Observations from the Poop deck

[morpheusofthesea]

Presently on board the Celebrity Edge for its second US sailing from Port Everglades, Florida. Most everything is back to normal. No testing at the port for the vaccinated. No temperature checks. No social distancing. Though sailing about 50% capacity people crowded together, sitting at bars and theatre. Luminae is open for lunch even though we are in port, Nassau. Shops are still closed from what I can see from balcony. Menus in Luminea are the hard leather bound ones we all have experienced pre-covid. Ocean View Cafe, the buffet is mostly served stations, with a series of hand washing sinks before entering. The first stall were rolls and bread which I noticed no staff server and the once ubiquitous and infamous self-serve tongs. No shady lounges on the Retreat Sun deck. The only shady cabanas for rent are sofas and tables, no lounges and no view of the ocean, and not much privacy. No Lawn Club Alcoves. Fabulous reports last week of this Edge's sailing piqued our curiosity and we found a cancellation in the Retreat CS category 48 hours before sailing. Though we were assigned a very late boarding time an hour before sailing, we discovered when we got to the Port Everglades entrance the security passed us through with a quick look at our passports and vaccination cards. There was a long line formed outside terminal 25 to get into the terminal. Retreat guests still have their priority entrance and did not have to wait in any line. We were on in 15 minutes. It took an extra minute each to attach wrist ribbons that do not contact trace only distinguishes a vaccinated from the unvacs. We all wore face masks beginning at the entry to the port and mid way up the gangway a masked officer stop us and proclaimed we no longer needed to wear masks from this point on. In spite of our late assigned boarding time of 4:30 we were able to make lunch, as normal, in the Luminae embarkation day. Again, The Retreat has its advantages. We were able to get on board and go directly to our cabin to drop off carry-ons and pick up our key cards outside the cabin.

[39august]

Thanks for the info and I look forward to future observations. Glad to hear you were able to board earlier than your assigned time. I was hoping that would be the case for suite guests. 

[Jim_Iain]

Thanks for taking the time to post.  Really enjoying hearing how things are changing.    Apex pax reporting they still have to wear masks while on the ship. 

 

 

[AmberCascades]

Thanks for your post.  Do you have to wear the wrist ribbons for the entire cruise?  

 

[nocl]

49 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

Thanks for taking the time to post.  Really enjoying hearing how things are changing.    Apex pax reporting they still have to wear masks while on the ship. 

 

 

Different country, different protocols.   Apex is currently sailing around Greece under their protocols.  Each sailing may vary based upon the country it is sailing from or for that matter in the US which Florida, vs Washington for example.

[morpheusofthesea]

1 hour ago, AmberCascades said:

Thanks for your post.  Do you have to wear the wrist ribbons for the entire cruise?  

 

I asked the attendant putting the wrist ribbon on me and she said for the entire cruise even in the shower.  The 3" tail of the ribbon tends to drag in your plate, so I recommend tying a couple of knots and twisting it upward.

[morpheusofthesea]

Enjoy the cabin. On the thermostat at the bottom a picture of a window and blinds, press and the blackout drapes automatically close or open eliminating touching the fabrics. A light switch by the bed turns all the lights off in the cabin, yet will keep a reading light on until that is switched off. No need for tealights to guide your way in the dark to the head. Underlighting below the sinks are on all night, just close the bathroom door if they keep you up. I recommend the more frequent user of the night time head sleep on the side of the bed closest to the bath door (2 feet). Everyone is just so friendly and happy, even the passengers. This is just the best time to be cruising, half capacity, no lines, no butting, 'hellos' in passing in the corridors. Staff drop whatever they are doing and escort you the 3 or 4 feet to the venue you can't seem to find. Having been cancelled so many times this is the first time we threw 'caution to the wind' and booked 48 hours before sailing.

Edited July 4, 2021 by morpheusofthesea
spelling

[mnocket]

44 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

I asked the attendant putting the wrist ribbon on me and she said for the entire cruise even in the shower.  The 3" tail of the ribbon tends to drag in your plate, so I recommend tying a couple of knots and twisting it upward.

 

I really don't understand this.  Wrist bands have been in use at many venues for many years.  Why did Celebrity feel the need for a redesign and how on earth did they come up with such a poor design?  I'm left shaking my head in wonderment🙄

[Fouremco]

Just now, mnocket said:

 

I really don't understand this.  Wrist bands have been in use at many venues for many years.  Why did Celebrity feel the need for a redesign and how on earth did they come up with such a poor design?  I'm left shaking my head in wonderment🙄

Celebrity loves to reinvent the wheel, and in this case was far from successful.  It would have been so much cheaper, easier and more comfortable had they used hospital- or club-style wrist bands that are readily available.

[K12Guy]

52 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

No need for tealights to guide your way in the dark to the head

Seems more need for pee lights....😎

[LGW59]

33 minutes ago, mnocket said:

 

I really don't understand this.  Wrist bands have been in use at many venues for many years.  Why did Celebrity feel the need for a redesign and how on earth did they come up with such a poor design?  I'm left shaking my head in wonderment🙄

I'm glad the OP is on-board ABLE to wear the wrist ribbon and enjoy the cruise, no matter how it looks.  I actually like the color, now I can better color coordinate my wardrobe for my first cruise.

[morpheusofthesea]

55 minutes ago, mnocket said:

 

I really don't understand this.  Wrist bands have been in use at many venues for many years.  Why did Celebrity feel the need for a redesign and how on earth did they come up with such a poor design?  I'm left shaking my head in wonderment🙄

Do not know the answer. But interestingly enough when at guest services this noontime straightening out my neglected "all included package ".(Thank goodness for having a TA that responds so quickly to a clients need for help when away on a trip). We got on board and did not have any 'perks'. Had to buy internet package and water package and we were being charged gratuities as well. $600 obc was still showing on account. Anyway TA contacted shoreside Celebrity relations and by Sunday noon we were reinstated with all the perks. Recommend that anyone in similar straits have guest services reissue both key cards with the proper italics so the ships venues do not charge your account for somethings that are included.What was interesting was at another guest relations desk a passenger was having her wrist ribbon replaced. She was complaining it was too tight. Funny thing, I remember when it was first 'installed' it was rather loose fitting, yet today after 24 hours and last nights shower mine is rather tight as well. The ribbon material has to be shrinking, I had only 5 desserts and 2 pastries with my usual 2 entrees last night.

  Had the same TA when purchased a TWA getaway to Seoul. Got to hotel, no reservation, paid in advance. Only room available was a suite. Charged the suite and called home TA. TA got TWA involved and had a suite for week refunded.

Edited July 4, 2021 by morpheusofthesea

[KKB]

3 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

Thanks for taking the time to post.  Really enjoying hearing how things are changing.    Apex pax reporting they still have to wear masks while on the ship. 

 

 

That is due to Greece protocols

[MamaFej]

Edited: I think I got thread-switched somehow. 
 

 

 

Edited July 4, 2021 by MamaFej

[Covepointcruiser]

Seabourn’s Ovation is sailing in Greece with no masks for the passengers.   The crew are masked.

The ship is supposed to be 100% vaccinated.     If the Apex is not 100% vaccinated, maybe that’s why there are wearing masks.    Either way, passenger masking is not a rule for Greek sailings.

[Susanb10567]

Following along …sailing in a suite on the 17th

 

 

[Jim_Iain]

1 hour ago, KKB said:

That is due to Greece protocols

Thanks for enlightening me.    There are so many protocols depending on location.  

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

1 hour ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Do not know the answer. But interestingly enough when at guest services this noontime straightening out my neglected "all included package ".(Thank goodness for having a TA that responds so quickly to a clients need for help when away on a trip). We got on board and did not have any 'perks'. Had to buy internet package and water package and we were being charged gratuities as well. $600 obc was still showing on account. Anyway TA contacted shoreside Celebrity relations and by Sunday noon we were reinstated with all the perks. Recommend that anyone in similar straits have guest services reissue both key cards with the proper italics so the ships venues do not charge your account for somethings that are included.What was interesting was at another guest relations desk a passenger was having her wrist ribbon replaced. She was complaining it was too tight. Funny thing, I remember when it was first 'installed' it was rather loose fitting, yet today after 24 hours and last nights shower mine is rather tight as well. The ribbon material has to be shrinking, I had only 5 desserts and 2 pastries with my usual 2 entrees last night.

  Had the same TA when purchased a TWA getaway to Seoul. Got to hotel, no reservation, paid in advance. Only room available was a suite. Charged the suite and called home TA. TA got TWA involved and had a suite for week refunded.

 

Thanks for your reports.  In case you haven't sailed in a suite previously, the Retreat Concierge could probably have sorted out your always included issues without your having to stand in line at Guest Relations.  I agree, a good TA is worth a lot, I always use one!  Hope to hear more as the cruise progresses.

[KKB]

1 hour ago, Covepointcruiser said:

Seabourn’s Ovation is sailing in Greece with no masks for the passengers.   The crew are masked.

The ship is supposed to be 100% vaccinated.     If the Apex is not 100% vaccinated, maybe that’s why there are wearing masks.    Either way, passenger masking is not a rule for Greek sailings.

Only going by what Celebrity said.

 

[ipeeinthepool]

5 hours ago, K12Guy said:

Seems more need for pee lights....😎

I agree 100%

[nocl]

8 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

I asked the attendant putting the wrist ribbon on me and she said for the entire cruise even in the shower.  The 3" tail of the ribbon tends to drag in your plate, so I recommend tying a couple of knots and twisting it upward.

With the wrist band is it possible for someone to take it off and then put it back on without it looking any different or is the locking mechanism single use only?

 

If they are single use and prevent someone from taking it off and putting it back on than the reason for them using that type wrist band is to prevent people from temporarily swapping wrist bands.

[morpheusofthesea]

15 hours ago, Susanb10567 said:

Following along …sailing in a suite on the 17th

 

 

Love this CS suite 11111 on the end, sort of. When we first got into the cabin it seemed too small with DW 8 bags, but after spending an hour stowing away her gear and having the cabin steward reposition most her bags under the bed, the cabin miraculously got bigger the following morning. There is a nice over -hang two decks up enjoyed to an even greater extent by the suites above me on deck 12. Having had a delightful breakfast this morning in Luminae, of an apple crepe and an order of eggs, preceded by 2 blueberry muffins and a cherry flaked pastry, followed by an aftermeal additional blueberry muffin. During our after breakfast walkabout, we passed Cafe Bachio and stopped to look. We decided to have 3 more pastries bagged to go and flashed our 'grey' cabin card , no charge for suite guests.

Edited July 5, 2021 by morpheusofthesea

[morpheusofthesea]

15 hours ago, Happy Cruiser 6143 said:

 

Thanks for your reports.  In case you haven't sailed in a suite previously, the Retreat Concierge could probably have sorted out your always included issues without your having to stand in line at Guest Relations.  I agree, a good TA is worth a lot, I always use one!  Hope to hear more as the cruise progresses.

The first place we went to on embarkation day was the Retreat Lounge not knowing we even had a problem with all the 'perks' because we could not log-on to wifi. Had I been with a girl friend on this trip, I would have been quite embarrassed, but like always, I was with my DW of 45 years and she did a great job of calling me a cheapskate in front of the concierge. The concierge was at this point able to sell all the top packages and added it to my ship board account. That is why I did not want to return to the Retreat concierge for a second embarrassing bout. Thought I would try another avenue and also there were no lines presently anywhere on the ship with 50% capacity.

[morpheusofthesea]

11 hours ago, nocl said:

With the wrist band is it possible for someone to take it off and then put it back on without it looking any different or is the locking mechanism single use only?

 

If they are single use and prevent someone from taking it off and putting it back on than the reason for them using that type wrist band is to prevent people from temporarily swapping wrist bands.

Have to be cut off. You are probably right and a fellow cynic.

[gbphipps]

Enjoy your cruise with perks reinstated.  That was a harsh way to start your cruise.