TheHawk1

We've booked the "Agua Clara Locks and Old Panama City" tour this coming February on Beyond. Just curious how long the bus ride is to Panama City?

I am also booked on this cruise in 2026. I have reserved an SV, which I thought would be a good compromise, as better than IV for being able to go outside and see the scenery but without breaking the bank on a suite. Fun fact looking at Black Friday sales. The difference between purchasing a premium drink package and a classic drink package is $3 per day, so why wouldn't someone pay the small bit extra for the better package? But to upgrade from the classic package I already have to premium is $20 per day. Gotta love Celebrity's makes-absolutely-no-sense pricing model!

Do you have any data to back up that claim? From my experience as a gym-goer, they are well used.

The app just requested another update, the second one in a week. Now all the MDR’s appear under Specialty Dining Restaurants, but without menus? And no sign of Luminae listed at all. Do the geniuses at Celebrity IT dept think this is an improvement?

The refundable fare for a Sky Suite booking on this cruise was over $2,000 CAD higher, which is a 10% increase over the regular fare. That’s some expensive peace of mind I’m having trouble justifying, even though I’m really interested in this cruise.

I think the fact that Xcel leaves from Barcelona, which is a much easier departure point than Civitavecchia and makes two extra port stops (Seville and Gibraltar) makes it the more interesting itinerary between the two.

Don’t you love how the app forces you to take the update but then it’s worse than the older version? My upcoming cruise only shows specialty dining options now… no other restaurants or menus available apparently.

While I agree Ascent is over-priced, what's surprising is that an 11 day Med cruise in an Ascent SV is only $2K more than on Eclipse for similar cabin and itinerary. When looked at from that perspective, it's a relative bargain for a ship that's 15 years newer (I'm expecting more snide comments from people who continually defend older S class). What's really galling is the additional $2,000 surcharge on top of the base fare to have a refundable deposit. I don't see any other cruise line charging as much to secure a reservation with a refundable deposit. It's difficult to plan two years out and lock in something now, unless you have the benefit of booking on Future Cruise where the $200 deposit can be considered a throwaway if your plans change.

In both the 2024 and upcoming 2025 seasons, Royal was offering several longer Greek isle cruises on Odyssey (9 - 12 nights). For the just released 2026 season, they appear to only be offering 7 night cruises. That's disappointing that they're cutting back. This is the type of itinerary I would only ever do once, so I don't see the value in going on a short cruise that doesn't cover all the possible ports in that area.

Win Win

Celebrity couldn’t pay me to go on either S or M class.

In 2025, Celebrity has several Greek island cruises slated on Ascent. If this new information is correct, then the only Greece itineraries Celebrity is offering in 2026 are on the rust bucket Eclipse. If that's the case, then it's back to Royal and Odyssey as the only option for a relatively new ship in the RCI family.

Was thinking about booking this itinerary on Odyssey when 2026 dates are released. Your review was very helpful in answering questions about the various port stops. Thanks for all the information.

Curious how far ahead you booked? I called the Renaissance today and they said they only take reservations 2-3 days in advance. That would mean trying to call them from one of the other ports on the itinerary before we arrive in Curaçao.

Have signed up for this excursion in February and it specifically mentions a two hour stop at Sorobon beach. There are also a lot of “sights” mentioned as part of the tour, but I was assuming those are just drive by highlights and not actual stops? I won’t be happy if the majority of the trip is stopping at a bunch of dull attractions and reduced beach time.