alyssamma

@FlorenceItaly love the handle. It's funny because I am heading there right now. On my way to the airport... Stopping in Holland for a few days but will be in Florence on Monday.

So, deposits are back to $3500 for the cruise I booked. The price is the exact same. To me, this was a great deal.

So what you just gave is an example of why this is all a pretty meaningless discussion 🙂 With or without "sales" "reduced deposits", etc., prices fluctuate. The real test would be what was the price Tuesday and what was the price Wednesday. But even then, some prices will go up and others down...

For my personal experience, the price was the same on 2/2 when I originally looked at this cruise. The only difference now is I paid $2 instead of $3500 to hold it. I have no intention of cancelling the cruise. I also plan to rebook/refare if the price drops.

This is a correct, but misleading. The distinction being made by @mz-s is the same distinction that Carnival makes. Carriers do this too. For example, I can be anywhere in the world, connected to wifi, and call anywhere else in the world on WhatsApp for free. However, if I am on that *same* wifi network and make a wifi carrier call, it will be free if I call the USA, but will cost me if I call another country. So, yes, the underlying protocols are the same, but the way they are used is different. The OP here clearly meant carrier based wifi calling. That appears to be blocked now (always?) by Carnival. Other types of wifi calling are not.

This distinction is correct...

I still believe I have...but maybe it was a while ago. Looking through CC shows some people who've had success.

I said I've made wifi *and* WhatsApp calling. Edited: Maybe I'm mistaken, lol. But I could have sworn I did it...looking at other posts here it does seem to be blocked, so I have to be misremembering...

I'm a little confused about this. I've done wifi calling and calling via WhatsApp with the top level plan.

That is not my understanding...but I always book HAI too, so maybe that is why. I've only had to cancel CO twice and both times it was refunded without problem. Maybe someone more knowledgeable can weigh in...

Yes and yes. This is what I did.

Yeah, I got my first quote on 2/2...the price I paid today is the same as it was then. I booked a GTY Verandah then upgraded to VA through CO. I paid a little less than you (all in with CO included), but then again, I'm in a VA and not a suite 🙂 That seems to be a good price for it...congrats!

So how much less for a Verandah were prices in Jan? I've found prices fluctuate a lot, and they are often higher during "sales" to make the sale really not a sale, lol. I generally book through TAs...I'll use different ones for different lines. The price HAL quotes is not at all the price I pay...not even close. I guess everyone pays something different. You seem happy with your price and that is all that matters 🙂

I agree...but I got the early booking bonus...prepaid grats and up upgraded HAI. It is still within the early booking bonus window. Also the AARP OBC. I don't know if this is refundable - didn't care for $2 lol. The price is the same since I've been tracking it (for the past month)...it might have been cheaper before that for sure. I'm hoping it drops before final payment.

Thank you very much. Info like this is just one of the reasons I love CC. Been looking at a cruise but didn't want to pay $3500 for a deposit. Was able to snag it today for $2. Thanks again.

Hi, I'm taking a cruise that ends in Bali (Benoa).. Does anyone know how long it takes to clear immigrations? So from the time I leave the ship until I can meet a driver/get a taxi, how long is that process (typically)? TIA

So, I've called X five times and finally got a rep who I think knows what they are talking about. The last one told me tender, but said it was at the Depp Sea Port, lol. But it does appear to be tender at Patong. Thanks for the answers.

Found it before I posted the Q, but thanks. There are several ports - this is one - where it doesn't list docked or tender.

Holiday meaning Xmas? Or something else?

I'm in Dec, but since that is in the middle I would assume tender also. I don't understand why Celebrity can't give a straight answer about this so I can properly book excursions.

Thanks, what time of year was it?

Old post but hopefully you'll see this... We are on the cruise before you. Celebrity is telling us we are docking and not tendering. But everything I read says in the (US) winter time, you tender and don't dock. Can I ask where you got the tender info? TIA

I was on this sailing also and my opinion pretty much mirrors yours. I will just add the following: 1) I found Eden to be the best specialty dining I've had on Celebrity (note, this was my first time eating there, so maybe better on other Edge classes, lol) 2) I found the service in the MDRs top notch in general, but every once in a while we would get a server that seemed to not want to be there. This is pretty minor and didn't affect our cruise overall it was noticeable. Mainly because it was the exception. 3) Loved the Ascent and loved the cruise, but overall I rank the ship below Apex (my favorite) and Beyond. But if the Apex was a 10 to me, Beyond would be 9.8 and Ascent 9.7...you can't go wrong with any of them.

Lol, I'm someone 😀 I personally love them... Way more than a traditional balcony. It's hard to tell what the actual percentages of like/dislike is. Certainly the vast majority of people who post on threads like these hate them.

You may be right, but is there a reason you don't want to let them answer directly? Tone doesn't carry in text so not trying to attack you, just wanted to hear it directly from them.