mac_tlc

OK, by popular demand (OK, it was just one affirmative vote) here we go again.... 11 nights on board the Beyond with Capt. Kate and Bug. We actually go to three ports we have never been to -- Aruba, Curacao and Cartegena. Always nice to try something new. Sorry to start this review two days before embarkation --- that created a few posts of discussion on my last review. We won't be going to the International Festival of the Arts in Epcot but will be going to the Flower and Garden Festival after the cruise before we head north. This time we did the drive from Central CT to our house in Orlando. One overnight near Charlotte NC and then onward to Orlando. BTW, you have never been to Florida until you have stopped at Buc-ee's in Daytona Beach on race weekend. Wow. Usually we would just drive our car down to PE on Monday morning, park in the garage, and then drive it back to Orlando for a few days. However, I lucked out on some great car rental rates so we will leave our car at the house and do two one-way rentals. Total price was less than the parking would have been. We are in a Sky Suite, in fact after this cruise we will have sailed all the E-class ships in the same numbered SS cabin. I like predictability (not a strong suit of X in the past 12 months or so). I'll report on menus, service, crowds, activities, shows, etc. Any specific questions, fire away and I'll try to find the answer. mac_tlc

As it is for us..... But before my status match expires I have to try it so I don't wonder what it is like. mac_tlc

Glad to see you are having a great time on SS. Enjoyed our conversation last month on Ascent. I appreciate everyone reporting their experiences, although, TBH, some of the analogies seem to be overly dramatic. We are in a Sky Suite on Beyond starting Monday for 11 days. Having been on Ascent last month we will have a basis for comparison, although our butler experience last month was non-existent so that’s a low bar. I haven’t decided if I will do a “LIVE” or not . mac_tlc

My cat was particularly troublesome last night and woke me up around 1am eastern time. Could get back to sleep so I figured I would check the deployments. I think our hardcore Royal days are in the rear view mirror but the grandkids like it🙄. Only way we were going to do the Symphony out of NJ was if I could snag the one coveted 4-bdr Villa Suite for the right of us. Well at 2:30am it was available for all but one NJ summer 2025 sailing, of course that was the date I would have picked although it’s not a critical date. My DD is a teacher so there are about 8 possibilities. Would have loved the 9 night one but it departs 7/4 and was super crazy expensive. I did book it for 7/13, which is close to my grandsons birthday. And it was probably 70% more than the Harmony in 2022. Man, that cat is getting expensive…….. mac_tlc

Your previous comment about lectures about early US space missions has me intrigued. We were on the sailing before you and there were no "Beyond the Podium" type speakers. And, unless I missed it, there was no "Captains Corner" type event. We were disappointed that there were neither. mac_tlc

Thank you for reporting from Beyond. We will be getting on when you get off. Seems like the return to the butler in SS will not be in effect for us. We also missed it on Ascent last month. Bummer. mac_tlc

Seems to be the case, There are a number of posts the last day or so indicating that the butlers are coming back.

Glad it is working for you -- that's the way it should be. We saw our Head Butler on Ascent last month for about a minute and a half. Certainly never checked in with us ever. I'll see if it's any different on Beyond next week. As many of us have stated, it's not the change itself -- it's the mis-characterization of it, the lack of information given to booked guests and the fact that people booked based on one set of expectations but were given another. Obviously, even Celebrity now is admitting it was not the same experience. mac_tlc

Three weeks too late for me. I’ll let you know next Monday if they are back on Beyond. mac_tlc

Safe travels home, Charla. What a fast 8 days! Wonderful review, thanks for taking us along. Hope to sail with you again soon! I may do another “LIVE” from Beyond next week —— just to help you get through those post cruise Midwest winter blues!! mac_tlc

Great food pictures. Have never been to Murano but your pictures make me want to try it next time we do an S class ship. mac_tlc

It can be done at slots but they have restricted the frequency/amount. It can vary by ship. Use the “room charge” option to download credits. I suggest not doing it multiple times in small amounts. mac_tlc

I'll definitely be following along. MSC YC is on our radar. We will be on the Celebrity Beyond on 2/19 for an 11 night voyage. So our "LIVE'S" may overlap a few days ..... but I'll keep checking in. mac_tlc

As someone who has their first two O cruises coming up this November and next November, I don't know what I no longer get. If you want a dose of more negativity, head over to the Celebrity board. Seems to me, all long-time cruisers on any line don't like the changes any of those lines have made in the last year. We don't like the changes Royal and X have made, accompanied with higher pricing, so we are looking around. Two O cruises booked, 1 HAL booked and looking at Viking, Regent and SIlversea, as well as MSC YC and the new Princess ships. The long-time loyal cruisers are looking around and don't have any experience with what their "new" line used to have. All you can do is compare the current products and make a decision that works for you. It does seem there is a lot more movement by consumers among cruise companies. Or at least its talked about a lot. mac_tlc

A little late to the party but interested to follow along. We are on the 1/28/2025 Koningsdam cruise --- our first on HAL after 50+ on other lines. My wife also uses a manual wheelchair is a lot of walking is involved and definitely off the ship, so I am interested in the port stops. mac_tlc

When the cat's away .........

Best to be a little cautious. The pending invoices I looked at have a payment due time of 5PM EST. I agree with your point to do it now and let it sit in pending. mac_tlc

Thanks @Mrs_Tiki, great review and summary. There is plenty of context on each item so people can decide if that issue is important to them. Haven't sailed YC yet but very probable in the next two years (before my matching status expires!). I sense that our reactions would be similar to yours. Godspeed to Mr_Tiki and his upcoming procedure. Hope to sail with you again soon -- we will have to do dinner together next time! mac_tlc

Thanks for your review. As we were on the Ascent while you were on Beyond, it was interesting to compare along the way. Great summary. Our view of Luminae is more positive. This was the first time in many cruises that we did not do a future booking. It seems no cruise line has developed a chair hog policy that works. They are way too afraid to offend someone. mac_tlc

We might be. Haven't finalized any plans yet. My wife has difficulty walking any distance so we usually bring a wheelchair. That can make things a challenge. Any suggestions would be appreciated. mac_tlc

We have an overnight in Aruba on Beyond next month. Interested in your dining experience. It will be our first time for Aruba and Curacao. mac_tlc

You know I will be following along! We have also thought about doing Silo in 2026 on a smaller budget than our last ( and next) few cruises. mac_tlc

Lately, we have started looking at all of the ones you mentioned. At least for the itineraries we have looked at, Viking seems more expensive than O, SS, RSSC. Their payment terms are a bit onerous, but we have not discarded them yet. They do have my favorite itinerary --

Oceania Vista Fall 2025 TA is 14 days and we got a Penthouse Suite (PH2) for $4,590pp. I think the lowest category was around $3,800. By Fall 2025, Vista will be the second newest ship as Allura comes out in 2025. mac_tlc

If they want a glaring example of inconsistent service on the same ship, check out my summary of the issue on the LIVE thread from the Ascent last week, and @Mrs_Tiki experience on the same ship but in a different SS area. However, at the end of the day, their suite prices are just too high given the service, or non-service, they are providing, along will all of the cuts and policy changes they have made to lessen the experience. mac_tlc