NCHPcruiser

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!

Celebrity sounds like an excellent fit for you!  At the very least worth a try though my guess is you’ll book another.  

We love the Porch and in our experience it’s always been a lunch venue with no option of making a reservation.   Only once has it been so busy we decided to eat elsewhere.   During a warm weather cruise it can get very hot unless there is a very good breeze.  

We love the Celebrity Suites at least on M & S class ships.  For us a separate bedroom is integral to our enjoyment of the cruise.  DH is a very early riser even on a cruise and I relish the opportunity to sleep late. If we have friends cruising with us, we especially enjoy the extra space.   Some of our best cruises have been in CS’s!   Our butlers have always been outstanding while in a CS.  

We have stayed in suites on all ship classes.  Our Edge experience (Feb. 2020) in The Retreat was wonderful, every bit as good or better than on any other ship.  We miss the actual bar in the old Michael’s Club but otherwise loved The Retreat and the service we received.  

I would without a doubt take the Sky Suite!  We really enjoy The Retreat and the service they provide.  

After considering Crystal for years we recently booked a December cruise on the Symphony (also PH Suite) so I am happy to hear that tinaincc had a good experience.    Relaxing, good food and pampering is just what the doctor ordered!  We love Celebrity (never sailed anything but) and will no doubt sail them again though!  

Our favorite ship is the Silhouette however the three extra days on the Reflection would win out for us.  The Reflection has always seemed a little more crowded to us.   Also we like The Porch on the Silhouette  though not everyone does.  

We had to turn in our passports at some point during a Baltic cruise.  Celebrity kept them for a period of time before they were returned.   It’s an uncomfortable feeling but evidently not uncommon on some itineraries.  

Thank you for once again providing so many people, myself included, so many hours of enjoyment through your post!   You really need to add another cruise before April as a public service to all of us that are cruise deprived!  

Never get emails or mail from Celebrity and never really thought about until now.  We get something in the mail from either Crystal, Viking, Seabourn and Regent daily.  

Judy, Sadly our son passed away suddenly on Sunday so we will not be making the trip.  (Fortunately we had insurance.)  We emailed our TA on Monday so I don’t know if the documents would have been available as promised or not.  

Have a wonderful trip and I will look forward to  seeing your pics and reading your review.

Martha 

Good to hear, Paul!  Thanks!

Spoke with our TA again this afternoon.  She is really trying her best and has an excellent relationship with AMA but even she is at her wits end.   Even had dinner with a VP last weekend.  She has escalated the situation and they are “promising” we will have our documents NEXT TUESDAY!  We leave 10 days later.  AMA has thrown out several reasons,  none of which carry any water with me.    I am so happy we booked our own air.     It sure does diminish the usual excitement before a trip!    My husband is wondering why we didn’t book with Viking or Uniworld both of which have established Egypt trips.  And actually I can’t recall the reason now but it surely wasn’t because AMA was less expensive since the category we wanted wasn’t available and the only thing left was a suite.   And yes, Judy, we are now very concerned how the trip will be!  

Stay tuned!  

In our case we could only be on one ship, the AmaDahlia.  Very frustrated that AMA keeps sending  emails to us about downloading our documents but we have no documents to download almost two weeks before departure.   The time before a trip should be spent anticipating the adventure not stressing over not having received travel documents from a company that has had A LOT of our money for several months.  And I’m tired of having to tell my husband that yet another day has passed with nothing from AMA.   Our local TA who frequently books with AMA seems frustrated as well.  

Drac999, My husband and I leave for this trip later this month including pre-cruise in Jordan.  We board the AmaDahlia on Nov. 1.  SInce this is a new itinerary for AMA and there isn’t much information out on CC I plan to post a trip report and pics so check back in a couple of weeks.  We are so excited!  

The Silhouette is our favorite of the M or S Class ships (we have been on all of them at least once). And we like both The Porch and Lawn Club Grill (given the right weather).  We love having the additional dining options on the Silhouette especially on a longer cruise.   However, we wouldn’t hesitate to sail on any of the S-class ships.  

I have so enjoyed reading your review and pictures!  It was my evenings entertainment tonight.   Thank you for taking the time to share your trip with us.  

Judy, I had an email today from my TA saying that AMA wanted us to download the CLEAR app.   It only takes a few minutes.  One of the items you will upload is a copy of your vaccination card.  The app will produce a QR code which is required in Egypt.   That is not the holdup for getting the e-documents though.  Our TA is off today but is calling AMA again tomorrow about those.  

Martha

Judy, we have STILL not received our documents.  Our Jordan portion begins Oct. 26th.  I have read a few comments on FB of others not receiving documents until 10-14 days prior.   I will be sure to post as soon as we receive ours!  

Martha

Judy,

This is what I have seen on visitjordan.com.  I think the form can be found on the gateway2jordan website.  

All travelers must complete a health declaration and locator form at check-in if arriving by air, obtain health/travel insurance (For Non Jordanians), and visit https://gateway2jordan.gov.jo/form to complete the required travel declaration form and obtain their personal QR code which is mandatory for boarding.
- Passengers are required to present the applicable documents upon arrival. This includes the QR code, a negative PCR test result from the country of departure, and the vaccination certificate (for vaccinated passengers).

Martha

Judy, 

As of this evening we have not received our documents and have no information about the flight from Jordan to Cairo or Egypt flights.   I am mainly curious about itinerary since what I have seen on FB indicates a few changes from what is listed on the AMA website.  From a FB post it appears a stop at the Dead Sea has been added which is fine since my husband has not been.  I’m not sure if this is simply an addition or if anything was deleted.   I think you arrive a few days early so knowing the final itinerary could be more important to you as you make plans for those additional days.   AMA is suppose to have added our additional night at the St. Regis and transfer a day earlier than others arrive so we do want to make sure that has been taken care of.    

I’ll be sure to post when I receive ours!

Martha

Thanks, Paul.  Our TA just called to say she spoke with AMA and they are working on everything.  She seemed a little surprised they weren’t available but I’m not terribly concerned.   On this trip (Jordan pre-cruise extension, Cairo and Nile cruise) there are no excursions to sign up for.   We all do the same thing from what I understand.  Of course last weeks group was only 12!    I think we will have closer to 40.     Once onboard their may be a few optional short outings (hot air balloon).  We are already signed up for the optional Abu Simbel excursion and hope it happens.   

The Reflection is my least favorite S-class ship.   And while I have not sailed on the Apex, we LOVED the Edge so for us the choice would be easy.   I would definitely go with the Apex.