If Elite or higher would you book cruise only?

[MamaFej]

On 11/23/2022 at 1:39 PM, Ipeeinthepools said:

 

Absolutely!!!  How can you enjoy a cruise without beer at the pool?

Beer at pool > beer in pool

[goofysmom99]

1 hour ago, drakes2 said:

I only book when there's a solo supplement

 

 

Good luck with that.  I haven't found any solo specials for new bookings I want.

[actuarian]

On 11/22/2022 at 6:58 PM, George C said:

We booked a suite once without drink package which was fine just drank in suite lounge. I have never used elite perks since we book suites.

I have not seen suites offered without the AI package recently. Last time I checked, the cruise-only price was not available for either the Retreat or Aqua Class. It was available for all other room categories. I think that the only way to be in a suite without AI now is to book a lower category room and then upgrade to a suite with move-up.

[drakes2]

1 hour ago, goofysmom99 said:

Good luck with that.  I haven't found any solo specials for new bookings I want.

I did a 7 night on the Edge this past January an 11 night Hawaii on Eclipse in April  10 nights on Equinox in September and a 7 night Western Caribbean in January 2023 on the Sky princess. All had solo supplements. I guess they are for certain dates/itineraries . 

Edited November 25, 2022 by drakes2

[drakes2]

2 hours ago, MamaFej said:

Beer at pool > beer in pool

By mid afternoon  I see lots of stuff in the pool but by that time I'm done my days swimming. 

[weregoingcruising]

15 hours ago, Redtravel said:

Cruise only if it makes sense. On my most recent X cruise, we were told that difference between cruise only and all in was about $80  on a 10 night cruise.  For such a small difference, we opted for All in.  We hardly drink.  We figured the tips alone was worth the $80.  However, if the difference were substantial, I would book cruise only.  

Do you mean per day for both of you?

[gordylad]

we always have AI but for a caribbean cuise we are looking at in January we will go cruise only as its a 7 night and we will get 450$ obc 

 

PS For dining options if only a late seating is left is it set in stone that you have to get that late time?

 

tx

[Cruise a holic]

We opt for the all in.  We use the wifi, like that tips are included and do not have to worry if we order a drink, don't like it, and order something else.  We also enjoy specialty coffee throughout the day.  Bottled water and soft drinks also works for us.  

 

Seems to work for us.  When we used to drink in the Elite lounge, the liquor was inferior.

[drakes2]

37 minutes ago, Cruise a holic said:

We opt for the all in.  We use the wifi, like that tips are included and do not have to worry if we order a drink, don't like it, and order something else.  We also enjoy specialty coffee throughout the day.  Bottled water and soft drinks also works for us.  

 

Seems to work for us.  When we used to drink in the Elite lounge, the liquor was inferior.

Even with cruise only if the drink is not to your satisfaction just let them know they'll make you another one.  The alcohol used in the lounge during HH is not top shelf but they always have some decent ones. I get my martinis with Absolut vodka and they are pretty darn good.  If you don't ask you don't get.... that's my motto. 

[Redtravel]

2 hours ago, weregoingcruising said:

Do you mean per day for both of you?

no. That was for both of us for the entire 10 nights.  It was a promo ALL IN.  Sounded great.  However, in reality the included wifi seldom worked and the beverages were often out of stock.  Strangely enough when the unlimited wifi wasn't working, I got on easily using my elite plus wifi time. 

[the penguins]

On 11/22/2022 at 10:22 PM, gordylad said:

Just checking some pricing and when you add the "all inclusive" it really hikes the price. Now having said that we have always gone all inclusive but as Elite wondering is it worth it knowing we can get unlimited drinks I believe between 5-7?

 

cheers

Cruise only every time. We don't drink any alcohol. As Elite+ all our specialty teas/coffees/chocolate are free, unlimited free water from 5 to 7, and 240 minutes free internet each is more than enough. We Pre pay the tips and "invest" our Shareholder OBC and that from our TA in the Casino. The "new" system is great as it gives everyone the choice.

[Ex-Airbalancer]

I wonder if Celebrity change the HH drinks to the same as RCL 4 drinks a day would more people switch to sail only ? 

[drakes2]

46 minutes ago, Ex-Airbalancer said:

I wonder if Celebrity change the HH drinks to the same as RCL 4 drinks a day would more people switch to sail only ? 

Quite possible. I booked a Princess cruise solo inside cabin for January with no AI package. For me to add it now would equal the price I paid for the cruise. 

[Meekos7]

Do Elite plus still get 240 free Internet minutes as one of the perks?

[drakes2]

Just now, Meekos7 said:

Do Elite plus still get 240 free Internet minutes as one of the perks?

Yes

[actuarian]

I am Diamond+ on Royal Caribbean (less than 200 points to Pinnacle) and Elite+ on Celebrity. I never book an alcoholic drink package on Royal because on Royal I get 5 free drinks a day and I can use them almost anywhere and anytime. That covers all the alcohol that I care to drink and I supplement it with the Classic Soda package, which costs only $8.99 per person per day (plus gratuity) and covers unlimited Coke products. However, the Elite+ drink offering on Celebrity is far more limited; it is only available for two hours a day and, even during those hours, it cannot be used in restaurants. Moreover, Celebrity does not offer anything comparable (and comparably priced) to the Royal Classic Soda package. Therefore, when I cruise Celebrity, I opt for AI.

[the penguins]

5 hours ago, actuarian said:

I am Diamond+ on Royal Caribbean (less than 200 points to Pinnacle) and Elite+ on Celebrity. I never book an alcoholic drink package on Royal because on Royal I get 5 free drinks a day and I can use them almost anywhere and anytime. That covers all the alcohol that I care to drink and I supplement it with the Classic Soda package, which costs only $8.99 per person per day (plus gratuity) and covers unlimited Coke products. However, the Elite+ drink offering on Celebrity is far more limited; it is only available for two hours a day and, even during those hours, it cannot be used in restaurants. Moreover, Celebrity does not offer anything comparable (and comparably priced) to the Royal Classic Soda package. Therefore, when I cruise Celebrity, I opt for AI.

Not quite correct. As Elite+ your speciality teas/coffees/ chocolate are free all day. You can pick up your free alcoholic drink (s)  at the Passport Bar (or most other bars) and take it/them with you into the restaurant. You can get enough free water to last all day during the 5 to 7 period

[hopeless holiday booker]

On 11/25/2022 at 12:30 PM, gordylad said:

we always have AI but for a caribbean cuise we are looking at in January we will go cruise only as its a 7 night and we will get 450$ obc 

 

PS For dining options if only a late seating is left is it set in stone that you have to get that late time?

 

tx

No it's not!  If you go to the restaurant as you get on the ship you may be able to go on a waiting list or do select dining.

[Ex-Airbalancer]

9 hours ago, actuarian said:

I am Diamond+ on Royal Caribbean (less than 200 points to Pinnacle) and Elite+ on Celebrity. I never book an alcoholic drink package on Royal because on Royal I get 5 free drinks a day and I can use them almost anywhere and anytime. That covers all the alcohol that I care to drink and I supplement it with the Classic Soda package, which costs only $8.99 per person per day (plus gratuity) and covers unlimited Coke products. However, the Elite+ drink offering on Celebrity is far more limited; it is only available for two hours a day and, even during those hours, it cannot be used in restaurants. Moreover, Celebrity does not offer anything comparable (and comparably priced) to the Royal Classic Soda package. Therefore, when I cruise Celebrity, I opt for AI.

Celebrity has a soda package and nonalcoholic package available

[drakes2]

4 hours ago, the penguins said:

You can pick up your free alcoholic drink (s)  at the Passport Bar (or most other bars) and take it/them with you into the restaurant. You can get enough free water to last all day during the 5 to 7 period

Thats exactly what I do. I am ready and waiting at 5 or soon after for my martini or two, take a few waters and perhaps a glass of wine to my cabin to enjoy while getting ready for dinner. It works for me and provides enough of an overall saving to pay for a good part of future cruise. Only take the AI when at a great price over cruise only rate. I still purchase the odd drink on-board usually an Aspen coffee.  With Elite status and sailing concierge for many cruises there's plenty of opportunity for free drinks. 

[actuarian]

8 hours ago, the penguins said:

Not quite correct. As Elite+ your speciality teas/coffees/ chocolate are free all day. You can pick up your free alcoholic drink (s)  at the Passport Bar (or most other bars) and take it/them with you into the restaurant. You can get enough free water to last all day during the 5 to 7 period

You are right that "cappuccino, latte, espresso, and tea" are complementary all day. The quoted list is pasted from Celebrity's web site. There is no mention of Chocolate. I know that I could pick up a free alcoholic drink at a bar and take it into the restaurant.  However, that is not the same as simply ordering it from my server, as I can do on Royal. There is often a wait to be served at most bars at that time of day and, in any case, the option is not available after 7 PM.

[gordylad]

Are the red wines you get between 5-7 by being Elite any good?

[actuarian]

4 hours ago, Ex-Airbalancer said:

Celebrity has a soda package and nonalcoholic package available

I stand corrected. Until now, I had not noticed that X also has the soda package, since I always purchase an alcoholic drink package when I book a cruise on X. In fact, if I purchased the soda package right now for my February, 2023 Celebrity cruise, it would cost $7.99 per person per day (+ gratuity), $1.18 pppd less than it costs on Royal. Nevertheless, the big difference is that the Elite+ complementary drinks on X are only available for two hours per day and cannot be ordered at a restaurant. 

[drakes2]

42 minutes ago, gordylad said:

Are the red wines you get between 5-7 by being Elite any good?

They were on my January Edge cruise I was served Decoy cab which is in the premium package but managed to get with Elite status. On my October Eclipse sail last month was getting CK Mondavi.  So all depends on what they have onboard.  The Mondavi was in basic but sommelier said people who had premium package were ordering at dinner.

[drakes2]

58 minutes ago, actuarian said:

However, that is not the same as simply ordering it from my server, as I can do on Royal. T

I prefer walking into the DR with my wine.  At times service is so slow as they are short staffed and by the time the sommelier takes your order and brings the wine one could be half way through their entree.  I enjoy my wine with my meal. Just my opinion.