Al Horner

Right now, I don't care where I eat lunch just so long as I am ON THAT SHIP!!!

Right now, I don't care where I eat lunch just so long as I am ON THAT SHIP!!!

Right now, I don't care where I eat lunch just so long as I am ON THAT SHIP!!!

Right now, I don't care where I eat lunch just so long as I am ON THAT SHIP!!!

Well, I had to cancel our 11/21 Apex cruise due to health issues. I will say this, I know Celebrity is owned by the Royal Caribbean Group, but I have NEVER had the problems with Royal Caribbean that I have had with Celebrity. Now I know why they're really pushing the FCCs because I would not have booked another Celebrity cruise if I wasn't going to lose a bunch of money by not using the FCCs. Trying to get them to acknowledge that I even had FCCs, tried to do a lift and shift (that was another nightmare) and then book another cruise for July 2021on the Equinox and then get those FCCs applied to that cruise, well, I was lied to, hung up on, put on hold for 41 minutes, dealt with numerous folks who clearly did not know their jobs and then FINALLY, I got to deal with this one guy (Nolan) working from home and he knew how to make the system work and suddenly, I've booked a cruise and got the FCCs applied to it. I just hope the cruise is a lot better than most of their telephone booking people.

My wife and go to Nachi Cocum whenever we go to Cozumel. It has activities but is more quiet than other beaches. It includes food and drinks which are all good. Nice thing is that you're pretty close to the water. There is also a large pool with a swim-up bar. Overall, it's a beautiful, relaxing day.

Well, I had to cancel our 11/21 Apex cruise due to health issues. I will say this, I know Celebrity is owned by the Royal Caribbean Group, but I have NEVER had the problems with Royal Caribbean that I have had with Celebrity. Now I know why they're really pushing the FCCs because I would not have booked another Celebrity cruise if I wasn't going to lose a bunch of money by not using the FCCs. Trying to get them to acknowledge that I even had FCCs, tried to do a lift and shift (that was another nightmare) and then book another cruise for July 2021on the Equinox and then get those FCCs applied to that cruise, well, I was lied to, hung up on, put on hold for 41 minutes, dealt with numerous folks who clearly did not know their jobs and then FINALLY, I got to deal with this one guy (Nolan) working from home and he knew how to make the system work and suddenly, I've booked a cruise and got the FCCs applied to it. I just hope the cruise is a lot better than most of their telephone booking people.

Well, I had to cancel our 11/21 Apex cruise due to health issues. I will say this, I know Celebrity is owned by the Royal Caribbean Group, but I have NEVER had the problems with Royal Caribbean that I have had with Celebrity. Now I know why they're really pushing the FCCs because I would not have booked another Celebrity cruise if I wasn't going to lose a bunch of money by not using the FCCs. Trying to get them to acknowledge that I even had FCCs, tried to do a lift and shift (that was another nightmare) and then book another cruise for July 2021on the Equinox and then get those FCCs applied to that cruise, well, I was lied to, hung up on, put on hold for 41 minutes, dealt with numerous folks who clearly did not know their jobs and then FINALLY, I got to deal with this one guy (Nolan) working from home and he knew how to make the system work and suddenly, I've booked a cruise and got the FCCs applied to it. I just hope the cruise is a lot better than most of their telephone booking people.

We just booked a one bedroom Grand Suite on the Liberty of the Seas for May 2021. This will be our first time in a suite! We've never had the concierge service before. Can anyone tell us what he/she does? Any other good tips about suite benefits? We are (newly) diamond level if that makes any difference. Thanks!

Wow, you're only on edge when Thanksgiving comes around? I've been on edge for at least 4 months now, and if we're still cooped up by Thanksgiving I'll be full-blown NUTS!!
 
This dad joke brought to you by your friendly Chief Science Officer, a proud dad for going on 20 years now.
 
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If Celebrity starts sailing 4th quarter, I'm guessing Apex and Edge will be 2 of the ships they'll put back to service.   Apex is supposed to start with the Med before coming to the Carribean.  Now that the EU has clamped down on tourism from the states, will be interesting to see if Apex stays with the med itinerary, or is redeployed to Carribean early.   Bunch of what-ifs - we're all guessing right now.  But as no one can cruise, what other diversions are there?

After canceling our July 4th cruise, we also booked the Nov. 21st Apex cruise. Now, I'm wondering if that cruise will happen. We've decided that we will not cancel this cruise, it will have to actually be canceled by Celebrity.

I paid for all the fares for a family cruise on Celebrity. When that cruise was canceled, Celebrity was going to assign the FCC to each individual. I called them and talked to someone who couldn't help and then bumped me up to their supervisor. When I told them to look at the credit card number for each payment (which was mine) they finally agreed to give me the full FCC for all. Just keep pushing it up the line. Of course, I was on the phone for almost two hours.

After canceling our July 4th cruise, we also booked the Nov. 21st Apex cruise. Now, I'm wondering if that cruise will happen. We've decided that we will not cancel this cruise, it will have to actually be canceled by Celebrity.

After canceling our July 4th cruise, we also booked the Nov. 21st Apex cruise. Now, I'm wondering if that cruise will happen. We've decided that we will not cancel this cruise, it will have to actually be canceled by Celebrity.

November 21, 2020 Celebrity Apex 

We just booked a one bedroom Grand Suite on the Liberty of the Seas for May 2021. This will be our first time in a suite! We've never had the concierge service before. Can anyone tell us what he/she does? Any other good tips about suite benefits? We are (newly) diamond level if that makes any difference. Thanks!

You are so welcome.  I forgot to mention - double Crown &Anchor points, too !

Congratulations and condolences.  You are going to LOVE the suite life thus the condolences...b/c you will be ruined from now on.  That's a good thing !
Approximately 5-7 days (I've found lately that it is 5 days) prior to sailing, your Suites Concierge will reach out to you via email and provide you with a full list of Suites benefits.  At that time, you will be able to interact with the Concierge, ask them questions and have them make reservations for you.  If you have a dining package, you can ask the Concierge to make specific reservations for you at the restaurants and times of your choice.  Another big time saver, as you will not have to go stand in line at the kiosk or specialty restaurant and do that once you board.  If you are going to Labadee or Coco Cay and want a cabana or bungalow, the Concierge can do that for you ahead of time...another time saver.
You will be able to check in with the Suites....which usually means a shorter line to go through check-in and security.  I can't remember whether Galveston has a separate entry for Suites or not.  I should remember, but I don't.  At the very least, you will have your own line...which can be a huge time saver.
You will have 24 hour access to the Suites Lounge.  There you will find a self-service coffee machine that you can use any time it is working.  I says any time it is working b/c there have been issues in the past with it running out of coffee or milk, etc.  Of course, there is the Happy Hour (usually 4:30 or 5:00 - 7:00 or so) where you will get complementary beverages and snacks.  You would also be eligible for this (in the Diamond lounge) since you are now Diamond (Congratulations !!!) so that's not such a biggie for you...but it's generally less crowded in the Suites Lounge as there usually fewer Suite and Pinnacle guests than there are Diamonds and D+.
Most of the Concierges will provide priority disembarkation at ports of call.  This can be hit-or-miss but most of them will escort you off the ship ahead of the masses, if you want to disembark that early.  This is particularly important if you have any tender ports.  Just be mindful that this service is only in 1 direction.  You have to get back to the ship on your own the best way you can.  Of course, the most valuable assistance with disembarkation is on the last day when the Concierge will get you off the ship expeditiously.  Unfortunately, I have found the disembarkation service at Galveston to be kinda lame.  They really don't escort you down to the CBP line like they do at some of the other ports....but it's better than nothing.
One service that can be really valuable is the fact that the Concierge can help you with any Seapass/billing issues you might have.  If you find that you've been charged for something that you should not have, the Concierge can take care of it for you.  Generally speaking, anything that would require you to stand in line at Guest Services, the Concierge should be able to do for you.  Minimizing time at GS is a real bonus !!!
The Concierge will arrange special behind-the-scenes tours for you if you are interested.  These generally include entertainment operations (we did one at the ice theater once that was really interesting), galley tours and bridge tours.  No idea how COVID is going to affect the tour situation.  My guess is that they will probably curtail some or all of these, but you never know until we get to sailing again.
Of course, you will have reserved seats for all of the main theater productions and the ice shows.  There are special sections that are available to suites and Pinnacles.  You still have to fight for a seat, but at least there is a section cordoned off for you.
My favorite Suite benefit is private breakfast at Chops.  Only Suites and Pinnacles are allowed.  It is a full service breakfast from a static menu.  Very nice, quiet and tranquil.  Such a great way to start the day !
Labadee has a Suites area that is exclusive to Suite Guests and Pinnacles.  It is a nice area and they provide shuttle service from the main entrance over to the Suites beach.  Even if you do not rent a cabana you will find lots of loungers.  The Suites area has a private lunch that is pretty much the same as everyone else's lunch but generally less crowded. Nothing exclusive for Suites at Coco Cay, unfortunately.
There's probably more...just can't think of it right now.
Congratulations again !!!
 

We just booked a one bedroom Grand Suite on the Liberty of the Seas for May 2021. This will be our first time in a suite! We've never had the concierge service before. Can anyone tell us what he/she does? Any other good tips about suite benefits? We are (newly) diamond level if that makes any difference. Thanks!

Okay, I'm just relieved that this is direction this thread is headed in...

Agree with PhillyLady, at first we tried booking out into the near future(July). That didn't go well, cancelled again.
RCI, as well as the other lines, are selling ALL these future sailings as if they will all go off as planned a year or two ago. Even selling drink packages, wifi, etc. We are concentrating on just recovering our invested monies, and and will begin booking last minute when they begin sailing again.
It does take away the fun of planning, BUT, that's a lot better than trying to get a refund 90 days later.

Given all the cruise cancelations, I think prudence dictates that I don't pay anything more than the absolute minimal deposit on a cruise right up to the last possible day. During "normal" times, there is no motivation from the cruise lines to pay in full in advance other than the personal satisfaction of having the cruise paid for. Actually, you might be denying yourself the benefit of a price reduction. Now, if you pay in full in advance, you don't know if you're going to get a refund, a future cruise credit or maybe, nothing at all. I know all about the current "Cruise with Confidence" program, but that could change tomorrow.

Given all the cruise cancelations, I think prudence dictates that I don't pay anything more than the absolute minimal deposit on a cruise right up to the last possible day. During "normal" times, there is no motivation from the cruise lines to pay in full in advance other than the personal satisfaction of having the cruise paid for. Actually, you might be denying yourself the benefit of a price reduction. Now, if you pay in full in advance, you don't know if you're going to get a refund, a future cruise credit or maybe, nothing at all. I know all about the current "Cruise with Confidence" program, but that could change tomorrow.