cruisellama

I'm a huge Alaska fan. Cruised 3x and I don't get tired of it. The last frontier.

Just as a reference point for AA, domestically its Economy, Main Cabin Extra, and First/Busn. Int'l: Economy, Main Cabin Extra, Premium Economy, Business, First (depending on equipment). Econ as it doesn't allow for seat selection or overhead. Like you, not looking for the cheapest, but based on duration of flight, most cost effective comfort zone.

I've seen both those results on different ships same line at the martini bar. Had a deluxe package, ordered an out of bounds drink and charged the difference (seemed fair). Different cruise (same line) was charged for the full amount (I knew because I had to sign, which normally on Celeb, you don't have to sign on the premium package). As it turns out, the drink wasn't palatable and I told the bar tender that I didn't like it. Then cancelled the charge and gave me another drink (I selected one that was in the the limitation). Celeb now offers a deluxe + plan as a number of their specialty drinks exceed the premium level.

If you call them they can tell you. I don't think the cruise lines use "super economy" seat purchases as they would be subject to too many restrictions (you're wanting to know what seat you get ahead of time as well as preserve access to overhead space). We use American and United and they match up to what's advertised on Celebrity are or Air2sea. I just booked earlier than I usually do for a B2B in June '21 from Venice. Had been watching prices on a number of sites and decided to push the button. Since payment is deferred until final cruise payment, you have time to continue shopping and can drop the airfare from your itinerary if you find a better deal.

Ended up booking early on Celebrity Air for a B2B from Venice June '21. Selected deferred payment so no financial commitment until final cruise payment due and is cancelable anytime before then. Had been watching prices and noted an upward trend so booked it (which is much earlier than I usually book). I can continue to shop until cruise is due and can cancel it out if I find a better airfare.

Pricing is pretty dynamic. I watch over a period of a week or so and whenever I start a query, I'll get a different set of airlines and price sets depending upon when i'm checking. If I'm zoning in on a specific airline, the Air2Sea or Flight by Celebrity may not yield equivalent pricing, in fact it tends to be higher. Depending on the timing you can find a lower price on your elected airline directly. I lean toward the cruise line connections on international and play the direct to airline game for domestic travel. What's constant is the travel assist you get with the cruise line air booking. They service and adjust your flight schedules when delays could impact embarkation. Its a good perk.

Wow - didn't realize its that much.

As a footnote, if you go onto an airline direct booking site you see they publish flights up to 9 months out. Air2sea or Flights by Celebrity can't load their system until the airline publishes their schedule. That's one way to gauge when you can start looking. Another rule of thumb is the rate sweet zone - some travel blogs will tell you the cusp in prices will present about 4 months out from your desired date. Not sure if that holds under our current circumstances.

interesting times. I'm curious why the sudden growth spurt in RCL stock price while the others are pretty anemic. Especially when no one is operating.

If only Terrence and Phillip were in charge.

Thats really done right!

If you like motor vehicle tours (ATV, Jeep) they offer those. Of course water sports such as snorkeling. Usually an excursion to Nevis which is the neighboring capital island. It has an interesting history with ties to colonial era trade..

Not an elegant lunch, but to avoid the crowds on embarkation, we go to Park Central cafe when on Oasis class. Its fast, and enough to recharge as we're walking the ship.

Banished for a period of time but it will come back when all gets figured out.

Oasis class are floating resorts - haven't been board yet staying on those ships. I hope to someday try the Q class - would expect the same.

I've used and had very good luck. Now its even better with the deferred payment as you describe above. Also like the "re-routing" if issues come up on a connection.

As far as Caribbean, I really don't mind staying on the ship while in port and just relaxing. If it becomes too complicated to take an excursion, I'd just stay on-board. But it will be an interesting experiment to watch.

POA is flagged US right - so subject to US labor laws etc. Be interesting to understand the differences in profit margin / passenger of US vs non-US flagged.

Thanks for the clarifications. So in theory, a waiver could be granted to lines operating the Alaskan region with relief on having to visit a foreign port such as VBC in the event Canadian law prevents lines from filling the non-US port visit requirement. Would think even Alaska would not want to lose revenue another entire tour season and have an interest in seeing some level of travel from the lower 48.

Bet one of those ships has mouse ears.

Me to0 - they're able to test the waters (pun intended). The fact the EU has more control over their immediate sailing region (than the US has over the Caribbean or Alaskan market region) it makes the test runs more practical.

Regarding the Passenger Vessel Service Act, can a ship just stop at the foreign port for provisioning (fuel/food), but not allow passengers to disembark? Will that fill the square? If so, could that allow Canadian passthrough (if CA is good with it)?

Cunard also pushed start to end of March '21. Need some ports to open to enable operational restart. Several chickens and several eggs trying to figure out who comes out first. o

Same late year timeframe. Around Nov-Dec last year. Wishing they would move up the 2nd half of '22.