Islander500

Except these are just this last week. The major change that affects many more cruisers across the board are the new, significantly reduced menus (in both quality & options) in the MDR and Blu, & possibly Luminae. Can’t confirm the 3rd one but certainly can the first two.

My dream trip! The French Polynesia. But your plans to take the family to Antártica sounds wonderful, too. Do it. It will always be remembered and cherished.

And the total owed by both of us for the 2 staterooms is now showing as owed on their account, too. Beware! 🤣

Just did this to link dining with friends who booked yesterday. Immediately my cruise price more than doubled (the amount owed) and now includes my friend's outstanding cruise invoice balance. Immediately thereafter, I received 2 emails saying that the items I booked this week (with my posted OBC) now are not covered and will be cancelled unless I pay by Sept 4th. An IT meltdown or gremlins? Don't try this at home. What a mess!

That's exactly what I do. As Elite+, I won't ever choose AI without tips unless they reprice to lower the cost commensurately. Before this, that analysis was already a close call and I think Celebrity has ended up way ahead for the mere convenience of not having to sign slips. Of course, it presumes that with these "drip drip drip" but significant changes, some which are untenable for us like significant quality reductions on menus throughout, we will likely just move on. The great responses to this thread has given us lots to consider.

Of course it needed to be changed. My point is, why is this corporation operating so haphazardly seemingly about most everything right now. It's not a good look.

DING! DING! DING! You were so right. It looks like that's already been (quietly) changed since Monday. I actually looked it up because I thought I was losing my marbles when I read the same link today. On Monday, with New Rule: Today, with Newer, New Rule: Q.13 Will group bookings be able to enjoy an All Included pricing package option? Yes, starting October 4, 2023, newly created group pricing will include Classic Drinks and Basic Wi-Fi amenities. Q.14 Will I have an opportunity to add All Included pricing to my unnamed group bookings? Starting October 4, 2023, newly created groups will include our updated All Included offering of our most popular amenities: a Classic Drink Package and Basic Wi-Fi. From August 29, 2023, through October 31, 2023, existing groups will be eligible for the original three amenities (Drinks, Wi-Fi, Tips), provided the space within the existing group is named by October 31, 2023. From November 1, 2023 forward, existing unnamed groups will be converted to our new group standard pricing, which will include the updated All Included offering of a Classic Drink Package and Basic Wi-Fi

Right now, they are advertising 75% off for 2nd Guest plus $200 savings. The Labor Day sale appears to be the same. Just replacing the $200 Savings with a $200 OBC for balcony & above cabins. Just a shell game.

Thanx. We typically tip in cash as well but have an upcoming cruise in which we have so much OBC, I thought I’d ask how it’s done.

Well, it makes a lot more sense for them to serve brunch than shlep drinks or clean tables at the Oceanview madness on sea days. But who am I to opine? 🙄

Agree completely with you. Was telling my husband something similar yesterday. On a thread a few days someone suggested a fee Brunch using one of the specialties or BLU venues on sea days. I’d pay extra for that.

It’s hard to imagine that an idea like this one came out of any kind of a team that includes marketing and hospitality trained people, not just bean counters. But the CEO sets the tone of whether different points of view will be heard, and that dissent and differing opinions will be encouraged and valued. If not valued, they will be shut down and discussed after those folks left the meeting. And yes, diversity of background, training, experience annd point of view is critical. Unless you want to make bone-headed decisions that are quickly reversed & should be an embarrassment to the company.

Same experience here in May.

You win the funniest comment today. My husband had started researching battery powered microwaves to warm our dinners at the MDR. Whew!

That’s a great suggestion. Thanx

How do you let them know you did that, just tell them? I want to make sure they get it. I have trust issues. 😉

I know I’ve read this before but could not find it when I searched. Can we use some of our OBC to give extra tips to our steward & waiters, etc. and if so, how?

Has anyone been allowed to pick seats with TAP (Portugal’s airline) in any class whether Economy, Premium or Business class?

That’s what I used to use before Covid but had forgotten it. Will try it again. And yes, I recognize that “reasonable” has definitely changed much in 3/4 years. May need to keep doing RV trips instead for a few more years. My husband would be perfectly happy. But I’m ready to alternate between driving and flying trips and struggling a bit to find what will work for us.

Thanks all. I posted separately on my frustration with searching for and pricing flights these days, asking for advice but after reading this thread, I realize I need to approach this challenge with more initial research and information. Appreciate the suggestions offered here.

I haven’t flown internationally since before Covid and am finding it much more difficult to search and find reasonable fares/routes/flights. I seem to find mostly flights that have 3 stops, airlines I’ve never heard of or routes that include stops in 3rd continents when trying to book a simple flight from European to US cities. Also, the one way fares that were available on platforms like Choice Air seemed to be non-existent. Or I haven’t found them. I am asking experienced flyers to share some general advice about successfully locating flights options, to include any search engines which you find helpful if that’s allowable on this platform. Otherwise, any insight would be so appreciated. Looking at a TA to Europe and I’m stumped by the challenge of one way flights right now. Thank you!

I really appreciate your perspective. Have looked at a couple of interesting Azamar itineraries recently for 2024. Would love to hear back from you after your November 2023 cruise. Enjoy!

Thanks so much! Do you know if they post a summary of those last minute discounted fares on-line, and if you have the link, can you share? We are looking to do a short cruise out of South Florida with our 3-year-old grand this fall and can move to book quickly.

Hello all, Have been reading some but not really well-informed about Norway Fjords' itineraries. Our plans are to look to see Geirenger, Flam and Alesund based on what I have read on different posts. Any other suggestions are welcome! Also please share your recommended cruise line for this cruise and why; we are flexible as to which to choose and ideal length of cruise. Thinking smaller ship would be ideal but willing to consider all suggestions. Finally, have also been reading about zero emission ports and impact on 2025 itineraries. We can't go until 2025 so I'm concerned about that. Has anyone already done the research and wouldn't mind sharing? It would be so appreciated.

Makes so much sense! I was quite happy with Celebrity offerings after the kids were grown and understood "the system." Then after Elite+, it was just easier to look at Celebrity offerings first and I usually found something I liked. Now, between significant cutbacks and few fresh itineraries, coupled with steep increased prices, it's definitely time to branch out and just pay more to get more, rather than pay more to get less. After reading the responses in this thread, and asking myself, what am I giving up, I am realizing that the perks from "loyalty" have become somewhat meaningless anyway. Certainly much less important than what I am currently valuing more.