highway180

On 3/30/2024 at 9:00 AM, cbfb said:

Actually we asked the hostess on the first night at Normandy and she looked it up and confirmed our times and that reservations are honored with a 15 minute grace period. 

Exactly. On the Ascent , in Tuscan, we did the same thing, and we were put down for the first apt time. There would be a fairly long line before they opened for dinner, but as soon as they did, we were directed around the line and asked to go to our previously assigned table. Worked great for us as we are early eaters. Most people were unaware of the 2 line system ( reservations and those without) and seemed upset that some were allowed to "jump" the line.

Cheers

40 minutes ago, markeb said:

Thats’s got to be it. The Daniel Boulud dinner is $169 without any discounts. No idea why it’s showing as Fine Cut either. 

Unless they are factoring in the up charge for dry aged ribeye.

It was a one and done for me. I feed my dog better!

But my experience was on the Ascent earlier this year

cheers

53% off 10 day cruise

39 minutes ago, PTC DAWG said:

 

Like I said, math isn’t hard..it works great for my Wife and I…a coffee or two a day. A few Mimosas…pool drinks, evening drinks. Gambling drinks…at $10-15 a pop, it doesn’t take long..plus, no slips to sign. 

Im not cruising without a few trips to the Martini Bar, that adds up quick..

 

.

 

Options are good, I like paying one price and being done..others not so much. There really is no right or wrong..

Don't forget the premium waters, some say why bother, but if it's included, we do.

I also couldn't see cruising without one

Cheers

14 minutes ago, STNGR said:

We always used to get all inclusive on Celebrity, but the current Celebrity drink package is not worth the price. We priced the cost for our 11 day cruise and it was outrageous. Not only do they charge $80/day/person, but they tack 20 percent gratuity on top of it! I normally give a base of 20 percent in tips, normally more, based on the quality of the service provided, but to be forced to pay for tips in advance is basically  subsidizing Celebrity for not paying their employees a living wage in the first place. I find this outrageous in principle since most of the days I will not be drinking $80 worth of drinks, again subsidizing Celebrity with tips for service not even provided. Absolutely outrageous! Ergo, I will be paying tips only for the drinks I order, the drink package is worthless.

 

Not always true, book the cruise with at least the classic package, then watch for flash sales on upgrades to premium. My upcoming 10 day cruise in October was a little more than $8.30/per day, per person all in.

22 minutes ago, Texed said:

 

Well, it is normal for me.  😁🍷

Or walking to dinner with your favorite bottle in hand!!

Cheers!!

4 minutes ago, leaveitallbehind said:

Thanks for clarifying.  I know it varies by cruise line and that these policies have changed over time.  Apparently I am incorrect regarding this with Celebrity and appreciate the correction.  I was going to suggest that they call to confirm - that seems to be the correct approach.  

For a while they kinda made a big deal about it, saying you had to a medical reason, making people assume they needed a doctors note and such, but found out early on that all we had to do is call...no note needed.

Cheers

11 minutes ago, leaveitallbehind said:

I believe you both need to be on the same package(s) in order to prevent you both from sharing each one. 

That is incorrect. My wife can not drink alcohol ( being diabetic), so she gets the premium non, I on the other hand drink enough for both of us...thus the premium pkg.  You have to call to accomplish this. Have done this on many cruises.

cheers

20 hours ago, Silent Penguin said:

On that occasion, yes.  The upgrade from classic to premium was also discounted.  I can't swear it was 40% but I think it was.  I remember it was worth looking at!  We didn't upgrade our drinks package but we did upgrade our wifi to premium. 

On 10/26 we scored our best deal ever on an upgrade, 53% flash sale.10 day cruise, the total price for the upgrade to premium:$167.60!

It pays to check often

Cheers

40 minutes ago, markeb said:

 

No one has started a tipping debate for a few days. There has to be something...

👍

3 minutes ago, markeb said:

 

And since jeans are allowed, which was the question in this post, there would be nothing for staff to enforce.

Exactly 

This is not something new

Not sure why the debate 

I’ve been wearing jeans in Blu for years

cheers

you can use the app, but I spend more time on my laptop...so i just log onto the website and pull up my cruise. I like the larger screen than the one on my Iphone

Then there are the ever constant "Flash Sales" which sometimes yield a bargain or two. I've scored up to 40% off excursions in the past, along with some decent pricing on specialty dining.

It pays to check your cruise planner occasionally as not all sales apply to all cruises!

Cheers

2 hours ago, Liao said:

Exactly this!  It's laughable (in a pathetic way) how people act when they have the seafood option.  You'd think they never saw a shrimp in their lives, and for some reason that is the station that causes the most commotion.  I suppose growing up in New England and having fresh seafood available whenever I wanted, I feel no need to act like a buffoon over a lobster claw or shrimp cocktail.

Yes, and the shrimp were extremely small. Definitely not worth the bother. Myself, walked in, turned around and walked straight to Raw on 5 and had some excellent seafood. Although I had to pay extra....well worth it!

16 hours ago, cbfb said:

We were on Beyond. The Sunset bar is very pretty but we didn’t like that the only shade was the smoking area. And honestly I still like the S class ships better than E class. I know I’m in the minority there but just my opinion. 

Have to agree on S class comment. Nothing like a real balcony. E class are beautiful ships, but it was a one and done for me.

Last October we were able to score a 53% off sale on the upgrade to premium.

That is the best we've ever found

On 3/14/2024 at 2:58 AM, CruiseCrew123 said:

No, zero is the only non alcohol package 

Actually, you can now order premium water by the case..Aqua Panna or San Pelligrino., case of 12. It's available on my upcoming sailing on the Eclipse. It is however not much of a deal

32 minutes ago, zitsky said:

No.  For the last time, no, we are not asking for kids or families to be kicked off the ship.  Stop saying that.  We want families and kids to be considerate of others when using a shared resource assigned as adults only.

 

You have families taking over entire hot tubs and a pool you can’t use because they’re full of kids.  I find it relaxing to use a quiet adult only area before dinner.  I guess I’m a jerk for expecting an adults only area to be quiet and relaxing?

 

And if I read one more person saying “But adults are worse”, I think I’ll stop cruising.  Yay!

 

I sometimes go past a specialty restaurant on board that’s not full.  Should they invite passengers in for a free meal if there is room?  It’s what they do in the Solarium.

Poor you!

You don't like the policy

Take a different trip

There are many times places get crowded on the ship. I think too many, myself included, had gotten used to sailing with fewer passengers on board. Now ships sail at capacity.Pools get crowded. Sometimes we have to alter expectations.

If you know ahead of time that family time is 5-7,( as you obviously do) then stay away during those hours if families annoy you...

See post #13

best solution

cheers

No need of tape, markers, staplers, or help from others

And they are sturdy , reusable , and inexpensive

Most of the offers are offered online, bluechipcluboffers.com, most of my offers have been the usual, veranda /concierge with plenty of choices including transatlantic. My issue is the online offers are targeting cruises only up until June, and have a few on the books already for this year

My direct mailings have been non existent as of late. The casino host on the Ascent told me they were transitioning to online offers, for better or worse.

Cheers

4 minutes ago, mahasamatman said:

 

It's even better when you arrive at your home port. We love cruises that end in Vancouver.

I agree!

Beautiful city

And that gives me a long flight home

Cheers

23 hours ago, WestLakeGirl said:

We ask the porter at the terminal to create them

Yes you can, but i've meet families on board the Solstice in Alaska, who had the porters tag their luggage and the luggage never showed up...none. We are talking a family of 5! Seems their luggage was loaded onto a different ship!

The reusable ones with the stainless cable are the best option IMO

Cheers

Actually living in Ma we have never sailed out of Boston, mostly due to Itineraries. I will say I have zero interest in NY/NJ( visiting or sailing from) Been through a few bad experiences .I do have a repo sailing this October out of Boston....looking forward to only one plane ride home!

Cheers

8 minutes ago, hrhdhd said:

People keep saying this. It's not empty. I'm there. 😬 Other adults are there. Not everyone keeps the same schedule, and I don't need HH drinks.

Well, as long as you're not snoring, or being excessively load on your cell phone...there will be no issues from my granddaughter. She doesn't like splashing either!

Then go during non family hours.

Honestly, the place is empty during those 2 -3 hours, when most of you will be fighting for your share of the HH cocktails!

I realize the sacrifice is huge, but honestly, I'd rather watch my granddaughter have a little fun, than listen to chorus of old folks snoring or chatting on cell phones rather loudly.