talljules1

I know. Our takeaway learning points are/were: 1. Book the room you want (we did - and we did enjoy the aft corner SS. But yes, it is a come down from a RS). Don't rely on move up to get the room you want. 2. For us (it may be different for you!), our price point for a RS is £1000 per day for the two of us (so, 500pp). With our max upgrade, we would have hit this. That's what we're paying for a RS on our Infinity cruise in Dec 2023. 3. No idea at all how they decide who they decide have the winning move up bids. If anyone does know, we'd love to hear from you! 4. The RS is amazing (both the extra room, the in room amenities and the all included specialty dining). Definitely do if you can, but beware that anything less is a real come down!! We're doing all our cruises this year in SS and love the sweet suite life. We haven't done a CS. We decided we'd rather do 3 cruises in SS rather than 1-2 in RS this year. (Of course, we could have done 6 in a concierge class room for that, but now I think we would miss the retreat)

We were perplexed too and it did not make sense to us either: 1. I checked frequently after bidding. My max bid, which was >$1100 pp remained the max bid. 2. They were on the same cruise and won a bid. 3. We paid for our S1 at the time of booking (it was not itself an upgrade) 4. We would hope so too. 5. Indeed. The cost of the actual booking plus the max move up bid was still less than the cost of booking the RS at the time of booking (by about $2-3000 for the two of us - which is why we thought it was worth putting in the max bid). As I recall, the booking fare for the S1 was just under £6000 for the two of us for a 7 night cruise. We bid the max for the move up (just over $1100 pp). At the time of making the move up bid, a RS booked as a new booking would have been several thousand £ more. We had to conclude that however they do it, it is not that the people who have overall paid the most win. Our experience was puzzling to us as well.

I'm so sorry you had this experience, but sadly I can believe it. We have always had superb cruises with Celebrity, until this year. We totally get that the industry is coming back. But we take the view we are shelling out a decent amount of coin - the service is not what it was, but the prices continue to rise. (We have noticed, year on year, that the prices go up and up but the service slow declines). If you are going to charge the usual price, we expect the usual service (and don't think that is unreasonable). If you can't deliver, either charge less, or don't offer. On our last cruise (silhouette) we did have great food in Luminae, but the OVC did not appeal to us at all and on the retreat sundeck they brought us undercooked burgers. The specialty dining restaurants were generally v good (Sushi on 5 (inc. Taj X) and Murano) but service in Murano was often slow - we expressly stated we were looking for an in and out experience, and that generally was better). Breakfast and dinner were good. Lunch options were distinctly lacking (esp compared to last year when Luminae, Porch and Sushi on 5 were always open for lunch - I gather this was unusual now). In the retreat lounge they have snacks for lunch/afternoon but no Gluten free options. "Oh - you're supposed to tell us the day before/first thing in the morning if you want these!" There was nothing anywhere to tell us this. I think what irritated me the most was: 1. One of the ports was not as advertised. Was supposed to be Olden. We docked in Loen. Not the end of the world but they could have told us where we were. It was obvious we were not in Olden, so grating to have the retreat manager tell us "Welcome to Olden". He told us there would be a shuttle to take us to Olden. There was not. Loen is still great. But why lie? Just tell us the truth. I don't like paying $$$ to be lied to. The lies grate way more than the altered destination. 2. Celebrity prides itself on being inclusive/welcoming of LGBTQ+ passengers. They make a big deal of this in their advertising. I found it irritating/disappointing then to get letters in our suite addressed to Mr and Mrs TallJules. They know from our booking, check in and previous cruises we are Mr and Mr (and could avoid all this by Dear TallJules and Paul or Dear Mr and Mr). Can forgive it once with ease. We immediately told the retreat concierge. They apologised. All good - mistakes happen. Then we got another. Mis-titling like this is a micro-aggression. Not good enough. 3. The app often said places were open for lunch when they were not. These were irritations. Each on its own is minor, but they add up and leave a bad taste. We did still have a good cruise - we really did. But it could easily have been better. Hoping for better for our remaining cruises this year (which were booked and paid for by the end of our last cruise). If not, we will be looking at another line, despite having an expensive cruise booked with them for next year. We have spent a LOT this year on cruises. This sounds like a lot of moaning. I suppose it is. We do, truly, love Celebrity (we have >£25K of cruises with them this year) and want to stay with them, but they are as good as your last cruise with them. We hope for better this time - and think it will BE better. But we now realise that now we are into the suite life, there are other lines out there who might offer better for the same price. We will wait and see.

we tried that on our last cruise - heard late in the day before embarkation that there was a RS free. We were one of the first to board and went straight to guest relations on boarding, but were still out of luck. (We had also contacted our TA the evening before.) So we still don't know how they decide. We suspect/wonder if it might depend on whether you booked direct with Celebrity or not (we think that those who were successful had booked direct, but are not certain). It is a shame it is so opaque. We thought having made a max bid early we had a good chance. We could have done no more. It is a little galling in such circumstance not to be, and to have had others prioritised over us. Still delighted for those who did get it.

I would love to know what algorithm they use to decide who wins. On our last cruise we were in an S1 (aft corner) sky suite. We bid the maximum for a Royal and didn't get it, and we bid early. However, we know someone won who had bid from a non-suite class room and didn't bid the max. So we think overall we would have paid more had we won. Fair play to them. It doesn't *seem* to be about maximising revenue. I don't think Captain's club tier or number of future cruises booked make any difference either. Maybe it is just a lottery. Have just bid the bare minimum for a RS for our next cruise (in 8 days time) - don't expect to win that either. We have bids in for RS and CS for our Iceland cruise. Not holding breath. I think the answer, ultimately, has to be: book the room you will be happy in. If you get the upgrade, bonus! We were happy in our aft corner SS on our last cruise, will be happy in our SS on Beyond, and will be happy in our aft corner SS on our Iceland cruise if that's what we land in. We were spoiled by our RS last year (which we booked as a RS) and the 'come down' to a SS was a bit hard but we rapidly adjusted and had a great time. The unlimited specialty dining with RS+ is amazing. The extra room is wonderful. We have booked a RS for our xmas/NY cruise for 2023/24.

Don't know but those are good suggestions. Eden cafe looks perfect, if open!

On our most recent cruise we found the app was not accurate even when on board. Had a day where the app said The Porch was open for lunch so we went and sat there like lemons for a while until we were told it was not actually open after all! So I don't trust the app, particularly. That was the day we ended up at the Retreat sundeck and were served mostly raw burgers - which was the straw that broke the camel's back. (We now know we need to specify we want them well done!) There is food available for lunch on the retreat deck. In Norway this wasn't a particularly appealing option as it was cold. But on the Beyond in Greece I'm betting this will be a much better option, and looking forward to it. I also like Terry's suggestion of getting off and going somewhere local for lunch. I don't think they deliver room service to the retreat sundeck.

Thanks Terry - I'm glad to know it is not just me!!

Thanks, Chemmo! It's odd - I used to love the OVC. I think being in a Royal last year spoiled us too much. On our first cruise this year, the OVC felt like a real step down (and it was crowded). Went round it a few times and didn't see much that was appealing. Lunch in Luminae was super! That being said, the weather makes a difference to alfresco dining, and a hotdog or burger in the cold and damp isn't very appealing. Room service during our last Silly cruise was v v slow. Maybe as well this time we will be a little more relaxed about COVID. Still taking and planning to wear FFP2 masks on flights, coaches (inc transfers and excursions) and indoors on Ship (except when eating/drinking or in our own room). We did that last time and were fine. One of those travelling with us last time did not - and guess which one of us got COVID. For me, at least, this is about expectation management. I get upset if a) things are not as promised/advertised - I don't like being lied to (who does?) and/or b) if things don't meet expectations. Can't do too much about (a), but (b) is in my control - I want to make sure my expectations are fair and reasonable. That way, I can be nice and chilled about it all. This time the weather is going to be warm/hot, so outdoor eating is going to be much more appealing 🙂 In other good news, I have finally found my sunglasses! Yay! I will be easy to spot on board - I will be the one covered up in the shade lathered in SPF50, or lobster-red. Either way, keep me supplied with an alternating ginger ale/long island ice tea and I will be happy. I'm struggling to get really excited about this cruise at the mo, due to worries re actually getting to the ship - but if we do get there, it will be amazing I am sure. (So sorry for my fretting)

Thanks, Rich! That's good to know. We can happily adjust our expectations accordingly and be content!

p.p.s I do know how snobbish all this sounds. What I am trying to do is to make sure we board with the right expectations. (I find that what upsets me most is when expectations are not met, rather than what is actually delivered, and so I am trying to make sure my expectations are reasonable 🙂)

p.s. I know some of this might be available on the app, but we found that often the app said things were open for lunch when they were not, when we went to Norway. It became quite frustrating.

Hi all Now, I think this is probably a minor thing. When we sailed on the Silhouette last year we could have lunch in Luminae or in places like Sushi on 5, The Porch every day - regardless of whether a sea or port day. This was a UK seacation cruise. This year, during our Norway cruise, this generally wasn't an option which meant that lunch was either in Oceanview (where we just didn't find things we liked), Mast grill or Retreat deck. This was OK, but felt like quite a step down. (I think, perhaps, because it was cold and sometimes rainy). So, how do things work for lunch at the moment on the Beyond? Is Luminae open for lunch? Are places like Raw on 5 open for lunch? (I am less concerned re OV/Mast Grill/Retreat deck as in the vids we have seen it looks a lot nicer and of course the weather is going to be a lot better!) My other question, whilst I am here, is: I know there is priority embarkation for the retreat on embarkation day, and I know there is priority disembarkation for tendering in ports. Is there priority embarkation on port days for retreat guests, and does this depend on whether there is tendering or not? BW Jules

Thanks Chemmo (and lovely to see you here!) You are right. We have good flights out. I am very worried I made a mistake when booking, as we fly out on the day. Yes, I know, I know. OH is convinced this was my choosing and fault - but he was there when I made the booking and didn't push at the time. Still, first flight out of the day, so hopefully we will get there. First day is still going to be a LONG day. Will learn the lesson for next time. At least we are booked with Celebrity, so *hopefully* we will get to the ship. Otherwise we might be holidaying in Frankfurt lol. It has been ages since we flew for a holiday, so feeling anxious about it - but we will have our masks on. It is going to be our first warm water cruise in ages too - that will be a nice change. We have some excursions booked, but not for every port. (I think the only one I am truly fussed about is Santorini, so as they are all paid for out of OBC, we will roll with it and see how we feel. They've changed the times of some of the excursions to early AM, so might end up giving them a miss.)

Superb - thanks Mark! I think the area next to Eden might be perfect for me! (I don't mind being tucked away with my bad habit - and I like the quiet)

I think we're fairly low maintenance suite guests, at least as far as personal retreat hosts are concerned. We let them know we don't want the afternoon canapes but do want a cheese/charcuterie plate at night, and that we want more pillows when we first see them, and that otherwise generally will want to not see them. (Prefer for things to just "magically" happen in the background - which it does.) Suspect on our forthcoming cruise we will certainly be taking advance of our Elite laundry bags (and perhaps a bit more laundry), and maybe I will ask to have some shoes shined (never asked for that before). In a Royal Suite (which we've only done once), we'd have breakfast in the room. We did that once in our Sky Suite and it wasn't comfortable - so now we head to luminae for brekkie. Given the not inconsiderable amount we spend on our cruises I suppose I do go on expecting something close to perfection. Of course, perfection cannot be achieved, but we've found that if you say something at the time, things are usually put right very quickly. I am determined to try to be more of a "roll with the punches" guy than I have been in the past - finally realising that to some extent it is up to me whether to be upset by something or not. On all our cruises things have been superb, and where not they are only minor niggles. On our last cruise (silhouette, Norway) our PRH did keep appearing with a worried look wondering if we wanted anything from him as we had not asked for anything at all since the first day. We kept reassuring we did not. On the penultimate night he gave us a bottle of perrier jouet, which was splendid - our favorite champagne - and completely unexpected.

Thanks all for the replies. It has taken a while to get an answer from Celebrity via TA, but it turns out the later (poorly timed) flights are what we actually have, not the ones listed in our eDocs. Whilst far from ideal, at least they do get us home. Must try to roll with the punches. Must try to roll with the punches. Must try to roll with the punches. Must try to roll with the punches. Must try to roll with the punches. Must try to roll with the punches. 🙂

Hi all We're looking forward to exploring the Beyond in just over a week's time. Our first fly cruise, and first Edge-class ship. Can anyone tell me where the smoking areas are on the Beyond? (I know nowhere inside, and not on balconies) Also interested to know if there is a smoking area within the retreat sundeck. (Quite expecting there not to be) (On the silhouette I plonk myself on Deck 5 - smoking area not far from retreat lounge). Just wondering where I am going to plonk myself on this ship 🙂 Cheers.

So we have our first ever fly-cruise coming up in a few weeks. Flights booked with Celebrity, via a travel agent (as was the cruise). Our flights are with Lufthansa. No issue with outbound flights. Flights home on Celebrity site match what we thought we were getting. However, they don't match what is on Lufthansa flight (as we discovered when we logged in to do the seat reservations). The original flights would have seen us land in Manchester (UK) at about 5pm on disembarkation day. The flights as they appear on Lufthansa don't get us into Manchester until 11pm (later departure from Barcelona plus ludicrous 4.5 hour layover in Munich). Is this normal (for the flights not to match)? It doesn't feel normal! Making it hard to book transport to the airport as we don't know what time our return flight lands. It's taken us 2 weeks to get a response from our (usually very good) TA - and that response has been "Celebrity have so many flight changes at the mo - you might find out about a week before departure". This seems very unimpressive. Rather anxious about this.