Iamcruzin

I just booked a 4 night cruise on Reflection for this Sept. I booked the fare that included the internet package and classic drink package which worked out to be $50 pp per day. Imagine my shock to see the price if I waited to add it after I booked to be, $72pp per day for the drink package and $30 a day for internet. That is a huge difference. Is there always such a big difference or did I just get lucky?

Thank you. I was wondering what you use a concierge for.

it was only $28pp more and it was in a better location than the veranda choices which is the main reason I booked it. Aqua Class was only a few more dollars than Concierge but the locations were terrible. We like to be sandwiched between two decks that have rooms and not public areas. We don't even concern ourselves with being loyal so even the extra CC points aren't a draw to book the higher class. I just look for the best price on the 3 lines we like. On this cruise the drink package and wifi were only $50 more a day when added to the booking. That will be no problem breaking even given the prices at the bar.

I'm in a good place here. Retired and living in paradise, so yes depressing and uncomfortable furnishings.

I felt an Ikea vibe from the Celebrity Solstice class ships from the get go.

At least on the Anthem Class Royal Caribbean ships they offer special smaller single room at a reasonable price. I sailed with a friend and the room was very nice. It even had a balcony.

Add a Harry and David gift basket to that table and you have Shiva at sea. Looks so depressing.

We are sailing on the Reflection in Concierge class. It's been a while since our last Celebrity cruise and this is the first cruise we are sailing on since covid. I know things have changed in the cruise industry and I was wondering what to expect in Concierge Class. I read a thread where they don't even give lounge chairs in a suite anymore so I'm sure C class has changed as well. It was only $28 more per persons so I figured it was worth it just for a better location. Also is bottled water included in the basic drink/wifi package or do I have to upgrade to premium? Thank you.

Former New Yorker. Broadway was at my fingertips. I cringe as well. I wouldn't compare the casinos to Las Vegas either.

Thanks for the details. No line is perfect. We like some things on some lines for example the rooms on Celebrity and Royal are much better than the rooms on Princess. What it boils down to is the itinerary and the price. VV seems to have a unique experience compared to the 3 we sail and I would be willing to pay more for that experience.

We don't really use the pool and people were complaining about beds on Princess for years and we never had an issue with them or any other line.

We haven't been on a cruise since 2019. We recently moved to Florida and wanted to get back to cruising. Our go to lines were Celebrity, Princess, and Royal Caribbean. I have been reading so many bad reviews from seasoned Cruise Critic members about the changes in food quality, entertainment, service, as well as new Tech features that they promote not working that I thought VV should be considered. We never sailed with them so we will have no expectations. I was going to book a shorter cruise to try it out but from what I am reading it seems the longer cruises would be more of the vibe that we are used to. We are 55 and 64 yrs old and live in an active resort style adult community so there is always something going on here and I was just wondering how we would fit in on VV.

The issue I have with this is the port charges that they will quote when booking the cruise can either go up or down by the time you actually get to the port of call. We have received refunds to out folio in the past as well as up charges in the past.

I'll one up snob you by saying, "Let the finger lick-in good cruisers go back to Carnival or NCL".

God forbid and that goes double for CCL.

Pot Smoking? How progressive. I guess that's the new High Tea crowd. This is what happens when you remove the Cigar Bar and replace it with an Arcade.

If you are looking for a larger balcony like the extra large balconies on the Caribe deck you will have to stick with sailing on the Grand Class ships which at this point are old. Starting with the Royal Class ships the balconies are the size of a postage stamp unless you book a suite. Also the showers are all the same size unless you book a mini suite or above. They have a tub/shower combo. The Royal class has deluxe balcony cabins with larger obstructed view balconies (no glass view) at the bow of the ship which to me is undesirable. Princess has the most uncomfortable rooms at sea. If you book below a balcony you only have a desk chair to sit in. Every other line has a love seat in every room category.

I'm not surprised. The last time we at in traditional was 2006. It was about the time they had introduced anytime dining and the main dining room in traditional was 1/2 empty every night. On some nights our table mates went to anytime dining. It was a new concept and I guess passenger didn't understand that you didn't have a choice between both dining types just because you booked traditional.

Does Princess still offer the $1 deposit promotion? If so what time of the year do they offer it?

Honestly I find the same experience on land as well. I have had steak at Morton's and at Longhorn steakhouse and for the price I didn't notice a great deal of difference. Morton's is more presentation and atmosphere. The same applies to cruise ships. I would rather go 3 times to Longhorn than 1 time to Morton's. When they forced you to dress on formal night we would go to the specialty restaurants. It was less expensive than buying 2 new cocktail dresses and more shoes that required us to pay for an extra bag on the airlines.

Some would book an inside and hope to get a seat in the Sanctuary. It was a big saving for anyone sailing solo.

Too me the Sanctuary was a waste of space on the ships and the retreat was just another money grab. It was impossible to book even arriving early and all week long it sat empty. Sanctuary class system or not, I will never be able to get a lounge there because I would never book that class. Celebrity and Royal Caribbean offer a better Adult Sanctuary experiences for free and without needing a reservation.

This is a very logical and well thought out statement. The smaller ships won't be around forever and they are needed to service particular markets.

I'm from NY. If I wanted to go to Central Park it was there. Now that I live in Florida I'm 2 hours from the big theme parks. I won't go on anything bigger than a Quantum Class ship. The bigger the ship the longer it takes to get from one end to the other and it's just more pay for venues and shops. We don't even shop at the malls on land anymore. A perfect day a Coco Cay is great if you are traveling with a family but as empty nesters we need more adventure than a pool day in an over priced Cabana

I hate those monstrosity of the sea ships. Would be very excited for a smaller class ship that can fit into smaller ports.