Christine Frances

I check out every cruise that does the itinerary that I am interested in. No one else has tracked me down and phoned. I usually sail X & Azamara so I am always look out for something of the same quality. If I knew how I ended up getting the brochures I would go to the website and stop them. I am visually impaired, I can't read them, and I never ordered them.

I deal with this all day in my business. Once you "Opt-in" by giving them information you are free reign for them to contact you. That's true for any business.

 

With technology, once you opt-in they can track you thru "cookies" on your web browser. Then they will know if you have been on their site or not. They also can buy your financial data from credit bureaus, credit cards (AMEX, Visa) and know if you can afford a cruise or not. They will call the strongest potential targets. For others they may only send emails or a catalog. They can also purchase the GPS data on your cell phone and track where you physically are at any time. I know - scary.

I guess that's why I get lots and lots of brochures from Oceania and I have never signed up for any. I think it's sorta creepy.

Yes, you got to that landing page by hitting "Book" in the prior cruise you were looking at.

I was trying to figure out how much the air allowance was by looking at prices with and without air. Is there a better way to do it?

Were you on the official Oceania site (http://www.oceaniacruises.com/) or on a travel agency site such as Oceania CruiseLine or http://oceania.cruiselines.com/ ?

 

I never have to log in on the official site to see itineraries and prices.

Here is a link to the page where you have to stop and log in to go further

https://www.oceaniacruises.com/bookcruise/rva131018/default.aspx

hope that works!

How did they get your phone number?

I had to set up a profile (did that a couple of years ago) to get into the information on an itinerary. You just can't in without it. My phone number is there. I still don't know why I have to give Oceania my address, phone and email just to look at specific sailings.

I was on the website over the weekend and just received a "cold call" from an Oceania Vacation Planner:confused: What's with that? I'm not quite sure how I feel about being "tracked". He did verify that was how he got my info.

It seems that people find the Select area of the MDR noisier than down on the main floor in Traditional. Maybe its because of the ceiling height:confused: the traffic coming and going and I think the tables are much closer together.

We have found the same!

Things are changing and not for the better in our opinion.

I have had conversations with Mr. Bayley's office to no avail.

It's sad........no violinists at all on our TA....just loud music in the atrium and the sound travels all the way up.

It is not just Celebrity....Azamara has lost their harpists which we enjoyed very much.

I go/run the other way when I hear violinists and harpists:eek: Defiantly not our choice of entertainment. Everyone has different views/tastes of music - we actually enjoy being hearing music all over the ship. I haven't been bothered by the volume being too loud before but will see if we notice it on the Silhouette and the Eclipse in June.

More please! Waiting ............ :D:D

I am happy that in June we will get Michael's Club back in the evening:D

HAL has a drink card that's essentially a pre-paid debit card. You pay $45 for $50's worth of any beverage, whether it's a soda, mocktail, beer, wine or martini. The server debits the card for the cost of the drink. It's sharable and, I think, it's fair.

No longer any discounts on the Beverage Card http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=36534971&postcount=3

HAL is now rolling out a Beverage Pkg http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1814886&highlight=beverage+card

I think a lot of the confusion is that people think it can be applied to a booking they have made. The Passages Certificate has to be used to book a cruise, it can't be "applied" to a previously booked cruise. I am stressing right now with these new itineraries coming out and I don't have on in my "back pocket"!! For sure we will be picking up a couple more in June:D

we had an incredible night....our guide took us to a pancake restaurant and we all ordered/ate together....wonderful meal..then back to the main event, flower street....thousands of young people looking at the flowers...flowers everywhere in tremendous arrangements...everyone polite, what a terrific scene/memory. Then at midnight the fireworks....15 minutes of the most beautiful fireworks display I've ever seen....they made NYC and Disney fireworks pale....no breaks, just the most incredible bursts of colors at all levels continuously...with some hearts and some star fireworks thrown in. You could hear the crown cheer for many of the displays. Unforgetable night....and yes the noise died down and we slept like logs from the day's events. Even the water puppet show, very tourist of course, was terrific. Today we are going to watch some of the dragon dances...right in front of the hotel again...we are in the heart of things. If you ever get a chance to visit Saigon on Tet....do it.

 

The folks who did just the day trip to Saigon and didn't stay overnight last night really missed a once in a lifetime experience.

 

GH

Any chance you remember the name of your hotel?:)

I am pretty sure there is no ban on food brought in to the Alcoves only that there is no "room service" other than the picnic baskets. Getting food yourself and bring it back to the Alcove is no problem.

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Whether or not you could go on the lawn has nothing to do with the Alcoves. They had the lawn closed for a few days when we were on the Equinox which doesn't have Alcoves:rolleyes: Maybe it was something to do with the Glass Blowing:D Sometimes they have to do maintenance on the grass.

We just got home last night from our week on the Reflection, which we had booked the Alcoves for 4 of those days. in my opinion, they are worth every penny. :)

We loved our Alcove, the personal assistant assigned to it brings drinks, etc... the IPAD, the shade......and sun if you wanted it, and the ease of knowing you always had a relaxing area reserved just for you and your family.

To answer some questions posted here..... You can wear what you want.... play the music you want (or not) from your IPAD....have drinks and snacks delivered....as well as have privacy and a place for your group or family to meet up.....

When you have an Alcove booked you will have your name posted on the little sign (see attached pic). You have them from 9-9 so you can come and go as you please....

They are peaceful, quiet and totally relaxing. As for comments about taking up too much space on the grass....I just don't see that as an issue..... Our 4 days included the 3 sea days + the San Juan day....I spent 75 percent of my day there relaxing as my family dropped in an out of activities, and I can say that I saw 7 people in total actually lie on the grass or spend any time there. They had officer and guest Bocce ball a couple of times, and 2 lawn concerts....and there was lots of room for all. I tried to book one extra day, and they were completely booked up with a wait list so if you are thinking of booking....book ahead. Cheers and happy travels!

Thank you so much for your report!! Now I really can't wait until June!!

Are you saying these can only be used by Adults? What is the age restriction on these please.

Saw this post and called Specialty Dining (which the Alcoves fall under) and there is absolutely no age limit but there is a capacity limit. It only has seating for 4 but they don't mind if a few more join in for a short period of time. He also said that bookings are up 200% and most times the Alcoves are totally booked before sailing date and are unavailable to book on the ship. I asked about 1/2 day bookings at a reduced rate and he said not at this time as they are selling well.

It is my understanding that Celebrity did not "take out" the Hot Glass show just to put in a Specialty dining area. Celebrity apparently only had a contract for the first three S Class ships with Corning Glass - you can imagine staffing issues with only a certain amount of artisans available.

I will be very glad when this promotion ends as it was not a good deal for us to take on our spring 14 dayer on the Elipse. Celebrity jacked the fares way up after we had already booked. I wish Celebrity had simply put the Beverage Packages on sale. I would very probably risen to the bait then. Do they not realize that the price for a premium package times 14 days is just crazy. I will very likely now drink less as I will have to fight the crowd qued up for drinks every afternoon after they get back on board. The Eclipse is in port 6 days in a row! Come on Celebrity.......

 

Rob

We were very pleased to find that our Millie Asia cruise was the same price as we booked so that one worked for us. We booked really early (March 2012) and caught a special for our Baltic cruise. The prices rose steadily all year and then a couple of weeks ago our category fell just enough for us (4 couples) to take advantage of the 123 with all 3 perks. You just have to do the math. Our Silhouette cruise (caught the same deal in Jun/12) is still a much better rate and not worth it to rebook even for all 3 perks. As ii is a year out we will just watch and take advantage of any deals that come up between now and then:)

Yay!! That is exactly what mine says:D

Sorry Christine, but I believe your TA is mistaken. Celebrity has stated in their FAQ, that the premium upgrade can be added onboard. We also had a report, from a member who upgraded on Connie this week, with no major issues, other than a wait at Guest Relations.

 

With that said, I continue to recommend purchasing the premium upgrade while the promotion is ongoing, just so that you know it's taken care of.

 

This is from the FAQ : http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1764876

 

Will Guests be able to upgrade to the premium package after the promotion ends ?

Yes, they can upgrade when they arrive on board, or any time during the cruise.

 

Will Guests be able to upgrade to the premium package onboard the ship ?

yes

Thanks Andy! I have let my TA know:p

I emailed my TA about upgrading the classic to premium package

I have the Wave Promo listed on my reservation

The TA emailed me back that I should do that on the ship on the first day:confused:

I would do it now before the Promo expires. My TA said that Celebrity has repeatedly said that it has to be added now and then paid for by final payment. Even though there has been one report of doing it on the ship I wouldn't risk it.

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I would like to thank BigDaddy2002 and waterbug123 for posting their experiences in the Alcoves. You have answered a lot of questions I had and also explained things I wasn't aware of that will enhance our fun in June! To those that aren't a fan, I guess we will have to agree to disagree:p

Well, I visited Viet Nam during the Tet offensive. But, it wasn't so nice in Khe Sanh. :D

 

Glad to know you can have great fun there now.

There were quite a few Vets on our cruise to Vietnam on Azamara. The couple that were on our private tours booked this cruise because he felt he was ready as enough time had passed and he mostly wanted to show his wife around. He was a little quiet/tense as we got off the ship in Saigon but he soon was excited to be our unofficial guide. He really enjoyed his drink at the Rex:D

Glad there is choices for everyone! If I want privacy I guess I will have to stay in my cabin as that is the only place where it is private:confused: I also will feel a lot "closer" to the ocean in the Cabana than sitting around the pool. The "pay for" Cabana's and Retreat areas concept is very popular on Princess and HAL with very little vacancy. As stated above, if no one sees the value in them and they are not rented, they will soon be gone. I like the idea but will have to experience it in June to see if I am going to enjoy it as much as I think I am and if it is worth the cost.