Pinboy

Agree--100% However, You got me all wrong--- I do like reading about gripes and complaints---they don't even have to be " legitimate ", but, are " fun " to read. However, the same old , same old on this subject ?? All I'm saying is ,Company policies change. Whether it's a Cruise Company or your local Deli --- they eliminate perks, change " Specials ", increase prices, etc , so, it's up to the Consumer to pay or don't go/buy. Example--- Our local Deli increased the price of their hot smoked meat sandwich/fries/dill pickle/diet coke "Special " by $ 2.00. LOL--- forget that one---it's not a good example-- because nobody complained.

OH BOY--- 14 pages--going for the " record "--- all over $9.95 for ordering as much as you want, when you want it, having it delivered on time--- Forget it. You are spending so much money for the cruise, so, what's an extra few $. Ok, so Celebrity is " beating " me for something that used to be free--- Big Deal.

Try this : ( I hope it works ). Activate your booking on line--- go to Cruise Planner---- scroll down to Dining or Specialty Dining-- Click on it and choose " Anytime Dining or Main Dining "--- I believe you can make a reservation there for each day of the cruise, so select the 8:30 option and confirm the time. If that doesn't work, perhaps you can call Celebrity and ask the Agent to book it for you. If THAT doesn't work wait until you board the ship -- Or, keep reading this thread and wait for someone who knows more than me.

"The Retreat has been totally booked for months" That's how the " system " works. They do it purposely. We all know it's done at up-scale restaurants on land also.

For the 10th time ( maybe more ) this has been brought up-- Here's what to do: Go straight to the Specialty restaurant of your choice-- don't stop , don't ask the person vacuuming the floors how many contract they've been on , don't ask an Officer what the strips on his/her jacket mean, don't , etc, etc ( lots of don'ts)--- When you get there , speak to the Manager (Maitre'd), and request the day and time--- When he/she/ tells you " Sorry , these times are all reserved, but we can take you at " whenever ", --- Here's what to say : Tell him/her " Theses times are not suitable. Here's my room number . Please call me if there is a cancellation ( smile indicating $$ )". You are bound to get a message on your phone --- " This is X from Specialty restaurant XX. We are pleased to inform you that there was a cancellation on XXX and we look forward to seeing you at that time ". When you get there you will be greeted by " Guess who " --- Now, show him/her your appreciation ( $$ ) for contacting you. He/she will thank you and tell you " any time I can help you, just let me know " Everybody is happy--- That's how the " system " works.

Bye the way, did CCers have to wear a name tag with their " real " name at the Meet and Greet ? My guess--- No or they didn't put their " real " name on the tag , just in case " someone " didn't agree with their posts. Arguments could ensue--- leading to name calling---etc, all over the fact that " someone " could care less who the Captain is on their cruise in 2024 or, what they should do with the $17 OBC that " needs" (?? ) to be spent.

LOL---- That's a " good one !! The best post on this thread !! Better than that " Joker " on post #11 !!! To be serious--- We all have " needs'' and " wants " , so, all it comes down to is value for the $$$.

LOL: " You know folks, Pinboy was etc, etc, so let's bow our heads for 38 minutes , etc etc ".

LOL-- " grab what you li--ke " ??? That reminds me of the time I could have been arrested if I grabbed , etc, etc. on a cruise in 2013. Regarding charges---- Pay 'em, don't pay 'em ---- enough about $ 9.95 room service .

LOL--- Let's hope the 23 yr olds in Celebrity's Marketing Department don't read your post !!!

1--- How the hell can ya sit up in bed with a tray on your lap ? What if the coffee spills " you know where " ? Who's gonna get ya the jam sitting on the table or the coffee pot , or the plate of danish , or, or etc? 2--- " romantic dinner for two on your private veranda"---- Based on the demographics I've seen on Celebrity ---- I doubt it. Mind you, I just thought of that " old fart " with the 32 yr old ---- Yup, that would work. LOL-- We tried breakfast on our balcony once--- the stuff blew everywhere , the coffee was semi-warm , and my golf hat flew off into the ocean. Idea--- What Celebrity should do is give us a discount of $9.95 ( no tip ) for every day we don't use room service.

" A sweeping statement "----- Absolutely---as I said " it seems that, etc etc " based on what I have read on CC. Frankly, (LOL) I don't care who stays where or even who the Captain is on our cruise or any cruise we book in the future . ( LOL) . ( I do enjoy reading your posts ).

I have no problem with the $9.95 delivery charge and especially the 18% gratuity charge , except for suite customers. Because there was no charge, some people abused the service- ( order more than they would eat, order too often), makes for extra work for kitchen Staff and cabin Attendants. Very smart to add the 18% gratuity --too many people " stiff " the delivery person using a " lame-duck" excuse that all gratuities were prepaid (AI). ( There was a thread on CC awhile ago where Gratuities for room service was discussed and many people expressed that). LOL-- I just thought of an extra charge for suite customers--- $50 ( US ) for " Drawing the bath " ( filling up the tub)---- So, when the Butler fills the tub-- is the person standing there waiting to jump in before the water gats too cold ? Then what ??

There's your answer. Also, it's very hard for anyone else to decide for you due to your budget and personal preferences. Example--- It seems that most CCers stay in a suite--- We tried it once but the value wasn't there for us ( Non drinkers, don't need much internet, never required service from our Butler, prefer to make my own reservation, etc ). Either way, I'm sure you will enjoy Celebrity.

It's held several times throughout the cruise and consists of about 18 players who claim to have a golf hcp of no less than 8----( total BS ) --- but, on a cruise nobody cares. It's a " ball " of fun--- Reminds me --- As a former winner , I can tell you there was lots of stress on the final day because the ship was swaying, a " loud mouth " had a gallery of 6 cheering , plus the CD showed off the " choice " of prizes the winner could select from-- good stuff, like a Celebrity water bottle, Celebrity t shirt with a big "X " on the front , or even a Celebrity key chain. It came down to one last putt-- the man lost his concentration because his wife shouted " Harry, keep your head down "--- leaving Pinboy as the winner.

" 20th cruise--- never done a Specialty restaurant --- spend no more than $35 for two---already have a mental block " Based on the above , especially the " mental block " why try now ?? It's no use spending the whole meal thinking " Did we do the right thing ? Is this " really" worth it ? " There is an option you might try--- Go to the Specialty restaurant of your choice and tell them to call you when/if they are able to offer a discount. LOL-- Where we live we can also spend $35 for 2 -------if one doesn't eat.

We could turn this into a thread ( " Spa Etiquette " ). LOL--- I just thought of the worst " spa etiquette " I encountered in the Persian Gardens. There I was, sitting in the sauna, and a lady came in-- very pretty, much younger than Pinboy. Soon enough she struck up a conversation and asked ( " Are you travelling alone " ) ? Geez--- didn't she read the " Quiet Area " sign ? ( I think she thought my Rolex was real ).

A few comments plus a question : Comments: We have only been on S Class ships ( Persian Gardens ) and noticed 2 signs: " 20 minutes on the tile loungers "--- " Quiet Area " Very few people observed the signs as they were sleeping ( some snoring ) or reading books. Also, there was a lot of "typical" cruise chit chat not observing the " Quiet Area " sign---- " Where ya from"-- How many cruises ya taken "--" How d'ya like the food, the entertainment, etc "--- Overall, for the most part the Persian Gardens is enjoyable depending on the time you go there, and , who's there. Question : On the E Class ships , is there access to a dry sauna ,showers, and lockers in the Mens/Ladies washrooms outside the Thermal Spa as there is on the S class ships outside the Persian Gardens?

Find a cruise that you like-- a price you are comfortable with -- and, book it. No matter what, there will always be " someone " who claims to get a better deal. It's no different than buying a car, tv, or a fake Rolex watch. Don't make yourself " crazy " over it.

" under 78 " ? If your golf score is under 78, that's acceptable. Otherwise, up here you would look out of place wearing long pants until it's under 50. Question ( LOL )--- when we were on a cruise " years " ago , during the putting " tournament " an " aggressive " speaking man ( BSer ) told me his golf hcp was 6---- I replied that mine was 4. Who takes the 2 stroke penalty for lying ??

We have done it many times. Apart from the above ( reduced deposit, OBC ), I believe we also received a one category cabin upgrade ? ( Pay for 2B-- select a 1A ). Suggestion : Do it early on in the cruise because they get very busy towards the end. It also gives you time to change your mind or ask additional questions. If you have your own TA, they can transfer the booking to them immediately.

I know we can't comment on specific TA's by Company name, however, if it's within the Guidelines of CC, do you mind expanding on this ? For me, service is the most important thing a TA can provide--- A few $$ higher, an extra few $$ OBC , a bottle of cheap wine, a fruit cake , etc , doesn't make a difference. I just don't have the patience to wait for return calls. Let's " git 'er done " now.

LOL--You mean the way Pinboy was " taught " to look at Maitre'd's and was "informed" by Maitre'd's that $$(US) are "loved" much more than fruit cakes or key chains. So, what's a few extra $$ in the scheme of things? It's all a part of doing business. C'est la vie

( There will be backlash on this because I posted this " suggestion" in the past and was accused of " bribing "). No need to stress yourself out by trying to book a Specialty restaurant prior to the cruise because they hold back prime times. As soon as you get on board, go to the Specialty restaurants you want to book. When the Maitre'd tells you " Sorry, that day/time is already booked "--- leave your cabin number and by your smile/body language he/she/them ( gotta be politically correct these days) will get the " message". Within a short period you will receive a call that there was a cancellation and they are able to accommodate you. Make sure to say thank you ($$ ) --- It works every ( most )time(s). Whatever you do, don't say " thank you " with a fruitcake from home or even a key chain with " I love cruising" on it.

Hey-- What's funny about that ? LOL-- Ya wanna talk about : " How to make yourself look like a " Dork " and get an elbow in the face at the same time ? " Look to the left-- Look to the right ---- who will collapse first " ? " Hey, there's something we should do at our next Christmas party---- and, don't forget to reserve an ambulance". ( Ok, ok---- no need to tell me " If YOU , etc etc "---- I'm just having a little " fun " ).