The "new" Celebrity Secrets thread

[Texed]

First timeccruiser on Celebrity.....

 

Can OBC be used for Bingo? Yes.

 

Does the Casino take real money or does it get charged back onto your shipboard credit card? The casino takes real money, too much of it as a matter of fact. :cool:

 

Is there a Casino coupon out on the internet for Celebrity like there is for NCL?

 

Not that I am aware, but they do have $5.00 match coupons if you are Elite Captain's Club. :)

[Silver Pearl]

How do we ask for seating for 2?

 

"May we have a table for two, please?"

[DEBnGAB]

Yes

 

Could be as it was available on the Equinox this past December :)

 

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using Tapatalk 2

 

Thanks! I am really looking forward to Eggs Bennie that doesnt have the equivalent of a hard boiled egg on top!

[ghstudio]

All celebrity ships have a poached egg/eggs benedict station in the buffet. Some ships offer eggs benedict in Blu.

 

Each elite level passenger will get three $5 match coupons to use in the casino. You must bet at least the table minimum in chips and then you add the coupon to your bet. If you win, the coupon is paid $5, no matter what the odds are on your real bet. For example, if you get blackjack, they pay 3:2 on your cash bet and you get $5 for the coupon.

 

The casino takes real money and gives you chips (at the tables)...you redeem the chips when you want during the cruise for cash (if you have any chips left, of course).

 

You can draw money in the casino from your on board account (which effectively takes it from your OBC, if you have one). The charge is 5% of whatever you put on your account. If you want $100, they will charge your account $105. The 5%/$5 is non refundable...and doesn't matter if you have put money in your OBC yourself or if you are drawing from your OBC or putting it on your credit card.

 

As far as seating 38 people, you will have to coordinate that with Celebrity Headquarters. It will mean, of course, that you all have to eat together each night. They will likely try to accomodate you with table assignments at tables for 8/10 people. They will not rearrange the tables for your group....and they will require that you select either early or late seating...not select dining. It should be relatively easy...because it is just making sure that your are all assigned to the same diner tables that are together.

[mmbl]

How do we ask for seating for 2?

 

In the past, I've just called to have the line note our dining preference. In fact, I'm calling today since I had forgotten. We like a table for 8 or 10 by a window. I sailed with my sister one and they put us with a group of people our age to about 25 years older- a very quite, strange bunch. I spoke to the maitre'd and we were switched the next evening to a 6-top of single & widowed ladies. It made the last 10 nights much more enjoyable! So, call today or request on board after you see what you gave been assigned.

[jhans24]

How do we ask for seating for 2?

 

As mentioned above, request a table for two. If you haven't already done so, call your TA or if you booked through Celebrity, call them. The very first thing DW and I do when we get on the ship is go to see our dinner table assignment and the Maitre'D. You can check your table assignment to make sure you have your requested seating. We have always requested tables for 2, 3 or 4, as our family has expanded, so has the size of table we need. On all five cruises, over three cruise lines, we were either assigned a private table or were switched to one. Our fortunes changing tables may not have been as great if we waited until we showed up for dinner the first night. We'd rather not leave it to chance.

[melsuli]

How do we ask for seating for 2?

 

Opt for 'select dining', you can pre book your meal times and table numbers but you have to pre pay your gratuities.

[kjwinston]

On one of our cruises, we hosted a "small" CC get-together on the verandah of our FV stateroom. We asked our cabin steward if he could get us some extra ice and handed him a pretty green picture of a President. He not only got us the ice, but showed up with a LARGE plate of shrimp.

 

Doug M

 

We also did this on our trip through the Panama Canal. We went through a Maytra'D (sp) and she not only had a large table on the veranda but we had a host from the Bar to serve our 10 bottles of wine. We had 4 couples besodes ourselves and had an excellent time. Sort of our own little private party. No extra cost ot us ant all, the host came back about once every 45 min to see if everything was alright, and if we needed any thing else. Wow very impressive, and they cleaned up all the glasses, plates etc.

 

KJ

[LodgeLady]

All celebrity ships have a poached egg/eggs benedict station in the buffet. Some ships offer eggs benedict in Blu.

 

Each elite level passenger will get three $5 match coupons to use in the casino. You must bet at least the table minimum in chips and then you add the coupon to your bet. If you win, the coupon is paid $5, no matter what the odds are on your real bet. For example, if you get blackjack, they pay 3:2 on your cash bet and you get $5 for the coupon.

 

The casino takes real money and gives you chips (at the tables)...you redeem the chips when you want during the cruise for cash (if you have any chips left, of course).

 

You can draw money in the casino from your on board account (which effectively takes it from your OBC, if you have one). The charge is 5% of whatever you put on your account. If you want $100, they will charge your account $105. The 5%/$5 is non refundable...and doesn't matter if you have put money in your OBC yourself or if you are drawing from your OBC or putting it on your credit card.

 

As far as seating 38 people, you will have to coordinate that with Celebrity Headquarters. It will mean, of course, that you all have to eat together each night. They will likely try to accomodate you with table assignments at tables for 8/10 people. They will not rearrange the tables for your group....and they will require that you select either early or late seating...not select dining. It should be relatively easy...because it is just making sure that your are all assigned to the same diner tables that are together.

 

Thanks for the reply!

[rick160158]

So, for those of you who hate paying $60.00 for a $15.00 bottle of wine, here's a small tip. Your allowed 2 bottles of wine per cabin. Put 2 bottles of wine in your checked suitcases before boarding the ship, then carry 2 more through security. You now have 4 bottles to enjoy in your cabin, or take a glass with you for supper. You could have 6 bottles for the cabin if your husband or wife also carries 2 bottles through security. Just don't go through security at the same time. Having a glass of wine from your favorite winery on your balcony is the way to go without paying exorbitant prices. Yes , there is a corkage fee if you bring the bottle to dinner, but your still ahead of the game even with the corkage fee. This is just a simple way to save a few $'s. If paying $60.00 for a $15.00 bottle is ok with you, or $80.00 for a $20.00 bottle, etc. then by all means, carry on, and disregard this post. Happy Sailings.

[ghstudio]

So, for those of you who hate paying $60.00 for a $15.00 bottle of wine, here's a small tip. Your allowed 2 bottles of wine per cabin. Put 2 bottles of wine in your checked suitcases before boarding the ship, then carry 2 more through security. You now have 4 bottles to enjoy in your cabin, or take a glass with you for supper. You could have 6 bottles for the cabin if your husband or wife also carries 2 bottles through security. Just don't go through security at the same time. Having a glass of wine from your favorite winery on your balcony is the way to go without paying exorbitant prices. Yes , there is a corkage fee if you bring the bottle to dinner, but your still ahead of the game even with the corkage fee. This is just a simple way to save a few $'s. If paying $60.00 for a $15.00 bottle is ok with you, or $80.00 for a $20.00 bottle, etc. then by all means, carry on, and disregard this post. Happy Sailings.

 

and then after early check in and boarding, leave the ship, take a taxi to a wine store with your meaningful other, buy 4 more bottles of wine, go back and board the ship again :)

 

Alternatively, you could actually follow the rules......

[LodgeLady]

Are there any secrets about gluten free dining? I will be putting in this special request. Just wondered if there was any additional advice?

[fizzy1]

There is a plug in the bathroom also. I like to sit at the desk/vanity area to do/dry my hair, as bathroom is often quite steamy and hot.

 

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using Tapatalk 2

is there a wall mirror at the desk/vanity unit?

[Lois R]

is there a wall mirror at the desk/vanity unit?

 

Yes:)

[fizzy1]

is this normal for all ships? never had to hold a button on a hair dryer on any ship or in any hotel. I'm thinking i better pack my own. anyone know if this is the case on equinox?/

i hate those hold down hair dryers, in most hotels we stay at, u can take some ducktape and stick the button down

[fizzy1]

Yes:)

thanks x

[phyllisrf]

Would someone please suggest a nice table for 2 in a quiet area on Eclipse ? We have Select Dining and would like to pre-book a table or at least know of a table to request once on board.

[Lois R]

Would someone please suggest a nice table for 2 in a quiet area on Eclipse ? We have Select Dining and would like to pre-book a table or at least know of a table to request once on board.

 

I have no idea about table numbers but I can tell you there are deuces

along the back area next to the windows. But to be totally honest,

"a quiet area"? There are tables next to the those 2 tops....there

are not what I consider "quiet areas"....just depends on how full

the restaurant is when you are eating.

[maritimer2]

Are there any secrets about gluten free dining? I will be putting in this special request. Just wondered if there was any additional advice?

 

Here is a thread I started a while ago.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1774327

[LodgeLady]

Here is a thread I started a while ago.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1774327

 

I just posted my questions on your thread. Thank you so much for posting your experience.

[rick160158]

and then after early check in and boarding, leave the ship, take a taxi to a wine store with your meaningful other, buy 4 more bottles of wine, go back and board the ship again :)

 

Alternatively, you could actually follow the rules......

Lets pass the hat, and for everyone that follows Every Rule, throw a quarter in the hat.......mmmmmm..... Hats Empty....Enjoy:)

[red-rose]

So, for those of you who hate paying $60.00 for a $15.00 bottle of wine, here's a small tip. Your allowed 2 bottles of wine per cabin. Put 2 bottles of wine in your checked suitcases before boarding the ship, then carry 2 more through security. You now have 4 bottles to enjoy in your cabin, or take a glass with you for supper. You could have 6 bottles for the cabin if your husband or wife also carries 2 bottles through security. Just don't go through security at the same time. Having a glass of wine from your favorite winery on your balcony is the way to go without paying exorbitant prices. Yes , there is a corkage fee if you bring the bottle to dinner, but your still ahead of the game even with the corkage fee. This is just a simple way to save a few $'s. If paying $60.00 for a $15.00 bottle is ok with you, or $80.00 for a $20.00 bottle, etc. then by all means, carry on, and disregard this post. Happy Sailings.

That is... :eek: :D

If we didn't already have the 123 package, we would *totally* be doing that! (I never would have thought of that!)

[roothy123]

Thanks for the tips. I'm off in less than 2 weeks to go on my first Celebrity cruise. Are there any tips/secrets related to shore excursions? It looks like Celebrity really, really wants you to book in advance, and almost implies you might be out of luck if you don't. Of course, the link on the web site that is supposed to provide more information on shore excursions doesn't work, so that doesn't help me. From what I've heard several people on here say, calling Celebrity won't necessarily get me the correct answer. SO - anybody want to venture a guess as to how often shore excursions are actually totally full? Also, if I pay for something pre-cruise and then want to cancel on board, is that possible? We're in the Caribbean, on Summit, if that makes a difference in your answers.

[Wasasalad]

Thanks for the tips. I'm off in less than 2 weeks to go on my first Celebrity cruise. Are there any tips/secrets related to shore excursions? It looks like Celebrity really, really wants you to book in advance, and almost implies you might be out of luck if you don't. Of course, the link on the web site that is supposed to provide more information on shore excursions doesn't work, so that doesn't help me. From what I've heard several people on here say, calling Celebrity won't necessarily get me the correct answer. SO - anybody want to venture a guess as to how often shore excursions are actually totally full? Also, if I pay for something pre-cruise and then want to cancel on board, is that possible? We're in the Caribbean, on Summit, if that makes a difference in your answers.

 

Yes many do sell out! Many sold out before you board! Also, some get canceled! Some new ones get added on! We have learned to not fret about it. Some times you don't even get to the ports as planned! Three of our cruises where to stop in Costa Rica and we made it there once.

On the Summit Panama canal trip. We were eight hours late being allowed through. We had booked a nature excursion! It was dusk into sunset in Panama. They did not cancel! It was too late for us to cancel. We lost $300 on that one, no refund unless we had canceled three days ahead. We did not know that we would be late.

Glad we just stayed on board, we had a great time and just did not think of the $300 loss!

One island Barbados, excursion we paid for, got off the ship , could not find the line, it did not even exist! They, the ship guides, gave us the option of refund or to go on an excursion that had open seats! We, all six of us, did go on some poor trip that had four people booked. We had the best time ever and it was by far the best excursion that we ever had! I have some of the best photos of the botanical gardens, and the beach Rockaway was fantastic! A great bar and restaurant were there!

Don't fret whatever you do will be an adventure and you will have a great time!

If you know of a place that you have to go to, hire a private guide. It is well worth the money! We often opt for that! Just make sure that you get back to the ship on time!

One Panama canal excursion was three hours late getting back to the ship! It was a ship tour so they had to wait for us! That was the QM2

[jhans24]

My wife and I have always had great luck doing stuff on our own. For example, Botanic Garden tours in St Vincent cost us $40 for a private tour and cab ride back to the ship. Through the ship it was $52 pp and there were more than 20 people in the group. Beaches are fantastic to do on your own. The cabs will drive you there and you tell them when you want to be picked up. No need to worry about them not showing up to pick you up. You don't pay them until the return trip.

 

The one caveat booking through the cruise line is that the ship will wait for you. For example, if you go on a jeep excursion and a jeep breaks down far away from the boat, you are on your own if you booked the excursion on your own. If it is a Celebrity excursion the boat won't leave without you.

 

Go to the ports of call section of cruise critic to learn about all of the things each island has to offer. You can also go to the roll call for your cruise. Some roll calls organize tours.