Liao

Hi All, Thank you in advance for any information provided. I'm generally a Celebrity TA cruiser with a very occassional winter cruise to the Caribbean, though those itineraries are getting very tiresome. I honestly primarily cruise for the ship and sea days, which most of my TA's are 8 total and at some ports I don't leave the ship. Thus my long held interest in trying a true transatlantic on QM2. I'm very happy with the service level on Celebrity and hoping QM2 is equal too. I'd be booking a Queen's Suite (I usually stay in upper suites on Celebrity) if that makes a difference. The webiste is not as detailed as I thought it might be, so any information you can share in this level, benefits of etc. would be appreciated. I sail solo but am an outgoing and friendly person, 64 yo, and as much as I really enjoy meeting new folks, I also enjoy my own quiet time as well, so I am hoping for the best of both worlds in both regards. Would it be appropriate to ask to be seated with others on some nights and alone on others, sometime I just want to eat quietly. I suppose some of this comes from politely needing to get away if table mates are wanting to get to engaged in politics, societal issues, religion, sharing family photo albums (kidding on this one...sort of). I've read mixed reviews on the recent refurbishment, curious as to thoughts on that, although, it will not stop me from making a booking. I just want to guage where she is at I suppose. Anyway, sorry for being so long winded and while I know none of this gets you to "know" me, I just hope my cruising style comes through and will appreciate hearing from others, especially those who have also made a similiar leap. Cheers!

It might be worth hiring an immigration attorney to do the research for the Visa issues and if not cost prohibitive, they could even do the paperwork filing for you. Good luck, I hope it can be resolved in time for your trip!

I thought that area on Edge was pretty cool.

Any of my celebrity cruises, they always had local currency at guest relations.

Ridiculous!

Curious to know if you have tried HAL since you ventured out from Celebrity? If so, what are your thoughts?

Can still make it a bloody mary morning

I am ohsoclose to booking my first Cruise on HAL Oosterdam 15 day TA. I was super excited when I heard about their music walk and especially the Lincoln Center venue, so that’s a bummer. It’s a long TA so Im thinking won’t be very many kids, there were VERY few on my Celebrity TA. What say you HAL veterans?

This is good to hear about the service. The music options still sound like what I would really enjoy. Appreciate your honest feedback. Thanks!

Thank you for this, much appreciated!

Hi All, My cruises have all been on Celebrity, usually upper suites, and always enjoyed them very much. On Celebrity in upper suite a butler and all specialty inluded, won't bother me not to have that on HAL. I'm really interested in two things: Feedback from those who have stayed in the Pinnacle Suite (the balcony is WOW), seems the suite it most compares to is Penthouse Suite on Celebrity? Also, the service on Celebrity is always very high caliber. Any feedback on this? I also have seen a number of videos with the music walk, really looks like a great area and I think I'd enjoy this a lot. How does this and other entertainment compare to Celebrity? Lastly, I'm currently booked on a Celebrity Eclipse TA, 12 nights in the Royal Suite and I added a 6 night Carib just to make it a B2B, so 18 nights total in RS. I am considering a Pinnacle Suite on Oosterdam, 15 nights and a really great itin. for a TA, though I do TA's primarily because I most enjoy sea days. Anyway, I'd be interested in comments from folks who have exprience on both lines, pros/cons etc. I am 64 yo, low key cruiser, enjoy good food and looking for good evening entertainment, which can be a tad lacking lately on the M/S class of Celebrity, I am a night owl but not a drinker. So sorry for being long winded and TIA for any thoughts, advice... P.S. there is only a -$1,000 cost difference between the two cruises.

I learned my lesson on suites the hard way. Friends had told me never book an upper suite early, just wait for an upgrade or watch for availability later and then upgrade, never worked. Now when I see the suite I want I just book it and don’t look back at all. Might be costlier (?) but at least I know I am getting what I wanted right from the start.

Above the mast grill on the pool deck and outside of Eden a very large covered smoking area with great aft views.

There is a smoking area on deck 5, pull up a map and it will show you the exact location

In December I combined a 4 night and 5 night and asked my butler how to handle. He told me to leave the laundry bag for the first day of the second cruise and he would take care of it, and he did, I had it returned in 2 days.

I’m on the TA March 2025, last cruise before the dry dock refresh, still totally looking forward to it.

Nice review and congrats on your casino win. Those shorter west coast itineraries sure beat the 3-4 day Med booze cruises Celebrity is pushing these days.

Sounds good but none of this has anything to do with the Retreat package.

And if this is going to be their model going forward, and in fairness to the crew and passengers, they need to re-think their concept of butler offerings to all suites.

It is confusing that’s for sure! Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

Add me to the group that does the pre-paid tips and tips extra to butler, room steward and Luminae wait staff. Although premium drink package is included, so I am paying it, I do not drink alcohol but would not tip extra for drinks, IMO 20% included more than covers that.

But when the ship is in port…

I’m curious, other than the standard post cruise survey, has Celebrity ever contacted you directly to follow up for more detail? Wonderful review, thank you for sharing this!

If they were a big spender, who knows. I spent a fair amount of $$$$$ (fair, I'm lying to myself) on my cruise in Dec. and got a "free" cruise, inside cabin (never), 4 nighter (too short), horrible itin. OR a $500 credit...guess which I took!

Sailed on Summit for 9 days in Dec. 2023. Absolutely loved the ship, the Celebrity Suite, the incredible attentive service and dining in Luminae. Don't hesitate to give it a go, she is in great shape.