MamaFej

Is it possible for the FIL to put in a Move-Up bid that would be less than the $2k to move to Aqua? Would OP be able to help financially to increase the odds of that happening? I do not pretend to know the family dynamics, nor if this was already tried. I mean no offense, I'm just offering a suggestion of what might be options.

Mine has 2121 fewer points than I wish I had.

We appreciated the expanded RS menu on our 2019 cruise in Concierge on the Reflection in June of 2019. I suppose it's just another example of X's inconsistency.

Kotor, obviously. 🤦🏽‍♀️

Welcome! I imagine that you will find that most posters here on Cruise Critic are friendly and helpful. While I have not sailed on any Edge class ships, and cannot help with most of your questions, I can offer a bit of advice for the day you sail into Motor, Montenegro. I am so grateful that another cruiser told us about what a beautiful sail-in it is. Based on her advice, we got up very early and went up to a top deck to enjoy the views. We were on a ship where all folks were allowed on all deck areas. You might consider editing out the links you posted, as promoting travel agents or sites with cruise booking deals is not allowed on this forum. I'd hate to see your thread removed before your questions are answered. Also a wee warning: cruising can be addictive. It's a wonderful addiciton to have.

Congratulations, Eagles and fans!

Pork in one DR and beans in another?

Pretty darn exciting so far.

From the FAQs: Viking vessels are generally nonsmoking. In order to accommodate guests who choose to smoke, there is a designated outdoor smoking area on the starboard side of Deck 8. All other areas of the ship, including your stateroom and veranda, are designated nonsmoking areas. Smoking restrictions also apply to e-cigarettes. -------- We did not notice smoking when we were onboard last August.

Absolutely! Next month, we are flying to the South Pacific/Australia/New Zealand for a five cruise, five flight, seven hotel, twenty-nine tour, eighty-two day trip. Almost all of this was pre-paid before X instituted the new fees and cutbacks. We are going in hoping not to be disappointed, but well aware that we might be, based on current reports. We will reevalute our other six booked X cruises after these. We spent decades living very, very frugally in order to have the retirement of our dreams. We are determined to enjoy it. We hope that cruising with Celebrity will continue to be something that we enjoy.

Did she ask for it to be put in upside-down?

@countess5, although we have digital files of everything , including our budget spreadsheet and trip calendar, I tend to print more than I need to. I justify it to myself by later using the back of the paper as score sheets for Scrabble, Qwirkle, and cribbage, which we play a lot of when on our 2-3 month trips. I have a home made Scrabble set that furs into an airline amenities kit bag and we don’t travel with a cribbage board, scoring on paper works fine for us.

In my experience, the handheld devices the crew who check you in show whether or not the video has been watched. Maybe it's another example of inconsistency.

Interesting. They have been staffed on each of the 6 X cruises, 2 Princess cruises, and 5 other cruises I've done since the restart. On our B2Bs, we've checked in before the new folks came on board. Perhaps the ships that aren't staffing right away will do so in the future.

A 60-something guy with glasses onboard a cruise ship? What are the odds? 😜

This is why I have suggested not activating passenger accounts for purchasing drinks, making reservations, etc. until after they have checked into the muster station. Alternatively, instead of placing sea passes at the door to the cabin, distribute them in the muster station. Then people have no choice but to go there before they can drop off their bags or use their cabin at all. It would not be difficult to solve this problem. --------- On another note, we recently sailed again with a friend. She commented on the video she'd watched on her phone, "That was cool. I learned a few things." "Really?" I asked, "there isn't any new information." "Yeah, but I actually paid attention," she replied. Mind you, she has cruised dozens of times.

Thanks. I don't think I have any Ukranian ancestry (but lots of Irish, Scottish, and British). I'm just a supporter. I designed that shortly after the news of the old lady who offered seeds so flowers ould grow.

My theory (for which I have no proof, just a gut instinct) is that "last minute cruise deals" are a thing of the past since cruise lines have started the Move Up bid program with PlusGrade. At least for suites, Aqua, and Concierge, and maybe verandas. If they can fill those categories with move ups, they can choose to offer last minute deals on the insides and ocean views without lowering the prices on more expensive categories.

Youre in the right place. Just look for thead titles containing the word "Live."

Sorry. I’m on my phone and don’t see locations. My brain went straight to American football (Where hands are used far more than feet for moving the ball). 😊 Carry on.

He May have already read it, but, just in case, I highly recommend The Blind Side. It’s much better than the movie, and alternates between the Michael Oher story and the history of the OT position. I’m only a casual football fan (don’t tel my cousins) and I really enjoyed it.

I absolutely hear what you are saying. Still, I think that people who enjoy being jerks simply enjoy being jerks. People who choose to be kind simply choose to be kind. I'm not sure the configuration of ships, or anywhere else, matters.

YES!!!! It is astonishing to me that discounts are not automatically applied when customers are logged in. When I log into any of my shopping accounts, credits or discounts I am eligible for are there. Amazon digital credits for choosing slower shipping? Automatic. Macy's Star Rewards? Automatic. Etc., etc, etc. It seems very cost-ineffective to pay phone agents to do things customers should be able to do themselves. Imagine how much shorter wait times could be if phone agents only had to do the things that should be done at the corporate level. If X had their IT folks program the ability to apply loyalty discounts automatically, more people might buy the upgrades. I would not be surprised if folks give up if hold times are too long.

<<steps on to soapbox>> Friendly reminder that many, probably most, folks who sail in suites are kind, friendly people who don't look down upon the rest of us. I imagine that the majority of suite dwellers think that the rest of us should actually get what we paid for, just as they should get what they paid for. Yes, there are some very nasty folks who have the "Well, the cutbacks don't affect me, so the rest of you should be grateful you get any food at all and not complain about the bait & switch policies X has adopted," but most of the Retreat Class peeps are good and lovely people. <<steps off of soapbox>>