Georgia_Peaches

Just wondering how this worked...did you make all your reservations once you boarded? And unlimited specialty dining includes all the specialty dining venues? Just for dinner, or lunch too?

This is good news! I'm guessing they did this to alleviate back up in some dining rooms vs others based on popularity of the exclusive items in one MDR over another. On our Ascent cruise, the Tuscan dining room was very popular with a wait at the door while Cypress had immediate seating.

I can't speak for the other lines you've mentioned but this is simply not true regarding MSC.

From the “about” page on MSC… Mediterranean Shipping Company S.A, branded as MSC is an international shipping line founded by Gianluigi Aponte in Italy in 1970. The company is owned by the Aponte family with its headquarters in Switzerland since 1978. My guess is there must be some financial benefit to headquartering in Switzerland but they are definitely Italian.

I will be interested in your feedback on this.

This is my worst fear...forgetting to pack my documents. I'd ask at the pier if there is any recourse. Can someone in NC get copies faxed or e-mailed? Is that even an option? So sorry...

Tried to watch but feed kept fading in and out...but I live with the cows so it was probably my service provider.

Off topic but how did you like the Beyond?

1. I am not aware of a Military OBC on Celebrity. 2. You are allowed one bottle of wine per person on embarkation day. I've read some people put a bottle in their checked luggage and also carry one on. Sorry, not sure about your other questions. Welcome back!

I'm assuming you discussed the charge with your server/sommelier...what was the reason given? Good to know about the Decoy. Wonder if this is consistent fleet-wide?

I’ve read reports that the walls on Grandeur are paper thin. So much so that neighbors can be heard talking on the phone or watching their televisions. What has been your experience thus far?

Ok, now that is impressive..

Completely agree, hcat! The deposit was $900 or around 22% of the total price. In the event that we need to cancel, we will pay the $100 pp change fee. I was actually surprised at the deposit amount. I haven't paid that much for a NRD since booking a Royal Suite on Solstice for our Mexican Riviera cruise last year. This category is for a Deluxe Ocean View on Beyond.

Thank you for the clarification...that would explain why I was able to use both devices. @RichYak, you remembered correctly! 😁

I'm using a new TA (new to us, that is) and I'm having difficulty understanding the promotion codes shown below. My concern is that we do not have the All Included package. It says All Included but when I look in my cruise planner to purchase a drinks package upgrade, the only options aside from the zero proof package are to purchase either a classic or premium package...no option to upgrade from what we already have. It hasn't been 10 days since we confirmed our booking but other perks are already posted in the planner. I've reached out to my TA for clarification (no response yet) but I remain skeptical because the cruise fare is quite a bit less than the fare posted on the website. I'm afraid I got a cruise only fare...

We had 2 per person in a sky suite on ascent back in November. I could be misremembering but I used my phone and my laptop.

And yet, no prosecco or champagne in the embarkation lounge...like with YC. This is a score in the YC column in my book.

Huh...I guess it's the little things (maybe not so little?) one becomes used to. I am disappointed to read this...

Hmmm, I will have to take a look. Is this new? A while back I upgraded to the premium package during a flash sale. I don't recall seeing the elite discount and I seem to remember there was discussion about not being able to stack discounts (so I didn't call). I believe it was a thread created by @RichYak. That sale was at 50% off and then quickly changed. So if the current upgrade sale has a greater % off than the elite discount, which one appears in the planner?

We sailed on Ascent in a b2b when the ship first debuted. The first leg was in a Porthole Deluxe cabin and the second was in a Sky Suite (Retreat). We got hands-down better over all service on our non-Retreat leg. We are Elite so we enjoyed all the perks that go with that level. In addition, we boarded the ship on embarkation day faster than any recent suite embarkation. None of our ports required tendering but in the past, while in a suite, priority tendering is a perk. We absolutely loved Ascent and would sail on her again in a heartbeat. There are plenty of quiet places on the ship...little nooks on the deck that are off the beaten path. We especially enjoyed the outdoor area outside of Eden for a quiet place to view the water. It's also a great way to escape the crowd after an evening show. Exit the side door and walk a ways and then re-enter...you'll have left the show crowd behind. Regarding other questions: We've stayed in a Sky suite to Royal suite and have never been escorted to the theater by the butler. A concierge or butler has made dinner reservations for us with no problem...regardless of suite category. dining packages can be purchased ahead of time and are detailed in the cruise planner. On S class, upper suites beginning with Royal suite, get unlimited specialty dining (I believe this is true for E class as well) so no need to buy a package. wifi is 2 per person freshly squeezed juices are available in the spa cafe and perhaps, Luminae....we aren't usually up in time to go there for breakfast. You can also get fresh squeezed juice and smoothies brought to your room via room service...which can be prearranged the evening before...

Good to know, thank you! How very inconsistent of Celebrity. In order to get the Elite discount on the drinks package upgrade one has to call and have it applied...but not so with dining. SMH

Is it possible to call and make your reservations over the phone and get your discount?

Rules won't let me name the site but search around for sites that allow multiple TA's to vie for your booking. The one I use now allows me to put my desired booking out there for TA's to bid on...for lack of a better word. They will tell you their pricing and also how much OBC they are offering. Often the pricing is the same from one TA to the next so the savings is in the OBC. I just booked a 10 night cruise on Beyond. The list price for the category we chose was going to be just over 5K with classic drinks and basic wifi. Not a bad price for 10 nights but the TA I ultimately went with offered a group rate of $3800 and also included basic wifi and Classic drinks. Their OBC offer was $350..so a little under 10%. It was a site I stumbled on when just doing a random internet search for TA's that specialize in cruising.

The only OBC I'm getting these days is from my TA. And my usual go-to TA has reduced the amount significantly...to the point that I now shop around much more than I did in the past. It's out there, you just have to find it.

Completely agree! In fact, we just booked a deluxe ocean view room on Beyond for a 10 night southern Caribbean in November. I'm not a fan of the IV category, the PV was booked and the Retreat prices were ridiculous! We looked at YC but could only find a 7 nighter...