Galaxy2004

@TheHawk1 The reality is that at Port Everglades the port authorities and check-in staff do not follow the assigned boarding times. Their goal is to get people through and onboard as quickly as possible. Put that with people like me who have flown in the night before who are not going to sit at a hotel for 3 or 4 hours when we can go wait at that beautiful almost new terminal and maybe get on early. When lines are set up with time slots displayed I always go to my assigned line but even then I've been sent through as soon as the other lines are empty. Maybe some of those people who are grabbing the 11:30 slots are grabbing lunch somewhere in FLL and deciding to arrive whenever they want and that's why I've been able to get in early. Who knows. Anyway, if 1000 people show up at 10:30 one cruise, maybe they will reconsider their process.

Main showtimes normally 7:30 and 9:30. I think our app populated the activities about a week before our 2/4 cruise date on Ascent. We ate at all 4 of the main dining rooms. Our preference was Tuscan but more because of the black and white decor than anything. I've read that pre-cruise reservations are often ignored because all main dining is anytime dining on E-Class. You can always talk with the hostess of the one you like the best and get a reservation set up once onboard.

Did you receive priority tender or no need?

Love that jalapeno/mouse photo!!

On our 2/4 Ascent sailing there were 30-40 people in line for the Concierge lunch when it opened. We went up to the buffet and since it was only Noon there was no crowd. So kind of depends on when you get there.

Thank you for your review. Connie was our favorite ship for so long! May need to book her again.

Ridiculous amount of chair hoggery going on. Of course, I'm one that ignores "reserved chairs" and if looking for one and nothing readily open I simply move the towels to another unused "reserved" chair and when I'm done move them back. Not one single time has someone returned while I've been using a previously reserved chair. I'm not one to lay in chairs for hours on end though.

What @Itchy&Scratchy said. No soda only packages.

@Jeremiah1212 is correct. It's after your deposit expires, not when the extra OBC offer expires. For us, it was when they were doing 1 year for both.

On our sailing last month we were also parked beside ICON of the Seas in Cozumel and just couldn't get over how huge the ship was compared to Ascent, which isn't exactly small!

Ours deposits posted to our CC automatically about a week after the booking window expired. Others say they had to call to get it refunded.

No reservations required in anytime dining. If you have a preferred time and a preference among the 4 main dining rooms, talk with the hostess at that restaurant and they'll work with you. We made no reservations and never had to wait more than 10 minutes.

Yum, the Trader Joe's almond ones are a go to item for us when we have overnight summer guests. Easy and delicious breakfast option. Maybe I think the ones on Ascent are delicious because my effort level to get them is pretty much zero🙂. No proofing required!

Agree with @hcat - We saw a large group in Eden who had 2 large round tables reserved, maybe 6 - 8 at each. Probably nothing big enough for 13 at one table.

Never had a direct from France croissant. Would love to if they're better than these.

Those croissants!!! Every. Single. Morning,

At FLL 29 they fill up a series of large almost circular benches and then rows of connected chairs and consider each of these a group. They have staff directing you where to sit so they are filled in first come first serve. After the ship is cleared, they go to the first bench group and release them, etc. She was in that first "bench" group.

Also thoroughly enjoyed following along. The comparisons you compiled for spring 2026 are very interesting! We've never done retreat but can certainly see in your comparison how hard it is for some to not look at the more luxury brands with retreat prices that high.

No such creature on Celebrity. Your only option would be the free coffee at the buffet or the zero proof/non alcoholic package that gives you specialty coffees, etc.

Really enjoyed following along. Be safe traveling home tomorrow.

We used the premium wifi for two devices and shared it between me and travel mate on our 2/4 Ascent sailing. Maximum 2 active devices at one time. We shared the same login.

Escargot is still an every night option. Defer to others on Blu as we've only done it once and that was on Apex right after Covid reopening.

Pain to have to go through all that but happy the agent is refunding your deposit.

Booked GTY Concierge on Ascent 2/4/24 sailing. Price was same as a pick your cabin Ocean View. Assigned Prime Concierge 12187 within 48 hours. Very happy with the convenient location so did not change. A bit of noise as it's under the pool walkway. Would book again though.