Carried_Away

When I was on the Summit last year, the master was Captain Nigel, who I believe was Irish. Definitely not Greek.

She said in one of her recent videos that she was asked to extend her contract for a few weeks.

I think you have a good chance of getting the reservation, especially since you're willing to be flexible on time. The app doesn't show all availability. When I've booked specialty dining packages, I haven't had difficulty making reservations on the ship on embarkation day. A number of times, I've also been able to change reservations well into a cruise. My experience is that the specialty restaurant managers try to be as accommodating as possible. Even when their first response is that they're fully booked, they tend to find a way to find a way to make something happen, at least in my experience. I'm assuming you'll have priority as a suite guest. I'm sure the Retreat concierge can help with a reservation, but if the concierge is typically busy on embarkation day, you can go to any specialty restaurant to make a reservation or find the crew taking reservations in other locations. There are usually tables for specialty reservations outside of Oceanview and sometimes in other places around the ship on embarkation day.

Thank you all. Your replies are very helpful.

I did the mixology class at the World Class Bar on one of the S-class ships. The last drink we made was a smoked Zacapa, and it was very nice. I think it's the Zacapa Above the Clouds on the World Class Bar menu. As others have pointed out, it's several dollars above the premium limit, but I recommend it based on your tastes for dark liquor and smoked drinks.

I'm cruising to Alaska for the first time at the end of May and beginning of June. My friend and I are doing a B2B that will take us from Vancouver to Seward and back to Vancouver. I've read the advice on this forum to dress in layers, and I've seen a number of posts in which people talk about wearing hats and gloves. I've also looked at the weather averages and norms for southeastern Alaska in May and June. For example, I see that average high temperatures in Juneau at that time of year are in the upper 50s or low 60s and average lows are in the 40s. I understand that the weather can vary significantly, and I'll check the forecast close to my trip. But assuming the weather is average or normal this year, would you recommend bringing gloves, a hat, and a warm winter coat? I would not wear any of those items when temperatures are in the 50s or 60s at home. Even in the 40s, I wouldn't wear my warmest coat, gloves, or a hat unless I was spending a long time outside. Does wind or proximity to glaciers or something else I'm not thinking of make the weather feel a lot colder on Alaska cruises? For perspective, I'm from Philadelphia, and the friend I'm cruising with is from New England. I'm used to daytime highs in the 40s or colder all winter, and we both prefer cold to heat. Assuming average weather is forecast for our trip, I'm thinking of packing jeans and midweight pants, long- and short-sleeved knit shirts, two or three fleeces or sweaters for layering, and a lightweight waterproof jacket. Do those of you from similar climates think I need warmer items?

I'd go with Aqua because of the extra space in the rooms and Blu. The open partitions, the extra CC points, and the Persian Garden access would be bonuses. The Summit is a sentimental favorite for me, but I don't like how few specialty restaurants it has. Blu helps to make up for that by offering more variety (you can order from the MDR menu as well as the Blu menu), a nicer ambience than the MDR, and excellent service.

In the last several days, I've seen the Elite discount on drink packages in my cruise planner sometimes, and other times I've seen the regular pre-sailing discount. The first time I tried buying the non-alcoholic beverage package that was shown with the Elite discount, my purchase didn't go through; the message I got was that the item wasn't available. The second time I tried the same purchase, the discount reverted to the usual 10% when I tried to check out. I assume I'll be spending a long time waiting on the phone to buy the beverage package.

When my friend and I were on the Summit in last summer, we asked for the MDR menu along with the Blu menu each night, and we ordered from the MDR menu several times. We're looking forward to our B2B on the Summit to Alaska this year. The ship is a sentimental favorite for us.

I really like St. Kitts, and it's my friend's favorite port. I also like St. Thomas. Puerto Plata is on the itinerary for a cruise I have booked in 2025, but I haven't been there yet. I'm thinking it might be a ship day for me.

Almost nothing seems out of place to me on Celebrity's "evening chic" nights. Not many people wear tuxes and evening gowns, but a few do. I see a wide range of styles and formality, and in my view, it all fits. Wear what you like.

Food is so subjective, but I like Tuscan Grille and always have at least one dinner there when I'm on an M- or S-class ship. As with every other specialty restaurant I've dined in, the food and service range from fine to excellent depending on the night. I see quite a few others recommend Murano instead of Tuscan, and to the point that food is subjective and personal, I disagree. There's nothing on the Murano menu that I want to eat. But the friend I cruise with does like that type of food, so I've gone with her to dinner in Murano once each cruise we've done on an S-class ship. The service and ambience haven't impressed me, and I can't figure out why so many people say Murano is so much better than the other specialty restaurants. I recommend looking at the menus on the app as Jim suggested and going to the restaurant with the menu that appeals to you the most.

I was also on the January 19 sailing. It was Captain Kate's first cruise back from vacation, and she said she would be working until mid-April.

I've gotten card holders and tote bags on previous Celebrity cruises, but I didn't get either on the Beyond in January, I am Elite and was staying in Concierge Class.

I cruise with a friend and was able to combine our casino offers for a cruise we just booked. I don't know what the offer codes were. The Blue Chip phone agents were relatively helpful and competent, compared the usual Celebrity shoreside customer service.