PinkSandGirl

Wish you were able to join us. Happy to be able to give some insight on the cruise. Perhaps we'll meet on another Roll Call in the future and get to experience a ship at the same time. Thank You! 🍹

Thank You. 😃 Any questions you may have, just ask. I like to see reviews of the same cabin type so I will definitely give my thoughts on the Sky Suite. 🍹

Enjoy NYC. Hope to meet you onboard. 😃 🍹

Hi! I'm Kelly. 😃 aka PinkSandGirl 🍹 I will be on Beyond’s first sailing from the U.S.A. 🇺🇸 on October 26th, 2022. I guess technically it isn't the first time it'll Set Sail from the shores of the United States. 🗽 The Beyond is currently on it's way here to the USA on it's first Transatlantic that left from Barcelona, Spain. The Beyond arrives in Cape Liberty, NJ on the 24th. There will be two 1-night press sailings and then it's us. Yay! 🥳 We Set Sail on Wednesday, October 26th, 2022 from Cape Liberty, NJ 🗽and embark on a 9-night repositioning cruise to take the Beyond to her winter home in Fort Lauderdale, FL at Port Everglades, with an arrival on Friday, November 4th, 2022. Before we arrive in Fort Lauderdale we will be visiting Bermuda, Curaçao and Aruba. I'm starting this 'Live' thread early because, well, it's a bit crazy just before travel and this lets me get it started and add to it in between the packing and checking off my checklists and To-Do Lists. 😉 ✔️ My goal is to post during the cruise and then when we return home I will give a wrap up review. Feel free to comment and ask questions. Also, anyone on my Roll Call is welcome to chime in as well. I attempted a 'Live' last year on the Equinox but the internet wasn't my friend and my good intentions to finish it when I returned, well...it just never quite came together. So...I am going to make up for that one now. 😉 I may at times 'talk' a lot and wander a bit off topic but that's ok. Sometimes that wandering leads to some good conversation and insight. 😉 I take a lot of pictures. I will have to rein myself in to not post an exuberant amount. 😂 Ok...so some background. > Is this my first cruise since the shutdown? No. I sailed on the Equinox last October. Wonderful time. That was reduced capacity at 1,267 which was lovely. I don't think we'll have those numbers on the Beyond. > Have I sailed E-class before? No. Only S-class ships (that I love). I had M-class booked but the cruise shutdown happened. > Why never E-class? The biggest reason. Those pesky infinite verandas turned me off. I know people love them and I haven't experienced one but I love real balconies. Morning, noon and night. You name it. There are things I love about S-class that the Beyond isn't going to have (ice topped Martini Bar, glass elevators...I'll just name two) but I'm going in with an open mind. The ship is going to be different. It's nice when something is familiar but it's also exciting to experience something new. That first day exploring every nook and cranny. Yay! 🥳 > Cabin type? Sky Suite with bed facing the water > Have I sailed in suites? On Celebrity. No. I will explain why if anyone wants to know but my Celebrity cruises have either been Concierge or Aqua. When I sailed on Royal Caribbean, I always had larger suites. I honestly didn't think I could handle a regular cabin (turns out I could) 😂 but I had wonderful cruises in those Concierge and AquaClass cabins. - Side note. Once we tried Aqua, we decided at least Aqua moving forward. We enjoyed Blu. > Why did I choose the Beyond? Over the years I looked at the Edge and Apex a few times but was never thrilled and those infinite verandas really did it. While on the Equinox last year there was buzz about The Beyond. Particularly one day at the World Class Bar. So, when we got home and I had those Future Cruise Booking Vouchers, there was something that intrigued me and I seriously was considering the Beyond. I liked some of the changes and additions from her sisters and thought...'Why Not?' Since I wanted a balcony and the Retreat was born on the Edge Class, I thought it was time. A Sky Suite on the Beyond. > When did I book? End of October 2021 > Who's going? My mom and dad in one cabin. My boyfriend and I in a cabin right next door. We always book cabins next to each other. I started cruising with larger groups that I planned but last year it was the four of us and this year, it will be the four of us again. We travel together often. 😃 > Cape Liberty. Have I sailed from there before? Yes, a few times but with Royal Caribbean and the last time was 2011. We always sailed close to the Statue of Liberty 🗽. Such a wonderful experience. (Hopefully the Captain gets close with the Beyond). I think of my ancestors when they arrived in the United States of America to embark on new lives. 🇺🇸 It's also neat to go under the Verrazano Bridge. To have driven over it many times, I had alot of family that lived in Brooklyn, it's a unique experience sailing under it. > Have I been on a repositioning cruise? No. First one. I had one booked in May 2020 but we all know what happened to them. > Getting to Cape Liberty. We're within driving distance so we have a car service dropping us off. > How are we getting home from Fort Lauderdale? Flying. * It feels a little weird leaving from one port and debarking from another. Especially since we're driven to one and fly back from the other. I'm used to flying in before the cruise but for this cruise, we are starting our vacation the day we Set Sail. No hotel stay the night before. > Itinerary > Have I been to all of the ports before? Yes. My mom, dad and I have. My boyfriend hasn't been to Bermuda. I love Bermuda. I wish we had more time there. Such a tease. > Ports. I will go into detail for each as the thread evolves. 😃 We have everything planned ourselves. No ship excursions this time. I will add pictures, descriptions and thoughts about food, cocktails, the cabin, ship, what we do, where we go & more! I have enjoyed the many Live threads that so many fellow... Cruise Critic'ers or Cruise Critic-ees...have done. 😉 I've learned things, gotten to see what others do and had insight on many things. I hope you enjoy this and maybe learn something along the way. You learn something new everyday. 😉 I find it interesting to see what others do. I have my 'routine' and favorite things to do on cruises and used to think that’s what everyone does. However, we all have our own things that make us happy. I always say - "Cruises: You can do as much as you want or as little as you want". So...if you join me on this journey, Welcome! 😃 Kelly 😃 PinkSandGirl 🍹

It depends on the # of nights as well as your port/sea days. For example I have an upcoming 9-night. Embarkation Sea Day - Chic Night Port Sea Day Sea Day Port Port Sea Day - Chic Night Sea Day Debarkation 🍹

Hi! I'll be on the cruise too. Yes, come over to the Roll Call and join the fun. We're an active bunch. 😉 🍹

For me, when I cruise with others (something I always do) part of the fun is doing things together. Yes, there are times we go our own way but for the most part, we're together. I also always book our cabins all together. For this cruise, I had friends and some family who wanted to join but didn't want a suite. They decided not to come because we'll have the Retreat areas and they wouldn't. I didn't want to not utilize the Retreat and then we didn't want there to be times when we couldn't be together. Yes, the ship is much more than the Retreat but part of booking a suite is having that extra access. Honestly, I was relieved the friends/family decided not to go because I would feel bad not being able to be together. I can't imagine boarding together and then for example we go to Luminae for lunch and they have to go their own way and then the same thing would happen multiple times throughout the cruise. They felt the same, because they didn't book. Yes, I would have liked for them to come but the mismatched cabin categories would not be enjoyable for me. If your friends decide to go, definitely tell them there are times you won't be together. Have you cruised together before? If so, did you do alot together? That may help with the decision. It's 'your cruise' so do/say what you feel will be best and most enjoyable for you. 🍹

There are 14 or 15 dinner menus and 5 lunch menus. Your best bet is to look at the app for a transatlantic or any other cruise that is long so you'll get to see more menus. If interested in the Beyond, there are a few different items in Luminae compared to the other ships. 🍹

It was under Onboard Activities in My Cruise Planner. It also shows up under Excursions. 🍹

I booked the Behind the Scenes Tour mid March for my end of October cruise. However, prior to that it showed briefly in November/December and then disappeared but at that time they weren't doing them...I believe because of covid protocols. If I wore shorts, I would hope you weren't looking up to see my underwear. 😂 🍹

I am looking forward to the tour. This will be my first time. I always want to see the places you don't normally see. Like when touring a famous mansion. I want to wander all around. 😉 I like to see how things work, are processed, etc... so I will find this interesting. 🍹

I do bring 1 pair of jeans just in case and also if returning to cold weather I can pull them out when we land. So, technically, I would have a pair packed but I was not planning on wearing them for the tour. If they are required, then I guess I will be. This way I can plan my outfit for that day and then change into shorts as soon as it's done. 😉 Thanks everyone! 😃 👖 🍹

I have worn shorts on a galley tour. They didn't give a requirement for that. I honestly would have planned to wear shorts for the Behind the Scenes Tour if I didn't hear and then see long pants are a requirement. When I saw closed toes shoes were required, I made sure to add them to my packing list. 🍹

Thanks! That's weird. Mine doesn't show that. I'll bring a pair just in case. I usually don't bring pants on a warm weather cruise. 😉 🍹

Hi! Has anyone gone on a Behind the Scenes Tour recently? I have one booked on the Beyond. My question is: Were long pants required? I recently watched a video and the guy said long pants were required. Is that true? I don't see that listed as a requirement. I know closed toe shoes are required so I'll pack a pair since that is stated under the requirements. Thanks! 😃 🍹

I blame Celebrity as well for choosing her and for signing off on all of it. She should have had to and wanted to spend time in different cabin categories. That all makes too much sense though. 😆 I haven't experienced these chairs yet. I will in a few weeks. I'll keep an open mind and if they are better than expected, I will say it but if they don't, I'll say that too. 😉 🍹

I agree those chairs don't look very inviting. I like to sit back and put my feet up and be comfortable. There aren't any footrests and the skinny metal pole for an arm doesn't look comfortable. I hope they 'might' be better in person. ??? They look like a complete afterthought. That table too. 🤦‍♀️ 🍹

Keep the Paper. They should already be recycling all paper onboard and using recycled paper. Use recycled paper, recycle the paper they use and let people opt in/out for paper copies. Easy. The paper people are happy. The app only people are happy. Celebrity IT isn't exactly top notch so to rely solely on the app, no thanks. There is just something about coming back to the cabin at night and seeing the Celebrity Today on the bed and then you sit and look at it to see what's going on the next day and also any important information for the next day. They are a part of cruising that should stay. 😃 Didn't they try this before? I may like my paper but I do recycle everything I can and I care about animals in the wild. 😉 🍹

I used to always purchase through the cruise line until I started looking elsewhere, just to see what was out there. I found prices to be less with much better coverage. The coverage, in my opinion is what counts. I would pay more for better coverage, but I pay less with much better coverage. I would suggest looking at different policies and decide what's important to you and the limits they will cover and what's covered. Also, your credit card that you used may offer certain benefits. 🍹

I've done it. It was enjoyable. The food we had, it was good. The 'show' is cute and funny. The images are neat. There are multiple 'themes' now, 4 of them, with each one having their own unique menu. There is an alternate menu as well (different for each theme). The 'show' follows the main menu so if you order an alternate item, the show won't represent what you eat. You can mix and match items. Would I do it on every cruise? No. Would I go again if others I'm with want to? Yes, if I liked the menu. Everyone has different likes and dislikes. If you like the menu, then I think it is worth going to, at least once. 🍹

Last year on the Equinox, service and friendliness of the crew were excellent. The one spot I think that needed improvement was the pool area. As for servers around the Solarium...they would walk through the Solarium with a tray and not proactively ask, you had to try to get their attention. You don’t want to shout and on the rare occurrence you would see someone, it was quicker to get out of the pool and go out to the Pool Bar. This was the case every day in there. The expectation of ordering drinks in the Solarium does not mean I am lazy or entitled as some people think others are. Service was great while sitting at bars/within the bar area. There were even servers in the theatre. Service was great everywhere else, why such a difference in the pool areas? During the day, while enjoying the Solarium and/or pool, I would have appreciated bar service. 🍹

When I've booked with a travel agent, I still received a Celebrity Booking Confirmation that has everything listed. My travel agent Confirmation had everything listed as well. I made sure I was getting everything I was entitled to. 😉 🍹

For future reference, ask before booking and get written confirmation of everything you are supposed to get. I know prior to booking what my perks are and I make sure that's what I get once booked. 🍹

I was on the Equinox last October in Aqua (Aqua) for the first time and we loved it. We thought we would miss the Lawn Club Grille (for lunch. We've had both dinner and lunch but especially enjoyed lunch on other S-class) but we really enjoyed the glass blowing (we did even though we have done it on land). It was our 1st cruise post-shutdown and it was wonderful. 😃 🍹

Since the restart, I was offered a discount for the same restaurant later in the cruise. This was in Sushi on 5 during lunch, our waiter wrote a discount on the receipt with his name and said to come back. 🍹