LGW59

is the $400 OBC pp or total for both? I ask because we booked a cruise for May 2023 and I "think" we opted for the $200 OBC, though I can't really tell if that is pp or total for us both. Oh boy, I guess it may warrant a call. BTW our total fare in a PH1 was MUCH lower the Celebrity for a similiar itin the same week.

I think the 20% gratuity refers to - This is the problem with the nonsense from Celebrity, it should be obvious and clear what we are paying for and what has additional cost.

you would be very correct

Well they go hand in glove,

I get what you are saying but to me it’s a conundrum, as I think it is exactly how the cruise industry wants the consumer feel, badly. Making the consumer have to decide if they want to feel bad possibly stiffing the crew for something they (the cruise line) should ultimately be responsible for.

I totally agree with the identity issue. As you note, they've been all over the map on what, when, where and how to charge for X Y & Z. They would do well to remember Sears, KMart, Circuit City, GolfSmith etc. They too couldn't figure out what they wanted to be, who they wanted to cater to and by the time they were anywhere close, they were way to far behind. Southwest may not be far behind, pay attention Celebrity.

A Celebrity IT issue, surely you jest! 🙂

I can't speak personally about the brick and mortar agency, I can speak about an on-line one I discovered during pandemic via YouTube channel, two words NEVER AGAIN. I took the advice of many on here and asked around and met someone on my TA this fall, did my research, talk to a lot of long time cruisers and am pleased with who I met on the ship

if seas are calm, you will be fine, if rough, forward will feel it, which I love

Celebrity's parent company is carrying approx. $19 Billion in debt, they need ALL the extra cash they can wring out of every single passenger

I was in the retreat, gratuities and specialty dining were "included" in my total cruise fare. I tipped Luminae staff additional at end of cruise.

Great question, thanks for asking, as I am wondering the same thing. On a recent cruise on Celebrity Edge, I had the same waiter and assistant waiter every night of the cruise dining in Luminae, so knowing who/when to tip was easy. With specialty dining included on Oceania, eating at a different restaurnt most nights, obviously the tipping won't be so easy. As an O newbie in May, I am looking forward to hearing how others have handled this.

Wait...they raised the prices during your cruise?!!?!!

I sailed on Edge this fall. Luminae - breakfast, lunch (we had 8 sea days) and dinner all were A+ and the service was impeccable. Le Grand Bistro - ate lunch here twice and both times the meal was A+ and the service B. Eden - Ate dinner here twice and both times meals were A++, service was B, though IMO it is hard to beat the level of serivce and attention in Luminae. Oceanview Cafe - I will preface that I am NOT a buffet person. I went here for lunch on embarkation day, had a mac n cheese that was really very very good, several different types of cheese and lots of flavor. So I thought HMMM, OK I can do this. WRONG! Decided to try it for breakfast, scrambled eggs(??), sausage, hash browns and pineapple and watermelon. The pineapple and watermelon were good...honestly the eggs, sausage, hash browns, OMG they were inedible, I tried a taste of each and left the rest on the plate. Mast Grill - I grabbed a burger here a few times, was it great NO, was it edible YES as long as I had lots of onions and sauerkraut and mayo. Il Bacio - Loved everything I had there, cappucciono, pastries all very good and great service too.

Clean towels, wash cloths etc?

No matter what time, correct?

Please tell me that you are sailing on Carnival?

I agree with you. Always a generous over and above tipper, but at some point something has to give. IMO Celebrity is sending a message that they want us to continue to pay up and up and up...it's their turn to do so, sadly it seems the crew will suffer as a result of Celebrity not willing to pay them more and turning ALL of that burden on the passengers.

What do you mean when you say "anywhere still tracking", authorities on the ship, govt authorities??

It did for my Oct/Nov cruise but for every cruise I am looking at (and comparing) for 2023 & 2024, it definitely does not hit the $pot. Just booked a Med cruise on O for May and I will then be able to say definitively.

Was the same for me on Edge in Oct/Nov 2022

And I do expect that will the case for us once we do our O cruise in May.

Aqua Sky Suite First Guest Total$9,016.00 Second Guest Total$9,016.00 Discounts Semi-Annual Sale Savings-$200.00 Non-Refundable 75% 2nd Guest Discount-$6,688.00 BONUS OBC NRD ($50.00 to spend Onboard) SAVOBCOFFER NRD ($200.00 to spend Onboard) The Retreat Premium Wi-Fi $300 per person in onboard credit to use however you choose, including shore excursions Premium drinks Tips Dining Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included at select venues Exclusive Access to Luminae Taxes & Fees Taxes, Fees, and Port Expenses$164.36 Trip Total$11,308.36 USD Minimum Deposit$500.00 USD Remaining balance due February 12, 2023$10,808.36 USD Cancellation Fees

Always book my own flight and I ALWAYS buy travel insurance, I use Allianz.

Thanks for this info, very helpful, because as you say I would never know from the website and the O rep I used never mentioned it to me when I finalized my booking. I'm assuming if I call them I can get the OBC credit reduced from the fare.