BosoxI

I think that poor horse was beaten to death a week ago. Does it really matter what an unscientific poll says? Heck, does it really matter what a supposedly scientific poll says? If a particular cruise line appeals to you, take it. It's that simple. But I must admit, it is rather amusing to read the defenders of Celebrity. Better to insult their mothers than not like Celebrity. I hope they're getting a kick back from X :)

Be that as it may, there is no way I'm using a bathtub in any public place. Not unless I fill it three times with boiling water and twice with the strongest germ killer know to mankind.

setting aside the fact that the portions are in line with what we are SUPPOSED to be eating

Thanks, but many people feel they should determine their own requirements. I'm one of them. The man is a big eater, so let him eat. I am, too. I automatically order a double of lamb chops on whatever ship I'm on. And I always finish whatever is left on my wife's plate. Food is never wasted in our house. That's my only requirement: in a buffet, don't take more than can be eaten. Seconds are always available. Incidentally, I'm 6'5 and 235# and I have hardly a spare ounce on me, as much as I eat.

If you are going to take the DIY approach, you have the advantage of setting the height to whatever suits you best. :)

My thought exactly and if it's made 7" high, it can double as a Squatty Potty.

I noticed on the statement my TA provided for final payment the I am getting $600 in OBCs. $400 is from Celebrity and is clearly stated, but there is no mention of where the other $200 is coming from. It would seem it would be from the TA but if it didn't show up in the onboard account, I'd have no proof of anything. Fortunately, I got the statement today and I have plenty of time to straighten things out. Why is nothing easy? :)

Saving $1400. This cannot be a serious question

Self disembarking can be a blessing for those capable of handling their luggage. But DW and I saw first hand what can happen when there is a deck change for disembarking.

Word came down that the plans had changed and instead of leaving the ship from deck 3, we would leave from deck 4. It caused a mad house as people rushed to the stairwells. Worse, there were many passengers who might have been capable of handling bags under normal circumstances but who really could not lift or drag them up a flight of stairs.

Believe me, it was not only an ugly situation, it was a very dangerous one, too. Had someone lost control, serious injuries could have occurred . It taught us a lesson and now we tend to leave a bit later and have the baggage taken off for us unless we are really under pressure to catch a flight..

It always amazes me how there can be a full ship and yet I don't feel crowded. There are so many things to do including hanging out in one's own cabin that I guess I really shouldn't be surprised.

Well, I finally got our boarding pass to print but it took some finagling.

My check in worked ok the same way - but when I try to access further via Manage Reservation it has problems. I tried again now and the booking is back visible but now it says "the system is currently unable to handle your request for retrieving your reservation"

Just tried a few minutes ago and was told "Your reservation is being modified. Try again in 20 minutes". On any other line I would hope that I was being upgraded. On Celebrity there is no hope. No upgrade, just a screwed up system.

No, no, no, no...a million times NO!

Big difference between staying somewhere where you can WALK to a lot of Quaint especially for first timers.cafes with outdoor seating, wander narrow alleyways along picturesque canals , etc....and staying in an industrial city where you can wait around for a bus to take a long bus ride to...and back from...that place...

I know there are people out there who have stayed in Mestre to save money ...and THINK they have had the same experience...but they are just plain dead wrong...

I thought I addressed the allure of staying in Venice, especially for first timers . About ten minutes from the Ambasciatori on regularly running buses doesn't seem like a great burden to me . Mestre is hardly an industrial city, certainly not where I'm talking about, and its main piazza can be a nice change from the hoards of tourists flooding Venice, not that I would expect first timers to Venice to spend any time there.

If you purchase a package for the TA, and it's out for a few days, is there a prorated final charge or a reimbursement made?

I can't say, as we were getting it for free, being Elite+. But something tells me the answer to your question would be "no"

I have twice had problems with my OBCs not being credited. On both occasions while at sea. the CRs put me on the phone with my TA. Remember when addressing such a problem, keep a smile on your face, don't blame the rep, say please and thank you, and be understanding. :) Doors will usually open

Our requirements for the internet are not very demanding, but on six or seven TAs we've found the speed to be quite good. On one or two of the TAs, however, we did lose the service completely for a day or so. Luck of the draw, I guess.

If one is to stay near the Piazzale Roma, he might as well stay in Mestre. We have always stayed at the Ambasciatori which is right on ahe #4 bus line, just a few minute ride over the causeway to the Piazzale. Next to it is the Delphino, which is even lass expensive but tends to fill up with tourist groups.

There is no denying the allure of staying in Venice proper, but finding a reasonably priced hotel can be an adventure. For a first time visitor, there is good advice being given here, but Mestre is not in the middle of no where and should not be quickly dismissed.

I can't remember which ship I was on, but I went to Customer Relations with a question about OBCs. The rep asked me if I would like to take the refundable portion in cash, and, of course, I jumped at the opportunity to do so. She volunteered it; I didn't even have to ask. Is this typical?

So as an Elite, I get free mimosa and bloody Mary's at breakfast? Tell me more.

Celebrity has an Elite breakfast which provides various cold food items but also includes specialty coffees and certain alcoholic drinks including Bloody Marys, sparkling wine, Bellinis, and a few more. A very nice bonus.

tried to get a C1 by booking a C2

 

X reject the request: a upgrade from cat 2 to cat 1 is not covered, only cat 3 to cat2

 

so we booked a C3 and got a C2

Strange. We've paid for A2s and received A1s. so concierge must be playing by different rules.

The one thing I do not cruise for is the entertainment. The production shows seem full of college kids screaming at the top of their lungs. But every now and then I am pleasantly surprised. On several X cruises we were lucky to have a fellow who played a lead in the LA production of Les Miserables. Beautiful voice and a real professional. Cunard had a trained opera singer on one cruise. What a difference in her ability. There have been other instances but all too infrequent. I do a usually double time through the lounges where there are some really bad performers. My wife says I expect too much. Perhaps so, but I wasn't blessed with a tin ear, I reply.

I bought a good looking faux wedding ring for not much money many years ago and I love wearing it on vacation. I don't ever worry and it gives me peace of mind that my good jewelry is at home in safe deposit box. Who's on board that I have to impress? Better to be safe, than sorry!

Sounds like a good argument for not having any good jewelry. If faux suits one a ship, why not at home, too? Somehow I don't think the argument will carry much weight with most women but it's worth a try

My wife has some very nice jewelry most of which is not insured due to the extremely high cost of doing so. I once questioned her about the wisdom of taking high value items on vacation. She replied why have them, if I can't wear them. Good point. This applies to any expensive item. Being careful with them is crucial and DW travels overseas regularly. So I do sweat a bit We do leave computers out and there have been a number of times when each of us thought the other had locked the safe. The OP has given us reason to be extra careful when we're rushing out of the cabin. A serious loss is a terrible way to ruin a good cruise

I have never received an upgrade from Celebrity, but now on RCCL the last time we cruised with them we booked an inside and about a week before we sailed I got a call from RCCl. They actually asked if we would like to be upgraded to a balcony! AH YES! It was the only upgrade we have ever received.

Never an upgrade from Celebrity, but quite a few from Princess

And it's great to have choice, but it seems "odd?" to me, that someone who doubts they'll ever cruise on Celebrity would be reading this board?

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

Why would that be, Jenna. I visit boards for lines I've never tried just to check things out periodically,

Polls are guaranteed to get out the apologists for all the lower graded businesses, teams, items etc. I once owned an American Motors Javelin. I thought it was a great car and could never understand why others didn't agree

The next time X is rated higher, watch how great CNT will be on these boards:p

We can take it or leave it, usually we leave it. Getting just the right seat is crucial, and if the movie is a loser, I'll be in dreamland in no time flat

No. Maybe 50% full at maximum. Breakfast is much quieter and slower pace than dinner. Late night at Martini Bar, perhaps.

I want to be on your cruise, as blu always seems full when I've eaten there:D

It's nice but, really, breakfast is breakfast. No big deal. My wife won't even rise to eat there , preferring her mad rush to the Elite breakfast 15 minutes before closing. For me l hit Elite and then the buffet, usually skipping Blu entirely. But many like it and that's understandable. To each his own.

We like the ambiance of Blu, the food is OK but the staff still looks harried on most nights. Aqua is fine, generally, but only for the right price. We book at least Aqua every cruise now, so we must enjoy it quite a bit to spend the money:rolleyes: