shanebbb

Beyond 2/26 (Sky Suite) - got the balm, 2 of ‘em, took one home.  Excellent, Bigelow.  I’m big on Bigelow.

They increase/decrease the price according to what the market will bear - a little annoying but I'd do the same.  Keep monitoring - they change it often, sometimes daily.  We were set to go this winter and as I called the TA the prince jumped!  When it drops, grab one.  Ours did!  Even at a higher price it's still a good deal - and great fun!  All the best to you.

This is a great thread of posts - such a sensible way to approach the vacation!  We’re on Beyond in 10 days and I got to the point of exhaustion between the posts on chair hogs, the creaky noises at night, the drop off in service and the room service charges!  I love cruising and we have not been since pre-pandemic.  I’m feeling better after reading these posts and cannot wait to head south!  Thanks, guys… 

On this topic please, what is the per drink limit on the premium package?

On 2/3/2023 at 10:16 AM, sbt518 said:

Maybe it was never an issue but @Rable1 only has 8 posts so they are probably new to Celebrity and Cruise Critic and just asked a question for information.

SBT - a nice reply!  You’re probably a nice person!

6 hours ago, funship freddy said:

given bartenders and pool servers cash tips at the time of service.

I far prefer the old system. The cruise lines now have control of our money

Completely agree with Freddy.  Also, I usually give some additional to the 5 key people but feel uncomfortable that they might not know that my cash is “over and above”, therefore a bad tipper.

This thread has been very helpful!

Cruises are like pizza - even the bad ones are still pretty good!  I expect you'll have an awesome week on the Solstice, especially with your attitude.  All the best and sail safe.

1 hour ago, Bo1953 said:

1 hour ago, shanebbb said:

 

sb - The 12 yo is (was) available on the PBP...

This is a great tip Bo!  We’re on Beyond Feb 25, and I’ll look forward to a similar afternoon treat.  Our first cruise since Dec ‘17 so we’re really looking forward (and in a Sky Suite for 1st time).  I’ll be fine with the 12 yo.

All the best, Shane

On 1/23/2023 at 11:54 AM, Bo1953 said:

On my last Summit sailing the bartender often upgraded my Macallan to the 20yo without really asking

Bo - I'm curious which Macallan did you upgrade from (to the 20 yo)?  I'm surprised (and happy) that either was available on any package!  All the best to you...

18 hours ago, wrk2cruise said:

If your TA mailed the invoice right as you booked it won't be there.  If you have the retreat pkg listed then you have the perks and wouldn't worry about it.

This was resolved exactly as you suggested, wrk2cruise.  i.e. - the TA sent me an updated invoice and all the perks were added but it did not happen until Celebrity updated it after the booking was submitted (1-2 days).

All the best and thank you!

9 hours ago, terrydtx said:

As others above have stated you should have all the premium perks along with your OBC. Your invoice from Celebrity should have something that looks like the following:

I did not go through Celebrity to book our Feb cruise on the Beyond, instead, we used an airline site, which went well (I think), but I'm having difficulty verifying that we received exactly what we were told.  Specifically, I cannot see on any of the documents that I actually have the drinks, tips, and wi-fi!  In reading Terry's post from above he has the drinks, tips & internet listed on his booking detail, but I do not.  We are in a Sky Suite and the $850 OBC is listed along with the "retreat pkg" and OBC but that's it.  Also, the Celebrity app is offering a drinks package, so it is not aware that we already have it!

Guess I better call XYZ Airlines!  (Not allowed to discuss TA's, right!)

Posted a dupe - very sorry

This is to delete it

During Christmas we selected a cruise - Feb 25th on the Apex in Aqua.  The price with insurance was $4724, which it had been for at least 3 weeks.  I checked on Tue (Jan 3) at 3:00 PM to be sure it was the same and then called the TA.  She checked for me and at 4:00 the price had jumped up to $5600 (with insurance).  Between 3:00 and 4:00 PM they increased the price by 18%.  That, along with all the cost cutting listed on this thread has left a bad taste in my mouth regarding Celebrity.

BTW - no Aqua cabins on that sailing have been sold since the Tuesday increase.

Our last cruise was pre-pandemic and we were REALLY looking forward to this one but WE'RE OUT!

All the best to all of you helpful people!

-Shane

Adam (and Mike):

Thank you for taking the time out of your vacation to provide information and enjoyment for all of us!  You did an awesome job.

When I finally made it to page 8 and the cruise was over I actually felt a very slight twinge of that same depression I feel when our cruises have been over!

There's way too much flash and hooptie-do on that site.  They should just stick to providing information, like the airline sites (no names please).  The extra $25 charged by the airline sites is worth it for the flexibility and to not have to endure the Celebrity site!

My wife is into the port selection but I'm less particular.  The ship could pull out, sail around the island, and pull back in and I'd probably get the same charge out of it!  More seriously though - I must admit, we were on a 9 day cruise last December (good by me, a day too long for her) and the stops were: Antigua, Barbados, St. Lucia and St Kitts.  It was very interesting and fun to see a few different ports.

1 hour ago, DCT61 said:

"The Magic Carpet" has a dual role. it will also be used to compact garbage, dockside as its taken from the ship at the end of a voyage.

Good one!  With all the dribble on here I enjoyed your clever (and funny) post.

Sam - very sorry, we will say prayers for you and keep you in our thoughts.

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11:00 AM? No problem (says the guy with a 10:20). Gulp!

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Begin - all checked in and waiting to board the flight to the port with a coffee.

End - after getting home when the shower stops rocking back and forth. Could be 3-4 days.

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Most questions asked can be found on the website. Instead they ask here and get 10 opinions about the same topic. If people can book a cruise they know how to use a computer.!!!

Agreed. People post just to post. How else can you accumulate 10,000 posts on a cruise message board?

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Ditto! I am not going to answer.

Cracks me up! The people who answered with "..l'm not going to answer..". Excellent - posting to post.

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Blu, Persian, bubbly, shower, and upper deck!

Once you go Aqua you'll never "back-wa".

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One problem with finding alternate ports is that all cruise lines with Caribbean itineraries will be looking for those same alternative opportunities.

 

 

 

Some of the possible alternative ports cannot handle the same number of ships that St. Thomas and St.Maarten can, both from docking capacity and excursion opportunities.

40,000 posts over a 12 year period is 10 posts per day. Holy sheesh!

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Nope, just trying to impart some common sense.

 

 

 

Instead of reaching out to an online forum for which could turn out to have several different answers, the issue could be settled very easily and very quickly by picking up the cabin phone and dialing EITHER guest services or the cabin attendant.

 

 

 

It takes a whole lot more than a post on Cruise Critic to ruin my days. Even a 9 over par round of golf in The Villages does not ruin my day! Now, arriving at the Country Club 10 minutes after Happy Hour has ended might bring a tear to my eye!

Sandtrap,

This is "Facebook for Cruisers". Many post for the sake of posting, even while on the darn ship!

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