Pennstatedj

Just off two weeks on the Ascent. Sommelier introduced me to a new blend from Spain. Meridiani Oaks. I liked it better than Conundrum or Decoy. He even gave me both and I went to my new fav. 

Have fun. Both of our cruises have been sold out room wise. Sea days are busy. Sunshine helps keeps people outside and spread out. First cruise it was cloudy for first couple of days and it felt crowded.  Be patient and cruise will go better. 
 

We are on day 10 of our two weeks. Here are some quick though. We were in sunset cabin on deck 12 for first cruise on now on deck 8 mid ship on second. Both were main dining room. We tried cypress first night and then went to cosmopolitan then rest of first cruise. Food was great all fish was done the best on any X ship. We have over 70 cruises with X. It took us two nights and we asked for same table and same time each night. Very accommodating. We loved cosmopolitan restaurant so much we asked for same restaurant and since 6 other friends joined us on second cruise they set us up for a table for eight at same time each night. We were very appreciative.  Anyway with that out of the way we figured out the in and outs of menu. Search each night if there is anything you want from other other restaurants like had beef Wellington three times so far from Normandy.  But as I said the fish has been good. Trout, cod and sea bass.  We have learned what X that is good and we go find it. We also did the bistro one day and that was excellent. Mussels and baguette sand was great. We stride eden lunch one day for soup and rib eye sandwiches. There were surprisingly good. Chocolate chip cookies were good. cosmopolitan lunches on sea are same menus as pall X ships and cooked well here on ascent. 
So food and service were great. 
Sunset veranda on twelve we would not book again. Too noisy at 6 to 615am due to chairs moved around in OV. Bed and especially shower was amazing. I agree about toilet paper that was mentioned by another OP. 
present cabin mid on eight has been very good. 
Entertainment. Shows good. Theater is beautiful. We enjoy eden entertainment and martini bar music. All were good to excellent. 
we went to momma mia sing along which was great and several other dance shows. Luigi does a great job hosting parties. All have been fun. Silent disco last night was a blast at martini bar. 
Zenith lunch for the 13 of us was in Blu and was out of this world. Lamb chops, sea bass, filet, and pasta and all kinds of great apps. It was a fantastic lunch. Did not need dinner but had fish. 

We frequently have gone retreat for a drink in afternoon and relax in lounge. No upcharge for mer sol Chardonnay or anything there. Service was and is great. 
Crew has been really great as with all the ships but since the brothers are here along with Luigi the spirit is very high. We were told that a lot of startup managers of this ship leave after this cruise so new blood will be on board.  
In summary so it has been a five star cruise. 

Last Jan we hit Zenith level. We did get a call and received a packaged with luggage tags and pins. We also took a free cruise in Feb and had a private celebration with a large cake. We were allowed to bring friends who traveled to us. We also were given a private Zenith number to use for everything we need book a cruise to anything we need for a next cruise. It's one of the best benefits you get. No waiting on phone and great help. We leave Sunday for two weeks on Ascent. Looking forward to it. Welcome aboard to the Zenith level.  

Thanks for your review. Do you know who is the CC Hostess or Host? Thanks. We will come aboard on Jan 7 for a BTB. Can't wait. 

Enoy, If you do not like menu, ask server, however not the first night, too busy. Also, get to now you wine Stewart. Same advice. 

I wear a black sneaker shoe with my suit

More wines from July Equinox cruise, all were premium package in MDH

Decoy 

Mer Soleil chard

Pinot Noirs - Cherry Pie

                  - Motu

                  - Morphor Helena

Red blend- Rebellious

Chateau Amour Red blend I think, very good.

We had a great sommelier who knew I would try anything. My wife only Mer So and KJ Chard

Wife also likes White Cosmos, Lavender Lemon Drop, now available fleet wide, only was an e Class martini; 25th anniversary martini.  

Sometime they are posted in a few weeks.

Other times I get them on ship.

Once I had to prove to ship with proof and then they called from ship and I got the obc in middle of cruise. 

I do agree if you want to use ahead of cruise call CC or celebrity if you are not a CC member. 

In our years of experience 18 is used and was built for Oasis class RCL ships. X uses it during the week if two or more ships are in port on the same day. If you leave from 18 and come back thru 25 or 26 then you use a shuttle bus to back to you parking lot or the main garage. It is not an issue. I like 18 parking better due to access. If you are leaving from 18 and know you are returning to 25 I like to park in garage. You can walk to 18 or take shuttle when embarking, just my preference. No problem either way. Other option is offsite parking. Not for me but many like it for just this reason of different terminals. 

Pool deck issues with chairs depends on cruise and length. Most cruises not a problem, but cruises less than 7 could be an issue. Every cruise is unique. Good luck. 

We are just of the Equinox and had breakfast in meh every morning. We always requested a table for two and no problem. We also had lunch in meh on each sea day. We ate in Sushi on 5 on two port days and in Oceanview in the other port day and it was great. All experiences were great. The food was the same menus as before covid and was excellent. 

oops.

We had Avian water two weeks ago on the Equinox. I cannot believe I am saying this but it does taste better. 

We were on the same cruise and were in mdr. I agreed with all you said. We are also Zenith and experienced retreat bar. All service was great in retreat bar and all dining. I have the same opinions about bar entertainment around the ship. I am over 70 and like acoustic guitars singers. In July on the Equinox there were two great performers, this time jazz and classical genres were the tune. Not our cup of tea. They were good but made us seek out the house band and party band. We still had a great cruise. This is why I like X, every cruise is different when it comes to entertainment. We still enjoy cruising. 

With over 100 cruises and 70 on X, I would pick the Apex. More room in cabin and more room on ship. Ships are all packed now. there is more entertainment and venues than reflection. We have been on both recently. The only way I would choose reflection is if I enjoyed breakfast and spent a lot of time on balcony. Then you pick Reflection. we love the infinity cabin, more room in room and can sit there and enjoy view.  Food is similar. Each has its advantages. I would choose Apex. If you want a balcony, when you are asked to bid on upgrade, bid on sunset and bid large and you might get it. 

We were on Equinox last week. We went to MDH when we boarded and asked for a table for 2 and were granted one. We always do this. You have a real good chance if you want an early time. 

My wife talked with Alex yesterday. She is Ascent concierge shoreside when you call. My wife told me who the concierge onboard is but I forgot, my age I guess. Sorry. Call Alex and she will take care whatever you wish. She is great. 

I have used X credit card obc and my visa BOA cards on Celebrity. Yes is your answer. 

However I have had problems with one of the transactions and had to show copy of the reward to get it. So bring along your receipt in hard copy. 

I also lost a lot of X Boa obc during the pandemic. Celebrity and BOA does not communicate well. It was a nightmare to get some of the credit back. Lost over 500 dollars due to no one being able to follow transactions when cruises were cancelled. I have since cancelled my X card. I have more control over my Visa card thru Boa and ML.BOA is very hard to deal with too and together it was a nightmare. 

I do not know what they will do. Others on this site do. I think they will finish with Retreat they cut off before everything stopped. The whole ship needs new chairs and carpets, all are worn out. 

Interesting choice. Equinox will just be out of dry dock and Ascent is brand new. I agree with previous. If you are in suite book Ascent, if you are aqua book Equinox, if regular then either will be great. Since you will be in Med you will be in port a lot, ship life is not important. If you like cash, Equinox is best. We just came off Equinox last week, Great cruise. We will be on Ascent first two weeks of Jan, 2024. We love S class and really love E class. E class has more lounges and spec restaurants. Cannot make a bad decision. Have a great time. 

They have sticky buns once a weekly at cafe Baccio. They are good but not the same as the Diner.

We checked in at 1045 for a 1130 time. There were no lines. That was Fort Lauderdale and ship was full. Somewhere else boarding might be strictly enforced.  Onboard officer said ship is full the rest of the year. It showed on sea days. 

We were on same cruise. We were in main dining. We have taken over 70 cruises on X. The menus have a few different items but what was served was great. The fish dishes which are not always cooked well, too dry, were excellent on this cruise. Even the lunches on seas day were outstanding. The chef has a lot to do with good food. Simple apps were good on this cruise. We also ate at Sushi on 5 twice for lunch, great and Le patite chef in Quisine once, again great food this time. Last cruise in July not as good. We did two lunches in Oceanview and they were good. The only criticism we had was side entertainment was not as good as in July. Too many classical groups, not any acoustical guitar acts. We just spent more time in the Martini bar. We will miss the Equinox next summer, but look forward to the Edge and the many differences that it has to offer. 

Jim is right. My wife used the drink package.