Arzeena

1 hour ago, h20skibum said:

Well, I just booked another cruise today.  Is it still considered a S2S when you get off one cruise line (Sun Princess), and get on another (Oasis)?
 

Gives us an excuse to stay in Florida longer this winter. 

Excuses excuses!!!!!😁

Enjoy your cruise...s.

24 minutes ago, BillOh said:

Hello all, after all the wait, I am here in Orlando relaxing for a few days before the cruise.  Thanks for getting me this far!

Looking forward to your review and pictures.

When is the cruise?

10 hours ago, Luckynana said:

 

I really enjoy mowing the lawn.  As much as I like my Ryobi electric push mower, my legs can't do the whole front lawn any more, and I now use the ride on mower and use the Ryobi in small areas where I'm not comfortable using the ride-on.  Anyway, after mowing the front yard yesterday, I moved onto the back yard, where there are two trees with low branches that I will ride under, while at the same time, I'm ducking my head and hoping a tick isn't in the tree.  As I got to the first tree, I felt something go into my eye, but I thought it was just pollen.  I continued mowing, and moved on to cleaning pollen off all of the patio furniture.  

 

As I was eating dinner, my eye started really bothering me, and so I moved my finger to the outer part of my eye, and as I did,  I felt a little something there.  As I got it out of my eye, it was a little tiny bug.  I put it on my dinner napkin, and thought to myself, do I see it moving?  I got my old glasses to get a good look, and sure enough, it was moving!   Needless to say, my eye and swollen lid don't look very pretty.  I called my eye doctor at 8:00 this morning and luckily they said come right in.  I was particularly concerned, since i am scheduled for lazer surgery next week on this eye.  The doctor prescribed  antibiotic eye drops and told me no worries....surgery can be done next week.  Phew!!

Good Luck Maryanne!

I am happy you are bug free and good to go.🥰

Excellent review!
Where to next? eagerly awaiting to read the next one 😁
 

18 hours ago, dreamer321 said:

Eden is now up to $85 per person for the regular menu.  If you book pre-cruise you might find a 5 – 8% discount.  

That is what we also found (on the Beyond) too. $85 onboard, $71 on sale in cruise planner, going up to $77. Tasting $115 on cruise planner, do not remember how much tasting was on board. We went both times around 7.30 pm and were seated at window tables. Both times they left a small box of chocolates with a "thank you for dining at the Eden" card at the cabin door. I liked that touch.

My app also said $60 on board....no way now. They need to update that.

18 minutes ago, BecAus said:

The current leg ends in Cape Town on the 27th May - we arrive there for an overnight stop on the 26th.

 

For the Africa diversion RCI offered a couple different options. Basically split into 2 sailings - Dubai to Cape Town & Cape Town to Ravenna. You could get off for one or both of these and receive a full refund.  Quite a few people took up the option.

 

We are getting off in Cape Town and back on in Ravenna. We originally wanted to reboard in Bari, Italy a couple of days before Ravenna but once I realised we would be forgoing the full refund for the 24 days off ship if we did that I quickly changed my mind on that!

 

There is then 2 mini legs following that - Ravenna to Rome and Rome to Barcelona where S3 officially ends.

 

I can honestly say the ship is in excellent condition with no sign of wear and tear. They are constantly doing the regular maintenance that they always do.  IMO you would not think this ship is 20yrs old.

The bed has been super comfortable and our stateroom shows no sign of age and I’ve seen no wear and tear around the ship that I could mention - she looks in great shape. We have really enjoyed being back on a smaller ship after a few years sailing the Quantum class!

Thank you.
We are booked on the Serenade for October, so was wondering about her condition. I had other choices on newer Royal or X ships, but an aft facing balcony, cruising out of Tampa, and great prices trumped.

1 hour ago, Jimbo said:

Ends in Amsterdam where he started, when he stays onboard for his second cruise. He is doing a B2B. Second cruise is going to Norway.

 

The sailing he is on, is the 1st sailing since the ship was in dry dock. So right now the ship is as good as it is going to get.

Thanks Jimbo, but I think we are talking about different ships.

2 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

I think the poster was talking about the Serenade (the topic of this thread) not Jewel.

Yes, about the Serenade. Thank you.

The port pictures are lovely! Thank you! Where does this leg of the sailing end?
 

I was also interested in learning about the ship's condition and maintenance, please? Does it seem very battered? Is it kept clean and up to date? Thank you.

20 minutes ago, mets07 said:

 

I have not been on Summit, but our room including bathroom on Eclipse seemed fairly decent. Perhaps it was refurbished at some point? I know Eclipse goes in for some "work" next year I believe - not sure how extensive.

 

I noticed the curtains and the balcony were worn-looking. The balcony needed a paint job and the chairs on the balcony need to be replaced. The balcony however was nice as we were in a "hump" cabin and hence it was a bit deeper than normal. Here are a few photos in case it helps....

 

We thought the inside of the ship overall was good, although clearly not new. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you! It looks great!

Abby,

We just got off the Beyond. Just have to say WOW, and want to go back again!
Your "live" will not make me miss it too much😁. Thanks for the review and pictures.
 

We loved the Eden dining experience and that lobster casserole.....umm umm umm. Shows were very good, so try to get there.

On 5/13/2024 at 7:47 PM, CTCruiser76 said:

Following, hope you have a great trip, we are on the same itinerary 6/15-6/23!!

 

We are staying in an IV Concierge room.... a little concerned about the popping and noise everyone is mentioning and the lack of a real balcony......but we can't wait, as we need a vacation! 

 

We just got off the Beyond. Our cabin was on deck 7 around the aft elevators. There was no popping, or any noise and it was very quiet. Just reporting. Enjoy your cruise.

@TravelGirlinDallas

Bethany, I remember you asking me to post about my cruise on the Beyond since you are going on it.

FABULOUS. Hope that describes it.
 

And our cabin was very quiet. Did not witness any of the noise that people are upset about. Deck 7, starboard by the aft elevators. Very comfortable room. I never close the folding doors to the infinite verandah and use it as a floor to ceiling ocean view room and that makes the room seem a bit longer. Bathroom was great.

The ship overall is very nice. Lots of interesting art work. Food was great (food is subjective but I thought it was great!). Oceanview cafe food was fantastic (OB,  Attention attention). Out of the 4 dining rooms we went to Cypress the first night. We had a 3 night dining pkg which we used on Eden twice, Rooftop garden grille and once we went to Raw on 5. Among that, I really enjoyed the whole Eden dining experience. Shows were great and I enjoyed them a lot.
I believe you all will have a great time!

12 minutes ago, mets07 said:

Just returned from an 8 day cruise from Cape Liberty, New Jersey .... went up to Martha's Vineyard and then down to Bermuda for 3 days.  Ship was Celebrity Eclipse. It was our first Celebrity cruise and we really enjoyed it. We had Elite status due to match from Royal. 

 

I will post a few pics when I get a chance later. We have been to Bermuda many times and almost all the beaches, so we did a lot of walking on this visit to see some different things. 

 

I would love to know what you thought of the Eclipse vs the refurbished Summit. We are looking at an Eclipse sailing out of FLL and my other choices are Beyond and Reflection. The pictures look like it is in need of a lot of love. And has it been refurbished at all? I do see it got the blue hull and outside stuff done, but am interested in learning about the inside.
 

1 hour ago, bobmacliberty said:

Time for an actual cruising question.  We're doing a family cruise on Wonder in November.  Same old, same old itinerary...St. Maarten, St. Thomas, CocoCay.  I'm looking for ideas on St. Maarten. For our first visit there many years ago (including daughters), we did a round the island tour with Bernard's Tours and enjoyed it.  We've since been to Maho Beach several times, and now typically just do a beach/shopping day in Philipsburg.  The "kids" with us are all in their late 20s and will want to do something more active.  We could try Bernard's again...anyone used them recently?   Any other ideas for something new and different?

I love your same old same old itinerary! 😆
Recently Wonder (especially) and some ships have been modifying this itinerary from St Thomas to San Juan, blaming it on some fueling issue.... so you may not have the same old.😉

About St Marten, I am also in your boat...BTDT on all suggestions.

How about going to Pinel Island and snorkeling there or vegging out on the beach?
 

1 hour ago, jmh2006 said:

We leave on Tuesday the 21st and Dave is having his kidney stone blasted tomorrow 😃.  We are all packed up!  I told him I am leaving with or without you 🤣.

Best of luck. Wish him well. Bon Voyage!

We disembark tomorrow. Short 6 day cruise and enjoyed a lot. Very nice ship. Food is really great....far superior than Royals food. We have been reading reports of noise in cabins, but ours is peaceful and we have not heard disturbing banging or creaking noises. 

We are thankful to be able to cruise.

Bimini. 

Nothing much to see just the most goreous bluest waters. There is Hilton, a Resorts World casino attached to it, a Fisherman Village shopping area, and a tram that takes you around these places and the Bimini beach. Closest walking distance beach right down the pier is Paradise Beach where the water is a blissful blue, but it smells of poop since there a sewer water outlet right there. No facilities but chairs and umbrellas to rent, and snack trucks.

We rode the tram around, walked for a bit and went back on the ship. HOT and sweltering is putting it mildly. 

In the first picture below, the building is the Hilton. Mainly catering to visitors/gamblers on the Balerea and other ferries that come from South Florida.

The "real" anniversary couple are in the room next to us. I see our second hand decorations on their door! 😆.

Greg, 

Wishing you a very happy birthday!

1 hour ago, grapau27 said:

Thank you for posting.

We don't recognise him but we are really sorry to hear the news.

Graham.

I am sorry to hear too. 

3 hours ago, Ocean Boy said:

Congratulations on your anniversary.😊 I wonder which couple is actually celebrating today in a plain, austere cabin with no decorations.🙃

I was just about to post.....when I came back up to the room after coffee a couple hours ago, boom.......the decorations were gone. I laughed so hard. They rectified their mistake. I am happy for the real anniversary couple......at least the poor guy will no more have to sleep on the couch.🤣

Sailing past Cuba.

This came as a surprise....Our anniversary is in September but some kind soul at Celebrity decided it will also be celebrated today.....

14 hours ago, SteelCityCruiser10 said:

Extremely sad & difficult day here.  One of our dogs, Oliver, passed away late last night.  I have always included him and Emma in my Live reports.  I posted about him last week mentioning several of his health issues many of which all culminated recently over the last month.  He is breathing freely now in heaven.  Words cannot express how greatly he will be missed.  He’ll always be my “Goodest and Handsomest Boy” as I told him daily.  Here’s a few of my favorite photos of him.

Cheers to Oliver 🍻

 

 

 

I am very sorry for your loss. I wish you strength.