hasentreelake

We are currently considering a Panama Canal transit in 2025. Choice is X vs Princess. X is $1000 more ($9000 vs $10000) for the 16 day E-W transit. (SV on X vs MiniSuite on P) I have spent a lot of time researching and even though P itinerary is just a bit better than X, we will likely choose to cruise with X since we know what we'll get. We spend time in Martini Bar, Craft Social, Specialty dining (although this is M class - so not a lot of options). We have found that Starlink is actually pretty darn good on X. Just figuring out all the ins and outs of other lines is a pain in the tookus.

all recent posts make a lot of sense. lot's of different views and all accurate. my problem is that whoever is in charge of this sector of their business is missing a grand opportunity to go the other direction. These wines we're talking about are pretty much in the $20 or less per bottle range. and at their purchase volumes (deals wiht grgich and KJ) this is a real no brainer for X to go in the other direction. I would fire this person. Know your consumer.

btw - I'm in the STOP WHINING camp 🙂

👌

The 'current policy' as of Jan 1, is now as stated by OP. You are stating the previous (now outdated) policy that will end 12/31

Thank You for your advice. Been a while since we booked M class. We changed our cabin to 8185!

After considering everyone's comments, feedback, suggestions, and cost, we booked Summit for April 2025 Panama Canal transit after comparing with Coral Princess. We selected a SV (9201). The SV may not be the best location for the transit, but we will likely be moving about the ship during transit and we may find it a good viewing location. And we'll be aft for all other ports just like we prefer 🙂 The cost of the Summit SV was comparable to the CP Premium Balcony. We know what the X experience is and are happy with it even knowing of all the cuts. We can make do with fewer wine options for 2 weeks. I know others are looking at options other than X for future cruises but at this time we are sticking with X for Spring and Fall of '24 and Spring of '25.

We did just that on our recent Silhouette and didn't think twice about it. If we are going to be gone longer than 15-30 minutes, we will give up our chairs look for others if we return.

^^ agree with this ^^ SV FTW Retreat Overrated IMO

Thank You for this information. My DW is very happy with the Elegance Chardonnay, so we're good there. I will likely try the last 3 reds and the KJ PN on our upcoming Spring 2024 to Bermuda. We did manage to update from classic to prem for $6.99 per day per person, so there is that 🙂 Maybe that is the strategy .... get us to upgrade to premium at a very attractive price, then price the desirable wines above the prem max 🤷‍♂️

I tried to 'like' this 4 times 🙂 For us , we'll do it for the martini's - I'd like to say I'd do it for the wine too, but I wouldn't do it for the wine only because they're missing the mark on the wine. I'll pay up for a week or more of Ketel One or Grey Goose - premium margarita's in Craft Social or (and) a nice bourbon nitecap. So, if that's what you drink at home, then you must go premium.

We're planning a Panama Canal transit in spring 2025. Options are Celebrity Summit or Coral Princess Since we're kinda X loyalists, my questions are more about PC than the cruise lines We always sail on an aft veranda (SV). We've done SS SV and that would be our very fav location, but we 'settle' for the SV. Questions are ... Is the aft veranda a good cabin for a PC transit? Seems a lot of the time you might want to be in the forward Sky lounge or even lower on the ship to be closer to the locks. We are currently booked in an SV. We love that place on the ship just want to know from those that have done it if they would chose it or otherwise and why? Also, if you didn't want a SV would you suggest port or starboard when the sailing is E to W and why? 🙂

Not sure this is a Celebrity Screwup - particular IN CAPS. Seems more an airline SNAFU that just happens to effect you (and others). Good Luck getting it all worked out!

You can get the red Viking tags on ebay along with Minn Vikings tags 🙂 This is on ebay 🙂

ABC all great for snorkeling. We also have done golf carts on Bonaire but I will tell you not for the faint of heart. We did the entire island and it was 'hairy' at times. Southern Bonaire is much easier to do and has the Salt 'Pyramids'. We rented a car on Curacao and it was much safer. On both Islands we stopped and snorkeled and did local rum tasting on our own time. Aruba is beautiful and recommend beach time or snorkel. On our recent Silouette cruise they had an LGBTQ meet every night at the Martini bar but it was either at 5 or 6, not 8. From our experience you can reserve Specialty Dining online, but not day or time. When you board go directly to one of the specialty restaurants and they will help you reserve. Don't expect to get a 7PM time - they typically offer 6/6:30 or 8/8:30 depending on the restaurant. Even though our cruise was fully booked, we were able to change our days/times along the way. Enjoy your cruise.

^^ This was our experience on Silhouette over Thanksgiving ^^

We were on the ship with Arzeena and I will say that the Vibe was upbeat and the service was more than adequate. Ketel One is my go to over Grey Goose, so that change was positive for me. Craft Social was awesome for all the football games, the internet was A+ (except a bit sketchy at the Sunset bar), food was very good in all the specialy restaurants and MDR. Our room steward (we had a sunset veranda) was outstanding - leaving me ice at least twice daily 🙂 I guess it's all in the expectations. The only thing I saw that has been a bit different than previous cruises is that the Casino was hopping most nights. I guess this was a 'blue chipper - casino' cruise. Since I don't frequent the casino it didn't bother me in the least. Have a wonderful cruise and hope you enjoy the Silhouette.

(misread quoted post)

(edit) I see the the Elegance Chard is still covered under the premium package.

I would be very interested in what Chardonnay and Cabernet they do offer on the Premium Beverage Package.

I was also on the same itin as bikerunner and I had the Decoy (when available) and did not get an upcharge. As mentioned by OP, this may be a very recent change. It could be that Decoy was offered in specialty (ie Tuscan) but I don't specifically recall. Also (everyone probably knows this already) the Celebrity Opulence (by Grigich Hills) has been replaced by the Celebrity Elegance by Kendall Jackson. The Opulence was available but at an upcharge. The Kendall Jackson Elegance (both the Chardonnay and the Cabernet) is what we drank on most occasions. I agree the food was good in MDR, and we dined in twice in Murano, Tuscan, and LCG. We will cut back our specialty dining on following cruises as it's just too much food for us. We did have 'dinner' in the OVC once or twice on the nights we didn't want to 'go out' and it was perfectly fine - particularly if you're ok with a few slices and some salad...

Agree.