First Cruise...What are Good Move Up Bids?

[sn2792]

So, no Luminae restaurant except for on the sea days if we upgrade to Sky or Celebrity Suite? We're not drinkers, so Michael's Club wouldn't hold too much interest, although I do like a Cointreau now and then and DH his Chambord . That said, I'm leaning towards upgrading for the experience. DH and I simply don't see cruising in our future (other than next year's Russia river trip and the following years' Alaska cruise). We much prefer independent travel, but you never know.

Yesterday was 2 weeks prior to sail day and no reduction in minimum bids. Will probably put in a bit next Thursday or Friday and keep my fingers crossed. May also rethink upgrading to Aqua. While cabin size is not much larger, the perks appeal.

Luminae is available every day for breakfast and dinner. It is also available for lunch on sea days.

 

[samcat]

With claustrophobia, I need a veranda so I can get fresh air. Even on our cruise to Alaska, we had the door open frequently and I sat outside with my wool coat, enjoying the view. It was lovely.

I did the same on our Alaska cruise except with a sweatshirt! It was wonderful. We were nearing Victoria on our way back to Seattle. All of a sudden small boats all took off in one direction. I realized they were whale watching boats and had spotted whales. I'll never forget it.

 

[DrRoy]

I agree there are better things to spend on.

 

[Maidensong]

The DH and I have more than 250 days afloat on various cruise lines, but never Celebrity. I have however heard very good things about them.

My advice is to bid as much as you feel the upgrade is worth, enough so you don't feel bad if you don't win it. I think you'll be happy either way.

We've never done an inside cabin, but started with portholes in our young poor days. Once we booked a veranda, we never went back. We splurged on a mini-suite once but a veranda is about right. Like you, we appreciate privacy and need some down time. And not just for sleeping. Having a private outdoor space is very important to us. On our most recent Norway cruise on the QM2, we ditched the dining room and ate room service on our veranda while we sailed out the length of Sognefjord. Magical.

We also like to order coffee delivered to the room each morning to sip on the verandah before our day starts. Since the sail-ins are often early, it's a lovely way to see a preview of your next adventure.

Have a wonderful time!

 

[ShokWaveRider]

Personally, I wish it was easier to book a cruise. I really do not like all the choices and options, All I want is a simple all-inclusive, where I pay once and done, No Tips, No Premium Booze, etc. I have looked at many sites too. I get bored with them. The Nickel and diming of the cruise industry is tedious.

If I could find this we would like to take a Partial Panama canal cruise. But not so bad a to wade through the options. I have not called a cruise consolidator yet, maybe it is better if they do everything.

 

[MichaelB]

Personally, I wish it was easier to book a cruise. I really do not like all the choices and options, All I want is a simple all-inclusive, where I pay once and done, No Tips, No Premium Booze, etc. I have looked at many sites too. I get bored with them. The Nickel and diming of the cruise industry is tedious.

If I could find this we would like to take a Partial Panama canal cruise. But not so bad a to wade through the options. I have not called a cruise consolidator yet, maybe it is better if they do everything.

Here you go https://www.rssc.com/cruises/NAV191119/summary

 

[ShokWaveRider]

Here you go https://www.rssc.com/cruises/NAV191119/summary

Thanks MB, but for me at least that site is very tedious to navigate. I select Caribbean and Panama canal and get 40 cruises back and have to look through each one. All I want is a Partial Panama Canal, not a full as the link above is.

Perhaps I should just call them. It may be easier.

 

[Nemo2]

Perhaps I should just call them. It may be easier.

Naah, just buy your own ship.

 

[ShokWaveRider]

Naah, just buy your own ship.

Been there done that...

 

[MichaelB]

Perhaps I should just call them. It may be easier.

Rekall

 

[Souschef]

The DH and I have more than 250 days afloat on various cruise lines, but never Celebrity. I have however heard very good things about them.

My advice is to bid as much as you feel the upgrade is worth, enough so you don't feel bad if you don't win it. I think you'll be happy either way.

We've never done an inside cabin, but started with portholes in our young poor days. Once we booked a veranda, we never went back. We splurged on a mini-suite once but a veranda is about right. Like you, we appreciate privacy and need some down time. And not just for sleeping. Having a private outdoor space is very important to us. On our most recent Norway cruise on the QM2, we ditched the dining room and ate room service on our veranda while we sailed out the length of Sognefjord. Magical.

We also like to order coffee delivered to the room each morning to sip on the verandah before our day starts. Since the sail-ins are often early, it's a lovely way to see a preview of your next adventure.

Have a wonderful time!

We started off the same way in window cabins when we were financially challenged. We opted for a mini suite on a 32 day cruise because of the extra room.
Since we are traveling quite a bit less, we can now afford a suite, and for us it was a game changer. The idea of 2 rooms you can curtain off really appeals to us.
By the way a tip of the hat to Gumby, who sailed on the 598 many years after I did.

 

[Canoeboy]

With claustrophobia, I need a veranda so I can get fresh air. Even on our cruise to Alaska, we had the door open frequently and I sat outside with my wool coat, enjoying the view. It was lovely.

Am planning a one way Northbound Inside Passage trip to Alaska around Labor Day next year on Norwegian - Vancouver to Anchorage. Was contemplating getting a balcony room (mid ship non-obstructed view) for the reasons you mentioned. Planning to book in the coming weeks. Appreciate any insight from folks that are regular cruisers on this specific itinerary and line. Our last cruise was 30 years ago. Thanks!

 

[Souschef]

Am planning a one way Northbound Inside Passage trip to Alaska around Labor Day next year on Norwegian - Vancouver to Anchorage. Was contemplating getting a balcony room (mid ship non-obstructed view) for the reasons you mentioned. Planning to book in the coming weeks. Appreciate any insight from folks that are regular cruisers on this specific itinerary and line. Our last cruise was 30 years ago. Thanks!

I have attached a copy of our trip story for your information. I would suggest starboard side if you are going North.

 

[Maidensong]

A Good Travel Agent

Personally, I wish it was easier to book a cruise. I really do not like all the choices and options, All I want is a simple all-inclusive, where I pay once and done, No Tips, No Premium Booze, etc. I have looked at many sites too. I get bored with them. The Nickel and diming of the cruise industry is tedious.

If I could find this we would like to take a Partial Panama canal cruise. But not so bad a to wade through the options. I have not called a cruise consolidator yet, maybe it is better if they do everything.

Let me recommend our travel agent, Teresa Skeim at Cruise Specialists. She knows what all the cruise lines offer. If you tell her what you want, she'll come back with one or two voyages for you to consider instead of having to wade through all of them.

It doesn't cost anything to use a TA. In fact, you will likely enjoy some extra perks that aren't available to those who book directly with the line.

 

[ShokWaveRider]

Let me recommend our travel agent, Teresa Skeim at Cruise Specialists. She knows what all the cruise lines offer. If you tell her what you want, she'll come back with one or two voyages for you to consider instead of having to wade through all of them.

It doesn't cost anything to use a TA. In fact, you will likely enjoy some extra perks that aren't available to those who book directly with the line.

Thanks, I may just give her a call.

 

[Souschef]

Let me recommend our travel agent, Teresa Skeim at Cruise Specialists. She knows what all the cruise lines offer. If you tell her what you want, she'll come back with one or two voyages for you to consider instead of having to wade through all of them.

It doesn't cost anything to use a TA. In fact, you will likely enjoy some extra perks that aren't available to those who book directly with the line.

+1 on using TA. The one we use has worked her magic many times to get us cabins we thought were sold out. Also they normally give you some OBC (on board credit)

 

[FIREarly]

DW does not sleep well at home and loved staying in the inner cabin "default" room with no windows. She got her best sleep in a long time. It is your decision if you want to upgrade and spend the extra money but you'll probably have a great time either way.

Thank you for the reminder that we need to go on a cruise again!

 

[Nemo2]

DW does not sleep well at home and loved staying in the inner cabin "default" room with no windows. She got her best sleep in a long time.

We've generally opted for inside cabins, (primarily based on 'bang for the buck'), but on a couple (or more) occasions, where the price differential is minimal, we've gone for a window. (One trip the OBCs for an oceanview made that the better deal price wise....but that happens rarely.)

Both of us like the, sensory deprivation tank style, darkness of an inside cabin - we also like having a port hole...get something/give something up.

Our main concern is liking the ship, (no mega vessels thank you), and the ports - where we hunker down is low on the list.

 

[Teacher Terry]

Nemo, I totally agree. Our first 2 cruises we had a ocean view cabin with a big window and the cabin was bigger also. Then we went to a inside cabin and loved it. The sleep I got was awesome.