SeaWatch12

2 hours ago, chemmo said:

Sometimes people post the ‘Who is on board’ sheet that shows the Captain and other staff including cruise director. Obviously, as staff rotate it changes. If you post a question a week or so before boarding giving your ship name and date someone may post the list for you.

Does Celebrity still print the Who is Onboard sheet anymore? I don't recall seeing it the last couple of cruises. 

Please allow me to add another specific beverage to this question. Is bottled sparkling water, Perrier or San Pellegrino, included in the stateroom or table service? 
How is the Vero water presented? 
Thank you. 

We had a similar experience on the Riviera almost nine and a half years ago which has kept us from booking with Oceania...until now.

A 7-night Med cruise that was supposed to start in Monte Carlo. We arrived in Monaco a few days before to find out they changed embarkation to Marseille. They did bus everyone to the new port, but they removed Marseille from being a stop later in the week. Then during the cruise, they removed two stops in Italy and replaced them with overnights in Naples which were never on the itinerary. The concierge was able to call our privately arranged tour operator and have us picked up in Naples.

They blamed each change on the weather, but I have always felt it was due to Oceania not having docking priority and having to tender their guests to ports which was a potential hazard in case the winds kicked up. So, we missed 3 ports on that voyage. We have never had an itinerary change on any of the other cruise line we have sailed.

We are giving Oceania another chance. Want to experience the new ship, have the Vista booked for the Carribean. 

6 hours ago, DENIE said:

Yay, just checked our Vista cruise in January 2024 and saw all 4 restaurants now listed! 🙂

Hi DENIE, we just booked that Vista voyage this week. I’ve been reading the sample menus with great interest , look so good!  Can’t wait to hear reports about the ship in just a few months. 

Thank you both for the info on included internet. I missed that in the details. 
 

Looking forward to experiencing the new ship for 10 nights. 

22 minutes ago, LHT28 said:

If you can get by with one internet account  there is no charge

How is that? 
My agent did not indicate any internet package included. Does Oceania automatically include one internet account per stateroom?  We only need one to access email.  We booked conceriege level. 
I’m so used to Celebrity’s packages and perks, have to get used to a different cruise line!

Thanks for your responses. I thought about not doing OLife, especially since we don’t need air travel. I just realized we need to pay for some internet, so the OBC can go towards that (I hope). 
 

Does Oceania allow you to use OBC for the purchase of drinks and to cover the daily gratuities?

We expect to receive $600 from the oLife promotion.

and $400 from the travel agency.

My travel agent stated that I would have to speak to Guest Services

to see if the onboard technology allows it to be used toward gratuities.

Even though the agency OBC gift is typically refundable, once again I would have to speak with guest services

to see if they could refund any unused amount.

I understand the cruise line OBC is not refundable.

We don't typically shop or use spa services and try to book our own excursions.

If not able to apply the OBC to drinks and gratuities, it would be a challenge to spend.

The only other time we sailed on Oceania was almost 10 years ago.

What are your experiences with OBC?

Thank you.

1 hour ago, sptrout said:

BTW - - May not make any difference, but I made our reservations on Celebrity's website not via the App. Odd that our later cruise is open for dining reservations, but earlier sailings are not.

As far as the app goes, I learned last month on the Beyond, not to rely on it for accurate info of available specialty dining. One morning we decided to dine somewhere besides BLU. Wanted a bit of entertainment for dinner and looked at Le  Petite Chef on the app but it said no reservations available. I went down to The Grand Bistro and was able to book a table. Pre cruise I would definitely use the website to reserve and on the cruise visit the restaurant. 

9 hours ago, D. B. said:

I booked a Book Later onbard 2 monts ago and it allowed a 12 month period to make a choice. Heck even if I don't the deposit for 2 was only $200.

On Beyond the third week of January, the Book Later was a 12 month period to choose the actual sailing. They told me that if the reservation is not made at the end of the 12 months, the $200 deposit automatically goes back to your credit card. It was the first time I did the Book

Later option. 

7 hours ago, Ellaleah said:

What is the advantage of being in Aqua Class?

The assigned restaurant for Aqua class passengers is BLU for breakfast and dinner. It’s a smaller dinning room , a few steps up in service and menu than the main dining rooms. Of course, you are able to enjoy the Oceanview Cafe or Specialty Restaurants. 
Unlimited use of Persian Gardens on M & S class ships and The Spa on E class ships. 
On the Beyond recently, the cabin attendant replenished the cans of water every day. 
If I don’t want to splurge on The Retreat,

I’ll book Aqua class, primarily for BLU. 

How about this: 

For every lobster tail a guest doesn’t order they get extra Captain’s Club points. 
Would be a win win for everyone. 
Celebrity would save on their lobster tail budget and we achieve those additional, fabulous Captains Club benefits even sooner! 
 

3 hours ago, chengkp75 said:

Okay, a few things.  A ship is required to give aid to persons in distress, unless the Captain feels that he/she is jeopardizing the safety of the ship, passengers, cargo, crew, or environment.  So, if things don't look kosher when the ship's boat goes to look at the refugees, they don't have to be taken onboard.  Also, they are not allowed to bring any items with them.  When something like this happens (and its been happening for the 40 plus years I've been going to sea on a regular basis), the Captain will notify the USCG and the USCG will ask the Captain if the persons are in a life threatening situation (is the boat/raft sinking).  Based on where the instance occurs, and whether the USCG has assets available (boats), they will either tell the Captain to maintain the refugees in sight and await the arrival of a cutter, or to take the refugees on the ship.  If the ship takes the refugees onboard, they are fed and housed in cabins with security standing by, and at the first port are turned over to the authorities.  In this case, the USCG will take them into detention, and return them to Cuba or their home country at the first opportunity.

 

The USCG does not have "armed rafts" (I'm assuming you mean the RHIB boats that escort cruise ships frequently in port, not rafts) that can be deployed from helicopters.

 

Since they were intercepted before they reached US soil, there is no possibility that they will even be given an opportunity to apply for asylum, let alone have it granted.

Thank you very much for the informed and thoughtful response. I feel we can rest comfortably after reading your post if we are ever passengers on a ship that winds up doing a rescue. 
Again, thank you. 

It appears that Reflection is using # 29 at this time. I don’t know how close the parking is. The Port recommends Palm Garage and it says they offer shuttle service. 
Here is the link to that page of the Port Everglades website. 
https://www.porteverglades.net/cruise/parking/

If you have the aft C1 for the first leg of the b2b, I would go for the AQ at only $200 PP. Especially if you haven’t been in AQ before. It’s well worth that amount for BLU and access to Persian Gardens. 

Please post what you decide to do and how it works out. 
 

Happy Sailing!

Allow me to recommend Murano as a worthwhile experience. We always have an incredible dinner there when on a S class ship. 
The M class ships had a comparable venue until they converted them to Tuscan Grill. 
I hope they never replace Murano on S class it’s always a highlight of the sailing. 
 

We are booked for our third Edge class ship. After that, I have a strong feeling it’ll be time to switch back to Millennium and Solstice class. As wonderful as the newest ships are, I’m ready for a bit more traditional ship. 
 

To the OP, enjoy the Reflection, it’s an excellent ship. 

Earlier this year, I was having a similar problem. No matter what browser I used I couldn’t log in and see my reservation. CC members were very helpful and someone suggested using a private browser and it worked. Have had to log in that way ever since. 
Here is the link to that thread. 
I hope it helps you. 
Mark

14 minutes ago, momofmab said:

How do you upgrade?  Can I do it through my cruise planner or do I have to wait until I am onboard?

You will need to call Celebrity directly to upgrade your drink package from Classic to Premium. They don’t have that option on the cruise planner. I called them last Sunday afternoon and was on hold for less than 10 minutes. You can do it on board also. It is believed by many on here that if you do it on board, the beverage staff member you do it with, receives the gratuity amount. 

7 hours ago, zitsky said:

Can someone help me out?

 

I work with a TA. I have to use them to upgrade alcohol?  If not what number to call?

 

is it too late to get the old price?  I was going to upgrade on board.

Even if you booked with a TA you can upgrade your drink package directly with Celebrity. I did it on Sunday afternoon, it was easy. Only on hold for less than 10 minutes. Almost instantly, my online Xpress Pass showed PALL for Premium. 
 

I called the Celebrity phone # as shown on their website. 
 

Thank you to the OP for the heads up on the changes. The FAQ also states the Package prices go up tomorrow December 19. 
I went ahead and called today to upgrade my included Classic package to Premium. With the Elite discount it was 11.99 a day (not 15.00) plus gratuities. 
 

And, I was only on hold for less than 10 minutes! 

19 minutes ago, 39august said:

A poster just off Silly reported that Blu menu had changed and was  very limited with  duck and lamb almost every night. Has anyone on other ships noticed a reduction in choices in Blu? May be booking Aqua class while on our next cruise in Jan. 

I just went to that post and asked the OP if they could be more specific about the BLU menu changes. I hope those aren’t the only two main courses offered. 
On Edge series ships, can those in BLU also order from the four MDR menus?

10 hours ago, TXranchgal said:

We just finished 10 nts on the Silhouette.  The best part of this ship is the way the entire staff treats you.  Everyone we encountered seemed to be happy and just wanted our cruise to be "special".   We are Elite Plus with Celebrity because of the way the staff treats you.   We had an excellent Cabin Steward who was very efficient and seemed to know when we were gone,  so he could freshen up the cabin.   So much for the good part.

 

The first night, the ship started vibrating.  It increased on day 2.  The water was calm, but the rocking and rolling and vibrating were quite annoying.  They needed to use the stabilizers - even if it uses more fuel.  People were unable to use the stairs without rocking from banister to banister.  I am surprised that more people didn't fall or get hurt.  The rocking and rolling and vibrating continued for the entire trip.  

 

The menu in Blu has changed drastically.  We were offered duck and lamb almost every night.  Since we don't care for either - we asked for meals from the main dining room frequently.  Our Server was very accommodating and made the trip to fetch our meal from the Main dining room as requested.  Again, service was excellent.  

 

There were no production shows.  During the 10 nights, we had 1 comedian, 1 magician, 1 Saxophone player, and the rest of the shows were "variety shows".  The singers were good, but not much variety.   We noticed that attendance at the shows decreased as the days went by.  

 

The Ensemble Bar staff were great, but it was so dark in there, that it felt like a cave or basement....

 

Celebrity has been an upscale line in the past.  This trip on the Silhouette makes us wonder if the cutbacks have changed it to a mediocre line and we need to shop around....

 

 

Would you mind being more specific about the BLU menu changes?  Are you saying only duck and lamb were offered, no other main courses?  Did the staff explain why and were they encouraging you to order from the MDR menus to make up for the lack of variety. I would love to see photos of recent BLU menus. I wonder if changes also occurred on the Edge class ships. Thank you. 

Has anyone tried or heard anything about the new specialty venue on Beyond, Le Voyage?

How is the menu, food and service?

The menu on the website does not show any desserts!

Thank you,

Mark

Thank you all for your advice.

When I got home, I used a private window on Edge browser, and it worked.

🙂

2 minutes ago, WrittenOnYourHeart said:

Have you tried using an incognito browser? I know for some weird reason it will not let me sign in on Firefox, but if I go on a Private Window on Firefox, I can sign in and do stuff.

I tried on both Edge and Firefox and both gives me the message to try later.

I'm not sure what an incognito browser is.

Thanks