dazey

We always stay at Renaissance on 17th St for two days before our cruise but we will be going down 3 days early(much better flight pricing) and would like recommendations for a resort-type hotel on the beach for the first night. Have seen some hotels in Ft. Lauderdale Beach but they seem so isolated(which is good if all you want to do enjoy the beach). I imagine that one night will be expensive but... Any suggestions will be appreciated.

I have booked through Flights by Celebrity for many years now and the pricing was always in line with what I could see going direct with airline. However, I booked a flight to FLL and their pricing was just under $200 more or 27% more. I called and the person I spoke to said the pricing was correct and the advantage was that I did not have to pay until final payment date. Of course, if I paid for it immediately we all know it would be the same price so I am certain he was new or not knowledgeable. I have never had this happened before and wonder if anyone else has found this higher pricing to be the norm now.

Doghog: It was a test run on Equinox and possibly Eclipse around June or July 2023. Never passed the "test" after many complaints.

I tried to find it on Celebrity side of CC. Will continue but I think it was about vaping on one side of casino and it was being allowed on just one ship as a test. Not announced but people saw the sign indicating such.

Doghog: On my way out but will find it on Cruise Critic for you. It went on for days if I remember. Hope I recall this correctly.

Ship Traveler: Smoking allowed in casino on Celebrity was being allowed many months ago as a test but people complained so much they cancelled that idea. Celebrity thought if smoking was only allowed on one side of the casino that would be okay. Surprised they listened but glad they did. Since Covid there have been many casinos that continued with no smoking. Only good thing that came from Covid. Appreciate your comment.

Thanks for all the opinions. We do not purchase the drink package on Celebrity any longer as we are Elite and enjoy happy hour and events providing beverages. We do purchase a bottle of wine(with discount) and maybe a mixed drink a few times. Our cost never comes anywhere near the cost to what a purchased beverage package would be. We are not big drinkers so it works for us. And if only one of you does enjoy a beverage then for sure no beverage package should work. Celebrity is quiet and stressless and we do enjoy it. That said, if we find an interesting itinerary we might try RC just for something different. The four drinks RC program would definitely work for us.

Good info. Have to see what pricing is and decide. WE are at a point where Celebrity is perfect for us. Just thought a change might be nice but maybe not. Appreciate all the help.

Yes, it is called Captain's Club. I have found that Captain Club offers many benefits onboard but Blue Chip is how we save money for actual cruise. We have almost as many Celebrity cruises as you do. Thinking time for a change - will call directly.

Have always sailed on Celebrity for years(once on Norwegian - a mistake). Thinking we might want to try Royal Caribbean but have some questions: 1. Should I call directly for pricing and advise we are Elite on Celebrity? Not sure if it would affect pricing. 2. We get offers from Celebrity's Blue Chip Club(casino club) and wonder is RC would match an offer. Looking to try something different(cabins, restaurants, entertainment) but honestly is it is going to cost more it may not work for us. Any comments on differences will be appreciated.

We have never been denied a 20% on any bottle purchased except when we ordered sake in Sushi on Five. The manager declined and guest services checked on it and I got no response. Eventually when home I received an email confirming that we should have been given the 20% on the sake and they offered us quite a refund for our trouble. I do bring this email with me on every cruise "just in case". We last were on Edge and Raw on Five had no bottles of sake so could not see if the discount was applied. Will try on Eclipse in May.

We recently took Amtrak from Westerly RI to Newark and enjoyed the ride very much. We put our luggage at the front of the car. Try to keep an eye on it. The porter helped us on in Westerly and was so helpful. However, on the return we struggled getting our luggage off as it seemed the door kept shutting and the train seemed like it needed to leave quickly. No porter around. Westerly is a lot smaller stop for Amtrak then Philly. I definitely would take everyone's advice about contacting Amtrak about needing assistance. I hope someone would be willing to help you as a courtesy. As I said, we did enjoy the ride and maybe in May when heading to Bermuda from Cape Liberty our departure from the train will be easier(trying to bring a smaller suitcase).

I know the main hotel has been closed for years(we were there in the 60's!) but is the restaurant on the beach still open(think it was called Lido). We would just like to walk along that beautiful beach when visiting.

We have done the Resort for a Day at Elbow Beach(absolutely beautiful beach) but it is no longer offered. Coco Reef is the only one listed - has anyone done this beach and how is the resort and beach? We will be there late May.

The price you see for specialty dining at Eden will also then add a 20% gratuity when charged to your credit card or OBC. I do not recall always getting a "bill" at end of dining unless we ordered a bottle of wine or something not included in the prepaid dining experience. I do not feel that one needs to add anymore to the prepaid amount + the already paid 20% .