NCHPcruiser

6 hours ago, Vallesan said:

Oh yes! They got gifts too but knowing they had provided lunch for a few homeless people just didn’t hit home. Probably, thank goodness, they’ve never been homeless or hungry and we’re probably too young to understand.

They may not understand now but the cumulative effect of doing things like this over the years surely will impact their thinking.  

Istanbul Shuttle Here is who we are using in October for transfers  to hotel and then

airport after reading several very positive reviews (on CC and elsewhere).

Returned a week ago from France and the AmaKristina.  The vast, vast majority were dressed casually (including blue jeans)  for dinner.  Everyone looked neat.  Depending on when an afternoon tour ended many wore the same thing to dinner with some perhaps changing a top.  

Though I don’t travel solo, from what I read on CC it does sound like a good deal.  And even better if it includes some perks. 

I would NOT leave an extravagant tip for nominal service!  (I understand guilt requiring you to leave a tip, I probably would too.).  I would also request a different butler and personally, I don’t think you have to give a reason.  It should be obvious.     It could be this particular butler is being monopolized by one suite, but it is his responsibility to divide his time equitably among his suites.  He can decide which suites to shortchange.   You paid for the services of a butler (I know they are called something else, but even our ‘Retreat Host’ on our last cruise called himself a butler)  just as any other suite guest and it doesn’t sound like you have unrealistic expectations.  

We were lucky on our March Apex cruise (CS) when we had a wonderful butler.   He ask what we would like brought every afternoon (cheese and crackers rotated with shrimp cocktail) which he brought promptly at 4:30 each day.   When he realized we would return to the room about 4:45/5:00 each day with a glass of wine, he started bringing the wine as well, eventually bringing a bottle of my favorite ship Chardonnay.   If he saw us anywhere on the ship he made an extra effort to make sure he spoke to us (sometimes at length-he was a talker!).   He could not have been more helpful.  

On our recent Apex cruise a few people played some type tile game (not mah jong) most days in the Aqua Spa cafe but that is the only place I can think of to play any type of game.   To be honest, the constant noice from the tiles drove me and others crazy while trying to relax in the solarium!    But since eliminating the card rooms other than the Oceanview cafe there is really no place to play a card game, etc.   

We didn’t think the Crystal cruisers (on our one Symphony cruise) were really much different than Celebrity cruisers, not like we expected at all.   There are “snobs” on all cruise lines, including Celebrity!  We’ve run into quite a few over the years.    

Our last cruise was in a Celebrity suite on the Apex,  although most of what we did was NOT in suite only spaces.  While there are more suites on the E class ships, the ONLY area that caters to suite guest is The Retreat areas & Luminae except on chic nights where an upper level area in the theater is reserved for suite guest.   At least this was our experience.  

Have been on two cruises so far and don’t plan on cancelling future cruises.   I believe the unfortunate truth is we will continue to deal with Covid in some form for as long as I am living.  

We had dinner in Eden on the Edge exactly two weeks ago today.  It was, hands down, the best dining experience we have ever had on a cruise ship.  The food, presentation, service, everything was perfect.  We booked as soon as we boarded and tried to book a second night but were unable to.  

Just returned from an Apex cruise.  Except for the gym, I never wore anything but “sandals” of varying degrees of dressiness.  

Currently, no return test is required. 

8 hours ago, TeeRick said:

We have also received these emails in the past sailing in a CS.

We are usually in a CS and have always received a call or text but did not on the cruise we are currently (on Apex in a CS).

We had no problem cancelling online two excursions we originally booked for the Apex cruise we are currently on.   Our onboard credit was immediately returned.  

Currently on the Apex (3/19 sailing) which is sailing with 1800-1900 passengers as reported last night during the show.   So far no venue has been close to “packed”, actually quite the opposite.  

Without a doubt, for us it would be a sky suite.  We would never consider sailing in an infinite veranda (which to us isn’t really having a veranda at all!).    From what the OP states, I believe they would enjoy the extra space in the SS and the quiet, chill vibe of The Retreat and the Retreat Sundeck, especially the area not around the pool (where we have always been able to find shade when wanted).  

We boarded the Apex yesterday sailing in a suite.   After dropping our bags in a suite (not quite ready yet), we immediately went to one of the three suite concierges to make specialty dinner reservations.  Upon entering The Retreat we were met with smiles and a tray of champagne, sparkling rose and mimosa’s.   There was also a bottle of champagne on ice in our suite we we returned from lunch.   No champagne or sparkling wine was offered upon boarding the ship though. 

We have always had lunch in Raw on 5 (and did on our last Edge cruise).  I’m not sure if is open every day for lunch though.  

Especially if you are sailing in a suite, make the Suite Concierge aware that you would like to attend a Helipad sailaway.  More than likely it will happen.   While closed toe shoes are “required” and I have always worn them, even my gym shoes with dressy attire, many do not.   I say this just in case someone were to be invited and not have closed toe shoes with them, I would go anyway unless mobility is an issue.   Depending on the ship it could be a little tricky with inappropriate shoes although flip flops would work better than stiletto’s.   

Thanks for the review/comparison.  Our last Celebrity cruise (2/20) was in a Sky Suite on the Edge.  We loved the ship and after your post are now even more excited about boarding the Apex in two days (in a CS).   Hopefully the entertainment will not have changed!     Very happy about additional shade on the Retreat Sundeck and full bar in the Retreat which we (along with many others) missed from the old Michaels Club on the S class ships.  

According to the Cayman Compass, Grand Cayman is welcoming cruise ships as of March 19.    Grand Cayman has reappeared on my Apex 3/19 cruise along with two excursions.  I also assumed we would have another sea day.     Listed in an article were ships visiting GC through mid-April.  Apex 3/24, Edge 4/1, Apex 4/7, Edge 4/13.  (The article was posted on the Apex 3/19 Roll Call.)

Terminal 25.  Apex too.  

I don’t think anyone really, really knows.  Some will say yes, they keep them (and I hope that is the case) and then others say that tips are pooled.   You will find no definitive answer on this board.   

I’m with lorimay on this.   No one really cares where anybody sleeps.  

I think you will all be able to board together, just not everyone through the Suite line.    From reports/reviews that I have read recently, many people are arriving earlier than the stated time and are not experiencing long wait times.  But who knows what your experience might be with increasing occupancy.