mg33626

I've read many of your posts, mostly those about ports of call versus ships or actual cruise reviews. I'm curious why I you don't appear to cruise Southern Caribbean or much on the Eastern side? My first several cruises were Western, but I really love islands like Barbados, St Kitts, and St Lucia much more. Of course, those require longer cruises or starting in San Juan.

Just curious?

I have not been on the board for a while, I assume by this thread the 123 packages are gone now. That's a shame as I like the options and also feel it makes for a more fun cruise. My recent Reflection cruise was my best Celebrity experience, and I'm hoping to book a longer cruise soon.

Does anyone here feel the 123 program will return? Have they stopped and started it in the past?

Thanks!

[quote name=L

Anyway, I would like to try Celebrity and their newer ships. So it is correct, all Celebrity ships, if I book a balcony (or even an ocean view), I get the beverage package, which includes alcohol?? THANKS so much![/quote]

Yes, it's a special but they seem to be running it all the time. I have found salings for almost the same price as NCL, so if you are taking the drink package Celebrity could be over $900 less for a couple. Trust me, the S class ships are nice, very nice.

Because so many people have the drink package, the ships are very lively. Anyone who says there full of old people in rockers is simply spouting what they've heard as the line is changing and very nice. There won't be any slides or Blue Man groups or bowling however.

I like NCL, but than again I like every cruise line and cruise I've tried to date. My last cruise was on the Celebrity Reflection which is their newest ship.

On Celebrity, all ocean view and balcony rooms include the drink package at no cost or an on board credit or tips included.

My next planned cruise is on Epic primarily as we're bringing our 10 yr old. It's hard for me to justify spending this much more to include a drink package on a line that I don't love quite as much.

I dislike it enough that I limit myself to 2 with ice cream of course, and for the record I'm not the biggest chocolate or dessert in general fan. I really can't believe this thread. I was just reading another about funerals at sea, and decided I needed something light-hearted.

Much to my dismay, I stumbled upon of Melting Cake deniers.

For room categories that end in "X", does this mean it's simply a room guarantee? It says these rooms are "deck 8 forward" when searching the Epic, which seems to imply an exact cabin.

Is there a spreadsheet of cabin types and sizes as I've seen for other ships?

The cheapest room cats have an x at the end ( BX, MX). Does this mean they are simply room guarantees, or our they lesser rooms?

Thanks

Although we've really enjoyed our last few Celebrity cruises, and Carnival too for that matter; we are thinking of Epic or Getaway for Thanksgiving. We really did enjoy our 11 day Dawn cruise, but the great southern ports were a factor.

I'm looking at a balcony for 3 on both, but the Getaway is $600 more. That seems like a lot, and I can easily enjoy the ports on both ships. I saw the Getaway on a recent sailing, and just thought that's a great kid friendly ship.

1) With many negative Epic reviews, is Getaway worth that much more ( or I might even choose an inside so the price is the same)

2) We're traveling with my ten year old, does this mean he has to watch his mother shower? Sorry, these posts are a little confusing. I understand the sink is in the room, just not sure about the shower/toilet.

When comparing these ships, remember that my son is a big factor.

Thanks

I'm booked on the 11/8/14 Reflection, a Western Caribbean out of Miami. On 2/28, I paid $2064.40 for a deck 7 balcony with the drink package. The Carnival Sunshine leaves the same day for a Western from Pt. Canaveral. The Early Saver rate for a deck 7 balcony is $2,060.26. Both rates are for two, including taxes and fees.

 

Also, looking at the 12/6 date in your sig, a Ruby Princess balcony is $929pp and the Reflection $874pp excluding taxes or fees. I'm unsure how you're getting $1,000 difference.

I'm not sure examples will change some opinions, but my intent on starting this post was never in the slightest way to say that Celebrity cruises are cheap, or cheaper than Carnival, or the cheapest cruise you'll find. It seems to me MSC has better deals than anyone, and although some don't care for them; many people with over 20 cruises say it's their best one yet.

What I would say is that often Celebrity is not much more than a new Carnival ship and with either the credit or beverage package you might come out ahead. To me the larger point was that it makes things easy and more relaxing to not have to worry about a latte, specialty restaurant, or Grey Goose by the gallon if that's your choice and depending on the perk you choose. Also, all of this IMO helps add to a lively happy crowd.

I've been cruising since 1972 and it has never been all inclusive on mass lines.

What I said was a decade ago things were "more" all inclusive meaning there were less things that cost extra ( specialty restaurants, gelato, ect.) the promotion means you can choose a OBC so there's no big bill at the end. One reason many people don't take cruises and choose all inclusive resorts is a set price up front.

I recently did a family cruise with 25 cabins. Several of those had bills which exceeded the cabin price. I realize clearly this is a primary source of revenue for the lines, but also feel there's untapped customers who would prefer really include everything or almost everything.

In reading responses, many seem like how ever Carnival does things is the right way. Make no mistake I like. Carnival, and I'm booking my next cruise on Pride this week. That said, many lines might just have things that can be learned by other lines. Also, many passengers might find they like other lines if they try different options.

I am surprised that anyone who cruises Celebrity would be concerned with a $1/day difference????? But it does drive home that price is an important consideration when choosing a cruise.

 

Food is subjective, but many cruisers actually prefer normal food and a comfortable dress code.

 

There is certainly a market for Celebrity, but the more restrictive a cruise line is, the smaller the potential market. Carnival is absolutely mass market, Celebrity, not so much. In my experience, cruisers who have (or more likely just think they have) more class, complain as much, if not more, and are likely to preface complaints with, "Do you know how much I paid for this cruise?" Now that's class! :D

Which Celebrity ship were you on that led you to feel this way?

Ive never seen a Celebrity price anywhere near the carnival pricing

I agree with an earlier post, you're not looking. That said, I wasn't saying it was the cheapest alternative. I was saying by including an on board credit or a drink package; it makes for a fun lively ship. Also, it makes things more all inclusive and less surprise charges for many little things .

If some here only want the cheapest cruise out there, I would suggest some great deals on MSC. Sadly far to many people who never cruise Carnival think it's low class trash while others who never try Celebrity think it's stuffy and old. Neither of these are true, but that's my opinion.

Most people would prefer for the drink packages to be optional. If it was included in the price, the non drinkers would complain that they don't want to pay for something they don't use.

The program allows for either gratuities, on board credit, or the drink package. It's up to those sailing to choose. When I think of the endless complaints about "nickle and dimeing" for the last ten years, this solves those issues and makes cruising more like it used to be and all inclusive.

Its not the same these days, and many long time Celebrity guests aren't thrilled about it as you can see on that thread. On my sailing, there were plenty of young people, without tons of kids. It was very lively and fun.

After just returning from a 7 day Eastern Caribbean on Celebrity, I'm sure hoping their "1,2,3" promo makes it way to Carnival. The offer of either onboard credit, pre paid gratuities, or classic alcohol package included is simply the best! My estimation is most chose the free unlimited drinks on all drinks under $10 which easily gets you choices like Grey Goose.

This is revolutionary in my experience on a mainstream line, and believe me Celebrity does not = "old & boring" these days. The public areas were alive and fun. That said, I do like Carnival when traveling with the family and so wish cruising would become more like an all inclusive. I know I can buy the cheers package, and I do but when it's part of the cost it makes for a very fun ship.

My guess to the reason is cost or some financial benefit since the BVIs are to me the most beautiful islands in the Caribbean. I highly recommend going out of San Juan to see to me the best ports there are by cruise ship.

That said, why not try a great itinerary like celebrity offers on Equinox? It's a ten day trip with great ports. Best of all, Celebrity now includes alcohol at no charge on oceanview and balcony staterooms. You may think Celebrity = yawn, but not these days with that promotion.

Looking forward to hearing more and about the changes made in the recent dry dock. How was the slides for your boys?

But, isn't celebrity at least $800 more for the cruise? I'm just gonna smuggle instead ;-p

I will say that I have managed to "bring" my own vodka on each and every cruise I've been on until my recent Celebrity cruise as yes all drinks under $10 were included at no charge. My Celebrity cruise was $899 on the newest ship in the fleet with an extended balcony cabin each plus port charges. I would say that's about the same as on the Newest CCL ship, but you can certainly find less expensive options on older ships.

Trying to compare and get the cheapest cruise was not my goal, it was just my wife and I and I wanted a more upscale cruise with a nice cabin. When you consider the price, drink package, and leaving with a small room bill it was great. Even better, with the drink package, we were able to try drinks we would never order ordinarily. If price is the biggest factor, I'd look to some MSC offers of one week for $199 and then bring my own vodka.

I'm certainly very happy to see a mainstream line change policies, and hoping that other lines are more all-inclusive in the future. :rolleyes:

Yes Jost is a popular spot and it should be easy to find others interested in sharing the cost. Posting that on your roll call forum is a great idea if you don't mind company.

 

Mg, I see Vilocity opened in 2012 and is located just to the east of Havensight. Did they have a captain and crew or just a captain? Did they charge extra for customs or a BVI entry and departure fee? How was the boat ride there and back? Was it a motorboat?

It's a center console powerboat, with just a captain. It's a short ride to the most beautiful beach!

could you list some. besides Disney, I am curious to what lines. This article from Cruise Critic shows most if not all (except Disney) charge

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=1470

I was specifically referring to celebrity who is routinely including the alcohol package in oceanview and balcony bookings. We were on the Celebrity Reflection 2 weeks ago and met many people who had chose to book Celebrity in large part because of this. It's the ship of the year, has only been out 16 months, and with all drinks included....it's actually more expensive to cruise on older ships of other lines.

Plus gratuity which brings it to almost $57 a day per person.

$57 per day/person equals about $800 for a one week cruise. Did I mention other lines now do this at no charge? BTW - I'm now booking my 5th Carnival cruise, mostly since I'm taking my ten year old.

You could always try boring ( and old) Celebrity where they not only have no limit on how many drinks you order per day, but also include it most of the time in all ocean view and up staterooms at no charge!

I really enjoy Carnival, but my recent Celebrity cruise was very lively and fun with most passengers having the drink package included.

I have not cruised any of the new CCL 2.0 ships. Has Glory been upgraded? Specifically, is the water slide area the same as it has been? Do they have a Guys burgers?

Thanks

Check the 3rd. & 4th person rates closely - it might be higher than double occupancy unless its Kids Sail Free offer where you only pay port taxes & charges/fees, etc.

 

Was looking at 7 nights where the Inside GTY was only $459 for #1 and #2 BUT $599 for #3 and/or #4 sharing the same cabin + taxes/fees. No discounting whatsoever online - checked both NCL and online TA's websites and both came up with same calculations. Better OFF booking 2 cabins with more space and extra bathrooms for less money, and, more OBC & perks for each cabin with the most recent promotion (chocolate & wine, etc.)

 

In the old days, 3rd. and 4th person sailed for as little as $299, $199 or even $99 extra each + taxes/fees ... not seeing those lately.

Interesting, but even if it's a higher charge for the 3rd; I only have 3 of us.

I realize it varies, but on NCL what is the normal 3rd person ( he's 10, but I think that doesn't matter) compared to the first 2? It seems like our quote is equal, and the same as the first 2 people.

We are looking at a Thanksgiving cruise on Getaway, and there are rates around $780 for the first two plus taxes of course. Thanks?