Stem to Stern

So that was on Apex. Good to know. Hopefully Beyond is consistent with this next month. I do love my Whispering Angel.😇 NOT paying an extra $2.40 per glass for it. Especially after paying to upgrade to Premium Package.

This would be one way to get at least one night of calm seas.🤪 I love a refreshing Dark ‘n Stormy (and not just for the ginger.)😉

There used to be a low-end Merlot by Columbia Crest that was palatable. Who knows if it is still covered under the Classic Package with X’s currently evolving dynamic pricing. I’m on board with you on the idea of bringing wine on board and schlepping a full glass with me to dinner. But I will definitely be doing it sorely, knowing it is really lame that we have to make this our modus operandi to avoid excessive up charges.

It sounds like the mother daughter cruise is going nicely less a couple of hiccups. You and Sweet Mama are “seas”ing the moments that will be cherished memories long after Reflection drops anchor back in Port Everglades.🥰 Thanks for taking us along and reminding me to only hit the buffet promptly at opening time for lunch prior to contamination. Grateful for Elite breakfast with bloodies and Cafe Al Bacio indulgences.😻 May your winning streak continue!!

Thank you!! I had no idea regular calls could be made on the ship’s WiFi with the correct settings enabled. Can incoming calls be received as well?

Welcome to Florida!! You are already cracking me up with that sharp-as-a-tack tongue of yours. Hopefully Sweet Mama will be able to find something to read in the vacant library. Enjoy your precious mother-daughter time. I talk to mine on the phone at least once a day, but usually twice. I tried to convince her to join us on our 4-night Tampa Bay Bucsapalooza Cruise, but she took a hard pass.😂 It would have been fun to cruise with her, but I will just have to settle for living vicariously through the two of you. And when I want to relive your memories over again in the future it will be so easy to conduct a Cruise Critic thread search of “Sweet Mama.”😂 Is rocking Captain Kirk at the helm?

Ha ha ha!! Thanks for the heads up. I wouldn’t miss a Captain’s Log, but apparently I did. I always get some great snack ideas from her.😂

How weird! I would have considered packing up a few of those lobster rolls to go.😂 @Ellesor826 , we will have to watch out for this on debarkation day on Beyond. 😉

Good morning! What was the show in Eden called? It looks like you had a fabulous seat. What time did you have to arrive in Eden to get a good seat? I don’t want to miss out on any worthwhile shows on my next cruise. Thanks!!🙏

Thanks for posting! It looks like your vacation is off to a fine start.🍷😜 If you get the chance, please give Bug a scratch under the chin for me.😻

Charla, Hope you felt all the Birthday Love!! …from your CruCrit followers!⚓️🤗🤗🤗⚓️

I have the arbitrary mystery $50 in the planner on two of my bookings. But I haven’t a clue why and I am not going to question it. Sorry I could not be more insightful.😄

My pleasure.

Ridiculous pricing. Solution: Book at the cruise only price. Buy WiFi on the flash sale and pay for drinks one by one on board as you go. Bring one bottle of wine per person on board with you and refill your wine glass in your stateroom. Drink in port. 😎🥂

Hi!! A few random notes for you…. Finding travel agents that offer group pricing can involve some research and surfing. Cruise Critic is not the place to find them since specific mention of travel agents or agencies or websites is not permitted. Get quotes from a number of different agents for a particular sailing that you are interested in. Compare their offers against pricing on Celebrity’s website. Possibly let the agents know they are competing for your business because sometimes they will match another agent’s offer. Join and follow private groups on social media that relate to Celebrity and The Retreat to find travel agents offering deals. Sometimes these groups are moderated by travel agents, so they post deals in the group. By using a TA you will relinquish control of your booking, but that has never been an issue for me. Ask friends, family, and fellow cruisers who they book with. If an agent that you have reached out to for a quote responds timely, thoroughly, and professionally to your emails and messages, that is a good sign you have found one that is eager to earn your business. I never book direct unless Celebrity’s direct price is astonishing. If I book direct I transfer the booking to my preferred travel agent within 30 days for additional on board credit from her. Hopefully this helps and falls within Cruise Critic guidelines.

Enjoy Bimini and your final evening on board!!

https://www.winespectator.com/articles/rest-awards-entry-guidelines Thanks Mark. Providing link to application process just for reference.

I am pretty sure the restaurants that receive these awards make the submissions themselves. Our local newspaper recently disclosed this fact in an article they did featuring the local restaurants “awarded” by Wine Spectator. I wonder who at Celebrity is responsible for making their submissions.

You chose a wonderful ship and itinerary for your sister’s first cruise. Going forward we are mostly sticking with the verandah accommodations like yourself leaving cash in the cruise budget coffers for additional cruises. Some of the jumps in price from verandah to aqua and aqua to retreat are insane as @Georgia_Peaches just provided an example of. (When I booked three months ago, nearly two years out, I splurged and snagged the last non-accessible entry-level sky suite on the 4/4/26.)

I follow Captain Kate on Insta too despite the naysayers shouting, “Who cares who the captain is?!?” We experienced Good Crew Vibes on our Equinox ABC cruise with Captain Kate at the helm. Sure there are other great captains that set a positive tone on board, but I found the atmosphere on board her ship to be markedly positive and fun. Everything funnels down from the top. I am very much looking forward to watching her daily Captain’s Log again and sailing with her in September. 😄

Staying on topic…last I checked pricing on that sailing had not yet gotten too hateful. We could have quite the Cruise Critic meet and greet on board. Will this be your first MSC? YC I presume.

I know!!! 🤩 The stars aligned. You have to! It’s fate! Book it!