poffles

Having done the hump and now recently finally did SV on Reflection, I will be going back to a stateroom along the side. I realize, that while the wake was awesome, I really love to see more than just the rear view when sailing. I also prefer staterooms on the starboard (right) side of the ship because I love watching the motion when arriving and leaving a port dock. The people coming and going, mooring the ship, I find it all entertaining. I can now finally say I've sailed in an aft but I will take a hump veranda over the SV. Isn't it nice to have options, though sometimes choices can make one crazy 😉 .

This may all be said but I just spoke to Blue Chip to ask about my current points thus far during the current 'earning period' that ends December 31, 2023. These points then determine my status during the next period which I asked and confirmed to be an 18 month period as it was pre-pandemic so it would be January 1, 2024 thru June 30, 2025. During that time you have to earn points again to retain that tier level for July 2025 forward (assuming to be July 1, 2025 thru Dec 31, 2026). Also, I have also asked in the past about dropping to bottom tier status if enough 'points' aren't earned to retain (ie Amethyst), they said you do not drop to the bottom, you only drop one level down. So if you are Amethyst you would drop to Onyx. Don't quote me on any of this 😉 but this is what I was directly told by Blue Chip (some verbally and some in email). I am anxious for January when they remove the blurb on the website about the extended earning period and update with regular detail.

My bad .. thanks for calling it out so 'nicely'.

Leave for someone to answer about the seminar. If you are referring to FLL departure the concierge sits among everyone else, no special room for this (been there done that) unless you are referring to a suite booking? Eclipse is Solstice class. Did this up for my own reference.

I have sailed on a few Blue Chip offered cruises and much like the OP I've never received a Move-Up email. I realize you can call and request because I've read here of others doing so, but many would not know this. I have been content with my rooms so never pursued. Seems to be a bit all over the place in recent times with the Blue Chip experience. I have gone months and months with no offers but then I call in and they've listed some for me. Fast forward to last month and I got NINE Blue Chip email offering a list of cruises all within the next 6 month period. They mostly repeat the offers but it's blowing my mind a little. So far November I've received four email. Not complaining at all but one extreme to the other, I really like getting the offers emailed. Assume others would be seeing this same thing.

Ditto Jim, though I still try just to be sure 🙂 I've also found that many tasted all the same no matter how different they looked. I really liked the Berliner donuts they used to have a (few years ago) but sadly have not seen them around anymore.

Double taxed 😉

No not for what I am seeing. The price is not presented as a popup so would not be in play. It's just Celebrity 'fun'.

It is even more interesting that it isn't even the same price within a day. Recent days my cost (as others have also witnessed) has gone from 12.99 in the morning to 8.99 in the afternoon and that was over serveral days and think it's still happening. Before this last week it has never changed from the 18.99. Have yet to ever see the 6.99 others have seen but 8.99 is a win. Mine sits at 8.99 as I write this. Interesting algorith. 🙂

There is no Premium NON-alcohol package so assuming you meant alcohol. Their non-alcohol package is called Zero Proof. Yes the Premium (alcohol) package includes San Pelligrino. It increases the 'up to' limit for alcohol drinks but also adds in the Zero Proof package items. This is more often the reason I upgrade since it isn't in the Classic. Straight from the Celebrity site description when you go to order the Premium package, this is the last bullet of included items Zero Proof: Acqua Panna water, Evian water, San Pellegrino, Premium coffees, Red Bull & Editions, Sodas, Premium teas, Vitamin water, Bottled Iced Teas, Aqua Spa Fresh Juices, Zero Proof Cocktails Frozen & Non-Frozen .

Ditto ... I'll add that I prefer the check-in process on the app as it can scan a passport and auto fill the detail and also presents the ability to take a selfie for the ship photo which I really like. I have a (Samsung) Android and no issues with the app. Ironically I find myself looking at the app more before the cruise than I do on the ship as I don't often carry my phone around onboard. I can more easily watch for sales for things such as excursions or packages since my phone is an extension of our arms now 🙂. If you plan to carry your phone with you on the ship it would definitely be handy to look up what's happening, venue hours and what's open/closed, menus, etc when outside your stateroom. I will even browse a current sailing for my ship as it will present more than it does for a future sailing. As others have said, not required but definitely handy for information if nothing else. Have a great cruise!

I checked this morning (online) after reading this thread and mine was sadly still $18.99 USD. This evening seeing this thread still going (many hours later) I thought I'd check my November cruise again and OMG .. ... $8.99 !!!!!! The $8.99 shows both online and in the app ... sold! If at first a sale doesn't show KEEP CHECKING as it can pop up any random time for any random sailing !

Assume Spell Check error and you meant Guest Relations. This was what I used to do up until a time I went and they said they no longer punched a hole in them, not sure why the change but perhaps they were finding this causing problems with the cards? I never had any issue with my punched card. So today they may or may not punch a hole in your card if asked.

I've had them and they were no charge with the Classic package so they should totally be included with the Zero Proof package since it's a step above Classic with regard to non-alcohol beverages. I think they would likely call it a Frappuccino if it wasn't a trademark name of Starbucks, it is definitely a spin on that type drink but with WAY less flavours 😉 .

Ditto .... I got similar for an inside stateroom on Edge for March within it's first year which I was totally happy about. I also received recent offers similar to others for some sailings the rest of this year and into March 2024, some OV and some Veranda and Ascent is among them. Gotta love algorithms.

Thanks for clearing that up.

Where are you seeing the 33 points? If logged in online you can view Points History which might break it down for you to see ... assuming that isn't where you are looking. Some mentioning maybe you were Concierge but even that math doesn't work as that would be 35.

Very interesting ... would definitely be an unusual change that ultimately results in less $$ to Celebrity but they could surprise.

What (or why) do you think might be different? The drink packages remain the same base cost so the upgrade should also remain the same. Assume by 'new pricing scheme' you mean the dropping of the gratuity in AI but that shouldn't impact this? Oh and to the other question... the $20 does not include gratuities, that is added to that. Also, discounts are added to the base ($20 in this case) and gratuity (tax) is calculated after. You can confirm this by going through the motions online as if to purchase and add to cart, it will then present the real cost charged (you can remove from cart after). Edit (too late I now see that you called and got answer). Their answer is what I would have expected that the FAQ and everywhere is confusing drink gratuity with gratuity/service charge. This reminds me of when they more recently changed the packages and introduced the Zero package and the all the package descriptions were messed up and it was sounding like the zero stuff was included with Classic which made no sense whatsoever.

OH ... this might totally explain why I was similarly presented with noon as the earliest time for my Nov Apex cruise as it is the first one after it's transatlantic crossing. Hmmm now I'm wondering if selecting the noon check-in time was a smart idea with the chance of delays. Oh well, it's wait there or wait somewhere else 😉

Yes, calling from Canada I've reached many agents in Jamaica. While the agent was fine (great actually) the connection was terrible, the line kept cutting in and out and finally dropped totally. Called back and got a different agent but it was again the same issue and and I surprised them by saying are you in Jamaica (as I knew from the first contact) because this second call was also extremely bad connection and kept cutting in and out, at least this time they took down my contact detail and called me back when it ultimately disconnected like the first call. Maybe working in same office? ... not sure if they work from home. My recollection is this was a bright and early call on my end from the East Coast (AST).

What they mean here as 'Tips charged separately.' is just another form of confusion. I just priced a 7 night cruise and did Cruise Only vs AI (US$) and the final tax charge was exactly the same and there were no other add ins for tips? The cost difference of the two matched the price difference shown on the 'Upgrade' page so nothing extra, and we know they don't charge tips when getting a drink on board when you already have the drink package (assumed prepaid) unless this is the next thing to change 'in the future'.

Top secret 🙂 Have to consider that this pricing being CAD has conversion in the mix. How many nights is that cruise since the math would depend on how many nights they can charge you for getting those most popular amenities to make your vacation a carefree one! Perhaps they are charging you AI for your imaginary guest 🙂

Merging the programs would be nice but looking at the difference in how the tier points are earned I would likely never move past the bottom with Casino Royale 😋 Just comparing slots play, Blue Chip $1 a point, Club Royale $5 a point. The points required to qualify up the levels remain similar (2,500, 25,000, 100.000) so much harder to move up levels with Club Royale unless I'm missing something.

What is the backstory with this? Is it bars not having bottled water?