Bo1953

It was six (6) months before I received my renewal...

I vote for El Corte Ingles, went there before my recent sailing and the selection was great and pricing good, as well...

Cheers and bon voyage

re; TA FIT challenge...

If most TA's are similar to the ones I have used, this policy should be short lived as many of them are just about as voracious as some of us here... LOL

So, I expect that will not last long, if at all.

bon voyage

7 hours ago, jwlane said:

Which of these threads are you going to read while you eat it?

I thought that I would read each thread and go verify the info while munching (hopefully not choking either)...LOL

bon voyage

I just wanted to find out if X has popcorn aboard and if so, is it by request only???? LOL

bon voyage

2 hours ago, PTC DAWG said:

Getting popcorn. 

When I saw the title to the thread, I started popping and using Chinese Five Spice as the topping w/no added salt or butter... LOL

Cheers and bon voyage

9 minutes ago, omeinv said:

They did not run out of cookie dough.  They removed the signs and the oven, and the staff member we spoke to made it clear the trial was ended.  These were never a replacement for the free cookies, they were an additional option.  The free cookies were always available.  You can see more detail by reading the whole thread. 

 

Harris

Denver, CO

Well, you may have to explain it again, in more detail (LOL), so everyone can understand and accept it is over.

Enjoy the rest of your sailing, free cookies and all!!!

bon voyage

11 minutes ago, MamaFej said:

That's what it feels like to me: sleight of hand. "Hey, everybody, look over here!"  Meanwhile, raise the prices at Sushi on Five or somewhere/something else while everyone is distracted.

 

Ugh. I hate being so cynical. I wish Celebrity would stop giving me reasons to feel this way.

I understand, yet do not mind much at all, at least for now.

Were things to get really out of hand for us, then we will change how we vacation as I Am sure other lines are undergoing the same or similar metamorphosis...

I still have yet to read where the ocean is bluer for similar to X in terms of passenger demographics, ship size and service.

While food is subjective, since I Am vegan my meals are specifically prepared for me and for many of those with whom I travel... 

So, for the moment, no issues as I prepare to sail next week in a verandah...

All of the "challenges" posted over the last few weeks, I have taken under advisement and determine if they really affect me or not.

Thanks all and bon voyage

5 minutes ago, kittyraptors said:

I board the Equinox tomorrow (we’re driving to the port right now actually) and that post made me super nervous. Glad to hear that they reversed it - hopefully that holds for the next week! It’s our first Celebrity Cruise and some of the posts on this board have been making me really nervous. 

kr - not to be nervous, even if the 'warm cookies' were still up for sale...

There are plenty of other places to get cookies, maybe not as good as the 'warm' ones, but still available at no additional charge.

Methinks that this experiment was to move some of us from the small changes being made to be ready for the big one... then again who knows, since none of the cookies were vegan, I had no problem with the charge!!! LOL

At any rate, the key factor is that you enjoy your sailing and not worry about many of the negative comments being made here, otherwise you would never get on a ship... 

bon voyage and let us know how you enjoyed it upon your return.

Harris what did you say to them about it to garner such a response???? LOL

bon voyage

4 hours ago, steve ch said:

That would be Isle of Wight 1970  all over again!

sc -did you attend that festival???

bon voyage

8 hours ago, Bxianesq said:

Thanks for the prompt replies.  Yes, we are on the Infinity.  We previously sailed on the Oceania Insignia, so I guess I got my I ships mixed up. 

 

We are in a veranda cabin.

 

We have no sea days on our 7 day cruise, so I'm not sure whether we will have the World Wine Tour as an option.  We might try the flights in Cellar Masters. 

 

We have Select dining-good to know that we can reserve the day of. 

bi - please know that 'flights' of beverages are not included in any beverage package, yet if available, flights can be purchased in your CP, if offered, in advance.

Cheers and bon voyage

6 hours ago, kwokpot said:

A sample of the cookies and pastries from Virgin Voyages, all included as part of your cruise fare. 

kp do you recollect if any of them were vegan or not at all???

bon appetit and bon voyage

1 hour ago, CHEZMARYLOU said:

Only with a 20% gratuity.

For you, CML, 30%...

Cheers and bon voyage

1 hour ago, mnocket said:

I haven't finished reading the thread yet, but I'm confused.  Why would you say this can't be confirmed (maybe it already has further along the thread)?  It would be as simple as someone who's onboard posting a picture. 

As many people who have posted already, there surely has to have been at least one (1) person on board an X ship who certainly could have confirmed by the time I posted my posit... 

bon voyage

10 minutes ago, CHEZMARYLOU said:

Here I am heading out to shop for bottled water in the Retreat Lounge.  Maybe I'll pick up a beer or two.

cml - are you taking orders??? LOL

Cheers and bon voyage

22 hours ago, waterbug123 said:

I must be in the minority.  We are on Apex beginning of next month, and were originally in a concierge class because there were no sky suites available.  A week or so ago I noticed a sky suite had opened up and jumped on it.  The main reason?  It's a bigger cabin and we want the additional space for our 12 night cruise.  Secondary reasons were the included tips/wifi/drink package, and additional onboard credit.

The potential lack of a butler didn't concern me in the least.  I would never consider spending the not insignificant amount of additional money just to make sure someone was setting up my breakfast table; I'm not so special that I can't pour my own coffee.   Is it a devaluation?  Sure.  But to swear off ever booking a sky suite again because you won't have a butler to set up your breakfast table?  And ignoring that fact that that means you're also giving up a lot of extra space and other benefits?  That's a classic example of cutting off your nose to spite your face.

w1 - while I have yet to sail in The Retreat, but with certainty can say when I do, I will bring along my own butler to supplement what X may or may not be able to accommodate me with. Thus thwarting the issue or question.

Currently on sailings of nine (9) nights or longer I do bring along the 'extra' help and it is, for us, a veranda cabin. This costs less than purchasing a suite for The Butler Service... IMO. Inside cabins are very reasonable, often times.

The extra space in suites would be welcomed, I Am sure, yet service is more of a premium for us. The question is how does one want to pay for it???

bon voyage

2 hours ago, 1025cruise said:

Since I want coverage for pre-existing conditions and cancel for any reason, I need to buy insurance in 14-21 days of making the initial deposit.

Yes... 

bon voyage

5 minutes ago, markeb said:

This would be one of the most boneheaded ideas in the history of boneheaded ideas, but…

 

The original post is a repost from an unnamed (and probably unnameable) other site. Does anyone on this thread have independent confirmation? Are we sure we’re not spinning out of control on a bad piece of photoshop? If it’s there, I missed it. 

 

If they’ve suddenly decided to sell cookies, $2 is just a meaningless annoyance. It’s not even worth programming a sell key!

meb - I Am sure this is a rhetorical question for a few us!!!! LOL

The masses getting riled up over something, possibly, cannot be confirmed and even in place....

But I can say that it may work to get a few more people to move to other lines, though... LOL

bon voyage

2 hours ago, goofysmom99 said:

I know.  And I also get better attention because of status.  But on last year's TA, macaroons were the only option at al Bacio with my afternoon tea.  At least  they did hide them in the back for me (otherwise they'd be gone).  

When I was on Silly, the Pastry Chef made chocolate chip and peanut butter cookies for me to be collected at Al Bacio, unfortunately the staff did not know and there was a run on them... then he made more and had two (2) of each saved for me due to the demand...

bon appetit and bon voyage

2 hours ago, lv2cruisgrl said:

I think at this time anything that is now free, will be a target.  Next they will charge us to get into the shows!

Until the doors are bum rushed by the masses revolting!!! LOL

bon voyage

2 hours ago, goofysmom99 said:

I'm stuck on Constellation for 16 nights (have reached the point I wish I weren't going). Somewhere on that boat someone had better have a take-away gluten free cookie available at times other than the very few hours the Spa Cafe is open.  The Cafe al Bacio gluten-free cakes are awful; according to my friends who've tried them, much worse than the regular cakes.  BTW, if you think the MDR menus look unappealing, just look at them from the perspective of someone with celiac.  Glad I've booked business class to Rome since I'll need the extra checked bag to carry gluten-free foodstuffs.  I also like the macaroons but usually they're the ONLY decent GF option; sixteen consecutive days is going to be tough.  BTW, appears as though they've eliminated creme brulee from the room service menu = zero GF dessert options now.

I understand the situation, YET, go prepared with a few menu items you want to be served in the MDR and request the night before... more often than not you can get it.

I have rarely enjoyed or chosen items from the vegan/vegetarian menu since sailing with X over ten (10) years ago and rarely have issues with letting the chef know what I want... without any apologies.

Have all the meals been excellent, no, but I got what I asked for and how I wanted it.

As such, I recommend being pro-active on meal preferences/desires and ask to speak with the Chef who can help, as well....

Despite what is on the menu, I have found that there is no reason to not have decent to excellent meals on X if the menu items are not what we expect or want for our "special" diets.

bon appetit and bon voyage

3 hours ago, jelayne said:

What about the cookies and other pastries at Al Bacio!

Well, would they not have to walk or wait at the elevator to get there???

Besides, personally, I think the selections are better and the best when the pastry chef makes special things for vegans and place them at Al Bacio when I Am aboard...

bon voyage

On 8/21/2023 at 8:37 PM, micruiser2002 said:

Yes and it is no longer on the menu for any of the sailings I checked.  I probably looked at 10 different current sailings on multiple ships.

Okay, I would presume that it is still in the oven baking and waiting for your request...

bon appetit and bon voyage

5 hours ago, Bobo2009 said:

I have done this twice, the most recent being on the Reflection in July this year.

 

You get to try three different Macallan's - Quest, Lumina and Terra - these are all travel versions only available in Duty Free. As we were sailing from Barcelona there was no duty-free alcohol sales although the sommelier was selling these on request.

 

As Bo mentions you try them with and without water - at the most recent tasting it was harder to add just a few drops of water as there are no plastic straws to use.

 

Whilst a decent experience, the first time was better. The most recent experience was led by a sommelier who was reading from notes and not really able to answer all of the questions.

b2 - I have had a few of those types, but it gave me and a few others a leg up as we felt we knew just a wee bit more than the presenter...

... and we were some of the whisky snobs aboard... LOL and fortunately the better bartenders knew it and treated us well and then some i.e. no charge for the 'better' Macallan from time to time... 

Envision this: a group of men 57+ hoovering around the bar saving seats for each other so we can have our happy hour with the better offerings of bourbon, scotch and a few blends... LOL

Slange Var and bon voyage