almost gone.

Nobody said you have to wear a gown or a tux. A blazer is just respectable for formal night. If people keep pushing the rules, people will begin to eventually just dress in shorts and sandals like at the buffet.

When people push the limits, they are not demonstrating the same respect as those who are following the dress code. It's that simple.

Follow the guidelines please.

Fairmont are certainly not boutique hotels in Canada , they're huge

Very true! Some of the largest and most luxurious hotels in Toronto (Royal York), Québec (Château Frontenac), Montreal (Queen E) and Vancouver (at least 4) are Fairmont. I think people would be surprised at what they own around the world.

P.S. They also own The Plaza in NYC and The Savoy in London (to name a few others...).

Love theses hotels...at least you know what to expect. The larger chains (Marriott, Hilton etc.) vary greatly between cities.

Shawn

Seems odd. But I imagine the ships are under a lot of pressure with these surveys and are finding ways to game the survey process when there is a chance of a negative survey. Perhaps Guest Relations removes our pre-populated email address from the onboard account.

Now that I think about it, we missed a port due to mechanical issues on our cruise (Sicily)...maybe they didn't give surveys out as they normally would to avoid a negative number...

They really should follow through with what they say. I like the chance to fill in the surveys. Even though we missed the port, mine still would have been primarily positive.

We sailed on the Reflection July 4/14. We haven't received a survey either. I know that they have my correct email address, as they have emailed me regarding an upcoming cruise. Hmmm....

Counter point. We only book on board, extra OBC plus reduced deposit combinable with an additional perk. What's not to love? :):)

I agree. We combine our OBC with 123 Go or Pick Your Perk (we used to choose the BEV package, but starting next year it only makes sense for us to choose the GRAT package as drinks are included in our suite categories). Plus waiting until after the final payment date usually means that the categories of suites that we want are no longer available. Can't run that risk ;)

This is true, but from what I've read the special "Book on Board" reservations where you select a specific sailing are not "changeable" otherwise people would book those instead of the "open passage" ones that are changeable (and come with reduced OBC offers due to their flexibility) so they get better perks.

When a booked cruise is cancelled or chartered, there are different rules. It was not my decision to book a different cruise. X left me no choice. That's when you get to keep your perks and credits from having booked on board.

350$ OBC because of booking onboard - it's not much but it helps to alleviate the hurt...

When I rebooked yesterday, they let me keep my OBC from having booked on board last month.

So the answer is YES.:)

I've posted this question on the roll call as well because I still don't have a clear statement about how re-bookings are handled. I do know that I can choose one of the alternative cruises offered and transfer my booking without losing anything and getting 300 OBC on top ( 500 for suites). I can cancel at no charge and will get my deposit back. But what happens when you are interested in re-booking ANOTHER cruise - be it to Alaska, Hawaii, the Med or whatever? We'll keep the 300 $ compensation and have to pay the prevailing price ( which is almost always more than a few months ago :mad:) - but what about the extras or promos you had been offered? Can you keep those as well? Anybody who has been in the same situation and can tell us what happened when they re-booked? Any official statement? Our travel agency has contacted Celebrity but hasn't got a reaction, as yet. And I'll have to re-book or cancel in the next 48 hours... Getting quite fed up with the situation...

I just rebooked a cruise for March 2016 that was chartered. I did not book one of the "alternate" cruises, as they didn't fit with my work schedule. I booked another cruise entirely. We were able to keep all of our existing credits and perks as well as adding on the suite bonus offered to those affected. So in short, whatever you have (aside from fare), should remain the same if you book another cruise.

I just did this yesterday.

Hope that helps.

Shawn

Maybe the "full" slogan should be..

 

"Modern Luxury.... (and Private)" :p

 

This is one location for suite guests. It was very under-utilized prior to being changed over. If you need to have Michael's available to you, book a higher-end suite.

I love having Michael's as a suite lounge.

May 12/16 on X Summit is definitely a charter. That I know for sure. They sent me a letter explaining this. I just had to rebook my cruise.

The March 12, 2016 sailing has been chartered. We are booked on it. They have offered us other Summit sailings (specific dates) and a $400 OBC for suite bookings. I can't go on any other Summit sailings, as I can only sail that week (I'm a teacher and that's my winter break). They said I was welcome to book another sailing that week, but that I would pay the prevailing rate.

I will be cancelling this cruise and booking with another line.

It's funny that when I called in yesterday to inquire about why our cruise wasn't listed, the X rep told me it was just being price adjusted and not chartered. They NEVER tell the truth. They don't value the customer. If they did, they would let us have another cruise of equal length, at the same time, for the same fare. After all, the fact that they have chartered the cruise is not my fault. It's their choice.

Shawn

Thing is Cle-guy, they gave us very limited sailings to choose from and the availability for the Oct 25 sailing is now limited. How difficult is it to send an email? How can anyone berate the Celebrity rep from posting here since it is anonymous.

This is very true. Discussing an anonymous posting of information is hardly berating, it is barely complaining. ;)

Here is something to think about--I called X today to inquire about my March 12/16 Summit cruise that has disappeared off the X site. The rep told me that all he could see was that it is now temporarily classified as a "no sell sailing". He could not find any other information regarding my cruise (that I've actually already paid a hefty suite deposit for). He told me to call back during the week to speak with someone who might now something (whenever certain departments are open). I really have not been impressed with X vacation planning reps. Don't get me wrong, he was quite nice--but why can't they ever tell us anything??? I'm assuming I'm not the only person who has put down money on this cruise, and who is planning ahead.

I'm assuming they are waiting to see if a charter will bring in more money for them. Hence the rest of us poor saps (who have given X money) have to just wait.

Shawn

Totally agree - Celebrity can fit the charter companies into their release schedule. Many people are planning a trip (long time out I know) but for a special anniversary retirement etc. and a change of dates won't accommodate the celebration nor perhaps their work schedule.

 

Celebrity don't issue the schedule until you are certain that it won't be chartered.

 

Good Luck to those who have to reschedule.

I have to agree! We are booked on the Summit March 12/16 out of SJU. I don't see it on the site anymore...makes me wonder what is happening? Are you saying that if they charter the cruise, they will offer us something to rebook?

That exact week only works for my work schedule. That's why I book so far out. I will not be happy if they just offer us other cruises in the same month (it has to be that week).

I agree that they shouldn't sell the cruises if they could be chartered.

Shawn

We had Caesars on the Reflection last month (July 2014).

Not to worry.

Shawn