Lastdance

Unfortunately, they are missing for others - Ascent for one. There is no clear policy, but definitely a way to proceed up the chain. Hopefully, for those of us who frequent Celebrity, this issue will become moot. Yes, loungers are alive and well, but on some ships they are in hiding🤷‍♀️. Hopefully, more positive information will be forthcoming on the return of loungers.🥰 I welcome being told that the individual that called me was wrong about loungers, or misspoke; maybe just a communication error that will rectify itself! ~Happy cruising!

I am a “why” person, so for me trying to understand things is very important. Rather than constantly being inconsistent, why not just spell it out and be truthful? Is that too much to ask for by those of us who are trying to understand this situation? As customers paying their hard-earned money, transparency is very important. Why are we governed by those who continually cause issues leading to the exclusion of items that cruisers love and want to have because this has been the norm, or is there something else driving the removal of loungers from balconies then just safety? I feel very sorry for those crew members who have to listen to passengers tying to understand why they cannot have loungers for their balconies. That is why I have chosen not to book sunset suites; the loungers were a very important part of my cruise experience!

We also have done it onboard with great success at each restaurant. When it did not happen at Eden and we did not have a good experience, our dinner was completely refunded.

I am on that TA, arriving early AM at PC on November 1. Actually, I wish that it was in mid October. Anyway, just hoping the reverse will be easier, in terms of getting to the airport etc; however, my SIL lives relatively close to Ocala, so visiting her after spending 24 days on Apex...enjoyed our 26 days when visiting Israel a few years ago. Presently, I am working on getting from the cruise port in Lisbon to our car rental and driving to Algarve for next spring, so PC should be much easier. TBD!

Even the Moon isn’t the last frontier, but it can appear that way to those of us who haven’t been. Just like everything else, we all have different filtering systems🤷‍♀️. Your poetic license is still valid🥰,along with the ability to update!

Maybe...book a cruise that is longer and outside the Caribbean? I only book longer cruises where the demographic is quite different, not displaying so much of the “party vibe, or “float the boat.” However, that is just me and how I chose to vacation, along with spending my money. Entitled people are everywhere, but there are itineraries where the vibe is much more inviting and enjoyable. Also, when Celebrity took away all those balconies, it made the other venues onboard more crowded, IMHO. Furthermore C exacerbated the need to travel and do whatever made you happy...the "heck with others” mentality. I love my peace and quiet, but am not a solarium seeker due to a variety of reasons. Anyway, I hope you find what makes you happy🥰

miched, you just painted the worst scenario for me...IV and cruising in the Caribbean. To me that sounds like the cruise to Hell-o. Anyway, I will be trying the IV, but it will be in late October, so hopefully a better time and itinerary to see for myself. Putting so many of these on a ship made the SV’s and suite prices even higher. I can see them for colder and wetter areas as a choice/category for those who are not that fond of wind and other elements of weather.

Your phots and commentary are excellent. We have this cruise on our radar, but the ship will depend on what is available due to the new rules. Then it will be off to Austria to visit the northern side of the gorgeous Dolomites. Several years ago, we canceled this cruise due to friends wanting to get-together on a cruise, along with us being the ones to cancel. So happy that your weather is cooperating!

I have both an SV and Sunset Suite booked on Apex for a b2b/ TA. If there is not a lounger on both, I will take my concerns up the chain of command, as that is why I book and enjoy those cabins/suits. Oceania makes one pay upfront for their excursions now9included), so that may be one and done for us next May. I hear you loud and clear! I hope you get a reply from the EO, but my phone call from a Celebrity rep was just about safety, so no loungers, period! Please share get you get a response, as there has to be a way to resolve this situation. I always have insurance, so if I do something stupid on my balcony, it should cover me.🤷‍♀️

When you said “those tags can be fun,” I immediately thought about my first time using one. It kept popping up on my phone and sharing all kinds of information whether my bag was with me or not. Once I arrived home, I still received messages and had to call Apple for a fix. It seems I was one of those people where the tag went wack-a-doodle. Finally, the issue was fixed by the next trip.

So, what suite exactly was in the photo? I did not recognize it, but it didn’t look very fabulous either, especially comparing it to just a Sky Suite! Way more crew than needed, or much needed vacation time for some? I may feel a little out of place with the group, but could make it work, I guess🤷‍♀️

I do not envy you on those long flights; however, the reward will be great! I must get to Trieste, as my dad always had so many fond memories that he shared many, many years ago. Until I do, my first O cruise(TA next May on Vista)the second booking may not happen due to the money given for ship’ excursions. Only time will tell. I hope you have a lovely cruise and land experience. Also, enjoy traveling with friends, as those moments are special!

You will definitely enjoy those excursions. My fav was the sea plane, but I also enjoyed our whale watching tour, although we only saw one whale. However, we saw over 20 bald eagles that were just magnificent! Seeing a moose give birth to twins up by Denali was such an ahhh- moment and surprise that could have easily been missed! Have that phone/camera ready and charged at all times. Enjoy your cruise and really pay attention to all that beautiful scenery because you never know what might be just behind those trees, or in the water. Looking forward to your review and hope getting to the port is easy-peasy!

If you cannot make up your mind, there are plenty of drivers waiting before you enter Old Town. Our personal tour guide is not doing tours any longer because we tried to book him for last year. Hopefully, those who have done a CE can share their thoughts; a small group would be a good one, IMHO, if it meets your criteria. Also, just trying to give you a taste of the beauty of Montenegro as it is magical when sailing into this area, not to mention a beautiful Old Town and area with a wall that you can walk if the ship excursion does not work. There is no wrong answer, just lots of drop-dead scenery!

Unfortunately, I do not take excursions by Celebrity due to large groups, along with paying more except if just two of you go. Kotor, Montenegro is absolutely wonderful, whether you just tender into town, on your own, or take an excursion. We have been there several times, doing the town on our own just last year. Since your wife is limiting you to Celebrity excursions, those will limit the time you are in port, but research and see what interests you both the most. The photos below are of Old Town, taking the first tender in the morning...(sorry about the double video, as it will not allow me to delete!) IMG_2170.mov IMG_2170.mov

Your money; your choice! Are you a gambler? Would you be okay if the cabin was obstructed? The value is very minimal, IMHO! Value for location might make it desirable, but when you bid, you give up control of what is a known entity. What is your opportunity cost for the unknown, or what you hope to gain? Good luck if you make that choice!

I hear you loud and clear; this age limit thing is definitely a bummer. “Sorry, you are too old,” would make my blood run cold, but we do not do Celebrity’s shore excursions. I know all too well about insurance, but love it when the age goes up to 99! So sorry that age has discriminated against your favorite catamaran excursion with an arbitrary number; however, you can still seize the day using other tours...it is very difficult for companies to get past the norms on insurance, but that will never stop us from doing everything we can to stay healthy!

I will be in an IV on Ascent for its fall TA, so whether I like it for not will definitely give me time to access the pros and cons. I prefer suites/SV’s because of being outside and more emersed with the sea air, but going with an open mind, especially if a MoveUp is not in my future. Okay, so I am very skeptical, but this trip will determine whether I ever book this in the future..Concierge GTY because that was all that was open except a rediculous price for a suite! My DH said to just book it!

I also have vertigo, but have stayed in a Sunset suite and SV on Apex for a b2b crossing the Atlantic. I never had one episode at all. I was on deck 11 for both cruises.

We also booked an SV and Suite for Apex’s October TA(b2b), so I actually watched those two types of cabins/suites disappear fast. I guess the early bird getting the worm is alive and well. Actually some suites were greyed out only to appear. We booked in early December for our October 25 cruises.

I would venture to guess that all of us have had those moments, but some of us wouldn’t be as honest as you. It is all good!🥰

I booked my first GTY cabin. Location and over-booking were the first two concerns that came to mind with Ascent’s TA. We had a suite on a Caribbean cruise for November, but I canceled that due to my last Caribbean Cruise and something the OP mentioned-crowds. However, the stock is doing great and yes, retirees are spending their money. I don’t believe in a perfect vacation, but I certainly have had some that were, IMHO, very close. Those were vacations that had a variety of experiences, not just cruising or in the Caribbean.

I am doing Vista with an open mind; new ships are my choice for cruising, so starting with a TA next May, 2025. If this goes well, then I will look at Allura’s itineraries, along with those on Vista. We love eating outside, not to mention do not need a lot of assistance with anything. I love hearing that ships do not feel crowded, as that is my hope for a smaller ship experience. If one does not try a new cruise line, new experiences will be lost for sure. Celebrity’s suite prices on her new ships, especially in Europe are just crazy, so trying a PH to see if that works for us. My only concern is the gym, but my DH tells me not to worry; I will be fine with just cardio and a few weights.

We do not do our first smaller ship until next May, a TA from Miami to Lisbon. My DH and I are anything, but the norm on cruises, so will use the same strategies with a little tweaking onboard...LOL! We do love traveling in suites, so that is a plus, but costs a lot more too. Timing/planning helps too, but dependent on excursions etc. We also stay away from the Caribbean too; we did that last December and found the crowds to be everywhere onboard and very slow-moving, mostly due to “float the boat” by a lot of Floridians who can just jump on a cruise and go with that Florida’ discount. So, maybe a huge plus for some, just a negative for us. Everyone is different with what they consider to be a great cruise, or one that is more appealing to their liking. Differences make the world go round.

We are doing the reverse a year from November, so are able to visit friends and relatives. I was wondering the same about the PC area and rental cars that would be one way.