Schmoe38

Thanks so much for your comments regarding the Penthouse Suite on Reflection vs the Reflection Suite. We booked a cruise on Reflection in March 2025 and had a decision to make. The Penthouse and Reflection Suite were both available at the time of booking. We had been in the Penthouse before, but had never been in the Reflection Suite. We went back and forth and decided to go with the Penthouse. We liked the PH location on the ship vs the forward bias of the Reflection Suite. We like the balcony on the PH better as well. We’re actually comfortable with our decision. The only downside to this decision was the process itself. Since there is only 1 PH on Reflection, you can’t “hum and hah” too long or someone else may make the decision for you, by booking it ahead of you. If we had chosen the Reflection Suite, it would have just been my luck that when I was using that unique shower, the privacy setting would have been Out of Order, without my knowledge. Randy

Hi Trish Thank you for being our neighbours on one of those sailings. We, to this day still talk about the wonderful time we had while sailing with you along the Pacific Coast in those spectacular M Class Penthouses. Hope to sail with you again some day. Randy and Connie

We also use the $US Dollar Visa card from RBC and have for years. The fee is only USD$65 per year and that’s it. We also maintain a $USD bank account to facilitate the payment of any outstanding credit card balances. With the fluctuating Canadian Dollar, we are able to take advantage of any strength by purchasing US Dollars along the way and building up account balances to prepare, as best as we can, for any and all upcoming cruises. We are not concerned with the rate of return on the bank account, but rather, reducing the risk of having to purchase a lump sum of US Dollars just before final payment on any cruise. Our last major USD purchase for the bank account was when the $CAD was .85USD. So far, we’re good till the end of 2025. This works for us. Randy

Kelly If you have Fine Cut Steakhouse on your agenda, you are in for a treat. We were there last night and we had an exceptional evening. Our friend had the bone in filet mignon and he said it was the best cut of meat he has ever had…and he’s had many a filet. My rib eye was a very close second. We were privileged to be part of the wonderful food service. Ricaldo, our waiter and Glen, our sommelier raised the bar to new heights. Thank you Fine Cut! We enjoyed it so much, we booked an additional visit. Kelly, we really haven’t seen you flying around the ship since day one. You certainly have the best hiding places. Enjoy the remainder of your time on board. Randy

Kelly Travel Safely

Sorry to hear you have lost the love for St Maarten. We have always, and continue to look forward to visiting this island. Eventhough we may go through similar travels each time we visit, we continue to have a soft spot for the people of St Maarten, and the memories that have been created each time we are there.

Hi Linda We are fortunate to be sailing with PinkSandGirl on this itinerary. We will get a chance to meet each other face to face on the Pre-Sailaway get together. Hope she still talks to us at the end of the cruise. Randy

Will this help?

We typically cruise in the Retreat and have been watching Retreat pricing for a while, and even now, pricing is through the roof. The Retreat pricing on this itinerary is way more reasonable. Randy

It’s unfortunate conflicting information is shared in telephone calls. Butlers are still advertised for Celebrity Suites and I see nothing in the newsletter that would suggest otherwise. We have always viewed the mini fridge as offside whenever we were in a suite lower than a Royal Suite, so no big deal to us. It’s going to be a marketing nightmare for Celebrity to announce the return of butlers to Sky Suites only to have a change of heart and continue with the Retreat Team. Too many marketing nightmares can shorten the career of a President very quickly. It might take some time to implement the butlers back to Sky Suites shipwide, but that seems to be a trend (eg-the single supplement pricing vs double occupant pricing for the same stateroom is still not fixed on line). That single supplement overcharge marketing blunder was formally rescinded a while back. I think it’s fair to say that changes (both good and bad) are a part of life in everything we do. Celebrity’s challenge is ensuring these changes are implemented and applied on a consistent basis shipwide. So far, that has proven to be a challenge that has not yet been conquered. Randy

Here’s an alternative that works as often as it doesn’t work….. Early in the cruise, (not the first day, as it is generally more chaotic) speak with your sommelier and ask him/her what bottled wine you can get by the glass. Tell them you don’t mind paying an upcharge per glass. You need to get a handle on whether or not they are flexible or “by the book.” My suggestion is to first, have a look at the wines by the bottle list, and focus on those in the $60-$70(ish) price range. The reason I am suggesting this range is as follows…the premium beverage package covers wine up to $17/glass. If you factor in 4 glasses per bottle, you come in at $68. I wouldn’t suggest you press your luck on the more expensive wines. The fact that you are in an Edge Villa will help a bit, but is not a slam dunk in your favour. If your sommelier is not open to this alternative, please don’t push, as the Celebrity staff work hard enough and you don’t want to be one of those people who enjoy causing a scene. Remember, if you don’t ask…you’ll never know. Randy Randy

It’s our understanding that her existing contract ends April 22/24. That doesn’t necessarily mean she leaves the ship that day, as unforeseen circumstances could arise that might extend the time needed to have her at the helm.

We use Flights by Celebrity all the time, to Ft Lauderdale leaving through Toronto or Detroit. We live in London, Ontario. We’ve never really found a major difference in pricing vs the actual airline, but we have had 2 instances where prices had declined since our original booking, and as there are no fees to make changes prior to final payment, we were able to take advantage. One of the difficulties we have had personally is when we fly with Westjet. We can book the seats on line prior to final payment when we book with Air Canada, but we have to have the Flights by Celebrity agent book the seats prior to final payment, when we book with Westjet. We have traditionally flown first class to Ft Lauderdale from Toronto or Detroit. One of the advantages of booking Westjet from Toronto is, they have no first class section. Their “front of the plane” section is actually considered Premium Economy and as such, is more attractively priced vs Air Canada’s First Class. Just an option. Randy

There’s no guarantee on any of the comments here, but often times, the Captains operate on a 3 months on and 3 months off rotation, The fact that Captain Kate was on vacation over the Christmas holiday period would suggest there is a really good chance she will be at the helm in April 2024. The February/March sailings may also be in play depending on the start date of her current vacation.

This is definitely a Celebrity issue. The charge would have been levied at the “sell” US currency rate to the client and then the correction would have been levied at the “buy” US currency from the client. There is a spread in those 2 exchange rates, the sell being the higher. As this charge was done in error by Celebrity, they owe you the $$ difference on the charge amount times the difference in the two exchange rates. I know the principle of the matter is on your side. Just remember, your time and effort is worth something, probably more than the dollar amount involved and the principle, but I get it. Good Luck Randy

Captain is George Iatrou Cruise Director is Mike Gibbons

Thank you so much. Randy

If you get a chance, when you are in Luminae, could you see if the maitre d’ greeting you at the entrance is Laurence? She was on Silhouette in March of 2022 and we had heard rumours that she was currently on board. Thanks so much. Randy

Can you tell us the name of the Maître’d in Luminae? Have you had the same server each time you have gone into Luminae? Did you catch their name(s)? Randy

Would you have time to make a quick stop at the World Class Bar? We are on Silhouette in November of this year and I am curious to know if Zacapa 23 rum is on board. If it’s on the ship, it might also be in the duty free liquor store on board. If that’s easier for you, the staff there could tell you if it is being served in the bars for fellow cruisers. Thank you so much. Randy

If you get a chance, try a beer in Craft Social through the Bottoms Up method. I believe Heineken is the only beer option, but the glass is filled from the bottom, not the top as with traditional draught taps. I have to admit that Heineken in a bottle is not my favourite. It tastes so much better with the Bottoms Up option. Randy

If I recall correctly, the request for questions came out originally in an email format. Shortly thereafter, a second email came out indicating there had been an issue with the original submissions and could we kindly re-submit.

Posts #25 and 30, (from those currently on board), are advising that Steamers and Planks seem to be showing signs of life. Randy

This may be a more condensed version for casual dining on the Caribbean Princess

Here is a posting outlining the casual dining options available on Princess ships. See Post #1 on Page 1.