Ascent Feb11-18th. First Edge and Retreat Cruise for Us.

[dock]

We booked an AqSS almost a year ago and even with all the inclusions, it was our most expensive cruise to date. 
 

We last cruised on Equinox in July ‘23 with our kids and grandkids. All 3 CC cabins. 

I will do separate posts in between catching up with laundry. 
 

During the year, the poor reviews started to come in, changes were fast and furious so we were quite anxious about the cruise we potentially were going to get. 
 

I did email celebrity with my concerns about a watered down and rather expensive producy( gave details of price we paid and what our upcoming O, Vista PH in July will cost us )  about 3 weeks before departure and received a call from an assistant to the CEO, reassuring me we would have an amazing time. 
 

Flights booked on our own , using AC miles. 
YYZ- FLL. 
Stayed at the Conrad. Fabulous hotel. 2 nights in FLL was enough for us as we  need a day for Sawgrass this time. 
 

Embarkation: could only get 11.30 by the time I checked in but thanks to the info on CC we went to  PE by 1030am. We could have boarded immediately but I wanted to experience the lounge as wasn’t sure if we’d ever do Retreat again so I wanted the full experience lol. 
Process was quick and flawless and within 6 mins we were sitting enjoying a cuppa. 
 

Boarded a few mins later and went straight to muster at The Club - 4 mins later we’re on our way to our cabin. 

 

[Galaxy2004]

Interested to read your review as we're thinking about booking a suite for the first time - after 19 non-suite but wonderful cruises. Just wondering whether it's really worth the price difference.

[dock]

Stateroom 10118: Gorgeous. Bed faces the sliders. Wonderful ocean views. Large Balcony. Huge Bathroom. Ample storage space. We asked for extra hangars and pillows precruise and it was in the room. 
Our Cabin Steward Ritesh was phenomenal. Introduced himself within a few minutes of our arrival. 
I asked about daily morning Cappucinos ( asked as I was curious if Butlers were back for SS), he indicated that the Butler would be responsible for that. Yay good news! 
 

Within half hour our Butler Putu arrived.

He confirmed he would deliver early morning Capps and a fruit plate. 
Asked if we wanted the fridge emptied and filled with our preferences to let him know. 
He also advised us that he would be bringing us water everyday. 
 

We didn’t see him everyday, but he did pop in from time to time to ask what he could do for us. We’re low maintenance so didn’t need anything else as all reservations were done precruise and except for morning Capps we really didn’t need anything else. 
Any questions  we had were answered in detailed. 
Both Ritesh and Putu were personable, proffessional and efficient. 
 

Retreat: Lounge all staff were wonderful. 
They do need a couple more servers as during busy times it took awhile to get served. 
Morning Bites, Afternoon Tea and Evening Canapes were good. 
Of Note: OVC had the same mini scones and a larger selection of sandwiches etc for daily Afternoon Tea,so if not in Retreat you’re not missing out. 
 

Pool Deck: very pretty, ample seating. I didn’t notice any chair hogs personally. 
Good service. 
 

No live music either in the lounge or at the

pool. 
 

Luminae : service awesome. Literally staff were  great. Food imo was rather bland, nothing really inspiring for us. 
We had all Breakfasts in Luminae. 9am closure is a bit too early imo. Had  Embarkation and one other lunch  and first and last night dinners here.

The menus were not enticing and food was rather corporate in taste and presentation. 
Desserts were okay. Breads were divine, although I do wish they served the 3 dips with the bread as they do in MDR. 
 

Off course food is subjective so others may have a different opinion. 
 

 

[dock]

Specialty Dining: We tried Raw on 5, Eden, Fine Cut and Le Voyage . All were really good. 
I would probably do Raw on 5 for lunch rather than dinner. 
We also tried Cyprus one night. Food and service were great . Mezze, Grilled Octopus , Short Ribs and Lamb Shank. Service was not as polished as Luminae, but food imo was tastier and with options from 3 other restaurants and Classic menu , I think it would be quite fine if we weren’t in a suite. 
 

We did have lunch in OVC on our final sea day. 
The cold seafood buffet was okay. Lovely to look at. The hot seafood buffet was delicious. Mussels , Octopus Pasta , Sauté Prawns, Grilled Snapper. Really a good selection. 

 

Entertainment was fantastic. Great shows, musical acts, bands , singers etc were really good and there was always a performance somewhere on the ship.

The Club was a “happening spot” , many evenings. 

 

Luigi, the CD is phenomenal , his energy and enthusiasm was infectious. While this cruise had a  more mature demographic and I saw only 4 strollers and a few multi generational families, the cruise was soo fun. 
 

The main pool had a great vibe. Great bands , fun dance classes and just a lovely, chill atmosphere. We rented a Cabana on the San Juan day as we only docked at 330pm and from experience it’s not easy getting loungers around the main pool. 
 

Of note : the end , half cabanas can be very windy. The middle ones are great. Even we’re only 2 people I would still splurge for the whole Cabana . Well worth it on the SJ day as it costs less on a Port Day. 

 

Disembarkation: quick and easy. Breakfast at 645. Bags would be available to Retreat guests from 715 am so we walked off around 8 am. 
 

Overall a great cruise. 
Butler service is back, food in OCV looked good, many options and the day we ate there was tasty. The one MDR we tried was much better than MDR on Equinox. 

 

Retreat was amazing. Ultimately we did get exactly what we paid for and more. 
 

We would book Retreat again if the price were right. 

As I’ve mentioned our Vista , 10 day Med Cruise in the summer in a

PH ( with butler) is costing less than what we paid for on Ascent. 

We’re not sure if we will miss the big ship vibe, lively casino, many dining options,  shows and multiple musical options. We do know we liked having access to it , but enjoyed the quiet resort like feel of Retreat. 

I would  also consider Aqua Class to have access to Blu. I prefer  sit down breakfasts , so this would be the prime reason and I’d book Specialty Dining and try two MDR next time. 

The thermal suite for us was not a huge advantage. Used it 3x only. No hydrotherapy pool, but the cost savings compared to Retreat would make it a good alternative if you can do without a Butler and your own pool deck. 

Thank you to all the regulars who post on CC. The info we gleaned from this board made a huge difference to our experience. 
Happy cruising to all. 



 

 

 

[dock]

@Galaxy2004, Retreat was a wonderful experience and if the price worked for us, I’d book it. 
 

At this point when it’s costing the same as Oceania then it gives me pause so we’re considering the smaller, more luxurious brands. 
 

We may miss X, but until we’ve done our Vista cruise, we won’t book  Retreat. 
We are looking at Asia and it will be X or O as both have itineraries we like but will only decide after this summer. 
 

[cricketgirl]

Thanks for this info and your opinion.  I've been on the fence about the suites given their inflated cost (from what they used to be at least).  I'm not the least bit interested in Luminae and prefer the main dining rooms, especially on the Edge class ships.  No interest in a butler either.  Although specialty coffees delivered to your room every morning sounds wonderful!  I've considered a suite on an Edge class ship solely for access to the retreat pool area, but hard to spend that extra $ just for a pool.  Perhaps a better option (for me) is continuing to shy away from suites and booking cabanas as the pool.