horseymike

9 minutes ago, canadianbear said:

I’d much rather overnight in Curacao than Aruba at least.  Sorry about Bonaire though.  I’m hoping our November cruise gets to all the ABC Islands.  

I really like Bonaire too. I wish HAL would not be changing itineraries like this even though I know they spell out their right to do so in the cruise contract.

47 minutes ago, sailawayward said:

and our bonaire stop became an overnight in aruba. we expected it but were hoping for more time in curacao instead. we're not complaining! we have a fabulous cruise planned. hope you do, too! 

We got overnight in curaçao instead of Bonaire, do you think we could get them to switch it ?
🤣

Hope you have a great cruise 🚢.

2 hours ago, robsmom said:

I suspect that the changes won’t impact my booking in the future, but we shall see.   I have a sky suite in May on the Equinox.   I really never use my butler on any suite on any line and much prefer the concept of a team.   I don’t need a dedicated person and I don’t need much brought to my cabin.  If I can order room service, I don’t care who delivers it.  I don’t want course by course service.   If there is someone at a desk that will book reservations for me and answer questions that is great.  If there is service in the lounge and on the retreat deck, I am happy.   The biggest thing for me will probably be the food in Luminae.  If I see a drop in the quality of food similar to that reported in the MDR, that might cause me to change my thoughts on future bookings.   I also have reached a point where loyalty isn’t that important to me.  If I book suites, I can get perks on any line.  At this point I book based on itinerary, ship, room, and perks combined.  

Very few companies or businesses these day appreciate loyalty in spite of how the customers feel about it. Bottom line , take your best shot with what works best for you when booking a cruise , airline or hotel or rental car. 

4 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

For us it is more of the prohibitive cost that Celebrity now wants more so that the loss of a "dedicated" Butler.  We are doing our first non-Celebrity/Royal since 2009 next February so we'll see how that works out.  

 

Hope you have a great cruise 🚢 Kahuna. 👍

Only kidding.

Hope you have a great cruise 🚢 

Suite guests pay double 🤣

24 minutes ago, mahdnc said:

 

We have been on Solstice twice so far and really liked the ship.  Every time I read about the mediocre menu in the MDR, I swear that I end up buying another specialty dining reservation....

That’s exactly what they are trying to get you to do.

Golden Corral food at Capital Grill prices.

1 hour ago, StartrainDD said:

Yes, this was American Airlines.  During the Covid slowdown AA quietly changed their policy and flight changes will not be refundable unless the change is more than FOUR HOURS.

 

We will certainly use American only as a last resort for future international travel.

I am really sorry this happened to you ,  I hope they have a better option for you before you travel for your cruise. I know it’s a nuisance but stay after them , sometimes the right person can and will help you. Thanks for making us aware of their change in policy.

6 hours ago, StartrainDD said:

For purpose of this response, I am assuming you are booking round trip flights.

 

The one big "Advantage" of booking through FlightEase is that you don't need to pay for the flight until final payment for the cruise.  That also means that if for any reason you end up cancelling your cruise before final payment, the air will be cancelled as well so you don't lose the air $$$.

 

If you are booking with a US carrier, you can select seats.  Many foreign carriers do not accept seat reservations until the airfare is actually ticketed.  We have that situation with flights next June coming back from Amsterdam on Air Canada.

 

The airlines have travelers in a vise these days.  We just had our first outbound flight for a November trip canceled, creating a 6 hour stop over (instead of 2 hours), and the airline will not refund so we could book with another carrier.  These flights have been booked since January, and NOT through the cruise line.  If it had been with flight ease, they likely would not have been ticketed yet (cruise lines ticket about 45 days before...) so still changeable.

 

Others will say they want to be "In control" of their booking, and there is some validity to that as well.  For one-way flights, the fares are often (not always) more economical through the cruise line.  As you can see there is no "Right answer."  You need to go with the best choice for you and your party.

That is horrible. If they try to stick you with that flight against your wishes. May I ask what airline you are booked on ?

32 minutes ago, margar said:

Took advantage of the $1.00 deposit for booked a Feb and March cruise.  Currently on Courtesy Hold, but need to pay deposit.  If I want to add Club Orange to this booking, do I have to pay for CO in full ($450 plus $2.00 deposit)?  If I decide to cancel the cruise, prior to final payment - will I be refunded the Club Orange payment?  Sorry if this question has been asked before, but have not cruised since right before the beginning of the pandemic.  And we did Club Orange on the NS, so I am not a newbie to CO.  But somehow or another it just seems so much more complicated than when I last booked a cruise......  

 

BTW - Have been in contact with a PCC at HAL but things are getting tense between us as the PCC canceled a 2025 cruise that I booked under the $1.00 + HIA perks, + early booking bonus.  Was told I had too many cruises on courtesy hold and she need to cancel something.  So she (or maybe the "system" canceled the one I was holding) canceled it.  And when I told her to reinstate it, I was told she could not get the cabin and perks that I had at that time.  Needless to say, I am not pleased at all and am considering just canceling all the cruises I have on hold and dealing with all this at another time in the future.  Too much stress. 

 

Thanks for any help on this.

I have never used a PCC. I book online and call the main number for any additions or changes .

That has worked well for me .

On 9/14/2023 at 11:49 AM, Crazy planning mom said:

Can I ask to have something else other than mashed potatoes with my entree?  

Absolutely. It usually is just  a request away. 
Hope you have a great cruise 🚢.
 

only kidding , it is an inclusive package for an additional charge. the website lists the details very well.

hope you have a great cruise .🛳️

4 hours ago, mattR said:

Thanks for the answers!  I read through the first 25 pages of the HAL board so far.  I'm sure I will be back with more questions 🙂  Like what's club orange.

its a room where you must wear orange clothing , they serve orange juice and pumpkin pie.😀

7 hours ago, zitsky said:

Thanks.   It would be more readable with some paragraphs.

I understood it quite well.

8 hours ago, Hawkstar33 said:

Right away, let's put an end to the pay for cookies at Cafe el Bacio story.  It is NOT true....2 kinds of Cookies, choc chip and choc choc chip, and coconut macaroons with cherry pcs, as well as the usual cakes and pastries, were all FREE.  Also, while the Main dining room menu had the usual choices, fish, chicken, beef, etc, it is TRUE that you can pay an uncharge if you want lobster 16.99,  filet mignon 19.99, and a whopping 34.99 surf n turf, which appears on the bottom of the dining room dinner menu.  Next let's talk about the supposed cutbacks I read about before going.  If anything, a lack of live daily music entertainment, around the ship.  I personally feel there should be some kind of music playing during the daytime hours, and low volume radio music was not cutting it.  There was a pool deck band, but limited.  some Grand Foyer music, and dancing here n there, and the violinist, guitar player combo in Ensemble every night, at dinner hour.  There were also no take away paper cups in the solarium coffee area, as there was in the past.  Basic Ice cream choices, nothing special, but always a line to get some. Oceanview buffet was very, very good.  Every possible breakfast choice.  Different lunch theme everyday.  Greek, Mexican, Indian, Irish, BBQ, Asian.  Fresh grilled chicken, fish, steaks. Many choices.  Fabulous displays.  Beautiful assortment of desserts.  DELICIOUS OVERALL..  Others may not agree, but I will stand by my opinion.  Summit received the best cuisine Award, but Equinox may have been better.  Always crowded on embarkation day.  Did not go to Main dining room.  3nts Tuscan, 2 Murano, 1 Sushi on 5, and other nights the buffet. Like I've said before, just our choice.  We love the Specialty restaurants.  Same menus in each place, as in past. Great service.  Zero complaints. Tuscan FILET the best, medium rare with gorgonzola sauce, Murano Lobster tail, and chateaubriand for 2, and Dynamite shrimp and scallops in Sushi.  We asked for it, we got it, no question or denial on anything.  Crew was exceptional. Not one of them, walked by without a greeting.  They were cleaning, and doing maintenance all over the place.. She is scheduled for a 20 day dry dock before going across the Atlantic.  Exterior paint for sure I suppose.  Barely 10 kids onboard.  No excessive chair hogging this time. Many pool chairs available except while in DR, which was brutally hot.  Not a full ship, which equals even better bar service, and mostly above 60yrs old.  Many chose not to be in the sun.  Ok now my only bad things.  Ports and times were not that great on this one.  San Juan arrival at 4pm, keeps us on the ship. Limited hours of daylight left is an issue as we are getting older.  Can't defend us like I used to be able too, in case something bad occurs. And sorry but that port is always hot, muggy, and like no moving air. Not a favorite.  Puerta Plata was also a short stay arriving at noon till 6.  Casino busy at night.  Shows were really good.  Gen Maldonado was excellent singing the Diva tunes.  Gold medal comedian, Take 3,  was 3 of the Juilliard School of musics gifted female artists. Awesome.  Louis or Lewis, unsure of spelling, was Cruise director.  Very good....Room attendant was twice daily. Hard workers, with no assistant, but seemingly more rooms to do.  Bingo was twice.  Deal or No deal is a favorite crowd event.  Hope this helps......Love Equinox

So glad to hear about your positive experience. Thanks for taking your time to share.

Gen Maldonado rocks , we saw her on the Summit last spring.

Thanks for taking your time to share your experience . Glad you enjoyed your cruise 🛳️

Happy to hear that you enjoyed your cruise 🚢. 
Cheers.🍻

On 9/7/2023 at 9:50 PM, tw0sugar5 said:

In mph please.  I suppose I could convert knots or other units.  I want to find out how useless a balcony will be on an upcoming cruise.

In my humble opinion, you may wish to try a rear facing balcony in the stern of the ship.

It would make sense that the ships forward motion would protect those balconies from wind for the most part. While in port , all the above mentioned variables, wind direction, ships position etc….

Hope it all goes well for you 🚢🍀👍

Hope you have a great cruise 🚢.

Looking forward to hearing back from you about your experience. 👍🍀🌴

Thanks again for taking your time to share your experience and great photos. 
The Capliano suspension bridge is a real thrill , at least for us 🤣

You are spot on. $$$$$ talks and bs walks.

1 minute ago, George C said:

We got a great rate for harmony it was about 2400 each for 7 days but no additional discount for diamond plus , November 2024 was about 2900 per .

per person ?

On 9/6/2023 at 5:35 PM, George C said:

We sail suites last November got beyond for about 3k each all included with lots of OBC this November it’s more than 4K per, so I booked a rccl oasis class for 1500 per less, next November will most likely book oasis class grand suite again or MSc yacht club . We will do a music charter on celebrity because of the entertainment.

Hi George ,

Are the prices you paid for the cruise or the price for each person ?

9 hours ago, aml3679 said:

Our first cruise was on the Millennium 12 years ago where we renewed our wedding vows after 25 years.

 

Celebrity is our favorite line.

 

To celebrate our mutual retirements, my husband surprised me by booking a Sky Suite on the Silhouette in November, a 10 day Southern Caribbean.

 

Since we both live on only social security, this was quite the stretch for us.

 

With all of the negative comments lately, I am concerned.

 

I would not use a butler to unpack, I was looking forward to other things.  Such as, emptying ur mini refrigerator and filling it with sodas and water.  Filling an ice bucket.  Small requests.

 

There are so many saying they will never sail again on Celebrity.

 

We paid a good chunk of change for this cruise.  Probably first and last time in a suite.

 

Please reassure me that everything is going to be fine.

 

 

 

Make the best of it. Don't be afraid to ask for what you want ' even if it takes more than one request.

Hopefully , you will have a great cruise , my instincts say you will.

The crew on these ships are for the most part exceptional.

All The Best