notsomadhatter

45 minutes ago, Orator said:

Computers were down and they had to manually check at C&I. That was the cause of the delay.

When we spoke with a couple of PortMiami supervisors, and were told there was an error with the scheduling. Eight agents manually checked passengers because the automated stations were not set up. One of the eight agent's terminal was down as we went through ourselves. It was less than ideal all the way around.

1 hour ago, jagoffee said:

 I have often wondering if most Zenith’s were booked in suites or at least Aqua Class.  

 

I was on this sailing and can confirm that the highest-point Zenith folks (two sets of double Zs) were in suites and therefore had Retreat access.

I would pick ABC hands down. Yes, worth the vacation time!

Another CC'er that found your review at an opportune time. 6:51am and I've binged all 50 pages. Thanks for the ride! It was fun.

Are the daily special drinks and mango tango's and such included in the classic package? We've always paid as you go and this next trip will be the first time we've gone with a drink package. Also, I drink Pelligrino or Perrier daily. Is that included in the classic? If it's not, will they charge the full amount for what those would be on a pay as you go bill?

Pellegrino and Perrier (and Evian) are not included in the classic package. If you drink them daily I would upgrade to the premium. They would be charged the regular price otherwise.

You can call Celebrity or your travel agent and upgrade in advance.

So what do some of you recommend. We are departing on a Friday - only ship departing that day. Would you still advise arriving late? We are flexible but would want to avoid standing for hours.

We arrived late (not many people behind us) and still stood in line for hours. We had our carry on bags with us at muster. No time to go to the room.

Bad travel karma. :D

 

 

 

If you check the site I listed for your travel dates, at least you will be prepared.

 

 

 

How did you find out about the strikes on your previous trips?

Once I found out ahead of time (I always check, I'm not a newbie) and another time we showed up at the station we had been to the day before and were unable to travel. Skipped our day trip. We'll get back someday.

We have also been delayed mid-train journey from Switzerland to France due to a work stoppage. We were on the tracks stopped for four hours.

We've always been fortunate in that I've planned buffers in our travel schedule. It's not always possible but a plan b really helps.

I've been to Italy twice and have run into strikes... twice.

sorry to bother you!! Let me know if you ever come to New York City and need information about the transit system there....I would make it sound like a bother to guide you. I understood the train system in Europe was amazing but I guess it is not.

It is amazing in many places. Strikes, however, are a known issue especially in Italy. We plan on taking the train over a night early.

Top Chef at Seat - Celebrity Reflection 2014. Everything about that cruise was top notch - from food to service to ....

We were on this cruise and made some fabulous friends we still see and sail with. It's definitely up there in our favorites!

thanks for the links...I feel the look an x is more modern and kind of reminds me of a w hotel..

Pretty good comparison actually. We love the feel of the S class ships.

I looked up my previous cruise expenses and you are correct in that the Carnival package had juices at around $6-$7/day. This included juices so we recall having mixed fresh juices that were excellent for us ('mocktails' in a sense). The similar package for non-frozen juices would be $18/night at Celebrity - a 3x multiplier. As a millennial, I am certainly aware of the value I am getting for a given purchase so that I can go on my next cruise even quicker - not sure how that is a negative based on some of the posts in this thread.

 

If Carinval's package of $7 a day is only soda and juice it is not really an apples to apples comparison. Sure, if these are the things you want then great. However Celebrity's options for their non-alcoholic packages include a lot more. Specialty coffee (a huge boon in my opinion), tea, frozen and rocks mocktails, bottled juices, canned soda (consistent!), bottled water... it's just really different. It might be a 3x multiplier but it includes 3x the choices.

Celebrity does have a soda only package at a similar rate to Carinval's and juices are already included in the buffet area for everyone.

One of the best things, in my experience, about X is their vegetarian options. I always ask for the regular and the veggie menu and between the two there are a multitude of options for every course for dinner. The buffet has always been huge and varied. I'm honestly not sure what you ran into this cruise but here is a list compiled of the veggie menu in the MDR... did you not see these?

X Vegetarian Menu - 7 night

Menu 1

Appetizers: Blue Cheese Souffle; Mille Feuille of wild mushrooms

Soup: Vegetarian tomato; Japanese vegetable consommé

Salad: Baby spinach; mixed lettuce Daikon radish

Entrée: Orrechiette pasta, porcini mushrooms; vegetable korma

Menu 2

Appetizers: Wild mushroom Napolean; Ambrosia of fresh fruit cocktail

Soup: Cream of asparagus; vegetable consommé with root vegetables

Salad: Jicama (cucumbers, watermelon & mint); seasonal greens

Entrée:Fried marsala potatoes; grilled vegetable tart

Menu 3

Appetizers: heirloom tomato stuffed endives; grenadine scented pineapple

Soup: tomato and cucumber gazpacho; vegetable consomme

Salad: shaved pear salad breakfast radish; crisp romaine lettuce

Entrée: vegetable paella; Imam Bayadi (eggplant stuffed with ratatouille)

Menu 4

Appetizers: marinated grilled eggplant; citrus delight

Soup: Cream of mushroom; vegetable broth

Salad: green leaf and iceberg lettuce; radicchio and watercress

Entrée: toasted Israeli couscous cake; vegetable prima vera lasagna

Menu 5

Appetizers: vegetabler summer rolls; fety and fresh fruit

Soup: cream of broccoli; watercress and orange

Salad: Boston lettuce and gorgonzola; market fresh

Entrée: spinach and ricotta ravioli; vegetable cassoulet

Menu 6

Appetizers: Supreme of chilled melon Midori; spinach turnover

Soup: market vegetable minestrome; roasted plantain and corn

Salad: sliced tomato and red onion; green leaf and radicchio lettuce

Entrée: Asian tofu stir fry; vegetable spaghetti with marinara sauce

Menu 7

Appetizers: marinated bell peppers and Portobello mushroom terrine; fresh papaya. mango and kiwi cocktail

Soup: oven roasted tomato and garlic; creamy chilled Haas avacado

Salad: Asian; crisp garden green

Entrée: stuffed Portobello mushroom; vegetable turnover

At first it was a special. 18 months ago. Now it's that last line.

How much is it per day? Is there a weekly rate?

This past week on Reflection we were quoted $25 for a day pass or $75 for the rest of the week (on day 2). I think the prices vary by demand and sailing.

So, was the hoax bomb threat idiot a crew member or passenger?

The captain told us it was a passenger getting off the previous cruise and that he had made the comment to security on the way out. He was arrested, authorities were contacted and the search was conducted. Homeland security was involved.

Is the current CD still Alex?

Yep. Onboard now in Puerto Rico.

Sorry, I had no idea these beers were offered in Cellar Masters, and thought they only served wine there using those dispensers.

As we only had the classic package these beers were out of reach at any rate....what price beer is possible on the Premium package? I know "drinks" go up to $13.............perhaps not the wine or beer.

Yes, with the premium it's all drinks. Spirits, beer or wine.

Always laugh when I see this beer menu. Rogue Farms 7 Hop IPA sells for $ 6.75 for a 22oz bottle.:o

Captive audience. Most alcohol has a similar markup. Plus, not every state or region has similar pricing. I am fortunate to live in a state where prices are reasonable to the point that most duty free liquor is not a deal. For others it's a steal.

Please tell me Cellar Masters on Constellation has the same craft beer list... Mmmm

I was on Connie less than 3 weeks ago. Yes. :)

No. Reflection does not have the Gastropub.

Cellar Masters has a lot of great choices. Not sure why you'd say no. These pictures are from Infinity in October but the menu should be nearly the same.

I'll be in AQ for my first X cruise in a few days. I intend to ask for plain brewed iced tea in the room. I've been told this is a thing that's possible. I'll report back but my hopes aren't too high. (I should never have cruised concierge on DCL, have a feeling it's going to make service on other lines look pretty grim.)

 

I guess I'm so-so on this. I'm new to cruising and the nonstop cutbacks across all lines are disheartening to read about--one really feels you missed out on the golden age. But I'll have a lot of OBC and I was going to do the premium non booze package, and since I enjoy a lot of random ship wandering I suppose I'll just stock up as I move around.

Don't be disheartened. We've had better service on X in inside rooms than we did on DCL in concierge. Try to enjoy the experience for what it is instead of letting others' disappointments affect you.

 

We approach the cruise entertainment with small expectations and if there are one or two decent entertainers that is a bonus.

We do exactly this with every sailing, no matter the line.

FYI it's not just Mille, no Clebrity ship has self service laundry facilities.

I am a picky eater too. I expect that a few nights I will be ordering from the left side of the menu, and I'm OK with that. I don't expect my husband to alter his eating plans around me, I can just about always find something I like.

 

But you won't find me trying frog legs or escargot :)

It sounds like the original poster is more than "classic menu please" worried. I know plenty of folks who dip into the classic over the course of 7-15 nights. Sometimes we want something simple after indulging all day every day! This sounds more like the classic menu might be exotic if there is an unwelcome sauce or vegetable.

Processed food picky (as I like to call it) is usually accommodated easily on DCL. X doesn't really strive to provide that. Hot dogs are available at the grill by the pool deck - check the Celebrity Today for hours. Pizza in the buffet or via room service. I've never seen chicken nuggets but the kids menu might have some?