hasentreelake

The Top Shelf Margarita in Craft Social is great.
Not sure what it is called, but it is in their published menu.
Be sure to get the Top Shelf - the regular margarita isn't very good.

On 4/18/2024 at 4:07 PM, KEG21552 said:

Following with great interest.  We will be on this same itinerary next April.  We have been on the Summit 3 time (twice before re-do and once after).  We love the ship but have been reading some not so favorable comments lately.

Hope you have a great trip and the Summit is back up to her excellent standards.

We in the same boat!  🙂  
We're on the Summit next April for the 16N Westward Transit!
 

We got the great upgrade deals on both our 2024 trips.
Our 2025 Panama Canal trip doesn't show any offering to upgrade from classic to premium drink package.  Has anyone else experienced this ?  Is it possibly an oversight ?  
This same trip is offering WiFi upgrades which we purchased.

 

24 minutes ago, BeasleysMom66 said:

Will they refund the difference or do you have to cancel and rebook?

We have found that they cancel (and issue a refund) and you rebook...

I was hopeful, but no 20 percent off on any of our 3

upcoming cruises...

3 hours ago, Charles4515 said:

I strongly advise against driving in the evening in Bermuda with one of the mini EV's. (they are not cars) The road from Hamilton to the Dockyard in the dark, don't do that. Take the ferry to Harbour Nights and back. As far as charging stations whichever rental company will tell you their actions. The different mini EV use different charging stations. They all have some place in the Dockyard to charge overnight. 

 

For snorkeling Church Bay and Tobacco Bay.  

1 hour ago, princeton123211 said:

Agree with Charles-- they drive on the left, roads are narrow and slippery, and these EV rentals are governed at slower speeds. Locals in busses, mopeds, and cars will just run roughshod over you on the road. Nighttime driving in them is hazardous as they are not well marked and they are significantly smaller than cars and even golf carts. It's just not a great program. To be clear-- there is no way as a visitor to rent a traditional car on the island. 

 

We use a combination of the ferries and taxis when we're on the island. The ferry from Dockyard to Hamilton is absolutely the way to go for Harbour Nights. For Tobacco Bay and things on the East Side of the island just take the ferry from Dockyard to St Georges and then work your way back via taxi. Once you get to Hamilton you can take the ferry back from there. 

Thank you both for your advice!

Our cruise to Bermuda in May 24 will include 3 days / 2 nights docked at Royal Navy Dockyard.

We plan to do a reef snorkel (ship excursion) upon arrival.
After returning to the ship, the plan is to rent an e-car late afternoon and go to Hamilton for Harbour Nights (it is a Wednesday).
Will parking be obvious? and plentiful?  
We plan to have dinner in Hamilton and return to the ship.

Where to park overnight?  At the car rental location?  or somewhere else?  Is there charging if I park other than the car rental lot?

Next day we plan to drive to Tobacco Bay, Blue Hole, Swizzle Inn or Art Mels or Rosas.
Elbow Beach, Long Beach, Horseshoe Bay, and Church Bay are also on the optional spots to hit before returning to the ship or go to  on the final day.  
We will take our snorkel gear - which of these ^^ places is best for snorkeling?  or somewhere else?

Thanks to any responses!

 

1 hour ago, Oceangoer2 said:

Will you both use the driver....😉?

Hmmm.  I guess you got me on that one😁

On 3/2/2024 at 10:21 AM, RichYak said:

I'm seeing really good pricing for Retreat guarantee on Eclipse for many (maybe all) of her Bermuda sailings from Bayonne this summer. Here's one example.

Thank you for posting!
We are scheduled for Bermuda late May '24.
Curently in a SV.  We looked at the upgrade this a.m. and it is 'only' about $1800 total to switch to the Sky SV.  I'm almost tempted to pull the trigger - but we don't particularly care for Luminae.  So, other than a larger cabin we don't see the value on Eclipse.  We'll eat dinner in Bermuda two nights and probably book 2 Murano and 2 Tuscan, which leaves one night in MDR.  Save the $ for a new Callaway AI Smoke driver 🙂 

13 hours ago, cincymel said:

We're mostly newbies booked on Beyond in June and have the classic drink package.  This might be a goofy question, but if a cocktail's description sounds good but it would be prepared with a premium liquor (thus outside our package), can you ask to have it made with a classic package liquor?  And would that bring the cocktail's pricing down to classic package?  I'm not thinking of the specialty drinks at Eden or Martini Bar -- just, for example, a vodka based cocktail advertised as using Grey Goose?

We really like the premium margharita in Craft Social.
But, what we've found is when you ask for a margharita they don't prepare the top shelf unless you are very specific and point it out on the menu.  The 'regular' margharita is offered on the classic package - the top shelf on the premium package.  I know this isn't exactly what you asked, but it does point to making cocktails with well vs premium liquor.

7 hours ago, SG65CB said:

 

 

 

FYI they posted their review on another thread, here (read this entry and the following entries): 

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2973998-recent-tobago-info/?do=findComment&comment=66488855

 

Thank You for the repost!

I just had dinner at my local country Club.  
My impression from eating on ships and locally is that beef is not necessarily as good in general at the price points (even higher price points)  I'd grade the 8oz filet I had tonite as a C and I was paying high prices at the aforementioned country club.  
Overall quality is now more expensive and harder to find.

And some will pay up for the best.  I'm a 'once in a while' I'll pay up.

3 hours ago, drakes2 said:

Just off the Silhouette in November and the prime rib served on the first night was among some of the best I've ever tasted.

I was with you on this itinerary... I didn't see the Prime Rib  -  good for you 🙂 

1 minute ago, VintageCheap said:

Yes.  More than once. 

We were on a 10 night (I think) southern caribbean over Thanksgiving and I think they had 3 Slient Discos   We went to 2  (actually she went to 1 and I went to 2  🙂 ...  I did stay out of trouble)

1 hour ago, VintageCheap said:

The Oceanview Cafe continues to impress - a yummy Dulce De Leche pastry earlier and Shawarma just now. 

 

Dancing is good -we saw the first night production show and had lessons from the cast all week.

 

The plan to head back to Miami at six knots has worked - the sturdy ship is riding well in the ten foot seas.

 

 

 

10 foot seas are not to everyone liking.... We're in NC and they are calling for a NE'r on Sunday ⛈️

1 hour ago, VintageCheap said:

The Oceanview Cafe continues to impress - a yummy Dulce De Leche pastry earlier and Shawarma just now. 

 

Dancing is good -we saw the first night production show and had lessons from the cast all week.

 

The plan to head back to Miami at six knots has worked - the sturdy ship is riding well in the ten foot seas.

 

 

 

Dancing include Slient Disco?  Our fav! 😄

As the OP suggests... Don't let this ^^^^^ happen to you!  
Exhausting.

I 'tried' to leave.  I did not.  Other options do not fit for us.
a)  Those lines that are just too $$ for us.  Just not interested in paying $$ for vacations.
b)  Those other lines that are just a comporable as X.  Same issues (as mentioned) , so I know what I'm getting here and we are happy with SV / Prem / Spec Din.  We know our sweet spot.
c) Those other lines... I won't settle for anything less that X from a 60-something vibe , but want Martini Bar, Craft Social, Silent Disco.  🙂 

You should have the option ...  It's always an option so if you don't then maybe you are already Premium!  Wouldn't that just be the shizzle 🙂  

Don't worry about missing the 50% off, it's likely coming up again before your cruise.  Just keep watching your cruise planner (daily)...

8 minutes ago, prmssk said:

That wouldn't stop the conversation.  Just look at the PowerUp Points thread.....

 

It just might show how many people are moving to Celebrity from other lines.  And how many are leaving to luxury lines that really aren't a direct competitor to Celebrity (which IMHO would be happening to a certain extent anyway as people's incomes and tastes change). 

Both very good points!  Although I won't read the PowerUp Points thread - I just don't have the time or desire.   

1 hour ago, jabrown40 said:

Very excited to book my first Bermuda cruise on Silhouette May 8!  Three days in Bermuda, two in Charleston, and a day in Martha's Vineyard.  Can't wait!

 

We will be on X (Eclipse I think) for Spring 2024 to Bermuda.  Just Bermuda.
We've signed up for a Golf Excursion - still waiting on which course and confirmation.

6 minutes ago, prmssk said:

With how common these threads have become (regarding all the cruise lines), maybe we need an arrivals and departures board.

what else to talk about?  that's why we're (I'm) here 🙂 😁

55 minutes ago, ISABELLA said:

We just came back from 10 days Caribbean on Equinox. Very noticeable decline in MDR food quality and choices. Food in OV was better than MDR, enough variety for breakfast and lunch.

No more organic teas. Service in Al Bacio was awful. Half the time they made my Latte wrong. Cleaning tables was very slow. All seemed very disorganized.

For the first time ever, while we were sitting and enjoying our evening tea, we were approached by some officers from non customer related departments with questions about the cruise - if we were enjoying the cruise and if we have any comments.... Not sure what was the point....

Even with noticing all cutbacks, bad entertainment, we were glad back on the ship, but we would not return next year on X. We will be trying MSC YC and new Sun Princess. 

15 minutes ago, zitsky said:

What was the point?  What did you say?

^^ what @zitsky ^^ says...

I have to agree with 'confidence'.  I currently have a choice to choose other than X, but my confidence in what I am getting with X gives me pause to go elsewhere (aka Princess).

5 hours ago, billc23 said:

So true. I travel and take cruises or land based vacations as desired. In the past 20 years I usually would have more vacation days booked on Celebrity going forward than any other vacation (land or sea). Now Celebrity has moved to second place for me and may go further down the list, but I will still continue to book Celebrity as long as I do not lose confidence that they will deliver a great experience.  

Second place to what ?