monorailmedic

I really should set up some sort of alert for "scotch".

I really should set up some sort of alert for "scotch".

Pinging @monorailmedic!!

Not being snarky here, but I do think the fact that for a very long time Celebrity was mainly the province of retirees and other older cruisers has kept them from getting large online communities like we have here. Certainly plenty of such people to join such a community, but few with the know-how (or likely desire) to get one started, beat the drum about it and build an audience, etc. As Celebrity works to push the average age of its passengers down to folks in their mid- or upper 40s and early 50s, there will be a similarly enterprising soul like @Matt who will come along, who loves the line enough, and has the time and energy to get a dedicated community going.
I mean, take a look at Royal -- lots of small Facebook groups for individual ships or sailings, and the forum on Cruise Critic; but RCBlog is the only dedicated online community I've found for Royal, that has such an active and growing community focused exclusively on Royal.
Even in the podcast space, Matt's is the only one I've found dedicated to Royal at all (and I was searching a lot when was getting ready to book my first cruise). Out of the ones I found that I thought were worth subscribing to, Cruise Dudes is more generalized with a slant toward Princess, because that's where they live (and I stopped listening to them a while back). @monorailmedic's Cruise Habit podcast is also more general-knowledge based, because Billy loves all things cruising / has an amazingly rich personal history with it and wants to share it all. Cruise Radio is yet another source of general info.
Something may come up eventually, but for now this forum and the one on CC are probably the best options.

I can't say for certain that this is the case every time, but in general, cruise lines (not just X) tend to strip OBC or other incentives for resident rates and other discounted fares.  It's another reason it's important to compare apples to apples when looking at prices.

This is true.  Your "building" of points starts at zero even though your loyalty level carries over.  Would it be nice if this were handled differently?  Sure, that'd be neat.  Would it lead to all the more people having top tier statuses, which seems to upset those that have said statuses?  Probably. (this gets to the "when everyone is special no one is special" paradox)  Do I personal think it matters?  Nope.  For me, I've yet to identify a reasonably attainable loyalty perk that is worth compromising experiences for.  Others may hold a greater value to certain perks and feel otherwise, which is fine too.

I frequently book guarantees - in fact I have one booked right now for the Harmony Group Cruise!
If you're not picky about the exact stateroom you get, then I see no reason not to.  If you think "as long as I don't get a cabin that..." - don't finish that sentence, a guarantee isn't for you.  Further, while sometimes guests get a pleasant surprise, don't book a guarantee counting on that.  More often than not you're assigned a stateroom of the same type (inside/OV/verandah) which you booked.

IF the storm continues on the path where you were landing, the airlines typically will waive cancellation fees due to the storm as well.

You are mistaken. Hindsight is 20/20 and to blame Royal Caribbean in any way for not being able to predict future weather with 100% preciseness is plain silly. Frankly, you're being extremely unrealistic.

Paradise Beach is great if you aren't looking for an all inclusive.  It will cost $3 per person to get in and they expect you to spend $10 per person on food and drinks.  You don't have to pay for your chair and umbrella at the beach and you will have a waiter that takes care of you.  
I didn't find the drink and food prices to be extremely outrageous.
They have showers and changing rooms and and a nice pool on site as well.
I have visited Cozumel in January and was able to handle being in the water, even being from Florida where 70 degrees feels chilly.  

I was there this past April and had a nice time.  It's been a staple for years and my visit made me realize that this is the case for good reason.  No, it's not one of the all-inclusives with a lot of entertainment options and such (though there is an $18 option to enjoy those things if you're so inclined).  It is a nice beach however, with friendly folks service reasonably prices food and drink.  
Matt's write up from July 2018:
https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2018/07/25/excursion-focus-paradise-beach-cozumel
My visit there in April 2019:
https://www.cruisehabit.com/holland-america-line-nieuw-statendam-live-blog-–-day-6-cozumel-mexico
 

I was there this past April and had a nice time.  It's been a staple for years and my visit made me realize that this is the case for good reason.  No, it's not one of the all-inclusives with a lot of entertainment options and such (though there is an $18 option to enjoy those things if you're so inclined).  It is a nice beach however, with friendly folks service reasonably prices food and drink.  
Matt's write up from July 2018:
https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2018/07/25/excursion-focus-paradise-beach-cozumel
My visit there in April 2019:
https://www.cruisehabit.com/holland-america-line-nieuw-statendam-live-blog-–-day-6-cozumel-mexico
 

It Look Like Celebrity's Version Of The Key.   

Very true, and that's because out of all the perks (save for the free Pinancle cruise, which falls into the "not reasonably attainable" category in my mind), the diamond drink benefit is probably something most would agree to be the most valuable, regardless of how much or little it might move the needle for any individual.  Hey @Matt, when was the last sailing you didn't buy a drink package? (honestly don't know)
That's pretty awesome.  I'd love to see that work out for others.  Like I said, for me, a few drinks from a selection that isn't interesting to me doesn't help.  If they added to the numbers and the options (which I don't anticipate one bit, but who knows) it'd be a different deal for us - but everyone's mileage may vary.  I am jealous ?
Absolutely!  That's one of the things I really love about RCLB message boards!  No one being honest with themselves loves or hates every aspect of an experience or product, and other communities that hold a "my way or the highway" stance just confuse me.  Well, there was that time @Matt banned everyone on the site who didn't pledge their undying love of falafel, but I can get behind that. 

You can find a few posts from a live blog on Infinity along with some other info at the below link.
https://www.cruisehabit.com/tags/celebrity-infinity
I'm happy to answer any Celebrity questions I can.  We've sailed several X ships and will actually be on Equinox in less than three weeks.  You'll find a lot of similarities to RCI, but quite a few things setting them apart as well.  The more favorable passenger : space and passenger: crew ratios, we find, result in better service than on contemporary lines. 
If you're a dessert person, make sure to try a few of the pastries, cakes, etc at Cafe al Bacio, Celebrity's coffee shop.

There are a few points that I can't shake when thinking about cruise line loyalty programs (for RCI and others):
I've yet to find any reasonably attainable perk that is worth compromising new experiences for.  Companies have loyalty programs because they can offer things of less than consequential value to keep customers.  If the benefits held that much value, it wouldn't make any financial sense for a line to offer them.  Digging in deeper for a loyalty program is, in a funny way, showing to cruise lines that they work - they can offer something of little value and get you to shell out more money. Loyalty program perks/rewards are benefits one gets FOR cruising with a given line, and shouldn't be seen as THE reason to cruise with a certain line.  The reason TO cruise with a given line is because you like their product!  If I have a local ice cream place that gives me a free scoop after buying ten, it'd be odd to keep going there for the "free" (definitely not free - you paid to get that perk), it makes sense to go there if you like their ice cream.  That's why you went the first and second time, right? Now, all that in mind, I recognize that there are certain circumstances in which "strategic escalation" might make sense, but they're very slim cases.  An example might be if after your next cruise you'll be just a point or two away from Diamond, and you know that the cruise after that you'll be sailing solo.  Since you'll get a much more favorable solo rate on that next sailing if you move up, you might do the math and find (depending on the rates), that a suite upgrade on your sailing has somewhere around a net-zero cost (or you might not - many variable exist here).  Again though, those are fringe cases.
Remember why you cruise a given line (or lines) in the first place - the things you like about that experience are the reasons to cruise.  The loyalty perks are just that, perks - not the part of the offering anyone is trying to sell.
A final thought (from me at least) on this: While I don't aim for loyalty levels, I'll of course welcome the benefits as they come.  This is much easier to do with Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor Society, as they do have much more to offer than some other companies.  Ric and I went over perks of various lines on the below/linked podcast, and I think most here will see that they don't have it too bad at all.  
https://www.cruisehabit.com/podcast/loyalty-programs-do-past-passenger-programs-keep-you-coming-back-more-episode-5

Texts will still come through - but in most cases they're not terrifically expensive to receive (depends on the carrier obviously).  Random fact - texts/SMS messages actually ride on the packets of info that your phone and the tower use to check in on each other.  That is to say, the idea that carriers ever got away charging for texts is nuts, as it requires no overhead on their part.  The text info is smaller than the packets going back and forth - much like sticking a coin in an envelope - the stamp doesn't get more expensive as whatever you can fit in travels.  Nerd-rambling complete. :-)

@JLMoran Summed things up nicely.  It's, generally speaking, a regular internet connection.  If your phone supports WiFi calling that should work - but it's just one of the many ways of keeping in touch.  The below articles should provide some additional guidance.  Reach out with any questions!
https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2016/07/27/how-stay-touch-someone-your-royal-caribbean-cruise
http://cruisehabit.com/wifi

@JLMoran Summed things up nicely.  It's, generally speaking, a regular internet connection.  If your phone supports WiFi calling that should work - but it's just one of the many ways of keeping in touch.  The below articles should provide some additional guidance.  Reach out with any questions!
https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2016/07/27/how-stay-touch-someone-your-royal-caribbean-cruise
http://cruisehabit.com/wifi

There are a few points that I can't shake when thinking about cruise line loyalty programs (for RCI and others):
I've yet to find any reasonably attainable perk that is worth compromising new experiences for.  Companies have loyalty programs because they can offer things of less than consequential value to keep customers.  If the benefits held that much value, it wouldn't make any financial sense for a line to offer them.  Digging in deeper for a loyalty program is, in a funny way, showing to cruise lines that they work - they can offer something of little value and get you to shell out more money. Loyalty program perks/rewards are benefits one gets FOR cruising with a given line, and shouldn't be seen as THE reason to cruise with a certain line.  The reason TO cruise with a given line is because you like their product!  If I have a local ice cream place that gives me a free scoop after buying ten, it'd be odd to keep going there for the "free" (definitely not free - you paid to get that perk), it makes sense to go there if you like their ice cream.  That's why you went the first and second time, right? Now, all that in mind, I recognize that there are certain circumstances in which "strategic escalation" might make sense, but they're very slim cases.  An example might be if after your next cruise you'll be just a point or two away from Diamond, and you know that the cruise after that you'll be sailing solo.  Since you'll get a much more favorable solo rate on that next sailing if you move up, you might do the math and find (depending on the rates), that a suite upgrade on your sailing has somewhere around a net-zero cost (or you might not - many variable exist here).  Again though, those are fringe cases.
Remember why you cruise a given line (or lines) in the first place - the things you like about that experience are the reasons to cruise.  The loyalty perks are just that, perks - not the part of the offering anyone is trying to sell.
A final thought (from me at least) on this: While I don't aim for loyalty levels, I'll of course welcome the benefits as they come.  This is much easier to do with Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor Society, as they do have much more to offer than some other companies.  Ric and I went over perks of various lines on the below/linked podcast, and I think most here will see that they don't have it too bad at all.  
https://www.cruisehabit.com/podcast/loyalty-programs-do-past-passenger-programs-keep-you-coming-back-more-episode-5

Thank you for giving us a try!
So glad that Danette was able to save you money along with a little extra gift!  

25% of American's 25-34 years of age identify as vegan/vegetarian.  Eating a predominately plant based lifestyle is the future.....Royal Caribbean is a business and they are looking beyond the boomer generation because, frankly, they are dying off.  
Why do you think their new ships look the way they do with I-fly, rock climbing walls, flowrider, sky pad, etc....they are trying to attract new generations of people and their kids.
People who eat plant based or gluten free don't think they are "elite" or "special", it's the way they eat for health reasons.  Some people eat this way for other reasons as well, but it's never to feel "elite or special', it's a belief reason. 
We should all be glad for more variety in food choices, shouldn't we?  

Very true, and that's because out of all the perks (save for the free Pinancle cruise, which falls into the "not reasonably attainable" category in my mind), the diamond drink benefit is probably something most would agree to be the most valuable, regardless of how much or little it might move the needle for any individual.  Hey @Matt, when was the last sailing you didn't buy a drink package? (honestly don't know)
That's pretty awesome.  I'd love to see that work out for others.  Like I said, for me, a few drinks from a selection that isn't interesting to me doesn't help.  If they added to the numbers and the options (which I don't anticipate one bit, but who knows) it'd be a different deal for us - but everyone's mileage may vary.  I am jealous ?
Absolutely!  That's one of the things I really love about RCLB message boards!  No one being honest with themselves loves or hates every aspect of an experience or product, and other communities that hold a "my way or the highway" stance just confuse me.  Well, there was that time @Matt banned everyone on the site who didn't pledge their undying love of falafel, but I can get behind that. 

Very true, and that's because out of all the perks (save for the free Pinancle cruise, which falls into the "not reasonably attainable" category in my mind), the diamond drink benefit is probably something most would agree to be the most valuable, regardless of how much or little it might move the needle for any individual.  Hey @Matt, when was the last sailing you didn't buy a drink package? (honestly don't know)
That's pretty awesome.  I'd love to see that work out for others.  Like I said, for me, a few drinks from a selection that isn't interesting to me doesn't help.  If they added to the numbers and the options (which I don't anticipate one bit, but who knows) it'd be a different deal for us - but everyone's mileage may vary.  I am jealous ?
Absolutely!  That's one of the things I really love about RCLB message boards!  No one being honest with themselves loves or hates every aspect of an experience or product, and other communities that hold a "my way or the highway" stance just confuse me.  Well, there was that time @Matt banned everyone on the site who didn't pledge their undying love of falafel, but I can get behind that. 

There are a few points that I can't shake when thinking about cruise line loyalty programs (for RCI and others):
I've yet to find any reasonably attainable perk that is worth compromising new experiences for.  Companies have loyalty programs because they can offer things of less than consequential value to keep customers.  If the benefits held that much value, it wouldn't make any financial sense for a line to offer them.  Digging in deeper for a loyalty program is, in a funny way, showing to cruise lines that they work - they can offer something of little value and get you to shell out more money. Loyalty program perks/rewards are benefits one gets FOR cruising with a given line, and shouldn't be seen as THE reason to cruise with a certain line.  The reason TO cruise with a given line is because you like their product!  If I have a local ice cream place that gives me a free scoop after buying ten, it'd be odd to keep going there for the "free" (definitely not free - you paid to get that perk), it makes sense to go there if you like their ice cream.  That's why you went the first and second time, right? Now, all that in mind, I recognize that there are certain circumstances in which "strategic escalation" might make sense, but they're very slim cases.  An example might be if after your next cruise you'll be just a point or two away from Diamond, and you know that the cruise after that you'll be sailing solo.  Since you'll get a much more favorable solo rate on that next sailing if you move up, you might do the math and find (depending on the rates), that a suite upgrade on your sailing has somewhere around a net-zero cost (or you might not - many variable exist here).  Again though, those are fringe cases.
Remember why you cruise a given line (or lines) in the first place - the things you like about that experience are the reasons to cruise.  The loyalty perks are just that, perks - not the part of the offering anyone is trying to sell.
A final thought (from me at least) on this: While I don't aim for loyalty levels, I'll of course welcome the benefits as they come.  This is much easier to do with Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor Society, as they do have much more to offer than some other companies.  Ric and I went over perks of various lines on the below/linked podcast, and I think most here will see that they don't have it too bad at all.  
https://www.cruisehabit.com/podcast/loyalty-programs-do-past-passenger-programs-keep-you-coming-back-more-episode-5