jagoffee

How about when you boarded? I just received a notification from Princess for our 1/17/23 cruise that stops there. If one is not fully vaccinated, a Covid test is required before boarding. It stated that this was because of Cartagena.

I would think you would pay the prevailing rate with the prevailing perks. Basically at final payment a Refundable deposit automatically turns into a NRD. (Based on the cancellation terms).

Did you book with the large warehouse company?

Is your staff compensation comment related to the gratuity distribution? Or when some cruisers remove the gratuities? I am not surprised that some crew members pay is variable.

But the same thing can be said for those that want a high quality dinner service in an OV/buffet area, no extra charge room service, no charge for alcoholic drinks, etc.

I am not convinced that ordering anything you wish from the daily MDR while in Blu was ever an official policy. I am not saying that it is not allowed, but I do not think it was the policy. And now people are complaining that it is a “take away”. Given the location of the Blu relative to the MDR, I am not sure why they would make the MDR menu a standard policy. I could see the everyday MDR items being available. (Which was my experience). Same think on some of the items being ordered for Room Service in certain cabin categories.

If you eat there often, you are in a better position to know the numbers. I am surprised that it would be 25% occupied for dinner. It is close to empty when I go there, but I do not go there often for dinner. (Only when I am dressed very casual and not very hungry). A limited menu would not be an issue for me. A salad and pizza. People have a good point about the “casual” wear. Cruisers need a place to dine in shorts, so perhaps the dress code for the MDR will be modified. Here is a made up number for you. 99% of the people complaining on this thread have not experienced the change yet.

If you like to eat dinner in the buffet, you will love Oceania. Their evening product is excellent even includes grilled lobster tails.

Based on my observations I would say a very small number of non staff people have dinner in the OV, but I can understand why those that do use it are not pleased.

Do you get some kind of notification when someone sends you a chat message or do you have to keep checking?

I suspect you may not have actually successfully submitted a bid. You way want to try again.

You should find that information on this thread:

You will received the benefits that was included when you booked. The exception is the increase in the high limited for drinks (moved up to $20). Many people suspect Princess will be increasing the cost of drinks across the board, so the increased limit will offsite those increases. To get the items marked as New, you need to pay more to upgrade.

No, unless the fuel surcharge kicks in.

You do realize that is was never All Inclusive? The All included is in reference to a drink package, standard gratuities, and WiFI. I do agree that the list of what is not included as gotten a little longer.

The original thread had a nice graph showing the initial prices for different categories and the corrected prices for the new releases being discussed. An error was very obvious to me, but surely the definition of error is up to interpretation. Celebrity would be the only one that know for sure. I trust them in this situation. I can see how others might not. Compare the Suite price with the Retreat benefits to a balcony and/or other categories. Or earlier new releases. Just my opinion. I can understand why anyone who was able to take advantage of the error to have a different one

Nice review. Have ever cruised on Seabourne or Regent?

I think you are correct. I am left wondering about anyone that books a cruise now that departs before 2/20. I would assume that pay the old Plus price? anyone in that situation?

You sure have taken a giant leap. It is reasonable to say that Celebrity will not honor pricing errors that have been quickly recognized and corrected.

I could potentially see Celebrity eliminating the table bar service at night. I have never been impressed with the dinner offerings in the OV. My wife and I only use it when we do not want to change our clothes and are not really very hungry. If you want to see a nice dinner buffet set up, try an Oceania cruise. (We were on the Riviera). Many freshly prepared options. Loved dining there in the Aft outdoor section even when we were ready for a full meal.

IMO the design of the Edge Class ships is purposely trying to discourage in cabin dining. My wife and I have been on 50+ cruises and we have never used Room Service for dinner or lunch. We occasionally order Room Service breakfast ( on early excursion days). If we were given a choice for even higher cruise fares or a charge for Room Service, we would prefer the lower cruise fare. I think there is no doubt that Room Service is a significant variable cost and very difficult to budget and plan. Reading this thread makes me feel like I have been subsidizing those that frequently use Room Service. Dare I suggest maybe even abuse the feature? I cannot count how many times it has been reported that although the room service menu is limited in some cabin categories, people just write in what the want and it is delivered. A surcharge for Room Service is a reasonable approach, but it easy to say for a person who does not place much value in the benefit. I suspect most cruisers will not be impacted by this change. (Since they do not use it). Is $12 each time you use it really unreasonable? I also have never ordered Room Service at a hotel. It could have been worse, Celebrity could have eliminated Room Service. I suspect Celebrity’s objective to reduce the use of Room Service or make it pay for itself.

Did you book and pay for the the Plus or the Premier package?

No Photographers? I vote for that one.

Good luck. Did you confirm that you do not still owe the money for your winning bid? I would not think you could just not pay and not still owe the money.

My comment was related to the reported lack of a bar in the Retreat Lounge.