resjes

I have a 13 day/14 night cruise in April 2021 out of Florida for Celebrity. I asked my TA if they will call me or give me some sort of heads up if it gets cancelled. I haven't heard anything yet. He told me to just call them before the full payment date in January to get my deposit but I don't want to sit on hold/waste time...any recommendations?

7 minutes ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

Here's a link to some menus and pricing for individual drinks that you may find helpful.

https://www.cruisewithgambee.com/celebrity-drink-lists/

Thanks!  That's amazing!! That helps with the wine and some mixed drinks options..I just need someone to tell me how much a shot costs or if I want my own drink (ex: vodka and cranberry). The mixed drinks are a bit deceptive as they add in a bunch of random things and I usually keep my drinks to 1 alcohol and 1 chaser.

Hi - tried searching on the Boards but couldn't find anything on cost of alcohol by the glass on Equinox. How much are strawberry daiquiris? What about a vodka and soda/juice? What about the cost of a shot? Glass of wine? I am hating the cost of the premium booze perk but am thinking of doing the premium non-booze drink package so I can at least get unlimited water bottles (I am a camel) and it's a fraction of the cost. TA could not get me a good deal on the booze package. I don't drink that much and was only considering the premium booze package to get the water bottles included honestly.

17 hours ago, az_tchr said:

You can transfer a reservation to a TA up to 60 days after made with Celebrity.  How to find?  Google Celebrity Cruiseline and you will get 4 or 5 ads.  You can also search using Cruise Compete.  They are not a travel agent but search out travel agents.  I usually book with them.  On upcoming cruise they offered group space.  $300 savings plus $300OBC and 3 perks vs no perks.

I found a TA and am in the process of transferring. He's saving me some decent money but I'm only getting $75 OBC. The perks they wanted me to buy were too expensive (4 perks option). So I need to buy the 2 perks I want on my own so I'll be saving some money in the long run but was hoping for more. Sounds like there wasn't a lot of wiggle room in negotiations unless I took the 4 perks..

1 minute ago, paulh84 said:

 

I've never booked solo, but if you know you want drinks and Wifi, the cost difference appears to be around $480.

 

If you are at all considering a drink package, WiFi, or even $200 worth of bottled water ( 😬)....I would definitely pay the increased fare up front. Pretty much any larger TA will cover gratuities or give you an equivalent amount in OBC. 

I know discussing TAs are illegal on here - I wouldn't even know where to find one..the ~online~ ones that are pretty obvious without stating had like the same deal as the CC website.

If I do manage to find a TA, am I able to transfer my cabin under their account or do I risk losing the cabin to move my reservation to them?

2 minutes ago, paulh84 said:

 

If you're solo, doesn't that equate to only $400 in 'savings'?

The cost to upgrade to 2 perks is going to be less than it would be to pay out of pocket for drinks and WiFi. 

 

Transfer your reservation to a TA and get them to cover gratuities or another 8-10% OBC and you'll come out far ahead. 

just double checked and it does say it applied a promo and I received an $880 discount.

1 minute ago, ipeeinthepool said:

I think 9226 is an excellent cabin choice and that's a nice itinerary.  I don't think the extra cost of Concierge buys you anything but a cabin on a higher floor.  I also wouldn't purchase the premium package, given your drink description you'll be just fine.  If there is something special that you want, you can purchase it for the additional cost plus additional tip and I'm sure it will be a lot less than $1000.   If you are doing Celebrity Select Dining, I would go ahead and make reservations for your best guess when you want to eat.  You can always change it later.  

I already pre-paid gratitudes..not sure if that includes alcohol. Honestly I am considering the water bottle package ($200 - eek) and not getting an alcohol package like you said and pay by the drink. 

1 minute ago, az_tchr said:

Did you book with a TA?  Ex with lots of speed usually has group space that would include perks.  Adding them on later is almost always VERY expensive.  As for excursions - join the roll call and see what others on your cruise are planning.

Nope no TA.

3 minutes ago, paulh84 said:

Did you not book with any perks included? If you didn't...I would definitely reconsider. Typically drinks and WiFi on Celebrity stay consistently priced. Nothing at all like RCL. 

No - i chose the $800+ in savings (first option). I was only offered 2 perks as another option.

Hi all. So I ended up booking the April 11 2021-April 23 2021 Ultimate S. Caribbean cruise!!! [LITERALLY 360 DAYS FROM TODAY..AGONY] 

Cabin 9226 - did I pick a good cabin? I did a lot of research and picked starboard with balcony. Certainly cost enough but got a huge discount ($800+ in savings)..I did not get aqua class etc, just plain veranda.

I am a solo traveler and have never sailed on Celebrity. Must know facts? I also have some dietary restrictions and found the special needs form online..will do that later.

My main concern turns to perks. It is around $1000 for the premium beverage package. That is absurd..although it is for 13 days. Thoughts or will it go down at some point? I never know when to check for perks discounts. I am mostly looking for cheap drinks (strawberry daiquiri) and water bottles. I also need to get the unlimited internet package..also expensive right now.

What other perks do you recommend for Equinox? Any excursions (I don't usually do these) that you recommend for this route or areas I must see?

Ports:
Basseterre, St. Kitts
St. John's, Antigua
Bridgetown, Barbados
Castries, St. Lucia
St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
St. George's, Grenada
KINGSTOWN, ST. VINCENT

Thanks and be well.

Hi all. Hope everyone is safe and well. . 

I am hoping to book an April 2021 cruise on Equinox. https://www.cruisecritic.com/cruiseto/itinerary-84115/

I am a solo traveler and have been on RCCL. Looking for a smaller ship..and one that takes hygiene importantly..as I'm sure it will be a top priority now more than ever.

When is the best time to buy a CC cruise? Should I wait until a holiday sale or should I go ahead and book now?

I want a balcony..hopefully. And not near a smoke deck. 

Please share your cabin recommendations for the Equinox.

Any perks I should buy as well? I need high speed internet for my business, do I need to buy higher bandwidth?

TIA!

9 hours ago, crystalspin said:

I am not an NCL fan, but I know they do have solo rooms and a solo lounge on at least some of their ships.

 

Find the time to sail from Bayonne and enjoy those extra days of cruising (if at all possible). A 5 or even 7 day cruise is not a similar experience to a 10-11 day one.

That's one of the main reasons I was looking at NCL - I heard from others that it was solo friendly.

My job freaks out if I take off 2 weeks. I'm trying to find itineraries that leave on a Thursday and return the following Sunday or Monday on the next week. Obviously with Bayonne, there are more sea days so if I have to fly somewhere I guess I will. I live in NJ and Bayonne is sooo convenient.

So I sailed on RCL's Anthem of the Seas for a 10 day cruise to the Western Carribbean/Bermuda but now I want to cruise to Eastern Caribbean. I found the Norwegian Gem, that offers an intinerary I like but I'm hoping this forum can assist with the following:

1. The biggest issue unfortunately..I came back from my cruise and got diagnosed with a rare form of strep! I had terrible fever for days. Is NCL good about cleanliness? I literally used hand sanitizer every 5 mins and was happy it was all over the ship...but still got sick.

2. The Gem's rooms are SMALL. A "mini suite" was the size of my balcony room on Anthem. Do many of you suck it up on fees to get a larger room?

3. I have dietary restrictions. Anthem was phenomenal and met with me every evening to figure out my dinner the following evening. How is NCL with these issues?

4. The Anthem had way too many people and a lot of kids! I know the Gem is half that size but I'm worried there aren't as many activites to keep busy on sea days ??

5. I am a solo traveler! Anthem didn't really cater to me in that regard..they were more interested in mutli generational families. I'm looking for a cruise that is a bit friendlier to us solos.

6. Finally...I'm mostly leaning towards the Gem as it goes out of Bayonne. However, due to work restrictions on time allowed off, I'd be open to flying to Miami and doing like a 5-7 day cruise instead of 11 days like it would require if embarking from Bayonne.

Thanks for your help!! If you guys think of another cruise that can suit my needs better than Gem, let me know your thoughts! Happy New Year!! 

1 minute ago, spookwife said:

All power cords are now banned.  Semi recent change.  

Yeah, special needs said I could request one from the attendant..hopefully I get one. She said ohhh don't worry about the fan but became angry when I asked about the extension cord (no surge protector). 

1 minute ago, reallyitsmema said:

We pack a 5 inch usb/battery operated fan every cruise and have never had an issue.  We put it in our checked luggage, not our carryon.

I've heard people have better luck with battery operated. Mine is not, but can be plugged into a laptop. Does that count LOL?

RCCL via Facebook told me that fans are prohibited but I can ask for a fan from a stateroom attendant when I arrive. However, I sail tomorrow 5/23 and I need a guaranteed fan for sleep. White noise apps don't do the trick. I have a small 6 inch desk fan, powered by USB. I read on these boards that people have brought even 12 inch fans without them being confiscated. I don't want to risk mine being taken. I have already emailed special needs and will call when they open shortly. Does customs confiscate or who is the "prohibited items" police, so to speak? I mean they allow curling irons but not a small fan?? I think the fan is less of a fire hazard than the curling iron!! tia

EDIT: Special needs told me to just bring the fan, it probably won't get confiscated in checked luggage. However, she told me extension cords are not allowed, even without the surge protector! I bought one that was "cruise approved" it literally has no switch.

36 minutes ago, resjes said:

My Setsail pass for an Anthem cruise next week doesn't show the Key logo on it. My understanding was that you got a sticker on the SEAPASS upon boarding? Should I call RCCL to correct the Setsail pass?

it won't allow me to edit. just got a response from RCCL - see below.

My Setsail pass for an Anthem cruise next week doesn't show the Key logo on it. My understanding was that you got a sticker on the SEAPASS upon boarding? Should I call RCCL to correct the Setsail pass?

On 5/26/2018 at 2:20 PM, KMagz said:

Had the same disconnect issue on Harmony. Until I checked off the WiFi option to “connect automatically” to the network. Worked flawlessly from then on out.

I have a gut feeling this was the OP's issue. A lot of people don't do this on their phones. For my phone, it is automatically checked off.

hello..sailing in a couple weeks on Anthem. I know the fitness schedule/costs will be posted when we get on the ship. any recommendations/costs/time slots that anyone can share from past sailings? is the gym open 24 hours? also, noticed you can "pre-pay" X amount of classes on the cruise planner - worth it???  I'm mostly interested in yoga and Pilates..but don't want to pay a fortune for the classes. i'm also asking for recommendations for people with back issues (like ME!)...for example, I'm not running or doing TRX. tia!

I asked RCI about WiFi and they said it is NOT available at Labadee (my exact question was I have the Key with VROOM package, does that extend to Labadee as it is owned by RCI?? and the operator said NO). San Juan is US territory so that will be fine. I'm told a lot of ports offer free Wi-Fi so at least you can do emails there, but I wouldn't recommend banking on public wifi.

Just now, Pratique said:

The blue pool towels in the cabin are the exact same towels you can get by the pool. Not to be confused with the white bath towels.

This is going to sound dumb but I didn't know there were different colored towels (e.g. white is for bath, blue is for pool).

5 minutes ago, Pratique said:

The stateroom attendant will (usually) replace the towels with fresh ones in equal numbers to those left in the cabin (if you bring the wet/used ones back to the cabin with you). I sometimes use/take towels from the suite sundeck to avoid the hassle when they insist on swiping the card at the towel station, or just take the blue towels from the suite, or ask the attendant for some. I don't know why my experience with the towels has been inconsistent.

So the towels in the state room are large enough in size to use on a deck chair? (Sorry, first time cruiser)

2 minutes ago, Host Clarea said:

 

If your SeaPass card was swiped when you obtained the towels, you should go back to the same place and return the towels so they can take them off your onboard account.

OK so that means I am not allowed to leave them in the room to be collected by staff? I suppose they only allow people in suites to do that for a reason.

19 hours ago, Ourusualbeach said:

Suites do not scan their cards to check out towels...therefore no charges.

I'm not in a suite on Anthem. So you can just return towels to the room or do you return them to a towel person at the pool ?