CHEZMARYLOU

When that time comes I won't be here to make a choice😀

No, the butlers on all 3 cruises, (Edge, Silhouette and Reflection) mentioned the afternoon tea in the retreat and did not offer to, or bring us an afternoon snack. As I said, we really didn't want or need anything to eat so didn't request it. Otherwise everything we expected from a butler was delivered. We did have a party both times in the PH and had a lovely set up provided by the butlers.

Since cruising resumed we have been directed to the lounge for afternoon snacks. We were in a PH twice and most recently a RS. We didn't push it because we felt we had enough food during the day. If we did want something and the butler declined, we would have quiet word with the concierge. In both our PH sailings the butler did offer to have a special dinner prepared for us and served in our suite. We took him up on one offer and had an excellent Indonesian meal.

@mahdncYou are correct, The specialty dining prices for New Year's eve were at least $100 + gratuity. There was a not so special menu in Murano's. It consisted of the regular menu with 2 appetizers and 2 mains prepared differently from the normal preparation. They also did not have dining packages or reduced prices on board. We weren't on for Christmas but the restaurant prices were the same as New Years.

Suites are sold out. We are not cancelling, paid in full and hotel and air booked. See you on board.

Suites do not have a service fee for room service. At first I took the posters RS reference to mean Royal Suite, then I realized it probably meant room service.

After our first experience we now know to have a bottle of wine in our suite if we are in GC.

We had unrealistic high expectations on our New Year's cruise based on 2 NY cruises in 2011 & 2012. We should have realized both Celebrity and the times have changed. We were at the point where we were ready to cancel our September cruise. Then said, wait a minute, what do we want to do get out of a cruise. For us, it is relaxation, someone to do housekeeping, cooking, cleaning up, etc. When I'm tired at the end of the day with aches and pains and don't want to cook I know Celebrity will do a better job than me. We looked back on our 2 other post covid cruises and said, "they were great". So, here we go again in 90 days. Have things changed, yes but so have things on land. Our favorite restaurant shut down, then their catering/home delivery shut down. Another favorite restaurant drastically changed their menu to the extent it was not recognizable. Things change, and we have to either adapt or stop cruising with Celebrity. Right now we are willing to adapt so will board Equinox in 3 months and still have hopes of reaching Zenith..

As long as the majority of the deposit can be transferred I'm good with the new deposit amounts. Looking to upgrade our March cruise but the only way we could afford it is with a NRD. If we can transfer most of the deposit to our December 2024 cruise I'm good with that. Beyond that point, we will either not be cruising or it will be a problem for our estate. 😉

Retreat Lounge on Reflection was closed in Grand Cayman. If you wanted beer it was available in the coolers but no wine. I'm glad our next 2 cruises don't stop in GC and wish they would change that port on our sailing in December 2024. We are on Beyond so maybe the retreat sun deck will be open.

Ok, so the pool bar is open and bar tenders will get you a drink. What about a glass of wine or 2 at lunch at Sushi on 5 for instance? Will the waiters head up to the pool bar for wine?

Nothing to stress about. Just go with the flow and enjoy your cruise. Personally, I never saw the point in booking select dining then trying to book reservations each night. The whole point of select dining is to go when you want. If you have to wait 20 minutes go and have a drink and enjoy yourself. Or, go 20 minutes earlier the next day.

Final payment for our September cruise on Equinox is due tomorrow. So far there are only 2 sky suites available. It's been that way for quite a while.

They might be including it in the fee for the 2024 sailing. We are on Equinox sailing September 2 this year. What sailing are you on?

Where is your October 2024 cruise sailing from? Some sailings include the gratuity in the fee so it would be listed a $12, not $9.95 + 18% gratuity.

They have been delaying the bookings for specialty restaurants for holiday sailings. Keep checking but I think it is around the 90 day mark. Prime time reservations booked quickly on our NY cruise and there were no discounts or packages offered.

Heat patches or hot water bottle but with the room service charge getting hot water could be pricy or hard. I've also seen people mention foot warmers that get warm when squeezed. I don't see how a heating pad could be wireless. I have one that needs to be plugged into a USB port to charge it. It doesn't get very hot, is smaller than a normal heating pad and has an auto shutoff. Wonder if Celebrity would allow that one.

Love to read more. We are sailing on Equinox in September. We've had mixed results with Tuscan but were planning on giving it one more chance. Can you go into detail about why it was a miss? Thanks

@mahdnc, isn't this policy changing again on June 1 for suite bookings? I thought I read that the entire deposit would be forfeited if a ship/sale date is changed. Or, is this just speculation?

Most are 6:00 to 9:30. The times are in the app.

I think Celebrity would apply the deposit to the total cruise cost for each guest combined, not break it down to guest 1 and guest 2.

The ship is our destination when on a Caribbean cruise. We've stayed on board for the last 5 or so cruises.

On S Class it was probably clams, mussels, or any other seafood. On E class at Raw on 5 they were very generous with the substitutions, crab legs, lobster, mussles, etc. We really did not care as long as it was something other than oysters. They will work with you to get you what you like.

From another thread it looks like you are in a Sky Suite and you might not be contacted. If you are you will not be asked about in room bar set up, that is for upper level suites. Specialty restaurants are at an additional fee. You should discuss food allergies with the Maitre d and servers in the restaurants.

If you are in a Sky Suite you will have access to breakfast in the Retreat Lounge but will not be able to go to the Captain's Club breakfast for Elite & above CC members. There are signs outside of the events that show the restrictions.