keesar

2 hours ago, Hawkstar33 said:

Hello...I was wondering why there is no shuttle, from ship to port entrance, provided at each port?  Many of us cannot do the long walks from the farther docking spaces, especially Nassau....Way too far, so we lose out...    Thank you

There was a shuttle in Nassau to the port building.

The Radiance is similar in size to the M class ships.  Food is fine.  I found the biggest differences were that the cruisers were generally younger and there was a higher energy level on board the ship.  More people tended to stay up later than on Celebrity.  

The first night in Blu is usually rather chaotic.  We usually avoid Blu on the first night and take advantage of discounts at the Specialty Restaurants.  Breakfast in Blu is excellent  and one of our favorite meals.  

Bring a list of amenities that you are entitled to in Aqua.  You may have to remind your stateroom attendant.

17 minutes ago, JOVERNITE said:

We have early dining (maybe yes and maybe no based on your explanation). When I tried to reserve any of the 4 dining rooms (website & app) it says under our names "Dining time already set". It doesn't offer dining times. We like to eat early. Captain's Club said to make reservations when on board.  How did you make reservations?

 

Reservations were not needed.  You just show up when you want to eat.  However, if you like your servers, you can request to be seated in that same area on subsequent nights.  Personally, I thought all the servers we had were efficient and personable.  Also, no matter which dining room you go to, you can order from any of the other MDRs.  

On the Beyond and Ascent, it was Anytime Dining all week long. We also got early dining but was told to ignore that.  Computer issue....

52 minutes ago, cruisestitch said:

Yes it’s available on a six night cruise —- put it out on day 2 or 3.

Bring your laundry from home and get it in early in the week.😀. Don't want to waste that super valuable perk.

2 hours ago, leaveitallbehind said:

We just got off Eclipse and can give you our direct experience with both ways of booking. We are also Elite+.

 

Prior to sailing we booked a 3-night dining package.  In doing so we contacted Captains Club and they compared our Elite+ discount to the sale price being offered and provided the best option of the two for our booking. In our case it turned out that our CC discount was the better of the two and that was what we had them apply.  But it is, as mentioned, an either / or choice with planner bookings.

 

On board we dined two additional nights at Sushi on 5, which of course is a la carte, and in our experience not a good choice for a package credit based on our history with a la carte purchases.  When the bill was presented, the restaurant discounted it on both occasions by our CC 20% discount, which made that the far better option for an on board purchase v prior to sailing.

 

Out of curiosity we also checked as an option for a second on board purchase night at Murano and the pricing was indeed based on the on board price, but our CC 20% discount would be applied to that if we had wanted to dine there a second night.

 

So prior to sailing v on board can depend on the sale price being offered on the planner versus your tier level discount.  But on board the pricing typically is not sale based, but your full discount will be applied to any booking made.  You just have to do the math ahead of time to compare.

 

As further example, we have a November cruise upcoming.  The current planner dining package pricing is not very attractive and our CC discount for individual purchases on board surprisingly is more attractive.  (It would also be similar with individual planner versus package pricing).  It just depends on the sailing.

That you for the comprehensive explanation.  You cite 20% for your Elite Plus.  Mine says 15%.   How did you get the 20%? 

19 hours ago, wilwin said:

I’m going on the Beyond in a week. I also have the upgraded drink package.  Which of the bars has the best selection of wines?

 

Thanks

 

My take is the MDR.  I was frustrated that several of my favorites that were listed in the wine menu were not available.  So I relied on recommendations.  Not alot of choices due to supply issues I was told.  

Prices have gone up on the wine list.  There was a bottle of wine sold locally for $9 a bottle was selling in the Premium package on our last cruise.  Used to be on the Classic.

Thank you all for the advice.  It would be easier to just take the 15% online.   So I assume that the 15% being Elite Plus comes off the  "suggested retail price".

I am looking to book a Specialty Restaurant online.  How do I go about obtaining the Elite Plus discount?  Do I need to call?  I also see a 15% flash sale.  Can the flash sale and Elite Plus offer be combined?  Thank you.  

37 minutes ago, 1Virgo said:

Many changes since Covid, as with other lines

.. no welcome glass of champagne 

Positive. Muster Drill can be done in App or in room on tv

Balconies.. Footstools removed and now   loungers removed

Fruit in room, gone

Canapes gone unless requested and only suite class

Seems no matter which category you booked, amenities like shampoo etc are a huge pump bottle

Wines that were in Premium moved to a Plus category, then some back. Do watch though. Some have a $2 + gratuity per glass

There is way more. But focusing on positive. The Staff/crew.  They are awesome

 

If you scroll through, there are many changes. Having said that, we booked 1 more but are considering options

We have had champagne on Beyond and Ascent upon boarding the ship.

A big change that I have seen is that the room attendants no longer have an assistant and are responsible for more rooms.  Too many.  Plus there are many inexperienced staff due to the turnover.

59 minutes ago, hrhdhd said:

As mentioned above, there is no fixed dining on the Edge-class ships (Apex included). The website and app will show the option, but it's not what happens on the ship. Pick one of the four MDRs, show up when you're hungry, and eat. Easy peasy.

Correct.  There is NO fixed dining on the Edge class ships.  We were assigned a time but were told to ignore that.  Just show up where and when you want to eat.

1 hour ago, mauimary said:

We have previously used the Celebrity luggage program which we found very handy when you do not have a flight until later in the afternoon. The airline will not let you check it prior to 4hrs of flight. 
 

QUESTION…. Does this program work if you have a later flight departing from MIAMI 

 

Inquiring minds want to know!!! 

On our cruise on Ascent returning to Port Everglades, the Luggage Valet  program was only available for flights departing from FLL.  I double checked my paperwork and Miami was NOT included in the program.

1 hour ago, IDL said:

With cruise lines trying to stay afloat (no pun attended) post the Covid shutdown period the pricing models are obviously whatever the traffic will bear vs. a pure incremental cost + a standard profit margin approach.   As Eden currently has cache and buzz factor they keep increasing the price disapportionetly to their actual cost. 

You are correct.  On the Ascent, every Specialty Restaurant was being discounted by 30-40% except Eden.  

On the Ascent, there were good discounts available.  It could have been related to the last price increase and cruisers were not booking specialty restaurants.  However, on the Beyond, names were put on a wait list just to get a day and time.  Go figure.   Supply and demand...

38 minutes ago, Liao said:

While I think Eden is very good, I don’t think the meal itself is $100/pp good.  That said, I think the beautiful view is included in the price.

So should I request a discount if dining after sunset?

1 minute ago, Stem to Stern said:

Yikes!!  
Did they up the Eden price AGAIN?

I had an $85 per person price in my notes.

But back in September 2023 I got in on a 25% off flash sale.  At the time it was regular $60 on sale for $44.99.  So, about $108 with gratuity for the two of us.  I guess this will be our one and only dinner in Eden.😐

Yes, there have been at least 2 price increases. Prices have gone from the mid 50's which included the tip to $85 with an additional 20%.  $102 per person is expensive, especially when you consider how good the food is in the 4 mdr.

If you want distilled water, just ask your room steward.  We had made a request online but never made it to the room steward.   We just asked and it arrived promptly.  

8 hours ago, Iamcruzin said:

 Early to mid June is probably the best bet for weather and fewer kids. Schools in the Northeast doesn't end until the end for June. Finals are mid June.

The local public schools were out on June 13th.  Private schools were out a week earlier around the 6th.  The first week in June would be my choice to go to Bermuda or even any time in May.

On the example of a drink costing $10, you would pay an additional  $1  for the drink and a 20 cents gratuity,  Total cost. $1.20 to your account

31 minutes ago, go fish 44 said:

there are 4 free restaurants on the Apex all with different kinds of food according to the web site

 

we have traditional dining at 6pm can we go to the various restaurants making a reservation of course or are we just able to eat in our assigned restaurant

 

thanks Sue

You may be assigned a time but it is Anytime Dining.  Go to any of the 4 dining venues whenever you want to eat.  Even though there may be special items in each dining room, you can order food from any of them.  We had reservations but was told it was Anytime Dining.  However, if you find a dining room and waitstaff that you like, you can ask to be seated in that area.

Boston's traffic can be quite challenging, especially on a weekday.  Don't try to cut it close.  

Despite the young crowd that you will see on Celebrity commercials, that is not the demographic of Celebrity cruisers.  I noted that right away when I went from Royal Caribbean to Celebrity.  A much lower energy level and much quieter at night.   Last February on Ascent and Beyond, we had an elderly crowd with a minority of  cruisers under 50 years of age.  

If you won't give an infinite veranda a try, then look at the sunset veranda which offers a more traditional balcony.  As mentioned, they do book up quickly and there is a long walk to the elevators.

28 minutes ago, Liao said:

Hope they do sort it and Im certain they will, but do you really think they should give points?

A free burger and fries at the Mast Grill would be in order. 😀