FKGirl

I've heard that some people will pack a good bit of clothing that's near the end of its life and throw it out before returning making for more bag space.

I've done that for a half marathon (when it started off cold, and ended much warmer....) but never on vacation. :)

We put 3 adults and 1 child in the suite. On the nights where we decide to go to Luminae, the same 3 adults and possible 1 child will go. The other nights we'll go to specialties or a different venue when we all want to eat together. This isn't a gray area in my mind, it just made the most sense. The 3 adults that would go to Luminae would appreciate it more than I would, so I really don't mind not going. Thanks for the feedback though, it's been a good read.

This seems to be a good solution, and perfectly within the rules. Enjoy your cruise!

Thank you for your suggestions.

 

I did have travel insurance. A claim was submitted with all required documentation on 5/12 with a lot of dragging their feet and no determination yet.

 

I was flying in a day early. American cancelled my flight and re-booked me to arrive two days later; after the cruise had sailed. American refused to answer the phone. I tried on three separate phone lines simultaneously from 2pm until after midnight. I'd be on hold for two hours then they would disconnect. I'd call right back and the recording would say they were too busy, try later and then disconnect.

 

My online TA representative (located in NH) claimed they were not paid commission because I didn't show up at the ship. I'm just trying to find out if they told me the truth or fed me a line of BS. Are there any TA's who would know the real answer please?

You need a new TA. Sorry to say, but as a TA I have clients miss ships, cancel for medical reasons, etc, and it is MY job to help them sort out what needs to be done with flights and insurance. (Always get insurance, people, and use a good company!) A TA cannot speed along the insurance process, unfortunately, but when dealing with food companies, can always get a status report and pass that along to the client.

Oh, and even if what they told you was true (and it does sound fishy to me...) so what? Why is that your problem? You missed your flight, you didn't cancel and rebook with someone else. Then, I could understand them being mad...

Oh, and one more thing... stay away from TAs that charge cancellation fees of their own. That is just wrong.

So if we were to fly first class, what would we pay?

 

Just the fee for the valet service and no more for the checked baggage fee because it is included with first class, right?

Yes, this is exactly correct. There is a place on the form that you will check that says you are in first class so do not need to pay bag fees.

Used this in May in Seattle.. Worked perfectly for my bag but it seems DH's bag never got tagged and the bag was sitting at Port of Seattle for a week. We eventually got it back (and some OBC for our next cruise).

The other thing is look over your boarding passes carefully. Celebrity screwed up DH's reservation and he got bumped from TSA pre-check, which was pretty annoying.

That said, I would absolutely use it again. (incidentally, so would my husband).

It is combinable with whatever perks are currently offered, so one of the three choices.

We had 9299 on the Solstice in May. It was fabulous!!! Though there are 2 structural poles in the room, but once you get used to them, it is no big deal. The room has a great layout and a HUGE balcony. I would not hesitate to book again.

(figured we'd be taken to a remote location and have to listen to a high-pressure sales pitch for a time-share property). Obviously DV is trying to sell something.

Nope.

Yes, the excursions are wonderful. And free! You may have only had 1 eligible cabin based on type of cabin (inside may not be eligible, for example), or sale fare (some of those are not always eligible either....)

Enjoy!

When you boo k another cruise while onboard and transfer the booking to your travel agent do you, or should you, expect any credit from your travel agentcy? We book at least one, more often two cruises on-board ship every year but have never received anything. What gripes me is that if I ask for them to help me with airline reservations (which I find myself) I have to pay a fee for ticketing. Is this cheap on my side or is the travel agency kind of on the cheap side?

I'm going to step away from the do-you-or-don't-you-need-a-TA conversation (I AM a TA), and get back to OP's original question...

You should expect (and demand) great service. You should expect them to look out for you. You should expect them to let you know of price drops. And while we generally make nothing on airline tickets, when you book a bunch of cruises through the same agency/agent, you should expect that they help you with air. With NO additional charge.

And yes, depending on the circumstances, sometimes you get additional perks.

When I initially booked the Celebrity cruise, they were offering 300 OBC, free gratuities, and a beverage package. Seabourn was STILL a better deal and a longer cruise that goes to a couple ports I haven't been to. Service is sooo much better and Seabourn's ships are much nicer and much smaller- which I like.

 

Claudia

I agree! (Which is why I am only looking at Seabourn for the TA!) If I have 12 days at sea, I certainly want a more inclusive, friendly environment and amazing service (plus, continuous champagne!)

Good for you! Sounds like a great idea! (I am keeping my eye on one of the Transatlantic cruises for 2016... we will see how that shakes out.)

As for Celebrity, I was just on the Solstice (Alaska) and it was a great experience (in a sky suite), but I would only look to Seabourn for a TA! :) Plus, you can't get a drink package included for the TA sailings, so the cost is actually even higher!

I don't understand why Celebrity would want give the end consumer a lower price in lieu of giving it to a TA. The TA produces a service to both by handling a lot of the details and spending time with the client. If Celebrity had to spend more time with the consumer, they'd have to pay an employee instead of the TA. There would be no savings to them.

 

The best way to get the best deal is to book on board...getting the special perks for doing so... then transfer the booking to a TA when you get home to get their perks.

Yes! My clients book with me so they (a) get exceptional service and (b) speak to the same person every time they call, and © because I offer them ideas, expertise and lower or the same prices than they would get elsewhere. You certainly can't get the first 2 from a call center.

Oh, and the whole commission structure is a bit more complicated than one might imagine.

I actually did agonize over this on our recently-completed cruise. Both our wait staff (in Select) and the Activities Host went above and beyond. I wanted to write a note and leave a token of appreciation, but would a $20 be laughable, like a $1 bill in a birthday card? We were a party of 6, but since the others were my guests, it wasn't like I could say "pony up, guys, $20 each!" In the end, I decided on a note and a $20 for each waiter. We were so impressed with the Activities Hot, and, to be honest, I think my guests might have monopolized him a bit, that I wrote him a nice note and added a $50. As a person who hasn't gone beyond auto-tip amounts before, this was my version of generous, but I hope it was received that way.

I think that is fantastic. In fact, we did a similar thing with a note and tip for the Luminae staff at the end of our cruise. (Of course, the other 4 people travel with us were paying their own way, so I made them all pony up!)

What a wonderful review, Lois! Glad to hear you had as good a time as we had the week before!

I am just getting to my blog post write ups, the first of which will be up tomorrow (I post on M, W and F, so new cruise content for the next several posts. I have a lot to say!) at floridakeysgirl.com

We had similar experiences with great service and happy people throughout. Although we did seem to miss the wine connoisseurs dinner! Next time...

It is not a problem, as mentioned above. As a TA I can tell you it can be done, and happens all the time. I have liners in other countries (most of whom I know personally) but location for most cruise lines does not matter.

Wripro,

 

That's true but some apparently wish it were otherwise...

 

On a recent Seabourn cruise I happened to sit near a matron who was clearly in charge of her MDR table of 4 and she was holding forth. It was their first Seabourn cruise.

 

The conversation went something like this:

 

" We are Regent people but here we are. Then 7:00 pm rolled up and there was no butler to mix my husband's drink in our suite. What were we to do-

go somewhere else or call someone? (hurrumph/snort) No, I guess you could say we are still (sigh) searching, searching for a home..."

 

And so it dragged on and yet I thoroughly enjoyed the "bragging" rights of the lese majeste "Regent people" victims of Seabourn's style of service. I mean, how DO THEY MANAGE?

 

I have been acting out this scene to the delight of others ever since! And for their sake- and mine- I hope they are now back on Regent.

 

Happy sailing!

That is so sad (but in a way, it is truly fantastic.) They had to pour their own drink in their suite? How horrific.

On the other hand, we just returned from a cruise on Celebrity, in a suite with a butler, and I had no idea what to do with him, other than one day ask for some ice and extra glasses for sail away... I guess I wouldn't it in too well on Regent, either! LOL.

They were directing people to the machines (we did use one, but it read something wrong so we had to see an agent anyway....) but there were just so many people, and the port of vancouver folks managed it badly. Hoping your embarkation is smoother.

Although, I will say the celebrity did a good job of warning us, so we had lunch before heading over. At least nobody in my clan was hungry and cranky!

I have to tell you... these were there when we sailed on 5/1. Did not help the mess that came along with 3 ships disembarking and embarking that day...

And I am so glad that TRIVIA is still being offered, according to the dailies you provided.

 

I just glanced a little because I want to be surprised when we board solstice in a couple of weeks.

 

I did hear from others that the buffet food was quite good

Trivia was really fun! We ended up winning the music trivia the first day and the last. Other than that, we did not do so well, but it was fun! :) If I recall, it was offered every day. Even port days.

Actually the blog address is floridakeysgirl.com (oops).

Meanwhile, this is not a comprehensive list, by any means, but some of the highlights:

1. no smoking in the casino, or anywhere else indoors! This was great.

2. Luminae was fantastic. Food and service were both excellent, and the new table settings arrived mid cruise and look great.

3. Food in the buffet was much better than I thought it would be. Also, much less crowded than I anticipated.

4. Service throughout the ship was very good.

5. Activities team were engaging, live music was good. (Although I do think the schedule of the music was a bit strange.)

6. Embarkation in Vancouver was bad. Celebrity did warn us, however, so we did not arrive hungry. That was a big plus.

7. Giant S1 balcony was fantastic, but too cold for this Floridian to spend too much time out there. We did see some orcas off our balcony on day 1.

8. Naturalist on board was a value add. He added a lot to the Tracy Arm cruising.

9. We sailed the whole inside passage. It was spectacular. I have never taken so many photos on a trip.

10. We did not do excursions through Celebrity, but rather through another company. The helicopter to the glacier, where we were the only people there, was one of the best things I have done in my life. AMAZING.

Oh! I also just remembered about the huge table of confiscated items at disembarkation! Number one offender? POWER CORD. Loads of them. Just a warning that they are being seized and held.

 

I also saw a small cooking pot on the table... not exactly sure what someone was thinking! LOL :D

 

.

Saw this, too! We were also on this sailing.... hoping to get some info on my husband's suitcase today (Thanks, Luggage valet!) Also, will have blog posts covering all aspects of the cruise over the next 2 weeks, although the first ones will cover the time we spent in Vancouver.... floridakeygirl.com

Also, will be happy to answer any questions.

On board solstice now. No local fish from Alaska ("for health reasons it has to be frozen" we were told. However, food and service in Luminae have been outstanding.

(Full report will be on my blog starting next week...)

I then remind myself that I work to live and promise myself to never live to work!

What a great outlook! Important to not lose sight of what is important!

Was Luminae open for embarkation lunch? There seems to be different answers on that front...

We will be embarking in Vancouver, when you are getting off. Jut got word from celebrity that there 3 ships in port that day, so expect longer times for disembarkation.