scubarn1

I much prefer the regular menu. While I enjoyed the tasting menu as it allowed me to try things I would not normally order. We left dinner stuffed to the point of saying we ate too much. 

I am on the Ascent in April and the prices have recently increased. Eden is $77.99 with current discount- regular price is $85, La Voyage is $115.99 with current discount- regular price is $125. These prices do not include the 20% gratuity. These prices are not with the wine pairing. 

I booked a cruise yesterday on the new Xcel when the price was 40% off each guest. Today when the promo changed to 75% discount on the second guest, the price of the cruise is now $400 more. 

Be careful with Brightline, I live in South Florida and use them to go from West Palm to Miami as it is quicker and cheaper then driving and parking. A couple of times there has been an accident on the rail line and it will stop all north and south bound train traffic. I missed a concert in Miami due to the trains being delayed. For some reason South Floridians think they can drive around a train gate with the train going 100 MPH. Suicide by train is also very popular. 

The rates were just announced last week as train service is beginning September 22 to Orlando, I also thought it was pricy too. 

Not looking at other cruise lines, but deciding if we want to do more land based trips in the future instead of cruises. Currently have 4 Celebrity cruise booked for the future. Recently was on the Apex in August and this was the first time we did not book another cruise while onboard. 

Received the offer email…

Ship: Reflection

Cruise length: 6 nights

Sail date: Nov 19 (thanksgiving week)

Captain Club: elite

Booked through TA

Current Cabin: Sunset Concierge- we are happy with this location!
 

Options offered- but did not want to upgrade so did not bid

Royal Suite 2600 US/pp

Signature Suite 2200 US/pp

Celebrity Suite 1600 US/pp

Aqua Sky Suite 1500 US/pp

Sunset Sky Suite 1250 US/pp

Sky Suite 1100 US/pp

Aqua stateroom 450 US/pp

Was on the Apex last week in a standard cabin, the room steward refilled the shower body gel and conditioner from a gallon jug of CW Bigelow that was on her housekeeping cart in the hallway. So they were still using Bigelow products last week. 

Following along, will also be on the cruise too.

Ship: Apex

Length of Cruise: 9 night Norway

Date: July 31, 2023

Date Email received: May 18

Captain Club Tier: Elite

Booked: TA

Current Cabin: Sunset Veranda

Bid: No- we picked this cabin to enjoy watching the fjords from our veranda

Details of offer (minimum bid)

Edge IV: $175

Concierge: $100

Aqua: $540

Skysuite: $1705

Sunset Skysuite: $1825

Aqua Skysuite:$1800

Celebrity Suite: $3600

Royal Suite: $5425

Edge Villa: $4560

Was not sure why the starting bid was cheaper for concierge vs. IV and Edge Villa vs. Royal Suite.The cruise was sold out till final payment was due then only a handful of cabins did open up. 

13 minutes ago, horseymike said:

Did they charge your credit card ?

There was a $100 charge, I was expecting to be charged for 2 passengers as I was initially in a solo infinity veranda. 

On 12/29/2022 at 11:44 AM, scubarn1 said:

• Ship:  Beyond
• Length of Cruise: 7 nights
• Cruise Sail Date: March 5, 2023
• Date email offer received: no email, went straight to Move Up website
• Captain’s Club Tier:  Select
• Booked through Celebrity Direct OR via TA: TA
• Current Cabin: Infinity Veranda-Solo Cabin 
• Bid?  Yes/No: Yes

Upgrade Offers: 

Edge Villa starting at $6560/pp

Royal Suite starting at $4300/pp

Celebrity Suite staring at $3240/pp

AquaClass^® Sky Suite starting at $2295/pp

Sky Suite starting at $2150/pp

AquaClass^® Stateroom with Infinite Veranda starting at $170/pp

Concierge Class Stateroom with Infinite Veranda starting at $100/pp

 

I made an offer for a Concierge for the minimum, which was a weak offer, but there is a lot of open concierge cabins on the sailing, and only 1 open Aqua Class Cabin. 

Checked the Celebrity App and noticed I have a new room assignment: Concierge on deck 12. 
Never notified my bid was accepted, my bid was the minimum $100. 
 

I live in West Palm Beach. Options to getting to the port:

1. TriRail train from WPB to Miami, once in Miami- get off at the Miami Airport and either take a taxi to the port or take another train- Metro Rail to the Miami Government Center and taxi from there to the port. TriRail tickets are $8.75 one way. Metro Rail is $2.25 one way.

2. Brightline train from WPB to Miami. The train is pricy depending on time of day ($15-$32 one way) and does not have as frequent of a schedule as TriRail. Once in Miami it will be a quick cab ride to the port.
3. Private shuttle

I was on the Millie last week for a 3 night cruise and the ship is beautiful. The last time I was on Millie was in 2014 for an Alaskan cruise. I have been sailing on the edge class ship my last few cruises. Last week the ship was at 100% capacity and It only felt crowded on our sea day when everyone was at the pool. You will not be disappointed. 

• Ship:  Beyond
• Length of Cruise: 7 nights
• Cruise Sail Date: March 5, 2023
• Date email offer received: no email, went straight to Move Up website
• Captain’s Club Tier:  Select
• Booked through Celebrity Direct OR via TA: TA
• Current Cabin: Infinity Veranda-Solo Cabin 
• Bid?  Yes/No: Yes

Upgrade Offers: 

Edge Villa starting at $6560/pp

Royal Suite starting at $4300/pp

Celebrity Suite staring at $3240/pp

AquaClass^® Sky Suite starting at $2295/pp

Sky Suite starting at $2150/pp

AquaClass^® Stateroom with Infinite Veranda starting at $170/pp

Concierge Class Stateroom with Infinite Veranda starting at $100/pp

I made an offer for a Concierge for the minimum, which was a weak offer, but there is a lot of open concierge cabins on the sailing, and only 1 open Aqua Class Cabin. 

We recently had a bad experience with Celebrity Air and would be hesitant to use them again. Booked our flight to Amsterdam for a July 2023 cruise and got a great deal. Last week noticed our flight home on Delta disappeared. Spoke to Delta and was told Celebrity did not ticket the flight, Celebrity said Delta changed the flight time (this was incorrect). Celebrity offered to rebook both the outgoing and return flights but the cost was going to be $1000 more then we originally paid. They also offered to work with Delta to see if we could get our original return flight back, but there was no guarantee it would be at the same price and would take 5 business days. We ended up cancelling our flights with Celebrity and rebooking directly with the airline for significant less then what Celebrity quoted us to rebook. 
 

I am not sure which day you are arriving into New Jersey, they are predicting a bad storm to hit the whole North East from the Carolinas to New England Sunday into Monday morning. Expecting rain and wind, so that might effect the ship as you arrive.

You will be able to get an Uber to PBI. Another option depending on the time of your flight is the train. Tri-Rail or Brightline will bring you into downtown West Palm Beach and it will be a short Uber or taxi to the airport.

Benny, thanks for this wonderful trip report!

I noticed from your pictures no one wearing masks in the Solarium, I am assuming they are not mandating them in this area. 

Thanks!

We also were looking at both of these cruises. We ultimately choose the 9 day Norwegian Fjord cruise. While we did like the Iceland itinerary, our deciding factor was we thought a land based trip was better for Ireland and Scotland. Only having a couple of hours while the ship was in port was not enough time to explore Ireland/Scotland. 

Following,

When we were on NOS a year ago, we ate lunch at Jamie's on the first day, but paid for it. We have UDP for our cruise in May and were hoping to eat there again.

On ships with an escape room, is their a special session just for the teen club? I am trying to decide if I should purchase a spot for my daughter if the Teen Club does this activity. I know they do a night at the flow rider just for the teens.

Thanks!

I know the gym is closed, but is the spa open?

With your recent history of a hip replacement, amenities in the bathroom would suit you- a larger shower to maneuver, grab bars in the shower, and a raised toilet. I would ignore the comments of the RCCL rep, your TA would not have been able to book the room unless you met the criteria for a accessible room.

Following

Looks like the slides were not open.

Port A Prince is having issues with riots and public unrest over politics and reported government corruption, Labadee is far enough away that usually RCCL still makes stops despite all the happenings in other parts of the country.