TGfromTX

Do you know if the E class allows you to set the temp for your cabin remotely?

No, it was just a general example of an automation I don't think would cause someone's opinion to change over time. The last ship I was on required a card in a slot near the door for the AC to run. I hope it's clear that I have never been on a Celebrity ship. I have no personal experience. I'm sure someone on here knows if you want to know the specific automations on one of the boats.

I don't intend this badly if it comes across that way. Any negative tone is not intended, just offering a differing opinion. I don't have contacts that cruise often because I don't live anywhere close to a port that has this class of Celebrity ships and I haven't watched that many 'IV specific' reviews because I was lucky enough to be able to book one for no additional cost over a window view. Since I'm already booked I think making my own opinion is most important so I'll just wait and see for myself. But I don't understand why you care if someone else's opinion differs from yours. It seems like the majority of the respondents have been in the cabins and already have an opinion and I haven't read where a single opinion change due to comments on any thread. Many of the ship reviews I've read and seen bring up these balconies. I don't see any indication that the bulk 'hate' them - although many 'influencer types' make these sort of claims. Many state they 'prefer' the traditional but I doubt you know dozens that actually hate them unless you are all cool weather adapted individuals cruising in hot climates. Without context it's hard to know, but that group hardly makes up the bulk of passengers. I still feel like where someone is from and where they are traveling to makes a big difference in someone's opinion. I've seen many comment that they have liked the cabins much more after a second trip so I think Oceansaway have noticed the same thing. The ship cabins are not low rated by any source I find reliable for mass opinion - just opposite - some of highest rated against any other ship. So whatever is in common in your group of "IV hating friends" is probably not as common or as important to many travelers. That said, I could possibly join you group that dislikes the veranda. I really don't think I will though - I'll probably just find some things I like more and notice some compromises - I feel like this is the standard reaction to them. When cruisers change their opinions to the positive, I think it has little to do with the balcony layout. I think it has more to do with automation and integration with phones. Being able to open the blind or a window and turn on lights from phone while laying bed is a big update that the youth of today likely appreciates more than the older cruiser. I still tend to like things with tactile feedback like knobs. Again, I haven't researched the competition or other cabins on these ships, but I haven't seen anything that works as fluidly from the end to end experience in a cabin. I don't think being able to change the room temp while being at dinner has the same impact of having automation throughout the entire room. And that's causing a change of opinion that takes people more time to develop as they experience the cruise. And some are noticing it more across multiple cruises - they aren't really saying it clearly as the cause when I've seen it, but that is what I think is happening. The overall experience is better for most so the inconveniences are overlooked with time. I don't mean to belittle your response, but I don't think our opinions really matter for changing what Celebrity builds on their next ship. I can't imagine the line did this if it were more expensive overall. They are likely saving on materials and time/manhours to build the ship. The changes likely reduce fuel use. The cabins look like the designers may have been tasked how to automate and appeal to the people buying Tesla cars. I sort of feel like they can add these verandas closer to sea level since since the windows can be closed by the captain to prevent people from being swept overboard. The ships likely have more window view cabins replaced with the higher priced verandas. I have no basis for these opinions, but the fact is the ships are still filling up and profits are being realized - and all of these would increase profit. I think only what affects profit is likely to make a change in how ships are built. So I don't think it matters if others agree with what I think about the verandas - it isn't changing how the next ship is built. I don't disagree with what I think all the cruise lines are targeting. The under 40 crowd - especially the cruisers that sailed with their parents as kids and the ones that buy Teslas. Passengers of that age as a whole don't seem to be care so much about the cabin layout to make their decision around it. I'm in the over 40 crowd and the Infinite veranda definitely had zero impact on my decision to book on Celebrity - it was mostly about food. I chose Beyond specifically because of how much it cost to upgrade to a veranda over ocean view on this ship - I didn't even know there was such controversy at the time. In future, my decisions will likely be influenced little by balcony type. In either case, I don't think there will be a reduction in these type of cabins on Celebrity. A very small percentage that won't affect profit will go to other lines because they have an issue with them that affects their experience. The majority will adapt to and embrace the change and likely make decisions off other aspects of the cruise which I think my result will be. And a small percentage will like the cabins enough to choose due to it, but probably won't really affect overall profit.

@Ergates The Ant, Do you know if one of the the main dining rooms is open for lunch on all days or if it was only on sea days?

I hadn't considered bats, but I made a note to be mindful when in ports due to birds and mosquitoes possibly getting into my room if the window and doors were open at same time. I am doing a solo room on my cruise so I don't think I'll have any of the issues others are identifying - I have much more of a concern of how uncomfortable those veranda chairs look to me. I hope my steward can find a stool and a chair with a back tall enough to lean my head against. I like the concept from afar - but I live in the south so I know my body will deal with heat and humidity differently/better than people that live in the north. Anytime my aunt (from Maine) visits in summer, she really looks miserable in the Texas heat - almost to the point of passing out. I completely understand how many struggle with the AC shutting down. Hopefully my impressions are correct and I love the trip.

Enjoy your trip!

North of Dallas in the burbs. I hope you are getting some of this rain over on the dry side of the state - we are drowning over here.

Everything I was watching went back to 'before' price except the zero drink package which remains at the inflated price. I still feel like it will drop again. I tried to find evidence that the sale would run again over July 4th weekend, but I couldn't find much - even though I think they likely run sales every holiday.

Where abouts are you traveling? cooler or warmer itinerary? I'll be in one in the Caribbean soon. Hoping I'm one of the 'luv it' types.

I feel like something similar to this has been posted before 😄

My current cruise is the first time I've seen this thread. It's very sad how long I sat trying to use a painting program to make my first image before I had my 'duh' moment.

There is an option to pre-purchase Deal/No Deal tickets. For my sailing there is an option for 1,2,3 or 4 tickets. Does this 'play' 4 times during the cruise, or is it just done once per cruise?

Great tips

Oh wow - 38 is surprising. How did you find such cheap itineraries? I'm looking at cozumel, Georgetown & Bimini and nothing is near that affordable - looks like $60 is cheapest for a resort day. Is it because of port?

Does anyone know if the main production shows are repeated on 2 different nights on 6 day sailings?

This is my biggest complaint too. I booked reservations in the MDRs due to suggestions I see posted, but I have no idea if I'm overlapping activities I'd rather do. I don't see events from current sailings yet but I did find an activity schedule posted for another ship. I'm assuming I can just show to eat on standby whenever I want - or the buffet will be okay for days where I scheduled badly.

What were you general impressions of space around the ship in regards to 2 people (it sounds like you were in a group so I know it's more of a struggle likely)? Were loungers easy enough to find? Buffet seating? Getting into the shows? Did you feel kids were in the background or in the way? I sailing for the first time after Covid in July on Beyond and I've been reading many are struggling with the crowds - oddly, I see more comments on crowded smaller ships than the larger ones on Celebrity posts. Opposite on some of the other lines.

It’s getting close now!

The sale has over 37 hours to go. I think they recover some of the sale money on the alcohol package by keeping the soda package higher when it's on sale. Everyone in the room has to have a package, so if someone doesn't drink, they'll pay a higher price for the zero package.

I could definitely see them being helpful for cooler weather cruising where no one wants to be on the upper deck or on a traditional balcony. I've heard the public hangouts are over run with people trying to find a window to look out of. I don't think I'll see any of these sailing through Alaska though. I want to take a transatlantic someday. I think one of these rooms might be a perfect option since those tend to happen in between the hot & cold seasons. I was never aware of any room beside me able to cut my AC off in past. That is good information to know.

Oh, I did think of a tip. It's pretty easy to meet people by offering to take their photo. You can chat enough where neither of you aren't committed and you'll get a first impression fairly quickly. Also you'll recognize each other afterward so at least you can say hi in passing. I usually try to say hi in passing anyone I've spoken to on the trip. I'm pretty sure I met the couple at the bar just outside of a port by taking their photo - it helped that we were seated outside where the background was great for a photo. Plus you'll get someone to take your photo on vacation out of the deal.

I joined my roll call on here but it looks like there are only handful of people that joined. Unless things pick up in the next 8 weeks I don't think that silent group is going to meet up. I've never met anyone from any rollcall so far. Does someone usually just start asking to meet up out of the blue? My experience is limited because I've only done 4 cruises. The people I've met onboard where we've hung out with after initially meeting. It has happened at group tables for breakfast or lunch. Never dinner for some reason. Once at a bar at one port also - mainly because we were all from Texas and sailed out of Florida. I don't really enjoy sitting in the bar - I take my drink and go do stuff and those people appear to enjoy sitting at the bar more than I do. I've met people on excursions where we recognize each other afterward, but never hung out. I do wonder if food and beverage make me look like more fun to hang out with. Group tables may not be a thing now though - my last cruise they never provided that option when being sat.