Michelle!

On 11/13/2022 at 8:41 AM, Sally & Dan said:

Signed up for two Blue Chip free cruises.  The April 8 Solstice Mex Riviera we got a great cabin for cost of Taxes and fees. So, we are working on doing a B2B leaving April 1, same ship same cabin though BlueChip at $2079, that will include classic drink package, tips and gratuities, and WIFI. So R/T airfare will cover two cruises.  Total cost about $3700, 14 days and a great cabin.  Thank you Celebrity Cruises BlueChip.

See you onboard!    We are booked on April 8th.    First time booking a casino cruise, so have been curious about the whole thing.

I wouldn't worry about the two hours in Butchart gardens. It takes approximately 1.0 hour to stroll through and enjoy. The timing gives you enough time to browse through the amazing gift shop. The clipper is a good solid product.

Thanks for the quick answers. We will only have her and she has very good manners but is not used to being around adults drinking etc. She will probably keep us at the pool ,miniature golf, basketball court, ice rink, and all the other fun things for kids. I do want her to do formal nights in the dining room just for the experience of figuring out which fork to use etc. She has no real clue what to expect, but she did see a Quantum commercial and wants to do it someday for the bumper cars! Kids are so much fun in the right environment !

I'm of the thought that it would be good to expose the gd to the welcome back party. Who knows, she may be the next female captain on rccl inspired by that time she took a cruise with her family and met the captain of such and such a trip.

I'm diamond ... Do a great deal of travelling off ships and I am in my forties. My son is 20. I get so tired of reading posts by people who only cruise and do nothing else (flame away) Travel makes people interesting. If the opportunity exists to expose your children to new things ... Do it. Welcome back parties are not events full of drunken adults... They do serve non alcoholic bevs also. Get her out there and experiencing new things!!! I doubt rccl will turn her away as others threat. If she wants to play mini golf, then do that instead.

For you who are going to throw your torches at me... These parties are marketing for rccl. They are to encourage you to book again, and it works. That's all.

There is something with experiencing tea at the Empress. No one does it the same - or charges as much. If you do settle for the Empress - be certain to take a walk through past the tea lobby towards the gift shop - if you go to your left, walk down the hallway and on your right you will bump into the Bengal Lounge. It is an amazing room that offers curry buffet daily. Do peek inside.

On your left is the Crystal Ballroom - it originally had a glass ceiling so guests could dance under the stars - amazing chandeliers.

I'm drinking some of the empress tea right now! :D

If you are going to purchase tea - take a stroll up government street and pop into Murchies. This tea shop is a 3 generations old and offers an amazing sampling of some lovely teas.

My personal favourite afternoon tea (not high tea) is served in the dining room at Butchart Gardens. The cost I think is $39 ish dollars. Very nice - but you have to do the Empress tea at least once. Dig into your pockets and have a glass of champagne to go with your strawberries and Devonshire cream. Amazing!

I am in AWE of you folks who can make 2 regular size bottles last for an entire cruise of 7 nights!!!!

Here here!:p:eek:

Why is that so many people seem hell bent on gaining access to loyalty events that non qualified friends are not entitled. Participation in these events is a reward to loyal cruisers and has been earnt with repeat voyages.

The same people trying to gain an advantage they are not entitled to would be the first to complain if any existing benefits are reduced due to abuse of rules applying to access.

I really enjoy attending the C & A events - it's tough to not want to share the experience with a travelling companion. At the very least, it is marketing dollars at work. An inexperienced cruiser gets a taste for what they can get with just a few... more... cruises...

I dunno - the wine isn't mind blowing and neither are the hot canapés...what is the harm... :)

I will be doing a land trip here. This is all good information! thanks!