LB_NJ

When do they post the summer schedule?

I usually park at the port however, it is getting a little pricey.

Any good alternatives?

Not staying at a hotel so park and stay is not an option.

Check in means providing information such as passport information, etc.  

You get a boarding time when you check in. The ap should have an estimated check in time.

They also ask that you upload a photo when you checkin. In the US I don’t bother. Not sure if it matters for a European departure.

They sometimes enforce boarding times. The earlier you checkin the earlier you are likely to get an earlier boarding time.

1 hour ago, DaKahuna said:

 

 I am curious as to why?  We sail in the Retreat with the Premium package and I still sign up for these.  In my experience the wines served are usually ones not included in the package so I am getting to try wines I normally would not be able to try at an inexpensive price.  Additionally, if I find one I or my DW really enjoys, I can  buy a bottle or two at a discount. 

 

 

While they may not be the same wines if you have the premium package you can create your own wine tasting experience by trying various wines that are included or are just a few dollars more.

Plus I know that there are wines I definitely don’t like and I can just avoid them. If they are part of the 6 or so wines that are in the World Wine Tour then I’m stuck.

On 11/28/2023 at 6:01 PM, tmal2 said:

We'll be in Bermuda on the Getaway in February and we're interested in making a private excursion to the Crystal caves from the Dockyard. Does anyone know if this is an easy trip to make within the 9-4 window the ship will be in port? What's the best way to get to the caves?

 

Thanks

Given your limited time in port your best bet might be a shore excursion through the ship.  It is pretty far from the dockyard to the caves.

We did it on our own however we were docked in St. George’s on an overnight.

2 hours ago, crusnbee said:

Has anyone been in this one? If so, what do you think? I love the heat and water therapy and am wondering if it is worth the daily pass.

CG

I sailed in Aqua on Constellation so I tried it out for free.  I don't think I would purchase a day pass however, I don't use saunas. As was said it is a heated bench, not loungers, however the couple of times I was there I was the only person on the bench.  Also no windows so pretty dark.

21 hours ago, Club Eleven said:

Coming at this topic from perhaps a different direction than many! 😎

 

I totally understand that some don't like to go formal, or chafe at being required to do so, but I dig dressing up and rarely have occasion to nowadays. I'm on Equinix on a TA in April, and think it would be fun to dress formally on Evening Chic nights. I'm sailing solo, so it's just my own dressing preferences I need to consider (not a spouse, partner, etc). How many guys dress in a tux/dinner jacket on Evening Chic nights? How out of place would I be? 

 

I'm inclined to dress to the nines no matter what, just for the fun. But still interested to know how many other passengers do.

While I always bring my tux on a Cunard cruise and don’t even wear a jacket or tie on Celebrity there is a high likelihood that many men will be wearing a suit on Celebrity TA.

There is better than a 50% probability that at least one other pax will be wearing a tux. Also, many women will dress up. 

I recently paid $32 per person, which included the gratuity.

We don’t have the beverage package. If we did I  might skip.

At that price I think it is worth it.  We’ve done it before so we have an idea of what to expect. I don’t think I would spend much more.

As others have said it can be a bit of a zoo. You get to try several OK wines and talk to other passengers about wine and the wine stewards who sometimes know what they are talking about.

DO NOT expect expensive wines.  Probably all below $15 - $20 at your local wine shop.

To put things into perspective, I have never spent over $100 for a bottle of wine (except ports), and maybe buy 5 bottles a year over $40.  So I like wine and going to wineries for tasting but tend to buy in the $15 to $35 range at wine shops/wineries. I guess that translates to $60-$150 shipboard prices.

According to the Celebrity website you do NOT get any beverage package or WiFi with a Move-Up bid to a suite.

Free specialty dining only comes with the higher end suites.

1 hour ago, Tierun said:

Did you book as an AQ guarantee or a regular guaranteed veranda? If you did regular veranda, do you now get the Aqua perks?

I booked an AQ guarantee.  Doubt I would have gotten an Aqua if I had only booked a regular guaranteed veranda.

On 2/26/2024 at 10:57 AM, cruisebabe50 said:

Also, I know we can bring a couple of bottles of wine onboard but do you know if they allow bottled water?   I know some cruise lines have said no more bottled water because of the "booze smugglers, lol"  

Everything you bring on has to be sealed bottles/cans.

According to Celebrity all beverages has to be in carry-on luggage.

I have never found a limit to the amount of non-alcoholic beverages you can bring aboard.  So I assume you can bring a dozen sodas and a dozen bottles of water if you want to.

The limit of 12 bottles of soft drinks is the Royal Caribbean limit.

I thought you could no longer move a deposit to another cruise.  Once you make a non refundable deposit it is completely lost if you change sailing date.

4 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

  You should have been advised to purchase travel insurance  

Unless you purchase cancel for any reason travel insurance (significantly more expensive) it would not cover the situation the OP talked about.

I also don’t see how this is Celebrity’s fault. Non-refundable is non-refundable. Also, non of the cruise lines I’ve traveled on will talk to you about the reservation without the travel agent on the line.

I definitely would not use the travel agent again.

1501 on Eclipse

I will have to call Celebrity however I always find it is better to know the facts before a call.

I bought a guaranteed cabin and was just assigned an actual cabin number.

The cruise is still 5 months away and there are many cabins still available in the same class.

I would like to get a different cabin in the same class.

Have people been able to do this?  How hard is it?

18 hours ago, DJLDRUMS said:

We'll be on the Silhouette in early April. We're looking for those cruisers who ate specifically at the Tuscan Grille restaurant. I've read some positive reviews without them going into detail. Can anyone else elaborate on the food quality and types they serve that you'd recommend along with the price per person and if you've found it worthwhile. I'm reading that the MDR food is now blah-blah so a night or two at the Tuscan grille might be something to give a try to. Thanks in advance to those who reply.

It is NOT a world class Italian restaurant however it is OK. Food is generally subjective however I think it is a step up from the MDR.

There are sample menus on the Celebrity website.

I personally don’t think it is worth the listed price however if there is a significant sale or you have extra OBC you could give it a try.

I haven't done the tour however I have watched people jump off the "cliff" ( really a large rock) in Tom Moore's Jungle. And hiked the area.

I think it is very interesting and worth the effort.

However, I don't think I would do this tour if I were still recovering from surgery.  Even if you got through it I don't think it would be enjoyable.

We are not elite and on our last cruise we were in Aqua and got a tote and keyholder.

1 hour ago, Cruisegirl6 said:

 It was either taking this guarantee Oceanview or not going.

That is where the saying applies.

You chose to book a guarantee and take your chances.

8 hours ago, Mangrove Snapper said:

Is this the Iceland/Greenland cruise?  We did this cruise on the Summit in Aqua on deck 11, which is the top deck on the Summit but not on the Eclipse.  We had excellent views from our cabin for going into Akureyri and Isafjordur. 

 

We were on Constellation (same ship class as Summit) in Aqua on deck 9 and hated the overhang.

It completely blocked views toward the sky.  So if you are sailing in fjord it will NOT be good.

14 minutes ago, jelayne said:

No deck 13 on any Celebrity ship.

14 minutes ago, luv2camp04 said:

Most cruise ships (and hotels, office buildings, etc...) do not have a level 13.

I know many don't, just didn't realize it applied to Celebrity.

14 minutes ago, jelayne said:

No deck 13 on any Celebrity ship.

Never been on a Celebrity ship with more than 12 decks.

I have a guarantee on Aqua on Eclipse for Bermuda. 

I have been to Bermuda before so I am willing to take a chance on a guarantee.

It looks like there is a HUGE overhang on Aqua midship.  If I had a choice I would probably book forward and take a chance with the possible rough seas for a trip to Iceland.

Just noticed this on the deck plans.

As you said there is always a chance that there could be a glitch with Celebrity IT.

As long as you have copies of all the receipts it shouldn't be too hard to resolve if there is a hiccup.

You can always bid for a verandah.

The old saying "You pays your money and you takes your chances" fully applies in the case of guarantee cabins and move-up bids.