DCPIV

We have a January sailing on RCL.  I look forward to seeing if that policy will apply to Celebrity's sister line(s).

On 9/21/2021 at 12:22 PM, sasset said:

To me if it's in a can, it's not fresh. Same with orange juice. If' it's in a carton or has been frozen, it's not "fresh squeezed".

I had it explained to me very clearly one time from someone in "the industry." 

There is a difference between "fresh" and "freshly squeezed."  "Fresh squeezed" or "fresh" means that it has not been concentrated and reconstituted, but it could have been packaged and shipped and even frozen.  "Freshly squeezed" means it was squeezed on site.  The "ly" makes all the difference.

4 minutes ago, kokopelli-az said:

If you download the Celebrity app (on selected ships) you can unlock your stateroom with a smartphone by downloading a digital key.   

This video shows this (fast forward to 01:40).   

 

That comes in real handy when you leave your card in your room.

Likewise, the card comes in real handy when you leave your phone in your room.

I should also mention that your spouse comes in real handy when you leave both your card and your phone in your room.

32 minutes ago, Stockjock said:

Here's a question.  If only one person upgraded a classic package to premium and wanted to game the system, could they order 2 premium drinks at once?

Not likely on Celebrity (or RCL).  Until they know you and know you have a package, they will only serve you one drink per card (and, even then, I believe the rule is only two drinks per person, no matter how many cards you bring).  They also may ask for a room number (or just get the room number instead of even asking for a card) to verify.

FYI, different lines have different rules but also different systems for packages.  For example, Carnival limits you to 15 drinks per day on a package, but they don't care how you go about ordering them.  You can order a drink for yourself and your 14 new best friends, if you like.

Personally, I prefer the Celebrity/RCL way of doing things.

If you really want to get down to nuts and bolts, the most significant difference between D and D+ these days is the extra drink voucher every day (believe me when I say that the pin is nothing to write home about).  You do get the occasional special bit of treatment from a random crew member that notices you are D+, but that's getting more and more diluted as more and more D+ members are spawned.  In any case, I don't think history predicts the future as to that intangible benefit.

So, there's your decision point.  Your first block from an Oasis class ship or some extra free drinks?

Personally, I would rather have that extra drink every day than a crystal block, even if that perk only comes one or two cruises early.

I also share your belief that C&A thresholds will change once they see how everything settles out.

I am speculating wildly, but I willing to make a small bet that Wonder may be taking out some TAs for those 4 days.  At the very least, it'll be some sort of test cruise for the EU's sake.  Or, perhaps, there's some other manner of retooling or reorganizing or getting some sort of signoff.  Regardless, I have a hard time believing that she will be just sitting in port doing nothing.

I am sorry to hear that the adjusted schedule doesn't work out for you, whether that's because of your calendar or your wallet.  While it is something of a hassle to get off and then back on, I could go for a few extra days in Barcelona right now.  We've all had to roll with a number of punches over the last year and half or so.

16 minutes ago, canderson said:

Unfortunately, neither in the OP's case, which is mine as well.  We're on the same cruise.

Gotcha.  Here's hoping they clear that up soon. 

I bet you are correct about it being on a ship that has yet to restart.  Here's hoping that also gets sorted out soon!

I'm glad to hear so many enjoy the MDR food.  It may have just been the ships we've been on or just a rough patch with RCL, but we stopped eating the MDR some time ago.  We had one ship that we enjoyed the MDR since (and it was quite good then!)

That said, we always find a way to get some escargot.😀

I can't recall ever seeing someone try to enforce a dress code in the Suite Lounge (or the old Concierge Lounge) since the first time we sailed with a Concierge Lounge about 15 years ago.  I do recall the Concierge mention something to a group of passengers in the evening.  I never, ever recall seeing anyone say anything to anyone on any other cruise or any other time of day.

Frankly, I don't much care what anyone wears, formal or otherwise, as long as they act appropriately.  I'd much rather share a room with an appropriately behaved person in flip-flops, shorts, and a tank top than I would with a buffoon in a jacket.

27 minutes ago, njkruzer said:

For our December 30th on Jewel ta confirmed final payment is 30 days out.

We're sailing in January.  I wonder if the 30-day policy expires at the end of the year or if you are part of a group (even if that "group" is just a TA block of rooms).  No telling, but the email we got was very clear.

4 hours ago, zekekelso said:

Upgraded cabin it is! And some speciality dining with whatever is left over. But all suggestions were appreciated. 

It sounds like you made your decision (and it sounds like you made a good one), but we can toss in our two cents.  Here are the upgrades we've done and keep doing when we're able (in order of how much positive difference they've made):

1. Getting a balcony.  There's nothing like sitting out on the balcony at night or the morning while underway, and there are other good reasons to have a balcony.  We've only been without a balcony once in the last roughly 20 years (last minute cruise--couldn't be helped), and I don't think either of us realized how much we enjoyed it until we didn't have it.

2. Staying in a Grand Suite (JS doesn't really get much, and we just don't find the value in OS or above). The best part about staying in a GS or better isn't the room, it's access to the lounge (even today), the Concierge (to skip the line at Guest Services or Shore Excursions desks or just take care of about anything else that might come up), and the extra treatment you get when folks see that gold card.  It sounds snobby, but we really noticed a huge difference when we booked our first GS.  We've always felt it has been worth the extra money, and there have been more than one time where it has been worth A LOT. 

3. Unlimited Dining Package.  It's a shame, but the MDR just isn't what it used to be or even all that great by much any measure.  Food quality is spotty, and service is not all that great because the crew are spread so thinly (although that might not be as much of a problem in current conditions).  The only exception we found over the last 10 years was on board the Empress of the Seas, a ship that no longer is in the RCL fleet.  However, the specialty dining is quite good, much more relaxed, and just better by any measure.

4. Having a bottle of bubbly waiting in your room.  Frankly, we no longer do this all that often, but it sure can be fun to pop that open when getting your cruise vacation going in earnest.

5. Splurging on "that thing" you might hesitate upon because of cost (whether that's an excursion, massage, wine tasting, blackjack tournament, or what have you).  The only reason this is as low on the list is because, frankly, it's something you just ought to do anyhow unless you really can't afford it. 😀

As for a drink package, that is almost entirely an economic decision.  While we have non-economic reasons for buying the premium package (convenience, a sense of freedom to try things, etc.), we wouldn't do it if the dollars didn't make sense.  We don't need to break even on a drinking package, but we need to get close enough.  If it makes sense, do it anyhow.  If it doesn't, don't.

According to the email we received overnight, our final payment still is due at 90 days prior to sailing.

Yes, you need to get that corrected.  

No one here can give you any legitimate comfort as to whether you will have no problems with that passport, and you won't know what problems you will encounter until you are unable to solve them in the moment.

39 minutes ago, Stockjock said:

Figured it's not very expensive, that's what OBC is for, plus it's a holiday cruise and we've been hiding in our homes for so long, so why not live it up a bit more on NYE?

Hear, hear!  Chances are pretty good that you'll break even or better.  If you don't, it's only a small mistake.  Heck, I'd say it's worth the $120 to avoid having to wonder whether the drink you're looking for is on the classic or premium package.

19 minutes ago, canderson said:

Or in the OP's case, not 😫

I didn't say that check-in would be available, but there may be a date posted as to when check-in will open.

On 9/24/2021 at 2:34 PM, lovecruzin said:

It would be nice if the rules for vaccinated were 3 days for PCR and 2 days for Antigen. I guess that would create even more confusion! I would prefer to do PCR but timing doesn't work.

That's what it was.  Just judging by the chatter around CC, it caused quite a bit of confusion.

@Sp429 It can happen up to 48 hours before departure date per https://www.celebritycruises.com/bid-on-cruise-room-upgrade

"Celebrity may review and make a decision about an Offer at any time after the Offer is submitted, up to 48 hours before the cruise departure date."

Go to the app, select your cruise, and swipe right to the page that is the stylized head and shoulders.  Scroll down a little, and you may find the check-in date for your cruise.

16 minutes ago, hasentreelake said:

It was just before 11am.   Our boarding time was noon, but we were whisked aboard just as we closed the door on the uber car.

 

Thanks.  I have an 11:30 arrival time, but it's nice to know that they may be ready even earlier.

Cheers!

Basically, if you need to be tested to get off or go home, then Celebrity will do the testing on board and at their expense.  You'll have an opportunity to schedule the test, and the test likely will be conducted on the day before debarkation day.

Thanks for the review!  We were on board Summit a couple months ago, and it was among the best cruises we've ever had (and, like many others around CC, we've had a lot).  I'm back on board next week and looking forward to it!

What time did you arrive at the terminal?  I'm flying to Miami the night before, so I'll be ready to get over there whenever they'll be ready to have me!  I'm also in the Retreat.

23 minutes ago, Josie201 said:

Mine reopened today “as advertised” and all my info was saved from prior completion.  

Yep. I had the same thing happen a couple days ago. That was a pleasant surprise. 

I believe it's non-refundable OBC.

56 minutes ago, sunpsyche said:

Oh, so did we! We went every evening for a glass of port (or two). 😉 Entertainment was very pleasant and we so enjoyed talking to the bartenders. 

They were wonderful! 

11 hours ago, sunpsyche said:

We had the same experience on the Summit on our B2B in July/August. Always a great turnout and the bartenders were spectacular. 

Same here. 

We also would go to Cellarmasters because we enjoyed the music. It would typically be dead. We often were the only ones at the bar, and there might be someone at a table.