CruisinNewb

We were on the Ireland/Iceland cruise this past April/May.

Here was our experience.

We were in no rush since we spent an extra two nights in Dublin and left that Saturday.

We didn't do express walk off but we were in one of the earlier groups.

It took us about 10 minutes to collect our luggage, another 20 minutes waiting in the queue for a taxi.

It takes about 20 minutes to the airport with no traffic.

We had an 850AM flight to the US. American Airlines said to be there 4 hours before the flight. We ignored them and arrived at 530ish. The AA counter was just beginning to open and we waited another 10 minutes for them to do so. We checked our luggage and then went through the land-side security. That took about another 15 minutes and that was on the faster line.

We went to the pre clearance area and they also weren't open yet although people were lined up at the closed doors. We took a stroll and came back later and I think they opened the doors around 630AM. We were fortunate in that there was a much shorter line for business class. It took us a few minutes to pass through security again and then we all waited for Customs to open their door (I think they did at 7AM). We have Global Entry so we scanned our passports answered a few questions and were through in a few minutes.

It is a pain but it avoids the queue back in the US and the frequent travelers who use this airport said they preferred the clearance on the Dublin end.

Also an FYI. Our friends had reserved a car service to avoid the taxi line and it never showed up.

That was the case when we boarded the Eclipse in April in Dublin. The exception was that Captain's Club Select and above could board at any time during the boarding process. We usually board early but this time followed their recommendation. Arrived at the terminal a little before 1PM as per our deck assignment. Was on the ship in 20 minutes.

In my limited experience it is very hit or miss. I think it has been getting better though. I mention that I am a vegetarian to our servers on the first night. Last cruise on the Eclipse in April she brought out the vegetarian menu every night. Same with out prior cruise in 2017 on the Reflection.

Prior to that I asked the the servers and Maitre'D and they said don't have one. That was on the Summit and that was years ago. They also at that time weren't very willing to make many accommodations.

An important thing to remember is that many of the servers will not really know the difference between a vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian etc. So keep that in mind when you order.

Was glad to see this thread as I just posted something similar on our roll call.

we are guilty of overpacking but I figure we are on vacation and like to dress a little for dinner so why not. We don't do laundry on board so a 14 day cruise does require a lot of clothes. I will wear slacks or jeans more then once, shirts if it is only 1/2 a day. I usually bring a suit and a sports coat or two. Actually i use to pack less when I rented a tuxedo but prefer wearing my own stuff and slightly less formal.

We usually get two checked bags each when we travel internationally and our next cruise we can take a vehicle to port so not as much an issue.

Our last two week trip we had 3 large cases and a large rolling garment bag. Could have had done it with 1 less if we did carryons.

We just traveled on the Eclipse's 10 night itinerary to Ireland/Iceland. The entertainment was very mixed. The stage shows weren't very good but they did a show in the lobby one night that was a lot of fun. The singers/dancers are a mixed lot. A few are great and a few are good. Most are average. The problem is, IMO, the songs aren't selected to highlight their vocal range. Too many high notes they will never reach, etc.

Guest artists for the most part were very good. They had a UK former broadway singer who was in Les Mis who was excellent. They had a male singer who did some James Taylor in Celebrity Central who was also excellent.

The house band was horrible for the first 8 nights. Same play list over and over, uninspired and hard to dance to. The last night they did karaoke and two of the passengers were semi pro singers who knocked it out of the park. I think the band's lead singer got inspired (or embarrassed) after their performances because that night she was awesome. The music ending at 1130PM was also too early. There was literally nothing to do other then sit at the bar after that.

The DJ was terrible. He had a small playlist not geared to the crowd who was mostly 50-70 years old. I think he could have mixed in a few 70's 80 and 90's in the mix and people wouldn't have left in droves. I saw a few people ask for requests and they weren't even played.

Maybe it is because so many have drink packages and that Celebrity doesn't want to encourage people to stay late in the bars since most of the drinks are already included. We spent many nighst going from one venue to the next with poor attendance. The Sky lounge was the most attended but as I said the music didn't keep the people there for long.

Here ya go:

Celebrity Cruises 20th-Anniversary Martini Recipe

 

Ingredients:

2 ounces Grey Goose pear vodka

1 ounce Brut Champagne

¾ ounce lime juice

¾ ounce Dainzu rose-flavored syrup

Ginger passion foam

3 sage leaves

Special Tools:

You’ll need a cream whipper, like this iSi mini whipper sold at Williams-Sonoma.com.

Directions:

Pour all ingredients except the Champagne into a cocktail shaker with ice, and shake. Pour the Champagne into the shaker and strain into a martini glass.

Fill the mini whipper with the foam. Garnish your cocktail with a swirl of pink froth, and top it with a sage leaf.

 

 

 

Enjoy.

Thank you. It sounds like something my wife would enjoy. I'll inquire on our next cruise in October.

Curious. What were the ingredients in the 20 year martini?

Our past two cruises we have had the premium package. The first time it was an included perk the 2nd time we upgraded to it from classic. We tried to maximize our use of it by getting premium bottled waters, the more expensive coffee drinks at Cafe al Bacio and we visited the martini bar every night. My wife had a cocktail most nights at dinner in the MDR but it was usually something included in the classic package and I'd have a vodka only covered under premium. We usually had a glass of wine with dinner. We liked our sommelier as he was attentive but not intrusive and by chance brought my wife's favorite from Washington State when she ordered a glass of riesling. Not a very expensive wine but she loves it.

If I took the time to itemize everything I am sure it would have been cheaper to keep the classic package and pay for the up-charges. That said there is a certain value, at least to us, to not have to consider whether something is included or not, how much the up-charge might me, etc. Others feel differently and I can appreciate that point of view as well.

We used a car service because we had a lot of luggage but in the future I'd just use a taxi.

Easy to get one at the airport. We took a taxi from our hotel on Upper O'Connell and I think the price was around 20 euro.

So despite all the port drama, someone please tell us about the cruise itself.

 

 

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To give another view....

My opinion is that the cruise was amazing. The ship, crew and other passengers were great. We enjoyed every port despite the weather not being optimal. Iceland in early May, we didn't expect Caribbean like weather. The weather changed seemingly by the minute. When we exited the ship on our 2nd day in Reykjavik it was snowing as we walked down the gangway and was sunny by the time we made it through the customs tent!

Layers and a wind/water resistant outer layer made the day enjoyable.

We enjoyed every port, some privately planned excursions and some through the ship.

We tendered in Lerwick and were less then a 5 minute tender ride from ship to dock.

We ate dinner every night but one in the MDR and found the food to be from good to very good. Portions are not large but between starters, main courses, desserts and drinks we were very full every meal. Waitress, assistant waitress, sommelier and drinks server were all friendly, professional, efficient and courteous.

The stage shows varied with some ok and some very good. The aerialists were very good. Guest performers were excellent. House band was mediocre in my opinion until the very last night when miraculously the singer sang her heart out and the song selection improved 1000%.

Our experience with embarkation was pleasant. We boarded about 1PM. Taxi was directed to a tent. Our luggage was collected. We checked in, boarded a bus and were on the ship in about 20 minutes.

Debarkation was also good. Left the ship about 9:15 our luggage was waiting and we queued for the taxi line which took about 20 minutes. There were several accidents near the port that caused traffic delays to and from the port. Port personnel kept the queue organized and orderly.

Dublin airport for flight to the US are confusing. We had an 850AM flight and our airline told us to arrive 4 hours early. We ignored them and got to the airport at 530 and their counter wasn't even open. Customs pre-clearance didn't open until 7AM on the dot and they didn't open the door to line up for security and customs until 620AM.

Our last Celebrity cruise was on the Reflection in January of 2017. We found the food good to very good. We enjoyed the buffet as well as the main dining room and Qsine as well.

While I don't consider myself a foodie we live near a major city and have pretty much any ethnic cuisine available.

Taste in food is so subjective that it is hard to make blanket statements across an entire cruise line.

Any recommendations for a car service from Dublin Airport to a hotel in the city center and then from the hotel to the cruise ship port?

Thanks for the replies. I wasn't looking for a special rotation that avoids a particular restaurant. I also have no issue with Carioca's. I'm sure it is a good restaurant.

I was just perusing the menus, thought we'd like the menu choices better at AP and Lumiere's and I wanted to keep my Palo reservation on the sea day that I made it.

So I thought I'd try and request a rotation that has Carioca's on the day of our reservation at Palo's.

Not a big deal, just thought I'd ask.

We are booked on the on the Disney Magic in October for the 7 night Marvel Day at Sea cruise. Retiring the week before this cruise and we had some DVC points to burn :)

It has been a while since we cruised on Disney although I remember the rotation dining aspect and I also realize they replaced Parrot Cay with Cariocas.

I just booked Palo's for our 3rd night which is sea day for an earlier time as we already have late seating at 830 so as not to have to rush to get ready for dinner.

I have read you can request a certain dining rotation (although no guarantees). In looking over the updated menus I think my wife would prefer Tritons and AP over Cariocas.

Does anyone know or is there a way to discover what the rotations might be for this cruise? I also realize that they may be subject to change before October.

Thanks for any help.

January of this year we were on the Reflection and there was plenty of space on the lawn between the alcoves. One of the days we were there we saw a few people with some towels but the other day it was pretty empty.

Hi Scoochy:

I'll give your our perspective.

We started cruising in 2008 with our then preteen age kids on a Celebrity cruise to Alaska which we loved. Since then we been on 3 other Celebrity cruises and one on Disney which was a shorter 4 day trip to Nassau and Castaway Cay. All of the cruises included our kids Now young adults)including the last one to the Caribbean.

Although we really like Celebrity I can honestly say that the Disney product was just as good if not better in many regards. The main stage show performers were much more talented on Disney but of course every production is a Disney show. If you are in love with everything Disney of course that will not matter much. The food on Disney was better, the servers better, cabin layout better.

We are booked on the halloween cruise this year on the Magic. It will be our first cruise without the kids. We had a bunch of Disney Vacation Club points we needed to use so this trip works well for us.

Although it will be different without the kids, we are very much forward looking to enjoy the adult only nightclubs/bars. We think we will have a great time. I am sure there will be plenty of adults enjoying the ship without kids.

Yes follow her doctors advice. As far as ignoring people who tell you sea bands and ginger well all i can say is that they have both worked for me.

Mid ship is best to minimize motion. Lower deck are better then higher decks.

There are many different things you can try to reduce the effects of motion sickness.

Sea bands are wrist bands with a small plastic button you wear over your wrist and the pressure is supposed to reduce motion sickness.

Ginger candies or pills also work.

Also there are scopolamine patches.

In light of her age I'd check with her doctor about the ginger and the scopolamine I think you need a prescription for.

My girls in their early 20's love Celebrity. It depends on what they are looking for.

If clubbing and partying until the wee hours is their thing then perhaps not.

They have been on 4 celebrity cruises and always have had a great time.

Our first cruise with Celebrity is rapidly approaching. We are by no means experienced cruisers, having just 4 previous cruises with Carnival, and we hope that Equinox is a better experience than Carnival. A big part of the experience that we enjoy is the food, Carnival was good, for us, but we are trying to switch it up, as the kids have left and we aren't looking for water slides and Dr. Suess. These posts make me worry whether we should have gone with a different line, but we will keep an open mind, and if not satisfied we'll try another. Until the grandkids want to go, then be back to Carnival or Disney.

I would keep all the comments you read here in perspective. The people who post here, whether they have been on 1 cruise or 100 are a minute sampling of the tens of thousands who set sail every week on Celebrity.

I do not think you have to sail In Aqua or a suite to enjoy the cruise or the food.

I remember reading here comments before my cruise to Bermuda on the Summit. From the comments I read you would have expected a large rusty bucket ready to sink. My experience was exactly the opposite.

I hope you enjoy your cruise,

I think they had been testing the $249 price point on one of the ships. I thought at that price it also included a bottle of liquor and the ability to order at no cost off the room service menu.

We booked one for one day on the Reflection last month. We liked it so much we also got the next sea day while onboard. I thought it was worth the $149 but I wouldn't pay $249. I never saw more then 50% of them occupied but apparently they were all booked as we were on a wait list for the 2nd day and one didn't open up until 10PM the night before.

Hi, I have only been on AMA Waterways and it was FANTASTIC:D....I am trying to decide which cruise to take;)

I want to go back to the smaller experience....River Cruising is definitely in that genre........

Thanks.

Thanks for your review. Our cruise on the Reflection last month had pretty much the same demographics.

We are thinking of a river cruise in the future. Which line do you prefer?

Ron

Agreed there was a lack of table servers at some bars but not others.

Martini bar was always well attended. That said I never waited for more

then a few minutes for service and we were there every day.

Hi there, I am also considering sailing on a 7 night Caribbean with the Reflection. My boyfriend and I being in our late 20's and my parents in their 50's. We have only previously sailed oasis class on RCCL, which we very much enjoyed although we did not endulge in rock climbing or surf simulators.. etc. I'm afraid we will be out of place on Celebrity with older class, we do still enjoy a good nightlife and fun activities. Any advice is much appreciated! :)

We just sailed last month on a 7 night Caribbean cruise on Reflection.

We are in our 50s and my daughters joined but they are a bit younger then you (early 20's).

This was their 5th cruise and most have been on Celebrity. I offered them the choice for this cruise between RCCL and Celebrity and they chose Celebrity. They have no interest in the rock climbing etc offered on RCCL.

On this cruise there were not many adults their age. I did see a fair number in the pool on sea days occupying several of the hot tubs where they seemed to spend most of the day.

That said they had a great time. They enjoyed the food, they saw all the evening shows and spent time on sea days at the pool or in our alcove. They sunbathed, read, listened to music, ate, drank and were content.

Dinners and most breakfasts we ate together and we had early seating and usually went to the shows together or met up there.

They went to the silent disco and hung out (there were a lot more 20-30 age group there) there and every evening they had a different spot designated as the "dance club" and they visited a few there too. That said, they were usually back to the room before midnight or 1am.

So if you are looking for evening entertainment on Reflection, it is there. It might not be as varied as RCCL and there certainly will be less people in the 20's on the ship.

Not sure what other "fun" activities you might be looking for. I am sure there are more of them on RCCL. If you are looking for other couples to hang out with on Celebrity, I think you have less options then you would on RCCL.