catsmit

Good luck! Your bid must have been higher than mine.

I just got my “bid unsuccessful” e-mail. I’m shocked, I tell you! 🤣 Good luck on yours!

@Stem to Stern I forgot to mention, it is quite unusual for us to be cruising in the Caribbean. We found the same thing. We generally go for longer cruises, i.e., Transatlantic sailings, Mediterranean sailings, etc. We now give very strong consideration to itinerary & price. If you check my signature, you’ll see what’s up next for us.

We sailed with Captain Kate on the Summit on a Canada/NE itinerary many sailings ago. We have a bid still pending on a SV but we are not holding our breaths. 🤣 I’ll have to check the app on the scheduled entertainment.

We sailed in 2005 on the Zuiderdam (Vista class) on a 7-day Eastern Caribbean itinerary in a Signature Suite (must have been on sale when we booked 😳 ) I don’t remember much other than the oversized cabin. We are booked next year on the Oosterdam (another Vista class ship.) I understand that HAL has been adding their very popular Music Hall which includes BB King Club, Billboard Onboard & Rolling Stone Lounge to their older ships.

We thoroughly enjoy HAL’s pinnacle class ships and everything offered. The cost of the Have It All packages beat Royal’s prices hands down. Not sure about comparing it to Celebrity but HAL’s includes drinks, WiFi, some $ toward excursions & specialty dining (the length of the cruise dictating $ and # of dining & sometimes, the promotion includes gratuities. Roughly speaking, HAL comes to $60/day/person for everything. The music selections on HAL are more to our liking - 60s, 70s & 80s all day long. Live rock & roll band playing 3 sets nightly. Will be interesting to see how Celebrity compares.

Was looking online to purchase a coffee card like the one offered on Royal Caribbean but couldn’t find one offered for purchase by Celebrity. Don’t need to purchase a drink package but would definitely do coffee! Any insights?

Will be moving over from the HAL Nieuw Statendam to board the Celebrity Ascent on Sunday, March 3rd. A side to side is always an adventure and this one shouldn't be too much different since they generally dock nose to tail at Port Everglades (hope I didn't just jinx myself.) Haven't sailed on Celebrity in several years (Summit and Equinox) and never on an Edge class ship; lots to learn. Booked a Prime Oceanview cabin on deck 3 and will have to visit the Tuscany Restaurant for our dinner reservations throughout this 7-day cruise. Have read that each dining restaurant offers the same nightly menu with a couple of items specific to their restaurant but can order any item from any of the complimentary restaurants. Will post as many pictures as I can (hoping the internet is up to the task.) If you have any questions or need any info, I'll try to answer or secure the answer from staff onboard. D+ (400pts) with Royal Caribbean so we'll walk on as Elite on Celebrity and will be looking for the amenities and differences that will be included for DH and I. Looking forward to this new experience without the amusement water parks.

@DragonOfTheSeas Thank you for sharing your experience. What port was this at? Was the shuttle desk inside or outside the terminal as you exited?

I'd hail a cab and make a cash deal and when he hems and haws, remind him, he'll pick up another fare at the Mariner OTS.

We encountered a similar situation in Port Everglades. We had to get from Terminal 18 (Indy) to Terminal 29 (Serenade.) We got the same response onboard the Indy. Take the shuttle, it will be right outside by the other buses, yada, yada. There was no shuttle, no one pier side knew of a shuttle and not walkable. We all but begged one of the bus drivers to drop us off at Terminal 29 on his way out the port area; he was kind enough to do so.

Agree, the view is great for all (roughly) 36 seats.