AnnaNicole

On 2/15/2023 at 11:27 PM, slonich said:

Well, when I was booking our March cruise in January, I called Celebrity to confirm that sparkling water and juices would indeed be included if we chose "all included" and they said YES. Either the rep was reading the info off of their website, or their internal documents also had Zero Proof included in Classic at that time (1/20). I've done my due diligence so I fully expect our cards to be coded according to how the package was sold to me.

 

The cost of going with AI vs cabin only was actually a couple of dollars less than adding separate gratuities, wifi, and zero proof package, so it was a really good deal to get a Classic package for less than the cost of Zero Proof. If they make me pay for bottled water after all, I won't be happy, but we'll still be ahead. 

 

Re grandfathering, should be fairly easy to implement as their database includes the price and category for each drink, among other things. The passenger card is what decides if that drink will ring up as a $0 or some other value. Each card could be easily coded to include or exclude whatever is needed in any combination, not just current packages (Premium, Classic, Zero Proof, or None), but unlimited versions of each. I really hope that's how things already are and it won't be a fight for any of us to receive what we purchased.

You can order club soda and juice with the Classic package.   You will need to upgrade to the premium package to get san pellegrino and fresh squeezed juices.

On 2/14/2023 at 6:37 PM, Cruisedreamer1 said:

are you able to ask for more wine if you find one you like?

There were quite a few settings for people who did not show up or hopeful last-minute add-ons.    The sommelier told us to go ahead and drink the "extra" wine.   They would throw it out anyway.

We did the wine pairing on Reflection.   We enjoyed it.   

Can I order my dessert to-go?

5 minutes ago, chemmo said:

We generally find the speciality restaurants very accommodating.
 

Re starters I suggest you ask for them to be served ‘family style’….So you would request, for example, the Caesar salad, meatballs and calamari and two side plates. 
 

Totally agree with the comments of others that it is very easy to over order. Portions are not small.

 

Re sides for mains choose different ones as they are served on side plates anyway so easy to share.

 

If you are really too full for dessert remember they have a sorbet (although it isn’t on the menu).

Can you request dessert to be packed "to go"?   I can't eat a lot in one sitting.  I would love to take my dessert to enjoy on my balcony later in the evening.

1 minute ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

 

All part of their master plan, first shrink the portion size of the food, then shrink the plates, then shrink the tables and then add more tables

 

Madame, your dinner is served...

Ewww.

How about Filet de Porc et Haricots?

6 minutes ago, mrgabriel said:

No cheese board!

 

I almost mentioned that in my original reply but couldn’t remember the last time we had the cheese cart in Murano - it’s been awhile. No cheese cart & no three tiered sweet tray. Not that I ever need those extra calories! 

The cheese course is on the app; at least, for my Solstice sailing.   I hope it is still available.

Opinions on the Turbot vs Dover Sole, please?   Does one stand out over the other?

Thanks, all!  🙂

38 minutes ago, Fly and Sail said:

You should be able to view the menu in the app. It was solid when we went.

Thanks.  I will take a look at the app.

Has anyone had a recent experience at the Sostice Murano restaurant?   How was it? Menu?  We were able to snag a first night at a reasonable time for $100 all in.   Is it worth it any more?   Service? Food quality?

10 minutes ago, scidee said:

The best and elegant Afternoon tea is on Viking Ocean.  Over 40 types of tea offered, a tower of sandwiches and sweets brought to your table, warm scones are served, as well as various cocktails, plus a live string quartet or some other live music!!!   Now that's an elegant High Tea and it's attended by hundreds.

I'd skip lunch or dinner for that afternoon tea!  🙂

6 minutes ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

 

Well... was it at least (actually) $35k then?  And, does he not drive an older car?

 

He probably considers those oceanfront homes "investments", and rightly so !

 

Lot's of things we hear, no doubt, are great stories...

Tom

Probably.   Homes in Omaha were cheap, cheap, cheap six decades ago.   LOL

His ocean front homes are a family home and one was for his ex-wife.

Reflection (December) - Yes

Solstice (September) - No

6 hours ago, Cruise a holic said:

While this is a problem with choice air, I thought I would have more people see it on the regular celebrity cruise critic site.  We recently sailed on the Apex in January out of Fort Lauderdale- we as we typically do, used choice air and flew delta.  We arrived at the airport about 8:15 AM to depart out of Fort Lauderdale airport.  Checked our luggage outside- no problem.  Proceeded to the Delta lounge- we were told that because our flight departure was after 12 noon, we couldn't enter the lounge- not sure if a new rule, but you can only access the lounge three hours before your flight IF their is room in the lounge.  We had to wait about 1/2 hour to get into the small cramped airport lounge.  We also have another cruise booked in March.  Over the past few months the time of departure has been moved up.  I didn't realize until our January cruise that departure after three o'clock would be a real problem. We wouldn't be allowed to check our luggage (earliest 5 hours before your flight) or use the lounge.  We decided to change our return flight.  We had to pay a $200 pp penalty to choice air!  Didn't realize this would be a problem, as the initial flight we booked was scheduled to depart about 1:00 PM!  I was told since we paid in full- basically too bad.    Not sure if this is a ft. Lauderdale only issue, or something new since covid.  

 

Based on this, I will not use choice air again.  Had we dealt directly with delta, change would have been easier!  We fly first class and are frequent flyer members.

The airline allows for free changes to a flight when they change the time.   Delta NEVER charges.   I would call Celebrity choice air and request a refund of the change fee.  

6 hours ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

 

That makes me think of, to a certain degree, Warren Buffet. I read that he drives a 8+ year old Cadillac and still lives in the home he purchased for $35,000.

 

Tom 

It's a myth that he lives a mundane life.  He purchased the home over six decades ago and it is 6000 square feet.   It is a beautiful home and he raised his family there.  He also owns several California ocean front properties worth millions.   

8 hours ago, Guindalf said:

We're flying from Atlanta to LA on Friday and boarding the Solstice Saturday. We'll be in a Sky Suite.

 

 

Enjoy your cruise!  The Solstice is a beautiful ship.   Great crew, too!

Many, if not most, of the cuts and changes that are bothering people don't affect the suite passengers.  Your cruise should be business as usual.   🙂

5 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

You will have a wonderful time.   We were on Solstice for a B2B in December.  She is in beautiful condition, albeit not Revolutionized.   The staff is incredible .  The Retreat host, Mar is one of the best in the fleet.    Food was both well presented and tasty.

 

If you are able book a whale watching with Cabo Whale Watching -   best I've ever done and reasonable. 

We booked the Whale watching with Photo Safari?   Is that the excursion you booked or did you book one of the others?

6 hours ago, Quik2flip said:

Are wines by the glass in Cellar Masters included in premium package?  If so, I can't believe I've never taken advantage...

Yes.   The sommelier will recommend some good ones.   🙂

12 minutes ago, boykin said:

It's only 2 bottle on embarkation day correct?  You can't buy 2 bottles in a port to drink on board?

I looked at the app and the wine selection is pitiful, kinda worried

2 bottles per person.  

17 hours ago, misha1 said:

Please report back

From Celebrity's site:

https://www.celebritycruises.com/faqs/beverage-packages

My travel partner is pregnant/recovering alcoholic/medical issue that does not allow them to drink, do I have to purchase for them?

Our policy requires that any guest wishing to purchase the Drink Package must do so for all other guests of legal drinking age in the same stateroom. However, we will make an exception for the following:

Exceptions: 

• Children 12 years old and under: will NOT be required to purchase a Zero drink package.
• Teens – A Zero Proof drink package will be added
  • 13 -17 years old (Europe, Asia, Australia)
  • 13 - 20 years old (USA)
• Pregnant guests – A Zero Proof drink package will be added.
• Recovering alcoholic or medical issue that does not allow guests to consume alcohol. – A Zero Proof drink package will be added.

13 hours ago, jelayne said:

Here is a link to the FAQs

https://www.celebritycruises.com/faqs/beverage-packages

From Celebrity's website:

My travel partner is pregnant/recovering alcoholic/medical issue that does not allow them to drink, do I have to purchase for them?

Our policy requires that any guest wishing to purchase the Drink Package must do so for all other guests of legal drinking age in the same stateroom. However, we will make an exception for the following:

Exceptions: 

• Children 12 years old and under: will NOT be required to purchase a Zero drink package.
• Teens – A Zero Proof drink package will be added
  • 13 -17 years old (Europe, Asia, Australia)
  • 13 - 20 years old (USA)
• Pregnant guests – A Zero Proof drink package will be added.
• Recovering alcoholic or medical issue that does not allow guests to consume alcohol. – A Zero Proof drink package will be added.

57 minutes ago, jelayne said:

According to the Beverage Package FAQs you could have an alcohol package and your husband would have to have the Zero Proof package.  If you book with a TA they should be able to handle this with X otherwise call X and ask what documentation you need. 

Are you sure?  Because some one posted a screenshot on an earlier post of mine in another thread that said both people must have an alcohol package.    Or are you posting in response to a medical contraindication?  

I am going to call the BCC tomorrow and see what they say.  

Sorry that happened to you.

Who made the mistake on the name spelling?   Celebrity cancelled your wife's flight when they changed your flight to the right name?  Why didn't Celebrity reimburse you for the cost of your wife's replacement flight?  

Did you dispute the charge with your credit card for your wife's original flight?   I would.

1 hour ago, SFCAcruiser said:

For clarification, I believe that all stateroom passengers have to book some type of package

Nope.   People on the board corrected me when I said that.   If one has an alcohol package, the other must have one too.   I guess one could have classic and the other could have premium. 

I can no longer purchase premium alcohol for me and Zero Proof for him.