LetsGoToo

On 3/6/2023 at 12:45 PM, LetsGoToo said:

Thank you! I tried telling the person I spoke with that, too, and she kept insisting that I had to originally book a suite for the bonus points. 
 

I’ll call again in a couple days and see if the next person will award the points. Thank you again!

So to follow up, I finally called again today and got no push back. The additional points for the suite were added to my account before I got off the phone. Thanks again for your help on this!

32 minutes ago, latebuyer said:

So what percent are people seeing over 200%? Is it 250% or more?

Closer to 300% than 250% for what I've looked at today.

19 hours ago, dreamer321 said:

I thought I read that they were going to adjust the solo fares back to 200% supplements for most cruises by the end of the month but I just picked a cruise similar to one I took on Beyond in January 2023 to see what what happening now and the total double occupancy price for 2 people including port taxes and fees (deluxe inside cabin) is $2400 for a one week Eastern  Caribbean cruise on Beyond.  Exact same cabin and date for a solo sailor is $3242 including port fees and taxes.  I'm not going to pay $842 more than a couple for the exact same product.

 

So much for the roll-backs.

 

By the way, I paid $1322 last January for a similarly located Deluxe Inside Cabin (cruise only) for the same Eastern Caribbean itinerary when they had a no-solo-supplement promotion going in the summer of 2022. Ah, good times.

I priced a European cruise today in the Retreat and the solo quote is approx. $18k. For two people the total for both is $13k. So this one is $5k more if you book solo vs. booking two people. Its ridiculous. 

On 5/9/2023 at 10:19 AM, leisuretraveler223 said:

 

 

April 19th, four night out of Miami.  First night, pajama party on upper deck. Large contingent of barely dressed eagerly grinding up against everyone. Sat at bar for five minutes, gentlemen commented about his girlfriend digging on my wife, said they were swingers and "there are a lot of us on board". 

 

Next night, Scarlet Night.  Countless people telling us to head to the "after-after party" for some excitement.  More discussion, it was a swingers get together.

 

The following two nights in the dance club it became almost a joke. I would walk to the bar to get us drinks and when I would come back, I would be asked the tally- meaning how many propositions.  It was multiple times every time you walked around in the club.

 

I don't know what to tell you. Maybe there was some unofficial swingers get together on that particular sailing. I am not trying to present any false narrative here. I've been on one four day cruise, and once the sun went down, that was the overwhelming theme.

I had a similar experience on my VV cruise about a week ago. It became a joke to most people on the ship about how many swingers were on that cruise. 

3 minutes ago, _tacocat_ said:

That’s definitely not the case.  You can make 1 reservation per night pre-departure, starting at 45 days before departure.  You can make 1 reservation per restaurant if you’re on a shorter cruise

This is exactly my cruise. ONE reservation is allowed. Not sure why you insist on saying it's definitely not the case when your post agrees with what I've been saying.

5 minutes ago, jon81uk said:

You can make one reservation per night, not one for the whole trip! That can be done before boarding or more slots open up once onboard. Many posters on here have reported that they struggled with reservations before boarding but got them fine once on the ship.

That hasn’t been the case for this cruise. 
 

You were allowed one reservation pre-departure. This was communicated via emails pre-departure and via message in the VV system if you tried to book more than one reservation. 
 

By 3 PM on departure day, that’s the time I tried to make reservations, literally everything was booked with the exception of Gumbae. I got a reservation at the Wake due to a cancellation on day three. 

4 hours ago, jon81uk said:

The diner counter offers a fantastic steak sandwich during dinner hours only and the breakfast items should be available too.

 

But reservations should be possible and if you are having difficulty go to sailer services or a restaurant host stand.

Only the omelet is available. I went two different nights and asked three different VV order takers.  I wanted the French toast burger. Instead, the first night I got a gross omelet that was more American cheese than anything (even though the description called for cheddar). It was made with 1-2 eggs and after three attempts of asking for the sweet potato tots and being delivered regular tots, I gave up. 
 

The steak sandwich isn’t on the menu, isn’t on display at the counter, none of the order takers offered that there was anything other than what is on the menu, and I haven’t seen a single person with such a sandwich. 
 

What’s the point of having a reservation if anyone can just show up without one? The reservations on this ship have been filled up for every restaurant and for every night with the exception of Gumbae. 
 

I’m glad that a lot of people on here have had a great experience with dining on VV. It’s just not been my experience at all. 
 

You’re allowed to make one dining reservation pre-departure. So I was able to eat at the Well. My opinion of that is that it’s a glorified main dining room. The food isn’t on the level of specialty dining restaurants on other cruise lines.  Adjust expectations accordingly. 

On 4/17/2023 at 2:45 PM, cantgetin said:

You can sit in The Galley and choose from a variety of sandwiches, salads, etc. Each meal does not need to be a hot, big meal.
But if VV isn't the line for you, best wishes for finding the one that is right.

This is true at lunch. At dinner, it’s a very different story. I’m on the Scarlet Lady right now and these are your choices:

• sushi

• salad

• burger

• omelet  

That’s it. There is no all day breakfast as many have stated on here except for the omelet. 
 

Outside of the restaurants that require reservations, it’s slim pickings at dinner. Other non-reservation restaurants have pizza, hot dogs, and pretzels. It’s really disappointing since reservations at the restaurants that require reservations are nearly impossible to get. 

I’m sure others have experienced this, too. However, it’s gotten to the point of being ridiculous. 
 

For every cruise I’ve booked direct with Celebrity in the past year, weeks after final payment, I get an urgent email that a balance is all of a sudden due. Usually the balance is a multiple of the cruise price. For example, the one i got this week showed a balance due of $18k. This is after I paid the cruise in full of $11.5k. Somehow, after making the final payment, Celebrity’s systems nearly tripled the price. 
 

Multiple requests to my PCC at Celebrity have gone unanswered (as usual) and I finally just spent 45 minutes on the phone getting someone else to fix this or else my cruise would’ve been cancelled. 
 

it’s frustrating enough to get these notices of amounts due but equally frustrating that I can’t get my PCC to respond. My prior PCC rarely responded too. 
 

Does anyone have any ideas on how to prevent this going forward?

3 minutes ago, NMTraveller said:

I will assume that you have never worked for a company where the CEO was let go and they wanted to act as if it never happened...

I've actually held said role and we did this exact thing on several occasions.

We also didn't keep people around that we no longer wanted. Why would any one think that's a good idea?

34 minutes ago, Baron Barracuda said:

She may be calling this a glide path to retirement but from the SEC filing it seems likely she was forced out.  Last year she made $820k in base salary and was eligible for a 130% performance bonus (don't know if she qualified).  In her new role her base pay is down to $360K.  You don't cut a valued executives pay in half just before retirement.  The filing also speaks to her being eligible for severance. which shouldn't come into play in a voluntary separation.  Maybe she is just looking to retire or maybe she was a Richard Fain appointee and Jason Liberty wants to install his own team.  Would be nice if this was Liberty responding to all the recent X complaints but that's likely too much to hope for.

 

Note that RCL has never broken out X's financials so we have no idea how they are performing.  Also, despite having the title of president she is really just a division manager, responsible for less than 1/3 of RCL's total berths and shouldn't be compared with Fain, Donald and Del Rio.  She doesn't even sit on the RCL board.  

Disagree. Totally appears to me that she wanted to retire and they moved her to a “fluff” role to make the transition more smooth. 

2 minutes ago, Ipeeinthepools said:

 

That may well be true but it doesn't change the fact that RC is in poor financial shape.  RC borrowed billions to stay in business and doesn't have any new sources of revenue to repay the debt.  BTW are those the same financial analysts that were recommending Silicon Valley Bank just a few weeks ago?

Actually, what a company (or a person) pays for its debt is a pretty good indicator of creditworthiness.

Carnival is paying more on its debt than Royal Caribbean.

6 hours ago, Honolulu Blue said:

Princess has more ships than Celebrity.

Actually, both have 15 and Celebrity has another one coming into service this year.

2 hours ago, Ipeeinthepools said:

 

Really?  I'm really not sure how Royal or Celebrity's financial position compares to Carnival or Virgin but you need to view financial performance on an absolute scale non a relative comparison.  All of the cruise lines took on a lot of debt and are in bad financial condition.  Even if your correct on a relative basis, Royal or Celebrity would only be the best house in a bad neighborhood.  

 

Well Carnival is paying higher rates on its debt than RC and RC's stock has a more favorable outlook from stock analysts than Carnival. 

Virgin's info isn't public but what we do know is that starting up doing the pandemic really hurt them and that they were running many cruises late last year and early this year at losses. They just announced another capital raise this week. Richard Branson only has a token investment in Virgin Voyages. 

3 hours ago, Honolulu Blue said:

I don't agree and much more important, their rivals don't agree and are actively attempting to make sure that it's never true. I like the Celebrity brand, what I've seen of it, but to assign them a commanding lead over Princess, HAL, VV, and others, is a stretch, IMHO.

I’m what way? Celebrity has newer ships, more ships, better food, and better service. Plus, it’s in a much more strong financial position than Carnival or Virgin. 

8 minutes ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

This is Lisa’s goodbye letter if interested (sorry no idea why that cut off)

 

I wanted to personally share the news with you of my decision to transition into a new role at the Royal Caribbean Group, effective May 1st. As I prepare to ultimately retire from the company in April of 2024, I decided the time was right to turn Celebrity over to a new leader. It has always been incredibly difficult for me to imagine leaving this amazing brand. But, I also knew the time would come when I would have to make that decision.

As I think back on an unexpectedly extraordinary and nearly 40-year career and journey, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to you for your passionate and unwavering support of this brand. We wouldn’t be the strong, resilient, and remarkable brand we are today without each and every one of you and your unwavering loyalty.

You have been the wind in our sails to take this brand to new heights – from the expansion of our Millennium Series ships to the beautiful Solstice Series ships and, ultimately, the launch of our innovative and transformational Edge Series ships. You were at the forefront of our minds as we strived to return to service, with Celebrity Edge ultimately being the first ship to sail out of a US port with many of you onboard; and, with your support, we were able to return our fleet to service within one year and we are once again on our way to a very bright future.

With every new ship and every new experience, our North Star has been to deliver you the best vacation experience you can get anywhere in the world. Having the Forbes Travel Guide recently bestow its first-ever coveted stars in the industry on our ships, further demonstrates how seriously we take our commitment to you.

And, we’re not stopping. Our next new relaxed luxury resort at sea, Celebrity Ascent, launches later this year with everything you loved about Celebrity Beyond and the entire Edge Series, and stay tuned for a few new surprises for you with the delivery of Edge V.

Our incredible crew remains at your service always and looks forward to welcoming you aboard for your next sailing.

As Jacques Cousteau once said, “The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.”

I will forever feel its wonder and will always consider it my great honor and privilege to have been on this journey with all of you. Now, in my new role as Vice Chair, External Relations for the Royal Caribbean Group, I will remain a passionate advocate for the brand, our company, and the industry.

For now, I wish you fair winds and following seas as you sail forward with us.

Forever grateful,

LLP President & CEO, Celebrity Cruises

Congrats to Lisa and here's to the customers celebrating a wonderful career! Happy Retirement (in 2024)!

I look at this change from a high level. If you’re trying to evaluate it based on some operational decisions, I think you’re missing the boat tbh. 
 

Celebrity has positioned itself very well and has taken a commanding lead over its rivals in the premium space. It’s got a very large fleet with new ships coming on line almost every year, it’s parent is in the best shape financially of its competitors, and it’s got a great handle on service coming out of Covid. 
 

The outgoing President has an incredible work history at RC that spans over many years. She worked her way thru the company and has it where it is today. Congratulations to her!

Promoting from within makes me feel that all of RC is in a good place. The team has done a good job and wants to build people over several years to eventually lead the company. It’s refreshing that they didn’t go outside the company with this move. I expect more of the same, meaning more of the things that have separated Celebrity from its competitors. 
 

Do I think everything is perfect? Of course not. There’s plenty of things I’d like to see changed but that can be said about most anything. 
 

Here’s to continuing to see Celebrity lead and expand its lead in the market!

3 hours ago, kwokpot said:

Agree 100%. One longs for the Spa/gym  locker rooms on the original M-Class ships with the plentiful lockers and wonderful saunas with the big, round picture window. Unfortunately Celebrity realized that a lot of space was devoted to those non revenue generating locker rooms and the Revolutionized M-Class ships have both the Men's and Women's locker rooms in the same space as one! 

Agree! I actually booked one of the NCL ships a couple weeks ago that has that -- just because of the large locker rooms and having a wet area. I think Celebrity also totally missed it on this spa by not having a pool or hot tub included. 

1 hour ago, davekathy said:

I've seen and used shaving cream and disposable razors on the Equinox but I'd bet that little touch has been eliminated. Never seen hair spray, deodorant, or mouthwash in any fleetwide spa change room. 

 

On the Apex there are towel knobs (hooks) by the three showers and above the bench by the two   sinks. There was lotion, shower caps (which made me laugh) and Q-tips between the two sinks.  

Most spas (and nicer gyms) have items such as hair spray, deodorant, mouthwash, etc. I guess I expected at least that on what is otherwise a magnificent ship.

I'll be on the Apex later this year. It good to know that ship at least has hooks for your towel!

Honestly, there's a lot of little things missing in the Beyond locker rooms. 

You already identified no hair dryers. In the men's locker room, there's no where to hang a towel or anything else anywhere in the locker room.There's also nowhere to dry off (the showers are incredibly small).  Only lotion at the sinks, nothing else such as hair spray, deodorant, or mouthwash. One of the three showers was out of body wash yesterday. 

It's crazy that the cups for water in the spa are those mini, 2 oz. cups. Not sure what the thought process is on those.

Oh yeah, and about 1/3 of the men's lockers are next to the door to the spa. Pretty easy for someone walking by that door to see guys changing. 

The service is amazing but it doesn't seem that anyone has really thought out the little details. 

The T&C page was down this morning and now it’s back up. But still no details on this promo 😕

I received an email this morning with the following:

Extra Bonus Points: Three additional points per night on 3+ night sailings on select 2023 Alaska, Europe & Transatlantic ships. Other restrictions may apply.  Terms & Conditions.

However, the terms and conditions aren’t posted on the website yet. It appears to be a continuation of the promo that ended March 31. 

27 minutes ago, *Miss G* said:

 

I had screenshots of everything (including a screenshot of the advertised price I paid when I upgraded) and got nowhere via email.  (Three back-and-forths.)  In fact, the price dropped even further for the suite after I’d paid so I also had a screenshot of that.  In addition, I took a screenshot of their own policy as further proof.

 

 

The problem lies with their booking system.  Although I had initially booked a balcony before changing my mind and purchasing a suite instead, POLAR (their booking system) retains your initial booking as the one you had.  Therefore, the Mariner Society (which awards the points) sees that and goes from there.

 

Eventually I called the Mariner Society directly.  The person I was speaking with tried to convince me I was wrong and that their calculations were correct.  The moment I mentioned that I had paid an advertised fare for the suite, she awarded the points.  Good luck!

 

Thank you! I tried telling the person I spoke with that, too, and she kept insisting that I had to originally book a suite for the bonus points. 
 

I’ll call again in a couple days and see if the next person will award the points. Thank you again!

On 4/21/2019 at 11:24 AM, *Miss G* said:

 

But good luck trying to get them to honor that.  I did that exact thing last summer and we’re still at an impasse.  In fact, they even gave me less credits than I was supposed to get.  I let it go until my nerves can handle a phone call because emails didn’t work. 

Wondering how this resolved for you. 
 

I originally booked an ocean view. I later called and paid the price on the website to move to a Signature Suite. After that, I used an upgrade order to a Neptune Suite. 
 

HAL is telling me that because I didn’t originally book a suite, I don’t get the bonus points. I realize that’s not what the website says. 
 

Any suggestions to get the bonus points?

I think what’s happening in this topic is that there are people who have actually played this game on a ship and then there are others that are speaking based on what they “think” they know. 
 

The game is not a fair game nor is it a game with odds anything like the game show.

For instance, there is one $0.01 case on the board. This is the board on the screen that an audience member is selected to choose from.
 

However, your card may have four or five $0.01 cases, meaning that every case on your card can’t possibly be a match. You won’t even have every amount on your card. 
 

That’s why people are saying it’s a rip off. It is. It’s not remotely similar to the gameshow where the gameshow decides its cut and that’s factored into the offers (similar to how casinos run slots and table games to take a 10% or so cut depending on game). 
 

Here, the house cut is more around 80% I’d guess. 
 

OP is correct. It’s a rip off and it’s not at all fun once you realize that you’ve been taken for a ride on this. 
 

Bingo is run differently and has much better odds.
 

And, yes, the casino runs Deal or No Deal. They prohibit minors from winning and I’ve only seen this game played when the casino is open.