I've never had the taxes/fees change on a price drop.
I wish they would be required to itemize these taxes/fees so you know what you are paying for. Taxes are taxes but what are the fees.
We did Croatia, saling May 2nd this year followed by Greece May 15. Weather was fantastic. Cooler than I imagined. Low 70's most days. We did a Tours By Locals tour in Dubrovnik which focused on Game of Thrones sites. Guide was great and was actually an extra. You don't have to be a GOT fan to enjoy as long as you have seen the series.
If interested in details you can email me at wrk2cruise at gmail.com
Starlink coverage across the Atlantic seems pretty good. Did a TA from Tampa to Barcelona in April on another line with Starlink and had no problem streaming my TV service every night.
Yes if you booked an Aqua Class cabin your assigned dining room is Blu. It is open seating with no set dining times and no reservations accepted. It's first come first served. I believe it generally opens around 5:30. Generally getting seated before 6:30 isn't an issue. During the prime dining times there may be a wait.
Yes, booking onboard either with Future Cruise Certificate (Book Later) or a Book Now you get the reduced deposit of $100 pp. If you don't select a sailing I believe within 1 year the deposit is refunded. Once you select a sailing, if you select a NRD rate then only the $200 is at risk until final payment.
I agree that sometimes TA's have a better route through their sales support teams at Celebrity to get resolutions to special situations. I have had them use this route a couple times with satisfactory outcomes.
There are several TA sites that display available cabins better than the Celebrity website. Unfortunately we are unable to mention them by name on Cruise Critic.
I wonder if anyone has had a bid locked for more than a day and then it was subsequently accepted. I assume once they are locked you will eventually get a rejection.
Have you questioned the executive office about this? We have always been told by Future Cruises that this OBC follows the booking number regardless of changes to rate, ship, sail date. That's the way it has worked for the last 20 years of onboard bookings I've done with many/many changes.
You will get to dine in Luminae and have use of the Retreat Suite lounge. You will have complementary beverages in the Lounge but not Luminae. You can carry a drink from the Lounge to Luminae if you choose (but they are on opposite ends of the ship.
Of course in any RIF (Reduction In Force) the lowest performers are generally the first to go so it does make sense that these are the butlers that are not having their contracts renewed. But it's still a reduction in force (and probably service).
OBC associated with old pricing/promo you are repricing does go away and is replaced with whatever is included in the prevailing rate. Shareholder credit is always dropped as well but simply requesting it again via shareholder services and it gets re-applied.
Book onboard OBC is supposed to be retained on the reservation of course if you change category or ship/sail date the amount gets adjusted.