jagoffee

Are you prices you posted above in your examples include the solo supplement?

A different Jim. You would have to pay the prevailing rate for the non refundable option.

The suites/retreats have included the bundled perks many years before COVID. Although not Covid related anyone with a Perks package gets less value for the CC Elite + benefits. And as you say, Cruise only cruisers benefit most from the CC benefits. As people have mentioned and bookings show, the Retreat/suite is a home run for Celebrity management. The prices reflect the popularity of Suites.

Right.

Only if that is what you would be paying American even when not using the valet service.

So glad that you were able to work it out. No way, I would settle for less than two hours on connection to an International flight. I am not sure I believe FBC explanation as to what happened, but it does not really matter. Really scares me when I hear that kind of explanation, because it makes it seem like FBC was involved somehow. Always more flexible to be able to deal directly with the Airline. Enjoy your cruise.

Good for you. Based on past practice, I would stop pushing the issue. Your booking is the “strange one” not your friends. It would appear that someone did you a favor and booked yours incorrectly. Although it is very confusing. The savings would not be totally negated because the second person/kid would get gratuities, one device internet (you can upgrade your to a four device package instead), and the Zero proof non alcoholic package. Which includes much more than just soda. With just the soda package, the kids cannot get bottled water, special deserts, milkshakes, etc.without paying for them. The items are listed in the website for the package. The website lists what is included in the non alcoholic package. The bottom line is that you got a great deal that is not in line with the official policy. (Apparently)

Does not surprise me. May be difficult for the system to handle dual inputs for the same person at the same time. Photo, security, etc.

Note the lack of any covering on the balcony and no table and chairs for dining on the balcony. The full sun on the balcony was the only think that I did not love about the Edge Villa on the Apex.

Actually they eliminated the Coffee package. They did not replace it. You can now have a choice of 3 packages that have unlimited speciality coffee. It is from an all non alcoholic package, the Plus, or Premier. All much more expensive, include much more, and are priced on a per day basis. I do not think anyone believes it is a reasonable replacement, because it is not.

Thanks for the explanation. I have never seen that kind of program on Celebrity in the US, but it does not mean that they do not exist here. That is a great deal. Good Luck

Just responded to something like this on a different thread. Good lesson. I would never keep a FBC reservation past final payment for $6. I fly on AA a lot because I get Lifetime Platinum benefits. What you mention has happened to me. I am fairly confident that AA made some kind of change with your originally scheduled flight. It may have been a flight number change, aircraft change, or time change. (You can compare to your original booking and see the differenc) The AA system rebooked you on the “best alternative”. If you were booked directly with AA, you would just call them and they would change your flight to whichever one you wanted. Quickly and simple. Now you are forced to deal with FBC to get your flight back. I do not really understand why FBC cannot work with AA and get it done quickly. Probably because the flight is not until July, but I would be surprised if it takes three weeks. How long of a layover do you now have in CLT? Did you check the current price for booking directly with AA? Are you paying for your cruise/air in installments by your choice? I assume your final payment is not yet due? If Celebrity has not yet applied a payment to your FBC, you might be able to cancel FBC without a penalty and just book direct. Good luck. I agree that AA makes a lot of changes. When I book way in advance, there are always changes.

Is that something unique to the UK? Are you sure you booked FBC and not some other Travel Agent package? I see no way to book FBC without actual flights. Or did they cancel your original flights and not yet reassigned you new ones? Good luck.

Thanks for your explanation as I value your input. I feel it is better to make the final payment for the cruise and the airfare at the same time. My TA puts the airfare on my invoice and I make one payment. Heck, I thought everyone did it that way. I check the airline direct pricing right before the final payment is due. If I am not saving money, I will book directly with the airline and cancel my FBC. This is in order to avoid paying $200 change fee pp from FBC, if I want to change my flights after the final payment. (More worried about the airline changing/cancelling flights) If my airlines ever goes back to charging change fees, I will reconsider this strategy.

Why do you think this is the best way? Thanks.

It is possible that you have this backwards? Club Dining ( Reserve) is Club Class Dining and those staying in a suite are allowed to dine in the Club Class Dining, the area was not created for Suites. It was created to value to some mini suites, so Princess can charge a premium. (Premium locations as well) I only have one recent experience with a January boarding in San Pedro. There was a special check in for Elites and Full Suite guests and a special waiting area with refreshments. We were given a Boarding card with a letter on it. We waited until boarding started and then we immediately boarded. Our friends were in a Club Class mini suite and they boarded from a different area. I am not really sure where the Platinum level people waited and boarded. I am far from an expert, but just because something say priority that does not necessarily mean everyone has the number one priority. I believe that statement relates to priority over general boarding. For disembarkation the full suites waiting in Crooners. We were on the Emerald. What ship were you on with the Club Class mini suite?

Did you book the GTY because there were no Sunset Verandas cabins available to book?

Some time ago, the Premium Drink Package and the WiFi were listed as amenities of R.S. and above. Now, it is not listed. Therefore I know it is not technically an amenity of the Edge Villa. Since the Indulge Package is a regular perk associated with all suite levels (except those won via the Move Up bidding process), I am not convinced that it is not just an oversight on the list of amenities. . The Edge Villa has a bar set up, which can include two bottles of liquor. They can be Premium or even above Premium bottles. The Retreat lounge is just a few steps away and one can order anything they wish. It would seem kind of silly not to have the premium package. It will be marked in your card. When I won my Edge Villa move up bid, I already had the indulge package, so my experience is not relevant. Has anyone booked with just the AI before winning a move up bid for a RS and above not received the Premium Drink package? Or four device wifi? There are probably not very many people who win Move Up bids to an upper level suite from a non suite category, but it obviously happens. OP, it is certainly possible, but not guaranteed. Order your bottles from the Premium and above levels. Good luck.

I am wondering if you are not recollecting the situation where the booking later was move to a group booking requiring a full deposit? No, I do not remember anything about what you are asking unless it was after the final payment. Then I could see where a loss of the deposit would be $500. I cannot imagine a situation where you would have to pay Celebrity more money just to canceling an on board booking.

It may have been a situation that they figured they paid for AquaClass and wanted to dine in Blu. I assume the Spa benefit is important to you? Good luck

I assume you received an invoice from FBC? I know you are probably like me and booked the air on line. I pay the airfare via my TA with my final payment. The TA needs to update your invoice to include the airfare. I am not sure why it is not automatic with FBC, but you can tell your TA now. I usually want until I am closer to the final payment as I sometimes change myAir if the price drops. Price drops are not automatic.

How do you know? Did you have a cruise booked an noticed that the fare went up exactly $100 when Princess made the change? Wait until Princess implements a policy like the Celebrity policy. A non refundable deposit is the norm, you have to pay a clearly defined extra amount to make the deposit refundable. You can move the non refundable deposit to another cruise for a $100 penalty per person.

Agree. Also the $125 a day pp pd is significantly more than the difference between cruising with an AI rate instead of a Cruise only rate. (Of course this can vary). The same effect as having an AI booking. I guess the net result is the same for the OP, so it does not really matter.

But not the gratuities, which would be the AI? Interesting approach by the TA, my Celebrity TA gives me refundable OBC for my discount. I would think that the cost of an individual Classic Beverage Package and the WiFi would be greater than cost difference between the Cruise only rate and the AI rate. But there are always special deals and situations. Enjoy your cruise and package.

Just a reminder to read the title for this thread. A lot of other threads on this subject.