Ex-Airbalancer

12 minutes ago, fstuff1 said:

Lawnclub grill is usually pretty empty. i just walk up and ask for a 50% discount. If they counter with at least 40%, i'll eat there.
I've eaten there 2 cruises so fat this year. Once they say yes, it's the same discount for the rest of the cruise.

 

Also, Elite status has an automatic discount of about 20% off specialty dining so you're never paying full price.

I have had dinners at 50 % there , still a pass for me 😉

6 minutes ago, 3CanadianBears said:

• Am I the only person who books refundable flights?  Yes, I know the cost is more, but I don't worry about flight changes as much. And not having to pay for or consider trip cancellation limits on a credit card if the need arises to cancel. 

Probably 😉😁

4 hours ago, terrydtx said:

That's correct it has a glass blowing class instead. IMO a pure waste of space.

We rather have glass blowing , never had a meal worth the price they charger in the Lawn Club 

10 hours ago, Ken the cruiser said:

We also have a family Solar Eclipse cruise (4 cabins) booked on the Sky Princess and were considering the possibility for a brief moment of jumping ship over to a similar 14-day Apex Solar Eclipse cruise. However, when comparing Aug 12 itineraries, we noticed the Apex will be docked in La Coruna SP from 8 am to 4 pm while the Sky Princess will be cruising somewhere off the coast of Spain with its Captain hopefully positioning the ship under clear skies for that brief 5-10 minutes so we can see the full eclipse in all its glory while the Apex would be stuck rain or shine in La Coruna. 

 

You never know what going to happen, this year  our house was in the path, and it was completely overcast, a couple hour later the sky’s cleared 

At least I didn’t spend thousands to look at clouds 🤣

8 hours ago, fstuff1 said:

For april 2025, i might be on either 7day equinox or 7day ascent in concierge.
Did the equinox refurb get new beds?

Since they took out the grass, did they also remove the lawn club grill?

Equinox never had Lawn Club Grill 

After 10 years of TAs most routes are getting boring ,

that why we booked on the Equinox in November 2025 , Lisbon to Argentina  

3 hours ago, gordylad said:

this is a good flyer and shows lots of information......I was interested in the Argentina to Lisbon cruise and can see its going on March 14 2026......a possible

 

https://creative.rccl.com/Sales/Celebrity/Deployment/CEL_2025_26_Itinerary_Reference_Guide.pdf#page=29

/

Thanks for the link 

we doing Lisbon to BA in Nov 2025

also noticed most TAs are under 14 days so RCG does have to pay the $250 OBC  

Last  October 13, we booked an Equinox Transatlantic for this November, for $1666 CAD for 2 in a balcony , including taxes and port fees , basic cruise

so maybe start checking Celebrity website , also the alcoholic.  drink package were 50% at the Black Friday Sale

No flash sales above 30% now

7 hours ago, Mcscotty said:

Hello cruisers

 

Would you make a late booking on a transatlantic for this year?  I've not cruised for many years and was mostly on Celebrity. Their options have mainly only 1 or 2 cabins available in Balcony or under and are expensive.

 

NCL has some good ports, availability and a cheap upgrade offer just now, but reviews aren't great particularly for dining and entertainment.  A concern with so many sea days.

 

Late booking isn't idea for cabin choice or price, or allowing time to look into ships, ports etc. so any tips or comparisons would be very welcome.

 

Thank you

Years ago booking last minute for a cheap TA was an option 

now you almost have book when the cruises are released to get a good price because they are good value 

How much is a flight from Manila to Hong Kong ? 

A deal from Vodafone, 2 gigs for $4 for a week in the EU , not sure if that is USD OR CAD 

https://travel.vodafone.com/product-details?i_code=CS-F-12-CTA&utm_medium=paid&utm_source=fb&utm_content=120211107970740157&utm_term=120211107865100157&utm_campaign=120211072091870157

1 hour ago, jelayne said:

No.  Just before the pandemic.  
BTW the ship sailed full, so the dead venues were not for lack of passengers. 

Really your comment mean very little , different owners now 

1 hour ago, jelayne said:

We did one Azamara cruise a few years ago for the itinerary.  We never returned.  We had to wait 15 - 50 minutes  to be seated every night in the dining room.  In 10 nights we only got seated in the same area with same team twice.  Food quality was good but it was never served hot.  The included wine was 👎.

Bars were empty, 4-7p.m in the Living Room every evening there was a table of  5-6 off to one side and no more than 6 other people in there.  Sunset Bar was even less busy.  
 

The Captain and Officers were visible and engaging, service excluding MDR was excellent.  
 

Just not a good fit for us. 
 

Was that cruise with the new owner.

Best to go the HAL section 

Just bring a soda stream on the ship 😉😁

There is a lot threads about RCL trying Ceebrity 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/3029542-rccl-diamond-looking-to-try-celbrity-for-a-ta-what-ship-what-should-i-expect-different-all-help-welcome/#comment-67951044

35 minutes ago, Charles4515 said:

What I don’t understand is why people use speakerphone in public. I won’t ask anyone to stop though using their phone or stop blasting music. I ask management to ask them to stop. Too many psychos who get enraged. 

I know it is just crazy ,

I was in a waiting area with my mom and someone answer their phone and was on speakerphone, not a very interesting conversation 😉🤣

24 minutes ago, catspaw1 said:

I agree your posts about Oceania makes it tempting. But we never go for suites. Any feedback about how the OV or balcony cabins are?

You paying about 2.5x more for a balcony on Oceania compared to Celebrity 

Here some pricing for a TA in a balcony ,price in CAD 

8 hours ago, CruisersTimesThree said:

Not sure about any large venue showing election coverage, but in your cabin you’ll be able to get both Fox News and CNN on your TV. 

Fox has a new network ?🤔🤣

57 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

Do you do a manual count?    I've never seen a site that provides a count like this.

Yes , usually early in morning 

At least , we on the Equinox TA in Nov 2025 so I can use the same speed sheet 🤣

I can send you link to the website I use 

2 hours ago, georgiacat said:

I know this is slightly off topic, but I am looking for a hotel in Barcelona where the tour bus can pick up and deliver at the door of the hotel.  We contacted Spain Day Tours for a pick up at ship, tour, and deliver to hotel, but they cannot provide hotel names where they can deliver to the door.  Has anyone stayed in Barcelona hotel where the mini-bus can pick up and deliver at the door of the hotel?  Thanks; I will also post my inquiry on several other places.

Try here https://www.melia.com/en/hotels/spain/barcelona/innside-barcelona-apolo

3 minutes ago, Kordy said:

 

I don't have BP... and it feels wrong to drink tap water from the bathroom ... I would prefer filtered drinking water, from a water fountain (or water machine) than from a bathroom tap !!!

It the same water, there probably not a filter

you don’t drink the water in your own bathroom at home 🤔
if that worried bring a filter jug with you , they are cheap at Costco or Amazon 🤣

Just now, justcrusn said:

Also, i think they ask you NOT to refill containers in the buffet

They don’t want you refill the containers directly from the tap as it might touch the tap, they want you to use a glass to fill your container 

It the same water every where on the ship 

You can for a jug of ice water for your room from your room steward