FlyingCruiser2
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Deck 7 on Rotterdam & Neiuw Statendam
FlyingCruiser2 replied to motherjoy's topic in Holland America Line
It was open when we were going through Panama Canal - but only that day (on Eurodam). -
Stocked bar in Owner’s Suite?
FlyingCruiser2 replied to FlyingCruiser2's topic in Norwegian Cruise Line
Meant NCL Site😀 -
Haven’t cruised on NCL since pre-Covid…do they still stock the Owner’s Suite bar with 3 bottles of your choice? Can’t find anything on RCL site that mentions this.
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Retreat personalization email (2025 Millennium)
FlyingCruiser2 replied to zitsky's topic in Celebrity Cruises
We got an email about 3 weeks before our Constellation trip. We stayed in a Penthouse Suite. Everything we requested was taken care of. As an "above-and-beyond".......I asked for a joven Mezcal for one of our in-room-bar choices (thinking that the ship would have some kind of Mezcal on board). Arriving in the room, there were 2 bottles of Mezcal - one of which happened to be a favorite brand of ours. However, at the bars on the ship we could not find Mezcal anywhere. I asked the concierge about this, and he told me he sent someone to the liquor store near the port to get our bottles. I was pretty darn impressed!! -
Le Petit Chef Table for 2...Please
FlyingCruiser2 replied to peanut head's topic in Celebrity Cruises
We definitely didn't get charged. Maybe because we were in PS? -
Le Petit Chef Table for 2...Please
FlyingCruiser2 replied to peanut head's topic in Celebrity Cruises
The wine pairing option is not included, and not covered by drink package. It was $30, and according to DW was more than worth it. On our trip (Connie in March), they had an Indian themed night instead of TPC - best cruise ship meal we’ve ever had and our first experience with Indian food. That was included as part of the unlimited speciality restaurant perk. -
You’ll want to ask about it either at the restaurant or at a table they set outside of the Oceanview to make specialty restaurant reservations. We only heard about it by chance then went to reserve it.
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One thing I forgot to mention….. One night where they normally had Le Petite Chef, they had a menu from India. They brought out all the dishes on the menu on smaller plates “family style”. It was the best meal I’ve had on ANY ship EVER and in the top 3 for lifetime.
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We were on Constellation the trip before she went back to Europe this spring. For us, service was awesome and food was great. However we were in a Penthouse suite. Along with the enhanced service it included unlimited dining in all of the Speciality restaurants and a different “main dining” venue. After cruising on this, Holland, and Virgin last - it was definitely our favorite and also best “value” for suite class. We did hear people complaining about main dining room. I’d have to say comments went 50-50 good vs bad. A lot centered around changes from people’s previous cruises - like charging for additional lobster tails on Chic Night. I personally didn’t care for the Oceanview cafe. Often times we struggled to find seating as people would just park themselves and read or play cards. This was a sailing with just over 1000 guests.
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$1000 for a Beach Villa on HMC? YIKES!!!!
FlyingCruiser2 replied to FlyingCruiser2's topic in Holland America Line
I posted on the Carnival Roll Call for their trip as I was nosey as to what they charged. Someone replied that they indeed changed their itinerary to go to Nassau instead. Before they changed though, it looks like they were charging same as HAL. -
$1000 for a Beach Villa on HMC? YIKES!!!!
FlyingCruiser2 replied to FlyingCruiser2's topic in Holland America Line
Now the rest of the packages are posted. Small cabanas are $700 now. Butler add on went up $100 too. Oh well. -
$1000 for a Beach Villa on HMC? YIKES!!!!
FlyingCruiser2 replied to FlyingCruiser2's topic in Holland America Line
I stand corrected - looked at our last trip there and we paid $700. Was on the Eurodam just post-covid. Only 1000 people on board. -
$1000 for a Beach Villa on HMC? YIKES!!!!
FlyingCruiser2 replied to FlyingCruiser2's topic in Holland America Line
Hope they do change the schedule for the Carnival ship - I’m going off the Bahamas port authority schedule page. The big Oasis thingy at the south end of the beach includes food, however the 2 story villas only include real food if you get the butler add-on (which we normally do). You get to pick selections prepared by Pinnacle grill served for lunch. -
Shore excursions just started to show up for our late November trip on the Rotterdam. We like getting a Beach Villa there and normally it was like $500-$600 for the day. Now they’re at $999.95!!! There’s a Carnival Ship there at same time - wonder if that’s why?
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Have to agree with this. We did 8 night Caribbean on Valiant Lady in the Massive Suite. The room and balcony were amazing, but what they’re asking for it now you pretty much have to rub shoulders with Richard Branson to afford. Service was great, but from what I could tell, there’s a HUGE difference if you’re a Rock or Mega Rockstar or not. Other con is how “crowded” it feels. There were only 1000 passengers on our trip, with a 2700 person capacity, but pool and most public areas seemed crowded. Can’t imagine what 2500 plus would be like.
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What has been your 2023 experience in The Retreat?
FlyingCruiser2 replied to JDPCruisers's topic in Celebrity Cruises
Planned on doing that and more….our last two cruises were Virgin in a “Massive Suite” (booked before they raised prices so that only Richard himself can afford it) and on Holland in a Pinnacle. Planned on posting comparisons of the three. -
What has been your 2023 experience in The Retreat?
FlyingCruiser2 replied to JDPCruisers's topic in Celebrity Cruises
Thanks. Experiences seem to differ by Suite type. Our first Celebrity trip will be in April on Constellation in a PH and don’t know what to expect…. -
What has been your 2023 experience in The Retreat?
FlyingCruiser2 replied to JDPCruisers's topic in Celebrity Cruises
Which type of suite did you have? -
I miss the old fashioned muster drill. We’d go check for the biggest football-player type dude so we’d know who to eat first if we’re stranded at sea.
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I think Virgin Voyages would be better suited for LA than Miami
FlyingCruiser2 replied to DrSea's topic in Virgin Voyages
Are you responding to OP? -
Do they count towards our 2 bottle limit for customs? Did they even check? There were 6 full size bottles in our room when we boarded, then we asked to swap 2 of them for a Bulleit and Mezcal. They just brought 2 full size of those without swapping. We’d have to put ourselves on the national registry for liver transplants if we drank all that in 6 days!
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I think Virgin Voyages would be better suited for LA than Miami
FlyingCruiser2 replied to DrSea's topic in Virgin Voyages
On board Valiant right now. Almost everyone we’ve talked to is not from Florida anyway, unlike the mainstream lines we’ve taken before, so they would have to fly no matter where the port is. Many people on board from Europe - although I suspect they are mostly on “free” trips or super-discounted because of prior cancellations. Otherwise it seems to me a long way to go four a 6 nighter. I feel terrible for the large number of pax that we’re on a Virgin flight from Europe to Miami that got diverted to Dulles for a medical emergency Saturday, and due to crew time limits and a maintenance issue ended up not getting to Miami on time. Cannot imagine how disappointing that would be. -
If you go to the Port of Roatan's web page, you'll see entries for Valiant Lady in their schedule. We made arrangements for our tour to pick us up there.