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poffles

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  • Location
    Nova Scotia
  • Interests
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  • Favorite Cruise Line(s)
    Celebrity
  • Favorite Cruise Destination Or Port of Call
    Caribbean

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poffles's Achievements

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Cool Cruiser (2/15)

  1. I extremely dislike Celebrity's use of 'Have It All' in recent promotions and also totally viewed it as pulled from HAL's use of this same verbiage (that they've used for ages). Upon reading, it totally felt like bait and hook knowing that HAL uses it in the context of included packages and gratuities and such. To use 'Have It All' in reference to 'why pick one beach, city, restaurant or even one pool' .. really???? I feel this one to be very confusing and misleading. .
  2. For me it's been watching closely, seeing someone share here that there is a sale, logging in regularly online to look if prices have changed, take note if Celebrity is promoting a sale, anticipating milestone sales like Black Friday and watching closer at these times. I've never received an email specifically pointing out a drinks sale (that I recall) and if I have it's definitely not something I would rely on or you will surely miss one.
  3. Let me share my current ongoing experience with the Nexus renewal process to show how varied one's experience can be. Two people same household renewing ... I submitted online for both the same day literally one after the other. Neither had any changes (ie address) within the five years so I anticipated and hoped no interview required. Applicant 1 & 2 application date: Jan 4, 2024 Applicant 1: Still pending review (March 22 as I write this). Applicant 2: Approval notification March 1, 2024 (no interview required) Applicant 2: Card received in mail March 8, 2024 😲 Interesting that the one I submitted first is the one still pending; clearly it's so random you can't rely on any experiences reported by others. I have nothing booked so I'm not anxiously awaiting a new card so it's more interesting observation of processing times. I'm also good knowing the current card is good until the new one is processed. ..
  4. You've voiced what I felt (this one and prior) about the overall vibe of these 'presentation-Q&As'. Feels just too 'great' and the non answers just make that felt even more, all the talk of past and upcoming President's cruises .. going to wonderful ports πŸ™„ and such great things planned. Questions answered by rewording the question(s) and explaining what it would take to do something and we are talking and discussing and then .. next question. Wait, what was the answer ??? Even a timeline of when the 'assessing' will be done would be welcome. I don't like to hate on things and have been happy to watch these to get the PUPs but I have often liked watching even if off the side of my desk. This one and the prior few have been very disheartening. Upon reflection, talk of the wine additions seemed to be the closest to something specific of all the things she spoke of, but I'm a beer drinker so whatever (low class πŸ™‚)
  5. Laughing at this. Did you respond to ask 'why do you make booking itineraries available so far in advance?' Yep all your fault πŸ™ƒ
  6. It applies to Elite and up so + not necessary. I just reached Elite before my recent cruises late last year and this was a perk I was able to take advantage for the first time, was pretty nice to have clothing refresh. I wrote ELITE on the top of the laundry list form.
  7. As others have said, recent cruises the 'wine' was not waiting in my room and I just let the room steward know day/time I wanted it and it arrived sitting in an ice bucket. Opposite happened with canapes, they were horrible prior so I requested not to have them (ever) and still received them the first full day but then after that my 'request' must have reached someone as they stopped. There is something about unidentifiable cheese sitting on a plate for heaven knows how long that is off putting for me. Maybe this could be a waiving of room delivery fee for x number of times/days instead .. Celebrity are you there?
  8. This change kicked off Oct 2023. This is still *noted at the bottom of an FAQ page. As others have said, it was a go forward change to newly purchased (AI bookings) after this date. Celebrity's All Included FAQs .
  9. Similar to what others have said. If you are booking a new cruise on the Celebrity website, the prices presented on the front page are now (typically) Cruise-Only fares. As you proceed to 'book', after you select your room you will be presented with a screen much like the one below (just a random 3 night I selected) and it will give you All Included option which will indicate the added cost. This would of course vary based on cruise/length. If you book Cruise-Only fare then you purchase a drinks package later. Drink packages along with many other things are available for purchase when you log into your booking, much like buying excursions or specialty dining.
  10. I did a (pre) pay one on Apex Nov-23 and it was similar to the way others have mentioned but clearly there are variations. Consistence is the predetermined bank of machines setup with a specific 'tournament' type game and your name will appear on the machine assigned to you for your round. Rounds are based on the number that have registered to play so this of course would be unknown ahead of time. The difference for the one I played, scores were captured overall for all rounds and think it was top 8 (or 10) scores qualified for the final round with a single prize of $500 casino credit to the winner. I got in the final round and was doing so poorly almost the entire time with many behind me focused on someone next to me, but the tables turned right near the end and I was suddenly at the top and won. Not sure who was more shocked, me or them LOL. It was fun but it was the only one I played during the cruise, the 'fun money' was an awesome take away! They also had other 'free' tournaments during the sailing where I heard them announce $50 credit prize. One day it was for Concierge guests, another was for first time Celebrity cruisers, thinking there were others but can't recall.
  11. It would appear the 50% off is not exclusive to Diamond. First line item below.
  12. Just did B2B Apex to Reflection in FLL. Was terminal 25 to 28 (think it was) and guest services/concierge was able to accommodate this and it was complimentary. There were 3 other 'rooms' that were doing this as well. It wasn't the most seamless. We were told all arranged, get off (the Apex) with the last disembarking number which I believe was 48 or something and grab our luggage from this area upon leaving. Then to go to the transfer busses, the one identified as going to FLL Airport. This confused us but we were told it would be dropped off along it's route to the airport ... perfect. Where it was a little annoying was when we got to the bus area we are asked our names and the guy looks at his 'transfer list' and none of us are on it. Another guy came over (seemed to be more the organizer of all the bus transfers) and no matter how we all explained what we were told he was adamite that this was not how it worked. This went on for way longer than it should have but we finally got on a bus (which said to Miami LOL) and were taken on our way. So definitely go to guest services but if it were me doing this again I would ask for something in writing or something that can be proof of the arrangement.
  13. As others have said, Mast Grill on Apex definitely has self-serve soft ice, I think on Reflection too but can't swear to that as I didn't get one there. They rotate flavor (think just one flavor at a time) so it's luck of the draw it's one you'll like, I think sometimes it's a swirl of two flavors. Also, I know the Apex had a soft serve machine at the Gelato station, though availability was not the best when I went there as I was told couple times the machine was off for cleaning or ice cream was too soft. I got it there at least once.
  14. Wasting money is subjective, some might say that a balcony is a waste of money. I am not one of those people as I definitely like my balcony but equally for some of us the math can work to not make the drink package a 'waste'. I guess I do a lot of drinking, not to be assumed as primarily alcohol which is often the only thing people consider when valuing the package(s). I will agree prices are outrageous, but outrageous prices are not isolated to drink packages. Great to have choices!
  15. I just reached Elite before my recent two cruises in November. The first one did not include any package, the second 'included the Classic package. I was so excited AND adamant that we were not going to pay for a package on the first cruise and just do the hustle of coffee at Elite breakfast and drinks during HH. Well when a sale on the drinks package came out at 50% off I could not resist. I like my coffees and drinks when I want them so I was the hustle without a package had me consumed with the thought; buying the package just settled my mind. We even bought the Premium package AND upgraded the Classic package on the other cruise, we are weak LOL. So all this said, I go back to thinking next cruise .... just wait till next cruise I will do it different. I think for me it will depend on the itinerary. All of my cruises have been in the Caribbean so we are now often staying on board and for us drinks are part of that experience. An itinerary where it is new discovery and more time in ports would be a different story so we would rethink for sure, thinking if we do a Europe itinerary one day. Oh and we went to Elite breakfast for first hand knowledge of what it would be like (even to grab a coffee) and it was sit down and be served, taking a coffee out was not so much an option. They don't serve a 'full' breakfast which also doesn't work for us and we ended up mostly giving this a pass. Even without a package I'm not sure we would want to resort to this every morning for our coffee. All this to say I like my drink package but I will admit that the cost hits hard and with CAD exchange on top of that OUCH. I have no cruises booked right now so I can't say what I will do next time but the Elite hustle is always in my mind πŸ™‚ I wish Celebrity offered drink coupons like Royal so at least a person wasn't trapped into a timeline/venue for usage but it is what it is.
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