phoenix_dream

I doubt pre cruise testing will go away anytime soon. Just this year I know of at least 12 people (and probably more, I've lost count) who have contacted Covid in just my extended family. Thankfully all have had mild to moderate symptoms with no one hospitalized

We have been on 8 cruises post restart, in Aqua Class and in Sky Suites, on 6 different Celebrity ships. We have had wonderful experiences each time. Our biggest issue was some supply issues on our preferred wines or liquors. On one cruise a show was cancelled and a substitute put in place, and on another cruise the casino was closed for one day. In other words, our biggest issues were no big deal at all. Unless your parents expect perfection I doubt they will be disappointed. Whether they want to risk catching Covid while at sea is a personal decision only they can make. At 70 I am no youngster myself. But I have no serious health issues, am vaxxed and boosted, and decided with proper caution I need to live my life before its too late.

You got someone who wasn't aware of the revised rules. We did as well. Not much at all in the way of extra benefits at Platinum unless it's earned by play, but nice to have.

I guess I would ask why ask why? It is what it is. You've gotten many good answers for how to make do. And most medical experts say skipping breakfast is one of the worst ways to lose or try not to gain weight in case you aren't aware. Your body your choice but since you brought up the topic.... enjoy your cruise

Be careful before you judge everyone coughing. My DH has sinus issues and has coughing fits several times a day because of it. If he were to have unusual symptoms of course he would test. But in the meantime he is careful to cover his coughs and does not need to wear a mask constantly. There are also many retirees on Celebrity ships and COPD is not uncommon in that age, or coughing due to many other noncontagious reasons. Unusual symptoms? Test of course . 100% agree. Practice care and good sanitary practices when coughing? Definitely. But shaming everyone you hear coughing because they don't wear a mask? Not cool.

When you said kids I envisioned little ones. I would never sail with 4 adult sized people in an ocean view.

Does anyone know if this change impacts the ability to transfer FCC from one passenger to another? My understanding is that it has been transferrable (according to another post) and hoping that has not changed?

Thank you. I'm hoping it all works out, but if not it's good to know it can be transferred!

Alaska cruises are most definitely more casual than your average Caribbean or Europe cruise. I've seen people show up at night in sweatshirts and hiking boots (although I personally don't recommend that). You may dress up if you like, but you will see much more casual attire than you might be used to.

Has anyone had success getting their FCC transferred to someone else? We are having loads of problems getting a refund for a 2021 Celebrity cancelled cruise because our not-to-be-named online travel agent erroneously asked for FCC rather than a refund. The issue's been escalated to supervisors at both the agency and Celebrity. Hopefully it can be worked out. But, if we are not successful in getting the refund I was wondering if we can get the FCC transferred? Our family members who originally booked cannot sail any time soon but DH and I have multiple upcoming cruises with Celebrity on the books. If they can't get the refund they are due, will we be able to transfer the FCC to us for our use and we can give them the related $$? I know Celebrity has removed sail by dates for FCC but they really can't be cruising for quite some time so don't want to have FCC hanging out there, especially since they requested a refund and there is quite a bit of $$ involved as you can imagine.

As said, no reservations needed or accepted. But if you plan to eat at a certain time every day, if you talk with your host or hostess they will try to keep a table of your choice open for you. We've rarely had issues getting a table, with the possible exception of Reflection which has more AQ cabins than other ships of its type. If we want a particular waiter, on occasion we have had to wait 5-15 minutes or so.

Keep in mind that there are cameras all over the ship, except in your stateroom and the rest rooms. There is no guarantee no one will walk away with an electronic device but the odds are pretty low. I also never worry about keeping those types of items anywhere in my cabin. Room stewards or other staff who may enter would not be employed long if items went missing.

You raise a valid point. Not all who are coughing or sneezing are contagious with Covid. That said, unfortunately one can never tell which is which. But based on some of the comments on these boards, as well as posts on other social media, there are way, way too many people who plan to not report, as well as people who plan to get on an airplane anyway even if positive (in some cases, flying into Canada, driving across the border, and then flying home). And then there are the blatant I-don't-give-a-hoot-about-others folks. I was sitting next to a couple on my last cruise at the table next to me. One was sniffling, with a red nose and her partner asked her if she was feeling better. Cold? Allergies? It implied the former. The one sitting across from her kept blowing her nose and mentioned a couple of times that she thought she was coming down with a cold. I couldn't believe the ignorance and selfishness of that group! I actually mentioned it to the maitre d afterwards and told him I didn't want to sit next to them and for the sake of the wellness of his staff and other passengers he might want to place them at a corner table. He did that once, and then the next morning they were sitting in the middle of the restaurant. Frustrating.

At this point in time it is a crap shoot as to where you would be quarantined. As said above, it varies by ship, by availability of cabins, by number of cases onboard, by how soon (or late) in the cruise you test positive and on and on. No way in the world would I sail in an inside cabin these days with the possibility of being stuck in there for even a couple of days if I tested positive near the end. Even with noro, you could be quarantined in there for 3 days. No inside cabins for me ever again!

It is absolutely ridiculous that you can drive back across the border from Canada to the US, or you can get on a domestic flight without testing, but you need a test when flying back from any international country. And this applies even for international countries whose Covid levels are much lower than those in the US. It just makes no logical sense to me. I am not anti-precautions by any means, but there is just no logic in this thinking. But it is what it is and in the meantime we have to handle it as best we can, stressful as it is.

Very sorry to hear about his passing. He was always such a great contributor to our boards! He will be missed.

It's a very simple answer - if you test positive onboard you are their problem and they have to get you to a quarantine place after disembarkation as well as pay you some $$ for lodging and food. If you test positive on land after disembarkation the cost and hassle is all yours.

Cabins near the elevators are our favorites. We've never had an issue with noise.

My husband is 6'3" and has sailed on Celebrity more than 65 times. Nothing to worry about.

From the Caesars Rewards website: New Caesars Rewards® members, present your valid eligible VIP loyalty card from select competitors at any Caesars Rewards Center between February 1 - December 31, 2022 and we will upgrade you to Diamond status valid through January 31, 2023. As you can see, it specifically states new members

How about staying away from the cruise boards if you are so anti-cruising and leave the conversations to those of us who still really love cruising and are willing to put up with some hassle to do it.

I believe the Caesar's match is only good for new members. We did it a couple years ago - great perks!

You don't get the Gold perks on Celebrity if your tier was enabled by virtue of your Celebrity status. In other words, it doesn't work both ways. If you get Gold status in MGM only because of your Celebrity status you will not get the free cruise or OBC or whatever other perks there are.

Actually, it says free for "participating MGM resorts". Wonder if Park MGM does not participate?

Just as FYI, we had absolutely no problem getting updated in person in January, nor on our trip last year. So don't sweat it - just bring a print-out of your Celebrity status and they will upgrade you right away.