El Crucero

We are veteran cruisers and this is just our opinion and preferences.

Of the Premium Cruise Lines (as defined by Gary Bembridge) we rate them as follows:

1. Celebrity
2. HAL
3. Princess

We rate Celebrity heads and tails above the other two, but they all have their pros and cons.  Having said that, we have started cruising more on HAL than Celebrity for the following reason.  The worst part of any cruise for us, living in Southern California, are the long, uncomfortable flights to get to distant departure points and the return home.  Consequently, we prefer a cruise that begins and/or ends in California.  A few years ago, Celebrity started to abandon the California market,  for example they no longer offer a Hawaii roundtrip beginning and ending in California (yes, there are still a few, but we are tired of California Coastal cruises).  HAL still serves the California market out of San Diego.  Therefore, we we are taking more cruises with HAL.  HAL is not our first choice as far as our cruise experience, but we always have fun on HAL and it is more than adequate.  YMMV.

Sometimes, Celebrity will give discounts on drinks and/or dining packages the first day (I have seen it).  But don't count on it, it is very rare when it happens.  You will see staff in the atrium area on embarkation selling packages.  Just ask them if they have any discounts available.  If not (which is usually the case for drink packages) just fork over the full amount on your SeaPass card.  What you can usually get on embarkation is a discount at a specialty restaurant the first night only.

You have just discovered what most of us have known for years!  Soak it in!

1 hour ago, wrk2cruise said:

The cost can be covered by any seapass card provided.  We have dined with suite guest multiple times and have always paid the cover with our non suite card.

That has not been our experience so I guess it just depends.

4 hours ago, CHEZMARYLOU said:

II was told on another site that as long as Luminae is not busy you can pay to go to dinner there. 

 

Just because you read it on the Internet doesn't necessarily make it true.  Non-suite guests can eat in Luminae but only as an invited guest of a suite passenger on a space available basis, and the cost is billed to the suite account.

About 5 years ago, DW and I along with another couple from Kent, England rented a car in Nanaimo, BC for a day excursion on our own.  This was on a Friday and we didn't realize it was a 3 day Canadian holiday, - Sat. to Mon.  We got caught in horrific Friday afternoon holiday traffic and we realized we were not going to make it to the ship on time!  Fortunately, I had the emergency number for Celebrity in Miami and called them.  They said they couldn't make any promises but they would notify the Captain of the ship.  After turning in the car, we arrived at the ship 20 minutes late, waving our arms and running like hello.  We scrambled aboard sweating and out of breath and they literally pulled the gangway up behind us.  The ship gave a toot and the thrusters were activated and we were away from the dock.  The security staff at the top of the gangway was laughing and said,  "I see someone needs a drink.......in the Martini bar!"  We all went to the silent disco that night and frankly we probably overdid the martinis a bit, a lot.

We were very embarrassed and truly sorry that we inconvenienced so may people.  To all those who have ever had to wait for late arriving passengers, we sincerely apologize.  No more rental cars for us in an unfamiliar port.  We learned our lesson the hard way.

35 minutes ago, MrCoachRentz said:

they told me I could upgrade to either AQ or Concierge for $70/person.  

In this case take AQ!  We love Blu.  Menu changes every day on a 14 day rotation (last time we tried it).  Breakfast in your own private dining room with table service is wonderful.  AQ stateroom locations are fine.  The only problem is, once you try AQ you will not want to go back to a veranda room again.

2 hours ago, LGW59 said:

Just curious, does anyone really ask fellow passengers on board what they paid?  

I would never ask someone what they paid, but some guests love to brag about the deal that they got.  I find those people irritating because they are rude.  I have received a couple of perks in the past for various reasons.  I never asked for them, Celebrity volunteered them to me.  They asked that I keep it confidential and I did.  I just enjoyed my good fortune.

8 hours ago, CoatRackOfDoom said:

 My budget covers an inside cabin rather than a suite, LOL.

When the lights are out, all staterooms look exactly the same.

We think TransOceanic cruises are so much fun, with all kinds of things to do onboard.  I doubt you will spend much time, if any, in your stateroom during the day.

Happy Anniversary!

Simmer down.  Celebrity is trying to get back to "normal" as soon as possible under very difficult conditions.  Things are in chaos right now, but they will figure it out.  Just be patient,  better days are coming.

If I can't cruise on Celebrity, I'm not sure I want to be cruising!

Our excellent virtual TA called me a couple of days ago and said that our TransPacific on Solstice - Seattle, Alaska, to Tokyo (Yokohama) in September , 2021 has been cancelled.  We had already made our final payment for a Sky Suite.  We elected to "Flip and Switch" to the same itinerary and Sky Suite on the Solstice in September, 2022.  We will actually be getting about a $20 refund because port taxes are lower next year for some reason.  BUT Aqua and Suite staterooms are completely sold out for that specific 2022 TP.  We got the LAST suite available in any class on that itinerary.  Thank you cruising gods and THANK YOU TA!!!

My excellent virtual TA takes care of all these issues for me.  I don't need to think twice about it, she does all the work.

9 hours ago, marie61 said:

The big takeaway:  did anyone else notice how THIN everybody is?

Which part of the body?

Well, it depends.  If we have tons of OBC, we tend to eat more often in specialty restaurants.  If not we are perfectly happy to eat exclusively in Luminae.  AND if we are on a 7 day cruise we may eat once in a specialty.  But we try to book minimum 14 day cruises (even if B2B) and then we may eat 3 to 5 times in a specialty. AND then it depends on the ship.  More specialty options on S class then M class.  It just depends.

I talked to my EXCELLENT TA yesterday afternoon.  Yes, Canada is apparently shut down for at least the rest of the year due to Covid for embarkation/debarkation.  However she reported that Celebrity has just been given a temporary exemption to compliance with the Passenger Services Act by the U.S. government and therefore all cruises embarking in Vancouver B.C (and I assume other Canadian ports) will be switched to Seattle (or other appropriate U.S. port).

Often a large travel agency or credit card company or time share company will reserve a large block of rooms on a particular sailing and then offer those staterooms with a promotional discount.  At some point they release any unsold rooms back to the cruise line as the time approaches 'final payment date.'

On one of our ill-fated Princess cruises, a certain religious sect/organization booked/chartered a large number of rooms.  They were everywhere trying to proselytize the non-believers, tables in the common areas selling paraphernalia, and just general loud, rude behavior.  I found the experience unpleasant and hope not to repeat it again.

We are booked for a 16 day TP on the Millie in a Sky Suite this September 2021, Vancouver - Alaska - Tokyo.  Anyone else?  We were on the Millie in a Sky Suite on the same TP three years ago and LOVED the ship, captain, and crew and all the guest friends we made!  But that was before she was Solsticized, Revolutionized, and refurbished in 2019.  This will be our first time in the Retreat and September can't come soon enough.  A little birdie told me that if Vancouver is not Covid open by then, embarkation will be in Seattle.  Quien sabe?

3 hours ago, Gracie115 said:

 

I think the point was that SHIP TRAVELER, like me doesn't want to carry anything around the ship.  I have small purses that could be used for this purpose too but just like the freedom of carrying nothing.  Thankfully my DH will carry his if we truly need to do so but I don't intend to have it attached to me unless absolutely necessary.

My DW feels exactly the same way!  She mostly wears clothing with no pockets, truly "resort casual" and she looks elegant.  She refuses to wear a lanyard around her neck or something on her wrist or carry a mini-purse or a fanny pack on her waist.  She is perfectly happy with her SeaPass card which I carry for her in my pants pocket.  Her cell phone remains locked up in the stateroom safe where she won't forget it.

1 hour ago, ExArkie said:

Maybe I'm missing something - the butler reported that the best suite value was Celebrity Suite, starboard side, on Millennium class. We were in that suite (for a great price) on a Millennium transpacific a few years back (pre-Revolution). What confuses me is that ALL of the Celebrity Suites on that ship were on the starboard side. The elevator bank occupied the corresponding location on the port side. Did that change?

You  are missing his point.  In his opinion, ALL suite staterooms of any category and any staterooms are better on the starboard side for the reasons given, in his opinion.

I tried to L&S to an A.I. cruise.  No dice on the A.I. perk.  I got to keep all my included perks on the first cruise at the same price.  However if I wanted the A.I. perk, I would have to pay the new prevailing rate on the new cruise and lose all my existing perks.

1 hour ago, cangelmd said:

We have a Celeb Suite for our August cruise, don't know which side and it's on Equinox, but doesn't really matter.

According to our butler it does matter.  He says that in his several years service on Celebrity, they dock in any port more often on the port side than the starboard side.  Therefore, more noise, commotion, and less privacy on the port side.  This advice applies to all staterooms, not just suites.  I don't have enough cruises to verify this.

1 hour ago, Denny01 said:

And the other piece of Great Help is the Lobster Roll on Embarkation Day!!! Wow, Can I get 2?!?

In Luminae, you can get as many as you want.  Don't spread this around, but I know someone (who shall remain nameless) who became very good friends with the Luminae maitre'd.  He requested lobster roll on a day not on the menu, but a day in advance.  Voila!  TWO lobster rolls showed up on his luncheon plate the next day as he sat down.  What's not to like?

4 minutes ago, cangelmd said:

OK, can't leave that one! I know which one I think might be best value, but what was his opinion? We gotta know.

Celebrity Suite starboard side (Millennium class ships).  Now I've ruined it for me getting a future reservation!

42 minutes ago, CruzC2C said:

We will be on the Edge this summer in a Sky Suite, this will be our first time on a Celebrity Cruise.  We are a little confused regarding the All Inclusive Suites and Specialty Restaurants on the Edge.  Other cruise lines we have sailed on that are "All Inclusive" allowed us to eat at any of the Specialty Restaurant without an additional cost, is this the same on the Edge?  Is the Edge a true "All Inclusive" for suite passengers or just in the Retreat?  Would appreciate some clarification regarding the Specialty Restaurants.

All suites include the Retreat.  Sky suites do not include complimentary specialty restaurants.  But you do get included OBC.  You can use that to dine in specialty restaurants if you wish.  But many suite guests are very satisfied to eat in included Luminae exclusively.

19 minutes ago, NanaPam00 said:

We are sailing in our first suite in July. Do we tip in the Retreat Lounge, and if so, how?

It is certainly not necessary but most suite guests do.  You will see what I mean after your experience in a suite.  The staff gives you the very best in service, above and beyond anything I have experienced elsewhere.  Suite staff work very hard for you.  Although gratuities are included with the suite, we always try to be generous to the staff on the last night as a way to say, "thank you, can I take you home with me?"  Our butler in our first suite personally authorized a very late departure for us so that he could show us every category of suite stateroom on that ship.  The rooms were being cleaned but no matter, everyone had left.  He told us which suite stateroom was the best value and why it was the best (no it was not the most expensive suite).  This guy was fantastic!  Memories that last forever.