Semi-live from the Edge | February 3-13 | Southern Caribbean

[miched]

Save $7 and get your espresso martini from Cafe al Bacio.   Tell them you want a classic Black Russian with a shot of espresso.  .  Or get a shot of espresso and take that to a bar and order a classic Black Russian and then add the espresso to it.  

 

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅
 

• 2 ounces vodka

• 1/2 ounce coffee liqueur (usually Kahlúa)

• 1 ounce espresso, freshly brewed (or cold brew concentrate)

• 1/2 ounce simple syrup

• Garnish: coffee bean 

[TheHawk1]

5 hours ago, Sibsie said:

I’m on this cruise too. Was talking to the Retreat manager earlier and she said they were oversold in the Retreat and had to downgrade some cruisers and offer compensation. Retreat deck is really busy but we still managed to find a spot to sit for a while and it doesn’t feel too crowded. 

I'm on this same cruise itinerary in three week and that sailing is sold out, so this isn't a good sign. After you've already paid for a suite, how do you get downgraded and to what?  Do they not let you in to Luminae?  No soup for you! (said with a German accent)

 

Edited February 4, 2023 by TheHawk1

[Sibsie]

35 minutes ago, TheHawk1 said:

I'm on this same cruise itinerary in three week and that sailing is sold out, so this isn't a good sign. After you've already paid for a suite, how do you get downgraded and to what?  Do they not let you in to Luminae?  No soup for you! (said with a German accent)

 

Honestly we were talking about this earlier and we decided we wouldn’t go if it happened to us. We’d take the comp and book another one.  Not sure how they decide who to downgrade. I can only guess it’s like airlines and done by status but I’ll try and find out more. 

[KKB]

20 hours ago, OrcaGirl said:

Confession time: I assumed that everyone talking about the Oceanview Cafe cutbacks was… exaggerating? Maybe not big users of the buffet in the first place? Chicken Littles? Negative Nancies?

 

But no, it’s actually quite bad. My husband typically prefers the buffet; on our last NCL cruise, we ate dinner in the buffet every night. And even he, who finds something good everywhere, was struggling to find something interesting to eat tonight other than nachos and pizza. He was so certain that the baked potato bar he spotted at lunch would be available at dinner too, and was disappointed to not see it.

 

On the plus side: the pizza was indeed really good. And the desserts look good? And it wasn’t hard to find a seat? … that’s all I got for positives.

 

I’ll be dragging him to the MDRs for the remainder of the cruise.

 

So yeah. I’m sad about the current state of things.

 

I did notice one woman expressing her displeasure about the buffet situation to the manager, who seemed to take a “those decisions are made above my pay grade” approach to answering her.

 

Eating NCL buffet instead of MDR? Not majorly different. 

Now, while Celebrity buffet is good, the MDRs are EXCELLENT--ESPECIALLY E-class! So DO DO DO drag DH to the MDRs (be sure to try all 4!) as they are SO good! (highly recommend Eden too)

 

Loving your writing style--thx for sharing!.

 

Be sure to say HI to Crystal, Activities Manager, from "Mom & Dad" from 2021. Our friends sailed the Edge again last month & were thrilled to see her again. She is a gem!

[OrcaGirl]

After some chillin’ in the shade, we headed to The Club for Deal or No Deal. Alas, unlike last cruise, I only won $5 in free slot play. I guess the husband isn’t as lucky as The Fox as a travelling companion.

 

 

We then decided on some pool time, with a side of Miami Vices (Vici?) and margaritas with unnecessarily long straws. 
 

 

 

Afternoon snack was a pair of hot dogs. Much better buns than on the Solstice (they lost structural integrity almost immediately).

 

 

Watched a bit of the bean bag toss game. Randomly we watched a bit of the National Cornhole Championships on ESPN 8 the Ocho last month. Yes, it’s a thing. Commentators, coaches, sponsorships, etc. Major Dodgeball vibes.

 

 

 

I’m not a huge fan of the hot tub quantity and placement. After the pool got too chilly, I headed up to one of the two outdoor hot tubs but it’s two storeys up and a bit of a production to get there. The husband came up after me and actually ended up taking a full lap on the jogging track trying to figure how to get to the hot tub. So the size of each individual hot tub is nice but only having two and so far from the main pool seems weird.

 

 

 

 

Random observations:

 

Apparently 2,713 guests on board this sailing, and 64 different nationalities.

 

Maybe don’t ask random Canadians if Canada also “has problems with illegals coming across the border” and then immediately start talking about how many bear you’ve killed on hunting trips to our country? 🐻 

 

The smoking areas on the ship don’t make sense. Why would they allow people to smoke right at the main pool bar? So weird.

[OrcaGirl]

Catching up on Day 2’s evening activities and thoughts:

 

Dinner was at the Normandie MDR. We arrived around 5:45 and were seated immediately. Our server was Fatima and she was prompt and friendly.

 

 

I had the scallops (meh, it was more breadcrumbs than anything else) and the duck (really really good, especially the combo of the compote, au jus and cauliflower purée — I could have slurped that down as a soup.)

 

 

 

The husband had a Caesar salad (he said it was nicely creamy without being goopy, but was missing just a little bite) and the beef tenderloin en croute.

 

 

So the funny thing about my husband is that when he really loves a dish, he makes these faces like he’s super pissed off and will get a bit sweary. And boy did he love the beef tenderloin last night. 🤣 We always have to reassure the waitstaff that no, actually, everything is amazing. Anyway, the tenderloin was a perfect medium-rare as requested, and simply melted in your mouth. I stole a bite and will definitely want to return later in the cruise to order that for myself. He’s not a mushrooms fan but agreed that the mushroom sauce just added some umami and earthiness. And the cheese fondue that came with it was soooo good he requested an extra little portion. Le repas etait tres magnifique!

 

Nous avons choisi ne prendre pas les desserts, alors nous pouvons aller a la theatre a temps. (Pardonez-moi, je parle seulement un peu francais, et tres mal.)

 

We grabbed seats in the theatre for the Kaleidoscope production show. But first, introductions of the senior officers. We really enjoyed the captain’s style and sense of humour.

 

 

The show itself was really fun, great dancers and singers and acrobatics and stagecraft. Give me pretty people in sparkles and sequins and tulle dancing and twirling around a stage and I’m a happy girl.

 

 

 

 

 

I tried searching for who choreographed the Kaleidoscope show for Celebrity but couldn’t find it — anyone know offhand? (I was getting major So You Think You Can Dance vibes at a couple of points…)

 

After the show, we hit the casino and turned our $5 free slot play into… three cents. Yay us!

 

 

Since we didn’t partake of dessert at Normandie and the line at Cafe al Bacio was quite long, we then headed up to the buffet to check out the dessert offers. And of course the husband grabbed another slice of pizza too.

 

 

We were tempted to try to stick around for the Silent Disco but two late nights in a row would be too much for us, so we headed back to the cabin. (And ended up staying up late anyway watching another episode of White Lotus.)

 

 

[terrydtx]

13 hours ago, Sibsie said:

Honestly we were talking about this earlier and we decided we wouldn’t go if it happened to us. We’d take the comp and book another one.  Not sure how they decide who to downgrade. I can only guess it’s like airlines and done by status but I’ll try and find out more. 

I would guess the passengers who got downgraded were booked with a suite guaranty and there were not enough suites left to fill the guarantees. This is why we never book a gty, we want to choose the cabin on the deck that we want. In 2021 we got downgraded from business class to coach on a flight to FLL because of a change in aircraft.  We got chosen because we paid less for our BC flight. Delta offered us no compensation for the downgrade either.

 

I am following as we will be on the Edge in January 2024 on a B2B cruise of New Zealand and the Great Barrier Reef, down under. We will be on the Apex in September from Amsterdam to Athens.  I love your writing style and I am enjoying your perspectives.

Edited February 5, 2023 by terrydtx

[OrcaGirl]

Good morning! Woke up to slightly higher swells, much more prominent whitecaps.

 

 

 

The ship changed time by an hour last night so we’ll be on St Maarten time tomorrow. (Based on overhead conversations, I think a lot of people missed the memo.)

 

Breakfast was yummy. That was one buttery croissant.

 

 

The husband thinks the mattress is too hard, so he wanted to spend the day in the hot tub. But it was crazy windy up on that deck (at least one person’s unsecured shirt went flying off to decks below) so we settled him in on a more protected spot further down.

 

 

I’m headed off to Show Stoppers, an enrichment lecture on Broadway stagecraft. Did we accidentally book one of the Broadway-themed cruises? Because *that* would be awesome.

 

 

Random observations:

 

Lots of people using the walking/jogging track this morning. And as expected, a fair bit of passive-aggressive behaviour towards the people who don’t realize they’re on a track. More signage needed, for sure.

 

I wish there was a middle ground between glass and disposable paper cups for iced coffees — the paper cups tend to get mushy in the middle before we’re finished drinking them.

 

 

The captain continues to be hilarious. Love him.

[terrydtx]

Since this your first E Class cruise, what is your honest opinion so far of the IV balcony?

[cgolf1]

Following along and enjoying your writing style. We are back on the Edge soon so we are enjoying getting a good look at the state of the ship. Also happy to recognize at least one of the stage performers from back when the Edge first launched. Enjoy the rest of your trip:)

 

 

[Sibsie]

1 hour ago, terrydtx said:

Since this your first E Class cruise, what is your honest opinion so far of the IV balcony?

We’re in a traditional balcony cabin but looked in an IV. Honestly we wouldn’t book one but I can see how some people like them. Reflection remains our fav ship. 

[terrydtx]

42 minutes ago, Sibsie said:

We’re in a traditional balcony cabin but looked in an IV. Honestly we wouldn’t book one but I can see how some people like them. Reflection remains our fav ship. 

To me the IV balcony is just a sunroom with a window. I would never book one which is why on E Class it is a Sky Suite or aft facing veranda or nothing. I do not even like the round porthole verandas on the very front of the upper decks. We loved out Reflection cruise last year from Rome.

 

I was interested in how the OP like the IV, since this is their first Celebrity cruise.

Edited February 5, 2023 by terrydtx

[sdnich]

We are also doing the same cruise March 17 through BCC . And we were going to be in an IV cabin. I was unsure if I was going to like it or not but a aft sunset veranda came available and was able to switch to that at no extra cost !! I love an aft room ! 
I am really enjoying you trip review and your  random observations!

[terrydtx]

5 minutes ago, sdnich said:

We are also doing the same cruise March 17 through BCC . And we were going to be in an IV cabin. I was unsure if I was going to like it or not but a aft sunset veranda came available and was able to switch to that at no extra cost !! I love an aft room ! 
I am really enjoying you trip review and your  random observations!

Smart move to the aft cabin, IMO.

[sdnich]

Just now, terrydtx said:

Smart move to the aft cabin, IMO.

They were all booked when I first booked and when I saw one come available I spent an hour on hold to make the change ! Super  happy!! Longer walk but the view is worth it !

[terrydtx]

Just now, sdnich said:

They were all booked when I first booked and when I saw one come available I spent an hour on hold to make the change ! Super  happy!! Longer walk but the view is worth it !

You will love the cabin, we did the same on our Nov 4th HAL Koningsdam cruise when one became available. In 2021 we got one on the Equinox and it was our first time in an aft cabin. One big advantage we noticed while at sea there is little to no winds on the balcony.

[KKB]

32 minutes ago, terrydtx said:

To me the IV balcony is just a sunroom with a window. I would never book one which is why on E Class it is a Sky Suite or aft facing veranda or nothing. I do not even like the round porthole verandas on the very front of the upper decks. We loved out Reflection cruise last year from Rome.

 

I was interested in how the OP like the IV, since this is their first Celebrity cruise.

We did Sunset balcony for our Edge 2021 cruise. Loved it. But they were little more than IVs.

(July 2021--we were only 1/3 full)

Had porthole balcony booked on Apex but got upgrade bid to IV. 

We were perfectly happy with IV. Not much different than a covered balcony, imo.

But we also will book interiors & be perfectly happy...

[AbbyCruiser45]

I look forward to hearing OrcaGirl’s IV experience but can we limit it to her experience? There are plenty of other threads to discuss the various pros and cons on the IV without taking over this live thread to discuss them. 

[AbbyCruiser45]

Just got an update from my parents onboard that the ship is rerouting towards Puerto Rico for a medical evacuation. It’ll still be an airlift, not docking. The captain is just trying to get closer for Coast Guard. My heart goes out to the impacted family on the ship and I hope everything will be okay. 

[KKB]

9 minutes ago, AbbyCruiser45 said:

Just got an update from my parents onboard that the ship is rerouting towards Puerto Rico for a medical evacuation. It’ll still be an airlift, not docking. The captain is just trying to get closer for Coast Guard. My heart goes out to the impacted family on the ship and I hope everything will be okay. 

They HAVE to get closer for the Coast Guard. Officially has to be "US waters"--30 miles out I think.

We had this happen last month on Carnival Miracle.

Always glad they do what has to be done to take care of passengers.

[OrcaGirl]

Show Stoppers was… okay? It needed more workshopping. Honestly, a lecture about the behind-the-scenes making of the ship’s production shows would have been more interesting. Actually, I’d really love that as a documentary, from concept development and choreography to casting and rehearsals and the unique aspects of staging a show in a theatre at sea.

 

After rejoining the husband and doing a couple of laps on the walking track, it was lunch time.

 

Lunch buffet was good, although the croquettes were a bit disappointing. Breaded and deep-fried mashed potatoes stuffed with cheese shouldn’t be so boring. It’s like all of my favourite things!

 

 

For our second course, we headed to the burger bar. The husband declared it ‘not bad’ which basically means he thinks it’s fine but won’t order it again. (He still talks about the burgers on Carnival and it’s gotta be at least 10 years since we sailed with them.) I thought my burger was pretty good, but I’m not a burger connoisseur like he is. 🤣

 

 

So excited to see churros available for dessert!

 

 

After lunch, I wanted to play TimePlay trivia so I dragged the husband along with the promise that he could cheat off my answers. And that ****er ended up winning! (I have better general trivia cred, but there was a whole series of questions on car logos and I got most of those wrong.) But I came in second.

 

UPDATE:

The captain just made an announcement that there was a medical emergency this morning and that we’re changing course towards San Juan, Puerto Rico to help facilitate a helicopter medivac. No word yet on if this will affect our arrival into St Maarten tomorrow, but of course the health and safety of passengers and crew comes first.

Edited February 5, 2023 by OrcaGirl

[terrydtx]

25 minutes ago, OrcaGirl said:

For our second course, we headed to the burger bar. The husband declared it ‘not bad’ which basically means he thinks it’s fine but won’t order it again. (He still talks about the burgers on Carnival and it’s gotta be at least 10 years since we sailed with them.) I thought my burger was pretty good, but I’m not a burger connoisseur like he is.

Hopefully your husband stays away from the Impossible Burger, my sister tried one on the Reflection last year and it gave her the MQS for a couple of days.

[OrcaGirl]

Helicopter just arrived.

[OrcaGirl]

Wow that was intense. I’m not sure what I’m going to post about it TBH.

[OrcaGirl]

And the person has now been evacuated. I hope their family is holding up okay and gets lots of support from Celebrity.