rjrpar

It makes them feel important

We had vouchers in Feb. 2014, it was a 2 week cruise with many Elites. Not a big deal but the selection is not good. Choice of 2 beers and very cheap liquor.

Why would anyone worry about how many rooms a cabin steward cleans, or who delivers room service, or how tips are split. As long as everything gets done reasonably well, just enjoy your cruise; you are on vacation, not the COO of a major cruise line.

If they are serving the same food, what's the big deal? The MDR is also an elegant setting

Most people that we know think Blu is overrated, so I'm not surprised by your comment. Not sure I would have been as nice to the busybody on formal night.

It is allowable and probably easier for most people

I found it less formal than the typical MDR. Ties certainly not required.

Yes, it's a great place for lunch. Better than we anticipated

Yep, nothing at all for golf.

Ever hear of Personal Responsibility

But it does bring up a question for a first time HAL cruiser. Since we have the Explore4 drink package , which is capped at $7, is HAL really that much cheaper than RCCL. Just is surprising to me

Instead of changing to a Luxury cruise line, it is much cheaper to eat in the specialty restaurants most nights on the main stream lined like Celebrity. It is also a higher level of food than shifting to an Oceania or Azamara.

Had a great cruise 2 years ago with Avalon on the Danube. Definitely recommend them.

I would bet that RCCLs website is less user friendly than X's. They try to do too much with the Quantum reservation system and it is really bad.

As most have said, you will be fine.

We have $650 + free gratuities for our 14 day cruise next year. $250 for booking on board, $400 from TA, and free grats from the 123go

I would also consider RCCL

Seems like pubs that sell bar food at $3 or $4 per item don't do well on cruise ships. We were on the Quantum a few weeks ago and Michaels Pub (same concept) was always empty. Right next to it was the free café and Sorrento's pizza and both were usually jammed. A few years ago on Carnival, the Red Frog Pub had a few beer drinkers but not much food business. That said, I've never seen a wine bar with much activity.

Seems like pubs that sell bar food at $3 or $4 per item don't do well on cruise ships. We were on the Quantum a few weeks ago and Michaels Pub (same concept) was always empty. Right next to it was the free café and Sorrento's pizza and both were usually jammed. A few years ago on Carnival, the Red Frog Pub had a few beer drinkers but not much food business. That said, I've never seen a wine bar with much activity.

Often the restaurants are looking for customers. Often on port days, as passengers are returning, they are offering discounts for that day. Happened at least 3 times on our last cruise on the Eclipse. The discount was 20%

Go with the best ports. This is s Celebrity board and many are saying NCL. The ship is not important in Alaska

We always transfer to a TA and receive 9-10% of the cruise back as obc. Just got $450 obc on a cruise in 2016. Seems like a no brainer

They won't judge you by your clothes but maybe by your attitude

We like Celebrity and really enjoyed our Danube cruise on Avalon. That said, I think you will find a very similar experience on many of the river lines.

I apologize if this has already been posted. I did search and did not see anything about this. ;)

 

I received this email from a TA this morning.

 

Today thru Saturday February 28, you can still book an OCEANVIEW or higher on most sailings from May 2015 - April 2017 and receive:

1) An Unlimited Classic Beverage Package for two

2) Pre-Paid Gratuities for two

3) Up to $ 1000 Shipboard Credit per cabin

4) 3rd/4th Passenger in same cabins receive a

Non-Alcoholic Beverage Package & a 40 Minute Internet Package

5) PLUS, Balconies for 2015 Alaska and Europe Sailings receive the same shipboard credit as Concierge Class

 

Starting Monday March 2, the following changes will take effect:

1) The current OCEANVIEW minimum purchase for the perks above becomes a BALCONY minimum purchase

2) Applicable sailing range changes from:

May 2015- April 2017 to: May 2015- April 2016

3) Balconies for 2015 Alaska and Europe Sailings do NOT get same Shipboard Credit as Concierge Class (they get NONE)

4) There are no additional perks for 3rd/4th in the same cabin

So, the final countdown is on. Don't wait any longer.

Is this for Europe only. It reads like it covers all destinations but no one at Celebrity Customer Service knows about it.