3boyz2keep

21 hours ago, coffeebean said:

Cafe Al Bacio serves almond croissants too. Are they the same as what is served in The Retreat?

This is the Nutella croissant in Luminae. We discovered them on the last day-good thing it was the last day! The croissants in the Retreat lounge are larger and a little different than Cafe al Bacio. 

We just got off the Beyond in 9206 and loved it! Love the large balcony.

Great review! Thanks so much for taking time out of your vacation to share. 😁

On 2/26/2024 at 9:38 AM, MartiniBarhooked said:

Did you just show up or make arrangements. 

We just showed up. I can't remember who went through our options with us on the first day or two. We were greeted warmly and seated immediately on both occasions.

On 2/21/2024 at 3:41 PM, luv2cruisemore said:

I’ve read several posts from AQ Blu guests complaining about long waits for dinner in Blu due to Suite guests dining there. We’ll be in Blu 3/11 and will not be happy if Suite guests are allowed in Blu and delaying our meals. Maybe they should allow AQ guests to dine in Luminae since so many Suite guests don’t “love” Luminae!

Just off the Beyond last week in a suite. We chose to eat in Blu two nights and never a wait or long time for service or food. 

Date of Cruise: 09 Feb 2024                                                                                          

Ship: Beyond                                                                                                                                  

Cabin #:  9206                                                                                                                                             

Deck #:  9                                                                                                                            

Cabin Category: S3          

Cabin Location:  Mid               

Bed Position: By Cabin Door                                                                                            

Balcony Type: Verandah                      

Balcony/Window Size:   Large         

Balcony/Window View/Obstruction:   None

Balcony Overhang?:    Yes                                                                       

Magic Carpet Issues?:    NO                                                                                         

Noise Issues?:   Some banging in rough seas                                                                                           

Wind Issues?:   No                                                                                         

Connecting Cabin? Where Does it Connect?:  Connects to an IV cabin from hallway, not in cabin itself.

Advantages/Problems/Comments: We loved this cabin! Huge balcony with 2 loungers, 2 chairs and a small table and window to the aft of the ship. We've booked the same cabin on the XCEL.

Would You Book It Again?: YES

Photos or Photo Links: 

I wanted to share our recent (a week ago) experience on Celebrity's West Side Treasure excursion. I had read on the boards that it was a past cruiser's favorite day so I jumped on the chance to book. I will forewarn by saying we didn't have a great experience. We were on a double decker catamaran with 100 other passengers. We made the mistake of heading to the front of the catamaran near the netting with about 30 others and couldn't hear anything at all during the cruise/tour. There was a lot of history being shared but sadly we couldn't hear it. There wasn't a chance to move to other areas as the catamaran was crowded, although they said the catamaran held 180 people and we were a group of 100. The excursion listed a chance to hike to the fort at Pigeon National Park, we didn't stop. We just sailed past-looked beautiful! (we did end up receiving 30% back once on board and stopped by the Shore Excursion desk to share our disappointment). We had a stop to snorkel at a small beach with a tiny hotel in the cove. We stopped with 2 other catamarans at the same time (picture 300 people descending on a tiny beach at once). It was overwhelming and several older participants had a really difficult time exiting the catamaran in the water making debarkation from the catamaran very long with lines and time cut short to attempt to snorkel. Snorkeling wasn't anything to write home about. We saw one school of fish. Lunch on board was chaotic and the line that wound around the catamaran took about 20 minutes to stand in with people cutting in line, etc. standing in the hot sun and drink choices limited (water, regular coke and Fanta-no diet beverage options). The crew were not overly friendly. The highlight of the trip was at the end when they broke out the rum punch and American music (que Sweet Caroline) in an attempt to leave us on a good note. The strong rum punch did improve matters somewhat. All in all a very disappointing experience and turned out to be one of our least favorite days. We met others on the excursion that shared the same meh...disappointment. Sorry to be so down about it but feel that it's an honest assessment. 

1 hour ago, Texed said:

 

 

Ditto!

I must have been in the wrong place at the wrong time to witness such poor behavior this morning in The Retreat Lounge and Pool Deck. A woman berated an officer because of the creaking on the ship (we’re having a good bit of movement) and wanted her cabin to be moved. We have a full ship so this isn’t possible. Apparently she has 4 weeks booked and will be canceling because “I’m so sick of this!”. She was very loud and drew attention to herself. Meanwhile, on the Retreat pool deck a crew member was moving loungers to accommodate guests and an elderly gentleman was barking the aisle now wasn’t wide enough and scolded him loudly to “THINK!” Very uncalled for. Seems some forgot to pack their manners. These incidences were not because expectations weren’t being met by Celebrity.

We’re on day 2 of our first experience in The Retreat on The Beyond. In less than 24 hours I’ve seen cringe worthy treatment of The Retreat staff. The entitlement astounds me. My husband had an idea. Cruise pricing in the future should include an a**hole tax once you’re identified as such. 😂 

22 hours ago, Mark_K said:

That may be the rule, but I don’t recall ever being asked to present my card when ordering drinks on the sundeck. 

We’re on the Beyond now and are asked for our cards at The Retreat sundeck bar each time we order a drink.

I would consider Nassau a sea day. Sad but grateful that we do travel on fantastic ships to enjoy! If nothing else the weather sure beats home.

2 hours ago, hcat said:

sad.. but glad we will get a key card

On Reflection, the Relax Rm was  supposed to be for AQ Class only OR spa clients...So many others would sneak in  that spa staff gave up.  These folks were not quiet, brought in drink..and used it as their pvt lounge! Only so much can can be done!

We have a spa pass booked for our upcoming cruise. Your comment brought another question to mind...are you able to bring a drink other than water into the spa area? 

7 hours ago, upwarduk said:

You need to fill in the Special Needs  form before you sail, then you will have desert made especially for you.

 

 

Are these dairy free? They look wonderful! I’ve filled out a dairy free form for our upcoming cruise. 

On 10/25/2023 at 6:14 PM, klfrodo said:

Proves my point. Who gives a crap what is required in the US. You weren't in the US. You were in France where people speak French. 

Entitled much?

I hope whatever your poor attitude is from can be solved by taking a vacation. Goodness!

Just did a mock booking of a Sky Suite and Celebrity is still advertising a "Butler" as a room amenity. I'm not going to get myself in a tizzy. We have a Sky Suite booked for February and am certain we're going to have a fabulous time!!

Does anyone know if the Retreat lounge has coffee out earlier than 6am?

21 hours ago, BuckeyeMark said:

I'll join others in saying making coffee in your room isn't difficult.  Take a look at the AeroPress.  It's a marvelous, compact coffee maker that is very easy to use and clean up is a snap. It's my go to coffee maker and a joy to use and have. It's been on a bunch of cruises with me!  And no, I don't work for them!

Love an AeroPress! How do you get hot water for yours? Just thinking it wouldn't be great to walk up to OceanView with the AeroPress and then back to room. I like the idea of bringing my AeroPress though!

Thank you @Georgia_Peaches!

23 minutes ago, Honolulu Blue said:

 

 

A few months ago, I was caught in an experiment at Miami's airport.  Just before security, we were asked to walk slowly and evenly 2-by-2 a short distance with a doggie between us (or was it on the side?).  It seemed weird, but I played along because I don't have anything to hide.  Perhaps this is coming to an airport near you sometime soon?

We experienced this same routine at Dulles in May. Same, just before escalators to security.

We cruised on the Apex last year in Feb 2022. We stayed on board the entire 7 days. It was a time where certain ports were still requiring masks so we said to heck with it. We had a lovely time!

49 minutes ago, Bo1953 said:

I would like to point out that for the form letters being received, in such cases and situations where there are massive mail ins about a particular topic, there is no way they can or will provide individual responses to each email.

I agree but thought the wording was off putting. 

Just now, Georgia_Peaches said:

Ummm, I see no indication of any special area set aside for vaping in the casino. And isn’t it a little soon and down right presumptuous of them regarding the impact on passengers?

Couldn’t agree more!

Well, not feeling very heard and actually feeling dismissed with “there has been minimal to no impact to our guests”. Honestly, If I wanted to sit with vaping I could head to one of the many dirty windowed vape shops we have here in town. The full text here:

Dear Mrs. Hunt: 

Thank you for taking the time to contact the Executive Offices at Celebrity Cruises.

This test is currently in place on the Celebrity Equinox and Celebrity Eclipse, and at this time there has been minimal to no impact to our guests experience onboard.  Vaping will only be allowed in certain areas of the casino for casino guests, during operating hours only. Cigarettes, pipes and cigars will still be prohibited in the casino.

Mrs. Hunt, we truly appreciate you taking the time to provide us with your feedback regarding our recent change. 

Sincerely,



Executive Office
Celebrity Cruises
ExecutiveOffice@celebrity.com

We always enjoy the variety of seafood on board that we usually don't have at home. It's a healthy indulgence.

You both are going to absolutely love your sunset veranda on the Apex!! We were on the 10th floor last year in a sunset veranda on the Apex and it was absolute perfection! Enjoy!