Jim_Iain

Thanks Gerry- I know you said the bartender is really good. What's his name? Also do you know if the Retreat Concierges will be the same (We are not on until December). Wondering if we know them.? On Summit it seemed that Retreat and Luminae were fully staffed but butlers were down to 3 and one was suppose to go home but they extended him. He was looking forward to going home as he had been on for over 7 months.

When I choose Plan my cruise - Go to the top right circle with initials in it - choose Order History - Choose the ones with Zero total paid - My agent also breaks it out on the Celebrity Invoice and shows in greater detail showing all the perks. If you booked with an agent you can call and ask for a copy of your booking. If booked with Celebrity I have used Celebrity automated line several times to request copies of invoices... if you're in the US you might try 888-307-8413 and follow the prompts. It is very easy and I believe only requires your booking number. For drinks I see this and for Internet I see this

Believe me they know. How? I don' t know. Generally when you book a B2B your agent whether Celebrity or an agent stipulate that it's a B2B and there is a B2B and a OBC is given for each segment. I guess they also have you name, date of birth and Passport Number and possibly you CC number that would also tie you. I've never had a problem and if in question you could always ask at guest relations. You room attendant and butler (if applicable) will also be notified and will facilitate if a room change takes place. You don't need to do online check in at all if you choose and don't but can check in for all 3. I usually have a stock picture on my PC and just use it for all my checkins. They often retake your picture whether uploaded or not as well as they always verbally ask you the health questions even if you filled out. You will be invited to a B2B meeting a couple days prior to turn around day and they will give you a letter defining the process in detail. It varies by port and sometime done on the shim and often done where you have to go off the ship. It depends on where they are doing immigration.

I'm curious to hear from those on Solstice now or the next week or so how staffing levels are and If their are any changes to the normal service levels we have all become accustomed to. There have been many reports of staff on some of the other ships.

The first night Specialty are generally booked out as much as 6 months in advance especially on a TA. When you get aboard stop by the specialty and see if you can book. They do hold back bookings and there are often cancellations.

I did 2 cruises on Summit B2B2B. Each said they hoped we would not have to do B2B testing but depending on the infection level we had to be tested on all the b2B's. The last one In the morning they said no and 3 hours later I got an appointment on my door. The B2B tested are provided by Celebrity at no cost to you. My only complaint is that after the test you get NO results. When asked they simply said if you had been positive you would have known quickly. The testing when required is done the day before turn around port.

My biggest problem on longer B2B's is that after while I loose track of what day it is. I really enjoy just deciding what I want to do when I want to do it instead of a steady schedule.

I felt much the same on my first cruise. On business I was constantly in the air for most of my career. When Iain first suggested taking a cruise 20+ years ago I agreed reluctantly thinking I would be bored to death . I just couldn't imagine being locked on a ship for a full week. Obviously I loved it and found it to be the most relaxed I had ever been. To the OP. There really is a difference between a very Port intensive cruise like a Med cruise where you are in a new port every day arriving early. After a couple ports we are always begging for sea day for some down time. On a TA you can do as much or as little as you choose and just have some quality uninterrupted time with your with your Spouse, SO or friend.

I'm sure they will as well as any other dietary needs. Might be fun to let him know an he will probably pick up some nice selections for you.

Mine just shows a picture of the Beverage Picture --- no words or name but for Internet It shows one package for 2 and another in my name only for 1. Celebrity IT is almost comical. I would not worry about it. Having said that on our Summit Cruise there was a screw up and drink packages were not on the seapasses of 60% of the guests on the ship. The line for CS was all the way up the stairs and into the Martini Bar. They did end up giving those affected an OBC as an apology.

I Have to agree with you. In Labadee we stay aboard. Last time we were there the Temps were well over 100 F and most that went ashore were back pretty quickly as even in the shade it was sweltering. I'm sure it isn't common to have such heat. I have gone ashore in the past and really didn't didn't see much that would want to make me go ashore again. If I recall they have lots of areas for swimming, Ziplines and the like and a BBQ lunch - BBQ lunch for 1,000 leads much to be desired but he crew do work hard hauling all that stuff and setting up.

Fixed Early Dining and Late Dining are in a different area than anytime dining so should have no impact. Many book anytime then use the app to make reservations for your preferred early dining time for the entire cruise. You can also stop by the Maitr 'd and see if he can get you into fixed time early dining.

I did miss it. Sorry @airbalancer I thought you were being serious. OK... I'm having my first cup of coffee with Fresh Squeezed California OJ and Fresh Blueberries. Thanks @canderson

I guess we all have different opinions and expectation. Definitely not a criticism as I respect your opinion. While I don't partake in the ship's sponsored activities I've never been bored, find their food to be much the same as most cruises with multiple stops. They ships do re-provision at each stop and I've seen plenty of fresh salads and vegs. I will agree with you that sometimes the Berries are in short supply and occasionally they run short of popular items before re-provisioning. We have been doing at least 1 TA or TP a year for the past 20 years and have a number of them planned. Obviously I love them and they have a huge following.

Since you I believe are from Georgia (Peachtree City) you may like yours sweet. I never liked mine sweetened, but my Grandmother who lived in Knoxville area of Tennessee would make it so sweet; I swear you could stand a stick up in it.

Thee is so much planned you could never participate in it all. Would recommend getting the Celebrity App and select a current sailing - Go to Daily Planner (this is what is also posted daily in the newsletter) UNFILTER TO ALL. The default is Recommended activities. It is usually only populated near cruise date.

You are right.... LOL.... I know I will hear a lot of Eeeeewwwws. I enjoy Ice Tea but don't like hot tea. Being and Equal Opportunity Couple ...... Iain being British drink more than my supply. He likes it STRONG and usually puts 3 bags in a pot. For room service I bring a plastic bag of his Tetley British Strength. He even brings some to Retreat to pop in the pot with the Forte

I have made 11:00 flights a number of time leaving the ship at 8:15 had plenty of time. Walk off's generally start around 7-7:15 and last call generally 9:00 to 9:30. There have been many cases where something happens - late arrival of customs, medical evacuation causing the ship to arrive late etc...etc.... Just know your risks and have a backup plan.

Solstice has not gone through Revolution. There is no retreat sun deck or hot tub for Suite Guests. Also on Solstice we have Michael's Club not Retreat. It is in original condition with wood walls and a piano in the alcove.

I didn't notice it in mine until the IT glitch and then I checked and found it on all my booking going out as fare as 2024. I figured it was a glitch and just ignored it. Maybe they took down the system due to the error ---LOL

I really think the only advantage of checking in early is to get the desired check-in time you wish. Sites and Zenith can board anytime but others are assigned specific check-in times. It is also part of the anticipation knowing the cruise is coming close. You do not need to do advance Check-In just like airlines. It must makes things easier.

I have a feeling it is a Supply Chain issue. We had their regular teas in those little Pyramid but near the end of our Summit cruise they ran out and started using Bigelow. The next cruise the little Pyramid's were back.

I have a feeling it was an IT screwup last weekend when the sytem was down. I also showed all of my reservations had that extra money..... Yea... I smacked my lips but noticed it has gone back to the correct amount yesterday

Also smoothies are not what I and many expect. They are generally offered in the Spa Cafe and and not the icy kind I would have expected. They are generally mixtures of seeds and kale etc. I believe you can ask them to add ice to them. As other said you and get many icy slushy smoothies as a mocktail just tell the bar tender you wish.

Hope you will post pictures of the excursion. The Cartegena one was the one that was cancelled on us. I had booked it 6 months in advance so was really disappointed when cancelled.