Lastdance

Thank you! I have seen a photo of it, so yes, much smaller. I have already shared with my DH that both of us will be doing a lot of fast walking and lots of stretching on our own. The place we are staying in Algarve, Portugal has a small gym area too, so we will do our best to stay in shape. One cannot have everything onboard a smaller ship, but can still get in a decent workout just to maintain.

As long as there are choices, I believe finding something to eat will not be that difficult. There have been cutbacks all over the industry, so not surprising “O" is doing the same. I am not, in any way, advocating this, but just trying to be a bit realistic because food is very subjective. My DH and I are not drinkers, but love having a gym to go to onboard. I am still looking forward to my TA and trying Vista; will I love it, or just like...who knows?

I agree about their new ships, especially Ascent for the ship experience, but I am a fan of E-class. The stock closed on Friday, 1/19/24 at 127.00, so pouring all the advertising etc into Ascent is making for happy shareholders and cruisers. The Retreat experience is very nice too, especially if you feel like you got a great deal. Xcel will be taking her place very soon, so the momentum should remain high.

I hope you both have a wonderful time and celebrate your anniversary every single day

I always wait until I have a good idea about who I am going to tip, then ask how tipping works for them. Amazingly, I receive a variety of answers. When I tip with OBC, I have been told to always list specific names with the amounts. I had an awesome cabin attendant one time; he received an envelope with his name on it with the cash, as he told me that the entire tip would be his and his alone. I have tipped others the exact same way, not to mention writing notes and filling out information on those crew member who have been outstanding. Even though this takes a lot of time, I feel that these individuals are worth it!

Did your group of 1,000 share private tours, cabin crawls, slot pulls, or any other groups doing things? I have really been disappointed with these activities, but they were for the Caribbean, so I guess not a lot going on for my cruise in December. I really miss the great roll calls from before C, wondering if those will ever return, or just go by the wayside. I remember so many wonderful parties on TA’s, not to mention meeting so many people onboard.

FBC can be hit or miss. You have to stay with the exact same category, along with insuring your cruise and flights too. I do not really like that, as it makes insurance so much more expensive too. Personally, not too bad for short flights, but sometimes it works out well. Doing TA’s always is a little tricky to do what I want, but has worked out a few times, as I like biz and just regular for home to FLL or vice versa. They claim to be cheaper, but again, not always the case. My tickets for Hawaii worked out quite well doing first class!

So, ask and you shall receive...usually works every single time; only once was I told...”sorry, no whipped cream!” 🙃

It definitely has to do with perspective, time spent on/with Celebrity, along with social media, just to mention a few. I don’t know about being a good reality TV show, mostly because I don’t much care for that, but remember, on here it is just words coming from individuals who have lots of filters and are not talking face to face. Therein lies a huge issue and posts/threads take on a life of heir own. Most cruisers are very enjoyable to meet; however, you still have some berating crew members, being entitled and just behaving obnoxiously. Thank goodness it is not that many! By the way, I make the best macadamia nut chocolate chip cookies, according to my DH and friends!

I think it is always important to know when to try something new; you may not like it, but then again, you may find it hits the spot! Searching for something that is just not there anymore is not healthy, but if you have to tell yourself that it will be just okay, maybe okay is something you can learn to like or not. Again, it is all about choices, so choose well because the clock is ticking and no one is getting any younger! If you are, getting younger that is, please share it on here🤩

I guess the only consistency with Celebrity is their inconsistency…not part of a very good business model, but their stock is doing well; however, what goes up can easily go down too…then there is the communication problem which has long been endemic to the brand…don’t like your answer, call someone else!

IMHO, that is so wrong. We were told that one elderly lady had an accident on her suite balcony(Beyond), so only sunset suites and SV’s would be able to have loungers. I can understand S1’s on E-class, due to the narrow balcony, but not those excellent large balconies due to an accident. We always buy insurance, so would never fault Celebrity for this. However, I wish someone with more information could elaborate on this situation. It would keep me from booking a sunset suite ever again, not to mention giving considerable consideration to SV’s. I guess in the future the IV will replace all balconies? Just kidding, but this really makes me think long and hard about any other cruises, especially sunset suites😱 Celebrity keeps making so many changes that just do not make me feel very good about booking with them in the future, especially, if this is true on all ships. They have done away with things that I have enjoyed about cruising...TBD! I am not a fan of the IV’s, nor not having a lounger or two. I have a cruise on Edge in Hawaii, so it will be interesting to see what happens due to my large balcony. I will not be a happy camper at all, but will enjoy spending all my OBC trying to get one...just a joke! Sorry this happened to you, as I feel your disappointment!!!

So, you did not have any loungers?

I will be interested in hearing your details! Enjoy!

My DH and I hiked into Milford Sound many years ago, being so impressed when we finally reached it after three days. It looks just as beautiful as it was when we entered. Luckily, we also took a boat trip through it. Our hike was up, around and through the mountains, even with a little snow! Thanks for sharing!

We were on Beyond in December and found disembarkation to be absolutely crazy too, but we finally were able to use the stairs and expedite our situation. Yes, the ship felt crowded at times and others did cut the line; we were actually in the Retreat line to disembark early, but that was a joke. We would have been better off doing it by ourselves, but one of the suite concierge’s insisted that we join their group. Just a bad decision from doing it ourselves. We had never seen anything like it before and are done with the Caribbean...one and done, after not cruising there for decades. Thank you for sharing, as I thought maybe it was just our particular cruise.

However, these are in the Caribbean, so a “no go” for my personal choice. However, those who enjoy that venue are getting a good price, IMHO. I do not believe Silkroad is a big “go" on the Caribbean either, but she can do whatever suits her fancy! Getting bumped from Beyond is not a great experience, especially in Europe when one has to pay more because a cruise, or two were canceled, as it can leave a real negative, especially when one really enjoys the ports filled with history and culture.

There is nothing wrong with the thrill, or the art of the hunt for a great price, as I love that feeling too! Having said that, it’s your hard-earned money, along with your right to do as you please with it! I am absolutely okay with doing what you feel is needed within the rules to feel a cruise is worth it to you. After all, it is opportunity cost and priority driven. Drinking is not my forte, but I do love my bottles premium water, not just in plastic bottles or huge glass ones. Also, I have never been allowed by Celebrity to book the Retreat that did not include the Premium Bev Pkg. Yes, I do know that others have been able to do it without that package, but unfortunately not me! So I do drink lots of water, along with a few drinks that I have learned to enjoy, but never more than one alcoholic beverage a day.

Not a cheerleader at all, but just believe the hefty increases need to actually be worth it. My December cruise on Beyond was worth the price for the Retreat, but other services were diminished, most likely due to it being a Caribbean cruise with a different demographic onboard resulting in my personal decision to never book another Caribbean cruise. Also, I shop around and pay attention to prices from many different cruise lines, rather than just booking Celebrity. I really like E-class ships and hope my cruise in May will be enjoyable, not to mention the other three I have booked into 2025, including another cruise line.

Don’t forget the other benefits...

I don’t think they were ever really gone! A new ship is always a good bet, but again, it depends on your cruising resume’ and expectations!

Yes, and they also pay different prices for the same cabin/suite category like you were mentioning above. Some get price drops, group rates etc...I could go on forever. When I was new to cruising, I met someone who had 2,000 in OBC and I was just amazed...then I learned the secrets!

We actually did a sky suite, then an SV, but it didn’t bother us at all. Actually, we met a wonderful couple and had dinner with them most of the cruise. We are doing the same in 2025(b2b), along with a new ship/different company for a smaller ship/itinerary. It is so nice to have choices!

I think there is an art to ordering...going early and having the same person do my egg white veggie scramble is almost fool proof, at least for me. Going to Luminae is too much sitting for me, so that leaves the OV early in the morning. If I cannot do that, I just choose another venue. Thank goodness we all have choices for breakfast, not to mention other meals onboard. One size never fits all. My issue is trying not to eat too much, but easier said than done, even with using the gym, stairs and walking from the aft of the ship...third world problems for sure. Just feel blessed that I can travel, am healthy, along with talking with people face to face and not social media while onboard, as most cruisers are interesting and delightful.

Celebrity, all I want is Evian water for my premium package; I can’t even get that except in a huge glass bottle. The Retreat doesn’t even carry it in the lounge. However, those plastic bottles are plentiful all over the ship. I am specifically speaking about my three cruises on Beyond last year. Why is this such an issue, unless it is just pure and simple cost-cutting? Some of us are almost non-drinkers, but do want our specialty water. I would love to hear the answer, but sadly it most likely will not happen! I asked so many of the crew onboard and not one person could answer that a question for me...not one!