SFCAcruiser

Your memory is intact. 😉 I had been on some first-day tours years ago on M & S ships but these seem to have disappeared. However, I would suggest you ask your cabin attendant to give you a "tour" of your cabin features. I did not know what I did not know: On my first, and maybe only, E-class cruise, it took me a few days to locate the hair dryer and a few more days to discover the little black button to turn off the bright mirror light in the main cabin. At the end of the cruise, I was still not confident in using the electronic HVAC control panel. In retrospect, I should have asked the attendant for a cabin orientation.

I will do my first SQ premium economy in late November SFO-SIN. I was tempted by business class but I remembered that my partner and I have not slept well in flat seats we have had on UA, Swiss, LH. Short naps are the best we can hope for. Therefore we could not justify the extra money for business class. We could afford it, but we have a long history of being frugal and always searching for value. We did spend a bit more (~$100 each) to reserve the bulkhead row to get extra legroom. SQ has made some small upgrades to their food and beverage offerings in premium economy - upgraded champagne, meals are served on china and the "book the cook" option is available.

It is interesting to read about the variations in practice for monitoring admission to the breakfast. Obviously there are no "right" or "wrong" posts on this thread - just different experiences. On my longer cruises, I have been asked to show my sea pass on the first few days....and then the Captain's Club host seems to disappear from the entrance; occasionally seen circulating among the passengers, but often not seen at all.

As a side note, the credit card refund has been prompt, in my experience.

I only tried that one time, with success, within the V2 category. This happened for me pre-Covid, but I have read reports on Cruise Critic that this is still possible.

A guiding principle to bear in mind when considering a GTY booking - you should be mentally prepared to be assigned the worst cabin in that category. If such a cabin will diminish your cruise experience, then you should avoid a GTY booking. But if you are not particularly fussy about cabin location, then take a risk to save money. I have, on occasion, booked a GTY verandah when I noticed that all the least desirable V3 cabins were sold out, at that particular time. But inventory changes frequently, so there is a risk of getting a V3, but I have never experienced that type of assignment. A friend of mine has had this assignment. Also, if you are assigned a cabin in a V3,2, or 1 category, you will likely be able to select another cabin in that same category if you are not happy with the location of the original assigned cabin. Those of us of a certain age may recall Clint Eastwood's famous line. "Do you feel lucky?..."

I have been negligent in failing to welcome you to the Celebrity Board on Cruise Critic (coincidentally owned by TripAdvisor). I hope you enjoy your time and make informed decisions for your cruising goals.

You read positive reviews on Cruise Critic and saw favorable YouTube videos. Yet you prefer to put your faith in the negative reviews on Trip Advisor? OK, we all have to do what works for ourselves. But good luck in finding a cruise line which does not have negative reviews posted somewhere. It seems to me that you would do well to avoid Apex since you would embark with a skeptical attitude and perhaps set yourself up for an unpleasant cruise. (I've never been on Apex) Have you looked into the luxury brands like Silversea, Regent, Seabourn? These are all a lot more expensive than Celebrity, so they may not be consistent with your desires. Asking for recommendations from Celebrity cruisers will likely not be helpful to you; if you ask 10 people here, you will get 20 answers... then what do you do?

Yes, I can see this credit online when I sign-in to my cruise. The upper right section of the screen displays Onboard Credit $xxx

As others have rightly mentioned, this topic has come up in the recent past and posts contain useful information. When you read those comments, bear in mind that Celebrity's program is not "once a day". - it is indeed twice a day but with some small modifications that few of us even notice.

This issue seems to be resolved to your satisfaction, but I will add a small note for readers who have similar needs on future cruises. I have always requested an extension cord and distilled water in advance, but these items have never been waiting for me in my cabin. Other cruisers have had different experiences. I have always asked my cabin attendant for these items and they have always been delivered promptly and without any problems.

That is an interesting anecdote, but I am surprised by the Hotel Director's lack of discretion in sharing the details which acknowledge the ship's lack of compliance with local regulations. I have found staff to be "tight-lipped" when things do not go according to expectations.

This thread is useful

You should read the "fine print" in the email from Captain's Club, which includes the following: Since Loyalty Match members only receive the Member Level and not the VS Days, they are ineligible for the Venetian Society benefits listed below. • “Sail with Us” referral prior to first Silversea voyage • Complimentary cruises • Milestone recognition

Does not apply to GTY cabins, per the terms and conditions