TeeRick

LOL. I also do not like the coffee (battery acid) in the Oceanview. 😀

This is really the best answer from @Alakegirl. It is a personal decision based on how much one drinks and how much one uses the WiFi on board. And if one is cruising worry-free or if every penny counts to you when cruising. Everybody is different. We tend to sail in suites so not a factor for us.

I think a few years back I remember (in FLL?) that they had facial recognition and we just walked right through. Does anybody else remember doing this?

On cruises pre-pandemic they would give me coffee every morning in my insulated cup at Cafe al Bacio. They probably realized this was a sanitary issue since then. And thinking about it they are right! So I will order coffee and just pour it in myself in the future.

They will give you a coffee in your insulated coffee mug at Cafe al Bacio. Not really sure about a larger alcoholic drink in your insulated mug even if you have a drink package. Probably a standard size drink or standard wine pour. Of course you could get two drinks and put them in your large insulated mug. Whether you pay for each or have a drink package.

Talk to the Luminae maitre' D and to the Retreat concierge or your suite manager. Maybe because you are in a RS they will bend the rules for you and your cousin a bit. Not likely but hey you just never know until you politely ask.

I don't consider 60's as elderly.😀

Yes you will be Elite (not E+) on Celebrity. The searches that you did already probably tell the story. Not much has changed. Look here for the complete list of Elite benefits, https://www.celebritycruises.com/content/dam/celebrity/pdf/updated-captains-club-brochure-v6.pdf Best cruising to you on APEX or BEYOND!

Yes agree. Not sure why they have not done this yet. People love the Mast/Pool Grill on Celebrity, although I happen to think the burgers are of lower quality. And of course there is Guy's Burger Joint on Carnival. I have not tried it (or Carnival for that matter) but the burgers get near universal acclaim. I do enjoy Johnny Rockets burgers on RCCL but they are neither free or by the pool.

Charleston SC is much larger than Bar Harbor and can accommodate a lot more tourists. Bar Harbor has a few streets with shops, bars and restaurants. But many ship passengers can still take excursions outside of this downtown area to local attractions like Arcadia park and many actually do so. So perhaps ship excursions focusing on these other areas will still be allowed.

We have cruised extensively on both RCCL and Celebrity. My (subjective) comments and comparisons: MDR food in general is very similar. Except on Celebrity E-class ships with 4 distinct MDR's which is a step above any MDR on RCCL. The Celebrity buffet ( Oceanview ) is overall better than RCCL (Windjammer) in selections and quality. Specialty Dining is about the same except the number, type and variety of restaurants is highly ship-dependent on both lines. The larger, newer ships have the best choices. The older smaller ships like Celebrity M-Class have very few options. But quality is very good on all. The options and choices on other types of upcharge-food (like Johnny Rockets) is much better on RCCL. Free food areas (like Mast/Pool Grill) goes to Celebrity (but still limited choices). If in a suite - Luminae is superior to Coastal Kitchen. (No contest IMO). Also any level suite passenger can use Luminae for 3 daily meals on Celebrity. Not so on RCCL (if in a JR suite) in CK. If a higher level Celebrity Loyalty member (E, E+, Z) the morning breakfast (cold) buffet is far superior to the limited breakfast pastries in the RCCL Diamond Club (for D, D+ , P). However the Diamond Club pre-dinner on RCCL (with appetizers and drinks) is far superior to Celebrity (happy hour on some ships which still have a Sky Lounge). All subjective.

There are lots of devices and also waterproof covers on Amazon. We have used FlexSafe - attaches to your beach chair or other immobile objects. works well.

I believe that the World Class Bar is a partnership with the beverage conglomerate Diageo and features their brands.

There are literally thousands of posts on the IV concept, overall actual experiences, likes and dislikes, on the Celebrity board. It is controversial and some traditional balcony-loving cruisers are negative. Others really like them. For detailed info look up by using the Search function on Celebrity board. Started on EDGE but also on APEX and BEYOND. Maybe too much info for your request, but just giving an option for your research.

Love the World Class Bar! Thanks for posting the menu on Beyond. My favorite is the Zacapa Old Fashioned. Glad it is on the menu.

Very true.

We have been on Grandeur, and also Allure and Harmony. Very different. Enjoyed all of them. Do you have kids along? If so, go with one of the Oasis-class ships. Grandeur is much smaller but a very high service level and very relaxing but much less to do on board.

So you are bidding $300 pp over what you paid for the JS if you win the bid on the GS.

Dear @Bloomin Onion. The question is one that can only be answered subjectively. Too big for you might be just right for others. Too big in ship size? Or number of passengers (or too crowded)? If you have sailed other ships and cruise lines, which ones fit your needs best?

Yes understood. I am asking about that. What was the minimum bid for the GS in this case?

OK thanks. I am still trying to figure out how this works. So you won a bid for $30 over the minimum for the GS. What was the minimum bid for the GS if was not $2400/PP? And for solo too?

Congrats. But how much is the price you "won" for the GS vs the original balcony cabin? I imagine quite a bit more.

Not just about the free drinks. We have met many people in the Diamond Lounge and still stay in touch with some of them. They have similar cruising interests and experiences. Not really the case for the Suite Lounge.

A few days ahead in case something goes wrong. Not on the final day.

FYI. Some interesting perspective here. https://www.insider.com/what-its-like-to-go-on-a-cruise-now-photos-2022-10