huskerc

A better question than "do you want it to change" is "does the current perk make you feel like a valued customer who will keep spending money with X?"

I think for most people that answer is no. Between people who already have a beverage package and those who do not drink, there aren't many benefitting from the no-charge cocktails.

We're booked in March on the Reflection. We booked a group rate, so no 1-2-3 perks at all, but at $1700 less than the full fare, it was a better deal. Prices have gone down, so I'm going to call tomorrow and see if X will let us pay the difference and get 1-2-3 in Aqua. If they do, great, but if not, we'll be happy with what we have. You always have to be happy with what you booked at and if anything better comes along, it's a bonus--not something to be upset about if you can't get. I'll report back on our success or lack thereof, but they've let us do it before so I'm fairly optimistic.

I booked a C3 online and was able to get the C3->C2 upgrade after the fact (and after final payment). But, it is up to Celebrity if they want to grant it after booking.

I always use a TA and have never been able to see my OBC from Celebrity at their website. My TA invoice shows it.

Almost certainly a lifeboat or tender. The obstruction is generally not bad--typically you can see out but not down. If you check the cabin info thread or post your cabin number you'll probably find out more. If you're lucky you might find a youtube video of your specific cabin.

You can find us at the martini bar most nights. At least until it closes.

I don't do the shared/included shuttles anymore for the same reasons so many mention. Unless you're staying far away from the port, you can typically get a cab for around $20. Money well spent in my opinion. To each his own.

There is a travel agency attached to a well-known "big-box" retailer that gives ~8% of your cruise fare as OBC.

So for our May cruise, we have

1-2-3 "all-in" OBC of $300

On-board booking bonus of $250 (taken on the future cruise)

TA OBC of $260

For a total of $810 OBC, or almost 1/4 of our total fare.

By the way, we are 30 and 31. How bout you guys?

Danny's in his early 40's and I'm 29.

Just last month we had a bit of a delay with disembarkation, and still made it to FLL by 8AM and were through security by 8:30. Our flight was 10:30.

To be safe, you must walk off with a flight that early, though.

Just wondering if you are allowed to order doubles? Just sometimes enjoy a long, leisurely drink.

Double as in two of the same drink, generally not. Double as in "make it a double" then yes, as long as it stays within the cost limit of your package. Even if it doesn't, you could order the drink and then a bit later an extra shot.

As with anything else you'll generally have more options with the premium package but it depends on what you drink.

I don't think you'll go wrong either way but I'd take the C1 aft over the hump balcony. The Silhouette is probably the S-class ship that the Reflection is most like in configuration.

On St. Thomas vs. St. Kitts, it depends on what you like. St. Thomas, being in a US territory, will feel more modern and first world. St Kitts has some nice nature things to do, and if you're very active, the volcano climb is not to be missed.

There is, but a rather large woman typically reserves it for her own use.

Agree on the service. It's the primary reason for us preferring Blu. The food is a step up, but on its own not enough to justify the premium for aqua class in most cases.

Seems clear to me that the OP should have gotten a 20% OBC for the pre-cruise booking price. But I agree, probably not something the restaurant would handle--more for guest relations who might need to contact someone in Miami.

For the most recent reservation I made online with a "big box" agency, I saw that it was "on hold" with celebrity for a while. Not 24 hours though. It appears to be a normal state in the process but I can't say after how long it becomes abnormal.

I've always found Blu to be a bit better with handling special requests--for example if there's a dish you would prefer the sauce to be left off of.

Same here with our upcoming cruise on Eclipse. Is there any advantage left in waiting to book onboard? We're weighing several different cruises in 2015 or 2016, both TA and normal.

 

Thanks for any replies.

Yes. OBC and a category upgrade.

They did the same on the Equinox for Thanksgiving. Don't know if that's a standard replacement for the old sea day brunch or not.

We just did 1547 on the Equinox. It's fantastic. Largest balcony in Aqua class. It is technically considered 10% obstructed due to the fact that it has the window washing equipment off to the left, but this is no obstruction at all to your view.

There's generally no wait very early either.

I think it's been (almost) continuously offered basically since Jan 2013, hasn't it?

1. Many report success with this. A few have said they were turned down.

2. We have seen this before but not on our last several cruises in Aqua.

3. I don't think you'll find the internet to be substantially better in the lounge. It's slow and unreliable and I doubt it will maintain a consistent facetime video connection.

The restaurants are chosen for you, though not the nights. We booked onboard the Equinox where the 3 dinner package is 1 night in Murano, 1 in Tuscan, and 1 in Silk Harvest. We chose our nights and times based on availability and got pretty much what we wanted.

That's not to say you couldn't negotiate for a different restaurant--we knew someone who was allowed to pay a bit more to replace Silk Harvest with a second night in Murano.

A nice relaxing thing to do on Barbados is a catamaran cruise. Calm waters there make this a very popular activity and it's a very competitive industry. We booked with Elegance and were beyond satisfied. Three people serving twelve with an open bar and a great lunch. Try the bajan hot sauce if spicy is your thing!

On the opposite end of the scale, there is zip lining at Loterie Farm in St. Martin (the french side) that is very physical but well worth it for the thrills and views.