Mac303

You do understand that a good TA can do all of that also?

 

For me it's one call or an email and it's taken care of. Why should I set on the phone and deal with an Celebrity customer service person when I don't have to?

 

To each their own but to me this "control" or "freedom" that people are always talking about by is really the opposite.

I act as my own TA, I read the email offer from Celebrity, and called the Captains club #, I spent 5 mins on the phone saved myself a total of $750.

so how is that for control or freedom?

We booked a sky suite on the Solstice in January for an Alaska sailing in Sept. 2017, at the time we added the go best package at a cost fo $630, for two.

Received an email the other day offering the go best package for free when you book a suite, I called the Captains Club # and without any problems they adjusted the price and sent me an updated invoice.

Janet, you make a very valid point.

 

I would also point out that there are also suite guests, that are loyal cruisers to RC. They have spent even bigger dollars on an on going basis and will continue too. They might not be the "norm" but they do exsist. That is why some suggest loyalty for dollars spent on cabin costs. I won't, as I am content with where I am.

 

Janet this isn't directed at you but it is a generalization for those on this thread. I will just muse out loud the following thought. For the threads where the OP asks, "Would you rather stay in a GS or a balcony cabin". Half the folks say if you can afford it go for it. The other half say I'd rather sail 4 times in a balcony than pay the amount of a GS. Everyone spends a lot of money for their cruise holiday, no matter their financial position. Crusing has grown to such a level as a holiday that the RC loyalty program has surpased it's own growth expectations. It is a geat position for RC to be in. For them to realign a loyalty program is an issue, but not really a problem.

 

I never cruised until 2004 and didn't cruise on RC until 2005. We went from Gold to D+ in 10 years and in reality most of our points were earned in the last 5 years. Any "possible" realignment of this system won't bother me. To me the points are just points. The real reward for me has been the fun I have had along the way seeing wonderful sights, meeting great people from crew and guests alike, making memories I will never forget and spending time with my family while having a break from work.

 

We will have to wait to see what RC has in store for C&A, and if there are going to be changes.

We also sail in Suites now, the last 6 cruises to be exact, we are Diamond plus, so the myth that only new or one time cruisers are in a suite is wrong, and we can see where sometimes a Suite cruiser can get annoyed at the crowds.

Anyone that was on the snowbird cruise can tell you about the crowds in the CL and the overflow area, we found it easier to go to another bar and have a cocktail there to avoid fighting the happy hour crowd for a seat.

Whatever RCL has in store for the program remains to be seen, I don't think it will be the end of the world, but a discount on the drink package would be nice.

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Sorry, it's Cruising Grandma, and she said:

 

We have been told this week on Liberty that all ships in Royal Caribbean fleet will change over to a Diamond lounge for Diamond and Diamond Plus and a Suite Lounge for Suites and Pinnacles. With over 400 D, D+ onboard, it's quite challenging to get a seat or drink in the DL.

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I gotta laugh, if this is true it will be the second time I have been kicked out of the CL. Once as Diamond and now as Diamond + ....

Hello all,

 

DH and I can't wait for our Allure cruise in October. It's only our 2nd RCCL cruise (just our 3rd overall) so we're just Gold C&C members. We've seen the list of perks for every C&C level on RCCL's site, but is there anything else you can tell us? I thought I read in someone's review recently that because they were Gold, that embarkation was quicker for them? How so? Also will RCCL automatically know that we're C&C members?

 

Thanks!

There may be some confusion between Gold C&A and a gold card.

A gold C&A member only receives what is posted on RCL's web site,

persons having a gold card are those who are in a suite or are a Pinnacle level member.

Your setsail pass will have your level printed on it.

Hi all,

 

I'm traveling into Florida by way of Orlando and out of FLL after a cruise. Some may laugh but I want to stock up Wawa branded items because there are none out west - but there are also none in FLL/MIA so I'd have to do my shopping in Orlando.

 

In Alaska, I saw folks with Ulu knives declare them at boarding and the ship tagged it to return it at disembarkation. How do I do the same thing at the Port Everglades so my non-perishable items are not destroyed?

Why don't you ship your Wawa items home after purchase, as a fan of Wawa I can understand you wanting to take some home.

We were also on the December, 18th sailing, in aqua class here is our take:

We normally sail on Royal, and the last 5 cruises have been in suites. when researching for a Christmas cruise, we decided to try Celebrity Eclipse, as it looked like the best choice for length of cruise and ports, when we booked there were no suites available, but a great deal on the Aqua guarantee with the go best and $400 obc.

The first surprise was the small size of the cabin, but nicely laid out so not a major problem, we had dinner the first night in the Tuscan grill, very nice.

We had dinner the remainder of the cruise in Blu, I asked for and received a ceaser salad every night, the DW, had the shrimp cocktail several nights, just had to ask for them, the choices for entrees were few but we always found something we liked,

all of the staff in Blu were attentive and pleasant to deal with.

I agree with others that the normal pricing for an aqua cabin, versus the value received would not have me booking aqua class.

This was our first Celebrity cruise in 15 years (last sailed on the Zenith in September 2000) The Eclipse is a beautiful ship, all of the staff were friendly, the CD, and staff were very good, and we wouldn't hesitate to book on Celebrity again.

If the security team, had the driver of the cart standing by at the sea pass check point as you leave Labadee the driver could have made a direct identification of the person that took the cart.

While the facial recognition software is good, an eyewitness is better, and as we all know as you enter the ship for the first time and security takes your photo it is without a hat on .

The first thing they should have done was say to you that they needed to speak to you regarding an incident that occurred on Labadee. (this would have stopped you from worrying about your family)

It does appear that they saw your SO's picture and stopped there, and I also agree they are security, not law enforcement there is quite a difference in training.

it was not a theft it was unauthorized use of the cart at best.

I finally found a website that is worse then Royals, the Celebrity website is unable to save my information.

Another satisfied customer of Bernard's tours.

Booked an Aqua GTY, for 12/18/15, received our cabin assignment, made a change within category yesterday without any issues.

I was a K-9 handler for years, my dog/partner was with me 8 hours or longer a day on patrol, after the shift was over he came home with me.

I would never have considered going on a cruise and bringing him along, nor do I want any "pets" on board.

I have to go back a few years. My favorite was Matt Baker. He started every show on his harmonica and did the best Austin Powers impression I have seen. RCI lost him to NCL.

Totally agree, the only cruise director who entertained us to the extent that we mentioned him post cruise.

I don't remember seeing one in there.

We are boarding the Seranade on Oct 19th, this is just like your cruise, boarding on day one and sailing at 3:PM on day two.

I inquired as to boarding late on day one, and was told regular check-in desk will be open until 5:PM, with baggage handlers.... any passengers that arrive after 5, will have to carry on your luggage, but you will be able to check-in at guest services.

Contact Bernards tours (google Bernards St Marteen) many from CC has used them, very good reviews

Beachnative, we totally agree with your review on the Coastal Kitchen & Suites Lounge, they were fantastic. We only went to the MDR once that week, also went to the Solarium Bistro and Giovanni's

Irishgal, as far as getting last minute reservations they are very accommodating, but I would suggest getting reservations ahead of time

We were on the Oasis this past December, went to the performance of Cats, the show started and after 5 mins the show stopped (due to technical issues) after waiting 15 mins for it to start again we left. Don't know how long others waited or if they even got it going again.

In the mail today I received an envelope addressed to my wife congratulating her for making Diamond Plus level. Great right? No, the problem is she passed away 2 years ago. I called RCCL and they could not figure it out. Has anyone else had this problem or have any suggestions? With all the identity theft going on, it is kind of scary.

I would contact C&A/RCL again to see if it's a mistake or if the account is actively being used. Sorry for your loss

If you rent a car, between the rental rate, parking, and depending on the rental company refueling rules. the cost would be $47 for cheapest car, parking in center city $19, the distance between PHL and center city should only use a gallon of gas round trip, so your minimum cost would be $66 for the car, the plus for the car is you would have a place to store your carry on luggage.

The Septa train which would take you from PHL to center city, (Jefferson Station) which is directly below the Reading Terminal Market is $8 per person each way, or pre-purchase the one day pass for $12 per person. Good luck with your decision.

We have a layover of 7 hours in Philly. Our flight to Venice is a late one. Wondering if it is possible to put carryons in a locker and go to market( don't remember the name) downtown. Is this too much trouble? Just looking for something to do rather than sit, since we will be doing that on a long flight. Thanks!

No lockers available in the airport.

The Reading Terminal Market, is only 20 minutes from the airport, it is also a short walk to the Independence Hall, Liberty Bell, and the Constitution Center.

The Market would only take about 15-30 mins end to end, and wouldn't really be worth the trip if that is all you were doing, but if you combined the Historic area, you didn't mention the time of day that you were in Philly, that may also be a consideration.

Based on my 40+years in Law Enforcement, and with only the OP's post to go on, I

Agree with her actions and would have done the same or more. I would imagine that security went to the elevator and briefly questioned them (all) and sent the girls to their cabin.

People who have bad intentions don't have a sign hanging around their neck identifying them, we will never know if the OP's actions that night prevented something from happening, but we do know that this cruise didn't have any reports of serious wrong doing, because this board would have had someone write about it.

Another vote for Romeinlimo, outstanding service, there was four in our party, we used them in three of our ports, and will use them again without hesitation.

Giovannis and Solarium Bistro were our favorites, we haven't

been very happy with chops the last few cruises so have crossed that off our list.

I would try to get reservations for the comedy club as that is a small

venue and fills up with those who pre-booked, make sure you try the rising tide bar we enjoyed that.