DCPIV

As far as I know, the Walgreens and CVSs around here charge nothing for the antigen tests (which is all you need for cruising from the US at the moment).  They do charge for PCR tests, though.

1 hour ago, Guindalf said:

too much OBC!

No such thing!  If nothing else, you zero your account on the last night by providing extra gratuities.

Happy cruising!

This is a good spot, indeed!

4 hours ago, jelayne said:

FYI the boarding day Concierge lunch is no longer being held on embarkation day.  It is now on  sea day.

4 hours ago, C-Dragons said:

You beat me to it! 😊

Isn’t it the second day of the cruise? (Still a sea day).

I said the same thing the other day and was corrected about a half dozen times before I knew what was happening. 🤣

Thank you for the report!  I'm very glad to hear that you had a good time!

I've been on Summit twice since she resumed, and both are among the very best cruises I've even enjoyed in twenty-something years of cruising.  The ship is beautiful and the crew were amazing.  I enjoyed seeing some familiar names!

6 minutes ago, Speasda said:

Others know more than me, but I thought Suites had drinks included.  I know the way it reads on the website is confusing to say the least, but drinks are listed as perk of the Retreat.

I completely agree that the website is, at best, confusing.  One might argue that it even is misleading or even other more harsh terms, but that's a matter for another thread.

In any case, unless you have a drink package (via the "Retreat" perks that operate the same as the "Always Included" perks) then the only complimentary drinks for all suite passengers are in the Retreat Lounge.  There might also be some on the Retreat Sundeck, but I've not spent any time up there.

If you're in a "higher suite" (RS and above), they'll also put some booze in the room for you.

I haven't had any trouble at all.  There have been some waiting on hold, but that's been going on for some time and with a number of outfits (cruise lines and otherwise). There have been other times with virtually no wait.

I have to say that a bunch of us calling in to reprice cruises ain't helping hold times, but I suppose that's sort of a nice problem to have. 🤣

3 hours ago, MarkWiltonM said:

I also assumed it was for new bookings only, but I'm not sure about that.

It's not for new bookings only.

3 minutes ago, jhskick said:

More people need to post good experiences and out comes.

There are plenty of threads from the last few sales and extensions with many folks (including yours truly) reporting all the savings they've received and how happy they are about it.

1 minute ago, rM3panno said:

I think it worked for me too, I guess I will know when/if tags show up.

It ought to work.  I mentioned this (posts #10 and #24).  I got my luggage tags pretty quickly after that, actually.  Here's hoping you do, too! 

I'm very glad to hear you had a great time coming back on board!

I'm sorry to hear that Danilo is gone.  While I would have confidence in any Maitre d', I greatly enjoyed Danilo.  I hope he's happy and well.

45 minutes ago, CarolCoupon said:

This morning TA repriced the aft S1 for $2600 lower!  (insert fainting emoji)

Right on! 🥂

1 minute ago, Rosy Season said:

Either way we weren't going to get both in before the trip so it didn't really matter.

That's not so true.  The first dose gives significant protection over nothing at all.

1 hour ago, kimlet said:

weird that all the cruises around my date got email but mine still hasn't 

Stay tuned.  They may be working out the replacement, and that's much easier said than done (especially with all the ships having to switch away from Grand Cayman).

33 minutes ago, cacjnr said:

Hi,

I am sailing on Symphony, Feb/March B2B. I will sail first cruise at Emerald, then I will be Diamond for the 2nd cruise. Will I get my diamond rewards?

You should, as the two legs are counted as separate cruises.  However, your points won't post until after you're off.  Talk to the Loyalty Ambassador when you get on board to get it all sorted.

23 minutes ago, Rosy Season said:

I couldn't do this Saturday because in 3 weeks when the next one is due we'll be on a ship

The second dose can be more than 21 days apart, from what I understand.  I don't recall what the longest period between doses can be, but it shouldn't be an issue if you had to wait until after you were back.

9 hours ago, randybutternubs said:

Oof is that really true re: chops?

Yes and no.  It certainly isn't Morton's, but it's a significant step up from MDR with regard to quality of food and service.  It's not just smoke and mirrors.

Read closely, and you'll see that the 28-day requirement applies only to a mixed series and not to someone who received only the Pfizer vaccine.

I cannot answer your question, but I just wanted to comment that the title of your thread also could be the title of my biography.

I look forward to hearing how things go!  I miss Summit!

Yes, Sylvia is Retreat Manager, or at least she was when I was on board about a month ago.  I only saw her momentarily during that brief sailing (also 5 nights).  Her replacement, Noemi, was equally as delightful.  Of course, Connie was still there and just as wonderful as always.

Coming back on board was like a homecoming.  I even got a hug.  I hope y'all have the same, wonderful experience!

27 minutes ago, jagoffee said:

How is that possible, since her S1 category no longer has a price or any availability.  Wouldn’t it be impossible to know the current prevailing rate?  It would be nice if Celebrity would take the price that you booked and just reduce the 2nd person by 50%.  Is that what they did for you?  
or did you possible “reprice” a higher or lower category and apply it to your booking?

I don't understand how or why it happens, but it happens.  I did it with my October Summit sailing when the 20% promotion started.  I've done it twice with my upcoming Millennium sailing.  I've done it twice with our Equinox sailing next year.  There would just be some keyboard tapping (and perhaps a brief hold), and they would come back with a number.  It's added up to middle four-figures across just those three bookings.  It's all been the same category (same cabin) with same perks and amenities (and I do wait on the phone to review the amended invoice).  I can only surmise that they maintain some notation of what the price would be in the event of a cancellation or other such availability.

You are correct that I had no mock booking to compare it to, but I wasn't going to argue about the figures they told me and then applied to our bookings.  I may not have a whole lot of sense, but I have THAT much.

So, yes, it's worth a call even if your category is sold out. 

Ironically, the one booking where the category wasn't sold out is the one I had to fight a little bit (a very little bit) about.  I had done the mock booking and saw about a $500 savings from only last week.  At first, the gentleman I was speaking with said he saw no reduction.  I retorted that I had seen that savings on a mock booking the night before.  Heck, I even acknowledged that I might have missed out if a bunch of folks booked overnight.  He did his own mock booking while I was on the phone, saw the savings, and immediately adjusted our balance accordingly.  Needless to say, I thanked the gentleman for his time.

Yeah, just hang in there.  Caribbean ports are a little wonky at the moment, especially those that are just getting back underway (such as the three you mentioned).  More stuff should show up soon.

We're on a different Reflection around the same time as you and have a bunch of available excursions for each port (different than yours).

5 hours ago, chemmo said:

For example, a champagne helipad sail away for all those cruising for the first time as Elite…

An evening champagne reception attended by some senior staff for all those cruising first time as E+.

That's not going to fly.  Helipad events already are scheduled for just about every sailaway (some for Elite & above, some for Retreat guests, etc.)  Officers' time is limited and valuable (regardless of what some may believe), and they already have a number of evenings scheduled for one thing or another, as well.  In any case, Celebrity (and other lines) get a lot more bang for their buck by holding those events for all guests of a certain level (and above), rather than only for the handful that are cruising for the first time at that level.

Royal Caribbean gives you a pin when you reach a level.  I suppose they could do something like that.  However, very few (very, very few) give a flip about that pin.  The exception are some Pinnacle cruisers.  That's big ol', honkin' thing really puts the PIN in PINNACLE.

3 minutes ago, hannahsnana said:

How about the price on Celebrity?

I believe it's $9 for the Classic package and $15 for the Premium (a buck more on UK sailings for tax reasons).  The upgrade is a net $12/day ($10+20% gratuity). 

For most, that's a deal worth doing.  Basically, the difference between the two is two Premiumly-priced drinks per day--not a high bar for anyone who finds the Martini Bar or enjoys a slightly better glass of wine at dinner.  Some of us might even make up the upgrade within the first 24 hours of boarding (but don't ask me who 😉).

In either case, the package also works like that on Royal Caribbean.  No limit (although the bartender always retains discretion).  If you order something that's over the package amount, you pay the overage plus 20% gratuity.  In my experience, that's rarely more than a buck or two if you're on the Premium package.  Also, menu prices are fairly clearly printed.  Bartenders also are pretty good about bringing up the fact that you'll need to pay that overage if you order something where that comes up.

DW noticed this in yesterday's email:

The safety drill's first phase must now be completed by viewing and acknowledging the safety drill video on the 'My Cruise' app or on your in-suite TV. This first step must be completed upon arrival in your suite to enable you to be pre-assigned to a group, time slot, and muster station for phase two of the drill.

What is this app?  We've not found anything.  Is it something that's coming (or gone)?  In any case, we are happy about the revised muster process on this and other lines.

6 minutes ago, lhsail said:

Is there any outside seating for the Windjammer on the Adventure?  We eat breakfast and lunch outside on the back of the ship almost every day. 

I don't think so. I've never been on Adventure, and it's been a while since I've been on a Voyager class, but I recall it being all windowed in. You can take it out to the pool, though that's not quite the view. 

I hope someone corrects me! 

5 hours ago, BND said:

It's only a good deal if it's less than you would normally spend.  You can't go by what you actually drink when you have the package because the fact you have the package will affect what you actually order.  I know for a fact we would never spend that much since we never have come close.

I agree with you to an extent. 

I agree with you if one feels that one must drink more in order to justify the package they purchased. The typical "since I bought the package, I have to drink X more today."

However, if one simply enjoys more because one has the package, well, that's part of the value.