Basketball wife

“The Elite breakfast use to be a buffet! Can’t remember when or why (?Covid) it was changed to waiter service.” Before Covid, we were on a B2B on the Summit. On one of the sailings, breakfast was buffet style and on the second, it was table service. The explanation given was that the service style was determined by how many Elite cruisers there were on the sailing.

Just FYI, we were on the Eclipse just before Covid shut down the world. We were on the ship for an additional two weeks. We were surprised to see that after we got home, we were granted points for the extra days. Had no idea this was going to happen. Their policy about actually being on the ship to acquire points does seem to work both ways…

We were on the Meraviglia last month and saw the female butler put two super sized plastic bags of chips behind the bar in the lounge…they were clearly marked Lays.

Thank you!

A question for those of you who had your loyalty number added after you booked the cruise (and after final payment). Did you receive the $50 OBC that is given when booking more than six months in advance?

YC gratuities were mentioned in an earlier post. Are they the same as the regular cabins or are they more? (I read a The Points Guy review of the Meriviglia yacht club and the writer said that the gratuities were included in the fare🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️.)

Was this the Odyssey? We were on the Odyssey Holy Land tour last year. In the Diamond Lounge while I was waiting in line for the coffee machine, I got hit in the mouth with a cup by an irate passenger. At the same time she stepped on my foot which caused more immediate pain— I was limping around for days. Anyway, as the sailing progressed I noticed my tooth seemed a bit wobbly so about four days before the end of the cruise I went to Guest Services to get an accident report (I wanted a copy in case I had to make a claim for dental insurance.) I was told they “take note” of incidents but they can’t give me a “written” report🤷🏻‍♀️ Turns out, I lost the tooth and have an implant. I am pleased with my travel insurance as they did cover everything even without an official report; however, Odyssey Guest Services and Royal policies need work.

As many have reported, lower quality cuts, more “chopped/chunky piece” meats (they used to have big pork chop first night and veal chop second night— no longer🥺). Yes, most meals are served with mashed potatoes. In August on the Summit I asked for a baked potato instead early on. I got it but we had to wait about a half hour for our mains and it was so cold, butter did not melt. Later in the cruise I asked again and after the waiter going back and forth to maître d’, was told it wasn’t available that evening. Chicken saltimbocca used to be made with some kind of large cutlet/breast but on that cruise the chicken was chopped into tiny, tiny pieces. Finally, in the past I used to order an extra plate of steamed veggies for the table. It was served on a dinner plate with a rainbow of vegetables. The last few times I have done this (except for in the Luminae) a smaller side plate was delivered with a load of giant sliced carrots and maybe one small flower of cauliflower. Rarely, any green vegetable…although once I did get three green beans to accompany the carrots🤷🏻‍♀️

A decade ago my husband had his carry on stolen in a crowded, Barcelona park with police in sight. It was on his suitcase and he took his hand off of it to look at a map. Two men ran up, pushed him, grabbed the bag and took off. It was the day we arrived and four days before we cruised. The Canadian embassy is/was across the street so we went there after we made the police report at the station that is also in the park. The outcome: - received white temporary passports in two days - made the cruise, arrived as they were closing up the terminal check in—so, we were escorted onto the ship to check in at guest services - on return home, returned the temp passports and received new “regular” passports within a week - our credit card travel insurance covered everything: the temp and new passport costs, a hotel room we didn’t use but paid for because we thought it would take longer to receive the passports, taxis we used to get back and forth to the embassy and to get to the ship at the last minute, the flight we booked when we thought we were going to have to meet the cruise at its first port stop, his camera, a pricey watch, his cash, a new carry on and wallet. There was no deductible.

I do always start with the Celebrity website when I am interested in a specific cruise. This gives me a baseline price and any other amenities Celebrity is offering and then I post a request on a site that “bids” for my business (I don’t think I can mention it🤷🏻‍♀️). And then I check about 4/5 different agencies that I have booked with previously to see if they have group rates and/or if they are offering any bonuses (additional OBC which is refundable/specialty dining/spa pass, etc.); their “deals” always make them more attractive than booking directly with Celebrity — I can’t remember the last time I booked directly with any cruiseline. I also subscribe to TA mailing lists so that I get emails about upcoming promotions or “special” cruises. Fortunately, we have been retired for several years so we can always easily adjust our plans🤗.

Quebecer here (still part of Canada 🥴). About 80 cruises over 30 years, different cruiselines, Elite+ with Celebrity. I always book with various US travel agencies because of group rates or 10% kickback OBC (I have no loyalty to any TA). The exchange between USD/CAD usually works out to about the same cost to my pocketbook and sometimes (often) I have benefitted by watching exchange rates before final payments (if the CAD$ goes up, I pay down a bit or the entire balance). Strangely, not sure about now, but when Azamara was still part of the Royal group, booking with the Canadian site in CAD was extremely advantageous; rarely, did this happen with Celebrity. Bottom line, it has been my experience that the Celebrity site and travel agencies have identical prices but the TAs frequently throw in bonuses such as Grats/drink package upgrades/OBC, etc.

Does anyone know what the ship charged for transport to Newark airport?

Different issue. I booked one way air with FBC. I just tried to book the transfer from the port to the airport through manage your trip. It accepted my credit card info but when I clicked Pay Now, I got this message, “Changes to cruise-only transfer arrangements are not permitted at this time. Please re-enter transfer arrangement or cancel changes made…” 1) Should I be worried that my air was cancelled? It is showing on the webpage… 2) Or, does booking with FBC also include the transfer to the airport?

Yes, such as a European cruise or a cruise from Vancouver that goes to Japan. I was just wondering why English courts have been chosen over the US…

Section 10 in both the US and Canadian contract states: “ALL DISPUTES… (INCLUDING A CLAIM FOR PERSONAL INJURY, ILLNESS OR DEATH OF A PASSENGER) SHALL BE LITIGATED… IN THE COURTS OF ENGLAND AND WALES, TO THE EXCLUSION OF ALL OTHER COURTS OR TRIBUNALS. PASSENGER HEREBY CONSENTS TO JURISDICTION AND WAIVES ANY VENUE OR OTHER OBJECTION THAT PASSENGER MAY HAVE TO ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING BEING BROUGHT IN THE COURTS OF ENGLAND AND WALES.” Anyone know why England?? Company registration??