danceswithphones

Chandris SS Galileo. I took this photo in Miami in November of 1988. Ship later became the Celebrity Meridian.

Photos of the Sunward II taken from the Royal Caribbean Nordic Empress while in Nassau in 1990. This was my second cruise. I sailed on the second version (former Royal Viking Sky) in 1991.

We got them in November.

We like to sail from Port Everglades. Princess reworked Terminal 2 but we were not impressed. Princess doesn't do upper level suites well. Owner's suite on the Sky Princess did not have a dining table. We had a picnic on the floor. 🙄 Celebrity's Terminal 25 rocks for Retreat people. Loved the Beyond. We are booked on the Ascent and don't intend to look at anything but X out of PE.

Eastern Caribbean was higher. The 1/21 sailing (Western) will be my 17th Caribbean sailing. I don't care where the ship goes. I don't have any interest in leaving the ship while in port.

Sky Suite on that sailing is now $4628 pp with $200 OBC. I got $600 OBC. Booked in October.

Sky Suite with AI for $2,400 pp.

I cancelled an April sailing and rebooked. It was a significant savings.

We are on the January 21 Ascent sailing. One bottle of wine per person in your carry-ons. I don't know that there's a limit on water or soda.

https://www.cruisedeckplans.com/DP/deckplans/ov.php?ship=Celebrity-Apex&cabins=Edge

Very private. Occasional noise from staff using the back entrance to the Retreat Lounge (aka 'secret door') on the Beyond. We used it, too! Not really an issue and you would only notice it in 15106.

Internal connecting door...

The Beyond really got it right by moving Luminae to Deck 16 and adding the Retreat Sundeck as Deck 17. We were in an Edge Villa and the only time we left the Retreat areas was to go to specialty dining. Decks 15, 16, and 17 were our ship within a ship. Booked the Ascent as soon as we returned from the Beyond.

You can actually change floors by using the elevators (DW had a rollator). It's a bit of a trek, and the door on Deck 16 is heavy, but we managed. I loved the patio! I used it when the veranda was in full sun.

We were in 15106 and loved the 'secret door' to the Retreat Lounge.

I'm retired so I had time to do WAY too much research on the RS vs EV choice. The EV won out because of the veranda size and the 'plunge pool'. I was in that jacuzzi/hot tub at least twice a day. The veranda is complete privacy and definitely a clothing optional area. I've done the PH (6147) on the Constellation twice and loved that veranda but no privacy there. Plunge pool had controls for temp, bubbles, and mood lighting. Red was a little creepy at night but I loved that thing! Starboard side EV's also have a patio on Deck 16 (Beyond and Ascent).

Captain Sandy Yawn, star of Bravo’s “Below Deck,” and her sister, Michelle Dunham, founder and executive director of a nonprofit school for children with autism. https://fb.watch/mfmFPrYee0/

We sail X because of the butlers. Time to rethink Princess with the Sun Princess coming up.

I liked those, too. I'm sure there are a couple of those around here somewhere. Two-piece and part of it folded up as I recall.

It would be interesting to find out. It's my understanding these are cookie cutter rooms. They just slide them in and connect them up. In fact, there were a bunch of people in the Roll Call for our Beyond sailing who complained about creaking and groaning (the rooms, not the passengers). One theory was that the rooms were moving around.

If you lean out you have an excellent view of the window washer apparatus. https://www.cruisedeckplans.com/DP/deckplans/stateroom-details.php?ship=Celebrity-Beyond&cabin=7320

It's an 1,000+ sq. ft. veranda with seats for 13 people. I really didn't pay much attention to the stairwell. I did book 6147 (twice) instead of 6148 because the window washing rig lives on that corner.

Lunch at Luminae.

Rooftop Grill favorite was the Pulled Pork Slider Trio. It's on the appetizer menu. Not to be missed!

We stay aboard on port days. Never even considered anything but Retreat level. The Beyond (and the Ascent) really nailed the ship-within-a-ship concept.