truckswain

1 hour ago, rinshin said:

Gosh, reading all your posts I am already concerned.  Please tell me if I have this covered. I feel like Celebrity against us in this fight to keep everything error-free and accounted for. 

 

1. have a cabin attendant remove all items from mini refrigerator and take a photo.

 

2.  Check charges daily and refute all errors while on board.

 

3. Before leaving your cabin for the final time, take a photo of your charges and mini refrigerator. 
 

4.  After returning home, keep close eye on any miscellaneous charges and pending charges from Celebrity. Wait several days for pending charges because they can disappear.

 

anything else?  

 

 

 

 

Don't be concerned, over 25 cruises most with Royal and Celebrity and never had an issue with my onboard statement.

I check my charges on the app or TV a couple of times during the cruise.  And check my final statement.

As you charge items to your onboard account, your credit card on file will be billed random amounts to ensure the credit card is valid and charges won't be declined.

Within two days of being home the random charge amounts are gone from the credit card and and the proper amount of the onboard statement is charged.

Yes be diligent, not paranoid and enjoy your cruise!

18 hours ago, Fouremco said:

Let's not for get that this was a young girl who, unlike most of the posters here, might well have been taking her first international flight. Perhaps her first flight, period. Consequently, she may not have thought about such issues as keeping her meds with her when she volunteered to gate check her carry on.

 

The one question that comes to mind is why it appears that no one took the time to explain to the clearly upset youngster that her bag hadn't been left behind and had been loaded aboard the plane. Perhaps the earlier delays had put the crew in a tetchy mood.

 

On the other hand, I've been asked to check my carry-on bag on a number of occasions and have never been asked about meds or lithium batteries. Maybe it depends on the airline or airport?

Thank you Fouremco for your compassionate comment.

I fly nearly every week for business and I have seen all kids of behaviours at the gate and on the plane and it makes seriously wonder what people are thinking.

But I also see those that have obviously not travelled before and think it must be so daunting.  Customer service is non-existent, workers are miserable and people in general have zero patience.  

I hope everything worked out for this individual.

We have been cruising for many years and this December it will be our first holiday cruise over Christmas on the Ascent.

We have cruised on the Apex and Beyond and were just on the Ascent at the beginning of March.  In all these cruises I was able to book Specialty Dining almost immediately after making the reservation.  Most of these reservations were a least a year from sail date and I had not made final payment.

The Specialty Dining for the Holiday Ascent cruise is not yet available, and I was wondering if this was normal that booking dining only happens much closer to sail date on holiday cruises

14 hours ago, mac_tlc said:

There was Pickelball going on while we had lunch at RGG. There was no distraction for us. Here is a picture from our table:

 

 

 

Really didn’t seem all that close.

 

mac_tlc

Agreed, it is not that close and with all the other sounds from other guests in the restaurant, the kitchen and the servers it would be difficult to hear or be distracted by any activity in that area of the Rooftop Garden.

1 hour ago, hcat said:

informal pickle ball was still going after end time when we arrived at Rooftop for dinner..but they were nice enough to stop..  Golf putting also ran over ..we moved our  roll call get together further back..worked ok

 

Maybe they could find a sports space indoors for  these activities. Ascent has a space you can rent out..maybe open it up as gen sports area..or use the Club..

 

on another note..many X PR and marketing campaigns have flopped in the past..Marco Polo, X the Rules  GOOP... We just go with the flow!

Why would they need to stop Pickelball when the Rooftop Garden Restsurant is a separate space from where Pickleball would be played?

Golf putting ran 3, 4 hours over?

I don't believe these activities "are marketing campaigns" 

On 3/22/2024 at 8:06 PM, hcat said:

I do agree about having sports all over the place on ASCENT...golf putting  in EDEN , Pickle Ball on the Roof top garden, curling in the Club...hard to find a  mellow place!

Having just been on the Ascent as well, I think it is important to clarify that the golf putting, Pickle Ball and Curling happen for short periods of times.  We were in Eden when some type of bowling activity started.  Lasted 20 minutes and then nothing but soft music and watching the wake of the ship.

We found numerous "mellow" places both indoor and outdoors.

On 3/20/2024 at 9:35 AM, stevenr597 said:

Sadly, since Covid many things are "not the same."  Prices are up, service is down; whether at home, or on a cruise. 

We have noticed on Celebrity in "Blu" that the variety of food on the menu is more limited, and actual size of portions have decreased.  On Princess we noted relatively slow service in the morning "making up the cabins."

But despite this, we are glad to be back at cruising, whether on Holland America, Celebrity or Princess.  

A bad day at sea is still better than a good day at work. 

 

It is unfortunate that has been your experience.

We just returned from a 7 week cruise on the Ascent, Aqua Class, and this would be one of the best cruises we have had (we have have been cruising for 30 years).

The food in Blu was exceptional along with the service.  The service on the ship, entertainment and other food venues were outstanding.

The price was approximately $800 more than our Apex, Aqua Class cruise in 2022 (we were on the Beyond in 2023, but in the Retreat).  Given inflation and sailing on the newest Celebrity ship, I believe the increase was reasonable.

On 3/18/2024 at 9:19 AM, Avidcruiser321 said:

We have been on many Celebrity cruises over the years, but last one was pre-Covid.  We were on the second last cruise out of Ft Lauderdale before everything got shut down.  Since then we have been on HAL and Princess.

 

I just want to clarify - Celebrity is not BAD.  Far from it.  It's still great and we always have a great time.  But in our opinion it has slipped back.  Others experiences mat vary! 

 

And the whole point of this post was to vent about the price drop, not the shipboard services.  Hope that helps!.

So last Celebrity Cruise was late 2019, early 2020.  So not on a Celebrity Cruise in 4 years but in your opinion they have slipped back.  Can't fathom how you have come to this conclusion, but it is your opinion, which you are entitled to.

On 3/13/2024 at 10:47 PM, Avidcruiser321 said:

So here is the update!  I did call to try the upgrade idea.  I asked to upgrade to Prime Aqua class (from our regular balcony) and the price difference was not big enough.  Prime Aqua in a suite was still less than we paid, so they couldn't do it as the price needs to be higher than what I paid.  So no go.  The next option up was to a big sky suite which was waaaay more.

 

So worth a try, but no luck.  Just goes to show the original point of the post is true - I got ripped off. 

 

And to all the Internet bosses who will now chime in to say I'm not allowed to feel that way - please save your breath.  I am allowed to feel however I want about it right now.  And I am sure I'll still have a nice time when the cruise comes along!

I missed when your last Celebrity cruise was that you are able to compare that the service is better on the other lines and "Celebrity has gone downhill"

I have done many, many flights from FLL to Toronto after returning from a cruise.  I always look for flights that leave between 10:30 and noon.  Our last cruise in November, we came off the Beyoind and were flying home the day before American Thanksgiving with an 11:10 flight.  No issue at all.  Our next curise on the Ascent returns on March 10th and we have a 11:20am flight.  DW and I both have Nexus, so that gives us PreClear for security, I check in for the flight as soon as check in opens and we always self disembark. 

The ususal gates for Air Canada at FLL are a complete disaster.  Everytime I am there, AC has other flights going out and the seating is packed and cramped.  The Zone lineup areas are tiny and poorly laid out.  But if you are at the gate, you are checked in and through security so it is just staying patient till your flight boards.

I have only had one issue with a cruise returning late and in that instance I had purchased airfare from the cruise line so they did all the rebooking.  And in that case it would not have mattered if flights were at 2 or 3pm, no one was making any flights before early evening.

1 hour ago, miched said:

Fantastic.   I pay the outrageous price for a suite and now have to put up with unruly children and crying babies that have access for free in Luminae and in the retreat areas.  So much for a retreat area to get away from them and also their splashing in the pool.  
 

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅

So unruly children and crying babies are only with families who book non suite accommodations?  And the access is not free they pay a premium for the pass.

When I read comments like this I am glad celebrity is sticking it to the suite class.

My vote is also for RCCL Oasis class ships and in particular Oasis as it has had a refurbishment, and either Harmony, Symphony or Wonder.

Any itinerary that includes Coco Cay  is a win.  While the comment was made that this is RCCL's amusement park which is not true, it is their private island which is a great beach day and does not have to cost anything extra (unless you want the water park or excursions).  Drink Packages and Wifi Packages also work on Coco Cay.

Thank you for your review.  We were on the Beyond in November and your comment regarding Disembarkation is spot on.  Very annoying.

We are on the Ascent in a couple of weeks and I am hoping the outside space in and around the sunset bar is a little quieter than what you described.  

This is great, especially for RC cruises that don't offer All Included.

I take it there is not a way to have the cruise planner results in Canadian Dollars.

3 hours ago, Shiba_Lover said:

THis is not a "TA" messed up and if you book direct with celebrity it will not happen thing.  What is happening is a change to the reservation, in this case, a change in dining time, is triggering a change that is "losing" a promo code (black friday) associated with the pricing.  

This is a Celebrity IT problem and it has been reported as happening by prople who booked directly with Celebrity.

 

The fix is the promo needs to be added back onto the reservation.  As that promo is no longer available, In order for it to be added back - Celebrity must do it, and there must be proof that the reservation had it to begin with.

 

Now - if the TA won't call in and get this sorted out - then THAT is a problem with the TA.  But the fact that this issue occurred could have happened if a TA or a celebrity rep booked or updated the reservation. 

 

The TA should have a copy of the original booking invoice showing the original fare and all promo codes.

In my opinion the TA has messed up royally.  The TA should have been well aware of the original booking details and when the change was made and the new price given, they should have taken any time needed to get it sorted.  The customer should never had known there was even an issue.

This is a TA problem, the whole point in using a TA is so you do not have to deal with issues with your reservation.

I never use a TA and book direclty with Celebrity, but never online always over the phone.  I do enough research to know exactly what I want and have a live agent book it for me.  I do not hang up until I have reviewed the email confirmation for accuracy.

Final payment also done by phone and again, wait for the email confirmation to ensure accuracy.

Ordering a trinket from Amazon, no concerns but I would not trust any company's webiste to book travel.

4 hours ago, mnocket said:

It never fails to disappoint me how many cheerleaders will reflexively jump to side with the cruise lines against almost any complaint against the company. I don't know if Celebrity has the contractual right to change any or every aspect of their product after a customer has purchased it, or not. To me it really doesn't matter -  either way it's treating their customers wrong.  Something can be both legal and wrong. If the OP does indeed proceed with legal action, I hope they win - although I fear it will likely be throwing good money after bad. Still they have my support and gratitude for standing up against a company for doing wrong by their customers, because they know they can get away with it. It's sad to see so many side with the company🙁

This is not cheerleading, simply pointing out that "bait and switch" or "false advertising" simply does not apply.  People need to read their cruise ticket/contract.

What disappoints me is how many have yet to take a cruise with the new policies and already are complaining.  Take the cruise first.  Will the experience be different? For sure, Will it be better or worse?  Who knows.

The best thing to do is vote with your vacation dollars and cruise other lines.

But, please come back to the Celebrity Boards and post how much better the cruise line you found is because we all some much enjoy those posts. 

We were on deck 11 and I did not notice any more of an overhang then other balconies and we did have sun.

In my opinion these rooms are unique to Edge class and I  am always in to trying something that you cannot experience on other ships cruise lines.

I really like Boardwalk and Central Park Balconies on RCL Oasis class ships, not you ordinary ocean balconies.

There are two doors to get in your cabin as the first door opens into a small hallway with a door to the inside cabin and the door to your suite.  I thought this was would be annoying but it was fine.  Did not hear any noise from the hallway and never heard the people staying in the inside cabin coming or going.

We were in a Magic Carpet Suite, middle room, on the Beyond last month.  The cabin and bathroom had a great deal of room.  The balcony was large as well with two loungers, two chairs and a small table.  The magic carpet was not an issue and one day we saw it being lowered from the top deck to a lower deck.  It does not move with people on in.  A great cabin with suite benefits.

1 minute ago, Cap_D said:

Example:  SS were sold as having dedicated butler service, people paid, service discontinued, some people still solicited for final payment (no update/disclosure provided post NRD). To the extent the marketing was updated in August, the butler and team is also a farce. There may be a head butler  in name, that if there is engagement simply says the equivalent to you're on your own, and then you're left with the housekeeper, phone to same services as anyone else on board (and follow-up that occurs), and waiting in line in the Retreat lounge. That's not team delivery of services, that's self service. 

 

A housekeeper is not a butler, or troubleshooter no matter how nice they may be at pointing out where the soap is and how the thermostat works, let alone timelines of cleaning and turndown.  

So, deceptive to those that booked before the changes in SSs were implemented.

Going forward for those that have not sailed in an SS,  Celebrity has clearly outlined what can be expected when booking this class of cabin so no deception.  And if one reads that and believes the price to be of value then SS is not overpriced.

41 minutes ago, Cap_D said:

Celebrity has gone down on service, up on price.  Yet, we were mostly buying for service, and minimum requirements for room.  Not solely on price, although celebrity SSs are now clearly overpriced, deceptively marketed, and placing people in less than ideal situations where the decreased service impacts the experience. 

I am confused on how SSs are overpriced and deceptively marketed.

On 11/29/2023 at 3:05 PM, JDPCruisers said:

Thanks. It seems like it's been quite a few cruises since the servers were wandering around the pool/solarium. Never bothered us as we have no issue going to the bars for our drinks and going from bar to bar for a change of scenery.

 

Martini Bar always a crowd favorite on the ships we've been on so not surprised to hear that. How have the other bars been, crowded?

 

And, good to hear Beyond is as good or better as Apex as we were on her last April/May for 24N and experienced zero issues anywhere on the ship. 

 

Think they rolled back the $2 cookie shortly after the uproar. 

The other bars were busy at various times but I can say in 9 days I never went thirsty or hungry.

On 11/29/2023 at 3:04 PM, Dolebludger said:

Good, but I don’t consider an understaffed martini bar to be a small issue. When we cruised in the Retreat a couple of times, the martini bar was the only place on the main ship that we regularly went to.  The Martini bar is sort of a Celebrity-only place, and it has been one of the main things we liked about Celebrity. When we cruise another line, the only thing we miss there is the martini bar. And I have read many posts here, and many say the martini bar is understaffed and at times unusable. It is a shame to see Celebrity degrading one of its main attractions.

See this is where I get confused, what is understaffed?  Only 1 bartender, or 2 or 3 during “busy” hours?  How long is reasonable to wait for a drink?  I think there are as many answers as there are people.  If one’s expectations are they should be served as quickly in the evening as they are in the middle of an afternoon on a port day well yes Celebrity has degraded  one of their main attractions.

i have also read the numerous posts about staff shortages, overworked crew and noticeable service cuts all over various ships.  The posts usually start - I sailed X in 2019 and the staff and service was amazing but my uncle’s best friend’s wife just returned from a cruise and the service was terrible.

Lots of hearsay on this board, hard to find those that have cruised and reported back actual facts.

Just now, JDPCruisers said:

We are on Beyond next May so that's great to hear and thanks. No signs of understaffing?

None that we encountered but we are pretty easy to please.

If we were at the main pool and had not seen a server for a bit, I simply got up and went to the bar to get a drink.  Which with  all I ate I needed the exercise!

The Martini Bar was always busy, could have had ten bartenders, still would have waited for a drink.  No sweat for us simply waited and enjoyed the people and watching the  bartenders make drinks.

We were on the Apex in Novermber 2021 and April 2022 and I thought the service and food on the Beyond was just as good or better.

I searched high and low for the $2 cookie but could not find it, settled for the free cookies at  Al Bocio.😄

44 minutes ago, JDPCruisers said:

For last weeks cruise, mind sharing on what ship and if you were in the Retreat? Asking due to the different experiences for those that are in Sky Suites with the recent changes. 

I was on the Celebrity Beyond, Nov 13 - 21 in a Magic Carpet Suite.

First time in a suite so I have nothing to compare in terms of previous service.

What I can tell you is the the cruise was fantastic.  Service and food amazing and the ship is gorgeous.  Luminae  was outstanding as was our cabin steward.  Had zero need to use the the Retreat hosts/Concierge/butler team.  Not a fan of the Retreat Lounge or Sun Deck, but that is just me.  Had so much more fun at the pool deck, sunset plunge  pools and sunset bar.