helen haywood

Back when I worked for Dornier in Atlanta…one day the Pitney Bose postal meter machine stopped working. The lady running it said to her boss “There’s a great big wad of sticky paper stuck in the machine.” He handed her a steak knife. ?! She called the company who sent out a repairman whose exact words upon examining the machine were “There’s a great big wad of sticky paper stuck in the machine.” So now we describe any technical issue as “there’s a great big wad of sticky paper stuck in the machine.”

I placed a Move Up bid on June 18 (in response to an email from Celebrity) for a cruise on September 11, 2025. On July 2 I was alerted that my bid had been accepted by a text alert from my credit card. Followed shortly by a confirmation email from Celebrity. I was surprised my bid was accepted ten weeks before my cruise. You never know!

Can’t wait to hear more!! We’ll be sailing on her very soon!!

Hey, do any of you know when Ken gets back from his cruise? I wanted to contact him but didn’t want to do so until he was home.

All the talk of Alaska has me reminiscing…I remember our trip to the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve. We saw so many bald eagles!!! Some as close as five feet from our kayak! Amazing!!

@HBE4 Alaska and Hawaii are totally unlike any of the other contiguous states. Just breathtaking. Your trip report brought back so many wonderful memories from our Alaska experiences!

I read earlier today that cats generally sleep on their left side. (Cats may prefer to sleep on their left side due to a potential survival advantage related to brain specialization and threat detection. When a cat sleeps on its left side, its left visual field, processed by the right hemisphere of the brain, is unobstructed. This hemisphere is associated with spatial awareness, threat detection, and the coordination of rapid escape movements, potentially allowing for quicker responses to potential dangers.) I thought, Nonsense!! I’ve never noticed that!! So I started looking at all my cat photos. As you all know, I’m a prolific photographer of my cats. Can you believe it; I went back through the five years I’ve had Diana and Minnie…and, yes, they both curl up on their left side!!! (Well, exhibitionist Minnie also sleeps on her back sometimes…) HOW did I never notice that they were always curled up on their left sides?!?!

Beautiful sunset last night… The girls are keeping me company this morning. Although it’s hard for me to stay awake basking in the sunshine and listening to quiet kitty snoring noises…

Generally speaking OBC from Celebrity is non-refundable. You can certainly ask Celebrity or your TA what type it is. Once onboard it will show up on your account labeled as OBR (refundable) or OBN (non-refundable.). If you have both they will pull the non-refundable first. It can certainly be used for gratuities. The only thing it cannot be used for is to purchase a future cruise certificate.

Well, with 9 lives, all those birthdays are hard to keep track of!

Following!!

First make sure you are looking at a cabin that is set up to sleep 4.

I can think of plenty of ways to have fun on a cruise ship that doesn’t involve ducks.

I’m beginning to think the whole point of Terms & Conditions is to drive one to drink. Hence the beverage package…

Update: In contrast to the email I posted earlier that I received from X this morning, I just got a recorded message from a Retreat Concierge telling me that I will be receiving ALL the amenities of the Signature Suites. Specialty dining, mini bar, etc. I’ll call him back tomorrow. (My sailing is not until September.) Full disclaimer: I sent a message to X thru Facebook last night. The concierge referenced this. Happy dance!!!!

Try an Amaretto Sour!

Celebrity’s consistent inconsistency! I was charged immediately for the upcharge in gratuities. 🤣

Just got this email from X. It specifically references our sailing. It seems pretty clear we will only have the premium beverage and internet. However, things onboard are often different…. As I said, I’ll keep you updated.

Well, since there are differing views I’ll keep you posted on the outcome! 😁🍾

Tried to delete…

This is entitled “Feeling Philosophical.” This is entitled “I’ll Be Right Back”

Thanks for that. Interesting. Since I did receive the Premium drinks and internet via the Move Up…it will be interesting to see what the answer is re the specialty dining.

The issue seems to be not what is included in the higher level suites…but what they allow if you achieved the suite via a Move Up bid. As I (OP) mentioned, I did call the Retreat number and was told the upgrades to my existing Classic Beverage Package and Basic Internet were all that was included. I will try calling again to see if I get a different answer. (And I knew the extra gratuities would be immediately charged in addition to my bid if it was accepted.)

I have read Charla’s review. All I can say is X’s website states specialty dining is only a perk of Royal Suites and above. Maybe if I’m contacted by the stateside concierge I’ll find out differently.

I see now that the dining caveat says for Royal and above suites. Suite newbie here I assumed the Signature Suite was below the Royal...I'll try calling back tomorrow. Thanks SO much for your help!