Island_Guy

Not related to tipping, but related to the crowds at the bars. We were on a Celebrity cruise in Jan, and we did not have a drink package. I found that by booking the cruise without the "free" drink package was a significant savings. We are not drinkers, but do enjoy a cocktail once a day or so.

What I saw on Celebrity, though, with this drink package promotion is too many people over imbibing. Bars were crowded, and bartenders overwhelmed (perhaps leading to the comment here).

On the bright side, one passenger brought me a couple of cocktails while sitting on the deck when he found out that I was paying for drinks. Why bother, he asked, when he got them for me for free. Very kind.

In booking our next cruise, however, I will look for a line that doesn't offer 'free drink" packages.

By the way, my room was $300 less without the free drink package, so don't fool yourself. They have figured out how to price this.

I wasn't sure where to post this, but we were on a Celebrity cruise, so I will post it here.

We were on Celebrity Reflection in January through the eastern Caribbean. We had a wonderful cruise and this out as a general warning to cruisers in general, and not just on Celebrity. Celebrity is not at all responsible for our phone experience.

We are frequent cruisers, and one of the things I like is the ability to leave it all behind.. no cell phone, no emails. But recognizing times have changed, I signed up with Verizon for coverage during our cruise in January. I was under the impression that I would have both cell phone coverage (when available) and internet service for what I thought was a very reasonable fee of $25 per phone (for my wife and I). I arranged this through Verizon before our cruise started, and cancelled it when I returned.

Our bill has never been the same. First, Verizon kept charging me for the service in the subsequent month. Took several phone calls to get them to cancel it. We actually ended up paying for it in Feb (a month after our cruise), and they eventually credited it off our bill.

Then we got a bill for $142 for one telephone call. I use my phone as a phone (imagine that), and was under the distinct impression that the coverage I bought was for the ability to use my phone. I knew it was only available on certain islands (we used it on St. Thomas). Turns out that Verizon lets you use the phone, but charges you by the minute the roaming rate (which is very, very high) for actually using the phone. I laugh (through tears) when looking at my bill for access to the phone, which they bill as a "roaming service". Never do they tell you that they are still going to charge you a per minute roaming rate. I have no idea what benefit I received from signing up for a $25 per line charge.

Today I received our bill, three months after our cruise, and there was another $50 charge for "data usage". Verizon said that the cruise line must have been tardy in relaying the charges. Still not understanding that comment, as I thought I had Verizon 4G service, and that coverage would have been based on Verizon, but they said that the cruise ship bills Verizon and Verizon bills us. Three months later.

I have learned my lesson. It is cheaper to call ship to shore than it is to use your Verizon cell phone. It is cheaper to buy the internet service from the cruise line than to purchase Verizon's cruise package.

I feel Verizon is very deceptive in their description of their service, and they most certainly do not warn you that you will be paying months after your cruise for their services.

So, let others be warned, whether you are a first time cruiser, or an experienced cruiser. We all learn something new each cruise.

This cruise taught me never, ever to use my Verizon phone on a cruise ship.

I wonder what next month's bill will bring, and if I will ever be done paying for cell phone usage on my past cruise.

I wasn't sure where to post this, so I will send this out as a general warning to new cruisers.

We are frequent cruisers, and one of the things I like is the ability to leave it all behind.. no cell phone, no emails. But recognizing times have changed, I signed up with Verizon for coverage during our cruise in January. I was under the impression that I would have both cell phone coverage (when available) and internet service for what I thought was a very reasonable fee of $25 per phone (for my wife and I). I arranged this through Verizon before our cruise started, and cancelled it when I returned.

Our bill has never been the same. First, Verizon kept charging me for the service in the subsequent month. Took several phone calls to get them to cancel it. We actually ended up paying for it in Feb (a month after our cruise), and they eventually credited it off our bill.

Then we got a bill for $142 for one telephone call. I use my phone as a phone (imagine that), and was under the distinct impression that the coverage I bought was for the ability to use my phone. I knew it was only available on certain islands (we used it on St. Thomas). Turns out that Verizon lets you use the phone, but charges you by the minute the roaming rate (which is very, very high) for actually using the phone. I laugh (through tears) when looking at my bill for access to the phone, which they bill as a roaming service. Never do they tell you that they are still going to charge you a per minute roaming rate.

Today I received our bill, three months after our cruise, and there was another $50 charge for "data usage". Verizon said that the cruise line must have been tardy in relaying the charges. Still not understanding that comment, as I thought I had Verizon 4G service, and that coverage would have been based on Verizon, but they said that the cruise ship bills Verizon and Verizon bills us. Three months later.

I have learned my lesson. It is cheaper to call ship to shore than it is to use your Verizon cell phone. It is cheaper to buy the internet service from the cruise line than to purchase Verizon's cruise package.

I feel Verizon is very deceptive in their description of their service, and they most certainly do not warn you that you will be paying months after your cruise for their services.

So, let others be warned, whether you are a first time cruiser, or an experienced cruiser. We all learn something new each cruise.

This cruise taught me never, ever to use my Verizon phone on a cruise ship.

I wonder what next month's bill will bring, and if I will ever be done paying for cell phone usage on my past cruise.