number one eagles fan

So, in cancelling my single reservation for Eden in hopes of rebooking it at a 9% discount, as now advertised on the website, I neglected to read the fine print and notice that they are now charging an 18% gratuity on all specialty restaurant reservations. That was my mistake...although disappointing.

So I am now considering a 3 night package for my 12 night cruise. It appears that you can/must reserve dinner for the first night on board but my question is how challenging will it be to reserve the other nights? Will we be stuck with undesirable times and limited to restaurant choice?

I'm interested to hear others' experiences with the dinner packages.

Thank you in advance!

2 hours ago, RedneckBob said:

Update for future Equinox cruisers.

 

Next cruise will have 2200 passengers and follow on cruise full capacity.

 

Celebrity using Deck 6 cabins to quranatee new crew.

Wow, a big jump.

11 minutes ago, RedneckBob said:

Only if you plan to sleep on the balcony 😎

Are you doing a B2B?

We board next week as well. We'll be hanging on every word. We are curious as to what your experiences are with any itinerary changes and availability of excursions.

Have a blast and don't forget to make your bed for us next Sunday.😁

8 hours ago, zitsky said:

 

Do you drink prosecco?  Costco has a nice Asolo prosecco that's only about $10.

I don't think I've ever had Prosecco. Is it extremely dry or does is have some sweetness?

Do they have something comparable to a Asti Spumante on board?

We look forward to following you on this cruise. We have the same itinerary on the Equinox on November 7th. 

1 hour ago, jelayne said:

The price to  upgrade is $18 pd.  If you are a CaptIns Club member you  making it $11.70 pd.

That sounds more like it. I think the price they quote in the cruise planner is for someone that doesn't have any package.

Thank you!

I currently have the Elevate package which includes "surfing" the internet. How much is it to upgrade to "streaming?" The prices I'm seeing on line is $31.95 per day to upgrade for one device. That seems pretty steep. Are there discounted prices once you are onboard?

We are 3 weeks behind you. Enjoy your trip and please keep posting. We'll be hanging on every word.

The elevate package that I've purchased for my upcoming cruise includes a $150 "excursion" credit. Does anyone have experience being able to use that money as OBC? 

I am on this sailing in 6 weeks so enjoying this thread.

A question for you or any of your fellow passengers. My elevate package includes $150 of excursion credit but can that money be used for onboard purchases as well? 

Thanks and enjoy your trip!

Excited to hear about your Sunset Veranda. We have a SV next week.

Your pictures are beautiful and I love the way you are doing your review.

6 hours ago, graphicguy said:

Let me get some of the inevitable questions out of the way…..

 

Celebrity takes your passport and your vaccine card and takes an image of both.  Plus, they take your picture for facial recognition….even though I had uploaded my picture on the check in app.

We’re sailing at the Celebrity capped capacity of about 1,500 passengers…or about 40% of absolute capacity. I’ve “heard” there are about 30 people aboard unvaccinated.  Assuming they are all children, I’ve only seen two children on board.

 

Most (almost all) guests are unmasked.  I saw two kids on board who were wearing masks.  That’s it.  All crew wearing masks.

 

Food in the buffet is served…no more grabbing tongs and sticking your fingers in any items.  Even silverware and plates are handed to you.  I like it.

 

Crew is truly and sincerely happy to see me (well, assuming not just me).  None are forcing smiles or greetings.

 

Talked to one of the bartenders on the Magic Carpet last night that said he could not have acted any quicker when Celebrity contacted him to come back on board.  He said he’d never complain about working again. 😉

 

The reason we were late on sail away was because of the airport fiasco.  Didn’t really matter to me.  I was having cocktails with some new found friends (and 2 alleged porn stars…at least they said they were) on the Magic Carpet as we were doing “horn wars” with the Odyssey of the Seas and a Disney ship docked as it was one of the most memorable and awesome SAILAWAYs I’ve ever experienced.

 

Weather is just about perfect.

 

I know it can’t stay like this forever, but nothing feels crowded.  There’s plenty of room to move around.  And, nothing ever feels vacant, either.  

 

We’re less than 24 hours into this cruise, and I already feel it’s going to be one of the best I’ve ever taken.

 

Got so many pictures already.  But, need some coffee and breakfast.  

 

My Butler (AJ) listened to me and stocked my cabin fridge with water, sodas and Stella Artois, per my request.  The beer, water and sodas are included.  Sweet!

Loving reading your "play by play." You mentioned about 1500 passengers or 40%. Have you heard if the the crew is at 100% yet? There are conflicting reports.

Thanks and enjoy!

Curious as to the pool hours, both the main pool and solarium pool. 

Does anyone know the name of the cruise director?

On 6/6/2021 at 5:00 PM, dazey said:

You cannot pick your time for the first night or even the the others I believe(may be incorrect on this).  However, if you go to one of the restaurants just after boarding you can certainly change all your reservations.  I have done this many times.  However, instead of booking a three night specialty dining package on Apex this time I decided for another $18 I would just book what I wanted and not have to be concerned with  it once on board. Probably because it has been so long since we have sailed and just happy to be able(I hope) to be on board.

 

 I will say, however, never had a problem changing any reservation with a 3 night specialty dining package. Go for it.

 

 

Thank you!

I've sailed with Celebrity several times but have never purchased a multi-night dinner package. When you purchase the package prior to cruising, are you able to pick the dates and times for your dining before boarding? And can you also dine twice at a specialty restaurant when you have the package?

Thanks for your help!

Heather

2 hours ago, JoePDX said:

No.  Look at the deck plans.  There will be an area that is “notched” into the next stateroom.   That “notch” is the location of the bed.

 

SVs are also longer than the IV staterooms and thus feel much larger.

 

Another tip...the balconies are deeper and wider in some SVs.  The deepest at on deck 7 and get less deep as you go higher.   To see which are wider the deck plans do not show this but if you look at a photo of the aft you can see which balconies are the widest.    We were in 7312.  Heard nothing from Eden below but at night we could watch the changing light colors in Eden.   Would happily stay in one of these staterooms again.

 

Joe

Hi Joe!

Hubby and I have "your" exact cabin on the July 24th sailing. So happy to hear that noise from Eden was not an issue. So excited about the aft cabin!

Thanks for the information.

Heather

12 minutes ago, Kreative03 said:

Updating. After 2 emails to MoveUp - I have finally gotten the opportunity unlocked. But despite my current room/price paid, some of the options aren't offering bargain minimums like I would expect :).  I will add to the moveup thread.

 

Currently booked in S1 with about 90 Sky Suites left to sell. Minimums are the following: Celebrity Suite $1.5kpp,  Royal suite $2kpp, Edge Villa $2kpp, Penthouse Suite $3.5kpp (sold out), Iconic Suite $8k pp.

 

Current pricing says Sky suites are retailing at 8.8k, CS at 16.4, RS and Villa at 24, and Iconic at 54k.  So they are all discounted nicely, but they surely aren't giving anything away. 

The minimums quoted, is that what you pay in addition to what you have already paid?

Will it be easier to start-up cruising overseas? MSC is already doing some sailings in Europe and I am hopeful for Greek Island cruise on the Apex in September.

Do the CDC guidelines only effect cruising that departs from US ports? 

On 2/16/2021 at 7:02 AM, TMaine said:

Hi there, 

We are booked on the 28 Aug 21 Apex sailing and did not get any emails regarding this sailing.   I am curious if you booked directly with Celebrity or through a TA?

We booked through a travel agent.

Just now, Fouremco said:

We have a March 2022 booking but received no similar email. Was it ship or cruise specific?

It referenced our September 18th, 2021 cruise on the Apex in Europe.

1 minute ago, davekathy said:

Received ours Friday 12 February. 

Was that for the Apex or another ship?

Did anyone receive an email from Celebrity thanking them for "keeping Celebrity cruises in their future travel plans?" I just received this email this morning for my September 18th sailing of the Apex in Europe. I'm just curious if this went out to everyone with a booking.

-Heather