Lady Arwen

Captain Dimitrios will on occasion take the helm for Captain Kate. This time her staff Captain will take over, as per her latest video. Now that the brothers are taking over Ascent, they will alternate duties. I believe that it’s in three month shifts. I think that this is their three month “off” time, so not sure if they could also take over Beyond when Captain Kate is away. Yesterday, she posted on IG that she planned on being the captain of Beyond for many more years. I sure hope so!

There is only one Captain on Beyond and that is Captain Kate McCue. When she is away from the ship, the Staff Captain takes over. On the new Celebrity Ascent, two brothers will share Captain duties starting in 2024. They are the Kafetzis brothers, who have been with Celebrity for a number of years.

Drinks are not free in the casino even if you’re gambling. Unless you are on a casino offer, which I’m sure you’re not, those guests do receive some free drinks. For tipping, please leave the gratuity in place and tip extra to those who go above and beyond your expectations. You will be notified by HAL of your suggested embarkation, although most people just show up starting around 10-11 am. For shows I try to be seated 30 minutes before it starts. For anytime dining you can just show up at your preferred time or you can reserve a table at your preferred time for three consecutive evenings, then you would have to rebook that time. You can also request to be seated with the same waitstaff and table if you like your first nights assignment. However, this is not guaranteed and sometimes impossible to accommodate your request. I believe we paid $20 per bag of laundry last time we sailed on Koningsdam. You can really stuff a lot of clothes into those bags! Everything comes back either neatly folded or on hangers. I wouldn’t send out anything very delicate, but what we did send out was just fine.

Her husband is now working with RCI corporation overseeing the engineering of 38 ships in total including Celebrity. He goes from one ship to the next one and so on, making sure that everything is up to standards. Occasionally, he and Kate are at the same port on different ships, and they meet up for lunch before saying goodbye til next time. This is a new position for him. Yes, he was chief engineer of Virgin Cruiseline Scarlet Lady. I follow Captain Kate on IG and she is very forthcoming about their personal lives. They do have a home in Las Vegas.

We disembarked in Civitavecchia on K’dam in 2019 and we were in our car service vehicle just after 9am for our 2pm flight.

Yes, on Apex and we loved it. We had cabin 9001 deck nine and it was lovely. You get extra space because of the little sitting area under the window with two chairs and a small table. The window is huge and the views were awesome. Yes, you do feel the motion of the ship because of being so far forward, but it didn’t bother us. The bathroom is very nice with a large glass shower. We would never hesitate to sail in these cabins.

We got one and my husband is David! Darn, we thought it was a personal invite lol!

We like Lido deck cabin L101. It has a super large balcony. This is a Deluxe Obstructed Balcony, so you have a loveseat and little coffee table/ottoman. It can get windy at sea, but if you stay seated near the door, it’s fine. The balcony walls are metal on all sides, so no real view if sitting. Not an issue for us. Of course, being so high and forward, you do feel the motion of the ocean. If you don’t mind motion, this is a great cabin. You do have to keep your drapes closed at night, so as to not interfere with the bridge navigation. We love Lido deck, so convenient and those cabins are away from most foot traffic. Some folks also like the same cabins on Marina deck, one deck below. We prefer Lido because of the proximity to the pool and the buffet.

Sailed on Apex, Edge and Sky. Personally, if the itinerary is what we want and the price is right, we choose Celebrity. We do sail on Princess, though because sometimes we prefer the itinerary or embarkation port. Our next Regal cruise embarks in Southampton for a British Isles cruise and Celebrity embarks in Amsterdam for the same itinerary. We much prefer Southampton. All Celebrity cabins offer a sofa, regardless of stateroom category. Princess gives you a loveseat on Royal class ships in deluxe balconies and full sofas in mini suites and suites. Edge class bathrooms are much bigger with a marble glass enclosed shower. Princess has tiny showers with a shower curtain. Celebrity ships have a free of charge, adults only, fully enclosed solarium, that can be used in any weather. There is also a separate pool and hot tub. It is wonderful. Princess has the International Cafe, with 24 hour coffee, tea, snacks and pastries at no charge. There is a charge for specialty coffees. Very nice venue to enjoy your coffee or even lunch. The Edge class has Eden deck 6 aft. A venue that has to be seen to fully appreciated. There is a restaurant and numerous bars. The entertainment is very unique in Eden. The Infinite balconies are not for everyone. There are regular balconies, however scattered about. We like the aft ones on deck six close to Eden. Princess balconies on Royal class are tiny, except for a few extended ones. You just need to peruse the deck plan to see the bigger ones. However, they are your traditional balconies that most people prefer. Edge class has The Magic Carpet. A moveable venue that serves as a restaurant and also the tender disembarking platform (not really a platform, more like a lounge with sofas). It is exactly in line with the tender boat, so no rocking and losing one’s balance. Go to YouTube to see it in action. Princess has beautiful atriums that serve as the social hub of the ship, with lots of seating. Very popular in the evening. You can’t go wrong with either Sky or Apex. It just depends on your expectations and your preferences. Research both before making your decision. Whichever you choose, I hope you have a wonderful time.

Since we tend to book either European or Med cruises, which can be port intensive, we’re early risers for breakfast and onto excursions. In the evening we like to have a pre-dinner cocktail at a bar then do MDR around 7pm and then off to the casino for a bit, then we checkout the musical entertainment. We rarely do production shows anymore. Perhaps a bedtime liqueur taken to our cabin. Then off to bed by 10pm. Our next HAL cruise is on Rotterdam TA in 2024, so we will change things up because we won’t need to get up early in the am. Probably enjoy more entertainment in the lounges.

You’re right about that, although some people love the Infinity balconies because you can close the top portion and use the balcony as part of your stateroom. I was hesitant at first, but quickly got used to it. We also like the standard balconies, but much fewer than the Infinity ones. It certainly has not hurt Celebrity at all. Ships are sailing full and everyone wants to be sailing with Captain Kate, currently the Master of Celebrity Beyond.

You still have to collect your luggage and go through customs. You then will be directed to your Princess bus #. Give the driver your transfer ticket. Your luggage will be stored under the bus and removed at the airport. Your other option is for everyone do walk off with your luggage in hand, go through customs and either pre book a driver with a van or wait for a taxi that is a van type vehicle able to transport everything. Someone mentioned that Princess takes your bags the night before as usual but takes them to the airport for you. This has never been the case for us. We had to get the bags and Princess loaded then onto the bus. Honestly, I would prefer my luggage is on the same bus as me. I don’t want to get to the airport and find one of my bags is missing from the other bus.

Yes

MDR for sure. Salmon, soufflé, done! So special.

Congratulations on your free upgrade! We love the mini suites. You’ll like the extra space and nicer bathroom. Lovely full size sofa. Have a wonderful time!

Please ban ALL smoking in the casino. Thank you.

Nothing substantial will be offered to inaugural passengers. Usually, an inexpensive glass of wine on embarkation and some little mementos. Some folks love being the first on, but seasoned cruisers usually take a wait and see approach. We tried it twice over the years and in no hurry to do it again. Yes, it will be winter in Europe in February. Only you know if you’re up for a cold weather cruise. Certainly not for everyone.

Yes, yes, yes! #1 Question! Please listen, Princess! No casino smoking!

Sorry, wrong thread

Sailed on Summit, sister of Millie, numerous times and loved all of them. Granted, Millie has not been “Revolutionized” like the other M class older ships and I have never sailed on her. If you want awesome Celebrity ships, then either S class or Edge class would give you the real Celebrity experience.

Not even close! lol. We do take our own because we don’t enjoy the one Princess provides. I also take take my own body lotion, liquid hand soap and shampoo/conditioner. All with very light fragrance.

I would call the main booking number before the cabin category you want is completely gone. Don’t wait for your CVP.

I’ve had a similar dilemma with wanting an upgrade to a specific cabin. I go ahead and make a new booking online and put a hold on it. Essentially, blocking that cabin for booking for a few days until I can get it sorted. My CVP usually gets back to me within a day, but not on weekends. She calls me back and works her magic and the hold gets cancelled and my booking now shows my new cabin. I would be frustrated with a CVP who didn’t call back in a timely fashion. As others have said you can just call the standard reservation line to secure your cabin choice rather than wait it out and lose it.

Same, everything has disappeared.