DCPIV

You'll need to call X for that, but you need to call them to use the CC discount no matter what.

I saved it into my contacts as 316-554-5070. It seems they are doing more and more via email, though. The last time I actually got a call from that number was September 2021, and we've been in higher suites at least a few times since then. If you miss the call, the worst thing that happens is that you call back via whatever number comes up or via 1-877-RETREAT.

Yes, indeed. I usually describe them as "big crawfish." I'm pretty sure no one around the Caribbean calls them "lobster" unless they are trying to sell them to some tourist.

I just wanted to point out that figure was for the one sailing I looked at.

I've pretty much described it the same way.

Yep. That's what you get. We had some oddball mugs on Equinox, though. I would have loved the more standard mug, and I might have drawn blood for the demitasse. I never thought about asking, though, unless I was drinking coffee. I need to get better about leaving notes.

Sorry about that! Yes, the price only was for the AI package.

I don't think one follows the other. I do think folks got through that they would like a clear record of the PUPs earned. That said, it seems they do seem to be continuing the PUP program even if it's slowing down.

But AI still might if you intend on buying wifi and paying the recommended gratuties. Together, those add up to roughly $35pp/day, so you want to back that out of the AI package price to see what a drink package actually costs when you "buy" it via AI. It may or may not make sense for you, but it's worth a quick calculation.

By the way, it's almost always on "sale" via the cruise planner before you board. It's not a big break ($8), but it's better than a kick in the pants. Also as an aside, I mentioned the Always Included fare. I look a look at one for another thread earlier today, and the AI package (classic beverage, standard wi-fi, and gratuities) was cheaper than the classic drink package all by itself.

Final payment.

Not only is the app often inaccurate until you board, you really cannot count on past cruise history to let you know what might be on the menu for what night. While it often the same, it can and does change. While it does make it a little trickier to plan specialty dining, that's also the way it was before the app every existed. You pay your money, and you take your chances. You can always ask, but it depends on availability.

That's kind of the way it's been for a while. A lot of delicious garlic butter and about a pea-sized piece of snail. Still delicious, but I'd just as soon they brought be a bowl of the garlic butter and a big chunk of bread!

That goes double when you have the enormous, covered back decks outside the OV on S-Class ships.

When you head out anywhere in Western Europe, you can do a lot of things on your own. That's especially true in large cities like Rome and even more so in the very walkable Florence. A little research and, maybe, buying some advance tickets or the respective City Card, and you're on your way.

I don't know that there's a whole lot worth asking for that isn't in the list of questions you get from the SS Concierge unless it's something critical or that might take extra preparation. We pretty much run down the list in the email and leave everything else to when we arrive. One big exception is asking for coffee maker in the room (it's always a Lavazza machine). They only have so many of those, so you may be out of luck if you wait until you show up to ask for it. If you did ask for it but don't see it when you get there, ask again. On Equinox, we had one in the room when we arrived, but it was in one of the cabinets under the counter. One request that is critical for us is to have a feather-free room, and we always ask for that in advance. That didn't happen upon one arrival (we always check as soon as we get in the room). We brought it up to either our butler or attendant (can't recall), and it was remedied before we were done with lunch. Liquor may or may not be filled with what we asked for depending on what's available. If you don't like what you received, ask about it when you first talk to your butler. If you see something available in a bar and you have a bottle in your room that you haven't opened, ask your butler about swapping out. If they can, they will. Once you open a bottle, though, there's no swapping it out. By the way, you can take those home if you are so inclined. I like a detox smoothie in the morning (gotta make room for more delicious toxins), and we like afternoon canapes (shrimp cocktail and a cheese plate). However, that sort of thing is easier to ask your butler for after you arrive. I do guess experiences are mixed. We've always gotten the dining reservations we've asked for, and we USUALLY get the other requests. I figure it's worth the time to make them beforehand. If it happens, fantastic. If not, it's little lost to time spent. That said, our fridge has never been quite what we've asked for in advance. They always put in what we ask for, but they never remove what we said we didn't want. Again, that's a simple matter for the butler. If you do make dining or spa reservations in advance, ask your butler to confirm them for you and give them a list of what you requested.

We're talking about whether to consider AI if you already were going to buy a drink package, not whether someone wanted to buy a drink package. Wrong thread, man.

Yep. I even forgot to add in the 18% gratuity fee on the drink package price, so it isn't even as close a call as I described in the first place.

If you are happy with who is in there, then I believe they are.

If you are going to buy a drink package and wi-fi (and I assume you would pay the recommended gratuities), then the AI rate almost certainly is a much better deal. I just did a mock booking for a veranda on our upcoming cruise, and the AI rate was $80pp/night. The classic drink package by itself for the same cruise is $81pp/nt (on "sale" from $89pp/nt).

My hat is off to Celebrity for adding the PUPs to point history. I was quietly hoping that we would start to see some website improvements after separating from Azamara (quietly because I did not want to jinx anything! 😀). Prior to separating, any changes even as fairly minor as this one probably would cause more trouble than it would solve.

You might be able to get switched via a waitlist. If that does not work or is not available, you can try talking to the Maitre d' once you board. In the meantime, get as close as you can to what you want and hope for the best. Yes, you can try showing up whenever you like, but there's no guarantee they will seat you when you show up. They'll do it as they are able.

Yes, it's pricey even when you account for soft drinks (including specialty coffee and bottled water) and the discount you can get as Elite. FYI, the "All Included" package can be something of a deal against pricing in drinks, wi-fi, and gratuties individually.

Here ya go! https://www.celebritycruises.com/things-to-do-onboard/onboard-packages/beverage-packages/compare-packages

Craft Social does have food, but I doubt it has a dedicated kitchen. I'm not sure where the food is prepared, but the one on Reflection backed right up to Sushi on 5. I suppose their hot food came from the same galley.