Mimiya11

Agree with you on this. So much to see and do in Stockholm. The Vasa Museum was fantastic and we even got to the Nobel Prize Museum which is highly recommended. If we had more time, I so wanted to go to the ABBA Museum (seriously 🙂) but what made up for it was an ABBA night sing along the night we sailed out of Stockholm.

Your observations are spot on when it comes to Celebrity GF and more healthy options. My husband has a wheat allergy and we no matter which Celebrity ship we have sailed on, we find the GF bread options pretty sad. Plus not a GF cracker for cheese could be found. And don't get me started on the peanut butter, which is my spread of choice on toast for breakfast. BTW thoroughly enjoying reading your posts. Loving your writing style 🙂

After trying all the other class of Celebrity ships (including 3 on the Reflection which we love), it is time for a change. So we are booked in a SS on the Apex. And while our cruise is a long way off (Fall 2023), am looking for tips (restaurants, places to hang out, best bars) from previous Apex cruisers as this is our first ship of this class. Thank you in advance. I like to plan early 🙂

I reluctantly agreed to go on an Alaskan cruise several years ago as it was on my husband's bucket list. One of the best experiences. Some tips, which I suspect you already know - dress in layers, take excursions either through the ship or privately to see the beauty of Alaska or you will be stuck walking the ports and seeing only cruise owned crappy stores. Have a terrific time !

While not celiac, my husband has a wheat allergy so his diet is gluten free. In addition to all the comments above, I would suggest (as another poster did) that she brings some GF crackers (if she wants cheese and crackers or something besides toast at meals). The GF bread options are not great (limited to raisin or non raisin Canyon Ranch) and while our non GF breadbasket was wonderful, my husband was given two slices of GF toast (often with raisins) at dinner, which, after the 2nd day told our waiter no thank you. The buffet has options for GF breakfasts, pizza and pasta. Burger buns nope (in our experience). And as others mentioned, best to ensure you are seated with the same waiter each night as they are sure to walk you through the next day's menu and your options. Cafe Al Bacio has some good GF muffins and a limited variety of GF desserts as others have posted as well. Celebrity, while accommodating, can do a better job with greater GF options for sure. Good luck

Did POA years ago for the very reason people suggest, less days at sea, more Hawaii. BUT.... POA experience was a major disappointment. So if the focus is on Island hopping, then just be prepared for below par food and service on POA. If anything, we did discover which islands we wanted to go back to by land and we did just that over the years.

We were on the Reflection on a Baltic cruise (3 years ago, may be one of the last visits to St Petersburg). Passengers were a mix of people from all over the world. People looked very smart, yet casual in the evenings. Tuxes and gowns are so rare these days, no matter the cruise.

To the original poster, am so so sorry for your experience. We were on the Reflection back in March, and not one case was reported to passengers. I find that hard to believe. Some passengers wearing masks, most were not. Ship was only about 1/2 capacity though. But as a person, who has had Covid (while at home about a month ago) with absolutely not one symptom, the only reason that I tested was that my brother, who was staying with us tested positive. I bet there are tons of asymptomatic people (unless they regularly take tests) walking around with Covid. We are on the Apex November 2023 for a transatlantic. But who knows as this approach another year into this.

Hello fellow Torontonian. Go on any cruise line forum and you will see that the amount of dress code discussion, ranting and criticism is not unique to Viking. But agree, annoying.

If you are going on a Med cruise, the demographics are so much more diverse including all ages and Europeans. You won't be disappointed.

Wow as a first time Viking cruiser next March, quite the headline. I read on only to see what you meant in regards to below standard in regards to service, food, etc. not how we chose to pay our balance.

We are major Celebrity fans (in our mid 60's - how did that happen 🙂 and continue to cruise primarily on their beautiful ships. Food and service have always been terrific and we have never been disappointed on a Celebrity cruise. While there is no extreme partying, sometimes, we do find evenings a bit dull and their shows not great. Except when they do silent discos which are fun (for us). In comparison, while we were not impressed by Holland America's food or level of service, on a Mexican Riviera cruise a few years ago, the various music venues blew us away - from a dedicated venue for a blues band, to Lincoln Centre classical in another area to dueling pianos in yet another all on the same night! I wish that Celebrity could take some tips from HA as far as evening performances go. But the food and service will keep us away. We also loved the experience of Allure of the Seas as far as fun activities but once again, found the food (unless you pay for it) in the dining room bad, having to spend lots on specialty dining and overall service a bit hectic probably due the size of the ship. So it is worth trying various cruise lines to see if it is the line for you. We have also been on Carnival (when kids were young), Princess, NCL, and are trying Viking next year as they have a Panama Canal itinerary we liked. But we know we will always come back to Celebrity (booked for next fall) for their consistent quality levels. Try it, you may like it 🙂

And another !

I love Celebrity but the continuous sales pitches at these so called Port "Lectures" was ridiculous (never went but had it on our tv once to see what it was about). Maybe Celebrity can focus on more interesting lectures about the ports, minus shopping. While I did not enjoy aspects of our HAL Mexican Riviera cruise a few years ago, they did a terrific job of having Mexican themed lectures, entertainment, activities and food throughout the week. That's what I would like to see on Celebrity.

Please whatever you do, book excursions (private or through the ship) as a cruise to Alaska without excursions and only walking near the port is all Diamonds Internationals and other cruise ship owned shops. And as far as clothing, Alaska was the most casual cruise we have ever been on. Plus your luggage will need to filled with layers of clothing and rain gear.

We were in a S2 on the Reflection in March. Love that ship, its crew and overall ambiance. Clearly different strokes for different folks - We loved Luminae, the food, the service and options. Not once did we find the need to order from the MDR menu. We really enjoyed being able to have lunch in the Luminae during sea days rather than at the buffet. We much preferred having afternoon snacks and drinks on our balcony (a bit bigger in suites with full tables) brought by the suite host, who will bring whatever you want. We had asked for daily fruit plates, veggies, hummus and dips and shrimp cocktail a couple of times. We found Michael's dark and dreary (once again, for us) and only went there once to speak to the Retreat Concierge (they are terrific and will handle any issues or questions you may have) The only problem that I see with being in a suite if that you will want to book them again and again. Enjoy!

Blu is the main reason to try AQ. Food and service are great. We really enjoyed not having to deal with major line ups for breakfast on port intensive days. Just wish they were open for lunch on sea days like Luminae (suite dining room) as it got crazy at the buffet. Suggest to use any on board credit for a specialty lunch to avoid the buffet on sea days if the ship is full The Persian Gardens access was no big deal to us, especially since we were on a Baltic cruise and we were off the ship more than on. Good luck choosing, Always wonderful to look forward to a cruise.

Was in a Sky Suite on the Reflection in March. Reasons that we chose (and will again) a SS over Aqua were the larger cabin and balcony and of course Luminae. Difference in price for us for that sailing was pretty small, so we thought we would splurge and loved it. At time of our sailing, the ship was only 1/2 full. Michael's club was dark and gloomy (just our opinion, some people, are fans) so we only had gone in to chat with the Michael's concierge over an issue we had at check-in at the lounge. Hope once they revolutionize the Reflection, it will lighten up as we love the ship.

My husband has a wheat allergy and as a result, eats GF. Personally I think Celebrity still has a long way to go. Sure, they have GF items on their menus but only one one type of sliced bread offered at dinner, which arrives toasted. Crackers for cheese and crackers? Nope, next time will bring our own. Burger buns? Hit or miss at the grill. Our fabulous waiter in Luminae actually surprised us at lunch one day, by arranging for a chef friend to make a GF bun so my husband could try their burger. The GF muffins are not always available BTW

Glad to read this. We booked the Viking Star Panama Canal for March 2023 and a few posts made me wonder if we were doing the right thing. But, in the end, we will be the judge of that once we try Viking for the first time.

Hi M - agree with you 100% on all counts, including that the Lawn Club was a big disappointment. That's another thread 😉 .

There seems to be a disconnect between the pre-cruise specialty dining on-line reservation system and the actual availability. We tried to book the Lawn Grill in advance of a Reflection cruise in March and we also saw only late dining times. As soon as we got on board, we easily booked the time we wanted. When we arrived at the restaurant it was dead! And was dead, the entire time we were there. Needless to say there was a major glitch in the pre-cruise reservation system and the Maitre D was pretty disappointed. As others suggested, go to any specialty restaurant when you board and they will make the reservation for you.

We just booked (and very excited) for our first Viking cruise (on the Star) for March 2023. We tend to book private excursions when cruising, so am curious as to the included excursions Viking provides on their Panama Canal itinerary. Any input appreciated, please and thank you.