Karynanne

If you’re good at remembering how many points each item would be, then you can do it.

But temptation is always around the corner...

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Are the any of the balconies on the aft facing sky suites covered? I'd love to try one, but I have the impression that the only cover is about a 12" roof projection above the balcony access door. Am I correct that sky suite balconies on deck 12 are covered?

The Deck 12, Aft facing Sky Suites are covered. We love them! Gorgeous views, and a quiet location.

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Hi All, I am just checking on how much deck noise you can hear in the Sky Suites on Solstice? It looks like the main Cafe/Buffet is directly above? I am on an Alaska cruise in September. My last cruise was directly below the deck pool area and I vowed not to do that again as I could hear chairs scraping, but guessing there is carpet on this above deck? I could change to a corner suite lower down, but not sure I want to be at the end of the boat in these waters. Last time cruising I was on the Med, dead flat. Thanks.

We’re in this cabin next month. We always book an Aft S2, but none were available when we booked this cabin.

I’m hoping it is under the carpeted area, near the entrance to the Oceanview Cafe. There is usually not a lot of traffic in that area.

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Your tickets will be in your cabin on embarkation day.

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Many companies have stopped sucking up to "influencers" because they realize it does them no good. As evidenced on this thread, those who are used to complaining to get stuff for free just develop an attitude that is akin to blackmail.

 

The idea that someone in a suite should get some sort of compensation while everyone else is told to pound sand is also pretty appalling (and I always sail in suites). Anyone going on a cruise knows the potential for itinerary changes. Is it disappointing? Yes. Should the company pay you for the disappointment? No.

Bravo!

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We missed my retirement cruise, RT from San Diego, due to my DH being admitted to the hospital in San Diego as we were suppose to cruise. Looking forward to RT from LA in October 2019. We were just talking about the sea days at dinner. The activities you listed look good.

We’re on the same cruise too. We’ve taken quite a few Hawaii cruises. And another one next month. Always so relaxing and filled with island vibe.

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I am on this cruise. I hope the passenger that became ill is recovering. At around 10:40 on the evening this happened, the cruise director made an announcement that was heard in all cabins that a guest experienced a medical emergency and after sailing 6 hours from Melbourne the ship would be turning around and sailing back to Melbourne. The next morning a video announcement was made by the captain explaining his decision. The passenger became ill at 9:30 the previous night and was in critical condition. After the ship’s doctor consulted with other doctors, logistic people, etc, it was determined that a transport by helicopter or boat would not be feasible based on the patient’s condition and the best option was to return to Melbourne for treatment. This video could be viewed on one of the ship channels throughout the day. Later in the day we also received a letter with an explanation and the revised itinerary.

 

Though a disappointment to miss the fjords, unforeseen things happen. I feel the ship kept us informed. Thanks for others posting their experiences on a similar itinerary as well as the weather link. We are sailing in moderate seas with our fingers crossed for arriving in Dunedin.

Thank you for your post. I hope the passenger is recovering, and that you continue to enjoy your cruise. New Zealand is a fantastic country!

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I have yet to see a cruise line exclude someone from excursions due to race or gender.

 

 

 

Age yes, weight yes, but not race or gender so not sure why you threw those in there since they were not part of that discussion.

I believe he was being extremely sarcastic, to make his point.

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Just for your information, I will be 70 in a couple of months.

And I’ve learned through my own experiences, that life isn’t perfect...things go wrong...and to always be grateful that I have the means and ability to be able to cruise. I’m not new to cruising whatsoever. And have experienced missed ports, due to a variety of reasons.

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This was not a medivac, the ship turned around and returned to port. This was one of many trips we have taken. We were actually scheduled to go in 2018, but 6 months prior I had a stroke and we didn't feel comfortable going so far away. Instead we went to Hawaii three times that winter.

 

 

 

This was one place we were really looking forward to. We will not be coming back..so I guess you could say it was " a trip of a lifetime"

 

 

 

We are not inexperience in problems at sea. On our very first cruise in 1980 a lady with cancer had to be taken in a lifeboat to a remote island and was picked up by the coast guard. As I previously mentioned in South America a passenger became ill after we left the Faulkland Islands and we went directly to Ushuaia so they could get her off the ship. Our only thoughts were hopefully she had evacuation insurance.

 

 

 

I would like to know why the ship made such a drastic measure as to return to port? Is the heli pad adequate?

 

 

 

 

 

noun

 

• 
   
  
• 1.
   
  the evacuation of military or other casualties to the hospital in a helicopter or airplane.
   
   
   
   
   
  
   
   
   
  

 

verb

 

• 
   
  
• 1.
   
  transport (someone) to the hospital in a helicopter or airplane.
   
  "the helicopter pilot who medevacked me the day I got shot"
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
   
   
   
   
  
   
   
   
  

It doesn’t matter why. Obviously the decision to return to port was made in the best interest of the ill passenger.

I just can’t comprehend the level of annoyance with people, these days.

“Ship” happens...

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Compensation? Why is it when a passenger doesn’t get their way, they want to be paid for their disappointment?

Good grief....

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You are missing the point. The fiords make them no money. The tours do. My husband was speaking with other people who were equally upset. They have a choice on where to go, and obviously the $$$$$ is the determining factor.

There is possibly another viewpoint to this situation.

You stated that they “had a choice” as to where to go. Maybe they don’t. The fjords are a National Park. They probably don’t allow multiple large ships enter in a daily basis. Just maybe this decision wasn’t made by Celebrity. But by the port authority for the fjords.

I completely understand your disappointment. I’ve seen the fjords. They’re magnificent. But we’ve been on cruises where unscheduled incidents occur, and schedules change.

Celebrity doesn’t go out of their way to disappoint their passengers.

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You are missing the point. The fiords make them no money. The tours do. My husband was speaking with other people who were equally upset. They have a choice on where to go, and obviously the $$$$$ is the determining factor.

What if the medical emergency happened to you or your DH?

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I tend to believe Celebrity has lofty goals when it comes to pricing on itineraries they sail only a few times. We experienced this last year on Infinity's Spring reposition from San Diego to Vancouver (11 nights). We waited until after final payment to book because the prices had been ridiculous. Same thing again now this year with the same sailing. Also, the Honolulu-Vancouver Solstice reposition. We had been watching pricing (ridiculously high) and like last year waited until after final payment to book once prices were dramatically reduced.

Beav, are you booked in the April 29th Hawaii-Vancouver-Solstice?

Karyn

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You’ll see numerous tables stationed throughout the ship, especially right outside The Oceanview Cafe, where you can make reservations for all the Specialty Restaurants.

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Personally we like the S2. More drawer and closet space.

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Perfectly content with our 1A cabins - walk-in-shower as we can't manage a bath - and location, location, location. Bonus of a huge balcony.

 

We were top level until along came Zenith and deposited us outside Michaels:D. Don't miss having our ears bashed by the interminable one-up-manship conversations though - "mine is bigger than yours etc." hehehe!!! Always hated the Michaels room anyway (S class) - through all its different uses.

 

For the difference in price, we can eat every night in the different specialty restaurants and Murano in particular, is way ahead of Luminae in terms of cuisine.

 

Celebrity didn't do too badly though - gave us free coffee and tea in Cafe Al Baccio - very social and not so much one-up-manship!! Nice music from the Centrum also. Don't miss the Concierge - never used them anyway. Always have a drinks package although we don't drink other than an occasional Zinfandel.

 

As long as I get a decent amount of free internet and some dry cleaning and laundry, I am perfectly happy as an Elite+ - only thing missing really for us, is drawer space in the balcony cabins.

Hmmm, I can’t recall ever having my ears bashed by the interminable “one-up-manship” conversations. It just doesn’t happen.

We’ve always been with very nice people, that enjoy a cocktail and interesting conversations.

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Thanks for all of the wonderful incite. I would be great full if any of my fellow cruise critic members could shed some light on the original question. Of the $50 surcharge, how much goes to the wait staff for their well earned service.

 

garardo

I have to ask...why do you need to know?

I have never even thought about the distribution of tips. It wouldn’t impact my enjoyment in Murano whatsoever.

Delicious food, great service and sharing a meal with friends, is my only focus.

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SO I should tip the dining room staff, maittre'd, waiter, asst waiter, sommelier, when we don't go in there the entire trip for dinner?

Yes. The same staff also work in the Oceanview Cafe for breakfast and lunch.

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Do you realize that the people who take care of you in the buffet are the same people who you remove the tip for in the dining room. Prepare for your flames coming up.

Well said!

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What is wrong about this inside cabin (one of the best insides in the industry)?

 

It's roughly 40% larger than the insides on the Solstice.

 

 

 

This cabin reminds me of a dormitory room. Sparse, plain and functional.

Not what I’d like while on vacation. I like my surroundings to be as nice as my home, or better.

We each have our personal standards.[emoji6]

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I’m a director at an NYC based homeless charity; we operate 27 shelters city wide. My husband is a public school teacher. We’ve never treated ourselves to any high level of luxury. Usually stick to midrange offerings, primarily because it just never occurred to us otherwise. Our next cruise is coming soon aboard the NCL Breakaway. We’re booked into a haven suite and we intend to enjoy all the perks. I truly don’t think, by doing so, anyone would ever think of us as “elite” for splurging.

 

 

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Well maybe the OP would!

But I feel it’s extremely rare that those who are in Suites ever discuss their work life. Conversations usually revolve around travel, family, etc.

We travel with a group of friends. Some retired, some still working, but all of us have a huge love of cruising.

Over the years, we had booked balcony cabins, family view cabins, and probably the past 10 years Sky Suites. Not for the perks, but for additional space. Closet space, drawer space, bathroom space.

My point being, whatever your situation in life, do what makes you happy. Be with people that make you smile. Be grateful that life allows you be on the sea, in beautiful surroundings.

Life is too short to feel jealousy, or be envious.

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When we fly business or first class we generally get access) to private lounges (with free drinks and food) and nice plush seats on the aircraft. On some International Airlines we also will sometimes have a nice private lounge or bar area on the plane. Do we feel like snobs...knowing that most of the masses are stuck in uncomfortable seats and do not have this kind of access? No. Because we have have paid a premium for those perks. And its the same on cruise ships.

 

 

 

Consider its no different in many hotels. Pay for a suite and you get lots of special perks. Pay for a Rolls Royce...and its different then riding in a VW. Not sure why cruisers think the cruise world should be different. And I say this as a very frequent cruiser who generally does not book suites.

 

 

 

Hank

Maybe it’s the green-eyed monster. Jealousy...envy...however you might want to label it, isn’t attractive or desirable.

People should just be grateful that they can enjoy and partake in Cruise world.

I know I do.

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We travel with our undies in an opaque plastic bag (an old GAP drawstring bag, actually), and we keep them that way in the drawers, so nothing to "see". Our Sky suite is supposed to have very limited closet space (less than most) so I think we'll have them give it a go.

 

When you say you have to "be present" for the unpacking, do you have to be in the cabin with them saying "this goes here, that goes there" or can you be on the veranda sipping champagne?

Is your Sky Suite an S1 or S2? The S2’s have great drawer and closet space.

Personally, I like to unpack myself.

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I believe that you get what you pay for- so if the guest is willing to pay significantly more for a suite- they deserve the perks-

 

 

 

Perhaps the suite guests are helping to keep the costs down for your inside, oceanview or balcony cabins. I would say that those people in suites help subsidize those in lesser accommodations.

Interesting comment.

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