RetiredCruiser2015

On previous cruises, we received a phone call 3-4 weeks pre cruise. This time it was via an email. It just arrived yesterday ( 4/27) for our 5/19 cruise. It outlined a lot of great information, requested information on any of our arrival information, and requested information on any special requests or needs. It also provided the name and phone number of onshore concierge in case we needed to reach out.

I am not sure at what suite level this service becomes available.

Thanks for sharing!

We always take a decent supply of small denomination bills on our cruise. With our premium beverage package, we like to tip the bar servers a buck or so, especially if in the casino and the servers come to you at a table or machine. We tip the sommelier either the first or second night, especially if they have taken the time to understand our tastes and make subsequent wine recommendations based upon the meal. We have discovered some great wines this way, ones we may not have normally selected ourselves. We also tip in Michaels Club as early as our first visit and sporadically throughout the cruise, really depends on how often we are served by the same staff.

Some things to consider..

if two people, you don’t necessarily need a two devise plan. If only one logged in at a time, one devise plan may suffice.

in my experience, the price quoted on website for an unl8mited plan already includes any status discount.

speed is VERY slow during at times...if you buy a minute based plan, you may find it getting used up more quick than you might expect.

watch for package discounts...when we sailed RCL, there were significant price drops so we bought a two devise unlimited plan.

we always opt for the unlimited plan and watch prices to determine whether one devise or two.

It only adds value once you've climbed high enough on the loyalty ladder to get all those added perks. So until then, no. A ship or cruise line has to stand on its own merits. And if it can't to that, it's highly unlikely that I would stick with that line long enough to accrue all of those loyalty points. OTOH, if I had sailed often enough to reach elite, or beyond, one would think that continuing to choose X would primarily be because we preferred their sailing experience, and the loyalty perks were simply a nice side benefit (not a determining factor).

I agree...A cruise line choice stands on the merits of the cruise line. I select Celebrity because of the ships, stateroom, itineraries, staff, food, etc. The loyalty benefit should become icing on the cake!

A private pool and bar area for the suites. Or a private pool area and loungers at extra cost for the chairs hogs.

 

I don’t really care as we usually sit on the balcony that we paid for. Don’t t see the fascination about laying around the pool when I can look out at the ocean.

 

The grass never was area that I utilized becasue there were too many other areas that were available.

 

Happy cruI sing

Love that idea! Michaels is very nice, but someplace with light and a view and air would be so much nicer!

There are in fact two in the bedroom on the dressing table but on the right as one sits at it. One European and one US. There are another pair on the work top by the kitchen sink. A further pair are on the floor by the living room side lamp and telephone but the European one of this pair is taken by the lamp.

Thanks a million! :)

I'm Sorry if my photo posting from my phone is not the best. So I may keep the photos for when I can sit at the table with my lap top.

 

Special Luggage was great and seemed to work well so a plus for a new perk. I have done a quick room tour and posted it on my YT page.....

 

 

One thing I have noticed is that a lot of the menus etc seem to have been reprinted and designed since our last trip on Eclipse a year ago so as I can I will photo them and upload here, Sea day tomorrow and the CC connections party aka meet and mingle,

Thank you for the video tour...we are in a Silhouette RS next year. Question....I see there are outlets on the dressing table,in the bedroom. Are there any outlets In the Living area? If so, how many and where..in today’s day and age of electronics, it becomes a challenge when trying to have 4 people in a RS that all need to power up devices. Thank you!

This thread was great to read! A few months ago I was reading threads on packing that made it sound as though I was in a minority for at not being able to pack in just a carry on. Loved this thread as DH and I typically pack a 26 each plus a small duffle carry on that serves as our last night disembark bag. This is our standard whether it is a 7 or a 15 night cruise and we always do 3-4 days land pre cruise. We always plan for wearing a couple of our dinner outfits twice, which one usually depends on fresheners/cleanliness. Colder climate cruises are a tad more challanging as layers and jackets take more space.

I too pack a lot of “just in case” especially having to trek through St. Maarten a few years ago in search of throat lozenge sand Mucinex. But like previous posters, a small supply of a lot of just in case items fits into a small cosmetic bag.

I finally found a suitcase that I can get everything in and it's easy to spot on the carousel.

 

https://www.google.com/search?q=giant+suitcase&hl=en&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&sqi=2&ved=0ahUKEwjyusKfp6fcAhWGpI8KHaWNCAoQsAQIkwE&biw=1920&bih=947#imgrc=RoQuOIGr6R4BCM:

I need one of these!

... a Chef’s Table dining experience similar to that offered on Princess Cruises?

 

 

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Not sure is always offered....we really enjoyed the one on our Panama Canal Cruise on the Infinity in 2015 but our Greek Isles in 2017 on Reflection did not offer one.

Luvcrusn is spot on. We have sailed both Celebrity and RCL and Celebrity is our preference. We only do RCL when traveling with friends that prefer RCL and are grateful for the some reciprocity on loyalty status.

While RCLmis still very nice, Everything on Celebrity is a notch above RCL...staff friendliness, food, stateroom amenities, suite amenities, etc.

Hate to say it... MDR is Actually buffet food. Mass produced plates hours before dinner, made to look fancy because they are served to you by a waiter.

 

Just off of Galley tour yesterday at 4:30pm and about 300 Caesar salads were being prepared at that time for MDR along with hundreds of other meals hours before they are served. How else can they serve 2000 people in the MDR right at 6pm when they are seated??? Definitely not a la minute!!

 

 

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Agree, quality isn’t the issue...it is the crowds and having to get into multiple different lines to get what you want...and we are a group of 8 and dread finding a table.

Yes Park Cafe is mentioned... at the bottom under Snacks.

 

 

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Thanks...found it....if I recall, it is the burger and fries place.

Speed test results from our cabin on deck 10:

- Ping: 2ms

- Download: 336.5 KB/s

- Upload: 405.5 KB/s

 

Coffee Cards are $36, and any size drink is one punch.

 

 

 

 

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Question about Vroom packages. We are two adults...would you recommend the packages?

 

This was the compass from a few weeks ago.

 

All Compasses are in my review - https://boards.cruisecritic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=2645176

Thanks for posting this. Very helpful for more than just dining! Disappointed MDR isn’t an option as we are not buffet fans. Noticed that Park Cafe isn’t mentioned in the cruise planner?

Can anyone advise on what the lunch options are for embarkation day? We are in a suite and are also Diamond, but this is our first Diamond cruise and do not know if that adds additional lunch options. We are on Radiance of the Seas later this month.

Thanks in advance for anyone that can save me a call to RCL.

I thank everyone for their experience and insights. I think I need to pack for a bit of everything and carry a waterproof pack for extra layers that may or may not be needed. LOL.

Here's a website with the average temps, etc. by Alaskan town/city: https://www.usclimatedata.com/climat...ed-states/3171

Very helpful, Thank you.

We are getting closer to our July Alaska Cruise and have been searching the forums on what we might expect for weather and temperatures. See a lot on packing for layers for excursions which is very helpful and that July can be very rainy. However trying to get an idea of what those posting consider cold for July. One post said it can get as cold as low 50s which I don’t necessarily consider cold.

Some posts also say to pack shorts for on the ship because it can get warm.

Our ports ar Juneau, Ketchikan, Scagway, and Icy Strait Point.

Any input on how cold it could get is appreciated. Just trying to get an idea if we are talking turtle necks, thermals and gloves. Or are we talking lighter layers.

Are we talking 30s or are we talking 50s?

Any insight for what to expect in July is appreciated.

Thank you.

While I agree with you that it should have been mailed to all C&A members, as well as all those being currently booked on a cruise and not a C&A member, I do think this would have been a little overwhelming task for their IT department;p:confused::rolleyes:

At the very least, they should have emailed it to everyone with a current reservation.

That’s nice that it’s being acknowledged and that there’s a plan to fix it and not leave it the way it is.

 

I never got this letter though, and I’ve been a Crown and Anchor member for 14 years and my email address has never changed.

 

I guess that part of their system is just as flawed as the website.

 

 

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Agree...never got the email either.

We are on Radiance in July and the deluxe package went on sale for 25%off... $42 plus gratuity in January. We bought but do keep an eye out in case it goes lower

Another thing to consider is flying the day before the cruise departs, especially if you are booking yourself and not through CruiseAir with Celebrity. That way if your flight has issue, you will have a day of cushion.

Also like the recommendation to talk with a travel agent. Navigating various airlines and options can be confusing if you are not used to it.

We did the tour on Reflection and it was so much more thorough than the free gallery tour or the free entertainment backstage tour. It was a limited size group and we toured staff corridors, food storage coolers, engine room, bridge, a lot that is the heart of the ship. Really facilitating and really enjoyed it.