C-Dragons

10 minutes ago, KKB said:

I have seen on NCL boards how some people write a letter for the butler regarding special requests.

We are trying Retreat for the first time on the Beyond Sunday.

We got a good price but it is a splurge for us.

We are pretty low maintenance travelers regarding our steward--we ask for little (egg crate mattress topper is about it!)

But there are certainly things I would love to have provided if that is an option!

Curious--have you done a letter, a list or just verbally share your requests.

Thanks!

We just have a short conversation with the Butler on boarding day. They usually take notes.

We are low maintenance too and of all the Butlers we have had over the years, only one provided poor service.

Just now, hcat said:

they really do not hold much.. Would not buy again!  just get a vase from attendant IF YOU FIND FLOWERS

 

 

still no.luck ordering flowers 

Bummer… ☹️

18 minutes ago, jules815 said:

 

Only one left on 7. 8 completely booked. Higher decks, including 12, have lots of availability. Any reason not to be up there??

Not in my opinion. 👍

Don’t forget to come and join the Roll Call. 😊

7 hours ago, Mark_K said:

Personally, I agree with Mark Twain - “Don't use a five-dollar word when a fifty-cent word will do.”

Personally, I prefer to use fifty-dollar words. 😎

Inflation has affected everything! 😉

Boy, y'all are really bored. 😉

Or, y'all really need a cruise! 😁

35 minutes ago, TrueCruiseaholic said:

This is very unfortunate.

 

Another cruiser had prices changed on them because the price was an "error" on Celebrity's behalf. This was the Silhouette in 2024/25 for which the threads about the price change have all been removed.

 

Upon escalation, a corporate representative informed the guest that Celebrity has the ability to change the price of a booking at any time for any reason. An example being, Celebrity claims they can retroactively remove a residential offer if they so choose.

 

I hope this gets resolved, but Celebrity asserts that they can charge whatever they want. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you, but after I heard this information, I am much more uneasy about booking any future cruises.

IMO, all cruise lines have the same contractual language. This is from NCL:

16. Guarantee and Rate

All prices are quoted in $AUD/$NZD (as applicable, depending on where you purchase your ticket) and are correct at the time of publication or until the end of the phone call (as applicable), unless otherwise stated.  Once we have received your deposit or full payment, the cruise rate is secure, except in the event of substantial increases in operating costs, tariffs or government or quasi-government taxes and fees (including port charges and taxes) that are beyond Norwegian's control.  In such cases, we reserve the right to add a surcharge, whether you have confirmed a booking under deposit or have made final payment. We will notify you before any such surcharge is added to your cruise fare. To the extent permitted by law, we reserve the right not to honor any published prices that we determine are erroneous due to printing, electronic or clerical error.

1 hour ago, CruisingWalter said:

 

In terms of my enjoyment of Celebrity cruises, it's the same Celebrity it's always been. Incredible staff, great food, great service and beautiful ships. I have absolutely zero issues with any changes they have been making in terms of food portions, what they serve, etc... EVERY cruise line has changed since the pandemic. They went 2 years with zero income while maintaining fleets of ships. So yes, food portions are going to change, the items they serve are going to change, but that's a business reality after bleeding out money for 2 years. It'll take a while for that to catch up, even with the record breaking bookings. So a 'smaller lobster tail' doesn't mean it's "patently wrong to say it's the same old Celebrity." Absolutely it is, times change, cruise lines change, that's a continual evolution. And this is the biggest evolution in the history of cruising, making a comeback after a 2 year shut down. 

 

Honestly what I see described by so many people as "Celebrity or (fill in the blank cruise line) going downhill" are minor. "Oh my god the lobster tails are smaller!" "Oh my god I have to pay for a second lobster tail!" "Oh my god there's only 15 items to choose from on the menu instead of 25!" "Oh my god they got rid of turndown service!" 

 

If the changes have a serious detriment to your enjoyment of (fill in the blank cruise line) then move on and find a 'better cruise line.' 

Interesting, we just received an email from X regarding Go Green:

INCREASE YOUR CLUB POINTS 
BY REDUCING YOUR FOOTPRINT 

We're committed to protecting the world's seas and the rich 
marine life they support. That's why our comprehensive program 
Save the Waves guides everything we do. It emphasizes recycling, 
pollution prevention, doing more than is required by law, 
and constant innovation. 

Our latest addition to this program, Go Green^SM, allows you to 
earn Captain's Club rewards and enjoy the same extraordinary 
experiences, while conserving energy, and using fewer resources. 
Learn more and enroll today.

2 minutes ago, George C said:

I really disliked our corner aft , suite and balcony was really nice but really disliked the long walk to get to Luminae or the retreat , but I am showing my age. ( loved my penthouse on edge only a few feet from Luminae 😁😁)

Ah, the Penthouse… been there, seen it, and yes, it is really nice! 
But we love the view from the AFT.

1 hour ago, darsura said:

Looking at an upcoming sailing in an S1, and cabins are available on Decks 9, 10, and 11.  All are midship and one is very close to the elevators. The deck plan indicates that some of the cabins have a double sofa bed, and others have a single sofa bed, or nothing is indicated.  I would not be needing the use of the sofa bed.  All look good to me, but never having been on the E class or in a suite, I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions or preferences that they would like to share.

 

Thanks!

Personally, we would book an S1 on the AFT if it was available.

Considering your available choices, we would book on deck 11. Luminae is far forward on deck 12 so you could either take the elevator, or walk up one flight of stairs to get to it, which is what we have done before.

Enjoy your cruise on the Edge!  We did, 5 times. 😁

2 hours ago, CaribbeanBound said:

C-Dragons...  Oh, I've seen them.   It's a very rare occurrence and sure it does happen.  

It does not for one second deter me.

Those were likely not passengers on a private tour*. 

Most likely, just idiots who hired a taxi and spent too much time self-absorbed in their shopping.

 

* A "private tour" is defined as one arranged away from the ship, usually in advance, with a reputable firm that has been in business for some time.  These boards are filled with recommendations of great tours that will get you back to the ship in time every time.  You can count on it.

 

Consider this:  if a reputable tour EVER missed the ship you would hear about it on Cruise Critic and that tour operator would be out of business in a heartbeat.  No one would want to take a chance with them knowing they blew it once. It just doesn't happen with seasoned tour professionals.  They will get you back in plenty of time.

After 20 years in the Travel business I really don’t need anyone to define a “private tour” for me. And for the record, stuff does happen, not because others are idiots, as you said.

☮️

1 hour ago, SbbquilterUT said:

Try Travel Vase (much cheaper than airfare)- these are what I have used.

I looked for “folding travel vase”.

2 minutes ago, zitsky said:

I would like to know more about this vase and where it came from?

Amazon sells everything, even folding vases. 😁

8 hours ago, Lovey Life said:

When you bring fresh flowers on board with you….. does the room attendant supply a vase?

 

Yes.

18 minutes ago, CaribbeanBound said:

I too book almost all of my tours privately.  The biggest reasons were all mentioned above: cost, flexibility, smaller sized groups (not dealing with the lowest common denominator), easier access to sights/sites.

 

Why book with Celebrity:

1. No need to do extensive research to find better tours and more rewarding experiences

2. You like big groups

3. You have extra OBC to use up

4. **** You are (unjustly) concerned that the tour won't make it back in time to catch the ship, but nonetheless this lack of stress is worth it to you

 

 

So I guess you have never seen a car speeding up to the dock and the passengers jump out with multiple bags of purchases as a X ship is pulling slowly away and the Captain did not stop. Even more interesting, this happened in Russia.

So IMO, being concerned is justified. YMMV. 😉
We took the ship's tour and watched this after we were back on board.

2 minutes ago, Myrtle Ave. Mayhem said:

I'm DONE with the mass market lines that masquerade as premium. This includes Celebrity, Holland America, & Princess. Everything from new ship design, food, service, lack of attention to detail, constant gimmicky revenue production. Been cruising over 30 years & I think the lines I mentioned have become ghostly shadows of their former selves. 

 

Enter Viking Ocean! Higher price point, but worth every penny. It's as if the founder(Torstein Hagen) saw my personal wish list for a cruise line then went to work, creating Viking. 

Glad for you!
Not for us. Way too small. 😉

8 minutes ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

Ha ha…Since one of the first questions strangers on a cruise ask each other is “where are you from?”, when I answer “California” it seems to be a huge trigger for some

I never ask that question.

Learned that lesson a long time ago. 😁

10 minutes ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

Just playing devils advocate, how many adults have folks encountered who were loud and/or obnoxious on a sailing?  Nearly every X sailing I go on I encounter someone who wants to rant about politics despite me stating life is too short to waste time talking about them

Truthfully? Only one and it was on our X last cruise.

BTW I said the same thing to them about life being too short. Great minds… 😉

5 minutes ago, TeeRick said:

To a fair degree you can control the second suggestion.  You can choose a cruise in a non-vacation period for a longer itinerary on a line like Celebrity.  There will be barely any kids. Or go with Viking.  Cruises on family friendly lines (RCCL, NCL, Carnival) 7 nights or less will be full of kids.

I think you missed my additional comment above. 😉

And we have no desire to sail on other lines.

20 minutes ago, TeeRick said:

When you have kids, cruise with kids.

When you don't have kids, don't sail with kids.

Sounds like good advice.

But unfortunately one does not have control over your second suggestion . 😉

We always sail TA's and there are always children on board. The last cruise some were running through the atrium screaming. I was gobsmacked!

2 minutes ago, jelayne said:

You posted this same question an hour ago.  Patience, someone will see your post and answer you just may take awhile as it is a very specific question.

I may not be remembering correctly, but I thought X discouraged posting the personal information of their Staff on this board?

15 hours ago, Ken the cruiser said:

Here are the applicable cruises listed on the Celebrity website on the link I originally provided.

 
The below applies to the following sailings: 
April 13th, 2023 Celebrity Infinity 13 Night Canaries & Portugal sailing out of Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
April 17th, 2023 Celebrity Edge 14 Night Bermuda, Portugal & Spain sailing out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida
April 17th, 2023 Celebrity Constellation 15 Night Portugal & Spain sailing out of Tampa, Florida
April 20th, 2023 Celebrity Silhouette 13 Night Bermuda & France sailing out of Miami, Florida
April 22nd, 2023 Celebrity Apex 15 Night Western Europe sailing out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida
April 22nd, 2023 Celebrity Eclipse 18 Night Tahiti, New Zealand & Hawaii sailing out of Sydney, Australia*
April 23rd, 2023 Celebrity Beyond 14 Night Spain, France & Italy sailing out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida
April 23rd, 2023 Celebrity Reflection 13 Night Spain & Bermuda sailing out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida 
May 9th, 2023 Celebrity Eclipse 12 Night Hawaii Cruise sailing from Honolulu, Hawaii to Vancouver, Canada 

We just received notification from X this morning, stating that everyone needs to be fully vaccinated BUT we do not need to test prior to the TA on April 23 on Beyond. 👍

2 hours ago, NorthStarStateCruiser said:

This deal is not over the moon good, but does provide a significant savings in comparison to other sailings on the Edge or other X ships sailing to Alaska in 2024.

 

Sample pricing excluding taxes & fees, 2 person occupancy:

$2671/pp for a magic carpet sky suite

$1552/pp for a A2 aqua stateroom

 

The largest savings is on the Aqua and Retreat rooms, but there's also savings on the lower categories as the base prices shown on the main search page are actually AI.  To elaborate, for concierge and below you don't get the option to add AI after selecting a room like you normally would. However, the AI items are shown on the confirmation page.  TBH, there's likely an error in the pricing system for this sailing which is causing the large discount in prices, so mum's the word.

 

I didn't notice this pricing drop until today though the price drop happened last Friday.  Act fast because whenever I post these price drop notices, they tend to correct the pricing by the end of the day.

 

 

You are aware, hopefully, that X has people who read the comments on this board?  Perhaps they are responding to your posts? 😉

11 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

 

 I think this is still accurate

 

The list maybe accurate, but I question X's spelling - Rose Whine Mateus? Is that what happens when you drink it? 😁🍷

1 hour ago, LynnCanada said:

Just wondering if there is anywhere outside, other than the Retreat, to get a good view off the front of the ship.  There seems to be an outside area off the Thermal Suite, but do you need the Thermal Suite pass to access it?

Try the Fitness Center. Not outside but the view should be very good.