frteach

Thanks for all the advice on this thread. I am convinced by reading all your suggestions and comments that we will be sailing for the first time wo an alcohol pkg. We will use the elite breakfast specialty coffees and maybe even bellinis or mimosas, the elite HH, the wine bottle discount for dinner, and if we want a pina colada at the pool we will pay as we go. Pretty sure we will save money. We have never even been to the Elite breakfast area. Is it just a croissant/pastry selection, or can we get eggs, bacon, etc.? My husband does enjoy the made to order omelettes at the OV.

We are struggling with this situation for our upcoming Caribbean cruise. We are Elite and are wondering about a package, which would be the Classic for us. Even that is expensive. Last year on an RC cruise we liked having our Elite drinks, 4 each, available any time or place we wanted to use them. That was plenty for us, and they weren't even used every day. Our habits and medications have evolved to the point where I don't think a pkg is cost effective for us. I do enjoy a latte or cappuccino every morning and late afternoon at the cafe. The fancy waters and a few sodas would also be used. Does anyone know if the non-alcohol pkg includes virgin cocktails, as if does on RC?

I am enjoying your review very much and the pics are bringing memories of my Apex cruise to Iceland/Ireland. Are you getting on to the "magic carpet" to eat or drink or is the weather not cooperating? It was closed for the whole Iceland cruise in 2022, too windy and cold. What's going on with the assigned dining room? We really enjoyed eating in all four different ones, and thought that the 5:15 opening was great as well. We just walked in, although I remember that the ship was just over 50% full, so that was probably the reason. Looking forward to cruising on the Apex in March/April.

Quite a few of us around still who relate to the mention of Gordie Howe. And then there are the Leaf fans who are still thinking about the great teams we had then...

Get a USD funds VISA credit card, and you can load it with as much as you like from your own bank account. I have used this to pay for tours and guides in Europe many times. Reload it when it gets low, and you will see how much is left on it when you bank online.

We were on the Iceland/Ireland cruise on the Apex this past June, and it was our first cruise on an Edge class. I really liked the 4 MDR idea. We like to eat early, and had no trouble turning up at 5:30 and getting a table, usually near a window which we request. There are the usual Celebrity basic entrees that are offered at all of the 4, just as they are every night in the S class MDR, then there are 3-4 items which are geared to the style of the dining room, such as French choices in Normandy. After trying them all, we just took turns choosing, and didn't really have a favourite. Never made a reservation, but the ship was not at all full, so that might change. We didn't get to Eden, so that will be a goal for the next Edge class, which I will definitely take.

Anyone who cleans the toilet and makes my bed for me every day is someone to be rewarded. The first thing I do when starting a cruise is ask for the "fridge" to be emptied, and for a footstool for my veranda. It's usually done by the end of the day. Usually, the steward learns our routines and cleans the room according to our habits. We haven't had a bad one yet. Same for anyone else who we interact with daily. Last cruise I slipped $5 to the guy who mopped the pool deck so I didn't slip coming out of the hot tub. It seemed to be the same guy every day. Someone once said that those of us who are in a position to cruise at this time of our lives think that we have hit a home run, when actually we were born on third base. Many of the staff come from backgrounds that were much different from ours. That said, do what you feel is right.

At the boarding gate for our recent flight to Amsterdam on AC, there was one of those "size limit" racks. Anyone with a carry on that looked too big was made to test it, and those that were too big for the overhead bin had to be checked anyway. Since the flight was full, they started announcing that some bags should be checked in voluntarily, and since not enough did this, they DID force some to be checked. I don't wish to start an argument, but what makes some people think that if they get there first they have a right to all the space?

Glad to hear from a resident of Ottawa that a more peaceful celebration was experienced. Let's take back our flag, which is a precious symbol for all Canadians, not just those of a particular political persuasion. They have no monopoly on patriotism.

Looking forward to seeing this on the Apex in 22 days! I'm sure I'll love it because I love the quirky art on Celeb ships!

This one of the best changes resulting from Covid, in my opinion. So much less time-consuming on that exciting first day of the cruise.