TeeRick

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Yes they are.

Yes that is the prevailing reason. But that can be controlled by CC I think. No travel agents soliciting here.

Yes this is a very good comment. It is all about having fun and being entertained on a cruise. We go to the casino a few times a cruise for just that reason. We know we will lose money. But we consider it paying for our entertainment. Never played these specific quarter drop machines but after this thread maybe I will try on my next cruise!

I know this is a long-standing policy, but can anybody state a good reason why Cruise Critic will not allow the mention and discussion of good cruise TA's? Maybe have a pinned topic that CC members can contribute to? Who would that harm? Hopefully this post will not get removed!

Yes. They always hold back about 50% of the dining slots from pre-cruise reservations. You should be fine heading there once you board and getting a reservation.

I agree with others here- try Murano.

We have generally found 2 ATM's on board Celebrity ships in Europe. One in $USD and one in $Euros. We have used our bank debit card in the ATM on board for $Euros and received the current exchange rate of our bank, same as on shore. But the per-transaction fee on the ship is much higher. However, our bank refunds our debit card transaction fees so no problem. If you use a credit card at the ATM on the ship it is much more expensive. And of course never exchange cash at Guest Services on board- always a bad deal.

Mark a sky suite on Celebrity can still be a good deal (yeah an expensive one sometimes). But it does include everything (well not tips anymore). The CS was our go to but it is truly expensive for no additional suite benefits (but more space/enclosed BR). We have put Celebrity suites aside for the time being. Our next cruise is on RCCL (Indy) in a 2 BR grand suite. We are going primarily for the 12 night Canaries itinerary, and is is less expensive than anything comparable on Celebrity. But----- on these older ships no suite restaurant and WiFi is not included for some unexplainable reason. But we do not need an expensive drink package as we can use the suite lounge and also have 5 drink vouchers each day (D+) anywhere anytime. We are doing a 5 night dining package and will also (gulp!😀) use the MDR and Windjammer. We can squeeze in a couple more specialty dinners with our D+ BOGO. But without these D+ perks this would not be worth it.

We have not yet tried MSC YC but on the list for sure.

@RichYakI tend to agree with your comments here. And those of @hcat too. Luminae is very good on S-Class and M-Class but we were not overly impressed on E-Class. Larger, more open, very loud. Limited menu without being able to order from the MDR. We have not been sailing on Celebrity very often now and have switched to other lines. The Retreat product became very expensive for the value received, so we walked after years of exclusively sailing Celebrity suites. E-Class and (then especially E-Class on steroids) is not for us. But plenty of choices with M- and S- and other lines/ships. I honestly don't understand the posters here who complain loudly about Celebrity but then say they have another 5 or even 10 cruises booked!

Ok that is 12%. What do you think the number should be?

I think we will be on that 12 nighter with you next year. Looking forward to it.

My wife has a BMW. I like my Toyota. 😁

I am one who remembers a breakfast seating area in Chops for D and above. Yes carry the food from the Windjammer. But the staff would serve you coffee from the urns once there. The only advantage was the ability to get a table if the WJ was crowded. Now on older ships (without CK) there is a sit down breakfast in Chops for suites (and Pins I think). Also not sure about JS if they are included. We will be on INDY in a GS and will check this out.

Funny but my Toyota is pretty luxurious with all the bells and whistles too.🙂

Any specialty restaurant that is staffed (but not necessarily open and serving lunch) at that time after boarding. You will see staff out front. If you are in a suite (?) you can get the suite lounge concierges to do it for you too.

Necessary for what? A good time on the ship- probably not. A good time with added amenities like the Retreat Lounge, pool deck and Luminae? Is that what you are looking for? Only you can decide. The Retreat is just a very nice (premium price) area on the ship.

OK one pool on one ship does not necessarily make a trend. But I'm sure you are asking here for evidence one way or another for your query. This has not be brought up or noticed here before to my knowledge. Hopefully others will comment.

Royal still has Vision Class and Radiance Class ships sailing everywhere.

Try the company "Tours By Locals".

I suggest that you have lots of choices if sticking with the cruise corporation (RCG- Royal Caribbean Group). Both Celebrity and Silversea have smaller ships, and Royal does too. Now with the loyalty reciprocity, you have a large number of options.

and there is a concierge in there if you need one

Yeah easy to pre-game and prepare for some likely questions. Not cheating. It is all in fun.

Cosmetic and maybe other issues need to be addressed as it is an old ship. But time to Scrap? It is still a very valuable ship in Celebrity's fleet. Eventually it will likely be sold, but scrap? not likely.