amunhbuu

Hello all,

I am trying to decide on a Southern Caribbean cruise late 2015. I am also looking at the suite categories and have never sailed Celebrity before.

I am comparing the Adventure of the Seas, the Jewel of the Seas, and the Celebrity Summit.

We have sailed RCL quite a bit. I am familiar with the idea that Junior Suites are not really suites and don't get the suite perks. Is that the same for the Sky Suites? I have read the new suite class perks page (http://www.creative.rccl.com/Sales/Celebrity/General_Info/Flyers/14037410_CEL_Suites_FAQs.pdf). I am unclear as to what the sky suites actually get vs. the higher end suites. It looks like they just get access to the suite only restaurant and not the other perks (i.e. free internet and beverages and Michael's Club). Is that correct?

The other question is more of an opinion. Given that the SC itineraries tend to be port intensive are the suites even worth it vs. an itinerary that has two days or more at sea.

Thanks!

Good information, thanks! We get ready to leave on the Oasis and I was wondering if I was going to have to find a secluded bar somewhere.

I always make a spreadsheet comparing costs of vacations. Then I break it down by day / person. Not sure hour helps terribly much because some of my costs are estimations. So, I think I would be out of precision going hourly. Usually, I am doing the exercise to compare between options anyways, so they use the same assumptions.

They have cabanas on three of the HAL ships for rent by the week or by the day if they are not sold out for the week.

 

They have retreat cabanas which are in the retreat (spa) area that rent for $299. week. The pool cabanas rent for $199. a week. Your have a covered cabana with huge loungers, table and chairs, a cabana boy to get you drinks, lunch, etc. Your get champagne in the afternoon. We rented one on or last HAL cruise and while it was a nice place to be and you always had your reserved spot, we found it to be "hot" because of the airflow. We were in the Caribbean.

 

You can search cabanas on the HAL board and see pictures. You will find people who love them and people who hate them. They are usually sold out on each cruise.

We did the cabanas on the Eurodam several years ago. They were very nice. I spent half of my day sleeping in them!

They look nothing like these things. I would say they are what cabanas are when you think of the word. These look like beach umbrellas.

 

If you like suites on HAL or Princess you will find that a standard cabin on Seaboun or Regent is many times the same price once you add in all the extras to the HAL price and compare it to the Seabourn or Regent price for the same itinerary. We did this with HAL's Circle SA and Regent's Circle SA this Jan and will be going with Regent and loving all the pamperring.

 

CC has an article on the front page discussing the very same thing. Once you throw in airfare, hotels, tips, drinks, excursions, etc. they come out to similar prices.

However, this tends to be true for suites only. We are not to the point where we are booking suites. If we get to that point, I would imagine that we will take a long hard look at the luxury lines.

Azamara is following Celebrity. Their alcohol packages prices will be announced on Feb 1. Right now all the non-alcoholic is included around the ship and in the staterooms, including bottled water. They will have three packages, one beer, and a standard and a premium alcohol package.

Doesn't Azamara already have wine at lunch and dinner?

I don't believe that Celebrity has that at the moment.

I second the comments above. We were there Thursday and it was fantastic. Couldn't ask for a more relaxing day. You can do nothing or take part in some of the extras they offer.

 

amunhbuu

Where they dive is subject to the weather. Thursday it was really windy and the seas were quite rough. The beach is actually across from Santa Rosa Wall. They can take you to almost ony of the sites depending on how many there are in your group and what else is going on. I did not dive but they indicted a one tank dive to the Santa Rosa Wall would be $79 and they supply everything.

Thanks for the info!

Anyone know where they do their shallow dives? I wouldn't mind doing one of the full dives, but our ship doesn't get in until 9. 10:30 would be a good start.

Thanks!

Just off LOS (9/20 - 9/27)....yes, the Flowrider is open when you board. We were onboard before noon and a few people were already on it. We watched for a while and yes, the lines were the shortest this day. Definintely have your kids bring their suits and give it a whirl. It is awesome!

We were off it on 9/20 and it was closed when we went there exploring the ship. I think it opened up in the afternoon at some point.

Any idea what the lines for the FlowRider are like? How much time do you get on it?

Thanks!