Mark_T

For us the, the first failing that is keeping us off the 'E' class is the selection of premium dining options... We greatly enjoy Murano and there is no equivalent on the 'E' class ships, even with the addition of 'Le Voyage' on Beyond. Similarly Tuscan has a variety of choices that were stripped away with the move to 'Fine Cut'. Our preference these days is to sail in a veranda cabin rather than The Retreat, and make the premium dining options our MDR. On 'E' class ships those options feel like 'one & done' with little reason to return for a 2nd or 3rd meal as we would do on Silhouette or Eclipse for example. Then you have the 'Infinite Veranda' which isn't a veranda... I appreciate that some like them, but we value the ability to get properly outside even when it isn't necessarily blazing sunshine and no wind, and these don't do it for us. The DPV option delivers a 'veranda' that gives almost no space at all so that one isn't appealing either. Along with the veranda issue to have the lack of anywhere to view in the direction the ship is sailing, it really is unbelievable that they have chosen to make this a 'Retreat' only feature of the ship... Even if there were no other issues for us, this one would be enough on its own to rule out the 'E' class... It isn't a problem though, we just avoid the 'E' class ships, and leave them for those who do enjoy them.

Obviously a personal opinion, but I don't think the Edge class is aimed at 'veteran' cruisers... It certainly doesn't appeal to us at all, but as long as there are new cruisers who do like it then it is good for business...

Correct, the volume is a limit on the maximum size of the 2 bottles you can bring onboard, it doesn't permit you to bring on 4 smaller bottles. So it just comes down to "Do you feel lucky?"...

There are 2 versions of each Apple Watch, the cheaper one is GPS only and relies on the connection to your iPhone, the more expensive version is GPS + Cellular and has its own direct connection to cellular services, not requiring the iPhone...

That is not a guaranteed perk of a suite and will vary by level and Butler... Neither are automatically included for all suites in the Retreat, check the perks of the suite you have booked to avoid disappointment...

Do check your 'Roll-Call' thread as there are often others arranging local tours looking for more to join them...

... it can't be used for room service though... ... but yes, everywhere else including the MDR and the speciality restaurants.

Not sure that Sushi on 5 is much of a guide to how the discount will be handled at the other locations as there is no advance payment required for a booking there...

As long as you enjoy what you are eating, it is all good of course. Generally though the powder versions have wasabi as the last ingredient on the list and will primarily use horseradish, and will taste like the typical restaurant product. It is good that we have the option on the ship to get the real thing.

As it should be, the fake version usually uses horseradish and mustard and will generate that burning sensation up through your sinuses, the real one is softer and actually has flavour not heat.

One is wasabi, the other isn't.. it is one of the industry-wide 'secrets' but it is understandable as the real wasabi has to be prepared fresh as it loses its flavor within 15 mins or so of preparation.

... was about to say we had seen mayo at the Mast Grill as well.

Sometimes if you have upgraded to Premium after having Classic on your initial booking, the Premium doesn't shown until after final payment when all the package elements get properly unbundled. We are in that position at the moment, it shows on the final invoice but not yet in the Cruise Planner... Generally sorts itself out, but if it is still wrong after Check-In, a quick phone call should sort it out.

That should still have been covered by Apple I'd have thought? There was another thread around here recently where the 'Genius' found they had the original date of sale to Celebrity as the warranty start date but they were able to get that corrected as Celebrity are an official Apple sales partner apparently...

I think I've said this before, and it is not personally directed at you, but since you made the request, I wonder if I could make a reciprocal request... It would be a wonderful thing if those used to the high-tipping culture of the US would also re-think their position when in countries where it is not culturally normal to tip so highly, or indeed to tip at all in some cases. It has a negative impact for the local population when foreigners don't confirm to the local customs, which I think is something we could agree on perhaps?...

To avoid any misunderstandings, the 'tip' on UK (... and Australian) originating cruises is already included in the pricing for the bars and restaurants. So a $60 up-charge for Murano for example becomes $71 on those cruises. Similarly the drink prices are increased and the allowance for the AI package along with it ($15 for the premium package becomes $18)

Since you say you are pescatarians rather than vegetarians you will have some good options in Tuscan, go expecting a typical American Italian steak house experience and you will not be disappointed, it is not 'fine dining' though.

In the interest of accuracy, I did say I would seek 'clarification' certainly not intending to conduct a detailed investigation, and certainly not by questioning multiple staff, far better things to be doing onboard 🙂

If you booked and paid after they started adding the gratuity then no, you will not be paying again. If you booked and paid before they started adding the gratuity then others have reported having the gratuity added onboard the ship.

Entirely speculation, as is so often the case in these matters 🙂 ... it has more to do with the way this has been implemented, previously the cover charge included gratuity, and many, myself included, tipped extra on top... If the cover charge had simply increased, nothing would have changed and I would still be tipping on top. By adding the mandatory 'gratuity' instead of raising the cover charge, I believe it will greatly decrease the additional tipping, but I remain concerned, without any evidence, that this move has more to do with price increases than increasing the amount available to staff as tips... If the opportunity arises I'll seek clarification once onboard.

The problem is in the reaction of the guests who were choosing to leave additional tips anyway, who will now either leave less or nothing as they have already had this service charge applied to the bill...

...one subtlety though, where the cruise departs from the UK/Australia (... or NZ?) ... the prices charged include the gratuity on the drink packages and the dining.

... and that remains my concern, as this certainly does nothing to benefit the staff, if the service charge doesn't make its way into their pockets and I would expect that it will have had a significant impact on the number of people leaving additional tips...

Strictly speaking this is the correct answer as the 'A La Carte Menu' also lists the option of caviar (at market price) in addition to the prix fixe menu elements.

Your previous identical post already received several helpful replies...