Reijo

On 4/22/2023 at 11:26 AM, cruisefun77 said:

Book a guaranteed balcony on the Wonder of the Seas......  Curious to know what other's experiences have been with cabin placement.  And, wondering when we will know the cabin assignment.  The cruise is in late June.

We booked Guaranteed rooms several times on RCCL and Celebrity with good results.  We just booked a last minute GTY cruise for this Sunday on Wonder but don't have the location just yet.  We are expecting it to be a "not so good" stateroom, BUT......I'll just take earplugs!

First time on Wonder, can you tell me if the Solarium Bistro is open on embarkation day.  Also, I have a late boarding time and just wondered if I got to the port, perhaps, 30 minutes before my boarding time, will I be turned away and made to wait.  After 42 cruises, we've never boarded this late (last minute cruise) and you just NEVER know if there will be a problem or not.  Prior to the pandemic, Diamond and Diamond Plus had priority boarding but I'm assuming that went away with the scheduled times.

Also, has anyone had any issue with the Royal App.  I've gone in to schedule the events that we want to attend, I've chosen the times/day/etc.  and it appears that everything is saved but it hasn't appeared in my calendar.  It's as if nothing is scheduled.  I appreciate any help.  

3 hours ago, RTShaker said:

Diamond + will equate to Elite, so you will get 90 Minutes of free internet, not 2 days.

Thanks for your response.  I just read information comparing RCCL/Celebrity from a passenger that was on Celebrity a few months ago.  "Unlike Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises provides a percentage discount on Wi-Fi packages; sadly, high-speed internet is more expensive at $35 each day. As Elite members, we received a 30% discount on our Internet package, which I purchased on the first day. "

10 hours ago, saffy12 said:

Thanks for asking.   I was trying to determine if that flash sale (at $15/day for my upcoming trip) is a good bargain or if I should hold out to buy on board.   It sounds like that's a good price to get now if I know I'm going to need it?

I'm curious as to whether I should purchase the "sale price" also.  I am Diamond Plus on RCCL and get two free days of internet, which I'm assuming Celebrity also recognizes.  I've heard that if you purchase ahead of time that you don't get those free days.  Some have said that you purchase it and then go to Customer Service and HOPE they can help you.  Perhaps if you get a sale then you don't get the free days.   Does anyone know?

39 minutes ago, floralscent said:

Can someone please remind me what type of pic we are to take for online check-in? It has been over a year since my last cruise and I can't remember if it is just a head shot needed or if it is okay to have shoulders in the pic too. If I remember correctly, it is sort of like a drivers license pic but I honestly have no recollection of what I did.

 

I was hoping to have pics taken prior to on online check in so I am ready to go when the time comes. Thank you!

I always take them from just below the shoulders and up.  I really don't know why they want this since they ALWAYS retake my photo when boarding.

6 hours ago, cruisestitch said:

That was on Royal, yes? On Celebrity you would need premium internet.

Thank you so much for your response, yes my experiences have been on Royal.  This was exactly what I needed to know.  I appreciate your response.

1 hour ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

Basic:  You CANNOT make or receive native phone calls, you can use third party apps like WhatsApp or Facebook for calls yet if someone calls your phone number, your phone won't even ring

Premium:  You can make or receive native phone calls

Not familiar with the term "Native" calls.  As I've said...I could dial out (as I do at home) and receive calls (as I do at home).  The employee just told me you can make phone calls....whether they are native or wifi....I don't know.  I only know that I did make/receive calls on the BASIC package....three times at no cost on my phone bill!

10 hours ago, twincheryl said:

Have cruised both RC and Celebrity with basic package and have never been able to make phone calls unless it was wifi calling, which comes with many US phone plans and/or phones.  If you’re in port… yes… with Verizon the int’l plan is only $10/day… some are free int’l…

I had NEVER made phone calls at sea until about two years ago when an RCCL employee was helping me set up my Wifi.  She mentioned that I could now make calls!!!  I questioned her and said that I wasn't interested in paying to make phone calls, I only wanted the basic internet package.  She assured me that phone calls were included.  I asked for her name in case I got home and had charges which I did not.  (This was on a Bermuda sailing).  On my next cruises, I verified again that I could make calls with the basic package and was told "yes"!  Again, no charges on my AT&T bill.  Was is WiFi calling????  I have no clue, don't know much about WiFi calling or how you do it.  All I was told was that I could call as normal, which I did (as well as received calls) a number of times daily.

I always purchase the basic Internet package on my RCCL cruises.  With this purchase I can make phone calls at no charge.  Does the same work on Celebrity?  If I purchase the basic package, can I make phone calls also?  Appreciate your help.

16 hours ago, mbrust said:

This is a connecting room if that is an issue. Under OVC /pool deck bar seating. 

No, that isn't an issue.  We've had connecting rooms many times and never had a problems.  But....thanks for the "heads up".  I'll take some earplugs, just in case! 

Okay, I'm a bit confused.  I am booked on my second Celebrity cruise, the first one being right after the shut down.  I'm Diamond Plus on Royal so that equates to Elite on Celebrity.  On our last cruise, we were able to have coffee, sweets, etc., at Cafe al Bacio at no charge.....at any time of the day.  It sounds as if you are charged now as an Elite guest.  Is that correct?    We thoroughly enjoyed our time there and even if we have to pay, we will continue to enjoy it.  Just curious and would appreciate any comments.

2 hours ago, jwlane said:

You scored big on that cabin!  Being the last cabin in the hall aft, it has an oversized balcony.  We had the matching cabin (2146) on Silly last year.

Glad to hear that it’s a good stateroom.  Did you have any issues with noise from the cafe above it?  I’ve read that it could be a problem.  We’re at the very back of the cafe so hopefully all will be okay.  Appreciate your comment.

9 minutes ago, whataboutport said:

Which sailing will you be on? We also booked gty verandah on Equinox for Sept 10. We did not get Concierge, but we did get a fairly decent cabin location. Not immediately, but pretty soon after booking (a couple weeks maybe?). We booked after final payment. CC is supposedly more desirable locations but other than that the other perks are no longer worth it. I almost booked one for priority embark/debark but apparently that is now gone.

 

You are lucky they did status match right away for you. My cabin mate is also Diamond on RCCL and she had to call to Capt Club to her her status match, even though she linked her loyalty accts on her profile. I've read that sometimes it's automatic, sometimes you have to call.

We are also on the 10th sailing.  I don’t think the priority embarkation will apply to us since we were given only a couple of times we could board ship, starting at 1pm.  Can’t wait, it’s right around the corner.

I believe it was on Cruise Critic.  It was the first of this year or end of 2022.  Since I’m showing Elite status on my Xpress Pass, I’m assuming they still are recognizing the same status.

I just booked a last minute cruise on Equinox.  We ended up with a guarantee balcony and was surprised that almost immediately our room number showed up on our Xpress Pass.  We were assigned room 2144 on deck 12 and it appears that this is is a Concierge Class Stateroom.  I have two questions….what exactly is the Concierge Class/how does it differ from a regular balcony stateroom and is Celebrity still recognizing RCCL Loyalty Status?  I’m showing Elite status but was told they are no longer matching status.  Would appreciate any help.

We board Saturday for an 8 night cruise.  One question.....how was Windjammer?  It has been rather bad on some ships lately.  We're thinking of not eating in the MDR for a change.

40+ cruises and I believe my favorite ship is Freedom of the Seas.  I like the size, the Viking Crown Lounge, the venues, etc.  Just a nice size ship.  Also have enjoyed the Vision Class.  So, I would say:

Freedom, Vision, Serenade, Mariner, Explorer.  Oasis class is always nice but just a bit too large for me.

On 2/15/2023 at 1:19 AM, Coleclan said:

We were on the Jewel last week and had lunch in the solarium.

We were on the jewel last week and have lunch in the solarium.

At the Park Cafe???  Didn't realize they were open on Embarkation Day.  Thanks for your response.

On 2/14/2023 at 3:41 PM, island lady said:

 

Sure...pay for it.  😉 

Obviously aware of this.  Just asking a simple question.............

1 hour ago, Tree_skier said:

Where and what cruise are you on.  Testing is eliminated for almost all cruises but is still required for a couple destinations.

It is a Jewel of the Seas cruise.  My understanding is that testing has been eliminated BUT....I have that SO ingrained in my mind that I'm paranoid!

For anyone that has been on Jewel....on embarkation day, is there any place for lunch other than Windjammer?

On 3/25, we will be going on our first cruise since no testing necessary.  At least, this is what we think.  Is it still the case that no testing is required?  

On 2/9/2023 at 9:26 AM, RedSails1968 said:

That sounds awful. We will be joining you also on March 25.  Do you know if it is easy to get a wheelchair after parking if needed?

We had a relative that stood in line (Ft. Lauderdale) but was unable to make the long walk to the ship, up the ramp.  She was given a wheelchair once we were inside the terminal, don’t know what, if anything, they have at Terminal 5.  If Royal is going to continue using this terminal, they surely do need to make some changes.  

26 minutes ago, island lady said:

 

I seen the same thing in Port Canaveral.  

 

 

Terminal 5 at Port Canaveral is SO bad that I wish we had experienced this.  Our next cruise, on 3/25, will be at this terminal.  This cruise had been booked BEFORE we knew how bad that terminal was.  Wish we had cancelled.  Just hope it isn't raining or else everyone will get wet since most of the line is outdoors!!!!!  It must be horrible in the summer having to wait outside.

17 minutes ago, island lady said:

 

Am seeing the same thing in Puerto Rico.   Unreal amount of pax showing up before noon, long...long lines tying up traffic to get to the ships.  So much so that RCI is sending text warnings with the heavy arrival traffic getting to the ship.  Had a view from our hotel of the massive traffic jam that started at 10:30.  Earliest available check in time was noon.  And yet....so many not paying attention to it and simply arriving when they want to.  

 

Result?  Massive lines to check in too early.  Both in traffic and pax standing in long lines to check into the terminal.  

 

Indeed, spreading out the check in time was to try to spread out the congestion.  It's not working when they don't enforce it.  

When sailings first started back after Covid, there were lines to get into the terminal based on your check in time.  The lines were adjusted as groups were let into the terminal.  It was an easy process and those that got to the terminal long before their time were left to wait......as it should be and as they were told would happen.  Wish they would go back to that process.