JFontaine

I haven't analyzed their current menu, but my guess is there might be a beef or pork dish on their menu every day, not a steak. Meatloaf, ribs, etc. Even their prime rib is more like a slice of roast beef. To us steak eaters, that's a huge difference.

This is all about money. They are proposing to eliminate the two most expensive menu items (steak and salmon) and charge for a third.

I'm sorry that you went through this. Thanks for sharing your experience. Glad you are doing well now.

Sorry sorry sorry!! When most people hear "porthole" they think small window - not balcony. I'm so sorry for being confused. I totally get it now. And I agree with you, hope you get what you paid for. Good luck.

But the porthole doesn't get you that real outside balcony with a door. As I understand it, you bid $420 for and still want a porthole - which is a small window that doesn't open.

Just curious why you want a smaller window (porthole) on a lower deck. You can keep your IV window closed, like a porthole.

Great butlers are even rarer..In my opinion most fall into the middle. Men and women who work four months or more, morning, noon and night, seven days a week, without much training or support. I'd do far worse. The problem is Celebrity charges for and promises a first class experience without the means to deliver. When I complain to management they are so quick with a future cruise credit that it's routine for them. I want THIS experience to be a delight. Getting a few dollars off the next doesn't mean much to me.

Telling you to take home the used bathrobes hanging in the closet is a lazy, wrong response. I too was sick of the pajamas and asked for a robe on two ships this year and was told no. The inconsistency in overall experiences. And I'm not sure anyone at Celebrity cares.

American Airlines has issued a weather waiver for Florida east coast airports only (as of now). Other airlines usually follow quickly.

I would be checking Delta's website many times per day for the issuance of a weather waiver. It could be many hours between the issuance of the waiver and you receiving an email alert, and by then, your choices could be limited. Be ready with alternate routes if your first choice is not available (going through Atlanta, JFK or Minneapolis). Look under Notifications and then Alerts. Good luck.

We had a problem disembarking in Fort Lauderdale. Once off the ship there was a long wait for a pusher into the terminal elevator, through baggage and out the door. People were lined up as they arrived, and 'port rules' prohibited me pushing my mom the rest of the way. We were on that line for 30 minutes. Hopefully you won't have this problem, but you might want to try to leave the ship by 8 am just in case. It is a fairly long walk in either direction, uphill getting on. If you think you might need a wheelchair I suggest you stick with that plan and not try to walk. Getting a wheelchair at the airport (Delta) was very easy, we were there around 9.

They should also price an inside cabin for him solo, as long as the inside cabin is across the hall/ very close (what that seems to mean varies). It might not be much more than adding him as a third, and everyone would have more privacy and a second bathroom.

$500 for concierge from a balcony seems high to me for what you get. Maybe you should pull this and either bid lower, or bid on something else - like Aqua and eat in Blu or a Suite.

Since you are in the Penthouse and your wife got a promotional rate for the Sky Suite, what I would do is not change your wife's cabin assignment, but instead ask for Access Only extra keys to the Penthouse. Your wife would use one of those to access the Penthouse, and sleep there, but get on and off the ship and charge things with her original card. The reason is you seem to have created this scheme to save some money, and if Celebrity tags you in the system, your future offers could be limited. The Butler won't notice or care who sleeps where. There's also the internal door between the two cabins which is very handy. By the way, based on your level of play, don't hesitate to ask the casino host to review your bill the last night, and potentially knock some charges off. I love this suite. Hope you enjoy it and have a great cruise.

Because on the true upscale lines it's hard to find 3000 square foot cabins like the PH on M class ships, or two story cabins with a small pool like on E Class with one week itineraries (we still work). I did enjoy having a washer/dryer on Crystal. We also like big ship amenities like large, smoke-free casinos, big gyms and robust entertainment choices.

I would bet against a last minute large family party or VIP going into a Sky Suite. My guess would be maintenance issues, like new carpet etc. that is fairly routine during a cruise.

I wonder how the '50% of your cruise fare' would compare to the actual price of Aqua class (either when you booked or today). Doesn't sound like much of an offer, I hope people are careful with this.

If you decide to steam the dress in the hotel room, don't pack it until it completely cools. My trick: lay dress face down on bed on hanger, stuff sleeves, if any, and bust with white tissue paper, if dress is wide line back with tissue paper, fold dress in at sides, slip dry cleaner bag long enough to cover dress over dress, slide garment bag over dress, zip bottom of bag, fold in thirds loosely, don't crush. Congratulations! And obviously get to the port early and identify yourself and party. But don't be surprised if you don't meet your butler until after the wedding.

I like the idea of picking the review you hope is right, and deciding from thousands of miles away all the others are wrong.

My recommendation: if the gown is professionally packed for travel I wouldn't open or touch it in the hotel and then repack. Just hang. If it isn't professionally packed for travel, watch videos on how to do so. It involves a dress form, lots of tissue paper, the correct handling of the train and the proper covering. And then forget about any creasing and just enjoy the day.

The people on this thread reporting that they got Covid after the bivalent booster are also reporting that they are basically OK now. No terrible lasting illness, no hospitalization, no worse than that. I credit their booster for that part of their good news.

Getting on board there are covered gaps, uphill climbs and joined surfaces. Our port- supplied pushers knew when to turn around and pull over these areas for the safety of the person in the wheelchair. My advice is to wait until after the initial rush. We board at noon.

Thanks for your report, sorry this happened to you (did your wife get it?), glad you seem to be OK now, and thanks for doing the right thing (despite your username!). Glad to hear that at least one ship has it together.

I live in NYC and would never think of making a reservation for dinner before 8 pm. Earlier, I thought, was family hour. A few weeks ago The New York Times had an article which said, basically, 6 pm dining is now the hot time to dine, for a variety of reasons (people realize a heavy meal right before bed is not a good idea, working from home makes them ready to go out earlier), and the hardest reservations to get at the top restaurants! Please tell your parents that they are "in", and I wish them the best cruise.

To the Original Poster. I'm very sorry that you are going through this. While I agree about being proactive (or even pushy), it comes hard to some people, and even harder when they are sick. No excuse on Celebrity's part.