cmaleblanc

We are on the reflection in Feb. My understanding is that it hasn't got the full treatment, but it did go in for a short dry dock in 2022, which included updating the soft fittings, chairs, carpet, beds ect. But not a full "revolution". I believe the last thing I read was sometime in 2023, but as someone else posted I think a lot of the big changes have been cancelled or suspended due to the pandemic. We've only sailed on the M class to date, this will be our first cruise on the older ship, and have been told by a few people it will be a much more traditional cruising experience.

Hey everyone! We are in Newfoundland and travel frequently. But it's a pain to travel anywhere from Newfoundland. I'm wondering what time lines are people using now to book flights? how far out from a trip do people find the best rates for international travel? We normally cruise out of FLL, and we had flown Westjet in the past, but now it seems they won't fly into FLL on Wednesdays or Saturdays, I thought it was a short term thing, but with the announcement they are pulling back operations in Atlantic Canada. It's leaving us really with AC to travel with. How are others in Atlantic Canada finding it, any tips?

I was hoping to get a Nexus card, We have been traveling frequently enough to the US in the last year, and have more trips planned coming up that it made sense. But seeing as I'm in Newfoundland and they have a lack of appointments, I'm apprehensive about the simplicity of the process, between having to apply online, to trying to find a location to book (I assume you have a deadline to get an interview completed by), and getting a plane to that location and accommodation. I think it outstrips any of the benefits. I hoped that I might be able to coordinate with possibly a work trip to the mainland and get it done at the same time, but work trip are unpredictable right now, so I'll have to keep going through Pearson looking at an empty Nexus line, while standing with everyone else....ugh

I think these uncertain times really help to solidify the importance of getting a TA and a refundable deposit. I think we'll still book in advance to take advantage of the discounts and lower rates you can get, but we'll use a refund to drop out before final payments if the changes continue to happen. I'll also continue to use my TA for trips. They keep an eye to make sure we get the best deal, but they are amazing if we want to change anything. They've worked wonders for us even after final payments.

While I understand that people (including us) book cruises out months if not years in advance to take advantage of prices and time to pay off balances, I will say right now it's just a firestorm of problems! I don't think it fair to judge any one cruise line with what's going on. Everything is going up in costs regardless of line. I've only ever cruised on Celebrity. We have a cruise coming up in a few weeks, and a future cruise in Feb 2024. I'll give these two a go, and reevaluate after we start to see things settle down a bit. I'm not saying we won't change, or won't look at other options, I think everyone should do that. I'm just saying I'm trying not to make a rash decision based on internet posts. The grass might look greener on the other side, but it might not be a lush. Like everyone we are concerned with all the changes, but we are in an echo chamber in this form, we are only seeing the complaints about Celebrity, and let's be honest, these forms aren't exactly a pillar of information. Like many forms it's a pitch fork mob jumping on the bandwagon every time someone calls foul. I'll take our next two cruises and than see what's going on, see what Celebrity puts out as formal decision on plans moving forward. I'm hoping these are just stop gaps because of the staffing problems along with all the other external impacts they are dealing with. But if it ends up like taxes after the war, or "baggage fees" that where only suppose to be around for a year or two after major events, we'll be looking to make our dollar go further.

Hey @TeeRick does GrayCliff have good prices? I'm looking at picking up a few cigars on my next trip, and was looking at doing it in FLL before I leave, but Nassau is our first stop. Cigars are crazy expensive here in Canada for me, so looking at getting a good option at a reasonable price.

I think this comes down to a few things. 1) The menus have been changing around for a while. 2) The app isn't great, so they normally have a place holder for everything until a day or two before the cruise after they have confirmed all the suppliers. So although you might be looking at the menu now, that may be a place holder, or one for the current cruise of that ship, and not an accurate representation of what your cruise will have. 3) lots of talk on the forms about people being told that the MDR menu is changing, including removing some of the classic options. This seems to be a ship by ship change, maybe even cruise by cruise. So it's hard to tell if it's just a problem with a supplier or if Celebrity is making cost cutting changes in 2023. In any case, it's hard to say why it changed on you specifically, but I would suspect it will be confirmed a day or two before you cruise, I don't trust anything on the App until I get on aboard the ship.

We had a similar issue when we cruised in Feb 22. We had prepaid for the Drinks and More package, that included the minibar and a Casino Credit. By the time the cruise came around that package was removed. When we got on board the ship, our Seapass also didn't reflect the correct package (I would make sure to check your seapass when you get on board). But we went to the Customer Service desk on the Apex, and it took about 3mins and she printed new Seapasses with the correct drink package, and confirmed with team that maintains the minibars in the rooms ours would be cared for. No other problems with the drink package the whole cruise. On a few occasions the bar tenders had no idea what drink package we had, but we never got charged for anything extra.

It's not really a celebrity choice in many cases, As Cruisestitch asked, what's the next port? and what itinerary are you on? If you booked through a TA you should call them ASAP, or if you booked directly with Celebrity and see if they can help. My GF was in a similar situation in the past, the cruise line wasn't going to allow her to board due to the closed loop. But she contacted the TA, who worked with the Cruise to allow her to board at the next port. The TA even helped to arrange the flights and transport to the next port of call. It's the reason we keep using the same one. But you need to get on it fast. The US has some strict rules when it comes to who and how people can board cruise ships if you are leaving a US port.

I found the one on the Apex the last night of the cruise, I was so upset, I didn't even look at the prices LOL. I had been told that it was a nonsmoking cruise prior to leaving so resigned myself to not enjoying one. That's why I'm trying to pre plan now! LOL You're the 2nd person to mention Neptune, it was one of the locations I was looking at myself before I posted it, but I wasn't really sure what the best options was. The outside of the store doesn't look fantastic from the google pics, but wanted to get feedback from others. So thank you! I might have to check them out before we leave. I guess one good thing about having to fly in at least a day early (coming from Newfoundland) is we have the time to go take a look before we board.

Thanks Dave, I'll take a look at these groups. I didn't even think about looking for port threads! Appreciate it.

I've read a few posts on the forms around cigars and seems to me we have a much larger audience than I expected. I will admit I'm a relatively new cigar smoker, I have one every few months, normally when I'm at the cabin. On my last trip on Celebrity, I thought it was a smoke-free cruise, so didn't think much of it, but on the last day, I found the humidor in the ship store, and was a little disappointed I didn't get to sit on the stern with a cigar and a drink. That being said, after reading posts here, I'm excited to get back on the boat in Feb out of FLL. I'm looking for recommendations in FLL for a good place to get a cigar at a reasonable price. (I'm also not opposed to getting a box and bringing them back at a good price) I'm in Canada and on the east coast. The best thing we offer here is a Romeo y Julieta, or those flavors cigarillos. In the past, I've ordered from an importer in Ontario, but the cost to import and shipping to my province is astronomical. Thankfully I have a friend from Belize who is nice enough to bring me some back when she can travel. We have the cigar tour booked for Cozumel at the last port, but I was hoping to pick up one or two for at least the sea days. I'm looking at options to pick up maybe some in FLL before I leave, or maybe if people have suggestions at one of our stops. Nassau, Ocho Rios, George Town, Cozumel. Thanks.

With the 35% off sale for excursions, I assumed that it was an overload on the website, after trying a few times, I was able to access the excursions from the app on my phone, we are still 80days out but it let me book a excursion we had been on the fence about, but the price was good, so we took it.

Is it possible they are leaving the MoveUp options up in case people cancel? they want to fill those expensive rooms with MoveUp people, hoping they can sell the lower rooms for less money to fill the over all ship?

You should be able to reach someone via the number found on the website. 1-888-751-7804 If you have CC status they should be able to provide you the additional discount, although I would make sure to ask just to be safe. If you are a BCC member you may get a better offer, but will need to call the BCC group to get that added. If you went through a TA your TA should be able to make the change for us. I normally have my TA do the upgrade, and if the discount is wrong, I call the number above and Celebrity makes the correction for me.

On the Apex in Feb 22, we had the same setup, the SeaPass cards are in a little letterbox behind your room number, We got into the room and could use it as long as we wanted, it just didn't have our check luggage. We cruised in AQ for that sailing, and everything else was in the room waiting for us. We washed up and went up to the Ocean View for some lunch, and took the opportunity to take a look around the Spa. By the time we made it back to the cabin our baggage was waiting for us, very smooth process.

I was on my first-ever cruise on Feb 22 on the Apex, and I'll say I loved it. My Girlfriend is an avid cruiser and has gone on multiple trips before we met, and she loved it, we have a future cruise booked on the Apex in '24 because we like it that much. In Feb '23 we are booked on the Reflection, and I'm interested to see the difference between the two ships, based on all the responses on these forms it should be interesting. Full disclosure, we are in our 30's so based on these boards, the E-Class is for our age group? and While I loved the Apex, it wasn't perfect. But anything we dislikes was a personal issue, not because of the ship or crew. We stayed in AQ, but hated Blu, personal taste didn't align with the menu style. We found the MDR just a good atmosphere and the food choices suited us better. So we used the MDR for nights we didn't do specialty dining. We tried the Thermal Spa, and it was ok, but we wouldn't spend any time in it.... those aren't faults of the ship or Celebrity, they are personal reflections on our tastes and what we want in a cruise. On the upcoming cruise, we are going into concierge class, it seems to have all the benefits we liked in AQ and none of the things we didn't care for. So, a good trade-off for us. I'm hoping our time on the reflection will be fun, but I can't wait to get back on the Apex in Feb '24.

This thread sparked my interest! I like to have a cigar every now and than, but as someone who has to travel from Canada into the US for a cruise, I'm limited to what I can bring, and not upset the board guards. I'll be flying into Fort Lauderdale to start a 7 day Cruise in Feb '23 going Leaving from Florida going to the Bahamas, Jamacia, Grand Cayman, and finally Cozumel. We have an excursion planned in Cozumel for a Small Group Cuban Cigar making class, which sounds great. But where is a good place preboarding or within the first stop to get a/some cigars? When I was on the Apex in Feb '22 we found that the shop onboard had Cigars, but I only found it the last night of the cruise, so didn't get anything. Seems the group here has some experience and could offer some tips?

Thanks I've sent another email, My original thought was that I didn't have to actively sign up for the program, as my card is scanned each time I played. But I didn't feel like arguing with the girl on the other end of the phone. After waiting 2hrs to speak to someone, I'll hope someone responds to my email.

So after reading all the interesting things about the BCC on these forms I started looking into the program. We had cruised on the Apex this year, and are going on the Reflection in Feb '23. I'm a big Craps player and played a lot on the last cruise, so I was interested in what status I may have or any discounts that may be offered at my level. After about 2hrs on hold with the BCC number, I found out that we had not been enrolled in the program. I (incorrectly) assumed we just had to swipe our cards at the casino when we played games, but according to the representative I spoke with, that's not the case I had to speak with someone on board the ship to enroll in the program? The good news is, she said she sees my trip on the Apex in Feb '22, and said that play will pull into the program when I join on our next cruise, but at this time they didn't have any offers loaded into my account because I wasn't a member. I'm not to concerned to be honest, she was a nice person to speak with, but it would have been nicer to have better direction on the site, or when we played at the Casino on board. Is this the same experience for others? and if so, for New people like myself, make sure you speak to the Casino host on board to join.

Ship: Apex Length of Cruise: 7-Night Cruise Sail Date: Feb 19th - 26th 2022 Date email offer received: Jan 17th 2022 Captain’s Club Tier : Classic Booked through Celebrity Direct OR via TA: TA Current Cabin: Infinite Veranda Bid? Yes/No: Yes If YES - Bidding Details: Cabin Category: A1 - AquaClass Veranda Bid Offer: $200/pp Notification Date: Jan 19th 2022 Accepted / Rejected: Accepted General Comments (offer details, etc.) Our TA is fantastic the original deal was almost 80% off the price from Celebrity. We had booked during COVID when the price started to drop as cruise lines started to reopen. We bid to move up to AQ, due to the original price being so low, and figured we would low ball the AQ bid, if we didn't get it, no worries. We would still have had a good time. To our surprise it was accepted, but the ship was very low occupancy.

Date of Cruise: Feb 19 - 26 2022 Ship: Apex Cabin #: 10213 Deck #: 10 Cabin Category: A1 Cabin Location: Port Side/Mid Ship Bed Position: Window/infinite Veranda Balcony Type: infinite Veranda Balcony/Window Size: 42Sq Ft Balcony/Window View/Obstruction: No Balcony Overhang?: No Magic Carpet Issues?: No Noise Issues?: Window/infinite Veranda was really squeaky for the first two days, but after opening/closing it a few times it was much better. The room Attendant said sometimes it needs to be open/closed a few times for the lubrication to spread. It was fine for the remainder of the trip. No other noises could be heard. Wind Issues?: None Connecting Cabin? Where Does it Connect?: No Suite Details: N/A Advantages/Problems/Comments: Amazing room, I would book again. It was close enough to the elevators that you could get in and out quickly but far enough you didn't get any noise from people moving around the ship. It was in the back of a hump at the ship, so we didn't have any issues with wind or noise. It's on the port side, so no issues with the magic Carpet. Would You Book It Again?: Yes Photos or Photo Links:

We normally use our OBC on specialty restaurants and anything left we use at the casino. In reality you can use it for anything. On a past cruise before the AI pricing we saved it and used it to make sure we had a buffer for the gratuities. You're OBC is shown on your reservation on the celebrity page, and if you prepurchase anything through the site you can use the OBC. if you wait until you're on the ship, it acts as a cousin so as you charge items to your room bill, the OBC is used first, before they charge your CC, from our experience. I know some people will use it to pick up excursions through the ship, but we find better prices for those with our TA and haven't had any issue. So, we really reserve our OBC for on board specials.

We went on the Apex in Feb 22 and loved it, both in our mid 30's and enjoyed everything except for Blu, and the spa. We are booked on Reflection coming up in Feb 23 and will be back on the Apex Feb 24. I'm interested to see the difference between the old vs new. I'm told the Reflection will be closer to a "classic" cruise experience. Apex was my first and this will be my 2nd cruise by my GF has cruised on a number of different lines, but prefers the Celebrity experience.

We are going on a Cruise in Feb, and upgraded our Drink from Classic to Premium about a month ago, but noticed the other day our TA only got us a 5% discount, I contacted Celebrity and had them take a look and advised that the price of the drink package upgrade had increased and due to the lower price and the older discount, we actually got a better rate it was going to be an increase of about $60 (total) if I wanted to get my Select discount now. Seemed strange but I didn't keep an eye on the price itself, so I took the word of the Celebrity employee.