HS2BS

We were looking forward to our fixed dining time, without the hassle of waiting in line! But, another change that Celebrity made that disregardes the dining preferences of many seasoned cruisers without any communication.

Hal

We recently embarked from Cape Liberty(Bayonne) on the Summit, and there was a separate area for special needs and as soon as the suites had boarded we did. With your own wheelchair you will still need a pusher, but you do not have to wait for on of the ship’s. This has been similar to boarding in Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, Southampton and other ports.

The Hal offer only showed up on my wife’s blue card, not on my delta platinum. Used it for a 16 day cruise next December.

Hal

Not true - there is two separate Aqua cabin types A1 &  A2, 

Hal

Our problem, as with many other cruisers in Aqua, is the overcrowding and wait time at the door. Beepers have become a regular nightly necessity as suite diners are also trying the dining in blu, even though it was supposed to open them on “room available”.

Another problem for us(need an accessible cabin) is the existence of only one cabin on M class ships - way in the aft(9164) away from the elevators without an electronic door opener to the cabin. 
 

Hal

After you checked in, you will receive by email from Celebrity “prepare for your boarding day”, this has all the information needed.

Hal

Shareholder obc is non refundable - your folio shows both refundable and non refundable. You can use the non refundable pre cruise to purchase excursions, specialty dining, etc.

Hal

Just off Sky Princess(September 3) and had a very large obc - $350 was non refundable which we used up, the rest was refundable. We left the ship with over a thousand in refundable, and that was after going to guest services and withdrawing $250(Princess limit). Did receive final folio total via email showing refundable amount to be credited to credit card.

Hal

Does Royal Caribbean still pay obc if you own 100 shares? Also, do they allow stacking, such as other obc offered for booking?

Hal

Beware - the Sapphire Princess sailing on March 4, 2023 is one day off, should be March 5, 2023 which we are booked on.

Hal

This is what another post asked! Remember that capacity is moving up very quickly and that means more passengers getting off at the same time going to the airport.

We just booked Celebrity air for an 11:50 flight and feel confident that we will be able to have breakfast, leave the ship, pass thru the terminal, get a taxi, and arrive at the airport without stressing.

Hal

Also remember that ships are not at full capacity, so what happened yesterday is not what will happen next week, month, year. Weekends have numerous ships docking and disembarking tens of thousands of passengers - most heading to the airport.

I’m sure that many will remember a time when there was a backup in the terminal for many reasons; not enough personal or agents etc. First, last or in between- book the later flight and have a nice relaxing day stress free.

Hal

I correct myself, the accessible cabin in Aqua is 9164(middle aft on deck 9) not 9146. Jim, I followed your review when you were on and you did a great job! 
The missing electronic door does make it difficult to get into or out of the cabin without help. Why Celebrity “cheaper out” on the door during renovations doesn’t make it any more convenient for people with disabilities.

Hal

In the past, we have had both 7141 & 7141, and in June we have 7137 - all are the same(pre renovation ). In May of 23 we have 7141 again,  my wife’s wheelchair is a full size and easily able to turn around near the bathroom. 
On our two cruise in fall of 2019(pre & post renovation) we had cabin 9146, accessible Aqua, and there was not an electronic door opener; maybe someone knows if the other cabins had it installed, very difficult to exit cabin.

Hal

We were on the Summit both prior to refurbishment and then after to see the difference - quite dramatic. Brighter matched colors and of course all the furnishings were fresh and new.

Hal

The(BA) assigned us seating as soon as we gave Celebrity Air enough to cover the tickets. Our BA flight is in September, but my problem is to see available seating.

Hal

I looked at that, but Seatguru does not give available live seating. BA is the only (that I’ve flown) airline that the vacant seating chart is not available on line to view. Hal

We had booked (EWR TO FCO & LHR TO EWR two separate cruises) with Celebrity Air weeks ago and we’re told by the airlines that we could not pick seats because the tickets were not issued. The representative from Celebrity air said that either a payment(fcc in our case) was made to cover tickets cost or final payment they don’t issue tickets. We’ll, since we have a number of fcc we made a substantial dent to the bill.

United issued seats(not our choice) that we called and choose different seating - two aisle seats, nice and cooperative. But, on British Airways I could not find the seating chart to see available seating, though the rep assured me that we had two aisle seats in row 31.

Hal

Your not alone, in the next 15 months we have 9 cruises already booked to add to our 70+ completed. The longest we did was a rt from La to the Pacific on Crown Princess(one cruise), but longer if consecutive counts.

Hal

Like runningtide, we have a ta that has a small independent office,  but is backed by a large on-line agency. She always responds to questions or calls us back in a reasonable time. Last week we had two final payments due(Millennium 5/3 & Summit 6/2), on both we were able to save a combined amount of $1800 because she checked prices again and again. On Saturday, the price of another cruise(Beyond 10/26) changed and she was able to secure the new price.

In the past we used that big on-line box store in New Hampshire, but no one there is available on weekends, holidays or after hours - our is. Perks are about the same.

Hal

I used a companion certificate 3 weeks ago for a round trip for a friend(2 tickets) from JFK to PBI on line for next week - no problems.

Hal

Which ship are you on and when?

Hal

All airlines have an accessible department just call and ask for an seat that is on the aisle to make it easier to be seated.

Hal

My wife has used this service for years and found that the “pusher” in the terminal is not always a Celebrity employee and has to hand off after getting to the elevator at boarding staging area. Then a staff person will push you up the boarding ramp and to what ever destination you want. Use your judgment based on how steep the ramps are and if you have to tip one or more “pushers”.
Make sure you have made arrangements with Celebrity to have a wheelchair waiting for you in our cabin(or make arrangements for a scooter). Consider your wife’s capabilities to be your pusher and how much you will be able to use your arms. - not easy on a ship’s carpet and other obstacles.

Hal

Then I must be using the right ta - we made final payment on Thursday for our 5/3 Millennium cruise and then she notified us that there was a price drop - Friday when the new sale started another price change(after final payment within 24 hours) ta called Celebrity and difference of $900 back to cc.

Our Summit cruise on 6/2 also had final payment yesterday, 3/4, and a price reduction - today, Saturday, there is another price reduction. I contacted our ta and within an hour a new confirmation was done. That’s the difference a small independent agent makes - always available.

Hal