Jim_Iain

It was created as a marketing ploy to get a higher rate for the same room. Initially there was no concierge but now you have access to the Captain's Club Concierge - you also have access as a CC member. As time has gone by they have added a couple adders to justify the classification - Concierge Embarkation Lunch, sometimes invites to the bridge and helipad.

You can do it onboard when you go to create your account. It will show you all you options and they already apply the discounts. You an also do it in advance by calling Captain's Club.

Celebrity offers both an Hourly and a Daily Wifi package. They both are continuous and not ad-hoc, so if you select an hourly package it ends 1 hours after you select it. Prices in my mind are prohibitively high but are discounted per your CC internet discount amount Prices: Daily (24 hours non-stop) $67.00 1 Hour Package 34.00

Really isn't a rip off. It is a choice our are making for non-refundable fare. You have a choice of either a Refundable Deposit or a Non-Refundable Deposit (Default). If you choose the refundable there is an additional fee of between $400 to $2,000. You choose this on the same screen where you can add the perks, insurance etc. In my opinion I choose the Non-Refundable knowing that if I change or cancel there is a $100 pp administrative fee and you receive a FCC for the remainder. Since I generally travel in suites it saves me thousands.

Thanks... I never knew that. It's on the screen with Daily Planner at the bottom - Safety Icon as you instructed. Amazing what I learn here.

Really depends on the cruise. If it is a standard repeat cruise they are often posted early as place holder and the final ones are usually updated by 2 weeks prior to the cruise. With Celebrity IT this isn't always accurate and could be days to a week prior to the cruise.

You might want to consider an accessible Sky Suite. I have been given ones on Suite Guarantee's even though I don't need one. They are 100% wheel chair accessible, have grab bars, lower sinks, higher toilets and have a pull down bench in the shower.

If you are a CC Elite or above you will also get free Premium Minutes. If you use them judiciously you might be able to get away with a Basic Package. Prior to packages I was able to survive by logging on and downloading mail and logging off. After answering my mail I would log on to upload. Remember if using the free minutes to sign off after each use or you will burn them off immediately.

Depends on what you are planning on it for. If you only want to check mail and light browsing it should do. If you want to log onto CC, Social Media Sites, Voice over Wifi Calling ect. you will need Premium.

Interesting they use the NFC to read passport information. I was thinking they would use it to tap to clear immigration on arrival.

On other ships they have the MDR open for Concierge, B2B and Zenith for embarkation lunch. Maybe someone can confirm if Apex also offers this.

When they were offering them they were RS and above. When on Equinox the did not have them - maybe because not revolutionized. Also didn't get the "Retreat" chocolates on Chic nights. Some how we survived. LOL

I also always book non-refundable fares. For many of the suites the difference can but $1,500 - $2,000 more for a refundable. As others have said if you need to make a change, you are charged an administrative charge of $100 per passenger. It is quickest and easiest to transfer your existing booking to a new cruise as opposed to waiting 4-6 weeks to get a FCC.

I'm not a big gambler and also not a drinker, but while playing some slots with OBC I've always had someone come up to me and ask if I would like a drink. The have never been asked my Blue Chip status, which by the way is Pearl.

Carla I so look forward to your upbeat posts. There has been so much negativity I've been dissuaded on logging on each morning. I'll be interested on how you decide to do you two cruises. I have a somewhat similar situation coming up in March/April where we will be on a B2B with a weeks break before the third cruise. I am leaning with suggesting that you either break them up keep the main one going and do a second on of the comparison of MSC on the MSC board. I'm sure MSC guests would be as interested as Celebrity. I know the two threads would be so much more work. Either way it will be a really valuable comparison to many. Looking forward to enjoying your always upbeat live posts.

I send somethings out for dry cleaning that I might launder at home to assure not washed in overly hot water. They have always done a really good job. I have on occasion had a poor ironing job but when the butler was advised he immediately took it back down and had it done properly.

As a long time cruiser (22 years) on Celebrity, I've seen MANY MANY changes. Back then there was no Blu or Luminae and all passengers ate in the MDR regardless of room category. Bring back some MAJOR OUTRAGES on Cruise Critic. Elimination of the Grand Midnight Buffet was met with major outrage - I will never sail Celebrity Again. One of the loudest outrages I can remember was when Lisa came on as CEO and to save money eliminated the little chocolates on the pillows. There was so much outrage that Lisa reversed her decision. I know there are many people that are upset but honestly - Go to the grocery store and tell me what has happened to prices, quality and package sizes. In tough times we are all tightening our belts and Celebrity as well as the other crusielines need to either adapt or go out of business.

When I first saw the topic I thought they had made a major change to the Amuse Bouche in Luminae. LOL ---

We are doing well - like normal news stories that they over sensationalize - damage is restricted to small areas. I did have a bit of excitement yesterday on my walk. While on the Steven's Creek Trail (usually a dry creek) the water is running wild. I heard a scream for help. I heard screams for help but couldn't see where he was. Someone had fallen in and had been swept away. A girl near by called 911 and I climbed to the top of the trail to try to spot him and point the emergency service in as there was a trail head there with access to a street. Luckily he as able to grab a branch and pull himself to the bank. It was scary as there was a 5 foot fence between where we were and he was down about a steep 10 feet from the trail. Luckily the FD arrived quickly and took care of him.

They are speaking of Zenith Level which we are both members of. It's one of the few perks that haven't been stripped away form Zenith's. If you travel in an upper suites as a Zenith you basically are paying for all the "free perks" that we would get if traveling at a lesser class.

Linda - Yes Zenith laundry also includes Dry Cleaning, Laundry, Starched Men's Shirts and pressing. On one cruise I needed my jacket pressed for the first formal night as it was in bad shape. The butler was new and told me that would not be included for free as it was a same day press request. I told him I didn't care. There wasn't a charge. I wold have gladly paid it. Our laundry always come back on a combination of hangers - including pressed t-shirts and jeans on hangers . They usually have a little basket with tissue paper for your incidentals and socks. On our last cruise they had this little linnet fold up with things inside and a gold seal on it.

I was holding off... hey don't attack my Lemon Tarts.... I'm disappointed when they have the chocolate ones instead - so have a couple in reserve --- Just in case.

Forgot to mention, your butler also takes care of you laundry needs as well as shoe shining. We usually just bag it up and leave it near the front door. When ready they will return it to your room and hang in the closet. Recently the first chic night is usually day two so often have the butler get our Jacket's pressed. In addition to the card that both your room attendant and butler leave you - there is a button on your phone. We have had some wonderful butlers who stop by daily to check on us and see if he can do anything for us. They often also drop off unexpected treats. I can honestly say we have really only had one so-so butler. He was extremely efficient and anything that was asked of him was quickly delivered or fulfilled. He just had zero personality. We nicknamed him Lurch. Basically stone faced, never a smile or small talk - more like a robot. As such for one of the few times we did not feel compelled to give additional tips. For the cruise the Suites Manager asked if we would like to take him with us for the next cruise and we declined. He asked if there was a problem and we said - no - but really liked the butler that serviced the room we were moving to. I would say our next butler was a 10 and earned a good extra gratuity.

I'm pretty sure you can buy it aboard. I often purchase it per-cruise -especially when on sale. There is a similar product that is sold with the Cabana's. First time I ordered it and wasn't in our room for arrival, our Butler had never heard about it and checked on it for us. It is provided by Bar Services so that would be a good place to inquire aboard. Quickly some one from the Bar Services showed up with the Bottle and mixers.

I just read on "That Other Site" that they waived if for Zenith's. It's one of the few perks given to Zenith's.