Georgia_Peaches

Your best bet for finding your answer regarding La Spezia is to visit the ports of call board and pose that portion of your question there. regarding your other questions, Celebrity attracts fewer children than Royal but there will definitely be an uptick in the child count if you are traveling during the summer. Not nearly as many as Royal tho. I’ve read reports about the food as well. We are cruising on Saturday after being gone since 2019 so I can’t personally assess the changes until we return. I will say that I have read great reviews about food on your specific ship both here and on other sites. The obc can be used on just about anything. If your credit is from Celebrity, you can start using it right away via your cruise planner. I’d look at the excursion offers in the planner and see if anything appeals before looking at the dining.

Excellent thread, OP. Thank you. I tried Opoli car service as some have recommended but got an error message saying both San Pedro cruise terminal and Long Beach airport are outside their service area. However, I was able to reserve an Uber for March 11th to Long Beach for $46 bucks. I’ve never reserved in advance. Here’s hoping it works!

If you do what's right for you, your experience on the cruise and your financial situation, there's no need to ask. Ultimately, people will do what they can in the end, regardless of what is said on CC.

I literally just spit my coffee. That's too funny!

That's a very good point! We've had all the things on the fixed menu but never with the wine pairing. I thought it might be a nice change of pace. I tend to gravitate to the same wines because I know I like them so having food paired with new wines broadens my horizons without having to sink a lot of money on something I may end up not liking. Do you happen to know if the wine list in Murano is the same as all the other venues or do they step it up there?

We board next week. I plan to stop by Murano to confirm our reservations and I will ask and follow up with the answer I'm given.

The appeal of cruising for us (especially me) was the fact that all we had to do was show up and board the ship without having to really think of anything else. Land vacay's have more thinking/planning involved but we managed to find a very nice all inclusive resort in Mexico, five star rated, that became our land alternative to cruising during Covid. For 6 nights in a beautiful resort we were able to have a suite with private pool, fully stocked bar (and restocked), full menu room service, VIP access to a private lounge and beach, seven to 10 included dining venues, and premium drinks throughout the stay. We got all this for nearly half what we pay for a cruise offering the same amenities. We enjoyed the resort and visited three times before getting back on a ship last August. A recent mock booking at that resort (spurred on by this thread) has shown an increase in rates but not nearly at the % of what I've noticed on Celebrity (and others).

I really tried to find the answer to this question prior to posting...nada! Murano has a fixed food and wine pairing menu as well as a traditional menu. Is the food/wine pairing menu included in the RS/PH suite dining or is it only the traditional menu that is included? Any opinions on the food/wine paring experience?

It is certainly a mystery why this restriction would apply to some Celebrity ships but not others.

Which would stink if the only bar open on the ship was at the pool..

Were you on an E class ship? Am wondering if this perk is just for E class as I've been on 2 other S class sailings in a RS and haven't received anything monogrammed. Definitely going to ask this time on our upcoming cruise.

So it’s as simple as asking for monogrammed pj’s and they provide them? How does this work? Automatic or you have to ask? And is this on all ships or only those that have been revolutionized?

In contrast, we are experiencing one of the warmest February's. As I type this I am sitting in shorts and a T-shirt thinking I'm probably going to have to run the a/c tonight. It's funny bc when I mentioned the extended forecast to my DH, he asked why I booked us a cool weather cruise. Who knew LA was colder than ATL in March?! Oh well, so much for my cute sail away outfit...guess I need to get on my backup plan! 😊 See you on board! PS... we love San Diego!

Also on Solstice in a RS. Just hit T-10 days till embarkation! Our shoreside concierge contacted us a month out to get our requests. That was the earliest we’ve ever been contacted. I made a schedule of our dining time/preference for each evening and asked for the following to be set up in the room: Nespresso Machine Fan limes Various things for the fridge Afternoon cheese plate The shoreside concierge responded and said we should bring a copy of our requests when we board as confirmation for our dinner reservations. I guess this also helps the butler to keep track of our requests. We bring our own pillows and have always had plenty of hangers. Like others have said, the entire team is eager to assist.

Appreciate the review. We board a week from Saturday. Coming from the southeast, I’m a little concerned about how to pack for the weather. Extended forecast looks chilly. I’m used to embarking in Florida. Did you need a jacket? Hoodie? How was the a/c in your cabin?

Lucky for you, they also have interior suites in the YC. I say lucky because once you go YC, there's no turning back! Enjoy!

On the contrary. I went into my first MSC cruise with very high expectations. We were in the YC and my expectations were exceeded. I think a better way to phrase it is, one usually gets what one pays for. It's laughable to me that there are people out there who pay Howard Johnson prices for a 7 night cruise and then expect Ritz Carlton service and experiences in return.

If you're dining at 6 PM you should have no problem making the 8:30 show.

What a frustrating scenario! Does Celebrity concede that you would not have been able to get on the flight if it was showing as unpaid? You can present facts and evidence seven ways to Sunday but it sounds like you're dealing with people (finance department) who are trained to read only what's on the screen in front of them without doing any research to get to the bottom of your situation. It stinks to have to deal with this while on vacation but stick to your guns because it will be next to impossible to dispute after you leave. Please keep us posted.

I think you will find that a Celebrity booze cruise is much more tame than what you might encounter on Carnival or MSC. Personally, I love a good booze cruise but my joints ache more than they used to so I'll take the sleepier Celebrity over the others.

Exactly! That's the whole point of turn down service. For me, turn down service is an integral part of my cruising experience. Call me what you will...I don't really care. I am who I am and I'll pay for a suite to get what I want. IMO though, a cruiser should not have to pay for a suite to receive full cabin service. My opinion and $11.95 will get you a cup of coffee at Starbucks 🤣.

It’s amazing to me how many people want others to know what they do with regard to tipping. Not sure if it’s tipping inferiority or tipping arrogance.

That's pretty good money, I must say. Many people act as if the stewards and wait staff are working in conditions akin to sweat shops on cruise ships while us westerners lounge about on vacations across the world. I don't think they are getting rich by any means but I think there is a pretty good wage to me earned. I have no doubt that its hard work and money well earned.

Whatever works for you. No judgement here.

That really stinks. Sorry to hear that. But glad you're good!