CruisinShips

Is it a bad thing when you go to check in at the pier and person checking you in laughs out loud at the picture you submitted and re-takes it? Asking for a friend.

Same. Both parties have always showed up for me at Check-in.

If I am understanding you correctly, yes. Log into the website, click on the cruise/Plan My Cruise, click on your initials (on the website it's in the top right corner), and then click on Order History.

as is said here very often, the ship is more important in Caribbean sailings.

Nothing is better than being within an hour of two major cruise ports (South Florida)! The ports all start to look alike, but there is no flying or pre/post stay hotel issues!

We may have been neighbors on the ship. We were in 11104. So funny you booked the same week (next year) as well. Regarding Luminae...my wife is a simple eater and she was happy for the most part with the Classics menu...shrimp cocktail, Caesar salad, grilled chicken or steak. I'm a bit more adventurous, so I can find something pretty much anywhere. Glad you had the same great time as us...thanks for the comment.

I do see your point and agree with you that's what SHOULD happen. Wishing you a speedy recovery.

Thanks. For the most part it was fast and smooth. The Caribbean was pretty windy that week (tender at Grand Cayman was cancelled) and we did feel a little bit of motion later in the week...but honestly nothing to worry about unless you're ultra sensitive. There were times where the seas looked pretty choppy and we commented about not feeling much if any motion.

Again…with a crank. When open, they cover at least 4 lounge chairs.

We were on it in October, in a CS. The condition of the ship was fine..yes a little dated and maybe a little tired in some areas, but overall a beautiful, clean ship. Food was good and we enjoyed Luminae. Our butler service was very good as well. My only issue from a suite perspective was with the Retreat amenities aspect...no sundeck and Michael's Club was tired and pretty unexciting compared to the brightness and vibrancy of the Retreat Lounge we have experienced aboard the Apex. If those things don't matter to you...by all means, you'll be fine IMO.

LOL...I don't think you're grasping the size of those umbrellas. A pin ain't gonna do it. And for what we pay for those suites these days, I'd prefer my own portable AC unit.

Night and day difference in our experiences in the Eclipse (Michael's) in October, and the Apex (Retreat Lounge) in early March. Some seem to like Michaels, but for our money it was way too isolated, enclosed and plain boring. The Retreat Lounge was bright and vibrant and staffed by several terrific people who made the experience even better. The availability of drinks from the coolers and snacks was a big plus as well, as was the convenience of the location relative to the pool deck and Luminae.

At the risk of sounding like I am defending the contents of the OP, which I absolutely am not, the umbrellas are gigantic and have good size hand cranks that I am pretty sure are supposed to be opened by someone on staff.

Interesting. I've only seen pending right up until I received the rejection email two days before the sailing.

My point really wasn't about the Uber part...it was more about you are being "penalized" for the airfare, which seems unfair and irrelevant since some of us don't even need to book airfare to the cruise port.

True, but MY opinion is the one that matters. To me. 😄

It's amazing to see the differences in experiences and perceptions. We were in a CS on the Apex earlier this month, and it was just wonderful. Service throughout all of the Retreat areas was fantastic, the staff was delightful. Luminae food was just fine for a cruise ship...I don't expect to have the best meals every night on ship with 2500-3000 passengers, regardless of the cost of the cruise. Yes the prices have gotten high, but for the two times a year we cruise, it's worth the splurge to us. It's odd to me that the OP is under the impression the pool staff knows or cares what level suite you're in...it never occurred to me that they would. Maybe they do...but I'd personally be surprised if that's the case. Lastly, I do agree with those who say the Retreat isn't really worth the cost on non-Edge class ships. I am pretty sure we will stick to E-class going forward. We booked another on the Apex when we were on board, and we will be on the Beyond later this year.

It makes little sense to me that the cruise portion should be nullified based on the airfare...what if you live 35 minutes from the Port (like we do in South Florida) and take an uber to the port? I assume that "loophole" wouldn't apply to us?

Say what? Are you saying my AmEx Platinum card automatically provides me with the same type of insurance I purchase via Tripmate? Or am I missing something? Thanks

There will always be a sound transference issue with adjoining suites (either on a ship or in a hotel).

Just a friendly tip for posting here....since you're posting in a forum exclusively dedicated to Celebrity cruises, you might get a better response if you provide more detail in your post title (as opposed to "Celebrity Cruise" and in the post itself. You also may want to look in the Roll Call section for posts by others who will be on your exact sailing.

You and your wife will have no problem checking in at the earlier time.

Fortunately, knickers aren't allow, so no worries about anyone getting them in a twist.

Nice review. We were on the Apex the week before and it was also one of our favorite cruises ever. Not for the ports, but just because of the ship itself and the amazing staff. Is it me, or are we starting to see many more positive posts/reviews than we were seeing for a while?

First of all, Go Gators! Second of all, you're exactly right. I was having this discussion with a young lawyer I work with who has two kids in their early teens. They cruise often and his kids love the waterslides and the flow rider, etc. He said his kids would laugh at him if he wanted to take them on a cruise without those things. My guess is they will outgrow those things eventually, but it's kind of the reason I asked the initial question in this thread. My wife and I are in our early/mid 60s and we used to cruise Royal but fell in love with Celebrity and won't go back.