TGfromTX

13 minutes ago, Oville said:

...  Do you sit on your balcony during a tropical storm or any other bad weather.  “Oh dear, you don’t have to shower tonight.”

Doesn't this look fun to any of you?  

1 hour ago, kwokpot said:

MSC calls it an Infinite Oceanview.

https://youtu.be/wILbkyc9Ams?si=lwH-ilIqKOrvDA6a

Have you been on MSC?  The main difference I hear is food quality is noted lower, but they are priced SOOO much less.  I haven't done much research - but is the food actually difficult to eat or just presented more like a TGI Fridays or Cheddars (trying to think of chains that people will be familiar with nationwide - sorry European peeps, I don't know if restaurant chains are a thing there).  Worth my time if I've been happy with NCL MDRs?

4 hours ago, Ergates The Ant said:

A French balcony like river cruises?

I have never considered how similar these are - great observation.  Although I doubt they'll push the bed up next to the glass - I wonder if they'll move the bed back if I moved it myself. 

Honestly, these are so often priced so close to the cost of an oceanview cabin, it makes little sense not to upgrade just for the extra space.  My upgrade from oceanview to solo IV cost me a whopping $0.  For 2 people, it was going to cost $28 each (total for 7 days) to upgrade.

Note, these are the best rates the TA provided for late summer bookings since we were very flexible on dates, but often these are below $200 difference and I think the expanded window & floor space is reason enough.  Being able to open the window is just gravy on my potatoes.

Plus - I can't judge whether I'd like or dislike these until I actually cruise in one - but on my roll call, each and every response I've received from past cruisers on E-class states they like the IV rooms & had no issues waiting 10 minutes for the AC to cool the room back down. 

That said, I do think I'm going to have issues with the chairs included.  That is likely going to be the main reason I wouldn't pay too much extra for one of these in the future.  But when it's a choice between $1600 or $1800 I think the extra space is going to be worth it.

Whoever posted the 'all inclusive' suggestion is correct.  I can add premium wifi & premium drink through the all inclusive for less than just adding the premium drink at 40% off - it looks like I'd save almost $20/day pp with wifi.

On 6/17/2024 at 5:37 PM, mrgabriel said:

Premium sodas are things like energy drinks. I suspect that Ginger Beer is a Premium soda. 

When I attempted to figure this out, I came up with these 2 lists:

CLASSIC

Fountain & cans of coca cola products, juices (apple, cranberry, orange, lemon, grapefruit), bottled water (brand seems to vary by cruise), premium coffees & teas (I called celebrity to confirm & they said it's included, but ymmv)

PREMIUM

Premium waters (Acqua Panna, Evian, San Pellegrino), fresh juices & smoothies from juice bar (spa cafe), all bottled juices, Red Bull (possibly other energy drinks), all sodas, Honest iced teas, Matcha tea, Vitamin water

Does anyone know if the discount for being over 55 applies to solo cabins? I'm not there yet, but I'm getting sort of close...

12 hours ago, vjmatty said:

And even without the free drinks, the Plus package at $60 per day which includes ....

Is the plus package only available when initially booking the cruise?  I never saw it listed once I booked.  I did run across a major discount at 55 yo I think.

4 minutes ago, debgreg said:

Thank you, I think we will just stay with what we have. I appreciate your help, I really hope we haven’t made a mistake booking celebrity, if the clientele is so pedantic 🤦‍♀️

You mentioned IV which is a topic everyone responding to you has an issue with - so they tend to go sort of negative.  Most of them wouldn't be caught on a ship with IV cabins - so I wouldn't be concerned at all with that.

I will say that in US, a category upgrade only means an upgrade in the major category - so if you want the upgrade on an ocean view, you'll be paying for a lower class ocean view and placed in a higher classed ocean view.  Most of these upgrades are a move toward mid ship (where there is less rocking) and upward (most people want to be closer to pool or the higher view).  It doesn't mean a move from cabin type to another -and a guaranteed room isn't eligible for to promo.  Not sure how Europe does it.

7 minutes ago, debgreg said:

Well semantics 😊 We have an ocean view guarantee, what do you think  🤷‍♀️😂

The photos resized on the site - Note that the beds are the same size - so the extra space is all to the left.   A guaranteed could be as small as 200 sq ft, but I suspect those may be single rooms.  I would expect the guaranteed to be 242, so you'll get about 1/6 of the room extra.

26 minutes ago, debgreg said:

Usually Suite, balcony, outside 😊

I understand what you are asking & won't make you jump through explanations...

The IVs start on deck 6 and go upward.

ocean view Interior space 200-242 sq. ft.
veranda interior space 243 sq. ft. + 42 sq. ft. veranda..  so effectively 285 Sq. ft.

Attached photos so you can see the extra

12 hours ago, screwsmcernst said:

Welcome back - hope you enjoyed your trip

2 hours ago, Bernd_ffm said:

Thanks - Where would I find this in the App?

It's called "Celebrity Cruises" in the Apple app store.   

The website has the same options.  On the website, log in and on the landing page the top banner will show Celebrity Cruises, My Celebrity Cruise, an itinerary, and 3 icons to the far right.    Click the down arrow next to My Celebrity Cruise and select "Manage Reservation".  Click the down arrow next to the section "Main Dining Seating Time" to see your assignment and options to change it or join waiting lists.

Hopefully this is clear - I can't paste screenshots without revealing my reservation number which would allow someone to hijack my cruise.

Clicking "manage reservation" from other screens do not land on the same page - only the one right after authentication.

On 6/18/2024 at 6:42 AM, Bernd_ffm said:

We just booked a cruise on an E-Class ship and for the first time do not have confirmed select/ anytime dining.

I have not been on an E class yet, but I have one booked & was assigned a late dining time.  Once you register your cruise, you can go in app and put yourself on a waiting list for anytime dining.  I was moved to anytime dining after about 3 weeks.  

4 hours ago, the penguins said:

only applies in a very few countries. Where are you boarding. 

Fort Lauderdale FL (already booked) & considering one out of Barcelona

Does anyone know if drinks get taxed extra on embarkation day?  And how much that tax is? NCL charged me taxes until about 30 minutes after the ship let dock. 

On 6/17/2024 at 4:45 AM, JetAwayJayne said:

Before boarding, will celebrity offer discounts on the drinks packages the way Royal did (up to 40% at times) - we didn't take advantage of it, so ended up with 25% discount once on board (buy one get one 50% off).  I wondered if it was the same with celebrity.

I haven't seen zero on sale at same time as the alcohol packages.  But the packages haven't dropped below 35% until just now.  Right now mine are showing a flash sale at 40%.  At $14 premium drinks & $10 classic drinks, that is pretty much 4 or 5 drinks respectively to make up the cost.  I splurged for premium.  Fingers crossed yours is the same.  Just fyi, if yours isn't on sale my cruise is about 5 weeks out for the 40% to show.  It has been going to about 35% during the holiday sales & often 20% off most of the time.  $27 is the lowest I've seen on the zero package on my cruise.  Good luck.

8 minutes ago, suech1970 said:

But seriously, we do have some amazing places to see in the UK and some Cornish beaches easily rival the Caribbean, just can’t guarantee the weather unfortunately 😫

My understanding is that the rain in UK will typically last for many days on end, not just small showers like some of the islands, correct?

2 hours ago, C-Dragons said:

Thanks for posting the photo - I'll address the questions about why.  I am cruising in a solo IV for the first time.  The solo version does not have the chaise on the left in the photo above - the room is not as deep. Without the chaise, there is nowhere to sit that I can lean back into (no upper back or head support) except for the bed.  Although there are moments I like to sit upright, I don't think I want to be sitting upright anytime I enjoy the view.

I haven't visited Europe yet (I'm from US) & I was overwhelmed with researching the options.  I'd like to know what everyone thinks are the must see destinations.  I tried to pick out the most popular ports that Celebrity visits in each location - I may have a couple in the wrong location, but they tend to show up on itineraries to that destination (I don't know exactly which one Porto is considered for example - please forgive).. I also asked a second question if you think a Celebrity cruise is the best way to visit Europe.  Thanks!  May your favorite win.