leaveitallbehind

When the post pandemic restart commenced, they enforced the times. In recent cruises they have not been as rigid and we have been able to board immediately if we arrived early. It may vary by ship and port, or how many are in the queue when you arrive, but they don't seem to be enforcing it as rigidly any more. That being said, it goes quickly by way of the queue which seems to work better than the past free for alls, and you certainly won't be delayed if you follow your time slot. Who knows what they would do, however, if too many people start jumping their times - lol. The typical first boarding time is 11:00 in our experience.

Check this link from the RCCL website: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/special-celebration-wedding-vow-event-services#:~:text=We can assist with planning,wide for a nominal fee.

We have been able to schedule in the US at about 90 days in the past - right after final payment. But it can vary and everything may not open at the same time. This might be different in the UK.

Yes. But to the OP, it isn't like trying to check in with Southwest Airlines - you don't need to jump to click on the boarding times the minute it opens up - LOL. There are plenty of time slots that accept hundreds of passengers each to accommodate all of the passengers. You will be able to get your preferred, or certainly a desirable, timeslot without rushing. We have always been able to get a time we wanted and on several occasions not checked in until several days or more after the window opened.

I'm going to answer your last question by suggesting that we, by way of our C & A status, get 10 free drinks combined per day. We always tip the bartenders with each one as, although they may be free to us, the bartenders still need to serve them and IMO deserve the gratuity. I believe the casino bar is pretty much full service with an array of drinks available.

Its an open forum. You are certainly expressing yours. And as indicated I have also suggested ways to find a solution and hope it works out for you.

Specifically: The black square indicates a sofa bed. The black diamond indicates one upper berth. The black circle indicates two upper berths. Those with both the black square and the black triangle indicated a sofa bed with one upper berth. As indicated, I knew that the location alternated every other stateroom. I was not aware that a stateroom with either or both symbols indicated that the bed was near the bathroom. That would make sense, at least with the upper berth, and of course would then be the key to the alternating pattern. Good to know. Thanks. @39august that also clarifies your statement that I questioned.

Sushi on 5 is an a la carte menu with no dollar limit. As such, we have never included it in any dining package as in our experience we have never exceeded the package value applied with our a la carte selections. But that is just our experience. We eat there once every cruise and usually include a lunch there as well. I would rather apply that package selection to one of the other specialty restaurants which, to us, is the better value.

As has been suggested by another poster, talking with guest services and the maintenance department to see if they are able to correct the problem or find a reasonable solution for you may be good. If they are not able they may issue an FCC for your troubles. We had a similar issue with a stateroom a few years back during the post pandemic ramp up and they were able to address the problem as, in our case, it was related to the balcony door. However, as the ship was not full, they offered to move us to a different stateroom if it could not be corrected. i see where you posted that guest services has visited your stateroom. Hopefully they can help as IMO calmly discussing this with them is the right option. Venting here, while perhaps a stress relief, will bring no resolution to your on board issue.

The black square indicates a sofa bed. And if it was the bed location it would alternate every other stateroom on the deck plans, which it does not. The bed location does repeat every other stateroom, but I am not aware of anything on the deck plans to indicate that. There have been other threads where this has been identified, however.

No, you still don't know that they have ignored it. You have no idea what steps may have been taken to try to correct it or if there are still steps underway. Or what the ultimate corrections may entail. You are simply making assumptions. You also don't if these issues are intermittent based on sea conditions, or caused by other factors that may come and go. This could be caused by a number of things of which you may have no knowledge. So it would be hard to draw conclusions on what they are or are not doing. Hopefully you will still enjoy your cruise.

Yep. Taxis, car rentals, local resorts (mainly for AI beach days, etc.). But all done independently and not through the ship. Mainly Caribbean. Europe would depend on port of call and what is to be seen.

1,646 staterooms on Beyond. While there may be some issues with some staterooms on some decks, I would have to believe the issues are isolated. If it was a pervasive issue your comments would be viral and widespread amongst the passengers. And what insight do you have to decide that Celebrity has ignored this? Enjoy your cruise.

As do some of us Yanks. Haven't done a cruise sponsored tour there in 30 years. 😉

Of the mass market cruise lines, Celebrity is more upscale or luxury by design, but it is not in the category, such as Regent, as being a Premium line. (Others include Silversea, Oceana, Viking, Seabourn, etc.) Google them and research their offerings. They are in an entirely different category. You are by no means looking at apples to apples.

It is possible that something your husband indicated on the health questionnaire triggered further questioning at boarding by a member of the medical staff.

Honestly the best suggestion I would offer would be to talk with a live person travel agent and review your expectations, preferences, and budget with them as they are by profession in the best position to sort that out with you and recommend those cruise lines and itineraries that would be the best fit.

...and the list would be endless.

Actually IMO things have come pretty much full circle. Having cruised often pre and post pandemic, the industry went through significant changes recovering from the pandemic with the restart with numerous caveats and regulations. But in the three years since, things have returned pretty much to the way they were the last time you cruised, albeit at higher market driven fares. (I realize the ships went through a lot of changes to become a safer health environment, etc., but the cruising atmosphere is IMO back to where it was with none of the restart restrictions). I think one planning comment I would make would be with regards to your GTY booking in that the issued staterooms may not be near each other. However, once issued you can move one or both to any available location within the same assigned category and subcategory to try to alleviate that. Just contact RCCL if you booked directly or your travel agent if you used one to facilitate this. The RCCL app also will allow you more flexibility in filling out the preboarding information, loading boarding passes on your phone, and checking in. This process is simplified as a result. You also will need to select check in times at the pier via the app, which will be available in 30 minute windows typically commencing at 11:00 up to 90 minutes before scheduled departure. This IMO organizes the boarding process in a smoother flow. You can schedule certain shows (Broadway shows, Aqua Theater, Ice show, Comedy club) through the cruise planner and the app. Specialty restaurant dining, and other packages (wifi) and activities can be scheduled and prepaid through the planner as well. Other than that, I would suggest to just look forward to renewing your cruising and plan to enjoy yourself on your cruise.

IDK, slow day I guess. JMO

As @jelayne indicates they have to have a way to know what level you have purchased and this code is the method - that is how they will determine the liquor to be used with your cocktail and the distinction between the two different packages. There is also information published with your purchase of either package what liquor brands by type are included with each so you will know as well. And if you order a cocktail by liquor brand type and it is not included in your package they will tell you and if you still want that particular brand will mix it for you at a surcharge.

It was just an example to make a point, which is why I said "may feature" - not being specific to any given package. Ok, Kettle One then.

Perhaps but it will not likely result in an upgraded liquor from the premium package if you paid for the classic.

Most mixed cocktails are made with the same types of liquor, either with well brand liquor brands or premium brands. The classic package typically features more well brand liquors and the premium features more top shelf liquors to make the cocktails, but the cocktail mix is the same. As example, the classic package vodka and tonic may feature Tito's vodka, whereas the premium package may feature Gray Goose. Same drink - different levels of liquor. But If you have the classic package they won't likely use the Gray Goose. They would only use that if you have the premium package, or perhaps add an upcharge to do so.

My understanding is suite guests can invite non-suite guests to join them in Luminae on a space available basis per the maitre d, and the non-suite guests must pay a fee. Don't know about penthouse stateroom dining privileges. Perhaps others can confirm.