KKB

Cannot comment on the Bliss but have sailed Getaway, Encore & Breakaway in the last 18 mos. There was no poker table on any of these. They DID have TX Hold Em tournaments but they were held at regular table game tables (so 6 seats). We did Poker cruise on Getway in 2019 then again on the Encore last Dec. They ALSO had these smaller daily tournaments on the regular table game tables. (the large main tournament had a designated space & actual poker tables)

@Bently57Thanks for your review! We have done all the Eclass ships (I'm a bit obsessed...) with the Ascent booked Jan. 2025. We were on the Beyond last week while you were on Ascent. Overall agree. Agree w/ you on IV--we love the extra space it provides. I've sat on a covered balcony & thought--walls, ceiling...really no difference except complete separation of indoor/outdoor space. (which many obviously prefer) NCL Breakaway class does Promenade the best--all of deck 8 is full of seating, with a bar on each side & evening restaurant seating. Lovely area day & night. Eden--we have sat there during the day & read & find it very bright with the wall of windows. Very peaceful as well. We don't go often in the evenings, but the unique drinks bring us in a time or 2. Glad you had such a wonderful trip!

What ship & sailing? What other lines have you sailed? I have only done 5 NCL sailings, all in the last 5 years, but there has always been several trivias, arts & crafts, etc. By I large I find their activities comparable to others. (tho admittedly our 1 & only Carnival cruise took it to a whole new level) In almost 40 sailings over 20 years on most mainstream lines, I have only found 1 sailing that lacked activities--and that seemed to do more with the cruise director than the line. I suspect that might be the issue on your sailing--unless the whole activities staff got ill at the same time? Unlikely but possible in that environment.

They only do Fleetwood Mac songs during the Rumours show. The other 4 shows are all different--70s/80s hits.

Thanks for all this!

We have never been to Bridgetown & aren't sure what to do. We enjoy walking around a Caribbean town as long as it is organic--not just a manufactured port. Is that possible in Bridgetown or should we take a bus tour to see the island...the description isn't very telling, so not super excited about it!

Thus why wisdom is not wasted on the young...

Are Tides or JuJus close to the port? Our excursion ends at 130 & would love to grab lunch!

Hey I'm no wine snob--I'm a fan of Aldi Winking Owl Pinot Grigio for $3/bottle! BUT I like what I like & I know what I DON'T like. (ie Sauvignon Blanc ideally from NZ/AUS, Europe will do, but not a fan of CA or Chile SBs) When the Aldi girl thinks Beringer is bad...well, you KNOW it is--but it's no Mad Dog!

OK...Beringer should NEVER be listed as a "Premium Selection" wine on ANY menu🤣 (I realize Premium is just the standard package...but the words Premium & Beringer do not belong together...)

I COMPLETELY understand that after (almost) monthly cruises for the last 18 mos. When we got back in October, I though SALADS & FISH & no dessert are my new regime. And then I see escargots & creme brulee on the menu...sigh...

It's funny--if I have a balcony, I like it open like SV. Yet we are perfectly happy w/ IV--prefer it over a covered traditional balcony.

I was on the Getaway for 2 weeks last summer & my opinion about NCL buffets was cemented--same opinion as you. And like you, my opinion is that it just needs to taste good! Luckily there are enough other options that buffet is only to grab a snack.

Porthole balcony & SS balcony are ENTIRELY different. While the Porthole balcony isn't an Infinite Veranda, it is TINY compared to SS balcony, which is expansive. Not a popular opinion, we much prefer an IV over a Porthole balcony (although they do appear to have made the Porthole balcony slightly larger--so that you can actually place your chair forward & sit in it, unlike Apex/Edge, on which you can only sit sideways, it is THAT narrow)

I'm not even a bourbon fan but I did like that!

Interesting...on Beyond in April there were a couple beer choices as well. DH liked that.

Ok the Freddy lounger pattern is creepy... OMG, LOVE that Bourbon & Peaches...can I get one made in steerage??!!

Well...I figured SOME of it out... Forgot to ask them to DROP the travel insurance (my Chase Reserve has very good coverage). But annoying I get a "20%" discount...BUT they add a $155pp "admin fee"--ALTHOUGH, this base fare plus that admin fee is just a few $ more than 20% off, so whatever...🙄 Honestly, looking at the invoice they sent me on the hold..NOTHING adds up--WTH??!!

If your booking says IV Guarantee, call Celebrity & ask that it be remedied. If you just booked a Balcony Guarantee, you might be out of luck, but you can still ask!

Correct, for the most part. Sunset Verandas & Suites have real verandas. The Porthole Veranda is a real balcony, and it does appear that the Ascent has made that veranda SLIGHTLY larger so that you may actually be able to sit forward now. We all know the Infinite Verandas are very polarizing--we are like you, we enjoy them as well as a regular Veranda as we aren't in our room much. Enjoy!!

May 27--yep, I was gonna cancel...but always fun to cruise w/ CCers!

Probably added to help those w/ mobility issues would couldn't take the stairs. But that is WILD.

2 bookings (did that on purpose to get both SH OBC!

Regal has Starlink (reported from other cruisers starting in June)

OK...thought so but wasn't scrolling down far enough. Huh. Doing B2B in April. Got confirmation email 2 weeks ago for both but it is only showing up on 1 reservation. Hmmm...do I call Princess or Stock Perks?