seacruise9

Hi, The Puerto Plata port area is extremely nice: beaches, pools, lazy river, bars, shopping, etc. I believe this development is new. I did a shore excursion to the top of a mountain with spectacular views of the city. The tour included a cable car ride down the side of the mountain. This was an excellent tour. Chuck

Hi, I was on the Celebrity Beyond's February 19 cruise. I loved the Beyond, but I was impressed by the Seascape. I also was impressed by the new port development in Puerto Plata. Because I was on a long shore excursion, I didn't have much time in the port area. However, it was very nice and I would like to return to this port. I took some great pictures of the Seascape. Chuck

Hi, I am very impressed with MSC so far. After booking my cruise online, I had difficulty getting my reservation to link to my MSC Voyagers Club number (they provided me with a Diamond level status match). The problem seemed to be due to the fact that my name did not match exactly ("Jr" was listed after my name on my reservation but not my Voyagers Club account). I sent an email to the Voyagers Club late yesterday requesting assistance and they resolved the problem within two hours. This is some of the best shoreside service that I have ever received from a cruise line! Chuck

Hi, Thanks to everyone who provided comments regarding their experiences with MSC and the Yacht Club. As indicated in my prior post, I decided to book a short cruise and try the Yacht Club. I am also looking forward to visiting Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. Chuck

Hi, Yes, because I have never set foot aboard an MSC ship, I wondered how people who have sailed on MSC ships in Yacht Club would compare this experience to sailing in a standard stateroom on Celebrity or Princess. I have been a member of Cruise Critic since 2000 and have learned a great deal from fellow cruisers. I thought one of the purposes of these boards was to exchange information. In my initial post, I indicated my age and that I place an emphasis on food, service and entertainment when choosing a cruise. I certainly made my own informed decision regarding MSC (I decided to book a four-day cruise on the MSC Seashore in Yacht Club to try the experience), but I am interested in hearing the opinions of cruisers who have actually sailed in Yacht Club. I greatly enjoy discussing cruises with fellow passengers while I am on a cruise. Although everyone is different, I think there is value in hearing about other peoples' experiences. If I hear numerous positive comments (or complaints) about a particular ship or cruise line, this is one factor that I will consider in selecting a cruise.

Hi, I am an experienced cruiser (99 cruises) and my favorite lines are Princess, Celebrity and Cunard. I am in my late 50s and began cruising as a child back in the 1960s. I recently cruised aboard the Celebrity Beyond and had a wonderful time. I greatly enjoy the food, service and entertainment on the newer Celebrity and Princess ships. In Puerto Plata, the Celebrity Beyond was docked next to the MSC Seascape. I am very interested in ship design and was impressed by the exterior of the ship. I recently requested a status match with MSC and was granted Diamond status based on my Elite status with Princess. I am considering a seven-day Caribbean cruise on the MSC Seascape for May 2024. I would be cruising solo and noticed that single occupancy of one of the interior Yacht Club staterooms is comparable to what I typically pay for a standard balcony stateroom on Celebrity or Princess. I have read some very negative comments about this ship overall but I also have read very positive comments concerning the Yacht Club. Would you recommend trying the MSC Seascape in Yacht Club or should I stick with Celebrity and Princess? I like to try new ships and different cruise lines, but I am not sure if this ship would be good choice for me. Thanks, Chuck

Hi, It is unusual but not impossible. Years ago, on the QE2, a friend asked me to join him for lunch in the Queens Grill. He was sailing solo and seated alone at a table for two. Thus, my joining him one day did not displace any Queens Grill passengers. As a repeat Cunard passenger, I convinced the hotel manager to allow me to have lunch in the Queens Grill. However, this wasn't easy to arrange. Chuck

Hi, Thanks for your post. I have dinner reservations for Le Voyage this February. Chuck

Hi, As a veteran cruiser (98 cruises - began cruising in 1967), I greatly enjoyed my cruise on the Celebrity Apex earlier this year. I thought the design of the ship was beautiful. I booked a porthole balcony stateroom and loved this ship. I am looking forward to my cruise on the Celebrity Beyond in February 2023. I have cruised on two of the S Class ships (Solstice and Reflection) and three of the M Class ships (Millennium, Summit and Constellation) plus some long-retired Celebrity ships such as the Horizon, Zenith and Century. These are (were) all nice ships, but I think the E Class ships are stunning. Chuck

Hi, I received this email. I agree with the post above that this will be a reduced single supplement on select voyages. Chuck

Hi, Thanks for your post. I cruised aboard the Celebrity Apex in April 2022 and was very impressed with the ship. I am booked on the Celebrity Beyond for February 2023. Thanks for your comparison of the Beyond to the previous ships. Chuck

Hi, Thanks for your post. I have been cruising mainly with Celebrity lately, but I am booked on the Nieuw Statendam in the Caribbean for late November 2022. This will be my first HAL cruise since 2009. I am glad to hear that you enjoyed the Nieuw Statendam. I am looking forward to my cruise on this ship next month. Chuck

Hi, This ship doesn't have a lot of appeal to me, but I think it will be popular with families. In terms of new design features, I like the AquaDome and the fact that large windows are being added to the Royal Promenade. Also, some of the new pool areas (with the infinity pools) look nice. I may eventually try this ship during the off-season. Chuck

Hi, I have taken four cruises since the pandemic shutdown (three Celebrity and one Princess). I was thrilled to be back at sea and greatly enjoyed each of these cruises. I have several cruises booked. Cruises have greatly changed over the years (I started cruising in 1967), but the sparkle is still there for me. 😃 Chuck

Hi, I cruised aboard the Celebrity Reflection in late February 2022 and thought the ship was in great shape. Chuck

Hi, I agree completely. I have taken four cruises since the shutdown (one Princess and three Celebrity). I had a great time on these cruises and was thrilled to be back at sea. I am booked on the Nieuw Statendam for next month. Chuck

Hi, In July 2021, I cruised aboard the Celebrity Summit on one of its first cruises following the pandemic. There were only approximately 300 passengers on the cruise and the atmosphere was incredible. The passengers and crew members were thrilled to be back at sea. The food and service were outstanding. This was one of the best and most memorable cruises that I have ever taken. Sue Denning was the CD on this cruise and she definitely contributed to the wonderful atmosphere. I enjoyed talking to her on several occasions. She works very hard and was visible throughout the cruise. In fact, she was in the cruise terminal early in the morning at the end of the cruise personally thanking people for taking the cruise. Sue is one of my very favorite CDs. Chuck

Hi, Even though the Celebrity Summit is an older ship, it was completely refurbished fairly recently and looks great. I cruised aboard the Summit in 2010 and again in July 2021 (one of the ship's first cruises following the COVID shutdown). I was very pleased with the ship and impressed by the refurbishment. I have not cruised aboard Discovery Princess, but I have cruised aboard four of her sisters: Royal, Regal, Majestic and Sky Princess. These are very nice ships, but I think the food and service are better on Celebrity. Chuck

Hi, I cruised aboard both the Horizon (in 1991) and the Zenith (in 1993) when they were fairly new. These were very nice ships in their day. It makes me feel old to realize that these ships have finished their lives. Chuck

Hi, I was scheduled to be boarding the Celebrity Infinity today (Sep. 3, 2022), but I tested positive two days ago. I called Celebrity immediately after receiving my test results and applied for a refund. For the record, I am fully vaccinated, double boosted and had COVID in January. Of course, I was all packed and ready for the cruise. I attended a rock concert a week ago where hardly anyone was wearing masks (but everyone had to show proof of vaccination). I am guessing that this is where I caught COVID for the second time. I am currently isolating at home (not exactly a fun holiday weekend). I will be working from home next week. Chuck

Hi, I am sailing on the Celebrity Infinity on a seven-day Caribbean cruise that departs from Ft. Lauderdale on Sep. 3, 2022. I am fully vaccinated, but it looks like the testing requirement will still apply to me because my cruise departs prior to Sep. 5, 2022. It is too bad the new rules aren't effective two days earlier. Chuck

Hi, I am sailing on the Celebrity Infinity on a seven-day Caribbean cruise that departs from Ft. Lauderdale on Sep. 3, 2022. I am fully vaccinated, but it looks like the testing requirement still applies to me since my cruise departs before Sep. 5, 2022. Chuck

Hi, Thanks for posting your review. I will be boarding the Celebrity Infinity on September 3. I received an incredible price on an AquaClass stateroom and couldn't resist booking this cruise.

Hi, I live in downtown Chicago near Navy Pier. Yesterday, I watched the Ocean Voyager sail from Chicago. See below for one of my photos of the ship. I have seen both the Ocean Voyager and the Ocean Navigator during their recent stops in Chicago. They look like nice ships. I know that they are on a series of Great Lakes cruises between Chicago and Toronto. Has anyone taken one of these cruises from Chicago? After many years of flying to cruises, I think it would be fun to be able to walk from home and embark on a cruise. Chuck

Hi, I have cruised aboard the three major Celebrity ship classes fairly recently: Summit in July 2021, Reflection in February 2022 and Apex in April 2022. I greatly enjoyed all three of these ships, but I was particularly impressed with the Apex. I think its innovative and modern design is stunning. In fact, I have booked cruises on the Beyond for 2023 and the Ascent for 2024. Chuck