Liao

5.  The better cruise lines do not have all of these numerous upcharges ...Then those that do not like it, can always opt to sail on those "better" cruise lines.

13 minutes ago, rvpitt said:

Sorry I wasn’t clear in my original post. 
 

our reservations are linked.  If I try to book the same excursion for the four of us, I get different prices.  The elite members get a lower price than the elite plus members….

Call them, they will work it out.

I just do not understand this concept regarding upcharges that so many here complain about.  For our cruise fare we get a LOT included, yet many seem to think that so many other options should be included or the fee being charged for said option is exorbitant.  Drinks, WiFi, spa services, up charge menu items, tea service, specialty coffees etc etc.  If I stay at a hotel, I pay to eat in their restaurant, buy drinks, get a massage, use the WiFi and many (most) now charge a very high resort fee for facilities that most will not use and we can't go to hotel guest services and say oh please remove this fee.  

It should be attached to your email confirmation.

I often wonder why some people bother to cruise...

So the only question here is your very last sentence.  My answer is no I do not, I cruise for the sea, as much as I can get and that has to include when I am in my cabin as well.

2 hours ago, dacf said:

Hello, we'll be on Celebrity Equinox in a Sunset Concierge Class stateroom.  We'll be doing a Mediterranean cruise this fall.   I was looking at some ports where we won't have any excursions booked.   Will our Concierge tell us what we should visit based on our interests, how to get there and how much time we should allow for each visit?  In other words acting like our personal travel agent?

Thanks for your help 🙂

No they will not.

33 minutes ago, miched said:

Our 2nd cruise was on HAL.   This was our one and only on that line.   On the formal night everyone took their napkin and place it on top of their head.   Rather strange. 
 

Never understood the napkin twirling.   Almost the same as a food fight.  Sling all of the crumbs or food on your napkin towards other diners.  Great fun, 🤷‍♂️😱 especially when dressed in your finest.  Greatest feeling in the world is to get slammed in the face with a wad of spaghetti sauce, lobster shell and etc 🤬

 

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅

Bit of a stretch...

I don't take my first VV cruise until Sept, so I also am still learning and have been seeking advice.  For shore excursions, as I am not a person who generally takes ships excursions regardless, I have had very good luck with Viator for both cruise and land vacations.  Good luck!

Yesterday I booked a cruise on Solstice for Sept. 2026.  I only booked a Deluxe Veranda but the Suite GTY was not an available option, had it been I would have considered booking that way.  I actually don't recall seeing Suite GTY available on my previous bookings either, could it be because I sail solo?

While unlikely, your cabin may not be assigned right up until a few days before your cruise.  For your teenage daughter with shorts, personally I’d give it a go and see what they say.  Make sure they are on the dressier side and not short shorts, the worst that will happen is they will privately ask her to go change and then you will have your answer.  I would also let her know in advance of the possible outcome.  Enjoy your cruise, Celebrity is a great product.

Had this problem on my phone but was able to book after on my laptop.

And if you have Google the full menu is the first option in the search.

I was able to courtesy hold Sept. 20 Vancouver to HI

3 hours ago, calliopecruiser said:

Be sure you take a few European power adapters with you, because different ships have different types of outlets in different places.   The one you want to use in the bathroom might be a European outlet (Type C), instead of the typical North American ones (type A or B).

 

I definitely agree with the value of a good power bank, and I agree Anker makes awesome electrical tools like power banks, cables, and chargers.  I just bought a new power bank from them (for my new phone) yesterday.  

 

I've never understood the appeal of packing cubes.   Meh.  

I agree Anker makes awesome electrical tools like power banks.  But they are recalling thousands of them due to potential fire hazard, expect them to be banned (if have not already) very soon.

13 minutes ago, ExArkie said:

Which means that it wouldn’t be a great hardship on the cruise line to acknowledge those few who have done so. The point I tried to get across is that one can establish a program to recognize short-term profits from most customers, but the long-time loyal customers should be acknowledged even if they do not meet the short-term goals for status. It comes down to whether the line focuses only on the quarterly profit statement, or actually wants to acknowledge those customers from whom they have made significant profits over many years.

 

Every single business is going to focus on the quarterly profit statement FIRST, every time.  

I've never taken anything on this list

7 minutes ago, Essiesmom said:

Yes, that was July 2024.  I think a 5 day cruise for a first time on VV is just not enough.  Just. Of enough time to figure out the system.  EM

Mine is 8 nights, Fall Colors, New England and Canada.  It departs/returns close to home, so minimal travel to get there and thought it would be a great way to check them out.  

Going on my first VV cruise in Sept.  I always cruise solo and always have a good time, though I am not an introvert nor am I an extrovert.  I am more the type to sit back, watch and get a lay of the land before heading down a certain road.  I have no problem sitting in a restaurant and dining alone, mainly because I don't want to get "stuck" with that group, that may talk politics, religion, social views etc.  I do not drink alcohol (in recovery) and I don't hang out at the bars but I of course don't mind those who do either, just don't want to be around sloppy drunks.  I have watched a ton of YT videos on VV, maybe too many now, and am really feeling like hmmmm, should I really have booked this?  I am paid in full and do not plan to back out for sure because I know me and I know I will have a good time, even if most spent alone.  Anyway, wondering if anyone has done this, specifically on VV as the vibe really is different on their ships.  If so, thoughts, advice, recommendations, much appreciated.  TIA 

On 6/16/2025 at 10:00 AM, Essiesmom said:

Virgin Voyages has programs for solos.  There is a board here for solo cruisers, located under Special Interest Cruising.  I’ve cruised solo on several lines and always have a good time.  EM

I saw your VV review last year (?) I enjoyed it.  I’m going on my first VV cruise in September to check them out for myself.

Both the first and the last, though no 4 or 5 day cruises for me.  For me there is no such thing as too many days at sea.

2 hours ago, Hawkstar33 said:

Sorry if you had problem reading it

 

Appreciate you making the time to post this.

On 6/14/2025 at 4:15 PM, Charles4515 said:

Yes they are told that an angry look on their face in the thumbnails draws clicks and to use a click bait title. Now many who I used to watch have a sponsor they tout like for example Gary B shills for an eSims provider. I have mute button on when they are shilling. I noticed lately that one influencer who always was in cheap cabins has recently been upgraded to expensive cabins. 

Two British vloggers were just banned for five years by Carnival Corp across brands.

Check out Virgin Voyages 

On 6/14/2025 at 8:19 AM, Derek5001 said:

Friends of ours have recently been in a suite on Apex.  They loved Luminae.  Their experience seemed very similar to our Solstice cruise.

 

Quiet, refined, good space between tables, personal service and of course excellent food.

I would definitely agree with the service in Luminae, it is superb, attentive and very personal, also thought the food was very good.  As for tables, it depends on where you are seated.  The two tops along the window are oh so close, in the center area, much better.  Overall though, the restaurant is loud, annoyingly loud.