sparks1093

I think other cruise lines will continue to call there. If we do an excursion then we'll probably pick one that we could do if we were ported in Freeport so we do get out and about on the island. And since teach is part of your name it doesn't surprise me at all that you had workmanship tips for them. 🤭

I remember when we first called at Freeport. There was nothing in the port area. I think it was our second time calling there that Senor Frogs was in place. Now it is bustling with shops and vendors.

I don't mind at all if they are grabbing money, they are in business after all to make money. We will treat it as a beach day in all likelihood (although some in our group may want to do an excursion outside of CK) and we will spend a little money there, but for the most part our money will remain ungrabbed. (Certainly not ponying up almost $3k for a cabana. Or $500 either.)

As I said, so be it. It doesn't matter to me why they decided to do what they did, I will not be paying for food while at Celebration Key. (And I haven't been to Amber Cove but the same would apply there.) ETA- Oooops, we did go to Amber Cove on Mardi Gras, but we did an off-site excursion so didn't spend any time exploring Amber Cove.

I think most agree that is the entire premise of Celebration Key (and other private islands).

They do separate them distinctly as I noted above- access costs $99.99, access with open bar is $139.99 and access with open bar and food is $179.99. You don't need to sit in the restaurant to watch others eat while you imbibe, sit in the premium loungers.

No, no, no- premium fruit, premium hot dogs, premium burgers. Marketing 101.

It says "other approved document", but I don't see anywhere that says that an approved document from US citizens sailing from Vancouver is a BC/photo ID. The problem with pairing with another page (that I've found in all of my research) is that all too often you are talking apples and oranges. So unless there is one page (or even better, one line or paragraph) that clearly says BC/photo ID is acceptable for a US citizen to board in Vancouver I would say that passport/passport card/EDL are the only sure options. I would be tempted, if I were sailing from Vancouver, to present a BC just to see what they said but I have an EDL so that wouldn't prove anything.

Welllll. I've been with someone that crossed into Canada with just a DL and then were allowed back in the US. We were on a bus trip so everyone had to go inside to present our documents. She took about 30 seconds more to be cleared because they had to look her up in the system. But obviously she wasn't on a cruise and the closed loop exception does not apply to departure ports outside of the US. So they might get into Canada but likely would be denied boarding because they don't have the documents needed to visit US ports. I'm not intimate with the regs for this itinerary but my gut tells me passport, passport card or EDL. I would definitely adhere to the cruise line's guidance.

Glad it worked out! Now, go enjoy the rest of the cruise!

It's "premium"!

Unless they open them to inspect what is in them.

I've found this to be the case. For me the cruise is 90% time with DW and our family and friends that tag along, 10% is the cruise.

Just looked at the Celebration Key excursions for my sailing in 2/2026. For this sailing the Pearl Cove Beach Club is $179.99 and it does say that a premium lunch is included. in addition to the open bar. (And this reminded me that each sailing potentially has a different price for the private island excursions.) ETA- Just found the excursion that gives you Pearl Cove Beach Club access only. That will cost $99.99 per person. Just to be able to get into that area. So $80 of the price above covers your meal and your drinks. ETA(again)- Ok, they have three options since I just found Pearl Cove Beach Club Open Bar and that is the $139.99 option that gives you access and 10 drinks. $99.99 access. $139.99 access and open bar. $179.99 access, open bar and premium lunch. And that is of course per person.

Carnival Celebration versus Royal Independence of the Seas. Celebration Key (as I understand it) has some areas you need to pay to enter and some that are free. The $139 is for a pass that includes 10 drinks.

For grins I priced a Royal cruise that takes place as the same time as our Celebration cruise. Both Western Caribbean, both in a mid-ship balcony, both calling on their dedicated port. Royal came in at $4126. Carnival at $2148. So Royal can charge less and still be ahead of the game.

A lot that I've been reading about Celebration Key is silly. But, time will tell. If food is included than it does become a more attractive option for many.

We'll see after we visit, but it looks like this will be just like any other shore excursion for us. We eat a big breakfast and then if food isn't included with the excursion we don't eat again (other than maybe a snack) until we get back aboard (at which point we make a beeline to Guy's).

It says access to the restaurant is included, I do not read it that the cost of the meal is included (could be wrong, but it would be more attractive if it were included). ETA- in the good to know section it says "A La Carte food/drinks available for purchase."

Now that I stop to think of it I developed a stomach bug on Glory (in a suite) and had to be confined to my cabin. They issued me (without asking) an FCC equal to one day's fare for one.

Yeah, it seems odd but if that is their play so be it. I won't be paying for food there, just like I don't pay for it on the ship.

I figure by the time we visit next February all of the bugs will be worked out. We usually treat the private areas like a beach day and don't see any reason to treat this one differently. (And it looks like a lot of the excursions are ones you could book on a Freeport visit, which makes sense.)

This is what I was going to suggest, and if that avenue fails then you will have to accept it. As mentioned in that case I would take it up with corporate and push for an FCC. We had an issue with the jacuzzi tub in the suite and they comped our drinks at HMC for it (around $80 as I recall), but that isn't the same level as the issue that you faced.

People will always take advantage of any loophole that works in their advantage (and hate it when it goes the other way).

My son is booked solo on our upcoming cruise through a casino offer. He has to pay double for some things but was told he would get OBC to offset it.