rodndonna

Couldn't edit my post - I was always looking at medical (my biggest concern) and it is 75%. Baggage claims require 100%. Good to know ...

I could have sworn this has come up recently regarding paying in part with gift cards or such, and that the terms were now 75% .

Thanks. I think you are right - there really is not point to booking GTY. I had originally thought we could book it and get upgraded to non-obstructed, but sounds not likely. Have looked at the deck 7 obstructed and they look fine for us! We're not 'sun' people, so probably avoid portside then I guess... starboard mid ship ..?

Thanks Starry, I haven't yet checked out stateroom tour videos and pictures but will do that.

Thanks! It's odd they don't have GTY for Balcony (non-obstructed)- just the whole range of balconies. If they did I would just go GTY for non-obstructed, but looks like I have to select a cabin to avoid obstructed balconies.

We are looking at booking our first RCL cruise and would be booking a Guarantee Balcony. Does anyone know (or suspect) how they are assigned? Does the earlier you book make it more likely you will get a better location? We are looking at Hawaii 10 day Sept 2024 on the Brilliance of the Seas. The available rooms to book are VERY limited which I find odd being so far out. I am guessing they hold blocks for GTY? Could the cruise really be largely booked for a Sept 2024 sailing already?

I'm not that familiar with Celebrity (yet to sail) but as the "All-in" is drink package is Grats and Wifi, I would really think that cost to upgrade to All-in would be very close to Full Cost of Grats + "maybe slightly" discounted drinks package + Wifi thrown in for free. That being the case, assuming you are paying the crew grats, I'd really be surprised if there would be any cost savings to going a-la-carte and buying a drink package.

In the past we had to call in to have gift cards applied by our PCC (with a US$ booking). Not sure if it is because we are logged in through a Canadian location, but we couldn't get it to work either.

We haven't actually sailed Celebrity yet so don't have anything to miss in terms of cutbacks or changes. We have only sailed HAL since Covid, so am expecting it be in-line with that experience. Lots of HAL folks complaining as well, but we hadn't sailed HAL pre-Covid and have been quite happy with those cruises. Ignorance is bliss I guess 🤔

If we book non-refundable, is that still the case?

We have not yet cruised with Celebrity (have our first X cruise in April 2023), and looking for advice on timing for booking another X cruise. We are looking at Hawaii on the Edge in September 2024 and wondering (guessing) if would be better to book now with the current promo or wait to book it when we are on our cruise in April to get whatever typical perk(s) that involves and whatever promo might be there at the time. There are no more Sunset balconies available (would have been our preference), just IV's and there seem to be plenty to pick from now so not worried about cabin selection. Like most lines, I assume the promos vary, but are essentially the same end result, and although I do anticipate fares to start rising in 2023, wouldn't think so by April. Would the potential perks of booking onboard be worth the small risk of prices rising or reduced cabin selection?

This would be us. If we didn't have it, would probably spend a little less than it cost and perhaps save a bit of money. When we have it, we drink a little more (would never normally pay for specialty coffee, mocktail, can of water for room etc) so we 'get' our money's worth. In the end though, we just REALLY just like the convenience of it. Over the last 30+ years we have (and continue) to do annual holidays in warm all-inclusive resort places to get away from winter, so it is a model we have grown to really like. The more we can prepay, the better for us.

I'd never side with "somebody said that somebody told them" over what is stated on the website, especially for something important like this.

I haven't read the review, but the good thing about people posting bad reviews is it gives readers the opportunity to think about what the negatives "might" be (potential pitfalls). In the end, if the reviewer had read reviews, likely the negative ones would have been the ones that would have helped them the most to decide it was a good fit for them.

Plant based meat alternatives like Beyond meat have/are been developed more as a meat alternative more for for environmental reasons. There are a lot of folks who are looking to reduce meat consumption (but not strict vegetarian or vegan), just alway trying to avoid meat or use alternatives when possible.

Any idea when HAL will announce their fall 2024 Hawaii sailings?

If they have enough takers with GoGreen they wouldn't need to. https://mc1wmw0-rflh5n8g9pwr89vxd3c4.pub.sfmc-content.com/fs1s5o251sa

Did you submit reviews after your cruise? I have wondered if these are a kick to generate the welcome back offer. Of course, that was why I though I got a second one, as we just submitted excursion reviews, but now seeing that the multiple offers not so unique who knows.

That happened to us on a prior booking and they had no problem applying the credit. It was through HAL directly but should not matter.

Could you use multiple on one cruise 🤔

We've done more than one, but previous one was September and the offer mentions the NS which we have only sailed once. Both are to my name .. weird. Just a lucky mistake a guess....

Has anyone received more than one "welcome back" offer (OBC for a future booking) We cruised in December and received one just before Christmas, which we used a couple of days ago for a new booking. Today we submitted our shore excursion reviews, and shortly after received another identical offer but with a different expiry date (a week later). It's not enough to encourage me to make another booking - but curious if it is a mistake. Has anyone received more than one "welcome back" offer?

What is that pinging??? .. do you hear a pinging??? 🤔 😊 Great approach by HAL. Glad it is all going to work out... I figured he should be responsible for any effort or cost for you to get your bag back. Love the way he blamed "another" family member - 😎

It happened when we sailed the Rotterdam last September. Luckily, the guy with the wrong luggage was on our HAL transport bus, and they figured out it was him since his luggage was all that was left at the port. Someone from HAL came on board and explained what they thought was happening, and then arranged for the parties to swap luggage at the airport (since they were both headed there). Maybe not that uncommon? The guy who took the wrong luggage was seated behind us on the bus back to Amsterdam and it was funny hearing him talk it out with his wife. In the end .. he really didn't actually know which luggage they took on that holiday .."was it the blue or the black bag?" .. not what you want to hear after someone has left with luggage.... Really standout colour tags and ribbons are a good idea I guess. When the person gets home and realizes they have the wrong luggage, I assume (hope) they would contact HAL and that should start the road to recovery ...Good luck!

As others have said airfare to Europe has definitely increases. We are in the same 'boat' with a European cruise in September with airfares being much higher than in the past. Keep in mind, it is early and there are generally not sales yet for flights that far out so hopefully still a but of reduction from what you are seeing now. Our large Canadian airline is still only offering sales into June for international. A thing I like to do to appease myself is combine the cost and cruise and cost of the airfare and ask myself - is that a decent price for "air and cruise"? and then if it is a number I find acceptable, focus on that while trying to whittle down the air cost as an added bonus. Good luck!