LabGuy64

One thing you should do is see the hot glass show.....nothing like it on Princess

Although we have cruised a lot over the years, we've never cruised with Celebrity.

 

We're putting this right in December next year - it's the first time that we have found a good value deal with Celebrity through our regular travel agent, who is offering the "classic drinks package" free as an incentive.

 

Our current favourites are Princess, and we are just wondering what we can look forward to that's different.

 

We're travelling in a 2B balcony on "Eclipse" with late sitting dining.

I can understand what you are saying...nobody enjoys exclusions....but does it upset you when flying that you can't use the first class area of the plane...or even the bathroom when flying coach? It is basically the same thing

Actually, the "class" in Edge Class refers to the design family of ships, not the "class" levels of amenities on board. Much like the Solstice Class is the family of five nearly identical ships of that design, and the Infinity Class is the family of four nearly identical ships of that design, the Edge Class will be at least two ships, and perhaps even more, of the same design.

 

But, having said that, I do agree with you about the trend towards providing enhanced areas and venues just for people who will spend more than the typical cruiser. I am fine with having bigger and fancier staterooms with better service in those staterooms for the big spenders, but I don't like the idea of being shut out of certain areas of the ship because I can't afford to spend as much as they can. That is what the expensive luxury cruise lines are there to provide. It makes me feel like they think I am a lower class customer - sort of reminds me of having to use separate drinking fountains or certain seats on a bus.

I am curious.....why ARE you bringing it up a year after the fact? Seems odd, I can see right after but to be offended a year after?....what is bringing this on now?

I can't remember the main director's name, but the guy who constantly seemed to do it was a younger guy probably in his mid twenties named Justin (pretty sure he was American).

 

I have no interest in getting anyone in trouble, especially since it's about a year later. I just wanted to make sure that wasn't a running theme with the cruise line!

 

Thanks for sharing your experiences :)

You can always stop by michael's club and pick up water to take to your room....

thanks! Yes, i recall seeing that now on the website. Guess i was thinking more of michaels and luminae and things like that. We're not really drinkers, but i wouldn't mind the water and soda stocked in the cabin. But then again, i'm sure i can buy what i want onboard for a lot less than upgrading to one of those suites. :)

 

without unlimited wifi, what are the charges like? Outrageous like most cruises? Maybe not a big issue because we'll be in port on a lot of days and i can use cell service.

I am sure that they don't want to get into a dialog with us. just give out information when it seems appropriate to them.

A comment and interaction would be nice.

 

Cut and paste marketing spin is so minor league.

 

And from everything we've heard, Tuscan Grille on the M Class ships (replacing the wonderful ocean liner venues) is a bust.

It does not to me as well......so, we are doing pre tipping....tipping when the service happens...and tipping at the end of the cruise.....oh...I forgot....the auto tipping as well.....jeeze

Bribing, or pre-tipping doesn't feel right to me....

I don't understand WHY if you did not enjoy your cruise you would book another with celebrity. of course having said that I don't know the reasons why you did not enjoy it but, were it me......i think i would try a different line if i did not like my experience on Celebrity

Hi All

 

I did my first Celebrity cruise last year on Infinity and didn't enjoy it very much. I tend to like large ships better and also the spacious royal promenade walkway type features off Royal Caribbean's larger vessels.

 

However . . . I've just booked a 13 day transatlantic on Celebrity Eclipse for April. With your vast wisdom and expertise around cruising Celebrity does anyone have any comments about how I will find Eclipse based on what I've said in my thread.

 

Thanks a lot

Yes

we are booked on an alaska cruise in september and have quite a bit of obc. Can we use it for our gratuities?

 

Thanks!

I would,

the extra space, upgraded bathroom, luminae, butler, Michaels club, and you can still go to blu if you want plus, you keep all your other perks?....damn right I would...and there is always the chance you could end up in a Royal...not likely....but it COULD happen...

We are after final payment on our Alaska cruise/Post cruise tour. We have #1138 Aqua 1 on the aft booked - a coveted balcony for Alaska.

 

Right now we could pay $340 dollars (total) to upgrade to a suite guarantee - keeping our $300 OBC, free Bev, Grats and gaining free intranet. I realize that we will most likely end up with a Sky 2 - but having had a S1 once - oh that extra space is nice, the butler service is great and now they have the suite restaurant and Michael's Club.

 

Would you give up an Aqua aft cabin in Alaska for a Sky suite?

While Celebrity "welcomes" children as well as adults I think you can agree that the current primary demographic of Celebrity cruisers does not tend to small children ..or babies. that rather than suggesting that the adult poster find another cruise without babies....( difficult to do at the very least as you never know where they will turn up :rolleyes: ) perhaps the OP might try a Disney cruise where all the pax expect there will be children and babies.

I sympathise with you for having noisy baby neighbours but that's really not the OP's fault.

 

I laughed at the "you and your babies" comment, my youngest baby of four is 27!

 

The truth is that Celebrity welcomes passengers of all ages, so if that doesn't suit maybe an adults only ship would be better for you? I don't cruise during holiday times because I'm not a fan of ships full of children so try and avoid busy times. Maybe instead of people with babies avoiding Celebrity you should avoid cruises with babies so that your terrible experience isn't repeated? ;)

 

Oh and young babies should never go in hot tubs you are spot on there. For themselves as much as others.

Exactly......

After a California coastal cruise I did last year I suggested on the Princess board that they could at least give priority disembarkation at the ports and preferred seating for the shows to the high suite pax.....the out cry was amazing. Basically they said the suite pax should just be happy with the bigger cabin. many said they cruise Princess BECAUSE they don't give all the perks to suite pax.

We did a B2B on the Regal Feb.7-21. Though the MDR food was pretty good(not, mind you as good as Cunard/Celebrity)We TOTALLY agree..what a "shaft" the Suite pax get on Princess! Really! the suite price is about the same as Cunard/Celebrity, but again a minibar!? Really! No butler service, no dining in a specialty rest. except Sabatini's, which we found only a "tad" better than the MDR. I'd NEVER book Princess for a suite.

In my opinion....much is determined by the level of the cabin you stay in....at veranda level and below the differences are fewer between Royal, Princess and Celebrity. However, if you stay in a Grand or Owners suite on Princess and then a Penthouse or Royal on Celebrity......there is a world of difference. The level of perks offered on Celebrity are MILES beyond the anemic package (read breakfast at Sabatini's and one full minibar) you get on Princess.

I have found no definitive difference between those lines & ships.

 

Each line/ship has things we like better/worse than other lines/ships.

 

But truly, cruises are far more alike than different.

 

And I think Celebrity gave up "premium" line some time ago--mass market for them as well.

You really don't want to push this.....a flat tire on your transpost vehicle or any malfunction while in route could make you miss the ship if you don't leave enough of a buffer. Just plan a longer time in Rome for next time......you could spend years there and still have things to see!

Thanks Keith, I'll adjust my timings accordingly

I suppose you could also make the booking through celebrity and then transfer it to your TA, and cancel your old booking.

I booked the July 24 Summit cruise on Sunday, A2 class, I used the resident rat and thus I did not get the Go Better plan, it was $1249 pp according to my big internet TA invoice.

Today on X's website the resident rate is $999 pp, but said big box TA can't find that rate. I put a 24 hour hold on today's rte on X's site. Any suggestions for saving $ in this situation?

Rather see a conversion to Mongolian or Korean BBQ. I think sushi is too much a niche market....Plus, I hate fish of all kinds :mad:

We ate at Bistro On 5 once. We could take it or leave it.

I don't know that i agree with you there....for balcony, OV and inside the product is more similar that not....but as the price goes up the difference becomes wide indeed.....and at the top level celebrity offers a product far superior to princess

The majority of our cruises, no matter what line, are 10 nights or more.... It makes a huge difference in the demographics onboard... The 1, 3, 4, 5 night sailongs are mainly just let your hair down and parry cruises, no matter what line. Folks trying to cram a week or more worth of vacation in a very, very few days. We rarely even consider a 7 nighters anymore, unless it's with friends who absolutely cannot do longer - and then we do a least a back-to-back!

It wouldn't hurt to give Princess another try, on a longer sailing - if itinerary and price work out. They have a very good product too...

Always amazed with the obsession many cruisers have with tipping and how wages are distributed on the various cruise lines. I certainly don't expect the people on board to be worried about my finances.

Mike:

 

I agree with you but there was a thread in the past few weeks where someone was told they have a new procedure that all the "extra" tips were now being pooled. Glad to see this is not the case.

I agree about Sabatini's, I found it very....average for food and VERY slow on service.....and no...it was not crowded at the time..quite the opposite. I find it is like newtons laws of motion....servers in motion stay in motion...servers at rest ten to stay at rest unless acted on by a very disgruntled patron.....

We board the Silhouette Sunday.

 

We also like a large table camaraderie in the MDR; we were considering going for the Ultimate (unlimited) Dining Plan if available & based on your review, you have made my decision.

 

Funny, we dined at Sabatini's on Princess and were NOT impressed--felt the MDR food was just as good. We found MDR food to be comparable on RCCL, Princess & Celebrity.

 

I always avoid walking through the shops area--I only shop for things needed in an emergency.

 

Glad to hear about your impressions on entertainment--there had been some more negative impressions in recent months. Sounds like things have changed.

you need to ask this in your roll call

THE COMMENT DOES NOT EQUATE TO THAT AT ALL. Just because a person says something about one line the comment does not apply to all lines......Very poor logic there

That's like saying that Celebrity and Azamara are basically RCL as that's their main business.

 

Each line is operated separately. The MSC crew don't come from the freight division!

I don't get this "contribution to the discussion.....you recommend MSC based on you having been on what you call a comparable line but, having no actual experience on MSC.....uh....OK

I have only been on Costa, similar type of cruise line as MSC.

If you are American and want to only experience Americanize cruises stay with X. If you want to try something different but still in safe environment, Try MSC.

 

We live in Fl so booking a getaway requires only Money, No Air, and just a short drive to the port. I like to try different things and if the perks, and loyalty match perks, and PRICE WAS RIGHT I would try MSC. When you are just happy just to be on a ship MSC might be worth a try.

if you got back 40 it really cost you 20%....if you just wanted to get the money ...a slightly risky way to get it all would be to play roulette and bet red and black. you could lose it all if it came up 0...do they have 00 on the cruise ships?..(I don't play roulette). But, you would get the whole amount

I disembarked the Constellation on February 25. OMG. My refundable OBC hit my credit card the SAME day as debarkation! I had no idea it was that fast.

 

Speaking of OBC, as many know, you can't take out the non-refundable OBC in the casino for CASH plus 5% any more. They make you load your card for the slots or give you promo chips to play on the gaming tables.

 

Well after buying liquor with the OBN, I still had $52.42 left. So I went to the casino cage and got $50 in promo chips thinking they'd charge me 5% which would have totaled $52.50 with $0.08 coming from my refundable OBC.

 

But they didn't charge the fee. They only deducted $50 of the OBN. So I only forfeited $2.42 unused OBN.

 

Oh BTW, those $50 promo chips returned $40 real cash. :D

I would book Sillie.......you want to go to Cococay....so book it and hope the weather is good....if not you will probably have the same itinerary as the Equinox booking so why not try for the port you want.....as to eclipse...you get an extra night on Sillie....is there some hidden advantage to the Eclipse booking?

Hello All,

 

I am eyeing up 3 cruise options for next February:

 

6 nights on the Eclipse - 2 sea days and ports of GeorgeTown, Cozumel, Costa Maya

 

7 nights on Equinox - 2 sea days and ports of Labadee, Falmouth, George Town, Cozumel

 

7 nights on Silhouette - 2 sea days and ports of Cococay, Cozumel, Georgetown, and Falmouth.

 

Anybody have strong feelings that one is better than the other two? I really wanted to go to Cococay, but I am seeing that ships miss that port a lot in February due to weather.

 

Thoughts? Advice? Don't go to the Caribbean in February? I do get seasick...

And also, will probably not do a lot of excursions - or at least not expensive ones. Plan to beach it while in port if possible.

 

Thanks for your help!

 

Julie

Don't know what you expected but,...you are booked through BA.....does not matter if they are borrowing AA planes....your ticket is BA....should have booked an AA fright using BA planes...LOL

With the caveat that I usually use my AA points to buy domestic airline travel tickets, when my travel agent and I looked at airfares from east coast US to Barcelona and back (for the Celebrity Western Med cruise), Choice air was somewhat less expensive with an itenerary that used AA and British Airways. Price was a few hundred less for two travelers.

 

So I booked with Choice air, two tickets, Economy via my travel agent (This is a small group trip, so easiest to all be traveling together).

 

Because AA advertises on it's website that you can use AA miles to "enjoy a higher level of service on American Airlines, British Airways and Iberia." I thought I would call and try to upgrade to business with my AA points (realizing from the AA website table I have enough points to do so).

 

After multiple phone calls to AA, Choice Air and British Airways--apparently because the US to Barcelona flight is an AA plane, operated by AA, but ticketed by BA, I cannot use my AA points (AA says it's computer system will not recognize the booking/ticket???). And because all of the legs of my return flight are ticketed by BA (even the last leg from Miami to my small southern town) and even though 2 of the three last legs have AA jets operated by AA, I cannot use my AA points to upgrade. According to BA, they will give me my Frequent flier AA points when I travel on BA, but on BA ticketed flights they will only accept BA points for upgrade.

 

Geesh! I am somewhat confused. Can anyone explain this? I figure it's some business deal that Choice Air and BA/AA have--certainly not apparent on the surface and I could not find any other reference to this problem on CC boards. Feel like I've had the "bait and switch" or was I just naive?

well, you will have someone to vent to with Celebrity...but that won't necessarily get you money back.

The best part of "Private" tours is that they cater to the desires of the group.

I am not talking about just booking through an independent but, booking a true private tour just for a small group of say no more than 12. you can get the tour MUCH cheaper plus they will build the tour around where the group wants to go. and....if it looks like it is getting a bit late...you can always say to go to the ship...or go to a shopping area...whatever

another things to consider is satisfaction. If you don't like the tour or there are problems, how do you handle it after the fact. With Celebrity tours, go to the them on board and let them know the problems and why you were not happy. We had a panama tour where unknown to anyone they were doing road work and it took hours to get to our destination, then a woman fell off a platform and we had to wait two hours for another car to come get her, we had to skip a stop and then finally got to the panama canal to watch the ships go through. We received a full refund. We have had other issues, that if we had done a private tour, we would have had no resolution. Celebrity has always taken care of us and I will only book celebrity tours. Just my opinion