keesar

2 hours ago, May B said:

Hi, we’re booking our first Aqua class. I tried searching the spreadsheet, but neither of my devices can do it.

 

Do any of the deck 11 verandas get smoke from the pool area?

 

And I can’t remember exactly … slant cabins have larger veranda but same size actual stateroom as others?

 

Anything else you think I should know? 
 

TIA

Look on a deck plan to see what is above you.  That makes a big difference for us.  I never experienced smelling smoke on Deck 11.  My issue has been the overhang which cuts down the amount of sunlight on the veranda.  But that is good for many cruisers.  

Slant cabins have the same size room but the verandas are longer and it can be windy.  

1 hour ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

 

Offer to trade your $5 bills for any $2 bills that they or their friends have difficulty using

I have a bunch of $2 bills around the house.  Got to bring them on the next cruise.  

24 minutes ago, mom says said:

They probably  get just as excited as when someone gives them a fridge magnet or left over Halloween  candy instead of a tip. And I'm sure they are going to spend several times the worth of that plastic duck to mail it home to their kids. My bet is that housekeeping has put a bounty on those little dust collecters,  and the crew are happy to turn them in for cash or credit in the crew store

If you really want to see a crew member get excited, give them the famous fruitcake from the holidays.  

32 minutes ago, ijscheer said:

Does anyone know what the current cut-off time is for Southwest.  Our Jan 2025 flight was recently changed to 6:05 PM. I'm really hoping to be able to use the service.

The cutoff time for SWA was 6 pm.  on our cruise.  You should get a brochure which has the details.

On our cruise, Retreat  guests were charged the $29 fee.

47 minutes ago, weregoingcruising said:

Is it still available for Southwest out of FLL?

YES

4 minutes ago, omeinv said:

For those who own RCL, it was announced today there will be a 40 cent per share dividend with the first payment date October 11, 2024.

 

Harris

Denver, CO

I am excited to hear this news.  I was hoping for  a dividend as they had given out some nice bonuses to management earlier this year --and ship's occupancy is up.

When you board, there should be staff asking whether you want to dine in a  specialty restaurant.  You can work with one of them or head to any specialty restaurant and they will be able to help you.  Go as soon as you can as times fill up quickly.

7 minutes ago, mrgabriel said:

 

 

But why are people so upset about this? I know that we all feel ownership of the brand (as I said in my question which was answered with corporate speak) but we are not owners - even if we're shareholders. If you don't like it - the answers or the way the ships are being run - then we have the option to book elsewhere. 

Sure, people can be upset but look at how many people have several cruises booked in the future.  Some find it difficult to try another cruise line as they are getting a free bag of laundry even though they may be paying for it many times over.  Marketing at its best.

1 hour ago, Mimiya11 said:

 

Interesting.   As you said, food is very subjective.  

No fault of the wonderful staff.  

On the Beyond and Ascent, there was the basket with breadsticks and two varieties of bread each night for dinner.  We ended up with the same wait staff each evening which was nice.

On 7/22/2024 at 9:54 PM, TGfromTX said:

Just curious if anyone is finding this as fun as I?

ignore the water test kit. I’m going to check what is coming out of these pipes shortly. 

Would be fun for the children on Disney and Royal Caribbean.    There were ducks on the Ascent and anyone want to guess where they were deposited?

29 minutes ago, zanydoc said:

Thank you all for your replies! Has anyone gotten a special pillow? We like those foam shaped cervical pillows-would love to request that. And do we ask the cabin attendant for the sparkling wine or the server in Blu? The other amenities like robes, slippers…do we have to actually ASK for those, too? Thanks!

 

We have received a pillow menu and ordered from that menu. There were several choices including a body pillow, a hyperallergenic pillow and a Swedish isotonic pillow.    If the cabin attendant does not offer the sparkling wine, you should ask for it from the attendant. Attendants usually will ask you what night you would like to receive the bubbly.  Robes and slippers are usually in the closet in the room,   2 of the last 3 attendants we had in Aqua Class were new to the role.  We 'assisted' them.  

1 hour ago, Hearthosesteeldrumsplayin said:

On Beyond earlier this month, there was the a la carte menu and the tasting menu.  The tasting menu was NOT a slight upcharge.  It was a HUGE upcharge (think hundreds!)  The venue was lovely and the servers great, but the engine noise was loud and we left before dessert.  Have no plans to ever go back.  (Same upcharge issue with Le Voyage, but at least the venue was quiet.)  I find it disconcerting that you paid for the cruise, then they want to upcharge you for a venue, and THEN a SIGNIFICANT upcharge should you be interested in the tasting menu.

On Beyond and Ascent, the upcharge was $35 per person.  I don't consider that a huge upcharge.  

6 hours ago, bikerunner said:

The best dinners I had with officers has always been with the F&B director, they know all the good wine, the Captains table was nice the cpl times I did it but had more fun the 2x with the food and beverage directors.  

Agreed.  I have found that it was more relaxing with the "junior" officers.  The wine choices were excellent and it was a fun event.  Some special food items were presented as well.  

2 hours ago, jolly_cruiser said:

To the experienced Celebrity cruisers on here, i could not find a good answer for this question with a search of these forums.

 

The last time i was on the Celebrity Edge, i had dinner at the Eden restaurant it was a tasting menu, and it was absolute perfection.

 

I am sailing on the Apex this December and i made a reservation for the Eden again, however i just noticed that the default option is an "a la carte" option and the "Eden tasting" menu option is priced separately with a slight upcharge over the default one.

 

Is my understanding correct?

 

If yes, can i decide to pay the difference and try the "Eden Tasting Menu" with the same reservation?

 

Or do I have to cancel my current reservation and make another one by selecting the "Eden Tasting" option.

 

Also, since we have a large party can just a few of us select the "Eden Tasting" option while the other choose the "regular" a la carte option?

 

I don't want to lose my current reservation time and day.

It has to be the same menu option for each member of the party.  There are many reasons for that.  Also, you don't have to cancel your existing reservation.  

37 minutes ago, conquesodor said:

 

This was more or less what I was going to say. If you don't want to link reservations, you could simply have each couple book Eden for the same night and time, and then once you are onboard I'd head to Eden to make sure they know what your dining preference is.

Good advice.  There is an area in Eden that can be set up for 8.  But book soon as it fills up quickly.

Make sure you travel with a list of amenities that are included in Aqua Class. Several of our attendants need 'reminding'.

The things to take advantage of is the breakfast in Blu and the Thermal Suite.  Many forget to take advantage of these amenities.  

31 minutes ago, drakes2 said:

So rude and disrespectful. I can understand if they are expecting others to join them but this is no different than  finding a place to sit on a bus. You paid your cruise fare and are entitled to a seat to enjoy your meal. 

 

The other irk were the card players.  They were in an area of the buffet on the starboard side just as you entered the dining area.  A waiter we knew said they were there for hours.  Thankfully, he asked two of them sitting at a table to move to allow diners to sit.  He offered and got us our drinks from the bar.  Now that is service and a 10 rating on our review.  His brother was our server in the Rooftop Garden Grill  and he was  excellent as well.  

17 minutes ago, jelayne said:

All but our 1st E class sailing had been all anytime dining.  But our last 2 sailings Traditional set time dining was back for those who booked it.  

I suspect decisions are being made by Management. On the Beyond, we were NOT allowed to order items from the MDR in Blu.  However, it was not a problem on the Ascent.  Same galley locations on each ship.  It could be due to staffing numbers.

The worse experience is going to the buffet at lunch time on a sea day.  Place was packed on the Ascent. We walked around looking for a seat (before we got our food) and it was really difficult finding a location.  There were tables of 4 and 6 with just one person seated.  I asked each diner if we could join, and the answer at each table was "No, I want to eat by myself".  OMG.  

56 minutes ago, lprp said:

Celebrity Cruises (UK phone number).

I’m currently on hold (again) while waiting for the agent to move our booking from one cruise to another. 
Am 45 minutes into the call, 75% of which has been on hold 😬. The “music” is excruciatingly bad!

In the U.S., I get nonstop ads that keep repeating and repeating and.   Luckily, on my last few calls, hold time has been less than a minute.  

4 hours ago, itsanita said:

Can anyone tell me what the times are for the assigined dining times?   6? and 8:30?

 

Our experience is that there is Anytime Dining on the Edge Class ships.  You just show up when you want to one of the  dining room.  However, if you want a particular dining room with a certain wait staff, you can request and it is usually granted.  Lines are minimal.  

33 minutes ago, mkcurran said:

Going on the Reflection to the ABCs next year. We are not dressy people, so we are wanting to know how the food is on the buffet for dinner. 

Do they severe prime rib there on formal nights? What about lobster?

I've seen pictures, and it looks like a nice spread. But pictures aren't everything.

Do you have a favorite buffet dish?

Thanks!

No lobster or filet mignon.  However, you can order a steak cooked to your desire.  They also have a carving station with items that rotate such as turkey, lamb, beef, ham, etc.  .  Each night, there is usually a theme night.  Italian, Mexican, Greek, Asian, English, German, etc.  I do like eating there as it is quiet and often you can see staff and performers eating there.  There is also an outdoor dining area where you can bring your food to.

55 minutes ago, SbbquilterUT said:

There was a shelf on the upward ramp in Eden with a few things.  I spent many hours reading in the relative quiet of Eden - spectacular views to enjoy.

Yes, there were some books and a rubber ducky there on the Ascent. 

5 hours ago, cruisetonowhere10 said:

So I have successfully packed us in carryon suitcases (what I fit is crazy — used the rolling method) and backpacks so we can each easily manage our own stuff and not deal with the possibility of lost luggage not making our connections. At the port of Seattle, I believe based on what people have reported, that we can carry on our own carryon size suitcase and backpack and leave in our stateroom, correct? We prefer to handle our own bags and know where they are. And I would not need to staple on the paper luggage tags? (somehow I missed that one can order these so I printed them and will take them along just in case.) I just want to make sure I have this all right so we aren’t “those” ppl who haven’t done what is required.  

We had a delay in being able to place luggage in our room and had to lug our items around until we heard the announcement.  Not convenient in the buffet.  We now check most items with the porters and has worked out fine.

There is no formal library on the ship as seen on the S-class.  There is an area with bookshelves that people have left items.  Books, magazines, etc.  So bring your own reading material.