ScottC4746

My last cruise in 2022 on Solstice they added per drink. I will look and monitor when I go on Edge in May.

No, gratuities are always on the full amount so $20+$4 = $24 - $17 = $7.

From the CDC Website on protecting yourselves: If you’re sick, report your illness. Before your voyage: – Ask your cruise line if there are alternative cruising options. – Consult a doctor to find out whether it is safe for you to sail. During your voyage, call the ship’s medical facility and follow the medical staff’s recommendations. Wash your hands often! Why: Avoid exposing yourself and others to anything that may cause illnesses and spread germs. When: Wash your hands often but especially after using the toilet and before eating or smoking. Take care of yourself. Get plenty of rest and drink plenty of water. Why: Resting helps rebuild your immune system. Drinking water helps prevent dehydration. Leave the area if you see someone get sick (vomiting or diarrhea). Report it to cruise staff if they are not already aware. I've seen other sites say to avoid the buffet and after ordering in a restaurant, wash your hands. I never thought about the last item. The menu cover may look clean, but as a former waiter, I know they are not sanitized between diners, they only wipe them clean.

Yes, the standard per drink gratuity is added on the full price of the drink per drink for example on a premium package: Drink $20 Gratuity 20% $4 Subtotal $24 Less Premium Package - $17 (Max per drink) Final Cost $7.00 Unless they went way above and beyond in the serving of said beverage, which I have never seen, no need to add additional.

That is typical of most cruise lines I have found. Some cruise lines have single only cabins including X on some ships, but haven't really seen much savings. There is a 3rd party website I check occasionally which I cannot mention by name that I can navigate to single pricing and it shows what percentage surcharge they charge. Most are 100% on there but some are 0% or just above.

We were on Solstice in Seattle in 2022 and we did not do the valet on disembarking, however from what we saw we will this time. What we saw was a very long queue for the coaches to the airport. Those who used the valet were escorted to the front of the queue with the valet and their luggage to the coach. Not sure if this is the norm or just lucky people that day. UPDATE: Y'all talking about Luggage Valet Service. I got it mixed up with the porters when we disembarked. Sorry.

I spoke to my TA the other day about the possibility of an 11 night Australian cruise in 2026. She suggested I visit the future cruise desk and that she could pick it up from there. Is there any advantage to booking via the FCD and if they offer me something to entice me to book, do I lose it when my TA picks up the cruise? My former TA has always told me never to do FCD so now I am confused.

A lot of times it is not the cruise line that cancels but the supplier for the excursion that cancels. Sometimes it is both to keep the passenger safe if there is some kind of civil discourse, being Norway I doubt that was the reason. This could be a staffing issue, or weather related. Did you have any other details, what the excursion was or what was the date?

Our first cruise was Solstice in September 2022 and we were given noon for a concierge stateroom. We showed up at 10 AM with no problems. This was in Seattle. I think it may depend on the port you are leaving from and how strict they are.

I would not make this your last X Cruise unless you have very bad on board experiences. I booked X directly in 2022 and they customer service for cruise servicing was less than desirable. I left a message in June 2022 for my "dedicated cruise consultant" for my September cruise and to this day I am still waiting for that return call. This cruise May 2023 I decided to go with a TA and have had no problems other than the website not allowing me to make a payment, so I have to go through my TA for that.

Based on my Solstice cruise September 2022: 1. That was the way we did it. You must either watch on TV or the app and then report and check in. You do not need a life vest to check in. 2. Cannot answer this one. 3. I cannot answer this one either as I feel if I have to charge gambling to the room, it is a slippery slope like buying lottery tickets on a credit card.

Part of the problem is Retreat receives the Premium Drink Package which covers up to $17 per drink. Recently based on the app for my upcoming cruise and other posters complaining, they have raised many drink prices north of $17 so it is not a surcharge, just a price difference. Unfortunately, reports have been circulating that this is not 100% enforced by the bartenders and some charge it while others do not. Just be kind to your bartenders and they might forget to charge, who knows.

Celebrity has gotten away from Formal Nights and refer to it as Evening Chic. For 7 nights or longer you have 2 Evening Chic. While their website does not specifically say about 14, I would think it woudl be extended. Here is what their website says about Evening Chic: "For 6 night cruises or less, there will be 1 Evening Chic night per cruise. For 7 nights or longer, there will be 2 Evening Chic nights while onboard. While Tuxedos and Formal attire is still appropriate, they are not required and guests will feel comfortable in both formal wear and a dressier smart casual style. Jackets are not required." I was on the Solstice to Alaska 7 nights and did slacks and button up long-sleeved shirt and felt fine. Other evenings I was in very nice looking Levi's and button up long-sleeved shirt and fit in fine as well.

I just figured easier for those scanning the subject of the threads to match their question so 10 people don't ask the same thing. LOL

I don't have a butler now and won't need one on the cruise.

Is it an actual verandah or is it one those stupid inside verandahs, infinite verandah I think they call it?

We are kicking around the idea of a sky suite on the Edge in 2026 and a question about the savories they bring. We did the Solstice in a Concierge class in Alaska in 2022 and the savories they brought around were disappointing. Some days it was a mystery of what they were, some were inedible, all came with the portion for 1 including one utensil to eat it even though there were two of us in the stateroom. We finally told them to skip us so as not to waste food. Are the retreat savories the same ones or are they a little better? If we reminded them there are two of us, would the bring us two servings.

I have heard of some cruises getting bumped into nice suites if they have a guaranteed category, grant you it is usually the next category up, not ocean view to penthouse. How often do these upgrades happen and is it worth chancing being thrown anywhere on the ship in your category or higher? My TA and I try to do a deck cushion between pool decks, lounges, theaters, casino, and restaurants.

That was why I asked, "What restaurants are complimentary?"

But I looked at my app at the bar menus and just about all the drinks with authority in them are north of $17 some as high as $20 or more.

We don't do buffets on cruises if we can help it. Our last cruise on Solstice we did breakfast, lunch and dinner in the main dining room every day, however if memory serves me correctly I think it might have been even open on port days, I could be wrong. Looking at the app for our upcoming Edge cruise, only Cosmopolitan has breakfast every day and lunch only on day 2. Cyprus, Normandie, and Tuscan are dinner only. If we don't do buffets, does this leave us with burgers at the Mast Grill? What restaurants are complimentary?

I had upgraded to a premium Drink Package which as I understand covers up to $17 per drink. I was looking at bar menus on my app and just about everything is north of $17 as high as $20 or more. I assume for a $20 drink I will only be billed for $3. I at the same time feel duped as just about anything with "authority" in it won't be covered. Any comments or suggestions?

We are booked on the Edge 31 May to Alaska round trip from Seattle and am 149 days away from my cruise. The app still is not showing entertainment or activities. When I booked the same route in 2022 in September, all this was showing 6 months ahead of time. I have deleted and reinstalled the app several times. Any idea what is going on? Could it be we have not made a payment yet other than deposits?

Can anyone share safe links to some dailys for the ocean cruises I can review. The only link I found was in a similar thread to 2020 and it sent my virus software into high alert. We are thinking of doing an LA to Vancouver someday.

Where is ****?