ISABELLA

Agreed. Looks too rehearsed. It felt like I just watched WH briefing. 😉

My math always works out to how much you drink a day, and most of the time - perks are not worth for us. We pay when we want something. So, now Celebrity have a path to charge more for the cruise only, since they see that more people are booking cruise only in different categories, so they are including AQ in the mix.

Try NCL Haven - our butler was very attentive and concierge desk were always there to make reservations or appointments. I can't say enough how great the service and whole experience was.

We are set to go on Equinox in November, and after reading about all changes ( and not positive ones), hard to be optimistic. But we will have an open mind and evaluate if the experience worth the price. Just because big cheeses visited the ship, X will not go back to the what they used to be - beloved CruiseLine by many. As long they can sell cruises, they will continue to do it. They already Not a line of luxury. Just another middle of the road line. Even Retreat is not more superior than NCL Haven or MSC YC. I think old X had sailed to no return.

The only way we can see positive change is when bookings start to drop. Not until then. X don't really care if pax are complaining. There will be always somebody who doesn't compare. There are other cruise lines that will be just as enjoyable as X once was. So far over past 20 years, we had wonderful cruises on Celebrity - one more is coming up in November. This cruise will determine whether we will book another cruise or going to try another line. We have Princess cruise booked in Mediterranean and MSC YC for the Caribbean for next year.

Thank you all for sharing your knowledge. This is my first up grade bid. I did put a bid for a Sunset Sky suite. Keeping fingers crossed.

Now I am even more confused. I thought that any suites are part of Retreat. All Retreat suites come with premium drinks WIFI and gratuity ( booked before10/4/23). Also, we will be going on 10 days cruise this November ( booked 18 months ago with AL). I got an offer to upgrade to Sky suite for a good price. All Retreat is sold out. There are other suites included in upgrade offer. How Celebrity can offer something that is no longer available. And if I get an upgrade, will I lose my AL?

We had fantastic food on NCL Haven. 9 days in Haven was cheaper than 8 days in AQ. We tried it and loved it.

Fantastic option. I know in the past they were not as accommodating.

As per contract, cruise line has the right to change the itinerary without any compensation. I wonder what they do, if they have to change the starting point. Will the travel insurance pay for the cost associated with changing flights?...

Here is info about hotel in Rome Residenza Zanardelli is situated in the heart of the historic city centre near Piazza Navona. All sites of tourist interest in Rome and the institutional buildings are within easy walking reach. Residenza Zanardelli, situated in the heart of the historic centre, offers you a wonderful stay amidst the wonders of Rome. The most famous tourist attractions of the Capital being only minutes from this boutique hotel. Only 350m from the hotel is the most famous of all the Baroque squares of Rome, Piazza Navona, which features the works of fine artists such as Bernini (the 4-river fountain), Borromini and Rainaldi (the Church of Sant’Agnese in Agone) and Pietro da Cortona (the frescoes of Palazzo Pamphilj). In the ancient Roman era, it was the Stadium of Emperor Domitian, which he had built to host the Greek athletic games of which he was particularly fond. From the other side of the Tevere, it is also possible, in only minutes, to reach Castel Sant’Angelo. This outstanding example of the historic and artistic heritage of the city, has changed its purpose several times. It originated as a funeral monument (Adrian’s Mausoleum) commissioned by the same emperor, to then become an impregnable stronghold as from the time of the Gothic-Byzantine war. Then in the Middle Ages, when Giovanni Gaetano Orsini was elected Pope under the name of Nicholas III the famous Passetto del Borgo was built, that physically and ideally connected the castle to the Vatican. It was under Pope Urban V that the destiny of the castle was intrinsically linked with the papacy, that adapted it to act as a residence in which to shelter in times of danger. Thanks to its solid and fortified structure the Castle houses the Vatican Archives and Treasury, although it was also adapted to act as a court and a prison. Due to these numerous changes in function, the appearance and plan of the castle, was subject to ongoing conversion work, throughout the course of four centuries. Near Castel Sant’Angelo, and only 1300 metres from Residenza Zanardelli, we find the Vatican City, papal seat of “Pope Francis”. Here it is possible to visit the Basilica of Saint Peter with the Dome and the Papal tombs , the Vatican museums and the Sistine Chapel . The important historic buildings such as Palazzo di Giustizia (Palazzaccio), Palazzo Madama and Palazzo Montecitorio, which today house important government headquarters, are only minutes from Residenza Zanardelli therefore making this boutique hotel the perfect location for those coming to Rome on business. The world famous shopping streets such as Via Condotti, where it is possible to find the leading Italian-designer names, and not only Italian names, and Via del Corso are within easy strolling distance, along the Tevere or along the quaint cobbled streets of the historic city districts. Palazzo Madama 290m - 3 minutes walk Piazza Navona 350m - 4 minutes walk Palazzo di Giustizia 400m - 5 minutes walk Pantheon 550m - 6 minutes walk Palazzo Montecitorio 700m - 9 minutes walk Castel Sant’Angelo 700m - 9 minutes walk Campo dei Fiori 700m - 9 minutes walk Via Del Corso 850m - 11 minutes walk Ara Pacis 850m - 11 minutes walk Via Condotti 900m - 11 minutes walk Trevi Fountain 1100m - 13 minutes walk Vatican city 1300m - 16 minutes walk Trastevere 1300m - 16 minutes walk Piazza del Popolo 1300m - 16 minutes walk Piazza Venezia 1400m - 17 minutes walk Piazza di Spagna 1700m - 23 minutes walk Vatican museums 2000m - 26 minutes walk Circus Maximus 2200m - 28 minutes walk Colosseum 2400m - 30 minutes walk

All are such great points. Definitely will need to evaluate all options. Cruise is in May, so there is time.

I can see them possibly changing schedule if flights are not paid, but on what ground they will not ticket, if fare is paid for. That is disturbing. This is somewhat new experience for me with Princess. I never had any issues booking flights with Celebrity.

Thank you all for your valuable information. I did pick PE fare in the search ( Canada/ Belgum air) and went to pick seats, it stated that I need to call airline to get that fare booked. Also, when you book fare without paying for it, did that booking guarantee your price?

Does anyone have experience in booking flights without paying for them till final payment time? We are planning to take a cruise on Sun Princess from Rome to Barcelona next year. According to Princess website, I can book flexible fare without actually paying for it, but if I want Premium Economy seats, I have to call airline and purchase tickets. Does this " no pay" option applies only to economy seats? Looking for some with first hand knowledge to explain. Thank you very much in advance.

If you are staying in Rome, I will recommend to stay somewhere centered and you can walk to most all attractions. We stayed in very small hotel near Piazza Navona. We walked everywhere.

I am sure more charges will come, as long people are paying and not avoiding it. It will take a bit of time, but people will get used it and will stop complaining. Just like it happens around in different aspects of life. First it was strange to accept, then it became - whatever, and them it will feel like norm. Just an observation.

On S class food in Aqua cafe is nothing to write home about. Not what it used to be when first was opened.

Maybe it was just my luck that day. I finally got to talk to someone, who fixed the problem I had. I do have a TA, but this was an issue of adding military OBC to a reservation. Thank you all.

I always have several copies of passports and credit cards just for that reason.

I am trying to call Princess CS for few hours - there is only one phone # listed on their website and that number is not connecting, so is one more # I found. Does anyone else having issues calling Princess?

When you take a train to Venice from Rome (we did in 2018), keep an eye on schedule board to see what platform your train leave. It is posted about 15 min before train leaves. Ride was very nice and comfortable.

At this point, after cruising for over 30 years, we don't particular about Caribbean itinerary, but enjoying the food, service and some evening Entertaiment is important to us.

We will be trying MSC YC. They also match X status. Elite + got Gold on MSC. Time will tell if X learns their lesson.

I think for some, having a choice to book without Princess Plus is a benefit, where Oceania and others all included in the price. After brief comparison, price for just a balcony on O is the same as a suite on Princess. Time will tell, but I think this move by Princess will put other mid road cruise lines on notice. Retreat prices on Celebrity became insane with a lot of cuts.