Spif Barwunkel

Hopefully, in its inaugural sailing season, the Celebrity Ascent will not, I repeat will not be hosting the "Worldwide - AT SEA - Pickleball Championships." I can see and hear it now. "Live from the Rooftop Garden Grill Pickleball Court on Celebrity Ascent, I'm Jim Nantz alongside Ben Johns here to bring you the 2023 Worldwide Pickleball Championships." That just can't happen...right?

Came across some participants in the Rooftop area on a recent Beyond cruise. Certainly not a spectator sport since no skills were demonstrated by the four participants. Except for the serve, they could not get the ball over the net more than once or twice. Spent most of the time chasing the orb. I'm guessing that's the way it is most of the time. Not being a pickleball fan or athlete myself, X does not need to provide this activity fleet wide.

And right before my eyes did appear, Ms. Georgia Peaches in the MSC sphere. Ms. Peaches, you may remember we touched briefly on MSC on another thread on another forum. At that time, MSC cruising for us was the furthest thing from my mind. How quickly things can change. Yesterday we got a call from good friends in NY who we met on a Celebrity cruise years ago and continue to keep in touch with. They are veteran MSC cruisers and prefer to patronize this line. To shorten a long phone conversation, they say to us, "we are coming to Florida in September to cruise on Seaside for seven nights in the Caribbean." "You wanna go?" Seaside lives in Port Canaveral, thirty minutes north of where we live, seemed like a no-brainer to join good folks for a good time. So, here we are booked in a balcony cabin, mid-ship on deck 11, with no nudging from GP, on a ship with a 67-health rating when a passing score is 86. Go figure. I go to the MSC forum in order to glean useful information and worthwhile comments and .... well, my opening sentence says it all. Although the casino is not our thing, I appreciate your views on all things cruising. Couple your thread with another well-respected OP's Seaside review and I'm doing pretty good for starters. It is going to be a good time. We are good adjusters, adapters, and look at every cruise as a new experience. We don't compare. Rather, each sailing has its own personality and deserves to be judged on its own merit. We will do just that, while keeping in mind pertinent information from you and others. I assume that this short cruise with Mama Peaches was very enjoyable and obviously somewhat lucrative. Continued good voyages wherever you go and whoever you choose to take you there.

Both DW and I have no desire to cruise the Panama Canal nor the itinerary associated with that cruise.

I noticed you are b2b on Infinity in the Med. In February M'Lady and me were on Infinity 9400 miles away in Antarctica. Quite the change in scenery and temperature. In May, we were on another X ship in this same neighborhood, and I recognize several familiar places in Athens/Plaka and lovely spaces in Mykonos. I noticed a picture of Parliament House in Athens. Were you able to see the Changing of the Guard? More great photo ops to come in Santorini, and the next leg as well. I don't follow "live froms" on CC but I can respect the effort and dedication of those who provide live reviews for fellow cruisers to enjoy. You do an excellent job of blending information, photos, a bit of storytelling and humor into a compilation of easy-to-read essays. Seems like a natural thing for you to do.

NMT wants so much support and validation, I am sure he was pleased.

Not quite sure of your use of the word "preception" (my shortcoming) vs perception. Whichever, of whose negative pre or per ception do you speak? More importantly, is it significant enough to alter your pre-cruise preparations and/or enthusiasm? One must be extremely assiduous when reading and reading into reviews. While helpful, I believe they are the cause of much unnecessary stress and second-guessing. Keep your focus neutral no matter what you have read and what your previous experiences have been. Understand, there are just too many variables that you or anyone else cannot account for. A good, understanding attitude makes for less surprises and more fun.

I'm thinkin' you and Nuts might have hit on something worthwhile here. Unusual, I know, but perhaps you both have. What if Celebrity hires outside contractors to provide some of its most important services. For example, Ritz Carlton could provide housekeeping services on board X ships. Bolex Brothers (studios) could produce theatre shows and other entertainment. The French Laundry would be responsible for all food and table services fleet wide. This could be the answer in bringing ships and people together again in perfect harmony. I like it!

I am embarrassed for and ashamed of Celebrity Cruise Lines. The blatant, purposeful swindling and pilfering of loyal, as well as new passengers is unacceptable. The disregard for their personal comfort and satisfaction is downright unconscionable. As a result, the ignominious taint that now permeates the heart and soul of many X cruisers might never wear off. Celebrity does not deserve you. Celebrity does not deserve your dollars, your euros, your pesos, your pounds, your francs, your krone or krona. What Celebrity does deserve is your divorce. So, as you all move on to new and better adventurous offerings - land or sea - I will remain here and try, as best I can, to help offset the X debt. I don't yet reek of that ignominious taint, perhaps it's my genetic make-up. I wish you all well, I really do. Perhaps in the future the record will show that I took the blows while you all went off and did it your way. If we can all whistle a happy tune, that's all that matters.

The sophisticated wit just won't stop coming.

Certainly a valorous statement, and deserving of kudos if sincere Although too late, could have been a lesson learned for several on this thread.

And that works for me, RY. I may not be enjoying my BFF (Best Freakin' Food) every time I sit down, but I'll be eating good food that I have chosen as an alternative, and looking damn fine while masticating I might add.

A terrible philosophy, actually. Why would you not expect anything but an overall enjoyable cruise? That just makes no sense to me. Letting comments on CC determine your pre-cruise mindset is foolish. So, you will get on the ship expecting the worst. You are already leaning that way, perhaps your expectations will be met. Perhaps they should be. Either way, you will not be disappointed.

Nuts - You don't want my palate. You would then have no reason to be cranky, ornery and contrary. Those are the qualities that endear you to so many. Never lose them, they won me over.

Our last three Celebrity cruises in 12/22, 2/23 and 5/23 were on one each of the three classes of ships. Referencing BLU fare only for breakfast and dinner, the food was wonderful on two of the three. On a third, not so much. French Onion soup was plentiful. Figured I would throw that in since it has become a hot topic on this thread. However, had there been no French Onion soup nor Aged Prime Rib to go with my finest garb, the food would have been adequately palatable and certainly sustainable. Celebrity food does not suck. Occasionally there is a misstep. If you can't find other dining opportunities that will satisfy your palate and your cravings, bring a self-made bagged lunch / breakfast //dinner. Can't go wrong there and you only have yourself to blame. In the meantime, enjoy your cruise.

Does your palette reflect the colorful, seasoned flavors of a victual connoisseur? Or is your pallet laden with the cumbersome weight of a gluttonous gourmand? Could be that your palate is just not sophisticated enough to let you know the difference. Oh well!

I would suggest that you replace your nervousness with enthusiastic anticipation. The Silhouette and her crew are very welcoming, and as mentioned in a previous post, you will probably never notice the controlled areas. The vibe is more laid back than on RCCL but by no means restrictive in providing an enjoyable atmosphere. In no way should you be anxious about your upcoming Celebrity cruise. Rather, prepare yourselves to feel right at home and just as comfortable as you do on any Royal ship.

Say it isn't so. Could it be? Have standard balcony rooms met their demise, while infinite verandas are on the rise. Is it possible that cruise passenger behavior and indifference is a big reason for a radical change in a particular cabin category on X ships? If so, you'll pardon me, but I'm chuckling to myself right now. How ironic that the very cruisers who degrade the IV, may very well be the reasons for their own agitation and displeasure with current Edge Class events. A very interesting and valid hypothesis.

Even in my ignorance regarding cruise ship efficiency, this certainly seems to be sound reasoning. If indeed that is the case, does Celebrity now catch a break from all the negative IV and Brand related commentary? Those who dislike the Infinite Verandas will continue to dislike them but does the logic behind their creation validate X's attempt to become more efficient and thus cost effective. I would hope so. Can we get away from thinking that X is intentionally deserting loyalists, old folks, light sleepers and real balcony purists? Also, could it be that over the years there have been many cases of "standard balcony abuse"? Open balcony doors, low AC temp settings to offset heat discomfort when sitting on the balcony. It's not your dime, at the time, but sometime in the future your cruise cost might include another person's electric bill...so to speak.

Could not agree more, RY. Who do people think they are to voice differing opinions and comments in a sensible and logical manner? It screams nothing but vitriolic hubris that has no place on a forum such as this. Kudos to you for pointing this out. However, despite these machinations, I will continue to enjoy Celebrity cruising...in an IV.

Actually, there are plenty of "balcony" ships in all areas if you want to stick with Celebrity. Since 2000, nine M and S Class ships have provided much enjoyment to X cruisers. They will continue to do so in a style and presentation preferred by many. One's Celebrity "status" is in no way compromised by the introduction of Edge Class ships, and one certainly did not work hard to attain that status. You found an attractive vacation that you liked, spent the money and continued to partake of X's offerings for many years. There are things that some folks don't like about the new ships. So what, don't patronize them. There are nine M & S class ships on which you can continue to enjoy fun and frolic. No need to be frustrated because as you stated, "now I have the choice." So make it and stop blaming Infinite Verandas for all things unpleasant about X cruising. These ships are not for everyone, apparently, if one cannot adapt or enjoy the "Brand" in its entirety, cruise elsewhere like many folks are apparently doing.

Excellent positive responses in posts 86 & 87, just as you requested. Adding to those, I would say that the introduction of IV's on Edge Class ships piqued my curiosity and prompted me to book an IV on an early Edge sailing. We have two more booked this year on Beyond and Ascent. The point here is, the Infinite Veranda gave me the opportunity to see for myself what it is all about, thus making up my own mind and fulfilling my inquisitiveness. Had I not been a fan, no harm done, the cruise would still have been an enjoyable one. Enjoy the IV and Edge Class because they are giving you the opportunity to do so. I do not want to be the one who changes your mind. If you can comfortably book an IV cabin despite all the negativity on this thread, that you did not request, do so of your own accord and based on how your curiosity needs to be fulfilled, if at all.

Once again, you and I disagree. Not unusual. Certainly, if the OP is good with turning this thread in to another IV pros vs cons, that is just dandy, and I will yield to AliceS. In the meantime, in some cases, we remain off-script.

Whereas I do not feel that post #63 is intended to usurp this thread, it could certainly seem that way. The OP asked a simple question, and as is too often the case, some folks just can't stick to the script. I will not speak for the OP, but I will assume that your country of residence matters not in the total scheme of things. Just answer the simple question, no matter where you live. Nothing more, nothing less.

I do enjoy the Infinite Veranda. Semantics notwithstanding, it is a new variation on an old theme, and I do believe that the IV is more versatile than the standard balcony cabin. Different, no doubt, and it tested my adaptability, which passed with flying colors I might add. Call it what you like, IV does not work for everyone and given the vernacular in which many folks speak, the debasement of this particular cabin category will certainly continue. So, for those of you who continue to eschew the Infinite Veranda, your abstinence from same enables me, and a few others, to have unincumbered access for our choice of cabin. And when we sail away with all IV's full of the "cool" folks, our thoughts will go to the "others" onboard and that they too may feel some semblance of cool.