PH2

4 hours ago, candy4040 said:

Don't forget the specialty coffees and bottled water.  Also the 15 a day doesn't include the 3.20 tip added to each drink.  You will each get one Wi-Fi.  It doesn't make sense for a lot of people but I enjoy the freedom of not having to worry about my coffee and drink intake.  

Right, but we don't drink coffee and have no problem filling tumblers with ice and water at the buffet. I appreciate bottled water, but it isn't necessary. On Celebrity in Retreat we were served Evian at every meal but I could have easily done without and just had regular ice water. So, I don't put much value in those benefits of the package, which is why I'm hedging on whether it's worth $1400 for mainly WiFi, gratuities and a couple of drinks.

Thanks everyone for their comments. We have plenty of time to decide but for now, I think I'm going to hold off.

We have only been on 2 other cruises, drastically different. First was a Caribbean cruise on Carnival. Everything was a la carte, so we brought tumblers to fill with water every day, didn't drink pop except maybe once or twice, I think? Had a couple of mixed drinks each on a 6 night cruise - $12 each as I recall. We don't drink coffee just tea, and tea was available in the buffet every morning so we made sure to have our fill when we could. We survived just fine.

Second cruise (just about a month ago) was an Alaska cruise on Celebrity in Retreat. Unlimited everything. We definitely took advantage of that by drinking more and having tea and Cokes whenever we wanted, mainly because we could and we paid for it, so why not get our money's worth?

So, I think we're flexible enough to be happy either way. Wildcard here might be that it's a 12 night cruise and possibly worth getting the package because there's more downtime with sea days and more opportunities to drink and enjoy some of the extras. We specifically booked this cruise to test out how much we might like a longer cruise compared to the standard 6/7 day cruises. Both of those cruises were tons of fun but went so fast. By the time we were ready to relax a bit after 3 port days, it was over.

Anyway, good to think it all through...

New to Princess - we just booked a January 2025 12-night cruise - and I'm trying to understand the value of the plus package. Plus was about $720 a person more than cruise only for our booking. I decided against it for the time being as I gather more info about the value.

We booked a balcony, so gratuities (at least at today's price) would be $32 for 12 nights ($384). WiFi for two 1-device packages is $30 (so $360 for the cruise). I'm assuming 1 device each means we can use it on multiple devices, just 1 device at a time?

So for the most important stuff (for us), that's $744. That leaves just under $700 for drinks and the other stuff (won't use the fitness class, don't drink juice, I already eat too many desserts on cruises, we decide on extra food purchases as we go - not sure we'd use the casual dining meals, don't need room service). I don't assign much value to that stuff since we don't need it. For easy math, I'll say that stuff is worth $100 just as a buffer for the almost certain price increases on WiFi and gratuities between now and then. So that leaves $600 for drinks, about $50 a day or about three $15 drinks a day.

So for this to make sense for us, we'd need to have at least 4-5 drinks between us a day. Does that sound about right? Am I missing anything (other than, I'm sure, not caring as much about drinking as many other people)?

We sailed on Solstice in a SS 3 weeks ago and received an emails asking for preferences. We got what we asked for which was type of drink and extra hangers. 

Having Miami as the only other port we've ever cruised out of, Seattle was a piece of cake. Only 2 ships versus 7, and the embarkation was so easy. We got slightly delayed because they were removing some COVID people from the previous sailing last, but it went fast. Also, they handed out these cards with group numbers and we noticed they really weren't checking so a couple we met on the ride over came with us when our group number was called and they got on about 10 groups ahead.

As far as upselling, there were 2 stations set up outside the buffet entrance on either side of the ship across from the elevators manned with 2-3 people actively trying to sell specialty restaurant reservations. That's about the only "in your face" upselling we saw. 

There were 4 when we did it 2 weeks ago because I think we answered Yes Yes No No. 

We did our first Celebrity cruise on Solstice last week to Alaska. We were in a Sky Suite and had a fabulous time. That said, looking at the prices for a SS 12 months out will price us out of the Retreat for the foreseeable future.

We will definitely not hesitate to cruise on Celebrity again, but it will only be where it makes financial sense. Since we're new to cruising, what makes the most sense is to book future cruises by itinerary and price on various lines and decide which lines we like the most for the price and narrow it down from there. We are considering a Princess cruise next (probably not until early 2025 though).

1 hour ago, tce40 said:

One more thing I wanted to add as I read back on this thread (didn't even read anything while on the ship).  The Retreat Host, Head Butler, Retreat Team with individual names were on their cards and already in my cabin when I embarked.  There was no guessing or trying to figure out what the numbers were, etc.  I even took a picture of them so I could thank them by name at the end of the cruise.

Same for us on the Solstice. Also had the same experience that our Retreat Host left 2 bottles of water (sometimes 2 bottles both morning and night) and chocolates on the pillow every night.

Sounds like our Retreat Host wasn't as proactive but he did a fine job with the room, and brought us 2 blankets when requested (we cruised Alaska and used them on the balcony).

We purchased 1 day of laundry service which was brought back the following day and not shrunk. But all we gave them were jeans, underwear and socks. Amazingly, I still fit into the jeans on day 8.

We did this exact cruise last week. Got lucky with the weather - Ketchican was in the 70s and sunny and Juneau and Skagway were 50s, overcast and only spitting rain from time to time. Also, the fog/rain cleared in time for the Dawes glacier viewing. Hope you have good luck as well. I'm jealous already and it's only been a few days since we debarked!

We were on the same Solstice sailing and while we were in the Retreat so we ate at Luminae most of the time, we also ate at Oceanview and Tuscan and enjoyed both. Can't comment on MDR. I also don't have any "back in the day" experiences to compare to. We had a fabulous time and ate good food - and too much of it.

*shrug*

A couple other "hot button" topics I forgot to mention - Solstice still has the old Luminae menu (huevos rancheros and raspberry vacherin were on there), and we didn't observe anyone vaping in the casino, although we didn't spend a ton of time there.

Oh, and we've had Bingo twice (today will be the second).

We're winding up our first Celebrity cruise (debark on Friday) and are in a SS. Here are my thoughts overall and experience with the Retreat team. 

Overall, we've had a fabulous cruise. We are not experienced cruisers and even on land vacations, do not seek out the kind of pampering and service we have gotten on this cruise. At times, it has been almost too much (our running joke is that I now refer to my wife as M'lady).

Our "Retreat Host" has been fine in terms of making up the room, but we asked for the fridge to be emptied and ice once a day in the morning, and neither of those happened.. But not a big deal - I cleaned it out myself.

We've been given 2 or 4 regular bottles of water each day. At present we have 12 bottles in the fridge. Never asked for anything else to be brought in, but we stopped by Michaels Club, asked for a couple Cokes and they were handed over with no questions. 

We didn't meet our head butler until the second day so that's probably why our requests to our Retreat Host went unfulfilled.  One of our biggest gripes is that no one explained anything about what we do/don't get. Even the inconsequential stuff. There was an Effy locket on the desk and given all the other stuff in the room that was extra (drinks and what-not), we couldn't tell if it was a gift or a "you take it, you bought it" situation. It wasn't until day 3 that we found out about the charms they were giving away that went with the locket, which we then figured out was a gift. A few other newbies in line for charms said the same thing to my wife.

Service in Luminae and other areas has been excellent. Breakfast room service was not served by our retreat host/butler, but it was actually early by 5-10 minutes both times and hot and correct. Minor gripe - they should serve room service tea out of the same carafes they use in Luminae so the tea does not taste like coffee because the hot water was in a coffee carafe. It was hard to drink. 

We've eaten a few times in Oceanview just because of timing and especially at lunch, we're not interested in a full dinner-like meal (steak, fish, full pasta meals, etc.) that take 45-60 minutes. It's been fine for buffet food, no complaints except the same complaint on every cruise - get a fresh omelet, never eat the scrambled eggs. Oceanview has been packed every time we've gone and we've had to search for 2 seats. But every station was open and full. Stir fry was good. 

A nice surprise we got (surprise to us, at least) was getting to observe Dawes glacier from the helipad on Monday morning. Fortunately the fog cleared, rain stopped and we got to within a mile of the glacier before doing the 360 viewing. 

We've only spoken to the head butler 3 or 4 times. That said, we don't ask for much and don't need much, but part of that is due to not knowing what we get in SS and not being pushy/particular about things. We do have 3 business cards in our room - head butler, retreat host and retreat concierges. Concierges set up our glass blowing class shortly after we embarked. I called the head butler at his request after completing the Canada customs paperwork and he answered and came down to our room within 10 minutes to collect the paperwork. He delivered the invite to the Retreat meet-and-greet with the ship staff and also accompanied a servicer who came to fix our doorbell (we didn't notice a problem but apparently room service did).

Entertainment has been fine. I'm not much for showtune-y music but the shows were mostly enjoyable. A weak singer here, a hokey bit there, a God-awful arrangement of Walk This Way, etc., but nothing that made us want to walk out. The aerialists were the highlight. The comedian was "eh" - the magician was better. And frankly, the star of the show has been Milos Radakovich, the naturalist. Smart, funny, informative. Should have filled in for the comedian. We've been to 4 of his talks and his narration during the glacier viewing was terrific as well. 

I definitely think part of why Celebrity feels comfortable with both raising prices and cutting back is supply and demand, of course, but mostly a new supply of people like us who come in with little to no expectations of what we are missing (you don't know what you don't know) or what the "good ol' days" used to look like on Celebrity. The few people we've talked to who are new to Celebrity have had great things to say about the service and all aspects of this cruise, which we agree with. The wife wants to come back on a Celebrity cruise, even with the understanding we are likely priced out of the Retreat. So I apologize in advance for propping up the new Celebrity business model because we enjoyed ourselves and will definitely be back at some point. 

Sorry this turned out so long! 

10 minutes ago, deliver42 said:

The big advantage on Carnival is that you get free tickets to the fights.LOL

And the runway show from pool to buffet. That was actually the worst part on our Carnival cruise in February. The lack of clothing during meals in the buffet was unwelcome.

On our Solstice cruise (Alaska), we've had a guy wearing a camo hat in Luminae and a couple guys in shorts and flip flops in Tuscan Grille. Neither of which really bother me but why publish a dress code if you don't enforce it? 

Two days in and we've gotten 2 bottles of standard bottled water left for us in our SS on Solstice each day. We're supplementing that with Cokes from Michael's Club and that's about all we need in our fridge. 

16 minutes ago, bnurick said:

All they do is keep changing the offerings. I suspect Woodford Reserve is now a “Premium Selection” at the time we sail. These people are intellectually dishonest in how they advertise the selections at purchase and change once you’re boxed in. A La Carte for my remaining cruises not in The Retreat.

   

Interesting. I wonder if this applies right now on our cruise. I almost ordered a Woodford last night since it's my preferred Bourbon. But seeing as though I live about 10 minutes from the distillery, I'm not paying extra for the next week - I'll just wait until I get home. 

8 minutes ago, terrydtx said:

Enjoy your cruise, we fly to Amsterdam on Monday to get on the Apex on Thursday. We are also in a SS. Have you used any room service yet? I was wondering how they handle that now that butlers do not do the delivery and set ups.

Have not but maybe tomorrow morning since we have an early excursion. I'll report back if we do. 

1 hour ago, JaneStarr said:

Be careful about assuming you will be able to stock up your SS fridge from the Retreat Lounge.

 

We are on Solstice in a SS right now. Asked for our fridge to be emptied and it hadn't happened by this morning so I emptied it myself. Last night in Michael's Club asked for 2 Coke Zeros and they gave them to us. We don't drink all that much but have several bottles of water and the Cokes in there. I also noticed that whatever the snack is that was supposedly among the stocked items was not in our suite when we checked in, so I'm expecting a charge for that and will be asking for it to be removed if that happens.

Otherwise, we're enjoying ourselves so far. But this is our first Celebrity cruise (second overall) and first in a suite, so I'm sure we're not taking as much advantage of our amenities as we could/should be. Used the Retreat "team" in Michael's to book our glass blowing classes. That's about it. 

We've only done 1 cruise, on Carnival this past February, and tomorrow with be cruise #2, on Celebrity. I went in not knowing a lot about the cruise experience in general and basically thinking Carnival was the Wal-Mart of cruising and came away impressed. Maybe it was low expectations? We booked one of the Havana Cabana rooms which have their own bar and pool area, so we didn't have to compete with the entire ship for space and deal with the crowds in the rest of the ship. We took my wife's parents so that room made a ton of sense given their age, but I also enjoyed the exclusivity, such as it is on Carnival, and if we do another Carnival, would book something similar. 

We thought the buffet and MDR were good, the hibachi restaurant was really good, and the burger and pizza stations excellent (as was the upcharge seafood station).

There wasn't much in the way of entertainment but the comedians we saw were good (and switched up with at least 1 new one halfway through the sailing). Wife enjoyed throwing away money on bingo. It was definitely a party atmosphere (we sailed on Super Bowl Sunday), but it wasn't difficult with the Havana section to avoid the partiers. Service was perfectly fine.

This time, instead of Carnival in the Caribbean with in-laws, it's Alaska on Celebrity just the two of us. That alone will make for a different experience, but I'm curious to see what the cruising experience is like on Celebrity compared with Carnival. We'll be in a SS. 

Thanks. That's what I figured but I'm wary of text links and didn't know to expect it. 

We're on our way to Seattle to board Solstice for a 7 day Alaska cruise. This is our first Celebrity cruise. This morning at the airport I got a text message from Celebrity (or so it appears) with a partial "We look forward..." message and a link. Is this legit? I've never gotten anything from Celebrity by text for this cruise and I never click on text links I'm not familiar with or expecting. 

Just checking with the group here - is this SOP for a Celebrity cruise? Or should I ignore/delete? Thanks! 

The one I've seen where they are in Australia originally aired in 2014. 

We've watched plenty of those episodes. I'll be on Solstice next week. IIRC, this episode they were in Australia.

I also enjoy Air Disasters. Just to get a rise out of my wife, I usually watch one the night before a trip.

One other option, depending on how she paid. If she has a card with trip cancellation insurance, she might be able to recoup the entire amount of the cruise if she cancels. I'm actually considering this option right now due to a family medical emergency 2 weeks ago. DW and I are on the 9/8 Solstice sailing. Right now we're still a go with family's blessing, but that could change. If we have to cancel, I believe I can recoup the entire amount of the cruise under the Chase insurance policy.

I'm on Solstice in 10 days and the scheduled days/times do not have lunch on sea days (days 3 and 5).

Yes, that's the one!