renji

2 hours ago, deliver42 said:

I've priced Celebrity, NCL, and Royal. While Royal's base is the least, once you add the drink package, and compare with NCL's Free at Sea, and Celebrity's all inclusive, Royal comes out the highest. With Celebrity, i add the premium drinks, and get $300.00 OBC. A no brainer. Celebrity, right now is the best bargain at sea, not counting MSC.

Another huge psychic benefit—when the drink package is included in the price, even if the price is higher, I don’t feel like I have to drink “enough” to make it worthwhile. I’ll have two glasses of wine and maybe a cocktail or sparkling wine at the bar, and will skip drinking several nights.  All inclusive with quality wine/alcohol is more about the vacation mindset than getting my money’s worth…

On 4/25/2022 at 11:47 AM, Broons77 said:

 

Just make sure when you do the math, you're not just including the booze.  It's all the other stuff like juice at breakfast, couple of bottled waters, etc, that probably pushes most folks over the break even line.

4 hours ago, George C said:

Since we are diamond plus and in suite and have UDP no need for drink package, UDP gives us a very nice discount if we want a bottle of wine with dinner , we aldo bring two bottles and haven’t been charged a corkage in many years.

This is my thinking, although not diamond I do have the suite lounge where we can stop for a drink and UDP, and with 4 cabins (the others for adult kids we are getting the package for) can take 8 bottles on board.  But I understand the draw of not having to think about individual pricing…

On 4/25/2022 at 11:47 AM, Broons77 said:

 

Just make sure when you do the math, you're not just including the booze.  It's all the other stuff like juice at breakfast, couple of bottled waters, etc, that probably pushes most folks over the break even line.

I have heard this but that is why I am getting the refreshment package.  At $23 a day that is actually worth it to me for coffee and sparkling/still water.  But the alcohol piece is another $50 and don’t see myself having 4 cocktails a day (or 28 over the week).  More likely around 10 plus the wine bottles that we bring on. 
To me the benefit of getting the package for my kids is that they will feel free to order what they want, try different things, switch if they don’t love the drink, etc. It’s more s vacation mindset (which I don’t need since I’m paying :))

4 minutes ago, binro01 said:

It’s a hard ceiling. I look for low 60s.

I might do it for that too. It’s $73 on my 7 day and that’s a $50 spread above refreshments…

53 minutes ago, Sms1973 said:

That’s not entirely accurate.. the decent wines on the ship seem to be at a 1.5 markup over retail, which isn’t bad.  Take the Belle Glos Las Aluras.  Decent bottle, widely available, $50 at total wine by us, $80 on the boat. Opus, $368 on the boat, $350 most anywhere else, Dickhorn Merlot (not the recent Three pals, wine of the year, but the Napa, 54 in the store, 91 on the boat. (Not my thing, the Opus, but easy to compare).  
 

actually, now that I’ve spent a little time with it, I think I see the pricing game, they don’t do a markup, per se, but it seems like they have a certain dollar amount per bottle, regardless of the price point.  The $13 bottle have outragrpeous markup, with the 50 dollar bottles see 50-70% added on, and that Opus was pretty much where retail has it.

 

that was a fun investigation, thanks for challenging that.

 

 

The problem is that they sell the basic for the store price of the reserve, and don’t have many on the higher end.  For example, there’s a ($50-60 store price) Tenuta dell’Ornellaia Bolgheri for $125 on the Vintages list.  I would rather bring the $60 wine and one $180 Superiore on board for $240–less than the cost of 2 of what they are selling 🙂. 

11 hours ago, baelor said:

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/content/dam/royal/resources/menus/vintages-menu-sample.pdf

^sample list from Vintages, which I assume offers probably the broadest selection on board.  (funnily enough, the Opus One is the priciest--not super surprising, I guess).  From your elaboration, my sense is that you probably should just bring 8 nice bottles and go from there.  

 

The selection of reds seems to be California (and then France) focused, while the whites seem more varied, but if by $80-150 you mean retail (rather than restaurant/cruise markup), you should probably not rely on wines available on board.

I just want to truly thank you and everyone for the very helpful responses and not judging my wine tastes 😬. I am going to do refreshments rather than beverage, bring 8 fabulous wines as I’m driving, and not worry about the possible $15 charge given the alternative markup (which is probably higher than the 20% discount). When I’m not charged the corkage fee I add it as part of an additional gratuity anyway so I’m paying it to the cruise line or the staff either way, although I prefer the latter 🙂. We will save $700 and I’ll put that to an occasional beer and supplemental wine if I find a great glass or bottle on board.  And this will encourage me to wait for my wine and avoid drinking all day! Thank you, this site and the posters generous with your advice to newbies are just wonderful. 

2 hours ago, baelor said:

OP, as others (including myself) have mentioned, having a sense of what you want or wines you like (or consider "nice") would be helpful.

Thank you, haven’t figured out how to describe it without offending someone, it seems to be a bit hazardous! I tend to like French burgundy for whites, big Italian reds, California reserve cabs.  Yes I will do one or two pricier wines like a Corton-Charlemagne or Tignanello, Shafer or Insignia or Gaja, but I mainly would try the $80-$150 range if there are some interesting things on there, I’ve seen a Bolgheri Superiore on a cruise list for instance, and there are nice wines for much less like a Louis Jadot…normally over a week I would mix it up. And yes, I don’t need Opus One to be happy and can enjoy a Decoy or Daou also— but prefer to mix it up with a few more special wines. 

2 hours ago, skyking said:

So we love love fine wines.   We had the premium drink package and it was just fine.  Covers some OK reds,  but keep in mind you can pay the difference.  I was drinking a lot of Oberon on the Indy two weeks ago, and it was 15.00 a glass, but the package covers up to 13.00 so just paid the 2.00 difference.   Wines like Caymus you will only be able to get by the bottle however with the bottle discount it brings it pretty close to market price. 

That is a good point, will check out the by the glass list…was just thinking it would be hard to get to $50 a day for each of us…and might be better to put that $100 to a bottle. I’m afraid with the package I’ll drink more than I really ought to!

1 hour ago, matj2000 said:

It all depends on your definition of "fine wine"

 

You are not going to be getting Stags Leap, Caymus, or Cakebread with any package.

 

On a side note.

 

Why does almost anyone who is in a Suite always have to mention it in the post

 

When is has nothing to do with the question??

 

 

It was relevant to my question because there is a lounge with beer and wine 11-11 and cocktails 5-8.  So some might have taken that into account in their answer.   And we have 3 other cabins that are not suites so that explains why we will have UDP and others in our party have the full package—so we’ll have a bottle discount. I just thought to give a full description in case someone had been in a similar situation and thought it through already. Certainly not to offend anyone. 

4 minutes ago, MDTrip said:

I just read a medical article today about Paxlovid. Apparently some people can rebound and test positive and be sick again 14 days later. I thought that was interesting. Just FYI.

It’s so new! Good to know, will keep a watch

Hi, I will be in a suite on Oasis, traveling with adult kids in balcony cabins, and noticed the $50 spread between the beverage ($73/day) and refreshment package ($23/day). I was thinking we would get the beverage for the adult kids but stick to bottles of fine wine at dinner for us. We will maybe have one drink other than dinner wine, but will drink a lot of coffee, water, Virgin Bloody Mary/tomato juice with tabasco/Worcester (do they have that?)

We like high quality wine— Will we be happier with the wine by glass or bottle at dinner?  Any experience with the quality?  It looks like we’ll get a discount on bottles in speciality dining with our unlimited dining package and at bars with the kids’ beverage packages.  So our wine will only not be discounted if we have wine in coastal kitchen on the one or two nights we have dinner without the kids. And with 4 cabins, for $15 corkage we can bring 8 great bottles aboard. 

Is it a waste to order bottles when the 3 adults kids can have free wines by the glass?  
 

Curious about thoughts on the wine list by the glass and bottle…

6 hours ago, LINGBER said:

Thank you so much for posting and sharing!

 

We are going to be on the Beyond next month. After reading Celebrity Cruise Critic posts these past weeks, we see that each ship is handling Covid quarantine a bit differently. Wondering if there have been any discussion of covid policies?  Will Beyond be isolating passengers on Deck 3 in Oceanview cabins? 

That’s exactly what I’m wondering, will be on July 30 from Barcelona with stops in France and Italy. Are you required to test regularly even if asymptomatic? Do they pull you out of your suite if you have contact with someone?  Skipping their excursions to reduce the risk. 

39 minutes ago, drarill said:

Hi Rick.  Just wanted to update you on my Paxlovid journey.  Today, four days after testing + I had two negative tests.  I still need to finish two more rounds of Paxlovid. I know a couple of friends that have  been treated with Paxlovid, all of them with only one booster, all tested negative two days after finishing the treatment.  I think  my second booster helped me beat this faster.  BTW, my husband, is still negative... he swears the wine gave him some extra protection. 😄  He must be right, because I didn't let my guard down and  he didn't use the mask all the time like I did. 🙄 Maybe some day, antivirals will be available in the  ship's infirmary. Still, timing of your booster can make a big difference, mine was too close to our cruise, but I didn't have any other option.  

I also tested negative 3 days into the 5 days of treatment, also 4 days after testing positive (on antigen and a pcr that i had taken the day before). I think it expedited my recovery

On 4/21/2022 at 9:58 AM, TeeRick said:

So sorry to hear you got infected!  Hope you feel better!   It seems a lot of people cruising are doing everything recommended.  Vaccines and boosters.  Proper masks.  Socially distancing and responsible. But still get infected (even if minor symptoms).   You are the first report I know here of someone on Paxlovid.  Good luck!

I had covid last week (no idea where I got it, perhaps at work 6 days before I tested positive). I have no health issues and am 54, my Pfizer booster (I had Pfizer, considered getting Moderna but it wasn’t available) was October so was definitely due for the 4th shot. But in January my partner and I were both exposed, same mild flu symptoms, he tested positive and I did not (omicron 1?)  So I was surprised to get so sick and flemmy that I had a tough time breathing deeply (omicron 2? No idea). The Paxlovid (which I had to wait a day for because even though my insurance covered, my usual pharmacy couldn’t code it, so I had to find another pharmacy) was a game changer. Within 1-2 hours I was considerably better and was breathing freely. In fact, every time I took it, I advanced meaningfully (and quickly) but then stayed feeling the same level of symptoms until the next dose.  And then stayed the same for over a week after the final dose, still sick but so much better.  I think every passenger should have Paxlovid with them so they can start it right away….I am not sure why it is so limited right now, there is supposedly plenty of supply.  The bitter taste in my mouth for a week was unpleasant but worth it.  

2 hours ago, mac_tlc said:

On the Edge, the table in the cabin is very very low to the ground and is very small. It’s impossible to eat breakfast on it, unless you want to sit on the floor. On the balcony, the table suffers from many of the same things. It can’t fit more than two coffee cups on it. 
 

Apex is a bit better in that the cabin table is a little bigger. Still not practical to have a leisurely breakfast on it, as we often wish to do. 
 

Here are some pictures. First two are Edge, third is Apex and the last picture is the balcony on the Equinox with an adequate, practical and useable table.

 

mac_tlc

Thank you so much for the explanation!  I’m trying a number of different cruise lines to see what I like best, had previously done only Cunard, Crystal, Princess and a few older Royal ships, so am a Celebrity newbie. Was last in a Cunard Princess Grill and we really never ate in the cabin (except one late night room service on the coffee table) but then the Princess Grill dining was incredibly refined.  This year am planning to try a Royal Oasis suite, Celebrity Retreat and NCL Haven for the first time. So interesting to learn all the pros and cons. 

I had booked an Aqua Sky Suite cabin 10119…am wondering if being near the elevator will be noisy—and how to tell if a cabin will have balcony with poles…

On 4/20/2022 at 9:46 AM, mac_tlc said:

Did they improve the dismal cabin table and balcony table issues in the Sky Suites? Edge is worst, Apex only a little better. 

 

mac_tlc

May I ask—What are those issues?  

On 4/16/2022 at 2:17 PM, exlondoner said:

Southampton Harbour Hotel.

Loved it!

On 4/21/2022 at 10:34 AM, Cruise a holic said:

On the adventure of the seas, I suggest two superior ocean view- if possible attached.  You will each get a bed and have two bathrooms.  On the adventure, we had an owners suite and the suite perks were not good.  No special suite only restaurant, or deck like on the oasis class-  The lounge was a room, with no permanent bar- no features.  

 

We will again be on the adventure in May, perhaps the same sailing as you, and will not be in a suite.  The two bedroom grand suite is nice and has two bathrooms and bedrooms, but is very expensive IMO for what it is.

I’m going in July, so would love to hear any tips from your trip! 

On 4/21/2022 at 9:02 AM, rudeney said:

 

The 2BR does have two bathrooms (lower right corner in the image below).  That black box in the middle is dead space, probably a chase or part of the ship's structure.  If you want to do a walk-through.  Click here:

 

2BR GS:

https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=HyGjcqrvH4D

 

JS:

https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=Up6zGUnVCWG

 

 

 

Yes, great visual, thank you!  I was just thinking that small room has a small bathroom across the hall that has the circular shower—that bathroom like the bathroom in a balcony. And the master bath looks like a junior suite bathroom (shower/tub combo). Aside from spending less than half, I liked that in 2 junior suites everyone has the same size bedroom and bathroom. I am actually thinking of using some of the savings to book the overnight in Bermuda at a resort for 2 relaxing beach days…

Same, I’m going to Bermuda with RCCL because of the lack of thermal suite. 

On 4/21/2022 at 5:23 PM, barb65 said:

Unfortunately, this is one of the reasons I don't book on NCL Joy. The thermal spa is a main draw for me.

I suppose we are all guessing, but am booking a Haven suite and curious if others are concerned about noise being right below the deck, Lounge or restaurant, or right near the Haven elevators?  It looks on deck plans like the cabins are right near the elevators, but usually they are inside a console of some kind…

All of these responses have been so helpful! Thank you so much. Looks like the two bedroom gives you one bathroom like in a junior suite and one that is like a balcony…I decided to do the 2 junior suites next to each other so we all have the same nice bathroom, it’s midship so more convenient and less motion for their first trip. And given how overpriced the 2 bedroom feels at more than double.  Also I’ll have been in an owner’s suite on Oasis just 2 weeks earlier and have a feeling the Suite perks  will disappoint. I can pay for room service (and a lot of spa treatments for everyone) with that $5600!

On 4/19/2022 at 8:10 PM, BenCoudon said:

Despite those unbelievable high prices, as long as people continue to book cruises on the new ships, the cruise line will be laughing.  On many 7 day cruises, you can book an interior cabin for about $1,500 for 2.  You can do 5 cruises in an interior cabin on the Getaway for the cost of one cruise on the Prima or the Viva.  It looks line NCL didn't expect that much frenzy on Prima bookings when they released the booking last May. Prices were higher than normal (which is usually the case for inaugural cruises)but still decent (as per my standard).  Few days later, they smelled the jackpot and doubled the prices. They did not make the same mistake twice and when the booking on the Viva became available, prices were similar to the increased prices of the Prima.

And cabins that were sold at the initial price are now offered at double price when people cancel their initial booking.  We might see an offer from NCL offering 25% FCC to passengers that booked on day one if they agree to cancel their cruise 😁😁😁.  

 

Finally, I believe that the main reason NCL was able to sell those cabins at those prices is because lots of people had significant amounts of FCC in the bank and had to spend them.  Therefore, booking a cabin at 20k for 2, when you apply 10 or 12k from the FCC, the amount of cash out of the pocket was much lower and often lower than the normal price of a cruise.  But I don't think the sales on the Viva are as good as they were on the Prima.  And, in less than 1 year, the 3rd Leonardo cabins will be up for sale. It will be interesting to see the pricing.  Lots of people are interested in inaugural sailings.  But as we will have inaugural sailings 6 years in a row, I think that several people will skip their turn on some of them.  I am skipping the Viva inaugural season.  

I think that is correct…I have an FCC at 100% (not 125) for nearly 9k from a much longer cruise so am using it on entry level Haven on the 5 day Prima.  There are only so many cruises I can take in a year and I also have credits to use on RCCL, Celebrity and Cunard!    So will live with an overpriced Haven cabin because I would lose the credits… if the credits were usable in 2023, it would be quite different….I bet prices will decrease, but not for those cabins with hot tubs!

Hello…am planning on the 5 night to Bermuda on Adventure of the Seas, taking 3 best friends to celebrate one’s 50th birthday. None of my friends have cruised before and I’m an avid cruiser and want to make it really special for them all (I used to do inside cabins and spend at the spa but since the restart have been trying suites and admit I’ve gotten a bit spoiled by the space and treatment).
 

 I would want us all in real beds so 4 in a suite doesn’t work. My options are 2 balconies for $4200, 2 junior suites for $5200, 2 Grand suites for $9700 (least attractive to me given expense and location under pool deck) or the 2 bedroom Grand (cabin 8694) for $10,800. Right now I’m considering the most expensive option, mainly because (even though the second bedroom and bathroom is a bit lame for adults, it is quite a trek all the way aft, and the structure of the ship impedes the aft view), the living room and balcony space will give us real space to all be together on the 2 sea days. We are pescatarians and avoid buffets so a little flex on dining in the cabin might be nice,  (I’m going to do internet, and beverage and at least some dining packages too. If I don’t do the 2 bedroom, i would stick with regular balconies (or maybe junior suites to make it a little special) next door to each other, get the key, and just splurge for all on the spa…I am sure they will be happy with whatever I choose, as they have never cruised!

Would be grateful for any or all advice about the wow factor on the 2 bedroom, or the suite perks on this Adventure/Voyager class.  I’ve done suites on Crystal and Cunard, but will first be doing on Oasis, NCL Prima and Celebrity Beyond later in 2022….