CaroleSS

Our last cruise had 26 people on the CC roll call and over 250 on the "social media" roll call.

"Check back on January 26"

Captain's Club says there is a system issue. They can see the updated numbers on their end, but the website and app have yet to be updated. They ask that we "kindly allow 7-10 business days for the corrected." Guess that puts us at EOM to see updated numbers, but if you are sailing between now and then, your status is correct on their end.

Hey, don't laugh.....I've done that!

Possibly......not that it matters. I'll never get to the next tier, so it doesn't really matter either way.

My points are "odd" - I can see the 5 points in my points history, but my total points are what they were mid December. If I sum all my cruises+PUPs, I get my current total and that does include the 5 December PUPs. I want really paying attention, so maybe they were added in December?

From the Celebrity website

You already paid 20% of the $17 when you bought the package.

Actually the math is as such: drink $20 - package allowance $17 = $3 + 20% = $3.60. Not $7

Tip as you wish, just know that you have already paid a 20% tip.

I was at the airport and purchased some food items at a small, serve yourself store. You got the items yourself and paid on an automated machine. It asked if I wanted to add a tip! At some point this HAS to stop! Everyone everywhere is now asking for a tip. I'm sticking a fork in it and saying, "enough"! I understand the culture of tipping at restaurants, but a self-serve kiosk? Yes, people work hard and appreciate tips, but come on....... I've already tipped 20%. I think that is plenty!

Gratuities are included when you buy specialty dining. Gratuities are added to your drink package. The servers and sommelier are included in those tipping pools. You do as you wish, but I've already paid 20% and I feel that is enough.

You paid a tip when you booked. Additional tipping is at your discression.

I have tried to contact X ahead of time and have not received a reply. My suggestion is to speak with them once you board......but it never hurts to try!

How late in the game can a change of passengers occur? If you were able to find someone to go in their place, how long does it take for the cruise line to verify identity can do the name substitution? Has anyone done this?

@LuckyCruiser60 says cruising is a great value. You didn't mention what your cost would be for excursions, but for my example, it would help to know the "entire" cost of the vacation. My example is this.....a few years ago we spent 16 days in Bali and Java. We stayed in very high end boutique hotels, hired a driver and a guide for the trip, flew from Bali to Java, ate at nice restaurants and did some incredible activities.....what was the cost for such an elaborate vacation you might ask? For the 2 of us, we paid (not including our air over and back) a sum total of $10,000. Now, that may be a bit over $450/ day for a cruise, but I will bet that our vacation was WAY more elaborate and included "excursions". My point is that I can go on a vacation and talk about what a bargain I got, but go into the vacation knowing what to expect. If I pay for an upscale vacation and get a middle of the road experience (especially when I was promised upscale initially), I am likely to be a tad annoyed. Land based vacations are holding a better allure for us as we get more bang for our buck and we actually GET what was promised. id like to stay loyal to X, but they certainly aren't helping me do that!

Not sure what the solution is, but there are a number of examples I can think of that are similar. There is a fancy condo complex which was going to be built locally. The developer offered "pre-construction" sales. The construction was delayed for about a year and the developer told the buyers they would have to pay an extra 20% as their costs had gone up. Lots of buyers were upset as they said they had a signed contract. After all was said and done, the developer said, pay more or walk away. I see the same thing with X. They have a product and even though you purchased it in good faith, they can change the conditions of "the contract" at any time and your choices are to go along with them or cancel something you want. Not so good for the consumer, but that is the way of the world right now! 😥

Back on post #5

I guess I must be really, really old or really, really stupid! I don't expect money for "inconvenience". I'm on vacation! If we need to miss a port due to unforeseen circumstances, fine.....I'm on vacation and I won't stress over it! I will enjoy my vacation and will happily make another vacation to see what I missed. Cruise ships are like airplanes. They have a tight schedule and any mechanical issues have to be dealt with promptly or "heads are gonna roll". Some issues can be resolved quickly, some not so much. Would you prefer your entire cruise be cancelled due to a few barnacles and get your money back or would you prefer to go on vacation, enjoy your time away, see some nice things and go home refreshed? The cruise lines have a vested interest in making sure you have a great vacation....their livelihood depends on that.....but....ship happens! Wind makes tendering impossible, supply chain issues make your preferred choice of wine unavailable for the cruise, gasp, WAR breaks out....whatever it is.....the cruise lines try HARD to make your vacation money go as far as it can! BUT....and here's the caveat......when ship happens.....why do we expect....no.....DEMAND that we get money for the "inconvenience"? Why can't we understand that nothing is 100% and go with the flow? Yes, you had your heart set on seeing X, Y, or Z.....but is it possible to enjoy what you have and say, "this gives me a great reason to plan another wonderful vacation"? I truly fail to see why we are so gimme, gimme, gimme any more. 🥺 Good will gesture, whatever....have you ever owned/managed a business and tried to make everyone happy? Not gonna happen! Be happy, go with the flow.....enjoy life and quit expecting life to be perfect. </rant>

Just for prospective.....I've been a certified diver since 1969 (you can do the math). In all that time, I've never been approached by a shark, although I've seen plenty.

@Barwick Cruiser I think your turtle is fabulous!

Yes, the fee you pay goes toward the piece you pick. The fee is usually $120, so if you pick a $140 item you owe another $20. They usually only offer a 5% discount for early booking, but if you call in and tell them you are a Captain's Club member you get another 5% off. Not a lot, but I've not really seen any sales higher than the current 5%. But 10% of $120 is enough for a bigger item! Or you could give your artisan a nice tip!

If you book this and are CC members, you get a 5% discount if you call to book.

We have done the class and loved it! The artisans do help, but you do get a decent amount of hands on time. There is a display cabinet showing what items you can make (if you search you might find a photo). Your $100 is applied to the cost of the piece you select. If it is more than $100 you pay the difference. They will wrap up your piece in bubblewrap, but I would suggest you bring it on the plane as a carry-on (if you are flying). The piece needs to cool overnight, so the last class will be the morning before you disembark. My creation!

I looked at sailings in October 2024 to compare a Greek Islands cruise versus Israel, Egypt and found this. Granted the ships are different, but it's the best I could find. I'm seeing similar prices for close to the same number of nights. I must be missing something as it doesn't look like as @DownByTheSea says....."Greece in October is like 75%+ less than the holy lands itinerary it replaced"