sail2day

15 minutes ago, CruiserBruce said:

Itinerary would be important, as is time in ports. 

 

In very general terms, Celebrity probably compares better with HAL than Princess.

 

Have you read any of the reviews?

Yes, I have read the reviews. I initially was leaning towards Celebrity but wanted to change it up on my next cruise. 

I am looking at going on a Norwegian Fjords cruise in May 2025. The ships I am considering are the Sky Princess or the Rotterdam.

I have not gone on either cruise line in 12 years. I have been cruising Celebrity for the past 10-11 years.

Thoughts and or suggestions would be appreciated.

I am torn between the Sky Princess or the Holland America Rotterdam for a Norwegian Fjord cruise. The last time I cruised on Princess and Holland America was 12 years ago. I am a loyal Celebrity cruiser. May of 2025 is my target date for the cruise.

Thoughts would be appreciated.

I am still waiting for my bids for an August 4th sailing on the Millie northbound to Alaska. 

18 minutes ago, NorthStarStateCruiser said:

Where are you getting this data set from exactly?

I am getting this info from data posted on the CC website on the Move-Up tracker and my own personal experience.  The statement concerning the possibility of winning is just a statement. I am sure that there are cases of people who bid lower and based on availability are awarded an upgrade. If you cruise in the slow season the possibility of winning with a low bid is much greater.  I have bid several times (all at 20%- 30%) of the bid amount, and all have been declined. I always cruise during the summer peak season. Both Alaska and the Caribbean have been the cruises I have bid on. 

I am writing this post after utilizing the Move-Up tracker app on numerous cruises. I have bid on at least 4 cruises in the past 2 years. All of the bids have failed. I have analyzed the successful bidders. There is no consistent protocol to the bids that have been successful. The only factor that all the bids have in common is that the initial bid for each was approximately 75-80% of the maximum amount permitted on the app. All of these bids were successful and notified weeks before the sailing (not days). The bids that were successful and notified days before the sailing were in what I call the mid-range category. That category comprises 50-70% of the maximum fee permitted per passenger.

All of the other bids were declined 2 days before the cruise. 

The algorithm that is used does take into account the Celebrity repeaters status of each cruiser. How much weight is given to that status is up for discussion. It is at least comforting to know that this factor does come into play. Obviously, the success of the bids is based on cabin availability for each category. 

If you are going to be successful in a bid on the tracker you need to bid at least 70% of the maximum amount. This is true unless the category is undersold. 

Revised (3rd increase) Move Up Tracker

• Ship:  Millenium 
• Length of Cruise: 7 days
• Cruise Sail Date: August 4, 2023
• Date email offer received: May 2023
• Captain’s Club Tier: Elite
• Booked through Celebrity Direct OR via TA: TA
• Current Cabin: Outside 3035
• Bid?  Yes/No: YES

If YES -  Bidding Details:

• Cabin Category: place winning category, if accepted (all category offers, can be mentioned in comments)
• Bid Offer: Aqua stateroom $380 pp

   Balcony $250 pp

   Ultra Deluxe Veranda $300 pp

   Concierge Veranda $320 pp 

• Notification Date: Pending for all categories.

Revised Move Up Tracker

• Ship:  Millenium 
• Length of Cruise: 7 days
• Cruise Sail Date: August 4, 2023
• Date email offer received: May 2023
• Captain’s Club Tier: Elite
• Booked through Celebrity Direct OR via TA: TA
• Current Cabin: Outside 3035
• Bid?  Yes/No: YES

If YES -  Bidding Details:

• Cabin Category: place winning category, if accepted (all category offers, can be mentioned in comments)
• Bid Offer: Aqua stateroom $375 pp

   Balcony $250 pp

   Ultra Deluxe Veranda $300 pp

• Notification Date: Pending for Aqua

On 7/19/2023 at 3:31 PM, karmamule said:

We're on the October 2 Canada/New England sailing on the Summit out of Boston in an Aqua class cabin. For the last few months the retreat was looking almost completely sold out. Then a couple weeks ago I noticed a whole bunch of retreat cabins of all categories were showing as available. 

 

I hadn't received an-email but went to the moveup site to enter your reservation number and name to see if you could bid on an upgrade and I could put in bids for Sky Suite, Aqua Sky Suite, Celebrity Suite, or Royal Suite. I went ahead and did that, putting in $1k pp for SS and Aqua SS (both max/strong bids), $1250pp on Celebrity, and $1500pp for Royal. Who knows, maybe we'd get a nice surprise a few days before we sailed.

 

I saw a charge for a little over $2k on my Amex from Celebrity today, and at first thought it must be a billing mistake. Much to my delight I went to our bid page and our Aqua Sky Suite bid had BEEN ACCEPTED, and our new room is showing on the Celebrity app already. Absolutely flabbergasted but delighted.

 

I just checked our cruise and they still show Aqua Sky Suites as available, but if I were to upgrade it at the current price it would be about $10k more rather than the $2k of our bid, so I'm feeling quite happy right now.

The Move Up algorithm is a mystery. I believe that if the bid is very high and there are cabins available, they confirm right away. If the bid is in the low to moderate range, then the waiting begins. 

3 hours ago, Cruzinforpeace*** said:

I just checked my sailing and it’s completely sold out except for 1 concierge cabin.  I think the only way I’m winning a bid is if someone doesn’t show up.  Unless they take into account that they could probably get more $ for my obstructed veranda last minute and then more $ for the upgrade from us.  That’s only if any of the bidding cabins are actually empty at this moment.  Who knows if the ship is truly sold out or they’re actually holding some cabins for the highest bidders?  Such a mysterious process.

Yes, it is a mysterious process. There is no rhyme or reason why some bids get accepted months out and other get rejected two days before the cruise. 

What if the status of a bid if it is "locked-- pending"?

Move Up Tracker

• Ship:  Millenium 
• Length of Cruise: 7 days
• Cruise Sail Date: August 4, 2023
• Date email offer received: May 2023
• Captain’s Club Tier: Elite
• Booked through Celebrity Direct OR via TA: TA
• Current Cabin: Outside 3035
• Bid?  Yes/No: YES

If YES -  Bidding Details:

• Cabin Category: place winning category, if accepted (all category offers, can be mentioned in comments)
• Bid Offer: Aqua stateroom $375 pp

   Balcony $250 pp

• Notification Date: Pending for Aqua

1 hour ago, MayorDrafty said:

 

MarineTraffic still has the Celebration listed with Amber Cove as the destination.

It is hard to believe that they can keep their itinerary with the 10 hour delay in departure. 

Any news on itinerary changes?

Carnival has shown today that they are above other cruise lines in responding to unforeseen circumstances. None of this was expected, but they took the "high road" and were proactive in their response. 

1 hour ago, PamalaX said:

There is a YouTube l feed with audio if you want to listen in.  They opened the cargo side but the cruise channel remains closed as the accident took place in the narrowest part.  Along with investigation they mentioned in audio that the smaller ship ( 30ft they’ve said ) that hit the ferry sank.  My question there is what sort of depth clearance they have if it one the bottom in the passage point?  Anyway if you have access try that port of Miami live channel with audio and you can hear more 

I agree that the wreckage of the boat that sank might be creating a depth clearance issue in the channel. 

56 minutes ago, tidecat said:

Seaboard Blue wound up turning just past Fisher Island and is now south of Dodge Island. It looks like cruise ships still can't get in the main channel.

Yes, I agree. There must be an issue with the wreckage of the accident and the main channel. 

Here is a screenshot of the app showing the container ship entering Government Cut. 

On the Marine Traffic app it looks like the 1st ship is entering the channel. It is a freighter the "Seaboard Blue". Let's hope that the remaining cruise ships at anchor will slowly begin moving into the channel. 

They will probably reopen the port at noon so that the ships can dock. From what I can tell the investigation into the accident is still ongoing.  I see the ships are all still at their anchorage spot just off the coast. Embarkation for new passengers probably will not begin until at least 3 pm today. 

31 minutes ago, luv4cruises said:

With more than 50 cruises on 6 different cruise lines Celebrity had become my favorite! As cruising resumed we have experienced cutbacks on Celebrity and other cruise lines. On Celebrity - no welcome aboard champagne, no cabin tote bags, reduced MDR menu, smaller portions, most recently 9.95 + gratuities charge for room service, reduced classics’ menu, discontinuing of Blu option to order from full MDR menu, elimination of canapés for Aqua guests, charge for second lobster, reduced dinner offerings in Ocean View cafe, minimal bathroom products. Add to that  rapidly escalating prices- a$1,000.00increase in 1 month for a 6 day 2024 cruise we were planning to book after Thanksgiving and tried to book after Christmas!  None of the cutbacks alone is any big deal but the TREND is!!!!
Most importantly the manner in which these changes are being rolled  out feels like an ambush to me. No prior notification We have 3 future cruises booked. What Celebrity is delivering is NOT the product we purchased. We are not being treated as valued, loyal guests.  I’m sure if I read the contract  there will be clauses that justify their changes and charges. That is not the point. I always felt Celebrity was classy, a step above Princess and HAL. Modern luxury is on its way out as Celebrity joins the nickel and dime cruise lines. What is next?  Read the boards - your main source of info. 

I agree with your post. Celebrity is now joining the other lines in the same cost cutting measures. Very soon all lines will offer the same product. I'm not sure what their end game is here. 

1 hour ago, beardedladies said:

Well that was an anti-climax with The Pearl 😞

I agree! Nothing special with the Pearl

2 hours ago, toad455 said:

This is basically the Oasis with a giant waterpark. Nothing really stood out.

 

 

I agree! Nothing new or surprising 

On 9/20/2022 at 1:19 PM, Queenie&Dude said:

Hi all - I want to share with you the way to arrange a burial at sea with Royal.  I just did this for my husband, and the process was very smooth, and the guest services manager helped me when I boarded to set the date, time. etc.  I strongly recommend if you want to arrange a burial at sea to allow at least 1 month before the sailing to start the process.  This is a long post because I am being very detailed at every step.  I didn't know going into the planning what to expect and I'm glad I planned for everything ahead of time.  I hope this helps if you're planning a burial at sea and will help you feel more at ease.

 

Here is what you will need:

1- Death Certificate (a copy is ok)

2-Certification of cremation - this should be with the ashes/urn you have, or you can request it from the funeral home.  Mine emailed it to me upon asking.

3-Biodegradeable urn - I purchased mine on Amazon from Perfect Memorials.  It even allows for personalization, in the photo you can see how nicely this turned out.

-----here is a link to what I purchased: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B082DLR7SP/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

4-Certification that your urn is biodegradable (this can be a receipt from the purchase as long as it shows "biodegradable urn" in the details.  Onboard they really didn't care about a 'certification' just something stating what you purchased is correct.

 

Here is what you need to do prior to cruise:

-Send an email to Royal Caribbean's desk for handling these requests, there are two email addresses - gfotravelservices@rccl.com and emergencytravelteam@rccl.com.  I sent emails to both, and got responses from the emergency travel team.

In the email you need to include:

-Ship Name, Sailing Date, Your Booking/Confirmation #, Your name and Decedent's name

-Attach copies of:

- death certificate,

-the certificate of cremation and

- the proof of biodegradable urn (I used my amazon receipt since I didn't have the actual urn when I sent the email and that was fine)

 

Once Royal Caribbean received my request it took about 1 week to get a response.  After that initial email I had a personal contact to work with, ask questions, etc.  It is up to the captain of the ship if they will allow for a burial at sea.  I asked the hotel manager onboard if there would be a reason why the captain would refuse, he couldn't think of anything, but again it is at the captain's discretion.

 

After you receive the response and confirmation that you can go ahead with the process, the next step happens on the day of boarding.

 

On the day of boarding your ship:

1-Go to guest services with a print out of everything, the email, the death cert, the cremation cert, the proof of biodegradable urn and anything else you want included (I wrote up a 3-5 minute eulogy that I requested an officer to read).  FYI-I requested the captain, which can happen, ours happened to be sick with covid in his cabin so it didn't work for me, but the hotel manager stepped in and did a very nice job.

2-Be prepared with several options for sea days for your service.  It can only be done at sea as it needs to be a certain distance from any shore (basically international waters).  I had a 14 day cruise so I picked a date early on in case there were weather issues we could reschedule.  Luckily that day had perfect weather.

3-If you want any music played bring a speaker for your phone or tablet as it is very noisy and my phone volume wasn't quite loud enough, but everyone got close and could hear it okay.

4-If you want flowers, they need to be plastic/silk.  At the current time no live flowers are being sold on ships, this may change back to that option in the future, but if you want to area to have flowers, you should bring them.

5-If you are creating a 'long' service (more than 10-15 minutes) you need to make sure guest services understands and plans for this.  More on day of service below.

 

On the day of the service:

1- I went to guest services about 2 hours ahead of time to double check everything was still on.  This would be very important if weather is questionable.

2-Make sure everyone that is attending (we had 8 people) all arrive at the pre-arranged meeting place on time.  You do not want to waste an officer's time.

3-Your entire party will be escorted to a low deck (ours was 4 on Voyager) as you will be tossing the entire urn, closed, not ashes, over the rail.

4-Royal Caribbean provided 2 security guards to stand about 20 yards away from the service area on both sides to prevent anyone wandering in during the service.  This was a very thoughtful and well executed plan on their part.

5-Make sure you designate someone to either take pictures or video of the service if you want.  I was not in any shape to take photos for my husband's service.  That's what friends and family are for.

6-When you toss the urn overboard mine floated away very quickly with the wake of the ship.  I didn't see it sink, but according to the seller it takes about 4-5 minutes.  The urn I chose worked perfectly for the tossing.

7-When the service is over you can go back inside and toast, or have a celebration, the officer will excuse him/herself at the end of the service.

 

After the service:

- Royal Caribbean will provide you will a certificate stating the longitude/latitude of the burial at sea.  Mine was given to me in a very nice photo folder and I will be placing an 8x10 of our group in the folder as well for display in my home. (see photo)  I stopped by guest services about 2 days later and it was waiting for me.

TIP - I wrote a letter to the hotel manager thanking him for the time and effort, no tip was accepted, but he was very thankful I thought of this.

 

All of the preparation and completion of the event was handled with respect and I was very impressed with how everything was done.  Royal Caribbean took time to make sure that everyone involved understood the process and I was very happy with how everything turned out.  If you are considering a burial at sea, Royal Caribbean will take good care of you.

 

Feel free to ask any questions that you may have that I haven't answered here, I'll try to answer anything I can to help you during what is a difficult time for anyone in this situation.

Queenie/Doreen deVillalvilla

 

Thanks for the post. I want to do that for my dad. We are traveling on Celebrity. I imagine the process is similar.

On 9/10/2022 at 11:36 AM, sdnich said:

We did it after we received confirmation of our cruise.And moved to concierge class but then read about people moving to aqua class so I called back again and upgraded again .

Was the upgrade cost reasonable?