Jim_Iain

Happy you had a nice cruise. Not sure if we will cruise before our April cruise. Was trying to put something together on Regent for February but don't think it will work out. Safe travels and recover from Xmas and New Years.

While we are not permitted to reference groups on Facebook they are posted by one of the precious CC Hosts. Most recent were the Xmas Menus in MDR.

Thanks for the wonderful live post. I had to read your last live first as a starting point. Sounds like you enjoy Retreat much better. Nice to hear as we had some difficulties on Edge and was hoping was confined to that ship.

John, You don't have to miss the snacks. Just tell the head butler you want them delivered every afternoon and it will be arranged. Water and Soda I'm not sure about - I do know our friends traveling with us just told them he expected his water replenished daily at no charge and it was done. It wasn't the large bottles but the small ones.

My experience in the past 1 1/2 year is they did not eliminate the "Sommelier" but instead have a person pretending to be a Sommelier but rarely know anything about wine. We had one who recommended a certain Chardonnay as a "Premium" wine. Being from California and close to wine country we explained it was something we would buy in a 5 Liter Box and definitely not premium. In Fine Cut the wine server that looked like a cat in the headlights when Iain order a bottle of Pouilly-Fuisse and asked if we new the number. At least he had the seance to say he would get a sommelier that could help.

Thank you for your well written review. Whether a fluke or representative of the "normal" experience, I'm convinced enough to know they are not on our short list nor long list of possible alternatives to Celebrity .

Support you 100%. Good parents teach their kids respect. Like Dogs... Their aren't bad kid's their are bad parental training and respect of others. We have 3 kids and I can tell you from the first time we took them to dinner they were taught to be respectful of others and if one of them became cranky I would take them out of the room immediately. You don't need to be a parent to understand common courtesy and respect for others.

This occurred a couple months ago. If I'm not correct it may have been the same time they eliminated tips in All included. Many of the all-included includes Classic Wifi for less than Suites. They then charge for an upgrade if desired.

Another option would be book now and after the sale is over and they drop the prices again to the same net amount call in and get a price match.

I would do the exact same. Just make a dummy booking with any name as second passenger and unfortunately they got sick and couldn't make the cruise.

I'm sure many attorney would take the cast at $250/hour but none that would take it on a contingency. In this particular case the OP was offered a FCC which would normally be considered an acceptable offer but I can understand that someone that is not interested in the new SkySuite experience would not want a get a FCC that they would not use. We normally travel in Upper Suites and to be honest really don't use the butler and he is always coming around trying to provide services we aren't interested in. For the most part all we use a Butler for is doing our Laundry which a room attendant could easily handle. I'm sure this may be greeted with negativity BUT..... in my experience and observation the change may have been made due to those in Sky Suites demanding and pushing the boundaries and requiring far more time consuming service than those I would ever consider asking for. OK... it's just us we really don't utilize the butler much.

I purchased it while traveling with Iain's Sister and BIL. At the time I booked it I was in a CS but later won an Upgrade to RS, not sure if being Zenith helps or not. It was as you said $100 PP per Day. It worked out really well. Initially we had to have the Retreat Host create new cards for them as their cards were not marked Retreat and also would not work on the Retreat doors but that was quickly remedied. It was the first and only time we had used the program.

I've been on Equinox a number of times recently. She has gone through Revolution in June 2019. She is in good shape and I have no qualms booking her. As a matter of fact I did book her for November 2025. I've never sailed RCL and will let others comment on the similarities and differences. I will say it is a nice size ship, excellent friendly service and maintained in excellent condition. During the Summer months you will see many children but no way near what I understand you will experience on RCL. No roller coasters, rock walls, surfing pool etc. They do have a indoor Solarium that is Adults Only except for late afternoon early evening Family hours. There are many places where you can find quiet time to read or many things happening if your enjoy participation in planned activities.

If you buy it from the Gift section it will be in your room and you can bring it or even up to 1 bottle per adult passenger and no Corkage fee if you have a drink package. If no drink package there is a corkage fee for the bottle you bring aboard with you but not the one from gifts.

Prices are even worse for you as all prices are in USD. The only difference is on Australia Sailings they have to add the 20% gratuity that is usually not applied until you get your bill.

The shows and most music sets are 50 minutes which give you time to get to the next event.

You might give it a try. In the past I have been able to create an account on Qantas and then either add a missing flight or just put in ticket locator number and pull up reservation and select seating. It should be able to find you AA locator number.

I just created a Roll Call for this cruise - Look forward to meeting you.

We previously took a B2B Fort Lauderdale to Valparaiso, Chile and then on to Buenos Aires around the horn. Incredible trip and stopped at all the ports on the cruise you are referring to. This time I think we will be going to Iguazu Falls for 2-3 days and see both the Argentine and Brazil side of the falls.

That is really doesn't sound fair. May I suggest you go to the app and take a look at the MDR Menu- I'm looking at Solstice (non-Australian Cruise April 25) They have 2296 Chardonnay, The Seeker at $10 As I'm typing I just checked Edge - Sydney New Zealand and they are showing 2296 Chardonnay, The Seeker at $12. The Wine Enthusiast - This decent-quality, medium-bodied wine shows a brassy-brownish tinge in the color and mostly tangy apple-cider flavors. — Jim Gordon They gave it a blind tasting score of 84 (Good - Suitable for everyday consumption, often good value.

Thanks Mike. I try to be balanced and straight forward. I was just rather disappointed with many things on Edge. I'm really looking forward in hope that Solstice will be the same as it was a year ago when we did the B2B Pacific Coastal December 2023. Even though she hasn't been Revolutionized we really enjoyed her. I've always been a multi-tasker and have a tendency of just doing these live posts in the background while sipping coffee in the morning before Iain get's up. I will admit once in awhile Iain said are you going to talk to me or should I send you a message on CC. That is a signal to put my PC and Phone away and give him some quality time.

Are you sure you’re not confusing with a different ship. I get them confused all the time. I was on Solstice December 2022 and the Retreat was still the same old Dark Paneling,

I think we will especially like Michael's Club after being on Edge Class. It may be just us be we feel like we are in a Airport Lounge instead of an intimate club.

Thank you for your wonderful Live Post. Loved both your commentary as well as all of your beautiful photos of the food. It will be about 10 months before we take our first Cunard TA and really enjoyed getting a feel of the agenda and activities while at sea.

I've posted the Wine List from Fine Cut twice now... You should be able see it at Has both prices by glass or full bottle. Prices on Australia cruises include the 20% gratuity on the list.