JFontaine

1 hour ago, TeeRick said:

Don't dwell too much on the OP's post.  We all have expectations for cruising decorum I imagine.  I guess there is a certain expected class of people with a high degree of sophistication that maybe goes along with the images in the Celebrity ads and commercials.  But they still let me on the ship anyway!  BTW, I do eat some fried foods on occasion (when DW is not looking!).  Last cruise I had severe back problems too (true story) so at times I could barely stand!  But I don't smoke and I wear decent clothes to dinner so I guess I get some points for that.  Perhaps I will get booted down to RCCL at some point.☺️

You probably don't mean it, but you are going down the same path: 'class of people', 'high degree of sophistication', 'cruising decorum'.  His complaints: people sleeping at the pool, people who eat fried food, disabled people who can hardly stand, and someone who snapped at him for being nice. Other than the last incident, they have nothing to do with sophistication  quality of people or decorum.   And now there are 4 pages of posts about how Celebrity has gone down hill.  Kids in school are taught 'not to judge a book by its cover, adults should do the same. 

4 minutes ago, odyssyus said:

Makes you question the veracity of their entire post.  Reminds me of many a fishing story.  I saw 1 drunk, therefore Celebrity is full of drunks.

Exactly. I saw someone sleeping,  but they were probably passed out drunk. 

To the original poster: I can't let this go. You are judging the 'quality of people' by the amount of fried food that they eat (how can you possibly know), and their physical disability ('they can barely stand').   You do realize that you are talking about some very nice people here who are reading your words. Do you care? 

You lost me on people who eat fried food and are barely able to stand. You do realize you are on a ship with thousands of people and not a yacht with your version of how people should look, right? 

I cruise in a suite and with my mom (in wheelchair) in a regular room and we always check in together, in the suite area (in Fort Lauderdale).  Everyone has always been very nice about it. 

Sometimes it takes a few minutes to get a wheelchair to the car.  Your aunt should just stay in the car until the wheelchair comes. Once she gets out of the car there are very limited seats until you get inside and past security.  

8 hours ago, Cruzin Terri said:

The toilet is very close to the sink vanity on one side where you would be able to hold on to that to help you stand up.  That is in the PH.  I cannot speak for the other cabins.  

Don’t know if that would be sufficient for your needs.

Here’s a photo of a balcony bathroom.

 

Terri

Thanks for the photo, but confused - is this a regular balcony room or a Penthouse? The concern is for my mom; I think we will take both types of cabins and she can have whichever is easier.  We will also bring grab bars which are temporary and work with suction cups. 

She did a great job with that video. Thanks to her. 

7 hours ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

Were you on an E class ship?  Am wondering if this perk is just for E class as I've been on 2 other S class sailings in a RS and haven't received anything monogrammed.  Definitely going to ask this time on our upcoming cruise.

I hear it is E Class and revolutionized other ships. Received monogrammed robes (pre-pandemic) and PJs (post) on Summitt in PH. 

5 hours ago, desiro said:

Hi - My husband and I will be in a RS in April on the Equinox. My adult son, who decided to travel with us last minute, has an inside cabin down the hall. I read somewhere that you can set up for a day or two to pay $99 per day for him to have the suite amenities. He doesn't drink alcohol, so it would really only be for boarding the ship and maybe a meal or two in Luminae. Have any of your done this, and if so, how did you arrange - by calling the Retreat line ahead of time?  Thanks for any info. 🙂 

The program as originally announced was $99 for each day of the cruise, you couldn't pick just a couple of days. I agree your son can embark and disembark with you and have priority with you if you have tender ports. I'd aim for just paying for him in Luminae when you dine there, on a pay as you go basis, since he doesnt drink. The $99 program did not include specialty dining. Hopefully you will have a good butler who will be able to make your cruise with your son very easy and delightful. If not, mention that you are traveling with your son to the Retreat Host.  They can make things happen too.  Have a great time. 

My advice - like others on this thread - is not to count on Celebrity to do anything. They forget, wires get crossed, gets sent to wrong room or table. One of you might get something and the other party nothing. My advice is to make it happen yourself. Bring a few balloons and ask the room attendant to blow them up, or do it yourself.  Bring battery operated candles.  I think you can bring flowers on board. Go to the buffet and make a plate of cheese, crackers etc. and open a bottle of champagne on your balcony, or anywhere outside at 5 pm when most people are indoors, you will have the place to yourselves.   You might get something from Celebrity,  but I've read too many reports of disappointed cruisers. Congratulations to you all. 

Thank you. That's a big step. Same in the Penthouses? 

New to Oceania.   Do any  cabin categories have grab bars near the toilet? Anyone recall how high the step is into the bathroom? 

Any tips for an accessible-ish cabin would be appreciated.   We don't need a roll-in shower, and the wheelchair will fold up. 

Thank you. 

My mom also refused a wheelchair until she saw how much safer and less stressful travel was. She does not use it anywhere other than traveling.  I hope your father in your law ends up going. 

You might want to think about renting a wheelchair for the cruise. They are delivered to the cabin, fold up when not in use, not expensive,  easy to push.  That way if the water is rough, he feels tired just use the wheelchair and off he goes. He can sit in a regular chair in the dining room. I would also suggest a wheelchair escort at embarkation and disembarkation  - that can often be a taxing walking experience.  Free service, just a tip. 

I've stayed in "inside" S3s (not corners) on 9 and absolutely loved them. Great midship location and very quiet because of the vestibule. I now cruise in Villas but if I went back I would not hesitate to book this cabin again (not low or high decks).  

1 hour ago, vacruisincouple said:

Thanks JFontaine!  We're only planning one specialty dining with them at Tuscan Grill for my Dad's birthday dinner.  My husband and I will dine at Sushi on 5 most days for lunch but my parents don't like sushi and it will be nice for them if they can dine in Luminae on the 2 sea days that we have without us.  I think we'll utilize the Retreat sundeck quite a bit on this cruise.  Everyone can handle the stairs easily.  My parents also really enjoyed the Retreat Lounge/Michael's club the last time we cruised with them and they were in a SS.  So for us, I think the RPP makes sense and I am happy that it is available.

I think your analysis is right for you. Happy birthday to your dad and have a great cruise. 

4 hours ago, vacruisincouple said:

I am sailing in a RS on Summit in 2.5 weeks and was offered the Retreat Privilege Package (RPP) for my parents who are sailing with us in the adjoining C1 cabin.  I was only offered the package because I inquired about it.  It was not offered in the initial email from the shoreside concierge.  The price is $99 per person per day and must be booked with the shoreside concierge prior to sailing.  There was no mention of limited availability but then again there are only 10 upper suites on M class so it probably isn't an issue.  I will likely purchase it for my parents and conveniently "forget" to tell them there was a charge for it.  It will be my dad's 85th birthday on the cruise so I want them to really enjoy themselves.

If you are going to eat in specialty restaurants often it might not be worth it. It will be "free" for you but not your folks (you might want to check this, in case it changed).  It might be better for you to "pay as you go" in Luminae, unless you think they will want to use the Retreat or the Retreat sundeck (finicky elevator access). They can still board with you, and I would have their luggage tagged priority and delivered to your cabin. 

38 minutes ago, sixpackeddie said:

Does Sapphire level slow you into the retreat level if you are sailing in a non suite?

ty

No

I don't really have a position on this, but if part of your gratuities are going to the MDR waiter, as an example, and you don't show up in the MDR but instead order room service, why are you paying tips to the MDR waiter?  Or are you really paying his/her salary?  I get this could be a 4th meal, but I kind of see the point. 

You get a sticker for your Sea Pass from the casino cashier. No line.  They should have a list. Sometimes the list doesn't appear until the first evening. The casino should knock off any drinks you charge prior to getting the sticker. I wouldn't bother calling customer service. This is a Blue Chip perk and customer service can't help you. 

As far as upgrading to Premium,  based on your play, the casino might cover the difference on the last night of the cruise with a credit to your account,  if you prepay, they probably can't. You might want to stick with the Classic,  pay for any per glass overage - it could be cheaper if you spend a lot of time in the casino, where you will drink whatever you want for free. 

Yeah, I dont know where the bar is on the Summit Retreat sun deck, and I don't care. I had a cold drink a few minutes after I got there. You can't compare the E class sun deck to others, but for those actually on Summit, the sun deck is lovely, it has a beautiful forward view (lower to the water than the E class) and I hope everyone who uses it truly enjoys it. 

I was in a Penthouse on Summit last year, and went to the Retreat sun deck once. I liked it very much. The padded chaise lounges were very comfortable and had a good distance between them, there was no chair hogging (afternoon in Bermuda), it was tidy and we were immediately offered drinks from a bar. 

The Luminae dessert cart was mostly candy, and it was only on formal nights. 

If you report yourself to medical they'd waive it. But if you just decide to ride it out, would they?  And the disabled person or elderly person who finds the buffet too difficult to navigate, or needs to take it slow? The solo traveler who gets up the courage to cruise, but not eat alone? So many people adversely impacted. 

Another downside - someone not feeling well and deciding to self-isolate (and not report to medical) can either  pay $12 to have a hot dog delivered, or just go to the dining room.