31st cruise, 8th on Celeb, Jan 7, 2017. Cabin was a cat 2D partly obstructed balcony, deck 6, $949 p.p. with free classic drink plan, free grats, and $300 OBC. Embarkation was the fastest ever, dropped the bags at 11 and walked on the ship at 11:50. Quite short security and ship card lines. Cabin hallways were closed off to cruisers until 1:00 when prep was done, so we had to take our carryons to lunch instead of leaving them outside the cabin and taking them in later when prep was done.

On boarding the sales pitch for specialty dining offered 2 options: 30 % off first night in any venue, and 3 dinners any nights any venue for $109 pp which equals about 30 % off, which we bought and used in the Murano, Tuscan, and Qsine. Bookings filled up fast for Murano and Tuscan Grill, and we had to scramble to get the dates and times we wanted (wanted to be in the MDR on chic nights for the good menus). Regular prices were Murano $50, Tuscan $45, and Qsine $45.

Lots of loungers at and above the pool, with some even open at prime time, due in part to the pool butlers who go around with a rolling cart and pick up any towels on loungers that do not also have some personal items, first time we’ve seen that actively done. So this solves the problem of ppl who abandon a lounger leaving a towel on it so others can’t tell if it’s in use (there are no towel police, you get them w/o beeping your card), so no incentive to return used towels to the bin. Read more