wineoclock

I absolutely loved loved loved the PH balcony. You will not be disappointed. Every morning the butler would leave me hot coffee in the pantry for me to enjoy on the balcony before breakfast. Bliss.

The staff will be run ragged. You can only feel for them.

Probably something to do with the IT issues.

Luckily I’m an early riser!

Gosh it is sounding like a Carnival cruise. I’ll hate any boom box. But Gary will love it 😂😂

I don’t think so. Years ago I was on an escalator & a young child asked her mum why people were on escalator rather than the stairs like they were. The mum said because we were lazy. Mainly people who were elderly & me, with my walking stick. My point is you never know why people can’t do something & shouldn’t judge. Also I’ve paid for a product or service I expect their side of the bargain to be fulfilled. I won’t mind once or twice but regularly then I’ll be looking elsewhere. I consider Celebrity to be like a 5* hotel. I don’t expect to queue for service in 5* hotels. Maybe I’m wrong & its 4* in which case they need to lower their prices. I’d not be surprised to queue for a drink in a 4* hotel.

Very interesting post. I too like a traditional balcony so if I was on E class would stump for Retreat or get a SV.

Oh my yes!!! That kitchen & balcony is second to none.

You could just ask for ice. Surprised they said no tbh!

We have also booked Aqua for May cruise & couldn’t justify cost of retreat however this thread is making me have a rethink!

That doesn’t sound very good Cap_D. Have you emailed head office about that? Explain if it would put you off sailing in retreat again as at the end of the day the bottom line counts. For the money in retreat you could look at other premium or luxury lines. However I think I’d find the luxury lines to small for me.

I’d imagine if the staff can perform miracles for the retreat guests they will. After all paying big bucks means you should get looked after. I don’t think we ever really told no when we’ve been in PH.

I find chair hogs to be so selfish in their behaviour. The last few hotels we stayed in you get assigned your beds. You can request a different location for when those assigned check out or want to move. Makes a far more relaxing experience.

I’ve done a mock booking for my upcoming Apex cruise in 3 weeks & there are still quite a few cabins to sell. I’m no good at working out percentages though. I’d imagine it may pick up if the weather is predicted to be good as it’s over half term & some schools get 2 weeks.

Completely agree. Tell your butler what you need. They generally don’t say no.

Good luck.

Well I’m hoping it will be good. We are booked on Silhouette Aqua in May. In October we are on Apex in a suite as usual. I’ll be very interested to see the differences but will probably do move up but couldn’t justify the fare for another suite. Edit: I forgot to add lm limited mobility & only RS & PH have a shower in retreat. Accessible SS isn’t available.

What a good idea!!

I didn’t find it an issue though occasionally would tell them what I wanted the day before. Always difficult to know what you’ll fancy though. It was a few years back though but if anything I’d have expected improvement on that score.

We have been on 4 Disney cruises admittedly some years ago, so unsure if it’s changed, but we never found it an issue to have the children with us. We would have a drink, play bingo which they loved, dinner & show. Then a walk around the ship before bed around 10/11pm. But I understand the European way as I am too (British Cypriot) & our children went everywhere with us. We didn’t really do kids clubs either. We are in Cyprus at the moment & were out with family last night. The children were all running around having a blast till gone midnight. Children are not hidden away here & that is a cultural difference. Mind you the U.K. that wouldn’t happen. So I understand the differences & just go with it.

We have stayed at the Francis https://francishotel.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIlfOU5dGs-gIVhe7tCh2icgrZEAAYASAAEgLSOfD_BwE & The hotel Indigo. https://bath.hotelindigo.com/ We prefer the Indigo but both are well placed for visiting the sites & are in walking distance.

We saw the NL on a land trip to Lapland when the kids were little. We were there for 4 or 5 nights & only saw them & shooting stars on one night. Spectacular. I hope you get to see them.

PH on M class are aft. We loved our experience on Constellation & a lot to do with it was the fabulous aft balcony. I don’t remember any soot issues.

I can’t access either. Very annoying as just over 3 weeks away & wanted to finalise some bits.

I would queue for a drink when younger. Now I like service. And pay highly for the privilege. Celebrity is not cheap. We stay at some lovely hotels & I’ve never had to queue at a bar. If I did I wouldn’t go back. I actually wonder whether this is more to do with drinks packages being included so no incentives for the staff to be proactive in asking for drink orders.