poffles

I have a related question to this ...

If the cruise booked is sailing much further out, would adding HIA later still qualify as an HIA Early Booking add on or is the Early Booking only an offer at time of booking?  This is all assuming the offer still shows (later) as available if booked new.

7 hours ago, Shmoo here said:

I believe the HIA package that includes the gratuities is the the Early Booking HIA package.  This is only offered in the first 90 days following the release of the itinerary.  

Another newbie (hoping to sail HAL) but what I've read/seen about Early Booking HIA is that it is not related to initial release so much as it's on sailings that are a year or more out.  Not sure the exact window but even just now I can select a Caribbean sailing for next November and this offer is available and these would have been released some time ago (I think?).  I've been focused on this looking at future Panama sailings because of the included gratuities (and other upgrades) though I'm likely only fooling myself and the cost is just buried in higher cruise cost 🙂

3 minutes ago, Petronillus said:

 @poffles Especially because you've said you like to do research, please take my recommendation that you read David McCullough's masterful "The Path Between the Seas" (Subtitle: "The Creation of the Panama Canal 1870-1914"). DW & I pored through it in preparation for our PC transit, and it heightened our understanding and enjoyment of the experience.

The canal is a magnificent engineering achievement, of which the U.S. is justly proud. In addition, among its side benefits is the vindication of germ theory ("Whaddyamean? A tiny little mosquito can't possibly be the cause of yellow fever!"). But at the same time its creation involved skullduggery and colonial overreach that cast a shameful light on the U.S.  Being Canadian, you can, I'm sure, rise above all that.

I watched a documentary years ago and found it quite interesting and eye opening.  I definitely would need to find it and watch it again as well as look into this read.  

22 minutes ago, Turtles06 said:

If this will be your first transit of the Canal, you should seriously consider not “settling.”  IMHO, going through the original locks — especially for a first transit — is far more interesting. (Do some reading over in the Panama Canal forum, and you’ll find many others who agree.) 

Thanks. Yes first time so I was not 'really' considering Pinnacle, really hoping 2027 does me good and it isn't the only option. It's a retirement trip gift to myself so doing some homework for sure.

Just now, WriterOnDeck said:

HAL ships are not non-smoking (try Viking and I'm sure others). The Vist class (Westerdam, Noordam, Oosterdam and Zuiderdam) limit smoking to one side of the aft Lido outside deck. The Zaandam (and I think Volendam) allow smoking in the casino most days/nights. I think the same in some of the others, but don't know for sure.

 

Usually all HAL ships go through the old locks.

 

 

I meant non-smoking anywhere inside, my reading Eurodam and NA are non-smoking anywhere inside (including casino), outside on deck I can avoid more easily.

Not all HAL ships go through old locks, my reading indicates the Pinnacle are too big for old locks.

42 minutes ago, Alberta Quilter said:

There are a couple of other reasons to book early. One is to get the Mariner Loyalty Benefit OBC (up to $400 depending on length of cruise but applies only to those who have sailed with HAL previously) and the chance to secure Club Orange before it hits the capacity limit.

 

If you're not familiar with Club Orange, I suggest you do some reading here on CC about it.  You could book a lower category stateroom and get an upgrade to a higher one with Club Orange. There can be some cost savings there, even though there is a cost for CO. There are other benefits, some better than others; only the Pinnacle class ship have the Club Orange dining room.

Thanks!  Yes I've read some on CO (I'm an obsessive researcher sometimes to my own demise) and will definitely cost that out to know true value for sure.  That said, I am looking for a non-smoking ship and thinking smaller one that will go through old locks (Eurodam and NA are calling to me) but no way of knowing what ships will do this in 2027, Eurodam is there 2026 for the time I want in 2027 but I think this ship is elsewhere in 2027 ... thought I read about world cruise but don't quote me on that.  I wish Pinnacle were no-smoking anywhere interior, I would consider settling for new locks.

Just now, seagarsmoker said:

I will add, prices for cruises two years out have an initial "sticker shock". 🙂  I know it did for us for our fall 2025 Panama cruise and Spring 2026 cruise.

Sticker shock as in higher and they go down or just that inflation has hit them and they were what they were.  I've looked at April 2026 and they definitely aren't 'cheap', especially for this Canadian that has to multiply the cost (UGH) but hoping they aren't higher still than what I see for that.

Time will tell I guess, based on my reading here from others, it sounds like the Panama 2027 cruise(s) might be released Nov/Dec (2024) so not far away.  🤞

46 minutes ago, seagarsmoker said:

IMHO when you said "this is a crap shot" is how I would answer your question.

We almost always book a couple of weeks after the cruise we want to take is available. The first reason is picking our own cabin; secondly, HIA includes gratuities (when you book early). In our case, we stay in cat SA, where the gratuities are higher, and in most cases, we come out ahead in paying for HIA. 

I look at the booked total price and check the website every couple of months and so far, the prices are higher the closer to the cruise. For our fall cruise, the price is 2k more; next spring, it is 3K more. Another example is my sister is cruising with us next spring and she is single and gets an inside cabin on deck 7. I have been telling her for over a year to book the cruise as prices are going up and she kept putting it off. Finally, about 10 days ago she said she was ready to book, and the price was $545 higher than a year ago.

Every situation is different, so I am not sure if I was of any help.

Thank you ... def help and confirms what I was thinking but thought maybe I'm assuming too much.  I've never awaited and booked a cruise when it first came out so figured no harm in seeing what others have experienced.  I will likely book if price is not initially perceived to be jacked up and reap the HIA+ benefits.

Edit to add:  And I will definitely keep an eye on the price as time goes along.

Hi ... I am new to Holland (Celebrity loyal) and am keeping a watchful eye for Panama 2027.  This has me wondering what others have experienced with pricing of newly released HAL cruises, is the price more often initially high until 'traffic' settles down or is it rather that this might be better costing, or maybe it's all the same?

I realize this can be a total crap shoot for many reasons, my ask is more to not walk into a trap of inflated cost that others have known to be a pattern upon first release.  I am not looking for a unique cabin that might sell out but I am anxious to book and enjoy the wait, I also want HIA+ Early Booking which I am trusting to be refundable deposit bookings.

Hopefully the 2027 pricing won't be so bad that it stops me in my tracks, I really want to try HAL and a longer itinerary.  Thanks all....

On 8/27/2024 at 2:13 PM, NRWPA said:

I received an instant cert during my Beyond cruise a couple of weeks ago. It's for (mostly) veranda cabins. I know on Beyond I got an IV cabin. What about other ships that don't have IV cabins?

If your question is what Celebrity ships do not have IV verandas, this type cabin was first introduced on Edge class so they are the only ships that have them, prior class ships (Solstice and Millennium) do not have any.

I think these would come out together with spring (2027) Panama cruises in the other direction, which I'm waiting on.  From what I've been reading, last release was Nov/Dec 2023 so anticipating Nov/Dec 2024. Sure someone will correct me if I am off base.

No guarantee of the past being perfect indicator of what they do each year but it is the best we have to go by in addition to keeping a watchful eye.

9 hours ago, Iamcruzin said:

My sailing is Sept 30. Were is this?

It was an email, I got same yesterday.  I perked up when I seen it was a PUP opportunity but having to book a cruise like this and on such short cruise for 5 Club Points 🤣  Total bonus for those already booked.

Here is the link in the email for those that already have one booked.

Power Up Points Booking Activity Form (celebritycruises.com)

1 hour ago, Jim_Iain said:

Usually 501 Front St, Key West, FL 33040

 

Most ships will dock at  Mallory Square or the Truman Annex (Pier B.) Both are within easy walking distance of Old Town. Duval Street is only 2 blocks from the pier. Some ships, however, dock at the Outer Mole Pier (aka Navy Mole) on the outskirts of town.

 

It will be determined by the number of ships in Key West on the same day.  If only one you will dock at Mallory Square

What Jim said ⬆️.  I've been there as one ship in port and we docked at Mallory Square, 2 ships another time and we ended up at Outer Mole and had to shuttle.  So glad my next cruise port there we are alone, shuttle wasn't the end of the world but it's nice to just walk right into things.

Oh and it didn't seem to matter that our arrival time was an hour before the other ship, it's where they have a ship penciled in which makes sense.  Oh and my both visits were Celebrity ships.

For those that have done this, is or can the cruise still be booked in CAD or does this require it to be fully US currency booking.

On 7/7/2024 at 2:16 PM, CalLuvsCrusingToo said:

 

Nice to have at least a glass door....but  why is it the machines I want to play are always located in smoking?

Which cruise lines are NO smoking in the casino???

No glass doors, or faux seperations......

Thanks for Oceana, Seabourn & Regent....any others.

Which ships WITH a casino, is NO smoking allowed? 

Thanks

 

 

 

Celebrity is entirely no smoking anywhere inside the ship including casino and some Holland America ships are no smoking casinos (Eurodam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Noordam, Oosterdam, Westerdam, Zuiderdam) Holland Smoking Areas

I have sailed Celebrity (all ship classes) but have not sailed Holland so going by their posted information as well as many others that have sailed and validated this.

On 7/3/2024 at 12:43 PM, latebuyer said:

Thanks to all who responded! It is peculiar its not manufactured here so i assumed it was not allowed. It wouldn’t be surprise me if others get medication in the states you can’t get here. If you need it you get it. I’m glad to hear it isn’t banned though.

Just to (re)point out what Fouremco stated 'no longer manufactured or sold in Canada' so it was available years back and then poof.  In Canada it was sold under brand name Bonamine before it disappeared.  While available in Canada I was able to get meclizine tablets from a pharmacy/pharmacist (without prescription) and as one might expect the cost was low and it was plenty to last me a while. Perhaps fake news but it was apparently due to a supplier issue with an ingredient but it clearly grew to be the end of the end.

49 minutes ago, cangelmd said:

And, please, don’t be the lady that walked past me on the next to last day of the cruise, walked into Eden and said ‘has this been here the whole time?!’, just don’t be that person.

😂🤫   Shhh ... big secret 😉

On 7/16/2024 at 7:06 PM, Qofhearts said:

Thank you everyone for your replies. Having never cruised before I spent a few days searching quite obsessively and thought I’d found us a great ship with the bonus of a perfect itinerary. It is very narrow minded of us to be steered away by a batch of random reviews. It just unnerved us as it’s a milestone birthday and wedding anniversary treat to each other so wanted to find something special. I’ll take a breath, a further look into others but I feel we may now, after all your advice go with the Apex. Many of your comments hit home with a common sense wake-up call.  
Much appreciated 

I just sailed her last November (inside room) and the trip was great. I have learned that much of our own experiences come down to our own expectations and for me it would take a lot to call anything out. My cruise was a B2B and the Apex was followed by the Reflection and that is an older ship that many say even worse things about given how it would be aging but I loved that cruise too.  My only reflective thoughts on the two cruises due to them being B2B and easy to compare is that I felt the Reflection to be more cozy feeling.  The Edge class ships are classy and beautiful and modern and the art around the ships is next level.

Don't get too lost in reviews, or look for your fears there.  I tend to do that too, I will read 20 great reviews and think ok that's the one and then read a bad one and it will take me down. 

For someone that's never cruised it can be overwhelming but I can tell you I've not been on a bad cruise and there have been some where the crew could have used some TLC.  I have not sailed Europe so cannot speak to any Celebrity ship there but I will say that one factor for sure would be size of ship if you have any tender ports as the more passengers the more 'fun' sharing tenders.  Celebrity ships are not the biggest out there so I would expect this would not be the nightmare one might face on some other ships. Maybe some higher cost cruises are among your choices which I could not speak to .. stupid budget restrictions though I expect I would not like them anyway as they would not be my style 🍻

Oh and I'm sailing Apex again March 2025 🙂 They cannot wait to get finally sail an Edge class ship!

15 hours ago, flyerbrp said:

...... Royal and Celebrity match each others status. Virgin now matches status as well. 

Clarifying that the status match is loyalty status match for the cruise club memberships and not casino status matching  .. in case others reading this think otherwise.

https://www.celebritycruises.com/ca/captains-club/loyalty-match

Said a few times but unlikely.  Tier matching is not about matching benefits and the ways of doing things across entities, it's just status matching and getting upgraded within 'another' program where you haven't 'worked your way up'.

If only we could pick and choose what we like about all programs and come up with a new one 🙂  Oh to dream.

It would not surprise me if Celebrity altered to do drink coupons but I do not see why this would change now since RCL and Celebrity already did matching.  It would also not surprise me to see RCL changing their drink coupon benefit.  Who knows ... 

On 6/17/2024 at 12:54 PM, JetAwayJayne said:

Thank you for this information. I appreciate that. 
 

do you know do all the packages include the CocaCola Range as it doesn’t say on any info. Specifically the classic? 

Maybe answered but I am a Diet Coke drinker and having had Classic and Premium drink packages a few times each, the 'pop' as we call it in Canada is the exact same in both packages.  They 100% serve Coca Cola range of drinks and they serve them in the can.  I personally have never had it served from a soda fountain as other cruise lines do (I dislike soda fountains as they often taste flat); equally as some other cruise lines packages differ and have soda fountain for some packages with higher packages providing a can.  Celebrity has always served my Diet Coke in the can which I often just what I want ... unopened with a glass of ice to go take away to drink wherever I want, often back to my cabin.

As said by Canada_eh58, our weather is a crap shoot.  Even within a day it can be all over the place.  I never look at weather forecasts here and even if I happen across hearing it on the news or from someone in conversation it will go in one ear and out the other.  The only thing that might stick is a weather event that might warrant attention.

That said, I doubt you will find many life long Canadians ever saying they find our weather 'freezing' in October.  Layering is your friend along with a raincoat, leave the umbrella home as the wind will likely trash it.  🙂

On 3/22/2024 at 9:03 AM, poffles said:

Let me share my current ongoing experience with the Nexus renewal process to show how varied one's experience can be.  Two people same household renewing ... I submitted online for both the same day literally one after the other.  Neither had any changes (ie address) within the five years so I anticipated and hoped no interview required.

 

Applicant 1 & 2 application date:  Jan 4, 2024

 

Applicant 1: Still pending review (March 22 as I write this).

 

Applicant 2:  Approval notification March 1, 2024 (no interview required)

Applicant 2:  Card received in mail March 8, 2024 😲

 

Interesting that the one I submitted first is the one still pending; clearly it's so random you can't rely on any experiences reported by others.

 

I have nothing booked so I'm not anxiously awaiting a new card so it's more interesting observation of processing times.  I'm also good knowing the current card is good until the new one is processed.

 

..

 

Okay ...updating 6 months later.

Applicant 1:  Approval notification today June 9 2024 (also no interview required) Now waiting for the card ... Yay !!

So in the end it was around 3 months difference between the processing of the two I submitted within minutes for the same household. 

All good but interesting how varied it can be.  Good luck to everyone and happy travels.

On 5/10/2024 at 3:49 PM, AndyCapn said:

False alarm? I checked the app today and the price is back to $30/$26.99.

Missed this before my (now deleted) response .. PHEW !

Delete ...