fsdorado

22 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

As one approaches the terminal DO NOT pull in to the right. Stay to the left and go down to the front of the terminal at the other end of building. If you miss the stop, no problem. One can really go no farther, has to make a u-turn about where the bus on the left in photo is. Go to stop sign and make another U-turn, and try again.

We were way too excited to take pictures of the boarding process.  Your photos are very helpful!!

35 minutes ago, cangelmd said:

I understand your pain - in your logical brain, you know that you are safer than even in NYC, but it is HARD to let go, because your “gut” doesn’t feel safe. It will come, stay out of elevators with more than 2 people and know you can always walk away.

 I got nothing for your other issues with Luminae and checkin, other than to take note for our upcoming Edge cruise. Also, usually Luminae will get less busy as the week wears on.

Question, if you have a chance could you let me know what the situation in Tortola and St Maarten is? Can you get off on your own or is it Celeb tours only? Thanks in advance.

Do your best to chill and relax, you have a beautiful cabin to relax in!y

When we were in Tortola and St. Maarten on 2/9-10, you could go off on your own.  But before we boarded on 2/6, you could only go on Celebrity Shore Excursions in Tortola.  We found out after we boarded that the requirements had changed.  The best thing to do is check this web site often - Travel Requirements for US Cruises | Celebrity Cruises - and scroll down to the "While Ashore" section for the latest requirements.

1 minute ago, MarEll1 said:

We will just stay to the left and not go on any escalators! Thanks for the clarification 

Get there around 10:30 (before general boarding starts).  There will be a lot less non-Retreat passengers.  We had one of the shore staff escort us directly to the elevator.  Have a great cruise!!

Frederick

30 minutes ago, crusinthrough said:

The escalators are in the same building.  Maybe you did not notice them.  I went left as well to an elevator, which lead up to the suite lounge .  

 

Here is a picture of the front of the building.  When I went in August, I did not see the escalators but I went in the doors on the left behind the pillar that are closed in the picture.  This time I went in the open doors.  I presume since I was there early the doors on the left were not open yet.  

It's entirely possible that we didn't notice.  There weren't any non-Retreat passengers boarding so the area was empty.  We were just very excited that, after so long, we were actually boarding a ship!!  In any case, bear left for the Retreat check-in area.

Frederick

3 hours ago, MarEll1 said:

We are sailing in Retreat on Edge next Sunday. Just to make sure I understand, when we go to the left (not up the escalator), is there an elevator we take to Retreat boarding area? Thanks for your help!

We went thru a completely separate door to the far left.  We never went into that corridor with the escalator.  We were escorted to an elevator that took us to a dedicated x-ray and metal detector for the shoreside Retreat Lounge.

15 hours ago, crusinthrough said:

I was on the Jan 30th sailing as well.  I was one of the first people to arrive around 10:30 am.  When I went in the terminal there was a sign to the left that said "Retreat Check In".  This is where I walked.  There was an escalator on the right.  

When we checked in at the beginning of February, we didn't even go thru those doors.  We went thru a separate door on the left and straight to an elevator.

When we boarded at the beginning of February, we had a check-in time of 11AM.  We got to Terminal 25 around 10:45 and were escorted up to the shoreside Retreat Lounge.  We were surprised to find it packed, with very few seats.  We ended up standing along a counter area in the back of the room.  A Retreat Concierge did come by and check us in where we were waiting.  We boarded around 11:15.  Overall, it was a quick and painless process.

Frederick

4 hours ago, JFontaine said:

Actually,  the protocols changed a couple of weeks ago,  well after I booked, but definitely known to me. The only "surprise " is my own mental status, a by-product of the last 2 years, enhanced by living and working in NYC. I hope this thread might help prepare others like me to adjust their expectations prior to boarding. 

I totally understand how you feel.  We've been living in lockdown for so long, especially those of you in NYC.  It felt very weird to be around that many people again, even though there were only 1000 passengers on our sailing at the beginning of February.  Have a great cruise!!  We loved the Edge!!

Frederick

We were on the Edge a few weeks ago (the last sailing before the mask policy changed back to pre-Omicron).  We got to Terminal 25 around 10:45 AM and there were no lines for either suites or regular check-in.  This was our first time in a suite.  We knew there was a separate check-in area (and process) for Retreat guests.  We showed the people near the doors our Express Pass and they escorted us up to the shoreside Retreat Lounge.  We were quite surprised to see how full it already was.  We had read that you shouldn't get to the pier before your check-in time (11AM for us).  There were no seats available in the lounge.  One of the Retreat Concierges did come and complete the check-in process where we were waiting.  Overall, it was a very quick and painless process.  We were cleared to board by 11:15.  I imagine if we got to the pier later, we would have had a different experience.  OP, I hope you enjoy your cruise!!

Frederick

On 2/11/2022 at 9:31 AM, Covepointcruiser said:

Funny about Tortola, is Pussers so longer there?    it was always such a fun place with, obviously, great rum.    A good alternative if you are not into snorkeling or sailing.

We were on Edge last week as well.  Pussers is still open.  It wasn't crowded at all when we stumbled across it after our snorkel excursion.  The shop in the back has some interesting stuff.  When we were planning ports, you couldn't explore on your own in Tortola.  Apparently, this changed last week so after we got back from our excursion, we changed into dry clothes and wandered out to explore the town, what there was of it.  We didn't end up eating anything there because we had a reservation at Fine Cuts in a couple of hours.

Frederick

4 hours ago, blueskadoo said:

Hi again all. Things are looking positive for our holiday. I just realized that they recently "upgraded" their phone system at his job, and now everyone is using a VoIP phone number and he downloaded the app for it (its Ring Central I think? He says its like skype on steroids). Anyone use something like this to get around potential weak signal? I know one particular cruiseline that's known for "fun" has been blocking WiFi calling that goes straight through the phone, but this app thing might be a game changer. Anyone used something similar?

We just got off Edge on Sunday and had the streaming package.  We were in a Sky Suite, so we had a WiFi access point in our cabin.  We got reliable Internet access when in our cabin until the whole system went down on Saturday for several hours.

We just got off the same itinerary.  The first Evening Chic night was Nassau.  We were only in port from 7AM - 2PM so it wasn't really an issue.  As far as the breeze at the Rooftop Garden Grill, it really depends.  It's quite a haul from Nassau to Tortola.  We were going 19+ knots most of the way.  You might want to pick a different night to dine outdoors.

Frederick

3 hours ago, eas2225 said:

Just got off yesterday(sad face), and was told masks will no longer be required except in the theater and casino, effective 2/13.  We had 1100 passengers onboard, and on the last day we were told that there were 2 positive cases.

 

You could disembark at any of the ports we visited and tour on your own.

 

As far as I know, vaccination and negative test results are still required to board.

 

 

We also have sad face from disembarking yesterday as well.  The requirements to board have not changed but it's always a good idea to check the web site referenced above for the absolute latest requirements.  For example, in the week leading up to our sailing, ship shore excursions were required for Tortola.  When we boarded, that requirement was dropped.  I also heard there there were two total positive cases on our sailing but I also heard that they were not passengers but crew members.

One thing we did notice was in the main dining rooms, it was a good idea to make a reservation if you wanted to eat at a specific time.  I think this was more due to staffing issues than open tables.  Because we only had 1100 passengers, the pool area and the bars were never very crowded.  The total number of passengers for your cruise will likely be higher now that it looks like the fear from the Omicron spike is going away and demand is increasing.

Frederick

1 hour ago, DaKahuna said:

When Lobster is served in Luminae I usually either or an additional Lobster tail from the MDR menu or a filet from the kids menu.  I do like the champagne sauce though but not enough to have two servings of it. 

I got the herb encrusted lamb chops and a lobster tail.  I was so full after the delicious lamb, my wife had to eat half my lobster!!

We were just on a similar itinerary on Edge.  They served lobster on the second Evening Chic night, which was the day after St. Maarten.  As others have said, don't be afraid to ask for an extra tail.  They will happily accommodate you.  Enjoy your cruise!!

Frederick

For anyone aboard, have they made any announcements about the number of positive cases this week?  We're scheduled to board on Sunday and are hoping (probably not very realistically) that this cruise will be below whatever the threshold is to go back to the "no masks onboard" rule.

Frederick

1 hour ago, sjayo said:

Hey GenX, if you decide to stay on the ship next week after flying your husband down, Sara and I would be delighted to treat both of you to dinner in Eden. 

Jay and Sara

We are also schedule to board on Sunday and would love to meet you as well!!

Frederick

27 minutes ago, Straughn said:

I was on Edge last week. The Captain announced two cases of Covid-one on Wednesday and one on Friday. There were just under 1000 passengers.u

Thanks!!  That's a nice low percentage of passengers testing positive.  Hopefully this is a trend!!

Frederick

I think the cruise lines know that PCR tests can show a positive result for months.  The CDC recommends using an antigen test instead of a PCR test to determine if a person is infectious.  I would hope that the cruise lines would do the same, but you never know.  The situation and recommendations continue to evolve.

Frederick

18 minutes ago, CruiserFromSC said:

Sorry, Frederick, just saw your question.  Both my husband and I tested positive for Covid once we got home.  On the plus side, at least we didn't have to quarantine or isolate on the ship!  As has been answered, we did not have a pole.  I researched the deck plan beforehand and we chose these cabins just for that reason.  Unfortunately, I did not do this research before I booked the Beyond for a B2B in Sep/Oct and we do have a pole.  Princess problems, I know!

 

Thanks for letting us know.  I hope you two get well soon!!

Frederick

@GenerationX If you get a chance, please find out what the infection rate was on the last sailing.  We're scheduled to board in a week in a Sky Suite for the first time and are very closing following your adventures.  Have a great cruise!!

Frederick

7 minutes ago, Ken the cruiser said:

Here's one way to look at any menu on an upcoming sailing (if posted):

 

If you pull up the Celebrity App,

then click on the icon with a "o" on top of a box in the upper right-hand corner,

then click on "Select a different sailing",

then go all the way to the bottom and select "Get more details on ships we support",

then click on Celebrity Edge,

then click on the earliest sailing,

then click on Dining and then choose accordingly.

 

Nice trick!!

14 hours ago, CruiserFromSC said:

 

I just got off of Edge today (SS 10159) and the balcony doors can be opened.  It was lovely to sit out in the afternoon with snacks and be able to chat and see our friends. 

We are scheduled to board Edge on 6Feb22 and will be in SS 10159.  We won't know our neighbors (yet).  Was there an aforementioned pole on the balcony?  Anything we would need to know about?  We're getting very excited!!  Thanks!!

Frederick

OP, a bunch of us scheduled for the 2/6 sailing are watching this thread with baited breath as we all try to decide whether or not to cancel.  Thanks for the updates and have a great (and safe) cruise!!

Frederick

Whale watching might be a good choice.  Which stop would have the best chance of seeing whales?  Thanks!!

Frederick