DaisyFire

This may help...

http://www.cruiseportinsider.com/cozumelschedule2016.html

Hunted around the boards to see what else I could find on this... and it looks like it may be ship and even sailing dependent. Here is a thread that talks about the same ship - but two different experiences.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2270532&referrerid=383060

So, you may just need to wait until you are on-board to find out.

Also, depending on ship, it sounds like the Mast Grill and Aqua Spa Cafe also may be 'free' options for embarkation day.

Are you sure about that?

Two years ago, we were in Aqua class on the Summit and were very happy that the Blu was available for lunch on embarkation day.

Last summer, the Blu was not open but we had lunch in the MDR.

Do you mean that next month we will have the buffet as the only free option (and Bistro on Five for a fee)?

If the tendency continues, maybe next year they will do like the airline companies and sell you a lunch for a fee on embarkation.:rolleyes:

Actually - no, I am not sure about that. As I stated in my post, this is what I have seen posted by several others out on the boards. I have not sailed since 2009 - and so would not assume anything would have stayed the same since then.

 

7 days till we once again slide into a chair at the wonderful GastroBar and see how many we can 'sample' our way thru this time around!

Hello EW!

Where are you heading? :)

Not sure that there is a list that just shows the codes with their descriptions - but you can find that information by reviewing the deck plan and associated cabin types here on CC:

http://www.cruisecritic.com/cruise-deck-plans/

TA says he sorted it out. No one seems to know how it got cancelled...bizarre. Good thing I just happened to email him about it. I changed cabin number last week...can't imagine that would cause a cancellation!

With computer systems anything is possible. If it was programmed to do a cabin change by canceling and rebooking then it could be that the person making the adjustment didn't do it correctly and might have cancelled your old reservation but not completed the new one.

The good news is that you caught it and got it corrected! :)

Yikes! :eek:

So glad you caught it! (Another reason to check credit card activity at least weekly.)

I was intrigued enough to go check my credit card activity :)

I did not see anything there that could not be explained by reservation changes made in the last month or so. Any change it might be an adjustment on a deposit by your TA? I have had my TA take too large of a deposit before and then adjust to correct by crediting back the difference.

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I ended up calling and the rep said they would be mailed but without the names. Well he was wrong, as I received them within a week and the names were indeed on the tags. In addition, do not waste money purchasing the plastic tags for Celebrity/Royal Caribbean as these are not designed to fold in half to fit into it as there is a bar code smack in the middle.

 

The ones for Princess tags work fine, however.

Agree - I found that the plastic tag holders work fine for the printed tags, but not the ones that Celebrity sends you with adhesive on the back. After receiving my tags in the mail and seeing that they wouldn't work easily (you actually can make them work if you eliminate the bar code) - I actually switched to the using the printed ones since I wanted to use my plastic holders. (Sorry Celebrity!)

Sample images below of mailed tag vs. printed tag in the holders. I did reprint later on a color printer as I believe there is some color coding to the information.

What is the charge for Bistro on 5? The MDR is not open for lunch on boarding day?

Thanks for all the great info....this is my first Celebrity and I am boarding by myself and meeting up with family later....so this is very helpful!

Here is some info I gleaned from reading other posts on the Celebrity forum...

Bistro is $10 pp

MDR is not open for lunch on embarkation day and is only open for lunch on sea days.

Have a great trip!

Another thank you for your informative review. I'll be onboard March 19th.

 

I understand that there are 2 or 3 piers in Cozumel. Where does Connie dock?

 

Is the dock walkable to downtown? Last time I was there we walked but I think it was about 3 miles to downtown.

 

Kathy

We will be on the Connie at the end of the month and I needed this information when making arrangements for a private tour and found the weekly cruise schedule on a Cozumel Insider web site. It had the 3/14 Constellation (3/14 departure from FLL - don't remember the exact date it docks in Cozumel) at the TMM International Pier. Google this and you can see it on a map.

There is another option. The Cruise Critic store (probably Amazon too, but I have never looked there) sells clear plastic reusable holders for paper printouts of the e-luggage tags. These durable holders have loops that can hook on to your luggage wherever you might have attached your sticky, hard copy tags. And yes they can be used for your next cruise too. No more waiting and wondering if Celebrity (or any other cruise line) is going to send tags.

 

David

Yes - Amazon sells these as well :)

Can you call Captains Club and order them even if you booked with a TA?

 

Laura

Yes. I booked my current cruise with a TA and called customer service to get my luggage tags. They arrived about a week later.

Thank you Celebrity official!

Definitely appreciate the summary detail. Just some feedback to take back to corporate regarding the web site.... it is very difficult to determine which specialty restaurants are on which ships. Not that the information isn't out there - just not itemized in a way that makes it user friendly.

The individual ship page has a nice overview - but does not list all of the specialty restaurants on that vessel.

And the specialty dining page does list which ships each restaurant is on, but restaurant by restaurant - not ship by ship. So - if you want to find the list of restaurants for a particular ship, you have to review the list of ships for every restaurant and effectively compile you own list of the ones that apply.

This has always bothered me - so thanks for giving me the chance to get this off my chest :)

As you can these items everyday in the Ocean view buffet I would see no issue. I am referring to a recent cruise on the Solstice as my reference

Thanks! I will give it a try in a couple of weeks. :)

Further reduce the areas where smoking is permitted.

 

Keith

:confused: But the incident in question happened in an area where smoking is already NOT permitted.

And the other complaint from the OP (overcrowded smoking areas and billowing smoke) actually seems to support perhaps the need for more smoking areas - rather than less - although it may just be a factor of the number of smokers on board for each cruise. I expect that the number will vary to a degree and so capacity in the designated areas may be sufficient much of the time - but not always.

There is some technology that could help reduce the smoke from being such a nuisance. Does anyone know if Celebrity uses any of the smokeless ash trays or special ventilation for the smoking areas?

To be perfectly honest, you can write in what you want on any of the menus, as long as it's not something completely unreasonable. If you'd like a ham and cheese omelet and a bowl of berries, just write it in.

I don't think there's any problem with this and we used to do that very thing when we had "regular" balcony cabins.

So if I wanted lox, bagel and cream cheese with capers and onions that could be accommodated?

The Ocean Liners staff is very accommodating, so they can probably whip up something simple for her if the menu is too fancy. She will probably LOVE the theatrical table side preparations, especially those that involve lots of fire!

Thanks JazzBeau. That's encouraging I think you are right about the table side presentations :)

Sky suite guests are now entitled to Michaels Club, it was changed a couple of months ago. There are lots of contradictory items in the web site.

Sounds like they need a good editor/technical writer. That is my trade - think I could get the gig? :D

I would call because they eliminated the automatic gratuities if you have Select dining.

Yes - and last call I made for a booking I believe the gentleman had to circumvent the default to having the gratuities added somehow. I think I checked an 'other' box or something like that. Again - another reason to call :)

Hello:

 

This question may or may not have been asked already but here goes:

 

I am trying to book a November 28, 2016 cruise on-line and it appears that the only dining choice left is select dining which comes up automatically and also doesn't work for us. The online reservation automatically adds the surcharge/gratuity as well. Is there any way around this?

 

Thanks

Mo

I do not like - or trust - Celebrity's online reservations. I suggest holding the cabin you want and then calling in to the customer service number to finish the booking. They are always very helpful and can resolve any niggling issues you are experiencing.

As for Select vs. Traditional - my understanding is that all reservations default to that and you have to request wait list for traditional dining. Not sure of the likelihood of success for that - but did manage to get it for our next cruise at the end of the month.

Thank you so much for your wonderful review! It definitely paints a picture of what we can expect and has loads of little tips for us as well.

One question - we are 8 adults and one child (10). She is a very well mannered polite little girl and while not a fussy eater, she does have a more limited range and prefers to stick to what is somewhat familiar.

I was hoping to convince everyone to try Ocean Liners - especially with the threat of it going away before we may cruise again. Any thoughts on whether or not the Ocean Liners menu would be too much for her? She likes most types of chicken, shrimp, beef, and loves soup. :)

Thanks!

Looks like several of us reading your blog experience are on the March 28th sailing!

Hello! Add one more :)

See page 5 of the suite class benefits document.

 

http://www.creative.rccl.com/Sales/Celebrity/General_Info/Flyers/14037410_CEL_Suites_FAQs.pdf

Not that this should shocking to anyone - but I believe I found a contradiction in X's Suite FAQ:

Page 1

What is Michael’s Club?

Michael’s Club is available exclusively to guests staying in Celebrity, Signature, Royal, Penthouse and Reflection suites - as well Zenith members of our Captains Club loyalty program. Dedicated Concierge service and food and beverage experiences by a James Beard featured chef will be exclusively provided to these guests.

Page 3

Our suite experience will now include:

• Sky Suite guests can access Michael’s Club (complimentary cocktails, appetizers, and a dedicated Michael’s Club Concierge) • Personal butler, private restaurant (Luminae), and an exclusive lounge Michael’s Club for all suite guests

• New luxurious Bulgari® bath amenities

• New daily delivery of Delectable Delights

• New Signature Suite enhancements such as: two bottles of wine or spirits, Premium Beverage Package, Unlimited Specialty Dining and so much more

I would look in both the ports section of the forum located here:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=5

 

Second I would look at the roll call for your cruise where others on board organize such trips.

Thanks! I did also post on the Caribbean port section... no activity there unfortunately. And not a whole lot my roll call either.

I have asked the company to send me their business license information. We will see if they comply. The fact that they asked for a 20% deposit on PayPal makes wonder a bit. Not that I am not willing to make a deposit - but no other private excursion that I have ever booked required this. If there were lots of stellar reviews somewhere online, I would have no problem with this. Cruise line version of the excursion is about $200 more. So I either risk the $200 as a deposit that I may never see again, or spend the $200 to book directly with Celebrity.