Pinboy

LOL---- That's a " good one !! The best post on this thread !! Better than that " Joker " on post #11 !!! To be serious--- We all have " needs'' and " wants " , so, all it comes down to is value for the $$$.

LOL: " You know folks, Pinboy was etc, etc, so let's bow our heads for 38 minutes , etc etc ".

LOL-- " grab what you li--ke " ??? That reminds me of the time I could have been arrested if I grabbed , etc, etc. on a cruise in 2013. Regarding charges---- Pay 'em, don't pay 'em ---- enough about $ 9.95 room service .

LOL--- Let's hope the 23 yr olds in Celebrity's Marketing Department don't read your post !!!

1--- How the hell can ya sit up in bed with a tray on your lap ? What if the coffee spills " you know where " ? Who's gonna get ya the jam sitting on the table or the coffee pot , or the plate of danish , or, or etc? 2--- " romantic dinner for two on your private veranda"---- Based on the demographics I've seen on Celebrity ---- I doubt it. Mind you, I just thought of that " old fart " with the 32 yr old ---- Yup, that would work. LOL-- We tried breakfast on our balcony once--- the stuff blew everywhere , the coffee was semi-warm , and my golf hat flew off into the ocean. Idea--- What Celebrity should do is give us a discount of $9.95 ( no tip ) for every day we don't use room service.

" A sweeping statement "----- Absolutely---as I said " it seems that, etc etc " based on what I have read on CC. Frankly, (LOL) I don't care who stays where or even who the Captain is on our cruise or any cruise we book in the future . ( LOL) . ( I do enjoy reading your posts ).

I have no problem with the $9.95 delivery charge and especially the 18% gratuity charge , except for suite customers. Because there was no charge, some people abused the service- ( order more than they would eat, order too often), makes for extra work for kitchen Staff and cabin Attendants. Very smart to add the 18% gratuity --too many people " stiff " the delivery person using a " lame-duck" excuse that all gratuities were prepaid (AI). ( There was a thread on CC awhile ago where Gratuities for room service was discussed and many people expressed that). LOL-- I just thought of an extra charge for suite customers--- $50 ( US ) for " Drawing the bath " ( filling up the tub)---- So, when the Butler fills the tub-- is the person standing there waiting to jump in before the water gats too cold ? Then what ??

There's your answer. Also, it's very hard for anyone else to decide for you due to your budget and personal preferences. Example--- It seems that most CCers stay in a suite--- We tried it once but the value wasn't there for us ( Non drinkers, don't need much internet, never required service from our Butler, prefer to make my own reservation, etc ). Either way, I'm sure you will enjoy Celebrity.

It's held several times throughout the cruise and consists of about 18 players who claim to have a golf hcp of no less than 8----( total BS ) --- but, on a cruise nobody cares. It's a " ball " of fun--- Reminds me --- As a former winner , I can tell you there was lots of stress on the final day because the ship was swaying, a " loud mouth " had a gallery of 6 cheering , plus the CD showed off the " choice " of prizes the winner could select from-- good stuff, like a Celebrity water bottle, Celebrity t shirt with a big "X " on the front , or even a Celebrity key chain. It came down to one last putt-- the man lost his concentration because his wife shouted " Harry, keep your head down "--- leaving Pinboy as the winner.

" 20th cruise--- never done a Specialty restaurant --- spend no more than $35 for two---already have a mental block " Based on the above , especially the " mental block " why try now ?? It's no use spending the whole meal thinking " Did we do the right thing ? Is this " really" worth it ? " There is an option you might try--- Go to the Specialty restaurant of your choice and tell them to call you when/if they are able to offer a discount. LOL-- Where we live we can also spend $35 for 2 -------if one doesn't eat.

We could turn this into a thread ( " Spa Etiquette " ). LOL--- I just thought of the worst " spa etiquette " I encountered in the Persian Gardens. There I was, sitting in the sauna, and a lady came in-- very pretty, much younger than Pinboy. Soon enough she struck up a conversation and asked ( " Are you travelling alone " ) ? Geez--- didn't she read the " Quiet Area " sign ? ( I think she thought my Rolex was real ).

A few comments plus a question : Comments: We have only been on S Class ships ( Persian Gardens ) and noticed 2 signs: " 20 minutes on the tile loungers "--- " Quiet Area " Very few people observed the signs as they were sleeping ( some snoring ) or reading books. Also, there was a lot of "typical" cruise chit chat not observing the " Quiet Area " sign---- " Where ya from"-- How many cruises ya taken "--" How d'ya like the food, the entertainment, etc "--- Overall, for the most part the Persian Gardens is enjoyable depending on the time you go there, and , who's there. Question : On the E Class ships , is there access to a dry sauna ,showers, and lockers in the Mens/Ladies washrooms outside the Thermal Spa as there is on the S class ships outside the Persian Gardens?

Find a cruise that you like-- a price you are comfortable with -- and, book it. No matter what, there will always be " someone " who claims to get a better deal. It's no different than buying a car, tv, or a fake Rolex watch. Don't make yourself " crazy " over it.

" under 78 " ? If your golf score is under 78, that's acceptable. Otherwise, up here you would look out of place wearing long pants until it's under 50. Question ( LOL )--- when we were on a cruise " years " ago , during the putting " tournament " an " aggressive " speaking man ( BSer ) told me his golf hcp was 6---- I replied that mine was 4. Who takes the 2 stroke penalty for lying ??

We have done it many times. Apart from the above ( reduced deposit, OBC ), I believe we also received a one category cabin upgrade ? ( Pay for 2B-- select a 1A ). Suggestion : Do it early on in the cruise because they get very busy towards the end. It also gives you time to change your mind or ask additional questions. If you have your own TA, they can transfer the booking to them immediately.

I know we can't comment on specific TA's by Company name, however, if it's within the Guidelines of CC, do you mind expanding on this ? For me, service is the most important thing a TA can provide--- A few $$ higher, an extra few $$ OBC , a bottle of cheap wine, a fruit cake , etc , doesn't make a difference. I just don't have the patience to wait for return calls. Let's " git 'er done " now.

LOL--You mean the way Pinboy was " taught " to look at Maitre'd's and was "informed" by Maitre'd's that $$(US) are "loved" much more than fruit cakes or key chains. So, what's a few extra $$ in the scheme of things? It's all a part of doing business. C'est la vie

( There will be backlash on this because I posted this " suggestion" in the past and was accused of " bribing "). No need to stress yourself out by trying to book a Specialty restaurant prior to the cruise because they hold back prime times. As soon as you get on board, go to the Specialty restaurants you want to book. When the Maitre'd tells you " Sorry, that day/time is already booked "--- leave your cabin number and by your smile/body language he/she/them ( gotta be politically correct these days) will get the " message". Within a short period you will receive a call that there was a cancellation and they are able to accommodate you. Make sure to say thank you ($$ ) --- It works every ( most )time(s). Whatever you do, don't say " thank you " with a fruitcake from home or even a key chain with " I love cruising" on it.

Hey-- What's funny about that ? LOL-- Ya wanna talk about : " How to make yourself look like a " Dork " and get an elbow in the face at the same time ? " Look to the left-- Look to the right ---- who will collapse first " ? " Hey, there's something we should do at our next Christmas party---- and, don't forget to reserve an ambulance". ( Ok, ok---- no need to tell me " If YOU , etc etc "---- I'm just having a little " fun " ).

LOL--- Only from what I've read on Cruise Critics. You might have missed a few times when I posted my only" complaint ( as a bit of humor ) in all our years of cruising : " Our waiter, the bum, forgot to bring my 3 shrimp cocktails at the same time ". LOL-- Other than that-- never had anything to complain about--- Go with the flow and have a great time.

LOL ( Big time )-- But, -----This site is Cruise CRITICS --- You gotta criticize everything or you will never receive a Lifetime Critic Award. You mean to say that nobody pushed in front of you in the OVC , or, getting on/off the elevator, or going out of the theater, or , bumped into you at the silent disco, or you had to wait an extra 3 minutes for your drinks/dinner or your waiter forgot to bring your 3 shrimp cocktails at the same time, or your Butler was 6 minutes late to " draw " your bath , or , or etc etc. What a great review -- Really excellent !!

Exactly-- Perhaps I wasn't clear about " Casinos love blackjack players, like one of our CCers who splits Kings because he has a " feeling". I meant that players who split Kings ( 10's ) and /or bet on a " feeling " are bound to lose. LOL-- Reminds me-- On every cruise by the 2nd night the " word " spreads ( probably by the casino staff ) that someone won the jackpot on the slots.

( The woodshed awaits my return visit with this one ) Assuming you don't have a drink package: Is it "that" important or a " thing " to complain about on the first night of a cruise? Every other day they allow complimentary drinks ( depending on your passenger level) from 5-7 -- not bad ---13 out of 14 night cruise. Just enjoy looking forward to a great time throughout the cruise, and, if you want a drink, pay for one( or 6)-- You probably have OBC anyway, and if you don't, what's another few $$ ?

There always is a " Welcome aboard gathering " on the first night where: -- The Cruise Director "bounces"(?) out on stage and : " Welcomes us as Guests, and, by the end of the cruise will leave as Cargo ( the crowd goes wild with laughter) -- The CD shouts " Do we have anyone who came all the way from ( Canada as an example ), and those that are scream and cheer like they won a key chain or a water bottle. -- The CD again shouts-- " Everybody--Put Your Hands Together " for our 43 Sr Staff members representing 152 countries and 19 departments on board -- including ( Canada as an example ) and, again the Canadians " go wild "-- ( Ya see that ?? All the way from Canada ) !! Lastly--the CD introduces the Captain --- Welcome toast--etc etc. And the finale---the CD---"Before I let you go"----I gotta tell you about the " fabulous " entertainment we have for you on this cruise and don't forget to watch the daily shopping video of the Islands we are going to--- Great deals await-- Exclusive(?) to Celebrity. ( Nothing is mentioned about " kick-backs " from the stores they send us to). On our way out of the theater we are "greeted" by 23 Staff selling drink packages and specialty restaurant packages.

( I have not read much on this-- perhaps it has already been addressed ) I'm a bit confused re this Blue Chip offer ( promotion ). We were never offered a free cruise or a free verandah since we don't spend much time ( $$ ) in the casino, yet it appears as if several CCers are being either mailed, emailed or called regarding it even though they say they are not big gamblers. Are some being offered a free cruise ( pay for taxes, gratuities, etc ) and some only offered a free verandah ( pay for a lower category and upgrade to a verandah ) ? Also, I assume the offer ( promotion ) is only available at off-times when lots of cabins are open. From a recent post ----" because the house eventually wins "--- Casinos weren't built on winners-- Casinos love slot players who build up their credits and don't cash out because they want more-- Pretty soon they are at zero credits and "feeding" the machine. Casinos love blackjack players, like one of our CCers who splits Kings because he has a " feeling".