LadyShiva

Regarding butlers, I had our Apex Retreat butler request I be quiet and listen to his 5 minute spiel that wasn't ended after 20 minutes.  🙄  Bad first impression, and he just kept dropping in my esteem throughout the week.  My cruising partner loved the pampering that arrived later and later each day, while I could have walked to the coffee shop myself and gotten her latte and my <whatever> in the time until he showed up with whatever he interpreted our standing order into that day.  Meanwhile, our room controls still thought it was snowing (seriously) and 32 degrees F in our room when we checked out in Miami.  Our butler still hadn't gotten the sensor fixed... but he had demanded we reinstall our Celebrity apps on our Android phones, rebooted our phones, etc... for a WALL SENSOR.

I realize the running issue with the butlers on both lines is me, though.  I'd rather they heard me when I said I really DON'T need assistance with working the room controls, but I would like presents to my room to be <non-peanut or shellfish>, please provide the wedge pillow from the pillow menu for my husband, etc.  Needy butlers (versus professional) irritate me--and yes, personal problem, I get it.  I am almost to the point of giving up and providing the 1 page summary of what we would appreciate from our butler for the week.  I thought it was incredibly rude when I saw another Cruise Critic member provide her 1 page summary, but I truly get the inspiration now. 

I gotta tell you, if I'm ever told to be quiet and listen by another butler, though--that's a call to a Hotel Director.  One and done. 😡  We still joke about how I will book Aqua versus Sky suites because I might run into the same underperforming butler.  *sigh*

I would suggest you research NCL Joy's ship layout (cruisedeckplans website) and Joy's Haven via YouTube, versus written reviews.  I have enjoyed both Apex's Retreat and many of the NCL ships' Haven areas.  However, Joy is a unique ship and layout, as it was built for the busted Chinese market.

I think you will enjoy Haven amenities, but my opinion is just another opinion on the internet.  🙂  I hope you have a lovely cruise, and I completely agree with you on the bizarrely high pricing on the Retreat.

2 hours ago, CruisinBanka said:

Curious if anybody that have stayed in these Magic Carpet Sky Suites have experienced any noise from the Magic Carpet Lounge on their decks or in their cabins? It was always a concern of ours when considering booking one. 

We never heard the Magic Carpet, even though it did move.  We were at the top, in the furthest back cabin, sheltered from a massive rainstorm.

Our problem was the last night, they decided to pressure wash the pool deck from about 12:30am to 5:30am.  My travel partner was unable to sleep from the noise, and therefore, we are unable to recommend this Apex cabin.

Look up as you enter and read the programmable traffic boards.  🙂  Miami is the same way--just get to the Port and follow signs to your ship.

Correct, your check in will not open until you have at least paid final payment.

36 minutes ago, SeattleAl said:

Thanks all. We have the 5:30 slot for traditional and a 2 year old in the group who get's hangry if dinner comes too late. We just realized that our Nov. 6th cruise will begin the day after Daylight Savings time switches back. So 5:30 is already going to be 6:30 for a two year old's tummy. We'll keep it.

 

Still, don't know why we could not change on then app/webpage. We have done this before.

We took our munchkin to the buffet ahead of MDR dining.  Munchkin could eat their cheese slices and whatever else caught their fancy, and then enjoy a roll and stealing bites from Mommy's plate during MDR dining.

Hope that helps!

4 hours ago, lionheart said:

Curious with this tour do you have to go back with the tour to ship or can you stay in Stockholm? Thanks 

For your cruise, are you actually docking in Stockholm (which has shallow water on the path to the dock) or are you docking an hour outside of Stockholm?

If you are actually docking an hour outside of Stockholm, consider if you want to figure out the train ride back to your ship.  The ship and private tours usually use busses. 

It is the second bathroom for my teen and the massive water view that sells us on those suites.

15 minutes ago, Billy Baltic said:

Radioactive? Why would there be radioactive components in a carbon monoxide monitor?

https://www.google.com/url?q=https://osrp.lanl.gov/Documents/Smoke%20Detector%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwift9PPrIr4AhXiFjQIHcZoC64QFnoECAgQAg&usg=AOvVaw30Qcj6NUGZ3zk_DBOh8Ri9

Smoke detectors have radioactive material.  In my house, we use combo smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors up top (and single carbon monoxide detectors at lower outlet levels).

My state has had AirBNBs without smoke or carbon monoxide detectors.

I would not personally carry anything radioactive in my luggage.  Too much scanning needed to board <transportation methods> for officials to get very excited about.

Keywords are "supervised COVID-19 antigen test": COVID-19 Tests Accepted by Bermuda | Government of Bermuda (www.gov.bm)

eMed is a supervised antigen test.

8 minutes ago, BND said:

In 32 cruises, I've had one cold and one sinus infection.  And, this was the only sinus infection I have ever had in my life.  We don't wear masks anywhere except medical facilities where they are required.  And, we are living our lives normally.  Church, gym, movies, restaurants, work (DH), parties, family get togethers, hugging family and friends, beach vacations, 2 b2b cruises.  I also don't use hand sanitizer except on the ship.  DH did have one complaint on our EN b2b cruise.  He said, every time he went to the bathroom in the public restrooms onboard, at least 1/2, and many times more like 3/4 of the men never washed their hands.  They just walked right out the door.  DH always does, everywhere, at home and in public restrooms.   We are rarely sick. 

I am glad your husband washes his hands in the restroom.

Question 1: Carryon luggage, just the unopened boxes.  Tests I need to get on the ship stay with me, period.  No problems with TSA, but it was also a domestic US flight.

On 5/6/2022 at 7:25 PM, SightCRR said:

JT, Thanks for the photos, Did you have to use ArriveCan and if so did you use the app and how did that go? Take Care. sightcrr

You use the ArriveCAN app before you get on the cruise, SightCRR.  You need that clearance to board.

Chilkoot Tours was a good vendor for us.  We did the combo bus with train a few years ago (pre-COVID), and would not hesitate to recommend them.  Emerald Lake made for memorable family pictures, in particular.  🙂

More like when the excursions sell out or when your online reservation moves to the ship about 72 hours out from sailaway.  🙂

6 minutes ago, jerseygirl3 said:

My husband is high risk as he has Pulmonary and  Cardiac Sarcoidosis 

Have him call his cardiac health care provider to see if they will proscribe prophylactic treatment ahead of your cruise.  Make sure to fill any resulting prescription BEFORE you get on the ship, too.

Docs on ship will stabilize him for transfer to a hospital, not provide a treatment regimen to stay on the cruise.

My family uses the internet to pass pictures to each other and stay in contact during the cruise.  Easy way to call each other and do logistics without needing to resort to going to the room.  It is nice to have already passed pics around at the moment, versus the depressing offload from various devices after the cruise.  Also great when the extended group is all over the megaship.

Kiddo uses the internet for school classes while we cruise.  Nice view while taking Biology and math.  🙂

Happily, no.  Same place.

18 minutes ago, sberg23 said:

 

Yes but not necessarily the same Deck.  We previously had a Club Balcony cabin on Deck 14, and as of now I see 1 available on Deck 15, 1 on Deck 14, and 12 on Deck 13.  Lots on Deck 12.  

 

After speaking with the first NCL rep at the 32 min hold time (I was very nice to her bc I'm certain she's having a tough day already), she said she had to then send me over to the Resolutions Team.  I've been on another hold for 10-15 min already.

Geez... my best friend had to go from a 2 bedroom Haven to an M4 on Joy.  Not quite the family cruise she was dreaming of.  We're scrambling now to get a hotel room; Hyatt airport hotels seem to be the least bad of what's left in inventory.

Edit: Nope, she is cancelling.  FCC was the breaking point.  😞

Any successful same category rebookings?  

Anyone been able to find Haven rooms on the cruises you can switch to?  Or is it downgrades for all the Escape travelers?  This scramble to rebook is... not great.

- fix the underpowered hair dryers so that the button doesn't need to be depressed to use them.

- Hard Pass on the "Catfish Brandy Foam" amuse bouche.  The table was torn on the right translation for the communal "*****!?!" reaction.

- Bathroom locks: Throw stickers on the door for Lock versus Unlock.

-  Enforcement of masks in the fitness center.

- Enhance the deck plan to show the obstructed view of the 12th floor Magic Carpet S3s.  I was expecting a cutout, and there was no cutout on the railing.

- OMG, the grammatical errors!!! SPELLCHECK should be run on ->EVERYTHING<-. 

- More trashcans in public spaces.  Add dish returns around the Resort Deck.

- Remove the "drunk toddler playing marimba", "discordant organ", and "sick whale in the distance" from the ever present soundtrack on the Resort deck, Solarium, and Spa areas.  Their ASMR audio engineers have hate in their heart for us passengers.

- Please add a bit more energetic music to the DJ rotation.

Thank you for this opportunity to share constructive criticism. 

Thank you, everyone!

@tunaman2011  Tomorrow!!  Yay!

I can't remember how Celebrity handles cabin access--please help?

Does Celebrity grant immediate access, or is it delayed access (i.e., 1 pm)?  My group has Sky Suites on Apex, leaving tomorrow.

Thanks in advance!

OP, that was my experience with my 3rd order from eMed.  I ordered from eMed on 1/1/2022.  The status stayed Pending until AFTER the boxes were delivered on 1/6.

I ended up with 2 sets of tests (one from Optum via the Celebrity portal, one ordered directly from eMed), which will work for me (3 planned cruises this year + weekly maintenance testing).

I am glad you have time until your cruise, and hopefully you chuckle... LATER... like I now do!