Hobbsey

On 11/9/2023 at 6:41 AM, poffles said:

 

 

Leave for someone to answer about the seminar. 

 

If you are referring to FLL departure the concierge sits among everyone else, no special room for this (been there done that) unless you are referring to a suite booking?

 

Eclipse is Solstice class.  Did this up for my own reference.

 

 

 

Millennium did her first cruise in 2000, not 2008, hence her name which was extended to the other ships in her class.   Constellation floated out in 2002.  I wonder if your dates refer to a major return or the renaming.  

Well, you can try, but its illegal.  

I’m looking for informed opinions.  I’m about to head out on Celebrity Summit Nov 13 to Nov 18.   Unfortunately the government is only funded through Nov 17.   I have a flight out that day but wonder what a shut down might do to air traffic control (not to mention customs).  

In short, am I better off cancelling my flights and enduring the 6 hour drive to and from Miami?

11 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

I keep hearing so many nice things about MSC Yacht Club.   Still working on Iain but he wants to try Silverseas, Regent or Seabourn first. 

I recommending finding some crew videos/ comments about working conditions on their ships, in case that matters...

The ship docking side is based on many factors such as winds, traffic and mostly which side of the ship needs maintenance or will be used for crew safety training.  

5 hours ago, Last Lion said:

Cruising next year. WIFI showing 20% off now on the website. Also Elite level for loyalty. Therefore 30% off WIFI packages.

Are the two discounts combinable? Celebrity just said no but I have heard otherwise. 

I got 40% over Labor Day flash sale.  Watch the planner over Black Friday weekend.  

I noticed that in the announcement about the new Adults only area and the sliding scale charges.  I'm betting the higher charges will be for Celebrity guests.  

Personally, I'd rather share the wealth at an actual cruise port.  

Celebrity ships have sails?

On 9/10/2023 at 3:50 PM, sunsetme said:

what is the best service for a pre arranged shuttle?

Your best bet may be the cruise line transfer for a shared ride without lots of waiting and multiple stops.  The next affordable options seems to be Uber/Left.  

On 9/11/2023 at 10:28 AM, CruisinSus said:

We sail out of Jacksonville Port on October 6.  Can anyone help with hotel suggestions that have shuttle service to and from airport and to and from cruise port?  Within walking distance of restaurants and an outdoor would be an added bonus!  Thanks in advance for your help!!

Both the airport and the cruise port are located many mile north of downtown and more miles from the beach communities.  Your best bet for convenience and possible free shuttles would be an area called River City Marketplace.  Its not super pedestrian friendly but there are restaurants and lodging and within a few miles of the port. 

It should be quiet and be one of the smoothest rides on the ship.  

Are we so inexperienced at life to actually believe corporate marketing claims?  

7 hours ago, chiguypaul said:

I'm Diamond on RCL. Have been on Celebrity a few times. I'm looking at booking a Celebrity sailing in NA for March 2024. I only look at interior rooms. I've noticed on several sailings with equal sail lengths that RCL is coming in more expensive on ships like the Quantum and Oasis classes compared to Celebrity ships. I am comparing Oasis and Symphony - NOT newer ships. In one case, I'm comparing to the Ascent in one instance, but there are others where Celebrity is lower. Does this surprise anyone? It is because I'm looking at interior rooms that Celebrity is cheaper since most on Celebrity are you looking for "nicer" rooms? Just curious if anyone has general thoughts about my findings.

 

 

I've often found Royal more expensive then many other options including X.   They do have much higher overhead on their ships due to the experience and signature amenities.  I can't imagine what having a zip line across an open deck adds to the liability policy, much less an ice skating rink and a high dive show.  

3 hours ago, Newcruiser2024 said:

Is now a good time to purchase wi-fi? Or should I wait until closer to the cruise?

 Now!  There is a flash Sale about to expire. 

51 minutes ago, Random Cruizer said:

  I'm confused--$1100 isn't 300% of $700--it's not even 200%, it's not even double.  I'm not sure how the math is being done in this thread.  That $1100 is just $1100--not $2200 for the cabin.

 

I just did the booking I referenced above and got $875 total for a couple and $968 total for single.

$700 per couple is $350 per person.  Sorry I didn't show all my work, does that affect my grade?

Going solo for the first time on a 5 day in Nov.  I booked it at the very right time so not quibbling over my fare.  But, as I watch the pricing I notice that Solo cruisers are not offered the Guarantee rate when available.  Right now on my cruise a couple would pay $700 plus fees for an OV, a solo would pay $1100, nearly 300% of the PP charge for 2. 

Other than increased head count and on board charges they might collect why do you think they don't open up the guarantee rate?   There are plenty of cabins.

On 7/7/2023 at 4:33 PM, GrannyJ said:

I need a memory jog.  I remember taking a cruise out of Port Canaveral somewhere around 1990.  I cannot remember the cruiseline or the name of the ship.  I'm pretty sure it wasn't Premier Cruiselines (The Big Red Ship) because they joked about it being called Not The Big Red Ship.  Or did Premier have two ships operating out of Canaveral?  This ship was smaller than The Big Red Ship.

 

If I remember correctly, Premier was branded with Disney at the time.  This ship didn't have Disney characters, it had some other characters (maybe Universal Studios?).  

 

There was also another ship in the 1980's that did day cruises only out of Canaveral.  You could get a cabin for the day or just mill around the ship.  Can't remember the name of that one, either.  

 

Man, I'm getting old and the memory is fading.  Can anyone help me out?

It most likely was Premier.  They operated about 5 ships, all old tonnage.  They were Disney partnered from 83 to 95.  They had Big Red Boat but the rest of the fleet was blue and white.  After the Disney agreement ended when Disney began their own cruise division they partnered with Warner Bros and Looney Tunes. 

FYI, Dodge Island based Dolphin Cruise was bought by premier in 1997.  

Certainly Celebrity solo pricing is not very inviting.  Not offering guarantee rates to solo "guests" is very discouraging.   A couple can get a veranda on my upcoming 5 day cruise for $1100.  Solo pays $1500+.  $300 a day with no added amenities on a 22 year old ship that has tons of open cabins.   SMH. 

2 hours ago, mcrcruiser said:

 San Pedro / LA  is horrible . First off flying in can be a night mare with ground traffic from LAX on the freeways , If you f=drive there ,it is very expensive to park  & to find your car after the cruise is another nightmare  .I can personally attest to that as we did B2B cruises on Soltice in March & never again from that location

Much easier if you can get a flight into Long Beach.  But yes, cruising out of San Diego is great.  

16 hours ago, dmopink said:

Typically, (if there is such a thing) are Celebrity ships usually sailing at full passenger capacity? I ask, because on our last cruise (Carnival)  there were 4K passengers. It was A LOT of people- which we knew going in.  But definitely, a turn off. I've seen several You Tube videos, of people sailing on Beyond, and it just doesn't seem that crowded, even at peak times. I know the capacity is about 3260, but was wondering, do the SUITES ONLY ACCESS areas, make the other areas less crowded? What was the feeling of the ship as far as "crowdedness"?

In the past one of the great features of Celebrity and other Premium lines was the promise of a better space ratio.  With the addition of the Retreat those ratios on the rest of the ship would decrease not increase. That said, May is still shoulder season so you should find less crowds than a few weeks later. 

6 hours ago, joeyjeremiah said:

I just booked DH and I on a 5 day out of Miami on the Summit in November. This will be our first celebrity cruise and first post COVID cruise. We have previously cruised MSC, HAL, and Princess. Looking forward to it. Anybody have advice to a new celebrity cruiser? Any must try menu items or restaurants (we don’t eat fish or seafood)? Any hidden gems or embarkation day tips to take advantage of?

Ill be on board Nov 13.  Is that your sailing?  If yes please join the roll call I created.  So far its pretty quiet there.  

Its my my first since Covid as well.  My 28th over all and 4Th on Celebrity.   

1 minute ago, MACruisers said:

That said, there is only so many price increases and quality/service cuts you can pass on to a consumer before they start looking for value for their money.

That is exactly on point for all the threads related to the topic.  Loyalty is a two way street.  They are attacking their problem on too many fronts at the same time.  

1 hour ago, Islander500 said:

Hello fellow cruisers,

As a loyal and long-term Celebrity cruiser, I am starting to do some due diligence for other cruise lines.  Of course, I have a lot of research to do but thought I'd ask you experts who have also been Celebrity cruisers. Some info about us. We are in our 60s/70s, typically travel with friends of similar age, looking for interesting itineraries, excellent meals (we like the size and ambiance of BLU), lounge spaces with live music of various kinds, nice seating spaces to relax, chat, have a cocktail or coffee, somewhat reasonable pricing (whatever that means for you) for balcony cabins (don't need suites.)

 

Would love to hear your thoughts with some details, and thank you in advance.  💗

 

 

 

 

 

I’d take good look at HAL

Hi

Wondering if there is a logic behind when a sailing will open for bids?  Mine is past final payment but Move Up not available yet.  When I try to enter my booking it asks me if my sailing is within 21 days, as if that’s the time it will open.  Meanwhile I see posts here that indicate some open months before sailing.  
 

Thanks. 

7 hours ago, Jeremiah1212 said:

New deployments should go on sale next Thursday 8/22. 

8/22 is a Tuesday.