IV--Would You Book or Book Again?

[cluso]

We are Elite on Celebrity.  We love the water and spend A LOT of time on our balcony.  Not into shows, games, casino, the pool deck. Good food, nice coffee place, gym, walking track, mellow music, a few drinks--we like. We enjoy connecting to the sea; reading, sunning, having meals on the balcony.   We like ports, but have done all the Caribbean ones multiple times.

So far, the IV's don't look like what we would want--based on the previews and maiden voyage. 

Comments/Suggestions?

[cruisestitch]

Dib’t Book Edge, or at least don’t book an IV or a 1A or 1B room.  An SV might be ok, but it’s more money.  Unless something changes, you won’t find any mellow music. So that’s the second reason I say, don’t book it

[RICCruisers]

While we will not be cruising until February, if we had to do it all over again we would be booking Sunset Verandas. They have true balconies. Currently in a Concierge IV. We are not in the Suite market if we want to take more than one trip a year, not only cruises. 

 

The four Main Dining Rooms appear to be an excellent change and the additional lunch venues are also very appealing as a change of pace from the buffet. We have usually eaten several lunches at the Spa Cafe when on board at lunchtime. 

 

We love eating breakfast on our balcony and hope X will improve the table size for balconies that can accommodate larger tables. Footstools would also be nice. 

 

Theater looks amazing to me and with the proper choice of shows could be a game changer. We are not into comedians, guest singers, magicians.  All they need is a stage, microphone and sound system. X  has spent a great deal on the theater and should now spend some serious money on the creative/production side and not cheap out on that side of the entertainment package. 

 

Needless to say, we also hope that the prices moderate a little over the next couple of years. 

 

As always that’s one persons opinion and YMMV. 

[Oville]

We sailed in an IV on11/27 and we didn’t cancel our April ‘19 cruise also in an IV. There is a lot of hysteria on here from people who never stepped on board Edge.

[cluso]

23 minutes ago, Oville said:

We sailed in an IV on11/27 and we didn’t cancel our April ‘19 cruise also in an IV. There is a lot of hysteria on here from people who never stepped on board Edge.

So, what did you think about the IV?  A place to chill out, get rays, read, have breakfast and lunch on the veranda?  Problems with the open/close (override issue, table height for meals)?  Is there a coffee table inside ?

 

[Oville]

25 minutes ago, cluso said:

So, what did you think about the IV?  A place to chill out, get rays, read, have breakfast and lunch on the veranda?  Problems with the open/close (override issue, table height for meals)?  Is there a coffee table inside ?

 

We did not dislike it. If you are looking for a place to get sun like all other ships it depends on where the sun is in the sky.  Interestingly  we spent more time on our IV than we have recently on cruises as we found it quite relaxing.  However it is not a place for lunch or breakfast as the table is not big enough. We had no issues with opening and closing the window.  It was locked for a very short time, my guess a test.  No coffee table, but you already knew that.

Edited December 18, 2018 by Oville

[NJtraveler]

Im on the Edge now, not happy with the IV, much prefer a standard balcony. Would not book Edge again.

[rhodgewald]

Cluso, based on your description above, an IV might not be to your liking as it doesn't feel like a traditional balcony.  That said, two days into our cruise, we are liking it more than we expected.  As has been mentioned on other threads, I think it would be fantastic (and preferred) for a colder weather cruise and would definitely book again under that circumstance.  There are definitely pros and cons with the IV but we are enjoying the opportunity to try something different.

[yorky]

6 hours ago, Oville said:

We sailed in an IV on11/27 and we didn’t cancel our April ‘19 cruise also in an IV. There is a lot of hysteria on here from people who never stepped on board Edge.

Opinions and hysteria are slightly different things.

[B-Rizzle]

6 hours ago, Oville said:

We sailed in an IV on11/27 and we didn’t cancel our April ‘19 cruise also in an IV. There is a lot of hysteria on here from people who never stepped on board Edge.

 

Right? I'm more concerned about sailing with hysterical cruisers than I am about a unique cabin.

[hcat]

For those who have experienced it, would like to hear opinions  about the Enclosed Veranda stateroom....we will have one in a few weeks in AQ class.

 

Will it be easy to open the bi fold doors and close them without moving the chairs?   (Esp for those with arthritis  in hands)  

 

How does open/ closed position affect A/C in cabin and the veranda space?

 

Does the window operation make noise?How long does it take to open and close.?  Do you have to keep your hand on the button.?  How does the window being open affect cabin and Veranda A/C..?

 

When the window is down, can  a  person of avg height ( 5' 5" to 5' 10" )

see out when seated,  or is the double pane too thick.. (someone posted pics someplace..I lost the link, )  Is the window seam/ bar  the same as the  trad balc rail height?

 

Any issues or  comments about the electronic shade  with regard to operation, light/ dark settings, privacy..

 

Will the Tom Tom fit better as an outside table, if we bring the other  one in as a coffee table?

 

Did the cabin feel more closed in?

Does the Veranda feel closed in if the  bi folds are closed?

Is the Veranda a useful space in rainy weather?

 

Thanks ...I will add my comments after our cruise...and also compare to a SV after our Nov cruise...

[bajathree]

I was on Edge in a concierge IV....I would not book an IV again unless maybe if it were for a cold weather sailing like Alaska. It did not have the same feeling at all as a regular balcony cabin like used too. The faux balcony space was small and cluttered with furniture that you were constantly moving around every time you used the space or tried to close the bifold doors. Also not having a curtain inside of the bifold doors was an issue for us...couldn't use while significant other slept in. An IV cabin IMHO is a glorified oceanview cabin with a window that opens.

[hcat]

4 minutes ago, bajathree said:

I was on Edge in a concierge IV....I would not book an IV again unless maybe if it were for a cold weather sailing like Alaska. It did not have the same feeling at all as a regular balcony cabin like used too. The faux balcony space was small and cluttered with furniture that you were constantly moving around every time you used the space or tried to close the bifold doors. Also not having a curtain inside of the bifold doors was an issue for us...couldn't use while significant other slept in. An IV cabin IMHO is a glorified oceanview cabin with a window that opens.

Would there be a way to put up a lightweight curtain with magnets perhaps

., We  sleep fine no matter what,  but privacy when docked might be an issue!

 

[bajathree]

4 minutes ago, hcat said:

Would there be a way to put up a lightweight curtain with magnets perhaps

., We  sleep fine no matter what,  but privacy when docked might be an issue!

 

When I have to start thinking about putting up my own curtain....it's time for me to book another ship 😉 Also I see very limited use of the IV in warm Caribbean weather. The 2 nights we sailed were cool...which worked well for leaving the window open in the cabin...but we immediately saw this as a problem if it was hot out.

[NJtraveler]

Go to you-tube, you will see lots of video reviews showing the IV cabins.

Bob from NJ

[rhodgewald]

It seems like this issue could have been so easily avoided if X would have just put frosted glass rather than clear glass in the veranda doors.  It would have kept the clean look they were going for and allowed for privacy while allow in light.  Now, it still would not have kept the cabin dark if a cabin mate wanted to use the balcony while the other person slept, but it would have at least solved the privacy problem.  

 

To answer the earlier question, I am looking at the doors now, and I do think wrapping paper and tape could solve the problem.

 

When we arrive in our first port, we may close the doors for the air conditioning, but so far they are just an unnecessary decoration in the cabin--we have kept them open the entire time.  If the glass were frosted, I could see us using them.  

Edited December 18, 2018 by rhodgewald
typo

[ohhbother]

We sailed in an IV cabin on the Dec. 1 preview cruise. We would not book one again unless it was for a cold-weather cruise. We are sailing on the Edge again in April - booked in an aft S1. Honestly, we've toyed with canceling the booking, but we've decided to keep it and give the "suite life" on Edge a try. To the questions someone asked above:

 

Will it be easy to open the bi fold doors and close them without moving the chairs?   (Esp for those with arthritis  in hands) 

 NO. You have to move the furniture to open and close the doors. We only tried once -- it was way too much trouble.

 

How does open/ closed position affect A/C in cabin and the veranda space?

If you open the window without closing the doors, the cabin gets very warm very quick. Thus, we didn't open the window very much.

 

Does the window operation make noise?How long does it take to open and close.?  Do you have to keep your hand on the button.?  How does the window being open affect cabin and Veranda A/C..?

The window does make a loud "hum" when being raised and lowered - similar to electronic shades. Probably takes 10-20 seconds, but I didn't time it. I believe you had to keep your hand on the button, but I'm not sure. The window being open completely messes with the cabin AC unless you close the doors.

 

When the window is down, can  a  person of avg height ( 5' 5" to 5' 10" )

see out when seated,  or is the double pane too thick.. (someone posted pics someplace..I lost the link, )  Is the window seam/ bar  the same as the  trad balc rail height?

This is one thing we liked better. You can see more from a seated position. I'm 5'6''.

 

Will the Tom Tom fit better as an outside table, if we bring the other  one in as a coffee table?

There really isn't an "outside." You'd just be moving furniture around in your cabin. You don't ever step outdoors in an IV cabin. You open a large window.

 

Did the cabin feel more closed in?

Not at all. Because the window is so large and part of the cabin, it lets in a ton of light. We liked that part. We could lie on the bed and see outside clearly. It really is more like an OV cabin with a picture window that opens. I would book an IV cabin for a cold-weather cruise for this reason.

 

Does the Veranda feel closed in if the  bi folds are closed?

Yes. It's so small, you feel sort of crammed into a tiny space if you're on the "veranda" with the doors closed. 

 

Is the Veranda a useful space in rainy weather?

We didn't have any rain, but I would think so. It's just part of the cabin that lets you see out. Again, it's not a separate space from the cabin like a traditional balcony. I'm not sure if the captain would let the window be lowered if it were raining. The Bridge has override capability to disable in-room controls. But I'd think it would be fine to open the window unless the wind were blowing rain that direction - it would blow right into the room.

 

[vtcruising]

Yes, you have to hold the button down the whole time for raising and lowering the window. We didn't like that at first, but got used to it. My DH says it took about 15 seconds - I say 30 seconds, so somewhere in that range.  You also have to hold down to lower and raise the shade at the window, but the shade could go up and down automatically when using the cabin control panel. You can push the picture of the shade (see bottom of picture below) on the panel and it will do the opposite of whatever position it is in or can push morning and up it comes and sleep and down it goes (along with the lights). Pretty cool!  🙂

 

 

 

Edited December 19, 2018 by vtcruising

[sunluva]

We had an IV cabin for the Dec 9th cruise. I would never book this cabin again. I was so excited when they were first revealed. I had to have one. Was sooo disappointed.  We are balcony cruisers. We use our balcony all the time. We sat there maybe 10 minutes the whole cruise. 

Between the spray from ocean and some rain, I felt window was constantly dirty and not a very good view. If I wanted a picture I had to hold button down, take picture, put window back up. DH thought it was too warm in there to have window down.  We didn't bother with bifold doors. More of a nuisance. 

It rained one time, beautiful rainbow. Couldn't get window down to take picture. Maybe locked by captain? Jammed? Not sure. 

I would just prefer to have a choice with my balcony and with IV cabin, you don't have a lot of choices.

DH wakes before me and couldn't sit/look out until I woke.  Even though I told him I wouldn't mind if he put curtain up. 

I'm sure most will like it. We absolutely did not! We won't cruise Edge again but will still cruise Celebrity! 

[ipeeinthepool]

8 hours ago, sunluva said:

We had an IV cabin for the Dec 9th cruise. I would never book this cabin again....

I'm sure most will like it. We absolutely did not! 

 

Based on your explanation, I'm not sure I see many reasons most would like the IVs.  I think you have identified the key issues and it's going to be a problem for them as more people experience the IV's and never return.  It's too late for the Edge and Apex, but I hope Celebrity redesigns the IV's for future builds.  After the new ship buzz wears off I see them moving the Edge and Apex to cold weather destinations.

[cruise47]

How is breakfast and dinner in Blu for AQ guests?

[Silkroad]

10 hours ago, sunluva said:

We had an IV cabin for the Dec 9th cruise. I would never book this cabin again. I was so excited when they were first revealed. I had to have one. Was sooo disappointed.  We are balcony cruisers. We use our balcony all the time. We sat there maybe 10 minutes the whole cruise. 

Thanks for your post, sunluva. We felt the same, and have a cruise booked in an IV. I hope we won’t regret it. How often did you find your IV window locked? Would you mind posting your cabin number, and/or posting your cabin information in the Edge cabin spreadsheet  (link below)? 

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2609144-edge-class-cabin-information-compilation-please-do-not-post-cabin-questions-here/

 

Edited December 19, 2018 by Silkroad

[hcat]

Thanks to Oohbother and everyone else for very specific helfpul replies

.

Seems the best plan for us  is to leave the bi folds open most of the time.

Open  the window when needed and save darkening shades for overnight sleep.. 

DH will probably play with all the buttons!  

 

We'll arrange furniture best we can but seems choice will be limited.

 

We'll add our  opinions after the Jan cruise...

[Essiesmom]

Well, I think we would like it.  I am more concerned with  he space in a cabin than the balcony.  We like knowing we have a balcony, but when we have one, we don't use it enough to justify the cost.  But it is irrelevant now, as we wouldn't be able to book one until the price comes down a lot.  EM

[ecslady]

Sailed Dec 9-16 in an IV also. I doubt I will consider an IV again. It felt much more like an oceanview cabin with a window.  The veranda was more like an enclosed porch to me.

 

The stateroom had enough storage and the beds were comfortable. The Teal color accents nicely complimented the neutral tones. We never slid the vanity desk in that is in front of the full length mirror as we needed the counter space. We only closed the IV glass doors once just to see how they closed.  There are lots of gaps. Otherwise, they stayed open the whole cruise. Anyone I spoke to never closed them either. 

 

The veranda area is real tight, and I thought the chairs were uncomfortable.  I ended up taking one of the king size bed pillows, turned it vertically and put it behind my back for cushioning and also it allowed me to rest my head back a bit. We also used one of the big square Kelly Hoppen pillows as a footrest on top of the small table.  When you open the window, the AC shuts off and the cabin gets warm rather quickly.  We did not have it open that much because of this.  The buttons to operate the window were very tempermental.  If you didn't press the button in the exact spot, the window did not move.  There were times I thought it was broken. Thankfully, it was not.  The shades worked fine, and it was easier to use the control by the door for this.

 

The captain disabled the windows several times.  It shows up on the keypad by the door as "Window Disabled".  The were disabled on embarkation day, debarkation day, at least twice during the cruise when they were washing the windows, and then on the last sea day for a while due to rain.

 

My suggestions to X:  Remove the glass doors and the shades, and put drapes back up where the doors currently are. At least then you can peak out in the morning, and one person can sleep while the other is sitting on the "enclosed porch".