LB_NJ

How easy is the train with all the luggage? I figure 2 carry-ons and at least 1 full suitcase for the both of us.

This actually is not a bad plan. You can check the SOL/Ellis Island boat schedule online. However, instead of going to Penn Station just take the Path (take it from the World Trade Center Station) to Exchange Place and Uber/Taxi from there. Downtown Manhattan (the Battery) can be very nice and extremely interesting to walk around especially if the weather is good. If you are up to it, Manhattan is a VERY walkable city. I am personally completely shocked that a luxury line like Silversea does not have a free transfer to Manhattan. FYI, when you sail into NY harbor you pass directly under the Verrazano Bridge, you have a wonderful view of the lower Manhattan Skyline, and you will have a very nice view of the Statute of Liberty as you approach the port.

We had AI on a Summit cruise this year and when my wife ordered a specialty coffee with Bailys, they charged a $1 or $2 (can't remember the exact amount) plus gratuity on the dollar or two plus a few cents for some type of tax (we were docked at the time). Definitely NOT worth upgrading to Premium so save a couple of dollars a day.

The cruise terminates in Rome

The way I read the offer was one night in Veranda or 2 nights in the specialty dining in the Lido.

Royal is currently showing a transfer to downtown however they combine it with a set of tours. We are just looking for a transfer to downtown.

Specialty dining was an offer for US cruisers plus at one point Cunard was also offering gratuities and on-board credit.

Yes, it would be nice if they could keep the website consistent. I still plan on wearing a dress shirt on smart attire evenings. FYI, if you look at the photos next to the "smart attire" description it has gentleman in a jacket without a dress shirt.

Pricing goes up and down all the time. Just check every couple of days.

I occasionally like a good port however the menu can be limited. Also, even the premium plan has a cap and a good glass of port will very likely exceed the $17 limit on the new premium plan. A good glass of port could easily cost $25.

If they increase costs to match land-based vacations, I'll just skip cruising. Actually, the ONLY reason I booked my upcoming Caribbean cruise was because it was significantly cheaper than the land-based alternatives,

Most of the shows are free HOWEVER, many may require a reservation. The ones that require a reservation may book up for the times you want. I would strongly recommend booking any show that requires reservations ASAP once they become available. Also, you did not ask however there are children's and vegetarian menus in the MDR. I assume they will automatically give the children a children's menu. I don't think there is a requirement that they order from that menu. You should be able to see all of this in the phone app. THE PHONE APP IS EXTREMELY USEFUL ON-BOARD.

I think going forward new AI packages will include Zero-Proof because the classic alcohol beverage package includes zero-proof.

I doubt they would be upgraded but why do you say the package would be cancelled. Unless Celebrity starts to offer soda, celebrity bottled water, and premium coffee and tea for free (that is actually a rumor on one of the other threads) why wouldn't they continue to get what they already paid for?

We will be on Enchantment for a 15 day TA. Would the quality answer be any different for Enchantment vs. Anthem?

Unfortunately, these days it is not unusual to get a person at Celebrity who is clueless. I don't know if it is cost-cutting or they just can't hire the right people.

What they now call zero-proof was there before. They just changed the name from "premium non-alcoholic" to "zero proof" To justify $30 pp/pd for "zero-proof" means a lot of soda, water, coffee, and juices per day.

However, as others have said the new package is harder to justify so fewer takers. Also, at even $30 pp/pd AI starts to look very attractive as an alternative.

Never heard of champagne with blue curacao. Interesting. I think they are pushing people to AI without requiring it. With the new package pricing AI makes sense if you ever thought about an alcohol package. I booked the classic non-alcohol package for my upcoming cruise. In the future I'll just bring on a 12 pack of soda in addition to a few bottles of wine and a tuperware of instant coffee (I DETEST THE ONBOARD COFFEE). I don't mind paying as you for my daily latte.

Thank you for all the answers. Out of curiosity do people dress up more on trans-Atlantic then other cruises?

If I remember correctly there is one hotel in Whittier. There is also a nice train that goes to Anchorage. FYI, the tunnel is one way, they switch directions periodically. If you haven't done it before you should really take some time to see Alaska, i.e., what some call a land portion.

AI looks like it might run $77 pp/pd. Once you subtract the gratuity of $17.50 pp/pd your at $59.80 for both alcohol and WiFi. If you consider WiFi to be worth even $10 pp/pd you are down to $49.80 for a classic drink package (and that includes gratuity). Why not do AI?

If you look at the price of drink packages and the price of AI it ends up that AI is a better deal. Just buy AI and forget the drink packages.

The one possible issue is storage. I am not sure how well wines are stored on-board a ship (ie, constant temperature around 55 degrees, if my memory is right, plus a rocking boat is not good for wine). Also, a red wine does need to age a certain amount before you drink it.

Also, since you only pay the difference, it may not be worth upgrading.