san diego spartan

Yes just off the Solstice and they were included.

From someone in a non suite or retreat the disembarkation for us was also super quick and easy. It may have taken a max of 5 minutes if that. They use the facial recognition so you do not need to have your passports out which is nice. We left our cabin about 7:45am and went to the MDR for one last relaxing breakfast. Finished up about an hour later and our number was called as we were heading to deck 5. So perfect! Luggage was easy to find. Agree a bit chaotic once you exited the port building. We had a pick up from my brother and had to wait about 15 minutes since I had anticipated a longer time to disembark. The curb area was crazy. Uber pick up was not clearly defined from what I saw.

Dinner in the MDR was very good. We both had the branzino and it was so good. We had the most amazing waiter and asked to be assigned to his section every night.

Quickest embarkation I can remember! And I've had some short ones ....beautiful day. Thanks for your posting.

Ok thanks for the info.

Will be sailing with you on the 8th as well. Does anyone know how full the ship will be? I know it is Easter and lots of schools still having spring break - but I'm hoping that it won't be too crazy.

I have sailed with Celebrity since 2017 and we were able to eat in the MDR on embarkation day. As I stated this is always our POA when we get on board.

I understand those feelings. We have not sailed Celebrity since the pandemic and was really looking to returning since we really always thought they were (are?) a great cruise line - probably our favorite or close to it. However, now in hearing/reading about the changes I'm starting to have some doubts about Celebrity. I'm not a fan of the changes to the classic beverage package option (or lack thereof) and the prices for the packages have really increased. Having to go to the lunch buffet with all the embarkation crowds is not appealing. Yes the sushi place is an option - but it is an extra charge. I believe the Mast Grill will be open - but there is another thread going on that says the food offered there is not great. Now that being said - I am looking forward to enjoying myself and keeping an open mind.

Hi - thanks for taking these questions. I'll be on the ship 4/8 and would also like to know if there are separate shampoo, condition and body wash containers and also if there is liquid hand soap or bar hand soap. Thank you.

Oh bummer. That is our traditional dining option when we 1st board.

Is the MDR lunch on embarkation day only for the concierge and suites??🙁

ok thank you.

I have a couple of questions about the drinks in the casino: 1. Are they free if you are gambling? 2. If they are "free" if you are gambling - can you order anything to drink (i.e. something that would fall under the Premium Drink Package)? 3. We are on a blue chip offer and were told that drinks in the casino are "free" - is that anything different if drinks are "free" while gambling or can I just go to teh casino bar and get a free drink without gambling? Thanks.

I agree, not a hard dress code to abide by. Casual pants or jeans and a shirt with a collar (polo etc) are pretty easy to follow. We did run into a couple on our last cruise (HAL) that unfortunately did not have their luggage make it with them (maybe the 4th night it caught up?) - they told us they were on a transfer from the airport to the ship via HAL and all the people on the bus - 30-40 of them, had their luggage left behind. so they were given a tshirt and a few other things, but only had their casual clothes. So if you do see someone in the MDR that is dressed very casual, it could potentially be a case that their luggage has not caught up with them yet. Yes I realize this would be an extremely small percentage - but just something to consider.

Enjoying your review and wanted to add a comment about Princess Alaska cruises since we were just on one in September 2022 and did a HAL one in May 2019. I much preferred the HAL cruise since they had the ability on their ships to close the pool area roof in case the weather is too chilly/inclement. The Princess ship we were on (Discovery Princess) did not. While the Princess pool area was lovely, it was rarely used on our cruise because of the weather. You may have great weather on your cruise, but you never know in Alaska. Just something to think about if that would be a concern for you. I did like the ability to order drinks and food to where ever you are on the ship on Princess via their Medallion App - it worked almost all of the time for us. I heard it was hit or miss for others - but it is a nice concept Princess offers. Also I would highly recommend the inside passage itinerary - it is much more scenic.

Thanks so much for a great live review. Enjoyed reading along with your travels. Can't wait for our turn next month. Your posts have been so helpful!

The taxi fares make a different in terms of whether they are the regular local taxis or the ones that can only pick up (not drop off) at the airport and the cruise port. those are usually the ones you will encounter when you walk right off the ship. Those are higher prices, but still $20 USD seems very high to the Malecon. The taxi fares are regulated by Zones. To get a regular city taxi - just walk out of the port and you can hail one on the main street - we did it very easily in December. Frankly $10 USD seems high for a local taxi. You really should be paying in pesos - but I understand not everyone has them or wants to get them.

Thanks - I have been to PV many times - used to own a condo there for 16 years - and yes, I have been on many buses with the live music. Always fun. The bus is an experience everyone should have there. Of course, the buses have for the most part been upgraded now. thanks for clarification on the live music! Hopefully it will sync with our schedule.

I am a bit bummed to hear your comments on lack of live music. That is one of the things we enjoy about cruising - relaxing with a cocktail and listening to live music. Hopefully you'll find some. It is one of the reasons we love cruising on HAL as they have the music walk with lots of different options. we were on HAL in December and really enjoyed it. On Princess in September and found the live music option were lacking. I seem to recall that we had some good live music on Celebrity (cruises before the pandemic), but maybe they have scaled that back??

Enjoying your live report. So glad you made it to the ship. I was worried! We will be on Solstice April 8th. Can't wait. Had to change from our February initial dates but glad we did as we have the more traditional Mexican Riviera ports versus going to Catalina. I love PV! It is our favorite. Please do stroll the malecon and hit one or more of the beach bars along Los Muertos. Looking forward to your next update. We are also like another cruiser with the Blue Chip offer.

I love the music walk and is one of the reasons we keep returning to HAL. I think it is a great idea and I love the different venues. I missed this type of music when we were on the Discovery Princess in September. Just off the Koningsdam and we spent every night in at least 2 of the venues, sometimes 3 and the Lincoln Center Stage during the later afternoon. Sorry it is not for you, but there are quiet parts of the ship you can relax and chat. I like those too and frequently found myself in the Crow's Nest to relax and unwind with a book or a drink.

Funny everyone is different - I was somewhat disappointed that we are not stopping in Ensenada on our 2/11 sailing. We stop in San Diego (which is where I live). I love Ensenada as it is the gateway to Valle de Guadalupe. there are some excellent wineries there and we took a tour last year (Holland America Koningsdam) and love it.

So we are booked on this Blue Chip offer on the Solstice 2/11. I got an offer in the mail and was surprised since I do not recall gambling that much....thought it was as way to get us back on board after the pandemic. It is a "free" verandeh cabin - just paid the tax and port charges. We had a lot of choices of dates, but only the 2/11 one really worked and yes while they call it the Mexican Riviera it only goes to Cabo. Catalina and San Diego are the other ports. I would have preferred one of the other itineraries or at least a stop in Ensenada, but it is what it is. No extras included (drink package wifi,etc) though it does say we get free drinks while in the casino. The offer was good for both my self and husband. I can't recall if there was an offer to upgrade to a higher category, but we like the cabin we were able to choose. Looking forward to being back on Celebrity.

On our December 10th cruise afternoon tea was on sea days at 3pm

The $20 was for a 12 Oz tail and worth it. Other nights $15 for 2 tails that were 5 Oz each. We had the jumbo shrimp cocktail the night it was offered and thought it didn't have much taste.