KKB

Casino: Video poker machines not great. 2 pair pays 1-1 on Jacks or Better & I could really feel that difference for making our $ last. Poker: Between the 2 of us we cashed 3/6 tournaments. I did well every night at the cash game except the last night. Great bunch of people to play with. LOVE that it's non-smoking!

Food: Chef's Table: HOLY COW! AMAZING! Maybe the best meal I've ever had--top 5 for sure. (this compared to a post on that other site that their Chef's Table experience was not good later in the week; no details, poster was polite & said things "were taken care of"--not sure why you share if they bent over backwards to make things right) It is held in Le Voyage. Only 4 of us (again--GREAT company!); one couple overslept??!! (HUH? At $125/plate I'M NOT OVERSLEEPING 6 courses, all terrific but the highlight of the meal was the Ajo Blanco Malagueño. Plate comes out with bits of honeydew & grapes then they pour a cold pureed almond soup heavily infused with garlic. THOSE FLAVORS SHOULD NOT GO TOGETHER! But they do--SOOOO beautifully...all 4 of us wanted to lick that bowl clean & request another vat! Note--they "start" with Vueve & will refill that glass all meal long if you want! They brought out an anniversary small cake (29th April 2) & gave us all 20 year port--sadly wasted on all of us as none of us cared for it. They said they would send the cake to our room but it never showed up! No big deal--not huge dessert people. Le Voyage (regular menu not tasting--tho the tasting menu is similar to Chef's Table) OK--I wish we hadn't done it the very next night. It was good. Very good (I even had the same dessert at Chef's Table). Filet so tender you could cut it with a fork. But to have it the day after Chef's Table--well, it couldn't measure up! Again--VERY good, but I wish I could have spread those meals out a bit. (impossible on this 2/3 full ship--Retreat full & many bought dining packages so speciality dining was tough to get into) I missed Eden but with 2 specialty meals we felt we wanted to do Retreat the other nights. Luminae I would put this a small step up the MDRs of Eclass. Were seated next to a variety of passengers & had lovely conversations each night. Same servers at every meal. NO complaints at all (OK one night the sun was BEATING thru the window & I had to ask to have the shades pulled as I was SWEATING in 3 min--they obliged. I am a very low maintenance person, so I hated to ask but it was non-negotiable) Buffet Solid choice for breakfast, pizza, lunch, snacks Cafe Al Bacio Wonderful coffee as always No gluten free macaroons until mid-way--I think I noticed it on Apex. I suspect it is better to have them late then early & run out...

Embarkation: Easy peasy lemon squeezy! We arrived about 10:15, walked right up to Retreat lounge (ooooh, posh), at a drink & snacks to supplement our trail mix breakfast...and were walked on at 10:45. FASTEST EVER! Beyond is very very much like Edge & Apex with some nice modifications. Just wandered--checked out the new & improved (COVERED) Sunset bar & tried a Skinny & Spicy marg---HOLY COW. I think they put a WHOLE jalapeno in there & all the seeds! FIRE! We wandered around Retreat & were pleased with the area--another area that is apparently a very nice improvement from Apex & Edge (MORE SPACE) 2PM--CC Meet Up w/ @GenerationX, @mac_tlc, @silkwood, @Mrs_Tiki & Kathleen (NUTS--I don't remember your handle!). WHAT A WONDERFUL GROUP OF PEOPLE!!! We chatted nonstop for 2.5 hours & I'm confident we could have sat there all night. My ONLY complaint is that I did NOT run into most these people enough (or at all!) all week! How is that possible, all of us in the Retreat?? I was SHOCKED that I didn't see Charla all week after that. (oh, I saw her comings & goings online AFTER the fact!) Guess we needed to be more purposeful about that! During our meet Charla overheard a woman going OFF on the Retreat Concierge about how she had to ride the elevator with the "regular" passengers (THE HORROR!) & her luggage wasn't in her room by 2:45! (HUH?) She was SO rude. She then made a post on another social media site & went on how the Beyond was dirty (a dirty towel left on her bathroom floor--NO!) & all should be warned. Luckily several of us observed her tirade & let her know that we were not impressed with her elitist rudeness. Goes to show--take those reviews with a grain of salt folks! Had a Shellac manicure--better than any I've had on land for little more. It STILL looks GREAT. (I have NEVER done this--it was to fill out an American Express deal: $175 off $500 on Celebrity. We booked Chef's Table & Le Voyage & It wasn't quite $500 so I tossed in the manicure to get there) We LOVED our S2 Sky Suite--but once again, barely used that balcony! (that's just us) I appreciated the bathroom size but I hate stepping into a tub--I tend to be a whirlwind, step in too fast & wipeout! Our butler was lovely but, IDK, nothing striking. There was Sauvignon Blanc instead of champagne from Concierge per my request, but nothing more. He did swap Heineken for Corona but never got Diet Coke as we asked on Day 1 (he took random notes). Water & beer were stocked daily. He left a plate of cheese/crackers/fruit Monday, but never again. They did leave an Anniversary celebration--champagne, chocolates, balloons, banner. Nice. But that was it. Not bad, but not memorable.

So many of you followed @GenerationX's amazing Live TR for this cruise & even got to see DH & I in person in a couple photos... My reviews tend to be a bit less interesting but I'll throw my 2 cents into the fire. This was a first Retreat for DH & I after 8 Celebrity cruises in the last 10 years, 3 on Eclass. I am OBSESSED with Eclass--absolutely my favorite ships at sea. @mac_tlc shot me an email when I was on the MSC Divina in Feb about a DEAL on Retreat over Easter. (hey, we are happy in an interior) It was about what we paid for an SV on the Edge in 2021, so we jumped. Luckily the MSC internet was quite good & it was easy to do quickly. We stayed at the Hyatt Centric Saturday night prior--uh, my new fav place to stay. (thanks alot, Charla!) We usually use points at IHG or Hilton properties but realized that DH had $50 hotel credit to use with his Chase Preferred & it put the price at less than the Candlewood Suites (It's fine...) When we walked to the elevator & DH saw a champagne vending machine--he said, "Are you sure we are in the right hotel?!?" Just follow me, babe--I'm the Travel Deal Queen (HEY--I think I just created my travel blog name!) It was 730 & we were just too pooped from traveling all day so decided to get our free drinks & a meal at the bar. Great bartenders, music, food, drinks--it was a great choice. And the fact that @GenerationX joined us for a nightcab made it the PERFECT choice! Us girls got chatting & DH realized it was his time to bow out...well, we closed down the bar! Charla--you are a JOY to be with!

Sailed the Divina for the 1st time in Feb...jury is out for me yet. Sailing Preziosa next month--we shall see. What do I like? Amazing prices, often no solo supplement. Best pizza I've ever had. Anywhere. Real scrambled eggs, 2x of fish (done better than dining room) & fresh sauteed veggies at buffet. Some crew was AMAZING. Others--well, very European in their service. (I'm not criticizing Europeans but service is just different there) Don't like? LOOOONG dinners--2-2.5 hours min. I ate buffet most nights. Luckily it was quite good. Not enough deck space/chairs for the number of people out there. And chairs were drug EVERYWHERE--difficult to get around in many places. I found disorganization, lack of stocking of items for days ("we haven't been stocked from the stock room--WHAT?). Stunned at the rudeness of passengers in many situations--did the cruise attract a different crowd with the lower price point? Are there cultural differences I'm not aware of? (I taught in very multi-cultural schools my entire career & have traveled a lot so I don't think this is it) I just haven't experienced this level of lack of courtesy on any other line. Perhaps things were situational--I am reserving judgement until after next month's cruise. I have heard that Yacht Club is AMAZING.

OK...I won a Poker Challenge cruise in Dec. Gets us a free cruise (interior) & 1 entry in next year's tourney. Anyone know if they would allow me to apply my $500 MyVegas reward to the cost to upgrade my room? (I know we can use Cruise Next so wondering if they would allow this) Thanks if anyone knows... There are only balconies & above left for this cruise! (crazy...never seen that this far out for this cruise)

That is ODD about the buffet--I did see them not open until 6PM for dinner but they did have it nightly. My BFF was shocked I knew all the Bon Jovi songs--I was the alternative rock chick! Learned to appreciate more music from all eras over time. (I LIKE Journey, just don't LOVE them...) Sounds like it was a fun cruise as was ours!

@Honolulu Blue Thanks for your review! I did an 80s cruise on the Sapphire with my BFF in Oct & was on the Ruby solo last month. Funny, I got to the port at Galveston, 15 min. from car to ship, including picking up my medallion. Easiest embarkation anywhere. I found the buffet on the Ruby to be pretty good if a bit small--regarding it being closed, did you check both sides? Sometimes only one side was open. But no signage....🤬 I preferred Wanted to DSB--but I like Bon Jovi better than Journey (no Red Corvette on our cruise; would love to hear the U2 tribute band--my fav band). We were able to hit EVERY trivia (all 80s) & EVERY show on our cruise (different CD). I did have scheduling complaints on the Ruby--trivia events would overlap (uh, probably the same crowd...) & trivia would overlap game shows. I have NEVER encountered this before so it seems to be a fluke of this CD. I mentioned it in my review.

For the NCAA tournament on the Ruby it was on MUTS & channel 21 (special events) in the room. The casino bar told me they only had one channel...

Just off Beyond, S2 on Deck 10 Mid (slightly Aft). Heard a bit of creaking for a bit the 1st night (I guess there was a storm--if so, the bit of creaking was the only sign!) Never heard it again.

Enjoying your report @JamieLogical! Love your photos from formal night. Glad to hear your MSC cruise is looking to shape up better than mine. Don't get me wrong--there were things I really liked, but some "off" things to be sure. (that whole things not being stocked..."tomorrow" seems to be a theme...) Giving them another chance next month in Europe so we shall see. Maybe you will give Princess another try sometime--it did seem things were NOT what we have experienced on our 10 Princess cruises (albeit never on Emerald). Just got back from a week on the Beyond in the Retreat & it was GREAT. Your room looks FABULOUS.

It was a joy to meet each & every one of you! @GenerationX HOW did we not run into each other ALL WEEK??!! Honestly I was astounded how infrequently we bumped into everyone! @mac_tlc we did an open booking—looking at dates & details but I would say there is a STRONG possibility we will be on that TA—did u book it?

Thank u for this. We originally had Prima booked next week but when the deal on Retreat popped up(thx @mac_tlc!)we jumped—even tho we had to take a loss on that Prima booking. Between your review, Retreat & the several CC folks sailing, I KNOW we made the right decision! @GenerationX, DH is a good sport…plus wanted to be sure he got up to watch the Masters!

Still here…just ordered another drink… At the bar. Blondie & guy in baseball hat…

Ohhh…DH almost got those tacos at the restaurant! But the pork belly lettuce wraps & pork belly gnocchi did not disappoint. And the music is on point. But fading fast…thinking a good night sleep is in order.

Yeah got this twice… but doesn’t give many options…

We arrive at 6:15 tomorrow

Concierge sent an email so I sent back beverages & snacks we like, pillow & topper request (if available) & a request to change a spa time. Honestly I cannot imagine we need anything else!

Good point--internet was the worst I've had on Princess last fall in AK. But my data worked great!

Okie dokey--since it is AK I think I'll survive on data! Haven't sailed RCCL since 2018...

I don't need the streaming option--surf is enough. But I don't see any other option in my planner. Can I book Surf onboard--at what price? Surf & Stream is showing $20/day. Might forget it in AK since date works when in port...

We are due in at 7AM. What is the earliest flight one would book? (for example, in FLL I could book a 10AM flight with few concerns--but in LA or NYC that wouldn't work)

Well the big question is whether we ARRIVE 2 days early or FLY 2 days early...

I found the daytime activities to be lacking overall last week. Literally nothing on the list I wanted to do (and I like to be BUSY). Crafts can be fun--NCL had a nice travel journal & an electronics organizer. Useful. Not really into origami & paper flowers... And the shows were...meh. Which unfortunately they can be hit & miss on Princess. Trivia & game shows is where they shine. But there was a LOT of overlap of trivia & game shows...Raphael was complaining no one was at his music trivia...uh, that's because they overlapped. Your trivia crowd was still at the other one... Still had a great time. Sorry you have missed 2 ports--it is sad that they don't see the need for more daytime actiities. (PS DO NOT miss Hollywood Hiccups)

Hmmm...just feels like an extra bit of travel for less than 24 hours.