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skatie
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My friend and I are in solo cabins on the Prima which sails in 6 weeks. We've put upgrade bids (poor/fair range) in for balcony and spa balcony rooms. Based on mock bookings, this ship isn't a sell out - still 8 studios and 30+ Oceanview, 8 Spa Balconies , 50+ inside cabins and 90+ Balconies. If they have this many rooms open, are they likely to accept your offers (even low ones)? Also there are Oceanview rooms on the upgrade bid list - of course we'd prefer a balcony but not sure if we have bids on a few different types how they determine which of your bids to accept if all of them are in the fair range? Is it better to wait until a week prior to cruise to put a bid in Oceanview to see if balcony gets accepted?
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NCL no longer giving OBC for price drop?
skatie replied to Vacationlover2's topic in Norwegian Cruise Line
I'm still a little unclear if FCC must be used on only new bookings? I have a $200 price drop on my April Cruise - would I be able to apply it to my already booked September cruise? Thanks -
Airfare paid by cruise line - your experiences
skatie replied to skatie's topic in Canadian Cruisers
So once we get our tickets can we deal directly with the airlines to secure seats or an upgrade or do we have to deal with cruise air department for those things? -
NCL no longer giving OBC for price drop?
skatie replied to Vacationlover2's topic in Norwegian Cruise Line
on the NCL site I am seeing today a $400 drop in our studio price for an April Cruise (paid in full). I called and the Rep said that she's only seeing a $160 drop in price - I told her I was on NCL website and could send her a screenshot. She said she has to go by what she see which she said was more up to date! She said she could submit my request via an email to get a FCC, but she said it would probably only be on the $160 and I couldn't request again if I see another price drop. I asked for upgrade to interior room because it was a $400 difference today but she said she is only seeing $160 difference she couldn't do it. Anyone else have troubles with what is on website vs what a Rep says?? -
How late can i put a bid in? I'm in a studio and have a poor bid in for a spa balcony and a low fair bid in for a regular balcony. I'm thinking if I don't win either of those say two days prior to departure, I could bid on oceanview with a stronger bid and maybe upgrade to that? I'm happy in the studio, but if there is a cheaper option to get more room that would be ok. Our ship (Prima April 16 NYC - Bermuda) appears to have lots of the balcony and below rooms available (still 15 studio rooms open), so wondering if they don't move people up if there is still lots of room in their current room type?
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Prima / Live / Solo / Feb - 5-12 - 2023...
skatie replied to sid_9169's topic in Norwegian Cruise Line
Loving the review and fabulous pics! I am in a studio in April. I’m on the 13th floor and I believe the lounge is on 12. Thanks for the pic of the stairs that go between the studio floors. I can’t tell by looking at the deck plans exactly where that staircase is? Is it in the studio room hallways? I am also looking forward to having easy access to drinks and snacks, but I’m a tea drinker. Does the hot drink dispenser have hot water and tea bags? Can’t wait to hear and see more of your trip. Enjoy! -
We just got back from first time with Celebrity on its newest Ship the Beyond. It does cater to the 55+ crowd for sure and we are both late 50s. There were pros and cons for me. Prior to this we have been more NCL and RCI cruises. On Celebrity I really enjoyed the more relaxed buffet - maybe due to its layout or maybe due to basically no kids running around - think I saw 5 kids under 18 on the ship. The dining room food was good and we always met another couple or solo at the next table to chat with. Entertainment was good - we always went just before the show started and found seats either up high or right next to stage. Shopping was too high end for my likes. The pools were excellent - I found them to be larger than other cruise lines. Didn't like the layout of hot tubs tho - not near pools. I love to dance and did miss the more dance club options like NCL's Syd Pour House. Silent disco on Beyond tho was an absolute blast - we did it twice. For now, I feel like we still "fit" between NCL, RCL and Celebrity - so will choose depending on itinerary.
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Has anyone done the free or half airfare with cruise lines? If so what was your experience with flights ideally out of Toronto? Both the flights I’m considering have many direct flights each day but am I more likely to get a one stop if it’s the cheapest option for NCL? Or do they put you on really early (6am) flights or returning at say 8pm when cruise arrived at 7am? We are thinking of using NCL for Toronto to New York in April and then also for another cruise in September from Toronto to Reykjavík and return home from London because the prices were super cheap ($1100 for both of us flying to Iceland and home from London). I do prefer to book my own flights but the savings especially for the overseas cruise was just too good to pass up so wondering if people have any experiences on cruise line booking you’re out of Toronto? Thanks
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The pool for all cruise guests to use was really nice. There were a few restaurants that I saw as we walked by, but since the ship is so close by, we just went back and ate there,
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First time with Celebrity - on Beyond now - my thoughts
skatie replied to skatie's topic in Celebrity Cruises
I believe I heard we were ~2500 and think capacity is ~3300. We never had a problem finding pool chairs in the solarium and around the main pool there were times it was crowded but you could usually find something closer to the rails. Enjoy -
First time with Celebrity - on Beyond now - my thoughts
skatie replied to skatie's topic in Celebrity Cruises
I had read that tip on these boards so with our last $250 OBC I went to casino on second last night and set up my account. Did a transfer to room charge and lost about $50 and cashed out the rest! -
I think I saw on sign posted that it was $11 per person and then I think they add upcharge for # of bags. So yes, like everything else, cab fares went up post pandemic. We were charged $20 on the trip from airport to the port, so seems like this is now standard fare. When we checked Uber for ride to the port, it was a similar charge, so we just went with taxi which was closer to where we came out from airport.
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Just an update as I sit at the airport waiting for 11:05 flight back to Toronto. We walked off the ship with our luggage at 7:25, Walked up to the face recognition which took two seconds and then right out to a taxi (cost $25 to FLL airport for the two of us with two bags). Was at air Canada counter by 7:45 and through security and in Starbucks lineup by 8am. Probably the longest part of this was trying to get an elevator down to disembarking level. So we took an up elevator and just rode it up and stayed on to get down to fifth floor! Not sure how it would go if we didn’t walk off with our luggage.
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First time with Celebrity - on Beyond now - my thoughts
skatie replied to skatie's topic in Celebrity Cruises
I am very prone to motion sickness (ie always have to sit in front seat of cars) but even though we’ve felt some side to side rolling it’s just been gentle and nothing that made me nauseous. I always bring herbal and regular gravol with me just in case. There has only been one cruise where the seas were really bad where I was really sick for one day but overall cruising hasn’t been an issue for me -
First time with Celebrity - on Beyond now - my thoughts
skatie replied to skatie's topic in Celebrity Cruises
She mentioned she was in a group with her daughter but it was just her up on stage. -
First time with Celebrity - on Beyond now - my thoughts
skatie replied to skatie's topic in Celebrity Cruises
The singer was Cheaza. So don’t think this is same person. Enjoy! -
My husband and I are on our first cruise with Celebrity. We are late 50s and have an Infinity Cabin 8252 (mid ship near elevators). We have sailed NCL, Royal Caribbean, Princess and Disney in the past. Most other cruises have been done with our kids and this is our second time with just the two of us. So my personal thoughts as I lounge on a couch on deck 14 1/2 (small deck with couches and shaded half way between deck 14 and 15 -stairs beside pool bar) listening to music and the waves we sail back to FLL! *The staff have all been so kind, polite and very helpful. Shout out to our Room Attendant Krystina is very sweet and who has helped us with some special requests (like getting a softer pillow and more towels) and the staff at Al Bacio where I go to get my tea a few times a day. They always call me by name and spend a moment asking us how things are going *I was able to snag a reservation for Eden once I was in Board. The food was outstanding and our waiter was very attentive and explained every course in great detail. I also had the Forbidden drink which was the best I’ve ever tasted *we had a lot of OBC but have had a hard time spending it as we are not ones to buy very expensive jewellery. It might be better to have another store with mid range purchasing options. *We have met a lot of nice fellow cruisers by being seated with them at a larger dinner table or being seated next to another table for two. The first night we were asked if we wanted to sit at a table with other cruisers and had marvellous dinner conversations but other nights were not given that option but usually had another solo or couple beside us to chat with. *we enjoyed the gentle stretch classes led by the Activities crew. They were held in Eden at 9:30am on sea days. Good way to wake up the body! *the evening production shows were very good. The special guest who sang Whitney Houston was outstanding. Roy Tan was also excellent. The cast shows were well done and we enjoyed it all. *Silent disco was a lot of fun *The Liars Club was “pee your pants” hilarious! The illusionist that will perform tonight was part of that panel and he seems very funny *we enjoyed the aqua fit dance classes in the pool and appreciated the size of the pool (and that there’s are relatively few children in board so no splashing!) *the art / statues around the ship are very interesting -loved them. *Main dining room food and buffet are what I would expect of a higher class ship. We had lots of choices all day long and hey, I’m not cooking or cleaning up so I have no complaints! You could tell that some staff is new and there was some confusion in Dining rooms mostly over who we order wine or bar drinks from but in the end it all worked out! *I was surprised that there was no sports activity on the upper decks like a pickleball court but guess it’s not something that fits their image. Overall we are very happy with the cruise and going home relaxed. If you have any questions while I’m still on board ask away!
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Beyond creaking and knocking and slamming oh my!
skatie replied to RobertoF's topic in Celebrity Cruises
Ugh that’s horrible. I can’t imagine even trying to sleep through one night of that! -
Beyond creaking and knocking and slamming oh my!
skatie replied to RobertoF's topic in Celebrity Cruises
We are one floor above you now in 8252 -mid ship near elevators - and the only thing we are hearing is a slight clicking sound (like someone “cracking a safe!”). So odd that it appears in random cabins -
Observations From The Poop Deck : BEYOND NOV 20-27 2022
skatie replied to morpheusofthesea's topic in Celebrity Cruises
Would flights be part of the drink packages. We have premium so would we be able to get an Imported flight under our package? Thanks! -
Just off the Beyond and the NCL Encore? Any questions?
skatie replied to jdvmd's topic in Celebrity Cruises
How did you find the service at the bars and dining rooms on Beyond? Are there some bars that are more “quiet” and quicker /easier to get a drink? Thanks! -
Beyond creaking and knocking and slamming oh my!
skatie replied to RobertoF's topic in Celebrity Cruises
I have read lots of other reports of loud creaking/banging on the Beyond. I am going to be mid ship on deck 8 next week and am a light sleeper. Hopefully its just as a result of one night of heavy seas and the rest of your trip goes well. -
Beyond - 11/8 Western Caribbean with kids
skatie replied to GnarleeDude's topic in Celebrity Cruises
Thank you for the review. Can you explain a little more about disembarking and customs? I keep hearing that you just have to go to a camera for facial recognition and once it turns green you walk out. Is this not used for Beyond cruises? We have an 11 am flight so just want to be prepared for what we have to do and how long that might take! Thanks -
I’m not sure I understand. Do you mean Beyond will not be docking at its normal pier and every disembarked passenger will have to wait for a bus to shuttle them to a central location to catch taxis? Thanks.
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Interesting about face recognition! The last time we got off at PE that was not available so that’s good news. Do we have to answer customs type questions the night before and submit them so they line up with our faces or is this just now a security check linked to our passports and off we go? I believe we dock at 6am - on other cruise lines I have been able to get 7:15am luggage tags so we didn’t have to do walk off. But if that’s not available we will do the walk off. I know it’s very quick to get to airport but I don’t want to be too rushed!