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For those curious about internet speeds and a comparison between the basic and premium internet packages, these were taken from the MDR this evening at the same table from the same type of device (iPhone 14 pros). This was as we were leaving Lahaina, Maui. My husband has the basic package and I have the premium package. The premium package speeds have been more than adequate for what I need (social media including uploading photos and short videos, internet, etc.). The basic package speeds don’t allow for much. I do not get a good connection from our interior stateroom on deck 9 but opening the door helps some and a short walk down the hall makes a huge difference. I also can’t get a good connection in the theater which was a bit frustrating this morning while waiting for our shore excursion. Basic Package Premium Package

Go in with accurate expectations and you will have a great time. We really enjoyed our cruise on the Ecstasy last September just before she was scrapped. And we are considering the Mardi Gras for a family cruise.

We also were a bit disappointed in that tour. Looks like we were only a few rows ahead of you on the bus. The temple was the nicest stop of the excursion. Although, we had forgotten this was part of this excursion (didn’t expect a stop so far south on the east coast for a North Shore tour) so we had already explored the temple on Sunday. Lighting was better though yesterday for my photos.

Here is what the Eclipse looks like from the top of Diamond Head early this morning. Can't wait to board shortly!

We also got this room as the result of a guarantee suite booking. This is the Constellation though. The Millennium has been revolutionized so the furnishings and decor will be different. I would imagine the layout stayed the same. It’s a great location and the size of the balcony is nice.

You must be booked in one of the two Aqua Sky Suites that connect to the penthouses. Those are nice rooms with a bit larger bathroom and a nice size balcony.

If you look at the schedule for Coco Cay, you will see it is rare to not see two ships in port which is all the island can handle. And since it really is built with kids and families in mind, it makes sense that RCCL gets priority.

No, you are not missing anything. I don’t have a drink package for my next cruise and will just pay as I go. Celebrity offers those packages because they make money off them. They know enough will get them just for the convenience that won’t break even.

Premium package only covers up to $20 in markets where menu prices must include gratuities (UK, Australia). It is still a $17 limit in other markets.

Thanks for checking with Guest Services! If they are going to require testing, I really wish they would stop sending us e-mails that say we don't have to test. We got another one this morning. I have been really enjoying this thread as we countdown to our embarkation on the Eclipse next week. Our travels begin tomorrow after work so it is getting real.

Where was that photo taken (what ship and itinerary)? Menus in a few parts of the world (like Australia) include gratuities in the menu price.

Everything will be different in the fall. I would be very surprised if any test is required. But even if it isn't, they aren't requiring it to be proctored anymore and haven't for a while. They are accepting a photo of home test results.

The cruise prior to ours started in Australia so there has been testing requirements for that one all along. When they made the change in mid-March, that one still had testing requirements (because of Australia) and ours did not. Additionally, B2B passengers were going to have to still do a test in Honolulu even though embarking passengers were not going to have to (which did seem a bit odd). We are going to do a home test in the couple days before our cruise just to be safe. But I am very frustrated with the contradictory information coming from Celebrity and assuming we are required to test it is going to create chaos (and likely very long lines) at the embarkation port since most people will be under the impression we don't have to test.

It's already being discussed there and most are dismissing it thinking that the Hawaii paragraph is leftover from when they did require testing (even though I'm confident it is a new paragraph - there never was a Hawaii specific paragraph before).

In mid-March, Celebrity removed testing requirements for transpacific and transatlantic cruises (with an exception related to Australia and B2B cruisers). Since then my app and the e-mails I have been receiving have indicated no testing is required for my sailing (Celebrity Eclipse, May 9, Honolulu to Vancouver). App Screenshot (taken today): E-mail screenshot I received yesterday: At the bottom of the e-mail I received yesterday, there is a link to the FAQ. When I followed that link, I was quite surprised to see that since that mid-March change, they have added language about my particular sailing. The language in the second paragraph below was not there in mid-March when they eliminated testing for most of these voyages. I doubt very many people are following the link and monitoring Celebrity's website especially considering we have been getting e-mails and the app has the information but I'm assuming we probably should test. I admit though that I'm dreading a bit the chaos that is likely to happen on embarkation day with so many people unaware of this requirement.

Vegan, gluten free, and avoiding cooking oils - you will definitely challenge the chefs but in my experience they will do their best to try to accommodate you. I am allergic to dairy and a few years ago thought I needed to be completely gluten free so I have some experience with Celebrity and dietary restrictions. Let them know ahead of time. Eat as many meals as possible in the MDR. If you can arrange to have fixed dining (early or late), it will make it easier as you will have the same wait staff. (It can be done even with anytime. It's just a bit easier with fixed.). That first night talk to the head waiter for your section. They will have you pre-order your meals for the next day. Make sure to remind them about breakfast and sea day lunches, if you plan to eat those meals in the MDR so you can pre-order for those meals too. For any meals you eat in the buffet, ask to talk to the head waiter in charge of the buffet and they will help you find things you can eat.

For any cruise that starts in one US port (Honolulu) and ends in a differ US port (Seattle), there needs to be a distant foreign port stop. Canada may be foreign but it does not meet the distant requirement. As a different example, one way Panama Canal cruises between California and Florida must stop at a port in South America (like Cartagena) or the ABC islands as the Caribbean/Mexico in general are not considered distant to the US.

We are just 1 week from sailing and ours showed only desserts until the menus completely disappeared last week. They are now starting to populate again but they don’t actually match our sailing (number of days, lunches for sea days). I don’t ever trust them to be accurate ahead of time.

If you are in a part of the world where they are still taking COVID very seriously, there have been recent cases of the Captain recommending masks indoors when cases rise on the ship. This happened a cruise or two ago on the Eclipse in Australia. But otherwise, I haven't seen any mask requirements in quite some time although you likely will see a few crew and passengers voluntarily wearing them..

You can just show up and wait for the next open table. They leave a lot open for walk-ups. As an alternative, as soon as you board you can also go to the dining room and see if they have any earlier reservations.

It was something I read this week but I'm not easily finding it now. Maybe I'm not remembering correctly what I read... But even with 3,800, it is pretty common though for Royal to have two ships in port. They do a lot of 3 and 4 night cruises on a number of ships (often Freedom class which are still fairly large) that include Nassau.

It's only supposed to hold about 2,500 people. So unless there is some rare day when Celebrity is there but Royal Caribbean is not, I doubt they will need Celebrity passengers to fill it.

If the only Sky Suites left are all accessible, I don't know why they wouldn't open them up to the general public. As a business they want to sell those rooms. Holding them back hoping for someone who needs one likely won't accomplish that. it makes complete sense to me to hold them back as long as there are other options but once those other options are gone to release them.

This is what Celebrity’s website says: https://www.celebritycruises.com/things-to-do-onboard/onboard-packages/internet-and-phone-packages So @Ex-Airbalancer I’m not sure the Infinity has Starlink yet. The Galapagos ships do not as well.

Maybe if the body has been embalmed. I doubt cruise ships are equipped with the tools to do embalming. I really feel for the widow. I can't imagine what she went through. But I've seen enough civil cases to know that what gets put into the initial complaint never tells the whole story and isn't even always accurate. That's why there is a process for the defendant to respond, summary judgment motions to be filed and ruled on, discovery to happen, and eventually a trial to happen unless the case settles.