Beyond LIVE Med Review 10/20-10/30: Tales from our Suite Roman Holiday

[Lena11033]

5 minutes ago, zitsky said:

Charla, This is really strange because in mid May 2023 there was definitely a Retreat check in area and lounge in Civitavecchia.  We were in a Sky Suite on the Beyond.

I remember one as well.

I wonder if that's something that changed with sky suites? But makes no sense you wouldn't see it at all because I remember seeing it and I wasn't in a suite.

[kabmab]

3 hours ago, GenerationX said:

Hello from onboard Beyond!

 

I know we still have to talk about Jeremy and I’sq Tuscany day, but wanted to share a bit about our embarkation experience and first hours onboard while it’s fresh in my mind.

 

We booked a private transfer to Civitaveccia with Transfer Service Rome. The driver arrived at our apartment about 15 minutes early and we were on our way to port in a spotless van by 10am.  Traffic wasn’t bad so it only took about 50 minutes to make it to the port from Trastevere.

 

When we arrived, the Retreat “priority embarkation” experience was literally nonexistent.  After a porter took our checked bags, everyone went through the same security line, did check in and were given a little ticket with an embarkation group number on it and were told to wait in a sitting area until their number was called.

 

No Retreat boarding lounge, etc

 

Fortunately it was early and not very busy when we arrived, so we waited less than 15 minutes to board.  When we sat down they were boarding group 55 and we had a ticket for group 60.

 

Not having the Retreat embarkation experience wasn’t a big deal to me having paid such a low price for our moveup, and how quickly things went, but if I’d paid over 15K for a sky suite at regular price, it’d probably have put a little salt in my mouth starting the cruise.

 

When we got onboard we went to our room and dropped off our bags then headed to my office at sea aka the martini bar. When we arrived I was greeted by some of the same bartenders who were working on my solo spring cruise. They were very exited to meet “Mr. Charla” 😂 and surprised us with special espresso martinis!  I was also happy to see them still giving out Evian for premium package bottled water (I had read some reviews it was getting hard to find onboard).

 

After a cocktail, we headed over to guest services to put some cash on our onboard account so it isn’t sitting in the safe and convert some more from USD to Euros for port spending.  This is one of those places where MSC still beats out Celebrity for me. In Yacht Club, the concierges have full banking capabilities.  They can do currency exchange and account cash transactions without having to go stand in the line at guest services.  Once again we were lucky having boarded early though and the wait in line was only about 10 minutes.

 

While we were doing our transaction I heard a man at the next desk ask about changing his stateroom and be told that the ship is completely sold out for this sailing and no cabin changes or upgrades are available.

 

After getting money in order,  it was off to grab our traditional first peaches and bourbon in the Retreat lounge and head to our first meal in Luminae.  We got there about 12:45 (lunch served till 1:30) and were seated quickly.

 

On our way in the hotel director for the ship was greeting guests as we came in to dine.  When we said hello he looked at me with a big smile and said “welcome onboard! first time sailing with us on Celebrity?” and Jeremy choked on his sip of peaches and bourbon.  As we were walking away “FINALLY! There’s somebody who works on this ship who doesn’t know you already!”.

 

For appetizers Jeremy had the ceviche which he cleaned the bowl of and I tried the short rib borscht.  I’m used to having borscht be served cold but this one was warm.  I liked it much better than the chicken consumme that often makes an appearance on the Luminae lunch menu though.

 

Jeremy said his Luminae burger was good as always.  My steak in my steak frites was a bit overdone.  As is my custom I asked for it with the truffle fries that come with the burger rather than the thick wedges.

 

We had my edge class traditional first night dinner reservation at Eden so decided to save our appetites and skip dessert.

 

Speaking of which, we are all dressed and ready for said dinner! I even found the perfect Eden themed dress on a clearance rack for $18 and paired it with my favorite necklace, made from the first cut of steel for Beyond’s hull.

 

Stay tuned for a catch up post about our last land day in Italy yesterday and a report on our stateroom and the “modified” sky suite experience thus far.

 

Pics from our first hours onboard as well as elite plus captains club event schedule below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gorgeous dress, perfect on you!  

[Lastdance]

So glad to see your huge bottle of Avian; your kidneys need that to keep you going.  Well, especially as you get older.  After having stage 3 CKD, I keep sharing this along with knowing your GFR.  I am now at stage 2 and feel that I have to share...sorry for interrupting your thread with this, but your bottle of water reminded me.  Yes, your dress is awesome!

[dianedebuda]

16 hours ago, GenerationX said:

Happy Embarkation Day! It’s map dress time in Roma!

No map shirt for Jeremy. 😪 So disappointed. 😁

[miched]

1. Be sure to go to the Music and Mixology, and Create and Pour.  Both are fun experiences.  RSVP required.
    
2. Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅

[bnurick]

You are the best writer on CC, by far. Enjoy your cruise. 😊 

[GenerationX]

8 hours ago, zitsky said:

Charla, This is really strange because in mid May 2023 there was definitely a Retreat check in area and lounge in Civitavecchia.  We were in a Sky Suite on the Beyond.

Thank you, I thought it was very strange too.  I looked all over for retreat signage but didn’t see any and asked multiple workers if we were in the right place/line for suites, just to be sure I could report back accurately.  Jeremy was getting embarrassed and said I was starting to sound elitist 😂

 

I wonder if maybe we were just there too early/late for it?

[GenerationX]

6 hours ago, Lastdance said:

So glad to see your huge bottle of Avian; your kidneys need that to keep you going.  Well, especially as you get older.  After having stage 3 CKD, I keep sharing this along with knowing your GFR.  I am now at stage 2 and feel that I have to share...sorry for interrupting your thread with this, but your bottle of water reminded me.  Yes, your dress is awesome!

No apology necessary!  I have a family history of kidney disease and also take hydration very seriously. In my land life I keep a yeti tumbler of ice water with me all day.  Of course, this has also led to my friends declaring me the connoisseur of good public restrooms in the St. Louis metropolitan area. 😂 

[GenerationX]

On 10/19/2023 at 10:04 PM, luv2camp04 said:

Love the review of your Evening Food tour.  I've been looking at something like that for our cruise out of Rome next year.  Do you have the link to the tour you used?

 

Thanks!!

 

Happy to share!  I’m having trouble getting the Viator site to load but here’s a screenshot of the booking from my app. I think you can search for the name on Viator and it should pop up.

 

[GenerationX]

Good morning from our first sea day on the way to Greece!

 

As evidenced by my current 10am attire and beverage selection, our first night on Beyond did NOT disappoint.  

 

It’s tough to know which was better about our first night dinner in Eden: the food or the service.

 

I always try to get my Eden reservation around 8/8:30 because there’s usually a live acoustic set going on in the bar upstairs about that time that really adds to the dinner ambience. 
 

After a beef tartar palate cleanser, we decided to start with the bazaar bowl, shrimp and the risotto.  Our waiter, Lhindon somehow read my mind that I also really wanted the crab cake and also brought one to the table.  The only complaint we could come up with was Jeremy said he would’ve liked a little more chorizo in the shrimp.  

 

For entrees I was torn between my favorite the lobster casserole and the fresh caught grouper that I discovered in Eden on my last Beyond cruise (served in an outstanding sweet and spicy Thai curry sauce). I decided to go with the grouper and crossed my fingers that Jeremy would order the lobster so I could steal bites (this is the whole point of marriage, right?).  Alas, this man had the nerve to get the lamb.

 

Fortunately Lhindon was at it again and when our entrees came, a smaller portion of the lobster was also placed right between us!

 

We had no intentions of leaving any of that lamb, lobster or grouper on our plates and as a result, we found ourselves far too full to order dessert.  We did however partake of the customary little tower of treats served with our after dinner espressos.  The strawberry brittle and coconut almond cake bites were highlights.

 

I ignored my husband’s halfhearted plea that we’ve already gone over budget on Italian wine on this trip and jumped on it when the sommelier mentioned he had just a few bottles left of a nice Amarone that he didn’t think would be restocked until the ship crosses to Miami. (Jeremy knows by now that he has a better chance of growing wings and taking flight than stopping me from buying wine.)

 

After dinner we tried our luck in the casino for a bit.  Tried and failed. The slots were a lot stingier than they were on my spring Beyond cruise. A lady at a machine near me who was on B2B said they were similarly stingy the cruise before this.

 

We gave up before we blew all our wine money and headed back to the martini bar for a live music set by the house band where we made friends with two nurses from Scotland and joined them for a few rounds.

 

About 1:30 in the morning we realized (far too late) what a bad idea it was to try and keep up with Scots when drinking is involved.

 

Jeremy is still completely down for the count, but I’m not going to survive without caffeine much longer so I think I’ll pull myself together and head to Al Bacio to sip and do some more writing.

 

Then I think I’ll take advantage of being free of my shopping warden to check out the onboard vintage handbag offerings before lunch. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[GenerationX]

7 hours ago, bnurick said:

You are the best writer on CC, by far. Enjoy your cruise. 😊 

Oh wow, this is a high complement because there are some really great writers on the boards! Thank you so much!

[GenerationX]

QUICK UPDATE FROM BEYOND

 

So the ladies in the handbag shop remembered me from my spring cruise (and the vintage Louis Vuitton wristlet I bought after too many peaches and bourbons and hitting a minor jackpot in the casino).  They told me if I buy this decadent $6K Chanel bag, they’ll throw in the Hermes scarf it’s displayed with for free…

 

I’m hiding out in Craft Social watching rugby and drinking a (delicious) Blush Up in order to avoid completely torpedoing both my savings account and my marriage.

 

 

 

 

[emmas gran]

Hi Charla, I need to go on holiday with you!!🥰

 

[Lena11033]

2 minutes ago, emmas gran said:

Hi Charla, I need to go on holiday with you!!🥰

 

Same lol

 

34 minutes ago, GenerationX said:

I’m hiding out in Craft Social watching rugby and drinking a (delicious) Blush Up in order to avoid completely torpedoing both my savings account and my marriage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

My husband just saw this bag and was like 'oh that's a nice bag'

[emmas gran]

OK if you like Amarone may I give you a vineyard to try the wines if available in your neck of the woods. We love Molly Dooker wines, big heavy reds and were lucky enough to visit the vineyard when touring in Australia. When in USA we are able to get them in ABC liquor stores, even found it in Honolulu!! Our first introduction was by friends in New Jersey who found it a little heavy for them it was Two Left Feet and a mere 16.5%. I'm sure you would like the Molly range and Celebrity used to have Gigglepot at $120 per bottle that was pre Covid

[BridgeMates]

On 10/18/2023 at 7:02 AM, hcat said:

Very nice apt for your pre cruise stay!

Hope you enjoy every minute but relax a bit too! 

 

 Beware  of pickpockets in Rome! 

Keep passports, paperwork  and money safe. Sal has a safe pack for under his clothes.. I use the " bank of bra"

 

Good advice.  We had a near incident on the subway with a guy dressed as a Priest!

[hcat]

10 minutes ago, BridgeMates said:

Good advice.  We had a near incident on the subway with a guy dressed as a Priest!

Sad reality of travel!

 

Loved the EDEN  food photos..We are trying it for the first time on Ascent.. Crab cakes looks great..hope it did not have any lobster in it..(Sal allergic). Grouper looks great too.. we will def have to pace ourselves ...so many choices.

[mac_tlc]

6 minutes ago, hcat said:

Sad reality of travel!

 

Loved the EDEN  food photos..We are trying it for the first time on Ascent.. Crab cakes looks great..hope it did not have any lobster in it..(Sal allergic). Grouper looks great too.. we will def have to pace ourselves ...so many choices.

Eden is the only specialty restaurant that we do on every cruise that we have the chance. For us it has always been great. Best crab cake, love the bazaar bowl, lamb, it’s all really good. My tip —— eat a light lunch.

 

 

mac_tlc

[hcat]

good tip..esp b/c we dine early..more time to savor the meal!

[weacat]

So excited to read your travels once again.  We have been debating cruising the MED next summer but the prices....

 

That bag is gorgeous.  Just think - it's an inheritance present for Gen Z.  🙂 

[DaKahuna]

5 hours ago, GenerationX said:

Thank you, I thought it was very strange too.  I looked all over for retreat signage but didn’t see any and asked multiple workers if we were in the right place/line for suites, just to be sure I could report back accurately.  Jeremy was getting embarrassed and said I was starting to sound elitist 😂

 

I wonder if maybe we were just there too early/late for it?

 

Charla,  I think you should mention to the Retreat Concierge and see what she/he has to say.  I think it strange that a major embarkation port would not have one. 

 

[zitsky]

5 hours ago, GenerationX said:

Thank you, I thought it was very strange too.  I looked all over for retreat signage but didn’t see any and asked multiple workers if we were in the right place/line for suites, just to be sure I could report back accurately.  Jeremy was getting embarrassed and said I was starting to sound elitist 😂

 

I wonder if maybe we were just there too early/late for it?

It’s possible they changed the terminal building to one without a separate Retreat sign in.  I wish I made a note of how we came in there and which terminal it was.

 

I don’t know who this “Jeremy” person is, but he needs a smack.  Elitist?  Haha.  😂

 

(Maybe he deserves to go home in coach for that comment?)  🙂

 

P.S.  Buy the Chanel bag.  Do it!  You deserve it.  I’m not a fashionista but sometimes I wish I were a woman so I could wear a Chanel suit.  They are so nice.  😂

Edited October 21, 2023 by zitsky

[DaKahuna]

2 hours ago, emmas gran said:

OK if you like Amarone may I give you a vineyard to try the wines if available in your neck of the woods. We love Molly Dooker wines, big heavy reds and were lucky enough to visit the vineyard when touring in Australia. When in USA we are able to get them in ABC liquor stores, even found it in Honolulu!! Our first introduction was by friends in New Jersey who found it a little heavy for them it was Two Left Feet and a mere 16.5%. I'm sure you would like the Molly range and Celebrity used to have Gigglepot at $120 per bottle that was pre Covid

 

 I agree.  Looking at my notes in the Vivino app I remember that I liked Two Left Feet a lot and it's also available in my area at Total Wine. 

 

[zitsky]

5 hours ago, GenerationX said:

No apology necessary!  I have a family history of kidney disease and also take hydration very seriously. In my land life I keep a yeti tumbler of ice water with me all day.  Of course, this has also led to my friends declaring me the connoisseur of good public restrooms in the St. Louis metropolitan area. 😂 

I take meds that make me use the bathroom fairly often.  Traveling gets interesting when you are stuck on a bus without a functioning bathroom.  I count the minutes until a rest stop.  My husband teases me about it when we travel.  😭

Edited October 21, 2023 by zitsky

[snowowl]

33 minutes ago, DaKahuna said:

 

Charla,  I think you should mention to the Retreat Concierge and see what she/he has to say.  I think it strange that a major embarkation port would not have one. 

 

We are also onboard the Beyond. There is a Retreat check-in area at the terminal. It is on the left when we get off the escalator.