Boston Babe

@quadrophenicSaw you just got off the Anthem NE cruise. How was it? How was the itinerary? We are really thinking of this one as it's different from the Caribbean.

Thank you @monorailmedic for your input. that's what my TA said too about them trying to get their act together. I too am looking forward to Celebrity and also my RC cruise. I'm teetering and it's making me nuts! LOL I keep checking the reviews too! You are so lucky to be living so close to so many ships too! I will make a decision probably in the next day or two. We really want relaxing, exploring, a couple cocktails, and casino, that's about it! LOL Maybe we're too boring to be taking a cruise! LOL

No offense at all. I've been on 11 cruises all of which ended in 1989 when I went to work for Caribbean Hotel chain so I am dating myself, so it's been a really long time. My husband has never been on one. Of course back then I wasn't a cruise snob, I wanted to party, now I want to be a cruise snob. I only booked the Carnival as there are only 2 ships leaving from Baltimore, Grandeur and Pride. We're booked on the Grandeur in May, I don't think I'll mind the older ship. I like the smaller ships (at least in my mind I do! LOL) I'm inches away from cancelling the Pride (have 2 cruises booked) and booking either Grandeur again for NE/Canada or Anthem from Cape Liberty. I know the bells and whistles of Anthem but I feel it may be too big for what we like (like the Equinox we are on Jan ad Apr 2019), so I think what you're saying is, if you are a cruise snob which I want to be I should stick with RC-celebrity etc!! That's been my fear since I booked Carnival. I'm going to call my TA in a bit. I stand to lose about $200 but may be worth it!! BTW I was on an inaugeral of Carnival way back and it was HORRIBLE! but that was 1984!!

Do tell, I'm still thinking of cancelling them and taking 9 night on Grandeur to new england!! Be honest

That is a fantastic deal!! You must be so excited!! I can't wait to hear about it! I feel a bit weird too not on Royal, but got some cheap suites on Carnival for July so going on that!! It can't be that bad, and it's more my husbands cup of tea! I wanted to try Edge but she's going to Europe that's not going to happen with 2 Doggies still here, can't be away that long, was looking at Symphony but boy she's expensive.

@Sabrinaklai, I was afraid of that! LOL Oh well, I got such a great deal on the Celebrity for Jan and April 2019 (both under $5K with premium drink package, Internet for 2, Pre-paid gratuities and $300 OBC with the additional on a Butler!! LOL My husband and I are so NOT like the Butler thing but figured what the heck I work HARD! As you are too still teaching!! Can't wait to hear about the Yacht Club too! Where are you heading?

I can't say anything yet about Celebrity, I am booked on 2 cruises for 2019. I researched them to death and am quite excited about them. I too am in a Grand Suite on Royal this May and the Grand seems much larger than the Sky Suite we have booked on Celebrity if you look at dimensions for both. I hope I don't get spoiled being in the Grand on Royal!! I think both websites are a bit odd though! LOL! I hope you book and enjoy!!

Well, I just had a case in point. My May cruise is booked through T/A. Being the control freak I am I check everyday for a drop in price. Lo and behold, today there was a drop in price. My TA is off on Saturdays but I called the agency and got someone else on the phone. She called RC, yes, my price will be reduced $183.00 for the booking AND I got another $100 of OBC!! If I didn't keep checking I may have lost out on this if I waited till Monday. I know it's only $183 in the big picture, but that and the extra OBC I know I don't have to order Drink Package as we are also in a Suite.! Happy Saturday for me! LOL

Wow!!! It's a tough job but so rewarding, my husband always said I should be a teacher, I firmly responded that I would end up in jail !! LOL ( my patience level is not what his is!) as I'm sure yours is wonderful too!

You go girl!!! Chicago Public Schools has to be tough but rewarding! Husband, South Bronx for 30 years!!

Thank you so much for that @JLMoran he gave his ALL as I'm sure everyone is! Taught in South Bronx, Special Ed, 30 years! Which is why he's retired and looking forward to CRUISING! LOL

LOL @Sabrinaklai you sound soooo much like me! I found also when I call different cabins are available than showing online. I think I'll just call and book with RC. I really didn't see any difference in pricing with TA. BTW, husband retired teacher!! :)

Thank you so much Matt! interesting, I went on certain cruise websites, rates are the same, free gratuities, but no OBC, I think we all want "the deal" I guess you have to pick your battles of what is important to you as an individual.

Thanks Matt. I like mine, but I was also a TA and in Caribbean Hotel sales for 20 years and for whatever reason, I feel like I still know more than she does. Again, I'm also a control freak and want access to the whole booking. Maybe your TA is better than mine, care to share?

I'm curious, if all of you just book your trips online, or do you find calling you get better service, better cabin selection etc?? I am control freak and i have used TA for my May cruise, but prefer to have access to everything regarding the next cruise. Thank you in advance.

I was new to this blog I think and missed it. I don't think other cruise lines do this do they? I'm booked on 2 Celebrity (same company) and it's 100% refundable till final payment. I guess it's a gamble if you want to book a Suite. I believe they charge $100 pp fee and the $300 for future cruise which isn't too bad.

Ive been calling RC to ask why you can't book a Grand Suite in a refundable situation and they say Grand Suite and above it's a non-refundable deposit? Has anyone else experienced this? They told me it's their policy since July. It's a bit stringent if you ask me, I'm not booking it "just because" I obviously want the Cabin and the sailing, but you never know the future.

Just saw on Cruise Critic, Celebrity announced the Edge will be based in Barcelona and Rome in summer on 2019 and fall 2019 Western and Eastern Mediterranean cruises, no word after 2019. Just an FYI! There goes my plan for the Fall! Not going over there at this time.

Thank you! I found it too! You are too funny! I'm sure no sales upgrade etc, but as I said to Matt, I think I'll hold on to my money for awhile! LOL

Thanks Matt, I thought that was the case, so I guess I'll hold onto my money for awhile! I'm sure with my luck nothing will be reduced, no sales, etc! LOL!!! And yes, I'm USA!! A very disappointed Red Sox fan!

@Sabrinaklai I thought I saw that, but wanted to confirm. I guess it's stupid to give them my money 3 months in advance! LOL

Sorry, I got confused!! The Edge is coming in December this year, was thinking 2019! So now I'm really excited to hear all about it! Wish i was sailing in a few months! LOL

HI All, I happen to be weirdl when it comes to paying bills etc and I was going to pay for the rest of our first cruise that is May 2015 by Thanksgiving this year. I thought I read somewhere on this blog that if you pay in full and there happens to be a price reduction you are out of luck. Is that the case? I have 4 more cruises booked through 2019 and want to budget accordingly. Thank you for your input!! (of course it's wishful thinking about a price reduction, but thought I'd ask! ) LOLK

I look forward to hearing about everything!! Your sailing is right before mine on Equinox, Jan 26th!!

Ok, now my curiosity is peeked!!! Beyond will be another new Celebrity ship? I had not heard that one! So you're sailing this February on Equinox? Would love to hear how you like her, and you must be so excited to be on the Edge! CANT WAIT to hear about that. When are you sailing on the Edge? I was very lucky with both sailings on Equinox, Booked Sky Suite on both, got the 4 offers they were offering, internet for 2, Gratuities, Premium Drink package $300 OBC etc, so I had to jump on it. How exciting is that you are on the Edge!!