Georgia_Peaches

We tried MSC Yacht Club and loved it. We didn't try YC because Celebrity didn't feel nice enough though, we tried MSC because Celebrity was feeling too expensive for the suite experience and wanted to see what was on offer elsewhere. We have since booked a cruise on Regent because Celebrity's food wasn't feeling nice enough and we wanted a smaller ship experience as we cruise the Med in 2025. We are in the casino camp as well, which is why we didn't look into booking with Azamara. Regardless, I always begin my cruise search with Celebrity...

Good info., Jim! Thank you. I didn't know the part about writing the crew member's name on the envelope. Will start this practice on our upcoming cruise.

If we tip over and above our daily grats, it is always because someone has gone over and above to help make our cruise more enjoyable. We never tip based on our room category alone, nor do we base our decision to tip on pooled tip amounts or who benefits from said pool. I can't worry over what happens to my tip envelope after it leaves my hands but rather, have to trust that Celebrity's policies towards tipping are fair and just for all crew. Finally, I've read here that many folks staying in suites tip their butlers on day one and then again at the end of the cruise. We don't do this. If we tip extra, it's always on the eve of debarkation day and only if we feel the service went over and above the gratuity we've already paid. Given that our upcoming Sky suite experience no longer includes a dedicated butler, I can't really say how we will tip until we've experienced this change.

Again, thank you! Our b2b is out of Ft. Lauderdale so I guess we will disembark/re-embark as well. Was hoping we could just stay on board but that's just me being impatient, lol.

Great information. Thank you! So, you go to the b2b meeting and recheck in.. do you actually got off the ship or is this all done in the meeting?

I read a live review posted by @Jim_Iain earlier this year where many details were given about streaming and rigging up the TV through maybe a prime stick? (I don't necessarily know the jargon) but it was most helpful. Between a vpn and one of those sticks, we had the capability of streaming...

Yikes! Is there anything stopping me from taking my luggage to the next room myself or do I have to let the room attendant do it?

Called and got my discount! @bikerunner you are correct. Will get refunded to my CC. Not sure why my TA didn't point this out... Grateful to OP for posting this thread and all who chimed in!

I am asking today! Will report back. I’m after final payment so maybe an OBC?

Good to know on both counts. Thank you. We are on a b2b and got no discounts 😞.

No benefits or discount that I know of. I recommend doing your own mock booking to find a cabin that is available on both legs of the cruise you are looking at and then let your TA know what the cabin number is and let them get it booked for you. We are on a b2b in November. Our categories are different for each leg so we will have to move on turnover day. Not a big deal because we can drop off our luggage in the new room before we disembark/re-embark for the next sailing.

Thank you for sharing! This feels like encouraging news.

I have no problem whatsoever in ordering a drink…especially a martini, trying it and if I don’t like it, ordering another one in its place. It’s one of the few times I feel like I can sample things with reckless abandon! Like you, I don’t like to waste so try consulting with the bartender. Tell them what you like/don’t like..ie too sweet, too bitter, don’t want gin…etc. they are pretty good at coming up with an option to suit. Have fun with it!

I admire your tenacity!

Like what? genuinely asking. Maybe we need a fresh thread detailing all things cruising related that goes beyond the food. I will start…not having to think about anything logistical regarding my vacation once I step foot on board.. no cleaning, cooking (oops, food related, sorry 😊) no worries about transportation or entertainment. I can read a book, eat (oops), sleep, workout (yeh right), grab some lunch (yikes, food again) participate in a salsa lesson, go to the martini bar, hang on my balcony and become one with the ocean, order room service (dang it…food AGAIN! I’m so bad), lay on the sun deck, order a drink, peruse the dinner menu (🤦‍♀️). I give up…food, food, food. All roads lead to food. I can’t help it!

Agreed. But how are the prices that far out? One thing I’d like to avoid is paying more for airfare than the actual cruise and I’ve reached a point in my life where sitting at the front of the plane is a must.

Thank you so very much. I am still learning and didn’t know about the 210 mark…would have waited for the 75 days. Also good to know we can take the credit and book our own air at the 210 mark. There is no way we will fly in on day of embarkation. The fact the Regent thinks that’s a good idea for over seas (any , really) is quite baffling. I’m sure they have their reasons… Again, appreciate your post , along with others. Very helpful, indeed.

I don’t understand this. Why would the discount not be taken off 100% of the fare before tax?

When I used my 30% off + 5% I went through the Casino department for booking. Give them a call.

Most helpful! Thank you so much!

Has happened to me before when I try to access my reservation too many times within a short period of time. It usually resets itself in 30 minutes or so.

You totally just blew my rationale for not getting a package out of the water...lol! I KNOW we consume more than $41 pp/pd in drink package items!

Wow! That's huge! Before we ever sailed Celebrity we frequented RCL and never bought a drinks package. I remember dreading the final bill but can honestly say it was never over the top. Our first Celebrity cruise came with the Classic package and I thought...oh yeh...no end of cruise surprises with the bill. I just got so used to having a drinks package that I forgot that unless one is a really heavy consumer of all that's offered in the package, you end up breaking even or quite possibly paying more for the package than you would a la carte. Having said that, I still plan to upgrade our Classic package once on board next month 🙃. (I have OBC to burn).

Looks like the Premium drink package alone would be over $2k for 2 people at 12 nights. another $500 for WIFI. I haven't priced Aqua in a while but seems like the AI is a better deal.

I appreciate you saying this as we are new to Regent. We've booked a 10 night cruise out of Venice for 2025 and one of the reasons we selected this option was for the advertised business class airfare inclusion. I did a mock booking of airfare for travel in 2023 to get a rough idea of the cost of flights over seas knowing that in 2025, it will likely cost more. The cost to book business class on our own via Delta was more than the cruise fare! So we opted for the included air with Regent. It is my understanding that we can pay a deviation fee once the air itinerary has been determined by Regent and that fee will allow us to make changes that may likely result in an up charge....unless of course, we like the itinerary that is provided. Am I understanding this correctly?