jagoffee

You have received a lot of great suggestions. For future consideration, I will share my experience. I always book my cruise with a TA. If I decide to book Air, I book directly with the cruise line. (I want the flexibility). I usually receive the booking information directly from CA. (If not, I request it). I sometimes cancel my Cruise Air and book direct with the airline before final payment (if there is no difference in price), therefore I am not concerned if my airfare is not reflected on my initial TA invoice. But I always make sure that the Airfare is added to my TA’s invoice before I make my Final payment. I have never had a need to pay for my airfare before my final cruise payment. I agree with everyone else that your TA should be able complete the transaction for your CA payment. If not, I would find a new TA for your next cruise booking.

No, you have to call.

I agree cruise pricing is not lower from an historical perspective, just the opposite. I was only comparing NRD to refundable.

I do not look at it in the same way. For me Celebrity is offering a significant discount to book with a non refundable deposit. The way it is presented (extra charge for a fully refundable deposit) is a more convenient way for those wanting to save money by booking the non refundable deposit fare. I suspect that a majority of cruisers book the lower fare with the NRD. I also view a GTY has a price reduction from the regular fare and not an increase for a non GTY booking. The choice of how to view the changes is an individual choice. I am happier with my choice.

I am surprised that it took so long for Celebrity to implement a policy that requires an extra change for a fully refundable deposit. I will admit I liked the $100 change fee policy with a cruise credit better. Celebrity may have gone too far. I have never understood why car rental companies have such liberal reservation policies.

Perhaps the fact that the change is only a 1 hour and 15 minutes is a factor? But it does seem strange that the Air Canada agents implies that it should be a no charge change. Many airlines most likely would require one to pay the difference in fare if the change was only an hour. I agree if the airlines allows a change without a charge, Celebrity should be able to pass it along. The CA’s $200 change fee after the final payment complicates the situation.

I did not realize that you were serious, I thought you were joking with your first comment. I cannot even imagine any cruise ship air drying laundry. Did you write the request on the form or was there a check box for an air dry option? Did they air dry earlier in the cruise or other cruise ships?

I meant to type- “ I have not studied the different bids close enough to know for sure. Sorry. I am in the cabin that the booked category is a factor, but not the price paid for the particular category.

Do you realize that the OP is currently in a cabin sized and designed for one person? If she wins the Concierge bid, she will be in a much large cabin sized and designed for two people?

Interesting analysis. I would not think what you paid for your cabin would be a factor, but how much Celebrity could get for your vacated cabin. I have studied the different bids close enough to know for sure.

Does the Tuscan grill ever have Dover Sole? Something unique to the Millennium Class ships?

Not necessarily strange, just different. On our Apex one day, we had a lunch/dinner as late as possible at the Le Grand Bistro. Sometimes we are not very hungry and cannot stop ourselves.

We sometimes split a burger for lunch in Luminae, but we like going to the OV to sit outside. I suspect with the current weather and the number of people on board, the OV would be very crowded. We would probably have lunch in Luminae more often on this cruise. We almost always enjoy breakfast at Luminae, but we are early risers. Jim has a much different schedule than us.

I have never seen that term in. Move up bid. You might want to check the credit card that you used for a clue.

What RichYAk said is my understanding of how the program as always worked. Why? Probably to encourage more people to upgrade. Celebrity has discontinued the Classic and Premium nonalcoholic packages and replaced them with a Zero Proof package. I would not be totally surprised if they included the Zero Proof in the Classic package at some point. (With a price increase?). I thought you may have experienced a change on a recent cruise.

Are you sure about your statement or are you just guessing? I do not believe the non alcoholic drinks work the same as the alcoholic drinks, where you pay the difference. Of course Celebrity may have changed their program.

Sorry, a typo for me. I meant to say did you try to enter your reservation number, again? I was commenting on your earlier statement that you had two cruise reservation drop off of the website. I thought you were talking about you reservation page. I see you now we’re asking about your cruise not being available for new bookings (sold out). I have Celebrity Air booked for a cruise that is now sold out. Summit cruise departing from Iceland on 8/18/23. I would say you would need to call to check on pricing and availability, since one cannot do a “dummy” booking and CA does not allow you to cancel or make changes to a flight reservation on line. You have to call. Perhaps you are used to Princess’s system where changes can be done on line? Does this answer your question? I suspect cabins might be availalbe on my cruise after the final payment date approaches.

Did you try the re-emerging your cruise reservation number?

From my experience you do not necessarily have to sign something to be charged. It may be a temporary change due to Covid. My latest Celebrity cruise was in November 2022.

Buffalo trace on the first restart Apex TA.

Yes, the bars that offer the drinks from the HH menu are crowded between 5-7 PM. It has been been a long time since one had to go to the Sky Lounge and/or the Michael’s Club to get free drinks. It started with the drink coupons on Elite heavy cruises. Maybe 10 years ago?

I can understand why you would be confused. I am fairly confident that with non alcoholic product like San Pellegrino you have to pay the full price. Bo’s suggestion is a good one, but you might be sacrificing your Elite discount in the upgrade. (If you have one). Mandi is very confident. Mandi have you cruised with a Classic package and purchased beers not on the Classic list? It would certainly be clearer without the comma and plus comment.

Were they using Port Everglades?

Or perhaps most people (not all) ) do not agree that the Retreat has experiences an ever decreasing product quality. The enhancement to the overall Retreat experience over the last 5 years is a Home Run for Celebrity IMO. Catering to those that spend the most money on a cruise has an amazing upside for both the customer and Celebrity.

Thanks. I am going to have to be more diligent. I may be missing out of a discount.