ALANG

Trying to make sense of the specialty dining reservation policy.  I have a cruise booked on the Sun Princess later this year.  Went on the app to book specialty dining as I have purchased the Premier Package which allows for two specialty restaurant experiences.  The app says I can't book any type of dining because I currently do not have the appropriate status level and the cruise is not paid in full.  Final payment date is about three months out.  So I called Princess and asked the question, "Since I have the Premier Package which I paid for what happens if the specialty restaurants are booked and I am unable to secure reservations what is then then policy"  The representative basically said I was basically out of luck and I could try to get some OBC.  Well I did not pay for the package with OBC.  I said thank you, hung up, and shook my head.  I began to think that this happens a lot because Princess probably sells more "specialty reservations markers" than they have open spots.  I am not new to cruising with 45+ under my belt but wanted to try Princess again.  Just can't get my head around the representatives answer or not being able to book as soon as I put down the deposit.  As of now this is the first line that would not allow dining without paying in full.  Thank you all in advance for any help!

After a recent very disappointing cruise on the Beyond in The Retreat and the continuing actions of the management of Celebrity, we have just booked trips on Oceania and the Yacht Club on MSC.  After numerous trips on X, we just feel like we have been kicked to the curb.  Today they did it again and screwed over single cruisers.  BOHICA.

Does MSC offer transfers from Southampton to Heathrow or would you recommend a private car.  Flight is at 2PM.

Just got off the Celebrity Beyond almost two weeks ago.  Wife and I were in the Retreat  and were disappointed in the experience.  The pricing of the Retreat is insane for the value received.  Luminae was nothing to write home about but the service was very good. We have been sailing Celebrity for 15 years but now they have kicked their loyal customers to the curb with their cutbacks and ridiculous pricing.  So today we booked a 12 day trip in the Virtuosa's YC.  I am expecting a great experience.  Sometimes change is good and this past loyal Celebrity customer is looking forward to this trip.

Sounds like some positive news for a change.

Price and value are two completely different things.  Price is what you pay and value is what you receive.  As of now Celebrity's pricing is high compared to the value.  So very recently DW and I have booked three cruises, one with MSC (Yacht Club), Oceania, and Princess.  I will  be sailing shortly on the Beyond in the Retreat but would not considered booking The Retreat now due to crazy inflated pricing and cutbacks.  Our last ten cruises have been with Celebrity.  I hope this is a trial separation but it looks more like a divorce.

Alan

I just cancelled two X retreat cruises and booked an MSC Yacht Club and Oceania.  IMO Celebrity's pricing does not match is value.  I have a hard time accepting a product that changed after I purchased it.  No use complaining, vote with your wallet.

.  

Celebrity BOHICA

French onion soup.

Menu remains the same.

I average at least 18 months.

Cute but it was one and done.

One and done for DW and I.

I have booked special dining for the 12/1/23 Beyond cruise over 50 days ago. Keep checking.

For you gambling folks, what do you think are the realistic odds Celebrity will with either fix the issue within 6 months, admit there is a serious noise issue and they have no clue how to fix, or too bad the customer will have to live with it and give them a big $50 OBC.  

If you disapprove, flood all social media venues along with the corporate executives with emails.

Looks like Celebrity is doing the same as Steve Wynn did in 2008 when he opened up very expensive clubs and properties during the Great Recession in Las Vegas.  Many said he was nuts.  He said  "There are always enough people that price doesn't matter and want certain experiences and they will pay".  He was proven correct, so basically if you don't want to play, just know there are enough that will play.  

8 hours ago, lifeisrealygood said:

When is a sale a sale?  My wife and I have three cruises booked, and for our March 2023 cruise on the Silhouette and our October 2023 on the Equinox, we have already purchased our shore excursions.  And we purchased them more than a few months ago.  I believe there was a sale back then when we ordered them.  But, what we paid for our five excursions on the two cruises way back when was still cheaper than what is being offered now for the same excursions, that are ON SALE.  Kind of like the fact that for our March 2024 cruise on the Silhouette, also booked maybe 10 months ago, when the Elevate Package was still available, we paid an amount just over $5,000 for the two of us for the ten night cruise, prime concierge cabin.  That same cruise now, even with the 75% off second guest, and for "all included" just the classic package, it is well over $6,000.  Some sale!!!!

Same for us.  We would pay more with their 35% sale than we did a couple of months ago.  Celebrity should call it the Smoke and Mirror Sale.

DEOinTX,

There is a Roll Call started for the Beyond 12/1/2023 cruise.  Feel free to hop in and join.

Alan

I asked them about the Magic Carpet and they said they really never noticed it.  

Alan

DEOinTX,

Talked to a couple who have sailed on the Beyond in 11214 and the raved about it, no issues.  So I booked 11212 on the same cruise you are sailing 12/1/2023.  Welcome aboard!

Only if you use OBC and it is still just a one and done.

Alan

Tennessee appears to have a handle as best they can on when you can expect to receive the vaccine.  They have a website that you just fill-in the info and it gives you an approximate time when you should receive your vaccination.  In the county where I live if you are 75 and older you just call the health department and they give you a time/date.  As of now there is basically no waiting, very easy. I will give the state government a thumbs up on this one.

2 hours ago, sandancer said:

Thank you.  Very reassuring. I’m probably over cautious. 

Not over cautious at all,  just being very smart!

20 minutes ago, cruisemom42 said:

I wonder how this will be made clear to already booked passengers for 2021?  I would definitely cancel my B2B Med cruises starting next September if that is the case, but I'm not sure how transparent the lines will be with sharing that info in advance of, say, final payment.

 

I believe that having only cruise line excursions will be a non-starter for many, especially for those who have scheduled a cruise in Europe.  A question to ask is, " If it considered not safe to have private excursions, is is safe to cruise".