hulamoon

3 minutes ago, miched said:

From our  recent experience we will no longer pay the outrageous prices for a SS.   The little extra touches that the butler provided  are no longer there.    
 

We met the butler on the first day by accident.   We were leaving an our cabin and he was in the hallway.   He said if we wanted anything call or ask the cabin attendant. 
 

The first morning we called for americanos.  It was delivered, but after that we didn’t do it again. Not worth the bother.  
 

We didn’t see the butler again during a 10 day cruise.    We wondered  if he was going to show up on the last night with his hand out.   
 

The benefits of being in the Retreat  and Luminae don’t justify the cost.   We spent very little time in the retreat areas and in Luminae we ordered many nights from the MDR.   
 

I think Luminae on the Edge class is getting to be larger than the 4 MDR dining rooms 

 

We do have some cruises that were previously booked in a SS and are at a good price.  After those if we book any more it will be in a veranda or maybe AQ depending on the price difference 

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅

 

I have to agree, if the other restaurants are as good then it's a matter of square footage for me. And I do like square footage. But the costs are getting rather high.

This explains so much! Just got off the Reflection in a Sky Suite. We met people introduced as butlers but had no idea why the service was so different. We had introductions that were kind and they got us an extension cord and that was it. 

Are the highest bids winning without consideration of what you already paid for your cruise? Would bidding from lower category be more advantageous? I was told this in the early days, and now years have passed, so not sure if it's true.

I appreciate all your responses. It help get me up to speed from 2019. If there were other changes that could assist, feel free to add them. 

I just booked and the TA told me X changed it last month. We are jumping on last minute to use about to be expired credit. It's off topic but what is a move up 4% for Elite Plus? I remember move up but not this part.

It's been a long while since I've cruised. I noticed some TA websites list suite amenities as including tips but X website doesn't mention it anywhere I could find. It used to be drinks, wifi and tips. Can anyone clarify the current status? Thanks!

Following the info I received yesterday, and I am no expert and my crystal ball is broken, but yesterday they told me it would be a year from the sailing being cancelled, or end of 2022, whichever is later. You may need to say you are cancelling under Cruise with Confidence. Let us know how it works out for you. Currently on hold myself, again.

6 hours ago, chamima said:

I'm confused. (Which isn't hard these days)

Let's say I cancel a cruise for Feb. 11, 2022.

It was paid for the regular way - NOT by old FCCs.

The old rules were (I think) that I had to use the money from the 2022 cruise for a cruise that departed before Feb. 11, 2023.

The new rules are that I just have to APPLY my FCC from the 2022 cruise to a new cruise by December of this year? Sail date any time in the future? ???????????

There are multiple rules and not all representatives know which one applies when. Its my understanding you can choose a new policy or stick to old one. That is what I was told yesterday.

The first sailing then is April 23 Vancouver to HNL. To pay or cancel, the days decision.

On 1/11/2022 at 6:24 PM, wendycook22 said:

Do you know if you have to use the same TA/company or may you take your FCC to a new company/agent? (Liked to your loyalty account)

No you do not, I switched. 

 Are they saying the old FCC must be booked not used by May 2022? My TA, during a 2 and half hour call with lots of wait times told me if I cancelled with an old FCC I must sale before May 2022. Which makes little sense with a late April date.

1 hour ago, Pickels said:

If you cancel a cruise that was reserved with a FCC, the FCC is re-activated with a new use-by date.  If you cancel a cruise that was not reserved with any FCC, then you get a new FCC with a use by date one year from the cancelled cruise date. 

Pickles, I like your name. If my FCC was part of payment then Celebrity rep was incorrect and the use by date reverts to a year from cancelled cruise departure. Is this what you are saying? They told me I would have to reuse the part expiring in May 2022  within 40 days. I hope you are right otherwise, that's a lot of money to lose. Is it the same, cancelling before final payment and after?

I just got off the phone after waiting a long time to verify what happens if we cancel. I was told if I cancel an April sailing that has old FCC of about 800 on it that it must be rebooked by May 4th and sailed in by May 31 2022. However at one time she said that it would be a year from cancellation date. I would appreciate confirmation or clarity if anyone has kept up to date more than I have.

The rest of the 1800 deposit would be on a one year from sailing date reuse and I would have the 200 penalty. If I cancel after last payment it is likely the same as above but at first she said all of the FCC goes until one year. 

Thanks for confirmation or clarity. 

I am also trying to figure out if I am taking an April cruise. Has final payment been reduced to 60 days? I have been reading my contract, the website and this thread and am not sure what rules are in place. My doctor is saying not to go, although he was fine with it when I booked. But I am holding out that we might at least have a reasonable window in April. I was told with non refundable i would only be charge 200 to cancel, but the contract reads 700. If final payment has been reduced, that might help. Thanks, I appreciate assistance. I am out of the loop after cancelling four cruises since covid.

1 hour ago, fstuff1 said:

Al bacio in buffet?

Where??

The entrance.

Jim, this is just what I need, thanks for doing this and providing updated info. Have a great time!😊

So the testing is 3 days out and not at the pier? I assume if I am positive a couple of weeks out I still will be when I arrive. Then take advantage of the 48 cancellation policy. Never been tested so I don't know.

Travelguard just quoted insurance for about 780. for the trip. It seems crazy for that little 48 hour period.

3 minutes ago, PTC DAWG said:

I just can't live my life like that..I got the vaccine...I did my part.  I've sailed once on the Equinox this year, sailing again soon on Allure...with RCL....not going to walk around in a bubble to do it.  

 

Why test a few weeks prior to the cruise?  3 days is what they want.  

Because if you are testing positive, they won't let you on and it's time to activate the 48 hour cancelation policy. It's my understanding the positive test without symptoms also means you will not board.

I did another search to see if there was new info today and Carnival Cruises showed up. Dated August 14th anyone denied boarding due to Covid can have compensation. Cruise lines have taken a bit hit, but doing this for vaccinated passengers would give another layer of trust to cruising again. I am assuming cruise insurance tripling in cost is due to covid. 

1 hour ago, TeeRick said:

2022?  If you asked this question 2 months ago in the US everything was coming up roses for the fully vaccinated.  Life was getting back to normal.  Now end of August.  Situation totally changed.   Who knows what will happen by next year.

I know! Four cancelled cruises. I thought this April would be safe but who knows.

Yes, we are working from home, staying at home and have barely left the house. I have had the autoimmune third dose, but that just makes me even with normal vaccinated people. So all precautions will be observed. Final payment is January and if it looks good then, it doesn't tell me about April. Insurance quoted $1000. I will check Geo Blue Jelayne thanks. I don't want to lose $13,000 in that 48 hour window if I get a breakthrough. 

I wonder if the ship carries monoclonal antibodies? I asked and they said yes, but I am not sure I was speaking to someone who knows.

Thank you so much for all your input.

The question in January will be, do I feel lucky?

9 minutes ago, PTC DAWG said:

We have no idea about 2022. 

That is what Celebrity said. I get it, each month is a year in pandemic times. 

We have a booking to Hawaii for April 2022. I just called Celebrity and they said vaccinated people who are infected at the pier are not let on the ship. Of course I understand this, but the policy to refund is only through October 2021. We have checked insurance and it is now 3X what we used to pay. This sailing has a 48 before sailing cancellation. We will test at 48 hours, is that the only way through this?  If I get a sniffle I just cancel, in case I am getting a breakthrough? We usually do insure so this would be a first self insure trip. What choices are you making for sailing in 2022? Any suggestions welcome. Thank you.

I would love the ability to move accumulated FCC to 2023 and then move it back if conditions improve. It's too late for us to refund and I feel a bit squeezed with the Sept 2022 deadline. I was over optimistic when given the options initially. We have had four cancelled cruises and there was a mix up on refunds so we have over 800 FCC still. 

I would absolutely move further out or refund because so many ports will not be vaccinated.

Is this placeholder new? When I call the only options are through Sept 2022.