Tom-n-Cheryl

I have (this) Thanksgiving week and the following week booked. I decided to see what next Thanksgiving would run in the same (RS) category.. W O W... I don't know what's been going on with the Edge class rates, but to me it seems that they're pricing the Reflection (for next fall) as if it was a flagship ! Tom

If I had but one request of a change THAT would be it ! Cellar Masters, to me, is a quiet, empty, underutilized space! I'd love a pub burger or wings late some evening 🙂 Tom

Here's what I heard in April of this year: We are doing the dry dock on the 18th of October. The plan is to get a retreat sundeck and do a few changes around the ship.However i am not sure if they are going to do any Suite renovations. Here's what I just heard back: ... just a week until the Reflection will be up and dry in Marseille and in full swing of getting her ready for certification for another 4/5 years.It does appear that any works to the Retreat/Michael's or the sun deck are on hold. This is purely just a mechanical and scheduled maintenance stop for the Reflection. --------------- So.... so it goes !

I'm tempted to purchase a large block, but with ~5,000 shares already, it would take a chunk of change to significantly alter my overall cost. Gotta play big to win big... or gotta play big to LOSE big !! *eek*

We've sailed with friends many times - I can recall one sailing where one of the friendships went south midway through the cruise. It was easy enough to make other dining plans (shared a table in the MDR), but I'm thankful we didn't share a balcony! Tom

I'm gathering that from others as well. Looking at two future sailings - I'm paying something like $13k for the week (aft corner, deck 12) vs the ~$5k for the Reflection in a Royal Suite (Blue Chip Club) with better perks baked in. So... is there $8k MORE value on the Prima? Should I stay or should I go... Tom

This sandwich is a moving target, similar to my (fast food) chicken sandwich experiences... Popeyes and Burger King - both of their new (prior year or two) chicken sandwiches are - potentially - great. However, I've ordered them several times (different locations/cities) and I can see where someone trying it once might get a "dud" (more so with Burger King), wonder what all the fuss was about, and give up. Places that just can't get it right: KFC and McDonalds. I can't believe that McDonalds calls theirs "crispy"... I've ordered at least 5-6 and never detected anything remotely "crispy"! I finally threw in the towel, and won't be fooled a 7th time... LMAO I will say, the MDE chicken sandwich at Shaq's Big Chicken (Carnival Mardi Gras) was excellent every time I ordered one (perhaps 5 times over two sailings). OK.... off my chicken sandwich rant/soapbox now ! 😄 Tom

Yep - that's pretty much the case across a lot of the economy. COVID continues to be a great "excuse" - it's getting rather long in the tooth though... Tom

Oh my !! Tom

They were actually posting your questions on Cruise Critic, and just had to wait for random responses in order to answer your questions... 😉 Tom

Consistency is not their strong suit ! Tom

I REALLY REALLY hope that on our Wonder cruise next year I can step into the same river twice (the land of amazing Kummelwecks!). I have this fear in the back of my mind that I will encounter some of the horrors that others have experienced, and there goes one of the major factors I've always considered when booking an Oasis class ship (no kidding). Tom

Arby's --- one fast food place that I've never liked. I'm not sure what that brown shaved stuff is, and that crap horsey sauce they offer up with it is nothing but colored HFCS ! Tom

I was going to say, perhaps they thought that the 3rd time would be the charm ! Tom

For those who enjoy Gravlax - feast your eyes on this spread on Celebrity Reflection earlier this year ! (click to enlarge for detail - depending on your browser, you might have to click 3+ times !! ) Tom

Yes, that's true. Of course, then you're gambling needs to be more than just a "bit"! I came on the radar of Ken Froom Tours many years back, and got a great deal on the Allure. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depends how you look at it!) that sailing saw me really scale back my risk level - essentially low playing them. I never received another offer like that from them again, and I don't blame them ! Tom

Yet, if you like to sail with Celebrity anyway (that's us), and you gamble even a bit - it's the only game in town ! Tom

A few months ago I heard they were planning on updating the suite lounge and perhaps were going to add a suite sundeck (w/out full amenities, owing to available time).

40 some odd years ago. I was a cook at a high-end restaurant in Tallahassee which went under. The staff were so low on the totem pole that, even after court proceedings, we got basically nothing. Only those high in the pecking order received anything out of the deal. There was a group of former employees who made a midnight pilgrimage to the premises, and took home some unique (and valuable) "souvenirs". Tom

Just a hunch, but I'd suspect that whatever minimal effect the cruise line feels from people who share your sentiment, that it would be slightly more pronounced on Carnival. Anyone at this point who really wishes to cruise could easily put aside such objections and jump onboard (yes, and jump through a couple symbolic hoops). Having said all of that, I do agree that at this point there is little benefit to testing. Tom

The last time I went to order a BLT through room service it was the no bacon day, so I guess it was turkey bacon as an option. I passed. Are they still doing that alternating bacon days both through room service and in the buffet?

Can you imagine a post (big 3) bankrupt cruise line? I'm trying to picture what would occur - I mean, it's not like one of the others would have the $'s to scoop up the remnants of the "biggest loser", would they? Tom

If they had only put coffee makers in the rooms years ago! 😉

Agree - I think there's plenty of upside!

No idea, but I hear that Carnival might turn a profit in the third quarter of '23