PartyAllDaTyme

Welcome to Cruise Critic!

Any suggestions will be subject to the outlook of the posters-- some may enjoy a 4x4 adventure, others snorkeling, others a butterfly farm. Having said that, being on Maho Beach on St. Maarten as a plane lands at the airport is my choice for a must-do.

I suggest you join the roll call for your cruise and get information from fellow cruisers and maybe join them, and get information from the ports of call forums.

What are the chances of an upgrade to a suite?

I'd say the same for any other cruise. It would appear it's just a function of fewer regular (read: Cruise Critic members) cruisers than normal on a Bermuda cruise-- more casual and first-time cruisers. Upgrades are more likely to happen if a cruise isn't selling well, but few participants in the roll call doesn't necessarily mean the cruise isn't selling well.

Look for price drops on suites and you can switch-- I call it the do-it-yourself Upgrade Fairy visit.

I'll join in and say your grandmother will enjoy the service on Celebrity more than RCI. I haven't cruised RCI, but I do compare the service on X to a 5 star hotel-- well, 4 star, anyway.

As far as you're being bored, Celebrity is not a party line like Carnival, but we took our 23-year old daughter and her boyfriend on a cruise, and they said they found plenty to do when the old folks weren't around. X does pretty much go to sleep after midnight. If your grandmother will be okay on her own for periods of time, you could go on a shore excursion or attend a show in the evening without her, but you may end up spending more time than you think attending to her needs.

Whatever cruise you pick, join the roll call. There will be plenty of 50-somethings, but there should also be some younger folks that you might be able to link up with.

If you have travel insurance, you may be able to file a claim for the remaining loss. Unfortunately, very few policies will cover $4000, and there are generally limitations, such as $500 maximum value for the first item, $250 for additional items, $500 total for all items like jewelry, furs, and electronics. I wouldn't guarantee you'll be successful, but it's worth a try.

It doesn't compensate you for time and aggravation, but as cle-guy suggested, this may have been due to the differences in shipping versus traveling with luggage. While this may be a strike against Celebrity, it could happen on any cruise line and it at least doesn't seem to be a common occurrence on X.

Well, I took a look for Summit on July 20th, and yours is the one and only roll call, which you started in January. No one else just five months out is unusual, but the other Summit cruises in July have only 4, 2 and 5 members.

Luck of the draw, some roll calls are more active than others. I've started a couple of roll calls that no one else joined for a few months. It's possible your itinerary attracts more last-minute cruisers. Just add a post once every four weeks or so, otherwise most people have their options set to only display posts from a month ago and the roll call will seem to disappear.

It's also possible there's a duplicate roll call started, either before or after you started yours. You may want to double check.

If it does turn out you're the only one on the cruise, that means you're in line for some massive price drops:):D:rolleyes:!

- seated at Group table although requested private dining. Eventually resolved but uncomfortable.

Unusual, but not unheard of.

- outdoor pools generally very cold

They're colder than I'd prefer, though I wouldn't call them "very cold". I use the T-pool, which is undercover and heated.

- very limited pool service for drinks

IMO they try not to be intrusive and seem like they're pushing you to buy drinks-- the bar is not that far away from the pool if you want a drink.

- lackluster food at San Marco. Worst was a flavorless tuna carpaccio and a $5 "ribeye" the last night

Never had a problem with the food, but I'm not a "foodie".

- room canapés consisting of a handful of raisins and olives (only 2 of 3 days)

Never had raisins and olives, just less-than appetizing canapés. Many people ask their stateroom attendant to substitute a plate of cheese and crackers.

- cold room service breakfasts both days ordered

I agree that by the time they can bring up the room service breakfast, it's usually cool. While a little more trouble, we like to go up to the buffet and bring back a plate or two of food-- do it yourself room service!:)

- rude treatment by Nina at Guest Relations regarding first point above

Definitely atypical.

Again, all is relative but any insights on others' experience will help understand if we just got a bad batch, should lower our expectations, or keep shopping (Princess?). Any help appreciated.

FWIW, our experience on Princess has been about the same. Service on Celebrity has not always been perfect, but the pluses always outweigh the minuses. We always look forward to going back.

Our strategy is to alternate days of ambitious excursions in ports of call with easy days, so you might think about something extensive in Barbados, Antigua and St. Thomas. In St. Lucia and St. Martin, keep it more spontaneous and laid back-- just get off the ship to buy some souvenirs, maybe get a cab tour, maybe make it a "sea day" and don't even get off the ship-- it's more enjoyable when the ship is almost empty.

Generally, private tours are less costly than shipboard excursions, though you may need to commit to these early to avoid sellouts. The roll call is a great place to hook up with fellow cruisers-- there's strength in numbers, and you'll undoubtedly find some veterans who are happy to take newbie cruisers under their wing. For help in finding yours, check the sticky thread towards the top of the Celebrity forum titled "ROLL CALLS - What Are They and How Do You Find Yours?" Or just click this link to get there:):cool:.

Thanks much! I wasn't sure if the 2C balconies were larger than the 2B's or not. Being closer to the dining was a consideration, but with all the great food available, the exercise wouldn't hurt;).

Bear in mind that all things are subject to mishap. My husband and I sailed out of San Juan several years ago, and upon our return, we were preparing to debark at 830am when there was a medical emergency.

 

By the time the emergency was dealt with, and debarkations resumed, it was 130pm before my husband and I were able to leave the ship. Luckily for us we had planned to fly home the following day, so we didn't miss our flights. But I heard a lot of passengers frantically trying to rearrange their schedules!

Another good reason to buy travel insurance. Disclaimer-- I work for one of the major travel insurance companies;)!

Another thing to consider is if flights will possibly be cheaper if you wait until the next day, assuming you have the time to extend the vacation a bit. Even with a hotel and meals, you could come out ahead. A flight first thing in the morning will tend to be less expensive because demand is lower-- no cruise passengers, except those wise souls who waited an extra day.

I'm considering using my Captain's Club category upgrade for an M-class sailing next year, but I can't use it if I start in a 2C. 2B's 8146, 8161, 9138 and 9173 all have the somewhat larger angled verandahs that I could get for the price of a 2C. (We just had an aft C1 and are now spoiled for larger verandahs!:cool::)) Is it worth it to try for one of these, or should I just forego the upgrade and stay with one of the Sweet 16's?

Formal night is one of our favorite parts of the cruise, as well. Enjoy!:)

Since you're relatively new to Cruise Critic, you may not yet have come across dress code threads. This is often a hot-button issue, and I'm not trying to start a(nother) debate. Just be aware that not everyone will dress to the nines for dinner on formal night, and enforcement of the dress code can vary, so please don't be disappointed if others in the MDR show up in more casual dress.

Well, a quick search of the forum would show that this has been addressed a few times recently.:rolleyes::D:o Sorry, just kidding. Couldn't resist.

Here's a link to the announcement at the top of the forums-- if you didn't think to look there, you'd miss it.

I just got back from Summit, and the booking agent said it would be about the third week of March. I took that to mean with the European itineraries, which are open to Captain's Club members on 3/10 and the general public on 3/17. Here's a link to the schedule.

Earliest I would arrive on the day of embarkation? 12:01am:D

In 2011, we had a flight booked ORD - Houston - San Juan arriving Friday for a Saturday cruise. Booked a nonrefundable hotel on Priceline. Wednesday, got advisory from Continental about possible bad wx in Houston, did we want to switch to a flight getting us to PR on Saturday? Didn't want to have hotel go to waste, called airline and asked how likely. Was told they're probably being overly cautious, if the flight was cancelled we could always take the flight arriving on Saturday. Early Thursday morning, flight is cancelled, no more Saturday flights available, earliest they can get us in is Sunday. Cancelled booking, went to American for flight leaving Chicago Friday night and connecting in Philly. Left for Chicago Thursday for our park-n-fly hotel stay, went to Shedd Aquarium Friday, went Friday night to check in, Philly flight's cancelled. Went to American counter to beg, plead and grovel. Got standby to Dallas leaving in an hour, overnight in DFW and a 10am flight Saturday morning. This was the weekend the Super Bowl was being played in Dallas. Fat chance of no shows, but by God there were four! Spent the night in DFW, wife is wearing her Packers shirt, Packer fans arriving in the morning, asking if we were excited to be going to the game. No, we're going to San Juan:eek:. Flight one hour late out of Dallas due to mechanical issues, on the ground in San Juan 4pm. No gate available, sat on tarmac for half hour. Got luggage, got to ship at 5:30. That's as close as I ever want to come.

Any insight if you may be more likely to get an upgrade if you have a "special occasion" listed?

Not that I've noticed, though the upgrade offer we turned down in 2011 was over both my birthday and our anniversary. I think it had more to do with them wanting to sell a C1 at the last minute for a much higher price than I paid, which was for what a 2C was selling for at the time I originally booked. Thank you, price drop!

That must have been a very special c1 paryalldatyme.

Well, we had googled pictures of it and the balcony, which is almost the same size as the cabin itself, had them posted in my cubicle, and had fallen in love with it. 7208 is above the PH, center of the ship, or as close as you can get without being in the HC accessible cabin next to it, which is of course even bigger. We're in it again in just a few days because it has fond memories for us and we're celebrating an anniversary-- also, DD and her BF are in the inside cabin just across the hall, so I wouldn't want an upgrade this cruise either. If we should get so lucky in the future, I'd try a Sky Suite.

You can get a 100% refund if you cancel before final payment is due. This applies for North American bookings.

Look for a TA who can get you some perks. (Against forum rules to discuss specific TA's, or I'd give you the name of mine.) Since this is your first cruise, they may also be helpful in answering questions that may come up. Later, book the cruise yourself and you can transfer the booking to a TA within 60 days. If you book your next cruise on board, you get perks from X like category upgrades and OBC and get to keep those after you transfer.

We'll have to wait and see if there's a backlash over newer and bigger megaships by the time X starts adding to the fleet. If not, that's the direction the cruise industry is moving in, like it or not (and I do not).

As to OP's suggestions--

--High Tech air/bubble hull design to allow fuel economy + 30+ knot speeds

As long as it's fuel efficient, great, but while faster speeds means more time in ports, it could also mean the cruise could be over sooner:eek:.

 

--LHG (liquid natural Gas) engines (very low emissions)

Sounds good.

 

--135,000 ton ships w/3,100 passengers

2000 pax is plenty.

 

--wrap around promenade deck similar to the Queen Mary 2

I do miss the full promenade.

 

--wider ships with open atriums similar to RCI designs

Too much like a shopping mall for my taste.

 

--commitment to upscale cuisine and 10+ alternative restaurants

Several smaller dining areas would provide variety-- maybe not ten. Take the top deck of the MDR to provide two or three such additional venues. Leave the bottom deck for those who still want the MDR experience, including choice of fixed (port side)or Select (starboard side) dining. Continue to have restaurants such as Blu, Silk Harvest, Tuscan Grille, Murano, in other areas. People could opt for a fixed time and restaurant for every night (and pay accordingly if it's an upscale venue), make reservations each night for any restaurant for whatever time they choose for that evening, or just show up at a restaurant and see if there's a table available-- if not, either wait, try another restaurant, or hit the buffet.

Re the dress code-- On formal nights, let it be known that if you intend to eat at any of the restaurants in the MDR area, you WILL be turned away if not properly dressed-- you're free to avail yourself of restaurants in other areas. Those that want to play dressup (that's me) can do so without having to tolerate those who don't, while the wide selection of dining venues in other areas of the ship should satisfy others.

 

--complete change in strategy concerning onboard entertainment (comedy club, first run movie theater…,)

I've often thought that the volume of the theater isn't justified by the level of entertainment. How about a smaller space and bring in a theater troupe to perform some (very) off-Broadway plays that just require a small stage? I like the idea of a smaller, more intimate comedy club. I can always watch first run movies when not cruising.

I would keep the ability to swing open the partitions between balconies-- I miss that on M-class.

And bring back the top-optional sun deck!:eek::rolleyes::D

First cruise on Solstice, I booked through a TA and didn't know you could select your own cabin, just thought you could pick what class. We thought we had a 2D and were pleasantly surprised when it became a 2B. In retrospect, I think the TA booked us a GTY which would have been at least a 2D and let the chips fall where they may. Then I found Cruise Critic and found out how things work:o:).

The next cruise, however, we booked a C1 aft cabin on Summit. I specifically asked for that cabin and had the booking marked "No upgrades." Three days before we left, we were in a Sky Suite. Thank goodness I noticed it right away before they assigned someone else to "our" cabin. We got our C1 back, and will be back in the same cabin in four days:cool::):cool:, so it's time for me to check my reservation again. So, yes, the Upgrade Fairy can show up on X, even when you don't want her to!

I am a ZeNi…half way. And that's probably where I will stay.

If you're halfway, that would make you a Zen. And that makes you one with everything:rolleyes:.

Rumor has it (okay, I'm making this up) that plans are already in the works for the next level above Zenith, to be called Mercury, and eventually the Century level beyond that. To reach Mercury, one would need 200,000 points, or the equivalent of sailing in the PH every day for 30 years. To reach Century requires reincarnation.:D:rolleyes::D

(As a side-note, if you must pay a re-deposit fee as part of a cancellation (vs. as part of your initial reservation), some policies will cover that.)

Correct. While most policies cannot insure the value of the miles, they can insure any money actually paid or might be paid. It may seem counter-intuitive to include the cost of re-depositing the points if you don't need to pay that cost if you don't cancel. But since the schedule of benefits would be "100% of the insured trip cost" and if the re-deposit fee is not included, there's no basis for paying it out.

An additional wrinkle...

 

I purchased air for this trip using United MP points. The taxes were paid in cash, but refundable. I changed the air to a similar, but different, shorter, trip later this year (not in support of a cruise, just a land trip). There was a $200 (total) charge to re-deposit the points, which were then re-issued for a new itinerary. Kept the same PNR with UA. I'll get some $ back as the taxes on the new itinerary are less than the original.

 

I think the $200 re-deposit fee should be covered under the cancellation provision. Agree?

Disagree. If you want to spend extra money to re-deposit the points, and then, I presume, to make alternate arrangements for the cruise, that's your choice. But it would be similar to the situation of someone who just decides they want to fly out a day early and expects the insurance to cover their change fee. Unless it's done for a covered reason, such as sickness, it wouldn't be applicable under trip cancellation.

Edit-- I think I misunderstood. If you're asking if you need to include the $200 to re-deposit the points as part of the trip cost, no. You wouldn't be able to claim it, as I explained, so no need to cover it. The $200 is unrelated to this trip.

Important note: Despite the fact that a booking deposit is fully refundable up until final payment, since it eventually becomes non-refundable, you'd be playing with fire by not insuring it as soon as you book. Likewise, don't insure your final payment in 25% steps as you go through the penalty period. That'd be a battle over policy language I'd never look forward to, and it saves very little money. (I know you didn't mention doing this, but I thought I'd mention it.)

Absolutely, insure your final payment in full right after you make it if you want to keep the pre-ex waiver in place. If it becomes non-refundable, you can't wait on it until it actually is nonrefundable, it's based on when it's paid. But for someone who doesn't need pre-ex or maybe has cancel for any reason coverage, there is generally no need to bump the coverage up in full immediately. If someone has an expensive cruise, say $20,000, and would only be out $10,000 if they cancelled right after the final payment, they might pay a $1000 premium if they covered the full amount when a $500 premium is all that would be needed to protect the $10,000.

If the OP will feel better about his/her vacation by bagging the remote, that's what should be done. We can debate the wisdom or effectiveness of such a measure until we're blue in the face, but the bottom line is that it's not hurting anyone and maybe the OP will sleep better at night.