Pinboy

That's very easy to fix--- NO SERVICE , Bye, Bye !! ( Let's see if this brings on the HaHa from X )

( If not within the Guidelines, please delete ). Yes-- nothing funny (haha ) about it, so, why the reaction ??

I " assume " the Maitre'd receives a portion of the Gratuities pool. Also, on every cruise we have been on, the Maitre'd visited our table from time to time to see if everything was to our satisfaction and to let him/her know if there was anything they could do for us. Ok-- no problem--- another few $$ added on to the cost of the cruise. That's how the " system " works.

Thanks---That's what I meant all along. AFTER the Maitre'd or " whomever " helps you with your request----THAT is the time to hand over a few $$. If he/she says " Sorry , nothing I can do "-- end of story-- no tip. At the end of the cruise, we always compliment in writing on the survey , plus, a hand written letter to the Hotel Manager on board regarding Staff people that provided the excellent we received.

1--- I won't " bite " on that statement. 2--- Of course----- it's their job to help Guests . No employee is going to risk being disciplined or lose their job because they refused to change a table or accommodate a reasonable request. I wouldn't recommend " waving $ " in anyone's face on a cruise ship or anywhere else ( Not a very classy move ). And ,you don't have to " consider it to be necessary"--- but it's an appreciated way of saying " Thank You for your help ". Just respect the fact that they are in a Service Industry where Employees rely on tips. Can we at least agree on that ?

( This type of conversation has been discussed many times on CC ). If you read the replies, it appears that many folks think it's a bribe to hand someone a few $$ for their assistance in getting you a table in the MDR that you would prefer, or getting you a reservation in a Specialty restaurant at a time when it appears that nothing is available, etc, etc. Some even laugh at the suggestion. You will see these same people in line at the Guest Relations Counter removing the Gratuities. ( It happens on every cruise ). You're going to spend X amount of $ on the cruise--- you want to " make sure we handle it properly ", then tip a few $$-- ( You might need their help again sometime ?? ) It will be appreciated and make you feel better .

"Have never given a "little something"--- Really ?? Is is such a " big deal '' to hand a few $$ to a service person that you asked a favor from ? They rely on tips ( $$ ) -- they deserve tips ( $$ ) when they do a little extra for us to enjoy our cruise. ( No need for the " you do what you do, but, don't tell me what to do " ).

I doubt being in Concierge Class will make a difference. Suggestion : Reserve Anytime Dining on Cruise Planner for every night of the cruise. As soon as you board, go to the MDR and speak to the Maitre'd regarding your seating request. A little "Thank You " ( $$ ) will do the " trick ". ( It's not a bribe--- it's a " smart move " ) If you plan on dining in a Specialty restaurant ,as a courtesy, please make sure to tell the Maitre'd or the Hostess so they do not hold your table that evening.

1--That's what I would do -- just want to make sure we don't miss ( $$ ) anyone. 2--That's surprising as I thought each restaurant had their own theme and menu. Thanks for the information.

Correct--- I think the best thing to do , because we " might " not eat in the same dining room every night, would be to tip after each meal rather than wait until the end of the cruise as we do when eating in the same dining room all week. I never have nor would I find ( ?? ) an excuse to " stiff " a Server --- One day I'll express my feelings about people that spend $$$$ to go on a cruise and not treat ( $$ ) the Staff or even worse-- remove the Gratuities !!!!

Are Guests assigned to a specific dining room if they are on Select ( Anytime ) dining ? I understand the Specialty restaurants re the 18 % add-on, but am a bit confused re the 4 main dining options where we can eat in a different one every night. Can I assume we leave a tip every night in whichever restaurant we eat in ?

Of the four main dining restaurants on the Edge ( Normandie , Cosmopolitan , Tuscan and Cyprus ) which are your favorites ? I do understand that they are all different, but would like to hear some thoughts on menu selection, ambiance, service, popularity , and how/whether to tip extra ( as in Specialty restaurants ). Even though our gratuities are prepaid ( included ), and we can chose to eat in any one of them, similar to dining in a Specialty restaurant, we always leave a tip for our Server and would like to hear some opinions on the above.

LOL---Oh Boy--This is " serious" ( ?? ) and could become " heated " --- My "observation " was exactly as stated below. "On more than one cruise I noticed the same person scooping the bowl clean on a few occasions ". ( The bowl was right beside the chocolate chip cookies you were probably eating ) However, we haven't cruised since Covid, so let's assume Celebrity " observed " the cost of the M&Ms and changed the " location " of the bowl to behind the glass and how many M&Ms were to be served . You say--- "I guess I’m not that observant….or care ". Same here-- I don't even " care " who the Captain is on our upcoming cruise.

I doubt that would work because they have no proof that it happened on board and they probably don't have the receipt for the suit. What I would have done is have the GR Manager or the Hotel Manager provide me with some form of written proof that it happened on board. Then I would price a similar suit and send both ( written proof from the ship and a photo/cost of a similar suit ) to Customer Service with an explanation of what /when it happened. ( The ship would have documented the accident and details of same ). LOL--- Because the suit was previously worn ( who knows how old it was ) Customer Service would depreciate the cost and send the difference. IMO--- That's the best outcome I would bet on. Bonne Chance--- Good Luck

What exactly is meant by a " free cruise " ? Are there any fees, gratuities, taxes or other costs to be paid ? What kind of accommodations are you assigned and can you pay extra and upgrade ? Are you required to spend X amount of time daily in the casino ? Is there a minimum bet that you must play ? I'm always skeptical of " Free" cruises, " Free " trips , and what comes to mind is whether it's just a Timeshare presentation for a week ? LOL-- Last time on a cruise I asked the Cashier in the casino : " How much do you have to lose in order to get a free key chain ? She thought I was serious and said " We don't have any --only the Cruise Director has some for game prizes ".

With due respect-- I don't understand your statement. To be clear, my post was in reference to what I observed , but, I was not involved in any way. ( Never had an M&M on a cruise )

Correct -- On more than one cruise I noticed the same person scooping the bowl clean on a few occasions and wanted to say : " Ok, so ya " beat 'em " for several bowls of M&M's or " whatever " to take home !! Feel better now " ?? If I was 6'17" tall , lots of " years " younger , and wasn't such a wimp--- etc, etc.--- but, I did nothing. She, oops, the same person also piled up chocolate chip cookies .

Rumor has it that they discount the room by 25 % if you stay the whole night .

But--- Maybe not as nice as a fruit cake or a fridge magnet from your hometown.

First I will book a cruise-- then, probably pay the extra and book directly with Air Canada. I don't want to take chances and end up in Chicago for 19 hrs, then have our connecting flight cancelled , and my luggage end up inTokyo. I would be the guy in the dining room wearing the same clothes all week. Pas pour moi---- Not for me.

Thinking of booking our first cruise since Covid. Question : Anyone have experience booking Air Canada flights with Celebrity Air to Fort Lauderdale/Miami ? I hear that the price is lower booking the same flights with Celebrity Air rather than directly with Air Canada. Am I missing something ?

As long as I'm not there you will have a chance. Or, you can book a suite and beat me by 6 minutes and $5000.

I believe you are correct--- FYI--I can't remember what I shot in golf two days ago, but just know I'm still upset. Can you imagine missing a 4 ft , downhill putt, that broke to the left ? Perhaps what they did do was board passengers based on their status , or stateroom type ? Whatever-- we took the advice of the gentleman that knew the " system " and got on as soon as they started boarding passengers. Never had a problem.

Perhaps things have changed since we last cruised ( before Covid ). A few years ago , while sitting in the waiting area ( not to be confused with the " weighting " area--- the OVC ), the people sitting beside us told me: " When they start boarding , just head to the escalator --- nobody checks, and you will be on board ". It worked every time .

LOL--- I, oops, we, oops , some of the " regulars " on CC were under the impression that you were not going on the cruise, but, asking for a " friend " who wanted to promote, oops, provide some " valuable " future cruise sales information by sticking flyers on 1600 doors, followed by a 3 hr " Information Session " ( Sales presentation ) in the theater, etc ( to increase their business , as they are Directors in the Company ), plus, being able to charge the cruise as a Business Expense . Ok, so it didn't go so well --- However, IF you mentioned " Door Prizes and Complimentary Drinks " you would have received a more positive response. Enjoy your cruise and------ leave the 2000 flyers at home.