LIVE Suite Review 1/30-2/6: A (Solo) Woman on the Edge

[sbcs5390]

I am really enjoying your post - I have a lot of catching up to do. I have booked solo B2B2B on Silhouette then on to Millennium and Millennium. I am so tempted to come over to Edge instead for the third one but the notion of having to go back to the hotel in Fort Lauderdale for two nights because of how the schedules line up is such a bummer. I would also really like the experience of a true consecutive B2B. I am not in a suite but was wondering - did you get two separate wifi accounts since we pay for our "imaginary friend"? I would like my phone and laptop to be able to work at the same time - just like if I stole a partner's account traveling with me. Or do we get beat out of it and get just one? I know things may be a little different since you're in a suite, but I thought it was worth asking. Thank you so much and it is such a pleasure to see so many lovely pictures. 

[lori-annk]

1 hour ago, GenerationX said:

Thank you for the amazing compliment!!!!

 

I don’t know that I have enough ego to plan a GenX cruise!  (This is where my husband would probably jump in and say “Woman what are you talking about? The only thing you love more than cruising is planning a party. A “you” themed party cruise is definitely something you’d do!”)

Count me in. This sounds like a great cruise in the works!

[MDCruze]

3 hours ago, GenerationX said:

Thank you for the amazing compliment!!!!

 

I don’t know that I have enough ego to plan a GenX cruise!  (This is where my husband would probably jump in and say “Woman what are you talking about? The only thing you love more than cruising is planning a party. A “you” themed party cruise is definitely something you’d do!”)

So let's do it!  We're in!

[MDCruze]

So I just went online to book the cabana and the description is devoid of any drinks. Was that a special you tapped into? The description is pretty sparse online...

[CHEZMARYLOU]

Can't wait to read your review of the Champagne dinner.  We did it on Equinox and it was one of our favorite dinners. They also had a bar-b-que dinner with the absolute best lamb chops I've ever had.  Really regretted not asking for another but there was so much meal and food overall.  Oh well, c’est la vie. Enjoy dinner.

Edited February 5, 2022 by CHEZMARYLOU

[Texter2]

GenX, just want to tell you how much I am enjoying your live report! You are never eating alone as you have about 40 of us behind you ohhhhhing and awwwwing over your meal. I can honestly say that I am enjoying your VC dinner almost as much as you! 

[Caren.M]

GenX, thank you for the wonderful review!  Can you share your experience of dining at the different restaurants and main dining room as a solo?  Which dinner seating do you have?  Are they allowing solos to sit with others?  Thanks for sharing your fabulous trip with us!

 

[KKB]

9 hours ago, sjayo said:

Hi everyone. I'm going to keep the GenX effort of good will going, but my focus will be on safety rather than everything else since I'm in the field of public health, although it might be difficult to avoid chiming in on the subtle nuances of this new ship experience. I'm starting now because Sara and I officially tested negative for Covid, so we will be boarding on Sunday.  Here are some details.

 

1. We did our test at a CVS testing station near West Palm Beach, which we booked about a week in advance. I tried booking through Walgreens, but it was way more complicated. CVS was simple and there were plenty of sites and times available. We checked in at 9:30 a.m. today, and they reported results back to us in 90 minutes via text. We show the text at check-in on Sunday. Easy peasy and free.

 

2. So you might be wondering how it's possible that Covid is on a ship when everyone on the ship is vaccinated with a verified negative test up to 48 hours prior to sailing? I can only speculate, but here's what I see and know. The crew is an unlikely source since they basically aren't allowed off the ship, so it's a constant flow of new passengers likely transporting it onboard. But how can that happen? My intuition tells me that it's likely the 48 hour time window between testing and boarding. I'm living that right now, and there's nothing stopping anyone from being reckless and acquiring the virus in that time window; which can also happen through a random non-reckless exposure. An alternative source of virus is people who carry the virus with them to the testing station but test negative 48 hours prior, and then shed enough virus during the cruise to test positive. I don't see any way the cruise line can avoid either from happening; all I know is that the risk is much lower on the ship than off of it.

 

3. So why is a public health professional getting on a cruise ship given the CDC guidance? Our friends and relative are asking us the same question. The short answer is that the calculated statistical risk of acquiring Covid on a ship like the Edge is a tiny fraction of the risk of acquiring it in the Chicago area where we live. We currently go into restaurants and shop for food and other items -- masked up of course; but none of those places confirm in advance that the other people in the room have tested negative and are vaccinated. The ship has far more stringent entrance protocols than just about any place you're going on land -- including a hospital. 

I'll let you know what I see once we get to the terminal and on the ship.

 

In the interim, I'm going to continue enjoying reading the wonderful review of GenX.

Jay

oh honey...this fully vaccinated & boostered gal got COVID 3 weeks ago...

[KKB]

8 hours ago, GenerationX said:

Thank you for the amazing compliment!!!!

 

I don’t know that I have enough ego to plan a GenX cruise!  (This is where my husband would probably jump in and say “Woman what are you talking about? The only thing you love more than cruising is planning a party. A “you” themed party cruise is definitely something you’d do!”)

OH HELL YEAH--NAME IT!

[MDCruze]

11 hours ago, MDCruze said:

So I just went online to book the cabana and the description is devoid of any drinks. Was that a special you tapped into? The description is pretty sparse online...

Never mind, I found it. Booked!

[GenerationX]

14 hours ago, sbcs5390 said:

I am really enjoying your post - I have a lot of catching up to do. I have booked solo B2B2B on Silhouette then on to Millennium and Millennium. I am so tempted to come over to Edge instead for the third one but the notion of having to go back to the hotel in Fort Lauderdale for two nights because of how the schedules line up is such a bummer. I would also really like the experience of a true consecutive B2B. I am not in a suite but was wondering - did you get two separate wifi accounts since we pay for our "imaginary friend"? I would like my phone and laptop to be able to work at the same time - just like if I stole a partner's account traveling with me. Or do we get beat out of it and get just one? I know things may be a little different since you're in a suite, but I thought it was worth asking. Thank you so much and it is such a pleasure to see so many lovely pictures. 

Oh wow! Enjoy your B2B2B!  Unfortunately I can’t be a lot help on this question because of my 3 cruises since “always included” was introduced, one was a lift and shift from the shut down (so it came with the old wifi package from the pick 3 promos) and for this cruise and my Summit suite, the solo supplement was actually waived (which was nice!).  On Edge and on Summit I’ve only been able to do 1 account, but that may be because I didn’t actually pay the imaginary second passenger fee.

[goofysmom99]

I've received double wifi in both suite and non-suite cabins since cruising resumed.  Showed that way on my invoices, too.  

Edited February 5, 2022 by goofysmom99

[GenerationX]

How do I know it’s the last full day of my cruise? Because when I woke up and had my early room service breakfast today with a whole schedule  of fun plans ahead of me, I was slightly sulking because I know at the end of said day, I’m going to have to pack.

 

The weather seems to be helping us slowly adjust to the fact that we’re full speed ahead back to cold, hard reality. It’s pretty overcast and back down into the high 70’s.

 

I just finished an amazing morning in the spa with Carmelita’s magic hands giving me a full body scrub, facial and massage.  My skin feels ah-mazing and I swear I look 10 years younger.  But nott gonna lie, a week of Edge suite life may also have something to do with my new refreshed look.
 

Right now I’m sipping some green tea in al Bacio while watching a pod of porpoises play in our wake.  I have no words for how salty I am that I have to leave this tomorrow.

 

But hey, I should stop with the premature lamentations.  So many other great things planned today:  Lunch in Luminae (or perhaps Le Grand Bistro again, I haven’t decided yet), the premium wine tasting, a matinee performance of the ship’s second production show, Kaleidoscope, and a bit of trying my luck in the casino. Please DO wish me luck because if I hit a big jackpot I’m definitely NOT getting off this ship tomorrow.  This may create some marital challenges for me but I’m sure if I buy my husband that ridiculous massive flat screen and surround sound system he’s been wanting for our living room, my impulsive behavior will be quickly forgiven.

 

On my walk from the spa to al bacio I passed through the shops and came face to face with my old nemesis from Equinox that must’ve been placed in the window last night.  You’re not right for doing this to me 2 cruises in a row, Celebrity. And super cruel to price it $700 under what it was priced at on Equinox. I’m LITERALLY sitting here looking around at where all my Louis Vuitton money went.

 

During the champagne dinner last night I was also lucky enough to be sitting next to the current residents of an Iconic suite and they were kind enough to invite me to a seafood tower cocktail party in their suite before dinner this evening!   So I’ll be able to report to you all first hand on the cruising lifestyle to which I dream of someday becoming accustomed!

 

Speaking of the Veuve Cliquot dinner, while I’m sipping my tea I’ll start sharing some back in time posts, starting with telling you all about said dinner.

 

 

 

[CruiseCrew123]

Did you buy it ?!?!?!?!?!?

[GenerationX]

Quick COVID update: During his morning announcement today the captain mentioned that there have been more passenger positive Covid cases identified onboard.  He didn’t give an exact number but said that our total positive case count remains at “less than .2%”. Perhaps some kind soul following who is better with math than me can back that info into a number based on our crew and passenger count, please?

 

The captain said that all cases were either mild symptoms or completely asymptomatic.  I believe passengers doing b2b or flying back to countries outside the US had their onboard tests recently, so I wonder if that’s how the cases were identified.

 

In happier news, I’m taking in the sea air on the outdoor patio of the Retreat lounge writing and sipping a Willamette Valley pinot…and simultaneously messaging with my husband trying to convince him to buy me a $2,200 vintage  handbag as a Valentine’s Day gift.  This poor man is never gonna let me back on the Edge. lol
 

Help me, slot machines. You’re my only hope! 
 

 

[GenerationX]

12 hours ago, ccmacentee said:

GenX, thank you for the wonderful review!  Can you share your experience of dining at the different restaurants and main dining room as a solo?  Which dinner seating do you have?  Are they allowing solos to sit with others?  Thanks for sharing your fabulous trip with us!

 

You’re so welcome! Thank you for following!

 

Happy to share what I know.  Pre-cruise some other solo sailors in our FB group had been told that if a group of solos came to a restaurant together, they could be seated together. But that if 1 individual just showed up and asked to be seated with a group that couldn’t be accommodated.  But the night I ate in a MDR there was a group at a nearby table who invited me to join them (I declined as I was a course behind them and didn’t want them to have to wait for me) and my server and the maitre d seemed like they would’ve let me if I’d wanted to. Since Luminae is technically my assigned restaurant and doesn’t have assigned dinner times I’m considered Select dinning in all the MDR’s so I could just go there and be seated any time.

[julia]

29 minutes ago, GenerationX said:

This may create some marital challenges for me but I’m sure if I buy my husband that ridiculous massive flat screen and surround sound system he’s been wanting for our living room, my impulsive behavior will be quickly forgiven.

 

 

Dear Charla: Marriage Tip #437

 

Buy the man the biggest, baddest flat screen and surround sound system on the planet.  Have it delivered and professionally installed (srsly, it takes a rocket scientist to set these up now!) Think of it as an investment in your SCC (solo cruising career), as said man will be far too content and preoccupied to notice the wife is missing for 7-10 days.  Trust me.  Especially during March madness.  Oh, and throw in a few oversized electric recliners with USB's and cup holders, and you could probably do a b2b2b!

You're welcome.

[Pinney1234]

5 hours ago, MDCruze said:

Never mind, I found it. Booked!

Can I ask where you found the Cabana booking?

[Pinney1234]

Gen X, thanks for such a great review…lots of help for our February 13 sailing.

 

Does your premium drink package apply when renting the cabana? (Sorry, probably won’t share the VC with the hubs!)

[graphicguy]

1 hour ago, julia said:

Dear Charla: Marriage Tip #437

 

Buy the man the biggest, baddest flat screen and surround sound system on the planet.  Have it delivered and professionally installed (srsly, it takes a rocket scientist to set these up now!) Think of it as an investment in your SCC (solo cruising career), as said man will be far too content and preoccupied to notice the wife is missing for 7-10 days.  Trust me.  Especially during March madness.  Oh, and throw in a few oversized electric recliners with USB's and cup holders, and you could probably do a b2b2b!

You're welcome.

As a man, I concur with this assessment.....throw in a bottle of Pappy Van Winkel, and you can sail for a month.  LOL!

[M&Msmom]

Will be traveling on Edge in a sky suite.  for the first time in April, actually first time on Celebrity. A while back, you mentioned you asked for a “mattress softener” ? What were they able to do, and did it work?im hoping it helped, my back and hips will thank you.

[Janthere]

Thank you so much GenX for this fabulous review!  I am doing my first Celebrity solo sailing on Apex in April and love reading about your time on Edge. I love your dedication to travelling well! Enjoy the rest of your cruise 🙂

[MDCruze]

Hi Pinney1234,

 

I finally found the full description on the app under Dining(!). Click on the Dining icon, then select Cabanas. From there, select Menu and any day but embarkation and disembarkation days.  You'll need to go to the Celebrity website to actually book it. It's the same there - go to the Cruise Planner and select Dining.

 

 

[sbcs5390]

7 hours ago, GenerationX said:

Oh wow! Enjoy your B2B2B!  Unfortunately I can’t be a lot help on this question because of my 3 cruises since “always included” was introduced, one was a lift and shift from the shut down (so it came with the old wifi package from the pick 3 promos) and for this cruise and my Summit suite, the solo supplement was actually waived (which was nice!).  On Edge and on Summit I’ve only been able to do 1 account, but that may be because I didn’t actually pay the imaginary second passenger fee.

Awesome, thanks for letting me know. I'm sure it'll work out one way or another. On another note, how did you find out about the solo supplement being waived? Is it something you requested or was Celebrity advertising? A lot of the other cruiselines have Solo special pages that I try to watch closely. Is it a suite-only special when they do it? 

[chamima]

I have a question that is being asked on another thread.

Do you know how much a bottle of Pelegrino or Perrier (large and small) is if you don't have a drink package?

Thanks!