cttraveller

First time traveling to Alaska. Was on the Celebrity Edge June 7 - 14. Weather was in 60’s most days. No real rain I was in the Retreat on floor 9 mid ship. Sky suite Regular balcony. Butlers are back. Helped me unpack and kept my frig stocked. Had a nice cheese tray several afternoons. Helped packing. Flew direct 2 days prior direct on Delta from New York. Enjoyed Seattle and stayed at the Belltown Inn. A shall hotel moderate priced. Walking distance to Pike Street market. My first time there and enjoyed walking around. Friday a hotel sponsored van took me to Pier 91. Cost $10. I was a terminal by 1030. Traffic at port was getting heavy. They have a lousy configuration when you get dropped and then have to cross back over the main road walking. Was in the Retreat holding area by 1045. All checked in and was one of first to board around 11. Excellent job by Celebrity at Embarkation. No stress at all. Went to my room and dropped our bags. Went to Luminae for a quiet lunch. The Luminae cheeseburger was excellent cooked to my liking. Tradition for me to then go to Martini bar for a cocktail. Did sail away in Retreat Lounge and Sundeck. Was little chilly. Ate at Eden and Fine Cut. Service and food was excellent. Had lots of OBC to use so we did Chefs Table it was fine. Food was good. Thought it took too long. Won’t do again. Included a galley tour during service which we enjoyed. They gave you a nice Bouland cookbook. Breakfast and other dinners in Luminae. Staff well trained and alert to your needs. Don’t forget at dinner can always get the Celebrity standard entrees. Had French Onion soup, Caesar salad and escargot a few times. Asked for Steak and poached eggs on a morning. Head waiter came over and said he would order it for me special for next day. It was there and tasty. Speak up in Retreat they will accommodate your requests. Nice touch. Did an excursion in each port. Whale watch, train/bus up a mountain and crab feast. All fine for me. More kids than a usual CC trip. They were well behaved. Was able to play in Casino using OBC and get real cash at end of session. Shows and comedy were fine Celebrity sells Speciality dining packages. They never get the bills right and you have to spend time correcting it. I was lucky Retreat staff helped be but very frustrating and you can not make reservations until you board ship. I wrote in my review to Celebrity. Big downer for me probably biggest of trip. Debarkation easy. They have a program that is free, put you bags out on final night and they take the directly to your airline. They also give you a boarding pass. See your bags next at home airport I had a car service to airport to and with Precheck TSA was at gate in plenty of time for a 1115 flight. Having car service really helped. No Customs at port Seattle. Only showed my passport to Canadian official on a excursion. Saw the Dawes glacier up close, whales, otters black bear and Bald Eagle wildlife. Overall a special experience. Not a leisurely trip but busy with lots to see and do. Any questions am happy to help..

Many unhappy folks. Please leave Celebrity if you not happy with the experience. There no need to announce your exit.

Sailed solo in a sky suite. Other family and friends were in Penthouse and Royal suites. The level of service was what I have come to expect on Celebrity. The butler team approach was underwhelming for me. My cabin stew was Alexander and did a fine job. Kept me stocked with the drinks I like. My reservation’s were done via the upper level butlers that came with my traveling companions high end accommodations. We got any reservations and times we wanted. Didn’t have to use my butler or retreat staff for that. The retreat is great. Really is a ship within a ship. It was nice having the retreat bar and it was never crowded. No chair hogs and always found a good seat. Spent some time in retreat lounge reading and met many nice folks. A very relaxing area. The retreat staff did a considerable amount of work for us setting up off ship activities. Afternoon tea is tasty. We did a day pass to Sandels in St Lucia. Beautiful property we enjoyed beach and pools but price tag for a day was not worth it. The World Class bar is a nice addition to Beyond it was not on Apex. Excellent bar staff. Great to be able to tryout new drinks. Craft Social and rooftop garden had college and NFL football games on tv. Luminae is dedicated restaurant for suite passengers. The staff is wonderful. They get to know you and your preferences. I ate breakfast here most mornings. Excellent way to start the day. The menu is extensive and food comes out quick. Don’t miss the blueberry pancakes, blueberry muffins, branzino, Lamp Chops, Luminae burger or rice pudding. I purchased a 7 day speciality package on a Black Friday sales using onboard credit from my travel agent and of course used them all. My rankings were Eden, Fine Cut, Live on Five, LaVoyage, Roof top grill. The Bistro was great at lunch. All of the servers at these outlets were great with Eden setting the example. Top Menu items Shrimp app at Eden and their crab cake. Dover Sole and Ribeyes at Fine Cut. Seafood tower at Live on Five. Really enjoyed everything. The cruise director and staff were available to passengers and many events were planned. The wine program on board needs work. My companions know their wines. The selection on premium package was lacking as was the consistency and selection among venues. Much confusion in this area. Overall a great cruise.

Not sure of dining options. One night in Tuscany waiter asked us if we would like to be in his section again. The head waiter came over and gave us a time for next evening. We went and had same waiter and wine guy.

Dining was anytime option. We usually went 7-8 pm.

Just back on 2/4 on Apex Had awonderful cruise. Was nervous reading some negative reviews. Stayed Friday at Riverside Hotel on Las Olahs in Ft Laudedale. Great location and good hotel.. Uber to port, arrived 1030 for scheduled 1115 on boards. Walked right on by 1100. Got my keys and room was still in turnover. Ate at 3 of four MDRs. Never had to wait for more than 5 min. Food was good, choices to my liking. They are happy to give you more than one of anything. In the Med themed dining room ordered lamb shank. Waiter said short rib is so good will also bring you one. He was right on. Oceanview not my style. What I had there was fine. No room service either on 25 cruises might have ordered 3 times. Three specialty restaurants package. Liked Eden best then Rooftop grill and then Steakhouse. Crab cake and Lobster casserole in Eden are worth price of admission. Don’t miss it 70% full never felt crowded. Chair hogs were in action. Did see pool guys moving stuff. Entertainment was fine. The rock show, divas and late night comedy my favorities. Cole runs the Eden lounge. He is great. All staff very friendly and helpful. Left ship at 845 am walked right off, found bags and promptly walked through Customs. First timer on Edge class ship. Overall think I prefer the Solstice and Millennium class ships layout. If your voyage is coming up, go with a positive attitude and don’t sweat the small stuff like wanting 4 lobster tails. Enjoy. Happy to help if you have questions. Bon Voyage. CHeers