BEAV

That describes a GOOD weather day in Bakersfield, the windy dust bowl of California…

Do keep in mind that if bookings for ‘25 out of Seattle don’t materialize the way Cunard is hoping at current price levels, fares will inevitably drop. I recall reading on another thread of posters enjoying nice fare reductions for QE’s Alaska season this year after booking earlier at higher rates.

I’m glad to hear both guests and Crystal alike are adjusting and adapting to “O” as time goes on. I’m definitely looking forward to a more traditional Italian experience vs. what we in North America define as “traditional Italian”. (No personal offense to Mama Celeste…) And there’s no such thing as a “bad night” in the Vintage Room! 🍷

I’ve done the rental car Skagway to the Yukon 3 times and agree with the consensus here. It’s a great, leisurely day of beautiful scenery. 👍

The same fare ($909) applies for California residents. It’s important to always put in your state of residency when price shopping.

I’m in the US and recently booked a fare of US $4100 that came with a non-refundable deposit. The fare would’ve been $6300 had I wanted a refundable deposit.

Nor ‘out here’ in California! 😱

…and Retreat guests are not allowed to mix with steerage.

Does Cunard offer self-booking/selecting flights online like the other Carnival brands? I love this feature on lines like Holland America, Princess, etc.

Thank you. This fully answers my question! 😉

I haven’t sailed Cunard since 2007, but want to book a 2024 sailing. My TA is currently traveling in a far distant time zone. Can I book on line on Cunard.com then transfer to my TA so long as I do so before final payment time? Or transfer within 30 days, 60 days, etc from booking date? Thank you.

The “sold out” category question with regard to bid upgrade programs is a source of confusion across all cruise lines that offer this opportunity. It doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with current inventory, but more about possible cancellations later on down the road. Example: We had a top level suite booked that we unfortunately had to cancel two days prior to sailing. Our cancellation then set into motion a host of upgrades from our high category on down the chain. Someone in a lower category “won” our suite, then someone else won their now-vacated suite. So on and so forth it goes… This is an excellent (and efficient) program for the cruise lines as they already have a host of bids for all different categories, along with your credit card number and authorization from you to charge. So don’t get caught up when you see solicitations to bid for sold-out categories.

Terrific account of connecting the dots between segments, Roy. Many thanks for sharing. 👍

Yep. But I was surprised air through Princess was only $689 to Sydney from my home airport of SF.

Good last-minute deal. Majestic Princess April 10, 2024 Sydney-Vancouver 30 days. Sydney Picton Wellington Tauranga Bay of Islands Auckland Papeete (overnight) Moorea Honolulu Vancouver Single supplement 10% Inside: $1616 US ($53 per diem) Balcony: $2881 US ($96 per diem) Add $320 taxes/fees Source: Princess website.

It’s definitely a small world in the cruiser family, Ivi. 😉 Among the many highlights of those voyages was the scenic sail into Auckland in early afternoon aboard Symphony (with disembarkation the following day).

You mean you don’t have vichyssoise every day, Patty?! 🤔

A huge thank you, Dwight, for continuing this great coverage of WC 2024. I relived our 2014 Symphony cruise from Papeete to Auckland on Terry’s thread. Back then, we spent one night in an Auckland hotel, then boarded Celebrity for 18 nights to Perth. Now I get to relive that itinerary adventure as well through this thread. 👍 I couldn’t agree more on your love of New Zealand. It’s truly a magical place and country.

I don’t think being booked on a guarantee is cause for any concern vs. having an assigned stateroom. At least I wouldn’t be worried. 😉 And Patty is absolutely correct. Aside from ending up being assigned one of the solo staterooms, you can only go up from there.

See post #1685 by @gerryuk

Absolutely! 🥂 I guess we should all start making plans what we’re going to do for our “extra” day! 😉

Does it say 8 nights July 2-9 in your travel dashboard online like mine?!

Crystal has done the impossible. Cheerleaders, reach for your pom poms. The Serenity sailing of July 2-9 (Tuesday to Tuesday) has miraculously gone from a 7 to an 8 night sailing per my booking. Yes, buy 7, get one free. Or, a clever way to tout a lower per diem (psychology is everything)? Or, does sailing Vancouver to Sitka now involve crossing the International Date Line? (Can you see Russia from the dome of the Orthodox Church there?) 🤔🤷‍♂️ Whatever the case, thanks, Crystal 😎 (we won’t mention to July 9 cruisers they’ll board a day late)

Be sure and input all pertinent info on the Celebrity website when you price check. Example: April 22, Silhouette Transatlantic 13 nights Ft Lauderdale to Amsterdam. When I left blank my residency info the entry level inside cabin priced at $1581 (plus tax) for solo occupancy. When I went back and this time entered California as my residency, price was $876 before tax for a solo. I went back again, entered 2 passengers from California, insides started at $665 per person. So the $876 price represents a solo supplement of 132% (vs 200+%.) This followed through with ocean view ($990) and balconies ($1324) as well. A solo balcony on this sailing breaks down to $101 per night. My guess is these are soft sailings, and a bargain if you’re able to book only 6 weeks out. Celebrity has long offered resident rates. I punched in a variety of different states. Some had the same residency rate as California, others did not. It’s a crap shoot. But the takeaway here is to always include your state of residency in your price searches. 👍

My research over the years has shown that no cruise line appears to have no single supplement 100% of the time. I believe it’s more sailing-specific, and how any particular sailing is selling. I’ve also discovered no (or very low) single supplements can often start showing up after final payment time. Again, the theory of supply and demand driving pricing at work.