tce40

I'm in now.

Not working for me this morning, as well.

5 minutes ago, kywildcatfanone said:

Hello to you!  I have no animosity to Louisville sports fans.  I might have been the only Kentucky fan who was glad to see Pitino back in the state, lol.

 

Okay, so let me see if I get this right.  You have say Netflix logged in on your mobile phone on Celebrity Wifi I guess. You click streaming, get a code, then get the ability to cast, which I have never done.  How do your phone and the TV "talk" to know this?  Is that where the codes come in, you get prompted?  

That sounds interesting.  I've never done that before, but I would love to give it a try.  

 

Edit to add:  I'm going to be on Equinox, not sure if that matters.  Hopefully all ships operate the same.

Yes, that's sort of how it worked.  I hope Equinox has the ability to do this but I'm not sure.  I'd never done it before either but I used it every night.  It was great!  Have a wonderful cruise!  🙂

14 minutes ago, marianoam said:

 

But do you have to purchase a WiFi package in order to stream to the TV?

Yes, because you have to access the app on your telephone.

12 minutes ago, kywildcatfanone said:

I'm sort of dreading this on our upcoming cruise.  We cruise Princess most and they have a fantastic selection of ondemand programming to watch.

We tend to like to go back to our cabin and just chill most nights after dinner, so having some good TV to watch is  big deal for us.

I did purchase the premium wifi at an outrageous price, so I'm hoping I can connect to hulu, netflix, max, etc and stream a bunch of stuff.  I might even take a HDMI cable and try to connect to the TV.  

I was on the Apex a few weeks ago and guess what was on my TV?  It said "streaming services."

I was excited to see it as I'd never seen it before. 

First of all, you click on it and it comes back and gives you 4-digits.  It then tells you to log into http://tv.celebrity.com, which gave me another type of code (longer with numbers/letters).  That's where I was stuck because nothing happened.  When I called IT they came over and showed me what to do.  

You have to have the Netflix, Amazon Prime, etc. apps on your telephone and can log in, which I did.  

Then, on my phone, I found the show I wanted to watch and clicked it.  That second longer code was listed and I clicked that and ALSO clicked the "casting" button (see below - hope this works)

After I did that, it came up on my TV and I was able to watch anything I wanted.  I didn't have to have them downloaded, just logged in to the streaming apps.  I hope this helps!

P.S. Hello Kentucky.  We have different teams but that's OK 🙂

1 hour ago, QuestionEverything said:

In a discussion with cruise friends, our opinion is that Celebrity is trending downwards, leaving the top spot in the mass cruise market.

Celebrity most certainly is not trending upwards towards the premium tier that is for sure.

When Celebrity launched in the early 90's, Celebrity was the Oceania, premium line of the day.

Full high tea with white gloved staff etc. I enjoyed Celebrity very much.

From about 2015 or so, Celebrity reduced their status down to mass market.  

From what we all see, Celebrity intends upon moving themselves downward further.

That is their decision.

There certainly are many "Celebrity Refugees" as they are called on the Oceania board and there were many, many on my August Oceania Insignia voyage.

 

Happy you have found refuge on Oceania. 

On 9/8/2023 at 1:47 PM, 39august said:

This is really trivial, but I am curious. Are Sky Suites currently getting the usual lip balm, seapass card holder and chocolates?

Had Lip Balm in the bathroom, Seapass Card Holder on the desk and chocolates on my pillow every night.  I was in a SS on Apex for the British Isles Cruise.

Welcome Pick ups.  Just used them to Amsterdam from Airport and from Rotterdam back to airport.  Fantastic!

I flew in on 8/31/23.   Took me about 5 minutes to get through passport control.  Flew out on 9/14/23 and was through in about 5-10 minutes.  Easy.

I just got back last week from my British Isles cruise.  I used Welcome Pick-up for when I first arrived at the airport to my hotel, again a few days later from my hotel to the port and finally, had the same driver I used in Amsterdam pick me up in Rotterdam and take me to the airport.  I will recommend them to anyone!  They confirm with you, send you a reminder email the day before, send you a contact phone number and email PLUS a picture of your driver with his name.  Worth it!

One more thing I wanted to add as I read back on this thread (didn't even read anything while on the ship).  The Retreat Host, Head Butler, Retreat Team with individual names were on their cards and already in my cabin when I embarked.  There was no guessing or trying to figure out what the numbers were, etc.  I even took a picture of them so I could thank them by name at the end of the cruise.

18 minutes ago, RichYak said:

It reads to me as though you used none of the services that a butler would typically provide. Any room service meals/drinks? Afternoon snacks? Clothes pressing/laundry?

I happily take care of myself, except for the two instances I mentioned to you.  It was a port heavy cruise so I was up and out most days, including going to Luminea to have a nice, hot breakfast almost every single day.  I used the Retreat Team for what I mentioned which was all I required.  🙂

I was on the Celebrity Apex British Isles Cruise (9/2 - 9/14) in a Sky Suite and honestly, I have NEVER had a better trip.  I'd been reading for months all the concerns but I thought I'd see for myself how it worked and what I saw didn't bother me in the slightest.  I'll tell you my interactions:

Day 1 my wonderful Retreat Host (Jayson) introduced himself and wanted to make sure I knew how everything worked in the room (bathtub, etc,), which I appreciated.  I told him I had already emptied the mini fridge and showed him where I stowed everything (in a bottom drawer).  He was appreciative.  

Day 1, right after Jayson left, I noticed on the TV there was an option for Streaming Services (which is new and GREAT).  I kept trying to follow the instructions but I couldn't figure out how to get it to work.  I called the Retreat Team and told them my dilemma and within 15 minutes, someone from IT was knocking at my door and we got it to work.  End of my interaction with Retreat services.

Day 2, the head Butler, Arun, knocked at my door and introduced himself. Said, please call him if I needed anything, which I thanked him.  No, I didn't need him the remainder of the cruise but did see/talk to him the last sea day (update farther down).  

Jayson, throughout my port heavy cruise always took wonderful care of me.  Oh yes, I also told him Day 1 that I was Go Green, so I made sure I hung my towels on my door.  They still gave me new towels every other day.  He also left a chocolate on my pillow every night and brought me a couple bottles of water every day, without me asking for either.  

In the middle of the cruise, I had booked several specialty dining meals but one night, I thought I would really like to try the Rooftop Garden Grill for dinner.  I was in the Lumineau lounge, walked over to the Retreat Team representative up there, she made a phone call, and I had my reservation for 6:00 pm.  By the way, it was fantastic!  

I was up early every morning so I was usually at Cafe al Bacio when they opened every day.  Really love that place!  I like to get up and move around, not just lounge around in my room, but I know everyone is different.  On the last sea day before we docked in Rotterdam, there I was at 6:30 and asked for my coffee when a man next to me said, "Ma'am, I can bring that to you."  I was like huh?  Then I looked and I noticed it was Arun, the head butler.  They were making him several types of coffee drinks that he was obviously delivering.  I told him, thank you so much for asking, but I loved getting up and walking around the ship in the morning, including getting my own coffee.  He said again, if I wanted him to, he would be happy.  I thanked him for the wonderful service everyone had offered on the ship (LOVE the Apex) and that was the end.  By the way I had only met him once and yet, he knew my name and who I was.

Finally, that day, I ran into Jayson in the hallway and he asked if I had my luggage ready to go down, but I told him I had carried on and so I was good.  

I can only say, I would not hesitate to book this class of room again and unless you're someone who needs a lot of help/attention, how you could notice a difference is well...maybe someone is looking to find differences.   It was truly one of the best trips I've ever been on and anyone that wants a beautiful ship, the best/happiest crew around, to be treated so wonderfully, don't hesitate to book. 

I'm looking at another ship (S Class) next year but I would love to travel the Apex again.  Fantastic!

Thank you for posting this @georgiaguy.  So many of us feel as you do but I will tell you, I finally started blocking the negative/repetitive posters and it feels so much better!  Plus, when you see the blocked comments name come up, you see how many times they are posting over and over and over again.  It's so tedious.  

Aren't people allowed to be happy the port closest to them is available now?  Yikes. 

I'm in a SS in about two weeks out of Amsterdam, but since I'm not very needy and very self-reliant, I doubt it will affect me or my trip at all.  I'm sure I'll have a wonderful time because I look forward to the good and don't search for the bad.  That's just me, of course.  🙂

We walked to the center of town, by the Duomo and had time to shop around there, then went to the Accademia, which was great!  After that, we again, walked around different areas in Florence, the Ponte Vecchio bridge/shops and finally, met up at a nice restaurant on the side street, where they served us drinks/cocktails and a very good meal!  It took most of the day, because the drive from the port took at least an 1-1/2 hours, if I remember.  The drive through Tuscany is worth it.  When I go back, I'm going to spend my time there!  Someone on these boards recommended this trip and I'm happy I took it!  Did not have time for the Uffizi Museum.   Another time!

I did this tour, but back in 2019.  Yes, the skip-the-line tickets were included.  There was a lot of walking but we ended with a nice lunch at a restaurant there.  I had a great time.  Lots of walking 🙂

Your pictures are stunning!  

1 minute ago, FireEMT978 said:

Upon speaking to many friends that sail Carnival, I am very jealous of the choices of good quicks eats that they have. Celebrity's Edge Class ships are definitely "My speed". I have no interest in ever sailing on them, except maybe to try there food offerings. My only problem, is that the food quality on both Royal and Celebrity conitnues to slide downhill. It is the EXACT same food on both lines. The mystery meat burgers have gotten so bad, that I can barely stomach them. And, I can't sit for 2 to 2-1/2 hours in the main dining room, only to finally be served a meal that was not cooked properly.

It sounds like you should look at other lines, then, and review their food situations.  Bon Voyage. 🚢

Thank heavens for the Ignore function. 😉

Thank you. I’m looking for a private transfer as well, for that very reason!

5 hours ago, Julma said:

Just off the Apex TA, we used a private car service through Viator.  We had looked at other, less expensive options, but decided the car service was worth it and we still think it was.  Rotterdam was very busy and our driver was there with a sign and we zipped by all the people and we were on our way in minutes after stepping off the ship.  Another tip, Ubers could not pull up to the hotel we stayed at.  I believe it may be like that many places in Amsterdam.  They have "pick-up/drop off points" which can be a bit of a distance from your hotel.   

Which car service did you use?  I'm certainly interested.

I am NOT retired, but am flying in a couple days early to Amsterdam and getting on the British Isles 12-day Cruise that begins on 9/2/23.  I can't wait!! 🙂

Thank you for such a delightful LIVE report!  I'm looking forward to the next one.  Happy you both had a fun and safe trip back home.