Joanne G.

I thought maybe it's a conflict between Royal/Celebrity and something else on my computer, such as anti-virus software. But I really don't care anymore. After cruises on the Anthem and the Equinox this year, next year's cruises are on lines where I don't have any log in issues - not that that's why I picked the other lines LOL!

Sure, but my understanding from the post by @Kellie in Texas is that the stuff-the-bag special for a flat rate is only offered at select times during the cruise. Otherwise, items sent out in the bag are washed at the per-item price, correct?

Same here. It's made me dread needing to log in. 😲

My experience was several years ago and through a travel agent. I stand corrected if my experience is no longer the situation.

I’ve had the same problem for months, long before the recent issues. Just about every time I log into either Celebrity or Royal on my desktop computer, my password isn’t recognized. Sometimes I can “change” it to the same one that was just rejected, and other times I have to make up a new one. I’ve cleared history and tried different browsers, and it still happens. It’s beyond annoying, but I have pretty much given up on finding a solution. I’ll follow this thread for any new ideas.

That has been my experience - not long waits on hold and U.S. based agents. I called regarding a price drop after final payment and was offered a choice between a cabin upgrade or a future cruise credit, not an onboard credit as I was hoping for. Maybe others have gotten an onboard credit as mentioned in another response here, but that was not an option for me. Also, I was told that adjustments for price drops are not offered at all within 60 days of sailing, and luckily I was about a day or so before that point. That may vary by itinerary, and there may be some flexibility, but that’s what I was told. Regarding the Free at Sea for drinks - it’s true the gratuities are equal to about 2 drinks a day. But do check the actual cruise fare with and without the Free at Sea drinks (and dining). When I unchecked these two in the booking process, the base cruise fare was less. My upcoming NCL cruise is a port-heavy northern European itinerary, and I knew I’d be off the ship for long days and going to bed early for morning excursions - not much time to drink. And I had no interest in specialty dining. So I passed on the drink and dining packages for a lower fare. On the other hand, I made good use of the $50 per tour excursion credit. That was a big savings. I even booked two excursions in some ports. (It’s $50 for the first person on the reservation, not $50 each for two people.)

I’m with you. I like to be prepared, and I get euros and/or British pounds from my local bank before the trip. They don’t charge a fee, and if the exchange rate is a few fractions of a percentage point more than an overseas ATM, that’s insignificant for the quantity I am getting. I can specify some small bills which are useful for tipping tour guides. I generally take ship-sponsored excursions on my European cruises, and I can’t count on the opportunity or time to hunt for an ATM when on a group tour. And by getting currency before my trip, I don’t worry about my ATM card being compromised overseas. We all manage our money in the way that works for us, and this works for me. I get a lot less currency these days than I did before Covid, as credit cards are so widely accepted, even for small purchases.

I typically do not add anything extra. I don't drink a lot, and I don't need a bartender to get to know me or provide any special service. It's entirely up to you. If you do want to tip extra, you can either add it to the tab or tip in cash.

Yes, they are. I was on the Magic earlier this month in a standard balcony cabin, and that’s what mine was like.

The lease agreement may include payment of a percentage of sales. Whatever the arrangement, I remain baffled by the amount of space taken up for selling high-end accessories and jewelry. I never see a lot of people in those shops, but it must work for the cruise lines and the vendors as ships on all the major cruise lines have these shops.

Interesting. I've read other accounts like yours, in which people on a wait list were given spots and charged for the excursion without a notification in advance. It seems like a potential problem if someone had made alternative arrangements with a private tour operator. Maybe I should reconsider my suggestion in post #5 to have a Plan B for a port in which you are on the wait list for a Princess excursion.

I was on the waitlist for an excursion on a California coastal cruise a couple years ago. I did get an email when a spot opened up, and I had a short time period - I think 48 hours - to accept and pay for it. Not wanting to depend on an email, I also checked the excursion just about every day for availability. Good luck - and have a Plan B for that port.

Carnival has only one ship in Europe this summer, and it sails out of Dover for its Northern European itineraries. I doubt they would plan their European operations around a problematic home port. Same situation last summer - Carnival had multiple cruises out of Dover. I was on 3 of them, and there was never any indication of any issues related to immigrant traffic affecting port operations. Nor was any such incident every mentioned on the Carnival CC board. I'd say you will make your port stop in Dover unless weather or mechanical issues cause your ship to miss it. Have a great cruise.

Thank you all for the information and the tips for getting an early breakfast. One excursion is scheduled to start at 7:30, so the earliest room service time (6:30 - 7:00) on the order form that @BirdTravelsposted wouldn't work. I appreciate knowing the other options. And thanks for the good wishes - we are getting excited for our trip.

I use them, and yes, I leave them on all night. One has lasted me for 8 - 10 nights, but I'll pack two in order to have a back-up. They are small and cheap and give me just the amount of light I want in the bathroom at night. I put them away during the day, so as not to freak out the cabin attendant who might not immediately recognize that they aren't real candles!