Treacher1

Opened at at 12:15 am for ICON - earliest time was 11:30 - perhaps that is the standard for the larger ICON - 

Thanks - just after I typed the question - it popped up on app and I was able to complete check in for my wife and myself.  Will go back in to do pic  later in the morning.  I know health questionnaire is for day before embarkation.

I was surprised - earliest check in on ICON was 11:30 a.m.  We have always boarded other ships earlier than that - no problem - large ship - surely takes longer to turn over on port days.  But, still like to get on asap - like an extra day of vacation.  I know some people prefer later.  

Thanks for your response!

Does check in on the app - appear right after midnight the day it first opens - eastern standard time?  Or does it open sometime later in the morning. 

Thank you - really looking forward to it!

Splurging on a suite for Icon cruise.  Just curious as to how crowded the outer deck the GROVE with small pool and restaurant - how crowded does this area get - enough seats and loungers for suite guests.  We found on Celebrity Apex and Beyond the RETREAT was often crowded and not enough seats for all seeking the area.

Give us your opinion on the GROVE area - any tips or advice.  Also, is the restaurant in the deck area open for breakfast ?  I know Coastal Kitchen is open for breakfast not sure about the outdoor area for suite guests.  Thanks for any advice or suggestions.

Thanks for your replies - !

Description says bottle of water included - is that just on embarkation day or are water bottles delivered each day?  We are heavy water drinkers and sometimes buy the bottled water package - just wanted to know if bottled water supplied the entire week or just the first day

A few more questions - how is reserved seating for the shows on Icon for suite guests? - on many other Royal ships - seating was better where NOT reserved.  Description says one day pass access to Spa Thermal Room - must that be reserved?? Or do you just go and show your sea pass card?

Any other tips or advice about staying in Grand Suite in Icon much appreciated!!! Thank you and smooth sailing!!

We have suites booked on cruises on both ships.  I just realized that one needs reservations for Coastal Kitchen on both of these ships.  I called to reserve and was told reservations can be made ONLY once on board.  I was told go to the entrance of Coastal Kitchen when we board - just curious we usually dine around 6 - is it difficult to get the time you want if everyone can only reserve once on board?? Please advise - thanks for sharing your experience - wish we could just book online prior to the cruise like entertainment.  

I am having the SAME problem on both Royal AND Celebrity websites.  It allows me to log in on both, but when I hit manage cruise and go to shore excursions - both websites take me off and then show log in screen again - log in then it works - but go into buying anything sends me right back to sign in screen - frustrating!!!

I know food is provided at Coco Cay, but drinks are charged.  Can you use Diamond Plus vouchers on key card for drinks while on the island, or can they only be redeemed while on board the ship.  Thank you!

On Celebrity if in a suite or aqua class - no reservations are taken for Laminae or Blu - we never had to wait for a table.    I know one must make reservations for Coastal Kitchen on Icon - those of you that sailed - did you have trouble securing a reservation for the time you wanted to dine?  We always like to go around 6  - just curious with a ship this large if reservations are difficult?  Please advise - I read before you cannot make reservations till on board - Thank you!

Thank you so much - good to know - splurging on this cruise - pricey - and just want to make sure we can get in to Coastal Kitchen.  Thanks for your response!

On Celebrity if in a suite or aqua class - no reservations are taken for Laminae or Blu - we never had to wait for a table.    I know one must make reservations for Coastal Kitchen on Icon - those of you that sailed - did you have trouble securing a reservation for the time you wanted to dine?  We always like to go around 6  - just curious with a ship this large if reservations are difficult?  Please advise - I read before you cannot make reservations till on board - Thank you!

Merion_Mom - you are the best - you have answered many questions for us throughout the years - sometimes I asked or someone else had the same question I did.  You are a long time CC member - I feel cruise critic readers were more friendly in the past - some people get mad if you ask a question - say why did you not do a search - sometimes that does not work - thank you for your kindness all these years!!!

Thanks for your responses - we still have a decent time to embark - "the early bird gets the worm."  I guess I needed to be earlier.

We are booked for Beyond March 11 - I went online at 6 am to do check in (first day available).  The earliest boarding time was 12 to 12:30.  Has this changed - in the past we boarded 10:30 to 11:00.  Since I checked in at 6 am - I was surprised this was the earliest time.  Did Celebrity change this to allow more time to prepare ship for new passengers or were that many people checking in BEFORE me.  Not a big deal, but have always enjoyed getting on the ship early - seems like almost an extra day vacation.  Thanks for your comments.

We are booked in a Grand Suite on Icon - confused about dining - I know breakfast and lunch are both walk in when you are ready to dine.  Some places I read you must make reservations for dinner and other places it says NO reservations are made - the same as breakfast and lunch.  Also, when in a suite is there NO charge for delivery of room service ?  Thanks for clarifying -

We are booked in an Aqua class cabin and most nights will be dining in Blu.  We have friends sailing with us NOT in Aqua Class and some nights we want to dine with them in some of the 4 MDR's offered.   Must we make reservations? Or can we just walk up since we have anytime dining in Blu?

Also, when we sailed on Beyond last year we were allowed to invite a couple sailing with us to Laminae (they were not suite guests).  A fee had to be paid - do you think we will be able to get our friends in BLU one night for dinner if we pay?  I am thinking if we dine earlier this might work, when it is not as crowded?

I thank you for your response - I TOTALLY agree with you respect the line - I was just asking as I know on another cruise line at the check in desk - left was for those with reservations - right was for walk ins?

Quick question for those of you onboard Prima last 14 days - we are in a suite (but NOT Haven - that is all that was left when we booked).  We made reservations for all dinners - do they have a different line at check in at various restaurants for those WITH reservations?  We found this a problem on another cruise line - had to wait it a long line even though we had reservations -  thanks for any information.

Appreciate the time you took to show us the interior shots - keep them coming MUCH appreciated.  Not sailing till August but very much look forward to seeing more!

Does anyone know when NCL starts to decorate their ships for Christmas?  Sailing December 1 - hoping to see some - cruising till the 15th, so some should be displayed by then??

Thanks for that information - maybe some hope - booking engine shows NO Haven suites left - makes sense autogenerated - I had hoped that meant Haven slots open but maybe not

I went to roll call thread and asked to be added to your group - we are Judy and Dennis from PA - thanks for asking us to join you since we booked so late .

Thank you SO much for posting all those pics and information on embarkation day and sail away.  We are boarding Dec 1 in NYC for the reposition cruise and look forward to more pics and comments and advice   as you make your way to NYC!  Wishing you smooth sailing - great service and food - appreciate the time you are taking to do this!!!  We made a bid on Haven - but not expecting anything.  We were scheduled to sail March of 2025 and got an email from NCL saying that cruise from NYC was canceled.  So when we booked this cruise there were no Havens left - so surprised we got a letter to bid???  Matters not - ship looks classy - and look forward to this cruise.