At Sea At Peace

OOOPS #3 – NO Oversight of Lounge Chair Towel Hogs 🧣 Seriously, on sea days, especially if too windy, too cloudy, rainy, etc., it's a complete mess in the Solarium. On sea days that are OK to sun tan and comfortable, the pressure comes off the Solarium and moves back out on the pool deck. A couple of pictures of coming out of the Solarium (no seats and crowds roaming for some) where it was the same situation toward the main pool deck - only about 75 feet!.

Agreed. They sure got a whole lot right on the E Class and we'll be back for many more cruises. I guess our numerous cruise experiences on NCL all with the SPA included spoils the comparison when on board in actually getting to see on Ascent. We would have considered the space allocated to the fitness center for a more open environment, more views, more loungers (heated and relaxation in the dozens) and a hydro-therapy pool to add. The Solarium is pretty unique to Celebrity and is well done on the E Class ships, although we would like to see higher plexiglass around the hot tubs (conversational noise as if they are talking across the room) and, on sea days (or bath weather days) some kind of hospitality staff oversight of the behavior and demeanor in the Solarium (smart phones audio without ear buds is nuts) and "lounge towel hogs" day long reservations not used.

Yep, we tried to stay on. We only did ONE show! Have a B2B in December on Ascent to experience some of the rest.

OOOPS #2 – NO Beverage Package 🌟 🌟 🌟 "MOSTLY" OUR OWN FAULT for this being an Ooops!!! 😔 😟 We tried to 'go beverage commando' as we were intrigued by the threads and posts about the costs of the Beverage Packages, especially when only one in the stateroom actually drinks and we learned about the Elite benefits for drinks at certain times and places and events. We purchased about $70 worth of lite beer during the week, generally and mostly as a reward for my 1-1.5 hour walks on the outdoor top walking / running track that is my tradition and $40 bottle of Pinot Noir from Eden. We brought two bottles of my favorite on board. We shouldn't have done it. 1. WE believe the wines and alcohol in the Elite benefits are very inferior. 2. WE want a certain drink when we want it, especially at dinner, we did carry in sometimes, but bringing CELEBRITY (THEY) in, it seems absurd to not simply use vouchers or equivalent anywhere, anytime for the Elite benefits or for a single occupant user of a beverage package. 3. THEY treated us differently on too many (not all) occasions. With a package, flip the card, they scan it. Without a package, flip the card, the scan it and GIVE YOU A RECEIPT TO SIGN AND ADD AND ADDITIONAL TIP TO THE ALREADY 18%. That's just part of it. Upon return (for another) when I didn't TIP ADDITIONALLY on the first time, I didn't get even remotely the same service as others. Sucked. This happened at the main Pool Bar, even in Eden (the last night we had waiters come to our table with 6 of us and actually not even ask just us if we wanted another drink). NASTY. It gets worse. At the Solarium pool deck a young staff sells out of a cart. Nice kid. I wanted a certain beer that he didn't have. I was OK with substituting, but he was generous to say "I'll get one from the bar." Soon thereafter, a server from the main pool bar came and brought me the beer and gave me the receipt to sign and, of course, add an additional tip. My bad. He sarcastically and nastily said "Oh thank you so very much." UGH. Back to the Premium Beverage Package for Ascent December B2B. Again, part 'our fault' but 'Celebrity policy' and 'bar staff' are definitely in the 'causal' MIX.

To be fair, the first Thread ASCENT 2/4 to 2/11/2024 – Awesome – The “Bests,” we did mention that we would do the "Ooops" also (last sentence in the INTRO). Here’s the first couple of NON 5-Star "Ooops" ~ OOOPS #1 – The Aqua Class 🌟 🌟 🌟 Totally OUR OWN FAULT for this being an Ooops!!! These are OUR Ooops. 😔 😟 The two primary features we see are (1) the SPA access and (2) the BLU dining. The SPA After the first day 5-minute tour, we never used or went to the SPA the entire cruise. I guess we were recalling the Madara Spa on NCL? That is wide open, huge and airy with a very large and extremely well equipped hydro-therapy pool, an entire length of ceramic heated loungers, several rows of relaxing loungers, aromatic, with all of the common rooms for salt, steam etc. This Spa had a really tiny and separate relaxation room, same small ceramic heated loungers and no hydro-therapy pool at all. AGAIN, 100% OUR FAULT. BLU Dining The BLU 'venue' is 'gorgeous.' The BLU Host and Waitstaff are 'tops.' For the dining, we really like and preferred the Elite Breakfast in Le Grand Bistro and enjoyed it the last 5 days of the cruise after try BLU the first two. BLU breakfast is nothing special (outside of the venue and staff). Really underwhelming for elegance and choices. Although never went to eat (walked through), Ocean View Cafe had way, way more attractive options (almost unlimited) and, although not as elegant of a venue, a much better view. Also enjoyed Bellini's and Bloody Mary's at the Elite Breakfast. ☕ Finally, the coffee (Americano and Cappuccino) was so superior to BLU (note, these last two relate to not having a beverage package as we could have got in BLU). For lunch, BLU is not open. We pretty much did and preferred the Eden Cafe. Really a perfect fit for us. For dinner, BLU was just OK "on average' for the nights we went. Again, relaxing, comfortable (except those darn couch back seating areas near the wall where one could use a couple of pillows behind and one below 😳 There were a couple of spectacular meals for sure, appetizers, entrees and desserts, but overall some nights not so much. We also did not know about the 'always available menu' appetizers and entrees etc. until a guest aside of us ordered such and educated us. Really would have expected to be told such by someone at BLU, or possibly actually put at the bottom of the menus (ours did not). Going forward (Ascent B2B in December) we'll not do Aqua Class, try some a couple of the MDR's where we looked at the menus for certain nights, add Eden and Raw on 5 a couple of nights and skip if we've had the full lunch at Le Grand Bistro.

BEST #7 – "SIMPLE & ATTRACTIVE DECOR" 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 Although there is a lot of 'glitzy' designs and decor, there are also a lot of very simple and attractive decor and designs. Le Grand Bistro - Room Divider (Pots and Pans) - Our Favorite Somewhere - Designer Plates Rose Sculptured Wall Paper in BLU Fine Cut - Table for Two Fine Cut - Table for EIGHT Raw on 5 - Entrance Craft Social Bar - Entrance Metal Art - Lights and Reflecting

BEST #6 – DESSERT 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 Although chocolate anything is a usual go-to, the best dessert was the Apple Tart Tartan at BLU.

Thanks. So Ascent in December 2024 with Early 6PM stated on our confirmation, it really is Select walk-in at that time; it is not an "all being served and having to dine at the same time?" We arrive, are seated, and servers etc. start for us?

Agree with overall assessment. Question? On the Edge Class, with the 4-MDR by theme, is there such a thing as Select Dining and Fixed Seating Dining? For a B2B this upcoming December we are not in BLU and have 6PM 'Early' assigned; the "options for Select and Late" were "greyed out?"

Yep! It can be tight depending on where we left the IV chairs and table. 😅 Yep again. That venture from the IV bedside, around the bed, then seeking the desk chair back and the bureau can be interesting on the way to relief. The way back is a real challenge! After being inside the very bright bathroom and coming out to the dark stateroom, I had to close my eyes and count to 10 and reopen just to get a rough idea of where the bureau started, then the desk chair, bang a left as the bed extended out in the path, grab the bottom and use it as a guide around on the way back. 🧐 Which brings us to a simple peeve. Why are all of the corners on the furniture (and that little night stand) so square and sharp? All should be rounded?

BEST #5 – "WALK-OFF DISEMBARKATION" 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 Alright, this sounds small and not material. However, very, very important to a lot people with flights (actual FLL or MIA departures and then connections). ***We wanted to get right off to avoid large group congestion in lounges and hallways with assigned departure at 9:10AM to minimize exposure to 'everything' in such spaces. 🙄 The 'walk-off' allowed us to (estimated) to start to depart at 7:30AM if you carried your luggage unassisted. So, you head down to Deck 5 and through the 'glass and mirror hallway' past BLU, the Eden pre-entrance, Eden, out on the Starboard side (pier side) and all the way up to the front of the ship near the Theatre for exit to the gangway ramp. It's a long candy cane distance. You can really early and get to the front of that line. You can stand in the line all the way out to the glass and mirror hallway and still do pretty good (we did and we went down at 7:15AM). OR You can wait until the line fills up 'all the way to the entrance to the glass and mirror hallway' when, on our cruise, the then directed everyone thereafter in a line toward the Theatre exit - basically creating a new 'start of a line' and way ahead of where you would have been at the end of the other line. We were the last in the original line through Eden, but we were in no hurry having only to go a mile up A1A to our condo on the beach. Both are 'excellent' and the ride-shares are stacked up and minutes away.

One of the best cruises, including single or B2B, with the social interaction with other couples and multiple couples developed so easily and continued as the cruise continued in Eden and in other venues on the ship. We won't drop any names (other than Maureen from Scotland 🥰) who we met on the first breakfast day. One couple we first met in Eden during HH (and they danced) briefly reached out later on that evening and grabbed us at the CLUB on the show night (Smoke...) to bring us to stools near them in the packed venue. We just snagged Ascent for 12/1 and 12/8/24. Tough to find much else, yet one of our favorite times to cruise. Same stateroom B2B. Still not the Retreat, but... A good pre-Christmas respite before traveling to TX for one sons family and 2 GKS and then off to MD for 3rd sons family and younger GKS. Enjoy them both, but a different schedule, activity level etc.😉

Yep. I took us a couple of days to figure out how to arrange the chairs and the table. 🤨 We finally found out, that for us, having one chair away from the foot of the bed and to right (aft) against the IV aft wall, with the table right next to it, and the other chair tight to IV (left) forward wall, left a nice 'open lane' to walk in and out and get to each of the chairs.

Well that too. 😄 My non-favorite is someone in an upper balcony flicking a butt while underway and having it land on my lap. Seriously.

BEST #4 – DINING "ENTREES" 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 RUNNER UP 😎 Braised Beef Short Ribs - Collar greens, mango chutney, ginger spiced phyllo crisps. Slowed cooked and 'for tender'

BEST #4 – DINING "ENTREES" 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 Well, given that we only did Le Grand Bistro 'for lunch' and award a 5* Best for the Appetizer and Starter, we dined only at BLU in the evening. So, we know there were a lot of experiences out there above and beyond the following, but it is specifically what we were able to select. Herb-Crusted Rack of Lamb (Medium Rare) - A personal cruising favorite, perfectly cooked and seared and seasoned, accompanied (2nd picture) very light phyllo crusted lamb shoulder (almost pate), smart fingerlings and peas and the pod. Turf and Surf Pan-Seared Filet Mignon - Awesome sear, slow cook and rest. Celery puree' and Olive Oil beef jus. Oven-Roaster Lobster Tail - Whole lobster tail and really good saffron tomato rice, asparagus and lemon beurre blanc. Now, we summer in NH (not far from the coast), grew up and raised 3 sons there on the Lake and Maine lobster is our 'thing' in the summer; a 2.5-3 lb 'hard shell' steamed on Friday night, rested, one claw and arm then, another for lunch Saturday and two lobster rolls Sunday/Monday). So, we're spoiled. However this was very well done, especially in a Turf and Surf combination.

Ooops, sorry we missed this early question. As noted in the OP, we've sailed 80+ weeks at sea since 2008 (and none 2020-December 2023). We used the Infinite Veranda "more" than all of the balconies on all of the other cruises on all of the ships combined. We're thinking aloud as to why? PROS We used the IV essentially "in lieu of" the sofa and sofa area. Since we favor the bed by the glass towards the ocean, the sofa area is sort of a 'staging area' for our clothes from the day, new clothes, and dressing. When one showered and dressed the other would read the Kindle or the d-News, Sports, Politics (Ugh) in the IV. Felt like more space. If ready early for the night, we'd stick to our plan and sit in the IV and have a glass of champagne and/or pinot noir. When I would go for a daily 1-1.5 hour walk on the track DW sometimes choose to read in the IV. Again, especially on those 'sea days' or 'other factor days' where the Solarium would be packed and 'toweled up' and we weren't going there. Those were "let's tour the ship" days! There was NO ~ ~ smoke (pick a type 😲) from other balconies. ~ noise from other balconies. ~ bugs and such (mostly at ports was the concern).

Jealous, but enjoy. 🛳️ We did. First, we each start with our Free premium coffee, Americano (2) and Cappuccino. They come HOT. We ask for 20 minutes to enjoy our coffee, we talk about the upcoming day (and if anything "up" with 3 sons families, grandkids, in-laws etc. back on land). ☕ ☕ ☕ Second, the Le Grand Bistro location (Le Petit Chef), the view and the aesthetics of the design and ambiance are tops, and it is (on 'most' days) a lot more private than BLU. Third, although limited, we are quite satiated by the collection of fresh and fruits and berries plate (berries in short supply, lots of melon, pineapple, kiwi and mango) for one of us and the meat plate for the cured meats (ham, salamis, prosciutto and mortadella) and the artisan cheeses plate (also served with "much more" grapes, berries, dried fruit and walnuts). A lot of fruit for one of us and protein for the other. 😉 *** We found that the above 3-Plates were more satiating to us than the Ultimate Platter and we had not interest in the salmon. We did split a side bagel daily.*** Fourth, only when we cruise, the Elite Captains Club offers (in addition to the premium coffee for those without a beverage package) Sparkling Wine, Mimosas, Bellinis and Bloody Mary's that we enjoy. Always order a extra shot of vodka after first taste and they would bring us almost a full 'prosecco-type' glass (looks a lot like 2 shots). 🥂 Depended on our evening plans, primarily when we felt we'd likely dine, but also because of changes we make on "sea days" where the Solarium is 'transformed' from the overwhelming passengers looking for inside and under cover (more on windy, wavy, cloudy or rainy days). Early (Long) Eden Bar and Lounge - We'd go for a couple of shows from 3PM on (and leave for early dinner). Early (Short) and Late (Short) Eden Bar and Lounge - Otherwise, generally went at 5 for HH (an experiment we tried, will start a thread on 'NO drink package test') for a prosecco and for me, a glass of Pinot Noir (and one to take to BLU), the to BLU at about 6:45 as those early diners would 'turn over' and likely head to shows. After dinner, we'd stop back at Eden if we wanted to socialize or listen to more entertainment. Yep, we too.

Well, you're right and we tried. We booked on 12/15/2023 (the day after getting off of our first post-pandemic cruise on Silhouette 10N SC). There were no Retreat suites. Made the 'move up' offers to all, including Aqua Sky, at pretty good offers. All failed to materialize. We also tried for B2B pre-cruise on most days until with window closed. We also loved the live music (sometimes, during Elite HH, it only took a couple of bar patrons to over-volume there 1/2 away conversations to sort of take the ambiance away) and setting designed for social interaction with others, or by choice, quite personal spaces. The Eden menu looked good and we heard nothing but accolades from those who reserved (some more than once). As said, we booked, changed from 'tasting' to 'regular' and ultimately canceled. Le Petit Chef was our favorite dinner in December on Silhouette (the show was an aside). The food was the 'best' Again, we tried. 😐 But we'll try to make whatever we get work. We do have a planned segment on Aqua Class and BLU upcoming. Stay tuned. Thank you for the detailed specific inquiries. 🧐

You know, I don't know. Pre-cruise trying to figure out what BLU offered and what we read on CC that you could order of the MDR, heavily inconsistent, then noted a list of 'classics' in postings. So, we 'googled' BLU Day by Day Menus, noted this link, as well as the 'everyday' items. Both actually lined up pretty good. This was our first Edge Class cruise and we haven't cruise Celebrity (prior to 12/4/23 10N on Silhouette) since 2013 so really had to get up to speed on Aqua Class and BLU. Thanks for noting though. 👍

BEST #3 – DINING "STARTERS" (Appetizers and Soups & Salads) 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 As noted, Celebrity is pretty well noted for its dining. We are aware there are opinions of a decline in such, but we've certainly enjoyed MD Select on Silhouette and, on Ascent, some BLU favorites and Le Grand Bistro. BLU - Aqua Class (and Retreat Optionally) - We only went to BLU for dinner, usually early. The venue is beautiful, calm and warm decor and quality tables and chairs. The tables with the 'couch' back side can sometimes require a pillow (or two) behind your back and possibly even one underneath. One favorite we believe on Day 4 was the Clean Cuisine "Chilled Maine Lobster Salad" with 'Spicy Mayo on Soba Noodles. This is one of the starters that I could have had another and called it a night! We both had the Cabernet-Braised Short Ribs (we'll do later on as one of our 'Bests' for Entrees). Our 7-Day Menu closely followed Day 1-7 of the linked 14 BLU menu posted on CC (we hope link works). https://docs.google.com/document/d/1aJJCBmbMLBN1VLuHcttH-rN4PCkXfqB4/edit EVERYDAY OPTIONS In BLU it was well known and utilized to order to these menu items (includes Appetizers and Entrees).

Yep, they are 'quick' with that curtain! I fought my way in to get two table napkin settings and utensils as we were 5 minutes pre-close but didn't pick up on the first pass. ⏳ We also heard nothing but superlatives about Eden.

BEST #3 – DINING "STARTERS" (Appetizers and Soups & Salads) 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 As noted, Celebrity is pretty well noted for its dining. We are aware there are opinions of a decline in such, but we've certainly enjoyed MD Select on Silhouette and, on Ascent, some BLU favorites and Le Grand Bistro. LE GRAND BISTRO (LUNCH) - First, it is the actual location for Le Petit Chef. The venue is beautiful. It is used for Lunch for a $30 fee with a stunning menu. For us, we wish we had found it earlier in the week as we would have "had this lunch and skipped BLU for dinner." The MENU is below the pictures of the Moules-Frites (Mussels Steamed with Garlic, White Wine, Thyme and Braised Tomatoes (with a side of Fries) that I had, and across from the Frisee Lardon Pork Belly salad, followed by the Lobster Bisque with a huge Puff Pastry cap. This combination precluded even ordering of the Plats Du Jour 'daily specials' (and we would have loved Wednesday and Thursday offerings). The Moules-Frites - Mussels and Broth "Over the Top" Across the Table - Frisee Lardon Salad (Crispy Port Belly Chunks, Poached Egg, Pickled Shallots) Lobster Bisque with Puff Pastry Cap (Before, During and After) 😉 Next Cruise - Wednesday and Thursday Full Lunch Menu

Yep, it is certainly awesome and we too wish we were still on board. It was only our 2nd post-pandemic cruise, our first Edge Class and the cruise was special. The demographics of the passengers on Celebrity (did Silhouette in December '23) and on this cruise appear to trend to a good balance of cruise passengers with regard to courtesy, demeanor, respect and consideration (and friendliness). The design of this ship class, especially the significant number of venues and seating arrangements, we believe contributed to social interaction with other couples and groups quite a bit. Met a lot of really decent people, sat together for hours, waved and chatted upon sight around the ship thereafter and welcomed to sit (for lounge social or dining) regularly. We tried for 3-days during the cruise to get on the ship (stay on the ship) for this week also and nothing opened up at all down at the future cruise desk or online.

Yep, and it is a really 'hard' close. It could possibly be because the singers and/or game shows in the Eden lounge, right over the Eden restaurant, start at 2PM. Maybe open earlier to extend the time?