Lastdance

Sure brings back a lot of memories from the past. Thanks for sharing your river cruise, as I haven’t done one yet, but do plan on trying it! You two look like you are having so many cultural experiences!

Well, I was late to this party, but all caught up now! @Norwaylady, thank you for providing some great reading and visuals. I have been ill with severe ringing in the ears like someone turned up the volume to high, along with a buzzing like a swarm of bees. However, reading about you and Charlotte is helping me concentrate on your words and not so much of the noise in my ears. Your light-hearted descriptions and commentary are just what I needed.🥰 Kudos on a short line for the funicular!

Yes, it will be nice to try something different. I have Vista for the spring TA and hope to book Allura if all works out well. I am not giving up on Celebrity, but just wanted to try something new and different. A PH was our choice too, but almost tried a larger suite, as the prices when I booked were way below Celebrity. I want some new itineraries and ports to see, then a land stay before returning home.

Jim, if you happen to go by, or into the gym, would you take a couple of pics? My DH needs to have enough weights/cardio to at least maintain his level of fitness. I am usually fine with what is available. Thanking you in advance! I am also looking forward to your review of the track for walking.😍 With all the wonderful food you are sharing, my DH said he may have to do two workouts on our Vista cruise😄.

I have never been delayed with a TA, but last year for a Caribbean cruise, things were messed up and communication was unclear, but not a real issue getting to the airport for my 10:00 flight!

I just do not like being “locked-in” pending for a long time, but of course, it is just part of the game! Usually, I just book the cabin/suite that I want, but sometimes life happens, so you need to punt. It is not the end of the world, especially if you are happy with the cabin you book. I wish Celebrity would give the SV another look at the point value, as it can be quite a bit higher in price than the next category up; pay more for less points, but balcony over IV.

Jim, would you please find out if. they do have half & half onboard? Thank you!

I was just reading on social media about another Alaskan cruiser who saw the Northern Lights and took gorgeous photos. Sure hope that is a possibility for you, even if just a small percentage💚

My DH has that and I have Sherpani; both of us are very happy.

I have to wait until next May for my Vista cruise, but the more I can learn about Oceania, the better. You are always very truthful and balanced with your reviews!

I think being loyalist to any line is just fine, but you may be missing something better. My Oceania cruise cannot get here soon enough, but I will just have to wait. My DH and I are cruising a little less, but adding more time in a particular country, at the beginning, or at the end. I do not believe in throwing money away, but I know what I want and like, so sticking pretty closely with what works! Celebrity really disappointed me in a few ways, so it made us look for other companies. All of us have different wants, so whatever yours is, I hope you find it and smile!🥰

My Oceania PH1 was such a deal for a TA. I plan to really enjoy it. Cruising, along with land stays booked together are where my plans are for next year. The TA suite prices on Ascent were so high that a sunset suite was almost 18,000 at one point! It did come down, but not enough IMHO. Right now I have an SV, but am pending and locked for a suite. Only time will tell and it is still above my suite on Vista/Oceania. If I enjoy the Oceania product, I will consider booking again for 2026 on the Allura which is coming out soon.

What would a real sale look like on Celebrity?: Free gratuities? OBC(depending on cabin/suite 35% off drink packages Two free specialty dinners Two free excursions guaranteed 1-2 category moveup 5% discount off cruise *Pick two out of three Just wondering what might tempt you...

We did the MoveUp for our cruise more than 60 days in advance. Many have commented that MoveUp bids for some are now canceled except for one category of their bids. However, now those bids are pending and cannot be canceled or changed. Some say that means those people won their MoveUp bids🤷‍♀️ MoveUp might be closed; I really do not know...but I do know that your credit card is charged before you get any other notification. Celebrity usually has a few cancelations even 24 hours before the sailing. Anyway, good luck to you as the time draws closer. I am not sure about what kind of inventory, if any, Celebrity keeps onboard. I do know that sometimes cabins/suites are used for gifts, enticing others to book cruises for a drawing etc. Beyond had this in Europe, as I wanted to upgrade from an SV to a suite. The price was extremely high, but the suite was used for someone who purchased a cruise onboard. Anyway, maybe someone with personal expertise can share more information, but anything can happen up to sailing. Good Luck to you!

I agree; this stale and so called sale going on with Celebrity is just like a yo-yo that never stops. It is definitely time for a new and enticing sale for a change if only to break the monotony🤷‍♀️.

Well that is certainly a conundrum. FWIW, I hope things do work out for you and enjoy a wonderful cruise. Travel nowadays is not easy. Good Luck!

Nice to know that Cruise Critic can and does make a difference! I board Ascent in Europe.

I was able to do a MoveUp 90 days out from embarkation. However, once I changed from an X to a real cabin, my bids were all erased and my new bids started higher, even though I did have to pay more for this cruise. The powers that be a very confused about awarding points/prices for a certain type of cabin due to all the IV’s on E-class. This particular cabin has become very popular due to having a real balcony. Supply and Demand is always at play in our lives, as well as, opportunity cost. I did resubmit my bids, but recently canceled one due to location of available cabins/suites.

We had an exceptional butler on a b2b. This individual was as close to perfect for our needs, as it gets; however, our needs are very simple, yet his personality, temperament and smile were priceless, thus we ended up going above and beyond when tipping. It was then we found out how very gracious he was, as his wife was expecting in the very near future. Sometimes you encounter someone who made each and every day very enjoyable because of one special individual.

Okay, if husband and wife are both on the insurance, it is split 50/50. If you do a MoveUp, Celebrity does not send an invoice, but one can be requested. Again, it would be split 50/50, but all of this depends on your particular insurance company. None of this really matters until you have to submit a claim, but insurance can be a sticky issue. This is with your own insurance and not from Celebrity.

Well, I am definitely going to keep investigating this situation because it is certainly unclear when you add different insurance companies, MoveUp, along with various other circumstances. I have vey little trust with insurance companies period, as one does not know what happens unless you have a claim. This is not with Alliance. I also got a pricier cabin, but paid for additional insurance 75/25. I am younger than my DH, so he is the 25%, so it works out cost-wise in our favor.

Well, according to Steve, this is the correct way to price insurance. If you don’t have a claim and do it by splitting and age, the issue becomes a problem. Steve has even written about this on Cruise Critic. I am not debating that, but want to understand how to insure the added amount of a MoveUp to this 75% for guest 1 and 25% for guest 2. Does Celebrity give you a new invoice on this? I do not want to find this out after the fact if I need to make a claim. Last time I did a MoveUp, I totally forgot about the additional insurance, but did not file a claim. Yes, until these new percentages were used, my insurance was always done the way you mentioned it. This is new. FWIW, it might be worth one’s time to read what Steve says regarding the percentages…or not! I was actually hoping that you, along with a few others would respond regarding this situation. Thanks for your take on this!

If you got your insurance through Celebrity, yes, you would need to insure the extra with them. Many of us use our own specific insurance due to pre-existing conditions, along with our own personal needs. The latter is what I am trying to figure out on here. Even Steve D., from the Insurance Store says that you need the additional coverage if something happens during your cruise and you need to submit a claim. Just lots of small details that could cause a huge issue if insurance is needed to pay your claim. You bring up a good point about Royal.

Celebrity...why? Your percentages can cause issues when getting insurance, as each individual has a significant difference, like guest one 75% and guest 2 at 24%. Insurance costs cannot be just split in half, but now age and percentage. Then, if you do a MoveUp, what does the new invoice say? Is it the same percentages, or just a flat say 5,000 that has to be the same 75%/25%? Your sales are pretty much the same, but can cause huge issues when buying insurance

My MDVIP doc said that by the time you get this new Covid shot, it will be a different variant dominating Covid. The research, according to him is just not there/available. Of course, always seek advise from your own medical doctor, as we all have different issues and immune systems. My first experience with Covid was minor, but my DH had a reaction to Plaxlovid. You do what’s best for your own body! Glad the OP’s case was mild…