I am going through cruise withdrawal..anyone else?

[Blackduck59]

Well unlike so many posters I have not had a cruise cancelled, but our last cruise was to Alaska in June of 2019 in Eclipse  and our next cruise is in January 2021, 11 nights Auckland to Melbourne. We have all the pre-cruise and post cruise (we have couple of weeks in Oz after) accommodation and airfare booked. We were just starting to plan some shore excursions the the UBoat Covid fired the torpedo and the hull is breached, hopefully the shipwrights can get this ship back on an even keel before 2021. As things begin to settle and it is more clear that Celebrity will let my diabetic wife board and the folks in New Zealand and Australia will let this Canadian set foot on their soil. I will continue to fill in those plans.

[Vagabond Knight]

3 hours ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

I love that cake as well.  Do you have a link to the recipe?

 

https://www.carnival.com/recipes/melting-chocolate-cake-recipe.aspx

[ABoatNerd]

23 hours ago, ipeeinthepool said:

Even though a lot of people are currently upset with Celebrity, I'll suggest that all will be forgotten if Celebrity offers 2 free perks when all of this is over.

 

Indeed and in all likelihood correct.

 

After all, most people can be bought, and 2 "free" perks ought to do it for those who have been paying more and getting less cruise product for many years. The "obedient consumers" will fall all over themselves in a rush!

 

Well said ipeeinthepool!

[zap99]

31 minutes ago, ABoatNerd said:

 

Indeed and in all likelihood correct.

 

After all, most people can be bought, and 2 "free" perks ought to do it for those who have been paying more and getting less cruise product for many years. The "obedient consumers" will fall all over themselves in a rush!

 

Well said ipeeinthepool!

Won't buy me for 2 free perks. A bit of OBC might well do the trick though.

[Pinboy]

23 hours ago, ipeeinthepool said:

Even though a lot of people are currently upset with Celebrity, I'll suggest that all will be forgotten if Celebrity offers 2 free perks when all of this is over.

Just for a little Monday morning fun-- 

On Celebrity's site on my computer the price with the Free Perks is always higher than the price without the Free Perks . 

Given a choice I would prefer additional OBC .

[Georgia_Peaches]

29 minutes ago, Pinboy said:

Just for a little Monday morning fun-- 

On Celebrity's site on my computer the price with the Free Perks is always higher than the price without the Free Perks . 

Given a choice I would prefer additional OBC .

Sometimes, if you can find a good TA, you can get both the perks and the OBC!  Our TA has a good partnership with Celebrity and offers really nice refundable OBC.  Often times we are able to score the OBC that Celebrity is offering and the TA OBC.  With or without though, we use the "free" perks and so for us, they really are a must.  

 

DH and I took an anniversary cruise back in November and as a result, finally hit Elite status.  I was so excited to try out the Elite perks that I booked a cruise on the cheap for April 11th.  It got cancelled of course but here was our unbelievable deal:

 

OV Category 4:  $389 pp (We used our 1 category upgrade to get one of the more spacious OV rooms with an L-shaped configuration on Infinity)

Included Classic Drink package and $50 OBC from Celebrity and $50 from TA.

I upgraded us to the Drinks and More package, which paid for itself in the $50 casino credit for each of us.

Elite perks gave us each internet and 1 visit to the Persian Garden on a port day, so no need to buy those.

 

So all in for this little 5 nighter we paid with taxes and fees $1107.94 with the "real" value after OBC being $1007.94.  At $100 pp per day it was to be by far, the least expensive vacation we would have ever taken...oh well...deep sigh...

 

Not sure why I rambled on...think I'm going through withdrawal...🤦‍♀️

Edited March 30, 2020 by Georgia_Peaches

[BigRedFan]

On 3/27/2020 at 5:36 PM, chemmo said:

Yes! Yes! yes!

 

We are grateful to be well and safe at present but we are beginning to really suffer from cruise withdrawal...it isn’t about not being on a cruise now it is about not being sure when we will next be on a cruise!

 

We will never, ever, take for granted boarding a ship again, being given that free glass of fizz, I could even enjoy doing a muster...

 

We always spend first evening in Tuscan and toast to ‘Making it count’...I honestly think we will be very emotional the next time we do this...

 

May our memories of the past and dreams for the future keep us all going during this difficult time.

 

Sandycruzr, thanks for starting this post...I think you reflect the feelings of many of us right now...

I echo your sentiments;  I started going through shore excursions for my future cruises and putting them into my cart so it will be a quick click of the mouse when I finally decide :)  The process of going through all the offerings takes a bit of time and I lose myself thinking about all the beautiful sights to anticipate :)

Genzi

[Pinboy]

5 minutes ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

Sometimes, if you can find a good TA, you can get both the perks and the OBC!  Our TA has a good partnership with Celebrity and offers really nice refundable OBC.  Often times we are able to score the OBC that Celebrity is offering and the TA OBC.  With or without though, we use the "free" perks and so for us, they really are a must.  

 

DH and I took an anniversary cruise back in November and as a result, finally hit Elite status.  I was so excited to try out the Elite perks that I booked a cruise on the cheap for April 11th.  It got cancelled of course but here was our unbelievable deal:

 

OV Category 4:  $389 pp (We used our 1 category upgrade to get one of the more spacious OV rooms with an L-shaped configuration on Infinity)

Included Classic Drink package and $50 OBC from Celebrity and $50 from TA.

I upgraded us to the Drinks and More package, which paid for itself in the $50 casino credit for each of us.

Elite perks gave us each internet and 1 visit to the Persian Garden on a port day, so no need to buy those.

 

So all in for this little 5 nighter we paid with taxes and fees $1107.94 with the "real" value after OBC being $1007.94.  At $100 pp per day it was to be by far, the least expensive vacation we would have ever taken...oh well...deep sigh...

 

Not sure why I rambled on...think I'm going through withdrawal...🤦‍♀️

Again-- Just for a little fun-- I'm on your side .

About Elite status : You forgot to mention the ONE scoop of gelato--

Access to the Tuscan Grill for continental breakfast, which by the way is a very nice way to start your day as are the complimentary beverages between 5- 7pm in several bars and the Sky Lounge.

The little " appetizers ??? " that they bring at 4 pm ,while you are napping , -- after day 1 you will put the " Sleeping -Do Not Disturb " sign on your door --- Guaranteed .

About the OBC from TA's-- From what I understand, the extra that some offer comes off of their commission , but, who cares where it comes from. We deal with a Big Box Company that sends us a gift card worth approximately 8 % of what we paid to be used at their store.  

Lastly, ( in humor ) that deal you had on the cruise that was cancelled reminded me of the butcher shop that advertised filet mignon for $ 4.99 a lb--- but, when you went to buy it--- they didn't have any.  

 

 

[davekathy]

41 minutes ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

DH and I took an anniversary cruise back in November and as a result, finally hit Elite status.  I was so excited to try out the Elite perks

You still have something new to look forward to on your next cruise. 🍷🍷

[TeeRick]

Georgia_Peaches maybe you can practice your new Elite status at home while waiting for your next cruise!  First you can set up a continental cold buffet breakfast.  Go ahead and add a cappuccino if you want.  Then go on the internet for exactly 90 min.  No more than that.  Next put all the dirty clothes you can find into the smallest laundry bag you can find.  Then Wash and Fold them.  But do not iron them.  At 5PM go into another room and have DH serve you limited free drinks and a cheese & cracker.  Have dinner around 6:30 PM.  Sorry but all specialty restaurants are now Take Out Only.  You will feel like an Elitest for sure.😃

[Pinboy]

16 minutes ago, TeeRick said:

Georgia_Peaches maybe you can practice your new Elite status at home while waiting for your next cruise!  First you can set up a continental cold buffet breakfast.  Go ahead and add a cappuccino if you want.  Then go on the internet for exactly 90 min.  No more than that.  Next put all the dirty clothes you can find into the smallest laundry bag you can find.  Then Wash and Fold them.  But do not iron them.  At 5PM go into another room and have DH serve you limited free drinks and a cheese & cracker.  Have dinner around 6:30 PM.  Sorry but all specialty restaurants are now Take Out Only.  You will feel like an Elitest for sure.😃

A little Tuesday morning fun-----

You forgot the ONE scoop of gelato.

Also, If you need a new suit, dress,  slacks, or whatever, send it to be dry cleaned. It will come back ruined . Take a picture , bring the garment to GR where they will say " Sorry 'bout that " and give you a form to fill out.  Use 85 of the 90 minutes to email the form to HO.  4 months later, after you forgot about it,  A Customer Service Rep will contact you with 72 questions ( when,where did you buy it , do you have the bill, etc ) and reduce your claimed price , the one you " exaggerated " by a few dollars, by 50 %  .  It will seem like " found money " 3 months later when the cheque arrives.

 

[Bo1953]

42 minutes ago, TeeRick said:

Georgia_Peaches maybe you can practice your new Elite status at home while waiting for your next cruise!  First you can set up a continental cold buffet breakfast.  Go ahead and add a cappuccino if you want.  Then go on the internet for exactly 90 min.  No more than that.  Next put all the dirty clothes you can find into the smallest laundry bag you can find.  Then Wash and Fold them.  But do not iron them.  At 5PM go into another room and have DH serve you limited free drinks and a cheese & cracker.  Have dinner around 6:30 PM.  Sorry but all specialty restaurants are now Take Out Only.  You will feel like an Elitest for sure.😃

t - methinks you forget that on quarantined sailings, all of that goes by the wayside with internet goes unlimited, all food does become somewhat enhanced because SD's are closed.

 

As such, we all will be treated the same despite our sailing level...  LOL

 

bon voyage

[Georgia_Peaches]

1 hour ago, TeeRick said:

Georgia_Peaches maybe you can practice your new Elite status at home while waiting for your next cruise!  First you can set up a continental cold buffet breakfast.  Go ahead and add a cappuccino if you want.  Then go on the internet for exactly 90 min.  No more than that.  Next put all the dirty clothes you can find into the smallest laundry bag you can find.  Then Wash and Fold them.  But do not iron them.  At 5PM go into another room and have DH serve you limited free drinks and a cheese & cracker.  Have dinner around 6:30 PM.  Sorry but all specialty restaurants are now Take Out Only.  You will feel like an Elitest for sure.😃

That's really funny!  Actually, in the spirit of an unlimited drinks package, DH and I made a liquor store run before we were put on a mandated lock down.  I have started to craft my own cocktails, name them, take pictures of them...and of course drink them ☺️.  And my interest in cruise ship recipe hunting has gone through the roof.  Jeez, wonder how many of us out there will become over weight lushes by the end of this...guess I better hit the gym...oh wait, it's closed!  

 

Created this yesterday.  Calling it the Mellow Monday.

 

Edited March 31, 2020 by Georgia_Peaches

[markeb]

32 minutes ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

That's really funny!  Actually, in the spirit of an unlimited drinks package, DH and I made a liquor store run before we were put on a mandated lock down.  I have started to craft my own cocktails, name them, take pictures of them...and of course drink them ☺️.  And my interest in cruise ship recipe hunting has gone through the roof.  Jeez, wonder how many of us out there will become over weight lushes by the end of this...guess I better hit the gym...oh wait, it's closed!  

 

Created this yesterday.  Calling it the Mellow Monday.

 

Virginia is now on stay at home, but liquor runs are still essential...

[Bo1953]

28 minutes ago, markeb said:

Virginia is now on stay at home, but liquor runs are still essential...

Welcome to the club, NJ is too....

 

Cheers and bon voyage

[Fouremco]

30 minutes ago, markeb said:

Virginia is now on stay at home, but liquor runs are still essential...

Ontario has closed down all non-essential businesses for a two-week period. Included on the list of those deemed essential: liquor and cannabis stores.

[WrittenOnYourHeart]

1 minute ago, Fouremco said:

Ontario has closed down all non-essential businesses for a two-week period. Included on the list of those deemed essential: liquor and cannabis stores.

 

Can't speak for cannabis, but a big part of the justification for liquor stores is that if alcoholics were cut off from their supply and started detoxing, they would take up valuable bed spaces needed for COVID patients.

[Lindagop]

On 3/28/2020 at 12:50 PM, Pinboy said:

Merci-- Thanks

I never inferred that everyone else is wrong, only my feelings regarding the world situation being more important to ME than cruising . Believe me, I hope to be cruising again soon like everyone else , but, for the time being it's not a priority.

 

 

Pin boy-=Okay, enough now, you’ve said your bit, let it be . If you feel this way just stop reading and coming to this forum, but no, you keep at it. Would you be happy if this forum were shutdown and muted. I am sure  cruising is not at the top of anyone’s priorities at this time. We are all mostly compassionate and thoughtful beings. At present we are all living under stress and fear. Cruise Critic is a source of escape and joy for myself and I think many other members. This is important for our mental health at this time. No one here needs to explain or apologise about looking forward to things which bring us joy and the wish to want things to return to what we consider normal life. Many would be in dire straits mentally if we had no source of joy or escape. Thank you to  all who are posting and providing some distraction. Greetings, keep posting and no apologies.

[Fouremco]

33 minutes ago, WrittenOnYourHeart said:

 

Can't speak for cannabis, but a big part of the justification for liquor stores is that if alcoholics were cut off from their supply and started detoxing, they would take up valuable bed spaces needed for COVID patients.

The same rationale was applied here for alcohol sales. It's less clear, at least to me, why cannabis was also deemed essential, as I'm not aware of there being a similar detox issue. My best guess is that with legal pot shops only starting up within the past year, there was concern that closing them, even for a short period of time, would drive users back to their former illegal supply chains. 

[Bo1953]

5 minutes ago, Lindagop said:

Pin boy-=Okay, enough now, you’ve said your bit, let it be . If you feel this way just stop reading and coming to this forum, but no, you keep at it. Would you be happy if this forum were shutdown and muted. I am sure  cruising is not at the top of anyone’s priorities at this time. We are all mostly compassionate and thoughtful beings. At present we are all living under stress and fear. Cruise Critic is a source of escape and joy for myself and I think many other members. This is important for our mental health at this time. No one here needs to explain or apologise about looking forward to things which bring us joy and the wish to want things to return to what we consider normal life. Many would be in dire straits mentally if we had no source of joy or escape. Thank you to  all who are posting and providing some distraction. Greetings, keep posting and no apologies.

I think he understands better now, it is possibly due to his (read: our) stress as well as other of us posting from time to time, we have a blip in our thinking and approach....

 

With a little chiding, we correct or not, but understand better for sure.

 

Cabin fever and lots of time on our hands does bring out some interesting posts and thoughts for sure.

 

bon voyage

[Bo1953]

2 minutes ago, Fouremco said:

The same rationale was applied here for alcohol sales. It's less clear, at least to me, why cannabis was also deemed essential, as I'm not aware of there being a similar detox issue. My best guess is that with legal pot shops only starting up within the past year, there was concern that closing them, even for a short period of time, would drive users back to their former illegal supply chains. 

There may be a blanket exemption because many use it for 'medical' purposes....???

 

bon voyage

[Fouremco]

16 minutes ago, Bo1953 said:

There may be a blanket exemption because many use it for 'medical' purposes....???

 

The sale of cannabis for medical purposes and the sale of cannabis for recreational purposes are governed by different sets of legislation. It would have been possible to continue with the sale of medical cannabis while closing down the recreational pot shops.

[Bo1953]

6 minutes ago, Fouremco said:

 

The sale of cannabis for medical purposes and the sale of cannabis for recreational purposes are governed by different sets of legislation. It would have been possible to continue with the sale of medical cannabis while closing down the recreational pot shops.

I agree, but the uproar.... I think an equivalent would be allowing beer & wine sales and no liquor... especially when a single store will sell all of them in most cases.

 

Cheers and bon voyage

[Pinboy]

27 minutes ago, Lindagop said:

Pin boy-=Okay, enough now, you’ve said your bit, let it be . If you feel this way just stop reading and coming to this forum, but no, you keep at it. Would you be happy if this forum were shutdown and muted. I am sure  cruising is not at the top of anyone’s priorities at this time. We are all mostly compassionate and thoughtful beings. At present we are all living under stress and fear. Cruise Critic is a source of escape and joy for myself and I think many other members. This is important for our mental health at this time. No one here needs to explain or apologise about looking forward to things which bring us joy and the wish to want things to return to what we consider normal life. Many would be in dire straits mentally if we had no source of joy or escape. Thank you to  all who are posting and providing some distraction. Greetings, keep posting and no apologies.

Linda ( Toronto ) 

I think you misunderstood what I have been saying all along.

I enjoy cruising, participating on CC forums, and look forward to hearing what others comment on.

In fact, I have learned a lot about social networking --( Thanks ,Bo1953 and Fouremco for your guidance ) . 

There is a forum on CC that I recently came across with jokes -- it's excellent fun --- have a look.

I think you will enjoy it. 

 

 

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

4 hours ago, Pinboy said:

A little Tuesday morning fun-----

You forgot the ONE scoop of gelato.

Also, If you need a new suit, dress,  slacks, or whatever, send it to be dry cleaned. It will come back ruined . Take a picture , bring the garment to GR where they will say " Sorry 'bout that " and give you a form to fill out.  Use 85 of the 90 minutes to email the form to HO.  4 months later, after you forgot about it,  A Customer Service Rep will contact you with 72 questions ( when,where did you buy it , do you have the bill, etc ) and reduce your claimed price , the one you " exaggerated " by a few dollars, by 50 %  .  It will seem like " found money " 3 months later when the cheque arrives.

 

 

Have you actually had this experience?  My experience with Celebrity has been vastly different.  Absolutely no problem with anything I have sent out to be dry cleaned.  And once I got marine paint on a new fleece because the paint had landed on my balcony railing.  I went to GR, was given the form, came back with it filled out, and the rep said that they had decided to give me $100 OBC instead.  This was in the good old days when one could cash out that OBC in the casino.