travelingmom37

Would you do a bio bay tour 4 days after a full moon. The moon could still be very bright.

Also we are on a cruise that sails at 10 pm so transportation and timing to and from the port are also questions.

Thanks.

We paid $36 and bought 200 shares as we always had two cabins for our family of four. Officially one adult ( stockholder) and child per cabin.

Even at that purchase price we have received well over $1000 ( never did the actual math, probably more) in OBC. Each 10 day cruise at 2 cabins was equal to $400, or $200 for shorter cruises.

A great investment for frequent X cruisers.

second grade. I still remember a lengthy poem published to commemorate JFK's assassination.

I would make a copy of that page and take it on board should there be a discrepancy. Otherwise I would not draw attention to this and enjoy your beverages.

Color me confused. By the time I checked the website the new system had already been removed.

So is it actual prior points multiplied by 30 or another equation based on actual days sailed?

At my current 18 points I would have 540 points based on the 30 multiplier and maintain the "elite" status. if using the actual days sailed I might be "elite plus". I purchase the non alcohol package for the good coffees/teas so that is the one benefit I could use on my upcoming December sailing.

It seems X should wait for the new year or another date in the future to give people fair notice. They should also honor the old system for booked cruises for those that would now lose benefits ( newly non-elite). Otherwise it is bait and switch.

I honestly never considered that the staff would in any way be "charged" if I removed the automatic tipping. I will stick with adding some cash to the auto tips as in the past.

I only come on these boards when I have a cruise planned ( Dec. 21 Reflection) so I was unaware of this on-going dialogue.

I do agree that the word gratuity should be replaced with "service fee" or whatever as people of differently nationalities have very different customs when it comes to "tipping". Some simply do not understand that beyond room and board these tips are the primary income for the staff .

Given excellent service we usually tip the stateroom attendants and MDR servers DOUBLE the suggested amount. The " head housekeeper", dining room management ,gets the minimum.

I also tip individual venues we frequent: Café B., Elite event servers ( daily), certain bars, usually at the end of the cruise or just leave $5 on occasion.

While I know they need to do these automatically to insure staff gets paid

I plan to have the auto tips removed next month when I sail. Because I often tip extra I think some of the staff was confused that the cash was their complete tip. When there was a language barrier ( assistants) some

looked understandably disappointed.

BTW, the tips are in closed envelopes so I am not seeking public gratitude,

I just want staff to know they were appreciated.

For even less than Aqua class the aft balconies on the M class ships are great.

If you can grab a corner aft or the one right next to it you won't break the bank but will have a balcony large enough for a dinner party.

Enjoy, enjoy, I would book a cruise just to get a corer aft.

Last Feb. I took the five day Connie alone, got the same cabin and

felt like I had a private ship. I did invite all of my new cruise friends to share the verandah.

17 celebrity cruises I have never been offered an upgrade.

No luck when I asked either.

It SEEMS the people I meet on board who talk about their upgrades are fairly new to X. I have wondered if it is because us regular X cruisers are already "in the bag". No need to "woo" someone in a long standing relationship.

Don't take the late ferry!

We adore St. John's and always go there when in St Thomas.

The traffic can be awful in St. Thomas! Once we literally departed our cab high on a hill and RAN through traffic back to the ship ! We are neither thin nor young and yes, we were the idiots racing on the dock as amused onlookers cheered us from their balconies. Never again.

Expect delays and take the earlier ferry.

Ah, did I miss something? The 50 was for VIP, not Elite which remained as is, right?

No, you are correct. I just parsed my words poorly.

The jump to 50 credits from the current 10 for "elite" is insane. This represents a tiny % of cruisers.

Even with the on-going speculation re. a new loyalty level above Elite a five fold increase in credits would certainly eliminate crowds, they could hold the events in one of the cabanas.

A new tier requiring 20 or 25 credits seems more reasonable INHO. Which I have not reached myself (so I would have no immediate gain ) but might be achievable

for those not yet retired or without unlimited time off and endless resources.

By setting the bar so high, I for one would not even try to reach the next tier, where as a 5-10 more credits might be tempting.

We can't help you....yet! As avid trivia players, we are going on the 12/7 Reflection cruise.

 

Can you wait a few weeks for our evaluation?

Thanks, I will look forward to hearing about your cruise.

As a trivia player I was wondering what to expect on our Dec 21 Reflection 7 day sailing. An admitted trivia dork this is truly fun for us.

Last Feb on Connie most of the trivia was based on Billboard Top Hits, a big yawn. Maybe this collaboration with Billboard has been discontinued ( one can only hope.)

Just hoping for general trivia, whatever, anything but Billboard :cool:!

We are devoted X cruisers, we have tried the newer ships and I still love the Century above all others. Total elegance and style.

Through the years I have asked different X officers which ship they prefer. "Century" has been an overwhelming first response.

Perhaps they will "hear" us and retain the last of these beautiful vessels.

Another thank you from a Mercury cruiser. We sailed her in 2002, our kids first cruise. Oh how they loved the "indoor" pool.

I still love the Century, the only remaining vessel in this class on X.

It was very thoughtful for you to begin this post.

Compassion is a powerful healer.

I have been on 17 X cruises over 12 years. I tried repeatedly to secure an upgrade upon boarding. The folks at the pier send you to Guest Relations ( and often look at me like I'm crazy to even ask).

We start out with a Balcony or CC and have NEVER received anything more.

I have stopped asking.

When called down to the naughty room to get back the charger for my mobility scooter. I saw three heating pads on the table. I would assume that if found, they could take it, and keep it, until the end of the cruise.

Thanks, maybe I will keep it in my carry on if explanations are needed.

We sailed from Alaska after doing a week on land. I had purchased an ulu knife ( small semi circle blade w/ a wood handle for chopping food, not at all menacing) which was confiscated from my luggage until the end of the cruise. This seemed reasonable until I saw the same item in the ship's gift shop w/ no restrictions re. taking it at the time of purchase :)

I tried Foxfire as opposed to Windows Explorer based on recommendations on this thread and it worked!!

Not sure about managing my reservation yet but it did allow me to see available cabins and "book now", previously inaccessible using WE.

baby steps..

On my first cruise 12 years ago I was so clueless I thought "friends of Bill and Lois" was literally a private "party" for friends of cruisers named Bill and Lois.

When 'friends of Dorothy" appeared the connection was obvious to me.

I would like to christen a group "friends of crazy" for like minded cruisers :)

Has anyone ever had an issue with bringing a heating pad?

This is the only thing that saves my bad back.

[Every time I click on 'manage Reservation' the 'Total Charge' is changing to a new value - very far from the right value - wonder if I do have a valid reservation?

Having sailed Celebrity (exclusively) since 2001 I would not worry about the validity of your reservation. You likely have copies of your payment documentation and cruise specifics.

The current situation is not tolerable I have ( blind?) faith they will honor all records.