lumpyi

Strange there's no thread on what happened on 5/17/17 at Vancouver. Most passengers got on after a 4 hour wait... to check in and to get thru customs. Heard a lady say her daughter started at 11 am and at 3pm still hadn't boarded. I started at 12:30 and got on at 4:20. Ship left approximately 2 hrs late at 7 pm instead of 5pm. Muster drill was at 5:30 and a second muster drill was needed for those still boarding. No eating venues were open untill 6pm or later, lunch onshore was what most people had. Maybe some venues where open for priority embarkation passengers and few early arrivals, but the bulk had to wait till dinner. Myself and others in our waiting area tried to have a positive approach in that we want to start the cruise with positive thoughts and bear with the negatives till we boarded which turned into pleasurable overall cruise.

Just got a change from classic alcohol package to the premium non alcohol package for my wife . We did it as soon as we got on board the Solstice on 5/17/17 to Alaska.There was no fee, guest relations girl made a phone call to someone and got approval to do the change, reissued a new room card and that was it. Was questioned once when making order for a Vitamin Zero but waitress said it should clear at accounting when invoice is sent and accounting have record of the change. No charges showed up on bill.

There are many things that were promised or written when booking a cruise and then discovered that it is no longer available or has changed when on the cruise. Sad part is some things that were changed are still being promoted as part of the package.

 

Ex. The daily ice was discontinued long ago but still listed.

 

Biggest joke is the priority, just about everyone has a priority for tender, dining, embarkation and etc and access to the concierge.

 

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌞

This will be my first cruise with Celebrity and I'll make final judgement if the changes are worth it . The saddest part, by reading this and other similar threads, is the acceptance of the changes. It seems like its accepted to accept changes that you find out about once you get on board and/or after payment has been made. Unless its a very good cruise, there'll be a lot of future "one and done" and/ or veterans seeking greener grass. Don't like Celebrity's take it or leave it , get less than what you thought you'd get. Who knows what you'll NOT get next time and next time.....

No one could possibly drink enough soda in a single day to make the classic beverage package non-profitable. It is the single most profitable item in all food service venues.

 

It occurs to me that I have pre-purchased the classic beverage package well before this change was made. I made that purchase with the understanding of what was included. This creates (imo) a contract.. For the seller to change the terms afterward is generally not permissible. I have yet to have read anything that permits Celebrity to change this (unlike the passenger contract which has numerous conditions under which things may change.) It simply doesn't seem right.

That"s what I've been saying in similar threads. Its a breach of contract. When the change came out the beginning of April there was no option for me to cancel the cruise, because I had paid in full. I leave next week. Majority are in favor of paying the difference for premium drinks, fine and well but don't give an inferior product IMHO for what was advertised for sale.

News in Hawaii about woman with abdominal trauma, airlifted off of Emerald, in stable condition. Video : VIDEO: Coast Guard Airlifts Cruise Ship Passenger Off Hawaii

Hope grandfathering will be done for 90 days past April 2, the start date of the changes. That's the cutoff of penalty to cancel that passengers would have had they known of the changes. Most passengers won't know of the change till they board, some will agree and some won't. So far Baileys, Amaretto, canned soda are the most unpopular changes. If more are posted Celebrity may grandfather more or revise the change. Should have more posts of upgraded alcohols on classic moved to premium and give Celebrity an idea of the unfavorable changes. Maybe they'll listen, nothing to lose.

Yes. And certainly nothing in the future. How can you buy something and find out you're not getting what you paid for? Who knows what will change next. Celebrity just lack any integrity to me. I'll go back to Princess even if it cost more.

I will refuse payment at the end of my cruise for liquor that moved from Classic to Premium and for canned sodas. I paid for the cruise which described on the Celebrity site the Classic Alcoholic beverage before this new package was posted.I agreed to pay with the understanding that Celebrity will provide the package described at the time of purchase. How can they change their package after I bought the ticket and expect me to pay more? I wouldn't have bought a ticket had I known of the change, but now I'm forced to accept and pay more and I can't get a refund to cancel cause I've paid in full and scheduled to leave in 30 days. It could be called "Bait and Switch" or "False Advertising" either way its wrong. Give me what I paid for because that's what was agreed upon, not this new package. Some like it, but they have a choice to choose before paying. Also same for those that don't like they have a choice before payment. I don't.

When I paid for my cruise I chose the the classic which was in the purchase price with the website description of what it contained. Isn't that a contract agreement, when I agree to pay and that they provide me what was described when I purchased? Or am I missing something?

I or you shouldn't need to cancel or change anything that you paid for. I met my obligation and paid for an agreement contract with Celebrity who now is changing what's in the agreement. Any change is a breach of the contract agreement. Celebrity solution should be old classic package with $9 cap and pay difference or back to classic package for PAID IN FULL passengers. That way they'll meet their obligations or enhanced it for those who've paid for the old package. May be that's happening, would need to to hear form recent passengers. It would be better if Celebrity stick their necks out and commit to their new change or announce a modified PAID PASSENGERS package. I don't care what I get, I would have agreed to this changes' but I just don't agree to the changes after I paid. What's to stop them from doing it on your next cruise? It needn't be beverages, could be internet, dining, etc. There's no telling of what you'll get till you get on board ? Not a good thought.

That's it, I don't have an option to cancel without penalties. I'm not a lawyer but a class action lawsuit could put a stop to the cruise ship dictatorship. More to throttle they're take it or leave it, either way you pay rules. Any other sales agreement we'd be screaming blood murder to get less than what we paid for, so why do we need to settle for less with cruise lines.I would say, "same is good", "more is better", " less is a no, no" , but let me choose.

There's a difference for passengers already paid in full, like myself, who are getting this new package. We paid for the old package and agreed to its terms. There hasn't been any notification of these changes sent to booked passengers, I found out about it on this forum. Most will not review the beverage package pdf. and not know until on board. It will make some happy and some not, but bottom line we ( fully paid ) all agreed and should expect the old package or at least the old package with the $9 change with pay the the difference and nothing less. New package should be for passengers not paid in full, who can view the new package pdf and be aware of the coverage and have the choice to select what they want.

Yes it says that, but why do I need to pay more to what was agreed to or pay more to get out of the contract. Either way its lose, lose. I pay for a Mercedes and get a Volkswagon. In most other sales its a breach, why is not for cruise lines. Do they have their own laws? Its a matter of ethics, give me what was agreed to and the option to choose. It is what it is, and I won't let it bother my cruise enjoyment, just expressing my opinion of Celebrity dictatorship.

Celebrity can't be changing what passengers agreed to when they bought their tickets, that's a breach of contract. They can add to the pkgs, not take away or lessen the value in some passengers perspective. If anything these changes should take effect in future cruises where passengers can have the choice to choose to agree the changes. "All" alcoholic beverages up to $9 added to old Classic pkg will make "All" passengers happy for now !

The change in policy is like a "bait and switch / false advertising". You buy something with an understanding of its contents, but what you get is "less" than what you paid for. They can give more benefits, but shouldn't be able to takeaway benefits. The change should be advertised pre purchase and forwarded (in example) to future bookings, whereby the passenger has an option to cancel their itinerary based on the changes, not when the passenger will be penalized to change.

Strange that the classic package is the only one left out of canned soda, all other packages are inclusive. Hope that correction of website to include canned soda would be done onboard, like Buckeye received.

Awesome responses, hopefully a guide for phone use on cruises without cellphone charges. An alternative for passengers to look at when choosing cruise lines with packaged internet choices like Celebrity. Maybe a start for cruise line to compete for passengers by providing internet provisions and lowering cost.

Would a cellphone carrier charge be made if the phone you're calling is in another country other than your home? Just inquisitive question, I don't intend to call international.

Will do that. Although expensive, using the onboard wifi is practical for communication on board with multi party passengers as well for home contact, entertainment, business, etc. Considered a luxury because of the high price, but if price was lowered its a practical convenience that may one day be a common inclusion on cruises. Just need to live long enough for that day!

Thanks for all the replies. I think I will need an app to connect to someone at home since they won't be connected to the ship's wifi. People on the ship's wifi would be able to connect to each other direct without using any app since they're on the same wifi ?

Thanks for reply . I've tried at home using my home wifi and I'm able to make calls which shouldn't be any different as using ship wifi, I hope. As long as connect to ship wifi (air plane mode disconnects wifi) and remember to turn ON airplane and turn OFF data roaming. Sounds like a plan to try when onboard.

If I have the wifi package, set my phone to airplane mode (to disable cell use) and turn on wifi calling ( advanced calling settings) , will I be able to make calls to onboard passengers and call home too thru the ships wifi? I have a Samsung S6.

Can someone share their experience on the Solstice traveling the Alaska Inside Passage.

My intent was to use the internet to communicate with my other family on board thru an app called KaKao Talk or something like that which my wife use like a phone to talk to people long distance/ over seas. I live in Hawaii and she'll talk to friends in Korea, Georgia, where ever as long both have the app. There's other apps but don't know if talk capable. It gives an alert when someone's calling. Plus to use internet. Planning on selecting internet and classic alcohol pkg as 2 selections and just pay for the tips which is around a fourth of the internet and way less than the Classic. May not use internet everyday, but will have freedom to do whenever/ whatever...no work involved I'm retired and just want freedom and relaxation .

Thanks Paulh 84, yeah its $458, I stand corrected. Gonzo70 are you saying that I work for Celebrity? I'm just trying to get straight answers before I book my cruise' sorry that it bothers you for rookie questions since I haven't been on Celebrity.