Crazy planning mom

On 8/14/2023 at 2:31 PM, Jasukkie said:

I took my kids so many places, not so they could have memories, but so they could be formed by experiences. 

 

And really, I cruise for the feeling of being at sea, which is more a vibe than specific event memories. 

I agree with what you wrote 110 percent.  Even if they wont remember this trip, they are being affected by the experiences they are having.  Hope OP and his family has a great time.

Have heard good things about Virgin.  How did the 2 cruises compare pricewise?

17 minutes ago, NMTraveller said:

We had something similiar happen to us on an Eastern Med cruise on the Edge.  The reason for the excursion cancellations was weather and port changes.  The good excursions were given to the suites

Omg, this is the first I've heard where suites were favored on excursions.

1 hour ago, terrydtx said:

You can also go into the Celebrity app and see all the MDR menus. Also know they most likely will change before you cruise next year.

I am only seeing the kids menu on the app.

1 hour ago, Fly and Sail said:

I was considering it before because of good flight options ex Bergen (Norway in general) but this plus the outlook of just another sea day made me decide for it.

 

I did enjoy this week of nature. Panorama and fresh air are always nice.

 

Keep in mind that this was a comped cruise through the casino so it’s always easier to pull something like that when it’s not your money on the line. 😉

Well, I booked this ship for a winter Caribbean cruise and hope we enjoy it.  It won't be during a school break week.  Glad you are at least enjoying Norway.

16 minutes ago, Fly and Sail said:

Seven hours of family time and the remainder of the day isn’t enforced either. Celebrity also doesn’t show any interest in doing so.

 

They are currently working on my early disembarkation formalities ex Bergen, that way I can stay two more days in Europe rather than having to deal with all this. 😅

 

On a positive note, Flam is very nice today!

 

 

Beautiful photos.  Had you always planned to disembark early or is this because you aren't enjoying?  4-11 seems way too much for family hours.  Maybe 4-6 would be reasonable.

When do you think they will go on sale?

28 minutes ago, Silvery Seas Cruiser said:

We have been regular Celebrity cruisers. I am not pleased with the changes, but where can we go without trading up to higher end cruise lines? As I have read about cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean, Disney, Carnival, and all of these similar classes of cruise lines, I learn they are all making cuts and removing amenities that we have experienced for years. It seems old fashioned hospitality has jumped ship just as it has with hotels and airlines. Why younger cruisers would not appreciate that same level of hospitality, I can't imagine

My younger neighbor used to sail Celebrity 3x a year.  She was always praising it.  Well, she is sailing on Virgin this year.

The thing is Celebrity is known for their food.  Now, they are downgrading their menu, why sail on them?  That is what they are known for.

We have our 2nd Celebrity cruise booked for 2024.  However, if the food isn't better than Royal , then we will probably go back to Royal or NCL or try Virgin.

4 minutes ago, Boatharbour said:

We were on the Apex prior to this cruise and were not impressed with any of the MDR menus.

Choices were reduced and the quality was definitely poorer than our previous cruise just prior to the pandemic. You won’t go hungry, but the meals are repetitive and uninspiring. 
Surprisingly after all I’d read on CC, the buffet at the Oceanview was good. It was busy most nights with a wide range of options. We ended up cancelling some of our pre-booked MDR dinners and either ate at the buffet or paid for specialty dining. Eden was superb and we enjoyed a nice evening at Fine Cut. 

Thank you for sharing your experience.  This is disappointing.  Celebrity has always been known for their dining.  We were already planning to have  1 dinner in Buffet, 1 night in a specialty restaurant and 1 dinner in Old San Juan.

3 hours ago, scrapcreator said:

We were very fortunate. Our taxi driver pulled up just past that horribly long line and a young man with a hand cart and porter vest offered to take our luggage and pointed us to the door. We gave him a bit of a tip and were onboard in less than 10 minutes. Fastest boarding ever for us “regular folk”.

How are the menus in the 4 MDR's.  I understand they have drastically reduced the menu.

I don't ever sail in a suite but given Royal's great earning report, is this further cost cutting really necessary?

Do you know if the ship was sailing at full capacity?  As long as they are selling out, there will be no incentive to approve things.

Excellent report.  It seems like you definitely were super organized as far as port exploration.  I can also definitely see how bringing the nanny enhanced the trip so the kids could have a day of rest and relaxation while you were off exploring.  Then, you met up with them afterward.

I live in the NYC metro area and I mostly use Dial 7 Car Service to and from the airport.  I reserve them in advance.  They aren't cheapest but are very reliable if you don't want to be herded onto a bus.

1 hour ago, ElmaLee said:

Sofitel is IN Athens airport.  Easy walk to terminal building.  I think it would take longer to drive!

Yes, you are correct.  I wrote that the hotel was across the street from the airport but what I meant is that is across the street from the terminal.

We used Welcome Pickups to go to the Sofitel.

We stayed at the Sofitel last Fall.  It is literally across the street from the airport.  It was so easy to make our early morning flight and just walk across the street.

It is a very nice hotel.

2 hours ago, jwlane said:

There are a plethora of posts of this forum expressing all sides of the "controvers[y]".  No reduction.

Yes, some people love them, some people hate them, and some people don't care.

I was just wondering given the mixed opinions and the lack of true traditional balconies which are popular, whether they might reduce the number of those on a new ship.  I thought I read that the Icon of the seas is planning to have some but only a small number.

1 hour ago, Jimbo said:

Curious, How far ahead or where  did you book the  Adante  hotel? I just looked for a couple nights in there for June 2024 and it said nothing available?

It may be too early for June 2024.

Just curious considering how controversial the infinite verandahs are, is Celebrity reducing the number of them on the Ascent?

Yes, much appreciative of this wonderful  review.  As someone who will be sailing in a porthole balcony and will not have access to Luminae or Blu, this review is great.  

It seems like demand for European cruises isn't as strong as expected.  NCL had planned for the Epic to be year round in the Med but now nixed that plan and she will be in Port Canaveral in the winter.  I know when the cruiselines released figures a few months ago,

Sailings in Europe were at less than 100 percent capacity while sailings in the Caribbean were over 100 percent capacity 

So, my guess is that Celebrity determined it would be more profitable at this time to base the Beyond year round in Florida.

8 hours ago, Bimmer09 said:

Dinner tonight was in Cosmopolitan as the ship sat in Reykjavik . Our waiter was Bitsy from Indonesia who often served us breakfast.

As usual 3 different butters

 

Carol's Gravlax

 

My cauliflower (puree) flan. With shrimp I think

 

Carol's corn soup

 

Carol's pork chop with red cabbage and roasted pear

 

My sirloin steak which came with mashed potatoes from an ice cream scoop which reminded me of high school lunches. I asked for fries and they were procured. Now that's service!

 

Carol's dessert was carrot cake

 

and I , after explaining the glass that should be used, had a Sambuca and espresso

 

Another fine meal despite the lame espresso. Looks like mud.

How was the cauliflower flan?

Dumb question- Does the Martini Bar serves soda?  Would it be acceptable to order an included wine under the classic package and a coke if my husband and i want to hang there?