Georgia_Peaches

I just did this, so I can walk you through the process. The incentive for the TA is that they must receive more in commission than they rebate back to the customer in terms of additional OBC. That part I can understand. What I don't really get is why Celebrity makes it so easy to do these transfers, by not having their own offers be competitive. In the case of the two reservations we transferred, the new TA is giving us over 8% of the booking charge back in the form of a cash card (most TAs give it back in the form of additional OBC). I don't know what the economics are, but let's say the TA commission is 12%, and in this case our new TA gives us 8% and keeps 4%. A win-win for both. But if Celebrity just matched the 8% extra OBC, I would leave the reservation with them, and they would keep the extra 4%. Plus with all that OBC I would likely book more Celebrity excursions, specialty dining, buy more stuff onboard, etc., just to use some of the OBC. Anyway, that is a question for another thread and another time.

 

We were onboard the Equinox in April and early May, and booked two new cruises for 2019. We will probably take one and move the other to a different date. We got extra OBC for booking onboard, an extra $250 for one cruise and $300 for the other. I had Celebrity leave our prior TA off the bookings because I wanted to shop around. Note that you only have 60 days from booking to do the transfer.

 

I called or emailed 5 TAs in total. Two were smaller individual type agencies recommended to me by another Cruise Critic member. Two were big online travel agents, one specializing in cruises and the other was the travel arm of a big box retailer. The final one was the travel arm for my wife's high end credit card (the one that now costs $550 per year). All were at least somewhat competitive except for the credit card travel department, whose offer was pathetic.

 

I decided to transfer the bookings to the big box retailer, as their cash card offer was significantly better than the offers of the other TAs, so I called them back. They gave me the TA number and address to fill in, and then directed me to the reservation transfer page on the Celebrity website. Here it is. http://rccl.force.com/directtransfers/DTTCelebrity. It was easy to do, and then I called back the big box retailer a few days later so they could find the reservations in their system and link them to our big box membership account.

 

Tom & Judy

WOW!! That's great! I really appreciate the information.

You can't really call it a show now. The instructors banter a bit while assisting paid customers make their glass object, but it is nothing like it was previously under Corning. Also, while Hollywood Glass may be open for business for a longer period than Corning was, the facility was virtually empty whenever I passed by, so I'm not sure it's a better use of the facility. I could easily see this experiment being replaced within a year because it's not generating sufficient income for X or for Hollywood Glass.

Really? We had a completely different experience back in April. The Hollywood Glass venue was full each day it was open. So much so, I regrettably didn't get a reservation to participate. I was convinced, largely from comments in similar threads to this, that the popularity of this would fade and there'd be little interest in paying for such an experience and reservations wouldn't be necessary. Perhaps it is all relative to one's sailing. The days when I did stop by to see if I could be a spot in line, there was a show, though limited, and a full compliment of people watching.

But to answer the OP's question, IMHO, though some of the venues may have changed names and types, we found the service and experience to be without fault.

We try to book while on board and then transfer to an online cruise travel company. I like doing that so I can stack my perks.

Several folks have responded with a similar answer. How does one transfer from the cruise line to a TA? And what is the incentive for the TA to accept the transferred booking?

Thank you!

Christina

Hello All,

Am considering a Royal suite on the Summit over Thanksgiving for a milestone wedding anniversary. The itinerary has only 1 sea day. I know that on sea days may specialty restaurants are open for lunch. I was wondering if there are any for fee dining venues available on port days in the event we do not want to get off the ship. This question comes up because one of the "perks" of a Royal suite is the unlimited specialty dining. I'm thinking lunch here...would anything be open on a port day?

Thank you!

A double bonus thread: A petty gripe and another round of bottled water arguments in one convenient location.

 

 

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Ha, that's funny! Between discontinued straws and lost water bottles, this Norwegian board is quite entertaining. Was looking for some reviews on the Sun since its fiasco a while back, but this is much better.

also, newsflash. China is the largest buyer of US recycling. They arent interested in our recycling anymore. Recyling is piling up everywhere and it isnt getting recycled. Much of what we all dutifully place in our recycle bins is going into the trash.

 

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/11/world/china-recyclables-ban.html

Well if the New York Times said it then it must be true!

Absolutely not!

Yes it is- We have booked one for Thanksgiving 2019 on Anthem.

 

(A hint- watch videos of the various GLS cabins as we discovered there was a huge variation in the layouts)

We just picked up the last GLS on the Anthem for that week as well.

Thanks all for the confirmation. It's been a while since we were on RCCL...have spent the last several years on Celebrity but wanted to try something different.

I'm not sure...some things have changed. I'm wondering if the Grand Loft Suite is in the Star category for 2018 sailings.

Thank you in advance!

I think this will go the way of most of these bans. Plastic straws will no longer be acceptable. However, paper straws (which can be recycled) will replace them.

Those of us old enough to remember when all straws were paper. Red stripe on white. Like OJ commercial when they stick straw in whole orange.

I didn't know plastic straws couldn't be recycled. Can't imagine drinking a frozen drink without a straw and I like the idea of bringing my own even less...

What itinerary includes an over night stay in New York? Sounds awesome!

I have seen a number of replies that say that if your bid changes from "pending" to "processing" it means you have won the bid. I can tell you that this is just not true. My bid changed from "pending" to "processing" on the Tuesday before the Saturday cruise and then the next day it changed back to "pending" and Thursday night I got the email that I did not win the bid.

So where do you go to check the status of your bid?

We had a good time on Epic last November but it's a very strange ship. Balcony staterooms have a curved wall and awkward bathroom layout. If you do go with the Epic I would try to get a room with the bed near the balcony.

I haven't been on the Symphony but have been on plenty of other RCCL ships. They are generally very nice and offer lots to do...same with the Epic.

I personally would opt for which ever deal was going to give me the best perks....especially since they have the same general itinerary.

Was on the Equinox in early April and did not make any specialty dining reservations in advance of the trip nor did we purchase a package. We ate at Murano, Tuscan Grill and Silk Harvest. I think you will be ok with just making the reservation as you go....especially if you're not fixated on eating at a certain time. My trip was over Spring Break and ship was booked full...we still didn't have a problem.

Enjoy your vacation!

Christina

Booze Cruise

More of a 3-day gambling cruise with my dear mother...but I'm sure booze will be had as well.

Thank you so much! I noticed that the daily gratuity charge is a little bit higher but, I guess that's ok.

Christina

So I just booked a quick 3-night Bahamas cruise out of Port Canaveral. I did the booking directly on Norwegian's site as opposed to my usual travel agent. The TA site spells out that a drink package is included and states the value. The Norwegian site doesn't do this. The booking doesn't mention a drink package and I think it's because of the change that becomes effective in May. Do you read this to say that drinks are automatically included? I'm paranoid about missing something in the fine print...

Thanks in advance!!

Effective for Norwegian Sun 3- and 4-Day Bahamas and 4-Day Cuba sailings from Port Canaveral beginning May 2018, guests will receive complimentary beverages which include designated spirits, cocktails, bottled beer, draft beer, and wines by the glass and unlimited fountain soda and juices at all bars, lounges, restaurants and Great Stirrup Cay*. Does not include room service, package sales, ship specific promotions or beer buckets, designated Super Premium brands (subject to change), bottled wine, mini bar purchases, bottled water, fresh squeezed juices, select Lavazza coffee beverages, energy drinks, vending machines, souvenir items or wine stations. Two (2) beverages per transaction. Your check may reflect applicable VAT and/or taxes for certain ports or itineraries. You must be at least 21 years of age to purchase and consume alcohol. See the terms of our guest alcohol policy.

*NOTE: Sun Open Bar may exclude Chartered Sailings. Please contact the organizer of your cruise for details.

I've done Carnival several times and each occasion was a really good time. As I've matured though, so have my tastes and expectations. My problem with Carnival is that they don't really offer any suite perks and I've never really see an offer for a drink package outside of "drink credits". With Celebrity, I know what I'm getting with a suite and I can always count on their drink package.

Am looking for a quick cruise for my mom and me and our primary purpose is to gamble. We are looking at a 3 night Bahamas itinerary. One of the stops is Great Stirrup Cay. Am wondering if the casino will be open while docked at the private island. (or is it tendered?) Anyway, a thread from 2015 says it is open. Just wondering if things have changed since then.

Thank you!

Christina

Greetings,

We are looking for a Thanksgiving cruise and have grown tired of the Caribbean. I have come upon a Mexican Rivera itinerary leaving out of Los Angeles but only Princess and Carnival offer this. I am a long time Celebrity cruiser but since we are looking for something different, we have to choose a different line. I have a few questions and any help is greatly appreciated. We usually opt for a suite and on Celebrity this includes at least 2 perks like a drink package or gratuities. In most cases, one can get that plus complementary wifi as well. So my questions are:

1. Other than added space, are their any real perks to being in a suite? Like beverage package?

2. What's the difference btwn a mini-suite and a premium mini-suite?

3. Are you allowed to bring wine on board on embarkation day?

4. Do you have any experience with the Ruby Princess?

Thank you so much!

Christina

We had a great steak experience in Murano, well it was actually chateaubriand, but to me that's steak...not the t-bone or rib-eye that many prefer. But it was nice. It think it's going to be difficult to get a 5 star quality steak on a cruise ship simply because the food is generally cooked en mass, much like preparing for a very large banquet. I got a glimpse of this one night when we took a galley tour during the dinner hour...the operation seemed way to large to guarantee steak perfection....but I do have a new appreciation for what goes on behind the scenes to keep 2000+ passengers fed and happy. My hat is of to all of them!

Christina

This was our 14th cruise overall and 4th on Celebrity. These are going to be our(wife and I) thoughts and opinions on process from embarkation to disembarkation. Embarkation ,as usual in Fort Lauderdale, not very organized. Were not able to park close to area to drop off checked bags. After dragging two large bags a considerable distance, security and check in went smoothly. Wife needs wheel chair assistance to get up ramp to ship. We waited over 35 minutes and finally we walked on board. Was supposed to have a line for suite guests but we were sent to wrong area. Don't believe this can be blamed on Celebrity as I think most of people at terminal are port employees. Ship was in very good condition and staff was super. Every cruise the selection of food seems less appealing. Staff in Luminae and Blu and Ocean Vue were all super. Our orders In Luminae were wrong four different times, different waiter on orders so must have been kitchen goof ups. Ate one night in Tuscan Grille and food and service were extraordinary. Butler and cabin attendant were always asking what more they could do to make our cruise enjoyable. Dismbarkation went quite smoothly. Out of cabin by 8:30, hung out in Michael's till about 9:30 requested a wheelchair and off the ship picked up luggage went through customs and were dropped off by UBER pickup area in 15 minutes. All in all an enjoyable cruise. So why good bye to Celebrity? Feb/Mar 2017 we had to cancel a cruise on the Reflection (Sky suite deck 12) approx. 2 weeks prior to sailing. Our travel agent called and cancelled. We understood that we would not receive our fare refunded. At my request travel agent called later and asked if we would receive Captains Club points as we had paid and cancelled allowing Celebrity to resell the cabin. Celebrity rep said no, points are only awarded after cruise is completed. I didn't agree but let it go at the time. While we were on the 3/23/2018 cruise I visited the Captains Club hostess on Reflection and went through the whole scenario with her. She made a call and received the same answer that our travel agent received.The hostess said most of the reps on the phone are more or less reading from a script and suggested that when I got home to call and speak with a manager, which she was unable to do. I did as she suggested, had to go through the whole scenario with a script reader in order to talk to a manager. Got to a manager (?) and again went through the whole story again. His reply was hard fast rule no points. I again went through the process of paying and not using the four perks and Celebrity being able to resell the cabin. Again his reply no points. In hindsite I should have just been a noshow, then I don't believe they would have had the option to resell. In the end I'm sorry it ends this way, but it has now become matter of principle with me. I really like Celebrity but I just returned from my travel agent with brochures for Holland America and Viking Ocean Cruises.

Last month I had an emergency requiring me to cancel a Delta flight to PA. My fare was paid in full and it was a non-refundable ticket. My seat was then resold to another soul needing to get to PA. By your way of thinking, are you suggesting that I call Delta and ask to receive the sky miles that would have been awarded to me had I taken the flight since I essentially paid for them? And when they refuse, I should then seek out another airline? It just doesn't work that way, my friend.

We were on the 24 March cruise as well as the 31 March cruise. There was a Coast Guard inspection on the 31st as we saw a few of them still on the ship when we re-boarded with an Equinox officer. Even our B2B info that was delivered to our stateroom's two days prior to TAD advised us of the scheduled Coast Guard inspection on the 31st. First I've heard of the jewelry store caper. ;)

There was indeed a coast guard inspection. According to the agent, the expected delay was not due to the inspection but rather, the possibility of it taking a long time to recover the jewelry. On a side note, I shared the story with a couple during our muster drill. So happened the gentleman was a retired detective...he called B.S. on the story. We had a good laugh, though.

We were on the same cruise and had an awesome time. Agree with your assessment. I just have to comment on the embarkation e-mail. We also received that e-mail but had no trouble boarding before the specified time. When I spoke with an agent about the fact that I was surprised to be boarding ahead of schedule I was told...and I'm not making this up...that there was apparently a jewelry heist from one of the shops early on in the cruise that was returning the day we embarked. Gentleman said they searched all luggage, which was the real reason for the possible delay...not the coast guard inspection as the email indicated. At any rate, the jewelry was apparently recovered and the 2 suspects were apprehended and removed in handcuffs. Not sure if all that is true but it makes for a good story.;)

How did you do that? Did you take cash out and pay the crew directly?

No, my DH told the bar tender to add a certain amount to the bill each time as gratuity. They no longer give you a slip to sign so he asked how we could tip extra. He was told to tell the amount he wanted to go as a tip and it was added in. It showed up on our account as gratuity the next day.