helen haywood

Combinable up to final payment. That is the thing that makes booking on Celebrity so confusing. Some promotions are not combinable with any others. For example, you might be in a situation where the OBC you received from X was not combinable with the 1,2,3 Go Promo. If you wanted that promo you would have to give up your OBC. I'm not saying this is the case....I just mean something like that could happen. The 1,2,3 Go Promo is not combinable with, for example, a senior rate. So I've had cruises where I have to decide if the dollars saved for the senior rate are more important to me that the beverage package.

But I stick with what I said that you generally are better off booking on board.

Oops! Yes, it is 60 days.

When you book the Alaska cruise on board in June, in my opinion, put down a deposit on a specific cruise. You can always transfer the booking to another sailing/ship/date if you change your mind. And that deposit is fully refundable. If you purchase an Open Passages certificate, that deposit is NOT refundable. Yes, you can move that booking # as many times as you want; it will never expire. But I just don't see the point in buying a booking deposit that isn't refundable.

Once you pay your $100 deposit, you have 30 days to shop around among various TAs. Just tell them you have a booking you want to transfer to them and what could they offer you. I've done this where the invoice I have from Celebrity clearly shows I booked at X price....and yet the TA says they will price the same cruise for less....and once I transfer the booking, the new invoice from the TA shows the lower price. Perhaps the TA has a group rate that enables them to give me the lower fare; I don't understand it but then I don't have to to enjoy it.

There is a form on the X website that you can print out and FAX to them with the name of the TA you wish to transfer it to. Or the TA can send you the form.

Generally speaking, a TA will always be able to give you either a lower price or some OBC or a perk such as prepaid gratuities.

The advantage to booking on board are several. First, you can pay for a lower balcony cabin category and receive a higher one. Second, X will give you some OBC for booking on board. Third, your cruise booking can be secured by only $100 per person instead of the $250 per person it would take if you booked off the ship.

There is no charge for Room Service with the exception of some special items on the menu that clearly have a fee associated with them. Like caviar on your eggs... A tip is expected. But I agree that lobster is overrated...especially on cruise ships. I think you'd be happier at the Buffet.

I have followed Choice Air prices for a FCO-MIA flight and a MIA-BCN flight for six months before booking and they never changed more than a few dollars.

What ship are you sailing? All of them have a bar as you enter the Buffet on the side opposite from the ice cream counter. There is a bar aft, outside the Buffet on ships except Silhouette and Reflection.

Lobster is not served in the buffet. You can order items from that day's MDR menu from Room Service (ie you can only order lobster from Room Service on the night it is on the menu in the MDR. It is not offered on both "formal" nights.)

Don't know the hours for all meals. I think for dinner its 6:30 to 9:30. But there is always something to eat from when it opens till midnight....

Great! We'll be looking for your review. I am specifically interested in loud piped in music at the Sunset Bar. That's where I like to spend my time....Kindle in lap, ignored, while I stare at the ocean....

I didn't know the wine bar had snacks! You mean Cellar Masters? What times did they have cheese, etc?

I agree with you! We're sailing Reflection on her spring TA. To any recent Reflection cruisers, don't think we are tired of hearing Reflection reviews! Come and settle some of the issues being bandied about, please.

The Allure is sailing on March 16th so I think her passengers will be using the large terminal.

Isn't it true that Celebrity doesn't have access to the new larger building on Saturdays and Sundays as that is when it is used by Royal for the Oasis or the Allure? So if you were embarking on those days, using the smaller facility, the lines might appear longer.

Peartini!

How about at the Sunset Bar? That's where my DH and I spend most of our time (he smokes.) We're sailing on the Reflection's TA in April.....

We have used Park N Go several times. I highly recommend them. If you prepay the rate is less than if you pay at the lot. The port price of $15 a day is the total price.

Park No Go has shuttles when you arrive that take you immediately to the ship and when we've done self-debarkation and were some of the first off the ship at 7:30 there was either a shuttle waiting or one arrived in under 5 minutes.

Find the Roll Call for your sailing and post on there. There may well be other singles cruising and you could meet somewhere and make friends.

Tuscan Grille has the best views aft. Make sure your reservation comes before dark so you can enjoy the sunset.

Used them twice and booked for more. Great service. Extremely prompt (actually always early!), cheerful, nice cars. Great way to go.

I am on a repositioning cruise that starts in Miami. I don't want to stay all morning on the ship but neither do I want to be the first one off. What would be a good time to arrange pick-up? I had said 9:30 but if the ship is going to ask us to leave earlier then I'll change that.

So, everybody will be asked to leave before 9? I'm trying to schedule a pick up.

I have used the "fishy" site before....but found for our last cruise that they didn't post a senior discount even though I had paid to have that category monitored. I emailed the company about the oversight and never heard back. If this site were free that would be different. I think you are better off monitoring it yourself. On both X's site and other big agencies for different/better perks.

Don't know if "foodies" consider the finer points of hamburgers, but Celebrity's Mast Grill has MUCH better hamburgers than Royal does on their buffet line.

Yes, PLENTY of trivia!! Overlapping trivia it seems!! Trivia in different places around the ship so you have to keep moving!! No time away from trivia to eat even!

The trivia is fun.

There was a mention on a cruise review of a wine opener being confiscated going through security prior to boarding the ship. However, in that case it was the type of opener that also had a small cutting tool for the foil. If you are just talking a plain corkscrew you will be fine. But if you don't want the extra weight or bother...your cabin attendant will get one for you.

And remember you can take a glass of your wine to the MDR without any fee.

No, the balconies are the same size. The whole corridor takes a jut outward so those forward cabins are 6 feet or so out further than the ones behind. The only ones that are really "special" IMHO are the two at the end of the hump/jut so you have the better view aft.

I've used the first three. I really think any company with an A or A- rating that has a lot of star recommendations on insuremytrip would be fine. If you have any specific questions or pre-existing conditions do call them.

I used to book onboard because Celebrity used to give lots of OBC for longer cruises like TAs. Now they do not so I'm not sure I'd bother booking onboard unless you really have your heart set on a specific cabin. Yes, you can get your full deposit back before final payment and that is generally 75 days before the sail date. If you booked on board the final payment date would be on your invoice.

Regarding categories of cabins, go to the Celebrity website (or any other) and study the deck plans. Generally speaking, on S-class ships, all the balcony cabins are the same size...the only difference is forward or aft or what deck they are on. Some balcony cabins have larger balconies. If you are happy with the basic balcony then the cheapest non-obstructed cabin would be a 2B. 2D cabins have obstructed views (lifeboats in front of the balcony) and 2C are partially obstructed meaning they are one deck above the lifeboats so you can't see straight down but you can see straight out. There is a sticky at the top of this board that has great descriptions of S-class cabins.

On the most recent TA I booked, the April Reflection, prices decreased a few times before final and dropped dramatically the first few days after final (Feb 14) and have now gone way back up as the ship is almost full. If I were to book another TA I would monitor the price and book just after final. IMHO

Re what side....I'm happy with either. One side will get morning sun...the other will get great sunsets....