Boo's Mom

I knew someone who did it one time in the Caribbean.  This was on Royal Caribbean.  

It was not pretty. 

Lots of pressure not to do it - by the cruise line. 

He did it, though. 

I suspect (other than legal/contract issues with different countries) there are negative consequences the cruise line could face if something should happen to said passenger once they disembarked early.

A potential PR nightmare. 

We all know how the media operates. 

"Passenger disembarks a cruise early in Mexico is murdered." 

- can easily turn into: "Passenger left in Mexico is murdered." 

I don't see a better option for checking on availability than going through the cruiseline's website. 

But, do know that many things change right before final payment. (people decide not to go for a myriad of reasons)

Cabins held by agents for groups are recalled long before final payment time. 

Things can change between final payment and sailing as people get sick/injury/death and are unable to cruise. 

12 hours ago, mduffy1834 said:

We will be a group of 8 on the Equinox in April.  We will be having most dinners in the main dining room and have already emailed (and received confirmation) for booking a table of 8 for at least the first night. 

 

We would like to book a specialty restaurant to celebrate someone's birthday.  Is there an email for specialty dining that may be able to help?  I know we can wait until we board, but if possible, would like to arrange this beforehand, just in case.

 

Thanks

I just did several of these for 8 adults.  All online. I did have to have their cruise booking reservation #. 

With a group of 8, I would highly recommend booking online ASAP.  

I experienced this once. 

It was a makeshift boat/raft. (with material for a sail) 

Our ship was legally obligated to stop and pick up the people, even if the people do not want to be picked up. 

Our ship sent a lifeboat out to their "vessel".  

Ship's staff circled the raft a few times.  (if you can imagine the safety issue; pirates, potential bomb, etc) 

Ship's staff boarded their vessel. 

The people were from Cuba. 

They eventually disembarked in Cozumel.  (where we understood the Mexican authorities would be sending them back to Cuba) 

It was really interesting to watch the whole adventure from our balcony. 

The waves were REALLY rough on the raft.  

Hi, folks. 

I know the Shipmates Camp at Sea program is ages 3 - 5. 

On the day we sail, my grandson will be 2 weeks shy of his 3rd birthday. 

Will be potty trained. 

Looking for anyone who has experience with having asked Celebrity to move an almost eligible toddler into the Shipmate group. 

Thank you! 

On 3/6/2023 at 10:18 PM, edgekid said:

Cruising on Reflection Sept. 2023...Want to book a multi night restaurant package, however doing it on the website only allows me to choose the “package” but not the nights or times for the different restaurants..The only way I can accomplish that is if I book the restaurants separately, which costs more. If we have to wait until we board, chances are we won’t get the times &/or restaurants we want..Does anyone know if I can do this via phone, perhaps through Captains Club?

For the benefit of a price reduction, you have only the dates/times that happen to be available when you board the ship.  

Personally, I like to choose my dates/times way ahead of time. 

For example, my next cruise is with my immediate family of 12 (8 adults).  There is no way I am going to wait until we board to start to begin to figure out those logistics. 

It's like flying Southwest vs American. 

I like to pick my exact seats ahead of time. 😉 

Sailing on the Millennium in July 2023. 

Chef's Table is only offered (online) at noon on the very first day of the cruise! 

Are they trying to fill all slots before they open up another day? 

What has been your experience? 

1 hour ago, TeeRick said:

Yes we cruised M-Class Constellation with our family (8 other people, all in non-suites) pre-pandemic.  The Specialty restaurants at that time were Q-Sine and Tuscan which we all enjoyed together.  We also did the MDR a couple of times which was OK.  But we did Luminae together as a group twice for dinner and paid $30 pp.  Much cheaper than Specialty dining and Luminae was a big hit with everybody.  If you do not want to pay for everybody there are ways to work that out between you.

How early were you able to make the reservations? 

I really don't want to wait until we board the ship. 

Thanks for the info. 

I have been sailing on Celebrity for 20+ years. 

Back in the day, there were no lines (to speak of) at the doors to the MDR. 

For (at least) the first day, the waitstaff were lined up to escort guests to their tables. 

There was a long line of waitstaff! 

Why is it different now? 

Bigger ships, more people? 

My first cruise was on the Century.  She was fine - and small. 

Here I am in pre-cruise planning status, thinking about the lines and how to avoid them. 🙄

My current plan:  If I have a 630pm reservation, I am going to show up at 645pm (on the first night anyway)

On 12/29/2022 at 9:55 AM, TeeRick said:

Sorry the post you responded to was July 2021.  But yes we have had guests we are sailing with (in non-suites) join us in Luminae after we cleared it with the Maître D once on board.   For Breakfast- Lunch- Dinner it used to be $10-$20-$30 charged to your account.  It is still much less expensive than paying for Specialty Dining.  We sail in 3 weeks on Equinox in a suite so I will find out the current details.

See attached. 

I did find this on the Celebrity website. 

And earlier I saw a cost of $30.  (prob for dinner) 

There aren't a whole lot of specialty dining options on the Millennium. 

- especially if you don't like sushi. 

On 7/15/2021 at 8:17 AM, TeeRick said:

Are any of you in the group sailing in a suite?  If so you could arrange to dine in Luminae for only $30 pp for non-suite guests.  We have done this several times and had great meals.

I was hoping this was a possibility. 

Were you able to schedule this prior to sailing? 

41 minutes ago, prmssk said:

Morning specialty coffees is an amenity clearly spelled out on the website for all suites and so I have also had butlers do that without issue.  In my experience, that did NOT extend to cocktails throughout the day, even when we recently stayed in the penthouse.

 "In my experience, that did NOT extend to cocktails throughout the day,"

This has been my experience with Celebrity over the last 20 years. 

But now I see this on the Celebrity website (referring to the Retreat experience) and it appears as if they have made a change: 

Premium Drinks

Enjoy your favorite beverages throughout the ship. Whether in your suite, out exploring or relaxing by the pool.

I know that we could always order a drink to our suite, but it was always a room service/bar charge.  This drink package inclusion in the Retreat is different.  Drink packages could not previously be utilized in the suite. 

Hotels in Seward (and Anchorage) are very expensive. 

Look at doing an Air B & B, or VRBO (most properties are listed on both websites).

You can't go wrong with cruising on Celebrity in Alaska. 

I would recommend either the northbound itinerary (Vancouver to Seward) or the southbound (Seward to Vancouver).  

Look at doing any land portion on your own (vs a group endeavor).

Any month (that they sail in Alaska) is good.  Better fishing is later in the summer. 

The warmest article of clothing needed is a lined raincoat.  Bring also a hat, gloves & scarf.  Layers are the key to a comfortable day. 

You can fish and ship your fish home.  This is a great souvenir option! 

ie:  give your family fish caught by you.

You can book all of your excursions independent of the cruise line.  You will get better prices (by eliminating the middleman) and often times, a smaller group size on your tours. 

There is a kayaking tour in Seward that is amazing.  - you kayak to a glacier. 

You def need (at least) a balcony cabin on an Alaska cruise.  

EnJOY the planning stage! 

How does this work?  

I haven't experienced the drink package accessibility in a suite before. 

Premium Drinks

Enjoy your favorite beverages throughout the ship. Whether in your suite, out exploring or relaxing by the pool.

Just FYI...

Alaska Railroad does sell 'gift cards'.  

You don't see them on their website, but you can call the main reservation # (ends in 0552) and purchase. 

Whether mailed or emailed, it's a paper document. 

And it's more like a reference #. 

🛳EnJOY

The info below is from the https://travel.gc.ca/ website.  

Then click on: COVID-19: Travel, testing and borders

Info below is valid on Nov. 30, 2022.  Always check for changes that may be implemented. 

For all travelers entering Canada by air, land or marine mode on or after October 1, 2022:

• Proof of COVID-19 vaccination is not required
• COVID-19 pre-entry and arrival tests are not required
• Quarantine after you enter Canada is not required
• Using ArriveCAN is not required
  • if you’re flying into Toronto Pearson, Vancouver, Winnipeg, Halifax or Montréal-Trudeau international airports, you can still use ArriveCAN to complete your Advance CBSA Declaration to save time upon arrival
• Pre-boarding tests for cruise passengers are not required
• As always, travel documents are required
• Health checks to board planes and trains are not required
• Wearing masks on planes and trains is not required
  • It's still strongly recommended that you wear a high quality and well-fitted mask or respirator while you travel

If you have symptoms of COVID-19, you shouldn't travel to Canada.

If you feel sick or experience any symptoms of COVID-19 during your travel to Canada or upon arrival, you should:

• inform the flight attendant, cruise staff or a border services officer upon arrival. You may be referred to a Quarantine Officer for a health assessment and further direction.
• avoid taking public transportation
• check provincial or territorial requirements for what you need to do if you’re symptomatic or have tested positive for COVID-19

Hi, Elaine. 

Lots of layers for Alaska.  

The warmest layer can be a lined rain coat. 

Hat, scarf and gloves: yes  

Probably don't need to haul boots on the trip, but a weather resistant bootie/shoe is good. 

🛳EnJOY 

On 10/7/2022 at 2:53 PM, sgadk87 said:

 

How can anyone be disappointed by others way to dress?

 

 

Here is an example:  I am in my formal gown and my husband is in a tuxedo. 

We are seated at a show in the theater. 

Next to us sits 3 young adults wearing shorts and t-shirts. 

It happens. 

All the time. 

It's disappointing. 

10 hours ago, mfs2k said:

We’ve been booked for over a year in a Sky Suite on Beyond sailing in 2 weeks. Now friends of ours may last minute book in an infinite Verandah. They won’t pay for a suite. 
 

I almost don’t want them to go because we’re really looking forward to spending 5 of our sea days in the Retreat, 1 sea day in a reserved 1/2 Cabana, and dining in Luminae when not in Specialty restaurants. 
 

Do any of you have experience with friends or relatives in mismatched cabin categories?  How did you manage it?  Thanks for your input. 

 

It's hard. 

I have dealt with this several times, and all times are with family members (grown children, etc) 

First, I don't plan to spend all time onboard the ship with people I am booked with. 

The beauty of a cruise is that you can be together as much (or as little) as you want. 

I find that all people want time to do what they want (and that may include doing nothing). 

As I look at your post, I offer the following potential solution: 

As many days as possible, plan to eat dinner in specialty dining. (together, with your friends) 

Although you are in a suite, you still have access to the main dining room.  Plan to eat there once or twice with your friends. Perhaps one of the formal nights. 

Some nights, the plan can be:  meet up after dinner and spend the next few hours with your friends.

Lunch in the main dining room can be quite nice as it usually is not crowded.  Very relaxing.  Plan to meet them for lunch one day, and then you are guilt free 😉 going your own way for dinner.  

Having a written schedule ahead of time is a good tool for clearly communicating "the plan". 

Bottom line:  really good communication/expectations/ upfront with your friends will go a long way. 

They will likely appreciate that they are not expected to be attached at the hip for the duration of the cruise. 

Good luck! 

🛳EnJOY 

The lemon drop martini. 🍸

My fav! 

🛳EnJOY! 

On 9/11/2022 at 2:19 PM, nol4am said:

Hi, I was wanting to surprise hubby with an Alaskan cruise. Can someone please tell  me when the best time to cruise Alaska. 
 

Thank you!

If you want to do some fishing, the later in the Alaska cruise season = better. 

Keep in mind that many fishing charters will assist you in shipping the fish to your home!  A great souvenir. Give your friends/family salmon, instead of a t-shirt! 😅

🛳EnJOY! 

On 9/17/2022 at 3:55 PM, Hawaiian Mama said:

Aloha, I booked a cruise with Windstar for Oct 2022. I called a travel agent about trip insurance and now they would like to take over the booking while giving me some perks (one being 1/2 the cost of insurance then others have quoted me). I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not to transfer my booking as I've never cruised before. If you would be so kind as to advise me it would be appreciated. I've about 2 hours before I need to make payment in full. THANK YOU for any help you can provide!!

I can't speak to the situation with the agent currently wanting to take over your booking, but....

as an experienced cruiser I will ALWAYS book with a travel agent.  She (my agent) takes care of so many things for me.   She advocates for me.   I never have to deal directly with the cruise line.  

On 9/3/2022 at 7:03 AM, jetsetwilly said:

Q1. The ships says that the only rooms left can't accommodate 2 adults and a child, yet the same room type and same cruise 12 months later can do so. Why would they do this? Is it possible that any more rooms will be made available or is sold out SOLD OUT?

 

 

The ship has an max occupancy #. 

With a holiday sailing, the ship could be nearing capacity. 

The goal is to fill all cabins. 

If they reach capacity and there are 10 cabins vacant, the cruise line loses money. 

Summit ✅