shipshape sam

It was about this time last month when we had the PUP (3 pts) for the Captains video. Saw that I got the 3 pt. credit about a week ago. I can only guess that they are not seeing much of an uptick in bookings with the PUP promotions and thus not in any hurry to do more (not sure how they would measure it either). I will say also that they have not gotten rid of them either since they did the one recently. 🙂

I always wonder about spending more $$$ for suites and locations. We did an aft Facing cabin deck 6 in March 2023 on the Rotterdam VII and not sure it was worth the extra $$$. If you stay in your cabin a lot, if you spend lots of private time on your balcony, then there might be value. We had to make deliberate time to go sit on our aft facing balcony. We did use the balcony more when in port, but any balcony could have been used for us just looking around (mostly me while waiting on DW) The wake is great, but on Rotterdam, I can go to Deck 9 aft and watch the wake for 10-15 minutes and get my fill. I can only suggest trying one and then you can make your own determination of value. We do not spend much time in our cabin no matter where it is. We store our clothes there, clean up there and sleep there. Other wise in general, we are out an about.

Great Corn Beef sandwich there. On recent March 2023 cruise, I think I went by and had one of best corn beef sandwiches I have had. Needless to say, I went back 3-4 more other times. Went to bar on deck below to get my lunch beer and it still was another 4-5 minutes. Only negative is the time it takes because of the popularity of venue.

Picture looks great. Does it go all the way around the ship. We enjoyed walking on Rotterdam. It was not a straight line.

Congrats!

The lowering and raising of the curtain is loud. I like to open the curtains in middle of night to see what is outside. Was an issue that to raise curtain would wake DW with the loud noise, thus did not open to look. Otherwise it was kinda neat feature. The good or bad news depending on your love or hate of IV cabins is Celebrity has committed to IV cabins of E class ships.

For sure try another one, two or even three cruise lines to get an unclose and personal opinion of how the different cruise lines rate in your opinion on the various factors that are important to you. We do that and right now, we like HAL Rotterdam as it is 'new' to us. We liked Beyond on our January 2023 sailing and for sure there are differences that you have to choose between. I am sure we will sail Celebrity again, but also now doing some sailing with daughters family and for sure want those memories with granddaughter, so we also now have a couple of Royal Caribbean cruises booked. Then there are lots of land based trips we have done and even more we want to do..................

I can give you why we (have sailed on Celebrity 10 times (with many 14/15 sailings) and Royal 17 times with 2 more Royal already booked plus Carnival and Princess cruises taken, sailed on Rotterdam VII. We wanted to try something different and our TA mention Rotterdam and he himself having not sailing HAL in years and was impressed with Rotterdam and I was intrigued by the entertainment area with live music every night and not just a couple of performances, we had non stop music most nights. We also tried other aspects of HAL with some better than Celebrity and some not better, but it was not a pure better/not better comparison. For us it was the differences/variations. Just like if you sail a Celebrity E class vs S class vs M class. Different but still good. We had sailed HAL in mid 2000's on Westerdam and Zuiderdam, so we had previously sailed HAL.

What did you like about Club Orange? How is the dining better.different than MDR. We walked pass the dining area every evening on our way to MDR from the Half Moon bar. Not sure the cost either, but assume it is based on length of Cruise. Any info would be appreciated. Thinking it might be a nice surprise for DW.🙂

We were at a BnB between Fairbanks and Chena Hot springs on Aug 27-30 2022. I think those were the dates and got some great shots. First 2 days lots of clouds. Lasted for about 2 hours each night from around 11pm to 1am. We then went to bed. No not know if there were more NL beyond 1am. I want to go back to Fairbanks area a little later in season and stay longer. Would like to go to Greenland, but not sure about all the lights on ship. On a Seatle to Settle Alaskan cruise we saw NL on 2 night out. Problem was so many 'tourists' snapping flash photos! They were just black pics!😒 Loved the few pictures we got with the reflection off the water.

More than we want to pay most of the time. We used to buy packages, but now only once per cruise if that. Sailed Beyond this past January and ate in MDR for all dinners. Liked the 4 themed restaurants, especially the lamb shank. For sure there is value in speciality restaurants, just not enough for us anymore. 🙂

Have a great cruise!

We sailed HAL's Rotterdam this past March (HAL's newest ship) and liked it so much we have booked the Rotterdam again on the same/similar itinerary as you have. We have sailed Celebrity and Royal a lot and wanted to try a newer ship. We also sailed Celebrity Beyond (their newest ship) in January. I personally was intrigued by the entertainment area and I got a great experience. Loved the music EVERY night for most of the evening vs other ships having musical entertainment a few nights and limited in length. You could go see a show and most likely before and after the show go listen to live music. Wishing you a great experience on the Rotterdam VII.

Found my first duck in March on our first full day of cruise (not embarkation day). It was loosely hidden partially behind a vase in an elevator bank. I picked it up and looked around thinking the person putting it there was watching to see what (whoever) found it did with it. did not see anyone. I kept it and have shown it to my granddaughter and if all goes well will buy some and put them out on our family cruise. We will put them is a larger space where we can watch and not be obvious.

Started a business in St Albins in late 80's. Loved flying over each quarter for 2 years for 10 days or parts thereof till i left company. Kinda shocked about what you felt were poor or even worst. Never had a cruise like that and hope you never do again. As to Celebrity vs Royal, we never made a distinction of which was better. My DW and I have always looked at them from the viewpoint of younger or family groups for Royal and older people for Celebrity. Also, as way of example, the casino seemed always busy even late at night vs Celebrity which in our view had small crowds by 10 pm. We sailed HAL's Rotterdam this past March, which I compare to Celebrity and would and will sail it again as we have booked another cruise on Rotterdam. We also have a couple of cruises booked on Royal as we are sailing with our daughter and her family. We for sure do not hope to have the same feelings you do. Wishing your next cruises are great!

Agree that reviews can be all over the spectrum. In fact I have read some reviews and then see a review from the same sailing and it is the polar opposite. We sailed Beyond this past January and had a great cruise. I would suspect you can find a negative review from the same sailing. . I will say that Celebrity and their pricing model AND other cruise lines now seem to be undercutting their affinity programs. We are Elite Plus with no hope of making Zenith.

Good to know. My guess is if you request air drying, it might take an additional day, but I like idea of cold water and air dry. None of my stuff sees the inside of a dryer and only a few things of DW.

We never felt really crowded on our March 2023 sailing. It was 11 days. There were a fair number of scooters/walkers. Leaving the MDR there were at least 15-20 of them parked at the forward/starboard side of MDR when we were heading out each night. We typically ate around 6:30pm. As I am typing this, it did seem crowded and congested when getting off ship for excursions and I can tell you it was a 'pain' to try and get an elevator with room for her scooter during the early disembarkation for excursions. There were a few stations that were popular and seemed to have a line in LIDO. For me, it was the taco line. Many times only one person working the station The music/entertainment area got busy when one of the bands /acts were ready to play. As you would expect with an open venue, lots of people walking by and deciding to stop and listen. BBKing venue at times was real busy and they brought in some straight back chairs. WE loved Rotterdam VII enough, that we have already booked another cruise on her!

We have not used room service or carried a 'meal' back to our cabin. We have been able to put the small plate/glass next to wall unit/closet for most times. If not, we will put it somewhere in our room including the floor if needed. DW did call some extension once or twice as I recall. We will follow whatever HAL stipulates. We did travel with another couple this past March where she had a scooter and it does slow down the process of making it to the bank of elevators.We moved on occasion something preventing her from getting around the item. We also had a scooter parked outside in the hallway and that was a bigger problem for our friends. It was wide. Good news was that they were close to a small connecting hallway by the elevators and could park it there if the room stewards were not out with their carts and bags of linen. We did have to reverse direction and get to the port side to reach the elevators once as I recall. They were 3 cabins from the aft facing cabins. We were aft facing in the starboard corner.

Yeah we noticed that recently when we booked Mariner.

For HAL, no formal night on our cruise in March 2023 Rotterdam (11 day). Did have another night that was 'dress' up, but I wore the same type of clothes each night; caribbean motif camp shirt and stone colored chinos. I used to bring/wear tux many years ago, but then cruise lines began to relax their policies, like designer jeans?! So, for us, we have gone to our current packing regime of every night is 'relax' night. 🙂 Also, I think there was an Orange night, but not sure what that was. We have sailed HAL twice in 2,000's and now in March 2023. There were a number of couples dressed up in suits/long dresses though.

Watched the video and it was a struggle, but slugged through it. It was interesting to know that the Ascent will have 2 captains and they are brothers. Maybe why prices are up?. I do think that the focus should be on ships and what they offer and thus why we would want to sail on them OR focus on itinerary / region of world Celebrity sails to. Did also learn there is a 5th Edge ship planned. Also, that they project saving 25% on their fuel costs with having the bow design ( to do something?) and If I recall correctly, 3 different systems of propulsion. Finally that a ship when docking can have as upwards of 90 crew members leaving and 90 new crew members coming on (either brand new or returning crew). Hotel Mgr mentioned training was extensive and ongoing/daily for all crew members, like in the dining rooms. Would expect this, but glad he mentioned it. So as I type this.........there was a fair amount of tidbits of info that some may know, but I did not as I suspect others too did not know. Bottom line too is I appreciate the offer of PUP's / CC points even though I will never make the next level of 3,000 CC points. I hope to make Crown & Anchor Diamond Plus sometime in 2025. Working on my kids and grandkids to get them into cruising. Only need 18 points 😊

We took the train many years ago on Princess from Anchorage to Seward ( vs Whittier). The train was a fun experience and as you mentioned we enjoyed the narration and scenery and a one lane tunnel. I would count it as a mini excursion. To OP, have a great cruise as Alaska is such a great opportunity to see a portion of the US many have not seen.

There is a saying "You can get back to the place, but not the time". Done a few cruises that I would list as the same and they were each different even when going to the same ports of call on same ship. We have had ports cancel, had new ports assigned and I think once you you get pass the disappointment, I hope there are new experiences to be had. Wishing everyone a great next cruise.

I think casino was open on sea days on our March 2023 sailing. Slots opened early in day and table games (a few tables at least) open later in afternoon.