RMac713

How was 11172? We have not stayed in a magic carpet suite yet, I know I'd love the big window, but just got a move up offer to a sunset sky suite and now I'm wondering if I should give it a shot (we love Aft cabins, but boy would that be a lot of steps to the Retreat)

I already booked (last night) a trip for next March. I have always booked my own on Disney and more lately Celebrity. I am still in the window to transfer to a TA, should I do that? Someone recommended vacations to go.

I don't remember this on my April Beyond cruise, and certainly not on the "tryout" Ascent cruises last month. I did have some in the room as we were in a sky suite. As for the tote bag, in April it was in the room at the start of the cruise. Last month on Ascent the room steward left it for us with the yellow excursion towels the day before we were in Cozumel. So we got it on day #3.

We got questions via email a few weeks before we left and one of the questions was about pillow preference, firmness, etc. I asked for memory foam pillows and when the stateroom host talked to us she pointed out that we had those pillows.

The pool itself would start getting crowded around noon but taper off a couple of hours later. I usually would go up early and get a spot for us (I don't leave my stuff, but I did take a couple of little naps) then my husband would hit the lounge and bring me up a couple of chocolate croissants. We would stay until about 2 on sea days. Luminae only seemed crowded one night when they put us in a completely different section and all of our servers, sommelier, bread person, etc were different. We didn't spend too much time in the lounge.

When we were on Ascent for the two short cruises last month we booked another cruise on Apex (Sky Suite) for 2/25. We are already doing the ABC(magic carpet suite) on Beyond this July with tips, OBC because we booked it in April of last year. By far my favorite thing on the Edge class is the retreat pool (we started our Celebrity journey on Equinox--nice ship but just a retreat deck, no pool). We spent every morning into early afternoon at that area last month. We live in Ohio and do NOT have a pool at home so we really enjoy it. I'm spoiled now. I know some people don't care but that is a priority for us. Our stateroom host/butler/whatever on Ascent was a gem and so friendly. We do not ask for a lot (never finished the afternoon snacks we had on Beyond last April), just ice 2x a day. We got our pillow request and she stopped in on day one and explained the remote and asked us when we would like our champagne iced. If I had to downgrade, I would check retreat on the S class ships first (we'd just have to get to the pool earlier) or a room with a real balcony on the edge class. We'll see what happens after our Apex cruise.

I'm pretty sure she introduced herself to us as "stateroom host". But she was very excited as we were the first guests she talked to because she saw us drop off our carry on bags. She did give me a separate card. There was a card for the head butler in our portfolio but we never needed it. She asked when I wanted the champagne ready for both cruises and made sure I had ice, which I used to fill up my stanley with the water provided.

We asked for ice to be filled twice a day, and coffee/iced tea in the mornings. Not much but she did a great job, checked on us at least twice a day, and was super friendly.

My husband and I just did the 4 and 3 night first two cruises on Ascent B2B. We were in the same sky suite (10141) for both. Our "stateroom host" Kate was great and did everything we asked and quickly. Service on the retreat deck was quick and correct. Luminae was well done and great service from our server Eduardo. Ate at Eden and Final Cut, and enjoyed the Martini Bar. We already had an 8 night in July on the Beyond and booked a 7 night on Apex in 2/25. And I was the first ever winner of the new trivia show "Duel" on the 4 night. 🙂

Should have booked the 5 night when I first saw it because hours later it was a lot more money. As for the 7 nights I've been to all the ports but Bimini.

Just a side note....when you win trivia on Beyond you don't get anything for it. On DCL there was a little medal, and on Equinox last summer I got little coupons that added up and at the end of the cruise I got a T shirt. But on Beyond in April there was nothing.

I am cruising on the first two "preview" cruises on Ascent in Retreat. Honestly, the best part of our retreat sailing on Beyond in April was the pool area and that is what I'm focusing on. I wonder what Zach would think if he had access to that kind of retreat deck.

We are doing both of the Ascent "try-out" cruises in November BTB. I know they are not considered the maiden voyage, but will there be any merchandise involved about being the real first cruise? I'm excited but I'm hoping there is at least some hoopla.

Before Celebrity we did 6 Disney cruises--2 with 3 kids, one with our youngest who was a senior, and 3 as adults. Only one post-pandemic--a holiday cruise to see the decorations. When I started looking at prices for another cruise last summer I decided to try Celebrity but I was nervous. However, for the price of a Disney cruise (without tips or drinks or excursions) we booked a 6 night celebrity suite on the equinox. Wow! We were sold. So in April we took a 7 night on Beyond in a sky suite--WOW again! We now have a Beyond scheduled in November and an Apex next November. Disney is great, but unti the grands can go, no point in spending the money. In fact, we have been spending our vacation money on cruises and saving up our Disney Vacation Club points to see our daughter in Hawaii this summer--we may sell them after that because need to do Disney every year is gone. I'd rather cruise and see new places. My grand plan is to cruise the Greek Isles in 2026 for our 40th anniversary.