mac_tlc

Congrats on your GS price. Your GS price on Royal is attainable, but not widespread. A few Oasis this fall (I found $4950 for a GS for 2), a few Harmony out of Galveston. Don't try to find that price on Symphony, Wonder or Utopia. Even Allure 3/4 day cruises are not attractive IMO. Wonder pricing makes a Sky Suite seem like a bargain. And don't even peek at Icon. For the times we have done direct comparisons of same time, same departure port (or close) Royal is no bargain. We are also close to booking YC on MSC Seashore for next November for about $400pppd. Time to try something different. mac+tlc

Slightly OT but how was your trip? mac_tlc

Exactly! RCI : Would you pay $2 a slice for Sorrento's pizza? Guests : NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO. RCL: Ok, pizza is still free. Portside BBQ & Playmekers is 30-50% more. Thank you for your valued input. mac_tlc

Thank you so much for your reports. While some parts are comforting, the limiting of what is in the Retreat Lounge fridges seems petty. They are really going to make it hard for someone to have a can or two in their stateroom. Looks like I'll have to order a couple beers, either in the Lounge or at a bar, and bring them back. Yeesh. I guess it will be important what the SS guests say on their surveys, or at least I would hope it matters. Thanks again and glad you are feeling better. mac_tlc

But mostly up 🤣

That’s good to hear! Your beautiful state is on my bucket list of places to visit. We are Disney Vacation Club members so we have always wanted to visit Aulani. Would like to combine it with a cruise to or from Oz or Vancouver. mac_tlc

And on the Oasis a couple weeks ago, they were very empty most of the time. mac_tlc

Just to add a bit, Oceania really has three classes of ships. The smallest are the old r class ships, hold about 650. The Marina and Riviera (Marina class) are bigger and have about 1250 passengers. Vista is the newest and will soon be followed by Allura (Vista class) . Both at about 1200 passengers. All those numbers are double occupancy. I am pretty close to booking Vista for its March 2025 TA or January 2025 Panama Canal. The highest category Concierge Verandah is cheaper than a Sky Suite on Beyond, the Penthouse suites are a bit more depending on itinerary. First, I have to book the MSC Seashore in YC for about $175 less per person per day than a Sky Suite on Beyond. A year ago, I probably would not have done this much research…….. mac_tlc

You cannot do any reservations for lunch pre-cruise. I have never seen it crowded for lunch any day . We love it during a Port day, very quiet and relaxing. I do agree at $30 + 18%, I have to think about it, but usually do it anyway 😜😜. Here is the menu from Beyond, one of the sandwiches and the wonderful display case. mac_tlc

Exactly. That will be the first request of the Retreat Butler or Retreat Team or stateroom attendant or whoever is the first to introduce themselves. mac_tlc

That is my plan for my next SS. I will be removing any beverage in the room that is an extra charge, and taking one of my numerous Nate Berkus bags up to the Retreat Lounge and bringing beverages to the SS. I guess this is another reason to be near the front elevators........... mac_tlc

Thank you for taking time out of your vacation to follow up on this. So many of us are wondering what the actual experienced impacts are. mac_tlc

I just looked back and 5 of our 6 Sky Suite cruises on Edge/Apex/Beyond since the restart were $380pppd or less. Our Ascent cruise in January is around $365. Since we are not Z, that's an acceptable price to us. But at $500-$650 pppd, it's too high for us. mac_tlc

With that $$ limit, I think they will let you stay onboard about 11 hours a day..🤣 mac_tlc

We had an aft cabin for our Arctic circle cruise in June and I can certainly second your affinity for them. Nothing like it. mac_tlc

Pretty big % increase. This was two sailings ago: 30-40% !!!! An increase is not unexpected, but that percentage is crazy! And before someone says that another $3-4 is not a lot on a multi thousand dollar cruise, that is not the point. mac_tlc

For the locals, it’s more like “Welcome to Port Canaveral. We know you don’t have to drive down to PE now, so you can pay it to us for the convenience “ mac_tlc

Doesn’t seem to matter the ship, sail date or location. Retreat prices are $1,000+ a day for 2. mac_tlc

On each of our E-class suite sailings, we have done at least one specialty restaurant. After 6 cruises in less than two years, the Luminae menu gets predictable. We love Eden. Did LeVoyage on Beyond and it was good but we liked Eden more. Our first Rooftop Grill meal will be in January on Ascent -- since its outside we waited until a winter cruise. Even though the price has gone up, we like lunch at Le Grand Bistro -- never very many people. mac_tlc

I agree @TeeRick -- We have become fond of booking suites and the current Retreat prices make all the other stuff irrelevant. However, running a very close second (maybe because we were affected twice) is their treatment of those of us whose cruise was cancelled. For us, it was the 11/1/24 Beyond TA and the 11/9/24 Apex TA. Really left the feeling of just being baggage that was tossed aside to get more $$$. Absolutely no recognition of the impacts on real people. mac_tlc

Thanks again for your hard work. I’m trying to figure out what O-class ship may be coming to Bayonne in summer 2025. Assuming that Allure heads to Europe for its check-up, and assuming that the above schedule is actual ships and not placeholders, the only possibility would be Symphony —— heading north around May 8th or so. Unless they would consider doing longer summer itineraries on Oasis , but I really doubt that. I love trying to put the puzzle pieces together. mac_tlc

Since you would it be changing ship or sail date, can’t you “downgrade” to a CC? Of course, it is probably more expensive than it was when you booked the Retreat. mac_tlc

I have already noticed it on some 2024 cruises from Port Canaveral (Seashore) and NYC (Meriviglia). What was around $360pppd is now creeping up to $425pppd. YMMV of course. Still south of $500pppd but it is closing. mac_tlc

This is a good way to cull out some possible voyages. I did notice that Some of those “cheapest” prices were Suite Guarantees. Also if not Guarantees, they are Magic Carpet suites. For us, on E class suite location matters a lot. Limited mobility makes the aft SS a no go, we really prefer near the front elevators. But, regarding the OP’s question, right now I am not booking at $1,000 per day, given Celebrity’s treatment of booked guests with their recent cancellations. Our preferred location would be even higher. mac_tlc

I also received the “invitation”. They asked for a question and they will get one. As others stated it will never get off the cutting room floor, but at least one person will have to read it. mac_tlc