workingonlytocruise

I've seen as low as 10% on the Oasis once or twice. Never ever over 200% (taxes not included).

I have a question - not an argument just a question. If someone sails for free, why should they get points? Points are earned/bought. If someone sails for free, they may have earned them by sailing but they haven't done the bought side as they sailed for free.

It doesn't matter who 3 or 4 are. If they don't pay anything they are not awarded points. That has always been a rule. Port charges and taxes do not go to the cruiseline so that amount does not count.

It really does make sense. Points are a perk, at least at some point they are, if you receive a free cruise and basically 3 and 4 are receiving a free cruise, then no points are earned.

It is always imperative that 1 and 2 be the people who should receive the points, ie. adults.

First, why wouldn't they allow their own customers to disembark first? I'm not a big defender of cruiselines - not by far, but common sense says their customers go first.

Second, when doing the Baltics the Russians are in charge and you leave when they say you leave. If they want certain people first, that's the way it is.

If you are with a private company and it's licenced which it should be, they will provide your visa. They send you your booking invoice/information and you must present it at immigration when you depart the ship.

Did you speak to guest services at some point during the cruise? I understand your frustration but you need to also understand that the cruiseline is always going to put their customers first - in the Baltics or Caribbean.

BTW - they don't owe you anything and for those who suggested they even owned you a bottle of wine - why?

Sorry but I was just responding to your post where you said that "there are alot of specials for couples that singles cannot get" and this is simply not true. There are no specials for couples that singles cannot get that I am aware of as long as one is persistent with celebrity and does not just take "no" for an answer.

 

I was not implying that you did not know what you were doing but just trying to make sure people here were aware that a single should be able to get any special available to a couple even after final payment or for new bookings only, but it often requires alot of effort.

 

There may be exceptions to this, but so far I haven't found any, at least not using the Celebrity US site.

The sad thing - it shouldn't require a lot of effort. We know we are going to pay 200% - we should be able to get exactly the same without all the effort.

Once again, I want to reiterate my earlier post that you CAN book the specials for sole occupancy, even those after final payment that are on exciting deals or Captains Club rates and supposedly for new bookings only.

 

I have done it several times, most recently on the Constellation cruise I am taking in a little over three weeks where I upgraded from inside to concierge, and then again to Aqua on exciting deal rates for sole occupancy by paying the difference. This rate was supposedly for double occupancy and new bookings only and would not come up on the webpage for single occ so I had to call Celebrity directly. Also, do not talk to the regular agents but call Captains Club as they are more flexible and ask them to speak to the resolution desk if they still say no.

 

I have gotten at least four upgrades on the cheap specials this way after final payment and for single occupancy in a cabin.

 

Just be persistent and do not take no for an answer. Others I know have also done it so i know it is possible. As others have said, and you already know, the price will be double for one person, of course.

I am more than aware of that. My point was airiawoman was misreading what I was posting. It isn't necessary for me to call Capt. Club, reason's I won't go into. I am in an aqua on my upcoming Reflection cruise. I really do know what I'm doing.

If you book a double and then cancel the second person, you're still charged the single supplement. So there's no difference there. You will as a single always pay the cruise fare of 2 people; but won't pay the extra taxes/fees/grats. I wouldn't like it either, but, it is what it is.

 

There has to be at least 2 people in any given cabin on Celebrity - that's the rule. If you want to have 1 you have to pay a single supplement.

 

If people don't want to pay the single supplement - both RCL and NCL have studio cabins now available on select ships. Of course - you won't find them on the higher end - you'll be getting less space. Friend of mine has a studio balcony on the Quantum for our January cruise. I've seen photos of it and well, it's smaller but for just him, it's just fine. He has the same bed area just no couch/desk area. He has a large verandah all to himself and the same bathroom as a regular cabin of the class.

I know that - you weren't getting what I was getting at. I'm talking about the specials. There are a lot of specials for couples that singles can't get - some of the guarantees for example can only be booked for 2 in a cabin - not for 1 paying double.

I have no interest in a cramped studio cabin or those insides made for singles. I will not be punished by a cruiseline because my DH died.

I am well aware I will be paying more as a single, I just intend to get the best I can afford and where I want to be.

It will be cancelled and booked at the prevailing rate.

I don't know anyone who has tried to book a double at a Guarantee Rate and then had their phantom companion just not show up, but that might work. If anyone has been successful at that it would be interesting to hear from them.

I just called Celebrity to price a cruise that has good pricing even for a solo. I asked about the guarantee balcony and got a price then asked about the guarantee concierge. I was told I couldn't get a price for the guarantee as a single. But then she suggested putting a phantom person in then called closer to cruise time and dropping the second person. So, it was recommended by Celebrity res agent.

You would have to cancel them off at the last minute so you can get your taxes and port charges back of course. But you do read on here many times of people not making the ship for one reason or another and someone ending up sailing alone.

I probably shouldn't say this, but since I lost my DH this year and am now going to be cruising alone, I feel like I've just received another problem.

Anyway, why can't a single book a double and then, after the cabin is assigned or at least somewhere down the road, cancel the second person out? I know it will mean paying a higher deposit but..................

Booking with a U.S. agent can have some definite drawbacks. They can only book in U.S. which was fine when our dollar was at par or only slightly off. They cannot sell you insurance, nor can the cruiselines, most of the big box are only order takes and can't or won't help you on weekends.

I would only use a local TA and never a U.S. based one. If you book in Ontario at least you have some protection from TICO.

However, to each their own.

I think he's a very greedy person. This has nothing to do with his partner who passed away. He wanted to take his buddy on a cruise (who had nothing to do with the first event) and couldn't get away with it. How greedy.

If you are able to get the cruise moved to Celebrity the rest of the booking won't go. The air and hotel will remain with the TA as Celebrity has nothing to do with that.. I would suggest you be very careful about that.\\

How about speaking to the TA's boss first?

No, you won't be able to bring a toy gun onboard. They will confiscate it.

Took a look - it says 1995 so that means I wouldn't get credit. Oh well, not important.

I don't really have time to search and I'm not going to call on Sunday night, but I thought I would ask here - is there a loyalty program with NCL? I sailed in 1992 on th Dreamward,, my only cruise on NCL, however I happened to come across proof of the that sailing today and wonder if they will recognize it with the several different kinds of proof I came across..

They will give them to you but they will re-price the whole cruise. Big risk for very little, if any, gain.

And sometimes they give them to you as an OBC when you board.

Good advise, welcome to Cruise Critic. Now tell us about what you enjoyed on your cruise.

Your sarcasm aside, this is a regular thing with RCCL. They do not follow instructions on this issue because they make more money. They also know most people won't bother.

My suggestion - pay in cash only or don't present your cc until nearly the end of the cruise.

Choice Air is only the middle man. They get nothing from the airlines so why would they want to "pay you" to book with them?

This sounds like the TA isn't doing their job....because celebrity policy is that after final payment, if the cabin you want is at least $1 more than you have already paid, they will give you the upgrade. They won't give you the Tuesday special price though...not sure about an "exciting deal" price....I'd have to read the fine print.

 

Call the TA back...and suggest that they contact someone else at celebrity to make this happen....and stay on the phone while they do it.

The TA was doing her job. You cannot upgrade to a Tuesday special or Exciting special.

You are wrong.

And if and when Celebrity does make a decision I guarantee they won't post it on cruise critic. How silly to even think they would.

I have done this cruise a couple of times, once with Azamara. We were able to dock when with them but not the other one. My point, you are barking up the wrong tree if you truly think you may get an answer on cruise critic from Celebrity. That is not going to happen.

At best, one or two weeks out depending on what is happening in the region, Celebrity and any other cruiseline due there will maybe make a decision to pull out. Then again and the most likely decision, will be made onboard after sailing - at least that is when it will be announced.

I'm just saying to you, you have to make your own decision based on what may or may not happen.

Why in heavens name are you sending a letter to Celebrity through here? You aren't going to get an answer.

As a matter of fact, it's highly unlikely home office is going to give you an answer right now. You're cruise is what, 75/90 days out? Everything can change during that time.

You will have to do what you think is best for you. Celebrity and all cruiselines will do what they must to keep their passengers, crew and ships safe.

You are asking am impossible question to answer at this time.

Make him pay every penny back. This is a man not a child and a very self centered one at that.