d&a Delaware

Me too -- fo rat least the past week (probably longer).  I am not particularly computer literate, but websites catering to geezers like me (yes, that certainly i9ncludes HAL) usually make logon and basic navigating relatively simple.  Not HAL.  Not currently.  

My husband and I are new to HAL, though experienced cruisers on other lines.  We are booked on Koningsdam in an aft facing balcony (VS) for the 4/5/2024 Solar Eclipse & Hawaii crujise.  We feel lucky to have been able to snag this cabin, and do not particularly want an upgrade.  I am just now becoming aware of this CO option (if available), and do not understand what the cost would be and what advantages it would bring other than the somewhat exclusive dining venue.  Are there expedited initial boarding & check-in lines, which would be of great value to me because of mobility issues?  I am intrigued by the rave reviews of CO, but don't understand why.  What am I missing?  Thanks in advance for any clarification.

David

10 hours ago, crystalspin said:

No you probably have not missed anything. The only Suite benefit the Vista Suite offers is double Mariner points (one extra per day of cruise) if booked at rack rate, not an upgrade/upsell. Nothing else. Oh and you get to pay an extra $1.50pppd for the Crew Appreciation fees.

 

I looked at all the aft Vista Suite or aft VS Verandah photos on Cruise Deck Plans and the space is not really noticeable. You have your bed(s), and then a space with a loveseat opposing a desk and chair. For the Verandahs, the social area is toward the balcony, and for the Vistas, the desk and sofa are towards the hallway door. 

 

The Verandah cabin will have plenty of storage, and the binoculars (which we did not find in our Vista cabin!) are reputed to be "not so good". Spend some of your $4000 savings on a good pair of small Nikons!

 

The extra space in both aft Veradahs and aft Vista Suites is just absorbed by the spacing of furniture, you don't get anything special from it. And BTW, I advise for the Verandah despite choosing the Vista on our recent B2B on the K'dam, and our 35-day cruise on her next year.

Thanks for all the information.  Especially regarding the cabin layout ( and thanks to oakridger as well) as this really seals the deal in favor of the VS verandah cabin, as we like to use our balcony as an extension of the seating area in the cabin.  

As for the extra cruise credits for booking a suite, we already have substantial past cruising "standing" on Celebrity and Royal C and see no benefit to trying to establish such standing with another cruise line at this point in our lives.  We're running out of time 😜, and can afford to prioritize itinerary and particular ship when selecting a cruise.

Thanks again for responding.

  David

Thanks for the response.  I cant find anything that would justify changing our booking to a Vista suite.  I am sure that we will very much enjoy the aft veranda stateroom we have already booked 🙂.

David

My husband and I will be cruising on HAL for the first time (we have previously sailed Celebrity, RCI and Oceania) and have booked an aft facing verandah cabin (category VS) on Koningsdam for a 22 day cruise.  Lots of sea days which we like, especially in an aft facing cabin.  For a lot more $ we could have booked an aft facing Vista Suite.  The suite would give us at least 32sq,ft. more space (maybe more, depending on specific cabins -- but HAL doesn't help identify which cabins).  And the suite includes "Generous storage" and "Binoculars" which the verandah (VS) cabin would not.  Are there any other perks that would come with booking a suite rather than a mere verandah cabin?  Perhaps expedited lines for boarding?  Special events or receptions for suite passengers?  We typically spend a good deal of time in our cabin and on our verandah when cruising, and we value a comfortable stateroom. But over $4K for 32sq.ft. seems a bit much if there are not other perks that would come with upgrading to a "suite."  Perhaps I have missed something that HAL is offering.  Comments/observations welcome.  Thanks in advance.

David

Century (April 2007, 5 nights out of Miami, Sky Suite) was our first cruise and we loved it.  Set a very high bar for what we expected for a cruise.  And while we love cruising (19 more cruises since our Century experience, mostly on Celebrity), nothing quite lives up to our memories of 

that Century cruise. Michael's Club was a lovely, intimate piano lounge with an actual original Picasso print hanging over the fireplace.  We were spoiled.

David

Hi have a great flight to San Juan and see you on the ship.

 

Dale and Richard

Same back to you :)

Dale,

Yes we are getting close, and both Allen and I are ready to get away for this cruise. I have no doubt we will run into each other before sail away the first evening. If you click on the "User CP" link in the navigation menu at the top pf the page, you will get to instructions that allow you to post a picture from your computer to your avatar or your signature. They show up as thumbnails, but that is what I (despite my technical illiteracy) was able to figure out for putting up our pictures. I have never figured out how to post a picture in an actual message here, but I bet Richard could help with that if that is what you want to do. But I don't think either of us will be hard to spot. If we haven't made contact first, maybe a plan to head to the Martini Bar around 5:30 or 6 will work :D. And we can always call each other's stateroom.

Here's hoping there will not be another Matthew stirring up trouble in the Caribbean in early November. That's like the turmoil we hope to leave behind. Allen and I have already voted. Time for our cruise.

David

With all this information, I am confident we will be able to catch up with you guys for some introductory cocktails before the muster drill. My gaydar is not always reliable and fully functioning, but I believe the initial poster in the Celebrity Roll Call thread for our cruise (Celebrity Man) is family. Don't know his name, but early on he mentioned he will be sailing with his partner Marc. And several years ago he posted in a thread I also participated in (concerning our favorite cruise lines) here on the G&L board. I am sure we will run into others as well.

David

Dale & Richard,

Sounds like we all want many of the same things from this cruise, but that we are likely to go about achieving those things in different ways. You guys will probably do a number of island excursions, Allen may want to manage a beach day or two on some of the islands. For the most part, I don't plan to get off the ship -- in large part, I admit, because I get around with a short leg brace and a cane, and will be using a small mobility scooter to get around the ship. Going ashore poses a number of issues, including that it is not safe for me to try to navigate soft sand at a beach. So I am very content to stay on board and enjoy the amenities (especially the thelasotherapy pool in the Solarium :D) available to me there.

Our flight arrives at SJU at 11:30 am, and we will go directly to Summit as soon as we can collect our luggage and get a taxi. Since we are sailing Concierge Class, once on board we will likely go directly to the Concierge Class embarkation luncheon (new perk from Celebrity), and after that Allen will most likely head for the gym and I will muddle around until our stateroom is available. Look for the guy with a white beard on a small mobility scooter :).

We are in stateroom 7212 -- leave a note or call and leave a message. Sailaway is late (and very scenic): 8:30pm. Muster drill is around 7pm. If we don't make contact around the ship first, we could meet for a drink at the Martini Bar, or at the Sunset Bar (behind the Oceanview Café) before the muster drill. Or (we have a very large aft facing balcony) we could have a drink on our balcony. OR, we could get together after the muster drill but before sailaway.

Let's see if we can't get together before muster drill. I'll be on the lookout for a couple of guys, one of whom has a white beard. Allen and I actually look much like we do in our pictures here, and I (of course) will be the guy with the white beard on a small mobility scooter :rolleyes:. And you can always send/leave a message at our cabin.

Looking forward to meeting you,

David

We are in Aqua Class on deck 11. Looks like a nice cabin. We are doing the same about the election, vote and get out of town. We also have select (anytime) dining but we are looking forward to the specialty restaurant and are thinking about getting one of the dinning package when we get on the ship.

We have used drink package on RCL, NCL and Viking and have always enjoyed the freedom it gives. But as you say we will try out the Elite cocktail hour. If its like the Diamond club on RCL its a nice place to meet people. Last time we were on NCL we had an aft cabin with a huge partially shaded balcony and enjoyed it very much. We should find a place to meet on the first day on the cruise.

Also looking to see all the changes on the Summit.

 

Dale & Richard

In my experience, the RCL Diamond cocktail happy hour is much nicer (and not so crowded for some reason) than our recent experience with Celebrity Elite nightly function. Makes no sense, but that is what we found. Maybe is a function of how many passengers with Elite/Diamond status are on a particular cruise.

Yes it would be nice to meet up with you guys on the first day. We can discuss and make a plan as we go forward here. In Aqua class, you will be assigned to Blu which is entirely anytime dining. We will have the MDR, in the section which is anytime. We usually do not go for the specialty restaurants, but we have a substantial OBC to use up on this cruise and will probably go at least once. Often there are discounts offered on the first night, so that might offer a chance to meet. The nighttime sail away from San Juan (really neat) and the 7pm (I think) muster drill complicates things, but again we can continue to figure out if there is an opportunity there.

If you wanted to email me directly, it is dscristy at gmail dot com.

David

We are not sure about bring our kilts, adds a lot to the weight of the bags.

We also have the 4 incentive packages. As I said I have been to most of the ports but Richard has not, most of them will be new for him so we will be getting of at most of the ports. Also Richard has never been on Celebrity before so he is really interested in see the ship.

Looks like from the other thread there will be a very large number of Canadians on this cruise. Have you be eaten in Blu ? This will be our first to be able to eat there how is the food? We are also Elite members of the Captain's Club, and will be going to the Evening Cocktail hour how is it?

I hope we have others join us on this thread.

 

Dale & Richard

Hi Dale,

Yup, lots of Canadians on the cruise. Maybe not as many as might have been expected from the US as it is election week. But that is one of the reasons we chose this cruise. Vote absentee in advance, and get away from the craziness while it is happening :rolleyes:.

We have never eaten in Blu. We always sail Concierge Class, especially on M class ships so we can book our favorite aft cabin with a huge partially shaded balcony (we'll show you guys on board). And we have always been quite satisfied with the MDR. We have select (anytime) dining.

We have enjoyed going to the Elite cocktail hour for the "free" drinks, but now that we have a drink package we will get an even better choice of cocktails at any bar. Still the venue for the Elite function is very nice. The drink packages just give us all more choices, and some recent threads have sounded like the Elite hour has become more crowded with poorer service than previously. Worth checking out, though.

David

On our Equinox cruise this past Spring, there was a gentleman from Scotland who wore his kilt on formal nights. Very impressive. Allen and I will probably wear either a jacket or a tie with our collared shirts, but probably not both. All depends on how we're feeling on the given night.

We have just made final payment, and our TA was able to find a slightly less expensive fare for our cabin (an aft C1) which came with 4 incentive packages rather than the two we received with our initial booking (drink package, OBC, gratuities and WiFi, rather than just drink package & OBC). Originally we had the classic drink package, but with this new deal our TA thinks it might be the premium package. The booking information was ambiguous. So I will call the Captains Club representative for clarification. Perhaps we have an even better deal than we expected, but I will be happy either way.

This will be a very laid back cruise for us -- we both very much need to chill and de-stress. I think we have been to all the ports of call, with the possible exception of Martinique. We may not get off the ship at all, which would be fine with me. Our aft cabin has a huge balcony, and the solarium/thelasotherapy pool will be uncrowded and very inviting on port days. And we will have some OBC to use at the spa :).

David

Not sure about everyone wanting white beard but I do know my partner loves it. :D. Between now and Nov. we both have a birthday, I will be 74 and Richard will be 55. I am retired (USAF) but Richard is still working. He is in IT in an gas and oil company here in Houston.

 

Dale & Richard

Age difference is nearly the same as us. I am retired from the Federal government (HUD) and will turn 76 a few weeks before our cruise. Allen is 55 and a public charter school administrator -- not retired yet. We were married three years ago, on the occasion of our 23rd anniversary. Summit is perhaps our favorite ship (5th cruise on her), and our 3rd or 4th time in our favorite aft cabin. Looking forward to mostly resting and staying on board on most port days. Old home week for this respite vacation. :)

David

At least I won't be the only man on the ship with a white beard :D. We are also hoping hat others will join us on this roll call.

Keep in touch

Dale & Richard

Once folks see us, everyone will be wanting a white beard ;).

David

My partner and I will be sailing on Celebrity Summit, Nov 5. 2016 and are looking for others sailing on the same cruise

 

Dale & Richard

Hi Dale & Richard,

Thanks for starting a roll call here -- a compliment to the roll call we are on with you guys on the Celebrity roll call site. I have found that the roll calls here are usually much less active, and ones I have started often go without a response. So good to find you here.

Allen and I still have to firm up arrangements for Allen's mom (who lives with us) while we are away, but final payment comes up in about 10 days and we are definitely committed to this cruise. We need it, a lot. I think I can spot several other family couples on the other roll call, and hopefully they will find their way here as well.

We are flying in to San Juan on the morning of the cruise, so no enjoying San Juan before the cruise for us. We will have to make do with simply enjoying a week on Summit.

David

Thanks for the info about the outdoor "lift" to the outdoor terrace area. Scheduled to be on Summit in November.

David

The rooftop terrace was nice. I did the movie/dinner thing-- we were docked and I still needed 4 blankets!!

Is the rooftop terrace accessible for a mobility scooter? Or is it accessibly only via stairs?

David

Did you have to hand in your invite or just show your seapass card when entering the lunch?

Showing your seapass card will do the trick.

David

Been on Celebrity before but never an aft cabin. Am booked for Canada/New England out of Cape Liberty. From reading other threads I'm finding I need to get a flight into EWR rather than JFK. Has anyone ever cruised in cabin 8170, even though Celebrity is our favorite line would love an honest rating. Thanks in advance.

You don't identify the ship you have booked (it makes a difference), but I suspect your cruise is on the Summit, an M class ship. The aft C1 category cabins on an M class ship (including cabin 8170) are, in my opinion, some of the best cabins available. They have huge, deep balconies which give the feeling of nearly doubling your cabin space. About two thirds of the balcony is covered, giving plenty of shade and ample room for getting sun close to the railing. And you will get real grownup furniture -- a large table suitable for breakfasts or other meals, a couple of loungers and a couple of other chairs. You will not feel at all crowded. We have hosted a wine and cheese party for 10 on one of those balconies. They are our favorite cabins to book, but often not available. And, of course, you get to watch the wake. Heaven. Enjoy cabin 8170.

David

I dug around a little and I agree with the TA holding group space scenario. I found page after page of TA's advertising this particular sailing for booking as an "8 night Caribbean package with one night in SJ" (11/4 Caribe Hilton or better).

 

OP google "CEL SM 110516 SJU" and check it out. :)

Still some mystery here about available (if any) Balcony & Concierge class cabins on this Nov. 5 sailing. The 8 night package deal appears to be offering only inside, ocean view and suite cabins -- same as are available through the Celebrity website.

David

Thanks all for your responses. I had suspected something like an umbrella TA (one that coordinates for lots of smaller individual TAs) scooping up groups of cabins to offer in some sort of package or "group" rate, and this could also explain why variations on this same scheme seem to be appearing on other November cruises for Summit. I have lots to learn about the travel industry :confused:.

Pete_coach -- you are absolutely right about the cookies and I have the general expectation that I am being tracked on most of the sites where I do business. Though I guess the term "straw" booking would have been more accurate than "ghost" booking.

SeaHunt -- thanks for the link. Curious me will take a look.

David

I am booked in a Concierge Class cabin on Summit for the November 5, 2016 seven night Southern Caribbean sailing from San Juan. From time to time I go to the Celebrity website to do a ghost booking in hopes of finding a price drop, and my most recent foray into that quest showed that at this point, nearly 6 months before the cruise, two cabin categories (Balcony cabins and Concierge cabins) are completely sold out. There appear to be lots of cabins available in all other categories. A quick check of other Summit 7 night sailings in November indicated one or two cabin categories (not always the same categories) sold out, while lots of cabins available in other categories. This pattern seems to me to be very strange. Why are entire categories of cabins selling out six months in advance of sailings in a month which is not usually seen as a high demand month (pre Thanksgiving, anyway)?

Allen and I usually sail in high demand months (spring break and summer months), and I have never before seen this pattern of discrete categories of cabins completely sold out six months before sailing. What's going on?

David

Equinox March 25 sailing offered the embarkation day luncheon for Concierge passengers in the MDR, main floor, port side. We did not check in until about 12:30pm, and the Concierge himself (don't remember name) was in the registration area flagging down passengers with CC bookings to urge them to take advantage of this new perk before dining room closed at 1pm. We had planned to go to Bistro on 5 for a quiet lunch, but this was better. A very pleasant surprise perk for Concierge Class.

David

PS -- we also had flowers (most days) and fresh fruit in the cabin.

David,

Allen and I have always been happy with the beds/mattresses on our cruises, most of which have been on Celebrity. If you should not like your mattress once on board, just ask your stateroom attendant for an eggcrate foam top and I understand they will be happy to oblige if one is available.

On any given cruise some of the bath towels are older and thinner, and some are newer and thicker. Again, be friends with your stateroom attendant. Same quality variation in pool towels, which I guess are a bit larger. You can certainly bring one back to your stateroom, but if you had to show your seapass to get one, be sure to return one to the same place at some point in the cruise to get your account cleared. Often on a port day your stateroom attendant will provide a pool/beach towel in your cabin so that passengers do not take stateroom towels ashore.

We have no excursions reserved or planned. This is really a "ship is the destination" cruise for us -- just to really unwind and reduce stress. That said, I think we may go ashore in St. Thomas to go to the Greenhouse restaurant (mentioned in the other roll call) for a lunch of conch chowder and conch fritters. And in St. Kitts, I would like to persuade Allen to join me in hiring a cab to take us to Romney Manor/Carabelle Batik to shop for some shirts and gifts. The tours that stop there do so for a short time only. For the same price I was able to hire a cab on my own several years ago for a round trip with as much time as I wanted at Romney Manor. That's the only thing I want to do.

Sitting at the bar at Maho Beach is fun, but we did that several years ago. I don't do sandy beaches at all because of my mobility/stability issues. Allen may want to do a beach excursion at one of the islands.

David