Pinboy

1---That's called " Celebrity Olympics " and takes place every afternoon between 2-4pm 2--- That's permitted -- Ya can't get hearing aides wet and besides everyone around the pool wants to hear that your Waiter forgot to bring your 3 shrimp cocktails at the same time, and if it happens again, etc etc.

No kids, No loud music , No loud videos on computers, No nude sunbathers , Every one of the above is tooooo distracting !!

It's all part of the " Game " ( duty, responsibility, job, whatever ). LOL--- You know as well as we all do, there are some Threads posted that certainly do not appear to be from any " authority " on cruising. I'd love to mention some of my favorites, but better not for fear of being sent back to the woodshed Land of Ice, Snow, and Potholes --- Montreal ????

Exactly--- On all our cruises nobody ever asked nor did we ask anyone " What status level are you"? As a matter of fact, we met many people on cruises and nobody ever asked if we read CC. As for HH, wherever they have it, that's fine with me -- ( Diet coke, appetizers = perfect ). As for the " Mix and Mingle "--- Are we expected to " reveal " (?? ) our name ? If so, I couldn't take the chance--- just in case ----

Really ??? To spend all that money to receive a few perks ----- that might change at any time? We " graduated " to Elite a few yrs ago--- nothing to get " excited " ( as you say ) about. Suggestion : Wanna get " excited " ?? Go to Centre St Deli ( was there twice when in Toronto ) for a great meal and mingle with some of the Toronto " Elites "---- more fun than having a few mini canapes with a Jr Officer, a free bag of laundry , or a scoop of gelato. LOL--- "Elite" sounds better than it is---- I believe 80-90 % of the passengers are Elite or higher on most cruises . FYI--- We enjoyed every one of our Celebrity cruises --- Food, Service , Cleanliness of the ships, met very nice people--- etc .

"Would you mind putting it to rest "? You are correct---Agree--- Enough already----Will do. ( LOL-- It came to me when I saw the " lemon " inquiry ). Movin on !!

There's lemons everywhere on the ship, so not to worry. Put some in your fridge and add a plate of shrimps/sauce --uumm good !! Now, If you want to bring " round tomatoes "--- that's a different " story "--- but, don't. ( Whatcha gonna tell your family/friends when you get home earlier than expected after being denied boarding for " smuggling " tomatoes )? LOL---A few weeks ago someone posted a thread about " No round tomatoes , blah, blah ". Luckily, a long time contributor to CC noticed it and suggested " Just ask for one ".

Ya callin me a "hick" ?? Just because I got " sucked " in and tipped a Maitre'd $200 ( US ) and got a table at 9:30pm? He " found " us a beautiful location--- right outside the kitchen door . I overheard him laughing about some hick from Canada wanted a reservation at 9:30 pm, etc etc . I see ya live in Southern Ontario--- my guess--- Thunder Bay.

LOL---That's a " Good One "-- Where I live we don't get traffic tickets here--- A Red light is only a " suggestion" to stop if you have time, Yellow light means " speed up ", and Green light means " keep your peddle to the metal ".

"I was waiting for your always interesting reply...LOL"---- always interesting ???? ( LOL ) " if you hadn't 'crossed the palm' "---It was kind of implied and understood when he asked for our cabin number and I said " We'd appreciate it--- Do your best ". "maybe still would have had your reservation "--- most likely, but who knows what kind of service we would have received or what if we wanted to dine there again ? "wouldn't accept and the fellow looked a little embarrassed as we were all overhearing while standing and waiting for OUR table------That's an easy one----She wouldn't accept because you were standing there. My guess--- She gave him a " good " table and after dinner ( when you were not there ) I'll bet he " twisted her arm " and she accepted his " Thank You " ( $$ ).

Oh Boy-- I know I'm going to be scolded again and accused of bribing. As soon as you board go to the Specialty restaurant(s) to make reservations. Just as on land in an upscale restaurant the Maitre'd " controls " the reservation system. It's a " game "--- On occasion we were told : " We are all booked up, but, IF you leave your name and cabin number, perhaps we can find something for you ". Our answer : " Oh, that would be very nice and we'd appreciate that-- Do your best ". Before you know it : Ring, ring, " We had a cancellation ( ?? ) and can accommodate you at xx time ". Show up, shake hands, transfer a few $$ from palm to palm---everybody's happy. To me, it's all a part of the "system " and a few extra $$ makes no difference, but adds to our enjoyment. ( No disrespect to those who disagree ).

LOL-- I can't remember the name, but ,I do remember a Madame Chartrand at a chip wagon-- Let me tell all of our CC friends---- She was the "Best "-- never measured anything ( the size of her burgers, the amount of fries or chou ( coleslaw), always in a good mood --- Unless it was taking too long to decide what you wanted. Ok, so she had a bit (??) of trouble with her English---as an example--she couldn't say " Coffee Crisp " ( chocolate bar )---- always said " Coffee CRIPS "----no big deal. What a great memory !!

Agree 100%-- and besides, I was under the impression that Crew members were not permitted to socialize with passengers. In fact, I believe a CCer was banned from Celebrity for something like that, but, I could be wrong.

Very difficult for any of us to answer what you should do. We all have different priorities, and situations depending on " issues " ( family, health, work, financial, etc ). For us re cruising, we have a few cruises planned in the winter and to ensure we don't have travel problems ( snow storms, flight cancellations, etc ) we always go to our cruise destination a few days ahead of time. LOL-- Years ago I heard about a motel in Ft Lauderdale---they even discount the room by 50% if you stay the whole night. So, I suggested it to " You know who " ---- any guesses where we didn't stay ? Châteauguay, Qc---- I think I played golf there " years " ago---Is that great chip wagon close by still there ? ( Burgers, fries, poutine , hot dogs -- better than the Mast Grill )

That's the best post on " tipping ", and exactly what we do. Being non-drinkers, and don't stay in a suite---- It's our pleasure to tip our cabin Steward, Waiter, Asst Waiter, and Maitre'd "if" he/she ( Maitre'd ) did something extra ( have a meal prepared for us that is not on the menu )--- never ahead of time, always on the last day of the cruise and thank him/her for their excellent service. What's a few extra $$ in the overall cost of the cruise? If I posted my thoughts about " I prepaid my gratuities and don't tip any extra ", or " I remove the gratuities and tip who I want ", or " In my Country tipping is not , etc etc " my post would be deleted.

Not mentioned yet---- If you plan to go to any Specialty restaurant, go there asap as prime times get filled up very quickly. They do hold space for suite passengers which limits prime time availability. Suggestion --- For a nice relaxing lunch try the Spa Cafe in the Solarium pool area instead of the " Zoo " in the OVC. Not as much selection, but, very adequate.

So many different opinions. On the Edge, we enjoyed the choice of the 4 MDRs and found the food, the service and the menu very good-- nothing to complain about. As a matter of fact, one night the Maitre'd asked if there was something that we might like that was not on the menu and he had it prepared for us the next night. As for the Specialty restaurants, they all seemed similar to what we can get at home, except the Rooftop Gardens, and it was excellent. LOL-- Off Subject: We had a very nice cabin in which we could not find the verandah-- Our Cabin Steward pointed to a 3 ft extension to the room and lowered the window halfway down--- That's it ???? On a recent thread re Cruise Directors--- Can't comment--- Don't care--- We don't participate in the Newlywed game, the Art Auction, or where the best deals are in port , you know, the places that provide the Cruise Line with a " Thank You $$ ". Now, waiting for another " Who's the Captain ,etc etc " thread. C'est la vie.

No disrespect intended---- How could she be " so nice " and not return messages for a day or two or ---- never ? How could she be " so nice " if she doesn't check emails until later in the evening when clients are waiting and want answers ( service ) asap? It's too bad you missed a booking because of her poor service. Next time be " nice " to yourself .

Exactly correct-- So, let me think---- Why are sooooo many CCers with only negative comments about Celebrity still reading/posting on Celebrity ? What's the purpose ? FYI--- We don't cruise on Carnival ( as an example ) ----- soooo , I don't read any Carnival's threads. Let's hope you never need help with Customer Service or Tech Support from the 1000's of Companies employing off-shore services.

Here's what we have done for several years without any problems. Why ?? Because our Personal Celebrity Cruise Planner never returned calls after he said " I'll look into it and get back to you " or never returned phone messages. So, we book a future cruise while on board and receive a few extra perks ( 1 category cabin upgrade + a bit of extra OBC ( $ depends on cabin category and length of cruise ). Immediately transfer the booking to Big Box Travel and at the end of the cruise receive a Gift Card based on 8-9% of what we paid. Never had a problem, and it's like " found money ". Also, there is someone available all the time-- ( English and/or French speaking ). I don't have to wait for the TA to finish his/her 36 holes of golf, or his/her 3 hr lunch or, or---to get a call back. Again, we always had a very good Agent. Perhaps we were just lucky ? I'm on your side--- Sounds too good to be true , but, I have no reason to believe otherwise. Some folks receive $$$$ thousand(s) ?? of OBC for booking suites and being a loyal customer. I wouldn't know what to spend it on---- Holy cow, there have been threads on CC where someone had a few $ OBC left and asked " What would you do with it " ?? Now, you got me thinking of that old fart with the 32 yr old--- Again !!! I'll bet she still has the Rolex and he has only the memories. The easiest ( IMO) is to book/pay in $US -- The TAs in the US would have to search the current exchange rate and add a " service fee " etc. etc.

You still get a schedule every night on your bed with the chocolate bar ( ?? ). On the last night you might have a towel wrapped as a bunny as a surprise---- if you didn't remove the gratuities. The menu for each day is posted outside the MDR. " the inconvenience of having to haul your phone around with you "? Not necessary--- unless you forget what time " Zumba at the pool at 2 pm with Officers is " or " Cigar tasting at 4 in the MDR is " etc. Is this another " Celebrity Downfall " thread ???? What next ?

22 pages and I'm still confused as it appears others are as well. We are not suite passengers--- ( non-drinkers, don't require much internet, had a Butler " years "ago but didn't use his services, don't entertain ( no upside-down pineapples here) , or dine in our room ). I keep asking myself : Suite passengers pay high prices for their accommodations and service, and expect ( deserve ) to receive what they have paid for-----( within reason ). How can one person, call him/her " whatever ", service and satisfy 12-14 rooms, cabins, suites , etc everyday ?

I hear ya and totally understand your thinking. What you might not be aware of is that they hold back the " prime times " apparently for suite guests, which makes it impossible to book on line in advance. We don't want to have dinner at 5 or 9 pm, thus, we are stuck to " play the game "-- Everyone has different priorities--- and for us to tip a few $$ ( once in a while ) and have a very nice dinner in a Specialty restaurant when , as you say, our dinner is already paid for, means nothing. To quote---"you simply must eat in it that night " LOL--- That sure isn't us !! --- LOL Again to quote---" strikes some of us as preposterous ". The same can be said about cabin accommodations, expensive purchases on board, etc. We all have choices. Who knows, maybe we will meet in person one day and share a good laugh.

Sorta makes sense --- You win !! From now on : LOL----" We ain't going to that Specialty Moriano Restaurant for a nice dinner that we been talkin bout since we booked the cruise 4 yrs ago--- you know, the one everyone posts excellent comments about on CC in addition to "who the Captain will be on their cruise in 3 years " and that " there were no round tomatoes no where" .Ya, that's the one. They ain't gonna get me to pay no extra for food I already paid for , and then they esspect me to leave a extra tip ?? They must think Pinboy is a sucker-- nice try !! No, I didn't dream that up !! Someone on CC told me that people share jokes and stories, yes, jokes and stories about people who go to Specialty restaurants--- you know, the ones that are always busy".--- LOL Perhaps it's time to put this " baby " to bed ???

" self respect " ? Perhaps you meant " principle " ? How about this: If we want to dine in Murano ( as an example ) a few times during the cruise and there are no reservations available at the time(s) we want, so, I play the " game " and hand over a few $$ to the Maitre'd. IMO it has nothing to do with " self respect ". LOL, it does have something to do with enjoying a dinner or two in an excellent restaurant , with very good service, on a nice clean ship, during a very enjoyable cruise.