DancerOT

As someone who enjoys juices and smoothie, I will attest that I don't think Celebrity does a good job of making the shakes. The problem is that they don't freeze any of their ingredients or add ice when appropriate so you are essentially given a warm smoothie and thus it goes horrifically wrong. My favorite juice place nearby uses frozen bananas and berries. Or they cold press their juices. Or if it is an all green smoothie, they add ice to make certain it is cold as a high speed blender will heat up the ingredients. I do believe that Celebrity may have recently switched to high speed blenders which will help part of the problem (they were not smooth at all - ick!), but I can't attest to that across all ships.

The smoothies are covered under the beverage program, but honestly, they just aren't to my liking. I would encourage your friends to try them out at the aqua spa cafe, but to not have high expectations. On the flip side, the other offerings at the aqua spa cafe are delicious!

Most school systems still plan their spring breaks around Easter even though it is later this year. I know ours did. Therefore I think people's numbers that they noted are a fair reflection.

As someone who has been on Summit through a rather vicious storm, this was a smart move. I have never seen my mother get so freaked as when a wave came up and smashed into our cabin window. Our Captain did the best he could and warned all of the passengers that it was going to be rocky. But, I can honestly say, I have never seen anything like it.

Also, if you enjoy the coffees, teas, waters, and other NA beverages, you might want to consider one of the non-alcoholic packages. While I drink a fair amount of alcohol, especially when I have the package as a perk, I can't afford to pay outright for the package. However, I would definitely pay outright for one of the non-alcoholic packages. Something to consider for yourself.

This package is confusing us. When you click on "more Information" it states "Choose from Premium and Classic Packages in both spirited and non-spirited varieties"" What does this mean? Anyone have knowledge of this package? There are no price limits just that statement. Help please

This seems to be a very new package. My guess is that the liquor is mostly rail. But, truthfully, why would someone get it?

You are amazing! Love your positivity as more is needed in this world. Happy Weekend to all!

On our recent Silhouette cruise, we had non-refundable OBC. We had paid for everything already and it was the last night. We had about $80 left. So I ended up getting a really great tan Michael Kors clutch. I owed about $20, but I love that bag and use it all the time. I never did a price comparison, as in my mind, the purse was $20 since there was literally nothing else anyone wanted.

Although it is a different experience (and I enjoy both), some of you may want to price out Celebrity's cruises. Aside from TAs, the classic drink package is included when booking an oceanview or above. Oftentimes, other perks are included as well. However, the experience may not be what you are looking for. Sadly, they don't have solo cabins - big bummer, but what's a girl to do?

Or bring two and say you are carrying on your daughter's.

Good for them. St Thomas is nothing like it used to be. St Maarten is okay but not a Cozumel. I think we are burned out on the Eastern run.

Too funny! I am burned out on the Western Caribbean (poor me), although that is what I have booked for January. I feel like I have done everything there is to do in Cozumel.

You absolutely can!! In April, we had one cabin and booked 5 total. My recommendation though is to make certain you check prices before you go as the prices we got onboard were more than those being offered from our TA. So what X recommended we do is book onboard and then immediately call up our TA. We were no longer able to have the reduced deposit, but we did keep the extra OBC. Fortunately, my older brother was at home and was able to handle everything for us while we continued our trip.

But, basically, they were willing to let us book as many cabins as we were willing to put the deposit down for.

This has been consistently happening with us no matter how far out we book. However, we are typically moved to our preferred dining within a month or two of booking.

How did you feel it was limited?

Thank you for all of the balanced thoughts and comments! I tried Princess several years ago on the Princess Sun and felt fairly disappointed in the product. On the bright side, our room steward was one of the best I have ever had (definitely top three), however others in our group weren't so lucky. On the other side, there was a definite sewage smell throughout the ship and the staff kept denying it (everyone was commenting on it). I often felt like I was nickle and dimed throughout. Did I have a good time? Absolutely!! I was on vacation! However, it turned me off of Princess. However, much of the comments on this thread have made me think I ought to give them another try if the price and itinerary are right.

However, our next cruise on X was for a great price for a balcony and included three perks - beverage package, tips, and lots of onboard credit (we hit the lottery just right!). Additionally, being that I am elite on X, I know I can book an inside when a great price comes along and not worry about not having a drink package.

When have been on the Equinox the last 2 Novembers, in 2014 they would apply our Premium pkg to the half price during the HH. Last Nov 2015, same bartender, would not, said policy had changed. Never had an offer to start a stash! Cool idea tho.

 

The $35 bottle is a 22oz bomber, Rogue double chocolate stout.

 

The GastroBar is one of the small reasons we are booked on the Equinox again in Nov 2017.

 

Make sure and ask to leave a note in the book on the back bar shelf!

EW

 

ps: I would go and fetch a Dogfish 90 to take away. But the GastroBar normally does not open till 2:00-4:00 pm most days.

The Rogue double chocolate stout is sooo good!! Definitely love that beer, but I don't think I could pay that much for it.

You need to take a visit to the east coast where you can get Dogfish Head all over. I haven't had the opportunity to visit the brewery in Delaware, but everyone I know who has, has enjoyed it. They also have some other fantastic beers such as the 120 minute for IPA lovers or Midas Touch, which remains the first beer I ever enjoyed.

Not sure where in VA you are, but sometimes southwest has some great prices to Florida (my mom just booked for $100 roundtrip out of BWI). So while I agree with others that the elite perks aren't taking a cruise; if you are looking for a reason to take a cruise, take a look at airfare :)

I would check and make certain you can bring glass. When we sailed on Carnival, we were not allowed to bring, glass, but could bring cans. We brought olives we love that come in a can on that cruise.

When we talk about types of olives - crazy feta stuffed olives in my dirties are my favorite. Crazy feta is made by a local restaurant - basically jalapeno infused feta cheese. Soooo good!

We booked the Equinox for next June with the four perks. This will be our first Celebrity cruise so we are excited to try a different line. We're Diamond on Royal so we will be Elite on Celebrity. It will be interesting to see what the differences are between the two. We know virtually NOTHING about Celebrity so we've been asking plenty of questions here. We don't exactly understand all the perks yet or know what to expect. We know our gratuities are paid, internet paid, OBC of $300 per cabin and the drink package (Classic, I think) which we confused about. I understand we can get the specialty coffee and tea at Al Baccio (which everyone seems to love) and that they have a list of what we can or cannot get with the drink package. Can you get a soda in a can or is it strictly fountain drinks?

You do get canned soda. Classic also includes bottled water as well. Basically, the difference between Classic and Premium comes down to cost per drink. There is a lot of information about it on the threads. But, my advice, is typically to wait until you are on the ship to make a decision about whether you will upgrade. This way you can also use OBC.

Personally, I like to upgrade, but I also love martinis. You know your habits best, so you are the best one to judge!

45 minutes is not sufficient for Chichen Itza. I have been fortunate to have gone twice. Both times I was staying on the mainland. It was about a 2-2.5 hour drive from the resort. Considering it is 45 minutes on the ferry each way..... you are looking 6 hours of transportation at a minimum. Each time, I was there for at least 3 hours and still didn't have enough time.

A 9 or 10 night in the summer would have been great! As I work for the schools, I typically can't partake in those during the school year - even a 7 day during the school year can be a challenge due to winter/spring break pricing.

I wish they would have come up with some inventive itineraries though to go along with this announcement. One of the big things many Caribbean cruisers are looking for is some new places to go. Or look at some of the places they used to go like Antigua, Barbados, more of St. Kitts (what a neat island!)

The story and half speakers out by the POOL. So loud you can't talk to the person sitting right next to you.

The casual chic dress code.

The new martini bar menus. 99% are very very sweet.

This Oregon Trail Generation girl happens to like dressing up. What I wear on the "Evening Chic" nights has not changed from what I wore on the "Formal" evenings. My father no longer brings his tux, but does continue to wear a suit. I actually know people of my parent's age whose preference is to wear a "tux t-shirt". My mother's clothing has not really changed either. So the attractiveness of the lesser dress code seems to have nothing to do with age, but more to do with the person.

I'm also not certain what sweet martinis has to do with attracting a younger crowd. If you want to make a case for the beverage packages, I can buy that (pun intended). But sweet martinis? Are you kidding me?!?!?! For the record, I can't stomach a sweet martini. Both my best friend (age 29) and I prefer a Grey Goose (or Titos) Dirty Martini. Actually, the people I know that drink the sweeter ones, tend to be older than I am.

I really can't figure out volume issue to be honest. Not sure why louder is better unless you are in a club, which the pool certainly is not. However, this seems to be a ship to ship issue as we did not experience this on our recent Silhouette cruise. Also, if they are trying to cater to a younger crowd then getting the music to more of our age range rather than those older than me, would be a great place to start.

As someone in her mid-30's, I find some of the disparaging remarks about people in my age bracket rather rude. There are a lot of different types of people in the age group and to clump us all together as one is ridiculous.

Yes, I am money conscious - I have to be as my salary is not as high as I would like and I live in a "high rent district". Yes, I have student loans, but I also made really smart moves to get them consolidated at a low interest rate. I also save my money and carefully budget and plan. Yes, I enjoy more adventurous vacations. However, that doesn't mean I don't also enjoy a Celebrity cruise. As a single person, my greatest challenge is finding someone to go with me due to so many preconceived notions. Some of the changes that X has been undergoing have helped me to convince one of my closest friends and best travel buddies to give X another try, so I am appreciative of that.

Truthfully, I would like to see X add more varied entertainment options such as more live music, more comedians, piano bars, and figuring out a way to get more people partying at night. I don't know all the answers, but what I do know is that in January my entire family is going on a cruise to celebrate my Grandmother's 90th birthday. Celebrity fits the bill for a group of us aged 1 to 90. No other cruise line fit all of our needs. Will I go searching for my adventure? Yes - jet skiing in Grand Cayman and look for something else in another island.

Life is about finding balances and Celebrity is trying to find theirs. In order to continue, they cannot rely solely on one demographic. They absolutely have to appeal to more than one age group.

You sound like you have been sailing with Carnival, why, they have and enforce a drink number limit.

There is no such thing on Celebrity!

Last Nov we had 7 pages of ZERO drink line items on our final statement.

 

PS: we each had 3-4 coffee's, 4-5 Perrier's, many bottled waters, fresh OJ, 3-4 glasses of wine before and during dinner, many a craft beer in the GastroBar, and night caps at the World or Martini Bar. Oh, we are not lushes either!

How did you get your statement of everything you ordered? I would be so curious and scared at the same time!!!

Like you, mine includes a few coffees and a ton of water each day! Truthfully, I think those are the best two parts of it even though I consistently upgrade to premium so I can have my martinis :P

When we did the reverse - San Juan to Bayonne, it was not classified as a re positioning so it was eligible for perks. My guess is that it has to do with the number of sea days.