Pean

That is good news then, however the phone line access for OBC was closed last week (with the good rate anyway).

That is probably more of the issue, we all know how unreliable it is when you try to book the OBC online.😊 They are probably getting around to changing the price there as well.

I think you have answered your own query, if they are charging $29.30 AUD for $25 USD, then there is a conversion /exchange rate being applied ($0.85 USD for each $1 AUD).

If you can still get the $25 USD for $25 AUD on line then go for it. :D

When I was charged the $29.30 that was a few years ago and was the rate that it said on the website. What I am saying is I have always been charged whatever the gifts page says and at the moment it is still saying $25Aus. If I needed anymore OBC for trip next month I would order more but already have enough. Have a great day. 🚢

One unit is $25USD, it just depends on the conversion rate as to how much $AUD it costs to get that $25 OBC. A few weeks ago, the 425 USD OBC cost only $25 AUD, that is what has stopped, not the actual buying of OBC.

I am sorry I am not trying to be argumentative but I can't see why everyone is saying you can no longer buy $25US OBC for $25Aus. What rate is everyone seeing. When I look it still shows as 1 quantity is $25Aus and as 1 quantity has always been worth $25US no matter what you paid for it I assume it is dollar for dollar. I have been doing this for years and have paid up to I think $29.30Aus at one stage for my $25US. I have never been charged a conversion rate, whatever it says on the gift page that 1 quantity will cost is how much has been charged to my card. Maybe it is too early in the mornng and my brain is not working properly but how much is $25US costing now.

Hi Jveevers. I have been buying OBC for cruises over the last 5 or so years and have found what we pay for the OBC differs (have paid between $25 and $29Aus per quantity) but it has always bought $25US OBC. I am pretty sure that in all the other countries as well 1 quantity is for $25US OBC. I would hope that if Celebrity changed the value of the OBC they would make it clear.

As others have stated, the $AUD for $USD deal is off, but even when it was on, US bookings could not take advantage of it. I couldn't for one of my bookings but could on several others.

Am I missing something. I just had a look and it is still showing $25Aus for 1 quantity of OBC which unless something has changed since I bought my last lot a couple of months ago equals $25US. I dont need anymore so can't check it out properly.

Right after the purchase I got the following email:

 

 

 

So if I don't get any other information by email/phone it should work as they say it is confirmed?

Unfortunately not. That is the email I was talking about earlier. You will need to check your CC as that is the only way you know for sure if your purchase has gone through if you book online. Sometimes it takes a while for it to go on your card (someone earlier mentioned they do it in order of your sailing) but I have waited about 6 or 7 weeks and when I rang they had no record of me booking it. So don't just assume it hasn't gone through if it is not on your card and book it again unless you want the extra but ring and check first.

Sorry to hijack. I purchased some OBC last week USD 25 for AUD 25. My credit card has been charged and I can see the additional money in the payments section - but no where in my booking does it show the additional OBC. It shows the $300 as part of the 123 promo but that's it. Is this normal?

Yes that is normal. I take a copy of my card statement and the email with me but have never had to show them. The OBC shows up about 2 or 3 days into the cruise.

is there a upper limit ?

I've seen a limit of 10 items per order - but how often you are able to order?

 

looks like a good deal....

The most you can do at once is 9 lots of $25 but once you have ordered that before you enter your card details simply select continue shopping or whatever it is (I can't remember at the moment) we have ordered 3 lots of 9 at the same time that way.

I am struggling to be confident that you will get US25 for AUD25. . Right now at the official Exchange Rate of approx 80c, you would get US20 for AUD25..

Like I booked my cruise at US $6000 but had to pay over AUD $7000... Lets say you are Indonesian , you would not get US $10000 for IRP 10000, you would onlg get about US $1.

A dollar is not always a dollar. Not saying it is incorrect, just saying dont sound correct.

I know it is hard to believe but unless things have changed since we did it last year it is $25US for $25Aus. The official exchange rate when we did it was around 90 cents so were worried they were going to change the purchase price but it has not changed for years. When we purchased in 2010 we had to pay something like $27.80Aus for $25US but all other times it has been dollar for dollar.

Never had any problem with it showing onboard once it has been paid. The issue appears to be more actually paying for it. Enjoy your cruise

We pretty much always buy OBC before our cruise as it is a great deal especially at the moment. It costs $25Aus to purchase $25US. Just be aware if you book it online for some reason it doesn't always go through. You will get an email pretty much straight away saying your order has gone through and you won't get any more notice (or something similar) but check your credit card because if the money doesn't come off your card they will have no record of your request. Another problem with Celebrity website. If you don't use it all the money goes back onto your card. Not sure of the exchange rate for that as we have always used it.

We were in a party of 11 on Solstice about 3 years ago and there was no problem with getting a table. In fact after the first night they kept the table set up and was always ready when we needed it. Not sure if that always happens or maybe the cruise wasn't very full but they can certainly set tables for larger groups.

I have been watching prices carefully and can see clearly that the cost of the Alcoholic Beverage Packages has been built into the new higher pricing.

 

My DH and I drink very little and don't want to pay for the Alcoholic Beverage package. We would prefer to pay drink by drink.

 

Is there any way to book an AQ cabin without paying the price that includes the allowance for the Beverage Package?

If you are a captains club member check the cruise when you are signed in. There are discounts on some cruises and hopefully yours will be one of them.

We have cruised into the ports you listed and never had to get a visa.

According to the website the 123 and all inclusive expires 28 Feb for us. See link. I believe it expires 5 Jan in US

http://www.celebritycruises.com.au/content/en_AU/celebrity_123_go_sale.html?tab=terms_and_conditions/content/en_AU/limited_time_offers/celebrity_123_go_sale_terms.html

That'll depend on the cruise line/ship. Celebrity Solstice has 5 person Family Verabdah rooms - FV category.

And the Millenium class family rooms have huge balconies. These rooms are reserved for five people. They can be booked for smaller groups closer to sale date if still available.

Hi Matt. The offer closes 28 February. I hope this link works.

http://www.celebritycruises.com.au/content/en_AU/celebrity_123_go_sale.html?tab=terms_and_conditions/content/en_AU/limited_time_offers/celebrity_123_go_sale_terms.html

Cheers

Celebrity Australia site shows the 123 and all inclusive available until 28 Feb. Doubt we would get something not available elsewhere.

I sort of agree. The new releases are expensive but there are some good prices on the 'old' releases. In fact the one we booked at the beginning of this year for early next year has gone down in price. Pretty sure I won't be able to change as received drink package when I booked but might book something else for later in the year.

Great news. I have just seen that the 123 promotion starts again on Sunday and if you book concierge or higher you get all three benefits. This has been available elsewhere for about a month and has finally made it here. Now just to pick my cruise.

DH has been talking about me getting a new car. My car is a 2006 and just turned 46,000 miles, but of course it doesn't have all the safety bells and whistles that the 2015's have. Hummm, buy a new car or use those dollars to see more of the world by cruise ship? Pretty easy decision if the $'s line up right. :)

I had the same problem. Mine was a 2004 and DH was on at me for ages but I want to travel. Unfortunately it got to the stage where it was making whistling noises and people were looking to see where the noise was comng from so I got another one about a month ago. It is a nice car but you can't beat cruising. Have one booked for next year and waiting for release dates. I am really interested to see what they offer for India. 🚙

I've seen "working to improve the site" frequently, just doesn't seem lke it's working for them.

lol

We are new to Celebrity and I am finding their website very slow and even unable to access my booking for many hours this morning (well down here in OZ it is morning)

Is this usual, as we had a very smooth experience with Princess' website.

Although we are not cruising until July next year, no excursions are listed either. When might we expect to see those becoming available?

The website is usually down most of Sunday's for us as it is late Saturday night / early Sunday morning for the U.S. when they do maintenance. I am not sure if they are doing something different this time as it was down yesterday as well and has a 'working to improve the site' showing which I have not seen previously.

They are also open on disembarkation day. It was lovely to sit there and have a nice relaxing coffee while awaiting our departure time.

We have purchased OBC several times. Unfortunately the email confirmation means nothing. That is an automatic response. You need to check your credit card and once it is taken from there you are fine. Many times I have had to ring after receiving the email and nothing coming out of the card and Celebrity have no record of the order. I take a copy of the card statement along with the email in case there is any problems but on three cruises we have bought OBC it has always appeared after about the second day in our account. Unfortunately it does not show up online.