The "new" Celebrity Secrets thread

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

Good tips....

[04soxfan]

In Aqua class you get two bottles of water per cabin, per day. Sometimes the room steward don't refill if they see the bottles from the other day out and untouched, so we "hide" the unused bottles in a cubbie somewhere.

[germanyboy]

The bonus first day package of minutes was valid with Captain's Club flyer discount, if you bought one the bigger 2 internet packages, on our recent Century cruise

[fleckle]

The bonus first day package of minutes was valid with Captain's Club flyer discount, if you bought one the bigger 2 internet packages, on our recent Century cruise

Our experience has been that whether or not we got the free bonus minutes with the Captain's Club coupons varied depending on who happened to be running the internet program on the ship at the time.

 

We had received the bonus minutes on other Celebrity cruises, but last winter on Constellation the internet guy refused to let anyone have them, claiming that the bonus minutes were not combinable with the elite coupons. He didn't care that others allowed it.

 

We just let it go because we did not want to get into an argument with him.

 

So we still do not know whether Celebrity has a policy of allowing the free minutes in combination with the elite coupons, or if it is really supposed to be left up to the person in charge of the internet service on each ship.

[vered4]

What a fun bunch of posts! Lots of tips and hints. I will follow this untl my cruise to Alaska in June. Very nice to know there are shabbat services on board....along with challah and wine! :)

[Somonica]

In Aqua class you get two bottles of water per cabin, per day. Sometimes the room steward don't refill if they see the bottles from the other day out and untouched, so we "hide" the unused bottles in a cubbie somewhere.

 

ha! we did the same! :D

 

you can also try to ask your steward to give you bigger/extra bottles of water if you going for a long hot port day! :rolleyes:

[Texed]

Regarding changing our cruise around Vietnam during Tet, we believe that our air (included in our package) may already be booked.

 

I was in Vietnam during Tet once. :cool:

[MicCanberra]

Silly me. I forgot we can't edit our posts. Sorry OP for asking you to add this to your first post.

 

Updated (and if you see something I missed, feel free to copy mine and add it!

 

1) On most cruises, if you would like to eat at a specialty restaurant on the first night, ask when you get on board....because they generally offer a discount if you eat there on the first night.

 

2) If you pre-purchase meals at the specialty restaurants and they offer a discounted package on-board, you can take the discounted package and they will (if you tell them) adjust what you paid with a credit to your on-board account

 

3) Sign up for internet the day of departure on the ship. In most cases, they will give you an additional 20% minutes on any package bought on the first day. (make sure you ask)

 

4) For those that are Jewish travelling at Passover, ask guest relations if there will be a special service/meal on your cruise (there will be, but they may not know about it). It is often never announced in the dailies....you just have to ask.

 

They don't always put Friday night services in the dailies, either. Look on the bulletin board which is generally somewhere near the guest relations area. There are always Friday night services, though they are mostly do-it-yourself led by one of the braver passengers.

 

The treats in the glass case at Cafe Al Bacio are complimentary and they can be packaged to go. The mini-sandwiches, which are available mid-day make a great appetizer to go with pre-dinner wine/cocktails on the veranda. Just keep them cold in your room fridge. And the desserts are delicious whenever!!

 

Every Celeb cruise we have taken the Friday night Sabbath Service has been in the Daily sheet, its always at 5.30pm and Kosher wine, Books, Challah (bread) and Kippot (head covering for men) is supplied and yes its a DIY service.

 

1)The "refrigerators" in your rooms are not "refrigerators", they are coolers. Don't expect things to get ice cold in them. This is by design.

 

2) Concierge and above passengers who receive a bottle of bubbly (I'll call it bubbly instead of champagne because it isn't champagne) and prefer wine instead have two options:

 

a) ask your room steward/butler if they can exchange it for the house red or white wine (generally works for us if the request is accompanied by a $5 bill) but officially they don't do this.

 

b) take the bottle to dinner with you and ask the somelier to credit you towards a bottle of wine.

 

3) If you are concierge of above, you can ask that instead of the afternoon canapés, you get cheese or shrimp cocktail. Note: they will only deliver the canapés if you are in your cabin...frankly, it's no loss if you miss them, but that's just my opinion

 

4) yes, celebrity provides binoculars in concierge and above cabins, however if you actually want to see anything, bring your own.

 

5) solstice class ships have two US plugs and one European plug on the desk.

 

6) solstice class ships have night light function built into the bathroom lighting...M-class don't so if you want a night light, bring one.

 

7) do not assume that just because you locked your cabin door, no one can come in. The room steward's key overrides the inside latch. Use the do not disturb sign.

 

8) you can withdraw cash (US dollars) in the casino and it will be charged to your on-board account. There is a charge of 5% to do this. If you have unused OBC's, then you care about this one.

 

9) Pay attention to the drink specials on the daily sheet.

 

10) No, if you will be elite at the end of your cruise, you can not get credit early....many have tried. If you are B2B and will become elite after your first cruise, see the captain's club host/hostess and they will arrange for you to be elite on the second cruise.

 

11) If you are elite, you are welcome to drink as much as you want at the function, but you may not take drinks out of the room (to your cabin, to dinner, to anywhere). This applies to both breakfast and the cocktail hours.

 

12) You can ask for smaller portions at QSINE and/or remember that you do not have to finish everything served before they give you another. Yes, it is enjoyable for 2 people although many seem to feel it's better with large groups.

 

13) At breakfast and lunch buffets, walk around before you dive in....some things are sort of hidden and you won't see them if you immediately stop for the first thing you see.

 

14) If you are on any sort of special diet, go to the place where they are handling dinner time changes and remind them (or tell them) of your restrictions.

 

15) If you ask, they have anchovies for caesar salads...if you don't ask, you won't get any.

 

We asked to have cheese brought rather than canapés and it was always delivered whether or not we were in our cabin.

When the Butler comes around with the tea cart, he will leave you little sandwiches and cakes also if you wish. He has all sorts of goodies - fresh fruit, too.

We did a B2B last year and on the first cruise it was combined, but on the second we were told that it was not possible. (re. Internet minutes)

 

 

The cheese plate sometimes comes with fruit and sometimes crackers or both.

Usually the cheese plates are very cold and we have to wait until the cheese comes up to edible temp. I would think that having it delivered earlier would be a benefit. Then it would be at room temp when you wanted it. Whenever we've ordered a cheese plate we asked for wrapped crackers.

Sometimes we found the crackers were a bit limp by the time we got to the cheese plate so we started picking up breadsticks from Cellarmasters on the way back to our cabin. Along with a glass of wine to go with the cheese, of course.

The treats at Cafe Al Bacio are complimentary, even if you do not order a beverage.

We prefer to order cheese or fruit plates from room service whenever we feel like having them instead of getting them delivered automatically at tea time each day.

 

That way they don't sit around getting limp or soggy the way they do if they are delivered when we are not there, and we can have different snacks on different days, as the mood strikes us.

 

If we want snacks at tea time, we like to go up to the afternoon tea area at the buffet because they have a much larger variety from which to choose than what is brought around on the carts.

 

Besides, we often get ice cream in the afternoon when we are up there too.

Sometimes we just feel like having pizza instead of the tea time snacks.

 

We kind of like to look over all the options on display first before deciding and try to rationalize away some of those extra calories by taking the stairs.

On our last Celebrity cruise, we asked our butler not to leave the canapés if we weren't in the room at tea time - unless there was just something we had to try. He was very good about letting us know what was good and what wasn't so good.

 

If you like pancakes, have him bring you some for breakfast. Better than standing in the line waiting. If they are not hot, complain. Try eggs Benedict in the cabin. Are they hot? Ask him to clean your shoes if they get dirty. Use your butler. Dial that phone number.

 

They used to have cheese plates with a larger selection of cheeses but there is a cheese plate available from room service that you can order whenever you are ready for it. No need to save one from the afternoon. It's the same cheese plate.

 

on the S Class ships...Cellar Masters has an awesome cheese and olive, bread stick set up before dinner! We always swing by and have some....the cheese is MUCH better than the buffet cheese. That's my secret

 

Steak Diane is available in most of the "fine dining" specialty restaurants. It's not listed on the menu and you have to ask for it in advance. We always book for embarkation day and ask then. The next time we're there, we get the table side preparation. Great show and the food is amazing.

 

Regarding Steak Diane - I just got off the Equinox and on the last night we went to Murano's. The server offered to make me Steak Diane and while the lobster dish looked tempting I took his advice. Other then marrying my wife 40 years ago this might have been one of the best decisions I've ever made. Try it once; try it often and enjoy.

 

You can bring aboard your own soft drinks and bottled water. Stop in at a store on the way to the cruise port to buy some twelve packs or so-- you don't want to try lugging them with you on a plane because of the weight and because of what might happen in a depressurized cargo hold. Bring a roll of duct tape with you and tape the cases together, then put a luggage tag on it. It will be delivered to your cabin for you.

 

Have your cabin steward clear out the mini fridge so you can keep your soft drinks and water cool (not cold). Put what will fit into the fridge and store the rest under the bed until you need to replenish.

 

I have several aluminum water bottles that I use for the gym. The bottles are lightweight and take up very little room in a suitcase. I fill them from the tap for excursions and keep one in the cooler as well.

 

I have no problems with the tap water on the ship. It's reverse osmosis treated, making it no different than bottled water, which is nothing more than reverse osmosis treated tap water.

 

Re the Casino(fruits & slots) play it the first few nights of your cruise not the last few as you may find the odds against you

 

On one of our cruises, we hosted a "small" CC get-together on the verandah of our FV stateroom. We asked our cabin steward if he could get us some extra ice and handed him a pretty green picture of a President. He not only got us the ice, but showed up with a LARGE plate of shrimp.

 

You will find complimentary hard and soft ice cream and sorbet, by the Buffet area. The hard ice cream is made onboard, and it's quite good.

 

There's also a Gelateria located near Cafe Al Bacio, but there is a charge for the Gelato.

 

Don't forget the wonderful sauces that are to the left of where the ice cream is served!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

My "secret" is milkshakes! Just get a couple scoops of ice cream placed in a tall glass, and add milk from the milk dispensers. Stir. Voila - free milkshake! Really hits the spot after a hot day in a sunny port location.

 

My secret is out, but I use chocolate milk.

 

And when you prefer an iced coffee Starbucks-type drink, that is easy to make too. Drop some ice-cubes into the bottom of a tall glass, ask them to add the scoops of ice-cream, hold it under the coffee spout, very slowly run hot coffee over it to start melting the ice-cream, then stir.

 

And Muushka's secret is vanilla ice cream (scoop or soft serve) with OJ and Diet Sprite. Tall glass too. Yum.

 

For those who like a sweet treat in your room, if you bring a paper cup to the ice cream counter, they will fill it up for you with the candy they have available for toppings (sour patch kids, peanut m&ms, reese's pieces among others). One friendly ice cream staffer eventried to give us an entire unopened FIVE POUND bag of sour patch kids! We declined but he was very nice

 

Paper cups are available at the tea/coffee station in the buffet and they are happy to fill them to the top with your candy of choice!

 

If you enter the Texas Hold Em poker tournaments during the day ($60 buy-in) you do generally get a free alcoholic drink if you want one. My husband doesn't like alcohol so got a large bottle of Evian each time. This seems to be the only time they give free drinks in the casino to those who are not "high-rollers."

 

If you particularly enjoy having a couple glasses of wine in your cabin and have a drinks package, get a midship or aft room (S-class). There are very few bars forward and it can become quite a hike to get a glass of wine from a forward cabin, which takes away from the pleasure.

 

Waffles are served in the buffet, during breakfast. just look for the line! They only seem to have 1 or 2 waffle makers in operation so it can be a long wait (especially if the person ahead of you takes 4 waffles).

 

 

Not sure if it applies to the other Solsticized M-class ships, but on Summit they have added night lights built into the bathrooms (at least in the inside cabin we just had). Little things like a night light can make a big difference...

 

My husband and I loved the new look of the Celebrity Summit after being Solsticized but we were disappointed that the game room was gone. That is until we said something to one of the Activity staff. We shared that we loved playing Scrabble and didn't want to have to schlep the game in our already stuffed luggage. When we returned to our cabin a couple of hours later there was a scrabble game waiting for us. We had a great time playing on our veranda with a glass of wine...even better than the game room... We should have known...with Celebrity, all you have to do is ASK.

 

 

Our casino host on the Solstice was a lovely red-haired lady from England (I don't remember her name) and she told us from the very first night that she thought the casino rake for poker was too high and that's why the drinks were "on her"! That held true for the rest of the week. I did notice that a lot of the players were unaware of it, and once my husband checked with the waitress that it was complimentary and then ordered a drink, everyone else hopped on board and ordered one too! We did of course tip the waitress as in any casino

 

 

 

 

Medical Information

 

We usually freeze a block of "blue ice" to carry the insulin in while we fly to our departure port. I put a label held with clear packing tape on the blue ice with our cabin number and name and ask the cabin steward to put it in their freezer and return it before we debark. That way we have something to put in the insulated bag to keep the medicine cold on the way home.

 

If the diabetic is on a pump, as my DH is, or uses a pen, they will give you a smaller sharps container to use for finger sticks. If you don't need to dispose of syringes, there's no sense having that big old red bucket taking up space in the cabin.

 

I've just purchased a special insulin carrier from Magellan's that is supposed to be reusable and activates with cold water. I'm going to give it a try before we leave for San Diego. If it saves us having to explain the block of blue ice to TSA every time, it's worth it.

 

My wife's insulin stayed fine in the fridge on our Solstice cruise. We always carry a fridge thermometer with us. Once, the hotel fridge was set so cold, her insulin froze. What a nightmare to get it replaced. For that reason, we do not keep her active vial in the fridge. We bought a cool sleeve that keeps it fine for several days. The coolant pack is water activated, does not need to be chilled prior to use.

My wife is on an insulin pump also. We purchased that water activated carrier. It is important to note that it is not designed to carry unopened vials. Those must be refrigerated. Therefore, we use the blue ice carrier for the unopened vials, and the Magellan sleeve for the "in use" vial. We always carry a fridge thermometer. In a hotel last year, the insulin froze, destroying it.

 

We utilize the Animas vacation loaner pump. Would hate to be at sea and suffer pump failure. We also carry a back up meter with back up test strips, spare parts for the pump and twice as many infusion sets as we think we need. Our netbook has the program to upload pump settins as necessary. We also carry a Glucagon emergency injection kit. ketone test strips, her Dexcom supplies with additional sensors, and a small sharps container. We also carry prescriptions if we need to purchase insulin

 

Airlines will et you have an additional carry on if it exclusively holds medical supplies. They always pull it for an inspection. Please ask them to wear fresh gloves when examining the contents.

The sleeves are not engineered to keep the unopened vials at the required cooler temperature than what is acceptable for open ones.. They can keep them cooler than summer air, but not like being in a refrigerator. We bought one, thinking the same thing as you. However, when we first used it, the insert had a disclaimer in it. We choose not to use it for the unopened vials. Not worth the risk.

Hate to go off topic but I am curious about the loaner pump, my husband wears a Minimed pump and always just gets a prescription for (Lantus I think) and carry's syringes in case of pump failure, how does this loaner pump program work? We will have to see if Minimed offers anything similar.

 

He also carries double the amount of infusion sets split into two bags in case of loss or theft. He never worries about refrigerating his insulin (wondering if he should..) He also gets a letter from his doctor in case there are any TSA questions.

 

Minimed most certainly does. We have gotten one from them in the past. It's around $50 which is mostly for shipping. The pump is red so you always know which is the loaner. Call their 800 number and they will help you.

 

Now that he has a new pump ad the old one still works, we just take the old one along (and lots of fresh batteries) as a spare. His Endo suggested that he keep the old one for that purpose.

 

Last year, when DH got his new pump, I surprised him with a skin from "Skinit" with his favorite baseball team's logo. He's quite proud of his NY Yankee decorated pump.

 

Animas has a vacation loaner pump program where you let them know when you will be travelling. They send you a backup pump that you only open if necessary. If not returned, they bill you for it. We have used this service several times. Not sure if medtronics provides this service. We both know the grief if you need to switch to MDI. call your rep and see if they can do this. If they say no, tell them that Animas does it. We also pack a spare cartridge cap and battery cap incase they crack.

 

The only insulin we must keep refrigerated are the unopened vials. The open vial we keep in either in the fridge or a cool dark place.TSA has never given us a problem, but we carry a letter anyway.

I just checked the literature that came with the bag. It's a "Frio" brand and there is not a single word there about not putting unopened insulin in the bag. It does state that, after activating the bag, the insulin should be at refrigerator temp before putting it in the bag. Nothing about opened or unopened vials. They even make a pump specific bag, which I learned from the literature but Magellan's didn't offer.

 

DH has a pacemaker, too, so he never goes through the magnetic metal detector. He either wears the plastic clip or the one that's a little zippered bag that attaches to his belt. Zipper is nylon.

 

If the airport has the X-ray machine, he can go through that fine, pump and all. We really have the most trouble with the block of blue ice. It seems to set off the TSA folks more than anything. I always take the thermal bag out of the carry-on and put it in a tray, too.

 

He has difficulty walking long distances when he carries anything, so we just get him a wheel chair. I have found that getting us through security with the pump, pacemaker, blue ice, bi-pap machine, etc. is just easier when he goes through with the wheel chair attendant.

 

We usually become the day's entertainment at airports when we go through security

 

Thanks, some very useful information.

[RiciRicardo]

Something else to add to the already long list.

If you are not Aqua Class and really want to indulge in the Persian Garden experience, you can buy a half price pass for the cruise on Embarkation Day.

So for a 13 day cruise like we are about to do, that is $75 for the pass.

You get them at the Spa Desk, on sale that one day only. That is $6 day, can't beat that. Steam, Sauna and relax on the heated chairs watching the world go by.

[cruzinlady1947]

Something else to add to the already long list.

If you are not Aqua Class and really want to indulge in the Persian Garden experience, you can buy a half price pass for the cruise on Embarkation Day.

So for a 13 day cruise like we are about to do, that is $75 for the pass.

You get them at the Spa Desk, on sale that one day only. That is $6 day, can't beat that. Steam, Sauna and relax on the heated chairs watching the world go by.

I was also told that if you are Elite on Celebrity, you get one free pass to the Persian Garden, but only on a port day. Correct me if I am wrong. We have never cruised Celebrity, but are Diamond on RCCL and thus will be Elite on Celebrity. Looking forward to cruising on Celebrity.

 

Gwen :)

[JennyT]

I was also told that if you are Elite on Celebrity, you get one free pass to the Persian Garden, but only on a port day. Correct me if I am wrong. We have never cruised Celebrity, but are Diamond on RCCL and thus will be Elite on Celebrity. Looking forward to cruising on Celebrity.

 

Gwen :)

 

Elite Member Benefit:

Complimentary access to Persian Garden (on one port day of your choice, while the ship is in port)

:)

[Kryssa]

Love this thread!!! We are sailing X for the first time next year!!!

[24butterfly]

When the Butler comes around with the tea cart, he will leave you little sandwiches and cakes also if you wish. He has all sorts of goodies - fresh fruit, too.

Carole

 

OH BOY !!!! I just booked out first Suite! Did CC (Concierge Class) last year! THe cheese plate was great!

[Sloindown]

The folks running the on-board shops on Celebrity will report you to US Customs if your purchases total more then $830.00. You will receive a letter stating that you must report to a meeting with a Custom official before you disembark. We showed our Canadian passports and were passed through because the purchases were not remaining in the US. We did see several US citizens having to shell out custom fees for their on-board purchases. I checked with shop personnel on a subsequent cruise and was told that it was "company policy" to report seapass purchases to US Customs.:(:(:(

[Abuelita2012]

Anyone have a good idea on how best to travel from Southampton to London following deparking from Celebrity Eclipse at end of transatlantic cruise May 4,2012. There is a train and excursion that goes to the airport but I am not interested in going to the airport as I plan to stay over in London and visit a friend.

[DivasDare]

Excellent tips! Now I need to set reminders for the first day to get some of those bargains. And especially love the 2 for 1 water and milkshake tips. Thanks!

[shoreham01]

There are regular train services to central London from Southampton. The station is only a few minutes from the docks, taxi costs around £6 - £7. (may have gone up a little as petrol prices have risen)

 

There are also bus services from Southampton to central London which cost less than the train. Taxi price about the same from docks.

 

http://www.nationalexpress.com/coach/landing/southampton-London.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=coach%20travel%20from%20southampton%20to%20london&utm_campaign=Southampton

 

http://www.greyhounduk.com/

 

If these links are forbidden then search google for 'bus from southampton to london'. national express and greyhound.

[beaver]

We wanted to booked 2 cruises last year not quite back to back First Sat to Sat second Sunday to Sunday. Both Celebrity but different ships. As a B2B Celebrity would have picked up the hotel bill for the night in between.Instead with stayed both legs East and West Carribbean on the Solstice.

[rupertfrog]

Thank you so much for this thread!!! We will be on the Summit on 3/9/13 with Choosin Cruisin & Texed ... it will be our first Celebrity cruise.

I am taking in all the tips .... We've been on RCCL and apparantly there will be differences. We booked the Summit while on the Adventure .... we have a Deck 9 Aft balcony. We've always been mid-ship and last two have been in a hump balcony.

Thanks for the pictures of the Aft Bar, Deck 10 & the view of the Deck 9 balconies.

[KAMARA]

great idea and i will keep cking for great information. i am going on the Alaska cruise on 6/1/12 and have a lot of questions

kamara

[sunnydaze]

Southhampton to London,

You gotta take the train, its a great trip and you see some pretty interesting things. There are buildings to see, and fields to look out at, towns to go through. It is by far the best way to go. The train takes you to downtown London, close to the London Eye. Then you can experience those London Cabs on your way to the Hotel. A double bonus.

[Vitulla]

Excellent tips Thanks!!!

[SNUGGLE1]

Insulin in the bottle or pens are good for 30 days as long as they are not exposed to temperature below 37 or above 80 . The room in the cabin is cool enough to store insulin in room temp but you can also store it in the room cooler. My son has Type I diabetes and is on an insulin pump and we travel a lot worldwide with no hassle even in Asian or African countries where the weather is hot.

[SNUGGLE1]

Hate to go off topic but I am curious about the loaner pump, my husband wears a Minimed pump and always just gets a prescription for (Lantus I think) and carry's syringes in case of pump failure, how does this loaner pump program work? We will have to see if Minimed offers anything similar.

 

He also carries double the amount of infusion sets split into two bags in case of loss or theft. He never worries about refrigerating his insulin (wondering if he should..) He also gets a letter from his doctor in case there are any TSA questions.

 

 

My son has Type I diabetes since age 6 and he will be 18 soon and we travel around the world since he was 2. He is also using a Minimed Insulin Pump 7 series. All you need to do is call the 1800 minimed number and tell them that you are out of the country for certain dates and they will send you a loaner in a box or tube. It is always wife to bring extra supplies , meters and medicine while travelling. Glucagon is a must and Insulin is good on room temp for 30 days opened as long as it is not exposed to temp below 30 and above 80. Room temp in the cabin will suffice. Bring extra meter if you have one and ask one from the company of your meter if you don't have extra meter. They will be glad to give you one for free. Don't forget the batteries for both meter and pump. Good luck.

[Abuelita2012]

Thanks so much for the information. I think it will be dfficult to handle luggage on the train.