stevenr597

We completed a Trans-Atlantic on Princess from Southampton this past October. When we book Celebrity we usually go Aqua with Blu (although we were disappointed in the quality and variety of food the last time we sailed Celebrity Reflection.) On Princess we go Mini-suite and Club Reserve. On our last cruise on Princess with C.R., we ate primarily in the main dining room (great brunch on sea days), twice (lunch and dinner) at Alfredo’s and once we had dinner at Horizon Court.

Chartering boats is a double edged sword. Certainly it brings business to the cruise lines, especially if they feel that the need it. But many cruisers would tend to avoid booking on these lines because they do not wish to be on a cruise in which the ship is dominated by a large group with a singular interest.

We recently completed a Trans-Atlantic on Enchanted Princess. Took no more than 15 minutes from arriving at the terminal to board the ship (around noon). Our room was ready for us.

Several years ago we had been booked on Celebrity (Millenium) to take a cruise around Japan. We then noticed that our ship was no longer listed for booking. We did find out that Celebrity had “chartered” the ship out to a large group” but kept previous reservations. We decided that the “group” would be dominating all the venues on the ship and elected to cancel this cruise.

On our last cruise on the Regal Princess, we went, almost every night to the Wheelhouse.\ Bar to listen to Funch on the piano. Had a class of Port while listening. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

We heard a lot about the Yacht Club and Haven, and in fact, considered several times whether to take it. But...you, in the end, are on a mass market ship, and in fact, living in a rather segregated section. Certainly one can spend most or all of the time is the select area referred for these classes. But...in the end, my wife and I have decided that if we wish to go that route, to go to a real up scale ship. There are a variety in this class ranging from Azamara and Oceania, up to Crystal, Seabourne etc. This is one of the reasons why we have some reservations about the new Sphere Class of Princess which is also going in the ship within a ship concept. My wife and I like to stay at the Breakers in Palm Beach, and they are now going to a hotel within a hotel class.

I have found that the cuisine of the cruise lines has decreased over the past several years, probably the result of inflation and the losses sustained by the cruise lines because of Covid. Last year we sailed Celebrity Reflection, Aqua Class, and for the first time disappointed in the selection and size of entrees in the dining room. I got the impression that most of the effort of Celebrity was going into the new Edge Class Princess seem to have the better cuisine, but definitely a departure from the days of the daily “Midnight Buffets” Taking everything into consideration we feel that our best fit is Club Reserve on Princess.

Celebrity has the new Edge Class Ships. Some would argue Celebrity is trying to attract a younger more upscale crowed. The balcony layout (not a real balcony) is disliked by some. Princess has the new the Sphere Class Ships which I believe will be an expansion of their current Royal Class, but have more dining venues, as well as a circular type theatre. After much discussion with my wife, we decided to book the Enchanted Princess. We do like their Club Reserve Mini-suites as well as the design of the ship, including the massive atrium and Horizon Court and Bistro P.S. We had originally planned to cruise on Nieuw Statendam with several stops in Israel, but these port stops have been cancelled due to the unfortunate events.

Over the past year we completed three cruises, one on Discovery Princess, more recent one on Regal Princess and Celebrity Reflection. We were Aqua Class on Celebrity, Club Class and Club Reserve on Princess. Breakfast on Princess and on Celebrity in the dining rooms were limited, especially compared to the buffet. Both were comparable. We ate in the dining room instead of the buffet because the food was delivered hot and we did not have to look or wait for coffee. Lunch on Princess in the MDR was excellent with the inclusion of a Brunch Menu which was fairly good. Dinner on Princess had more variety in the dining room than Aqua Class on Celebrity. On both cruise lines one could see cutbacks continuing after Covid and due to inflation. To be honest, one cannot compare the quality and service of either line to the good old days when there were daily Midnight Buffets and synchronized dining on Celebrity.

There were lines, but most of the people were not Reserve Class, we literally went to the front of the line. Of course at prime dining times, I am sure that there may be some wait, but my experience with club class and the newer reserve class is that they will do everything and anything to expedite one’s seating. Another advantage is that you will be able to get the table size you want, and they also give a preference if you want to sit next to a window.

That is one of the reasons that we liked Regal Princess, with Reserve Class we did not have any wait for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Used to be a choice of balcony vs no balcony. Of course the cruise industry would have to make this choice much more complicated.

We recently completed a 15 day Trans-Atlantic on Regal Princess. The crew was the best, especially those in Horizon Court, and in the Concerto Dining Room. Many of them, especially in the dining room new out names, and our preferences while dining. Have there been cutbacks since "The Good Old Days" Remember the Mid-Night Buffets etc. Indeed, there has, but I do believe that the cruise lines, including Princess are doing their best to make a recovery from the Pandemic and despite inflation.

I may get flamed, but indeed I do. I like a fine cigar, often with a group of people and a glass of wine, preferably a fine port. Don't do it often.

This not only will continue but will increase if the nations with sizeable navy's do not take a stand. The U.S. has a task force in the area. Have they been ordered to "stand down.?"

In respect to smoking, I on some occasons do like a glass of Port and a Fine Cigar. On our last cruise on Princess, I did visit, Churchill's and found that it was filled up with people smoking cigarettes. Needless to say, I did not sample any Cigars on the voyage.

We are booked Aqua Class many times on Celebrity and generally liked the "upgrade" However, Aqua Class, was a bit of a disappointment on our last cruise on Celebrity Reflection. With that being said, on this cruise we will be three in one room, and Celebrity will only permit two in a room for Aqua Class. We did look at Suites on Celebrity, but much more expensive.

My wife and I are planning to take a cruise of the Southern Caribbean, approximately 10 days. We are looking at two fairly attractive cruises, although we give a slight edge to the itinerary from Celebrity. The cruises are: 1) Celebrity Beyond: Premier Concierge Class 2) Enchanted Princess: Reserve Class We have sailed many times on both Princess and Celebrity and like both. We will be a party of 3 and do not qualify for Aqua Class. Opinions......

Trying to get some opinions. We are planning to take a Southern Caribbean Cruise, approximately 10 days. We have seen two attractive cruises: 1) Enchanted Princess Reserve Class 2) Celebrity Beyond...Concierge Class (we are 3 people and will not qualify for Aqua Class Both seem to have fairly good itinerary...although a slight edge may go to Celebrity. Both are fairly new ships. Which would one prefer.

Just received notice that the Nieuw Statendam will not be doing port visits in Israel. Will probably cancel in that this was the major reason why we were taking this cruise. We were planning to celebrate our 50th on this trip. A lot of land tours through Israel have also been cancelled. Probably take my family including grandchildren through the Caribbean instead

Is the Nieuw Statendame in drydock, or has it just completed its refurbishings. In addition what changes, if any, have they made to the ship during Drydock.

Recently checked on our Cruise scheduled to pay port visits to Israel in October. No evidence of any cancellation....yet. Hoping that Holland America hangs on. Right now it can go either way in the Middle East. Not that worried about Hamas, but the situtation in the North could certainly escalate.

Just read that NCL is cancelling all port visits to Israel for 2024. Personally this seems a bit premature to me. We are currently booked to visit Israel on Niuew Statendam next Oct. Wonder if Holland Ammerica will follow NCL's lead.

For the first time in many cruises, we decided to "carry-off" our luggage. We arrived on Deck 5 and had to wait for approximately 30 minutes before we were permitted to leave the ship. Long line, but we quickly moved through immigration. We decided (after a bad experience in Seattle) to not take the shuttle bus, but took a taxi and had quick service to National Rent-a-Car at Ft. Lauderdale Airport.