NCHPcruiser

We just booked this cruise yesterday!  Looking forward to sailing with Celebrity again and on the Apex.  Our last Celebrity cruise was 2/2019 on the Edge shortly before the shutdown.   Hoping that for most or all the ports we are not required to take a Celebrity excursion.  No way would I get into a crowded bus!   Though this cruise really has nothing to do with the ports/excursions and everything about rest and relaxation.  

I just ordered 6 test from eMed two minutes ago so they are available.  

Graphicguy,  call us crazy but we booked a cruise on Apex for March 19th this morning.  We need a break and feel a cruise beginning and ending in the US is the safest for us.  Should we be quarantined during the cruise and not be able to fly we would be able to drive home (though it would be a long drive, 11 hours).   Our first choice was actually going to Turks and Caicos as we did last February but I’m too afraid of needing to quarantine there in a very expensive room!  

We would have done the exact same thing as the OP as unhappy as it would have made us.  And we know there will be another opportunity when we feel it’s a better time, which hopefully will be soon!   Hopefully the OP will be aboard a Celebrity ship sooner than later!   

Please continue posting your thoughts! We are also Celebrity suite passengers and recently ventured onto a Crystal sailing which apart from the abysmal internet we enjoyed.  Looking to expand our experience to Regent!  

We have never experienced a problem having friends (a couple) join us in Luminae, even multiple times during a cruise.   Also on several occasions we have hosted friends in our suite with our Butler (or whatever they are now called?) providing appetizers (usually shrimp cocktail and cheese/crackers).    (All pre-Covid)

It’s fairly simple to get a check  from the credit card company.  They once automatically sent us one when after several months we had still not used all the credit.  

On 12/11/2021 at 7:33 PM, micmacmissy said:

Great review, thanks for taking us along.

 

Just booked a Retreat suite for spring break.  Curious as to whether there is a fight to get loungers in the Retreat on sea days?

 

We toyed with the idea of booking Crystal so we wouldn't have to deal with chair hogs and crowds, but decided to try the Retreat first.  Thoughts?

 

Also - I'm shocked they don't offer any hard seltzers!  How's the bourbon selection onboard?

Unfortunately I believe there are chair hogs on Crystal as well.   We just returned Saturday from our first Crystal Cruise after many Celebrity cruises (all good!) the most recent ones in The Retreat.   While I didn’t experience a problem getting a lounger (or sofa) around the pool on The Symphony (less than 50% occupancy) I did notice several prime spots obviously being held for long periods of time with perfect, undisturbed towel placement and a book.   With higher occupancy no doubt it could be a problem on Crystal as well as Celebrity!  As an aside, the food was superb (better than I imagined could be possible on a cruise ship) and service over the top.  Internet was terrible, dial-up speed and the only reason we will not sail with them again until that is remedied to some degree.  

Loving your post and learning a lot!  I type this from the airport in San Juan after disembarking the Crystal Symphony visiting several of the same ports.   We are loyal Celebrity cruisers (usually in Sky or Celebrity suites) but have decided to try Crystal (food was incredible!) and Seabourn’s smaller ships.  Your post have convinced us to give Seabourn a try next spring.  (Really hoping some changes are made regarding the food in The Restuarant though!)

Cranston and Michael’s Club evoke wonderful memories for my husband and I and for many others!  It doesn’t get much better.   Following along with envy!

You have a great suite in any case!  

Looking forward to another one of your reviews!  

I think it is entirely up to Kreative as to whether to mention specifics about what wasn’t up to expectation.   It lets the reader know that things aren’t perfect at the moment and they are under no obligation to expound further.  Who knows if someone from Celebrity reads these reviews.  If they do, personally I wouldn’t want to get someone in trouble for what could be a one time occurrence.    Should problems persist, well then that’s another story.  
 

Thanks for the review Kreative!

Bon voyage!  I’ll be following along!  About a year ago I commented in a post, halfway in jest, that a tear or two might be shed when I next boarded a ship.   Now a year later and less than two weeks away from finally boarding our next cruise, I can say a joyful tear will definitely be shed.  

Yes they are!  

I have never been cold in any of the common areas on the Reflection (or other Celebrity ships).  On a Caribbean cruise I generally wear what I would at home during the summer.   Our cabin, on the other hand,  we keep as cool as possible, especially at night.  

We have had very memorable experiences in Murano but our best experience was a Veuve Clicquot dinner in the private dining room of Fine Cut Steakhouse.   That dining room seemed much roomier than the private dining room in Murano used for special dinners.   

Following along!  Hope you get that early check-in and get your work knocked out fast!  

Definitely the Silhouette!  It’s our favorite for many of the reasons chemmo outlined above.

Having gone through a very similar situation as you described (30 year old son, leaving us to raise his precious 3 year old daughter) you seemingly do not understand how fortunate you are to cruise AND unplug.  Many (including us) are not so fortunate.  It’s either stay connected for family reasons or work,  or not travel. We choose to travel while we have our health.  

On 11/12/2021 at 12:19 PM, Guppy99 said:

I find it so odd that so many want to stay connected on a cruise. One of the reasons i love cruising is so that I can be totally unconnected. No phone calls, no emails, no nothing....blissful.

I don't even like the idea of having the celebrity ap on my phone and needing to refer to it while on the ship... I just won't do it.

You are in an extremely fortunate place in life that you are able to do this.  Instead of finding it odd, perhaps you should count your lucky stars that you are in such a place.

Following along with everyone else!  Enjoy your time aboard the Summit!

We loved having the bed facing the water on our Edge cruise.  It’s good to know in the aft facing S1’s the beds do not face the water.  

22 minutes ago, biscuitsandhoney said:

I have read that the retreat areas were crowded (someone said 'packed') on E class, which would be very different from the S class we were on where it seemed like we had a private lounge. Did you experience a feeling of overcrowded retreat areas on the Edge? We are booked on the Edge in January and are excited to experience E class for the first time.

I can’t speak to the current situation  but on our last cruise February 2020 (Caribbean) The Retreat (Edge) was anything but packed!  Not even close to being crowded, ever!   In the evenings prior to dinner in Luminae there was usually less than ten people there for pre-dinner cocktails.  The Retreat pool area was fairly busy but never “packed” and we were always able to get a lounger and had great service.   

Luminae, your butler and the Retreat concierge will certainly make sure your birthday is special!