Jim_Iain

My favorite was a group that was on-board that were bell ringers. They did a number of performances with Celebrity's permission. They were really good and not intrusive.

This can be fun and we can compare. We are also booked on Silhouette November16 TA. I'm trying to find a Oceania cruise between May and September. I think I have narrowed it down to either Nautica Boston to Montreal and Regatta Vancouver to LA. Just playing with something new to us Celebrity Cruisers - Both are kinda B2B but also listed as a single cruise at a nice combo price below the individual segments. I like it. I hate to say it but haven't even taken into consideration the differences between ships. It is more to understand the product and see if it is a fit. We have our first booking for late 2025 on Vista Istanbul to Barcelona.

Keep us updated. Would love to hear how you enjoy.

Haven't seen any deals in the past 2 years. Maybe thing of the past. They also are no longer roaming the halls harassing your to book specialty. As before you can always ask. Worse the could say is NO.

I know many have found compatibility problems with the Celebrity App and android tablets. Your really don't need to perform the Health Check in advance. In fact, even if you fill it out they will read it to your again and will record your response. The current health check is just one long sentence - Are you pregnant, had a temperature flu like symptoms, nausea diarrhea etc.

Just off Edge and had friends in a SS. Toilet is of normal height. No Grab Rail I have previously been assigned a Assailable sky suite (on a Suite Guarantee) and the toilets were both chair height and also had a grab rail.

I bring the portable charger for mine (very small but have never had to use it). Even though mine says the same brushing 2x a day with the deep clean setting it still had a charge after 6 weeks.

You are correct... brain dead (come on it starts with an H - LOL) -- -but would love to do Hana.... better than taking that long drive.

99% chance you will receive a Sky Suite. Plan on the worst cabin and be happy if you get better. I have had accessible cabins assigned about 3-4 times and one that was right under the kitchen main entrance to the handwashing area. It was like a subway passing every 5-10 minutes or so. Generally what happens with the bidding is that as each cabin receive upgrades they open cabins in the lower classification and a freed up SS would then be assigned for the Guarantees. The SS then would be opened for upgrades from Aqua etc etc. The upgrade program is designed to maximize the profits for Celebrity. In addition to the above scenario, many travel agencies hold blocks of cabins for group bookings and at some point these cabins are returned to inventory and Guarantees are assigned out of this pool.

We will be on Solstice Sydney to Honolulu and Honolulu to Vancouver in April. While many on our roll call were a bit disappointed all seem to have moved on and are making plans for our stops on the Big Island. The only negative to those on a B2B is we will now have 3 days in Honolulu but plenty to do. The positive side is on the Honolulu to Vancouver we now have an overnight in Hana and an overnight in Hilo. Gives plenty of time to explore the Big Island. I've booked a car for 2 days in both ports.

No problem with Electric Tooth brushes. I recently brought my Sonic Care and was away for 6 weeks. Never needed to charge it, which surprised me.

Enjoying all of the comparisons. We have booked our first Oceania and working on booking another. I know it is a different smaller experience but I think it may be a fit for us after sailing Celebrity Exclusively in Suites for 23 years.

Kinda a mute point on Global Entry as you have to have a Passport in order to obtain Global Entry. If you have a passport you would use it.

Yes. I bought 2 on my last cruise and they were assigned to my TA at point of purchased. To use them I have to call my agent and have him book using the certificate. You can however have them issued in your name only by signing a request. I would assume if your agent using a group booking your Certificate may loose the booking benefit but that is a question you should ask your TA.

Good idea. The agents are very transparent and will answer all of your questions and point out little things that may concern you.

Generally if one person purchases a drink package all passenger must also purchase. There are exceptions if you call Celebrity and they will offer alternative for the non-drinkers. Two exceptions I know of are people that are in Recovery and the other is people who have medical reason's for not drinking. I know of many others that have a classic package and were able to stop by a bar and just have their package upgraded to Premium for just one person.

I've never had a brad basket on the table in over 10 years. The do have it in Blu but in Luminae it has always been served. If I'm in the mood for more than one roll I often ask when served or if the bread person doesn't return I am not shy about asking the Asst Waiter or Waiter to send her over. On Edge the Bread person was our favorite and was beyond attentive. I have to say we received great service but except for the Somellier and the food preparation. Celebrity really need to visit the decline in Luminae over the past 9 months or so.

Hmmm.... I've been around Celebrity Cruise Critic thread for 23 years. Up until 6 months ago had never sailed any line except Celebrity. Azamara was on the short list but hasn't seen anything that excites us.

LOL.. we are bad about acronyms aren't we. OP first mentioned booking and FBC.. FBC is Flights By Celebrity - use to be called Choice Air.

I read that on a recent post. I've also read of some who didn't have anyone at home to send a copy and were denied boarding. While true or not I thought I read recently that one could use a "REAL ID" license without a birth certificate and also a Global Entry since you have been ultra checked out. I just Googled and per CBP.GOV U.S. citizens on closed-loop cruises will be able to enter or depart the country with proof of citizenship, such as an Enhanced Driver's License (EDL), a government-issued birth certificate (issued by the Vital Records Department in the state where he or she was born) or passport, ... But said a EDL only allowed on Ocean or Land crossings.

Totally understand. We were restricted to only traveling 2x a year prior to retirement. Only time our Fiscal Calendars lined up. Something for your bucket list. Just wanted to say Retirement is far better than we had ever envisioned.

I may be wrong but don't think Celebrity is pouring Decoy Red Reserve you have priced. more like the regular Decoy at $18.99 (17.00 if you buy it in a six pack) at Safeway. And I'm a non-drinker.

I haven't sailed Oceania yet but when I saw the Owner's Suite (larger than the Iconic but smaller deck) at the price of a CS I grabbed it. There are difference that one has to build into the price like premium drink package and tips but even that isn't onerous. While I often read that there is no class difference - upper classes do get a different set of priorities and perks. e.g. when and how many specialty dining reservations you can make pre-cruise. 6 bottles of Booze and/or Wine in a Owner Suite. Butler that will serve meals course by course from any of the Specialty Restaurants in your suite. With those perks and me not being a drinker, we figured we may not even use a premium drink package. We may just have pre-dinner cocktails in our room. We have never supported the class separation of the retreat deck (which we don't use anyway).

I would have to agree with Air Canada. FBC is an agent and makes the decision on payment. Curious if there is a difference in prices. I just purchased a flight Vancouver to San Francisco and full transaction including seat selection etc was in Canadian $ (not FBC). The price ended up approximately the same if I had booked it on FBC.

I have sailed in Suites exclusively for 23 years. I've never had less than 9 cruises booked. Since the beginning of 2024 I have booked 4 cruises and only one of them is with Celebrity. In 2025 I booked the Lisbon to Buenos Ares with Celebrity which has been cancelled 2 times. Prior to that I booked an Oceania Vista Istanbul to Barcelona in an Owner's Suite (2,000 Sq Ft) for less than the cost of a comparable Celebrity Suite on Celebrity. Playing off our shift from Celebrity I also booked a Cunard Queens Grill from NY to Southampton for less than a Sky Suite on Celebrity. I haven't given up on Celebrity but am out to explore what is out there. Our last 5 cruises had been in CS and RS on E-Class ships and have really been underwhelmed. We have a B2B in April from Sydney to Vancouver on Solstice and maybe the S-Class will win us back but probably will be steering clear of e-class for the foreseeable future. When experiencing the Retreat experience on E-Class I feel like I'm in an Airport Lounge. I know many love it and I'll be happy to free up a slot for you.