rvlandandsea

I see it this way. After 12 years sailing with Celebrity we have had two cruises cancelled by them for various reasons. I now look for last minute cruises and basic itineraries. From now on, I will reserve my exotics with coach tours or on my own tours. I just can't commit my precious vacation dollar and planning to an unsecure company. We plan far ahead as many do. Johanne.

Never saw anyone famous but lots of look alikes. Something I enjoy looking for. Just a few. Rod Stewart and Robin Williams on a Celebrity ship and Harrison Ford on a beach in St. Lucia during an excursion. That last one could have been the real thing. Still not sure.

I had it for lunch in the mdr on my last 2 Celebrity cruises. The best I ever had also. Good enough to comment in my cruise assessment. Johanne.

I disagree. A lot of cruisers can't wait to reach a certain level for the perks. Then the cruise lines change the game. I know, I know. They state they can change at any time but it is very disappointing for some people. Personally I drink soda in the lounge and enjoy the more intimate atmosphere in the smaller lounge. To each their own opinions. Johanne.

I think what Grady means is, adding a "Suites-Lounge" is Royal Caribbean's subtle way of kicking Diamond Pluses out of the Concierge Lounge.

We got pushed out of the lounge when we were Diamond and now as Diamond+ looks like we are heading the same way. One cruise left with the company and definitely not aspiring to a higher level. There are to many other companies to chose from who offer booking benefits. The old carrot on a stick is getting very tiring both with royal and celebrity cruises. A deceiving act in my opinion.

The new program does not suit us. We prefer to order our wine by the bottle at dinner. We only sail OV and above now so inside pricing is not an option. Senior and resident rates are not options as I checked the reductions and they are still to expensive compared to the past. I now have 4 passages to use up before we move on to another company. Any suggestions on a good b2b2b2b to use these up without taking a second mortgage. Do you think exciting deals will still exist.

Johanne

We sailed the Norwegian fjords on Independence of the Seas and had no problems entering and docking. This is a much larger ship then the Solstice class. Johanne.

Don't mean to go off topic but I have a quick question.

 

I have never done Celebrity Select Dining and I am booked for it on our upcoming Solstice Alaskan cruise in a few weeks. What is the good, bad and the ugly?

 

FYI, we are a group of 3 that would prefer a table to ourselves (our family time) and we will most likely dine around 6-6:30pm time frame. Will we be waiting forever for a table? I tried the 6pm traditional dining but it was waitlist and I figured it would be nice to try the Select Dining. Hope I didn't make a huge mistake.

I would go online and book your preferred select dining times in the cruise planner. We do this all the time. Johanne

I think the Bistro on Five might become a lovely quieter alternative restaurant for those who prefer smart casual dining and get a more intimate atmosphere then the MDR. I just might try it one night for dinner instead of just boarding day. Also on port days when the MDR is closed, it might be a good option where I can relax and order my meal, instead of the buffet. At 10$ per person it is worth my while to get away from the buffet chaos.

Johanne

Yes, we have done this and vice versa. We have also purchased future passages for Celebrity while on Royal.

Another thing, you can make your reservations on line in your cruise planner, which I do, and then check with the maître-d to confirm everything on embarkation day. And go early.

Johanne

Hello,

I would suggest that you see the select dining maître-d early on embarkation day to confirm table for 2. We were assigned a table for 4, on the 1st night even though we requested for 2. The maître-d changed it when we met with him in the afternoon. They usually assign you to the same table and waiters unless you request a change. It makes life easier for them to schedule it that way. Once we were asked to come a little later the next night so we could get the same table and waiters and that suited us. We also checked out the table before accepting it. They really try to make it the best experience for you.

Johanne

I booked a inside on a T/A a few years back and felt very confined first day I was there. Went down to guest relations and on the way there met the Asst Hotel Director, and asked him what the possibilities were to upgrade, and also told him I would be happy to pay for the upgrade. He said he would look into it.

 

By the time I returned to my room was already a message from him, saying they had found me a C2 instead, and the upgrade would be complimentary. Very generous of them

 

And as someone mentioned about viewing available rooms. It's a strange thing that if you go to the Celebrity UK site celebritycruises.co.uk ‎ you're able to see all available cabins in a given category, while if you use the US sitecelebritycruises.com you will only see 5 available in any given category

Thanks for that tip. I hate having to keep selecting different cabins to see what else is available. BTW, loved your luggage on HNL to YVR. See you on the Solstice.

Johanne

That is a great idea! Since it would be their own little network, they could also post a home page with the daily activities sheet, announcements, etc. too.

Disney has something similar where you can download their app before starting your cruise. They have the dailies on it and also a variety of other items. Works great.

Johanne

I found it. Do you, by any chance, remember the year?

If you google it and really want to purchase the wine, you can order it online.

DH enjoys a good Carmenere.

Don't remember the year but Chilean wines are usually pretty young. I will check the purchase online. thanks. Johanne

Do you remember if it was Frontera Carmenere?

It was Arboleda. It has a tree on its label. Can't get it back home in Ontario.

Conundrum has an interesting history. It was produced by Caymus and called Caymus Conundrum for year. I believe the owners got divorced (Chuck Wagner's ex Wife) and she got Conundrum and Chuck Wagner kept the rest.

 

The white has changed from what it once was (or maybe my pallet has) but we consider it decent table wine. It's about $18-$20 at most retail outlets. Conundrum now has a red as well.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

Thanks for the background. I know what you mean about the Conundrum, it is a little sweeter then what we are drinking now so I usually order it if our food is spicy. I also remembered a great red, Murietta's Well and a great Carmenere from Chili.

Johanne

We discovered the Conundrum, white, don't like the red. It is around 50ish. Also any sauvignon blanc from New Zealand.

Johanne

That IS a perfect example of a benefit that has a real value, is something to strive for, doesn't detract from anyone else's cruise experience and doesn't create crowding. Great answer!

 

Steve

Thank you. I have another suggestion and this one wouldn't cost Celebrity any $$$'s. Reserved seating in the theatre. This is another perk that we enjoy on Royal Caribbean. They reserve an area on the 2nd level in the middle of the theatre. On most nights this area was not full. Apparently, most diamond plus prefer to sit on the lower level closer to the stage. We do not and appreciated arriving only 15 minutes before show time.

Johanne

Thinking about it, I can't think of anything substantial that they could offer in a level between Elite Plus and Zenith that would be worth striving to achieve.

 

Steve

I can think of something that could be added at the 1500 point range. Balcony discounts. We cruise mostly with Celebrity and Royal Caribbean and I do appreciate the balcony discount on Royal which can be combined with any special rate. This would encourage people to book a balcony instead of an inside/OV which we do more often on Celebrity then Royal. I do not like the free beverage program as the price is inflated and as an Elite Plus we enjoy the happy hour and then select the wine of our choice that we will enjoy at dinner.

Johanne

Alejandro just joined us as cruise director onboard the Constellation January 16th. He is our favorite having sailed with him on the Infinity and Century.

Johanne

I will be on it in two days I'll write some feedback regarding when I return. this is my first trip on the wonder I have done the dream twice

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Looking forward to your feedback. We will be sailing on the Wonder in February, our 1st Disney cruise.

Johanne

Hi there,

 

Can you please see if this link helps fix the issue? http://www.celebritycruises.com/home?wuc=CAN.

I have the same problem and this link is also bringing me to the country section. Yesterday, I couldn't get past the book this cruise. Worst today as I could not see the new promo everyone is talking about.

Johanne

I want to reserve a Celebrity shore excursion online before our cruise in May. If I choose to reserve now can I cancel later if need be? If the answer is yes...will I receive a full refund? Is the refund back to my credit card used or does it get applied to my on board credit?

 

Thank you-

We almost always book our Celebrity Cruise excursions beforehand but when on board we may change our minds after a tour travel talk or discussing some of them with the staff. If you cancel before the date limit it is credited to your on board account in US dollars.

Johanne

Were the transfers provided between the Miami and Ft. Lauderdale cruise ports or only within the same city.

Thanks.

Johanne