BBsails

Mediana, when you board the ship go immediately to the main dining room where a staff member will be at a podium. You can tell him your experience with the switch (and show him your invoice stating your select preference), and you will probably be accommodated in select. Don't despair.

Bon voyage!

Also, check your credit card(s) as many provide insurance coverage, and with some cards you do not have to book your entire trip on the card. You may be able to use the card's insurance and supplement privately if you think it's necessary. Be sure you read and understand precisely the terms of your credit card insurance (or any insurance for that matter).

Bon voyage

Betsy

Check it out at:

http://www.celebritycruises.com/htmlpage/caribbean-cruise-deals

Also, we were on the Eclipse in April, going from Miami to Southampton. We were to overnight in Bermuda, but couldn't dock there due to stormy weather. We've never been there. We had an extra sea day and an unscheduled day in LeHavre instead. Ooh-la-la, a day in France! More lemonade...

We talked with someone from England on the ship who had taken a transatlantic three times and had to skip Bermuda every time. Now that's a bummer. As far as I know they haven't been there yet.

Betsy

We were on a cruise in 2009, Panama Canal, and 2 days into the 15 day cruise, they announced that we would be skipping ALL 3 Mexican ports of call due to N1H1.

So we never got to Acapulco, Cabo San Lucas and Puerto Vallarta. I had really wanted to see them all.

A few days later, our new itinerary/replacement ports were announced:

1) San Diego; arriving around 3 pm. Got off ship around 4 pm and left around 9 pm

2) Catalena Island off coast from Los Angeles; there for the day

3) Arriving in San Francisco the day before, around noon with disembarkation the next morning.

shipshape sam, we were on that cruise too. If I remember correctly we were not permitted to disembark in the Mexico ports due to the fear of the H1N1 virus or some such. The SF area is our home, but we loved spending the night on the ship that night because it was warm (unusual for SF) and there was a full moon hanging over the city. We made lemonade from lemons...

BTW, I seem to remember some guy running around the ship with a camera. Could that have been you?

Betsy

Thanks for posting about the Celebrity UK site, jelayne. I never remember that it shows all the cabin possibilities.

Betsy

Not totally sure you will be successful, but here's a strategy: Check your paperwork for your new Aqua Class cabin level (either A1 or A2). Then pull up the deck plans for the Silhouette (they're on the Celebrity site), and keep that window open on your computer. In a new window on the Celebrity site, pretend you are making a new reservation in your category, either A1 or A2. Find a cabin that appeals to you (the "sticky" at the top of this page will help). You will see a list of cabins offered, and just below the offerings there's a place (box) to type in the cabin you want. You may need to type in several different choices before a cabin comes up that hasn't yet been booked. If a cabin comes up that you want, put a 24 hour hold on it. If the hold expires before you can reach your TA, just do another hold for the same cabin. You can switch to any other cabin that's not yet booked in your class. I'd consider an upgrade to AQ a real bonus. On the other hand, if your original cabin has not been booked, your TA can probably put you back there. Is your TA open on Saturday?

Good luck and let us know the outcome.

Betsy

Our Chase Sapphire Preferred requires that you only pay for some of the trip with the card.

https://www.chasebenefits.com/sapphirepreferredVW17

Betsy

haikou! There are many of us who adore Milos! His presentations are entertaining, and he is actually quite learned. So glad to hear he's on the Millennium for the transpacific this year and hope that he's there next year, as we will be aboard for the crossing in 2017.

Betsy

My husband, who doesn't drink alcohol, was able to switch (at guest relations) from the classic drink package to the premium non-alcohol package. The non-alcohol premium package offered some upper end sparkling waters that he couldn't have accessed if he had kept the classic drink package. Not sure if these options are still in effect at this point, but I'd head to guest relations just after you board to inquire.

Bon voyage

Betsy

Agree with the post above--talk with Steve at tripinsurancestore.com. I have no affiliation with Steve or the website other than satisfied customer.

Also, check any credit card you have to determine if it will provide the insurance you need. Read the terms of the coverage very, very carefully. We have a Chase Sapphire Preferred card which provides coverage even if you only use the card to purchase part of your trip.

Let us know what you find out.

Betsy

Love the evening turn down...curtains pulled, lights lowered, clean towels, spiffy bathroom. Very relaxing. So hoping the service continues.

Betsy

Thanks for the recipe, SeaHunt. I've made parmesan rounds to break apart and serve as "crackers" with a green salad, but I've never thought about shaping them into bowls. Will try this!

Betsy

Ran into this for the first time today and find it very annoying. Why on earth would =X= change this intentionally? Surely it's a mistake somewhere along the line. Hope someone who can change this sees the glitch ASAP.

Betsy

I'm eager to find out about your new opportunity!

You've been a calm presence in a sometimes choppy sea. Thanks so much for your hard work through the years.

Bon voyage

Betsy

IMHO an upgrade from Concierge to Aqua is great! The Concierge lunch (which was also extended to Elite+ on our cruise) was definitely forgettable. On the other hand, you'll get to eat in Blu for the entire trip, which is definitely a plus. Bon voyage!

Betsy

In my experience (TA in 2016 and TP in 2017), it's possible to combine the shareholder credit with the Captain Club one-category upgrade. If you submit the request and it's not combinable, RCCL will give you the greater of the two benefits, so there's nothing to lose by requesting the shareholder credit.

Bon voyage

Thanks, hydrokitty and others for your Vancouver suggestions. I've saved this thread for future planning purposes.

Betsy

Oh my, yes. Self-serve in the buffet and in the mast grill. Homemade selections changing daily in the buffet: Peanut butter, rum raisin, coffee, and coconut are a few of my faves.

Bon appetit

Betsy

...and if you want hints of things to do in Vancouver let me know. I've been there twice and spent a total of 10 days in the City, which is one of my favorites.

Hydrokitty, we'll embark in Vancouver in 2017 and plan to arrive a few days in advance. I'd love to have your "hints of things to do" there, which give me a headstart on my research.

Thanks!

Betsy

Also totally underwhelmed, and I'm in San Francisco where there are lots of offers; however the discounts are miniscule. I deleted the email and will stick with other online discount ticket sources. I know nothing about marketing, but why on earth would a cruise line make this kind of offer? I'd like to see =X= stick to doing what they do best which, IMHO, is providing cruises, which also IMHO, they do very well. First the MGM/Las Vegas connection, now this. What's next?

I would think =X= would realize more revenue by actually investing in an acceptable website experience that would encourage more bookings instead of resorting to non-cruise related ventures (see my statement above about my ignorance re marketing).

BTW, the Kummelweck experience sounds wonderful. Yum!

Betsy

From above: "Also anticipate losing an hour most nights due to the clock changes."

Actually you will lose the 2:00pm to 3:00pm hour eastbound. An easier solution, IMHO, than losing the hour in the middle of the night.

Bon voyage

Betsy

As others have written, we choose the itinerary and whatever =X= ship, S-class or M-class, goes there is fine with us. One amazing plus for the M-class ships is the warm, relaxing thalassotherapy pool. Take your swimsuit and enjoy to the max! We'll be on the Millennium for the 16-night transpacific in 2017. Can't wait!

Betsy

I do know that I have to prove ownership within 90 days of the sailing date so I am not sure how far out you can request it.

beebell, I'm not sure how far out you can request it either, but we already have it for the September, 2017 transpacific--Vancouver to Tokyo.

Could someone report in about possible changes to our beloved Thalassotherapy pool? I had read somewhere on CC that the curved pipes at the corners that provided strong jets of water were removed during the refurb. Please say it isn't so. :eek:

Betsy