brfan

Pretty galling that anyone would defend what you experienced or tell you to "get over it." Once would be bad enough, but more than once is inexcusable. I agree that the best course of action would be a letter to the corporate office including your suggestions on how it could have been handled. It's definitely something they should stress to their crew with some training edicts. It would have been much easier for them to handle their suspicions had they either asked for your Seapass card or room number like they do in dozens of other settings rather than jumping straight to an assumption based on your ethnicity.

While I agree it could have been handled a lot better. However I'm not sure about the Casino situation. If some random crew member asks me for my card or my room number I would want to know why. Especially if all I'm doing is playing the slot machine. Maybe it's because I'm female, I would never give some stranger (even if he's crew) my room number without a valid reason.

Perhaps a better method would be to strike up a conversation and ask questions that could easily tell the crew member that you are passenger. Things like have you cruised with Celebrity before, etc.

Now for the medical situation, I would expect to be asked for my card or for my room number.

IMHO This is where the system falls down - Imagine Ann and Brad are married, and do tons of cruises and are D+ members.

The marriage breaks down and Brad moves in with Clare who has done one or two cruises in the past. Register at the same address and bingo, Clare immediately inherits Brad's status at D+.

Things don't work out between Brad and Clare and she moves on to live with Fred, who has done one cruise and is a Gold member, and, now, Fred will inherit Clare's D+ status which she in turn got from Brad..........

 

Yes it is only status.....but it is status that gets you the benefits on board, and if Clare and Fred have no desire to get higher in the programme then they can cruise quite happily on the back of the hard earnt points of Ann and Brad..... Fred can be D+ with 7 points.

And when Clare dumps Fred and moves on to George.........

 

you get the picture.:eek::rolleyes:

I don't think it works that way. The person with the lower status only gets the higher status when they are in the same cabin as their spouse. If Clare goes on a cruise without Brad, even if they are still together she won't get the D+ status unless she's earned it herself. So unless Clare is sharing a cabin with Brad, she won't have the D+ status nor will any other person she has a relationship with (unless they are already D+). When Clare leaves Brad she will have whatever status she's earned, and not keep Brad's status. At least that's my understanding.

I would also imagine that Royal would need proof that both parties share the same address and perhaps how long to prove the common law relationship before linking their memberships.

:confused: I don't recall there being a cosmetics store on any of the Celebrity ships, but perhaps I just missed it. I guess there could be a few cosmetics tucked in the sundries shop. There were perfume shops at one time. I can't say they are still there, however. I really don't do much shopping when onboard.

There's a cosmetic/perfume shop still there, at least on the Eclipse. On deck 5 down from the World Class Bar (or Molecular Bar). However I didn't pay attention to the brands of cosmetics sold there.

They put it on every piece of steak I got. Some people might like it but I like my steak with just salt and pepper nothing else.

Did you ask to no have gravy or have it on the side? I'm sure they would have had no problem doing that.

Has anyone checked out the pricing for the new Studio Ocean View staterooms for the new itineraries? I'm pretty sure they're wrong.

For example the April 29, 2017 cruise:

Regular OV with single supplement is $2881.00 CAD

Studio OV is $5209.00 CAD

Who is going to pay that for a smaller cabin, especially when for another $200 or so they could get a junior suite. :eek:

I'm booked on 22 April and have a Studio OV and was thinking about doing the 29 April cruise as well. My price for the Studio OV for the 22nd April cruise is $1555.00 CAD. I understand with the exchange rate changing and supply and demand for the limited number of these cabins that the 29 April price would likely be higher (maybe around $2000-$2200), but over $5000 is ridiculous.

It almost looks like they put a single supplement on the single supplement (for regular OV cabin) on a cabin category that isn't supposed to have a single supplement.

There seems to be some weird pricing. I'm checking the Harmony for 29 April (I'm booked on the 22 April and thought may doing a back to back). For the April 22nd cruise I have a studio ocean view, so I checked the price for the April 29th cruise and it's: $5206.00 CAD :eek: And I just noticed that the regular ocean view cabins are showing the same price whether you put one person or two people. I checked a couple of the other categories (eg. suite) and the price isn't being adjusted from 2 people to 1 person.

What, you mean all of these folks that swear that booking when itineraries first come out nets the best prices might be wrong? :cool:

Or maybe Royal has caught on and changed their pricing for the newly released itineraries.

I booked the Harmony TA the day it came out and the price has skyrocketed since.

Some of the 2018 Caribbean cruises have been released. Just booked a southern on the Adventure in a Jr Suite. It was less than a balcony!

Did you book online or through Royal? Hopefully that isn't an error in the pricing. When the Transatlantics were released there was some funky pricing the first day. For example when I priced the Serenade TA for solo it halved the price rather than doubling it. I'm wondering if I had booked it would Royal have let me keep that price (just over $2000 CAD for an inside) or made me pay the actual (around $3900 CAD)?

The OP asked a completely legitimate question, which can be easily answered in a few words by anyone who has suffered through these shows.

 

In two words "They're lousy"

 

BTW I am referring to the shows that were current on the Eclipse December 18 2015-January 10 2016

I think people just need to see the shows for themselves to make a decision on whether they like them or not. I was on the Eclipse for the Jan 24th show and really enjoyed the 4 new shows. I thought Topper was one of the best shows I've seen on a cruise and I wasn't the only one who felt that way. After reading the reviews of how lousy it was before going on the ship I wasn't sure I would go see it, but I'm glad I did and can't understand the negativity about that particular show.

Never cruised from Jacksonville, and only twice from Miami years ago.

I believe the sign in Miami is something like only tip if the service warrants it, it doesn't say do not tip.

Hopefully everything is okay. I had a similar email sent to me a couple of years ago. The email looked like Celebrity had cancelled my cruise but when I investigated it (after freaking out) I found out it was just a specialty restaurant booking that their system had cancelled and my cruise was okay.

Terrific move by Celebrity to cap at two the number of elegant chic nights! More than enough!

 

It's clear that some cruisers are still unaware of Celebrity's elimination of formal nights / formal wear requirements, so as the news continues to spread, the level of formal wear still on display should thankfully continue to decline.

I'm not sure I understand what you mean by "the level of formal wear still on display should thankfully continue to decline"? Does it bother you if others dress up?

We LOVED Topper!!! We saw it while on our January cruise on the Eclipse and are looking forward to seeing it again. I, too, don't understand why so many thought it was horrible. The singers were very talented and did an amazing job.

 

How did you learn of the Tuscan Grille/Murano lunches? Did you book in advance? It's something we'd love to try. We usually eat dinner in Tuscan on embarkation night and really enjoy it but I've read they've changed their menu. Hoping they still have the 'lobster alfredo'!

I did the galley tour and they handed out a pamphlet that listed all the culinary events during the cruise and the lunches were mentioned. On the day the lunch was scheduled was also mentioned in the daily listing of what was available for lunch. I did make reservations ahead of time, but when I went at noon (for both) there wasn't that many people there so I'm guessing you might be able to walk up. However that would depend on how popular it is cruise to cruise. The menus are pared down, for example only had 3 entrees listed, so it's not the full menu that you would get at dinner. Unfortunately I can't remember what was on the menu now.

If there is no place other than the casino to get "refundable" cash, I would agree. I don't think that is likely. People are still able to get cash from Guest Relations. Even if it was, extra tips can still be allocated from your on board account and credits can still be played in the casino.

I only thought you could get cash from guest relations on the last day? That wouldn't work if you purchased OBC from Celebrity (therefore refundable) because of a better exchange rate for the purpose of using it for the casino and extra tips.

Advance notice for what? The rules have not changed, they have just found a way to keep people from circumventing them.

That would be fine if it just applied to those with unspent non-refundable OBC. However from the posts I'm reading it sound like they aren't giving cash at the casino to anyone whether they have OBC or not or am I misreading?

Perhaps Celebrity should find a way to update their accounting system to not deduct cash advances from non-refundable OBC and that would solve the issue. I can't imagine it would be that difficult to do.

As was already mentioned Damian was the CD but became ill during the cruise and had to leave the ship for medical care. I hope he is OK. Not sure who replaced him.

When was this as I saw Damian at all the shows in the theatre and the dance parties towards the end of the cruise (Reigning Rocks, 70's party)? Perhaps you are thinking of someone else?

Thanks for the review can you post the head Staff please. Who was CD ??.

 

Looking forward to being on Eclipse again in few weeks.

The CD was Damien (I can't remember his last name). I thought he was very good.

I was also on that cruise and agree with everything the OP said. I wasn't in Aqua, so ate in the MDR (Select) and found the food to be very good.

I was a little worried about the way a lot of posters hated Topper, but decided to go to see for myself and found it to be one of the best shows I've ever seen on a cruise. I'm not sure why so many have said they didn't like it. In fact, for me the shows (both production and guest) were the highlight of this cruise.

As far as Evening Chic (or whatever it's called) is concerned I also agree there was a mix. There was one gentleman that sat at the table beside the one I was and he wore a tux most evenings. One thing I wanted to mention as it was talked about in one of the many Evening Chic threads regarding the waiters. At least on Eclipse they are not wearing formal uniforms on Evening Chic nights. They wore their usual non formal uniforms the entire 2 weeks. Not that it matters, but I do recall it being discussed.

I did try Tuscan Grill and Murano's for lunch (they had one lunch on the last two sea days - Tuscan Grill on the Friday and Murano's on Saturday). In my opinion the best lunch (and possibly the best meal of the entire cruise) was the lunch at Tuscan Grill.

One clarification about the reason for the 5% fee for using credits or otherwise cashing out in the casino:

 

If I understand things correctly, the reason Celebrity does this is not as if its some sort of arbitrary fee to get a little extra revenue. Remember that OBC has been paid for by credit card in the first place, directly or as part of the cruise payment. There is no casino in the world that I know of that will let you get cash with a credit card and then play dollar for dollar. The reason is that their profit, which comes from the house advantage that they must have to make money, would be greatly reduced if not eliminated by the fee they pay to the credit card company; in most cases, casinos are cash only operations for that reason. Similarly, if you buy something in a normal store with a cc and return it, they don't usually give you cash back -- they credit your cc, which allows them to recoup the cc charge they have paid. X does the same thing for any overage in your account.

 

If you go to the cage in the casino on ship and get cash from your account, this effectively comes from from funds X got off your credit card. Even if it's perk credit, you've still paid for your cruise with a credit card. So I think that's the real reason for the 5% fee when using OBC to get cash in the casino. Simply a necessary business decision similar to any casino.

I find it interesting that Royal Caribbean does not charge the 5% for anyone with a cash account. I had hoped that Celebrity did likewise, but they don't.

I am considering booking a cruise on the Summit departing this Saturday!!! the 23rd and looking at flying from Toronto to Miami and then on to San Juan. Surely this won't be a problem? Or am I being naive!?!?

There shouldn't be any problems as Toronto isn't impacted by the storm. However, I would suggest flying either Air Canada or West Jet as American based airlines may not be able to fly to Toronto due to the storm, depending where they may originate.

I just got off the Summit yesterday and they showed us the commercial one evening in the Celebrity Theatre before a show. I consider myself a loyal Celebrity cruiser, but did not like it at all. There was nothing that showed me what modern luxury was calling me to. Ironically, I watched a two couples frolicking on the beach in St. Lucia and told them they should be the footage for the Celebrity commercial. They said they hated it too and certainly didn't think it would convince anyone, loyal or newbies, to cruise with Celebrity. I think they need a new ad agency!

I asked a friend of mine, who isn't a cruiser, prefers all inclusives, what he thought of the ad and if it would make him consider booking a cruise with Celebrity.

His response - the ad is stupid and no he would not book a Celebrity cruise based on this ad.

Has anyone shown this ad to their friends/family who don't view cruising as a vacation choice or cruise with other lines and asked if the ad has changed their mind, even a little about cruising or Celebrity? If the goal of the ad is to get non-cruisers or non-celebrity cruisers to pick celebrity than a positive response will show the ad is working. People who already cruise on celebrity, likely don't need an ad to have them book a cruise with Celebrity.

I think feedback from the above would be far more telling of the advertisement campaign then Celebrity cruisers arguing over if it is a good or bad ad when the ad isn't aimed at those already hooked on Celebrity.

Here is a picture of the sign on Connie:

 

 

Could one not get a slot machine credit, take one pull and then cash out???

 

Have they reprogrammed the machines to be smart enough to realize if it is OBC and not allow it to be cashed out ??? Seems unlikely:)

How does the casino know that you have OBC? For example if I go to the casino and ask for $200 on my account. Will they swipe my card and say oh you have an OBC (assuming they can actually see that information) here's your slot ticket or oh you don't have any OBC, here's your cash?

Another question if all they will be giving out is the slot ticket (I don't play tables so don't want chips), can you ask for smaller denominations? For example if I want $200, can I get 10 - $20 tickets?

Miaminice, the paper receipt replaces the stamp ;)! You´re supposed to keep that with your passport.

 

First I saw those kiosks in MIA we were already lined up at the regular booths. We we "returned" a couple of months later we arrived at a different terminal and the kiosks were for US only :o. None for ESTA in that terminal.

 

brfan, there was definitely a passport control in Barcelona in 2014. And of course the Italians are supposed to control the passports too and stamp them. If you don´t have a stamp you´re acutally an illegal alien. How should a German police officer know that you do have a Schengen visa when you don´t have a stamp in your passport? There is no Schengen area wide computer system for visa.

 

Anyway if you arrive by plane there is a passport control. And you get your stamp at the first country of entry (so if you change planes in Frankfurt to Rome/Barcelona you get your stamp in Frankfurt).

 

steamboats

I have no idea about Barcelona since I haven't taken a transatlantic that ends there. I was just explaining my experience when I did the TA that ended in Rome and unless the passport control officers were hiding there wasn't anyone around that I could see. I had expected some kind of customs/immigration as I had only taken cruises that ended in the US previously so was looking for where to go, but there wasn't anything.

Now I did do a back-to-back out of Barcelona - 7 night Med and 13 night transatlantic and I didn't have to get off the ship between cruises.

There is a passport control and customs! On the Oasis TA in 2015 we had a first stop in Malaga without any controls. But at our final destination (Barcelona) there was a passport control and customs. Being German I only got my passport checked. All other non-EU citizens had to join another line for getting their visa. Customs is usually right after you pick up your luggage and leave the building. You might not really recognize it as you can walk through.

 

I´ve never heard about any "electronic visa". Passport control checks your passport and this includes "sliding" it at their computers. But nothing is saved. Your personal information is checked. You still need to get a stamp in your passport. Local authorities do have a right to check your visa too and they are not connected to any computer system having your entry data. Therefore you definitely need a stamp!

 

Although with ESTA when I enter the US I still get a stamp in my passport also telling me the date how long I can stay. And despite the fact that the US is saving my data including a photo and fingerprints.

 

steamboats

No passport control in Rome (Civitavecchia). I ended a transatlantic there a couple of years ago and there was no passport control. I just got off the ship, grabbed my luggage and left.

When you enter any of the European Union / Schengen countries, you pass through the border controlls. If you wish, they stamp your passport - otherwise most times they don´t... and that´s it.

 

This is misleading and potentially dangerous. As a US citizen (and this applies to many others), when you first enter the Schengen Zone (no matter in which of 26 Schengen countries this occurs) you are required to get a Schengen entry stamp in your passport. If you do not get this entry stamp you are illegally present and subject to arrest or other legal action. This entry stamp allows you to stay and travel anywhere within the Schengen Zone for up to 90 days with no further stamp being needed. When you leave the Schengen Zone you are required to get a Schengen exit stamp; failure to get this stamps will result in you being deemed to have overstayed when 90 days have passed,and can great complicate your future reentry into Schengen. Some border officials (more likely in southern Europe) may be lax in stamping your passport; it is YOUR responsibility to see that this is done. The exit official doing his job will make sure you have an entry stamp and have not overstayed; if you do not have an entry stamp I can virtually guarantee you that if your Schengen departure is from a German airport you will be delayed until they sort it out (not fun to miss your flight home and then eventually have to purchase a full fare ticket:eek:).

 

Note that you can stay in the EU and still be required to get stamps. As an example if you go from London to Paris this will involve entering Schengen at the French border.

 

Thom

How are you supposed to get your passport stamped if you arrive via a transatlantic as there's no customs or immigration at the port to stamp your passport?