slp123

I looked at two other very reliable cruise booking sites . . . ones that actually display deck plans indicating available cabins. When I searched for your sailing one site said the 2-2-14 sailing has been cancelled and on the other site it says the sale of cabins for the 2-2-14 sailing had been withdrawn and no wait listing was being accepted.

Call Celebrity for beverage and dining packages at 800-722-5941. They will process the upgrade (as well as charge your credit card now) and send you an email confirmation. Having booked through a TA won't hinder the process -- this is the Department that handles 'enhancement' purchases. Good luck!

I id as you advised and got the beverage upgraded to premium in a short 3 minute call. Thank you so much for your shared advice! :D

Steven

Great review . . .and I love your sense of humor and your ability to laugh at yourself and have your readers laugh along with you. May all your future cruises be as wonderful especially if you keep your promise to yourself and do it smoke free!

Steven

What is the advantage of an alcove when virtually everyone has a balcony?

I think the Alcoves provide several things which a balcony does not. First, unless it is mid-morning or mid to late afternoon, balconies are shaded by the balcony above and even when the sun is at a lower angle, only one side of the ship is going to have direct sun. Second, on a balcony, you really are alone, in a private space. And whereas that is just fine for some all of the time , or for others some of the time, Alcoves provide a reserved area in a public open space. In other words the setting or atmospherics are completely different. Also, unless you have a large veranda in a suite, standard veranda's do not provide chaise lounges and large cushioned chairs with ottomans. Alcoves also allow you to be fully in the sun with its top in the down position or in filtered or shaded light with its roof raised. Finally Alcoves provide a level of service not available in your cabin--"cabana boys" to bring you drinks, fruit, towels, water and as in any area providing service, with tipping, an expanded list of items and you can, for a fee, have spa treatments (massages, facials, manicures) in your Alcove...spa services are not provided in ones cabin.

I am glad that happened. I would not want to find my neighbor making his Alcove "Party Central":eek:

I agree 100%!

They say 4 people per Alcove. I don't know if that is because there is only seating for 4. I can't see that they would have a problem with "visitors":D

See the LCG for the location of your Alcove - apparently there will be something left in your cabin as to your assignment (location). Maybe you can arrange for your group to be "next door":D

A friend of mine who had an Alcove for 2 days on Reflection in January said there was no problem if people stopped by for a visit or if there was an extra person from time to time, but he witnessed the occupants of one alcove being told that they would have to ask their extra guests (which numbered over 6) to leave after they had been there for over an hour.

Doupa22,

 

We are booked on the 7 June 10 Night Mediterranean. I've gone online to book the Alcoves for our sea days but it basically says I need to wait until 2 months before sail date. How did you get yours booked so early?

The Celebrity Web site contains a number of errors and one of them revolves around booking Alcoves. The web site would lead you to believe that you have to wait to book but the truth is the web site never lets you booked them on line and you must call Celebrity to reserve, and this can be anytime, even on the day you first reserve your cabin, no matter how far in advance you book your cruise.

I am looking forward to use of an Alcove on our March 16th sailing on Reflection.

SLP

I believe that CC is better on the older ships because the cabins are bigger and better located, I'm sure someone will pop on and confirm this or tell me I'm wrong? :)

 

I love the S class ships and that cabin feels like my second home, I would love to try the other ships also :o

 

Have a fantastic cruise xxx

Regarding CC cabins on older ships, you are right, they are slightly larger than a regular Veranda cabin.

I want to thank you all for your opinions and interesting points of view. We all understand that the value is in the eye of the beholder. Anyway I loved all the comments about liking fresh flowers ad fresh fruit in the room. We always order fresh flowers from the ship or carry a bouquet on board (depending where we are embarking) if the cabin we booked does not come with flowers. And I have found it easy to have fresh fruit in the room...either you bring it yourself from the buffet or you order from room service. Which raises a question . . . can you order fresh fruit (not a fresh fruit platter, but uncut whole fruit) room service on Celebrity. We did so on HAL, the only other cruise line that I have been on that did not include that amenity in all cabins.

Given that a Veranda and Concierge Stateroom are identical in size and layout on S-class ships, is the additional fare charged for a Concierge cabin worth it?

Before you answer, assume that the two cabins that I am being offered are almost identical in location, halfway between the two sets of elevator banks, with the C2 Concierge cabin on deck 10 and the 1B Veranda on deck 9.

So the question is are the additional amenities/services worth the extra cost for the cabin. For me the extra cost would be about $275 for a 7 day cruise. On the one hand that is not a lot of money unless the "extra's" are of little value. For me, please assume the following have no value:

• The upgraded toiletries; I always bring my own preferred brands
  
• Extra hair dryer; I don't even use the one provided
  
• All dining room arrangements and specialty reservations have already been completed and I got all my first choices
  
• Shore excursions are all arranged
  
• I don't drink blanc du blanc wine--it give me a headache
  
• I pack my own satin robe; I find ship provided robes too warm in the tropics
  
• Express Luggage delivery and priority disembarkation have no value as I carry my own luggage on and I use early self disembarkation
  
• I will embark around 2pm so there will be no wait and I will not use a special port lounge for concierge class passengers
  

So beyond what I won't need or use, is the "Personalized Concierge service", some fruit and canape in the room, more breakfast choices on sea days when I order room service, a free shoe shine, a massaging showerhead (don't all staterooms have handheld showerheads, perhaps sans massage?) 2 footstools on the veranda and perhaps services and amenities that I don't know about (and would love to hear about) really worth the extra cost of $40/day. BTW I am not mocking what is provided, I am just making clear what will be of little or no value for me.

Really interested to hear from Celebrity Cruise loyalists who have experienced both.

I think I'm in the minority on this one but I booked one for our upcoming 7-day on the Reflection. We have never been on a ship with them so have yet to experience one so with that said, I booked one anyway.

 

However, like others have said, I have NO idea why they would build them facing away from the ocean. Honestly, I'm at a loss why they would do this. It just makes no sense to me. But...I booked one anyway. :)

Ken--

I have also booked an Alcove for the Jan 26th sailing of Reflections. When will you be sailing? Would love to have your first hand comments as a user rather than all these speculative comments of "well I would never . . . ."

Steven

I too recall those days....the last TA I did on QE2 - the Princess Grill was top knotch - I liked it better than Queens Grill because of its location - either way it was win win....

 

And the cabins - my last cruise on QE2 was NYC - LA was on one deck - all that wood..faboo.

 

Its comforting to know we lived well......

 

Full moon , smooth seas to you!!!!

I do remember the wood--I even remember arguing which was nicer, the light or dark wood cabins.

And we too preferred the Princess Grill and in later sailings the Britannia Grill because of it's cleaner lines. I remember the Maître d’ from the grills were so competitive with each other as to proving who had the best service and who could do more for the passengers. I also remember the special a la carte menu (no extra charge) where if you wanted caviar to start, or lobster for the main course no problem. And all those deserts prepared table side--it was hard to say know to Bananas Foster or Cherries Jubilee. And until Cunard was sold to Carnival and the ratio of staff to passengers in the dining room was changed, I remember that the main course for everyone at the table was served precisely at the same moment. If you were dining at a table for 6 than 3 waiters brought the main courses, set them all down precisely at the same second and then lifted those heavy sterling silver cover off like a well rehearsed chorus line! All that sterling silver was gone within 12 months of Carnival's takeover.

It's funny about Carnival's purchases of other lines---Cunard had a lot of things cut--but then again it had a lot to begin with. But Carnival ran the management of Cunard and the whole thing changed a bit. On the other hand I find that when Carnival bought HAL, they were left more to their own devices and their own independent management and I think they are the better for it when it comes to more of the good old days still being somewhat present on HAL. On Cunard, unless you are booked in Grill class, it can be a somewhat plebeian experience.

My first cruise was actually not a cruise but a crossing on the QE2 in 1969 with my grandmother. I was 15. And we were in Grill Class. That kind of experience is quite a heady one for any one on their first cruise, but for a 15 year old it was overwhelming. My Grandfather, who was an attorney, had a case come up for trial that he could not postpone and I got to be the lucky kid who went in his place. On a crossing in those days, as was true of my crossing on the same ship in 2001, every night except the first and last is formal. But we even "dressed" for breakfast and lunch on that first crossing--sport jackets at every meal (I don't miss not having to dress for breakfast!). Beyond the food, the level of service in the grill dining rooms cannot be found anywhere today simply because no ship could afford that kind of staffing. There were Captains, head waiters, back waiters, waiters who cooked table side at breakfast there was even a young chap whose only job was to wheel a jam cart around with a selection of something like 25 jams including 3 different types of orange marmalade! Ever hear of rough cut marmalade? In the dining room and elsewhere you never had to make an effort to get someone's attention, they learned your preferences and names on the first day and anticipated your likes and desires throughout the trip. But it was frightfully expensive.

And despite the high price I will also say that even though we had a large grill class cabin, we only had three small porthole windows and the bathroom I remembered was good sized but nothing fancy. And sound proofing was not always the best between cabins.

Since then I have been on over 30 cruises. Yes you pay less. Yes things are not as fancy and the food is good but it's not gourmet nor could it be when a ship has more than 2000 passengers to serve at each meal. But whether I have been on Cunard (Grill Class), Regent, Azamara, Celebrity, or Holland America, I have always had a wonderful time and I don't look to make comparisons to the past because what was is not now possible and if it were, I won't want to pay that much in order to have it. The only thing that I miss from the "good old days" is that most people had "good manners" and understood what it meant to be courteous not only to fellow passengers but to staff. Nowadays there seem to be more people who have no idea how to comport themselves in public spaces. But I don't let it bother me, by not focusing on it and looking right through them as if they were not there.

I did leave off two very so-so experiences. One was on Costa and one was with a wedding (not mine) cruise for a couple who had their ceremony and reception on board Carnival. Both ships had very average food, too much hustle and bustle for me, and I can't say inadequate staff because that was what that cruise line thought adequate for the price. Thank you but I am happy to pay a bit more--you get a lot more relaxation with better food and service for only 10-20% more.

Finally when I am on a more democratic ship, I find it can be more sociable and I like and there are things I do to luxe it up--such as arrange private tours, have a better cabin, take a spa package etc AND AVOID holiday weeks when kids are off. BTW I do find Holland America has the fewest kids for those of you who have commented on that.

Anyway great discussion!

Just a heads up to anyone considering the Liverpool Ferry tour. The ferry is currently offering its summer route, which goes out towards New Brighton rather than up river towards Garston. I think this is the beter route, as it takes in a view of Fort Perch Rock.:)

Towncar T, I just want to say thank you again for all the information on Liverpool over these past 2 months. You have given me so many ideas that I am so looking forward to our day there knowing of course that we can't do everything that you have suggested but I know that it is going to be a wonderful day.

My only question for now, which I will ask again before we arrive (August 31) is how has your summer weather been in general. I've been told by friends I have up in Scotland that it has hardly been summer at all---very cool and rainy. Has that been true for your part of the world as well? Here back in NY we are having an exceptionally cool summer, I think the 3rd coolest in 125 years of record keeping. The rain has diminished in July but we have not had a day above 86F (30C) and mostly in the 70's (23C-25C).

Here's a link to the International Beatles week in Liverpool. 26 August - 1 September 2009

 

http://www.whatsonwhen.com/sisp/index.htm?fx=event&event_id=16260

Although I am not a fanatic fan, my travelmates are and as luck would have it we will be in Liverpool on August 31st. Thanks for the info Towncar T!!:D

I had meant to write I know that it's difficult to answer a question regarding choice of sightseeing when you don't know someone's preferences but you answered my question the way I intended, which was I wanted it based on your point of view. And I know you are doing this thread simply how of personal interest as you so stated at it's start. I just thought you would love to see how popular Liverpool has become as a port of call by seeing a list of ships calling.

Finally, I recall from an earlier post that you will be traveling to my native city (New York) this fall and if I can answer any questions I would be most happy to. Also if you are a theater goer, I have access to a lot of electronic discount coupons for tickets at 30%-60% off full price tickets for almost anything you'd want to see on or off Broadway. Please feel free to write me directly at Steven804 @ nyc.rr.com :) and put "cruising soon" in the subject line to avoid my spam filter.

TOWNCAR T--I have been keeping up with this thread (silently) ---the more that you post, the more that I know we are going to have a very full day when we come into Liverpool.

A couple of questions--first we are docking on August 31, so we plan to spend the early morning on a ferry, a regular one---not the one for tourists. Is there more than one ferry route and if so which do you suggest we take round trip to end up back where we started from? Second, many cities offer a "hop on/hop off" bus that routes itself pass key tourist site so that you may a single fare and basically stop at what interests you and you get to go at your own pace. Does such a service exist in Liverpool? Finally, so many suggestions have been made that of course seeing everything is not possible. Assuming after the ferry we had from 10am-4pm with a break for lunch, and further assuming that a little Beatle tourism would go a very long way, what would you say are the not to be missed attractions for a first time visitor with limited time?

Since you have taken such a keen interest in all of us visiting your city, you probably have a list of all the ships calling at Liverpool this year (this list being apart from ships commencing or terminating cruises in Liverpool). But on the off chance you don't, here is the list for this season as compiled by your local port authority. http://www.portofliverpool.co.uk/assets/pdf/Cruise-Leaflet2009.pdf

Thank you in advance for answering my questions.

I actually prefer to take a ferry with locals then one just for tourists. It give us a chance to start-up a conversation with a local chap and half the fun of being in a different place is to be able to talk to people who live there. And I can only manage that where my language skills are good enough . . . as I received part of my education in London, the British think I speak English tolerably well! LOL!

Anyway as this is my first time in Liverpool, and it's just for the day, I'm pretty much going to stick to the expert's advice (yours) and do the things you've suggested . . .it will make for a wonderful day!:D

And I'm so please to hear you'll be in my home town in October---the absolute best month as for as the weather is concerned all year (2nd best would be May). If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact me. I use to pose my email address on this site but as I work full time I was getting to many emails on past tours I had arranged. I just couldn't keep up. Let me go refresh my profile.:rolleyes:

I only booked my British Isles cruise this week (usually plan way in advance but with all the last minute sales due to the poor economy it pays to wait and my friends and I were able to book onto the Prinsendam's August 23 cruise at a rate that would make a pirate blush) and we will be in your city on Monday August 31st from 7 am until 5 pm. Your post has made me very excited about our visit to Liverpool!!

Because the Museums do not open until 10 am, would it be possible to take the ferry tour first and then start with the rest of your suggestions so as to gain a bit more time since I am sure we will need to be back on board by 4:30? Also are there any Monday closings we should be aware of?:confused: