renji

On 10/26/2022 at 5:56 PM, RocketMan275 said:

Today is 130 days out on my Breakaway Cruise from NOLA next march.  

Today I received an email from the pre-cruise concierge desk explaining what they can do.  The email provided a phone number and an email.

I called and was able to make my dining reservations plus some specific requests such as unsweetened ice tea in the fridge and only sugar free drinks.  Also was able to request some peanut m&ms. (Yes, I know, sugar free and M&Ms.  It's a cruise.)  Forgot to ask about potato chips.  I'll talk to the butler about that.  

 

One other thing.  There have been a few questions here about the pillow menu which no one could address so I asked about that.  The menu is four choices.  They are:

Hypoallergenic

Memory foam

Overfilled foam

Featherdown

I requested the hypoallergenic for the wife.

I'm bringing my own pillow. It's a travel pillow from My Pillow.

Also had a nice conversation about a future cruise we're planning to Alaska.

sugar free + M&Ms makes sense to me!

On 10/24/2022 at 10:23 AM, Sthrngary said:

The NCL Haven Challenge:  I want to challenge everyone who is in the Haven regardless of ship, itinerary or date. Make new friends with someone on CruiseCritic.com and if they would like one, give them a tour of the Haven.  

 

Sometimes we are fortunate in life and business to budget the Haven.  Other times we got a bit lucky and won an upgrade bid to the Haven.  The whole purpose of this thread was to give a guest perspective of the Haven so others have better more accurate information to consider it in the future. 

 

Pay your Haven Experience forward with a new friend with a tour.  Make sure you get them an Almond Croissant because they are the very best part of the Haven Experience, LOL.  But seriously, These little treats will change your life. 

 

This topic and stream has gone on for years.  That is good because lots of folks have been educated so their experience was improved.  The challenge is this stream is HUGE and lots of little nuggets are within the comments.  Nothing is better then seeing it for yourself.  Just my two cents. 

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

We'll be on the Prima in an H4 this Dec 3, and I'd be happy to give a tour.  We met two lovely British couples in the elevator on Celebrity Beyond who saw what floor we pushed and asked if our cabin was very posh, so we invited them to see (it was an Edge Villa and "indeed" was very posh!).  

On 10/24/2022 at 6:56 PM, Sthrngary said:

To clarify so folks will not be confused.  Starbucks at the official Starbuck Counter is complementary with the premium plus beverage package. Starbucks in the Haven Restaurant is complementary even if you don't have the Premium Plus Beverage Package. On the larger ships, in the Haven Observation Lounge, the machine that does specialty coffee uses Starbucks brand and is wonderful. 

 

As it relates to Butlers.  Starbucks from the Starbucks Counter, falls under the same rules as alcoholic beverages.  The Policy is to charge.  That is why, I always suggest that if you are in the Haven, you insist that all of your Room Service comes from the Haven Restaurant which uses Starbucks beans. 

 

The reason I am clarifying this is to avoid the expectation that the butler bring Starbucks from the Starbucks counter.  That said, it is possible a Butler might do something nice like this yet it is not NCL Policy. Establishing realistic expectations is one of the key reason for this and other topics.  I in no way want to establish myself as some sort of expert or "Know it All".  This is simply something I experienced.  

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

there woul be a charge if the Butler brought Starbucks from the counter or drinks even if you have premium plus? just want to clairify!

anyone have experience with the Queen Victoria premium internet plan?  I am considering the transatlantic or another cruise but would need to be able to make calls and occasional Zoom meetings.  I haven't done the QM2 transatlantic because I know the wifi doesn't work well.   

I wonder if Queen Anne will be better?

I can understand why Eden is more beautiful looking out at the aft sea view, but we loved Le Voyage.  Just had an amazing experience, unbelievable food and service. We will go back to both for sure. 

On 5/29/2022 at 8:55 PM, CrownCruise11 said:

I asked our shoreside concierge:

1) Is Le Voyage included in the upper suite specialty restaurant dining?

Answer: Yes

2) Can a specialty dining package be used for Le Voyage?

Answer: Yes

3) Can I get reservations at Le Voyage for a large party?

Answer: NO

He said the dining department told him the tables cannot be moved.  They can only accommodate parties up to 4.  

4) Can I make reservations for 3 tables of 4 at a specific time?

Answer: NO

He said they only seat 1 table at a time in 15-minute intervals so I can make reservations for my whole party but not at the same time.

It sounds odd to me but I will find out in 2 weeks when I am on board.

I was able to get reservations at Prime Cut steak for my large group.  I'm not sure what the table configuration will be.

we are in an Edge Villa and our shoreside concierge said it is not included

3 minutes ago, calicakes said:

We have a 10:30am flight on September 16th from Rome to NYC.  We're in a Suite so I hope we can walk off early.  We have a cab waiting for us and another couple at 6:30am. 

our car is at 7, I didn't realize we could get off so early.  also in a suite.  actually thinking of booking a VIP escort at FCO.

Just to clarify and we received a move up to an Edge Villa on Beyond, that Le Voyage is not included in the dining package

On 8/22/2022 at 5:04 PM, karmamule said:

 

We were in the Yacht Club on the Seaside and Meraviglia and both experiences were very good. Yacht Club restaurant food was good, though the menus felt quite limited. We then went on the Seashore this last January and it was our favorite YC experience yet. We thought  the YC restaurant food was a notch better on the Seashore. Similarly, the YC staff has always been very good and professional, but we found the Seashore's YC staff even better, a little warmer and more friendly while still providing wonderful service.

 

We'll be on our first Celebrity cruise this January in the Retreat and look forward to seeing how it compares. We will have an Edge Villa (just upgraded from our original Celebrity Suite after seeing one available) and will be sampling all the specialty restaurants since they're now included in our suite's cost. (In our opinion the specialty restaurants on MSC are 'ok' for being specialty restaurants, but generally not as good as other lines.)

I was just informed that Le Voyage is not included in the dining

On 8/21/2022 at 10:00 AM, ev8876 said:

We just disembarked last week.  Walk off started at 6:30am.  We had Rome Cabs pick us up at 6:45am and were at FCO at 7:30am.  We had a 10:50am flight.  Checked in and through passport control and security by 8:30am. 

that's what we are hoping for...wondering if we need to do VIP check in to be safe.   the 9:55 is direct, and home 7 hrs earlier...also $312 cheaper so almost covers the VIP check in......

On 8/13/2022 at 11:36 PM, Nado44 said:

I'm risk tolerant and would not hesitate to book the 1000 flight from FCO.

 

I was one of the first to disembark my ship at Citivecchia (0630-0700 ish) this past June. I prearranged a driver and was at FCO by 0740 and at my gate by 0800. My FCO-VIE flight was at 9 am.

 

wonder if flying to Chicago would be as easy...

2 hours ago, cruisestitch said:

Have a look at the discussion here

 

thank you!

anyone succeeded (or failed) at making a 9:55 flight in Rome (FCO) on 9/5 if we self-disembark, first off the ship (Beyond)?  United Business and we can have a driver at the port early...

will appreciate all advice!

currently on a 12:55, but the 9:55 is nonstop....

5 hours ago, Sailing12Away said:

Rooms on 11 (at least right now) are not owners suites though. That's the difference. So you have to pick between being in an owners suite with those bonus perks - but potentially no hot tub, or being on deck 11 in a 'regular' cabin but know that you have the hot tub.

What are the bonus perks that The penthouse on 11 doesn’t get?  I didn’t realize there was something other than room size/features itself.    I suspect I would choose the private hot tub 🙂.  

14 hours ago, kwokpot said:

There's no pool or hot tub in the Thermal suite on any Celebrity ship, period. The description is a generic wording applying to all of Celebrity's Spa facilities whether or not the ship actually has those specific facilities. The thalassotherapy pools are in the Solarium on M-Class ships, and are accessable to everyone whether you have Thermal suite access or not. Celebrity conflates the offerings in the Solarium with the thermal suite since Celebrity considers the Solarium as part of their spa facilities. 

Thank you so much. This trip on Beyond  will be my first time on Celebrity. I have to say that ad right at purchase, especially the last line “Enjoy a 1-day Thermal Suite and Thalassotherapy Pool experience during your cruise with this pass”—makes their advertisement to purchase the spa pass almost stunningly misleading. 

8 minutes ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

 

Agreed - and it should NOT be the same $ (I assume it is?)

 

Tom

I agree, although that's their choice, but it is soooo frustrating to look for a 12.  And when one is left you can't even see which as it's just "Best Available" ...easier now to look for 11 in its own category,  

on the site for Celebrity Beyond--their description of the SEA thermal suite refers to a thalassotherapy pool... are we sure there isn't one?

Set sail on a journey to ultimate relaxation with this sensory oasis. Inspired by traditional Turkish Baths, our Thermal Suite features heated chaise lounges as well as aromatic steam and sauna grottos - a perfect interlude to your day. Then, soak in our Thalassotherapy Pool, a therapeutic, natural-bubbling salt-water spring. This mineral-rich body of water has healing powers for de-stressing, pain relief, and to soothe dry skin. Enjoy a 1-day Thermal Suite and Thalassotherapy Pool experience during your cruise with this pass.

18 hours ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

 

Thanks - looks like Hot Tubs on deck 12  🙂

 

Tom

and on 11! Really think they need deck 10 aft OS to be in a different booking category than 12, rather than just the asterisk saying no hot tubs on 10.  

58 minutes ago, mauimary said:

We ate dinner every night about 7p and made it to the 9pm show.  We also made reservations for the four different dining rooms and sometimes showed up a little early and we’re seated. 

The specialty dining haven’t had any 7 or 730, our preferred times.  We’ll deal!

21 hours ago, dreamer321 said:

Just a heads up on lunch at Le Grand Bistro, the service charge is now $30 plus $6 gratuity per person for lunch (at least on my January 2023 cruise); that seems pretty steep since you already paid for meals with your cruise. 

 

Also, I've been following the entertainment calendar on Beyond and I don't think they have Caravan at the Club like they do on Apex unless they just haven't been offering to the last few cruises.

 

They offer three production shows in The Theatre:

• Stage Door

• Elements

• Arte

 

and three production shows in Eden:

 

Wonder at Eden: Paradise
Wonder at Eden: Decadence
Wonder at Eden: Dreams

 

any idea what time would work for dinner to be able to go to shows?  wondering if the 8 pm dinner slot will still work...

1 minute ago, cruisestitch said:

If they bring that back, you should know that you do not  pay for just the last few days, you would pay for the entire cruise.  
 

also there was a fee for downline embarkation and some paperwork involved.

 

But, as noted, the program is not being offered at this time

Yeah, it’s a real bummer. It would be nice if it were different to add a 3rd v the entire cabin.  We can still be together for day touring in Sicily, Naples and Rome if they fly into Sicily, then fly to Naples and then to Rome. 

Has anyone had luck adding another passenger to the cruise and having them join just for the last few days (in an Italian port)? We were upgraded to an Edge Villa, but the kids can’t get away for the entire time.

Found the answer: as of 12/21, Celebrity no longer allows “downline embarkation”. At least I learned a term of art!

On 8/10/2022 at 1:02 AM, wrk2cruise said:

Have you done RCL?  There is a reciprocal agreement between the loyalty programs.  If you find you are at different CC levels than your partner you can get your accounts linked provided you share a home address.  Either call or visit the Captains Club Concierge when onboard.

I am just Emerald on RCL so nothing really beneficial yet!

5 hours ago, LGW59 said:

You won't have to worry about a credit amount for specialty dining, it is all included, ENJOY!!

5 hours ago, George C said:

Yes free specialty restaurants and liquor setup with two liter bottles of your choice  and they restock fridge with soda, water and beer of your choice daily .for royal and above, love these perks.

Even if they are Move Up upgrades?  When I go to make reservations, it’s still showing pricing and asking for credit card info.  Would you recommend that I just wait until on board? I don’t want to cancel my current bookings and lose the reservations (although I suppose I should do a regular meal at Le Voyage rather than the tasting I had booked if that’s not covered!).

51 minutes ago, danceswithphones said:

I was worried about the stairs until my wife said 'why not take the elevator?'. The elevator bank is right there! That door on Deck 16 may be a little heavy but it will work for us. I don't foresee spending much time upstairs. That rocking chair on the balcony looks inviting. 

i think I read we might have to walk through the retreat to get to the cabin from the elevator on 16 but I'm down with that...my partner has some broken toes so it's really for him that ai worried, but he but is strong enough to handle the door if the stairs get to him.  I am actually looking forward to going up the stairs to work off those two bottles they apparently put in the room:)