Jim_Iain

Wonderful way to start out a cruise. We also did the Pre-Cruise Alaska tour and loved it. Especially glad you published the tours and information packet. We found that there was very little information provided before we arrived in Anchorage.

On the same site you reference, a member called the Shoreside Concierge and verified the elimination of Butler's in some suites. They were told the change has indeed been approved but that it would only apply to Sky Suites. "I just spoke with a Shoreside Retreat Concierge who confirmed the changes I reported but clarified it only applies to Sky Suites. She also told me there are no plans to make an announcement of these changes or to notify people already booked in Sky Suites. She also said there’s no plan to offer any compensation or allowing penalty-free cancellation or return of deposit. So, this is no longer “rumor”. It’s a done deal. Changes will be rolled out starting mid-August starting with the Constellation (I think that’s the ship she mentioned). You can call the Shoreside Retreat Concierge to verify."

Since gratuities are built into the all included rate that there will be no affect on pricing.

I've experienced much the same and as much as possible avoid sending e-mail. I is so much easier to call (best early or late to avoid long waits). Some of my e-mail's have taken weeks to be answered. I know we aren't suppose to talk about some Social Media Sites but I have been very successful using X (Twitter) and directly messaging Celebrity and get issues resolved within hours.

Glad the link to Cruise Mapper worked. I use it all the time when searching for B2B opportunities. It is especially helpful when looking at b2b's with different itineraries. I also use it a lot when on a cruise to determine our exact location.

I never had problems with holds until about 4 months ago and have taken 5 cruises and they all had some type of holds. There are of course ways to get around it, e.g. just wait 24-36 hours and try again and take another chunk out.

Celebrity iLounge midship on 6

I'm sure this topic will be moved to the Hawaii Forum - From previous visits I don't recall there being any luggage storage available at the Cruise Terminal. There are a number of storage areas around town and if I recall the closest is at Bishops Street UPS Store- https://usebounce.com/s?bags=2&query=Honolulu%2C HI%2C USA&from=2023-07-24T1500&to=2023-07-24T1700

Often the easiest way it to find the ship that is doing the TransPacific and then go to a site like Cruise Finder an click on all of the itineraries of the ship. I took a quick look at Millennium and looks like she will not be returning to to the US this year, she will be doing a couple winter Singapore, Benoa and trips to India before returning to Japan in May of 2024 https://www.cruisemapper.com/ships/Celebrity-Millennium-622?tab=itinerary#itinerary

With due respect having sailed out of both Amsterdam and Rotterdam the schedule change was made due to Saline intrusion into the freshwater canal system due to drought conditions. To reduce the effect they limited the number times per day they allowed ships to enter the lock system.

Maybe - but was specifically talking about Apex on the 3 cruises I was on. Experience may be different on other ships and sailings. Since we only travel in Suites and were on a E Class I never looked at the MDR or Blu menu.

I'm guessing you will be departing Rotterdam instead. That has been the theme this year. 50% of the cruises originally scheduled from Amsterdam were revised to Rotterdam. Amsterdam is only about an hour from Rotterdam and excellent train service to both Schiphol and Amsterdam. Like others suggested it is a good idea of you do book is to select a non-refundable fare. I did this recently and once things were finalized went back in and book a cheaper non-refundable room and cancelled my more expensive refundable.

My experience is that you request your agent to release the booking to Celebrity. If past the 30 days to transfer to an Agent I doubt they would allow you to transfer to a different agent. Make sure you understand the cancellation penalty and the new deposit rules if you decide to cancel and re-book.

Last time we did the transfer was quite easy. You get a free shuttle from the ship to a Lot where you get off pay a small fee of about 2 euros and the bus goes directly to the train station.

I found it easily found with Google by typing "Celebrity Captain's Club E-Mail" cec@celebrity.com

You will be perfectly dressed for you cruise. I find that Alaska Cruises are more relaxed than say a European Cruise. As weather can be variable, I would suggest planning on a layered look.

The app can be hit or miss on the menus pre-cruise. On our last cruise on Apex B3B they didn't' load the menu for each cruise until the day of the cruise. After that it was about 99% accurate.

The tasting menu does include wine pairing. I don't drink so the waitress said it wouldn't work but she would be glad to bring me as many entree's and starters as I wished and said she could have them downsize them. All I can say is just order a starter, main and desert was more than I could eat, but she did "screw up" and brought an extra entree and desert. She chuckled and said you have to try this one.

If I recall correctly Room Service does not begin until 6:00 AM and delivered in a 30 minute window. As other have indicated coffee is available 24 hours a day in OVC. Another option is I bring along a travel french press and your favorite coffee. I always bring mine along with favorite coffee. I just put my coffee in it and go to the OVC and fill with hot water. By the time I'm back to my room it is ready to plunge.

The Multiplier for Status was posted when it was first implemented. While you analysis is quite sound, I've won about 12 upgrades and have won them for as little as 40% of Maximum and have been Rejected with a full Maximum Bid with Zenith Status. Looking to take your vacation to the next level? You’re in luck. MoveUp allows you to bid on a stateroom upgrade after you’ve purchased your cruise. As a valued Captain’s Club member your bid gets a bonus boost based on your tier. So, you get more value than what you bid. Classic members get an extra 1% multiplier, Select members get a 2% multiplier, Elite members get a 3% multiplier, Elite Plus members get a 4% multiplier, and Zenith members get a 5% multiplier.

I don't remember seeing one but wasn't joining the ship in Rotterdam. Due to the changes in ports Our TransAtlantic disembarked in Rotterdam and we took a week off in Amsterdam. Our next Cruise Departed Amsterdam and again returned to Rotterdam.

I've seen it on every cruise. Once I take out the Max of $300 or $400, I am locked out from further withdrawals for 24-48 hours unless I churn about 25%. It may be how much you have taken off in a single day.

Not sure of Reflection since she has not been revolutionized. Regardless it is very easy to go to the Cash Cage. All of the ships I've been on that that I've used the cash cage they give you slot slips. I played a little (very little) combined all my slips onto a single cash slip and cashed out. I then took that slip to the Cash Cage and they gave me the cash. They are correct, you can't credit it back to your room but I've always been able to cash out. The only time I've had a casino slip I couldn't cash out was when I bought one of the Slot Packages (which I will never do again).

Even though we always have Premium Packages I often drink the melted ice water. In my humble opinion it tastes as good or better than the stuff in the can (which is filtered water). My preference is for San Pellegrino. I also like to take the canned water with us when on excursions.

I have used Private Journey before and was very pleased with it. The main reason I chose this option was it was the first cruises after Covid and at many points you could not tour on your own. We didn't want to do a Group Tour with lots of folks. The prices for us worked out real similar to Tour by Locals. Since we had a Celebrity Private Tour - the head of excursions escorted us off the ship, found our guide and processed us through the port security where we were required to have our forehead scanned for temperature.