Orator

Only Michael's Club and bathroom amenities and special Zenith luncheons unless there are a minimum of 8 Zeniths. We are now paying (I'm in Aqua Class) from the drink package and internet that we got free as a benefit. Celebrity seems to like passengers who get no or minimum perks and I understand this reasoning. I predict that more changes are ahead for other levels.

Leaving today for London. I expect that the Covid protocols will be changed after the TAs. Look forward to seeing all on the ship.Looking forward to the live reports which will bring a different perspective.

If you've never experienced something, I guess you wouldn't miss if it was taken away. I've experienced Michael's Club and it's been taken away! I've experienced upgraded bathroom amenities and they have been taken away! I am now paying for things like internet and drink packages that in the past were loyalty benefits. No daily bottled water in Aqua Class as before. If you are a new cruiser you might be happy. If you have more than 100 Celebrity cruises you might feel that the sparkle is gone. Perspectives might be different based on experiences and expectations.

With changes to the loyalty program Celebrity has definitely lost its sparkle to me. There have been reports by Zeniths that there are from 2-8 Zeniths on a cruise and some of them are in Suites (13 on a recent TA). Most are reporting no special events unless there are more than at least 8. Many have felt the change. I appreciate the benefits that still exist, but I see the trend of lessening loyalty benefits continuing.

My test is £29 at Lloyd’s Pharmacy in London. Not about price, but about reducing Covid spread. Those who say it prevents present no evidence to support their claim.I was on a cruise where there was a Noro breakout. People were careful to wash hands while on the ship. Off the ship they resumed unhealthy behavior like touching food while on tour. There was another breakout on the ship as the HD predicted.

I made an appointment in London at a pharmacy for the proctored test 2 days prior to Silhouette TA. Hopefully, it goes well and I would suggest that if you are away from home you find a testing site in the city you will be staying within the 2 days window prior to your cruise.

They made their choice knowing what choice you made. No need to change or feel guilty about the choice. To me a friendship is based on respect. You can dine together at breakfast and lunch or at specialty restaurants. You may go the the MDR or they might pay to go to the suite restaurant. You can take excursions together. You and your friends should not sacrifice what your individual wants are for your vacation. A little separation may be good for both couples and that's might be what they want and are afraid to state.

They are flagged in foreign countries. That’s why they didn’t get money before.

Most stocks have taken a tumble. More to do with interest rates rising ,inflation and fear of recession.There are many bargains as I believe that the market has been oversold.

I prefer saying: "Happy spouse, happy house".

Not yet. I would only consider Oceania for a port intensive cruise.

I've been cruising exclusively with Celebrity for more than 15 years. I've been trying other lines and the sparkle has returned!

Said that I didn’t include proof of shares. Told them I submitted twice. Sent an email that they found it and gave me the credit.

I was thinking of booking a TA on Oceania since the reviews of the line were quite good. I asked on the Oceania page about speakers and entertainment which are important to me. The feedback on the Oceania board convinced me that I wouldn't like TA as Oceania is really designed for port intensive cruises. I ultimately booked the Silhouette TA and the Viking TA. I hope to try Oceania in the future.

Many ports have been changed while on the ship. These include: Israel, Egypt,Turkey, Grand Cayman, Key West among them. Cancelled because of weather, emergency or terrorism. Safety is the primary concern. Never pay for a tour in advance and beware of a company that demands full payment in advance. This is a real red flag!

Who knows what will happen in the future. My guess is that they will do what they determine what is best for them.

Perhaps they changed the policy that they had before Covid. I would believe that since all lines have problems filling vacancies. Wouldn't at all surprise me.

Many officers and crew told me that waiters and stateroom attendants pay their own fare to fly from their hometown to join the ship for the reason I mentioned. I don't know that there are individual are arrangements with crew by their agencies. There might, but I doubt it. If interested just ask waiters and stateroom attendants who pays the tab for getting to the ship.

I took the final cruise on Crystal Symphony in January and Crystal did proctored testing at their expense at the port. I find your suggestion reasonable.

Good suggestion.

Median amount is not a fair measure since it is that midpoint of total salaries that includes the Captain, Staff Captain, HD and CD, as well as other officers. Now the median salary for waiters and room attendants would be more meaningful, but they are not available.

The problem is for people who spend more than 2 days traveling and can't be tested at their local testing site. Many are in that situation on a TA that leaves from a European port. IMHO: The proctored test requirement should be removed!

Go to the Roll Call for your cruise to learn what others have done. I found that Lloyds in London did the required proctored test and I made a reservation to take the test.

Your post about Summit simply supports my point. Testing pre cruise is not effective in preventing the spread of Covid on the ship.

No Celebrity doesn't. Celebrity is afraid that if they pay some will not show up to start the contract. This has happened before. The cruise lines will book the crew at lower prices. That's why there are crew blackout dates for travel.