Live from Celebrity Edge (3/27 - 4/3)

[zaxanon6]

The Fitness Center (one of the best I've seen on a cruise ship)

 

 

 

Outside Eden Cafe

 

Suite View

[Calico Jack Sparrow]

Sky suite is definitely the way to go!

Make use of your butler.  They are there to please you!

We had Ben back the beginning of March. We had him bring us coffee and danish with juice and a fruit plate.  Switched it up one day with just a phone call-Frosted Flakes with a banana!  LOL.

I love the extras- Retreat Deck; Retreat Lounge.

We did not go to Luminae, because the MDR's are all aft. It was just easier to just drop down to 3 and go to Normandie. Of course, then it's right up to 4 for the casino.

Have the best time.

[kwokpot]

17 hours ago, terrydtx said:

Just curious, what was the meat dish in the picture above?  I do not remember seeing anything like that on the Luminae menu last year.

 

16 hours ago, zaxanon6 said:

That was a grilled rib eye steak with vegetables and brown butter bearnaise. I mistakenly ordered medium, thinking it was like a filet, but should have said medium rare. The center was pink but the rest was very well done. It tasted good, though.

The problem I have with it (And yes I've complained about it ad nauseum but will say it again) that isn't a STEAK, it's a ROAST. A steak is a piece of beef that grilled/cooked on both sides. Totally different taste to it when you Roast a whole piece of beef then slice pieces of it a la Roast beef. 

[zaxanon6]

We had two delicious culinary experiences this afternoon/evening. First, we went to Le Grand Bistro for lunch. The lobster bisque surprised me (wasn't expecting the puff pastry lid) and the turkey sandwich and Le Français burger were delicious. For dessert, just had a chocolate croissant. I really wish they'd let Le Grand Bistro be a French restaurant for a night or two per cruise instead of Le Petit Chef. Maybe for evening chic nights? Like a pop-up Murano.

 

Dinner was at Luminae again. Mom's quinoa barley ragu appetizer was beautiful and tasty. I had the french onion soup. The roasted half chicken was delicious and perfectly cooked, but big enough to feed at least two if not three people. We each only ate a quarter and were too full for dessert 🫤.

 

Between those meals, we worked on plans for a future cruise and went to the art corner dot painting class. 'Class' is a bit generous of a term, as there isn't really instruction, but if you come in expecting that and just want to try something new, it's a great time.

 

We skipped the show in the theater tonight in favor of the one outside; it was a gorgeous sunset. There's a resort deck party by the pool (assuming the weather cooperates). Tomorrow is Costa Maya and we'll see how the Mayan Healing Ritual goes. G'night.

[zaxanon6]

 

Lobster bisque after breaking through the puff pastry lid.

 

All burgers everywhere should be served on fresh croissants.

 

Quinoa barley ragu. Or appetizer garden

 

Too much delicious chicken (it's smothering some spaetzle underneath)

 

[terrydtx]

6 hours ago, kwokpot said:

 

The problem I have with it (And yes I've complained about it ad nauseum but will say it again) that isn't a STEAK, it's a ROAST. A steak is a piece of beef that grilled/cooked on both sides. Totally different taste to it when you Roast a whole piece of beef then slice pieces of it a la Roast beef. 

Wouldn't that make it a boneless Prime Rib Roast of Beef? I actually prefer a prime Rib (roast) to a steak when eating out. I can grill a great steak at home but with just two of us a Prime Rib Roast is hard to cook for 2 people. If we have the family visiting for Thanksgiving or Christmas I will cook a Prime Rib Roast slowly roasted to perfection. I am not a big Turkey fan so the Prime Rib is so much better.

[kwokpot]

2 hours ago, terrydtx said:

Wouldn't that make it a boneless Prime Rib Roast of Beef? I actually prefer a prime Rib (roast) to a steak when eating out. I can grill a great steak at home but with just two of us a Prime Rib Roast is hard to cook for 2 people. If we have the family visiting for Thanksgiving or Christmas I will cook a Prime Rib Roast slowly roasted to perfection. I am not a big Turkey fan so the Prime Rib is so much better.

Yes, you're exactly right. That's why the Luminae menu description is incorrect.

https://www.mychicagosteak.com/steak-university/prime-rib-vs-ribeye

[MarKay525]

On 3/28/2022 at 6:46 PM, lizinindy said:

Don’t forget to ask for the chocolate sphere dessert on fancy night. It’s not on the menu…(at least on the Apex a couple weeks ago) but they’ll bring it to you. A flaming fun delicious dessert. <snip>

I thought this was an Eden dessert. Is it available in Luminae? We didn't eat there last night. 

Is it also served in MDRs? Thx.

 

OP - Photos are beautiful. You are really capturing the ship. (DH was also in dot art & enjoyed it.) Kay

[zaxanon6]

8 hours ago, MarKay525 said:

I thought this was an Eden dessert. Is it available in Luminae? We didn't eat there last night. 

Is it also served in MDRs? Thx.

I've seen a picture somewhere of it in Luminae but didn't realize it was an off-the-menu thing. IMO, there shouldn't be a secret handshake to get certain items (like the classic items from the MDR being a verbal menu only, and only if your waiter chooses to share them). Either put everything on the menu or don't serve them.

 

 

8 hours ago, MarKay525 said:

OP - Photos are beautiful. You are really capturing the ship. (DH was also in dot art & enjoyed it.)

Thank you very much. The ship is really beautiful so it makes it easy. I haven't photographed the art that is everywhere onboard, but it's truly stunning. The ship is definitely a destination of it's own.

[zaxanon6]

This is as close as we got to Costa Maya today...

 

During breakfast in Luminae, a Norwegian ship passed on the port side. I knew the only one in the area was supposed to be approaching Costa Maya from the south, while we came in from the north. It turns it the waves and wind were too strong to safely dock, so they hit the road. We got very close, but Captain Costas also decided to nix the port for the day. The seas are quite rough so I'm sure it was the right call to keep everyone and the ship safe.

 

Breakfast was delicious (our waiter has been scolding us for not coming and seeing him in the mornings). After we turned away from Costa Maya, I snagged a last minute spa appointment to ease my disappointment about missing our excursion.

 

FUNNY THINGS SEEN ONBOARD

We could not believe the passenger limit on the elevators. I can't comprehend how you'd even fit 29 people in there, but I don't want to be present if it happens.

 

This is the bravest guy on the ship (or the one who drew the shortest straw). The ship was rocking and the wind was whipping so much that dresses were blowing up on the resort deck and seat cushions were going flying on the Magic Carpet, so I was stunned to see someone exposed to the elements on a ladder. Proof that the crew will do absolutely anything for Iconic Suite guests.

[zaxanon6]

Yesterday's art class was a paper airplane competition. We were all taught to make 3 different types, then had to pick which one we thought was best (without test flights) and enter it in a distance competition. There were a few good contenders and a few ended up in Eden's bushes... The event was the best attended Art Corner so far.

 

We headed up to afternoon tea in the Retreat Lounge, which was also well attended. The treats were delicious, though they were running low on tea varieties.

 

Nothing on the Luminae menu sounded really desirable, and we didn't feel like changing clothes for dinner, so we went to Oceanview. I'd forgotten just how beautifully done E-class Oceanview is. They did a great job with the renovations on M-class, but it's just gorgeous on Edge. And it's very calm at dinnertime, compared to lunch or breakfast.

 

The show last night was Soul Waves, performing hits from Motown and soul. They are a British group that's apparently been on the ship a few weeks and they were amazing. Besides having great voices, they were also great dancers. They had the crowd singing, clapping, and dancing along. A couple women ran up to the edge of the stage just to touch one of the male performers, Seven. 😂 He was really playing the crowd. It was a fantastic show and CD Lewis said they'll be back later in the week.

 

We reached the waters between Cozumel and the mainland last night, so the wind and waves died down. The CD made a joke about hopefully making it to dock in Cozumel, but the crowd was not amused. Too soon. The marine forecast for Grand Cayman shows things will be improving and hopefully we'll have no troubles tendering there tomorrow.

[zaxanon6]

Oceanview Cafe

 

 

Solarium at Sunset

 

 

Theater

 

 

[micmacmissy]

Awesome review - we board Apex on April 9 and will be in the Retreat.

 

One thing has me worried...I was looking forward to no kids (I am a school principal and I LOVE kids but I'm with them all the time - thought the Retreat would be kid-free)...are kids allowed on the Retreat sundeck?  Is that a problem at all?

[zaxanon6]

1 hour ago, micmacmissy said:

Awesome review - we board Apex on April 9 and will be in the Retreat.

 

One thing has me worried...I was looking forward to no kids (I am a school principal and I LOVE kids but I'm with them all the time - thought the Retreat would be kid-free)...are kids allowed on the Retreat sundeck?  Is that a problem at all?

Thank you. I hope you enjoy Apex.

 

We have not been on the Retreat Sundeck much in the middle of the day, so hopefully someone else who is currently or was recently onboard can provide more information. But we have seen kids in the Retreat Lounge for tea and in Luminae. They've mostly been K-12 aged and fit right into the scene (i.e. well behaved). There was one screaming toddler at the embarkation day lunch (babies will be babies) but her mother quickly scooped her up and took her out of Luminae. So it's not kid free, but hasn't been a problem in those venues.

Edited March 31, 2022 by zaxanon6

[PinkSandGirl]

Hi!  I am enjoying your review with commentary and pictures.  😃  I haven't sailed e-class yet but have a cruise on the Beyond coming up in a Sky Suite so I appreciate your comments on the suite and retreat areas along with everything else as well.  

 

Continue having a wonderful cruise!   Thank you for taking the time to post.

 

🍹

[mac_tlc]

I can attest to the fact that we made it to. Cozumel!! Welcome to Nacho Cocom, at 8:50am!

 

 

 

Edit: UGH! The dreaded cc sideways picture post! Sorry…

Edited March 31, 2022 by mac_tlc

[zaxanon6]

2 hours ago, mac_tlc said:

I can attest to the fact that we made it to. Cozumel!! Welcome to Nacho Cocom, at 8:50am!

Yes we did in fact make it to Cozumel despite the CD trying to jinx us. 😉 It's a busy day in port with 6 ships - 2 Carnival, 2 Celebrity, 1 Norwegian, 1 Disney. The dive/snorkel boats have been streaming by us all morning.

 

We had a light breakfast in the Retreat Lounge to check out their offerings. It's a really nice setup and they were open past 10a for the late risers. Fruit, muesli, croissants, cold cuts, and cinnamon rolls.

 

We then headed to the Thermal Suite, which was basically empty. I'd found day passes online pre-cruise for $39pp so we gave it a shot (would not have paid more). It's a beautiful space, but probably one-and-done. I just don't get as much enjoyment from the heated loungers as I used to, and Celebrity not having a water feature in the area (like was on Holland America) is really starting to bug me. The crystalariun was nice, and the aroma steam room was okay (too hot), but the salt room didn't seem very useful. All in all, I think the Thermal Suite is good for an hour or so on one day of a cruise, but I wouldn't buy the week pass. YMMV.

 

 

 

 

We headed to the solarium to fill the desire for a water feature (hot tub). I stuck a toe in the pool, too, but it was surprisingly cold. No idea on afternoon plans yet; we'll figure it out after lunch. 🙂

[micmacmissy]

Am I correct in assuming that passengers have access to those spa facilities on days they have booked spa appointments?

 

Loving your review, thank you!

[kwokpot]

11 minutes ago, micmacmissy said:

Am I correct in assuming that passengers have access to those spa facilities on days they have booked spa appointments?

 

Loving your review, thank you!

No, a spa treatment doesn't come with Thermal Suite access.

[Josie201]

I'd found day passes online pre-cruise for $39pp so we gave it a shot (would not have paid more).
 

regarding the on line passes for the thermal spa was that on Celebrity’s website ?  

[graphicguy]

Love this review.  And, feeling a bit nostalgic seeing the pics.

 

Enjoy the rest of the journey.

[chrispee]

10 hours ago, micmacmissy said:

One thing has me worried...I was looking forward to no kids (I am a school principal and I LOVE kids but I'm with them all the time - thought the Retreat would be kid-free)...are kids allowed on the Retreat sundeck?  Is that a problem at all?

We were on the Edge last week and children are indeed allowed in the retreat deck and pool.

[zaxanon6]

3 hours ago, micmacmissy said:

Am I correct in assuming that passengers have access to those spa facilities on days they have booked spa appointments?

 

Loving your review, thank you!

Kwokpot was correct - you have to get a pass for access to the Thermal Suite AND unlike on other ships, the dry sauna is also part of the Thermal Suite (not free to all passengers and located in the changing room).

 

1 hour ago, Josie201 said:

regarding the on line passes for the thermal spa was that on Celebrity’s website ?  

Yes, they were available through the cruise planner. There were options for 1 day passes, single 1 week passes, or couples 1 week passes. We had to pick a day and a time with the purchase, but they don't hold you to it. When we got onboard, we went to the spa check in desk and they put a sticker on the backs of our ship cards to denote that we had a pass. They chose not to write a day on it at that time, so we were free to come whatever day we wanted. You have the whole day to come as many times as you want.

[micmacmissy]

6 hours ago, kwokpot said:

No, a spa treatment doesn't come with Thermal Suite access.

Weird - we haven't sailed since 2017, and that was S-class, but if you had a spa appointment you could show up early and use the facilities...

[zaxanon6]

9 minutes ago, micmacmissy said:

Weird - we haven't sailed since 2017, and that was S-class, but if you had a spa appointment you could show up early and use the facilities...

There is the 'Relaxation Room' for waiting prior to your spa appointment. It has pillowed lounges and water/tea and one wall of windows (with a great view of the port iconic suite's balcony).

Edited April 1, 2022 by zaxanon6
Added photo