Hello all,
We're a family of 4 going on our first cruise. Kids are 18 and 20. We're booked on Celebrity Beyond to the Mediterranean (Italy, Croatia, Montenegro, Greece) in July, 2023. We're booked in 2 connecting Concierge Class Infinite Veranda rooms. After looking through posts on this site and some YouTube reviews, I'm not sure I love the infinite veranda concept, but there aren't any rooms with true balconies available unless we would like to pay roughly triple what we're booked for now.
Here are some basic questions.
I have seen posts that mention some of the good specialty dining restaurants can get booked out prior to boarding. How far in advance would you recommend booking dinners at some of the specialty restaurants?
Is there any way to reserve these dinners in advance of boarding and still pay for them with on-board credit (either now, or when we do get on board)?
Are the dining ordering options unlimited? Meaning, maybe you'd like two salads, or maybe a couple of us would like an extra main dish to try/share between us. Is that allowed in the included dining? Would that also be allowed in the specialty dining restaurants (after paying the upgrade for those restaurants of course)?
Would you also suggest booking Spa treatments in advance, or is the spa typically available for bookings made while on board (which would allow us to pay with OBC)
Same questions on shore excursions. Do these sometimes fill up well before boarding? Or is it usually okay to wait and book while on board (and pay with OBC)?
Will it help with some of these reservations (specialty restaurants, spa treatments, shore excursions) on-board to have Concierge Class rooms? Or should we still make sure and make them in advance of sailing (even if it means we can't pay for them with OBC)?
Anything else you would suggest a family of 4 on a first cruise, heading to the Mediterranean on Beyond should be aware of, or look into further?
Thanks in advance for any help!!!