Mark_T

It isn't a Starlink problem, those on the Stream package had no issues accessing CC, it just seems that they have the bandwidth set so low on Surf that it just chokes trying to load the complex pages on CC.

You don't mention which cabin grade you are in, but if it is a veranda for example then there will be no USB outlets, but by the desk there are two US outlets and one European outlet so easy to power a multiport USB charger from there...

Just to confirm, we had the Elevate package on our cruise last month and it is definitely the basic Surf wifi.

That would be my vote as well, it will also be the most suitable atmosphere for a large table that will get unavoidable noisy.

I don't think Jim was suggesting any degree of naivety, merely that it is a question often asked by those who are trying to fit in with the local norms. Personal choices of course, but we always try to adapt to to the local culture with matters like tipping, as it can and does impact on the locals, both those being tipped and those living in non-tipping cultures faced with increasing pressure to tip caused by visitors tipping inappropriately...

It varies depending on ship, but often the upper level of the MDR will have one side dedicated for reservations and the other side for walk-ups.

Luminae (& Blu for Aqua guests) do not accept reservations, just turn up when you want and you will be seated as soon as possible. In Luminae we never had to wait more than a couple of mins.

Just to add our experience boarding last month in Sydney. We had 12:30 as our assigned boarding time, and that was the earliest available online from the moment check-in went live. We turned up at 11:30 to drop of our bags, expecting to have a wander around Circular Quay for a while, but they were keen and eager to board us immediately with zero queues and lots of staff standing around with little to do... We were onboard, carry-on bags dropped at our cabin and drinks in hand long before we were even due to have arrived. Not in the Retreat, no prioritization, just nobody else there ready to board...

I can only speak to the burgers served there over the last 4 years and in each case they were pre-cooked and only re-heated on the grille for speed. The only change I've seen recently was a move from the thin patties to a thicker product, but I'd have to concur that the result is a dry somewhat tasteless burger sadly.

Excursion prices change all the time, some times up, sometimes down, there would be nothing to gain by calling. On our Australian cruise in January the price of some excursions more than doubled over the 7 months from when we made our reservations... Just watch for price changes or offers and cancel/rebook if there is still availability.

Still the same menu then, thanks for confirming.

Also, I wouldn't say the menu up there really amounts to 'dining' nice for a light snack though, or have things changed recently..?

We were expecting this when we were on Eclipse last month, but the Murano lunch has gone according to the Maitre d' and I don't recall seeing anything in Tuscan either...

As long as you have the group of 4 booked at the time you want, and you go to sort it out as soon as you get onboard, I'd be very surprised if this was actually a problem.

I can only speak regarding the Sky Suite on Millie, but the problem there was that after the 'Revolution' there was nothing of suitable size/height in the cabin or on the balcony for two people to enjoy eating off of. The balcony table would struggle to accommodate more than 2 glasses, certainly no room for plates, and was too low if I recall correctly.

There has always been at least one bar still open, typically the Pool Bar...

If you are referring to my post, please read again as I said that it is clear that it does apply to Aqua...

The expanded room service menu was an amenity of the cabin class, the free room service was a ship-wide facility, not specific to your cabin choice. I don't like the change either, but Celebrity do have this covered in the T&C's

Typically the lounge bar is open 07:00 - 23:00, some local variations to be expected by ship.

The expanded menu is no longer listed as an amenity of the Concierge class, but the canapés are still listed (Daily delectable delights). Aqua class still lists an expanded room service breakfast menu but no longer lists canapés. It is also made clear that the room service charge does apply to the Aqua class.

Continental does not have a room service charge, anything else will attract a charge per delivery of $9.95 + gratuity.

Correct, it isn’t a published amenity but ask nicely and see if the Butler is willing to do it. You get the amenities of the suite you have upgraded to like Luminae & the Retreat, but you do not get any perks like the premium drinks package/wifi.

It says ‘Biggest’, not ‘Best’ 🙂

Do make sure you know which meds contain paracetamol/acetaminophen, it is trivially easy to get to dangerous levels if you mix too many clod/'flu meds together...

Just to add to the collective experience, we travelled from London to Sydney, via Singapore just after Christmas, boarded Eclipse a few days later for the 2nd Jan, New Zealand cruise. At the end we traveled back from Auckland to Sydney and stayed for another couple of weeks as our son was getting married there, returned to the UK via Singapore at the end of January. During that time, including a mixture of ship and 3rd part excursions, frequenting the World Class bar every evening and attending most of the main entertainment onboard we rarely masked and saw/heard little more than the typical pre-covid levels of coughs etc. Tested on our first arrival in Sydney and again the day before boarding, both negative and we remained fit, healthy and symptom free throughout. We know it is still out there we just never encountered anything that prompted us to feel the need to use masks beyond the first hour of the excursions, after which we stopped masking as nobody was showing any obvious signs of problems. It truly felt like cruising used to feel.