ColoradoMom!!

This reply has little to do with your original question, but I wanted to comment to @lx200gps or anyone else who may come across this discussion in the future ( using the search feature) about finding affordable lodging when sailing out of Boston. We sailed out of Boston on a NE cruise Sept 21, 2023 with Celebrity. This cruise had been planned and pushed out for 2 years, so I also stalked prices at the Hampton Inn Seaport forever. Then I realized I could rent a car and drive up to....yep you guessed it...Burlington Hampton Inn for less. We went in 2 days early and enjoyed Concord and Lexington. (we've already done Boston in the past) We drove down on a Thursday am, leaving about 10:30 am and got to Yankee Lobster for lunch by 11:30. Parked for free, ate, drove to the 2 minutes to the pier, dropped our luggage at the ship, drove the car back to the airport and took an Uber back to the cruise terminal. SO easy and really enjoyed our time!

My favorite option for a bigger balcony for a great price on the Sky and Discovery is to start in the interior category, pick Deluxe Balcony Obstructed, go to choose your room, Mid ship, deck 8 and look for rooms 406-412 (either side of ship). These rooms are on the bump ( and/or dip) - bigger (angled) balcony. The obstruction is the white shade panels covering Alfredo's below. No obstruction of a lifeboat or looking straight out. A great savings, a slightly larger room ( you get the little sofa) and a little bigger balcony. Also rooms approx 420 - 437 in the regular obstructed balcony category. Double check - I really love the cruise deck plans website for pictures, and the deck drag feature. You can use the free edition. OH - and don't forget to get someone to add the NUP code (meaning no upgrades) and keep your fingers crossed they don't "upgrade" you.

We completed our tour. Love to hear what @1stItaly thought. We got what was agreed upon. Some things could have been better… but I’d like to hear what others thought as everyone has differing expectations and experiences!

We had a mistake, charged in the theater about $20. Went to guest services at night, no line, easily fixed. But glad I checked. Someone was asking about giving them your sea pass. We always do. However, your sea pass does not have the number of the floor, it only has the last three numbers, ( your room number) so they have to ask for your full room number because it’s not printed on your sea pass - at least on the summit this week.

Can I hide a "beat a dead horse" question in here - if someone would clarify a poorly worded FAQ straight off the Celebrity web site : Are gratuities included in the Celebrity Cruises Drink Package cost? No, a 20% service charge will be added to all drink page prices at checkout. Package prices may reflect an additional tax for certain ports or itineraries. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SO.... I read this two ways. I have the classic package. If I ask for a glass of wine that is $9, yes, I need to pay a gratuity which is 20% of $9.00 - basically $1.80 because per the FAQ, gratuities are not included in the package cost. OR is it no - your resulting charge is $0 since the glass of wine is fully covered under my package, and 20% of $0 charge is $0 gratuity ???? Obviously this is my first cruise with Celebrity coming up. TIA

I agree. And a shout out to @Thrak as I have used his posts to narrow down my cabin selection on the Coral for an upcoming Panama cruise in 2025. I actually have one more question Thrak - if you happen to find my contact info in my interests in my profile, I would be grateful.

Thank you @roaming_kiwi58 so much for taking the time to post such great details and all the with the links! I feel much more confident now, and we are really looking forward to seeing all Quebec City has to offer. You are a gem!

THANK you @roaming_kiwi58 This is gold. I am printing this out!! And thanks to everyone here for their great input too. We are hoping to do this on our own at the end of the month, and I have instilled nothing but fear in my husband that we can do this without a tour. Do you need exact change for the bus, or can we just give $4 CAN ?? Where did you choose to get on the bus in Quebec City? Any other thoughts/hints?? Thanks again!

Thanks fellow Coloradan - @cruisesoon Sounds wonderful. He called today on WhatsApp 🎉 and I was able to put my deposit on my credit card. Looking forward to @1stItaly report - let me know also how you paid after the tour - wondering if he can take my credit card on the spot for the remainder. I'll report my experience too, I know @mpcaruth will go after me

Thanks! We set a time for him to call on WhatsApp twice and he never did. I'll just keep trying. And thanks for offering - I would love to hear from everyone after they take their tour also.

Thought it would be good to have a thread all of its own dedicated to experiences with this tour company. I've seen many mentions of folks booking - but no reviews as of late. We have e-mailed and booked our trip (Baddeck and Bell Tour) with them, but having a hard time making the deposit. Never had such a difficult time trying to give someone money 😆. We will be there the end of Sept. Looking for feedback from those who have taken tours with them. I have read the TripAdvisor reviews - but hoping for some Cruise Critic input. Thanks!

Oh my goodness - your pictures are just amazing! Thank you for posting. I think Princess should pay you a commission for people like me who want to book a Norwegian Fjords cruise now!!! Seriously looking - would you say August has been a good pick? Looks like it !

Jadn13, I am so glad to hear this as we have this tour booked in September! I have a few questions and don't want to hijack this trip report. If you don't mind sharing, my e mail addy may be found hidden in my profile under interests 🙂. TIA

OP of the picture here - yes - just water.

Discovery Princess March 2023 - it's located after the hand washing stations in the buffet

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

Oh dear! You are talking about Sydney Cape Brenton Taxi Company? We were considering using them in later September. Can you tell us what happened - which tour - was it more than 2 people in your taxi?

Thank you! I thought - well gosh it should be - but also thought maybe they wanted me to buy the zero proof package - so I wasn't sure. This is great news!!

Sneaking this question in, and hoping for your kindness.. We have the classic drink package from an AI offer a long time ago - rebooked to Sept this year. New to Celebrity . I probably drink more diet soda than alcohol. Do I pay an upcharge, or full price for say a Diet Coke? And yes, I will probably bring some on board myself.

This is of interest to me too as we booked in the same place on the Coral. What appealed to me was the larger balconies that are fully covered on that part of the Emerald deck...but maybe I am being naive about the vibration. At least if you are near the elevators, than you're looking at the cabins in the 624 - 703 ish range, you are more toward the forward of the aft section - as in not completely at the back of the ship, right?

DJ Lovely!!!! 💕 Does she still say “Gooottt It????” And what was her other funny phrase? She was on the Star back in Jan 2020 for Hawaii….cracked us up! Thank you for all your time in posting this. I am following intently as we are thinking of doing this cruise and know nothing of the ports!

On the very full March 18-25th Mexican Riviera, we booked table for 2 at 6pm in Skagway. We showed up at 5:50 or so and had no wait. Making the 7:30 show with ease. Wish we had gone back up to the Hostess to keep a table and by pass the line. Didn’t realize that was an option. Also, we booked on the App early, and there was availability every 20 minutes or so. I don’t think Discovery uses the early ( first) or late or anytime model???

Currently on the Mexican Riviera Sat. March 18-25. Rock Opera was on Day 2(Sea Day and Formal Night) at 7:30 and 9:30. Spotlight Bar is tonight, which is our last night. Our second formal night was Thursday, and an illusionist was the main show. Hope that helps ☺️

This is awesome! Probably an obvious question, but I will ask anyway. We cruise this month, so everything is already paid. However, we do not have any package, and will be paying for our gratuities and wi-fi on board. If I bring the gift cards (like maybe 2 cards @ $100 each) and present them to Guest Services early - will they then apply to my balance at the end of the cruise which would include covering part of my charges for grats and wi-fi??

My husband used this on his watch from Amazon: Luke3DP Watch Adapter