5:00_Somewhere

We've sailed on the Sky twice, including a B2B, and absolutely LOVE her. As for aft suites, we had D726 this had an AMAZING, huge balcony. We had been concerned about soot from the stacks, but it was minimal. Enjoy. Sky Princess D726

Totally understand that. We actually try to stay out of the sun, as well, and typically try to find a less sunny spot on the Retreat Sun Deck - there are a few - but like it, in part, to get away from the crowds on the main pool deck. And likewise for the Retreat Lounge. So much for that idea? 🤔

For the OP, it does look like your question was answered, but I just want to add that I'm among those who like Blu and its menu even more than the much touted Luminae. We're sailing Retreat Class on the Summit in September, and I'm definitely going to be looking at the Blu menu each night. I hope you'll find something you like. And, as mentioned, our experience has been that you can order off other DR menus in Blu (and Luminae) on the M-Class and S-Class ships (Eclipse is S-Class). Haven't yet been on an E-Class ship, but have heard it is more difficult due to galley locations. Hope you have a great cruise.

This is the one I bought, and I really like it, but there are a number of similar outlet expanders available.

I can understand that. For us, without the retreat sun deck and retreat lounge, the additional expense isn't always worth it, especially because I actually like Blu better than Luminae, but I know that's completely a matter of personal preference. Different strokes. 😉

If you're referring to The Enclave (which is the Royal Class equivalent of the Thermal Suite on Grand Class ships), it was not complimentary for suite passengers when we were in a suite on the Sky Princess last December. We paid for access for both weeks of our B2B on that trip.

We've been on the post-Revolutionized Summit twice (with a 3rd cruise coming in September), and on the Constellation once, with a second booked for February 2024. We loved both ships and, while I had absolutely no complaints about the Connie, I did find I preferred certain elements of the renovation on the Summit. We very much enjoyed the Retreat Sun Deck, and much preferred the updated Retreat Lounge to the dark atmosphere of Michael's Club. I also felt the new light color scheme in the cabins made them feel bigger and more open, although I do understand some peoples' criticism that they think it feels "cold". That said, we had absolutely no reluctance in booking the un-Revolutionized Connie again and are looking forward to both trips. Although, as I said above, I don't mind the un-Revolutionized Connie at all, it would not hurt my feelings if she did undergo the full renovation before our Feb. 2024 trip. 🙂 Although, I'm a little concerned that it might motivate my husband to upgrade us from Aqua to Retreat Class. 😉

I think I missed the question about the Love Boat song on the horn. I can tell you that, on our cruise, they did not play it until we left Skagway. I know because - unlike most people - I dislike it, so was pleasantly surprised not to hear it before that. In fact, I was a very surprised they didn't play it when we sailed away from Juneau because we were in port with both the Royal and Ruby Princess. Can't say this will be the case on every cruise, but that was our experience.

We absolutely love The Porch on the Silhouette and Reflection and, in fact, booked our March 2022 cruise on the Reflection as opposed to another ship largely because of The Porch (and Lawn Club Grill). We always have lunch at The Porch at least once during each cruise and, to us, it's worth the expense, but acknowledge that's a very subjective assessment. I have always found the food and service exceptional. Oh, and the menu offers a lot more than "a bowl of soup and a lobster roll", even at lunch. Hope that's helpful.

The travel requirements should be referenced in your Princess travel documents, as I recall. I strongly recommend you research necessary travel documents on the Canadian government websites. To the best of my knowledge, a US driver's license alone - enhanced or otherwise - is not sufficient to allow entry to any other country. A passport is necessary; or a birth certificate is sufficient for some Caribbean islands. I do know that Canada and the US also participate in the "NEXUS" program, and so a NEXUS card is sufficient, but that's typically only common for people who live in states that border on Canada and travel there frequently. My BIL and SIL who live in Washington State use this method. Likewise, you can do a Google search for "Arrivecan" and it will take you to the Canadian government page with relevant information and links to download the app to your smartphone. You can download the photographs of the Patters that are posted in this thread. On a computer, simply right-click on the picture and select "save image as"; on a smartphone or tablet long press on the photo and select "save to device". I hope that's helpful

I have never seen any UK style electrical outlets on any Princess ship. I was just on Discovery Princess, which is virtually identical to Enchanted, and in the desk area there were 2 US type outlets, 2 European E/F type outlets and one 3-pin outlet such as I've seen in Italy, as well as standard USB-A charge points in the bases of the 2 bedside lamps. Below is a photo of the desk area. As I have mentioned elsewhere, I have purchased a European E/F type outlet expander (also pictured) to take advantage of those outlets on the ships and while travelling in Europe. I hope this is helpful.

Ours actually appears to be "sold out", as well, as it no longer appears on the Celebrity website, so I don't know if they are reserving 20% of the cabins, or if our CVP's information is not completely accurate ... or a combination of the two.

I don't ask for much by way of celebrations and, honestly, don't personally like a lot of attention paid to me. That said, cruise lines did used to do at least little things if one simply noted the event on their cruise file, such as signs and/or balloons in the cabin, and a special dessert at dinner. But, I learned the hard way - when we sailed Japan for my husband's 50th birthday - that even advising them of the event doesn't necessarily mean anything will be done. I spoke to the head waiter earlier in the cruise advising her what day the birthday was and asking for a special dessert. We even ordered champagne to start the meal and made sure our waiter knew it was the "special day". But, absolutely nothing was done at all at dinner (this was another cruise line, by the way). We did have balloons outside our cabin door when we returned that night, but that was it. We will be sailing on the Summit this fall for our 25th anniversary, and I plan to make sure the suite concierge and the Luminae head waiter know that I would like something done. We shall see.

Well, we headed for an old favorite called "Twisted Fish Company", which is actually near where the ships dock. Unfortunately, it didn't survive the pandemic, so headed to "The Hanger" which is at the end of the boardwalk that runs in front of where the ships dock. I won't promise that it will top Scotland, but the food and beer were pretty darn good. We'd had a very long excursion and were just looking for something simple.

The Lotus Spa is the entire spa area on Princess ships, offering massages, facials, manicures, acupuncture, etc. The Enclave is a special area within the Lotus Spa on Royal Class ships that features 3 saunas or steam rooms, "rainforest showers", a thalassotherapy pool and a dozen heated, contoured tile loungers. There is a fee for access to The Enclave. Here is a link to the Princess.com page with information on The Enclave. The Enclave On the older Grand Class ships there is a similar area called The Thermal Spa, with similar features, but without the thalassotherapy pool. I hope that's helpful.

We were on Discovery Princess 2 weeks ago, and I had really been looking forward to the fresh Alaskan seafood promised by the "Wild for Alaska" promotion, but I was also sorely disappointed in the options actually provided. There really weren't very many "fresh" or "Alaskan" seafood options. I do agree that I had one nice halibut dish, but the 2 times I had salmon it was also cooked to shoe leather. They were clearly more used to cooking fattier farm raised salmon, and did not adjust their technique for leaner fish. And, sadly, I don't recall seeing any other Alaskan seafood options offered during our week aboard. On the up-side, we did a wonderful Princess excursion in Ketchikan to Hump Island Oyster farm, which was really interesting, and their oysters were out of this world! And had amazing Alaskan halibut fish and chips in Juneau.

Wondering whether any men with personal experience can answer a question for me. Many years ago a friend introduced me to the indulgence of a good ol' fashioned barber's hot towel shave with a straight razor. I booked such a spa shave once some years ago on another cruise line, but was disappointed to find they used a disposable razor rather than a traditional straight razor. I've never booked another aboard a ship since, but frequently use other spa services, such as massages. We have an upcoming cruise on the Summit and have an amazing amount of OBC, so I was perusing the spa offerings and saw pictures of men's shaves with a straight razor. I suspect this is merely for promotional purposes and that they probably use disposable razors, as well. But, I thought it worth asking if anyone on these boards has had personal experience with a hot towel shave on a Celebrity ship (or the Summit, in particular), and can tell me whether they use a straight razor, disposable or something else. Thanks in advance.

I checked and that's actually what the couples pricing was in December 2021 (rather than $199), as well. I tried to correct my post but it was too late and the edit function had disappeared.

I would agree with this. I have never seen the restaurant anywhere near full, and they have always been very accommodating. Also, they do have wonderful gyoza and edamame appetizers, as well as an amazing wasabi ice cream dessert. I don't see why you couldn't simply order those to enjoy with your sake, if you liked. 🙂

I don't know if this will help but, on our B2B last December we saw a special "couples rate" online before boarding (I think it was about $190 for the week) but did not book it thinking we could book once we boarded and get the special rate, as we had done pre-pandemic. However, once aboard ship they said the special rate was only available online pre-embarkation, so we did have to pay $179/person for that first week. However, we were able to go online and book the special couples' rate for the 2nd week. It sounds as if they may have done away with the "couples' rate" but are still offering a discount pre-embarkation. If you're interested in the week long pass, I do recommend not waiting until you board, as you may not be able to get the discounted rate.

I also read that somewhere. Can't recall where, though. Looking forward to getting solid details soon, hopefully.

We just made final payment for a September cruise on the Summit. We were expecting it to be closer to capacity, and were told by our CVP that it's currently at approximately 80%. We will continue to wear masks in crowded indoor spaces and avoid elevators whenever possible, wearing masks when not. I hope you're able to enjoy your cruise. I expect this to be the NEW new normal.

Thank you, and I understand the cruise lines have their own protocols. As I mentioned in another post, I asked due to the coincidental similarity between the 3% you referenced and the 0.3% CDC guidance. I was just curious whether there was a typo or if that was the actual Celebrity benchmark. Thanks for clarifying.

Good point. I have been disturbed to read on social media, and in conversations onboard, the numbers of people who suggest ill passengers simply "keep quiet and don't go to the medical center" so that they can avoid quarantine. There's a reason people who are positive are quarantined: so that they don't spread the disease to fellow passengers and crew!

Probably true. Thanks, that's why I was asking though, due to the similarity in the number to the CDC guidance.