TeeRick

This is the greatest risk on your cruise from COVID. Not likely that you will get very sick if you are infected. But you will be isolated.

Simple answer. People pay what is comfortable for them. As in all walks of life. Not just cruise cabins. Why does somebody else's price point really matter?

Once the new types of boosters are authorized and available, the information will be announced as to who qualifies and when. It might be very different by country. We just have to wait.

You got us!🤣

The current vaccines and boosters are all against the original COVID strain from Jan 2020. That virus is long ago gone. Although today it is still called COVID it is in name only as we are dealing with pretty much a new virus. For actual protection from infection, we will need Omicron-specific boosters which are on their way from both Pfizer and Moderna. August/Sept time frame most likely. At this point if I am cruising in the fall I am waiting to get these more specific boosters.

My vote is Equinox.

OP you already know the answer. Thanksgiving and Christmas are family holiday periods. Yes there will be more kids.

No mask mandates on Celebrity ships right now. It is possible that if a ship goes "red" with the virus on board, the captain could require masks - at least in certain venues. Masks seem to do very little in protecting vaccinated and or Up To Date passengers from getting infected with the current highly infectious Omicron variants IMO.

It appears that there is really no rhyme or reason for people getting infected with COVID or not. It is around everywhere as a very highly infectious variant. So really no need to beat ourselves up over how we were exposed or got it. No matter how many boosters, masks, social distancing, it seems not to matter much. Be prepared to get at least a mild case on a cruise ship or immediately following your cruise. If it doesn't happen, then you missed it that time. You are either lucky or unlucky at this point. That is what we all need to think about and live with. If this is uncomfortable to hear about your cruise, then maybe choose another vacation option. As for me, if I can cruise without fear of hospitalization or worse, it is a risk I will choose to take.

Yes that is what we do as well. We actually have very little reason to hang out in the Retreat at the pool. We are not pool people on ships. We will occasionally use the Retreat Lounge maybe before dinner in Luminae. We will use the Retreat concierges as needed. Occasional pop in at tea time. That's about it.

Just set your expectations and you will likely have a great cruise. BEYOND and the E-class ships are a very different breed and were not designed for a few of us older (ahem!) traditional Celebrity cruisers. They were designed to attract a younger demographic and new/newer customers. And suite customers. We sailed on RCCL for years right into their mega-ship phase. Now those ships are noisy and loud and activity filled. We still sail them when we are looking for that type of vacation. E-Class ships are not in that category but definitely more active and noisy than S-Class and M-Class. All that being said, no excuse for poor Celebrity service on any ship.

@dani negreanu you had a pretty mediocre experience on BEYOND and thank you for reporting some of the details here. You are a very experienced and honest poster here on CC so when you take the time to write your experience at length it really helps all of us. Maybe your comments here and on board to the staff and officers will help get the BEYOND on the right track. It is really unfortunate that you did not enjoy this cruise as much as you were expecting. Best cruising in the future!

Retreat Chair Hogs or just supply and demand? Suites are sold out even on limited capacity ships. And very few chairs in the shade in the Retreat. If I'm in a suite and want shade I will generally go on my balcony.

What about Spa Cafe and Eden Cafe for lunch on Beyond? Anybody know?

I like the traditional gin and dry vermouth martini and its variations. Celebrity offers a few types and all are very good. Like the London Dry. Many people these days prefer vodka over gin but that is their choice. Not really a martini although many would disagree with me. Whatever you like is the way to go.

The theatre has a reserved section in the balcony on Chic nights only, for suite passengers. I don't really like it as the actual seating is not as good as what I could find on my own. It is a suite (paid) benefit and not a class exclusion. I have sailed in suites and standard and concierge balcony cabins. I had no issue with the staff treating me any differently in a balcony cabin. Always a top notch experience. I was well aware that suite passengers paid for more benefits and received them. It did not bother me or make me feel like second class. It was my choice. That feeling of inferiority with cabin choice of course is in the mind of the beholder. It comes up a lot. Is it envy? It should not be. Again a buying option. When I sail a Sky Suite I am not really thinking about those in Penthouse suites and the level of service they get. Who cares?

You pay for your cabin (your money, your choice) and get the stated benefits you paid for. Honestly this has not much to do with class. Just a simple buying choice. Why feel bad in any way if others are getting enhanced benefits that they chose to pay for?

This thread should have ended at post #2.

Sorry. Here is the UK Telephone number for flights. Call to book flights on: 0344 493 2043

What city in Japan? Are you planning on using Flights By Celebrity? Maybe just give them a call. That is your best bet. But they will probably not have definitive answers for Nov 2023 at this point. But maybe they can look at what is the current information. They are not owned by Celebrity but are a contracted travel agent for airline flights. From the FAQ - Our air specialists can be reached 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by calling 800-533-7803.

If enough people ask for it over time they will add matcha. But not sure how popular and in-demand it is so don't count on it.

Did you buy the Celebrity Cruise Care travel insurance? They do have a cancel for any reason option. https://www.celebritycruises.com/cruise-insurance

Have you done a search here on Cruise Critic boards? There are lots of posts and threads on this topic.

@terrydtx be careful. Maybe we need to vote and rank them. There are a lot of ridiculous and irrelevant threads. 😁

Good question. There is no longer shared corporate ownership. I would like it if Silversea was added for a reciprocity program but so far it has not happened.