Georgia_Peaches

My understanding is on S and M class ships you can order off the MDR or the Luminae menus. I'm not aware of the blu menu being included. On S class the Blu dining room is on a different deck and likely has a different kitchen, while Luminae and MDR share a kitchen on the same deck.

If I may offer some constructive feedback, I think you got some push back to your OP because there really wasn't enough information upon which to comment. Were you seeking confirmation from those currently on Ascent? Expressing an opinion or concern about the practice itself? Or calling out FB for maybe posting bad information? It was just difficult to understand what you were asking/seeking. Most users on this board are truly kind and helpful.

Exactly the reason we booked the category as well!

I'm not interested in the IV's so we booked a Deluxe Ocean View which is a forward facing stateroom with a faux balcony set up...at least that's what I'm calling it. The drinks package is the classic and the wifi is the basic. Grats were not included but we prepaid them. The deposit of $900 is nonrefundable. All totaled, with prepaid grats and the aforementioned inclusions for 2 people is $4000. Oh, and we are getting $350 refundable OBC, which more than covers the gratuities. I've paid a lot more for higher categories and on E class, I feel like there is so much included in the regular experience that I didn't feel compelled, nor would I pay current prices to book a suite...

Happy to be following along. We have the Beyond booked for 10 nights in November. Im disappointed to read frozen drinks only at the Sunset bar. So no fruity cocktails, no vodka tonic, no beer? Just frozen? I can’t see how this would go over well. Sorry to have fixated on the bar issue…not sure what that says about my priorities 😎. Enjoy your cruise!

What is this elusive little caddy??? Sounds like I must have one...

I will be sailing in one of these with my dear mother in July. She's never been on Celebrity and I wanted to introduce her to a nice suite experience. I'm hoping you can answer this question for me...does the window in the shower that looks into the bedroom have a privacy screen?

Not sure if I'm just lucky but I bring a two-prong extension cord every time. Never has it been confiscated.

Thank you for the review and happy birthday! It's nice to see them go a little extra mile on your birthday celebration. Did you have a dedicated butler or was it a butler team? Agree with you whole heartedly about the wine. I think we are all so excited about the return of Decoy because there's little else on offer that's great. We do enjoy Conundrum, which was once a part of the premium package but is now an upcharge. Sigh..

Were either of these venues open for lunch on embarkation day?

Apex is part of the E class of ships and there is no assigned dining room or dining time. You can request a 2 top at any of the dining rooms. There may be a short wait but that has not been our experience. If you want a suggestion for a nice up-charge venue, we really enjoyed Eden on our anniversary.

Fine Cut was a one and done for us but WOW! That can't be right!

SMH...Can't even imagine contemplating packing a waffle maker! How does that conversation even go? Honey, I don't think I can go an entire week without your scrumptious waffles... It's OK dear, you won't have to! I have enough room in my suitcase for the waffle maker! As for wrinkles, well spray on Wrinkle Release works wonders!

When we sailed Ascent we did not get lounge access. I am also sapphire. Honestly, when they say lounge access, I didn’t think it meant Retreat lounge. I’m not sure what lounge I thought it was referring. I guess I should have asked the casino host. The list of perks also mentions a free digital photo package but when I went to the photo lounge to inquire, they looked shocked and dumbfounded at my request. On our upcoming Alaska cruise I plan to travel with a print out of the perks.

There are just some parts of the world where I won't book an excursion outside of the ship's offering...a situation like the one you described is the very reason why. Those 7 passengers were very lucky.

No, there is not a curtain. You'd have to go up to a Celebrity suite to get a privacy divider as there is a separate bedroom. Edit to say, I have seen pics of some pretty ideas of people bringing along magnetic hooks and fashioning their own curtain from the ceiling.

What a wonderful itinerary! Looking forward to tagging along on your adventure! Safe travels!

I think the ship's refusal to let the passengers board when brought by the Coast Guard is definitely part of the story. The reasons for refusing them, while likely legitimate, could go a long way in the PR damage control @luv2kroooz references in his post.

Excellent point and would certainly answer my question as to why the captain wouldn’t let them board.

The story claims the coast guard took them to meet the ship and that the passengers were refused. This just doesn’t sound right. If true, why would the Captain refuse the passengers while still in port?

We drive from ATL to Canaveral but fly from ATL to FLL or Mia. We’d rather drive tho.

Thank you for this info! At what point (no. Of days out) can one begin booking with the custom option?

We made the booking in early March for Nov 15 embarkation. Our category is a Deluxe Ocean View on deck 9. We got a group rate through our TA with the classic drinks pkg, basic wifi, and $350 obc. It will be our first OV category but after researching the room on Youtube, it looks very spacious and even has a faux balcony set up with a pair of chairs and a small table in front of a large window with a captain’s view. Though I never get too enamored by who’s driving the ship, Captain Kate has quite the reputation so we are excited to sail with her!

I'm a big fan of focusing on the positive so thank you! And I think there are still deals to be had...even in this current market. We just booked a 10 night cruise on Beyond with drinks and wifi for less than 4 grand. Not in a suite but still an amazing deal, IMO.

Congratulations on the free upgrade! You haven't even boarded yet and you're already off to a great start! I hope you enjoy every moment.