doublemm16

While for most of you this is probably not a big deal, but currently I have a lot going on at home and this morning when I logged into the My Celebrity site, there is was....Elite! It brought a huge smile to my face. And while I have enjoyed all of my Celebrity cruises regardless of status, this just made me feel good this morning!! :D

Looking forward to these benefits and my first time in a suite on my upcoming cruise on the Summit!

We just got off the Equinox on April 17th, as you were getting on. We had a veranda cabin on Deck 7. We also had strange sounds coming from our bathroom at varying time of the day and night. Almost like a constant running sound. But it was not all of the time.

Our room steward was not the best we ever had. However, both he and his assistant were very nice.

All of the staff onboard were very friendly with the exception of one...a female bartender in the Molecular Bar who was more than rude. I tried to get her name but couldnt. In all of my years of cruising I have never come across someone who seemed very unhappy. My mom got very ill on the last night of the cruise. Not sure if it was noro or food poisoning (the nurse told us she was the only reported case of gastrointestinal illness). I had to summon someone from the medical center twice to give her injections. The nurse was wonderful. My mother got a letter telling her she would receive credit on a future cruise for the time she was quarantined (which thankfully was only a half a day), and no charge for the medical services.

We also found the food in the main dining room to be inconsistent. Our waitstaff was pleasant but again not the best we have ever had. We were a group of 12 and they were able to accomodate us at one table off the beaten path near a window. It was nice to be able to hear everyone while conversing. My mom is a very picky eater, and would be happy with a bowl of pasta and marinara sauce most nights. When there was nothing on the menu that appealed to her, the waiter did not make any suggestions, and when she asked for pasta, he said he was not sure if he could do that. Although, eventually he did, and told us that pasta was on the kids menu. If that was the case, this should not have been a major undertaking. Mind you, my mom is very easy going and would have been fine with some appetizer choices from the everyday menu, but a request for plain pasta should that is apparently available to kids should not be a big deal.

All in all we did have a great time. We had a very interesting intinerary and enjoyed all of the shows we saw. If you have Tenors of Rock on your cruise Andy, go see it! They were amazing!!!!

Enjoy your time with your family!! :D

I could have written this post. Our first Celebrity cruise will be to Bermuda on June 14. In the past we have sailed Disney, Princess, Royal Caribbean, HAL, Norwegian and Carnival. Truthfully, the only one we didn't enjoy (my husband was looking for a way to abandon ship before we even left the dock) was Carnival. I, too, was concerned when reading the Celebrity posts, of how often "elite" was mentioned. I really was beginning to wonder if we'd feel uncomfortable, being lowly "first timers". Everyone has different ways to vacation and to cruise. For us cruising is a welcome break, but not the only way we vacation, so we usually look for an appropriate cruise for the time and place we want to go. Others like to cruise exclusively and like to be loyal to one line. There's nothing wrong with any of these choices. Everyone is free to choose. I'm anxious to try Celebrity, but I'm beginning to wonder if I'll be allowed out of "steerage". "Elite, Aqua, etc" seem so important on this Board. Anyway, I hope that my worries are for naught and that we will thoroughly enjoy Celebrity, (even in a lowly veranda cabin).

 

(I do agree that no one can touch Disney for entertainment - they are in a class by themselves).

Dont worry at all. I just came off my 6th Celebrity cruise and did not notice a "class" system of any kind. I had no idea what level people or where or what accomodations they stayed in. I did notice that Concierge Level cabins had a gold sea pass card, and some others had a light blue sea pass card, but it made no difference in how myself or my family was treated. And we stayed in a veranda cabin.

I have sailed on Carnival, RCCL and Princess. We have a preference for Princess and Celebrity. I can assure you that even in your veranda cabin, you will be treated just like everyone else, and you will have a great time!! :D

Not that we will do this every night but if we wanted to can we get bottled water, a couple glasses of wine, an after dinner drink and a cappuccino during one dinner?

 

Also, in the specialty restaurants can you get cocktails and wines covered on the classic package? We are on millennium?

 

Thank you!

Yes! We just got off the Equinox. Both my mom and I had the premium beverage package. They gave us Evian every night instead of the regular ice water, and they kept the wine flowing in mom's glass. She found a white wine that she liked a lot and the sommolier kept pouring. No problems at all! :D

I just called and upgraded...a no brainer

You cannot do that if you cruise is leaving on Monday, April 6th. Like mine is. The announcement came too late for me to do anything about it. I am just hoping that the $10 difference will be honored onboard.

Did I miss anyone's questions?

Do you happen to know what nights were the Formal nights?

What irks me is that I am leaving on the Equinox on Monday, and it is too late to upgrade before sailing (the booking has closed).

Had I known this sooner, I would have upgraded before I was blocked out. The fair thing would be to allow those of us with pre purchased beverage packages to upgrade at the old price.

This will not ruin my vacation by any means; however, I do believe that ample notice of a price change should have been given. With all of the added fees, etc. that seem to be rampant on other lines, I guess I should not be surprised.

Happy sailing!!

Even with anytime dining, you can reserve a table. If you get a server that you really like, you can arrange to eat at the same table every night on the cruise.

On our 15 day Hawaii cruise, there were a group of 10 of us who wanted to dine together. We were able to reserve the same table at the same time for the entire length of the cruise.

Also, when you get onboard, you can go to the dining room and see if you are able to get into early or late seating. Just see the Maitre D.

Well I got the final word from my travel agent today, that based on the original package I booked, to keep everything, our price would stay the same. However, Celebrity is giving us an additional $300 OBC under this new promotion. That is just $100 less than we would have saved, and it is a nice add on to the OBC we already have. I'm happy. :D

I think it depends on who you talk to. I've received several price drops (resident rate) on my upcoming Alaska cruise and was also able to get the Presidents' Day drop without losing my OBC for onboard booking or the OBC I was able to add later as part of a 123GO offer.

 

I think the gentleman who was assisting me was looking at the resident rate. But I am going to ask my agent about the President's Weekend rate. That should apply without interfering with my 123Go offer. I am booked in a sky suite.

Have them check out the presidents day sale that is good through the 16th. With this promotion I kept all my 1,2,3 promos and got a price reduction.

 

Laura

The agent I work with is back in the office tomorrow. I will have her double check.

Yes,you should be able to. I got a adjustment with the presidents day sale.

 

Laura

The agent I work with is out of the office today. Another agent told me that I can get the adjustment, but I would lose the OBC, the free gratuities and the beverage package because he could not combine the promotions. I decided to leave things as they are.

I am already booked on the May 31st Bermuda cruise. I am a NJ Resident and it looks like the fare would be almost $500pp less under this new promotion. Final payment is not yet due. Do you think I can get a price adjustment?

I am going to call my TA, but I was just wondering if anyone has already accomplished this.

Thanks!! :D

I just noticed that Celebrity has a promotion running for Bermuda sailings for 2015. The promotion includes both the beverage package and paid gratuities.

 

I sent a request to the TA that bids for your business. I had 2 quotes so far and both quotes stated that I had to pick one or the other perk. If these TA's can't stay on top of the current promotions I have no use for them. I will see if I get any more offers.

I think it depends on your TA. I have used the same TA for years, and she specializes in cruising. I booked a Bermuda cruise with her for May 2015, and I received the Classic Beverage Package, Free gratuities, $200 OBC and a free dinner for 2 in a specialty restaurant. It is because of these perks that I booked the trip. I cannot get much better than that. There are all kinds of TAs out there. I trust and value mine, and I usually end up ahead.

Good luck!!

Mindi:D

My family is going to be taking their first Disney Cruise next year. I am enjoying your review very much! I was a Gamma Sig at the University of Delaware. I really enjoyed my time a sister and participating in all of the service projects.

Glad you had a great trip. Congratulations on your graduation!!

Mindi:D

My sons and I want to do the Natural Pool Jeep Tour while in Aruba on our Carnival Breeze Cruise. They only have 1 ticket left....Does anyone know if there another jeep tour operator that does this other than the contracted one for the cruise line?

 

I have sent an email to a tour operator and no response yet.

I am not sure who Carnival contracts with, but De Palm Tours and ABC Tours both do the Natural Pool Jeep Tour. I am sure there are others, but these are the 2 I am familiar with. I have done the De Palm Jeep Tour and it was great!

I know the captain stopped by to chat with the Elite members every other day in the Crystal Room during the 5-7pm happy hour; Captain George told us he has a 3 months on, then 3 months off schedule. He told us he came on the ship in December (as did one Elite couple who came on the ship around the same time) but he didn't say what date he would be leaving. We had dinner with Jamie on last formal night, but I don't recall him saying he was leaving the ship.

 

Captain George

Jamie was leaving the ship to go on vacation. The Captain announced that after the crew talent show. I am not sure of the replacement. The full name of the cruise director is Rich Gleson (sp).

My only concern with this tour is making it back to the ship on time. Has anyone on this tour ever missed the ship? Should I be worried?

We got back with plenty of time to spare. Don't worry...they know what they are doing!

We just had a fabulous tour with Cosol. We passed the people with the snakes, but our group did not want to stop. We just kept going. We had Sylvia as our guide. She asked if we wanted to stop, and when we said no, it was not a problem.

Mindi:D

The Key Lime Pie martini was really good on the Coral last summer. Yum!!

Our B2B isnt till March 3 2013, however, we tend to start planning earlier. I have a question about Cosol though - unfortunately we are only two - myself and DH - have been talking to others on our Roll Call but so far we would only be two people and would love to be able to take a tour thru either Cosol of James - but from I have read you need big groups to book - is that correct - Does anyone know of independents that will do smaller groups - we had a car for ourselves when we visited Roatan and it was great - dont mind going with others, but as of now dont have anyone else to go with - does Cosol have a website I can visit?

As you stated it is early. You should communicate with Cosol and find out the minimum he needs. You will be surprised at the interest that is generated in tours as you get closer to your cruise. That is what happened to me. I book early, just 2 of us. Now I have 38 people going on my Cosol Tour.

I am leaving on my cruise in 3 weeks. I will report back on Cosol when I return.

I have read good reviews on the Carnival website in reference to De Palm Island, and am wondering if anyone has been to this island? If so, was it with Carnival or an outside company? I would like to do this excursion but am torn because I would also like to see some of Aruba. Any thoughts? Thanks!!:confused:

I have been to DePalm Island twice, with a third visit this July. It all depends on what you are looking for. The reason we go to DePalm Island, is that I have a 6 year old nephew and a 2 year old niece. They have a great waterpark with a bunch of slides, snorkeling where you can see beautiful blue parrot fish, a beach, food (it is not great, but passable), drinks, and a banana boat ride for the adults, all included in the price. We go for half a day which is more than enough.

I have also taken a jeep tour of the island. Aruba is definitely not the most scenic island I have ever been to, but there are some interesting spots to see if you have never been.

Bottom line...what are you looking for, and will you have children with you? If yes, DePalm Island might be a good excursion for you. If not, I agree, you might want to look for an island tour, or just take a bus to a beach and stay there for the day.

Have a great time in Aruba! It is one of my favorite places to go.

Just ran into this post on trip advisor. Lots of good information and links for first time cruisers to Alaska - I don't know if anyone has posted it before...:p

 

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g28923-i349-k3818607-All_about_Alaska_cruising-Alaska.html

Thanks for the link Rysam.