odysee

Reflection still had the library, however was not too well stocked, during our recent TA.  There were also several foreign language books and some shelves with bring/get books from passengers.

A good idea was to have some tables there with large and difficult puzzles where anybody could work on if you felt like it.  But this was probably organized by passengers via the roll call.

3 hours ago, CruisinBanka said:

Thanks for the heads up! Must be exclusive to Beyond because never seen an ice cream machine at Mast Grille on other Celebrity ships. Always had to go to OVC. 

There is one on the Reflection as well as noted and used during recent TA and I have seen it before on at least 1 other S class ship, can t remember which one now.

As we had sunset veranda on Beyond , IV was not an issue for us.  Despite liking sunset veranda and the good looks with wow factor,  Beyond  was not our favorite ship. Main reasons : very uncomfortable seating throughout ship and very loud venues with each their own music sometimes competing eg in main areas and restaurants around Martini Bar. 
4 dining room concept was great.

we still prefer S class.

5 minutes ago, FourNines said:

This does happen. American Airlines is one that will not allow you to make a change to the reservation if it is booked through a third party.

That's the reason for the hack I mentioned where I used another One World partner airline to make those changes myself.

 

We could not see seat map or find out our assigned seats, even through “manage my bookings” or phoning airline.  Also through other Star Alliance partners we could not get in.  Only after online check in was opened 24 hours before flights, did we see them.

1 hour ago, FourNines said:

You CAN select seats prior to check in, and there are several ways to do it. One requires the record locator number (some may require the PNR number instead) while the other does not. 

 

With Record Locator:

Some airlines will not allow you to see the flight information even if you have a record locator number (looking at you American Airlines) when booked with a third party consolidator like FbC, but there are several hacks by using partner airlines websites to do so.

We fly exclusively One World partner airlines  so once I have the record locator, I head on over to the Royal Jordanian Airlines website and insert my records locator number in the Manage My Booking page. From there, I can see the seat map (also availability) and our assigned seats for each flight. If the seats automatically assigned are acceptable, I move on with my life. If not, I jot down the seats I would like and then call FbC with my preferred seat selection. They usually make the changes while I am still on the phone with them. 

 

Without Record Locator:

I use Expert Flyer to check each's flight seat map and availability. With my preferred seats in hand, I call FbC and have them assign those seats to us and then ask them for the record locator. I then verify that the seats were correctly assigned to us by using said record locator on the airline's website (or partner site).

 

It's been awhile since I have used FbC, so some of the above methods may have changed. I know there are quite a few fellow CC'rs that use hacks like I have described above, so I am sure they'll chime in with any updated information.

 

Hope that helps.

 

We had record locator, airline reference and ticket numbers, could see our bookings on airline webpage etc, but not seat assignments.  When trying to book seat we always got message : any changes etc only through booking agency.  We are very used to booking airline tickets ourselves and we have already made numerous bookings with that particular airline directly, some through travel agencies, and know how to do it.  For first flight booked by Celebrity I even called airline to see what could be done and was told only booking agency was allowed to do something, they would not even confirm if seats were selected already.

I think it really depends on airline and what kind of booking/ tariff etc.

We have been able to do it in past, but not for these 2 cruises this year.

just wanted to inform, that Celebrity took good care of us and booked us good seats with plenty of luggage allowance on top rated airline even for “free” or included airfare (1 Euro was charged nominally as completely free does not seem to be allowed here or does not fit in system).  Would have caused us less time ans some aggrevation if we would have known this before our first trip.

We had this year flights by Celebrity included in 2 European cruises for 1 Euro pp.

Were not expecting too much, but had each time flights with reputable airline (Star Alliance) and allowance for 2 checked in suitcases pp. We were allowed to pick date and flight time, subject to availability which was positive in our cases snd confirmed within 48 hours (took a bit longer as we booked via non Celebrity TA).

Could not select seats ourselves prior to check in but  then found out each time we had  already 2 seats assigned beside each other with extra legroom, which normally cost extra.

On 8/18/2022 at 1:09 AM, Cruise Gopher said:

I’m just so nervous to try this with such a large amount. I want to cash out almost $800 of OBC so I know in this scenario I’d have to bet $80 worth (I guess I’ll need to keep track of my bets each spin to make sure I hit $80?). 

You don t have to use everything at once.  I did in instalments, 50 $ at a time. On ships where you load directly from seapass to slotmachines, there are different amounts to tap , ie 100, 50, 20 and I believe even $5, bigger amounts possibly, but did not pay attention to those.  On older ships, were you have to go to cashier, you can choose different amounts as you like.

Anyway I experienced that you can practically cash out everything even if you play very little - provided it was not bought with a promo, in which case you can only cash out any winnings.

On 2/22/2022 at 4:29 AM, Jim_Iain said:

Explain more as I'm not sure I understand.   If I were to charge $100 on a slot machine to my room key and don't play the slots and cash out via a ticket --- Wouldn't it go back to my NR OBC?

 

My understanding was I can only get back cash for winnings.

On Beyond you could put in your seapass and transfer directly from room account (using the OBC or against charge to CC at end) to slotmachine. Anything left after cashing out voucher on slot machine (even if only little $ were played), was paid out in cash by casino cashier.

On Reflection last week, you had to go to casino cashier who made 2 slips : one to sign for charge to room, one voucher to put into slot machine.

The promo I booked before Reflection cruise (did not try this on Beyond) ie 50 $ of the OBC gave me 55$ to use : These I could not cash at all, only any winnings.

However any voucher bought without promo, ie 50$ of room charge OBC or not, gave 50$ voucher which could be cashed practically entirely, only had to be run through a slot machine once (as per tip from cashier) before going back to casino cashier who paid out the real $ in cash.

Hope it is somewhat clear ?

Have lots of experience as we had lots of non refundable OBC on both ships.

@swigso : On Reflection nothing loaded to card, only vouchers to shove in machine.

We were told by guest relations that there are 1600 pax, ie 50 pct capacity.  But next cruise in USA will be full.

@canderson : many cabins have single occupancy.

@Jazbo

your comments are spot on.  We concur with your observations.  We are enjoying the relaxing cruise, but it is by far not like it used to be 🫣

On Reflection since couple of hours.  Disappointed about “refresh” : still old and partly dirty upholstery/carpet in concierge room with faux leather parts badly damaged.  Did not even have deep clean : cupboards with finger prints, smears and the occasional hair.

But I won t let it spoil my cruise.  Not worth raising a fuzz about it, just a bit of  own elbow grease and then I know what has been done.

Lucky I brought some cleaning cloths and disinfectant (though I caught some flak about it at airport security as it was in my handluggage,but was OK after testing).

Ship is nicely decorated for Halloween.

Lots of relatively new crew on board,  being instructed or having to check back.

We want to rent car after returning from cruise in Port of Miami.

What is best option : is there a rental place close to the Port or better to get a car at Miami International Airport ?

Are there car rental shuttles to pick you up ?  Is it better/faster to take taxi or book ships shuttle to airport ?.   Are there usually long waits for cabs ?  We would arrive on a Saturday.

Thanks for input.  
We have never been able to book directly with Celebrity US as we are non US residents.  We can make bookings on board, but they have to be transferred to agency.

Now as this is past final payment, normally you need to pay immediately and booking can no longer be transferred I have learned on this board.

So you see my quandary.

I would not be doing it for OBC and it is only a 5 day cruise.  And it is not a real B2B as it starts a day later on another X ship.  We can just not really be sure if we can really go on next cruise until we are already on the TA, we might have to come home earlier and then we would lose the payment for the 2nd cruise.

Well maybe I can make booking by phone call or email to agency from ship.

Considering booking  a next cruise with X which starts one day after arriving on TA in FLL, however as we are not sure yet if we can make the 2nd cruise (some issues out of our control), how long can we wait before booking ?
Could we still book on board TA and what is final day to book before start of next cruise ? How long is turn around from booking onboard to our agency ? As non US citizen we can not book directly with Celebrity USA, therefore booking needs to be transferred to US or German agency, unless they make an exception when onboard.  
Has somebody done something similar ?

We have to decide :

book before leaving on TA and risk not being able to go on this (almost) back to back with other X ship,

or wait until onboard with the risk that booking and transfer to agency is then no longer possible.

ps German agency does not know either and I have no contact name with the big box US agency used in past because of staff turnover and difficulties reaching someone knowledgeable or someone at all via phone (long waiting time).

thanks for advice 

Is there a difference between Elite minute and alway included minute, eg re speed,  accessibility, wider range etc ?

18 minutes ago, upwarduk said:

If sailing from Southampton the Classic limit is $11 & Premium limit is $18.

Same for all worldwide sailings (incl Transatlantic and Caribbean) according to Celebrity website .DE or .CH

7 hours ago, fenton04 said:

I failed to mention that flights by celebrity had picked our seats and they were very much an improvement over the seating on the cancelled flight.  Who knew!

In Spring we used FBC for our European flights before and after cruise.  We were also frustrated as even with the booking and ticket nr we could not make seat reservations after final payment and ticketing directly with airline although it normally is an available option, we were even willing to pay fee for more legroom, but were told FBC controls booking.  As we had to go thru our travel agency who had to contact Celebrity, we did not bother anymore. Were then pleasantly surprised at check-in to find out we got 2 of the few seats with extra legroom in our economy section on both legs.  We think thanks to FBC, without having contacted them and without surcharge.

Yes this makes sense and was what I expected.  Just became unsure as they do not offer Aqua without perks anymore.

Tonight my booked cruises  (incl one paid in full) disappeared from my account 🥵

Tried to make courtesy hold tonight via Celebrity phone call for cruise 14 Nov 2022 (was not possible online).

The Celebrity agent made reservation but was told it expires if not paid by tomorrow as there are no courtesy holds possible after final payment date.  And for same reason it can not be transferred to my normal agency anymore either.

This was completely new to me.  Is this new or was it always like that ?

If move up bid from veranda with cruise only rate to Aqua is accepted will this remain cruise only or will you get all Inklusive ?  Not clear to me as they are only selling Aqua with All Inklusive.

and what about Move up to suites ?  Will you get retreat and all perks ?

Sorry if this was already discussed before but can not find answer.

2 hours ago, SteerageJoe said:

I assume you arrive and stay at a hotel that night? Where? Do you really need a rental car? 

 

Our plan was to stay overnight close to the port of Miami.  We would use car to do some sightseeing and go shopping on the way over (leave cases in trunk).  Just found out hotel prices are rather high in that area (Brickell) and those hotels do not offer parking and the car rental is not open anymore on Sunday late afternoon, so we would be stuck with car until next morning.
Therefore now maybe consider returning car at Miami airport in evening, stay in airport area overnight and take taxi to cruiseport next day. This then would be a Monday.  Any idea how long to foresee to get from airport area to port during monday morning rushhour ?

(BTW we have never used  Uber or Lyft or installed Ap).

We are arriving in FLL on a Transatlantic and leaving next day on cruise from Miami. 
Which car rentals have port shuttle to pick up in FLL and shuttle from drop off in Miami to port ?

Some help would be welcome as booking sites indicate just car pick up in FLL airport and we know there is a location very close to Port Everglades with shuttle. And we can not find rental close to Miami port.

To complicate :  We are arriving FLL on Sunday morning

@cangelmd - hope your daughter and family can have holidays as planned and that especially the kids can enjoy 👍

The input from you and others here is much appreciated and will be taken into consideration.  At the moment we tend to stay in Florida after the cruise but will watch developments.

Again all our best wishes and much strength and optimism to all those that have been hit.

26 minutes ago, cangelmd said:

What were you planning on doing with your time in FL? Sightseeing, beaching, combination? Ever been to the Keys?

We have been several times incl one drive to Key West.  Just thought of spending couple of days in FLL/Miami area, then drive West and up along the Mexican Gulf to Tampa where we could fly back from.  A combination of beaching, sightseeing, shopping and make stops of a couple of days each; don t like to have different accomodations every night.  
Seems like we have to rethink routing.