Swampduck

I think you are finding out what many others have been discussing for a while...We are elite plus and just took our first non Celebrity cruise in over 10 years...and in future will not automatically book with them. In past we didn't even look around.

 

A question...When did you find out (pre cruise or during cruise) about losing 1 stop in Iceland?

 

(we did a 3 day "stopover" last September...[on way back from that first non-Celebrity cruise in 10 years] and rented a motor home...LOVED Iceland...will definitely go back again)

Hi,

I'd be interested in knowing who you choose to sail with, if not Celebrity, just out of curiosity. I had looked about for this year, but then decided, better with the devil I know..

thanks

I know we can't predict the weather & being from N.Ireland I think we have just had our summer, the last 3 2 weeks of no rain until today and temps reaching 18 degrees. Thats good for us!!

So, I booked my cruise for this year, not sure what I was thinking, but it's not until the very end of Sept. Doing the Israel and med cruise. I know the weather should be grand in Israel & I am hopeful for Athens and Chania but i would be interested in hearing your comments for Rome in Oct? We will be getting of the ship after wearing shorts for 13 days, will it be a shock to the system to arrive in Rome and it be Autumn & cold?

I can't believe at this point I am only thinking this now... doh!!! lol:rolleyes:

I am going to be on a Baltic Cruise in June with my three year old daughter. I'm wondering if I can take her to the specialty restaurants. She is a very well behaved child who is used to dining in restaurants. She also has a very good palette and will eat almost anything. Just wondering if we would be comfortable at Qsine, etc. We will be on Silhouette.

I can't find Celebrities policy and they seem like they charge full price for children. Not a problem, just curious if anyone knows or has taken small children to these restaurants.

I can't believe what I am reading here in response to a question "Littlebella" asked. How rude some people are.:confused: I don't think she was asking for either your permission of approval!

Littlebella, go and enjoy your holiday and I hope your little girl has a lovely time and enjoys every minute along with the experience of the specialty restaurants.:D

I was going to do my own review, but figured I would just plop it here....

 

We were also on this sailing and agree that the Silhouette is a beautiful ship. Our cabin was spacious and we loved our cabin steward Ryan. The steward for my daughters' cabin, they could not pick him out of a line up, never saw him.

 

 

We only ate 3 of our meals in the MDR since we had made specialty dining reservations.

Night 1 we did The Porch, and it was the greatest experience! We were the only ones eating there so it was like having our own private restaurant and Basilio our waiter was fantastic!

Our second night was in the MDR, there the wait staff seemed harried and spread thin. The sommelier seemed stressed, no one (except the assistant waiter) smiled. A very different experience from the prior night. The next 3 nights we went to Murano (GREAT!), QSine (will prob not go back, the experience, venue and presentation was different but the food only so so), Lawn Club Grill (Wonderful! Daughter and Hubby made flatbread pizzas).

 

Night 6 we were back in the MDR, we arrived on time to find that our assigned table (we had Assigned 6pm dining) was occupied. Spoke with a waiter, who spoke to the Assistant Maitre'd, who spoke to the people sitting there, who REFUSED to move. We were seated on the other side of the MDR which fortunately was right by a window so no worries. Towards the end of our meal, the AMD came over to tell us we would go to Select Dining the next day at 6 pm. My husband was a little out of joint about that since he felt we should not have been made to move a second time. BUT, every cloud has a silver lining, it all worked out since of our 3 nights in the MDR our waitstaff the final night turned out to be the best. We also found that the upstairs dining was a lot quieter than the downstairs. We were seated at a table for 4 and there were times we could not hear each other, the sound just seemed amplified on the lower level.

 

• We also had rented an alcove. We decided to keep it even tho the morning started off very rainy. The weather actually turned nice and we spent the afternoon in the alcove..... baking! There is absolutely no air up there. We made a suggestion that they give fans to circulate the air. I am glad I tried it, but I will not do it again.
  
• Loved our balcony and being able to hear the ocean, did not like the gentleman a few doors down smoking a cigar on his
  

• made good use of our premium drink package at the Martini and World Class bars. One good thing is that the bartenders will ask if you have a premium package when you ask for a glass of wine. I did note one bartender at the Passport Bar who did not use the alcohol stated on the the menu. It called for Bombay Sapphire and he used Beefeater. I just wanted to try it so I did not make a deal about it. It was still good.
  
• room service is a waste unless you are ordering cold food. They did follow up with a survey and I did tell them that it arrived cold. they offered to make it right but by then it was too late.
  
• loved the Hideaway until it got overrun with loud kids on scavenger hunts.
  
• not a big fan of the folks at Guest Services (a smile goes a long way),
  
• buffet was good but if you go when they are busy, don't count on a hot meal. Yes, the bar service was a little slow. When they came around and took your order, they would turn the menu card on its side to show that your order was taken. Yes it was a little slow, but there were A LOT of people during prime feeding time! After the first time, we planned ahead and brought our own.
  
• We saw the Tenors of Rock (they were GREAT) and Life (Very Good). Bar service in the Theatre was very slow if they came at all, I would suggest bringing your own.
  
• My girls loved the Spa Cafe for breakfast and smoothies
  
• Embarkation and Disembarkation was a breeze. Got to the pier early, they let us in at 10, was sipping first fruity drink by 10:45. We were one of the last off the ship (we were in no hurry since we had a late flight). short wait for a taxi, were at FLL by 10:20 only to find out we had to wait since we can't check in more than 4 hours prior to our flight. FLL was a zoo with 4 ships in port.
  

That's it in a nutshell I think.

 

 

Lisa

Thanks Lisa, I enjoyed your review. You sounded like you had a lovely break and know, like us, that sometimes we have to take the rough with the smooth, even though we are on holidays. We would do the same if it's too busy, bring your own booze, the staff are working hard. We find, a smile and a friendly word goes along way.

thanks again. Debbie:)

Many thanks to you all for your help and advice. I WILL try and hopefully not too much of an increase in poundage! Happy cruising everyone xx

You're on holiday... but you know your plan, so do all the hard work before you go.. relax and have a great time while you enjoy everything your cruise offers you. Then just pick up the pieces when you get back home. Life is too short to diet on a cruise.!!

A robes a robe... IMHO

I don't think I've ever even undone the tie on mine..

Your subject line almost gave me a heart attack! :D We love Aspens and are looking forward to it on our cruise in less than 2 weeks. As the previous poster stated, I believe that if you have the Classic Package, you only need to pay the difference. We upgraded to the premium package, just like more choices and not having to worry about what is and is not included.

 

Sad to hear about the affogato.

Your not on your own there..... one of my after dinner drinks... to help make way for a little G & T. We always upgrade to the premium package and before they were free... it was the premium that we bought... as they don't do the "Black Stuff" = Guinness on the classic. The things you have to do to get a meal in a glass:halo:

hahah... very good... almost had me... well done :-)

I've never been into the persian gardens, what all

is in it? Is there a swimming pool?

:halo: I don't mind chair hogs, as long as their bodies are on said chairs... I don't even mind if they head off for lunch, as long as they come back in about 30 / 45 minutes.. but what cracks me up is people who take chairs, some in the sun and of course some in the shade, for the whole day, but don't appear.. or maybe have taken a half dozen bed and there only be 2 people at them at any one time!

Last year, I was looking for a bed for my hubby and I, when a lady called me over, right at the edge of the pool, she said the beds beside her had towels etc on them all day, but the whole time they had been there, no-one had appeared at them. She told me to get the pool attendant and she would tell them... which I did, he removed the belongings... about an hour later, a lady appeared, told me I was on her bed! I pointed her in the direction of the pool attendant..

It's nice to be nice and this applies when we are on holidays too, but I sometimes think people leave their courtesy and manners on the port when getting on board..;)

I have never experienced this. When we arrive at the MDR and asked if we want a table for 2 or do we mind sharing, we always answer whatever is easier, we don't mind either way. 9 times out of 10, we have been on a shared table..

whoohoo... finally, thanks Sanger. Now i'll go and investigate it... TBH we have never heard of it... I think I better hide my purse though:D

It's a big warehouse store and you buy an annual membership that allows you the privilege to shop. I believe that's as far as the mods will let me go to describe it.

 

They are all over the US & UK. I once stopped at the one in Southampton, UK prior to an Eclipse cruise and purchased my cruise wine.

If you could see our puzzled faces... event the mod's would laugh!! Ok I think I will have to work this one out! thanks :')

Last year I was on TA (trans-Atlantic) and we sat with a lovely English couple for dinner. We got on the subject of OBC provided by TA (travel agents). I told them I booked through a big-box TA and told them of the OBC I received. They also were members of that same big-box in the UK and never heard of booking through them and the OBC you get. I said on your next cruise to give it a try through the US site or call through the big box US 800 number. Cost of a call is not that much any more.

 

Just curious, can UK folks book this way?

Thanks for that. But I'm not sure what the "Big Box" is.. can you give me a clue? I know we can't mention names here, but have you ever played Charades? ;)

It depends a lot on what you book and how much you spend. If you are booking only the cheapest inside cabins, the TA is probably only making $60-$70 total. He/she would be unable to give you anything on that sort of commission, especially if you are needing to make lots of changes, etc. Sometimes more benefits are forthcoming if the TA can book you into an existing group that the Agency has created.

I can see where you are coming from with this, but we always book balconies and our last one was CC. 99% of the time, I do all the work and then just contact them with what I've seen and wanting to book.:halo: It actually shouldn't come down to the amount of £'s & Pence that a person spends.. a return customer is a return customer.

With me, I like to know who and the type of company I am dealing with, so there are no surprises, but I also think that loyalty could be acknowledged in some way.

Well, I asked this morning and got the answer I didn't want.. a big fat NO. There are no extra's. They only give perks once a year at a certain event.

When I said about how many cruises booked & customers that i've sent their way, I was told they have lots of customers in the same boat !

They must like to hold onto their commission, which is grand. But it's nice to be nice and showing some sort of loyalty gratitude, I'm sure wouldn't break the bank.

:halo:Crikey, reading over the posts regarding TA OBC and perks, I have to say, that you are all very lucky to get the extra OBC from your TA. Do you just ask for it, it if is not already offered? Or is it offered as the norm.

I have booked with the same travel agent for the past 5 years and have just booked my 6th Celebrity cruise with her for this coming summer. As yet, and I am very disappointed, to say, that I have never received £1 or $1 in OBC, from her, I use the same lady each time. Not even a bottle of wine in the cabin when we were celebrating our 25 wedding anniversary or birthdays.

No perks of any sort for recommending their company to my friends,(not that, that was the reason I recommended them) who last year, 3 separate couples booked 14 day cruises (1 Celebrity and 2 Royal Caribbean) with this company and using the contact that I recommended.

:confused:Reading the posts here, I now feel that I should've changed TA a while ago. But I have no complaints regarding the service I receive, but I find it more than a bit disappointing that if I took a chance and booked with an internet company, I might receive something extra and loyality really doesn't stand for anything.

Maybe they don't give OBC here in Northern Ireland, but if they did, it would be nice!!:loudcry: I am sure they get some sort of commission, which would be appreciated it something was passed forward.

Anyway, :( no point worrying about it now, there is always next year to make a change.;)

Rant over

We always come home with some OBC...at least so far anyway. I am very thankful for the amount my TA gives, along with birthdays from Celebrity, booking onboard from Celebrity and extra from booking a suite. The money I come home with adds to my travel account, but I have to actually put that money in due to it being on my credit card. :) I believe in the "every little bit counts" philosophy.

 

As far as tips go, doing a great job and going beyond is a great way to tip in cash for a job well done, along with turning in those special comment's cards!!!

Crikey, you are all very lucky to get the extra OBC from your TA. I have booked with the same travel agent for the past 5 years and have just booked my 6th Celebrity cruise with her for this year. As yet, and I am very disappointed, to say, that I have never received £1 or $1 in OBC, from her, I use the same lady each time. No perks of any sort for recommending their company to my friends, who have also booked through them. I think, :confused:reading the posts here, that I should've changed TA a while ago. Maybe they don't give OBC here in Northern Ireland, but if they did, it would be nice!!:loudcry:

Points are added once the cruise has been completed.

Ah.. that's just what i thought :loudcry:

Not to worry and thanks for your quick reply...

Hi

just a quick question regarding the captains club points, we have a cruise booked for September, do those points get added when we cruise or after our cruise has ended?

thanks

SDuck :confused:

Thanks folks, your input is important. Thank heavens I can now sit back, relax and wait patiently on our cruise coming round..

Enjoy your Friday evening everyone & thanks again.

x

Hi all,

I am finally giving in to the high prices and going ahead with booking my summer cruise, we are going to be in a 1A cabin, on the Silhouette cabin 7247.

I know there is a spread sheet which tells you about cabins, but I couldn't find the most up to date link.

Could anyone tell me, if they have been in this cabin? Is it good? Is it a "hump" cabin, not that I know what that means, but maybe someone would explain it to me.

thanks for any info you can share.

have a great day,

S'Duck:)

For us....it's not just the alcohol drinks....it's all the bottled waters, fresh juice, smoothies, specialty coffees for $3-8ea that also add up. We always get the Premium pkg....just upgraded our perk to that actually for our April sailing. ....figuring for $11.80 a day to upgrade absolutely worth it for us. We enjoy bloody marys or mimosas in the morning, beers during the day at the pool, nice wine with dinner, and a martini or 2 at night after dinner to cap the night off. X loses money on us! Haa!! ;)

 

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Forums mobile app

Haha.. we are the same.. not that we count, but we do like a the fact that we can either take it or leave it.. They also loose when we are on board. Cheers !

Hi everyone :)

We are thinking of going back to where we first started cruising and doing a RCI cruise this August, for one reason only and this is cost! I can't believe the price that Celebrity are charging at the minute and I guess if people are willing to pay almost double what was charged last year, then those prices will stay!

So, I am thinking of going back to Royal. My question to you is: Have you ever went back and if so, how did you find Royal Caribbean compared with Celebrity? The ship we are looking at is Brillance of the Seas.

All this said, when we done our very first cruise with RCI on the Adventure of the Seas, there was nothing that I could fault - but after being spoilt by Celebrity, will we still find it so!

What do you think??

Thanks in advance :o

My wife and I are booked for the May 5th Equinox sailing and I still find myself concerned for a few reasons listed below.

1. We are both 40

2. I could care less what others wear to dinner

3. I could care less with which hands you use for your knife and fork, or which way the tines of your fork are pointing.

 

Reading these things, along with others comments, here on CC scare the crap out of me and make me wonder if we made the right choice in Celebrity.

You will love it. Relax, I think everyone has the same concerns when going for the first time. I, by the time our first cruise arrived, I didnt even want to go. We had a great time. We are both in our 50's, I don't care if they wear leaves to dinner, or if they eat with their fingers..

You'll find, on here, some of the people complain of the silliest little things that bug them.. but I guess, they need to get it off their chest & who are we to say anything... sometimes, they even make me giggle!

Go and enjoy... and if you've got something to get off your chest, you know where to come ! lol :D