reedprincess

They've always been this high.

Keep in mind, Celebrity has room service delivery charges between 11pm and 6am, and many of the food items have a surcharge during any hours. It's not 24/7 free/included like Princess. We usually have a load of obc on Celebrity ans use it on some room service splurged.. breakfast has a wide selection, again though many items have a surcharge.

Here's the room service menu, BTW:

As noted, you would need to take them should you want them. We usually bring a couple battery or solar "candles" or tea lights, it's adds to the ambiance. We use them in the cabin for low level lighting, ambience, etc Suggestion, not need. We also always have a small Bluetooth speaker and play some soft background music. Again, suggestion, not need. As to tipping, we come from a land of no tipping, or at best rounding up a tab.. (service charge is automatic where we come from). We've personally found the experience and service so much more than expected that we do tip. It's entirely at your discretion. We tip them individually, others may do a lump sum that's then split by the wat staff, and others may not tip additional. Your choice.. Enjoy.

It's not a need, it's a suggestion.

It's been happening on Regal, FWIW. It's a set menu, the assistant maitre 'd will come to your cabin a day before and go over the menu. You have a choice of mains, ie steak, lobster or steak and lobster. They'll make subs within reason. We order a ribeye instead of a filet mignon, for instance. Appetizer, salad are set - crab cake and walnut/pear salad. Dessert is a specialty chocolate bersy thing only available via UBD. It includes half bottle of champagne, one pre-dinner cocktail, flowers you keep, and a photo (ship's photographer will come and take several, you then choose one next day). Bread and butter, petit fours also included. It's served course by course, there's a waiter ans assistant waiter. They're unobtrusive, wait in the hall while you're eating, check-in periodically.. They'll come around 15 minutes before start time to set up the table - linens, China, silver, flowers, etc. Take a couple battery or solar tea lights to help set the mood. It's a truly lovely experience and one of the best values on-board... it is a ton of food, truly. Enjoy!!!

Which isn't an exception at all as that's three separate sailings, regardless of how it's booked. One setup per sailing. (Segment, or leg, or journey, etc if you prefer.).

Of course, always keep an eye on your on-board account.. mistakes happen. And get a printout on the last night/morning or screenshot your bill from app/TV on last morning as there's no longer a hard copy of the bill given at the end..

Nope. It's one setup per sailing, regardless of whether it's a one night sailing or 35 night sailing. One setup per sailing.

Yes, Grapevines wine tasting is a perk. Nothing has changed there.

Perhaps you missed the Earl uodates? While not expected to make landfall on any islands at present, TS Earl most definitely is affecting them, and there are wind and flood warnings, watches and warnings in place for PR, USVI, BVI, etc..

Pitons, volcano, mud baths, botanical gardens, ruins, rainforest, waterfalls, mineral baths, chocolate experience, atv, horseback ride, Segway, food tour, fishing, sailing, whale watching, villages, Castries Food Market (rated #3 in the world by NatGeo a few years back), Morne Fortune, Marigot Bay, beaches galore, rum distillery, and so forth

Yes. Google maps can give you the route. Basically, hang a left out if either cruise terminal towards the airport, once at the airport febce, hang a right, go around the end of the airport and back down the other side to the boardwalk.

Correct. After that, you have to wait and purchase the beverage package aboard. The folios transfer from landside to the ship itself at that point and you can no longer purchase anything else in advance.

Ywa, a land/sea tour is much recommended, particularly if you'll not be coming back to St Lucia.. The Pitons, drive in volcano and so forth are unique in the Caribbean and well worth seeing. Snorkeling is wonderful, I love it also - but to be honest, the sights a d experiences on a land or land/sea trip here are much better than any snorkeling anywhere near the cruise port. The best snorkeling around the island is down by the Pitons anyways- and as you've stated, you're snorkeling invirtually every other port - so why not see and experiences something of the destination? Either way, enjoy..

There are so many threads about Cosol. They're one of the top cruise ship tours in St Lucia. Quick search if "cosol" on the forum brings up too many posts to count. Here's just one, for instance. TripAdvisor also has extensive reviews. Enjoy

Nope. It's a cruise long pass, and you can go as many times as you like, for as long as you like any visit. So, if you only want to go on sea days, no problem. And only in the mornjng or afternoon, no problem. Of course, sitting in a steam or sauna for half a day is unhealthy- so keep that in mind...

The Howelton Estate tour is the one from the Viator tour in the first couple posts. While it's not, by far, the best or most comprehensive or in depth chocolate experience, it's the closest to port.. you'll learn a little about the cocao and pound your own bar . The best ones are still the two in Soufriere - Fond Doux or Hotel Chocolat.. You'll see cocao from tree to bar, full plantation experience, Pitons, etc instead of a short jaunt up the hill across from the harbor, which is mainly a residential area ..

Princess Elite Mini-bar Question:What will my mini-bar consist of? Answer:Elite members will get a one-time complimentary mini-bar set-up (1per Elite stateroom) which consists of two (2) miniature bottles each ofCognac, Gin, Vodka and Scotch Whisky, two (2) 12 ounce cans of beer, two (2) 12ounce cans/bottles of tonic water, two (2) 12 ounce cans of Coca Cola, two (2)12 ounce cans of Sprite, two (2) 0.5 liter bottles of water, two (2) 11 ouncebottles of Perrier. The contents of the mini-bar are subject to change. Question:What if I have a specific request for how I’d like my mini-bar stocked? Answer:Your mini-bar will consist of a selection of liquors, soft drinks, beer, still and sparkling water. Once on board, you may contact Room Service to change your mini-bar selection. Certain restrictions apply. Question:Can I exchange the items in my Elite mini-bar for wine? Answer:You may exchange all of your mini-bar items for one bottle of wine valued at $40 or less. Question:Can I exchange the items in my Elite mini-bar for full bottles of liquor? Answer:No. Miniature bottles of liquor (50 ml) may be exchanged on a one-on-one basis with other miniature bottles. Question:Can I exchange the non-alcoholic items in my Elite mini-bar for alcohol? Answer:No. Non-alcoholic beverages may be exchanged on a one-for-one basis with other non-alcoholic varieties. Question:What if I don't want any alcohol in my Elite mini-bar? Answer:If you do not wish to have any alcohol in your mini-bar we will be happy to exchange your mini-bar for one of the following: Alcoholic beverages may be exchanged for non-alcoholic beverages on a one-for-one basis Full mini-bar may be exchanged for two (2) New Grounds Coffee Package All water mini-bar setup will consist of eight (8) 1.5 liter bottles of water

Nope. All for two coffee packages. Can't do half and half.

Have been in suites aboard royal class ships multiple times and honestly, don't find it to be all that much of a muchness. The wine available during the happy hour is average at best - although not charged towards your drink package, so there's that. The snacks are what's in the buffet also. Sure coffee machine if you want a cup - although not as good as International Cafe, which can be delivered to cabin! We rarely if ever go. When there's been a problem - we see the suite concierge - but they're only available certain hours a day.. when we've had aft suites, we basically don't bother. Last holiday season we were literally across the hall and popped in for cookies and glass of wine a few time. We prefer relaxing in our comfortable cabin with the ocean views versus the smaller dark sort of cramped feeling enclosed lounge. Like anything else aboard, some people love it, some don't and some are ambivalent. YMMV

Is it actually happening though? I ask as it wasn't happening last month (Caribbean) and according to my friend aboard Regal, still not happening there. So, while it's in the cruise personalizer, is it actually happening is the question.

You can order party platters such as cheese and crackers, shrimp, fruit or veggies, etc from the celebration packages. You'll have a card in your room and call for delivery. There's sail away packages also. Champagne or cakes, etc . No, regular room service isn't available til after sailaway. You could go to the buffet and get plates of food and bring back to the cabin - straight shot up/down the aft elevators.. and outrigger bar is directly up from you, aft of Horizon Terrace buffet..

We love the shows - they're different though. Short, usually mainly musical and dancing as with so many nationalities and cultures aboard, stories don't always translate well. They're about 40 minutes long.. lots of music, IME, nightlife and such last longer than more American mainstream lines - nightclub usually hopping still at 2 or 3 am. I'd expect a short 3 nighter to be quite lively! We have always enjoyed the food. Again, different than what you'll find on Carnival or RCCL but in a good way - to us. We enjoy the differences. There's the always available, chicken, beef, salmon.. buffet is diverse. Best pizza at sea. And the sticky cinnamon buns at breakfast are divine . As is the breakfast pizza!! I'm sure you'll enjoy. As with other lines - 3 nighters are very different than week long cruises - usually much more of a party cruise, lively, and service can seem more stretched . Have a great time!

$15 for an umbrella on Ocean Key for our October Divina sailing. "Any thing else I should know that will be way different then Carnival and or Royal? (e.g. boarding, debarkation, drills, etc)" Yes - pay close attention to what Experience you're booking and what's included or not in that Experience. It's a different way of pricing than the mainstream cruise lines.. MSC has 4 different booking Experiences, and each includes different things. All include the basics, ie MDR, shows, entertainment, buffet, room, housekeeping, etc. Bella isost basic- basic cruise experience, rooms in less desirable locations, only set dining time, etc. Fantastica is also set dining although they get priority of choice in their times over Bella, some room service options included, better cabin locations, etc. Aurea adds anytime dining, two massages, best room locations, room service, and some more perks..and Yacht Club- Luz ship within ship, mainly am all-inclusive luxury experience- large cabins, butlers, separate restaurant, pool, deck, lounge, drink package, internet and so forth... (this is a generalization, not exact - check the website for exact inclusions). Lots of people who cruise frequently on other lines get caught out by the Experience idea and not paying attention to what is included in their Experience - they book by price and then are mad when they can't do anytime dining or don't have room service included or such.. so, read up on that! Muster drill is at your muster station, no going out to the actual lifeboat deck. All announcements will be in at least 5 languages, often 6 or 7. Menus are multiple pages - same thing in 6 or so languages. Service is more continental European style - staff won't be in your face all the time asking how you are, what can they get you, etc - be prepared to flag them down for service similar to bistro or bar in much of continental Europe. Much more diverse demographics (usually, although a 3 day will be heavier on USA than longer sailing). On many Miami sailings, US passengers account for half or less of all aboard, which makes for much different atmosphere aboard than RCCL or Carnival, etc. loads from south America, Russia, European countries, etc. It adds to their experience for us - others seem to find it distressing to have so many different cultures colliding aboard (some cultures don't queue up for things the same as others, more smoking around than other cruises, layer dining times tend to be more popular, etc). Have a great time!!