BobbM81

I’m a millennial that loves Celebrity. For me, the ships are nice and there aren’t a lot of small children running around. We took our last RC cruise in 2020

On 5/18/2024 at 5:40 AM, FamilyAtSea.travel said:

I was going to bid on an upgrade for one but the minimum bid is $1650 PP and the cost to upgrade from our Aqua Sky Suite is $1700 PP (+ we'd be losing the thermal spa).

 

If they had more realistic bid prices we'd do it.

They sent me an offer of $2250 pp for the Horizon suite. Tempting, but I declined 

This is what I did for an upcoming Equinox cruise. I ended up paying less to book cruise only and add premium drinks and premium WiFi than it was to book the all included (classic drink and basic WiFi). This was during the Black Friday savings. 

I love the martini bar area. There are multiple floors where you can see the action, but I prefer the bar level. The Edge/Apex bar is smaller than Beyond/Ascent, but it felt like similar seating away from the bar. 

I really like the Las Alturas and I’ll pay $9.60 when I want a glass. I hope it’s available on our Equinox cruise in less than a month 

I always wrap my card in cash and use a binder clip to secure it. Tip money and clip is always available 

Strongbow shows $11 in the app for my upcoming Med cruise. That would put it in the premium package or a very small up charge from classic. 

I know some TAs don’t participate in the move up program. I thought it was limited to purchasing through a big box store vacation. 

29 minutes ago, Octavias said:

Where do you find the option to put in a move up bid?  Or is it an email they send out?  We are 63 days from sail away and I don’t see anywhere to place a bid.  Maybe our cruise is full…. Or it’s to soon? 

Try this site: https://www.celebritycruises.com/bid-on-cruise-room-upgrade

I’m going on that Equinox cruise this June. We chose it because we’ve been to Italy but never to the riviera. I would choose whatever ports you’re more interested in. I will say Croatia is one of my favorite countries and cruising along the Adriatic would be an amazing time.  

My daughter has never liked the sofa bed. Her favorite part is when I wake up before 6 and she can sleep with Mom for a couple hours. We are typically in a Sky Suite and it doesn’t matter. It would be difficult for 3 adults. 

1 hour ago, Blues51 said:

 

Two questions -- 1) we'll be on Beyond, Aqua class, but don't plan to add the drinks package.  If I bring (2 or 4, I've seen claims for both) bottles of wine onboard, what is the corkage fee?

And 2) do they sell bottles of wine at the meals, and can we drink some and bring the rest back to the cabin?  If so, what's the typical cost for bottles of medium to good quality red wines?

 

I wouldn’t pay the corkage if you don’t plan on drinking the whole bottle. You can fill 2 glasses in your room and bring the glasses to dinner and not get charged a fee. 

You can do both carryon and check. 4 bottles if you are with a partner. We always do premium so there isn’t a corkage at dinner. However, just a pour a big glass and take to dinner if you don’t have a package 

It’s a continuous loop and 5 laps = a mile. People are mostly good about keeping to the right when walking but there are some times where people stop on the track to take a pic. I love the track and it’s a daily use for me when on the E class ships. 

Amazon has a watch/phone split charger we use for all travel. I agree the outlets on the Equinox are an issue but those do help. Add a USB splitter to charge the 2 iPads 

I was charged $179.94 for 3 at Tuscan and $197.94 for 3 at Murano for an upcoming June cruise on the Equinox 

If you put one in your carryon and one in your checked bag, a couple can bring 4 bottles. That’s what we’ll do when we board in Rome with some nice Italian reds. 
 

I think the cork fee is $25 but I’ve never not had the premium package. 

On 1/9/2024 at 12:25 PM, richczarnecki said:

OK, so here is my latest conversation with Laura.  Seems like something is changing for the better, with Sunday's Ascent departure being the first to add more wine ("variety") choices under PBP (the date I sail).  But she still does not confirm that a Retreat menu item over the PBP limit will not be charged (as others have experienced).  So hopefully more (better?) choices within PBP in Retreat, but still an upcharge for Retreat menu items over $17.  BUT then she says this, which would seem to state that nothing on Pool Deck and Lounge menus is either (a) over $17 or (b) will not be upcharged.  Confused?  I shall see and report back . . .

 

From: Laura Hodges Bethge <lhodgesbethge@celebrity.com>
Sent: Tuesday, January 9, 2024 11:41 AM
To: Richard 
Subject: RE: [EXTERNAL] Retreat

 

Thank you for your note. I can assure you that on Ascent this weekend, in all three locations for the Retreat, there will more variety than in the past on the wine menu and those wines will be included in the premium package.

 

As I mentioned, as we have always had, in all locations around the ship, wines for an additional charge over and above the package are available if a guest would like them.

 

Laura Hodges Bethge

President, Celebrity Cruises

lhodgesbethge@celebrity.com

 

From: Richard 
Sent: Tuesday, January 9, 2024 11:59 AM
To: Laura Hodges Bethge <lhodgesbethge@celebrity.com>
Subject: Re: [EXTERNAL] Retreat

 

Thank you, Laura.  That's great to know!  But I still am unclear.  If I order wine off a Retreat menu with a premium package,  am I still understanding correctly that I will not be charged even if the menu price is above $17?  I believe you stated that here but other passengers are saying this is not accurate and that they are being charged.

 

Thanks again!  Rich

 

From: Laura Hodges Bethge <lhodgesbethge@celebrity.com>
Sent: Tuesday, January 9, 2024 12:07 PM
To: Richard
Subject: RE: [EXTERNAL] Retreat

 

Hi Richard—

 

All of the wines on the Retreat Pool Deck and in the Retreat Lounge are within the Premium Package, and those same wines are available in Luminae (given Luminae is a restaurant that list is more extensive). And, starting this weekend on Ascent we are adding more variety to that list of wines included in the premium packages– so that our Retreat guests have plenty to choose from. (It will be fleetwide by the end of the month).

 

There are additional wines available for an upcharge – that has not changed. Did we make some changes to inclusions in the classic and premium package, we did, and that will always continue to evolve and change based on guest preferences and inventory availability.

 

As I also mentioned, we are in the midst of reviewing, updating and adding breadth and depth to our wine menu. As you can imagine, these things do not happen instantaneously. We are excited to bring these new offerings to our guests in the next few months.

 

My very best, Laura

 

Laura Hodges Bethge

President, Celebrity Cruises

lhodgesbethge@celebrity.com

 

 

 

 

---

 

This is the most recent, I think. I noticed Tito’s vodka moved from classic to premium. 

39 minutes ago, Mrdell said:

Would you happen to know if casting is enabled for both Apple products and Android devices?

I can only speak to Apple but I can’t see how an android device would have an issue. I know Android’s can cast 

There was a cast option on our Beyond cruise in March. It took about 5 minutes of lagging before it would load but worked great. 

Lots of info and pics of that room in this thread

 https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2974383-live-with-georgia-peaches-on-the-brand-new-ascentb2b-november-22-29-pre-pre-maiden-voyage/#comments

It’s not always a bad thing. I had a sky suite on the Apex that was apparently overbooked and they offered a Royal Suite on the Edge if I would switch. Free of charge. 

2 hours ago, 81Zoomie said:

We drank the Emmolo Merlot on the Reflection last month and paid the up charge.  Filled our glasses in Cellar Masters.  
 

What was the up charge for Emmolo for premium package? It’s a great wine