leaveitallbehind

On that deck being one deck higher I think you will be fine with the location and the view. Enjoy your cruise.

There is a canopy directly below you that is over the balconies below as they are extended out on the deck from your stateroom. This would likely impact you direct downward view if that would be of concern. If you google Celebrity Constellation and click on images and scroll through them you will see pictures that will show what this looks like. You can contact whomever you booked through and ask to be moved to a different location as available within your assigned C2 category if you want to, and if there are other preferred locations available they will move you. There are C2's on deck's 8 & 9 that are forward of that area and would not be affected. I believe they, however, look out over the lifeboat deck.

RCCL is a very good cruise line - just wanted to point out the differences so you were aware. The pricing likely will be lower, and not likely higher, so IMO that should not be an issue. We have 50+ cruises combined with RCCL and Celebrity and still do both, depending on itinerary, ship, and circumstances. Depending on ship class, the ice show and aqua theater shows are very unique and excellently performed and IMO well worth the experience. The cruise lines are just are different animals and its good to know what to expect.

I should add that there is no pricing advantage to booking directly with RCCL. The fares they will offer is consistent with that which is published on their website, and would not reflect any available group fares. In fact, travel agents will typically have access to those non-published group fares that often will be lower. And generally RCCL base cruise fares are lower in our experience than Celebrity, even when compared to standard fares. They also do not offer any option for inclusive benefits such as that with Always. (basic WIFI, classic beverage package). Gratuities, WIFI, and beverage packages are available at a separate charge, which when added may be more comparable to Always.

Just be advised that RCCL is more similar to NCL than different, as they are direct competitors. Be prepared to find a lot of children on board. They are basically polar opposite from Celebrity. Primary targeted demographics is families, and their ships - in particular Oasis, Quantum, and Icon class ships - are heavily oriented towards that with their venues and family oriented attractions and activities. They are sometimes referred to as floating amusement parks. Their ships are, however, rather spectacular in design and quite different from Celebrity, other than with the Edge class ships. The entertainment in general IMO is excellent and far better than Celebrity. Food, which is always subjective, IMO is somewhat better on Celebrity with the complimentary offerings, but on a par with the specialty restaurants. The aforementioned advise regarding contacting RCCL regarding their Crown & Anchor program to assure on board reciprocity of benefits is accurate. But note that your cruise points earned on board RCCL will remain with them and are not combinable with Celebrity CC. Our kids grew up cruising with us and when they were young our cruise line of choice was RCCL for the above mentioned reasons. Now that they are adults, we typically cruise Celebrity first for the opposite reasons as RCCL.

Typically on international flights is where they have the best opportunity for lower fares. But they at least will be the same as, and not higher than, booking directly. The primary advantages are that booking through Celebrity does not require a deposit or payment in full for the airfare until your final payment date for the cruise as the airfare is linked to your cruise on your booking, and if the airfare should be reduced you can rebook the flights to capture the lower fare. You can also cancel or change the flights without penalty prior to final payment. They will also directly support assisting with new flights should there be any changes to your flights or any issues that would cause a delay in your arrival to the cruise departure port. We frequently book our flights through Celebrity with good success and in fact just booked flights yesterday through them for our upcoming 11/24 cruise.

I agree completely and was only referencing that in case there were some who want to remain on their balcony. Hard to reach the bottom of the bridge from there however - LOL.

Good point and I did miss that as well until after I posted my response.

Certainly can't argue your experience other than to say we cruise to Bermuda rather frequently (albeit with Celebrity and RCCL) and have seen the NCL ship in port with us both stern to us and bow to us on different occasions. You may have just been on coincidental weeks when she was starboard to the pier. We also have had several times on our ships with both docking positions as well. But either side is good with us - we just like being there, which we will be again this June!

As the rest have said there is no way to predict which direction the ship will face when docked but either side offer a good view - one of the Dockyard, the other of the Great Sound towards the northern coast of Bermuda. Leaving NYC on day one with port side stateroom (if you would happen to remain in your stateroom during departure) would facilitate good views of the city along with the advantages as mentioned by @navybankerteacher. BTW what often drives the Captains' docking decision is that as the ship is in port for three days it provides excellent opportunities for crew drills, in particular with mandatory life boat drills. He can alternate weeks with docking positions to facilitate each side of the ship in terms of that drill over a two week period.

Sunset veranda is one of our favorite locations for the view. That would be my choice.

JMO but in 50+ cruises I never have and never will wear a lanyard for my SeaPass card. I have a SeaPass card holder from a prior cruise that holds two cards (along with a center pocket which I use for extra drink tip $) and fits very well in my pocket. And without that the SeaPass card is fine by itself in my pocket.

Yes.

Was writing my response as you posted. Your list is more complete.

Here is a short list of E+ benefits: Access to a coffee house-style breakfast and Evening Cocktail Hour Two complimentary bags of laundry 15% discount off specialty dining cover charge 15% discount at The Spa 35% off Wi-Fi Package or Wi-Fi upgrade 20% off Drink Package or 15% off upgrade to Premium pre-cruise

If you booked this directly or on line with RCCL, IMO your suggestion to call them is the correct plan. I would discuss this with them in detail regarding all that you have mentioned here. They should be able to advise as to what options you would have regarding maintaining its value. If necessary you can ask to have the issue elevated to a supervisor during your call if there is any uncertainty regarding the answers. If you booked through a travel agent, contact them and they can assist on your behalf with RCCL.

Given the lack of specificity regarding a ship to which you are referring, I can only assume you wish to have these roles defined, and as such the answers I can provide would be as follows: The Captain is the Master of the vessel and in this capacity has full responsibility for the oversite of it's operation and is in command of the ship, its crew, and its passengers. The Cruise Director typically reports to the Hotel Director and is responsible for overseeing and coordinating all entertainment on board the ship. The Hotel Director is responsible for all guest related operations on board the ship to include ordering and suppling all goods for the vessel, the galley(s), housekeeping, purser department, ship's revenue, crew areas, public areas, medical staff, and entertainment. Given the lack of clarity, I hope this helps.

Was writing my response when you posted this and I think you are correct! Still would post the same response as I did with Navigator, however, even though she has been there a few years.

Since her refurb Navigator IMO is one of the better mid-sized (by today's standards) RCCL ships and, although older, would rival some of the newer ships. We are considering traveling to the West Coast sometime in the future just to cruise on her again since her upgades and to experience that itinerary.

If you google the situation there are numerous reports concerning his disappearance and on going search efforts by a number of different agencies including the local military. The family is apparently also reaching out via social media to the US for support and awareness of the situation.

Even if that's the case I would doubt the arrangement could be flipped.

Yes.

I would highly doubt it. They are not all with the beds by the balcony. The staterooms are typically laid out in a alternating bed location by balcony or bathroom as you progress up or down the numbers and are also set according to dresser / desk location. Not likely doable and (not flaming) I would not even ask. It would be easier to see if you can move your stateroom to one configured the way you prefer. If you booked through a TA they can assist or if you booked directly contact RCCL and a rep should be able to help.

All part of the experience - LOL.

If not prepaid prior to the cruise, gratuities are automatically charged daily to your on board SeaPass account. Unless you opt out of automatic gratuities with guest services, you do not pay in cash nor wait in any kind of line to do so. You can always pay individuals that you feel deserve more than the recommended auto charged amount in cash on your own, but that is strictly optional. BTW all on board purchases (except with the casino) are cashless and transacted by way of your SeaPass card.