poffles

6 hours ago, the penguins said:

... Depending on when you call X's system regularly puts you through to reservations in the Caribbean instead of the UK. I suspect the only staff who will remain in the UK office will not be handling general bookings. 

Yes, calling from Canada I've reached many agents in Jamaica.  While the agent was fine (great actually) the connection was terrible, the line kept cutting in and out and finally dropped totally.  Called back and got a different agent but it was again the same issue and and I surprised them by saying are you in Jamaica (as I knew from the first contact) because this second call was also extremely bad connection and kept cutting in and out, at least this time they took down my contact detail and called me back when it ultimately disconnected like the first call.  Maybe working in same office? ... not sure if they work from home.

My recollection is this was a bright and early call on my end from the East Coast (AST).

22 minutes ago, Pushka said:

Well, not sure Celebrity can do this legally in Australia but - tips are not included. 
 

 

What they mean here as 'Tips charged separately.' is just another form of confusion.  I just priced a 7 night cruise and did Cruise Only vs AI (US$) and the final tax charge was exactly the same and there were no other add ins for tips?  The cost difference of the two matched the price difference shown on the 'Upgrade' page so nothing extra, and we know they don't charge tips when getting a drink on board when you already have the drink package (assumed prepaid) unless this is the next thing to change 'in the future'.

1 hour ago, Lena11033 said:

lol 

 

I just priced priced out a solo room - I don't know what maths they are using for AI but it's seriously messed up

 

Top secret 🙂

Have to consider that this pricing being CAD has conversion in the mix. How many nights is that cruise since the math would depend on how many nights they can charge you for getting those most popular amenities to make your vacation a carefree one! 

Perhaps they are charging you AI for your imaginary guest 🙂

Merging the programs would be nice but looking at the difference in how the tier points are earned I would likely never move past the bottom with Casino Royale 😋

Just comparing slots play, Blue Chip $1 a point, Club Royale $5 a point.  The points required to qualify up the levels remain similar (2,500, 25,000, 100.000) so much harder to move up levels with Club Royale unless I'm missing something.

11 hours ago, Cap_D said:

.... making people run around for water ...

What is the backstory with this?  Is it bars not having bottled water?

2 hours ago, JaneStarr said:

Hahaha….like going back to 1,2,3 or Go Big…Better or Best!

I was just going to say this myself!  My idea of AI does not include WiFi .. I'll take drinks and grats please.  I would never want WiFi over grats.

All this said, 'AI" costs are just added or embedded anyway so it all ends up a wash (if not a loss.)

13 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

Laura also said numerous times --- we sent out request for questions to our most loyal customers and then --- and a question for a Select Member and Elite Member....   Maybe I didn't listen close enough but only heard one question from a Zenith Member - Andy - about Access to Retreat.   I don't think I heard a single one from an Elite Plus.

But Jim ... now you can book an inside cabin and still go the Retreat area !!!  Score 🙂 😁

Will add though that kidding aside the change to not allow was a sad decision cause getting to Zenith is huge and something I will never achieve.

5 minutes ago, Susanb10567 said:

Although the all included topic really makes no sense…do they want people to have the option to remove tips???

I KNOW ... I heard it as basically saying gratuities are not something everyone wants.  Even saying WiFi and Drinks are all I want??

That was the one thing that stood out for me too, sorry that one didn't fly from a common sense perspective.  Instead it's clearly that gratuities are an assumed cost that everyone (most?) will pay regardless.  Wonder if they realize how that might have come across.

Definitely peaks my interesting the conversation in response to merging of club status (ie Royal/Celebrity).  Things they said we will hear more about in the coming months, not that they are saying they will merge.

5 minutes ago, champagnecruiser said:

I believe,  but am not 100% certain,  that the price we pay in Sterling includes the gratuity but the usd price quoted then has 20% added to it.

I think there are other posts on here where I have read this.

Certainly when we purchased today we were only charged the £52.76 pppd for Premium. We are happy with the price we paid 👍🏻

 

Yes the 20% was added at checkout for me on top of the $43.

On 9/10/2023 at 7:34 PM, arubaaruba said:

I thought the same however because it is the only beer I can have, I spoke to them directly and was told any beers from the premium list, even those less than the Classic package limit would be charged in full just like non-alcoholic beverages under the minimum. 
 

Hmmmm.... unless this is a recent change, this is simply not true of 'any' beer over the $10 Classic cap.  Any beer I ordered during my April cruise on Edge like Stella, Peroni priced above the $10, I paid the $1 + 20% difference as they were listed as $11.   Beer is my drink of choice so it wasn't a one off, though I did not order Guinness.

As some have stated, the onboard reality will be the only one that matters.

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49 minutes ago, Baggy178 said:

 

 

That's interesting.

The 50% off in dollars is exactly the same figure that the Brits are being offered in Sterling.

In the Classic package $43 should equate to £34 but instead we're being offered it at £43.

Over a 10 day cruise and for a couple that's £180 or $225 difference.

Mmmmm 🤔 Sneaky ?

Wow ... ya sneaky.  I wish they would do similar figure match to Canadian, unlike the £ 'match' the $43 CAD would be a win for this consumer.  My current cruise is booked in US so all items for purchase are also presented in US $ but I know past cruises I've booked in CAD have never done this, always the terrible exchange rate added to be more CAD.

So is the base price 'right' or is it also wonky?  Hmmmmm

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18 minutes ago, kywildcatfanone said:

No, I wasn't joking, there was a big thread about it, but it doesn't appear they hiked it as much as at that previous sale.  I think the "normal" price for premium is like $86 and the Classic is $70, so looks like probably around 25-30%.  

There really should be some law about raising prices, then offering sales.  But all the retailers are doing it, so why not the cruise lines.

Classic has not been $70 for a long time. The $89 and $109 (US) are the base prices now, believe that change took place in January of this year so this is not hiked prices for a sale.

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35 minutes ago, kywildcatfanone said:

Is this where they raise prices 50% then discount 50% like they did Memorial Day sale?

Not sure if you are asking jokingly but the base price of mine did not change from days prior, just the discount so it really was 50% off.  As usual the Zero Proof is not included in such offer.

On 9/17/2023 at 1:03 PM, BytownMatt said:

It seems to be a targeted/selective sale thing. I saw the 50% upgrade offer for the first time prior to my B2B last month. For my next cruise, the offer is 5%.

Keep looking ... when I first read this thread yesterday (Tuesday) I got excited and looked at my next cruise (Apex November) but dang it wasn't showing anything 50% off so as you say it's selectively random as always.

Fast forward to today and imagine my surprise when I just looked again and for the first time EVER it's now 50% off and they got me!  Drink prices are stupid on the ship so at the 50% off cost I know I will be ahead since I had no plans of depriving myself 😉

Definitely have to look daily and good luck!

16 minutes ago, JBSteelerfan said:

 

Not sure why you have such an issue with sharing a link to help someone out.  Most experienced cruisers understand nothing is guaranteed to be as posted, especially nowadays, regardless of the source of the info.  Seemed like a helpful list to give them an idea of what there is.

Really ...???  I did not ever say I had ANY 'such an issue' with you (or anyone) sharing the link ... I said it's the information on sites.  Read it how you may but I did not say anything directed towards you posting the link. 

This is not something to start something over ... equally I was being helpful in speaking to site information in general.

2 hours ago, SmilingOctopus said:

This one perhaps gives a nicer overview of things.

And given that it was sent to me by Celebrity under a month ago, I'd assume it to be more or less up to date..

 

Beverage_Package_Brochure.pdf 987.38 kB · 9 downloads

I guess this goes to show that Celebrity lives up to what I just posted. Even their own documentation is not updated to what is actually happening on board ... again even here Michelob Ultra under Classic and it is not ... they charge $1 upcharge like Stella and Peroni. 

I wish this brochure was dated, though we know it isn't 'old' since it has the updated 'up to $10' blurb.  I like Celebrity but this is so annoying.

Doubling down on the 'more or less' part LOL

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20 hours ago, JBSteelerfan said:

This might help you out!

 

Celebrity Cruises Drink Packages and Bar Menus 2023/ 2024 Cruising For All (cruisingkids.co.uk)

The problem with references like this is accuracy (though I guess that is the case even with the Celebrity site).  One can't even 100% trust the Celebrity App because even on there one bar menu may price the same exact item differently but I will tell you that you can trust the higher priced one is the the right one 🙂  Quality control with web and app documentation is not their specialty.

With regards to the site noted here, the list of beer for Classic shows Michelob Ultra included but I can say with certainty that on my recent April cruise on Apex it was an upcharge of a $1 (plus grat) similar to Stella and Peroni. This changed from my prior sailing in 2019 where Michelob Ultra was my beer of choice and never an upcharge on Classic package.

What made this even odder was that they were serving it to me first few days without charge but around day three they suddenly say it's a $1 upcharge which I of course challenged since it was not a charge the days before?  Not sure how that was happening but sure enough I began being charged. For my own sanity I asked at different bars and yep I was told the $1 charge.  I didn't so much have a problem with the upcharge (though seems ridiculous for this beer) but more the sudden change.  I could never find it listed anywhere on any bar menu (even the app) to be able to see the cost myself.

All the following collectively ...

No smoking anywhere inside

Crew/Service

Ship cleanliness

Primarily adult passengers (Lack of slides and such activities that families might be more drawn to)

On 9/9/2023 at 12:51 PM, homeofthehound said:

We recently booked a 7 day on the Reflection for November. At the time of our booking, we could only select the 8:30pm fixed dining time. We prefer Select/Anytime dining. Does anyone know - will it be possible to switch when we are onboard? TIA

As others have said, I would get yourself waitlisted now.  I booked Apex very recently and of course so late booking I was told Select/Anytime was not available, oh well I though I will go with the flow.  Days later looking at my booking online I noticed where it shows the dining time under 'manage reservation' I notice an option to select Waitlist for Select/Anytime.  I don't even think a week passed while in reservation for something else, imagine my surprise when the waitlist was gone and we were now showing the Select/Anytime for dining.  Sweet!  Prior we were Early 6pm and waitlist for anytime.

Worth a try if you are one to look at your booking online and able to manage your own booking (if TA in the middle I'm not sure if you can modify this yourself.)

Congratulations on your retirement!  Don't be nervous ... you are going on a cruise !!!!!!!!!!!

Of course there is truth among what you are reading but all that type stuff will fade away when you are boarding the ship, getting to your room, sailing away.  Things change but don't let it all get in your head to ruin something that you should be looking forward to with excitement.

Happy cruising 🎉 🥳

On 8/25/2023 at 8:08 PM, irvington said:

Some positive observations:

- Not sure I commented on Oceanview, but it is great. Philip eats there all the time and says there is a lot more choice than there was 2 years ago. The times I have accompanied him I have been positively impressed for lunch and dinner. I think breakfast is not the best.

Interesting the differing experiences.  Recognizing that each ship might be different, I was on the Edge in April and in Oceanview I thought breakfast and lunch were good but dinner was extremely lacking with so many empty stations; those that were available were very repetitious dishes which is pretty much what others had been reporting but I was hopeful. I do hope that things are going back to prior times with more selection in this venue, I really missed the station where you could select quick cook protein they were grilling fresh (chicken, port, steak?).

On 8/22/2023 at 7:41 PM, Jim_Iain said:

It is Live Nova Scotia Lobster.    The MD indicated that everything at Eden is Fresh and that if supply chain issue arise they do not substitute.   

Love our NS lobster ... so good cooked fresh then straight from the boiling pot to my plate!  Jim you are making me rethink my supper tonight 🙂

17 hours ago, poeticlicensed said:

I'm generally not a fan of search functions, but on CC, you need to make sure you change the default from "any search words"  to "all search words".  I get better results that way. I wish they would set the default to that, because sometimes I forget to change it

Exactly ... I used to like the search before an update along the way. Prior search you could choose titles only at the beginning instead of after in the search results window.  Took me a bit to realize the change, either way it definitely requires tweeking (filter fun) of the results to get to real relevance.

48 minutes ago, jean87510 said:

I don't think it is the titles that are the issue.  It is the inability of some to use a search function to find an answer.  

Yes the search function is also great but personally when I utilize search I often filter down to 'only in title' to try to fine tune the results so titles matter even with search.