Treacher1

I thank you kindly for those videos. Despite quite a few of negative reviews of GETAWAY last few months, we are looking forward to our Haven experience and hope we have a great cruise. Smooth sailing to all.

Anyone sail recently in 9316 on Getaway? Booked for the huge balcony and Haven perks. Just wondered who your butler was and how well he/she did. Also, wondering if any issues with vibration in this aft cabin? Any advice or tips greatly appreciated. Sailing out of NYC on March 18 - so hoping warm enough to use the balcony before we have to wait to be more south. Also, who was your concierge - always find them so helpful?

Thanks for the information - I know Haven boarding is a snap with snacks and drinks waiting to board. I just wanted to be sure that our friends could at least enter the terminal - no problem waiting to check in - just as long as they can at least enter and not be outside.

So even if we sign up for different boarding times - they WILL let us all in the terminal in even if second couple has a later boarding time. It sounded like we have to select a boarding time when we register online at 21 days out. Thanks!

We are booked for a cruise in March. We are all being transported via car service to the pier. We are Haven guests; the other couple is not. Can we all at least enter the terminal at the same time (even though we are all not Haven guests)? We have not yet been able to register for cruise docs, as that does not open till 21 days prior to cruise. If we are not able to all get the same boarding time online; can the later people at least get into the terminal, but not the seated waiting area? This did NOT seem a problem in prior years before covid. What is the earliest time we can expect Haven guests to board. It was previously around 10:30 to 10:45 in prior years out of NYC. Any recent experiences with boarding in NYC would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for answering my questions and smooth sailing to all!

We are booked for a cruise in March. We are all being transported via car service to the pier. We are Haven guests; the other couple is not. Can we all at least enter the terminal at the same time (even though we are all not Haven guests)? We have not yet been able to register for cruise docs, as that does not open till 21 days prior to cruise. If we are not able to all get the same boarding time online; can the later people at least get into the terminal, but not the seated waiting area? This did NOT seem a problem in prior years before covid. What is the earliest time we can expect Haven guests to board. It was previously around 10:30 to 10:45 in prior years out of NYC. Any recent experiences with boarding in NYC would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for answering my questions and smooth sailing to all!

Is Food Republic complimentary? I know we PAY for everything in cruise fare - ha - just was not sure if this was an add on specialty restaurant? Thanks for any information!

There was a post I read (not on CC) that NCL is cutting expenses end of January by reducing entertainment options on their ships. The article said specifically that Kinky Boots will stop production in January, and that other entertainment staff was being reduced and sent home on other NCL ships. I hope this is not true - we are sailing GETAWAY in March and were excited about seeing the Million Dollar Quartet.

We just booked a suite class cruise on ICON. When we made the reservation it gave us options of 5:30, 8:00 or My Time dining on the reservation. I selected My Time - but I am confused. Are there reservation times for Coastal Kitchen - found no place online to make a time for Coastal Kitchen - yet there are times shown to make a specific time in specialty restaurants. Please advise - thank you!

We have 2 free specialty restaurant dinners on our upcoming Getaway Cruise. Likewise, we have two MORE specialty restaurant dinners from being Platinum members in the Latitudes Rewards programs. When we board; are these 4 free dinners loaded on our sea pass card or do we get coupons to verify we in fact do not have to pay for these dinners once on board? Thanks for your help !

I was just wondering if it is possible to print out the cruise planner calendar which lists all shore excursions, specialty restaurants, etc.? If so please advise -

Booked this cruise about a week ago - friends wanted to join us - can you believe ALL retreat suites are totally sold out??? Or do you think some are held and will have to be purchased AFTER the 75 % off second guest in cabin? Just surprised all sold out already for 2024.

Kelly - looking at Cruise Ship Tracker - it looks like BEYOND is already in Cape Liberty - probably just moving SLOWLY to enter the dock early tomorrow morning - also if signed up for Halloween get together on your spreadsheet - was there a time for that - or was it deleted or not yet posted. Thanks for all your efforts 🙂

Kelly - so glad you are taking the time to do this - so kind of you as it gives you less free time to enjoy your cruise. We are on your roll call and will be on this cruise with you. We had a Sky Suite in March on APEX - you will LOVE It - is great brushing your teeth or showering and able to see the ocean while doing so. Sky Suite is spacious with a nice REAL balcony. I do not think you will be disappointed. I will be following your live reports while we are sailing - look forward to them. Again - kind of you to take precious time to provide this service for the Cruise Critic fans. I am sure they will all enjoy it - Celebrity should give you a discount, as I bet many will book BEYOND because of your pics and reports. Wishing us smooth sailing and hope to see you at the Sunset Bar after embarking. The count down continues as does serious packing time.

Only Aqua SKY SUITES - a new category cabin have Retreat benefits - regular Aqua Class no retreat perks

I thank you for your responses:)

When we sailed the APEX in March, there were servers at every station at the buffet. It worked out quite well; and I assume done due to covid precautions. On the current BEYOND TA is the buffet back to self serve or is the staff still serving? Thanks - hope the rest of your cruise goes well. We actually liked the staff serving at the buffet. Less mess and most likely more safe rather than having all passengers touch the utensils to dish out the food.

I wonder if more staffing is on the way - if more staff are perhaps flying into NYC area to meet ship in Cape Liberty before the next sailing. Even if this is the case - does not help now and they still would need time to train on a new ship. Time will tell if things get better.

Hope things get better somehow as cruise progresses. Appreciate the time you took to post - if you can perhaps give us updates as cruise continues. Boarding in Bayonne, Cape Liberty where your cruise ends. Wishing you smooth seas and hoping things somehow get better.

Sailed APEX and must say breakfast sandwiches there are delicious - never crowded - and nice outdoor seating if you wish - enjoy!!!

This cruise I forgot to mention starts October 26. Thank you if anyone has any confirmation.

Someone in a posting said she might be on "vacation" actually on BEYOND on the sailing from Bayonne Cape Liberty to Ft. Lauderdale repositioning cruise. I do not have instagram - anyone know if this is in fact true? Not captain on this sailing - but vacationing on BEYOND?

Response to wineoclock - we sailed out of Ft. Lauderdale on Apex - back to back - eastern and western Caribbean - we were seated right near podium check in and overheard - staff was polite in their request - not demeaning or anything like that - he simply kept same shirt on and came back in long pants

Charles - that makes sense - we must all be a little patient.

Follow up to Bermuda no longer requiring covid tests. Since we got an email the same day Bermuda relaxed their protocols, I as others assumed that Celebrity had not yet heard of the change which we saw on Bermuda website. Our email said covid tests required to embark for Bermuda. I waited a few days and this morning tried to call - was on hold over 20 minutes, so I took advantage of online chat with rep rather than speaking on phone. I explained I totally understand that Bermuda is still requiring $40 per person fee and an upload of proof of vaccination, but NO longer need to be tested. I explained I got this email from Celebrity saying we needed testing. Rep was abrupt and said it does not matter what Bermuda says - they do not tell us what to do - we are still requiring testing. At that point I said not true - you required testing ONLY because Bermuda would not allow entrance even on board ship if not tested. All other cruises from Celebrity said 9 days or less no covid test needed. He argued and said - we are requiring testing - I said can you check with your supervisor? He said we are told to tell you exactly what is on our website and the website says testing required 2 days prior for Bermuda - so that is what you must do. So, I guess now we wait to see IF Celebrity will change their protocols for Bermuda and post on website. It would be interesting to see if anyone else would call or chat to see what type of answer you get. I still hope they make the change, and just did not yet update the website. And hopefully, anyone on Beyond cruise on the 26th should get a new email with clarification. If anyone else calls or chats - please share the response you got. I almost begged him to go to his supervisor to see if there is a possible change in the wind - and he said we are told ONLY to say what is on the website. So I guess we wait to see what happens. A little frustrated. Quote mfs2k