ASCENT 2/4 to 2/11/2024 – Awesome – The “Bests”

[At Sea At Peace]

1 hour ago, keesar said:

The link does not appear to be from an Edge Class ship as the MDR menus do not look familiar.  Am I correct?

 

Thank you for posting.

 

You know, I don't know.  Pre-cruise trying to figure out what BLU offered and what we read on CC that you could order of the MDR, heavily inconsistent, then noted a list of 'classics' in postings. So, we 'googled' BLU Day by Day Menus, noted this link, as well as the 'everyday' items. Both actually lined up pretty good.

 

This was our first Edge Class cruise and we haven't cruise Celebrity (prior to 12/4/23 10N on Silhouette) since 2013 so really had to get up to speed on Aqua Class and BLU.  

 

Thanks for noting though. 👍

[Mimiya11]

Thanks for your review.  We are boarding the Ascent on Sunday.  Woo hoo.    

 

Two questions - 

Sounds like you prefer going to the Elite breakfast instead of Blu?  We are eligible for the Elite breakfast but never been for some reason.  

 

How early did you get to Eden to find a seat for evening entertainment?  From being on the Apex twice now, found it crazy busy even an hour earlier.   We did go to the Eden Cafe for lunch regularly.   Loved it.   

 

 . 

 

 

[At Sea At Peace]

10 hours ago, George C said:

Surprised with all the suites you have stayed in that you booked aqua class. 

 

Well, you're right and we tried. 

 

We booked on 12/15/2023 (the day after getting off of our first post-pandemic cruise on Silhouette 10N SC). There were no Retreat suites. Made the 'move up' offers to all, including Aqua Sky, at pretty good offers. All failed to materialize.

 

We also tried for B2B pre-cruise on most days until with window closed.

 

10 hours ago, George C said:

My favorite celebrity specialty restaurant is Le Petit Chef, my first edge cruise was penthouse which gives you specialty restaurants for free.  I only tried Blu once a long time ago and wasn’t impressed, most suites prefer Luminae.

 

We also loved the live music (sometimes, during Elite HH, it only took a couple of bar patrons to over-volume there 1/2 away conversations to sort of take the ambiance away) and setting designed for social interaction with others, or by choice, quite personal spaces.

 

The Eden menu looked good and we heard nothing but accolades from those who reserved (some more than once). As said, we booked, changed from 'tasting' to 'regular' and ultimately canceled.

 

10 hours ago, George C said:

My favorite celebrity specialty restaurant is Le Petit Chef, 

 

Le Petit Chef was our favorite dinner in December on Silhouette (the show was an aside).  The food was the 'best'

 

10 hours ago, George C said:

my first edge cruise was penthouse which gives you specialty restaurants for free.  I only tried Blu once a long time ago and wasn’t impressed, most suites prefer Luminae.

 

Again, we tried. 😐 But we'll try to make whatever we get work.

 

We do have a planned segment on Aqua Class and BLU upcoming. Stay tuned.

 

Thank you for the detailed specific inquiries. 🧐

 

[At Sea At Peace]

17 minutes ago, Mimiya11 said:

Thanks for your review.  We are boarding the Ascent on Sunday.  Woo hoo.    

 

 

Jealous, but enjoy. 🛳️

 

17 minutes ago, Mimiya11 said:

Two questions - 

 

Sounds like you prefer going to the Elite breakfast instead of Blu?  We are eligible for the Elite breakfast but never been for some reason.  

 

 

We did.

 

First, we each start with our Free premium coffee, Americano (2) and Cappuccino.  They come HOT. We ask  for 20 minutes to enjoy our coffee, we talk about the upcoming day (and if anything "up" with 3 sons families, grandkids, in-laws etc. back on land). ☕ ☕ ☕

 

Second, the Le Grand Bistro location (Le Petit Chef), the view and the aesthetics of the design and ambiance are tops, and it is (on 'most' days) a lot more private than BLU.

 

Third, although limited, we are quite satiated by the collection of fresh and fruits and berries plate (berries in short supply, lots of melon, pineapple, kiwi and mango) for one of us and the meat plate for the cured meats (ham, salamis, prosciutto and mortadella) and the artisan cheeses plate (also served with "much more" grapes, berries, dried fruit and walnuts). A lot of fruit for one of us and protein for the other. 😉

 

*** We found that the above 3-Plates were more satiating to us than the Ultimate Platter and we had not interest in the salmon.  We did split a side bagel daily.***

 

 

Fourth, only when we cruise, the Elite Captains Club offers (in addition to the premium coffee for those without a beverage package) Sparkling Wine, Mimosas, Bellinis and Bloody Mary's that we enjoy. Always order a extra shot of vodka after first taste and they would bring us almost a full 'prosecco-type' glass (looks a lot like 2 shots).  🥂

 

 

 

17 minutes ago, Mimiya11 said:

Two questions - 

 

How early did you get to Eden to find a seat for evening entertainment?  From being on the Apex twice now, found it crazy busy even an hour earlier.   

 

 

Depended on our evening plans, primarily when we felt we'd likely dine, but also because of changes we make on "sea days" where the Solarium is 'transformed' from the overwhelming passengers looking for inside and under cover (more on windy, wavy, cloudy or rainy days). 

 

Early (Long) Eden Bar and Lounge - We'd go for a couple of shows from 3PM on (and leave for early dinner).

 

Early (Short) and Late (Short) Eden Bar and Lounge - Otherwise, generally went at 5 for HH (an experiment we tried, will start a thread on 'NO drink package test') for a prosecco and for me, a glass of Pinot Noir (and one to take to BLU), the to BLU at about 6:45 as those early diners would 'turn over' and likely head to shows. After dinner, we'd stop back at Eden if we wanted to socialize or listen to more entertainment.

 

17 minutes ago, Mimiya11 said:

 

We did go to the Eden Cafe for lunch regularly.   Loved it.   

 

 

Yep, we too.

 

 

 

 

[keesar]

49 minutes ago, Mimiya11 said:

Thanks for your review.  We are boarding the Ascent on Sunday.  Woo hoo.    

 

Two questions - 

Sounds like you prefer going to the Elite breakfast instead of Blu?  We are eligible for the Elite breakfast but never been for some reason.  

 

How early did you get to Eden to find a seat for evening entertainment?  From being on the Apex twice now, found it crazy busy even an hour earlier.   We did go to the Eden Cafe for lunch regularly.   Loved it.   

 

 . 

 

 

We are also boarding on Sunday.  Looking forward to this weekend.

 

We prefer breakfast in Blu as we like the omelettes made to order and the warm food options.  I order a plate of fresh berries and or the cheese/berry plate.  Sadly, no views in Blu on the Edge class ships like we get in the S-class. 

 

 

 

 

[At Sea At Peace]

14 hours ago, MisterMet said:

Thanks for this review. Excellent insights and pics. Never been on Edge class before.  Sailing Beyond in August so this is truly helpful.  Tell me more why you liked the Infinite Verandas so much?

 

Ooops, sorry we missed this early question. 

 

As noted in the OP, we've sailed 80+ weeks at sea since 2008 (and none 2020-December 2023). We used the Infinite Veranda "more" than all of the balconies on all of the other cruises on all of the ships combined.

 

We're thinking aloud as to why?

 

PROS

 

We used the IV essentially "in lieu of" the sofa and sofa area.  Since we favor the bed by the glass towards the ocean, the sofa area is sort of a 'staging area' for our clothes from the day, new clothes, and dressing. When one showered and dressed the other would read the Kindle or the d-News, Sports, Politics (Ugh) in the IV.

 

Felt like more space.

 

If ready early for the night, we'd stick to our plan and sit in the IV and have a glass of champagne and/or pinot noir.

 

When I would go for a daily 1-1.5 hour walk on the track DW sometimes choose to read in the IV. Again, especially on those 'sea days'  or 'other factor days' where the Solarium would be packed and 'toweled up' and we weren't going there.  Those were "let's tour the ship" days!

 

There was NO ~

 

~ smoke (pick a type 😲) from other balconies.

 

~ noise from other balconies.

 

~ bugs and such (mostly at ports was the concern).

[Mimiya11]

 Thank you for your very detailed responses to all our questions At Sea at Peace. 

 

[MisterMet]

12 minutes ago, At Sea At Peace said:

 

Ooops, sorry we missed this early question. 

 

As noted in the OP, we've sailed 80+ weeks at sea since 2008 (and none 2020-December 2023). We used the Infinite Veranda "more" than all of the balconies on all of the other cruises on all of the ships combined.

 

We're thinking aloud as to why?

 

PROS

 

We used the IV essentially "in lieu of" the sofa and sofa area.  Since we favor the bed by the glass towards the ocean, the sofa area is sort of a 'staging area' for our clothes from the day, new clothes, and dressing. When one showered and dressed the other would read the Kindle or the d-News, Sports, Politics (Ugh) in the IV.

 

Felt like more space.

 

If ready early for the night, we'd stick to our plan and sit in the IV and have a glass of champagne and/or pinot noir.

 

When I would go for a daily 1-1.5 hour walk on the track DW sometimes choose to read in the IV. Again, especially on those 'sea days'  or 'other factor days' where the Solarium would be packed and 'toweled up' and we weren't going there.  Those were "let's tour the ship" days!

 

There was NO ~

 

~ smoke (pick a type 😲) from other balconies.

 

~ noise from other balconies.

 

~ bugs and such (mostly at ports was the concern).

Thanks for that great detailed response. I really like how you felt you utilized the space because of the bed next to the window. We are really looking forward to our cruise on Beyond.  Thanks for a great review.

[At Sea At Peace]

BEST #4 – DINING "ENTREES" 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟

 

Well, given that we only did Le Grand Bistro 'for lunch' and award a 5* Best for the Appetizer and Starter, we dined only at BLU in the evening. So, we know there were a lot of experiences out there above and beyond the following, but it is specifically what we were able to select.

 

Herb-Crusted Rack of Lamb (Medium Rare) - A personal cruising favorite, perfectly cooked and seared and seasoned, accompanied (2nd picture) very light phyllo crusted lamb shoulder (almost pate), smart fingerlings and peas and the pod.

 

 

 

Turf and Surf

 

Pan-Seared Filet Mignon - Awesome sear, slow cook and rest. Celery puree' and Olive Oil beef jus.

 

 

 

Oven-Roaster Lobster Tail - Whole lobster tail and really good saffron tomato rice, asparagus and lemon beurre blanc.  Now, we summer in NH (not far from the coast), grew up and raised 3 sons there on the Lake and Maine lobster is our 'thing' in the summer; a 2.5-3 lb 'hard shell' steamed on Friday night, rested, one claw and arm then, another for lunch Saturday and two lobster rolls Sunday/Monday).  So, we're spoiled.

 

However this was very well done, especially in a Turf and Surf combination.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited February 13 by At Sea At Peace

[At Sea At Peace]

BEST #4 – DINING "ENTREES" 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟

 

RUNNER UP 😎

 

Braised Beef Short Ribs - Collar greens, mango chutney, ginger spiced phyllo crisps. Slowed cooked and 'for tender'

 

 

[George C]

1 hour ago, At Sea At Peace said:

 

Well, you're right and we tried. 

 

We booked on 12/15/2023 (the day after getting off of our first post-pandemic cruise on Silhouette 10N SC). There were no Retreat suites. Made the 'move up' offers to all, including Aqua Sky, at pretty good offers. All failed to materialize.

 

We also tried for B2B pre-cruise on most days until with window closed.

 

 

We also loved the live music (sometimes, during Elite HH, it only took a couple of bar patrons to over-volume there 1/2 away conversations to sort of take the ambiance away) and setting designed for social interaction with others, or by choice, quite personal spaces.

 

The Eden menu looked good and we heard nothing but accolades from those who reserved (some more than once). As said, we booked, changed from 'tasting' to 'regular' and ultimately canceled.

 

 

Le Petit Chef was our favorite dinner in December on Silhouette (the show was an aside).  The food was the 'best'

 

 

Again, we tried. 😐 But we'll try to make whatever we get work.

 

We do have a planned segment on Aqua Class and BLU upcoming. Stay tuned.

 

Thank you for the detailed specific inquiries. 🧐

 

We were extremely lucky our first attempt for upsell on the second cruise after Covid was successful and we went from sky to penthouse on edge . Prices for suites are ridiculous, I was looking at a European cruise and celebrity wanted double the cost for suite over aqua. 

[keesar]

2 hours ago, At Sea At Peace said:

 

There was NO ~

 

~ smoke (pick a type 😲) from other balconies.

 

~ noise from other balconies.

 

~ bugs and such (mostly at ports was the concern).

You forgot to mention the neighbor next door leaning over their balcony and peering into your cabin.  

[At Sea At Peace]

5 hours ago, keesar said:

You forgot to mention the neighbor next door leaning over their balcony and peering into your cabin.  

 

Well that too. 😄

 

My non-favorite is someone in an upper balcony flicking a butt while underway and having it land on my lap. Seriously. 

[Sea38]

On 2/12/2024 at 11:01 PM, At Sea At Peace said:

 

Yep, it is certainly awesome and we too wish we were still on board.

 

It was only our 2nd post-pandemic cruise, our first Edge Class and the cruise was special.  The demographics of the passengers on Celebrity (did Silhouette in December '23) and on this cruise appear to trend to a good balance of cruise passengers with regard to courtesy, demeanor, respect and consideration (and friendliness). The design of this ship class, especially the significant number of venues and seating arrangements, we believe contributed to social interaction with other couples and groups quite a bit. Met a lot of really decent people, sat together for hours, waved and chatted upon sight around the ship thereafter and welcomed to sit (for lounge social or dining) regularly.

 

We tried for 3-days during the cruise to get on the ship (stay on the ship) for this week also and nothing opened up at all down at the future cruise desk or online. 

My hubby & I from the UK were also on this cruise and I 100% agree it had a fab crowd and we met some wonderful fellow guests.  I love to dance and I met some friends for life on the dance floor 🕺!

[hcat]

On 2/13/2024 at 8:52 AM, keesar said:

We are also boarding on Sunday.  Looking forward to this weekend.

 

We prefer breakfast in Blu as we like the omelettes made to order and the warm food options.  I order a plate of fresh berries and or the cheese/berry plate.  Sadly, no views in Blu on the Edge class ships like we get in the S-class. 

 

 

 

 

Bon Voyage!

Loved Ascent❤️

[hcat]

On 2/13/2024 at 8:59 AM, At Sea At Peace said:

 

Ooops, sorry we missed this early question. 

 

As noted in the OP, we've sailed 80+ weeks at sea since 2008 (and none 2020-December 2023). We used the Infinite Veranda "more" than all of the balconies on all of the other cruises on all of the ships combined.

 

We're thinking aloud as to why?

 

PROS

 

We used the IV essentially "in lieu of" the sofa and sofa area.  Since we favor the bed by the glass towards the ocean, the sofa area is sort of a 'staging area' for our clothes from the day, new clothes, and dressing. When one showered and dressed the other would read the Kindle or the d-News, Sports, Politics (Ugh) in the IV.

 

Felt like more space.

 

If ready early for the night, we'd stick to our plan and sit in the IV and have a glass of champagne and/or pinot noir.

 

When I would go for a daily 1-1.5 hour walk on the track DW sometimes choose to read in the IV. Again, especially on those 'sea days'  or 'other factor days' where the Solarium would be packed and 'toweled up' and we weren't going there.  Those were "let's tour the ship" days!

 

There was NO ~

 

~ smoke (pick a type 😲) from other balconies.

 

~ noise from other balconies.

 

~ bugs and such (mostly at ports was the concern).

We too enjoyed the IV.. our little enclosed lanai!

[At Sea At Peace]

1 hour ago, hcat said:

We too enjoyed the IV.. our little enclosed lanai!

 

Yep. I took us a couple of days to figure out how to arrange the chairs and the table. 🤨

 

We finally found out, that for us, having one chair away from the foot of the bed and to right (aft) against the IV aft wall, with the table right next to it, and the other chair tight to IV (left) forward wall, left a nice 'open lane' to walk in and out and get to each of the chairs.

[At Sea At Peace]

6 hours ago, Sea38 said:

My hubby & I from the UK were also on this cruise and I 100% agree it had a fab crowd and we met some wonderful fellow guests.  I love to dance and I met some friends for life on the dance floor 🕺!

 

One of the best cruises, including single or B2B, with the social interaction with other couples and multiple couples developed so easily and continued as the cruise continued in Eden and in other venues on the ship. We won't drop any names (other than Maureen from Scotland 🥰) who we met on the first breakfast day. One couple we first met in Eden during HH (and they danced) briefly reached out later on that evening and grabbed us at the CLUB on the show night (Smoke...) to bring us to stools near them in the packed venue.

 

We just snagged Ascent for 12/1 and 12/8/24. Tough to find much else, yet one of our favorite times to cruise. Same stateroom B2B. Still not the Retreat, but... A good pre-Christmas respite before traveling to TX for one sons family and 2 GKS and then off to MD for 3rd sons family and younger GKS.  Enjoy them both, but a different schedule, activity level etc.😉

[At Sea At Peace]

BEST #5 – "WALK-OFF DISEMBARKATION" 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟

 

Alright, this sounds small and not material. However, very, very important to a lot people with flights (actual FLL or MIA departures and then connections). ***We wanted to get right off to avoid large group congestion in lounges and hallways with assigned departure at 9:10AM to minimize exposure to 'everything' in such spaces. 🙄

 

The 'walk-off' allowed us to (estimated) to start to depart at 7:30AM if you carried your luggage unassisted.

 

So, you head down to Deck 5 and through the 'glass and mirror hallway' past BLU, the Eden pre-entrance, Eden, out on the Starboard side (pier side) and all the way up to the front of the ship near the Theatre for exit to the gangway ramp. It's a long candy cane distance.

 

You can really early and get to the front of that line. You can stand in the line all the way out to the glass and mirror hallway and still do pretty good (we did and we went down at 7:15AM).

 

OR

 

You can wait until the line fills up 'all the way to the entrance to the glass and mirror hallway' when, on our cruise, the then directed everyone thereafter in a line toward the Theatre exit - basically creating a new 'start of a line' and way ahead of where you would have been at the end of the other line.

 

We were the last in the original line through Eden, but we were in no hurry having only to go a mile up A1A to our condo on the beach.

 

Both are 'excellent' and the ride-shares are stacked up and minutes away.

 

 

Edited February 14 by At Sea At Peace

[hcat]

37 minutes ago, At Sea At Peace said:

 

Yep. I took us a couple of days to figure out how to arrange the chairs and the table. 🤨

 

We finally found out, that for us, having one chair away from the foot of the bed and to right (aft) against the IV aft wall, with the table right next to it, and the other chair tight to IV (left) forward wall, left a nice 'open lane' to walk in and out and get to each of the chairs.

we had that bed by bath by balc once..d' foot was on the lanai as he stepped out of bed..

 

this time we had:the bed by bath.. a bit tight by the closet but was overall great for us! And near bthrm for night time needs!

[At Sea At Peace]

15 hours ago, hcat said:

we had that bed by bath by balc once..d' foot was on the lanai as he stepped out of bed..

 

 

Yep! It can be tight depending on where we left the IV chairs and table.

 

15 hours ago, hcat said:

 

this time we had:the bed by bath.. a bit tight by the closet but was overall great for us! And near bthrm for night time needs!

 

😅 Yep again.

That venture from the IV bedside, around the bed, then seeking the desk chair back and the bureau can be interesting on the way to relief.

 

The way back is a real challenge!  After being inside the very bright bathroom and coming out to the dark stateroom, I had to close my eyes and count to 10 and reopen just to get a rough idea of where the bureau started, then the desk chair, bang a left as the bed extended out in the path, grab the bottom and use it as a guide around on the way back. 🧐

 

Which brings us to a simple peeve. Why are all of the corners on the furniture (and that little night stand) so square and sharp? All should be rounded?

[At Sea At Peace]

BEST #6 – DESSERT 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟

 

Although chocolate anything is a usual go-to, the best dessert was the Apple Tart Tartan at BLU.

 

[At Sea At Peace]

BEST #7 – "SIMPLE & ATTRACTIVE DECOR" 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟

 

Although there is a lot of 'glitzy' designs and decor, there are also a lot of very simple and attractive decor and designs.

 

Le Grand Bistro - Room Divider (Pots and Pans) - Our Favorite

 

 

Somewhere - Designer Plates

 

 

Rose Sculptured Wall Paper in BLU

 

 

Fine Cut - Table for Two

 

 

Fine Cut - Table for EIGHT

 

 

Raw on 5 - Entrance

 

 

 

Craft Social Bar - Entrance

 

 

Metal Art - Lights and Reflecting

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited February 18 by At Sea At Peace