deelastcre

I would assume that you are close or already Elite on Princess. You will miss the dining experience on Celebrity. I sail both lines and like the Celebrity Loyalty Program better than Princess.

I am a balcony lover, as well. When I had the chance to take a last minute cruise(my dream itinerary), I booked a solo inside cabin. This was a port intensive cruise, so I was in the cabin only to sleep. That was the best sleeping 10 nights that I've spent at sea. Be positive and enjoy! I am still not convinced that I could sail with Hubby in an inside cabin.

I always ask my waiter to remind me the night prior to the Brunch. That's my favorite meal onboard with the exception of a specialty restaurant.

I enjoyed the waffles and the Lava Crab(Qsine).

Equinox arrives at 6am can you make 0920 am departure time? Any tips in booking flights. Time frame has just came out for booking. Is it better to book now or better prices later? Cruise is not until Oct 14?

We booked flight early and the prices never changed. We spent the night after getting off the ship because the flights home were around 10:00 am. We were happy that we did because we had problems getting a taxi back to the hotel. The lines were really long. We sailed around that time of the year. Hotel prices were more expensive pre-cruise, due to the Columbus Celebrations.

Galapagos is not my idea of a vacation, but it's Hubby's dream trip. The more I read the ore I think that I could do it in 1015! There's unlimited drinks, so I could always enjoy a book and a glass of wine when I don't want to explore.

We did Hawaii, Panama Canal, and the Wine Immersive Cruise in the last year and they were all great. We decided that were tired of the same Caribbean experiences. We have one more Caribbean cruise that will finish off the rest of the ports that we missed. You might want to explore a Med Cruise, as well. We really enjoyed that one. I have a Transpacific left on my cruise wish list. I am not sure that I want to do the Transatlantic, now.

In my humble opinion, Celebrity continues to do it right. I sail with them for the service and the quality of the total vacation experience. After the change, I am still one cruise shy of the next level. The change was not a surprise to anyone. There's been discussions on this medium concerning the number of Elite Members and that change would come. The results....Celebrity moved the Cheese and some are happy and some are not.

The perks that everyone is striving for are just icing on the cake. I presently pay for internet when I want it, drinks, and laundry on a long cruise.

My concern relates to the number of points given for The Galapagos Islands Cruisetour. I think that two points a night is not enough because of the cost, limited number of cabins and the category that I normally book is not offered. It's not a deal breaker, but it seems that more points would be awarded to this sailing. I did notice that points would not be awarded for Seminar at Sea sailings and solo passengers would not get double points. This is another area that Celebrity might need to reconsider.

I apoligize in advance...

I can't believe all the whining on here. I am not talking about the individuals just being dissapointed and expressing it....

I have an upcoming cruise in Dec, I honestly hope that I won't have anybody come to me and complain & whine about the Captain's club changes during the cruise.... it would get me really mad!

The system seems fair to me. When we think about it, the loyalty program is such a small percentage of the experience. It's not the thought of having a couple of free drinks... internet or laundry that will change anything to my cruise experience. I could even care less about having a title (Elite plus, zenith or whatever) to make me feel special or better! (I am already special :eek:... haha)

I don't understand some people that will take something very small and make it soooo huge that their whole experience become a disaster!

 

I plan in having a wonderful cruise... I am sure I will have so many great memories to tell upon my return and my cruise experience with Celebrity will be amazing as usual. :cool:

Enjoy your cruise and do not let the Whiners steal your joy! There's other cruise lines that would love to have all of the unhappy loyal Celebrity Captain's Club Members. If I cruised for the perks, I would only cruise the line that gives me the most perks. I am still a happy Celebrity Cruiser and it remains my line of choice!

Just off the Infinity, perhaps your ears were spared on the Century, as the "main" singer on the Infinity squeaked her way through the songs and the party band singer couldn't sing at all.

I sailed on both recently and I enjoyed one show on Century and one on Infinity.

The Broadway shows, lounge entertainers, singers, and dancers are the worst in the cruise industry. I've sailed five lines and Celebrity would be ranked #5 in that area. They are doing everything else right and I am pleased, but would like to go to more than two shows and listen to some great jazz during those long cruises.

We stayed at the Hilton Barcelona and got a great rate during an after Christmas sale. The rate included breakfast. We did upgrade to Club level and enjoyed the evening with a lot of cruisers. The Hop on and Off Bus stops at the Hotel. Great Hotel and Service but away from all the tourist attractions. There's a mall across the street with more reasonable lunch and dinner options.

Hoping that Jenny renews her contract and is still on board in April. You're right she is the best CC hostess we've encountered.

 

Great review. I really enjoyed it.

Jenny is amazing! I sailed on Infinity prior to the crossing. I woke up in South Beach this week and Infinity was docked in my view. It brought back lovely memories of the Wine Immersive Cruise and Alaska.

I am enjoying the discussions about the unannounced loyalty program. My attraction to Celebrity was the ease of moving from level to level(started cruising more often after children graduated from college). I was sold on Celebrity on my first Cruise. Since I book only C1 cabins and above, I will lack one cruise by the end of the year. I will not be a happy camper if I they change the program. I vote for adding additional levels.

Your pictures are amazing! Thanks for sharing them!

Good morning fellow cruisers. We live in East Tennessee and we enjoy cruising and cruised more after retirement. We sailed round trip to Hawaii, The Western Med, Southern, Eastern, and Western Caribbean, Alaska, and we just booked Galapagos Islands. We try to cruise 2 or 3 times a year. We have two booked for 2013 that will take us to a few Caribbean Islands that we missed.

Captain was awesome! We, too, were delighted that we were able to travel so soon after Bob's (life-threatening) hospitalization!

We loved our late-night time in the Martini Bar!

I don't think there's a happier ship on the high seas than Century!

I agree! The whole crew was awesome. Maybe we will sail together again!

As of our March 19 - April 3, 2013 15 day Hawaiian cruise on the Century:

 

Captain Nikolas Christodoulakis (joined the ship on March 19)

Staff Captain Gerasimos Limperatos

Chief Engineer Evangelos Plomaritis

Guest Relations Manager Cristian Comirla

Hotel Director Chris Scaliotis

Cruise Director Rich Clesen

Food & Beverald Manager Oswald Harbrecht

Executive Chef Ronald Sioson

Captain's Club Hostess Marlene

 

 

Trocadero A Cappella

Party Band Carousel

The Beacon Street String Trio

Guitarist & Vocalist Mickey Illardi

The Celebration Band

Pianist & Vocalist Eddie Covarrubias

DJ Impreza

Did you not love Captain Nikolas? It was great spending a few minutes with you, members of the crew, and the young men from San Diego the last night of the cruise. It was great that you were able to make the cruise. Smooth Sailing!

I am booked for 1626. Anyone have any knowledge or suggestions about this cabin?

Thanks! I really appreciate all of the info on this thread. I just booked 1670 or 1674 on Eclipse.(I am not near my confirmation.) Now, I am thinking that I might need to change my cabin. I generally book C1 Midship, but didn't have that option. I am worried about seasickness.

I am booked for 1626. Anyone have any knowledge or suggestions about this cabin?

I feel for you..

I emailed them 3 weeks ago about a problem, and never did get a reply:mad:

I've experienced only run arounds for phone calls and no responses to my emails about my upcoming cruise.

I am a male who has done over 6 solo cruises. Regardless of gender, I would recommend the following tips.

 

1. Be aware of your surroundings and listen to your gut feelings.

2. Remember, safety in numbers, I sign up for the cruise critic meet & greet and share excursions with fellow cruisers.

3. Avoid getting too drunk as it can lower your inhibitions and put you at risk. 4. If unfamiliar with a port, then use a ship based shore excursion or share with others.

 

Enjoy your solo cruise as I have never looked back. For me a cruise is an excellent place to unwind from life stresses, meet excellent cruise staff/officers and visit exotic ports cheaply.

 

My co-worker, a married female, just took a solo cruise on the Ruby Princess. Her husband is tired of cruising but won't let this stop her from getting her cruise fix so she goes alone.

 

Enjoy

Tony

These are all excellent suggestions. I cruised one time alone and I enjoyed doing my own thing. Join a Cruise Critic Group, because there's always other solo cruisers and people looking for others to share excursions. I've always felt safe with the cruise ship excursions. Remember to leave expensive jewelry at home and take very little money, one credit card, and your cruise card and a copy of your Passport with you. Try to book a cabin near the elevator.

We did your itinerary on Coral in November. Great pictures and review. It looks like you had great weather. My pictures of the canal was filled with rain drops.

We enjoyed the Tea Service in our Cabin one afternoon. We had enough food and tea to invite the neighbors to join us for tea time. We found the same true for the Ultimate Balcony Dinner, as well.

I surely enjoyed my one Gold Card experience. My Hubby couldn't appreciate all the perks of suite life, but I was a happy camper.

Seven (7)!