Bobby Dee

Table play limits are usually $10.00. It can vary ship to ship per the Casino Managers discretion.

With the exception of Equinox in April '17, the last several cruises I've taken on S class ships had minimum bets on most table games at $10, including craps. My wife plays Roulette and she says that the minimum has been consistent at $5. Occasionally the price went done during the off peak times of the day.

On Equinox, the table games were at $5 all day, every day. And the casino seemed busier.

What does TA mean?

TA stands for Trans Atlantic. It is often used as an abbreviation for Travel Agent, but obviously, in this case...;p

Didn't gamble.

 

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Just off the same sailing. $5 table limits for the whole cruise

I just saw on their Twitter feed that someone asked this same question and it says that cans of soda are now only included on the premium package. We sail on Equinox on Friday. I have asked for an answer on the Facebook page as to whether I will be able to have a gin or vodka with diet tonic under the classic package. No response yet. I just can't believe the logic in spirits and beer being included but not canned drinks which cost so much less.

I've seen nothing to indicate that mixed drinks which use soda of any kind will not be included in the classic drinks package as a result of the changes to soda policies. It is possible that some of the brand name Gins or Vodkas have increased in cost and possibly have moved from the classic to the premium, but that is only top shelf stuff and it is not having any thing to do with canned or fountain soda.

I will also be sailing the Equinox this friday and I have not yet gotten any word on whether the changes that this thread are talking about will be implemented on Equinox this early. So far as I know, these posts have only referred to experience on Silhouette. Celebrity will often test things on one ship before deciding to implement fleet wide. I feel comfortable that if it does improve the bottom line, then my November sailing on Equinox will see the changes, but this week? I just don't know.

Can anyone confirm that (most of) the drinks at the World Class Bar are still covered by the premium beverage package? It seems like the last menus I saw showed ALL of the drinks being at least $2-3 more than the premium package limit, with a few being $5 over (that I'd expect wouldn't be covered)

Yes most of the drinks are covered by premium Package,there was one drink that made from whisky that I like and cost $15.00

I just paid the different and charged $2.36.

Our experience in early 2016 was the same as iSailor's, but on Silhouette this past December there seemed to be a new menu and on it, many if not most drinks were more than the Premium package allowed. It's true that the cost difference was only a dollar or two, but with poor service, and a feeling that the new prices were not worth the drinks, we spent our drinking hours at different bars.

I've been on both several times. I have not yet been on Oasis class or Quantum. You said that you are Diamond...1) there is no "Elite Lounge" similar to the 24x7 Diamond Lounge on RCCL. but there is a continental breakfast for Elites in the mornings that is nicer than what is available on Royal.

Royal has rock climbing walls, surfing simulators, ice skating rinks, movies by the pool, stabilized pool tables, and the newer ships have much, much more. On Celebrity, the S class has a lawn, some have a "hot glass show" and the M class has a pool with therapy jets.

Celebrity does not allow smoking in the Casino, or anywhere in-doors on the ship.

Celebrity has better drinks packages and they include specialty coffees.

I know what people have said above, but I find the food and the service to be comparable. I like the buffets on Celebrity better; they seem to be laid out better, (or is it layed out? I'm not sure.). But, that's just a personal preference.

I like the interior promenades on the RCCL ships that have them.

I'm sure there are more, but that's all I can think of right now.

Just booked an Edge Infinity balcony (Concierge class deck 11) for April 2019.!

Im having a hard time visualizing just how much sun these balconies will get. One of the things I love about a balcony is sitting out watching the ocean

and feeling the sun on my face:)

Opinions?

 

 

 

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I'm sure that it's going to depend on season and time of day. But, from the pictures I've seen, I have to believe that there will be about the same exposure to the sun. With very few exceptions, X's current balcony is not terraced and is shaded by the deck above, but still gets "some" sun. It appears that the Edge balcony is layed out the same. The difference will be the current railing will be a glass wall that converts to a standard "half wall with a railing."

I had an aft facing cabin on Deck 7 on Silhouette late last year. It was mostly a positive experience, but we had an issue with a diesel odor while underway, and the cabin was unusually warm. The long walk to the elevators was not a problem, but was a fact. I had no privacy issues because if you sit deep on the balcony, meaning near the doors, the view from above is blocked. One point that I wasn't aware of is that not every balcony is larger in size. Mine was, but they alternated between normal width and larger. Larger wasn't a whole lot larger either.

Thanks for the quick reply

Long time cruiser and we've used Internet as part of Elite benefits, but for the first time I'm getting the unlimited internet (or wifi) with the Best perks. I'd like to know what to expect.

Since there are two of us, I assume that each of us gets the same benefits, like we do with our Elite benefits. The questions are: assuming that we each have a phone, setting up the phones to make wifi calls will allow us to each have active phones. We also will be bringing a computer. So,Question 2: Is it only one device per person? And if it is, is there any problem setting up one phone and one computer? And final question, has anyone set up the internet on their two phones and also utilized their elite benefits to get ninety minutes free internet time for a third device?

Just off Silhouette, sail date 12/4/16.

The UDP as it was, no longer is available. Effective on the return from Europe two cruises ago, the packages have changed.

Previously, the UDP included Dinners and Lunches. You could choose which restaurants you wanted to eat at, and when. The price was $29 per person, per day. Other dining packages forced you to eat at specific restaurants.

Now they are all called "Flexible Dining Packages." You can purchase them for a few days, or for several days, or for all days. You choose where you want to eat and how often, so long as there is availability. But you can eat in the same restaurant everyday if you wish to. The number of days determine the per day price with the full seven days of our cruise costing about $30 per person, per day. Shorter packages were more expensive per day. I don't know what the per day price will be for longer cruises. The new program does NOT include lunches, only dinners.

That being said, we were very pleased with the seven day package and never had a problem. We didn't eat at either Sushi on Five or the Porch, but it appeared that those two restaurants were treated as specialty restaurants for dinners the same as the more traditional restaurants.

Sail date 12/4/16

SHIP: Silhouette

CABIN #: 7362

DECK #: 7

CLASS: SV

AREA: Aft with Wake view near Starboard side

BED NEAR: Window

QUIET?: Very Quiet

BALCONY VIEW: Great View of the Wake, No obstructions

BALCONY SIZE: Slightly wider than standard, but only a couple of inches.

WIND A PROBLEM?: No.

SOOT A PROBLEM?: No, but odor was.

PROBLEMS/COMMENTS: Diesel Exhaust odor on balcony, while under way, not while in port.

We got off the ship the same morning that you boarded. We were also in an SV cabin but one deck down from you and on the Starboard side in stead of the Port side. While under way, and it was quite windy during our cruise, we experienced a strong diesel exhaust odor when sitting on the balcony. I'm wondering if it was the wind, the cabin, or an inherent problem with SV cabins.

Have a great time, and if you get a chance, try a cucumber martini with Hendrix Gin and Cointreau.

This is our first Celebrity Cruise on Eclipse on Dec 11 and we are in Concierge Class. Is there any benefit any getting to the pier early like 10. I think my assigned time is 11:30. Also, what do you do to start your cruise up to point of the sail away?

 

Thanks for all your tips and ideas. :)

Getting there at 10AM means traffic issues because those getting off the previous cruise haven't left the area yet, and much of the port side crew's effort is involved with disembarking those passengers. In other words, besides the traffic, there are few porters available to take your luggage. Wait an hour!

When I get on the ship, it's usually lunch time and time to verify that the drink package works as advertised.

What Sue said above is all correct, but to answer your question, I have never heard of anyone being denied the package, although up to this point, I, personally, have not tried to buy it.

On my last cruise, I asked someone selling specialty reservations, that exact question. He told me that they were not at all limited.

In about three weeks I'll be sailing on Silhouette. I normally would have booked Aqua Class and used Blu, which I feel is as good as most specialty restaurants. But in this case, I booked a verandah and plan on purchasing the UDP. It's a little bit more expensive this way, but not that much. If I am refused availability, I'll post it here.

It was on our July 31-Aug 7 to Bermuda. There were 2 bartenders behind the bar, and we sat right down. They served us.

 

 

Marie

If I ever get a chance to make that trip, I'll try that. Like I said, I've never been on the Summit. Usually that early in the day the bar is anything but frozen. I haven't been to Bermuda since Spring Break in my Junior year of college. Those were the days!

In Ft Lauderdale earlier this year, it cost me an extra $5.85 cents sales tax.

 

:D

Ft Lauderdale? That's the first time I've heard that. I've heard that was true in Barcelona. I've never sailed from Spain. But I've never had to pay additional at any port in Florida, and when I prepaid my upgrade for my December cruise from Port Everglades, there was no additional tax. This must be new.

It starts as soon as you board! In fact, on the Summit we boarded around 11:00, and went straight to the Martini Bar.

Marie

The Martini Bar is open at 11AM on the Summit? Not so on S class ships. I've been Elite for a while now, but never sailed the Summit.

Realistically, I have lunch when I board and I have a beer with lunch. Yes, it starts when you arrive on board.

Hi

Is there any advantage of upgrading before you get on board or is it the same price

Thanks Terry

Disregarding any discounts that might be available on that particular sailing, there is no difference in cost between booking before hand or while on board.

A couple of things to think about: (1) You can "try out" the classic package and see if you are happy with it first. Then if you decide that you want to upgrade, you can do so on the spot, and if that happens to be one or two days later, then you've saved the upgrade cost for the days that you didn't upgrade. (2) If you did have a lot of On Board Credit, you could use that credit by upgrading on board the ship. (3 and this is the criteria I use) If you pay ahead of time, there's a good likelihood that you've forgotten the pain of paying for it already, and it feels almost free.

Anyway you do it, Terry, you'll enjoy the cruise. Oh, and in my opinion, the best reason to upgrade is that you may want to drink a drink that is more than what is covered by either package. An after dinner port, some of the better wines served in the Specialty Restaurants, even a couple of World Class Bar drinks cost more than either of the packages. In that case, someone who has the Classic pays the total cost of that drink, while someone who has the Premium pays only the difference between the package max and the cost of the drink.

Hi all :)

 

We are on the Reflection on Dec 10th out of Miami.

 

We have never been to this port or on this ship so I have no idea about what the layout will be.

 

I really want to sign up for the Ultimate Dining Package and I know thee are very limited.

 

Will there be a place right after I board the ship where I will be able to arrange to get this package?

 

What is the likelihood of being able to get it? And if I do get it should I reserve dinner ahead of time?

 

Sorry for all the questions and thank you! :)

On our last cruise, Eclipse, last January, I asked one of the guys trying to sell reservations to the specialty restaurants about how limited the Ultimate package was really. At the time, we were booked in AQ and I told him that in December we were planning to travel with a standard balcony and purchase the ultimate dining package. He told me that it wasn't at all limited.

I've seen the same postings that you've seen that these packages are limited by how many reservations have been pre booked. But I've never heard of anyone being turned away when they wanted to book the package. And on every sailing I've even been on, there are always a bunch of people trying to get us to book a reservation in the specialty restaurants. So, relax. There will be someone as you board the ship who will be trying to get you to book a specialty restaurant reservation. And that person will most probably be very happy to sell you an ultimate dining package.

Also, if you travel into Texas, there is a separate state duty on liquor collected by that state.

Like so many people have said above, what to do and see is very subjective. But you are asking about "Don't Miss." Eclipse has the Hot Glass Show and I'd advise that you see at least some of that show during your cruise. (I've heard it's best at night, but I've only been there during daylight.)

All the specialty restaurants are good, but Qsine is quirky and something that you've probably not experienced on another line. The food isn't as top notch as the other restaurants, but like I said..."Quirky." and probably better with more than just one couple. Check out the Aqua Spa cafe at lunch. It's next to the indoor pool. It's healthier fare, and it's free, but different. If you have the premium drinks package, then check out the World Class Bar. If you don't, I'm not sure the drinks are worth the extra cost. Be sure to see a Martini Flight, even if you are not the one to purchase it. It's in effect a show put on at the at the Martini bar.

Again, you're looking for "Don't Miss" activities. In St Martin, there are many who have gone to the beach right under the flight path of the airport. The incoming flights are so low it feels like you have to duck to avoid being hit. Orient Beach is on the French side and is one of the prettiest beaches in the Caribbean; but being French, it is clothing optional. The hardcore nudity is on the far right of the beach, near the yellow umbrellas. The areas to the left are mostly clothed, but you will see some people walking around without clothing.

St Thomas is a shoppers mecca. Americans can bring back one liter of alcohol duty free unless that alcohol is purchased in st Thomas and then you can bring back five bottles per person. Of course you still have the issue of getting it home, if you are flying to and from the cruise.

St Kitts is pretty typical of the islands. I think the view of the island is beautiful as you approach the port, but more so right around cane sugar harvest time.

I can't say much about Barbados because my mom was born there and I usually don't do the tourist thing there. But if you get a chance to have fried flying fish, I think it's pretty tasty. And I love a true Barbados Rum Punch, but I found that it's not available near the port. I've had it in restaurants and at a beach club.

With your premium package you can order your drink anywhere - and take it anywhere for that matter.

 

The price cap seems to keep changing but $13 sounds about right.

 

Not having any idea what a cucumber martini tastes like or how much one costs, I'll simply say that if it's more than the price cap, she'll just pay the difference.

 

I like cucumbers and I like martinis. Never thought of putting them together.

This is a great answer, I just want to make sure that the OP knows that you cannot order through room service or take the drink from the Mini Bar.

You do it on board. It's not a hassle. As soon as you come on board, they will hand you a glass of bubbly or a mimosa and after you walk just a few steps there will be someone asking you if you want to upgrade, and someone else asking if you want to make a reservation at a specialty restaurant, or book a spa treatment.

You really cannot buy anything at check in. They will give you a shipboard pass key which acts as your room key and your on board credit card. Anything you buy goes on your shipboard account, and your OBC is entered on the same account as a credit.

It will often take a day or two to see your OBC entered on your account.

What about the Porch? I've been on each of the other S class but I haven't been on Silhouette, will be in December, but I thought she was very much like Reflection. Isn't there a restaurant up on Deck 15 near the Lawn Grill. It used to be open for lunch and if it's not too hot, it makes a quiet place for lunch when boarding. Of course it costs just like Bistro used to.