Older Sister

Adios, Celebrity, it’s been nice knowing you. We’re in a Sky Suite right now, never notified about any butler team and the services they could provide. I thought that we were to be escorted to our cabin upon embarkation but that didn’t happen . . . we were just told which direction our cabin was in and that we’d find our room keys at the door. I will say that our cabin is nice, and we’ve enjoyed both Luminae and Michael’s Club. With all of these continuing changes/cutbacks (none of which benefit the passenger), I will be taking my business/hard-earned dollar$$ elsewhere. We’ve did couple of cruises on Viking last year, so I think we’ll be using them in the future.

I’ll report back next week. We board the Eclipse on Sunday and will be first-timers in a Sky Suite. Thanks for all of the suggestions as to things the butler team can (and hopefully will) do for us!

Uh, I don’t think so. We’re cruising Alaska August 27-September 3 on the Eclipse. I believe the cruise is sold out, so that could be why you don’t see that itinerary.

Thanks, John. This is the kind of stuff I wanted to know. My husband will be very pleased to have early morning coffee with Bailey's! And I'm with you, I don't do many shore excursions in the Caribbean anymore (or if I do, they're NOT ship-sponsored excursions). Anyway, it's nice to just stay on the ship when it's so empty.

Yes, I’m already aware that we will not have “butler” service on my Alaska cruise in a Sky Suite in four weeks. I’m disappointed as this was the first time we had booked a Sky Suite. Anyway, for you veterans, can you give me an idea of the things you’ve asked your butler to do in the past? I saw that they used to unpack your clothes for you — that’s not one of the things we’d want. But I’d love it if you could give me suggestions as to things to request that would make our cruise more enjoyable. Thanks!

Great. We take occupancy of our Eclipse Sky Suite on August 27 in Vancouver for an Alaska cruise. I’m SURE they will have worked everything out for this new Dedicated Retreat Team by then . . . We’re pretty low maintenance, but were looking forward to our first butler experience on this cruise. Paid a lot of money for it, too. Extremely disappointing.

SailorPaulH, thank you SO MUCH for this information! We will be doing this same cruise next June and you can be sure that I will save your review and reference it as I plan our excursions.

I believe you arrive Bergen the day before disembarkation. Maybe check your itinerary? YESSSS!! My eyes skipped over the fact that we arrive in Bergen the day before disembarkation! Thank you so much!

I’ve done a number of searches, but have not been able to find this information. My booking information for our June 2024 Homelands cruise shows us arriving in Bergen at 7 am on disembarkation day. Does anyone have any recent experience with this cruise? I’m wondering if the ship actually arrives much earlier in Bergen, to accommodate those with early morning flights. Thanks in advance!

So glad to see that you dressed up for dinner, especially formal nights. You looked absolutely lovely. My husband and I will be on the Eclipse next month in Alaska, and we will be dressing for dinner as well.

Evening Chic Night: Did you see many folks who dressed up for the evening (long/formal dresses for the women and dark suits for the men)? Enjoying your posts!

We’re staying at the Pan Pacific in August before our cruise. Nice place?

Question regarding Evening Chic nights: do you see many people in formal wear (long dresses on women, dark suits on men)? Hubby and I are cruising in August and we both love to dress up . . . I’m taking a couple of formal dresses, but don’t want to be too conspicuously overdressed. Thanks!

Omg, Jim, what a mess! Fortunately, you’re not just sitting in an airport waiting for Southwest to “take care of you”. . . . glad you were able to get accommodations and flights and ground transportation that will eventually get you where you need to be. Good luck getting restitution from Southwest; I have a feeling their first offer will be a credit for future flights, but I suspect you know how to counter such an offer. Really enjoyed meeting you and Lois and chatting with you. Hope our paths cross on a future cruise. But don’t look for me on Southwest Airlines — I am finished with low-cost carriers! Allyn

We just got back from our Antigua excursion, to Valley Church beach. Took about 30 minutes to get there, but it was worth it . . . I really wanted to spend some time on a lovely beach and that’s what we got. Recommend this excursion if you’re into beaches, we’d do it again. Allyn

I’m on the same cruise — first time Viking Ocean (did a Viking river cruise in June). Loving this ship. Need to find a bartender who can make a French 75 cocktail. . . the one in the Explorer’s Lounge last night said they didn’t have the ingredients!

I didn’t wear leggings, but I wore slim-cut slacks with tunic tops on our river cruise earlier this year and felt I was dressed appropriately. I wouldn’t see any problems with leggings and a tunic top.

i have heard/read of several folks who have brought their own hair dryers, with no problems. The ones provided by the ship are good and will work for most people, but I intend to bring my own on my next cruise in December. My hair is thick, and I like a powerful hair dryer.

Not a fan of the wasabi peas. If they're to your liking, be sure to sit near me in the lounge, I'll be happy to share mine with you!

Thanks, Dr. Koob, for the excellent summation of your trip. We're doing our first Viking Ocean cruise in December, and your review has given me a lot of good information and things to think about. We're also in a Penthouse Veranda stateroom on deck 5 and I'm very happy to hear how pleased you were with yours. I'm hopeful that at, at the end of our cruise, we will be satisfied enough to book another Viking cruise while onboard, as you did.

I haven’t used Aristocat for Jost van Dyke, but did another day sail with them several years ago. I can highly recommend them . . . first class service, we thoroughly enjoyed our excursion.