cruisestitch

"Last year we had the premium package and could not get any wine in cellar masters. Has something changed?"

No packages included the enomatic machines. but you should have been able to get wines from the staff there. Did you ask anyone working there about buying wines by the glass?

The decorations don't go up all at once -- some are added every few days starting in late November.

You would probably need to be prepared that the UDP might be sold out -- there are only so many of them available per cruise.

Quite true, but if everyone did that the cruise line would certainly be increasing the price of the staterooms accordingly.

The way that stateroom pricing works, the cruise line is almost selling the room at a loss. If passengers don't buy photos, shore excursions, specialty dinners, spa treatments, Zumba classes, etc etc etc the cruise line does not really make any money.

Yes, there are some people who spend virtually nothing on board. But there are also people who book all the above listed things, plus buy purses in the gift shop and they gamble in the casino and they pay for Internet and the cruise line has this all factored in. Without them, stateroom prices would have to be increased.

And since it is pretty much a given that a single cannot possibly buy two specialty dinners on one night, or take two shore excursions simultaneously, or sign up for two Reidel tastings, this is all factored into the reason why the cruise line charges double. I don't like it, but at least I understand it.

"Just back off Reflection , We had the premium drinks package and sometimes exceeded the top limit we paid only the difference , i.e. if the drink was $1.50 more than the top limit of $13.50 thats what we paid $1.50 no gratuity on top"

You got lucky

"as was quite rightly stated gratuity is built into the price of the drinks

package why on earth should you pay any more !!!"

For the same reason that you had to pay extra for the drink you ordered, it exceeded the price allowed in the premium package, and therefore the gratuity also exceeded the gratuity allowed.

"Just off the Solstice with Premium Package. Each evening DH had a glass of port after dinner. Price exceeded the Premium by $1.50- we were charged $1.73; the $1.50 plus the .23 for the 15% gratuity. We have always been charged the 15% on any charge over the package limit"

This is the way it is intended to work.

Guest-organized activities are posted on board, there will be a bulletin board near Guest Relations. Make sure that they put a notice there as to when and where you'll be, consult with them for a suitable room or space.

cardcrafter, can you point us to that review please?

The Martini bars are not enclosed, they are open to all.

Quasar, the Sky Lounge late night dance parties, and the "adults only" comedy shows all take place in controlled spaces.

I wouldn't try telephoning in this situation. Go to Guest Relations, ask for a printout of your bill that you viewed on the television, and go through the charges with them in person. Don't wait until the last minute to do this. Look at the bill about half way through the cruise and see if there's any problem, then again toward the end of the cruise. Waiting until disembarkation morning is a recipe for delay.

The pools are not very long -- you will be hard pressed to swim any kind of decent lap in them -- but you should be able to be in the Solarium pool before breakfast if you want to try

Sorry I was back on the OP with the non Elite member staying in the same stateroom

It probably is NOT possible to order from the MDR menu on Reflection. That may be available on M class ships where the Blu kitchen and the MDRr kitchen are adjacent, but that is not the case on Reflection.

As written already if you don't want to dine in Blu you should coordinate with the Blu Maitre D who will tell you what the options will be for your particular cruise, could be Select or Early or Late depending on where their is space.

It might be helpful to see the alcohol policy:

What is Celebrity's Alcohol Policy?

The minimum drinking age for all alcoholic beverages on Celebrity Cruises ships sailing from North America is 21. The minimum drinking age for all alcoholic beverages on Celebrity Cruises ships sailing from South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand is 18. In certain circumstances where local laws permit or require, Celebrity Cruises may modify this policy which may also require parent/guardian request/authorization. Guests may contact Guest Relations or refer to Celebrity Today for specific minimum drinking age information on their cruise vacation.

For purposes of complying with the minimum drinking age requirements, a guest’s age is established upon boarding at the beginning of the cruise vacation. If a guest celebrates their birthday during the cruise vacation, and thereby becomes of age to consume alcohol, the guest may thereafter ask the Guest Relations Manager to modify ship’s records to permit their consumption of alcohol during the remainder of the vacation. The guest will be required to appear at Guest Relations to present a valid government-issued form of identification to permit verification of their age.

No guest under age 18 may possess or consume alcohol at any time while onboard. No guest under age 21 may possess or consume alcohol at our private destinations. Any guest who goes ashore and consumes alcohol (whether under the supervision of a parent/guardian or not, is responsible for ensuring they consume responsibly and retain their ability to recognize and avoid potentially dangerous situations when they return to the ship. Parents/guardians are reminded they are responsible for the actions of their child/young adult at all times while on a Celebrity Cruises cruise vacation.

Guests who violate any alcohol policy, including but not limited to underage drinking; providing alcohol to minors or young adults; possessing, concealing or attempting to conceal alcoholic items in their luggage, when boarding or while onboard; engaging in alcohol drinking games; or failing to consume alcohol responsibly, will be considered for discipline under the provisions of this policy.

You would get $20 for each person who books the three (or four) excursions in the deal.

If you have the correct number of excursions picked out and are ready to commit, it's a small incentive, but better than nothing.

Within a category, the low numbers are considered "better" usually because of a location more midship, or on a higher deck.

Ocean view 04 is "better" than 05

Concierge C1 is "better" than C2

I say that because there are some people who pick cabins not because of location but for other reasons, so one person's "better" is another person's "worse".

But you will see that an 04 usually costs more than an 05, a C1 costs more than a C2.

You are right, it isn't much of an incentive.

One way to look at it, though, is that if you book and pay for 3 excursions, they will "rebate" you $20 once you are on board and complete all three. You are paying for them ahead of time and it's a pretty sure bet that your bank wouldn't be giving you $20 in interest on that money!

Something to look out for, though, is that the Shorex desk has told me that you cannot change excursions later if you change your mind. You have to take the one you book during the incentive period.

Back to the OP, Beeeg, yes, not all Aqua staterooms are Aqua Suites.

To see the amenities offered in each you can look on the Celebrity website. The main reason people book Aqua is to dine in Blu, although some get a lot of use out of the Persian Gardens.

Kiyoko, You have Select dining listed as a means to getting your gratuities prepaid. Blu is always open seating.

If, of an evening, you might want to try the MDR, coordinate this request with the MaitreD of Blu. That person can tell you what time might be available in the MDR. You shouldn't just show up at the Select Dining area of the MDR because that is not your dining room, Blu is, and MDR Select may be all sold out for your cruise, so that night you might be told that Early Traditional or Late Traditional might be available for you.

xcell, There are no special coupons for younger kids.

Coupons are for reduced price bottle of wine, some laundry & dry cleaning, a Persian gardens port day pass, some casino match play, a free taste of gelato, some bingo deals, and others.

Thievery is rare, but mistakes happen. People pick up bags which aren't theirs on occasion. Put some brightly colored, unmistakable markings on yours and this is less likely to occur.

It may also be your last -- the Aqua Suites are being converted to regular Suites shortly.

It is entirely possible that you will be denied entry to the MDR on formal nights if you are not wearing a jacket. Another possibility is that they will give you one to wear that evening.

These are the sixteen M-class verandah rooms which have extra large balconies.

Are you certain that you are in an Aqua Suite? You are sailing on Reflection, then?

As to your question about the bottled water, they will replace the water as needed.

"There has always been a pay for arrangement for evening dining in Blu if not in AQ or a Suite. I don't know what it is or has been for anyone outside of that segment, but it has existed as an alternative venue on a space available basis."

I'm looking at that word always and I know that's not accurate. Maybe there was a time in the beginning where non Aqua/non Suite guests could go there, but it certainly is not true now.