HardyVA

We haven’t cruised since Covid and are booked for 2023.  How are they handling the buffet?  Is it still self serve?  If so are guests using gloves when they handle the serving utensils?  

I don’t know anything about the Peletons but I have a fitness center question.  We haven’t cruised on Summit since Covid, but did several times before.  Have there been many changes with the equipment (machines).  Can you still work out on your own? Or do you have to take a class or use one of their personal trainers?  Sorry for hijacking this thread.

I booked a Bermuda cruise for 2022 on the phone directly w Celebrity. The price included tips, WiFi and Classic beverage for less than the website.  
I didn’t understand his description of the “up to 48hr. Cruising cancellation?  As you had to pay in full 90 days prior to sailing.  

I have never used a TA to book a cruise.

1 hour ago, Redtravel said:

Ripoff?  Stay home and drink. It’s safer, more convenient, and cheaper.  

   You’re right.  I guess I was hoping this would be over by then.  We miss Bermuda.  My husband thinks we should put the money towards a new boat for the lake.  No masks or social distancing needed. 😊

On 6/25/2020 at 10:11 AM, Fouremco said:

In much the same manner as gyms on shore. Lots of physical distancing, limited number of passengers, possible sign up for a time slot, more frequent and thorough cleaning, few if any group classes.  

Thank you.

I just changed my cruise only to the 3 perk flash sale. 

Thanks everyone for your advice.

1 hour ago, sanger727 said:

I disagree with the blanket statement that the perks are a ‘ripoff’. The perk price difference varies and it really depends on what it’s worth to you. If the $700 was for the cabin (not per person), I would do it. You’ll get $550 in value just from the gratuities and OBC. So are only paying $150 for the drink package. Not sure if that sounds like more or less to you than what you planned to spend on the water package and your husbands drinks. But at $17 a day it sounds like a good deal to me.

    That’s what I was thinking, but maybe I’m dense or my math skills are rusty...I’d have to pay gratuities either way...but when you go with the perks aren’t you actually paying for them when you book with the 3 perks?  Does what I’m thinking make sense? It seems like I’m actually paying for the OBC out of my pocket ahead of time?  

    In the past I’ve used the OBC credit for drinks, etc but if It includes the drink package then I guess I could use the OBC towards excursions, etc....

      So I’m  thinking the sale is a deal, not a rip off?

The current flash sale is offering 3perks....gratuities for 2, Classic beverage package for 2 and $150pp OBC.  I priced the cruise only and the Flash sale for a veranda cabin on Summit to Bermuda/Charleston, 9 days.  The difference is about $700.  Ordinarily we never get the Beverage package because I don’t drink alcohol and my husband will only have maybe 2 drinks a day.  We usually get the water package and pay for his drinks and our specialty coffee.  

   I’ve read comments here about perks being a rip off, etc and also some that think the perks are great.

in the case I just described, what is your opinion....book cruise only or book with the Flash Sale and pay $700 more?

How do you think the virus will affect the gyms on board?  

Did you get that deal from a TA? Celebrity agent? Or Celebrity website?

Thanks for your replies. Our gym is open. They have always requested that you wipe down the machines before and after use.  Now they are providing a good sanitizer in place of Simple Green.  If they limit gym use, or block off too many machines, this will be a deal breaker for us.  We don’t plan to cruise again til 2021 so I guess I’ll go ahead and book and wait and see before I make a final payment.  

I know for most cruisers this is not an important question but for us it is.  Will the gyms be open once the cruises begin again?  

A year without a trip to Bermuda is so very sad.  

51 minutes ago, Merion_Mom said:

 

Try youtube for a video.  It can be any balcony cabin on the Grandeur.  They are all the same.

I never thought of looking there.  Thank you

1 hour ago, breezy_carol said:

Unobstructed.  The ship isn't huge so nothing is too far.  It was quiet.  I don't remember outlets but they must have been adequate or I would have remembered.  There is a small fridge.  They balcony is fine for two people - two chairs and a small table.  Lots of little cabinets around the mirrors and in the bathroom; plenty of storage.

Thanks for the info on the cabin. 

6 hours ago, breezy_carol said:

 

3 hours ago, breezy_carol said:

I stayed in it July 2017.  It was a regular cabin.  Bed closer to the bathroom with foot of bed toward the aft.  It was port side aft.  No complaints.  I have pictures posted on Facebook Royal Caribbean Cabins.

 

What else do you want to know?  I'll be glad to answer anything I remember.

Thanks for your reply.  I assume it’s unobstructed?  It’s it in a good location?  Outlets to charge our phones?  Does it have a refrigerator?  How is the balcony?  I’ve never cruised on Royal Caribbean before, only on Celebrity.

This may be a silly question now as I booked stateroom 7130 months ago...but can anyone who’s stayed in this cabin review it for me?

I don’t care about the free movies, my big concern is the food variety and quality, and the fitness center(gym).  12 days can be a long time if the food is crummy.   

   Is it true that we will have to pay extra for better food in specialty restaurants?

We have a 12 night cruise on Grandeur to the Carribean out of Baltimore in April.  I’ve read some negative things about the ships food, service and fitness center..  anyone care to comment?  I’m thinking of cancelling.  We have always cruised with Celebrity Summit and have been very happy.

After reading some of these comments, I’m beginning to rethink our scheduled 12 day  April cruise on Grandeur.  We always sail on Celebrity and have liked the food and service.  Any thoughts?

6 hours ago, Charles4515 said:

I really don’t have one to recommend since I never had to book a hotel for a cruise from Baltimore  since I live close to the port. If you plan to leave the car at the hotel there are a bunch that have park and stay packages whIch include a port shuttle. That way you would not have to pay for parking  or a taxi or Uber. That is what I would do driving in from where you are. 

Thank you Charles4515. I can always count on you.  The advice you have given me in the past (Bermuda) has always been spot on.

10 hours ago, HardyVA said:

Charles4515- can you recommend a hotel in the area?  We will be driving in from southwestern VA and would like a hotel near the port that will be easy to get to.  We plan to leave the car at the hotel and get a cab or Uber ?  

Charles4515- can you recommend a hotel in the area?  We will be driving in from southwestern VA and would like a hotel near the port that will be easy to get to.  We plan to leave the car at the hotel and get a cab or Uber ?  

The only reason I booked concierge instead of my usual veranda was that was all that was available.  I was hoping that for the extra cost, they would offer more.

4 minutes ago, Mr. Click said:

Assuming you are talking about Newport RI the tenders are the ship's lifeboats and they hold between 100 and 150 people for tendering.  Yes, you can go back and forth as often as you like.  

Yes, I am referring to Newport, RI.  Thanks for your reply.  Two more questions...are they relatively easy to board? And how many go at a time?