Bugsy1966

Better internet a la Princess who, it appears, have moved into the 21st century.

In recent years Celebrity's internet has been adequate without being speedy but since the restart it has been lamentable. That may be a short term issue caused by them underestimating the amount of bandwidth required during reduced capacity sailings. However, I fear it is more down to AI and them underestimating the effect that would have if bandwidth was not increased. Hopefully they will do something about it but if not then it'll be time to find another cruise line.

5 minutes ago, LGW59 said:

After reading how many have such serious issues with their bookings, I have decided that I must be brilliant as I have never had any.  Now I will return, I need to go complete my application for Mensa.

I'm not entirely sure why you chose to quote my post to declare your brilliance but I have never had any issues with my bookings nor did my post suggest I had. Thus you might wish to quote someone else next time or, at least, find a post to quote that bears some relevance to what you are about to type.

For the record, I agreed (and still do) with mfs2k's post because I believe Celebrity should make their invoices much simpler for people to understand at a glance, especially for the benefit of either less experienced cruisers or perhaps those who might find them difficult to interpret for other reasons. It's not too much to ask surely? Hardly the stuff of Mensa to issue invoices in plain English rather than internal codes. That's simply lazy and/or poor IT.

20 hours ago, mfs2k said:

I just want to say one more thing on this topic.

 

It should NOT be this confusing for guests.  Clearly there are MANY people commenting on this thread who are confused.  

 

Guests should NOT have to interpret booking codes. The codes should be translated into

GuestSpeak on Booking confirmations and it should be very clear what you're getting.

 

You should know if your booking includes the slow, medium or fast internet.

You should know if you are getting the soda, cheap liquor, or good liquor packages.

You should know if tips are included and who you should be tipping in addition to the included tips.

You should know if your key will open the Retreat Deck door.

You should know what is NOT included.

And Celebrity should stop marketing "Always Included" if this stuff is not always included. 

 

Thanks for listening.

 

 

Absolutely spot on. Well said.

10 hours ago, WonderMan3 said:

Was surprised at some of the prices on Ascent not being much more than or even lower than winter 22/23 pricing on Beyond...but then I started to go through the booking process to look at fees and noticed that the pricing promoted is with a non-refundable deposit. Pricing jumped by over $600pp for the suite category I was looking at to get a refundable deposit.

It's never great to lose money if you need to cancel and for those that tend to book cruises - perhaps multiple - 'on spec' and decide later then a refundable deposit is probably the only way to go.

For those who only book cruises that they expect to take barring unforeseen circumstances then I've always thought it's better to go non-ref as you're only losing $100pp, the rest is refunded as FCC. So with the $600 deposit you mention if you cancel less than 5 out of 6 then you'd be ahead with the non-ref deposit, assuming you're expecting to cruise with Celebrity in the future. For this reason I always choose the non-ref route.

Of course, if you book refundable there is always the chance that prices remain the same (or drop) so you can switch to a non-ref rate at a later date and retrieve the excess deposit but that is in the lap of the gods.

I have strayed a little off your point though (apologies) as you were pointing out that whilst prices seemed reasonable at first glance, once the substantial premium for a refundable deposit was taken into account they were appreciably less so. 

We did the Beatles 'Love' the last time we were in Vegas. Of the four shows we did that trip it was easily our favourite - you won't be disappointed.

14 hours ago, LGW59 said:

Assuming you were happy with the price when you booked it

Why do you find it so necessary to snipe? And so often. It adds nothing and if you have nothing to add, why not just move on?

5 hours ago, sunlover33 said:

I have already read the explanation on the Celebrity website. What I’m trying to find out from someone who has already used the indulge package, do Celebrity insist half the OBC is spent on shore excursions or are they ok as long as it’s spent somewhere?  On our invoice it’s just recorded as OBC not split into two separate categories. 

Plus, you’ll enjoy an onboard credit of up to $200 per person to use however you choose and a shore excursion credit^† of up to $200 per person to help you make the most of the places you’ll explore. And of course, tips are included, as always. It’s everything you deserve on vacation—and more.

†AquaClass^® guests that purchase the Indulge package will receive Spa Credit in place of Shore Excursion Credit.

Whilst I haven't yet sailed with an Indulge package I do have one booked for our July '22 sailing on Beyond. I have used around 80% of the $400pp credit to book speciality restaurants without a murmur so, despite what the blurb says, I suspect you'll be fine using it any way you deem fit.

13 hours ago, Denny01 said:

An ‘interesting dialogue’  on saying what needs to be changed to something None of us have experienced yet?? And from the current posts, most are about ‘something’ (Eden) that was already changed. I’m not offended, and I don’t think Spif is, just pointing the obvious.

 

I remember when the S-Class was first being introduced, and we mainly saw the deck layout, mainly drawings and we got a ton of ‘This is terrible!!’. Yes, I know there are more than a few who do no like the Edge or the Apex and changing the BR locks aren’t what the point is. Their opinion….but we’ve been through that with tons of posts with the Edge being designed. So if you don’t like the Edge or Apex, then focus on that, my suggestion. 

 

But if a thread is going to be started about what to change on something None of us have experienced, you’re going to get the obvious responses. 

 

Den

If that is where the OP was coming from I would agree with you 100%. 

But it is obvious that the OP is not in possession of a crystal ball and is merely suggesting changes to a ship that none of us has seen. The OP is clearly suggesting changes they would like to see on the Beyond FROM what they have experienced on either the Edge or the Apex. Surely, that is the only logical way to read the original post, albeit one could argue that the thread title could perhaps have made things a little clearer.

13 hours ago, Spif Barwunkel said:

How about we change some passengers. Those who find the "Edge Class Concept" personally unappealing need not sail on Beyond, especially if they are familiar with Edge and Apex. No offense intended, but just like balcony chairs, infinite verandas, Eden, door stickers etc., you too, in your absence, could make for a more enjoyable cruise for everyone. 

Completely unnecessary. Why do some people feel a compunction to be so aggressive? Does it make them feel clever? Very sad individuals.

Telling people that their absence from a cruise will be a benefit for everyone else when all they might have done is suggested a few things that they think could be improved in the new E-class ship. Is that a hanging offence?

15 hours ago, Charles4515 said:

 

I don't know about that but it is often sold at a markup over Bud or Miller for no real reason except marketing. 

 

 

Stella isn't all it's often cracked up to be as others have attested - on that I can agree. But to compare it to Bud or Miller is, I fear, taking things a little too far. To be frank, I wouldn't wash my socks in either of those! 😀

15 hours ago, larry_s_taco said:

For those of you who have traveled to Rome recently: Is it hard to find a testing site in Rome? We are going to spend 3 days prior to our cruise in Oct. and are trying to figure out how to get the test in Rome prior to cruising. We are total newbies to Rome, so any help will be appreciated. 

Google is your friend! Or, more reasonably, I am sure there are numerous places available - I doubt you will have any trouble finding one.

Approaching this from another angle though (a glass half full one), there is every chance that no tests will be required by October anyway.

38 minutes ago, Fouremco said:

And I thought that I had a good deal when I booked the same cabin for less than $100 ABOVE the price of an SV. Good for you!

Thanks - we got lucky. Your luck wasn't too shabby either! 

There might be some value to be had by booking a Concierge C1 Aft on the Reflection because of a pricing anomaly at the moment.

For example, we've just booked 1696 on the Reflection for July '23. It was priced $50 BELOW the SVs!

So one gets the (negligible value admittedly) Concierge perks, a higher deck whilst paying less $$. The early check in is the only Concierge benefit we value to any degree but I'd cheerfully pay more for that and the higher deck. So for it to be priced lower was a bonus.

I haven't checked your proposed sailing(s) but it might be worth you having a look at the Concierge pricing on them before going for a standard SV on a lower deck.

17 hours ago, wrk2cruise said:

I advise everyone to not apply FCC until final payment.   I believe it can complicate any price reductions as they use the FCC to reduce the "cruise fare".

Yes, that is a good point and one I have fallen victim to recently.

I had a cruise re-priced a few weeks ago and despite mentioning the FCC to the agent whilst on the phone there was no sign of it when the re-priced cruise invoice appeared via email. The cruise price on my new invoice merely matched the current online pricing for a new booking.

I've emailed Celebrity 3 times at roughly fortnightly intervals since then requesting that they re-apply the FCC without reply.

I can't bear to call them again with the inevitable hold times so I'm giving it another couple of weeks then it'll be time to escalate.

So annoying/disappointing that something that should be so simple is filed in the 'too difficult' tray in the hope you'll go away.

15 minutes ago, DCPIV said:

 

Check yourself. 

+1

37 minutes ago, Fouremco said:

No need to use a different browser, as most have a "Private Window" or similar that prevents websites from using cookies stored on your computer to track your visits.

Understood but I usually have between 40 and 50 tabs open on Chrome at any one time, many of which require a login/password. By keeping them open and remaining in 'standard' mode life is simpler. If I then open a separate incognito or private window (for access to a Celebrity type site that I don't want to be recognised by) it is slightly fiddlier to then click on one of the two overlapping Chrome icons that then exist when I want to switch between the two. Simpler to click on the next door (and larger) Firefox icon, where I keep all open tabs where I prefer to avoid recognition. That's just me though - ymmv!

18 hours ago, TeaBag said:

Me too, often the email is for a cruise that I'm already booked on and they're telling me to complete my booking.  Sorry I was just checking to see if there was a price drop!  50 in June.

The trick to avoid those pesky 'complete your booking' emails is to use another browser (e.g. Firefox, Opera) for your price drop checks/future cruise exploration. Only go back to your usual browser (the one where Celebrity recognises you) when you want to book/manage a reservation.

We were in a 12263 on the Edge last summer. We did hear chair scraping from time to time but it wasn't hugely intrusive. Yes, it was slightly irritating but did it spoil the cruise? Definitely not. I'd heard some reports of noise in the middle of the night/very early morning due to cleaning but we didn't experience any of that.

In a perfect world I'd choose a slightly lower deck but I wouldn't worry about it if I were you. The SVs are excellent and I'm sure you'll have a great time even if there is the occasional noise.

That is really helpful Phil. Thanks for taking the time/trouble to follow up and remembering too!

Have a great time as I'm sure you will........

It's awol on my planner. 😢

Although after your heads up I'll keep looking as doubtless it'll re-appear at some point!

@Phil - That would be great if you get chance. Many thanks.

@Jesse - good idea. I hadn't thought to check the app. Though having done so, I'm not seeing anything about evening chic nights despite trawling through the daily planner with 'show all'. It has to be said that I could well be looking in the wrong place. As an aside, the app seems to have come on leaps and bounds since I last looked at it several months ago so thanks for reminding me about it. Looks like it might be very useful once on board.

Thanks for that - probably a better guess than mine. 

I think the 19th sailing is the same itinerary so you'll know before I do!

Enjoy the cruise.......

Does anyone who has been on the aforementioned Edge cruise remember which two nights are evening chic? I'm guessing they might be nights 4 & 10 (the sea days).

I've tried searching the forum but have failed miserably. 😕

Any info would be very helpful in trying to organise dinner reservations.

Thanks!

Not good news - especially at night time. I'm not a big smoker but do like the odd one or two in the evening.

Last year on Reflection, if I decided it was time for a cigarette whilst enjoying a drink at the Martini bar (for example), it was a simple matter of walking up one flight of stairs and going outside Al Bacio on deck 5. A 60 second exercise at most.

Now it would involve waiting for a lift and going all the way up to deck 15 and back again. A major PIA.

A truly outstanding find. Thanks ever so much for sharing it.