DCPIV

8 minutes ago, MightyMike said:

Don't expect the same big production shows on Celebrity.

Quite true.  However, expect better smaller acts in the lounges (something I prefer over the production shows in the first place).

If you are willing to eat the fare, then I'd go with the "no show" option unless you can get reliable word from Celebrity that only the one who tested positive would be denied boarding.

16 hours ago, Dolebludger said:

Thanks for the response. If I understand correctly, if we book SS in the Retreat, we would get Luminae dining and included drinks in the Retreat lounge (but not in other lounges in the ship). We’d get no WiFi package (unless we bought one). But otherwise we’d get all the perks of the Retreat. We’d get at least a Sky Suite. If that is the case, it is an economically interesting way to go.

 

I think you've got it correct, but allow me to clear things up a little with regard to terminology.  There are "amenities," and there are "perks."  "Amenities" are inherent in stateroom class (i.e., you get them even if you book a SS fare or as a result of a successful MoveUp bid).  "Perks," though, are a matter of a particular booking (i.e., not included in a SS fare or as a result of a MoveUp bid from a booking that did not include them).

Amenities for all suites are stuff like assigned dining in Luminae, access to (and complimentary drinks in) the Retreat/Michael's Lounge and Sundeck, butler service, extended room service menu, and access to Retreat Concierge.  The perks are premium wi-fi, premium drink package, and OBC.

Amenities for "higher suites" (typically RS and above, although some ships have additional classes) include mini bar and liquor setup and unlimited specialty dining.

If you really want all the details, take a look at the attached spreadsheet.  Another Cruise Critic member posted this on another thread.  As far as I can tell, it still is a good reference.

1577641448_AMENITIESGRID8_12.2020-1.xlsx

47 minutes ago, cltnccruisers said:

So the Navica app isn't really needed?

As best as I can tell, it really isn't necessary unless you want to use it to show your results to someone or use a QR code.  You don't need it to show your results, though, as you receive a PDF copy via email.

The online booking and cruise planner for Celebrity is quite similar to RC's.

19 hours ago, WonderMan3 said:

Seems like a missed opportunity not to promote sailings as limited capacity, even highlighting what the max percentage is by sailing. That would be a selling point for me during a pandemic.

They did promote limited capacity for some months.

14 minutes ago, Mapleleafforever said:

Until it's the fourth in a four shot series.....until it's the fifth in a five......you get the gist. 

If "the gist" is that we still are figuring out what is going on in a still shifting situation, then you are correct that I get it.

9 minutes ago, SRF said:

Not many lately, but over the summer there were a number of threads about people who did not expedite and were facing their passports not showing up in time.

And that could happen again in an instant.  With the rise in passport fees, I wouldn't be surprised to see a bunch of folks renewing earlier than planned (even if it's only saving $20 over 10 years).  With omicron and the holidays going on, I wouldn't be surprised if there were fewer working in the office at the moment and for the next few weeks or so.  What took 4 weeks yesterday could take 14 come tomorrow.

Nobody knows, but I don't see why not. 

I have a good friend who has been very involved in both tracking and sequencing to assist in assessing and (to a lesser extent) developing vaccines.  He's not one of the really big folks you see and hear, but he's been on some national TV and radio.  He's a very reasonable guy, and he recently has been saying that we shouldn't look at the "booster" as a booster but as the third shot in a three-shot series (or second in a two-shot series if you're dealing with J&J).

8 hours ago, coaster said:

Labadee is under Royal's control. Not a pandemic issue.

That's not quite true.  Labadee may may be RC's property, but it is not a sovereign nation.  It is subject to whatever restrictions Haiti may put in place, and those are beyond RC's control.

16 minutes ago, pasta1 said:

Thank you! Do you set up the account when you take the test or can you do it in advance? Thanks again!

Either.  It only takes a few minutes to set up the account.  It makes things go a little faster if you set it up in advance, but you don't need to.

4 hours ago, Joseph2017China said:

They don't know if you paid it or not, until the envelop is opened

That's true only if you do not follow their clear instruction to write "EXPEDITE" on the envelope. 

5 hours ago, The Yorkshire Cruiser said:

Has anyone purchased a home test kit from anyone other than Optum? I can't purchase one as payment requires a Zip Code and I don't have one of them.

 

Frustrating as Royal Caribbean says they're suitable for international guests to have sent to their pre-cruise hotels.

I've bought them straight from eMed, but I do not recall if a US zip code was required. 

10 hours ago, Biker19 said:

Several folks have reported no check in time being available at initial check in.

Yes, I know. I was addressing  OP's concern about waiting for vaccination proof validation prior to choosing an arrival time. 

33 minutes ago, Mullwi said:

Ok thanks, it’s not until first week of February, but seemed odd why his not validated. I will wait a bit thanks. I wanted to make sure that when arrival time selection opens up that I am still able to do that.

If you check in with the app, you are able to select arrival time before you do anything else. 

On 12/20/2021 at 8:12 PM, George C said:

We have tipped anywhere from 0 to 100 depending on service.

I was going to say the same. Some have made miracles, and some have done little. In the before times, we even asked a couple of them to dinner in Chops or something like that. 

Most of the time they did little was because we asked little of them, by the way, but that's how discretion works. We've had cruises where we barely went into the Suite Lounge. 

Did you look in your order history in the cruise planner? 

1 hour ago, doppelganger2621 said:

I’m not “advocating” this but there are YouTube videos showing you how to test without the need for a proctor. It’s a pretty simple like four step process and it’s typically very clear to read on the test.

And it will do you absolutely no good when you arrive to board.

Hang in there. 

15 hours ago, suzyluvs2cruise said:

  Just got new tests....a 6pk from EMed. Manufactured 12/8/21 and expire 11/20/22

 

I was about to post exactly the same thing.  We even have the same lot number.

I rolled the dice a little bit in the hopes we would be good for both our January and February cruises.  Winner!

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/processing-times.html

Right now, the State Department says it's 8-11 weeks for "routine" processing and 5-7 weeks for expedited.  That's actually some good news, as it's down from what they were saying a few months ago (IIRC, up to 15 weeks for routine).  While many are seeing even faster turnaround, don't ever count on past experience to predict the future, especially when you're dealing with the government during covid and the holidays.

Personally, I always go for the expedited.  I don't mind laying out the extra cash for the faster turnaround.  I don't like being without my passport.  Call me a Nervous Nelly if you like, but $60 spread out over 10 years is fairly nominal.

I saw a recent headline that the State Department is working on a system to renew online.  That would be mighty nice!

Like others, I'm guessing that some SS or guarantee rates make it look skewed.  Might be a good time to arbitrage, if one so desires.

36 minutes ago, Princess Fi said:

We were on the November 6 Reflection and all testing was outsourced to a company called Eurofins so not the Celebrity medical staff. 

We got off a Silversea cruise during which we were tested twice on board.  Eurofins was the testing outfit, but those administering the tests were ship's crew that had been trained to do so.

10 minutes ago, Cruisegoer said:

Um no, traditional early seating dining means eating at a select time consistently and not showing up between 5-9.  Historically this isn't an issue since ships only had 1 main complimentary "sit down" dining area.  Experience shows us that with Specialty restaurants you still choose your Main dining preference then make reservations to attend any other dining venue (sans buffet of course).  I'm sorry, I've been cruising for well over 30 years so perhaps you don't know exactly how classic cruising has worked. Lastly, yes, I'm paying for my vacation experience so I want it customized to my preference, would you like to tell me that's wrong? Maybe it was wrong of Celebrity's Cruise Planner to allow me to schedule reservations in the various dining rooms for the full week only to cancel them 10 months later.  I'm sure you would be much more understanding and less frustrated had it happened to you.

I'm not sure what you're on about.  At least with regard to the larger lines (RCL, Celebrity, etc.), traditional dining has been at an assigned time and table, not just an assigned time.  I only started cruising in 1995, so I may not have the benefit of all your experience, but I recall that much.

24 minutes ago, bookitdanno said:

Please... here in the colonies the white vaccination cards are proof of vaccination. So if you are from the states, don't spend a lot of time looking for "little blue things". 

Indeed.  Around here, "NHS" means "National Honor Society," and no one cares about that after graduating high school. 😉