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

[GenerationX]

I’m sitting sipping my Cotes de Rhone and eating my lunch in Le Grand Bistro. I thought it would put me in a properly French mood to finish my write up about the Veuve Cliquot dinner.

 

I did this dinner in October on the Summit and it was a highlight of my cruise (please feel free to check out my live review of that  cruise for context).

 

When I arrived for dinner last night, I was pleased to see that my 2 favorite courses from that dinner: the sea bass crudo and filet mignon, were on the menu again!  

 

I was a little disappointed to see the amuse bouche had been changed from the shrimp and delicious deep fried potato and ham ball to a raw oyster treated with a rose’ sauce.  I’m sure those with more sophisticated taste than I are thinking: are you mad, GenX? It doesn’t get more first class than champagne and oysters! You know what? When they’re fried or baked Rockefeller style I’m all for them! 

 

But personally,  I just can’t stomach raw oysters. It’s a texture thing. They make me gag.  I wasn’t the only one who felt this way because 4 of the people at our table of 10 ended up eating the oysters for everyone.

 

The pear salad was nothing special, same as on Summit. But the Veuve Rose it was served with was the real star of that show anyway, just as it should’ve been.

 

The sea bass crudo and filet mignon along with their exquisite wine pairings made me oh so glad I had my accidental mini meltdown to get into this dinner.

 

Dessert is where I died a little inside…as you can see, my menu listed the dessert course as a tiramisu.  A disappointment to me because on Summit, the apricot soufflé dessert course was one of the best desserts I ate the whole trip.  Then, in chatting with my table mates we found that half our menus listed tiramisu as the dessert and the other half listed it as the apricot soufflé!  I had about 5 minutes of a glimmer of hope that this tiramisu nonsense was just an unfortunate misprint.  Alas, when the head waiter came back he brought the bad news that it was the soufflé menus that were misprinted and dessert would be tiramisu.  I had to fight the urge to incite my table mates and start my own French Revolution.  Vive Le Soufflé!

 

The tiramisu tasted ok, but I’d already given my heart to the falsely dangled soufflé. Le sigh.

 

The only other criticism that I can come up with is that event was held in the wine room at Fine Cut which is lovely, but right near the grand plaza. While I enjoyed hearing the music from the plaza during my steak dinner at Fine Cut, with a sommelier trying to make himself heard in a group presentation his N95 as he gave all the course and champagne presentations, the music made it hard to hear.  Not a biggie for me since I’d heard the presentation before, but probably would have been disappointing if it was my first time.  With the ships as empty as they are it seems like this event could’ve easily been held in part of the much quieter main dining rooms to make it more intimate and easier to hear.

 

Overall, I still enjoyed the event though and was so glad I was able to attend. Menus and course pics below!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[GenerationX]

I’ve  always found it interesting that Celebrity has “evening chic” night because the  modern trend (allegedly) is that cruisers aren’t as interested in true formal nights.  If you’ve followed my previous reviews, you know my preference is actually to go more formal.
 

On Edge last night, it was fun to see so many of my fellow age group cruisers being the ones who really dressed for the occasion. There were some amazing ball gowns and tuxes on the 30 somethings!
 

Sharing some post-dinner Eden pics with one of my favorite new Retreat couple friends who I was excited to learn will be with me on Millennium in March! BTW,  Tommy Proulx does a wonderful sax set and the Eden bartenders make a glorious champagne mojito!

 

I’ve had so much fun this week…It’s all so close to coming to an end…I’m not crying, you are.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Jazzbo]

You look fabulous in that beautiful dress!

[Beachlover1989]

Absolutely LOVE your dress!!!!!!  Can't wait to try the VC dinner!

[WNCtourist]

5 minutes ago, GenerationX said:

I’ve  always found it interesting that Celebrity has “evening chic” night because the  modern trend (allegedly) is that cruisers aren’t as interested in true formal nights.  If you’ve followed my previous reviews, you know my preference is actually to go more formal.
 

On Edge last night, it was fun to see so many of my fellow age group cruisers being the ones who really dressed for the occasion. There were some amazing ball gowns and tuxes on the 30 somethings!
 

Sharing some post-dinner Eden pics with one of my favorite new Retreat couple friends who I was excited to learn will be with me on Millennium in March! BTW,  Tommy Proulx does a wonderful sax set and the Eden bartenders make a glorious champagne mojito!

 

I’ve had so much fun this week…It’s all so close to coming to an end…I’m not crying, you are.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Great dress -- you are rocking it!

[Pinney1234]

 

3 hours ago, MDCruze said:

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.

 

 

I found the Cabana on the app, but no option for menu…also found where to book on website but nothing with any detail on drinks, etc. I’m on 1 hour 39 minutes on hold to Celebity. Is there any way you could screen shoot the detail? Sorry to be a pest!

[lori-annk]

12 minutes ago, Pinney1234 said:

 

I found the Cabana on the app, but no option for menu…also found where to book on website but nothing with any detail on drinks, etc. I’m on 1 hour 39 minutes on hold to Celebity. Is there any way you could screen shoot the detail? Sorry to be a pest!

I couldn’t find any detail on included food or drinks either

[GenerationX]

7 minutes ago, lori-annk said:

I couldn’t find any detail on included food or drinks either

  I could’ve sworn there was someplace on the website where it showed all the cabana amenities but sharing a couple of screenshots from my Celebrity app onboard. This matched up with the printed menu they put in my cabana.  There’s also sections with additional cocktails and wines by the glass (those are listed with prices so I assume not included unless you have a beverage package) but it’s a lot to screenshot. I think if you look in the Celebrity app for any Edge sailing in the Bars & Lounges section and pull up Cabanas, it’ll give you the full menu.

 

 

 

[lori-annk]

3 minutes ago, GenerationX said:

  I could’ve sworn there was someplace on the website where it showed all the cabana amenities but sharing a couple of screenshots from my Celebrity app onboard. This matched up with the printed menu they put in my cabana.  There’s also sections with additional cocktails and wines by the glass (those are listed with prices so I assume not included unless you have a beverage package) but it’s a lot to screenshot. I think if you look in the Celebrity app for any Edge sailing in the Bars & Lounges section and pull up Cabanas, it’ll give you the full menu.

 

 

 

Thank you!! We’re on in a few weeks, I think this will be our Sea Day treat!! 
 

[sjayo]

The CDC definition of yellow is greater than 1 per 1,000

Edge apparently is at 2 per 1,000

If there are 2,000 people on the ship (passengers and crew), this means 4 people tested positive.

 

What's interesting is the statement that at least one was asymptomatic. Why would an asymptomatic person ever get a Covid test?  Because they have to be tested, which means they're likely to be members of the crew. If B2B cruises are required to be tested before going, it could be one of them, but there can't be too many B2B cruisers. 

 

Bottom line!!!  That observed risk of Covid is significantly lower on the ship than off it.

[MamaFej]

It seems reasonable that an asymptomatic traveling companion of a symptomatic person would also request a test. It would certainly be the responsible thing to do. 

[maren91]

1 hour ago, GenerationX said:

I’m sitting sipping my Cotes de Rhone and eating my lunch in Le Grand Bistro. I thought it would put me in a properly French mood to finish my write up about the Veuve Cliquot dinner.

 

I did this dinner in October on the Summit and it was a highlight of my cruise (please feel free to check out my live review of that  cruise for context).

 

When I arrived for dinner last night, I was pleased to see that my 2 favorite courses from that dinner: the sea bass crudo and filet mignon, were on the menu again!  

 

I was a little disappointed to see the amuse bouche had been changed from the shrimp and delicious deep fried potato and ham ball to a raw oyster treated with a rose’ sauce.  I’m sure those with more sophisticated taste than I are thinking: are you mad, GenX? It doesn’t get more first class than champagne and oysters! You know what? When they’re fried or baked Rockefeller style I’m all for them! 

 

But personally,  I just can’t stomach raw oysters. It’s a texture thing. They make me gag.  I wasn’t the only one who felt this way because 4 of the people at our table of 10 ended up eating the oysters for everyone.

 

The pear salad was nothing special, same as on Summit. But the Veuve Rose it was served with was the real star of that show anyway, just as it should’ve been.

 

The sea bass crudo and filet mignon along with their exquisite wine pairings made me oh so glad I had my accidental mini meltdown to get into this dinner.

 

Dessert is where I died a little inside…as you can see, my menu listed the dessert course as a tiramisu.  A disappointment to me because on Summit, the apricot soufflé dessert course was one of the best desserts I ate the whole trip.  Then, in chatting with my table mates we found that half our menus listed tiramisu as the dessert and the other half listed it as the apricot soufflé!  I had about 5 minutes of a glimmer of hope that this tiramisu nonsense was just an unfortunate misprint.  Alas, when the head waiter came back he brought the bad news that it was the soufflé menus that were misprinted and dessert would be tiramisu.  I had to fight the urge to incite my table mates and start my own French Revolution.  Vive Le Soufflé!

 

The tiramisu tasted ok, but I’d already given my heart to the falsely dangled soufflé. Le sigh.

 

The only other criticism that I can come up with is that event was held in the wine room at Fine Cut which is lovely, but right near the grand plaza. While I enjoyed hearing the music from the plaza during my steak dinner at Fine Cut, with a sommelier trying to make himself heard in a group presentation his N95 as he gave all the course and champagne presentations, the music made it hard to hear.  Not a biggie for me since I’d heard the presentation before, but probably would have been disappointing if it was my first time.  With the ships as empty as they are it seems like this event could’ve easily been held in part of the much quieter main dining rooms to make it more intimate and easier to hear.

 

Overall, I still enjoyed the event though and was so glad I was able to attend. Menus and course pics below!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for the awesome review and this dress and yourself does indeed look fabulous! I'm curious if you attempted to swap out the amuse bouche with something else or are there no substitutions? I would also love to do this dinner but like you, would be unhappy with raw oysters. 

[GenerationX]

Got back to my room to dress for dinner and dear Anastasiia made sure I have something to drink later while I angrily pack.  
 

Any other classic movie fans in the house?  What was it Bill Sampson said in “All About Eve”?  I think it was along the lines of “Very effective, but why take it out on me?”

 #angryeating

 

[Pinney1234]

Re: Missing Cabana Menu

 

On the Celebrity app I changed from my sailing, Feb 13, to the current sailing and there was the menu for the Cabana! I think a lot more people would be interested if they knew what is included!

 

Thanks for all the help..we’re booked.

[MarKay525]

20 minutes ago, GenerationX said:

Your gown was stunning and your pouty face is perfect for the occasion!

Hope you have an easy flight home and at least a bit of the snow has melted away.

I have so enjoyed every one of your posts, as has my DH with all the ones I shared with him. Thanks for answering all my inquiries, as well as those of countless others of your groupies. 😄

[Cscomedygrl]

Great review, fun to follow along on your week at sea! 

[GenerationX]

Envelopes are stuffed and addressed and I’m off to make some pre dinner deliveries and thank some of my favorite crew members and wish them healthy and prosperous sailings to come.

 

I know everyone’s travel budget is different but if you have the means, I can’t recommend highly enough giving a little something extra above the included gratuities, no matter the amount, to the crew members who went out of their way to give you excellent service.  In my day job I don’t get tips (my bill is high enough as it is, ha!) but I can tell you nothing keeps me going like a client I’ve worked hard for taking the time to personally acknowledge my extra effort.

 

For me, to the crew of Edge and all the other Celebrity ships I’m blessed to sail on,  I try to do whatever I can do to help make all this time away from their families, stuck onboard, and risking their health so that we can all have these amazing vacations more worth while monetarily.

This post is sounding a lot like getting close to wrapping up my review but PLEASE don’t go away! There’s so much more I’ll be sharing over the next day or 2.  Including tonight during my last night writing on my veranda at sea before bed!

 

 

Edited February 6, 2022 by GenerationX

[sjayo]

GenX -- thank you so much for taking the time to share your experiences. We learned a lot; enjoyed your superbly entertaining descriptions of everything; and experienced this wonderful ship vicariously through you.  Remember, if you win big in the casino tonight and remain onboard, look us up via this link.

Jay and Sara

[miched]

Can you order as much food as you want in the cabanas or is limited to one entree?   Thanks 

 

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅

[bunnyette]

Your dress is gorgeous- where did you buy it?

[Gardener5b]

Thank you so much for doing this review.  One of the best ever that I've read on these boards.  You have a great writing style!!

 

I've not sailed on an Edge class ship yet, but you've certainly inspired me to seriously consider it.

 

Hope your return to a snowy and cold STL isn't too harsh.  Safe travels home.

 

 

 

[molemaui]

Bravo!  Sailed the Edge in Sky Suites twice in the past three months. You told it much better than I could have!  
 

Thank you!

[sayvan]

5 hours ago, GenerationX said:

I’ve  always found it interesting that Celebrity has “evening chic” night because the  modern trend (allegedly) is that cruisers aren’t as interested in true formal nights.  If you’ve followed my previous reviews, you know my preference is actually to go more formal.
 

On Edge last night, it was fun to see so many of my fellow age group cruisers being the ones who really dressed for the occasion. There were some amazing ball gowns and tuxes on the 30 somethings!
 

Sharing some post-dinner Eden pics with one of my favorite new Retreat couple friends who I was excited to learn will be with me on Millennium in March! BTW,  Tommy Proulx does a wonderful sax set and the Eden bartenders make a glorious champagne mojito!

 

I’ve had so much fun this week…It’s all so close to coming to an end…I’m not crying, you are.

 

 

 

Great review and say hi to Scott and Daniel from Vanda and Steve! 

[GenerationX]

2 hours ago, bunnyette said:

Your dress is gorgeous- where did you buy it?

Thank you! My evening chic dress or the blue floral one I’m wearing tonight?  Evening chic came from the Saks Fifth Avenue clearance rack. The blue floral one I think I got at a boutique at Bayside mall in Miami before a cruise a few years ago.

[Grambler]

On 2/2/2022 at 2:59 PM, GenerationX said:

Just got back to my room after swimming and getting some sun on the Retreat sundeck  to start my regular afternoon ritual of wine and reading on my veranda. Anastasiia thought that given the lack of Luminae lunch today and that I planned to stay onboard all day, I might need a good afternoon snack (and be extra thirsty) so she left me a little treat after arranging for my mattress softener!

 

I’m lovin life right now.

 

So…who’s up for this review turning into a live back to back?  I could even be a good wife and fly my husband down for the second leg for an early Valentine’s Day gift. lol

 

 

 

How was the book?