phoenix_dream

It sure is, although I am totally confused as to what that comment has to do with my post.

We're sailing together - saw you on the Roll Call. Looking forward to it (and hoping the situation at a couple of our ports in Mexico clear up - at least one is currently on the State Dept. do not travel list).

As others have said, all you need to do is speak up and they will do what they can to accomodate you. It may on occasion require a bit longer wait time, but they will get you where you want to be. If you like that table/place after dining there just let them know and they will try to get you there for future dinners.

I think if I read about a number of people getting "xyz" benefit while cruising in the same level cabin I am and then I don't get that benefit, it is not unreasonable to be disappointed. I don't see that as a self-created expectation. It's an expectation derived from reading multiple posts from others in the same level cabin. For many of us, like me, sailing in a Royal Suite for example is a likely once in a lifetime experience. I read about all the nice things others have received and how they've been treated and I expect for the money I am paying I will get the same. If that does not happen I think I have a right to be disappointed (and for the record, no, I am not expecting to be disappointed - just hoping I am not). Sometimes it's the little things that nag at you. For example, on a recent cruise we were identified as the most cruised. We were astonished as this had not happened to us in probably 25+ years since before Celebrity merged with Royal. We got introduced by the Captain at the CC party. That was nice, although he got a good number of our facts incorrect - we almost didn't recognize that it was us he was talking about🙂. They took a picture of us with the Captain and like had happened years ago, we expected a copy of that photo to be given to us. Never happened. I guess they expected us to buy one - or maybe someone just forgot. Years ago we not only got the photo, but it was in a really nice display folder as well. We thought the cruise director, who was there, would come over and say hi and congrats. Never happened. We did get beautiful flowers and a bottle of wine which we definitely did appreciate, and the Captains Club hostess was lovely. So do I look back and only see the disappointing parts I mentioned? Of course not. It was a fun experience nevertheless and we appreciate what was done. But there were parts of it that were disappointing based on what we thought were reasonable expectations.

I hope I'm not overstepping bounds here, but when I need help with this kind of stuff I call on my younger family members. They seem to be experts in all this type of thing and make me feel like I'm still back in the stone age 🙂. Perhaps you have a younger relative or friend who could help you with this? Much easier (and less stressful) than if you have to rely on people at the pier to help you.

I definitely would pick Equinox. She's my favorite ship, and I am not a particularly big fan of E class ships. Sailed on Apex and she was beautiful but more style than substance IMHO. We found S and M class much more comfortable for us.

And my upcoming cruise is December 3. Ugh! Wish they had extended it just a bit longer.

Can't speak to your particular cruise, but on ours in December the show times were 7:30 and 9:30. It was the first time in over 65 sailings on Celebrity that we encountered shows at those times (and it was our first and only E class sailing). I know it's not all about me, but I personally don't like those times. For years we've done the 7:00 and then gone to dinner. 8:30 for dinner is really pushing it a bit late IMHO.

Thanks for the info. On one of our upcoming sailings (March I think it is) we will be both Zenith and in a Royal Suite. So looking forward to it! It is frustrating that as you read the posts on the thread there are so many differences from one ship to another. They really should be standardizing things. I'm sure all the promised perks will be delivered as published, but it sounds like a lot of the "extras" are on a ship by ship basis, depending on who the Captain is, how the officers interact, etc.. It will be interesting to see how our welcome to Zenith goes. We hit Zenith after our September cruise and have a December cruise on Solstice where we should be recognized as Zenith. Can't wait to see how it goes - it's been a loooooong time coming.

I remember that from another post. It was a ridiculously low age restriction as I have done it with no issues as a senior. Fingers crossed for you. If you would, give us a report back on how it goes. I may need to do the same thing this winter as I hit 71 in September and I love that garden. We looked into a taxi but I think it was around $75 each way - too much to justify that approach. I've been scheduled to go to Grand Cayman on cruises 15 times (yes my DH keeps track of these things!) and we've only missed it twice due to bad weather. Hope you luck out as well.

I would be curious about this as well. Booked our first Royal Suite next year as we found a great price and decided to splurge. Previously Sky Suite was as high as I could afford. Wondering the same about Zenith level as well? I've seen FB posts of lunches with senior staff and so on, but don't know if this is a regular thing or not. Will finally reach Zenith after our next cruise - can't wait! If nothing else it will save me $$ on internet and premium drink upgrades.

IMHO anyone who is so thrilled about the lifting of testing and especially vaccination requirements should pick up the book "Cabin Fever" and give it a read. Actually it is very interesting reading for anyone interested in cruising, as you learn a lot about ship operations and behind the scenes management at all levels from Captain of the ship to cruise line upper management to governmental management of cruise lines. The book chronicles the terrible Covid outbreak on the Zaandam in early 2020. I freely admit and of course know that very much has been learned since those awful days, and the current variation of the virus is less deadly. That said, it certainly gave me pause in thinking about what could/might happen if another, much more deadly variation were to suddenly rear its ugly head. We can pretend it would never happen, which is exactly what we thought in late 2019. And no doubt we would be better prepared to handle it, but at the same time would we be prepared enough? I don't know one way or another what the future holds and neither does anyone else on this board, but it gives you something to think about for sure. It's a book I highly recommend reading. I learned a lot from it about what really happened during those times.

Grand Cayman usually uses their own tenders, but they are large. You most likely will make it, however if there is any delay in beginning the process you could be out of luck. First priority is to early shore excursions, suite guests, and Elite plus and above (or maybe Elite?). Also, this is a port that is sometimes skipped due to sea conditions (has happened to us a couple of time) so make sure you can get a refund if the ship can't visit.

You and me both in some regards! At the same time, there are positive things about the changes, especially for M class ships. Better buffet stations, better televisions. I just wish when they revolutionized they would consider putting in more comfortable furniture inside and on the balconies! Not to mention in Michael's club.

Exactly! I think that is where this is heading and why they don't care anymore if it's proctored. If you say you were negative but then suddenly become positive and need medical care, the $$ will be on you. I guess this is no different than other illnesses where they ask pre-boarding if you are sick. But with the fall and winter coming and who knows where Covid is heading this could be a difficult situation.

Once move up bidding was instituted, the days of falling prices after final payment virtually ended. Unless you are looking for a much less desirable cabin like an inside, or ocean view, odds of lower costs are very slim.

Trust me, a Celebrity cruiser 67 times, the service onboard is a thousand times better than the service on their website or phone lines these days!

Sorry, it doesn't work that way.

Chances of moving up from a Sky Suite are pretty slim, as all suites are selling out these days. My husband is also large sized (6'3" and a few lbs on the plus side), and we had absolutely no issue fitting into the bed in the suite. I don't think the beds in higher level suites are any larger, so I guess I don't get it. If it ends up being that big of an issue and the sofa doesn't open into a bed (on some ships it does, not sure of Summit), then worst case ask your room steward or host to put up a roll-away at night.

As long as Cruise with Confidence applies (which it still does for yours), you can cancel up to 48 hours prior and get FCC for a future cruise. If you test positive right before your sailing (not sure of the timeframe?) you can call and reschedule your cruise or get FCC I believe. In order to do that I think you will need more proof than a home test so if you decide to do that then get a proctored test somewhere. Your timing, unfortunately, is right on the bubble so it is a very personal decision as to how to proceed. Not sure what I would do if it were me - probably wait a day or two and then decide. If you are significantly better, then perhaps I would still plan to go and test before I got on the plane. Even if negative I would mask everywhere I went If still positive I would just do the Cruise with Confidence. Either way I would probably go get a proctored test right away in case I needed to show that for a last minute cancel.

Here's the bottom line, at least as was our experience in July. Our pre-cruise instructions (email) said we absolutely needed to have a current ArriveCan done and to be ready to show the code when boarding. As we had arrived in Canada three days prior we stressed about this as our original code expired by boarding day, so we did it a second time. When we got to the port, no one asked us about it, much less asked to see it. So is it really necessary? The answer is I don't know, but since they tell you to do it I recommend doing it anyway as it is very easy and takes little time. Better safe than sorry IMHO

Unlawful where? Celebrity does not need to abide by US laws.

I understand certain age limits for insurance purposes, but I've been on that tour (when in my 60's) and it was no big deal at all. I just don't understand that age limit, and not happy as I intended to go back in January when I'll be 71!!

You definitely cannot stream on basic internet. DH has streamed some college basketball games on his phone at sea. Lots of buffering, even on Premium wifi but it was better than nothing

We had 2505 passengers onboard for our cruise. Gives some idea of percentage saved, although not exact as we don't know how many passengers per cabin.