REDSTRIPETYPE

Thanks for your detailed review and humor. We just got off our first Oceania and we are back to Celebrity for good.

So here I am back after being "slagged" for not engaging in all the nonsense and therefore apparently having no credibility. So here are my thoughts now after having read thru all the various comments and by the way I wont be responding again because its not enjoyable. 1) Doesn't have to be Red Stripe, I like all kinds of beer and loved that they had local Tahitian beer...Hinano...it was great! (look at that a positive comment) 2) Interesting that I got criticized for saying European accent. I did that to not appear racially motivated especially with the war in Europe. 3) Very happy to see that the people who did comment about the male singer not only agreed but were far more critical the I was. ( hit the nail on the head there!) 4) Funny that most people on these boards think that its mostly complainers and that our opinion should therefore be taken with a grain of salt...if you don't want honest, forthright info then get off the board. 5) My intention was not to say that Celebrity is better or that people should "jump ship" (ha ha) from Oceania, but just to say that the alleged luxury and food experience wasn't enough for us personally to return to Oceania. 6) Incredible the stuff that people choose to slag, like my comment about the early pool chair hogs at 0615...what does the time of sunrise have to do with that...I didn't make it up it happened! 7) And for the rest of you naysayers...remember I started with all the good things...I guess my analogy would be this...if you thing that the enormous amount of money you pay for airline business class is worth it than go with Oceania...and although comparing Celebrity with Oceania is like comparing apples and oranges (both fruits but very different) we choose the Celebrity fruit because we can go on two Celebrity cruises for the price of one Oceania cruise. OVER AND OUT!

THE GOOD You could have Surf and Turf every day at Lunch and Dinner. Ship Decor and cleanliness. Crew professionalism and friendliness. Easy to get extra dinners in specialty restaurants. Library book quantity and selection. Bar service and waiters were knowledgeable, friendly, and efficient. Embarkation. THE BAD Pool Chair hogs were out and locked down all the shade chairs by 0600. Although the food was good it wasn't worth the extra cost. Terrace Cafe food kept under heat lamp and cold, Like most cruise ships, coffee was horrible. THE UGLY The showband is also the nightly dance band and they only play for 45 minutes each night after the show, but in this case THANK GOD!!!! the male singer had a very distinctive European accent and was Tone Deaf!!! People were looking around like is this for real? Excursion prices way over the top. Shower size frighting .

Did I read somewhere that Celebrity Elite status can get free upgrade to the Yacht Club?

Done a lot of research and have used Costco manulife for past 10 cruises...2 years ago broke leg playing hockey 10 days prior to 21 day cruise and surgeon said couldn't fly for 90 days...metal hardware inserted....Manulife refunded $10,000 without a hitch

Thanks SophieM

Wow! Tough crowd...cant figure out why on a friendly chat group where people help other people why some people would be so critical. The information was on one of the twenty or so Regatta reviews I read here on Cruise Critic under reviews, however I am not about to go rereading and searching just to apiece the Hyperbole naysayers. What you think I made it up...why would I do that? Hope these people are not on my cruise. Thank-you to the nice people who replied with helpful information.

Just read a review that said for shore excursion tenders, one person per couple must go and stand in line (sometimes 100 people in the line) to get a tender ticket. Then proceed to the theater to wait for your number to be called. Can anyone confirm the process for the Reagtta?

Should I bring a jacket or will dress shirts be enough?

What are the times when lunch and dinner locations are open when you can receive free wine and/or beer on the Regatta?

SO AH NEVERLAYSUP....I booked 1 hour after Celebrity sent me an email stating that I could NOW do my online check in.....had no idea or indication that I could do it earlier as you suggested...yes I guess technically my fault but Celebrity has the most culpability here I would suggest

Yesterday was the first day we were allowed to complete boarding passes for our Nov 22 cruise on the Beyond. Upon completion we were asked to select a boarding time and the earliest was 1:30 t0 2:00. Kinda disappointed that this is the earliest available esp since we completed docs as early as possible. Is it possible to change to earlier? What happens if we show up earlier...will we have to sit and wait? What happens if traffic is heavy and we are later than 2:00?

Your card may cover some things for a certain amount of days if you are 65, however it doesn't cover it all. Maybe ask what changes for over 65 because there is difference better safe than sorry.

Definitely Costco Manulife.....way cheaper than AMA....Credit cards don't cover you at all if you are 65

On the Regatta will there be some form of evening music and dancing?