travel1light

1 hour ago, TheJT said:

We just got off the Reflection on 3/30/24 and ate at all but Le Petit Chef and Sushi on Five.  We only had lunch at The Porch and The Lawn Club.

 

Our favorite meal was at Murano, followed by Tuscan. We spent two nights at Tuscan because we thought the Italian steakhouse vs. French forward would be more to our liking. Afterward, we wished we had done Murano twice instead. The Chateaubriand was amazing.  The Lawn Club lunch was not worth the money (IMHO) as it has a limited burger menu and a salad bar.  The Porch was okay.  I don't know that I would pay extra for lunch there again though.  I hope that their dinners are better.

 

I recommend getting an Alcove on Reflection on a port day and having lunch brought to you.  It's a great spot to relax and eat and the port cost is justifiable, again IMHO.

Hi,

Alcoves are on the lawn, deck 15? And what is included and the port day cost?

Thank you

4 hours ago, ChucktownSteve said:

As a caveat,I'm not sure if those crew numbers are still accurate for Royal Caribbean Group's lines. They may not be based upon recent crew cut backs; increasing their bottom line the past couple of years during/post covid.

Look at the uproar over Celebrity's attempt to change to a butler group instead of the promised/booked personal butler.

Also I'm not sure Silversea Medallion suites include the specialty restaurant or excursions since I have not experienced that line.

I've found that the smaller ships tend to be more port intensive which is what I prefer in an itinerary. The more active in port I am, the less likely I wish to stay up later for "entertainment."  Part of the intangibles proposition for me, as Markeb mentioned, is the caliber of other passengers.  Meeting and making new friends is much easier on the intimate ships.

Billc23, the way to determine PSR: Passenger Space Ratio = Gross Tonnage (GT) divided by the number of passengers. Thus Regent Grandeur = 74.39 and Celebrity Ascent  =  43.12.

 

Thanks for all the replies to my post, lots of great information. I am going to look into booking Regent instead of Silversea, just not confident in the overall direction RCL is going.

Morning,

I am relatively new to the cruise world having only 4 cruises under my belt. All with celebrity, first 2 in aqua, next two an EV and RS. I have 2 upcoming, one in a signature and another in a sky suite.  For various reasons, for the first time I am looking for other than celebrity for a future cruise. Reading this thread, Regent seems to be go to for a very much elevated experience. Surprised how little mention of Silversea, is there a reason for this? Thank you. 

Thank you all for your responses. Looks like we will save some money and head to South Beach.  

Hello all,

We have this stop on an upcoming cruise, never been, some questions;

1) Any perks with being booked in an upper suite?

2) Any areas where you don’t have to pay something? And if so, what is at those spots?

3) Does the on board beverage plan work there?

4) thinking of purchasing hideaway beach passes, good idea?

5) any other tips or suggestions?

If it matters, we are active 60+ year olds. 
 

thanks. 

The balcony shower? Is it private enough when at sea? Thanks. 

3 minutes ago, Lastdance said:

I love that suite...had one of the best cabin craws and parties there!  The shower is amazing just by itself...enjoy!

Thank you. 

Seeing some conflicting information on signature suite.  Booking page information does not show specialty dining, in room alcohol, etc, but ship info page does. Are those perks included with suite? Thanks. 

Thanks for this, what is the best way to reprice? Call or email the form? Thanks 

Hi,

Has a bar been added to the Retreat lounge?  
 

Thanks

I received one, gambled maybe $300 at blackjack over a 7 day cruise.  Can these be upgraded or try a move up? Thanks. 

6 minutes ago, jelayne said:

Not sure about  1. Deposit amount is based on if you booked a CS or above and when you made the booking.

2 yes $100 pp to move, I think it can only be done before final but not positive.

3 yes you only have 30 days to move a reservation from Celebrity to a TA.

4 Moving to a TA within 30 days does not impact 2.  Not sure about the second part of your question. Are you asking about moving from Celebrity to a TA and then from that TA to a different TA?

 

Sorry, I got a bit mixed up. Does moving to another TA affect number of times I can move when paying the $ 100 per?

Hello all,

Made my first future cruise booking on my last cruise. Cruise is not till next March so final payment not due to December. My questions:

1) If I outright cancel before final payment, I lose entire deposit?

2) If I move to another cruising, cost is $100 per person? Can this only be done before final payment or closer to booked cruise? Also, I thought celebrity agent said this can be done up to 10 times!!!

3) Moving booking to another travel agent from Celebrity, does this have to be done 30 days after initial booking or is timeframe longer?

4) Does moving to another travel agent impact 2) and or 3) above?

Thank you.

2 hours ago, countess5 said:

Was on Reflection about 3 weeks ago. Had $370 of OBC remaining the last night. Went to the casino, asked for slot credit. Put the voucher in Wheel of Fortune. DW played $10 bets (max) 3 times, on the third time she hit spin and when the wheel stopped it was on $250. 

I cashed out, machine produced a voucher and the cashier paid cash on the total amount. The OBC and winnings was all on the same voucher. 

 

On Beyond the week prior played craps with the OBC chips. Each time I bet and won they paid in real chips. Always played the OBC chips when betting before I used the real chips. 

 

Cheers! 

A couple of questions;

1) I assume this works the same for blackjack? OBC to promo chips, winnings paid in real chips.

2) If, by chance, you have promo chips still left, can they be transferred back to OBC? Or only good to continue playing?

thanks. 

3 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

A quick question that I should know.

 

Are the benefits the same regardless of booking on-board or selecting the future booking form.

 

BTW -  I learned that you can pay the $100 pp for the certificate and still book an upper suite (limiting you out of pocket at time of purchase).   When you our your agent go to book they just collect the additional Deposit

 

 

Thanks for this. If I understand you correctly, I can book an upper suite with $100 pp deposit till I decide which travel agency I want to take over the booking.

Interesting, screen shots say premium stateroom, so a Royal would only entail $100 per person? (Not sure what starting at implies)

I am thinking of booking a future cruise while I am on board in a couple of weeks. Main reason is to take advantage of reduced deposit of $100 per person. Read somewhere that this reduction does not apply to upper suites.

Questions;

Is this correct or is it negotiable?

Is this deposit refundable to form of payment or to FCC?

Depending on the answer to the above, next benefit would be to transfer to another agent before final payment.

Can this be transferred to AMEX travel? (could use my points)

How about Air Canada Vacations? (could use AC gift cards)

Finally, anyone have a link to current Celebrity on board booking benefits?

Thank you.

Thanks all.

Last cruise on Edge, I received free access, had my prepaid one refunded to OBC. Reason I asked on the forum was it seemed sort of unofficial so didn't know if this was a one off or could expect the same.

Will report back if NOT granted,

Is thermal suite access included with higher level suite cabins (Royal, villa, etc.)on E class ships?

Thank you. 

There used to be a way online to buy onboard credit for a future cruise, I believe under gifts.  Don’t see it anymore, can it still be done or do I need to phone in? Thanks. 

Update, charged in error, Celebrity had already caught it.

Always listen to Bo...

No, new booking.  

21 minutes ago, Bo1953 said:

Have you checked to confirm that the original gratuity amount billed and paid was correct to begin with?

 

bon voyage

First invoice didn’t have any of the perks on it, just the onboard credit. Second one had the drinks, wifi billed then credited. Tips billed but not credited.  Will call this morning and post an update. Thanks

Booked a sky suite for a cruise in April. Paid what I thought was in full at booking. Got an invoice 2 days later saying balance still due. Checking the invoice lines, an amount for gratuity was added which was the balance owed.  I paid it to keep my booking, but is this correct? I thought gratuity was included with suite booking.  Thanks. 

*sky