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2 hours ago, Mark_K said:

I’m not sure what you meant by this. On the one we did, they may have physically loaded it onto the bus, but we had to schlep it all to the bus and hand it to them.

Sorry, I probably mis-remembered.  If we had taken a taxi or even a private driver, we still would have had to shlep our luggage at some point.  We were just happy to not have to worry about our stuff while we were touring and killing time.  

7 minutes ago, Wondermouse said:

Looking to book a tour with airport drop off. Just wondering how it works?  Do you load all of the luggage for the people on the tour onto the buses?  Then you go on the tour and take your luggage from the bus once they drive you to the airport?  
 

Thanks for any info. 
 

 

They make sure your luggage is loaded on the bus for you, the driver stays with the bus for any touring and then offloads your luggage when you get to the airport.

We aren’t usually fans of long bus tours, but when there is a late flight, this is an easy solution for spending time before a flight 

9 hours ago, sushraya said:

Thanks!!  I assume if you order one that's under the "10$" limit, there's no charge or service fee (we have prepaid gratuities).

The prepaid gratuities have nothing to do with the drink package gratuities.  Gratuities for drinks are included/paid for with the package.  Prepaid gratuities cover the room steward, wait staff, etc.

39 minutes ago, blue_water said:

The drink package does not cover drinks in the main dining rooms, I assume, and you purchase drinks or wine while dining?

 

The drink package does cover drinks in the dining rooms, up to the package limit.  Including speciality coffees.

Didn’t they add an expensive add on perk that cuts out the room service charge?  We don’t usually get room service - but if I paid an up charge to get free room service only to find out it was now free for everyone, I wouldn’t be too happy.

5 minutes ago, NMTraveller said:

First they remove the balconies and then the foot

Does HAL have footstools?

Doesn’t Virgin have hammocks?  I am insecure enough to never want to get on a hammock on a moving ship.  Seems much more dangerous than a footstool.

9 hours ago, newdinndo said:

Thank you all for the wealth of information. We really appreciate it.

 

We will also bring the original BC and DL so we are covered on all ends. 
 

And yes, he will be renewing as soon as we arrive home.

Thank you all, again!

Also, if your passport is anywhere close to expiring, you may want to renew.  It is convenient for both spouses to have similar expiration dates - only one set of dates to remember.

18 hours ago, Dolebludger said:

True that! And you don’t have to wait in line with a crowd to get into the theater on Regent. 

Our experience on Regent was that the entertainment was so uninspiring that crowds wouldn’t be a problem.

We’ve never had to wait in line on Celebrity, might be because we sit towards the back in order to leave our options open.

2 hours ago, Cruise till you drop said:

We always book our own flights as we always fly in the day before a cruise.  Therefore we don’t see any benefit to booking with the cruise line and we can decide our own itinerary (which is usually the most convenient and direct)

We like to use FBC in order to book our flights early but not have to pay until cruise final payment.  
You can pick your own flights, doing all of the research ahead of time.  For our cruise in September from Barcelona to Rome we are flying in 4 days early and staying a week at the other end.  
 

Just now, Tierun said:

Arrive at least a day before your cruise to really see the city. We loved our time in Barcelona.

I agree.  Also, flying in the same day is risky at best.  And if this is an overnight flight, you may feel tired.

Have you arranged the transportation with Celebrity?  For 6 people it would be better to arrange for a private driver in a van to pick you up at the airport, and take you directly to Sagrada Familia, and then to the port.

Remember to factor in flight delays, lines at passport control, retrieving luggage, etc.

2 minutes ago, mahasamatman said:

 

I don't know what the uproar is all about. We used this "new" terminal in 2021 and it was just fine.

 

 

 

We first used it in 2004!  I think only very small cruise ships docked down town

3 hours ago, BettyCruiser said:

Are you checking for only two in a cabin? My guess is that Celebrity was initially only showing rooms for two and now they have opened rooms for more than 2 to be booked by those only booking 2.

Thank you - that does offer a great explanation.   

We booked this cruise last April, getting one of the last sunset concierge cabins.   Over the last few months I've checked regularly, checking on pricing and watching as the ship seemed to fill up.

As of last week, the only available balcony cabins were Aqua class cabins.   Sometime during the week, there are suddenly well more than 100 balcony cabins available, on almost every deck and across many categories, including many sunset cabins.   And almost every available cabin has the bed next to the bathroom, allowing for more than 2 people in the cabin.

Has anyone ever seen this happen and to this extent?  Do TAs hold cabins until 8 months before a cruise?  I would understand if we were close to final payment, and might expect some people to cancel at that time.

42 minutes ago, mahasamatman said:

 

Gelato is for all CC members starting with Select.

Actually classic.  On our second Celebrity cruise I got in line for my free gelato scoop and DH decided to pass it up.  He has never missed his free scoop since that cruise!

i think that the majority of people remember to get their scoop on the last sea day, after noticing the line for gelato.

1 hour ago, Merfille said:

We are new to Celebrity, about to cruise with them for the first time in February on a South America & Antarctica itinerary. Because of the December webinar and resulting Power Up Points, my family is now showing as Classic instead of Preview. I was not sure if it would work until after we actually cruised, but it shows up for each of us. It's pretty neat to be able to do Power Up Points. I can imagine how great it is for a boost when close to a new level, as well. Thanks for the information in this thread!

And remember to get your free scoop of gelato!

On 1/15/2024 at 2:32 PM, blueskadoo said:

Hello everyone- we recently had to have a points correction completed for Captain's club. When I look at the website, each of the cruises has the appropriate amount, but when you look at the top it has the old total pre-correction. Is this going to cause an issue? Should I call? Anybody else have this issue? After the next cruise, I'll be elite+ but the corrections added over 100 points. I don't want to waste my energy if this is a known bug that doesn't matter.

 

Thank you!

You aren't the only one who has this frustrating issue.  DH's points for a 2019 cruise were never added to his total (70 points), not were any of his PUPs (about 100 points).  He doesn't really care at all, but I do.   In 2022, while on a cruise, we went to the Captain's Club desk to try and have it fixed, DH did get the Elite benefits on that cruise, but that was because of my status, his status was showing as select.   We have been on the same number of cruises, but he is a few points behind me due to participating in fewer of the PUP opportunities.   

I thought everything was fixed, and didn't think twice until a few months ago when I had him log into his account to work with me on selecting some shore excursions for an upcoming cruise.  Lo and behold, although his account shows his cruise history and his PUP history, his point total is stuck in early 2019.   It is almost as if a spreadsheet stopped totaling.  I did call and spoke to someone at CC and I believe he now has my total.  

With the issue that everyone seems to be having with the latest 5 point opportunity showing in history, but not added to each account, I'm afraid that this issue is widespread.

So, I don't know if this is a known bug, a new bug, or a feature.

23 minutes ago, drakes2 said:

Sunday People, Sunday

My personal bet is today (Friday) at 4:58 pm, Miami time.

18 hours ago, Stupot74 said:

We are a group of four (2 Adults & 2 Children 13yo & 10 yo) sailing in May 2024.

 

We are booked in 2 interconnecting staterooms, hence have 2 linked bookings. One adult and child is booked in one stateroom, and the other adult and child are booked in the other stateroom.

 

We intend for the adults to actually sleep in one stateroom and the children in the other.

 

One adult is neither related to, or a legal guardian of, either child.

 

Will this adult (me) need a signed and notarised Royal Caribbean Group 'Letter of Permission' to be able to board the ship with the child nominated in the booking?

 

Thankyou!

 

Edit: Will Celebrity consider the child booked with me in my stateroom as travelling separately from their parent, considering that the staterooms are adjoining and connected?

I think that the the parent or legal guardian (if there is a second parent) who is not traveling will need to sign the letter of permission.   

1 minute ago, peachcreamsicle said:

I’m assuming that the masses of people in the OVC stemmed from the lack of alternative dining options.  
 

The main dining room was slow and lacklustre and the mast grill offered luckwarm burgers that had been sitting out in the open air for some time.  Other than those two, I can’t really think of any other included dining options. 

The Spa Cafe is a nice alternative - even if it is for a “pre-lunch” before heading over to the OVC after the lunch rush.

1 hour ago, cwayne said:

Celebrity app Captains Club points are incorrect. The Captain Club points are correct on our account when I sign into that. It's only the app that is incorrect. I have contacted the Captain's Club who basically responded with "we can't help you" . It doesn't change our tier level (elite), but another couple of cruises and there will be a difference between the app and our online account. Has anyone else encountered this? Thanks!

We recently had a problem where DH’s points in both the app and his online account did not reflect his last two cruises nor any power up points.  All of his cruises were correctly listed on his account, but the total never moved.  We thought we had the problem resolved when we were on our last cruise, but it was not fixed.  When I recently called CC they just matched his total to my total.  
We aren’t planning to cruise until next Fall so won’t know if his point total will update for almost a year.

46 minutes ago, zitsky said:

Will they make me a Long Island iced tea at the WCB?  It’s a good way to start my morning.  😂

WCB opens at 5 pm, so nothing in the morning.

On another note, I have had bartenders at WCB try to recreate the ginger mojito from the days the bar was called the Molecular Bar.  Usually I had to spend a few evenings at the bar before I even tried to ask for a ginger mojito.

Thank you - we also book with the big box TA.  I did double check our reservation, and saved a copy of the popup showing the old "AI", gratuities, drink packages and WiFi.   I was able to upgrade our drink packages and WiFi for the sale price, so felt confident that the reservation was correctly reflected.   

I do want a hard copy showing that gratuities are included in our package.

Our cruise is still almost 10 months away.

5 minutes ago, rcrabb1513 said:

The discounts must be on select sailings.  Our cruise in August , 2024 shows excursion discounts ranging from 5% to 15%, i.e. the typical precruise discounts.

My September, 2024 is showing discounts up to 50% off.  I wish I knew how long this Black Friday deal will last.

Thank you, I discovered that our Shore Excursions for our September 2024 Equinox cruise have been discounted by up to 50%.

11 minutes ago, roupa said:

We love to get something to eat and drink from the windjammer… hopefully without fighting a crowd… and taking it to a quiet lounge… preferably the Viking Crown Lounge for the view .  It is so relaxing after the boarding process.  If our stateroom is open, then it is also nice to hang out there til the chaos outside subsides.

Those selections work much better on rcl - on a nice day the S class ships also have plenty of grassy area for a quiet picnic lunch