chemmo

Simple things, phone him for early morning speciality coffee, request a specific snack (cheese and crackers?) to be delivered to your room each afternoon, phone him when you get back from an excursion with soggy trainers and they will be returned dry and clean. Alternatively, don’t feel obliged to use him at all! Some cruises we rarely ask the butler for anything on others we may arrange a party or a special in suite dining evening…

Agree, unpacking is not a service we have used or wanted either. The only guests I know who have used this service were an elderly couple with mobility issues and they informed the shoreside concierge pre cruise that they would appreciate some help packing and unpacking.

The room attendant may be able to make the bed up in the opposite direction (TV facing) by simply putting the pillows on the other side…worth asking. Re the drawers in the bathroom, it really was no big deal just simply odd to have a bathroom that big with no storage! We are in 1616 in October, let me know if you need any further information or photos. Sincere best wishes!

Before booking anything through Celebrity I would look at flying in at least the day before, just so sensible when you could miss your cruise or (owing to the chaos in UK airports) preferably two days before. Barcelona is a fabulous city so a pleasure to stay in. Even in ‘normal’ times flying in the day of your cruise is always risky. Giving yourself a few days margin will open up a wide range of carriers. Do some browsing before limiting yourself to two carriers.

Firstly I would suggest phoning Celebrity and asking them about transferring your OBC to an upgrade. Absolutely nothing to loose. I don’t think the computerised system would work. We were on board Silhouette last September and iLounge stock was minimal. I did upgrade my antiquated iPad (free gift from a long haul flight) for a newer one but it was the same as the one my son had purchased over a year ago. Hence, board knowing the level of upgrade you want. For me, my new/old iPad is fine and we were in a ‘use it or loose it’ OBC situation. No cheaper or more expensive than I could have secured it at home. The thing I would strongly recommend you to do is enjoy the range of speciality restaurants on board. I know you are regular cruisers and probably have already visited each of them at least once but there is a wonderful choice both casual and formal on Silhouette…You could look at pre booking a package or booking once on board. If you inform them of your dairy intolerance they will cater for it. Personally, I would pop in each restaurant I intended to visit to discuss with the M’D the choices available. They will be able able to clearly indicate dishes dairy free anyway, dishes they can modify and possibly some additional options. Whilst it may mean pre ordering some items rather than browsing the menu on the night I think it would be a better option…We loved having lunch in The Porch and in Sushi on sea days when the buffet can be busy. We found them both havens of peace and tranquillity. We never saw either of them busy so perhaps you could negotiate a package on board that includes a lunch or two? If you are enjoying speciality restaurants I would recommend that you enjoy some nicer wine with your meals too. If you are generally happy with the classic package rather than upgrade to premium you could simply look at per glass extra options or a bottle or three? Whatever you decide to do, sincere best wishes for a fantastic cruise! PS. it may help others in a similar position if you could feed back if you are able to arrange to use some OBC to upgrade…

We were 1616 and are 1616 in October and 1611 next March…. Groryjm, it suddenly seems far too long until our next cruise…Just added a picture of the bathroom with enough space to dance in but no drawers to show the OP. Odds on you will have a better one!

I also struggled to open them unless I used a serviette, I think condensation makes it more difficult. OP, it could be worthwhile taking a reusable water bottle on board that you are comfortable opening/closing and just topping it up, especially for excursions.

We have used this ourselves and YouTube. I think regular cruisers are more alert…However, many guests do depend on the Cruise lines own publications…Surely they deserve a better product… Exactly!

Agree….Fine for two guests who want to sit out with an occasional drink, not for guests who want to dine outside and enjoy the sun. The balcony for us is an important part of our vacation experience… We have friends who have cruised in the RS on Edge and loved it. They were happy when they wanted to see the sun to walk the few steps to the sun deck, also they rarely dine in suite. Then we have other friends who loved Edge but would not book a RS again because they had found the balcony too small and hated the overhang that prevented them seeing the sky at night as well as the sun during the day… It is because of different priorities that pictures are so important!

Thanks! It was looking for a balcony picture to explain to a family member why we were disappointed with the RS on E class compared to the RS on S that alerted me to the picture anomalies. If you can show such a clear representation of the suite why can’t Celebrity!?!

We were on her in September. Our son and GF used the sofa bed, it looked bigger than a queen. If I remember correctly it is not the side that faces the TV that folds out…Certainly it was made up not facing the TV. We never actually saw it being made up/put away, our magical room attendant sorted it the minute we left the room…Our son has been a regular RS/PH sofa bed user for many years, is 6’ tall and had no complaints. They did have TV on some mornings/evenings and could watch it fine. It must have been comfortable enough because we have two further family cruises booked in October and next March! The only guests I think may struggle to use the sofa bed in the PH are those with bad knees or back as I think the bed is slightly lower than a standard bed. We found the suite to be even more light and airy than S PH suites we have enjoyed in the past. Our only comment is that they haven’t made the most of the space they have gained from getting rid of the piano. We had expected a couple of nice chairs, perhaps, but there was simply a rather useless storage unit. Also there are no drawers in the main bathroom. Lots of open storage areas but no drawers! As we wanted our room attendant to be able to easily wipe over the surfaces we left minimal stuff in the bathroom and put other things not in daily use (first aid kit etc) in a drawer in the walk in wardrobe or one of the bedroom drawers. As I said, we have booked further cruises in the PH on Silhouette. She is now our favourite S class ship! The Retreat Deck is a great addition and the range of speciality dining on board is also a real plus. Hope you have a fantastic cruise!

I need a bigger handbag next cruise to keep my marmalade sandwich in…

Much as I find it simply bizarre it does concern me that it could really mislead new cruisers. Definitely adds to the confusion…Summit and Millie done, Silhouette done, Equinox part done…Click on Constellation ship information, click on Retreat and see some lovely pictures of the Retreat Deck on Edge…Yes, it is labelled as Edge class but why show it when as a browser you have clicked on ship information Constellation? Definitely an area for Celebrity to improve.

Perfect description of the two experiences… Only additional information I would add is that we find the food on Celebrity at all venues from the buffet to the Speciality restaurants better. Also, if you are cruising as a family, there are more room option choices including several types of family suitable suites.

Sometimes one quote answers a full thread… When we were young, touring the world and spending every port day enjoying long excursions then we definitely would not have got value for money from a package… However, now we are older and the ship is more our destination we enjoy having what we want to drink when we want it, do use our WiFi and like not having to consider an end of cruise bill. Having followed many threads on similar lines I am thrilled that Celebrity is starting to offer choices again so that those who don’t want/need a package don’t have to pay for one.

As others have said this is the norm on cruising and I think fairly standard across all lines although it may be worth checking Disney…I guess many of us have got used to hotel/holiday deals with free or very reduced baby/child prices. Celebrity would not be our cruise line of choice with babies. For slightly older children there are the well recommended children’s clubs and they can obviously enjoy the main pool. There is no splash pool area on Celebrity ships. Another way to keep costs down (and possibly improve your cruise experience) could be to look at some of the family accommodation on some of the Royal Caribbean ships. They have some suites that are ideal for extended and multigenerational travel. Whilst initially they can look expensive if you add up the cost of a couple of veranda rooms as the alternative then they can become a good option. Suite perks, shared family space, easy to arrange babysitting sharing time. Most of their ships are far more family oriented too and have splash pool areas etc which your youngest grandchildren could enjoy, plenty of things for older grandchildren to enjoy too.

The when you booked comes into play….I can’t comment on other room categories but, like yourself we usually book suites… In our experience of booking the best price is often as the cruise is released. Once one PH has gone the other increases significantly in price and as RS drop in numbers the price increases again. Hence, move on a few months and a great offer comes up and the PH looks a bargain with $$$ off but that new price may still be more than the early birds paid for the first PH. We have a Caribbean cruise booked next year on Silhouette where a RS (with offer) is nearly as much as we paid for the PH as the cruise was released. As with all offers they can be a deal or a reminder you got a good deal months ago when you booked.

Agree. OP how near are you to cruising? If Celebrity has already paid for your ticket then they probably have little control over changes and change price. Trying to change flights after ticketing (even if you have booked direct with the airline) can become difficult and costly. The seats booked are usually categorised as ‘none refundable and none changeable’ (hence the low price Celebrity got them at enabling them to use as a marketing tool) and you are trying to make a change… Worth a phone call direct to the airline…nothing to loose. Alternatively…. I do understand your frustration but I think that Celebrity probably has little ability to make the change you want now…Personally I would try one more call to Celebrity and ask to speak to a supervisor, then I would call the airline direct then I would do the above…

I find it rather confusing that when you go to room details on the PH on the Edge class ships there is a picture of the Millennium living area and when you go to the RS on Edge class it shows you the Solstice RS balcony. Why? I am sure there are probably other anomalies, I just happened to spot these. When the Edge class first came out I could understand they didn’t have stock pictures but they have had plenty of time now to show the ‘real’ room you are considering booking rather than pictures that are of a different class of ship with a totally different layout. As the pictures I have referred to clearly state they are Millennium and Solstice then I don’t suppose it is misrepresenting but it must add to the confusion of an unseasoned Celebrity suite cruiser. If I didn’t know the ships well I could infer that the Solstice RS balcony they are showing is ‘similar’ as what I should expect on Edge class (especially as there is no Edge class RS balcony picture)…

You are offering to give them money, not trying to claim some back!

Not very inclusive…I am surprised that they were unwilling to cater for you. You would have thought when DB designed the menu he would have notated vegetarian and vegan options for each course.

No chefs table is covered by RS or PH in our experience nor are discounts usually offered.

I made my own scones this morning before watching the trooping of the colour, then served them with jam and clotted cream (on top) before drinking a toast to Her Majesty with a Queen Mother cocktail (Dubonnet, ice, lemon, gin). Anyone who serves her country for Seventy years deserves her scones to be perfect and to be toasted with an appropriate beverage. God Bless you, Mam.

In all the years we have experienced speciality restaurants we struggle to get through the standard courses…Like you we cannot see ourselves ever managing a second steak…

Thanks for the information! So if you are in a RS or PH is that $0 +18% of $0 = O…..or $0 + 18% of $50 per guest (Murano)? Or if you are sailing in an area where the price has been increased $0 + 0% = 0….or $0 plus 18% of higher price Murano price? My mind is beginning to boggle! That is our main concern too…