cw2go

My point of view as well. Sailed Beyond in Aug Patty

Booked! Feb 14th 2026... longest countdown ever! 😁 Patty

Sailed with her twice, Feb/Beyond and Aug/Beyond again. Her jokes of the day and mom quotes were on repeat. I even would verbally finish her skit with her. It was that obvious. Ship didn't sink, she threw a volley ball in the pool and held a vow renewal for Valentines so all in all, she was fine. Her public Meet & Greets were all held in the shops, quite obvious what the motive is in that regard. I appreciate her hard work and certainly admire a women holding this honored position but the sales ploy by Celebrity distracts from her accomplishments. Women and men are nuts for her and always feel the need to explain to me what she has accomplished when I mention in anyway that I am not all that into it. My husband is retired Navy, in his 22 years of service, I've met quite a few captains and some were women, all quite accomplished and deserving of respect. Cat Kate found and paved her way, hats off to her! ⚓ Patty

I recommend making a call to Celebrity Depending on the original terms at booking and when your set sail date is, you may have forfeited your monies paid to Celebrity? Info will be on your booking confirmation. Was just the deposit paid, was it refundable or was the entire sailing paid in full? Celebrity will still sail and reroute so I am not sure cancelling was a good idea? Excursions and such always go back to the original form of payment. I am sure others will be more helpful, Patty

Tendered on Beyond in Aug and could go back and forth all you wanted, It was a beautiful short ride for us. Patty

Recently retuned, sailed Gk Isles on Beyond, it was a great cruise. Had lunch @ Osteria Nannarella in Trastervere last month, delish! 😋 Enjoy your adventure, Patty

I booked directly with them for my Celebrity sailing this July. Just be sure of the tour time, they are well aware of the ships schedules, I have no concerns. Patty

Yes for us the MDR's were about the same between the two sailings. Both very slow service and with limited options.The buffet had far more options in Aug compared to Feb but many of the stations were repeats. I saw a thread earlier about mashed potatoes and opted to avoid posting BUT they were in 3/4 stations daily in the buffet and the desserts were heavily banana based. I even joked that this was a high starch cruise. You could even get roasted taters in the Asian section... we just giggled. Fries were every where. Baked potato bar was the dinner theme one night. I didn't starve! I found food that was "fine" but not memorable. I posted in Feb that the famous lemon tarts in Al Bacio were different, in Aug they were MIA for all but 2 days of an 11 night cruise. They did appear in the buffet once to my knowledge but without a doubt they were not what we had pre covid. So for us we will sail Celebrity knowing it's not about the food! Much like we do when we sail Princess or RCCL. Patty

The train station is quite a hike uphill and that'll cost you time. I have done the transfer via ship, had about 3 hours for lunch and to explore the theater/shops. We enjoyed our day and loved Taormina! Patty

Sailed Beyond Feb and Aug. No improvement IMO! Both sailings in the buffet and MDR's were rather meh... Patty

I was referring to Celebrity tours because the OP mentioned not wanting to see the rug demonstration but wanted a cruise line tour. It's a part of the contract with the cruise line from what we were told. Patty

I sailed Beyond last month to Gk Isles and excursions were limited with Celebrity as well as with privately/independent tour operators. Not sure if more will be added? It's been very slow going with tour recovery in many areas. Alaska as an example is was limited in 2023 and so far for 2024 it still is. For Mykonos ~ Exploring on your own is super easy. Just wonder and take in the beauty. Baklava was delish! Kusadasi ~ If the Small Group to Ephesus thru Cel is available book it asap. It was a small bus of about 16 people total. We went to the Virgin Mary House, then Ephesus and on to have lunch with several options, it was quite good. In Turkey it's mandatory for the operator to include the rug demonstration but it was at the end. I enjoyed it, thought the rugs were gorgeous! I was shocked at how great the tour was! Fantastic guide! Santorini was a mad house! Reports of the over crowding wether with a tour or not are 100% true. The cable car line was awful! Patty

This has been my experience as well. Patty

Yes the online system has you reserved but once on ship, you'll find it pointless. Booking dining reservations online hasn't mattered on my last 2 sailings, one was as recent as last month. The e-class ships have open dining across all 4 Main Dining Rooms. The Maitre"d onboard will help the OP with a table of that size but might have to stick with the same MDR each night. Patty

I was just offering @hcat a recent experience since he/she asked. I didn't need or miss it. Patty

Sailed Beyond in Feb and Aug, no final bill under the door for us. Patty

That was my post, happy to see you had the same experience. To the cost point, 100% agree! I actually preferred Secrets Maroma to Le Blanc but that is for another thread. 😊 Patty

Brent Nixon is amazing! So fun and animated! Not @AbbyCruiser45 sailing... BUT... Aug 2018 On Princess besides the Park Ranger we had Nik Jans, he's the author of A Wolf Called Romeo and Libby Riddles, first woman to win the Iditarod. Patty

I'm on the Solstice next July ~ Not seeing the same sale. Thx for the heads-up, Patty

100%

You can't use "snarky" that's been my defense for months!!! 😆 I always feel misinterpreted and feel the need to clarify! 😜 Patty

I don't have a question??? I was explaining that the dining options and plans have changed so for me the Premium package is a value. No worries, all is good Patty

I posted a diagram Post #15 Example Alfred's is now $15 but is unlimited in the Premium package.

Exactly. Celebrities new target is the Cruiser who has nothing to compare. New Fresh Blood, regardless of age or income. So our choice is to accept and enjoy or sail on, Patty

I agree from your point of view, the experienced traveler but I am looking at this from the point of view of the new younger demographic. The food cuts by eliminating Luminae would be beneficial. Many new cruisers stick with Cel tours and would see the OBC as a bonus. I am looking at this from their angle and their vision for reaching their new targeted guests. 🤷‍♀️ Shoot I have no idea what anyone is thinking, just spit balling like the rest of you 😜 Patty