dilbertsdaddy

when I read this it just seems to show that this stuff is not worth it.  they talk up specialty dining but make it painful to use.

our group (of 19) could only get reservations at 9 PM, and this was on the first day it was open for booking.  9 PM is my bedtime.........wife and I might split from the group! 

On 9/6/2024 at 1:35 PM, cruiseny4life said:

I'm not an oenophile, so don't understand why anyone would bring wine onboard (corkage fee or not). I agree with you about losing money to NCL as you won't take full advantage of the drink package. I'm also not one to bring my own shampoo, conditioner, lotion, pillows, electrical cords, towels, etc. 

I don't want to bring it, but if you do not have a drink package, you can't buy anything while at port in Greece or Italy (so I'm told, but not by NCL).  I will bring 3 bottles and pay the $45 fee.  The only other alterative is to pay $400 gratuity for the "free" beverages, and my wife does not drink.  I can't drink $400 worth and no specialty coffee included....rip off

Even though I don't want to and would not if I had the package, if you do the math it is actually a wash to pay the fee, $30 bottle of wine + $15 fee = 3 glasses if you buy it.  More than 3 glasses in a bottle  

I would gladly buy the package if I only had to pay for myself

Too early to request boarding time but wondering what time frame we might expect?  Trying to decide to what extent we need late check-out from the hotel which helps determine which hotel (Marriott will give me later time than IHG).

Thanks

if you do not have the drink package how do they collect the corkage fee?  I could understand if you brought the bottle to dinner but it also says in your cabin.....what is the procedure?

1 minute ago, julig22 said:

2 hours only applies to the day you embark. Otherwise, it's usually 30 minutes before you sail, last tender/shuttle is usually 45-90 minutes before you sail, depending on the distance. And AFAIK, you can add the FAS package before your trip, assuming you didn't book sailaway.

 

As to waiting, they don't have time to wait in Ketchikan. And there has been NO mention of when the ship actually left - maybe they did wait for as long as they could. Maybe the ship was already underway when they found out WHY the family was late. It's not like a ship can just turn around and come back.

good to know!

Just goes to show that there are lots of details that can trip you up and those details are not always readily available when booking.

I did the lumberjack show last year on Celebrity and walked right across the street to the ship.  How would one know that with NCL that is not an option?

I just learned that on my upcoming NCL cruise I can't buy booze while in port in Greece and Italy.  Had I known that I might have done the free at sea, but it made no sense since my wife does not drink.  And since they require onboard at 2 HOURS before sailing, I can't even hang out at a bar near the port till last minute so I'll be boozeless for two hours until we sail. I have a fair amount of OBC for booze but now might not have time to use it. 2 of the 9 nights we sail after my bedtime!

BTW, sounds like they really should have waited for these folks.

On 7/18/2024 at 8:18 PM, drew69 said:

Pools, spas, sports areas all open.  Some bars open and some closed.  Buffet open and some other eateries.  Casino and shops closed.  A few activities - trivia, deck things, etc.

 

Also, work is done on port days so may see areas closed while being painted, etc.  Life boat drills, safety practices for crew, etc.

 

Particularly in the Med, the emphasis is more on the ports.

 

Also, depending on country, bar service may be limited.  For example, in Greek ports only those with drink package will be served liquor, they won't serve and ring up a drink to your account while docked in Greece.

Yikes!  I'm glad I found this out now rather than being surprised.

We did not get the free at sea drinks because my wife does not drink and it did not make sense for us, I plan to pay for my drinks with OBC.

First night we do not depart Athens until 10 PM, and the next night we do not depart Santorini until 10.  Every other night should be fine (last night Ravenna is 7 PM and I understand this also happens in Italy?)  Are croatia and montenegro ok?

I had not planned to take wine onboard since it makes no sense to pay $15 to drink a $20 bottle of wine, but now it looks like I better take two bottles with me for the first two nights.  What is the procedure, best way to handle?   Do I take it in my carry-on and how does the fee get charged? 

I rode the donkey up...never again

what I've learned in 43 years of travel (including 25 years of weekly business travel) is that you NEVER let anyone else book your flights for you - not an admin, not a client, not a tour operator, and certainly not a cruise line.  

Airlines do schedule changes every month, so the further out you book the more likely it is that there will be schedule changes.  If NCL books so late that should at least minimize this chance.  If you book directly through the airline, resolving schedule changes is usually pretty easy.

I've seen some truly horrid schedules booked by cruises for people I've cruised with.  Arrive dead tired, and drama when you don't get what you want and things go awry.  Not worth it.

When do they typically start accepting bids?  I tried the link and it said none available (but there are).  Possibly it is too early?  (cruise 4 months away)

Man, this is quite entertaining listening to the comments/justifications, etc.  I should have loaded up on popcorn first.

Not sure if the restriction to buying package for everyone is waived because of location, NCL norm, or that only two per cabin get Free at Sea?

At any rate, this is clearly intended to skirt the rules; how could it be interpreted any other way?  If they want to drink wine they should buy a package or pay as they go.  Very simple. 

I drink and my wife does not, so buying a package does not make sense.  We also were offered free packages if we pay the gratuity, and simple math indicates even then it is not a good deal for us.  If I were by myself it would be a no brainer to purchase it.  I'm cheap too, and will maybe get the credit card to build up some OBC for my drinks.  Everyone's situation is different and while I wish cruise lines had more flexibility, I would never try to justify breaking the rule with some BS like dumping drinks or throwing up a mocktail red herring when in reality I intend to drink wine.

Putting a crew member in an awkward position with a customer is also not cool.

By the way, I am traveling with a party of 10 who all have packages and I would never even think of asking them to order me a drink.      

Let me defend X for a minute.  Just returned from 7 nights on Millie.

For context, I am a world traveler, but this was only my third cruise (first on X).  I'm not a fancy pants but fly only Business Class internationally and stay in 4-5 stars 100+ nights a year.  Fly FC 60-75% domestically.  Beer drinker, enjoy a nice wine from time to time.  I do like to eat!  

My cruise met or exceeded in every area except for the buffet (crowded and chaotic).  Since I spend many hours a week in the Delta Skyclub, you would think I would be used to unruly crowds and buffets that look like a pack of wolves visited, but it still bugged me.  A lot.

Other than that, it was great, especially for the price.  Was it perfect?  No, but things rarely are. 

Oh, and Lavazza really sucks.

I am the demographic everyone feels is being cast aside (still working, but getting ready to retire any day) but that is the way it is now.  I can't even find one decent song on Delta's extensive playlist.  Out with the old, in with the new as they say.

I will try Holland America next (for the music) but I'm not anticipating any other aspect to be much better or worse.

First world problems!

Recently returned from Alaska on Celebrity.  I found everything to be top notch with the exception of the buffet (more crowd issues than food quality) and the ridiculous stop at Icy Straight point.

I've not been on Princess but I have heard Glacier Bay is awesome and would probably look for an itinerary that includes this if I ever do Alaska again.  Our cruise included the Hubbard Glacier and it was great.

I've been thinking Holland America may be a better fit for me because of the Music Walk, but learned only a few ships have this as the cruise I was looking at did not.  The music on Celebrity was good but not great and I think this would add a lot to my experience.

. 

15 minutes ago, killarneylady said:

This was just put on Facebook post shows debarkation times and how they do it. Thought it was helpful . 

Thank you!

8 minutes ago, jelayne said:

Did you book this through the Celebrity website if so you should have received a confirmation of your purchase. Did you pay by credit card or OBC?

If your TA booked it for you they should have a confirmation.  

TA booked and it is on my receipt but no info on app/etc.

On 7/7/2023 at 9:38 AM, WestLakeGirl said:

Call your TA to make sure it got booked and was paid for

Yeah, they are not much help, they said Celebrity will provide the info once on the ship.  I would think it would be listed in my app with the rest of my tours (?) 

BTW, this is Seward to ANC (downtown) if anyone has any experience with this

Sailing in two weeks (post cruise transfer is in three weeks)

All my excursions are listed in the app but nothing on the transfer.  

Should I be concerned and when does it normally show up?  (booked through TA/AX)

On 5/8/2023 at 3:35 PM, dilbertsdaddy said:

• Ship:  Celebrity Millennium
• Length of Cruise: 7 days
• Cruise Sail Date: July 21, 2023
• Date email offer received: May 8, 2023
• Captain’s Club Tier [“PREVIEW” = first Celebrity Cruise]: Kettle
• Booked through Celebrity Direct OR via TA: TA
• Current Cabin: Inside
• Bid?  Yes/No: Yes $150 Ver, Ultra $300

If YES -  Bidding Details:

• Cabin Category: OV, Veranda, Sunset Veranda, Ultra Deluxe, Concierge, Ultra Deluxe Concierge, Aqua
• Bid Offer: OV: $100, Ver: $150, SV $250, Ultra $300, Con $250, Ultra con $300, Aqua $350  
• Notification Date: pending
• Accepted / Rejected: pending

General Comments (offer details, etc.)

 

Can't see how many verandas are available in the booking engine (I could before). 

After I posted this the minimum bids went down so I adjusted these two and added a couple more.  All my bids are low.

Sail in two weeks; ship is completely full and bids still show pending.  Is it normal for them to still be pending when there appears to be no chance? 

6 hours ago, Mark_K said:

If you’re asking about July 23, 2023, she is currently scheduled to be in front of the Visitor’s Bureau.

1 hour ago, bigbenboys said:

My favorite walk in Ketchikan is Married Man’s Trail.

 

https://www.experienceketchikan.com/creek-street-ketchikan.html

49 minutes ago, Northern Aurora said:

Celebrity does not use the new Ward Cove dock (which is several miles from downtown Ketchikan).  The Millennium will dock downtown right near the Visitor's Bureau.

Nice!  Thanks all

always the same or changes based on day?

the reason I ask is that we only have 30 minutes from end of lumberjack to all aboard

If you cancel and rebook when it was paid in OBC, does the OBC come back and if so how long does it take?

I was able to get AX to reduce the fare after booking but before final payment.

Now I've made my final payment and cruise has been reduced substantially and also with higher OBC.  Any chance AX can get get me additional OBC for the difference or is it a waste of time?

Not to make excuses for a bad burger, but I still don't understand the fascination with burgers and pizza on a cruise.  I'm looking for something I don't normally eat at home, and also to get better value for the price of the cruise.

I understand the convenience factor; but I looked at the menu for mast and would not even consider it.  Seems like they can add a few more options?

• Ship:  Celebrity Millennium
• Length of Cruise: 7 days
• Cruise Sail Date: July 21, 2023
• Date email offer received: May 8, 2023
• Captain’s Club Tier [“PREVIEW” = first Celebrity Cruise]: Kettle
• Booked through Celebrity Direct OR via TA: TA
• Current Cabin: Inside
• Bid?  Yes/No: Yes $150 Ver, Ultra $300

If YES -  Bidding Details:

• Cabin Category: OV, Veranda, Sunset Veranda, Ultra Deluxe, Concierge, Ultra Deluxe Concierge, Aqua
• Bid Offer: OV: $100, Ver: $150, SV $250, Ultra $300, Con $250, Ultra con $300, Aqua $350  
• Notification Date: pending
• Accepted / Rejected: pending

General Comments (offer details, etc.)

Can't see how many verandas are available in the booking engine (I could before). 

On 4/19/2023 at 3:35 PM, northwoods2 said:

We will be sailing with you.  We will be doing shore tours so maybe I can fill in the holes there. 
 

Cartagena - Private tour with Dora

Colon - Ship tour - Best of Panama

Puntarenas - Ship tour - Aerial Trek

Guatemala - Ship transfer to Antigua - self tour

Puerto Vallarta - nothing planned

 

in Antigua make sure to get the roasted lima beans from a street vendor on the main square!