Silkroad

I agree with @terrydtx that Celebrity has a contract with the shipbuilder for five ships. The contract would include specific design specifications, some of which would be impossible or quite costly to modify. This means it’s unlikely that Celebrity will either abandon the fifth ship build or pay for expensive structural modifications. While it is true that RCL - like every other publicly held cruise company - emerged form the pandemic shutdown burdened with unanticipated debt, that is not the only reason Celebrity would be unlikely to commit to a new build for some time. Historically, there have been lulls between build cycles. There was a gap of six years between the launch of the last Millennium class ship (Connie) and the launch of Solstice. There was also a gap of six years between the launch of the last Solstice class ship (Reflection) and Edge.

Following. Looking forward to another fantastic voyage with you and your DW🙂

Thanks for posting the link here, Ken! I’m looking forward to following along. - Michelle

I was able to get a price drop in the form of additional OBC (around $600 I think) after final payment. This was in October 2021. It’s possible the rules have changed, but it’s worth a try. Good luck!

I hope this works out for you! Changes like this are more stressful when you’ve already booked flights and you’re meeting up with loved ones.

I know. I'm sorry. I'm still trying to decide whether the Ascent TA works for us, but we certainly can't find another alternative for the 2nd leg of our b2b. If they'd included Infinity, we would have possibilities.

We’re booked on the spring TA and subsequent cruise. Third try to celebrate our milestone anniversary in the Greek Isles. Sigh.

I mean exactly what I said. The Premium wines I have found available aboard Celebrity ships since October 2021 have - with few exceptions - not been the same quality I found pre-pandemic. I am always pleasant to the wine stewards, but they can’t supply something they haven’t got. Chianti Classico means nothing in itself. Some Chianti Classico is lovely while some is rubbish. I post based on my experiences and my taste buds. You post based on yours.

Beautiful photos! I’m finding your posts and photos quite helpful for planning our Alaskan cruise. We had planned some of the same activities, so it’s lovely to read about your experiences.

Thanks for posting your very helpful review! We’re taking our first cruise to Alaska next year (on Solstice) and I’m in the research phase. We’re familiar with the Solstice class ships, but Vancouver port and Alaska are new to us.

Perhaps because most of us have friends who also sail other lines. And Celebrity does sail from Miami. I’ve departed from Miami myself.

I’m so happy you had a wonderful cruise! I did wonder if Wi-Fi was the issue. It’s a pity you had to waste time trying to post. I am looking forward to the rest of your wonderful review🙂

I agree. I’d also like them to try to consistently find a Premium wine or beer to accompany their meals.

Why😝 Why did you remind me of the existence of that song? I had successfully buried it in the deepest recesses of my mind😂

The movie was “Dolores Claiborne”. I’ll admit that I had to check IMDb for the title because I could only remember the names of some of the cast (Kathy Bates, Christopher Plummer). I agree that the increased ROI on CDs and some other investments helps offset the cost of cruising.

Everything looks wonderful! I can’t resist the mulligatawny soup either. Yan was our sommelier in December. She helped make our dinner at Eden even better! Of course I already booked Eden for our Iceland/Ireland cruise next month😋

I’m liking most of your first day thus far. I always head straight for the Indian dishes too😋 Your “Karen” ice breaker was brilliant! I’ve already shared it with my sister who is a smoker. We’ll owe you a Guinness for that one. Oops. No Guinness in cans on the first day. Alan says he’s had trouble getting anything but bottles of Guinness in OVC. He did find cans in Eden bar on Apex. I hope you found some!

We had 8314 for a b2b in the Caribbean this past December. We enjoyed our wake view very much, but not at midday. We had bar soap but I didn’t pack enough shampoo and conditioner. I won’t make that mistake in July!

We docked at Langelinie quay when we called at Copenhagen in the summer of 2018. We were aboard Silhouette. I don’t know if that’s where Celebrity ships always dock. It’s possible that you may find information on the roll call for your cruise. You can also check the port forum: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/116-northern-europe-amp-baltic-sea/ This excellent live review may give you another data point:

Thanks for this tip, Norris. I much prefer this format to constant narration or music. We’re on the final stretch for our Norway/Iceland & Ireland b2b and your lovely review is like a gift from the heavens! - Michelle

Join me for happy hour. You’ll feel better😂 Cheers🍷

You trying to drive me crazy? I’m ready to declare Friday happy hour at 3:30 on Thursday😜😂

Understood, but it was definitely on the lunch menu on the app when I checked today (for the 24 June departure on Equinox). Yes, I agree that the app isn’t error free. I can also attest to the fact that - post pandemic anyway - dishes on the paper menus for the MDR weren’t always available (and not because they ran out). I guess we’re back to someone onboard taking the time to dine in the MDR on the night the paper menu includes a burger.

Looks like you are correct! Here’s a screenshot of an MDR lunch menu burger for one of the sea days on the Equinox cruise departing on the 24th. I don’t see a burger on the dinner menu for that cruise. It was also on the day 2 lunch menu.

Could be. I’m sure we’ll have a boots on the ground review soon.