CruiserKris34

I agree.  I was on Apex 2 weeks ago.  I did like that i could control the lights and temperature on the app.  I could also tell that our room was being cleaned because the lights were on LOL :).   I was hoping to use my phone as the room key, but no one could help me.  I went to Guest Services and the IS help desk.  She told me it was a work in progress (or something like that).  Also, many of my husbands messages to me were never received.  I also used it to see charges, menus, restaurants open, show times, etc. I wish it showed where we were.....if it was morning, I would wonder if we were at the island yet.  I know you can look on the TV, but my husband was sleeping. 

5 hours ago, madmedic said:

Are there steps into the solarium pool? Thinking of travelling with less able parents. Also are there any decks that are not accessible by lift? 

In the solarium pool, I saw someone getting out with a ladder, so I do not think there are steps.  However, I did not get in that pool, so I am not 100% sure.  Maybe someone else can chime in to verify.  I'm pretty sure that all decks were listed in the elevator, but again, not 100%, so someone can confirm.    

35 minutes ago, jelayne said:

There are 2 more charging ports in the white box above the minibar.

Yes, true.  I just like to charge my phone at night and have it next to me.  

9 hours ago, 4Nathan said:

Thank you for the review.  My first Celebrity cruise is the first week of April - didn’t realize this was the Easter weekend as we hope to escape all the kiddos on Royal.  How did you find the noise level around the pool, at the Martini bar, in shows etc? Was it difficult finding loungers in the solarium on sea days? Did the staff assist with removing towels on vacant chairs? Was there a scheduled family time for the solarium ?  Thank you!

 

 

 

You will love it!  The pool was not too noisy.  There was music in the background and some games by the staff.  I found it mostly relaxing. The solarium looked to be kid-free & was much quieter & great cushions on the loungers.  We were in the Martini bar one night and did NOT find it hard to hear each other. On sea days, the loungers did get mostly all saved by 8 am. I did not look in the solarium since we sat outside mostly.  I did not see any staff removing towels if there were personal items. I'm not sure about the family time in the solarium. 

23 hours ago, Airportlimbo said:

Did you have a white party up on the pool deck? 

No, I did not see or hear of a white party (or any party) on the deck.

2 hours ago, granger said:

The phone by the bed has a charging point.

The phone & the charging was both on one side of the bed, thus nothing for me LOL.

This is hilarious!  We were on Apex last week & my husband said he couldn't find the shredded cheese for the salad bar.  No, he didn't ask LOL.  🤣

So many people on here have helped me out with questions over the years, so I would like to pay back with this review & answer any questions.  We are empty nesters in our 50's with 9 cruises under our belt (Royal, Holland, Celebrity). We prefer Celebrity over Royal because we don't need all of the kid stuff.  We went on Holland a year ago & prefer Celebrity for a lot of reasons.  We were on Apex 2 years ago.  I did notice a small decline in the food quality at the buffet & the number of stations that were opened, but not a huge deal for me.

Loved:

Staff - they are amazing.  I do not think I encountered even one negative person.  They SPOIL you!

Efficiency - they know how to move people! Never a long line (Embarkation, Debarkation, specialty coffee at buffet, shows, MDR, etc.)

Cleanliness - the ship is spotless.  There is usually an attendant in the restrooms cleaning up. 

Cabin - shower was good size & great pressure. 

Pool - love the HUGE, main pool with waiters always going by to take your order or sometimes brought trays of drink of the day!

Excursion at St. Martin - beach/lunch.  We were supposed to go to Wai Plage, but went to KKO which was WONDERFUL!

Classic Drink Package - NO MORE signing for drinks, unlike 2 years ago.  Only sign if an upcharge.  

Luggage Valet - worth the $29/each.  Bags go directly to your home airport. 

Buffet - breakfast was the best (creamy scrambled eggs, bacon, potato cakes).  Fruit was GREAT.

Needed Improvement:

Rooftop Grill - the only specialty restaurant we did. Ribeye was OK. Mac/Cheese & Cookie were good. Wings had too much dry rub. Dry caesar salad. Slow service.

APP - messaging did not always work & I kept getting an error.  I even went to help desk but no help.

Cabin - NO plug in on one side of the bed!  Really?!  We all have phones to charge at night.  

Pools - they really needs steps into the pool (instead of just a ladder).  I saw some older people struggling to get out.

Desserts - I thought they were disappointing.

Tips:

Public restrooms.  They are available if the "bolt" looking thing is vertical. People were so confused lol.

Shady hang out area - as you look at the pool bar, go up the steps on the left.  Nice, cushy chairs to relax in.

Eden - some cool chairs at the very back of the ship to hang out or read in.

Donuts - they only had them on the buffet on the last day, but you can find them at Cafe Al Bacio.......amazing!

Day 1 - you can leave your big suitcase with the porters outside & take your smaller carry-on to the cabin, even if they are still cleaning.

APP - there were some really good things with the APP, like if you were hungry at odd time, click "Hungry Now?" lol.  Also, good to check your charges or control stateroom lights & temp.  I could not get my phone to open the door, even after visiting Help desk & guest services. 

Overall, we had a GREAT time & don't sweat the small stuff.  Hope this helps!  Let me know if questions.  Kris

3 minutes ago, alexandria said:

Check insuremytrip or similar websites to compare insurance options for your trip.  Even though you paid for your cruise months ago and sail in eleven days, you won't have any trouble getting travel insurance with medical, evacuation and such.  But check the limits of coverage for trip interruption and travel delay, considering you only paid taxes and port fees and travel insurance limits on those is often about half what you actually paid in trip costs, those coverages may only amount to a few hundred dollars.  But it is probably worth it for the medical and evacuation coverage.

 

Don't worry about prepaying gratuities.  They'll end up on your onboard account and will be charged to your credit card just like they would be if they were prepaid.  The only difference is when the charge appears...now or in a few weeks when your cruise is over.

 

Enjoy your trip.

 

 

Very helpful!!  Thank you!

12 hours ago, cruisestitch said:

They will get your money, one way or the other, so there is no reason to fret about prepaying.

I'm not fretting.....just trying to get as much taken care of before i get on board.

I was going to pre-pay the gratuity too, but can't find it.  I guess they don't want to take my money LOL. 

I booked this cruise in October & got a free cruise thru the casino.  I declined the Travel Insurance at the time, so I only paid the port tax & fees.  Now', I'm 11 days out and decided I want the Insurance, but not because of canceling (I got it free), but more for if we need flights back from an island, etc.  It rejected my application because we are within 15 days.  Really?!  

5 hours ago, LB_NJ said:

Are there room move limits?

 

For example if you are inside or OV the highest you can go is Aqua?

I'm currently smallest inside & my highest offer is Aqua.

2 minutes ago, thebutlerdidit said:

There isn’t a tracker. This thread should be renamed MoveUp Chat. 

That's funny because it says Don't post questions here LOL!

I feel silly, but I can't find the current tracker?  

UPDATE - I got the Move up offer even though I had the Free cruise. I currently have the smallest cabin mid ship (which I like).  I guess if I bid, I could end up on an end which could be more movement.  I wish we had a choice to reject the offer LOL.  I see the Deluxe Porthole Veranda starting at only 200pp.  That sounds interesting.  Anyone have any opinion on those cabins?  Thanks!  Kris

How close to sailing date do you think they do "Move ups"?  I was not getting the website to work, so I emailed them.  They finally responded & said they would send me a link w/in 72 hours.  I sail in 11 days.  Not sure if it matters, but the ship is full if I go to do a mock booking. I'm in smallest inside cabin with a "free" casino offer, if that matters.  Thanks, Kris

Maybe a silly question, but I was wondering if the Magic Carpet moves at certain times?  Also, if there are people on it, do they rope it off or empty it?  

Thanks, it is funny that I don't see that as an excursion for our cruise next month?!

We cruise next month & I went to book the shuttle from the Port to FLL Airport & it says "WAITLISTED". Do they run out of busses/shuttles?  

Does anyone know where this is?  It is beautiful!!

Has anyone done this excursion recently?  Ultimate Beach Experience: Orient Beach Escape with Lunch

What are your thoughts?  We like a longer beach day & this one is 4.5 hours.....some are only 2 hours 😞   Thanks!  Kris

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I'm considering this Puerto Plata excursion (AI Beach Day at Hotel Emotions Playa Dorada).  It seems expensive to me $136pp & it is 5 hours.  I'm a beach snob, so please don't judge me LOL.  I've never been to DR.  Is this beach as beautiful as, like, St. Thomas?  I like the white sand and clear water.  I've been to San Juan & Jamaica & didn't like those beaches as much. Thanks for any info!  Kris 

Is there any advantage to buying the "ONE person" twice vs the "TWO person" once 🙂 LOL.  We just each have a phone.  Thanks for all of the advice!  Kris