DarrenM

Well some really good advice here. I fully accept being a creature of habit, and maybe even starting to moan about what I have liked previously. All that said, my concerns about Celebrity revolve more around what I heard the CEO say, and her corporate none answers to straight questions. I am sure the others are similar though tbh. Looked further into virgin and princess and I definitely like the look of virgin more than Princess. Will see after May.........on constellation. A prediction I will be having a particularly great day one day mid cruise, and will be happily inebriated. And will book a 2025 cruise whilst in that state.

As you said Birmingham to Southampton, there are many direct trains from Birmingham New Street to Southampton Central. Easily the best way to travel with disabilities. Staff at the stations are very helpful. Its a 2..5 hour journey. Its no more than a 10 minute taxi ride from Southampton Central to the cruise terminal. Even 1st Class train tickets are only £100 each.

Surely the fact the RCI ships are overrun with little creatures is a factor too? I moaned about there being a couple of hundred on Beyond last year. Lol And yes I counted them all

With regards to premium cruises, I don't mind paying if its worth it. Celebrity isn't cheap if you go for the balcony cabins, premium drinks package etc. But I have no issue as long as everything is included. Heard so many bad things about MSC and P&O that i just wouldn't go there. P&O for more political reasons too. Never thought about the even.more premium smaller ships, but some of those are really small. I really detest fancy dress nights too just to eat. So again celebrity suits me.

Thanks for your post. I must have seriously misled you though. I love a drink but hate parties. So I want bars that don't have music, dance floors or anything novel. Me and my wife love just sitting near a bar and drinking the night away( usually in bed 9pm lol) We start early, sample everything on the cocktail menu, then go to bed, sleep it off and get up early the next day for a morning run. Rince and repeat. Hence why I am not sure about virgin voyages. We also enjoy our food too. So food is important. Hence why we might like virgin voyages. Sunset bar and world class bar on celebrity are superb. And to be fair we do like the martini bar, early doors. Wife wanted to try constellation as she doesn't like the infinite verandas. I am ok with it and I don't mind it being smaller. As long as the bars are just as good. No world class bar on constellation though. But they do have another bar that's name escapes me. Would love to just stay with celebrity but their new CEO irritates me, with her clear nickle and diming attitude and corporate nonsense speak. I hate corporate speak. Anyway. Like others have said, I will have a clearer picture come May.

just to confirm a couple of things. Would really like to stay with Celebrity Like the look of certain things on Virgin, but not some of the other things Similar with Princess. Avoiding P&O, MSC, and the other cheaper end brands.

With Celebrity again in May, but hearing worrying things about them, that maybe adversely affect what we liked about them. So for 2025 we might be looking at an alternative. Criteria is simple. 1. few or no little creatures. 2. Great Food 3. Many bars with attractive drinks package. (Always get premium on Celebrity) 4. Mediterranean 5. OK Itinerary. Not that bothered been to most places now. 6. Reasonable entertainment, but not forced fun. 7. Plenty of space to relax, and large enough for me to wander around for hours. (Constellation this year, reflection and Beyond previously - all OK) 8. No forced formal nights.- I wont be taking a suit. Narrowed it down to three so far but open to other suggestions: Celebrity Princess Virgin. Any ideas/thoughts would be appreciated.

Last I heard was that it was going for a bit of a smarten up for 17 days in April. After its transatlantic cruise to Barcelona. All staterooms getting new carpets and getting a general spruce up. Some of the public areas were upgraded during covid I believe. Anyway, hoping I am right as we are due on Connie 13th May in Rome.

No idea. Never sailed with them.

We have booked 3 speciality restaurants for May on celebrity constellation. Paid for two and the sushi restaurant is a la carte. No charge.

A la career restaurants, you pay for what you order. No entry charge.

I have never drank with the intention of having one too many. But I have had one too many, many times. There's a very fine line between happily drunk, having a great time, and having one too many. I suspect if I know when the one too many point comes, I am.notnhappily drunk and having that great time, probably because I am spending too much time thinking about it. I need a drink after that

Hangover prevention? Stay drunk.

I have only been Celebrity but have loved all cruises. Love the sunset bars, at the back of the ship (I know thats not what its called, before the pedants call me out) and the Martini bar is great too. And I have to say Reflection is my favourite ship. Adored my time on there. Also been on Edge and Beyond. I want to sail on Reflection again.

Am I the only one relieved to hear more detail of what a sextant is?

I like this very much, except..........I couldnt order breakfast the night before. I have no idea what I want for breakfast until i get there.

Do you tell your wife what to wear, or how to look? I suspect you wouldnt dream of it. A bit weird that she does it to you. Shave it off to annoy her.

I am screwed.

Probably the only good thing to come out of covid. Nobody seems to bother with suits and ties in the office any more. Its all jeans polo shirts and trainers now. Much better and more comfortable than ridiculous suits. A supplier texted me prior to a meeting in the office last week, asking what the dress code was. After winding him up warning him he had to wear a morning suit, I told him he would laughed out of the office if he wore a suit. He came dressed like he was in a 1970 ska band. With full Dr Martin boots.

My jeans are the sort that look more like chinos. Dark blue. Always worn them in the dining room. Never been asked to leave. Slim leg ones, because I am a kool kat. I figured if I only have one choice of legwear, I will never have to think about what to wear. Ever. Works for me. And so I only need one pair of shoes. Brown. But I usually try and get away with trainers. I never wear shoes any more at home. No need for them. Even wear trainers on the odd occasion I venture into the office.

I am English. We dont clean teeth. OK yes there will be toothpaste too, but its normally "her indoor"s that packs that. And I usually just use the soap for shaving. The room supplied soap. I am not the manicured type. So I dont take that much care or notice. Lifes too short for fellas to spend time manicuring.

Cant argue with this.

Coming from North east England its quite amusing when we are asked where we are from, because I am sure I sound Scottish to lots of American folk.

Well yes but to be honest this includes the day time too. But there will be no dressy shirts and definitely no suit. I am not planning on attending an interview while on the cruise.

Its more the fact that I am known to spill French onion soup down my shirts. Almost every time. Every time