vtcruising

38 minutes ago, bandp407 said:

Hcat - I am back again (briefly) now that we have the music question solved!  We have never done an SV cabin but are going to book one on the Apex sailing for 2021. I believe you were on deck 7, however I am looking at the available cabins up on decks 10 & 11. The thought being there might be a bit less vibration? I realize the balcony may be a wee bit smaller , but we are OK with that. The plan is to wait and book this sailing when we board Symphony on Saturday.  The sale is still running and we will get an extra $150 OBC for booking onboard. Your thoughts once again appreciated!

 

Paula

I haven't heard anything negative about the SV's on 10 & 11 and have one of the center ones on 11 booked for one of my cruises. 🙂

2 minutes ago, hcat said:

Wow..thanks...the guide did not say all that but  gave the gist of it.  She did give us the idea to look up!

I should have added quotation marks... 🙂

1 minute ago, hcat said:

No..and I forgot to ask.  I wonder if the same firm is curating it...If so we are in for a treat.

I am getting excited!🙂

3 minutes ago, hcat said:

 

EDGE has quite a few  original historic pieces..They will probably have a varied and amazing collection on APEX!

Did they tell you anything about the Apex art on your Edge Art Tour?

28 minutes ago, BriSquared said:

I know this is an old thread...but the same way I just came across it, I wanted to provide an alternate perspective and different point of view. 

We loved Eden, from its carpet to its drinks, and meandering design with many places to engage with others or quiet time for yourself.  We loved the magic carpet, for a drink, a relaxing place to sit, or for dinner when offered.

Our friends stayed in an infinite veranda and loved it and want to book it again.

I came across this thread and thought it would be helpful to note that, while not for everyone, some of us think the ideas deserve a promotion rather than firing. This is not a slide against prior posters, but a different point of view. Yes, with any new ship, there are improvements to be made and Celebrity, as with the Millennium and Solstice class ships, will make adjustment with each ship release. There were 10 of us in varied cabins and after 14 nights we all walked off loving it and looking forward to booking again in the future. Personally, I look forward to trying the Apex and future cruises on other older and newer Celebrity ships.

I'm with you. I like the various classes of ships for different reasons. I absolutely agree about Eden - a real gem and my favorite place on the ship (a big surprise for me and it had to grow on me). They have already made some of the changes i wanted (shortening the Eden show and making it only a few times a week, with a variety of live music in the evening). I'm hoping that they will change up the restaurant a bit and use the open kitchen as a cooking demo area and broaden the menu. Wouldn't mind seeing that on the Apex. I love all the little nooks where we can sit and have a drink - almost like going to a new place each time, if you change up your seating areas.

The Magic Carpet is a unique venue - some call it a gimmick (and again, I wasn't a convert until I experienced it a few times), but between the tendering and having such a lovely bar/restaurant out over the ocean, it earns its keep. Hoping for more weather protection so it can be used more on the Apex. It was quite a feeling to be out there watching the sunset.

The IV's are a different matter - they won't be able to reduce the number on the Apex, but maybe on Edge III (Beyond). I think there is a demand for them and they are an interesting concept, just not for 63% of the cabins - IMO, they should have more traditional veranda options.

I'll be happy with some improvements and look forward to new artwork - can't wait to be on the Apex in about 4 months.

It must have been fun to cruise with a big group! 🙂

Here's another one. Kids package - $15 per adult.... 🙂

1 hour ago, Joeghartman said:

The more I think about this deal, it’s a terrible offer for a Black Friday sale. Compare this to what they offered on Veterans Day, it’s a let down. Just not booking right now.

Agree, I didn't think much about it until I saw some other lines and their offers:

https://www.cruisecritic.com/news/4799/

The Silhouette is having their Cellar Masters changed to Craft Social in Feb, 2020, but the Revolution doesn't hit the Reflection until 2023, so likely will have Cellar Masters until then.

1 hour ago, DrKoob said:

First, we have not sailed on Edge and we do not plan to. The interesting thing to me is something you don't even mention in your polls. Everyone of our friends who have sailed the Edge have told us that there are just not enough small places where you can go and sit and talk with friends while having a cocktail or glass of wine before or after dinner. We belong to a group (founded in 2005 on Infinity) called the Martini Mates and we are not pleased that our beloved Martini Bar as been turned into a huge, central area. Where are the lounges (if you aren't in a suite with access to Michaels) where you can go just talk and enjoy the company of others? 

 

We have seen entire videos of the performances in Eden and frankly, they do nothing for us. We have been to so many Cirque-type shows on ships we can't begin to count and we skip them on every ship now. If I want to see a Cirque show, I will go to Vegas and see one—they are amazing there. Not so much on ships. . 

 

Also not thrilled with any stateroom with an Infinite Verandah. My wife likes to sleep in. I like to get up early. IVs take away my ability to take my laptop or a book and step out onto our verandah. I also wish that they just called them what they are; outside cabins with windows that open (at the Captain's discretion). 

 

Every single friend who has gone on Edge has told me that if they were able to get a reservation to eat "On the Edge" on the Magic Carpet it wasn't the greatest experience. Wind, the temp and the distance from the kitchen were the problems. 

 

I will admit that the other reason we have not or probably won't sail on this class of ship is that we don't like the itineraries. We have never been Caribbean people and the idea of going all the way to Europe for a 7 or 10 day cruise does not work for us. It's just too short a time. If I am going all the way to Europe I want a 12-15 day cruise. 

 

All that said, I fully understand why X built the Edge class. They are looking to change their demographic by moving from aging Baby Boomers (like us) and trying to attract younger Gen X, Z and Millennials. Unfortunately, it hasn't work. Edge is sailing with many empty staterooms and prices have dropped. We have three future cruises booked on X, all on S-class ships and Flora (where we specifically requested a NON-infinite balcony stateroom) and one of the best things we think they have done in the last two years is the massive rejuvenation of the S and M class ships. As long as they exist, we will sail with X. 

 

Jim

No, I didn't add the option "small lounge" - ran out of option options (only 20 allowed). 🙂

We also thought we would miss the small lounges on the Edge, and did on our first few short cruises, but on our January cruise, we enjoyed her for what she is - a very unique experience that is not "S Class". We have never been Martini Bar people - too loud and not enough seats many times that we have tried it - we like the Ensemble Lounge on S Class and missed it on the first cruises. We did like the Grand Plaza on the Edge - we had the excitement of the Martini Bar right there, live music and dancing and some nice, cozy separate areas to have a group of friends meet before dinner (did that many nights and seemed nicer to us than Martini Bar on S Class when we were there). It did get louder as the night went on, so that was often our early evening go to spot.

We also loved different nooks in Eden in the late afternoon or pre-dinner for live music, lovely private areas to sit and chat, with amazing bar service and a view that was breath-taking. Actually, I learned to like it better than the dark Ensemble Lounge with people constantly walking between you and the musicians on their way to dinner and people talking so loudly next to you that you can't hear the music. This venue is by itself and absolutely peaceful much of the time. The Edenist show is ~3 times/cruise for 45 minutes now at 10:15 so easy to avoid  - lots of other fantastic live music there other days/evenings/nights. I never watched any Cirque-type show on the Edge - not my thing, but saw many other great shows (lots of choices like other X ships, where I have seen a Cirque-type show).

The Magic Carpet is a wonderful bar option - we have had some lovely evenings out there and had a light dinner out there on a nice night and it was great. The Rooftop Garden was also a lovely place to chat with friends, in nice weather. If the weather was bad, we would go elsewhere (as we do for the Lawn Club Grill and The Porch - just not enjoyable out there when the weather is ugly, IMO).

As far as the IV's, I likely won't book one either except for a cold weather cruise, though some love them - I only have SV's and S1's booked. Both are amazing spaces and though I like things on the Edge like the storage and bathrooms much better than S Class (I hate the above the bed storage and smaller bathrooms on S Class), there are some things I do like better on the S Class.

Perfection, no, but no ship is - we like enough things about both S and E Class to enjoy sailing both.

Not trying to convince you, since you sound like your mind is made up, for those who have booked and might be nervous about not having any nice spots to meet up with friends - it's just not true - they may not be what you are used to, but we enjoyed them very much. Some examples of small places (in larger venues) to meet with friends are below.  Very different than S Class, but we came to enjoy all of the unique options for meeting spots.  🙂

Grand Plaza/Martini Bar (deck 3) - our favorite spot when meeting more than a couple of friends:

The Club:

drinks/music/sometimes dancing:

Eden (choice of cozy nooks or open spaces):

And if the evening is nice:

Have been following along on the app to see what is offered for @Bo1953.  Looks like fun! Hope you have been able to keep all of your "baby ducks" in a row! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner onboard!

Sounds wonderful! Here is the Edge Art Book pdf:

Edge Art Book.pdf

Even if the $14/day was added, one might still come out ahead with a price drop. Just wanted to remind people that may be part of the equation when rebooking. 🙂

24 minutes ago, hcat said:

No noise issue.. We could  hear  music  from somewhere..we think pool deck. No heavy noise or bass.  I did hear music once or twice  at night near our bathroom  area. 

 

No wafting smoke and just  a small bit of soot on the balc,  but only once.  Wear flip flops.  By day there was mostly sun on the balc .with some shade on the afternoon. 

Having real drapes was  a plus to block  the sun/ light ,  and for privacy when docked...

 

Great starry nights and  and moonviews..

Wow!!

If you book now without the beverage package $14/day surcharge, they will add it if you rebook to get a lower price, unless that offer also waives the extra charge, correct? If the offer is worth it due to the deposit and extra perk, then that may not matter to someone, but just wanted to point it out.

11 minutes ago, hcat said:

Sorry for the lapse..

 

Had our final dinner in Normandie....It  was excellent in all respects  with great service and food; and such a lovely atmosphere and decor.  Sat by the beautiful Lalique wall panels.  Said our good byes the last night to our favorite waitstaff team in Cypress:  Maritza and Cindy who are totally amazing.  So lucky to be at their table for 2 dinners including formal night. They are the best and very popular.  We also stopped in to see to Roxanna , the hostess in Tuscan,  who we  knew from BLU  last Jan.  She took good care of us and we spent alot of time in Tuscan.   Happy to hear she will be going to APEX!  ( These were the only ones we tipped  extra other than bar staff  and our cabin attendant who was excellent as well.) 

 

Picked up our print photos  which will help our memories as time passes, took the 12 prints,( 8 x 10 ) plus digital download.. received the E + discount...

 

The  last night's show was  one of our favorites. Colors of Life..X has really stepped up in the entertainment and musical offerings!  Cap Costas & CD Eddy  said farewell to all.. Classy all the way!

 

**********************

BACK TO REALITY:

Debarkation was smooth.. We waited in the theater ( Group 15 at  8:15)  We prefer to be on the same floor we leave the ship from so  we did not do Elite lounge in Tuscan.  Buffet was quick and not really a madhouse at all. Off we went... No issue with customsm  and our luggage was where it was supposed to be.    We immediately  engaged a porter who took us on the "fast track " to a taxi.  Taxi line area is quite a distance from the exit,  so well worth it to have someone else take our bags &  guide us through!

 

Had some travel delays just before accessing  I 75 ..

Heavy rain on Alligator Alley .  We are in Venice now....settled in for awhile til we head North for the Holidays.  I will post a bit more here but  will do the Art  Excursion review , music  groups and  restaurants on the main boards.

 

Another great Celebrity cruise!

Happy that you liked Normandie - it is the most beautiful MDR, IMO, and the Exclusives look the best. Can't wait to try it!

Glad you made it back safely! Had a little withdrawal without yours posts! 🙂

8 minutes ago, WrittenOnYourHeart said:

Booked Europe in July 2021 last week here.

Yes, the announcement is weird because the only thing left is Carib 2022.

Just now, CHEZMARYLOU said:

We booked Alaska for 2021 a week ago so no big deal.

 

Me too.  Now waiting for the Carib 2022. 🙂

1 hour ago, Silkroad said:

Thanks for starting this thread, Vt🦋 I had just been bemoaning the fact that so few of us had posted cabin reviews on your Edge class spreadsheet. Some people have posted reviews or comments elsewhere, but it would be extremely helpful if everyone would also post a cabin review on the spreadsheet. I guess it will take time to achieve the very helpful critical mass of reviews that we have on the S-class and M-class spreadsheets. 

Hi!  Glad to see you back posting!  Hope all is well with you.

Yes, I wish things would pick up on the cabin sticky. Maybe people post a review here and give their feedback to X on the post-cruise survey (and maybe complain about their cabin issues to GS onboard) so  are sick of reviewing. We really need to know the good, the bad and the ugly about as many cabins as possible, so hopefully things will pick up.  Maybe as people look at the cabin sticky to make their decisions and see that there are a lot of holes, they will be more motivated to add theirs after their cruises. 🙂

From the new Captain's Club Newsletter:

5 hours ago, helen haywood said:

Or perhaps an "Other" category.  I have not sailed Edge yet (next month!) but I am dismayed by the lack of shade at my beloved Sunset Bar and outside aft of the Oceanview Buffet.

There is an overhang with a little shade outside the OVC, but the effectiveness may depend on time of day/direction of ship.

You are right that the Sunset Bar is a sunny place, though depending on direction of ship, can have shady spots.

Hope they have listened and improved the shade on the Apex. 🙂

This is what someone recently posted - they said that they weren't allowed to switch things on Drinks and More, but not sure if that continues to be true.

2 minutes ago, TeeRick said:

I would have included Luminae and Blu in your poll.  For me I would have voted Luminae a miss compared to other ships' versions because of the noise and open environment.  But I would vote it a hit if they put up a few glass partitions.

They were in my original list, but can only have 20 choices and they didn't make the final cut. 🙂

A year ago today I boarded the Edge for 3 separate short cruises with stars in my eyes and started my live thread. It was a quite a thrill to explore and discover things we had wondered about for many months. Looking back over the year since she set sail, there were several early complaints (including from me) and X responded to many of the things that were rectifiable. To me, as the year has moved on, the reviews seemed to improve overall, but thought a poll might help get a better sense of whether or not that notion is correct. With a year under her belt, this seems like a good time to get a better idea of what people identify as hits and misses on the Edge.

Although I thought of asking only people who have sailed on the Edge to participate in the poll, I think that there is enough information out there that people can judge for themselves whether or not something is a hit or a miss.  I did separate a couple of answers into those who had sailed on the Edge and those who haven't (the 4 MDR and the Infinite Veranda experiences), as they are concepts that may be harder to determine ahead of time if they are a hit or miss (e.g., some who thought they would love the IV, didn't, and some who were worried about it, loved it).

You can choose more than one answer for each question. Thanks for your participation!