Georgia_Peaches

You're not required, nor is it expected that you will tip beyond what has already been included in your fare. Tipping is a cultural thing in America and not the norm in Europe and elsewhere. Tip above what you've already paid if you feel compelled. But you're doing nothing wrong if you don't offer additional tips. It's personal and completely up to you. Going off what others say they do with regard to tipping is never the way, IMO.

You pick your room keys up at your stateroom and you can go there directly after boarding to drop off your things. Also, most of the muster drill is in the app and becomes available 24 hours prior to embarkation. As long as you watch the videos in the app, all you'll have to do is go to your muster station and have your card scanned. You can also do this in your stateroom if you don't want the app.

Nice job to your DH...or did you get the big wins?

Some of us actually have a strategy. The last 3 cruises on Celebrity have netted me a hand-pay on each. One of them even paid for our cruise! I thought I was a sharp tack until I saw my win/loss statement when Uncle Sam put his hand out for a chunk of my winnings...lol. Then I discovered MSC, which doesn't follow US tax laws and is not beholden to them to report passenger winnings...but I haven't won much on MSC, so there's that...🤦‍♀️

Wowza! That explains why I haven’t been offered a sky suite!

I spend a lot of time and money in the casino. Have sailed in a comped balcony room before but never a suite. I think I’d have to see it in writing. But I read a review today for Apex, I think. The reviewer lamented that they missed out on a sky suite “free” cruise offer bc they didn’t claim it before the deadline which was before the future cruise desk closed on the last night. I have been under the impression that Retreat was sailing sold out. Hard to believe they’d need to give away free suites. Who knows?

Nice to know we’ve moved beyond the limited dinner buffet offerings of a year ago.

We request ice in the evening and occasionally order room service. That's it. However, they often insist on thing like escorting us to dinner and the theater, hand delivering our desired news paper and setting up our deck chairs on the pool deck. YC butlers are awesome.

There may be others but I plan to do a live review of our Edge, May 31.

@Stem to Stern did a Live From review of the Summit a few months back (later 2023, I think) and he was in the Retreat. Photos and his account of the cruise made me want to book the Summit! I would pour through some Youtube videos for recent tours and reviews. Since the ship has been refurbished, I think it looks very classy and upscale. Though I haven't pulled the trigger on a Summit booking, I haven't ruled it out for the near future.

It will take a lot more than this for me not to cruise with Celebrity but I completely understand. I felt that way about buying my gas from Exxon after the Valdez oil spill in '89. Like gas companies, there are plenty of cruising options out there...I'm sure there will be some fallout for Celebrity over this...time will tell.

We are booked in a DO stateroom on deck 8 in November. I'm glad to know the rooms were cool. Congratulations on your nice win! and thank you for the review!

At least you're in the same time zone! We have a 7 AM flight but since we are 1.5 hours from Hartsfield-Jackson, our day will begin at 3:30 Am...which is just rude! See you on board!

Edge from Seattle on May 31st?

Another vote for Murano. Excellent food and service. We are heathens, though. We request our cheese course at the beginning of the meal. 😁

@Mark_K would you mind explaining what you are getting at with 2 images you posted for the photo-spatially challenged types...like me!

Thanks! I wonder if protocols allow for the captain and navigation crew to make judgement calls that deviate from the posted plan based on their observations of a given situation (I hope so) without clearing it first. Is it possible that they didn't realize how close they were until 1) it was called to their attention and 2) until after they were knee deep into the plan? IDK...just my morning musings.... We'll be on Edge in a few weeks but our itin takes us to Alaska...

I don't think anyone here would disagree that the ship was too close but I've lost track of the point you are trying to make.

Great decision, IMO. I would not pivot to different accommodations in the midst of a vacation. But great info. offered by others on places to stay!

Really enjoying all of your photos! I was just sitting here with my morning coffee, as per usual, discussing your itin with my DH. I asked if he would consider cruising Japan. He initially turned up his nose at the prospect, largely due to the flight it would take to pull it off. Question...and please forgive me if you have already addressed it, what was your original embarkation point and also what was the total flight time to get there?

I’m not questioning the accuracy of this statement, just wondering how you know? Also, those pics are spectacular!

Fellow celebrity cruiser here. Try Yacht club if you can swing it… it has the Retreat beat hands down. A cruise is what you make it. I would never decide yay or nay about a cruise based on reviews. You won’t know unless you try!

Sounds like a nightmare on all fronts. I’m sorry you experienced this. I agree that a company’s true colors are often revealed in difficult circumstances.

Thank you for posting this link. I noticed that some of the footage in the video offers a more realistic vantage point of distance from shore. Still too close for comfort but not as close as some of the pics in this thread suggest. Again, I go back to my 48 hour rule...more and more information unfolding. I have no doubt that the state of HI will have something to say about this which should prompt regulations to ensure that this doesn't happen again.

We enjoyed MSC's food immensely. It's why so many people begin their review with food is subjective... Good thing there are so many cruising options. I, for one no longer cruise RCI but it has nothing to do with the food...I've always found it rather enjoyable. Truth is, we don't have small kids anymore so we've moved on. Still a great option for families, IMO.