Hawkstar33

If you were to book an individual restaurant at full price, you could book in advance..You will need to get onboard and go to one of the specialty restaurants to book your times, place, etc.

Flavors and certain brand items are 2 reasons, but the main reason, is the cost. The price of the drink packages are out of the budget for some people. Then you have $4.00 plus for bottled or canned water, if you just buy it, and don't have the package. Many pack their own cold cups, Yeti, Stanley, and fill at the water/ice machine at the buffet.

The sparkling wine comes home, and with some fresh fruit, becomes a refreshing beverage. On the other hand, the canapés are a joke, and a waste as was stated above. The metal lid that covers the dish, cannot keep the cheese, or some of the other items, at proper temps....You want a snack; grab some cookies at the buffet, or a few pastries from El bacio. Way better

See you on the ship..We are doing the same trip and the following one...We will be sunning near the steps up to the Retreat, portside ..Our usual spot, of course depending on the sun...From there we will have a good vantage point to see if people are paying for this,...

So you sleep in the inside closet, but get SS amenities...No brainer

The jury will not be out long on this one.

Yup...New great changes

4 drinks if you are Elite, which is Diamond on Royal...I believe 5, if Elite Plus, but don't hold me to it.

Our upcoming trip is a btb. Both are only showing a 5% off. So $13.99 per day to go to premium..

Many things have changed at different levels. Suites and such, appear to be taking the worst of it. Butler availability in certain suites, a hot topic. Family and friends will be allowed to use the Retreat just like those that pay the megabucks for that amenity. Not gonna go over well. If you scroll thru the posts, you will easily come across the griping. We've not had any real issues in the Verandas, but some have had theirs... Full ships without a full staff, seems to be causing issues. Some have experienced the only once cleanup visit by the room attendant, while others have gotten both with the fold down service, chocolates on pillow, and towel animals. In a short time, prices to cruise have dramatically risen per person, as well as on the dining and drink packages. Some have left seeking other deals on other cruise lines. Also, the MDR is gettin crowded again, and many folks are figuring ways to get water without having to bring any, or pay for a bottle onboard for $4...Room service was a $12 charge last cruise...Buffet hrs are pretty much the same, maybe varying a bit per ship...Always good variety although some might not agree. We caught the all included before they changed it..Like you said, gratuities no longer on it. All of this and I'm sure much more, has not stopped folks from booking....We have 5 booked btwn now and next feb, as we book far in advance. We will see as we go, if we are going to continue to cruise as much..

No shuttle..From the gangway to the entrance of the port, is quite a walk. Wheelchair assist is often available going that way. Coming back may require you to set something up in advance, or to call for the assist when ready. From the entrance to the backside where the cabs are, is another far walk. Then to town is another 2 1/2 miles or so. It can be done depending on your physical condition....

I'm glad we decided long ago, that spending that kind of money, was not for us. 10 grand for a week on E class to the Caribbean....Yeah no...There have become way too many issues within the Suite class to continue to justify, paying that cost...Like others have said, slowly getting worse. As we don't spend much time in the cabin, we get a Prime Veranda. Plenty of loungers on the regular decks..The sun is exactly the same...No wondering if I'm ever gonna see my butler worries. Cruise when kids are in school, solves that one. Sounds again like not getting what you used to get, over n over n over. Switch it up

Last year on Edge, it never moved. Stayed on deck 14, the pool deck. Not sure why, but no big deal. It's just another bar, with a fancy concept. 12-4 are the busy times, with limited seating. Nice to sit out there. We managed to have many a cocktail out there. lol

We caught the 40% off on the Unlimited Specialty Dining, for both of our btbs coming up. I booked both trips far in advance, and kept an eye out for flash sales etc. As others have said, we must wait to get onboard before we can book our restaurant. They do not book up every slot, leaving some spots available for those who do have the packages, and will be boarding. This could be an issue as far as getting the restaurant, date, and time, that you may desire. So for each trip, we booked for the second leg of the btb. We will attempt to book while on the first leg of each trip. Hopefully they will allow that....If not, then we will be one of the first on the ship anyway, after our walkoff, and back.

I can't imagine this. Verandas are not that big. Was she hiding under one of the chairs? LOL

The best thing to do is call up, and ask your specific questions. Hopefully you will get your answer. Folks have written that they put a luggage tag on the case of water, soda etc..As far as how much you are able to bring of those items, is a good question to ask, as many others would like to know...

Deck plans for Beyond, show tables and chairs above that room, in Oceanview. Don't give that room up so fast though. On Edge, we heard the chairs. Beyond may be different, hopefully better. End of April for us, can't wait.....

We were in room 12266 on Edge. As others have said, chairs moving in Oceanview, was a big factor early in the morning. Some soot from the engine exhaust on the balcony railing and furniture also..The long walk aft was good to counteract our overindulgence of food and alcohol. Really liked the room otherwise...Just would choose a lower deck

Go on Celebrity app. Sign in. Go to manage your reservation. Scroll down to drink package. Classic to Premium upgrade. Should come up.. I have an unpaid Eclipse for June, and I am able to upgrade without paying in full. Also did specialty dining already. If doesn't work, give a call to customer service...Good luck

For us yes, others don't feel the same..We don't go to the dining room at all. Specialty for the most part, and a couple nights at buffet usually. On 2 upcoming trips, we caught a big sale on the Unlimited Specialty dining. I book well in advance, thus giving myself plenty of time to monitor the site, and hopefully score a nice savings.

If you are currently booked, you can go on celebs site, and see what deals are Currently being offered, for your cruise. Each cruise is different, with the packages they offer. Also, there are flash sales that pop up, as well as holiday sales, that make a big difference.

Specialty dining cover charge 15% off, and the coffees, lattes, expressos, as was mentioned earlier. Not very much for achieving a higher level..Underwhelming to say the least..Average number of cruises to reach that level, is 36.. Of course longer cruises, and higher room category, would lessen that amount.

There should be no problem with you getting a package, and them not. Our friend does it every trip. He gets the soda package, or whatever, and his wife gets the classic with the booze. Also, 3000 people walking around and lounging around all day throughout the ship with cocktails, might be a bit triggering also.

Had Sunset Veranda on Edge...Have read the gripes from a few. This time however, we were part of a ship switch. We were on Reflection, but they swapped ships giving us Beyond, same class stateroom as you had with no price increase, which was good...But the IV topic comes up a lot, so the more I prepare the better, cause there was no Sunsets available....A good bet, Yes.....

What did you not like about IV room? We have one booked on Beyond coming up in April