leaveitallbehind

Perhaps you missed that I indicated just that in my response: "Choosing a cruise based on one or maybe two ports of call in an itinerary can lead to disappointment" Your statement of "I think it is foolish to book a cruise purely on itinerary" didn't indicate that, which I why I responded as I did. I agree completely with your most recent comments.

We are partial to Celebrity as well. Cruised RCCL extensively when our kids were young but those days are long past and Celebrity has, in the last 10 years or so, more often fit the bill with us than not. But the RCCL C&A program is significantly stronger IMO and what I would like to see, along with your comment of a true status match, is the Celebrity program adopt more of those benefits by tier level. We don't cruise for loyalty benefits, but after earning them over the years, they are a welcome perk and it would be nice, as example, if Celebrity would offer the balcony discount and beverage coupons.

Given the tier level benefits by comparison IMO it would be far more advantageous for Celebrity loyalists to switch to RCCL. C&A benefits are measurably better than CC.

Just to clarify how the two programs work together, there is reciprocity between the two programs when sailing on each other in terms of benefits. They match benefits on board as follows: When on Celebrity, RCCL Platinum and Emerald are equivalent to Celebrity Select, and RCCL Diamond, Diamond Plus, and Pinnacle are equal to Celebrity Elite. RCCL C&A members will receive Celebrity CC benefits at those levels. When on RCCL, Celebrity Select is equivalent to RCCl Platinum, and Celebrity Elite, Elite Plus, and Zenith are equivalent to RCCL Diamond. Celebrity CC members will receive RCCL C&A benefits at those levels. Points earned while sailing on either remain with the loyalty program with each cruise line sailed and are not combinable. In other words sailing on RCCL gives you Crown & Anchor points, and visa versa. Although the aforementioned levels benefits are shared, you will only advance to the next tier level by earning the full points required by each cruise line for that next tier level by sailing on each respective cruise line to earn them separately.

If it is a ship sponsored tour then transportation to and from the destination is included. Independantly booked excursions may or may not include transportation and would need to be confirmed by the provider.

While she is a terrific Captain and nice to sail with, she does deserve some time off to herself - and hopefully with her husband. LOL.

You should be able to book times ahead of sailing through the on line cruise planner. That is the best way to assure desired times. You can also book times on board with the Maître 'D as available, or just show up and wait in the non-reservation line for an available table, which typically is not too long.

Albeit these were earlier times just after covid but we paid $65pp the first time and $160pp the second (basically as a walk up) - which we thought was high - for CBC access and at the time the Cabanas were under $1,000. (Did NOT buy those - our last cabana purchase was over the water at Barefoot Beach in Labadee for $475!) The $173 for CBC isn't too bad as when we were there in January for our NYE cruise they wanted $360 - which we did not pay as well as it was way too high. But we walked by the area and it was quite well sold. The lunch there is IMO excellent and - based on specialty restaurant charges - probably worth about $50 pp. Something to consider. All subjective as you indicate.

A minor oversight on my part regarding Playmakers - thanks for correcting. Spent time on Oasis there watching our Birds self destruct on our NYE cruise this year. As to questioning my loyalty, I am a 27 year season ticket holder who well remembers the days when winning the coin toss was considered a victory, and our tailgate "preparation" was the way to get through it! 🤪

As CocoCay is essentially an extension of the ship, there would be no issues with drink packages while there. The only problem we ever had was one time the computer system was down for a while and during that time the bartenders had us sign slips with each drink so they could coordinate things back on board. More of an issue for them than us and it all worked out fine.

Hard to predict what the final "best" price will be for any given itinerary but that price seems quite high. Just continue to watch the planner to see if it improves. Once purchased you can cancel and repurchase without penalty should the price decrease up to 3 days prior to departure.

CocoCay in its current form was designed to handle up to 12,000 guests per day. It will be rare to have a day there without another ship docked as well. We were fortunate on two early RCCL return to cruising itineraries after covid that included CocoCay to be there as the only ship docked, which was very nice. Those days are long past.

On our NYE cruises NYE was always a couple of days or so into the cruise and often with a day at sea to follow. Coincidence or good planning it aways worked well for the celebration on board.

There is no designated separate suite area on CocoCay such as Barefoot Beach is on Labadee, and RCCL suite guests do not have an area designated for them so it is not likely that Celebrity will. Hypothetically, the only area that maybe could be used would be the CocoCay Beach Club, but I wouldn't expect that as suite guests on RCCL pay, along with other guests, for that area currently. Keep in mind that RCI typically docks two ships at CocoCay simultaneously. On your May 3rd sailing you will be docked with RCCL Freedom of the Seas as well when you are there. It would be very unlikely to have an area that is typically open to everyone open only to Celebrity guests when another RCCL ship is docked there.

This link might help in describing what to expect at CocoCay. There are things that available at no charge but many of the activities and venues are for a charge. Many of the paid venues should be able to be reserved in advance by way of your cruise planner. https://www.royalcaribbean.com/guides/everything-you-need-to-plan-a-perfect-day-at-cococay

That would be the location.

When we drive to the departure port we often bring home extras as well. 10 coupons per day can travel far.....

They operate in the same manner.

I understand that the ship and cruise line play an important part in this decision, but what other than where the ship is going would one normally consider? Choosing a cruise based on one or maybe two ports of call in an itinerary can lead to disappointment, but IMO the overall itinerary is certainly a primary reason to choose a given cruise.

Yes. The account will be in one name but is neutral to the devices using it as long as there are not more than any two signed in at once. In other words multiple devices can be used as long as only two are signed in at a time. We do something similar by purchasing one plan for a single device for the two of us and just switch back and forth with whichever device is being used at the time.

You can also use your coupons for unopened canned and other contained beverages (beer, Truly, soda, water) to take and keep in your refrigerator in your stateroom. We do that with unused coupons frequently as they expire daily. Nice on our balcony from time to time without having to go to a bar to get them.

AT D+ we have 5 and as they are combinable (I can use mine for her and visa versa) the 10 total drinks is enough for us that we never buy the package. Cheaper for us to buy additional drinks a la carte. Enjoy your cruise!

Unfortunately port cancelations are a fact of the cruising world and are often caused by circumstances out of control of the cruise lines when those decisions are made. Even with developing situations as they unfold in different parts of the world it is very difficult to predict far in advance what would result that may cause a cancelation. They would be using the same crystal ball in their determination as you would. If you feel uncertain and it is still prior to final payment and you can cancel with limited or no penalty, that would be your option to exercise. But the cruise line will likely hold out on any decision to cancel ports of call (or itineraries) until the last possible moment as that decision is far more reaching in complexity and consequences than an individual decision to cancel. Unfortunately it sometimes comes down to a roll of the dice.

As it should be! Each of us is different and should each dance to the beat of a different drum.

As mentioned, we have cruised with the one couple, who we met on a cruise and with whom have become good friends, a half dozen times or so, with as indicated, two more planned. We live 150 miles or so apart but also get together back on land once or twice a year as well. But I guess the point being it is by choice. On board we don't expect to do anything together - we do it because we want to. We enjoy dinners together and socializing in the evenings. But when we cruise together we are not joined at the hip and do a number of things on board and in port independently. There are no feelings hurt if at any given time one couple or the other changes their mind or has a different plan. We get along well and maintain this relationship because we are good friends. We have occasionally cruised similarly as well with other of our friends. To us this is an easy concept that works well when we cruise with our friends. But also as mentioned we cruise more times than not by ourselves and also enjoy those experiences together as a couple.