Denny01

I’m not sure what is an ‘excessively long cruise’ as a description but only as a very subjective opinion. a cruise beyond a month would be too much….for me. I have friends who a 7N cruise would be too much. And I have friends booked on World cruises. den

- Although the ships arent ‘small’, the design of each Class is excellent in handling the numbers. Just not that crowded feel of comparable Lines. - One announcement per day. Treat us as if we are Adults who can decide what we want to do each day and not press. - Each Class has its real draw: —M Class has the indoor spa pool. Warm and lots of action and has steel pipes on the side you lay on and bubbles come up and ‘massage’. —S Class is just a fantastic design. Open and modern feel. Overall an outstanding design and appeal for us. —E Class is our favorite. 4 Main dining rooms; Eden lounge; great stern area to relax and watch the sea. And Yes, I know others disagree, but we Love the Infinity Veranda SRs. More open and makes the SR larger. —Love the island stations of the buffet area and the great choices. Along with what is said before: Outstanding service; and of course the very subjective opinions on dining - we find the choices to our liking. We’ve tried many of the other Lines and except for the RCL huge ships which we will Never go on again, all cruises were enjoyable, but Celebrity fits what we are looking for in cruising at this time. Cruise opinions are Very Very subjective. And it funny on how something we may think in relatively minor can be a real turnoff. Probably because there are so many choices. And of course after cruising many times, we become more than a bit ‘jaded’ and opinionated. Den

Just stopped typing…..WestLakeGirl answered your question. Den

I agree with stays in a port area. Traveled through Cornwall for a week prior to a TA out of Southampton and stayed in Munich after the river cruise from Amsterdam to Basel. But my preference is to stay prior for a number of days, not between some B2B’s. Id hate to enjoy a relaxing cruise, pack up and go ashore and unpack in a hotel or travel around then go through the check-in on another cruise…..and so on. There are so many ways of doing this: the classic ‘touring’ the area as we did in Cornwall; staying in one hotel and doing day trips as we did in Munich and Amsterdam….and Rotterdam by the way - really different and loved it. We stayed 3 days in Chitivecchia and just relaxed. Very nice small town. Great restaurants and nice hotel. Just relaxing instead of sightseeing Rome and so on. Hate to miss seeing famous sites, but nice place to just soak in the local ‘feel’. And dont forget a real jewel, Bordeaux. We did the river cruise there and the city itself is fantastic. Staying in a hotel in the middle of town right near the trams. Walking Only shopping streets; great restaurants, architecture and museums. Friendly…very friendly and relaxing. And less expensive than Paris…..but Nothing is ‘cheap’. An idea: fly to Paris; stay a few days seeing the famous museums and so on; train to Bordeaux and Enjoy! Enough. So many ways of adding to a cruise….along with Adding cruises!! Den

Wow…..and here I was so impressed with our B2B E Med 14N followed by a 13N W Med/TA! im a piker! den

Ascent is about to cruise south of Bermuda and is tracking just fine. The Apex is ahead of the Ascent and pulls into Port Everglades and Terminal 25 on the 18th. Ascent drops into Freeport on the 18th. I think it’s mainly there to wait for its scheduled time to get to Terminal 25. Ascent does enter the port on the 19th but goes to Terminal 19. the Apex is at T-25 the 18th; the Reflection on the 19th; the Silhouette the 20th. After the Silhouette pulls out that afternoon, Ascent moves over to T-25 at 10pm…..and on the 22nd We get on board at 1130am!! den

I guess ive missed out on most of the ‘issues’ in the Buffet. I enjoy the MDR’s and so on, but Ive not really experienced all the things some post about Oceanview. Yup, get crowded, but thats to be expected. I think the island set up of Celebrity buffets is much superior to other approaches on large ships. Den

It’s a 4N Thanksgiving cruise…dont know if its considered a Media cruise, but that makes sense. Ive been calling it a shakedown cruise. I dont mind whatever it is, just so Im aboard! den

Yes, the Computer Center allows us to use the computers for that specific need. You can also sign up and pay for a set amount of use time there. Been a while since I used them, but it was handy before. Its where they teach some of the tech classes. Den

I’ll disagree with the posts about not having to check in prior. It’s a good idea to go through the check-in at the time you are allowed. Dont have to print passes, but I check in as soon as it is available. Why? If there is any issues with the reservation, the ticket or the flight, that is the time to fix it and to know. In Oct, I booked through Viking for a flight to ATL then to Paris and onto Bordeaux. Prior, all looked just fine. The Sat afternoon, 24hrs prior to my Delta flt, I checked in but it would not allow me to finalize. Kept going ‘errror’ after completing everything. Called Delta and after 1+hr of working with the agent and being switched to a supervisor, was told to contact the booking agent. Called Viking Air and that was another hr and they switched me to Viking Emergency Air. They had to reticket my reservations and it took a while Again. Got it done but it took almost 3hrs on the phone. If Id waited and done this at the desk prior to flight…..yeah, no way of making it. Realize this isnt common, but especially if you are flying and using Partner airlines (had Delta and Air France), and so on, there can be issues. So just as I check in as soon as I can for by cruise, I check in As Soon As Possible for my flights. This wasnt the first time…not common, but……. den

I’m sure I won’t be the only one but I’ll post some when I board on 22 Nov. den

The Ascent is now SW of the Azores heading for the Sea Lane to cross the Atlantic to the Grand Bahamas and then FLL!! It crossed behind the Apex which was going from Gibraltar to the Azores stop and Ascent continues SE at 16-17knots. Just fun to watch. Our cruise is only 4 days (plus an overnight in FLL) so will start looking at what to pack in my carry-on….even though we are driving. People always go, ‘Oh, you live in Fla, you can just zip down to catch a cruise anytime!’…..we live in the Fla Panhandle and it is ~8-9hr drive! And especially Thanksgiving Week should be lots of FUN….oh well. den

Yup. Been on the Edge and Apex and now the Ascent. Have to do the Beyond! doing the edge in Australia and NZ next year. Lucky. love Edge! den

Here is a quote from Celebrity: Celebrity Cruises announced that Captain Sandy Yawn, best known for her appearance on Bravo TV’s Below Deck, alongside her sister Michelle Dunham, founder of the Jacksonville School for Autism (JSA), have been selected as co-godmothers of the new Celebrity Ascent. den

For those who either have booked on the Ascent or just an interest in the newest Celebrity ship, thought you’d like to know Ascent departed St Nazaire France 7 Nov EST (1:45am-ish on 8 Nov local time) and is heading to Fort Lauderdale. the ship completed its Sea Trials in September and appears to be doing just fine and is making the TransAtlantics at about 16knots. It will stop in Freeport Grand Bahamas on 18 Nov and enters Port Everglades morning of 19 Nov. Then departs on the 4N Thanksgiving cruise I booked on 22 Nov. This and a shorter follow-on cruise are pre-christening shakedowns, and should be special. The ship is being named 01 Dec. So all looks good. We have a lively discussion on our Roll Call on how Ascent is doing and we are getting excited. So for all us Ascent cruisers, things appear to be on schedule and should be fun on the newest E-Class ship. Den

As I posted, enjoy going to Big Cities. And have visited all the ones listed above recently and will again. Being concerned’ with a Turkyish port has nothing to do w visiting such. watched a protest crowd marching through Barcelona and had enough sense to step away not knowing what was being protested. With Israelies and Palestinians being killed and major protests which include attacking Jews and Muslims or anyone who someone thinks supports them, for me,it’s time to limit where I go a bit. heading to Mexico, then Australia and NZ, followed by Ireland and Scotland. And just came from 2 weeks in France. so going overseas, going to enjoy big and little cities. But will limit a bit into Eastern Europe and Middle East…..which Türkiye is part of. den

Having Been in conflict zones, and since Im now retired, there isnt enough money to be in or near one again. Türkiye is not a combat zone, but there is a good deal of issues throughout the area over the US’s support of Israel. Yes, have had issues in big cities; pickpocketed in Venice and would still go back, but those type of issues have Nothing to do with Turk port call concerns. I had a river cruise from Bucharest to Budapest but was canceled due to Pandemic; going to go again…….Once, once Ukraine quiets down. My restrictions on not putting myself or my wife into an area where there is heightened concerns that a group of people could raise. I Loved Istanbul (and Kusadashi) and felt very safe there, but Id give it a bit of time right now. Den

Having Been in conflict zones, and since Im now retired, there isnt enough money to be in or near one again. Türkiye is not a combat zone, but there is a good deal of issues throughout the area over the US’s support of Israel. Yes, have had issues in big cities; pickpocketed in Venice and would still go back, but those type of issues have Nothing to do with Turk port call concerns. I had a river cruise from Bucharest to Budapest but was canceled due to Pandemic; going to go again…….Once, once Ukraine quiets down. My restrictions on not putting myself or my wife into an area where there is heightened concerns that a group of people could raise. I Loved Istanbul (and Kusadashi) and felt very safe there, but Id give it a bit of time right now. Den

We are booked for the NZ Edge cruise in Mar ‘24 followed by the S Austrailia cruise to Tasmania and our final is due in Dec….and will go Im currently in Bordeaux on a Viking River Wine cruise after visiting the prehistoric caves; going on the Ascent on a pre-inaugural 4N Thanksgiving cruise; on a New Years RCL cruise with the kids; Canada cruise; land tour of Ireland and Scotland; and heck, Japan in ‘25. So I guess Im the wrong one to be giving advice to someone concerned over world events since Im pretty much covering it all except the Middle East!! As to NZ/Australia being remote from war….just to help scare you, if China decides to try to take Taiwan and the US steps in, Australia will most likely follow as part of our agreements. So there is Always a chance of ‘world issues’ interfering with plans. But I think I have a higher chance of taking bullet going to my local grocery store lately than an issue in the Great Down Under!! Flights issues and all. I already have ‘issues’ with flights. Nothing new and not caused by wars, just poor planning by Viking Air. Wont be using Them again! By the way, Great thread title! Den

My Immediate Care asks you to park and call them. They come out and test you. If you need a Dr they escort you to an office to be seen. when I was in Jackson Hole on a vacation tour and felt bad and tested positive, I called the ER. They had me come in, wearing a mask and I saw a Dr who provided the documentation I needed. I isolated for 5 days and flew home insurance required a Dr report so all worked out. Took 2 months to be reimbursed. den

When you are seated, ask your server which items are low sodium, or ask them to not add much to whatever you order. den

You also might check if theyd give you a discount or freebie WiFi upgrade on cruise. Did that a few yrs ago when i got a MacBook. Still using the thing. Den

We are doing a B2B departing Sydney to cruise New Zealand and then return before cruising to S Australia and Tasmania I assume we will need to go through customs after returning from NZ. Is it pretty much the same as being discussed. den

I use my local bank to get a smallish amount to have on hand when start the trip, then as stated above, use my bank Debit card to get cash on site. Much better rates. But if you are not looking at much cash, the lower exchange rate on board is not a big deal really. Agree using chargecards is very handy and usual, but I need cash, even small amounts for tipping our guides and servers, and buying things off small vendors that I may happen upon. But again, I have some ‘local’ cash I get from my bank when I start and add as needed using ATMs. And when I use a chargecard I have them charge it in local currencies…if you say US (or UK pounds!) than its the local business that sets the exchange rate and that can be much lower. Den

I agree with the posts saying they loved all the 3 Celebrity Class ships. each has a uniqueness that we enjoy. But favorite right now is the Edge Class. We havent done Beyond, but have Edge and Apex, and are set for the Ascent for a 4N Thanksgiving cruise that is Prior to its formal cruising. Since the OP has been on S and M Class, what I liked best about Edge: 1. the four separate dining rooms. Quieter. Quicker service. A bit of different decor…..and just fun. 2. Eden. Loved the bar, the lounging area, the specialty restaurant. The lunch area at sea And the wraparound walkway around the stern. 4. I know some dont like them, but I love the Infinite Veranda layout. I dont sunbathe anywhere so the design is what I enjoy. Opens the room up to a larger use space and so on. 5. The round more open theater setup. Love it. My reference to the IV SRs of course will open the door to the Hate IV, but each to our own tastes. That’s what is so nice about different designs! And yup, each need to try out the ships since taste is so subjective. Jut like I dont really care too much about dining comments, especailly the ‘I found nothing editable’…..really!?! Den