SbbquilterUT

We really enjoy Blu on the S class ship - most recent it was 14 nights on Solstice and we thought the food was very nice and sometimes excellent. Portions are small for some appetites but we were pleased with that aspect, in fact I often order 3 starters and call it dinner. Not sure why someone told you other classes could eat their - only suite passenger if there is room.

Under Manage Reservation tab in your sailing, at the top left it gives the reservation #, then you can see bed configuration with the option to Edit.

You can set that in your reservation, online.

On Apex in August we found arriving at about 6:45 (folks leaving to make the 7:00 pm show) was perfect for us and we never waited more than 5 minutes to be seated. I had made reservations on line but since everyone lined up to be seated they were not helpful.

Just our experience but we have made 10:15 flights three times including last summer - luckily you are headed out of town toward the airport so traffic may impact you less. This August we are still hunting for flights because everything is so expensive.

Yes - early in the month so I hope we see the pink salmon running again.

I would see if I couldn't book a flight from Atlanta - the drive is pretty easy 7 hours on the interstate and you would be south of the worst weather.

Congratulations on your anniversary. We love sailing Alaska and have been lucky to visit 5 times in different months and can't wait for August to sail again. I hate lots of luggage so we travel with carry-on only, a 22" roller bag and personal item each (last trip was 22 days including Iceland and Norway). Best tip is lightweight layers - tee shirt, then a long sleeve wool shirt plus a top layer of either fleece or raincoat worked everywhere except at the glacier. There are many inexpensive puffer vests and jackets that roll into tiny bags, work great for travel. For shoes we wear waterproofed walking shoes/athletic shoes and wool socks, never had a need for boots. In August we have hiked in shorts and had rain but never really cold days. On the ship it will be very casual and even evenings are not dressy unless you want to - relax and enjoy the trip. A swimsuit is nice if you want to use the pool or hot tub. The long standing joke is to get your clothes together, then remove half.

From what I see the Vitamin Water, Red Bull, smoothies, and perhaps other types of bottled water were added but the price more than doubled.

I had the NonAlcohol package on the Solstice and was served exactly what I had originally paid for as far as drinks - those products added when they sold Zero Proof (and increased the price) were not covered. Your card will be the clue as to which products the computer system will recognize as included at no extra charge.

On Solstice we had a shower head as well as body aimed heads you could choose to use. Some fitness classes do have a charge and you get to attend at no charge. Can't comment on spa packages as I have never used them.

In January they were 7 and 9pm - we had time to eat dinner around 6:45 and make the late show.

Did B2B in January and had a great time. Our meals were in Blu which I really enjoy due to size, large windows and ship being half full. We did eat a bit at OVC and the food was fine to nice, I have an idea what not to get from a steam tray and we could find plenty to eat. The ice cream is excellent. We did check out OVC for dinner and the selection has been pared down - pasta, pizza, salad bar, breads and desserts as well as a hot food station. Our dinner at Raw on 5 was delicious. Tuscan is usually a favorite but it fell a bit flat this cruise- lack luster waiter, food was fine (bronzino was excellent) but portions too large, and the waiter was the only crew to beg for rating. The quartet Barricade Boys were terrific, Broadway show tunes was okay and DH really enjoyed the Rock Show.

We had the chance to board tenders from the MC on the apex when sailing Ireland and it was the easiest I have experienced - that day the seas were lovely.

Old habits - anything with a bodily fluid which might transmit any disease is considered a biohazard.

My laboratory background jumps in my head when I see the possibility of taking my actual test with me. First, the appearance of the test can be altered by prolonged time after the end of the testing and carrying around a biohazard sample is also not the best idea (inside a sealed plastic bag does negate that part). If someone cares they can cheat the system with the photo.

To fairly test her claim of being the "food" cruise line - on board in disguise and eat at MDR and OVC. That is the only way to experience what the vast majority of cruisers have available in Food service.

There was so much left we finally asked him to stop. I prefer the taste of the ship RO water to the cans so we just used our refillable bottles.

Juneau - we rented a car and drove out to Mendenhall Glacier and hiked , went to watch for the eagles then finished with a beer flight at Alaska Brewing Company - much less expensive than taxi or tour. In Skagway we usually hike a bit, maybe end up at Jewell Gardens and then wander in town. The movie at the National Park exhibit is worth watching - awesome what the miners encountered. Alternately we have rented a car and driven the Yukon Highway (along the route of the White Pass Train) entered Canada (need passport) and ended up at Emerald Lake - again a bargain as compared to buying 6 seats on the White Pass train. A raincoat with lightweight layers (wool is a great choice) underneath is our normal dress along with water resistant hiking pants and waterproof walking shoes. The excursion that was worth it for us was Helicopter and Hike on the Glacier in Juneau. Can't wait to return again this August for our anniversary.

For us we enjoy Celebrity - very few kids on board except holiday times (if you can sail in Late April/May there would be fewer kids. No need to dress up. Budget wise we watch for sales and are happy in an interior or Oceanview or balcony as a treat. We also rarely drink so do not need a drinks package nor internet. If you want to stay up an dance Royal Caribbean but I find it pretty over run with kids particularly on the beautiful Oasis class ships so we select cruises on the older ships.

Your auto gratuity covers many non-customer facing jobs as well as dining venues and room stewards - if you remove that it impacts lots of the crew.

Our 12 day cruise out of Amsterdam was a typical Celebrity experience as far as passengers. The following week 7 day cruise was full of families and was heading towards feeling more like RCCL with the noise and kids running around the ship. Loved the trips but they did feel different.

Sailed her twice in January - for us a sweatshirt was plenty as it was sunny but windy much of the sail until you hit Cabo. We were in tees and pants on Catalina and in San Diego and that was comfortable for us. Mexican ports were shirts and tees. The biggest issue on sea days was the wind which typically is a constant on the Pacific. Inside the ship and the Solarium were very comfortable. Glad you are planning for this as we heard folks complaining about the temperature and not having planned for it.......

I would agree that the food quality and availability has diminished since before the "pause" but it does not keep us from cruising. For me, most restaurant portions are too large so that part does not bother me. Recently on solstice we were lucky to be eating in Blu and I have no issues with those meals - small portions but could order additional if you want. And the ice cream/sorbet are just as good as always.

Our experience was that all the dining rooms are walk up when you want to eat. We found if we went at about 6:45 the folks heading to the early show had left and we could easily get seated.