mdcelebrity

I am scheduled on the Beyond 29Jan2024 voyage including partial Canal transit.

FYI, there is much discussion whether the Canal transit will actually occur, due to low water levels in Panama.

We are on the Beyond 29Jan2024 sailing and the Behind-the-Scenes Ship Tour is completely sold out for all [sea] days.  Moral of the story: book early if you really want this.

Dee&John ("dijon")

Drink package upgrade is now $9.99 (plus gratuities) as of this morning.

Oops, just checked (11:17 Eastern Time), and it is back to $6.99 (plus gratuities).

I wonder if they are trying to make the Standard and Premium packages closer is cost.  The difference is now $12 (plus gratuities).

I hope they don't change the max. limits on the Premium package.

Just saw $6.99pppd upgrade (plus grat.) from Standard to Premium Drink Package for our cruise (Beyond, 29Jan2024).  Can that be right?

It lists $15 as the normal price.

Spit balling here ...

I am wondering if the removal of gratuities from the AI package is part of an upcoming plan to make Celebrity a "Tipping Built Into The fare/Additional Tipping Discouraged" cruise offering (like some land resorts).

Celebrity might have tipped their hand with their "Tipping?  Don't - we have it covered" mantra with Suites.

This change would be in-sync with Americans' (and others'?)  frustration with a out-of-control tipping culture that started with the Pandemic and now a hand-out is requested/mandated(?) with almost every bill, in paper receipts and with almost every electronic transaction.

I could imagine a "We Feel Your Pain" campaign.

The "devil is in the details" would apply, but this could benefit both crew and pax, if done right.  The crew would be able to have a proper and reliable wage, without having the need to artificially "kiss butt" to their customers, but, rather, provide an authentic experience for all.  I propose that the crew would still give their usual friendly and competent service, with an eye to excellence rather than expedience.

Just a thought.

Did you ask for large type menu?

Now that Twitter has been changed to "X", I wonder if Celebrity Cruises (or the parent company) will have a problem with the change, since "X" has been a Celebrity trademark(?) for a long time and "X" is intrinsic to the brand.

1 hour ago, zitsky said:

Is the ventilation better on the port side?

I am going to guess what happened here (specifying the port side of the Casino):

Who ever wrote the Smoking specifications just echoed what was done with the text re. the outside areas (specifying which side), without really considering how absurd it is to do so with a facility that is in the center of the ship.  It sounds like this was a rush job -- at least the documentation -- and, frankly, errors such as this are not so usual with communications from X.

3 minutes ago, lcauser said:

Hi,  I am booked on the Panama Canal sailing of the Beyond, March 12, 2024.  This sailing is no longer listed on the web site and when I called, they say it’s sold out!! Plus,  you can no longer book any excursions.  It’s nearly 8 months away. I wonder if it’s chartered or doing an itinerary change??  I did a NRF deposit, too.  Anyone have any inside knowledge??

No inside knowledge; however our 29Jan2024 trip to the Canal and Southern Caribbean on Beyond has also disappeared from the web site.  However, I can still book excursions: several excursions are sold out or about to be sold out.  Also, reservations at Eden are listed at  9PM or later for all sea days.

13 hours ago, coffeebean said:

After experiencing the IV on The Beyond, I now understand why there is so much objection to this type of accommodation; especially when one usually books a traditional balcony cabin. What truly baffles me is that because of all the detractors to the IV cabins, Royal Caribbean is going to be introducing a new ship with...........guess what?..............IV cabins. All I want to know is...... why???????

The reason X and RC are going with IV has to do with efficiency (i.e., less fuel costs).  With the IV structure the ship moves with less drag.  The SV cabins are in the back so they don't affect the drag.

Anyway, this is my understanding.

4 minutes ago, OT-Miami said:

 

 

a) the 20% discount is equal to 20% gratuity, so the price you see is the price you pay;

Maybe not quite.  The gratuity is paid on the actual price you pay, after discount???

Thus, for $100 bottle of wine:

Cost: $80 ($100 - 20%).

Gratuity: $16 (20% of $80)

Total Cost To You: $96 (80$ + $16)

Any of this make sense?

On 3/15/2022 at 11:27 AM, rmalbers said:

I've seen it happen but it is rare.  One time they had, what's that beef loin with the crust wrapped around it called?, in the buffet.  It was the best meal I've had on X, they cut it to requested amount!   I went back for more but the second time the beef wasn't as high quality as the first cut I had.  I think it's one of those things that if they have too much of something, it can end up on the buffet. 

Beef Wellington?

Key West?

On trans-Atlantic cruises I noticed that only actual Elites were invited/allowed to the Elite Cocktail Party, due to overcrowding.  I don't know if that is/will be the current situation on some cruises, so checking with the CC host seems to be a good idea.

2 hours ago, UnorigionalName said:

 

NSAIDS are anti-inflammatories and hence blunt the immune response.  The goal of pre-medicating is blunting the day after side effects.  While the serum antibody levels don't begin rising for a while, the important b and t cell activation stages occur in the first few days, hence the symptoms.

 

It's a difficult issue because there's not that many studies done, because honestly there wasn't much interest before.  Again, I am not an immunologist or virologist, and this is not my area of expertise, so take this with a grain of salt and skepticism and not as advice:

 

To my understanding, there is data in the pediatric literature that shows pre-medicating with NSAIDS decreases the end result serum neutralizing antibody concentration.

 

However, there is also data in the pediatric literature that shows that pre-medicating with NSAIDS has no significant effect on efficacy of select vaccines.

 

Also the clinical trials (pfizer/moderna) did not routinely pre-medicate, but they did not screen for NSAID use before or after the vaccine (I am unsure if they gave any guidance, maybe one of the members who participated in the trial can elucidate this point).

 

So hence the CDC guidance makes sense: Don't pre-medicate. Don't feel guilty about it afterwards if you are miserable. If you are taking NSAIDS for another condition, don't stop.

Tylenol is not an NSAID.  Do those of you who know about this stuff think Tylenol would be okay if symptoms occur?

1 hour ago, RickT said:

Bernie Sanders patiently waiting for cruises to resume....

 

Now THAT was funny!  Keep up the good work.

5 hours ago, Fogfog said:

So there has been much discussion about the Connie..because many of us who did lift-shift to her have now seen in recent months an S class ship with the same itinerary

Rumor mill seems to indicate Connie going to dry dock.

If she does-- we do wonder will our sailing stay intact or be cancelled

 

Another posted indicated that his TA claims X will not allow a second lift-shift. and that he was going to have to pay "prevailing rates"

This seems impossible for those of us impacted by a dry dock schedule--- 

 

Disappointing 

We noticed that Silhouette is sailing the same date and almost exactly the same itinerary as our booked trip on Constellation (11 day Aruba, Bonaire, & Curacao starting 14Feb2022), albeit from a different starting port (FLL for Silhouette, TPA for Constellation).  Silhouette visits Cartagena vs. Key West on Constellation, but otherwise the same itinerary.  We do not recall seeing the Silhouette cruise for that date and destinations before (might have missed that, tho.)  

Interesting ...

19 hours ago, ALWAYS CRUZIN said:

You will pay dearly for it. I want to be able to choose what I want to spend my money on. The perks now offered just about cover the higher cost of the cruise when they are offered. Example. No perks 7 day $800 with perks the same 7 day $1200  Pick two is usually the only choice you have. Some cruise lines give you the option of perks and no perks, with the price reflecting both. I prefer that.

When reading these comments, I noticed your avatar.

All I can say is:

Thank you!

37 minutes ago, TeeRick said:

Yes all of these ideas might be a good approach.  Whatever the approach it needs to be well communicated and fair to the great majority of passengers.  

 

It is possible that initial cruises will not be any of the scheduled ones that people are currently holding.  My guess is a few "new" cruises of short itinerary and duration and maybe private islands, with very reduced capacity.  Cruise lines need to test out their new procedures and train the crew in real life operations.  So in the beginning passengers would sign up for these new cruises first come first served like any other new itinerary.  After a few of these under the belt, then the rules for currently held cruises will be announced.  Just guessing really.

I would suggest that is a very good "guess".

It would make sense for any cruise line to announce NEW sailings (with full disclosure of the "rules", of course). That way there will be no issue of "changing the rules" vis-a-vis what was originally offered or (eek!) having to bump guests.  I would "guess" that cruises already booked to sail between Nov2020 and, say, thru 2021 Q1 will "merely" be cancelled.

3 hours ago, sakigemcam said:

We couldn't deal with the uncertainties as the minute the weather starts getting cold, and winter is in view,  we need to start dreaming about our March vacation. We cancelled, rebooked for 2022 (Lift and Shift was a major downgrade for us), and are booking a splurgy AI in Riviera Maya - the splurge because - #2020.

 

We are really sad because we want to support the cruise lines, we want to bring funds to the ports, but we also need to consider our own mental well-being. That being said, the AI is dreamy and we're very excited about it. 

Are you able to share the name of the AI?😀

1 hour ago, phoenix_dream said:

I get your point.  At the same time I don't think accepting risk always inherently causes a burden to the extent you are talking about.  If all main line cruises were to start sailing from Florida now, would agree 100%.  But months from now, when we do have a vaccine as well as (hopefully) better knowledge of treatments, there will still be some level of risk in cruising - in doing anything near other people for that matter.   To me, that is when it is fair to expect people to do their own level of risk evaluation based on their individual circumstances.  Will that place a 'burden' on society even then?  The answer, also to a fine point, is yes.  But how much of a burden and how realistic is it to expect people to not take any risk until the virus goes away, which may in fact be never.  Getting behind the wheel of a car for a drive is a risk which places a burden on others should an accident happen.  Walking down the stairs at your own home places a risk (most falls occur at home) which also places a burden on others should you fall and get injured.  I could go on and on.  Bottom line, at some point in the not-too-distant future cruising (as well as some other 'normal' things) will begin again and the risk to the rest of society may be a reasonable one based on circumstances.

The above posts bring up very good points and the (quite civil) discussion is most appreciated.

The original post (#1) was a response to those who suggest that folks NEVER take risks in such-and-such a situation, based on their own needs.  The point of the burden on others is welcome insight and one we all need to continue to consider (masks, anyone?!).  The quantification of "undue burden" is constantly evolving ... agree that FL departures are NOT a good idea right now, but, hopefully, will be in the future, with proper procedures and citizen cooperation.

Regarding risk: a topic that deserves some mention is the risk of the *status quo*:  

In regard to business, it is, IMO, rather obvious it is in the economy's interest in general to try and stop the virus spread by with most any means possible.  What is the point of "opening up" just to make your staff and customers ill?  If it were to become bad enough, we would lose the workers that maintain the infrastructure to make anything work (imagine if we lost even a small % of IT workers: what would life be like then), mail/package/food delivery, content providers and of course, public safety and health people, ...

The trickier task is to evaluate the effect of the status quo on individuals: physical, mental, financial.  There are certainly significant negative factors to "saying the course".  I would observe that, right now, we still need to have muted contact with anyone, even family (especially out-of-town) and friends.  But ... in the not too distant future, we might need to revisit risk/benefit of having everyone isolated, alone and frustrated.  Not condoning "stupid" in any way, but we need to add current "costs" to any analyses and decisions that are made.

These clearly are tricky issues we as individual and as society need get our arms around.  Our best hope is to continue to strive for clear and objective study and, hopefully, effective leadership.  We world citizens (and especially those of us in the USA) are historically more than willing to make needed sacrifices, so no need to lie to us and just foster "happy talk".  Honesty is fine and in the end appreciated.

Speaking of appreciation, may I again sincerely thank those who commented above and with other posts for their insights, feeling, concerns, frustrations, hopes, plans.  This dialog -- as it remains respectful --- is quite helpful and important.

59 minutes ago, Fouremco said:

Good summary. The one thing missing, perhaps purposely, is what the contingency plans are should a passenger or crew member be detected as positive during the cruise.

Thanks to all who provide reasoned and thoughtful conversation.

This is difficult and emotional issue for many and your understanding & patience for all good-faith points of view are appreciated.

There are two overall issues, IMO, in this discussion.

1.  Whether it is worth the risk, healthwise, to cruise.  Any activity is never risk free so it is up to each of us to access the risk, hopefully with objective and vetted data.  It is then up to each of us to evaluate our own perception of risk, our risk tolerance and our perception of benefits (risk/benefit ratio in math. terms).  Frankly, I have little patience for "I don't know how ANYONE could ...", since such decisions are SO personal that I, for one, do not feel comfortable about telling other folks what to do with their life (as long as it does not affect mine).

2.  The other issue is, even considering one's willingness to assume health risks, whether there is a real possibility of being quarantined for a long while on the ship, even whilst healthy.  This goes to what Fouremco is getting at.  However, it seems that this is a "solvable" issue with appropriate "contingency plans" among all parties (cruise lines, ports, countries, etc.) and, again frankly, there should be solutions available if all parties agree to discuss and conclude in good faith.

14 hours ago, centurycruiser said:

Great joke.  You are the cat's meow!

Agree with most of the perspectives here (we are Elite Plus).

Especially like laundry (we like to do 11+ day cruises) and the Internet (to check weather and get boarding passes).

About the Elite cocktail hour: for us it is a lot more than getting free drinks.

For us it is about the socialization: we have made some good friends and look forward to meeting new ones.

It is a cool place to "get away from it all", have a chat and relax.

(Hopefully the Sky Lounge will not become TOO balkanized in the future.)

The canapes coming around are nice, since we do a late dinner.

YMMV.

ETA, when you are E+, sometimes "things happen" that are not in the list: invites to the Helipad and other unadvertised events, for example.

Anyone know what "Craft Social" is on Deck 4?  I also noticed this on the new Silhouette deck plan, replacing Cellar Masters.