Cruising on the EDGE - some questions

[AllureOfVacation]

When I think of our first and last Celebrity cruise in 2017, the following things come up my mind: too many dishes including arugular, dirty plates in MDR and pickles on ocean facing windows in the buffet. This did not ruin our vacation, but that first impression was not up to par with what Celebrity positionts itself. But, it is time for a second chance.

 

We are not loyal to any mass market line, so why not giving Celebrity another try? We now booked the Edge. After watching the promo videos, I imagine cruising on the Edge will widen your cultural horizon and positively tangle all your senses. At some point I lost track counting how often they said "sophisticated" in the videos.

 

Only a few cabins are booked until now on that particular sailing , so we were overwhelmed with making a choice. But the agent from the Celebrity call center was so helpful, I think I have never spoken before to someone from any company who had such a good knowledge about a product. Even if this sailing will not go (late October 2021), I will let Celebrity know about his customer-oriented skills and know-how.

 

After booking, there are now some questions left, maybe some of you can help with your experience

 

1.

With what we booked, we now have the Premium Drinks Package. Is it possible to upgrade into the Drinks & More Package? We would have spent the $ in the Casino anyway, so with the daily replenishment of the minibar it seems like a good deal. Is it possible to make a choice what the minibar shall be stocked with? Like soft drinks only? Maybe someone has some experiences with that Package

 

2.

We are interested in three of the speciality dining restaurants, but we understand we can book them directly in the cruise planner or as a package with a better rate. But it seems we have no restaurant and time choice with a package. Is it difficult to change assigned restaurants and times once onboard? e. g., we do not want to rush from an excursion back to the ship to catch a very early assigned reservation for a restaurant we do not prefer to dine at.

 

3.

Do all people on board move in slow motion like the people from the promo video? Will they give us a glass of wine for all the day to look more elegant while doing the slow motion? I can not wait to take a seat at the Martini Bar, in slow motion, with my merino wool pullover carefully placed on my shoulder.

 

4.

We had some general discussion about the Infinite-Verandas. While I understand the concept, I am not very thrilled about it. We did not book one, but anyway, is it correct that the captain ultimately can control them? Or is this just a myth?

 

5.

Is the Retreat area, especially the outside area, often crowded? From what I have seen it looks rather small, but there are lots of suites on the ship so I imagine lots of people there, not a very serene concept in my imagination.

 

 

Thank you and stay safe

 

 

 

[Miaminice]

1 hour ago, AllureOfVacation said:

2.

We are interested in three of the speciality dining restaurants, but we understand we can book them directly in the cruise planner or as a package with a better rate. But it seems we have no restaurant and time choice with a package. Is it difficult to change assigned restaurants and times once onboard? e. g., we do not want to rush from an excursion back to the ship to catch a very early assigned reservation for a restaurant we do not prefer to dine at.

 

You can book now and choose or change times later or book on board.

 

You might want to wait until you are onboard. The new 4 dining room concept on Edge offers a great choice. We hardly felt like doing any specialty restaurant.

 

1 hour ago, AllureOfVacation said:

4.

We had some general discussion about the Infinite-Verandas. While I understand the concept, I am not very thrilled about it. We did not book one, but anyway, is it correct that the captain ultimately can control them? Or is this just a myth?

 

No it´s not a myth. Depending on weather conditions the infinite veranda windows can be controled, closed and blocked from the bridge. 

 

1 hour ago, AllureOfVacation said:

5.

Is the Retreat area, especially the outside area, often crowded? From what I have seen it looks rather small, but there are lots of suites on the ship so I imagine lots of people there, not a very serene concept in my imagination.

 

 

Not crowded... but since you want to book a veranda and no suite, it shouldn´t make a difference to you.

[cruisestitch]

The Retreat Lounge and Retreat Sundeck are for Suite passengers only.  Are you booking a suite?

[WestLakeGirl]

Since you are interested in the retreat, you must have booked a suite? And if so, your dining room is Lumina and it is open seating at all times. Any specialty restaurants that you book for an extra charge can be arranged on your cruise planner, or your butler or the suite concierge can book them for you once you are on board.

Edited February 7, 2021 by WestLakeGirl

[kwokpot]

While the Captain controlling the Infinite Veranda windows is not a myth, the whole thing has been greatly blown out of proportion. The Captain is NOT closing all the windows Willy Nilly. It's either dues to window cleaning, weather conditions, or some other emergency situation. I've been on the ship twice. It's a none issue. I don't know why it's such a big deal. Nothing burger as the saying goes. If the Captain closes it it's because IT HAS TO BE. 

[kwokpot]

The ship, IMO, does indeed have a trendy vibe, like a South Beach Miami Resort Hotel. The Aesthetics, music and other programming all contribute towards that environment. Having said that I was on the Inaugural Eastern Caribbean Cruise and then another cruise four months later and it was evident that certain tweaks were made because the original concept fell flat or just didn't resonate with the passengers. 

[Ride-The-Waves]

Short answer;  DON'T cruise on Edge or Apex.  The Solstice class is much better for passengers.  

[cruisestitch]

I am riding that wave—not a fan of edge, can’t recommend👎

[LGW59]

5 minutes ago, Ride-The-Waves said:

Short answer;  DON'T cruise on Edge or Apex.  The Solstice class is much better for passengers.  

IYO!

[LGW59]

On 2/7/2021 at 6:56 AM, AllureOfVacation said:

When I think of our first and last Celebrity cruise in 2017, the following things come up my mind: too many dishes including arugular, dirty plates in MDR and pickles on ocean facing windows in the buffet. This did not ruin our vacation, but that first impression was not up to par with what Celebrity positionts itself. But, it is time for a second chance.

 

We are not loyal to any mass market line, so why not giving Celebrity another try? We now booked the Edge. After watching the promo videos, I imagine cruising on the Edge will widen your cultural horizon and positively tangle all your senses. At some point I lost track counting how often they said "sophisticated" in the videos.

 

Only a few cabins are booked until now on that particular sailing , so we were overwhelmed with making a choice. But the agent from the Celebrity call center was so helpful, I think I have never spoken before to someone from any company who had such a good knowledge about a product. Even if this sailing will not go (late October 2021), I will let Celebrity know about his customer-oriented skills and know-how.

 

After booking, there are now some questions left, maybe some of you can help with your experience

 

1.

With what we booked, we now have the Premium Drinks Package. Is it possible to upgrade into the Drinks & More Package? We would have spent the $ in the Casino anyway, so with the daily replenishment of the minibar it seems like a good deal. Is it possible to make a choice what the minibar shall be stocked with? Like soft drinks only? Maybe someone has some experiences with that Package

 

2.

We are interested in three of the speciality dining restaurants, but we understand we can book them directly in the cruise planner or as a package with a better rate. But it seems we have no restaurant and time choice with a package. Is it difficult to change assigned restaurants and times once onboard? e. g., we do not want to rush from an excursion back to the ship to catch a very early assigned reservation for a restaurant we do not prefer to dine at.

 

3.

Do all people on board move in slow motion like the people from the promo video? Will they give us a glass of wine for all the day to look more elegant while doing the slow motion? I can not wait to take a seat at the Martini Bar, in slow motion, with my merino wool pullover carefully placed on my shoulder.

 

4.

We had some general discussion about the Infinite-Verandas. While I understand the concept, I am not very thrilled about it. We did not book one, but anyway, is it correct that the captain ultimately can control them? Or is this just a myth?

 

5.

Is the Retreat area, especially the outside area, often crowded? From what I have seen it looks rather small, but there are lots of suites on the ship so I imagine lots of people there, not a very serene concept in my imagination.

 

 

Thank you and stay safe

 

 

 

We absolutely LOVED the EDGE, modern, clean, open, bright cool colors, EDEN is fantastic as is the Retreat area.  Have 2 booked on APEX later this year and early next and cannot wait to see the subtle changes they made.  Look at YouTube videos, there are plenty, this will give you a good idea if it seems right for you.

[Mike45LC]

On 2/7/2021 at 3:56 AM, AllureOfVacation said:

I imagine cruising on the Edge will widen your cultural horizon and positively tangle all your senses. At some point I lost track counting how often they said "sophisticated" in the videos.

 

4.

We had some general discussion about the Infinite-Verandas. While I understand the concept, I am not very thrilled about it. We did not book one, but anyway, is it correct that the captain ultimately can control them? Or is this just a myth?

 

5.

Is the Retreat area, especially the outside area, often crowded? From what I have seen it looks rather small, but there are lots of suites on the ship so I imagine lots of people there, not a very serene concept in my imagination.

 

 

My senses were never tangled on the Edge.  Nor were my cultural horizons (whatever they might be) expanded.  

 

Although I have no personal knowledge as to whether the Captain can control the windows in the mis-named Infinite Veranda cabins, that is because he did NOT exercise his rumored control over the windows in our Infinite Veranda cabin.  The Captain left our windows as we set them, never interfering with our choices.   Despite the Captain's restraint, I am not a fan of the so-called Infinite Veranda cabins, because they are not veranda cabins at all, let alone "infinite" veranda.  

 

We were not in a suite and did not have privileges in the Retreat, but I did walk through the Retreat twice and it was not at all crowded.  My two walk-throughs were both port days, and it might get crowded on sea days.

 

[bigbenboys]

I dont remember the Retreat Lounge or Retreat sundeck being crowded. In the lounge there was not a bar to order drinks from. I also did not like the self serve food stations. There seemed to be lack of shade at the Retreat sundeck. Yes I know it is a small thing, but having to scan our seapass cards every time I order drinks at the Retreat sundeck bar.