RCI cruiser has X questions, please

[39august]

We want very much to try a Celebrity cruise, but I have some questions for you X cruisers. First, we always book aft balcony cabins. Are there any aft cabins that are not in the Concierge catagory? Does Celebrity offer periodic senior, resident and/or military rates? If so, is the military rate for those who have served a minimun of 2 years active duty with an honorable discharge, or only active or retired military? I see from comments that X honors price drops, so that is the same as RCI. On ships with the thalassotherapy(sp) pool, is that free if you are Elite? A friend who was just on a Celebrity cruise said she "heard" that Celebrity is going to further expand Elite perks. Does anyone know anything about that? The Elite perks are so much better than Diamond + on RCI (except for the additional 1.5 hrs. of free drinks offered) that I can't imagine even more perks! The one reason we have not yet sailed X is the RCI balcony discount of $100 pp for 6-9 night cruises. RCI's cruises that we have booked since fall of 2008 have been so inexpenisve with this discount included that X has been consistanly several hundred dollars more. Hoping that when fares begin to go up again, as I have seen lately, maybe we can find an X cruise for only a little more than an RCI cruise. Any other tips or comments are welcome.

[cruzeluver]

I can only answer a couple of your questions, but I'm certain some others will be along to contribute.

 

I do know residency discounts are occasionally offered. We got one last year.

 

The thelassotherapy pool is complimentary to everyone on Millennium and Solstice class ships. On the Century and Mercury they are complimentary for Elites and those booked in suites. All others pay.

 

We love X, and I'm sure you will too.

[Gonzo70]

The thelassotherapy pool is complimentary to everyone on Millennium and Solstice class ships. On the Century and Mercury they are complimentary for Elites and those booked in suites. All others pay.

 

Actually Solstice Class ships do not have a thalassotherapy pool. I think Century's was removed during the refurbish, not 100% sure. Also, on ships that have them, Elite are allowed a one day pass on a port day.

 

To answer a couple other questions, not all aft balconies are concierge class; it varies ship-by-ship. The Celebrity web site has deck plans for all their ships, so you can check out what category the aft staterooms are on various ships. The M-Class ship's aft balconies are particularly desireable because they are significantly larger than the C-Class and S-Class aft balconies.

 

As the above poster said, Celebrity does have periodic resident rates/military rates etc. You just have to keep checking the web site and hope for them to appear. I caught a residency rate on my last X cruise. They have the same policy as Royal so far as price drops.

 

My first few cruises were on Royal, but now I am hooked on X. Although I enjoyed Royal, I personally feel that X puts out a higher quality product for about the same price.

[wildbill32]

Gonzo is correct, Century no longer has a thalissotherapy pool. Elite members receive 1 free visit to the persian garden during a port day.

 

Military discounts are available to anyone with a military ID card.

 

I agree that the elite perks are far superior to the diamond level on RCI. On our recent Century cruise, besides the Michael's Club happy hour daily, we were invited for a bridge tour, something that's never been offered to us on RCI. Our Captain's Club host was very friendly, we ran into him frequently about the ship and he always greeted us and engaged in a little chit chat.

[39august]

Actually, we are Diamond + and so have been invited on bridge tours on every cruise since becoming D+. I am so impressed with the 90 minutes free internet per person that X gives to Elite.

[sunlovermtl]

Actually, we are Diamond + and so have been invited on bridge tours on every cruise since becoming D+. I am so impressed with the 90 minutes free internet per person that X gives to Elite.

 

We are now elite and you will also get free laundry and pressing, wine discount, free specialty coffee, casino and spa coupons. We felt that the overall experience is much more polished on X than RCI. We are wine lovers and they have someliers which make the dining experience top notch. Micheals club is in the morning and the late afternoon. Also you get many invites to special cocktail parties and other fun events. In my shopping experience I have always found RCI more expensive than X. I guess it depends on the itinerary. But 599 for a 13 night TA cruise is out of this world.

 

happy sailing

Claudette

[39august]

During the free drinks in Michael's Club, is there any Canadian blended whiskey avaiable, i.e. Canadian Club, Seagram's 7, or better yet, Crown Royal? At the "happy hour" on RCI there is none.

[cruzeluver]

Whoops! I really dropped the ball with some of my answers to the OP. I shall now go skulk away and think about what I have done.:p