IrvSp

1 hour ago, Tatka said:

Does tier discounts apply to both types of packages?

 

Surf

Stream

 

Is it the same if I call them or get it on board?

 

Thank you

 I've been told the price is the same as on Cruise Planner or on the ship. Tier discounts will apply as well.

One little wrinkle I hit, Elite+ 30% when you call the Captain's Club is only good on the single Full or Surf package. Want the 2 device package, they can't offer it, only available on ship. You can get 2 single device packages with the tier discount if you wish, but it will cost more than a 2 device package with the discount on ship.

That was what I was told when I called to reserve a 2 device package. I do know when you go to sign up and fill in the cabin, name, and reservations details (or whatever is required?) I've always see the discount for tier price shown.

1 hour ago, sr4mjc said:

Just got off the phone with Captain's Club, they said no Elite discount on the Surf package.  Has anyone gotten it lately?  Or is this a hang up and call back situation? 

Might want to call back? There is, but only on the SINGLE device one. I wanted the 2 Device package (minus the Elite 30%) but was told CC can ONLY sell the single package. Would cost me more for 2 singles ($25) using the Elite discount than getting the 2 device on-board. You get the discount that way. Can go to the iLounge and get it or even on the device when you first connect.

Me too. Got e-mail for our cruise in July telling me new shore excursions have been added and many items are on sale @ 20% off. So I took the link... go to Cruise planner page. Selected Shore Excursions, and the day I was interested in. Nothing new. After that, couldn't change port nor select anything else. I close the browser and tried the link in the e-mail. Went to a page to find a cruise??? Huh? OK, I'll go to the cruise I'm going on, and tried the link to plan and, like above, I'm asked to sign it? Never could get back to that CP page I first got to.

So I called. Agent tried it and they got to it. I sent via e-mail I got to her. She tried, couldn't get in? Looked and my account was locked she said. OK, she freed it, and I should try again. Same thing, got to Shore Excursions and couldn't do anything else. She tried again and couldn't either.

She made a note on my record and would open a report that might take up to 48 hours to resolve. Said the sale was on to Tuesday (4 days counting today would end on Monday though?). I should try Sunday, 'maybe' it would be fixed.

After reading here it seems to be a real web site problem... site was always 'iffy', now it seems worse.

3 hours ago, colliercruiser said:

This morning the Port Everglades webcam appears to show two cranes next to Equinox.  Can't tell for sure from this angle, but wonder if some last minute updates are being completed.

 

 

Wonder if they are there as it is easier to remove materials that were removed during the crossing like furniture or flooring, from the top of the ship and of course bulky items or containers items were in and put on the ship in Spain? Another reason the ship docked there and not #25 which it will be moved to for tomorrow?

You might have misunderstood the response you got. I too tried to get the 2 Surf package on Internet with the Elite discount. At the time the single full Internet and Surf packages were on sale 25% off, less than the Elite discount. I was told I could get 2 single Surf packages but it would cost me more than getting the double 2 device package. Agent told me book it on the ship, our Elite discount would work for that. Actually, I think you don't even need to go to the iLounge to do that? Just connect to the Wifi and then buy a package, the price should appear with the 30% discount as I recall? Apparently Captain Club can not 'sell' all possible purchases, only some?

38 minutes ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

They had the TV on the Reflection? Interesting, I don't recall that ... they must have had it off the evening when the jazz was being played.

Yup, and it was on both nights, and other nights as well. Picture taken from Lawn Club Grill..

7 hours ago, Fogfog said:

We have had very decent steaks and lamb chops there and it is more fun with a small group.

Have been at LCG on windy days with glare in the evenings and they pull the screens to mitigate it. Works fine

Have had lunch there as well which was a nice venue and meal= a great alt from the OceanView. That was back when LCG and The Porch were open for lunch and the UDP (which doesn't exist anymore)

That TV is going to be problematic if they run it like the rooftop deck 12 (M-class)..which is constant noise and too loud. 

There are so few places to go for quiet and that green lawn space and chairs up there was one of them.

I fear Celebrity is becoming more "Carnival/RCCL"  with noise/sound/activity overload. 

 

On the Reflection it is basically had fixed 'plastic' panels on it I recall. Food was really good. I was surprised by the table of 10 next to us. They ordered individually and extra steaks that were different for a few to share. I loved the lamb chops, and I did ask how many were in an order, was told as many as I wanted, so I ordered 4 and was served 6. 2 nights later we were eating in The Porch and they told us that the next night the Lawn Grill was 50% off... so we booked it again. I couldn't make up my mind between the Rib Steak and Lamb chops again (different waiter) so he suggested I get both... OK, but just 2 Lamb chops, got only 3 and the steak, which was way too much. The TV screen was on both nights. No sound, movie started much later, just showing scenery and waterfalls.

Wish they had both the LG and The Porch on the Equinox.. and The Porch was a really good deal for the price.

For me. the only reason to go 'suit and tie' is the nights they take formal pictures and we wanted more pictures, otherwise it is casual. Even then, sometimes we'll have pictures taken.

4 hours ago, ZAPZAP said:

Yes we are in the Orlando area, but both Equinox and Allure depart from the same port so that is not an issue for us 🙂

Our kids are 10 and hence that is why we are debating as Equinox offers a better itinerary (never done Mexico) while Allure's itinerary does few stops we already did before. But again, we are now leaning towards the Allure as we are dead afraid that kids that age would disturb the almost-sacred tranquility of the Equinox 😋

Sorry, my mistake on the RCCL ship, it is the Harmony now at Port Canaveral. Newer Oasis class, and it does the same 2 Mexican ports as the Equinox. Both ships are port intensive, only 2 sea days compared to some other routes.

We live in Orlando area too,  and have done the Allure with 2 teen grandchildren 3 years ago. No complaints other then the 12 year old at the time was afraid to do the Zip line but did on the last day, was sorry he didn't do it sooner.

They are going with us on the Equinox, we'll see how that goes, but they are probably going to be happy and they will be able to use the electronic devices they have. Doing that this time for something different, and getting 2 cabins close by for July was easier.

11 hours ago, ZAPZAP said:

We are also debating the same issue as with 2 young boys.

Well, if you are really in Orlando, far easier to get to the Allure. Might cost more though, those big ships normally do.

For teens, well, the Allure has a lot more to offer, rock climbing, mini-golf, wave rider, zip line, etc. on-board, but that might not be what they want. It might stop (I have not looked) at the private island (one of two RCCL uses) depending in route. Might have more sea days though.

Equinox, depending on router might only have 2 sea days, but I think it is more 'sedate'.

You know your kids, show them web sites and what the ships have and ask them is probably the best answer.

On 5/18/2019 at 5:34 PM, Turtles06 said:

 

No, on Celebrity the issue is the promotions.  There’s no Captain’s Club credit. 

Great, put it in and got it! I missed doing that on the Feb. cruise, but it was a group and I don't recall if the TA tried or not, but those are not usually allowed. I have the NO PERKS fare, so maybe that was why? Did have a Senior discount though?

I think it is the Crown and Anchor credit that is the problem, not promotions. You can have the C&A cabin credit, or the stockholder credit, NOT both. You'll get the one that is worth more. Same would go for CC level too I guess?

59 minutes ago, misterkevin said:

The prices are a determining factor in choosing a specialty restaurant for me as well. Murano is high at $50pp, but it is a bargain for the quality and service. Plus, I'll typically book it the first night to take advantage of a discount for $35pp.

Yes, price does matter and what you get for it too, positively agree.

This time we're doing Tuscany for the first night, $30 per. Murano's on my Birthday @ $50 per. After that, we'll see.

On the Reflection (and on the Equinox you can buy it too) we bought the 4 night dining package when on sale, I think $129 per. Average price was great, and ate in Murano's, Tuscany, Lawn Club, and LPC. It was an 11 night cruise so we had time, and that normally would have cost around $300. One night they offered the Lawn Club at 1/2 price, so we ate there again. Sushi on Five was always 50% off for lunch if you have an excursion ticket when you came back. However, on a summer cruise they might not be offering discounts. In Feb. it wasn't hard to get a reservation in any place, but the cruise was longer too, so maybe the reservations spread out more?

We had the 'free' Classic Drink Package on the Reflection. Yeah, had to watch what you ordered as I got hit with a charge on water. I was given Perrier which wasn't included when I asked for water. Didn't realize that. Most cocktails were around the $9 limit but like you said, not the 'better' ones.

This cruise we bypassed the 'free' perks. Agent compared prices without and with 2. Any 2 if one wasn't the Classic drink it was cheaper without taking the 2 'free' perks. Even if we did take the drink package and the tips or credit, you really had to be a big drinker it seemed. The difference with any 2 or 1 with the drink package as I recall was paying about $425 more for the cabin per, but any 2 without one being the drink package was at least $100 less than the fare increase. So if I took the $150 credit and $105 tips it would be a loss of $170. Internet was a better deal than tips, but we're Elite and get a 30% discount on it which didn't reduce the fare so we didn't take that. That for most with the Internet would be a break even with the extra charge. We also get some free drinks for Elite's at night so with this cruise being so port intensive the drinks that we need to buy it might not even have paid to get the Drink package. The cost to move up from the Classic to the Premium Drink Package was $10/per night plus tax which seemed high too.

Other cruise lines play the same 'game'.

12 hours ago, misterkevin said:

To replace it with a Disney-style gimmick with a prix fixe menu of predictable surf and turf makes me sad since I thought Celebrity cruisers were more sophisitcated than that. 

We were on the Reflection last Feb. and ate in LPC. They do have 2 menu's, but the 'show' is set for the first one. You can mix items or eat either one.

Both meals are way over-priced in our opinion. It is the 'presentation' that matters and determines the price I guess? We did it once, and probably will not again. However, kids might really enjoy it.

As for Silk Harvest, well, I guess some have differing opinions? We've been on many Celebrity ships and Silk Harvest never appealed to us? It also seemed to always be empty as well and most times they were offering discounts to eat there as the cruise days passed. We do like Asian food, but at the price they wanted it seemed out of line for an Asian restaurant? Yes, there are others with similar food that charge as much, like in Orlando at Disney Springs, Morimoto (and we do eat there), and the other places on Celebrity ships, like the Lawn Club and The Porch on the Reflection price wise. We'd rather eat in Murano's or Tuscany rather than the LPC due to the charge as well.

Did Celebrity make the 'right call'? Time will tell. LPC was not crowded either in Feb., but there were limited kids onboard as well. Maybe it will draw more in the summer?

Me, I'd have rather they added The Porch and Lawn Club (where the Glass show is), but there could be contractual reasons for doing what they did? I really like Qsine, but all those appear to be converting to LPC as well...

It is GONE from our July 13th 2019 cruise in Cruise Planner. LPC has NOT been added in its place.

Seems to be 'broke' right now? Both on FireFox and IE 11. Continually loading on IE, locked up FF once.

Sunday, 2PM EDT.

We got off the Allure this Sun. We're Diamond and according to the e-mail can board at any time. Our DD and family traveling with us is Gold and we were all on Deck 9, 3PM boarding. TA told us not to worry, but C&A on the phone told us the decision to allow them to board with us would be up to the pier side support team. DD wanted to get the iPhones and they sold out fast. We arrived at 1PM so if they had to sit it would not be more than 2 hours. We ALL boarded with NO questions or delay (other than to get picture taken and kids wristband). I didn't see anyone 'forced' to sit and wait and boarding was fast. Too late to get the iPhones though, couple ahead of DD got the last ones.

Doesn't seem to be anything more than getting some people who adhere to that e-mail stretching out the boarding process more evenly?

Thanks for another confirmation of the intention of the promotion being followed and not the 'interpretation' left by their wording.

 

Good news about the Izumi OBC posting later and others first day.

There still were some 'screw ups'. You need to watch your account. First day we got less than 1/2 of what we should have. Talked to the Diamond person and she send e-mail off. Later in the day that was removed and the correct OBC applied. Happened to our DD's account too, so maybe it was a computer screw up, who knows. Izumi OBC came in two parts, $2.09 twice on a total charge of $16? Could not figure that one out for going to 3 restaurants which should have been 20%?

Had a Diamond BOGO drink on our sea passes (Sangria in Vintages, no specialty discount on that restaurant for a Tapas lunch either). The BOGO wouldn't come up on the card. Waiter told us it was because it wasn't covered as there was Alcohol in the Sangria. 2 years ago it was? Never heard and excuse like that before, novel. Spoke to GR and it was fixed later in the day. More computer problems?

These promotions and putting your coupons on your sea passes is NOT new. Should not have problems at all. Maybe the waiter was the problem? He seemed not to know what to do, even got the drink order wrong the first time.

Maybe it was just this ship? Other could handle the promotion differently possibly and have all the coupon kinks worked out?

Just got off the Allure.

It seems no matter what I was told by C&A on the phone, the confusing wording, they use it as NORMAL OBC.

That is the credit was on the account from day 1, and was subtracted from the first charge, which was the daily tips. When we ate lunch in Azumi later in the week, the full bill was debited and then the OBC, which was oddly a few pennies more than the 20%?

No I get that entirely - that was the whole point of my original post that you have to spend the OBC in additional food venues and the more you book the less opportunity you have to spend it in that manner over the course of the cruise. A "Catch 22".

 

My misunderstanding with your post was I thought you meant the savings gained on board was still and OBC instead of a straight discount on the booking.

 

But I now see what you meant by saying you would be able to spend that savings anyway you want versus the restricted OBC. Sorry for that confusion on my part. We are indeed saying the same thing. :)

I was told 'food and drink', and when I asked for more clarification on the call was told ala carte pricing, other food surcharge, or drinks. I pushed for more info but that was all the person could tell me. I question the 'drink' as well, anywhere, only in specialty restaurants? No real answer. If I made another specialty reservation would I get more of a discount then, was told yes on only that one?

I intend to get this squared away day 1 on-board so I'm not surprised or leaving money on the table. Further messing this up is I paid for our daughter's families reservations, but due to RCCL's website restrictions, I couldn't add her reservation to our reservation number for the specialty restaurants. So I have to make it under her reservation, and I paid for it. It seems she'll be getting the OBC and not me I was told. I was told if we both go to the GS on-board and explain the situation they will move the OBC. Since there are 4 of them and 2 of us, her OBC would be 2x mine, and if added to mine it might be hard to spend if we don't drink a lot :-)

I just have a feeling this promotion of replacing dining packages was not well planned or thought out.

Booking on board on the first day is not an OBC but a straight discount on the surcharge as you say. The OBC is what is issued (and applied on day 1) for pre-booked reservations as a percentage of the total reservation value. And the OBC is only applicable as you indicate on subsequent food venues requiring a surcharge or a fee for purchased food items.

 

Those booking on board cannot use the savings as they see fit as it is only a discount applied to the restaurant surcharge for the bookings they made. In other words if a surcharge is $20, the discount for booking on board is 20% of that, or $4, which is taken immediately and the resulting actual surcharge is $16.

 

This is per my conversations with C & A as posted previously. Not surprising, however, if you heard it differently.

No, understood. However you miss my point. My point is those pre-cruise booking are forced to spend the OBC on more food and drink, those booking on-board are charged less and can use the savings as they see fit, reduce the tip fee, buy a watch, shore excursion, etc. I am forced to either spend it on food or drink or lose the savings.

Put another way, you go on-board and book 3 nights for two at Giovanni's. You are charged $150 - $30 to your account. I paid the full $150 pre-cruise and get a $30 OBC. That $30 you saved you can spend as you wish. I have to spend it on food or drink. Assume we both do not get any other food or drink. No problem for you, but I lose $30 as it will not be returned to my credit card.

Now take this to the extreme of someone booking for more than 2 people and more expensive specialty restaurants.

I just think the OBC should be like any other OBC, free to use as you see fit, not restricted to specific purchases.

I called C & A today to inquire about this 'discount'. We'll be on the Allure and I under Cruise Planner made reservations in 3 restaurants, one being Izumi. As it was explained to me, the 20% I'll get as OBC on day 1 can be used for anything 'food or drink' related. Either the charge in Izumi or other Ala Carte places or drinks on-board.

Not that I'd have a problem using that OBC assuming my Izumi bill will be covered and we intend to have lunch one day in Vintages, but there is a 'logic' disconnect here.

If I booked 3 on-board I'd get 20% off of each one immediately, well the 2 that have a surcharge, and my bill in Izumi would be 20% less.

OK, but here is the disconnect to me. Booking on-board is an immediate discount. However since I pre-booked, my discount is NOT, and I must use the OBC only for specific items. Food or drink related only. Those booking on board can use the savings how they see fit, but for me, it is designated how I have to 'spend' it. Not fair at all. However I'll probably use it all up anyway... just the principle of how it was done. Annoying.

We have this problem too and it is a 'one-way' street. Problem for us is that we were booked by our TA into a group to get a better price. Our DD and family needed a cabin for 4 and the TA did not have that that type of cabin in his group, so they are booked outside the group. Her reservation is hooked to us, but ours is not hooked to hers. Making dining reservations means I can not add her booking (as I am paying for some) but she could add our reservation. Same for shore excursions. I didn't know this ans when I called RCCL I was told I had to make 2 reservations for the same dining and they ship would get our reservations and the fact we are hooked together and seat us together. TA told me to check on-board the first day to be sure. Do not want to get to Giovanni's and discover we're at 2 tables, one for 2 and the other for 4, at different ends of the place. RCCL says they can NOT combine our reservations.