Stem to Stern

Don’t forget the white gloves and tails.

In my collection of paraphernalia from my first Celebrity Cruise in 2005, I do not see the word “nominal” used to describe the $30 per person cover charge.  
I see that the price included the gratuity, but I’m sure the waiter received a bit of additional cash from me at the end of the meal.

A jacket was required every night and the addition of a tie on formal night.

The lost art of description via the written word on paper still existed then.

I wonder what ever happened to those wall panels from the Normandie ocean liner.

I enjoyed perusing this memorabilia.

Hopefully OP doesn’t mind me sharing it here.

Unfortunately I have experimented with mango in my smoothies and cocktails at home.

I love mango, but it is better off enjoyed on its own or over oatmeal.

25 minutes ago, PTC DAWG said:

They still make Tupperware? 

I saw some at TJ Maxx recently.

1 hour ago, alfiemom said:

Anyone in a hump cabin - were there footstools and recline chairs or were there those uncomfortable looking chairs?  We’re on the TA and spend quite a bit of time on the balcony - at least we did.

Silhouette 8252 angled verandah in April 2024.

No footstools, but I believe the chairs did recline.

Good tip for strawberry smoothies.

I am looking forward to those.

Will be looking for fresh squeezed OJ on Beyond.

Not sure if FSOJ is available at Elite Bfast or anywhere else for that matter??

If you are not concerned with which particular ports you visit, then I say go for it.

Summit is one of my favorite ships.

Follow Ade Roberts on his socials where he is currently building a strong case for this choice in Alaska.

Love you all, but this thread is off the rails!!

We have stayed in 9052 and were amazed at how quiet it was.  It felt quite cozy and soundproofed.  Not a huge fan of the overhang, but the verandah was nice and shady.

Thank you so much for sharing.

Great, great fun!! 🤩 

We will be (look for arrow) here.

Seems like our verandah won’t be as shady as yours.

But who cares with the wake views and sounds.

And yes, these E-class ladies are most photogenic.

I am really enjoying your commentary, bits of humor, and wonderful photography, @mac_tlc.  

You and your family seem to be having a great time on the cruise.
I have a couple more Sunset Verandah questions if I may.

1.  How has the soot situation been?  I am just wondering if there will be a need to request some additional beach towels to cover the chairs and to wipe our feet on when we are on Beyond.

2.  Would you say the Edge-class SVs provide more or less shade compared to the Solstice-class SVs.  Hoping for a bit more of an overhang on Deck 9 since we are used to baking on the Sostice-class SVs.

Thanks and we’ll sea you soon!

Well, in 591 days anyway.😂😂

10 minutes ago, NMTraveller said:

then why would Celebrity use such a temporary fix?  Zip ties break easily... 

Exactly.  They become brittle in the Caribbean sun and crumble to bits. 

Microplastics aren’t exactly great for our seas and their inhabitants.

Insane.  We have oversized verandahs on our next couple cruises.  
So one would not expect to find zip ties.  

But I will be sure to pack the hoof clippers just in case.😂

Before the next cruise I’ll test them out at home on a heavy-duty zip tie.

1 hour ago, airlink diva said:

cheaper to do the cruise compared to driving, a hotel, parking,etc in New Orleans itself.

Makes sense.  
NOLA is a long drive for us.  
No flight for us either with the port only two hours away.

I like the idea of only a couple of crazy party days, but then leaving all of that stimuli behind to enjoy a few relaxing days on the ship.

We also have a deposit on the February 2026 sailing.

Welcome home!

Thanks for sharing and describing this interesting app.

There is an app for everything now.😂

We catch a few z’s on the flight over to Europe.

DH has no trouble sleeping on a plane or anywhere else for that matter.😂

I take a Benadryl because it wears off in 4-5 hours and doesn’t come with the side effects of weird dreams and lingering morning brain fog like melatonin does.

Upon arrival we somewhat ignore the time difference and power through the day on the adrenaline and excitement of our first day of exploration in a fantastic, cosmopolitan city.  
This makes for a sound first night’s sleep for both of us regardless of the unfamiliar accomodations.

For our return flight and reaclimation to the Eastern time zone, we don’t really find it necessary to make a sleep plan since we are so bloody knackered from the vacation.😂

38 minutes ago, chemmo said:

My go to has usually been the Elite breakfast but next cruise my room is really close to Aqua Spa Cafe and opposite end of the ship to Tuscan. This could definitely be the solution! I may miss my Bellini though!

Excellent point!  We are booked in staterooms a bit further forward than normal on several upcoming sailings.  
Spa Cafe will be just a flight or two of stairs up and more convenient than Elite Breakfast.  Sometimes we sail with friends who have not yet reached the Elite tier.  

So, this venue would make for a good breakfast meeting place with them.  

They would also appreciate the lack of crowds compared to Oceanview Cafe.  Alas, no Bellinis. 

2 minutes ago, love2crews. said:

pistachio latte

How was it?  

There is a discussion elsewhere on here about the brand of the syrup used, so this could be recreated at home.😉

Any intel you might gather would be lauded.

Spa Cafe is located in the solarium.

In December 2023 Summit’s Spa Cafe hours were 7am to 10am and 12pm to 2pm.  
It was not open on embarkation day.
Tables and chairs are likely more available in the morning.  
You may have to compete for the tables and chairs with card players and others that plant themselves for great lengths of time.

At lunch we supplemented the Spa Cafe fare with burgers from Mast Grill and beers from the neighboring pool bar.

I did not capture the menu, but our go-to items always include the caprese salad, the pasta salad, and the udon noodle salad.

Bread and cookie options too, so combined with the pasta/noodle salads the situation could be rather carb heavy.

Oh wait!  It’s a cruise.😂

You are planning a great cruise.

I’ve been wanting to do this one myself.

I am curious if the fresh pressed juices and smoothies would be included on the Premium Drink Package?

Our lunch in the solarium

1 hour ago, Andy_P said:

A "one off", but cruises taking place during this Fall's Presidential Election seem to be undersold.

I have made that booking folly in years past.

Lesson learned.

Never again.

1 hour ago, snohorules said:

Unless you mean the strait? The Vancouver departures go through there, the Seattle ones do not.

Thanks for setting me on the correct course.

I think it would be nice to go out of Vancouver now knowing what I have learned.

4 hours ago, mac_tlc said:

Good morning …. From here:

Help this Alaska noob understand.  
Edge’s route is NOT via the Inside Passage, correct?  

Why?  Edge too large?

How are the seas?

Meanwhile Summit is taking the Inside route.

Would you agree with my presumption that a first-timer would want to experience the Inside Passage.

Thanks for all the pics so far.  

The balcony dividers seem to allow the adjoining sunset verandahs to remain nicely semi-private.

I love the onion soup.😋

Do I spy another non-Retreat Bourbon and Peaches at the dinner table?🧐😋

15 minutes ago, Ex-Airbalancer said:

my friend Alf

I’ll tell Ziggy to check with the local county jails.

He doesn’t normally prowl in the same friendship circles as yourself.😳

Back on topic….

Since PUPs have been abandoned of late, I have been making sure to remind everyone I know about the additional points afforded by the Go Green initiative.🤓

8 minutes ago, lola2013 said:

Boy, did we ever get off topic!

Equal opportunity for all animal breeds is encouraged.

Loving your report along with all of your pics.  
I will probably track down your previous reports and read them on a rainy day.🤓

The trip to Aegina looked incredible.  

Evidently pistachio lattes are a thing on board.  

Enjoy your cruise!😀

Awwwww!  🐶
No pups here.

But here’s a pussycat!

He keeps checking the internet on the lookout for more pups.😂😻