buncosquad

Galveston Limousine. It's not a long distance to port, but for 10 people, I want zero concern about being picked up and arriving on our time. Totally worth it.

We always use private shuttles, versus scheduled/public shuttles where you must be on their schedule and often picking up others. Private shuttles pick us up on our schedule, and we wait for no one. Always point to point. They track our flights and revise accordingly. We always order airport to port area hotel for a day or two before cruise, hotel to port on embarkation day, then port back to airport on disembarkation. Costs more, sure. However, the stress free travel is priceless.

Define "upper level" - In an IC, I've had Le Voyage delivered to my stateroom. At sunset. Course by course. With a bottle of superb champagne. No questions asked. That stateroom is worth every penny.

I've yet to sail on anyone that can compete with the ICs on Celebrity, at least in terms of the stateroom. Unsure of your cost point, but I go by the memories made versus the cost point. Every time. The service and support, plus the views and amenities, incredible. An EV could be a very nice fallback option to consider. We also like Cunard Queens Grill for unique sailings, so that is another alternative. Attempting (timidly) a family trip next month on an RCL Oasis class, in three Star Class staterooms... Would not consider this at all, but for the young kids. As noted by others, the small luxury lines are likewise great options. We're partial to Regent. Good luck.

Understood, and quite thorough depiction on your thread. Super helpful. I've got the three Star Class rooms (Royal Loft and both Star Lofts) on a sailing next month, same ship and itinerary, of course. Since we're already on deck 17, good that we won't need the elevator. I'll rouse all three rooms to get over for breakfast promptly upon opening for breakfast. Many thanks.

What time did you arrive @ CK for breakfast on disembarkation morning? When is Star Class required to leave staterooms? TY

Good, old Harmony. When is your cruise, or how far out will it let us book events?

Familiar with the policy, which is why I caveated my post. I sail other lines, too. I'm not a cheerleader for any of them.

Probably not in any written rule, but every time in an IC, Luminae has taken our reservation. And specific table we want. No problem. They'll even come get you and take you to your table at appointed time.

A tale of two cities...

Select your stateroom wisely. We live in our staterooms, so we select accordingly. We only book Edge class on Celebrity, and use our itineraries and staterooms as our personal retreat. The views and the silence broken only by the wind and sea is worth every penny. We typically only leave our stateroom for shore excursions, spa treatments, lunch and dinners, as well as walking the track, going to the World Class bar (Beyond and Ascent), and Cafe al Baccio. When we walk the track on sea days, every time looking down to the main pool, it is usually quite crowded (warm climes). Won't do crowds. Won't even utilize the Retreat sundeck, as likewise typically busy on sea days. As noted, select stateroom wisely and you'll have a memorable sailing, regardless of how busy is the ship.

I am doing this embarkation port next month with a 10 person family group flying in from 4 cities around the country to IAH. Using private transfers from IAH to Galveston then spending two nights at Tremont House before cruise embarkation. Using same company for private transfer from Tremont House to port for morning of embarkation. For disembarkation, once again using same private transfer from port, via Johnson Space Center, then continuing on to IAH. I just want to relax. And have a drink (even if limited in port by Texas law). 😎

I am doing this embarkation port on Harmony next month with a 10 person family group flying in from 4 cities around the country to IAH. Ugh, this ship is insane size and appears sold out, save for maybe several inside cabins. I dread it for the shear size and pax capacity, but for the grandkids... I can't imagine the gymnastics I read of relying upon shuttles (good as they may "usually" be) from the airport, to a hotel, back to the airport the next morning in order to join a shuttle to travel to the ship at distance for embarkation. That sounds exhausting. I like to design for zero stress. Using private transfers from IAH to Galveston then spending two nights at Tremont House before cruise embarkation. Whew. Using same company for private transfer from Tremont House to port for morning of embarkation. For disembarkation, once again using same private transfer from port, via Johnson Space Center, then continuing on to IAH. I just want to relax. And have a drink (even if limited in port by Texas law). 😎

Was your service private transfers or just scheduled pickup for as many as paid transfer?

After now seeing a few videos on the "cleanliness" (and attrocious reporting of leftover passenger "grooming" habits) in these old(er) ships of the Celebrity fleet, I am happy to have never chosen to sail on them. Not judging others if that is the preference. Having now tried three of the Edge class ships, these appear very different (at least based upon what I read of the old(er) ships in the fleet), in terms of cleanliness and smooth operation. Of course, they are newer. Always a "you get what you pay for."

We always commit 5% of cruise cost toward butler and room steward additional gratuity. Have always received superb service and support for every one of our six sailings to date. Five more now booked. All ICs and EVs only. We do not tip anywhere else, but we go to butler and room steward for all requests and requirements. Celebrity has never missed a beat.

This is a nicely done live blog. Are you able to advise the number of rooms to which your Genie is assigned? And, are they all Aqua Theater staterooms to which they are assigned? TY

Thank you and should be great experience. I do have a question- I've booked three Star Class suites (Royal Loft plus both Star Lofts) to take my family on same ship and itinerary next month. Any idea how RCL assigns the Genies for the total of ten Star Class rooms on Harmony? Hopefully, I'll have one Genie for my three rooms. TY

I think that sounds right. I'm just saying that I am fine paying extra for Celebrity having vetted those vendors (I don't need to research) and I simply state what I want and it is done. In my case, ease of process is overriding concern for travel. I was late on one PJ return due to traffic. Never worried that the ship would leave. I was not a pier runner. They drove me to the gangway. Loved it. I don't need or want to be flown to my next available port stop by some third party vendor if I run late. I want to be on my ship in my stateroom. To me, PJ isn't priceless, but the hassle free aspect is.

My overriding concern when traveling is ease of process and avoiding crowds, not cost. It's a vacation. I want to delegate everything to be done. When it comes to sea based travel, I like my cruise company to handle everything and I like all my shore excursion tickets in my room on day one. Sure, I pay more. But, love the simplicity of working with one company for all of it. Celebrity and their Private Journeys have been very good.

This is a great way to do it. Have used them numerous times. They will customize just for you. Love the one on one guides. Walk off the ship and they are right there waiting for you. Come back on time, ensuring you see what you came for. Sure, more cost than in doing groups, but every moment ashore is personalized according to your wants. No lines. No waiting. Awesome!

Two thumbs up for a positive thread! 👍👍 Celebrity is awesome!

We only sail ICs now, with an occasional EV if it's a short 7-night itin - I have never known butlers to be 1:1. However, for the ICs, it sure feels like it, though the EVs have been very good, too. Every time in both type of staterooms, our butler and room steward have been excellent team members. Balcony hot tubs are always washed, filled, and emptied twice a day. In the ICs, the massive master bathroom tub is prepared each night with the tub light show and jets running when we return to the room after dinner and drinks. A few nights on each cruise they've even set up the electric candles all over the place. However, nothing beats the balcony hot tub at night while under way!!!

From the sound of it, they have once again decided to promote their butlers to room stewards.

I buy them for the balconies, private hot tubs, and unmatched views, which are (almost) priceless. 😃 The service, unlimited specialty dining, drinks, rooms themselves are likewise quite good. At least insofar as my experience has been. I do agree with some of the sentiment here,... Celebrity appears to have sold a bill of goods to the Sky and Celebrity level cabins.