At Sea At Peace

A couple of photos approaching EDEN after you go through the glass and mirror entrance way to the BLU and Eden, some shops, that warm you up to what your heading toward. Just as you go past BLU The first welcome Decor 'from the garden' The entrance The first look EDEN, the restaurant, down the stairs First look, small but attractive, open sunken kitchen (multi-levels)

Nice. We expect to do the same this fall after Hurricane Season as we're 1 mile up the beach from the Port and Celebrity has some great ships at Port Everglades over the late fall and winter into spring.

BREAKFAST - The breakfast is complementary. We did not go there for breakfast at all, but wanted to a couple of times and changed our minds and stuck with the Elite benefit breakfast that, in addition to being really good and in a beautiful specialty dining venue, also included Mimosas, Bellini's and Bloody Mary's. 😉

LUNCH - The Eden Cafe' is complimentary, however, they did offer a lobster roll for $14 and a beefsteak and cheese melt for $9. We did see quite a few lobster rolls served. They are not on the menu that we had digitally, but were on the 'board' at the counter, on the display glass and the counter staff confirmed it was extra when ordered. The soups changed daily in addition to what we had; also tomato, chicken noodle, vegetable, clam chowder, potato, etc. We had the Roasted turkey & Cranberry Ciabatta and the Reuben Panini quite a bit. Very good, tasty and light. Tempted by the daily carving, but again, kept it light. Also had the red potato salad often. Diet Coke and Ginger Ale's are in a 'locked display' for those with the appropriate drink package. 😔

ASCENT 2/4/2024 – Awesome – The “Bests” Just off the Ascent 2/4 to 2/11/2024 and took the day off from this review in preparation and watching the Super Bowl. 🏈🍷 We stayed in the Prime Aqua Class with Infinite Veranda (and a really nice sized shower). Background – Since 2008, long list of over 80 weeks of cruises, primarily B2B or 12+N, on NCL Haven, MSC Yacht Club, Royal Oasis and Quantum Classes, Celebrity Solstice Class, all pre-Covid, with return on Silhouette (December 2023) and then Ascent (just now), so nothing 2020, 2021, 2022 until late 2023. We’re going to try a different type of ‘review’ by highlighting some of the “Bests” a couple at a time so that we don’t have a long-read review and members can respond to specific mentions. We’ll follow up with a couple of “Ooops” down the road. Hope it works. Here’s the first two 5-Star "Bests" ~ BEST #1 – The Edge Class 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 This ship was and is an incredible experience based on its’ awesome design(s), below deck, common and social areas, infinite veranda (yes, we loved it and will comment separately), bars, lounges and restaurants, a great Solarium (design improved with hot tubs at the center near waterfall décor and over pool) and a truly fantastic pool and top deck (so much seating and more social ‘nooks and crannies’ than an English muffin) and unique elevated hot tubs. The Solstice Class ‘grass’ is gone and replaced by a much superior and improved layout in so many regards that the deck plans don’t even give fair justice to the extent of the beautifully designed seating areas, bars, vegetation, cabanas, group seating venues with massive umbrellas, etc. The Infinite Veranda was great. We enjoyed it more on this one-week cruise than all of the combined 80 weeks of cruising with balconies combined. We know it’s a split issue on favorability with cruisers, so we’re all in on ‘it’s great’ for us. We did see Royal’s Icon of the Seas in a port (seriously, huge) and noticed the infinite verandas on what appeared to be 3 decks. That might have been an option for the Edge Class? When arriving in port in the morning and activating the ‘curtain’ up one does have to be quick for some more clothes as you dock next to another cruise ship. 😳 The Solarium was also really nice. The design moved the hot tubs from the sides of the deck (where they took up space and pushed the walk-through traffic closer to the loungers) to between and raised up over the pool and the waterfall effect decor and lighting. Shower located by the entrance steps. Plexiglass half arc covers on the pool and lounge side (likely to minimize noise, could use some more height for the one or two time "they" are in there a bit too fluidically nourished). 😉 The 2-Deck Walking Track is the best at sea (from our experiences listed), traverses 2-decks with incredible creativity and “almost zero interruption of or by’ and lounge chairs or tanning passengers. Also it is a good length and the incline long and deliberate with good activity and entertainment from the main pool below. Pretty much walked for an hour every day 10:30 - 11:30 in the sun and breeze and totally enjoyed it, got a good routine in and soaked in the white noise and views on the whole course. 🚶‍♂️ (the hair should be grey on this one). BEST #2 – EDEN The lounge, café and restaurant, are simply magnificent, a three-prong venue extraordinaire. 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 The lounge for us was the best and most used venue to have drinks, meet people (we met more couples and groups each early evening on this cruise than any other) and be with each other and simply enjoy the over-the-top design, décor and high, multi-floor glassed views. Eden reminded us a lot of 270 on Royal, but pushed way, way up to the top. Very good bar service and table side. The Café for us was our lunch destination, really good meat quality, pressed sandwiches, two soup options daily, salads (not up to the historic Park Café on Royal) and ‘cookies’ (to eat and ‘to go’). Service is a little rushed and, oddly, despite being very busy, the staff rushes to close the curtain (signature design to match physical walls) at 1:15. Seriously, even after just putting out dishes of chips, potato salad+ and cookies? All of the above while sitting anywhere in Eden. Really nice. The Restaurant, we made a reservation for ‘tasting’ [only available logged in to X account] and, a couple of days in, switched to regular menu at the host station [credit on account] and ultimately canceled. We’d been doing breakfast at the Elite (member benefit) Le Grand Bistro (more on that later), lunch at the Eden Café and dinner at BLU and we simply knew that we could not eat to the extent that the Eden Restaurant experience offered – based on the highest ratings, comments and sharing from those we socialized with on the ship. All such posted or commented that dining in Eden is ‘not to be missed’ and for the ‘tasting menu’ be very hungry and take your time. Will try someday.

You're a good advance planner. A couple of thoughts from our recent experiences (Silhouette December 10N, Ascent 7N this past week), both we consider last minute bookings ~ PRE-CRUISE on the Celebrity APP there we no times at all for Eden. On the APP (for us) Eden reservation didn't even offer the 'Tasting Menu' as a choice. By accident I was logged into to our X account and checked availability again. BOTH the regular menu and tasting menu options were presented; the regular was 'not available the entire cruise at any time' yet the tasting menu had numerous days and times available. We booked the tasting and, once on board, changed to the regular menu at the host station ahead of time, got the credit for the difference on the account. BOARDING presents an opportunity to book specialty dining at almost all of the venues and we met several couples that did successfully. POST-BOARDING presents an opportunity every day.- especially for Early times. We find that the Specialty restaurants 'are not very full at all' except for the final night, followed next by sea day nights. We believe a number of reasons account for this ~ ~ Retreat guests, likely specialty dining cruisers, have Luminae. ~ Aqua guests, also likely specialty dining cruisers have BLU. ~ With regard to Early, Elite benefits for those without beverage packages (an increasing count of passengers) include Happy Hour generally from 5-7 each night (except embarkation), several special events for welcome and meeting Captain and crew, etc. Primarily the 5-7 factor naturally pushes dining towards post-7 PM, a busy dining preference according to venue host and server comments. ~ Celebrity cruise line is well know for its high quality of food and service in the main dining venues.

The OP thread title ~ Perks that come in A1 Prime Aqua Class The entire back and forth about whether or not the Aqua Class staterooms are any good or not, and the broad brush across all classes that their locations are awful etc. do not appear very helpful or probably close to off topic. If members can't stick to the topic, start another thread, such as, Aqua Class Stateroom Locations are Awful. The OP has already selected the A1 Prime Aqua Class, probably after looking at the deck plans and making a reasonably informed decision for the specific ship like, assuming, most cruisers do.

On Ascent now in BLU and you can order off of the 'classic menu' from MDR items which includes certain appetizers and entrees any time. The waiter will tell you what those are if you are unfamiliar. It appears that they do try to 'keep it low key' (quite a bit on our cruise as a lot of savvy experienced cruisers, however) and some newer waitstaff will say 'they have to ask the manager.' The best approach, on embarkation, just ask for the the 'classic menu' alternatives for breakfast and dinner.

It's been fine as the wind and waves have been significantly less since we made it Cozumel. It appears the issue was the rough wind and water after we left Nassau back towards Miami and then along the Keys overnight and then on to Cozumel as such was hitting the ship starboard where we're located. A lot of passengers didn't have a couple of very good days or nights from the rough seas (didn't bother us); much lower attendance in BLU and hallway and common area joking by those of us walking 'to and fro' once in a while. So, I guess something does exist, just prevalent during rough wind and sea days, and directional.

Just to clarify to others, we made the post to support the OP that it does happen. 1. We LOVE the real infinite veranda and PREFER IT. 2. A couple of noisy rooms of notice across a lot of ships on Edge Class and other lines. That does NOT support the assertion that all Edge Class ships rooms are noisy. 🤥 Will be booking Ascent again for the very near. 😊 Now, one can add the LAUGH rating.

Well, we're on the Ascent right now. It is a seriously beautiful ship. Our first Edge Class cruise. So many improvements, upgrades, etc. The best. We'll write a review after. It is AWESOME. We're in Prime Aqua Class 9216, booked late. Our favorite layout with bed by the balcony (I get the left 😉). We had a little bit of seas last night and right next to my head between the infinite veranda (which we absolutely 100% love) and the corner over the nightstand was 'whatever'. Woke us up hen kept us up for a quite a while I guess unit we got super tired. Ship is moving a bit today according to others, we've got 70+ weeks at sea and it seems mild. The ship is super. The veranda is creaking but not really an issue. We'll see if the night time banging in the corner returns. Don't want to go the GS and have maintenance and others in our stateroom so we'll just grin and bear it. Should have bought the beverage package. 🙄

Not doing the laundry (list) but for us we cruise the YC for the following: 1. The design (staterooms, lounge, restaurant, pool, hot tubs and pool deck bar and grille are all 'in the venue') and relative intimate choice of comforts afforded by each and such. The lounge is the best at sea (for us, NCL, Celebrity and RCCL); view, comfort, privacy, bar and tastings, light live entertainment and very social if chosen. The restaurant is very good (and if experienced, customizable with proper notice), we like better than the Haven (experience with the same menu issues and service, purely subjective), and we cannot compare to the Retreat (however, the reviews and a look at the daily menus, plus Celebrity's food reputation, make it a tough call). The pool deck has it all (seating, a cold pool and hot tubs) and the pool deck bar and grille simply is the best at sea (almost the best lunch option every day) and some really special days. 2. The butler group (not our assigned) and the entire YC staff over-the-top service. 3. Nothing else is very important to us at all. *** Plus, we generally can B2B for the cost of the Haven for a 7N * * *

Glad you're having a good time. From these forums we've learned, and espoused thereafter in agreement, that MSC sea ships in the states are designed, built and offered for two distinct demographic targets (for one) and are definitely known for a low comparative entertainment offering of the "show" classification (two). First, the "non-Yacht Club" offers beautiful new ships with a pricing value objective of capturing the Carnival cruisers. Second, the Yacht Club offers one of the best "club-within-a-club" venues (superior space capture and seclusion design to begin with) as compared to the Haven on NCL and the Retreat on Celebrity (and others) with a pricing value objective of capturing the 'tiers below the competitors "club-within-a-club" offerings at a price competitive to a high end balcony and including full drinks, WIFI and the high end amenities mentioned above including private dining, incredible private lounge, private pool deck and pool bar and grill. Re: Entertainment. MSC, from not only this message forum, is actually known for its low relative (to other lines) rated entertainment; both in style, quality, performance and length. So, with that well known expectation, a different experience might be achievable. For ships with the best entertainment, there are numerous commentaries and ratings to look for. https://www.cruisecritic.com/articles/8-best-cruise-lines-for-onboard-entertainment

Actually, although a really good and valid point, IMO there is no better entertainment at sea than a view vantage observation seat and table near the center of the breakfast or lunch 'buffet' (various names on ships) during the cattle drive. Love it. Such balance, grip and gravity mastery of volumes of entrees, sides and extra's despite hip checks, elbows and the famous "immediate stoppers and directional shifters." 😉

It must be something special. After we returned (after 10 years) to Celebrity for a 10N SC on Silhouette in December 2023 we shared our positive experience with Laura (President, Celebrity Cruises) and indicated we were jumping into the Edge Class with the Ascent (2/4/2024). A snippet from the 12/15/2023 email ~ "thank you so much for sharing and we are thrilled to have you back. You are simply going to love Ascent. If I can entice you to see one show, please go see Awaken in the Theater, it is amazing!!"

Ok, you have me at . . . . . Will be on board this upcoming Sunday. If we can't get into Eden, a seat here will be just fine. Thanks and enjoy your cruise.

On the Ascent first time this upcoming Sunday. Eden, and every other specialty restaurant, totally booked per the APP. Will check when onboard. In an Aqua, so we're pretty good with BLU. When you dined at Eden, was it full and/or were they taking daily new reservations (if you know) and was 'at opening' a better chance than prime middle hour and a half?

Thanks. Being just a mile north of the Port Everglades entrance on the beach we get to see so many top of the line Celebrity and Royal ships (and others) and started back to cruising post-pandemic when we did a last minute Silhouette. On Ascent starting Sunday for just a week. The ship, reviews and pictures look awesome. Although we have Blu, hoping to score an onboard reservation for Eden. All specialty dining on the APP have shown no availability any day. So, we'll see. Not a problem if not. Yep. Been there done that. Put three sons through big colleges for undergrad, grad and one for law school. When those 'chunks of check writing year ended' we started cruising. While schools are in, non-holidays, non-summer we've sailed the newest ships of RCCL, NCL (Haven and/or SPA), Celebrity (now taking on Edge Class post pandemic) and MSC (Yacht Club), most B2B's.

So, from reading other posts, it appears soft serve ice cream is, in fact, available and free on Seascape if one simply goes to the right location? Also found the same on YT videos of such. So is that solved? With regard to the "over an hour long line to get back on the ship with people fainting from the heat" appears to be a timing issue by the passengers that disembarked. Like the buffet, if everyone goes during the 'rush hour' there will be lines at the buffet, less tables, less cleaned for turnover, etc. If approaching ship and a really long line is observed it would appear wise to make a couple stops at the closest shops and 'cool off' so to speak. There are only so many re-entry points on the ship, a fixed number of processing equipment and security scans, etc. so it would appear, again, the issue is timing of return? Possible, if they didn't, set up an area with a tent for shade for some and also water and cool face cloths? With regard to the $5 per extra entree in the MDR is unique to MSC. Personally observing a very high percentage of passengers eat and drink from sun up to sun down (and after) it's worth wondering if needing more than one entree is a reasonable expectation (once, twice or every night; one person, two, a table for four)? I don't know, but if MSC determined that there was a lot of these requests I guess they decided that they had to do something. I don't have a problem with MSC providing a 2nd entree for free. I also do not have a problem with paying $5 for the 2nd entree. For us, none of the above items would influence our decision to sail MSC.

I continue to defer to your own preferences. Just pointing out that, unless you've cruise all of the other ships in the RCCL, CEL, MSC, NCL and CLL cruise lines, it's just hard to support the supposition (which is all it is) that not one other ship is near the (lowest) level of MSC Seascape. Which, when compared to Reflection has 75% higher passenger capacity and has hosted almost 300,000 passengers and is 'pretty much booked for quite a while. You note 'none of this (being charged for soft serve, additional MDR entrees***) was apparent, present or discussed. So, I guess, it doesn't appear to have been consequential to the other 299,996? *** You do know Celebrity Reflection has MDR upcharges for numerous MDR entrees? So, it just seems like you had a bad experience. It happens and it's unfortunate. We sincerely hope that you have a better experience on Reflection or whatever ship you choose. Many will still sail Seascape.

Of course. Again, you're doing your own planning. "Crowds, disorganization, nickel and diming, and long lines" are major issues noted on CruiseCritic on every major sea ship cruise line. "Nickel and diming" being the most commented, even on Celebrity and even on Solstice class ships. Heck, even on the newest Celebrity with 'Retreat drink upcharges' and the like. Good luck. Planning does pay off. You know your preferences.

Not a problem, perfectly subjective. However, you might be unique? With thousands of passengers per ship selecting and pricing cruise options - demand and supply - it would seem reasonable that most potential cruisers would look more enticed by and at a newer ship in a new Class than a much older ship in a discontinued (building) Class. As a result, it would also seem reasonable that such market factors would generate completely different price levels. Again, no problem.

Just a comment about apples. Celebrity Reflection - Solstice Class (2007 - 2012 End of Class) Ship - 2012 Launch (11 years old) - Six Newer Ships in New Edge Class and XP. 🍎 MSC Seascape - Seaside Class (2017 - Current) - EVO (or Plus + Seaside) - July of 2022 Launch (1+ years old). 🍏

Well, here's a perspective we believe after sailing both many times and trying to stay current and pay attention to the cruise industry. MSC - Sea ships are 2-separately-pronged passenger demographic targets. 1. MSC Yacht Club is targeting other cruise line upper tier staterooms that are not club-within-a-club levels (NCL Haven, Celebrity Retreat for example) as such can be had for the equivalent price per person when fairly factoring the drink, dining (possible internet) factors and adding the "our private club" multi-deck platform. They are offering something (some believe superior) not in competition with Haven or Retreat (which many believe they still win) but with the stateroom classes just below such. 2. MSC Non-Yacht Club is targeting Carnival Cruise line on a price challenge, desirous of market share with lower costs (i.e., interest) and aggressive marketing goals to expand North American footprint and passenger volume. So, if you are not booking the Yacht Club and staying down in the veranda categories on MSC, you are really comparing 'as if you are choosing between MSC and Carnival' (not Celebrity). It's like weighing Carnival versus Celebrity to an extent (not actually equally though). Now, if you can find a comparable level stateroom on Celebrity on any of the E-Class ships for a per person close to MSC (non-Yacht Club), IMO that would be the best choice. If not, depending on MSC Class and Carnival Class of ships, you might find that you can almost do TWO MSC cruises for the equivalent length Celebrity cruise (or a 10N versus a 7N at the least). Sorry if this is potentially confusing. Just IMO.

Previously liked the whole post (not sure, must look again). I'm not totally sure Celebrity is trying to attract younger families using the specialty dining prices (website says 0-5 Free 6-12 $10) as a lure (although you may certainly be right). It could be that Celebrity realized (a problem) that younger families (few and far between on almost every Celebrity cruise we've taken) going to a specialty restaurant with kids (a toddler and a pre-teen) really shouldn't have to pay the full adult rate (which many cruisers also complain about for them) as there will be little to no uncovered net cost likely for such items (I'm not sure if there are kids menus with the standard go-to items). If so, again I don't know and you may be right, I believe the many threads on the drink packages could use the same attention. My wife does not drink. If I can get her to have a sip of Prosecco with a raspberry or strawberry in it it's a big deal. Required paying for 2 packages could use a solution. I don't know what that is, but some comments I've seen interest us in some kind of voucher allowance(s) whether per day, per cruise, etc. Our recent Silhouette cruise was packed in early December, as expected hardly any toddlers or pre-teens or teens; very few families (most with grandparents 😇 in the group). We actually would stop and say 'hi' to the kids and parents hoping that they were having a good time (with a wink to the young parents and chiding about how they lowered the average passenger age on the cruise to 69.5!). No issues with the kids at any time or in any venue.