JerseyGirlatHeart

16 hours ago, someguyfl said:

On M and S class ships, IMHO it's very clear that Blu is an upgrade over MDR. You can always order from the MDR menu, and my experience has always had excellent service. Yes the tables for 2 are close enough that you can talk to your neighbor -- but you don't have to if you don't want to. I've had food from both MDR and Blu menus, and Blu menu has always been great ... MDR menu has sometimes been great and sometimes not. Specifically, some MDR items tend to be overcooked.

 

I haven't been on E class yet to comment on the experience there.

Agree

If I prebook an excursion on Princess site, and then cancel the excursion, how long does it take typically take before a credit is received on credit card used to make the booking?

Looking at doing a 14 day on either the Regal or the Caribbean (the Regal does a B2B and the Caribbean does a true 14 day).  For those that have cruised recently, are both ships in good repair.  If you have sailed both, which do you prefer?  We love Aft Cabins, do both these ships have the "Beam" issue?

Thanks in advance. 

On a 14 Day in January with Plus--drinks/wifi/tips/OBC, called for curiosity on price to upgrade to Premium ... $350 per person, for total of $700.  IMO this is way too much for what you get.  

A little background … we are in our 60’s, retired, and have traveled both cruise lines in the past several times.  Sailed on Equinox (Aqua Class) in January and on Sky (Mini suite) in February so it is fresh in my mind.  Please realize everything is subjective and this is just our experience.

Ship:  Both ships are beautiful in different ways.  Equinox was much easier to navigate; Sky has narrow staircases and halls, some places you had to go up, across and down to access.  The Sky seemed much larger, and held about 800 more passengers.  I prefer the sleek elegance of Equinox.

Entertainment:  The pool music on Sky was much better (and more of it); Equinox pool music was lacking.  Production shows were much better on Sky, we felt as if the production shows on Equinox were too “message” oriented (political/social justice) and did not resonate with us or probably half of the other passengers.   The Theater on the Equinox is grander, the Theater on Sky reminded me of a school auditorium, or a church without pews or balconies.  The guest entertainers were better on Sky.  We enjoyed Movies under the Stars on Sky, much nicer experience then Equinox Movies on the Lawn.  We were able to sit in the hot tub and view the movie, thick cushions were put on lounge chairs and blankets supplied for a cozy night.  Popcorn was available, but a little stale.  Hot tubs and pools are open on Sky until midnight; they closed at 9pm on Equinox.  Love a late night swim.  Prefer the Sky for Entertainment.  

Equinox quality of food far, far better; but liked the Canapés on Sky.  Hamburgers were awful on Sky; Mast Grill so much better.  We ate in Blu on Equinox, but was able to order from the Main Dining Room Menu if we wanted.  Sky had a nice menu in the Main Dining Room (there were three, one for set dining and two for anytime dining … all menus exactly the same.). Though menu sounded nice quality was terrible on Sky, just not an overall pleasant experience.  Ate dinner at the buffet once on Sky, and it was worse then the Main Dining Room.  Equinox hands down for food quality!

Had a mini suite on Sky which was similar in size to an Aqua Cabin on Equinox.  Sky had a full size bathtub and more storage.  I liked the closet setup on Sky, sort of like a walk-in closet with shelves, hangers, safe with access to bathroom from the closet area.  The Balcony was far superior on Equinox, we were in angled cabin 1599; on Sky we also had an angled cabin (under skywalk) M427, but balcony was much smaller.   Rooms both had pluses so would call this category a Tie.

We had challenges with Princess Medallion App before boarding, IT could not figure it out, spent many hours on phone with Princess.  Ended up going to port without issues fixed … caused me anxiety; I had no problem with Celebrity App.  Once on board, and IT issues with Princess resolved, it was nice to have the ability to find shipmates, open cabin doors, charge drinks with the medallion.  Ordered drinks via medallion system for delivery on pool deck, took about 15 minutes … very convenient though downside is that you cannot customize, additionally a few times an item was ordered it was delivered to someone else.  “Check in” on Celebrity App much smother then Sky; but once Princess gets kinks worked out with Medallion System/Ocean App they will be light years ahead of Celebrity.

Fitness Center is nicer on Equinox.  The Gym on Sky is adequate, no spin bikes for use unless you pay, more equipment in Equinox.  Equinox in my Preference.

The  staff on board, in general, are far, far below Celebrity Staff level.  On Sky it was been our experience that the food and beverage staff does not go above and beyond, they seem to be just “going through the motions”, as compared to Celebrity where the majority of the staff bent over backwards to make everything perfect.  I realize that there will always be mistakes, but over and over and over on Sky…EXCEPTION our room steward Jules, from the Philippines, was been OUTSTANDING!  Shout out on Equinox to Rambo and Mickey in Blu!  Celebrity Crew made for an awesome vacation.  

Note:  we spread our mom’s ashes at sea on Princess (her favorite cruise line) and loyalty staff helped us set up a nice private ceremony.  They provided a table to display items, an officer attended in full dress, Bio engineering inspected the container to ensure it was biodegradable, and we had a private area on Deck 7 in the back of the ship to say our final goodbyes and drop the container in the ocean.  A photographer took pictures, and if the wind was not so bad a musician would have played.  Once dropped, the container bobbed in ship’s wake with a trio seagull escort.  Very fitting for our travel loving mom.

Overall we will cruise each line again (maybe not Sky as I feel Management is currently lacking).

A little background … we are in our 60’s, retired, and have traveled both cruise lines in the past several times.  Sailed on Equinox (Aqua Class) in January and on Sky (Mini suite) in February so it is fresh in my mind.  Please realize everything is subjective and this is just our experience.

Ship:  Both ships are beautiful in different ways.  Equinox was much easier to navigate; Sky has narrow staircases and halls, some places you had to go up, across and down to access.  The Sky seemed much larger, and held about 800 more passengers.  I prefer the sleek elegance of Equinox.

Entertainment:  The pool music on Sky was much better (and more of it); Equinox pool music was lacking.  Production shows were much better on Sky, we felt as if the production shows on Equinox were too “message” oriented (political/social justice) and did not resonate with us or probably half of the other passengers.   The Theater on the Equinox is grander, the Theater on Sky reminded me of a school auditorium, or a church without pews or balconies.  The guest entertainers were better on Sky.  We enjoyed Movies under the Stars on Sky, much nicer experience then Equinox Movies on the Lawn.  We were able to sit in the hot tub and view the movie, thick cushions were put on lounge chairs and blankets supplied for a cozy night.  Popcorn was available, but a little stale.  Hot tubs and pools are open on Sky until midnight; they closed at 9pm on Equinox.  Love a late night swim.  Prefer the Sky for Entertainment.  

Equinox quality of food far, far better; but liked the Canapés on Sky.  Hamburgers were awful on Sky; Mast Grill so much better.  We ate in Blu on Equinox, but was able to order from the Main Dining Room Menu if we wanted.  Sky had a nice menu in the Main Dining Room (there were three, one for set dining and two for anytime dining … all menus exactly the same.). Though menu sounded nice quality was terrible on Sky, just not an overall pleasant experience.  Ate dinner at the buffet once on Sky, and it was worse then the Main Dining Room.  Equinox hands down for food quality!

Had a mini suite on Sky which was similar in size to an Aqua Cabin on Equinox.  Sky had a full size bathtub and more storage.  I liked the closet setup on Sky, sort of like a walk-in closet with shelves, hangers, safe with access to bathroom from the closet area.  The Balcony was far superior on Equinox, we were in angled cabin 1599; on Sky we also had an angled cabin (under skywalk) M427, but balcony was much smaller.   Rooms both had pluses so would call this category a Tie.

We had challenges with Princess Medallion App before boarding, IT could not figure it out, spent many hours on phone with Princess.  Ended up going to port without issues fixed … caused me anxiety; I had no problem with Celebrity App.  Once on board, and IT issues with Princess resolved, it was nice to have the ability to find shipmates, open cabin doors, charge drinks with the medallion.  Ordered drinks via medallion system for delivery on pool deck, took about 15 minutes … very convenient though downside is that you cannot customize, additionally a few times an item was ordered it was delivered to someone else.  “Check in” on Celebrity App much smother then Sky; but once Princess gets kinks worked out with Medallion System/Ocean App they will be light years ahead of Celebrity.

Fitness Center is nicer on Equinox.  The Gym on Sky is adequate, no spin bikes for use unless you pay, more equipment in Equinox.  Equinox in my Preference.

The  staff on board, in general, are far, far below Celebrity Staff level.  On Sky it was been our experience that the food and beverage staff does not go above and beyond, they seem to be just “going through the motions”, as compared to Celebrity where the majority of the staff bent over backwards to make everything perfect.  I realize that there will always be mistakes, but over and over and over on Sky…EXCEPTION our room steward Jules, from the Philippines, was been OUTSTANDING!  Shout out on Equinox to Rambo and Mickey in Blu!  Celebrity Crew made for an awesome vacation.  

Note:  we spread our mom’s ashes at sea on Princess (her favorite cruise line) and loyalty staff helped us set up a nice private ceremony.  They provided a table to display items, an officer attended in full dress, Bio engineering inspected the container to ensure it was biodegradable, and we had a private area on Deck 7 in the back of the ship to say our final goodbyes and drop the container in the ocean.  A photographer took pictures, and if the wind was not so bad a musician would have played.  Once dropped, the container bobbed in ship’s wake with a trio seagull escort.  Very fitting for our travel loving mom.

Overall we will cruise each line again (maybe not Sky as I feel Management is currently lacking).

First let me start off by saying we have the “Tips” included package.  We are doing a B2B, staying in the same room and have requested the same waiters.

- Should we give extra tips at the end of each segment?  We know our Hostess and Bakery Gal are heading  home at end of the first leg and we would like to give them a little something to send them off.  Is it appropriate to tip others at the end of each leg or wait until the very end?

- Additionally, I know tipping is personal, but what is the average “little something extra” for making us smile each day?  We are not loaded, but would like to express our appreciation?

Do you know how if folks are wearing masks while actively working out in the gym?  Hope you feel better soon and they release you from quarantine.

22 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

They will probably go back to no mask policy when we leave.

Thank you so much.  Understand things will change daily, but dO you know how they are currently handling masking in the Gym?  Just into the room, but not while using equipment?

On the ship on the 9th.  Question are they requiring a mask when actively working out in the gym?

I just upgraded, via phone, from classic drink package to premium for an upcoming cruise (did it on Nov 26, 2021 for a Jan 2022 cruise).  We are Elite, so got the Elite discount.  For a 9-day cruise, it was $162.00 without gratuity ($81 each … $9.00 per day each);  with gratuity ended up being $194.40 for two ($97.20 each,  $10.80 per day each).  Hope this info helps.

Help … I’ve lost track of which Caribbean Ports require “Bubble Tours.”  Is there a listing somewhere?

Great news.  I have a tour scheduled with Eli and was holding on, hoping things would change.

33 minutes ago, JerseyGirlatHeart said:

We have never had the pleasure of staying in a suit, but have been invited to the helipad twice (once while departing Cartagena, Columbia … spectacular.)  Don’t know what we did to get so lucky, luck of the draw I guess.) It was a wonderful experience.  

Sorry, *suite.  

34 minutes ago, JerseyGirlatHeart said:

We have never had the pleasure of staying in a suit, but have been invited to the helipad twice (once while departing Cartagena, Columbia … spectacular.)  Don’t know what we did to get so lucky, luck of the draw I guess.) It was a wonderful experience.  

22 minutes ago, Islandhop9 said:

Is the helipad area ever open to commoners or is it VIP only? 

 

In know it is accessible on some of the RC ships. 

We have never had the pleasure of staying in a suit, but have been invited to the helipad twice (once while departing Cartagena, Columbia … spectacular.)  Don’t know what we did to get so lucky, luck of the draw I guess.) It was a wonderful experience.  

Was about 10 minutes late due to technical issues … hope I get credit

I cancelled a cruise on 15 May and am still awaiting FCC.

I will be on Sky Princess, Aft A739; is soot bad enough to change cabins?  Love aft cabins on Celebrity and never had a soot problem.  

We have always ordered substitutes…years ago it was no problem to get a plate of shrimp every night.  The last few years the steward has mixed it up with different types of cheese plates and shrimp, stating it was difficult to get shrimp every night.  We were still very happy.  

How long have recent FCCs certificates taken to receive?  We cancelled 2 cruises in mid-May.  One we elected to get a refund, the other FCC.  We received the refund within a few weeks, but are still awaiting the FCC certificate.  Just wondering if I should be worried.

3 minutes ago, conodor said:

I've sailed in concierge class a couple times in the past.  Does Aquaclass have a separate boarding area similar to concierge class?  

We sailed Jan 2020, and there was a line for Concierge and Aqua.  When boarding, Suites were called first, then Concierge and shortly thereafter Aqua.  We had a 1200 boarding thime that no one paid attention to.  We were are the port early.

Would love to hear if footstools are back on revolutionized  S-Class in Aqua.

Did they give a timeframe?

Yes waiting on an FCC for several months.  Final payment on next cruise is beginning of Sept, I’ve been told they are working on it .  Hoping it is sorted out before final payment.  

Yes, we always book 2 yrs in advance.  We cruise in January and book on board.  January 2020 we booked a B2B for January 2022, which is still on schedule. In January 2019, we booked a B2B for January-2021, both were cancelled.   Looking forward to getting back on board.