dkjretired

4 hours ago, patty1955 said:

We don't care for the productions numbers. We like magicians, comics, aerialist and we love the lectures

Lectures were great in Alaska

We were on a cruise and they had a Jersey boys type group, they rotate on some of the ships.  Being from North Jersey we enjoyed it.

1 hour ago, keesar said:

What are the perks for being a Charter Member of the Board?  

 

 

Being called a Celebrity employee

47 minutes ago, mikewomb said:

Oh give it up.  
 

Do we now need to post out military service on this form. You are looking at a home with two USAF officers. This is so silly. Go on Disney if you have a problem. 

Sailed with Celebrity for thirty years with and without my children who are in their thirties. Your opinion has been shared by many over the years but thoroughly debunked. You sound like the usual cruiser who says Celebrity is for adults only who has never taken kids on a Celebrity cruise. Perhaps you should and you will realize how good their kids programs are.  I have seen all of Celebrities ups and downs during during good times and bad. Stand behind what I said completely.

13 minutes ago, mikewomb said:

OMG so relieved you are not on our  Alaska cruise. Take your kids on Disney. As many have said Celebrity is for adults. 

Your opinion not based on reality. If Celebrity didn’t have families they would have folded years ago.

It’s actually called Evening Chic and there  are a number of factors in decided which two nights will be Evening Chic. Also, they are not always on sea days.

48 minutes ago, Dar & Bob said:

Very well said.  It's the way of the world "the rules don't apply to me"

No rules were broken…

28 minutes ago, JamieLogical said:

 

Were it advertised up front that children would be given access to the Solarium for specific hours each day, then I would have no qualm with that. However, that is not the case. So currently, it is unfair to allow children in there when all of the adults who are present booked with the promise that it was an adults-only area.

In post # 23 I posted the section on allowing children in, they use the words “select hours”. That is a cover all to allow them to do it anytime. It reminds me of a tow truck driver where I worked who had on his truck he was open 23 1/2 hours per day. If he didn’t want to go, it was the half hour he was closed. Celebrity put that policy there on purpose, anyone complains, refer to the website.

1 hour ago, Oceangoer2 said:

Not snarky when only asking for reliable source for information.  Truly interested.  This has been much discussed and it seems with no resolution, other than what I posted from the website.  If someone is in a position of actually being certain I think we'd like to know.  There's another thread with the same title and same posters?  IMO replying with this type of comment is, in itself, snarky...

My only comment is this is common knowledge and has been for long before you joined this board. As I said interpret anyway you wish, I won’t be responding back to someone so closed minded to reality. Charter member of this board, never been accused of working for Celebrity, that’s a first but good laugh anyway. 

13 minutes ago, Oceangoer2 said:

Back to the  point...LOL.......PRESENTLY, this is what's found on the X site re gratuities...

 

Guests that booked prior to Nov. 17, 2020 (without Always Included) or booked Simply Sail pricing:
For your convenience, we automatically add gratuities for your restaurant and stateroom services to your onboard SeaPass® account on a daily basis in the following amounts, which may be adjusted at your discretion:

• $15.50 USD per person, per day for standard accommodations
• $16.00 USD per person, per day for Concierge Class and AquaClass® staterooms
• $19.00 USD per person, per day for guests of The Retreat

 

This gratuity is shared by Dining Services Staff, Stateroom Attendants, and other Stateroom Services Personnel that work to enhance your cruise. A 20% gratuity will be added to all beverages, mini bar purchases and beverage packages. An 18% gratuity will be added to all spa & salon purchases onboard. (This ALL applies to those without the AI package).

 

Effective November 17, 2020, with the Always Included℠ Pricing Package:
Beverage package gratuities and daily gratuities for Dining Service Staff, Stateroom Attendants, and other Stateroom Service Personnel are included as part of Always Included pricing. An 18% gratuity will be added to all spa & salon purchases onboard.

**********

Above does NOT break out specialty from other dining venues.  IMO grats are included and the diner has the discretion to add to that tip.  Please correct me if I'm wrong....we certainly don't want to ignore well deserved service gratuities.

Specialties have never been included from the time of the first Specialty restaurant. You can interpret anyway you wish, I’m just telling you what it has always been . Why would Celebrity  include them in the tipping structure when they are getting their tips from the service charge, doesn’t make any sense. Doesn’t really matter, if you are paying the service charge you are tipping them.

4 minutes ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

 

 

Seems like X's general website T&C and their cruise contract differ, this was in my cruise contract sent four days ago:

 

I’m only going by my memory but do remember what I posted as a CYA.

The original Specialty restaurants cost $25 pp and the entire amount was the tip. Who knows what portion it is now.

7 minutes ago, grandgeezer said:

The terms and conditions state that the price is locked in only if final payment has been made. If not, you will be contacted, in writing, telling you what your options are and the date your response must be submitted by. If you don’t reply by then it will mean you accept it and will pay it.

My understanding from years ago is that under that settlement they can charge you at any time up to final payment as long as it is in the contract when you book. Obviously, it has been in the contract since then.

On 3/3/2022 at 10:05 PM, D C said:

We've booked aqua on summit DESPITE being assigned to Blu. The 'fresh' or 'healthy' flair to the Blu menu simply isn't appealing to us.  We'd rather eat in the MDR or buffet. 

 

Even with Persian Garden access, we rarely used it.  

 

Essentially, we book Aqua on m-class ships to be on deck 11.

 

It’s not really “healthy “ food, that’s just hype.

4 hours ago, Oceangoer2 said:

Did your cabin also include all gratuities no matter where you dined on the ship or did you remove those?  Specialty dining tipping is a personal choice over and above the included grats but we would tip according to service and not a preset amount for each.

 

The tipping structure on Celebrity has never included Specialty restaurants.  The tip for the services comes out the the fee paid  by the diner, always been that way. Anything rules is personal choice.

7 hours ago, easimmon36 said:

Hi all! I realize this may be a silly question based on typical cruise standard, but can the king bed in the Celebrity Suite on the Apex be split into two twin beds? I noticed all their collateral specifies a king bed, and the "bedroom" looked really tight on a video review I watched. I'd hate to book it with the assumption me and my traveling partner could have separate beds only to be unpleasantly surprised when we board. Thank you!

Yes, just tell your steward and it willl magically appear. Done all the time.

6 hours ago, Fishboy1947 said:

Planning a cruise on the Constellation. We would be taking our granddaughter who is 5’ 9”. Would the sofa bed in a prime veranda be long enough, is it full size?

She will probably be okay, given her size, might be more comfortable not opening it up. Unfortunately, we have a son 6’6” and it didnt work.

57 minutes ago, lovrccl said:

Sad if Celebrity is changing the Rules! We sail Celebrity instead of Royal because it's usually less kids, etc. We are retired, have raised our kids and like a more adult atmosphere. We have Edge this weekend and Apex in April, will be interesting 🤔

 

They are not changing any rules, the excerpt from the web site I Quoted in post #23 has been there for years.

6 minutes ago, Pinboy said:

Agree--- especially if your Butler forgets to give you the PJs---- until the last day--( as noted above ).

We are just as happy ( satisfied ) with a large balcony in the center of an S Class ship, purchase a 4 night Specialty restaurant dining package( Murano, Lawn Grill, Tuscan, Sushi on Five--- all excellent ) , relax in the Solarium pool area, enjoy lunch at the Spa Café, purchase a pass to the Persian Gardens---- and, bring our own PJs. All in all, met lots of very nice people ( Staff and Guests ) and never had a bad cruise.

 

 

 

 

I get to the Solarium early, they do a nice Oatmeal in the spa cafe.

4 minutes ago, WestLakeGirl said:

It give Celebrity the right to do it anytime, but it doesn’t give parents the right to take their kids any time

Absolutely agree....I'm just pointing out that Celebrity is not breaking any rules, but you are correct, it may be the parents who do so.  I have seen enforcement because basically on sea days I live in the Solarium. 

5 hours ago, PTC DAWG said:

Rules are hard for some people...and some people's kids are angels, all the time..so obviously no rules for them.  

 

Agree on the Solarium, rules should be enforced..I get it if the Captain has made an exception.  

States right on the web site that Celebrity reserves the right to open the solarium to familes, so no rules are being broken.

From the age restrictions portion of web site.

* During inclement weather and select hours, the ship may permit the Solarium Pool (if covered) to be used by persons under age sixteen (16) provided they are directly supervised by a parent or guardian.

Select hours comment pretty much gives them the right to do it anytime. 

21 hours ago, George C said:

Nobody really wants to go to this useless sundeck ,need to climb stairs then there is no bar, no pool and no bathrooms, but yes it’s for suites only , I did get a burger one day last week and there is a hot tub. Only reason we went there was Luminae was closed since it was a port day , there was just one other person there.

We. used the elevator, starboard side just past the stairs. They do have a huge tub, for us it was a nice relaxing area. Had lunch there.

35 minutes ago, keesar said:

FYI, there will be two Evening Chic nights.  People dress more casually on Alaskan cruises. 

Yes, we were more concerned about layered clothes in Alaska. We were in AQ which does not do Evening Chic.

You will have two.

It’s just a name each company gives. All Celebrity suites have full suite benefits which means years ago a butler and always have.We had a sky suite on the Horizon 30 years ago and had Nikki the butler. Again it’s only a name.