Kelane
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Posts posted by Kelane
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If you have a drink package reward you'll need to go to the cashier desk in the casino when it opens so your sea pass card can be stickered with appropriate package.
We boarded the Equinox on July 7th. We had an invite to a Host's Party on same day. Drinks. Munchies. Meet the hosts. Get your drink stickers if it wasn't on your card, etc.
I see one of the new "benefits" is a "Casino host event". I'm assuming that was it. He answered a LOT of questions and informed us when the casino opened and what to do to get our free play, etc.
My card did not have Sapphire on it; but the drink package was on it.
Hubby's had Sapphire on it and drink package. Pretty sure I've not sailed with a card that actually had my Tier listed yet!!
I always get them to give me a Player's Card so I don't have to take my room key out to give them for drinks. Don't want to lose those points, ya know?!
I'm sure folks who are new to the Blue Chip Club are ecstatic over the new benefits. :rolleyes:
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Surprisingly they answered within a minute. When you call, can you also ask if the casino hosts will still look at your play at the end of the cruise to determine what to take off your bill? I forgot to ask but that better still be in place.
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Oddly enough, I didn't really realize "taking charges off the bill" was something they did.
We got off the ship on the 14th. I noticed on our online CC statement today Equinox charged us $254.
I know for a fact it should have been in the $600+ area. There is a larger "pending charge", from before we disembarked. It will go poof soon.
I guess, now that you mention it...the host is the only person I could think of who might adjust charges; but I've never asked. Interesting.
Karen
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As I read the new chart the Standard drink package is only good for the casino. Not sure if this restriction was there before. Now if you want to leave the casino with a drink I don’t think they are going to tackle you. Obviously when you tip the server a little more they pay “attention” to you. I was wondering if the casino 20% discount is still in existence plus then the “performance” discount is on top of that like it has been. Is there anybody here who is going to be on the August 11 slot tournament cruise. If so we could compare notes.
Standard drink package for Amethyst has not changed. Always been "casino only".
Standard choices are something like $6 and below. Limited. The casino servers are pretty good about figuring out a way to give you what you want...some of them at least! ;)
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I got the email too and called and asked about the changes and what my upcoming free play will be.
The email isn't worded well (not surprised). "gaming activity" to me means coin-in. Apparently they mean the higher of your theoretical loss or actual loss. So my last theoretical loss was $16.5k, so as Sapphire, my free play will be about $1,650. So that's more than the $1000 I was expecting but then I lose the free dinner, spa credit, and laundry credit. So it's a wash for me but I played alot more than usual last cruise. I'm probably not going to be as high as $1650 in the future.
Well, if THAT is the way it's figured, then I, for sure will get more then the original $1000! Not sure about hubby. He could do no wrong on our July cruise!:)
We used the laundry once on our 14 day in March, just to see what kind of job they did. Pretty good.
Finally Elite; so thinking perhaps there is laundry discounts with it. Hope so.
I think the Specialty Dinners will be missed as much as anything. We specifically booked the Reflection for our B2B because of the Porch and (can't remember the name) steak/pizza place on the lawn.
Still, not a deal breaker!
She also said they got rid of the other things because no one was really using them and they wanted to give their high players more benefits through this casino cash way. I'm not sure what to think about that since I used them but since the host takes charges off at the end, they probably would have been taken off anyway.
I had one mediocre pedicure and nothing else. I won't really miss the spa credit.
Happy they kept Michael's Club.
Amen...We LOVE Michael's Club.
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Thanks for the call and thanks for posting. I figured I'd give them a few days & then give them a call. I imagine the lines are lighting up right now!
Karen
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Received my email today with the new benefits. I’m not happy! No free dinners, spa treatments & half the free play... I already get internet & drink packages so that is useless. These changes have pushed me to try another line.
If you find another "non smoking" casino, please share it.
We swapped to Celebrity mostly for the non smoking casino...plus one of us (usually the hubby) always wins money...money he comes home with. (VP) Not so on other lines we've cruised.
These changes won't chase me away. Just a bit bummed for the 3 cruises we have booked looking forward to the original benefits. I still think it's a great program and am willing to bet you can get some of those lost perks from the casino host.
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We cruise in September. Does this start immediately or do you get what you were promised when you booked? I would hope Celebrity would at least give you what you had earned at time of booking. Thanks
I am hoping for the same...but kinda doubtful. :(
We have a cruise in Jan and the b2b in May 2019 (Ireland).
We were hoping for all perks, especially on the Ireland cruises.
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https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2654979
Just posted the new benefits emailed out today...
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Just received an email. As I expected they appear to be devaluing the benefits. Lowering the guaranteed free play for each tier level to a base plus a percentage of gambling. Also the free specialty restaurants are gone. Here is the new system:
Thanks! I don't know how to attach a photo and have been typing and typing!
Definite drops in benefits.
Still...better then what it used to be (much better then some other cruise lines) and as my Uncle Gordon always said "better then a poke in the eye with a sharp stick". ;p
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I spoke to someone at Blue Chip last week and he confirmed that none of the tier level benefits are changing. The only change was to the end of cruise incentive. As others have mentioned you no longer get anything from the hosts onboard you just call up Blue Chip after your cruise when you are interested in booking a new one and they will advise you of what discount they can offer you based on your play on the most recent cruise. So this is kind of going back to how they used to do it prior to the new tiered program launched last year. I have not booked anything yet under the new program to see how well it works.
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Well, whoever you talked to at BC mislead you. I just got my tier level email with the "new" benefits. Kinda disappointed.
We booked a b2b next year excited to get our Sapphire benefits on both cruise.
Sapphire Benefits went from 17 to 13. NO guarantee $1000 free play anymore. Now it based on your previous cruise play. Small print from email:
"* Free play and promo chip benefits are based on gaming and tier: Ruby level guests, the greater of $2,500 or 15% of the previous sailing's gaming activity. Sapphire level guests, the greater of $500 or 10% of the previous sailing's gaming activity. Amethyst level guests, the greater of $100 or 5% of the previous sailing's gaming activity. Free play and promo chip benefits are capped at $10,000 in value per sailing. Annual cruise benefits are based on play. All benefits are for the account holder only and subject to availability. Additional restrictions may apply, and benefits are not transferrable. Management reserves the right to suspend, withhold, or cancel the loyalty program at any time. Reel and video slot machine points: $1 coin in equals one tier point. Video poker and video roulette points: $2 coin in equals one tier point. Table games: $8 table theoretical equals one tier point. For full details, call Blue Chip Club at 1-866-461-7170 or visit celebrity.com/casino. "
Hopefully our previous play will give "greater" than the $500! As Uncle Gordon used to say "Better then a poke in the eye with a sharp stick"!!
No more Specialty restaurant for 2. :(
No more Friends & family 20% cruise discount.
No more laundry credit. Was REALLY excited about that combined with our elite laundry perks on our B2B in Europe next year. :(
No more Stateroom amenities/welcome gift. No biggie as we've never received them!
No more $100 Spa Credit.
Amethyst is basically the same except for no Specialty Restaurant.
Definitely changes!
Biggest bummer is the small print about how Free Play is now figured. I'm not sure what they will do on a B2B since leg 2 will be based on leg 1's play.
We sure will miss our Specialty restaurant meals,too.
Perhaps at the host's discretion, a couple of specialty meals will be offered on board...
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Kelane so glad you had a good trip. David is the name of the host that we did not care for. Glad he was better for y'all. Maybe we just caught him at bad times.....Susan
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This David was from England...I think, considering the number of "high rollers" insisting on freeplay, etc...he did a good job.
On the other hand, I don't require much from a casino host!
I did win $250 free play for just sitting at the right seat at the right time. I liked David a WHOLE lot when he brought that to me! I kinda wonder if those things are rigged? ;)
He stopped and visited a few times. Hubby got dealt a hand worth $1300 while David was standing there and he said we should have had to have a hand pay and tax form...Nope...machine just printed out a ticket and David was cool with it.
We had a meet and greet in Quasar the first day; munchies and drinks...and we met the Hosts. Got to talk to some other players and compare notes. Most seemed very happy with David...some hugging him from past cruises.
All went smooth with wifi and specialty dinners.
Dunno...but if you have David again; I hope he shows some of that English charm instead of English bulldog! :)
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Hi Kelane,
Thank you for the update and so pleased you had the perfect cruise, always a lot sweeter when the machines are paying out.
We are away on Silhouette on Saturday and if I find out anymore info I'll update when I get back.
Someone (aggiejeff) has started a thread over on the Celebrity forum titled " Blue Chip Club changes" so might be worth keeping an eye there too for any answers.
Thanks! I found it!
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Hi Kelane,
I hope you have a great cruise and look forward to hearing how you get on with future cruise benefits after your cruise, That's if you are willing to share any info.
Lucky cruising !!!
Our Equinox cruise was perfect (in our opinion)! We were in the casino a LOT of the time. David is the host and he was fabulous; busy, but fabulous. We Could do no wrong on first and last day at VP. Came home nicely up over all.
I asked David about the future cruise benefits and he had no clue. He said they had not told him anything other then "watch your email when you get home, it should be sent via email". He seemed rather flustered by his lack of knowledge of what is what now. He did say it takes a lot of work off of the hosts. Maybe that was the plan? Who knows?!
If/when I get anything; I'll update.
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Hi Kelane,
"So, are you saying the $/day benefit has changed? And you walked off the ship without anything showing what you earned? Well that's odd! They need to get the kinks worked out of the present system and leave it be!!
"Yes,we left this ship with nothing but have been in touch with BCC today and we've been told they will not be able to offer comps for 2019 sailings until January 2019. We can book and pay a deposit and based on our qualifying comp we will get a refund if we are eligible..... As we have a 3 further cruises booked for this year with Celebrity it would be nice to know what we qualify for in advance so that we can book next years cruises.
At least with $ a day or cruise certificates you knew where you stood with the incentives after each sailing.
As for the benefits last cruise, there were vouchers in the room for the Internet, speciality dining, spa and Laundry.
We are away again in a few weeks so hopefully will find out more then.
That is truly odd...and confusing! So when we sail in a couple weeks, we will not get anything towards a 2019 cruise?
We sail in Jan...guess we get clarification after that.
I might need to touch bases with the kids in BCC before July 7!:confused::confused:;)
Oh, and thanks for the info re: benefits. That will cause a whole lot less confusion...I hope!
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Hi Kelane,
Ralph was our favourite host too but sadly left Celebrity last September and is back home working in Nashville.
My Husband and I are both Sapphire and returned from a cruise on Monday. We were told that the system has changed yet again and the host had only just been told and didn't know what the changes were. We would have to phone Blue chip in a few days time to find out what benefit we had earned.
We cruised in April /May and were both awarded Dollars off vouchers for that cruise, a combined $210 a day off. There were other Blue chip members on that cruise and who didn't do so well and lots of people not happy with the change from the free cruise certificates.
Wasn't Ralph the best? :)
We know exactly where he lives; perhaps we drop by sometime. No conflict of interest since he's no longer on Celebrity.
Thanks for that tidbit!
We have been extremely happy "so far" with the new benefits. (I am happier now that I am Sapphire, too!) Having been used to getting "not much", this is a wonderful show of appreciation.
So, are you saying the $/day benefit has changed? And you walked off the ship without anything showing what you earned? Well that's odd! They need to get the kinks worked out of the present system and leave it be!! :D
I have just been reading thru the Blue Chip Club FAQS:
It says that all benefits are automatically on your card when you embark. I have not found that to be correct as far as wifi and specialty dinners are concerned. (At least as of March 2018). What was your process for those 2 benefits on your last cruise? I think we did have a code in the cabin for the wifi this time; but my husband's never worked (said I was entering his birthday incorrect!)...and the hostess couldn't/wouldn't figure it out for us. No big worries...he didn't care!
As for the specialty meals; we had to ask and leave notes several times for the hostess to finally remove the charges from our account.
Thanks again for the info on Ralph!
Kelane
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Hope you get Bruce for your host. He was Wonderful to us. The last time on the Equinox not so great. I don't even remember that hosts name. He had to replace my card one time because it was not working in the slots. You would have thought I had asked for his first born! We got no "extras" with him at all. So again....I hope it its Bruce. Susan
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Hope so too!
I think we had Ralph on the Equinox last fall. Ends up he actually lives about 30 mins from us and his wife works for the state as my daughter does.
He asked for our phone number (he was filling out the cruise certificate they used to use), and when we gave him the area code, his head swung up with wide eyes! "Y'all live in Nashville?"! Small world. We haven't sailed with him again...yet. :)
As a whole; we've had fabulous host/hostesses in the casino and we always have a great gambling experience. We do not like the vp layout of Silhouette ...but other then that; we have really enjoyed Celebrity casinos; even more so now!
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They are actually supposed to come over to you without you asking. On my January cruise on Silhouette the host just appeared on the second to last day with discount vouchers for a future cruise based on our play; we had not asked him to rate us. On Reflection last month I asked the host towards the end of the cruise if we needed to see him about an incentive and he said that it was already taken care of and to come see him on the last day. So if you are already a tiered level player and are doing a regular amount of play then they are tracking you already and you just visit the host on the last evening of the cruise to get your incentive.
Another perk that was not mentioned is that the host may remove charges from your onboard account based on your play, on top of whatever tier benefit credits you might have for spa or laundry, etc. On my Reflection cruise last month the host wiped out all our charges (about $600 worth after the Sapphire level spa credits were deducted) and kind of intimated that we could’ve charged more and he would’ve taken care of it. On the second to last evening he was asking if we wanted to go the spa or specialty restaurant or anything else. It was a little late at that point since we were in port all day the next day.
I also have yet to find out what this yearly benefit thing is. I used to get occasional Blue Chip offers by email prior to the program changes last year but now I never get anything. I’m not sure if that is maybe because I generally have around two future cruises on the books at any given time.
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I agree with "they are supposed to". We did Infinity 14 days So American in March and the hostess had "something wrong with her". At first it was her back and she wasn't in the casino, then, we have no clue what was going on with her. When I asked at the cruise end to be rated, she looked at me as if I'd grown a 2nd nose! Then, she understood and told me she would do it "in the morning". I reminded her we were getting off the ship the next morning and she said "Oh, ok, well, come back after 10 tonight"! Perhaps that is my memory of needing to ask.
Also, they didn't give my husband his 2 W-2G's for his hand pays. They told me they would give them out last night; but didn't happen. Guess we "wing it" April 15!
Anyway...I have never asked for anything to be removed except for the perks that comes with our Sapphire level. Sometimes the perks charges are on the card and the host has removed them. We don't buy much else onboard. On the Infinity, it was a huge ordeal trying to get our perks. I seriously think the hostess must have been on some big pain meds or something!
In hindsite...that was the only cruise I've ever had any frustrations with the hostess. Had hubby not had such a great 2 weeks in the casino; I might not have been as "patient"!!! ;)
I still REALLY like the program and hope they don't change it.
Something I failed to mention...
USE YOUR EARNED FREE POINTS PLAY ONBOARD!
Before, we would get onboard and they would tell us how much free play we earned on the prior cruise and we'd use it.
NOW...it's "use it or lose it" on this cruise. I wait and let it build, then use it.
Seriously, when the program first came out, I typed up every imaginably question...gave them a couple weeks to get over the "rush of questions" and called to work our way thru them. (It sounded too good to be true and I wanted confirmation; item to item"!!) I asked some questions they had no answer for; but they were nice enough to find them and call me back.
It has to be frustrating for them. They book for X and RCCL. And there aren't that many of them. I sometimes just email and let them do what they can when they can.
Silhouette in Jan? We did a Western Caribbean in Jan on her. Was it Angel? I can't remember the host for sure.
re: yearly benefit...who knows? They 1st sent an email for a free Mediterranean cruise (in 3 weeks) that we passed on...then the free President's cruise last fall, which we did go on. Not that I have a lot of open time in the calendar; but I would make some if they offered me another sometime soon! :)
We are back on the Equinox in a couple weeks. Anxious to see who the host is this time!
Take care!
Kelane
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I tend to disagree with some's opinion. Blue Chip Club has almost spoiled us to even going to land casinos anymore. We can't walk into any land casino with the perks we get from our membership tier with BC.
20 cruises on Carnival and nothing compares to this; plus, no smoking in the casino. ;)
My husband started out at Sapphire level and I was at Amethyst last June. No clue how this was decided; but we were excited for (especially) his benefits.
Every time we want to take a cruise, we call the Blue Chip Club and get 20% off. No limit to number of cruises. (I usually check the website and have a pretty good idea what my cost should be) On our last cruise, I made it to Sapphire for the next benefit period..
Our benefits will apply to every cruise we take thru December 2019. We are doing a B2B next year in Europe and we'll get the Sapphire benefits on both. We received "casino pricing" (basically 20% off) on both.
There have been 2 price decreases and I sent an email requesting they check my pricing and within 24 hrs had a new booking confirmation with decreased amount due. It can't get any easier.
btw...when I booked (over a year out), the price I reserved our cabin was much higher then it ended up being. Once 2018 got here, I called back and was given the casino pricing; which was 20% off the lower published rate. (that was before the 2 drops)
They do not get the casino rates in their computers over a year out. I wanted the same cabin on both legs; so I booked not entirely knowing what it would cost. It worked out. Experience with the club caused me to trust them.
Plus you can cancel anytime for full refund; up to 3 weeks prior (If I understood correctly), so the cons were limited.
They have also applied SR discounts and Resident discounts.
We will each step on the ship with $1000 Free Casino Play. They load it on your account and you download it; they do not offer cash. We each get free unlimited wifi, free drinks all over the ship, some laundry, spa credits, specialty dinners etc.
My favorite perk might be access to Michael's Club. We do not book suites and have not had entrance before becoming Sapphire. (NOTE: Please, no negatives about this access from the "suite guests". The ship says we "earned it"; so we're going to enjoy it!)
We get VIP boarding (actually escorted to Michael's on our first Blue Chip cruise). Blue Chip VIP line is right next to Elite, etc. Priority boarding.
I was very excited to bump up and will have my first "taste" in a couple weeks. We do our normal play; not working on "bumping up". I think they are extremely generous.
When I was at Amethyst level, I rec'd $175 and "standard" drinks ONLY in the casino.
Personally, we love the new Club tier program. The free play pretty much covers our cruise cost (7 day) and that makes us happy. The other benefits are just money in our bank. ;)
While some answers are a bit "vague"...if you call up with a cruise you want to take and ask for a price, you will get 20% off casino pricing. Not sure what the yearly benefit is; but we were invited on the President's cruise last fall "comped". Haven't gotten another yet this year; but fingers crossed!
Celebrity hasn't really gotten their act together with the Blue Chip Club VIP benefits; but they are a LOT better then they were when it started!
As you get to the end of your cruise; ask the Casino Host to "rate you". In the past, you could earn a certain level cruise. Now they will rate you with a per day $ amt off a future cruise. We had $149 per day discount (first leg) PLUS the 20% off on our Europe B2B. That adds up to a very nice perk, in my opinion. On another, we had $69 per day discount + 20%.
They do not limit the cruises for you to pick from either.
Probably more info then you wanted; but if you made Amethyst in 1 cruise; then you probably will appreciate the "next level"! In the beginning I asked a LOT of questions; but just using the benefits and the players club reps has made it clearer. I am still learning; but all has benefited me; so it's all good! :)
Note...you DO have to ask the host/hostess to rate your play. They don't just come over and hand you "$ off" coupons.
Also, keep an eye on your account that you aren't charged for something that should be a perk. It's usually a communications break down between the casino and restaurant. Host will fix it. :)
Hope some of this helps!
Kelane
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Would you recommend this for kids? I'm struggling for something fun and different to do with my 9 yr old.
If you have a driver, the 9 yr old could definitely sit safely on the back; it has a seat belt. It is all open air and the island is gorgeous BUT...there is drinking and a tequila factory tasting; so perhaps not interesting to the child. Only 1 stop that they could go down to the water; and it's not recommended that anyone goes in at this point. (ROUGH water).
Beautiful ride.
You might check their site for age limits.
Perhaps they might enjoy going to a Mr. Sanchos type place and playing on the water amusements?
I guess it would depend on the child if they would enjoy this. Sorry to be a "no good answer" on your question!!
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ok, I need everyone's advice!
Will be stopping in Cozumel on the Celebrity Edge next Jan with a group of about 20 ladies. Many many of us have been to Cozumel multiple times and this itinerary is all about the ship, of course! We'll also be stopping in Costa Maya and Grand Caymen...it's my job to find fun/different/memorable things to do (just back from Windstar last week)
So, I love the Trikes Tour.
But wondering if we need to look into the Dos Ojos tour....looking at the Cozumel tours website by Johan and Sandra, they offer the snorkeling/Dos Ojos Cenote tour as well as a Chocolate and cooking tour...
Help steer me in the right direction, please!!!!!!:cool:
If you need something for Costa Maya...Maya Chan is excellent. Look at their FB page. There is a picture of a large group of ladies that visited last week...all floating out in the water in a group. The staff kayaks out to serve you your drinks...you never have to leave your seat!!
We were there in Jan for the first time and loved it. Wasn't looking forward to going to Costa Maya at all...but would return again for Maya Chan.
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These look like fun! Thanks for the info. I think this is exactly what I was looking for!! Are any of the trikes big enough for 4 people? And is the lunch included in the fee or did you pay extra for that?
In Cozumel we were pleased and surprised that lunch WAS included. Drinks were on us though.
The chicken fajita lunch they served each of us was enough for 2 people. So fresh and so good!
Trikes are 1 seat in front and double in back. Not sure if maybe an adult and 2 kids could fit on back? Probably not; mostly for safety concerns. Look at them on the site; not sure I've seen more then 3 on one in any port.
I personally love sitting in the middle right behind hubby. If you look on their FB page they had us on their "Have Fun" picture. Not sure if still there or not. I saved it!
It was a fabulous day. Worth every penny!
Lots of good ideas here though!
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One of our port stops is Cozumel. We haven't picked any activities yet as we can't make up our minds. So please tell me what y'all did at this port and if you would do it again!!! :)
We have been to Cozumel many times and have done it all from horse back riding to chillin at Mr. Sanchos (our favorite)...but we just got back 2 weeks ago and had the most fabulous tour in Cozumel!
We did TrikesCozumel
We have done the trikes in St. Maarten (6 days before it was blown away) and Aruba; but Cozumel was the absolute best.
We rode along the beach around the whole island.We stopped several places for photos. Stopped by the ocean and had THE best mojito you could ever imagine (all hand done, no blenders) $6.
Included was a Tequila distillery "tour" and tasting. Then they served us an amazing fajita lunch. Drinks were on your own; but reasonable.
I think they would have kept touring us had we not told them it was time to get back to the ship!
They furnish bandanas and helmets. All new equipment. They take time to get you introduced and comfortable riding the trike.
Trikes are automatic (car engines) and brand new. My husband (we are in our 60's) drove and I rode on the double wide back seat. (2 can ride). There were only 2 couples on our tour and we had NO complaints. We had 2 guides who led us in a VW Beetle; 1 hanging out the window taking pictures! They post all these pictures on their FB page and you can download any of them for free.
So glad we did the 3rd island with them. I have recommended them so many times that there won't be many more months of "just 1 or 2" on the tour!;)
Check it out!
btw...I am just enthusiastic because this is something new and unique for us that we totally enjoyed...I am in no way affiliated with them! :)
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I just wish the fare viewer site would work.
That is what I came over to see about...if I was the only one having issues with the fare viewer. It hasn't worked for a week for me.
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I'd sign up for the whiskey and bacon tasting everyday! I'm definitely suggesting that to corporate!
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Excellent!
We were on the Reflection last fall (95% sure that's the one!) and friends did it and said it was awesome. We have asked every cruise since if they will offer it and they look at us as if we have a big purple eye in the middle of our head! ;)
I'll keep asking till it rolls back around!
Karen
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Yes, there was! You would have fit right in. As a matter of fact we sat next to a wonderful couple, Shari and Jeff and ended up meeting them at the Martini Bar each night.
Awesome. Going to watch for this on our Jan cruise!
I'm still waiting for the whiskey and bacon event to come back! ;)
Thanks!!!
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Blue Chip Club changes
in Celebrity Cruises
Posted
I upgraded my drink pkg to Premium onboard in July. Found out it has gone from $10 more a day to $14 a day...but max drink price has gone to $15 from $13.
Interesting that at the end of the cruise...that (plus some cash we withdrew at the casino) were not in full charged to our CC. As they don't leave bills at the cabin anymore; I'm not sure what happened. I can only assume the host took some of those charges off. At least $400 worth. I never ask; but evidently hosts do things behind the scenes. :)
No clue about future benefits. I just call and tell them a cruise I want and they take 20% off (and in the past the earned day credit) and book it for me!
I guess I'll ask next time I call.
Also, in the past I've gotten an email for a free cruise. President's Cruise on Equinox last fall was the last one. I'd say I'm due another. ;):D