KKB

Don't expect a free upgrade--upgrade bids have all but eliminated that. Even "sold out" cruises will find some last minute cancellations, so a few upgrades will happen.

I have done 10 Princess cruises in 20 years, 2 solo. Dress code--last summer Caribbean Princess allowed shorts in DR, but that may not be fleet wide. I'd say overall cruising attire is more casual; business casual for dinners nightly is acceptable. Dining depends if you choose set dining or anytime dining; we usually choose anytime, come early & if we find a waiter/tablemates we like, we set a time with them nightly. Or just ask for that waiter when arriving. There are solo events; on Caribbean no one came & I didn't go on Ruby. I met people at dinner, trivia, sitting at the bar, as well as Roll Calls here (or groups on other social media...). Yes, there are shore excursions available, but typically you can find the same or similar tours cheaper on TripAdvisor, Viator, etc. PLENTY of quiet places on a Princess ship! Now, an area that is quiet for a while my host trivia for 45 min, but will usually be pretty quiet before & after. We don't need a balcony but I do find on a solo trip with warm weather a balcony is a nice escape.

I have taken it on numerous cruises & it has been very much hit & miss--even on the same cruise! But I have yet to have it work consistently on any cruise. Not sure I'll bring it again.

Our flight was originally at 2pm...just got notification it has been changed to noon. We will take a private transfer from Southhampton. More than happy to to self-walk off. Or do we need to look at other options? Thanks!

Our 2 fav lines & I agree with most of what u said…Celebrity is a small step above Princess in most areas. My only difference is that crew has been great I both lines— very personable. I suspect that odd line ugotis just that ship. 5 of each in last 2 yrs

Just got offBreakaway Med cruise. 3 smaller bottles ( not the tiniest but maybe double that) next to last day of cruise were flagged-seriously? BUT they just say “ check in at table” Needless to say, I did not stop (and they never knew…)I had the drink package & it was the next to last night! So YES, it appears they will take it.🙄

Aug 2-14 2 day deviation DELTA DFW-JFK 12-4 ITA JFK-FCO 9pm-noon AA FCO-DFW 2pm-6 pm (11 hrs)—paid for bulkhead We each checked a bag each way Everything went off w/o a hitch,

FOUND IT: Oh, forgot, what are Prix Fixe meals? We’re introducing exciting new 3-course prixe meals at our casual dining venues. These vary by ship, but include: O’Malley’s, Ocean Terrace, Vines, Alfredo’s Pizzeria, Gigi’s Pizzeria, Kai Sushi, Planks, BBQ, Steamers and Salty Dog Gastropub. So this is a nice perk I guess, other than loosing Alfredos as a complimentary venue.

Loving your TR so far. LOVE Eclass--my favs! DD & I are doing Italy & Greece on NCL next week...we, too, are doing a Trastevere food tour & it looks similar. Colosseum & Vatican sold out (luckily our suite has Colosseum views), so we booked a cooking class the next day. Figure we shall just wander a bit otherwise. Good to hear your pickpocket stories--good reminders.

Thanks for your TR. I did a lot of these ports in May. My Scottish highland tour was also amazing, as was my HOHO tour of Belfast. I am taking tips from you as DH & I will be doing this cruise next April--I can take him to the things I loved & see the things I didn't! (sadly no Belfast next April; but we do get Greenock AND Edinburgh while we only stopped in Greenock)

I was in Belfast in May. A couple cabs were at the port, just a couple parties & me in line for them. Easiest way to see Belfast is the Hop On Hop Off Bus--it was brilliant! It was about $25 for a day pass.

I'm with you! DD's vacation is the 1st 2 weeks of August & she wanted Italy & Greece--so we head next week! Booked excursions in Santorini, Athens, Naples & Florence. Bought lots of linen, solar umbrella, electrolyte tablets, handheld battery fans. Water bottles will go as well. It is what it is; we can take breaks when we are wandering. 2 days in Rome prior; we have an evening walking food tour & an afternoon cooking class. Normally walkable from our hotel, but I may just have the hotel call us a cab!

We also did Retreat on the Beyond. We felt Luminae was good, but no better than the 4 MDRs (we have done Apex & Edge as well). Plus we did Chef's Table the 2nd night followed by Le Voyage the 3rd night...made Luminae feel pretty ordinary after that! DH liked the lounge area (and able to grab a beer from the fridge! I liked the Retreat deck & pool; luckily ours was never crowded. But for the couple of hours on a sea day that I am there I can't justify the cost...and Eclass regular pool area is pretty spacious. We aren't butler people either. But give me Eclass all the time!

It’s true…but my French taught me about that. I still cross my 7😉

I always watch them put the number on to ensure it is correct (and legible, by default)

I always get my luggage tags from the valets but this has only been at US ports! Will I be able to get them from the valet overseas?

We did Retreat in April when we got an amazing deal. Loved it--but is it worth the normally huge price difference to non-Retreat? Not for us.

You aren't going to find better on any mainstream line, imo. Celebrity is our fav--we feel food & service r a step above other lines. Eclass ships are a step above Celebrity's other ships, imo. ALL cruise lines have become more casual. ALL cruise lines have cut costs & it is a bit noticeable--can vary by line, but it might be room serviced only 1x/day, fewer staff, fewer entree offerings, upcharges for things that used to be included, etc. ALL cruise lines have cut offerings for their reward programs--plus if you go to another line, you start at the bottom anyway! Unless you are willing to move up to true luxury lines, this is where mainstream cruising is post-COVID.

Sailed NCL 1st time Dec. 2018. Getaway. Sailed her again for 2 weeks last summer & noted not discerning differences. Sailed Encore in Dec & REALLY noticed staffing shortages. Sailed Breakaway next week...hoping that noticable shortage was a glitch... Sad about the dropping of many production shows.

Good to know. We have the suite on 6th floor...any air will be welcome, but will bring some little fans too.

I have done 9 Celebrity cruises in the last 10 yrs--4/5 on Eclass in the last 2 years. I LOVE Eclass. 4 NCl in 5 yrs & 4 MSC this year (B2B in Caribbean on Divina & B2B in Europe on Preziosa) Probably will not sail MSC again. I found passengers to be the least polite I have ever encountered, both in Caribbean & Europe. Far too many with little regard for common courtesy--holding elevators, not cutting lines, etc. More than once saw people jam other's backs with buffet trays, physically move children aside. Listen, I'm the kind of gal who can have a good time ANYWHERE & generally go with the flow. But these behaviors were intolerable for me. And on the Divina, VERY VERY crowded ALL OVER the outside deck space on sea days--not enough loungers & people pulled them EVERYWHERE. You could not walk a lap around any deck w/o zig zagging around people (not an issue in N. Europe--not many people on deck!) Entertainment is nowhere near NCL or Eclass level. (not sure why lame...but we all have different tastes. Other classes in Celebrity, meh, might be lame) I got BORED on MSC cruises. That doesn't happen on other lines for me. Food is a tie--I found the Divina buffet very good, Preziosa not as much. MSC pizza is AMAZING. If you give MSC a try, I would go for a bigger ship with all the bells & whistles for your kids. And if it is in your budget, the resounding opinion is go Yacht Club. Hey, if MSC wants to comp me a YC room, I'd give it a try again!

I am VERY glad I asked this! Celebrity Retreat rooms get these benefits. Now, open bar & internet minutes WERE included in our original booking... Hmmm....

If my upgrade bid to Haven gets accepted, do we get all the amenities like premium beverage, unlimited premium wifi, etc.? THanks!

Equinox has been updated more than Reflection so edge to it. We like to be busy--evenings involve show, game shows, silent disco, hanging at bar listening to music. PLENTY to do. Did Equinox with friends in November--my memory goes back to all these things!!

We are 57 & 60...but fell in love w/ Celebrity almost 10 yrs ago. I HIGHLY recommend Eclass. (listed above) I would recommend S class (Reflection, Silhouette, Eclipse, Equinox, Solstice) before M class. M class are the smallest ships--and a little quieter.