WrittenOnYourHeart

On 3/22/2024 at 7:19 PM, zitsky said:

Alcohol has never harmed anyone

Well, except for those who drink and drive and get into accidents which harm

or kill other people…

1 hour ago, the penguins said:

following the sinking of the Costa Concordia when there were rumours that the Captain was drunk and/or had taken an unauthorised course (both later discounted) Celebrity was quick to reassure passengers that this couldn't happen on X because:

1) Captain's were not permitted to drink during their contracts.

2) the route to be taken that day had to be signed off by every Bridge Officer (from the lowest to the Captain) every day - or as one Captain described it during his onboard presentation as  "planning by Committee"

Personally we have no interest who the Captain will be and certainly take no account of it when choosing a cruise. The itineraries are planned so far ahead no one knows who the Captain, or any other Officer, will be and whoever it is they simply follow the itinerary.

 

 

I’m just saying what she said in one of her daily Captain’s Logs. It was a question from the Q&A pile and she said she could have a glass of wine with dinner but she chooses not to.

4 hours ago, hcat said:

some spring break dates are odd this yr .some local high schools in NY are having it next week 

  

check around  

 

I think trips including Coco Cay will attract more  breakers

NYC’s public schools (and maybe some others in the area) always have their Spring Break over Passover. In non-Leap Years that usually coincides with Easter. But in Leap Years it tends to be later.

15 minutes ago, the penguins said:

No  Captain drinks alcohol during their contracts.

She said they can, but she chooses not to so she can be fully aware in the event of an emergency.

When it is closed for cleaning (happens in port), they should put advance notice in the Compass the night before.

For weather related closures, I haven't experienced that, but I would guess it should be fairly obvious from the weather if it's a possibility. I don't know that they call all the staterooms and say "We are locking them due to weather."

You review has been great - thank you for sharing! And the pictures are awesome! (I especially appreciate how you take the time to sticker-out faces - it always makes me uncomfortable seeing pictures of groups/events where people don't know they're being photographed like silent discos, etc.)

15 hours ago, vadell said:

I tried using the same password and it said you cannot re use the same password, I had to change password to be able to log in.

Same thing happened to me.

On 3/22/2024 at 11:14 AM, spammie said:

Looking to book a cruise for next June.  Currently Beyond is the only ship listed.  Just wondering what is going on with Reflection?  Sorry if this has been answered but didn't find anything when searching.  

Reflection is out of Ft. Lauderdale and Beyond is out of Miami. Both up.

32 minutes ago, squadron said:

I upgraded for $8.99 (mainly wanted better wines at dinner).  I got Elite status from diamond +.  What is the Elite discount that I see mentioned??

No double dipping. You can do one or the other.

Thank you for the review - especially of a full ship. I've been nervous about my cruise on her this summer that looks to be completely full. Great to have a first-hand report.

2 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

With so many sea days been getting in some steps

 

Something has gone astray for sure.  
 

 

Lots of clapping? That always bumps my count way up.

3 minutes ago, Norwaylady said:

When you are b2b, you need to give in your old cruise card on the gangway in the morning and they will give it back to you later. 
Because one cruise is one card. 
 

So cruise 1 was 23.3-1.4.24 and cruise 2 was 1.4-11.4.24. 
 

So then you need 2 cards. 
So since we do b2b from time to time, this problem happens🤪

Ah, ok. Thanks.

17 minutes ago, horseymike said:

Hope you have a great cruise 🛳️, if you choose to post a review I will be looking forward to your take on how things went. I have read one of your reviews several months ago and found it to be awesome !

Thank you! I plan to - just have to get WiFi...holding off until Memorial Day hoping there will be a big sale on it.

I'm confused - your key cards to your door? Why would they have taken them? 

27 minutes ago, jcpc said:

How strange.  A friend of mine had a password that met the requirements and she didn’t have to change it.  Typical Celebrity….LOL

Yup. And unlike others who "changed" it to the same thing, I got a "you cannot use a previous password" message. So the inconsistency is all over the place.

Oh my. The nope rope would have been it for me. No thank you!

7 minutes ago, jcpc said:

I was told that in order to access both your account on the website and the app, you must change your password.  Password must consist of 8 characters including letters, 1 number and 1 special character.  If your password already met these requirements there is no need to change it.  I changed my password (keeping it the same password but just adding 1 special character) and can access both now.  It would have been nice if Celebrity sent out an email letting us all know this!

Mine already met that but I had to change it anyway. 

42 minutes ago, hcat said:

Do not feel stuck.. You will find sime quiet spaces and may enjoy some of the activities..yoga, am stretch. Spa was expensive but maybe pick one  massage or facial for a treat!

 

I wasnt sure but  If you ended up with an AQ class room, ..all the thermal suite rms are included..salt rm, sauna/ steam and heated loungers..Usually quiet! And a few free classes..( but they try to sell you more)  You can ask for stretch bands and other equip for your  rm..ours were pre requested but never were sent(??)

 

We also  had mellow/ acoustic music options...mostly  in EDEN. (Beyond and Ascent have diff CDs so different vibe for each ship..hope BEYOND more subdued) 

 

Another tip..On Ascent, one day  for lunch, we bought take out sammies

(great bread) and dessert from the Bistro on 5 counter, and were actually served at the smaller tables ..not quite in the restarant area. We  picked up drinks / soda at the bar area next door.  A less expensive alternative to the bigger meals at the Bistro.

 

.. Of course there's the Solarium Cafe with healthy choices..(eat early),  EDEN cafe if open.  and the hot dog/ burger place..That one is crowded/with a  loud din,  but you can  carry the food one flight up..if there are no smokers up there.. Has nice tables, great views off the side of the ship!

 

  There's an area on opp side one flight up with nice chairs and loungers  that overlook the pool but quieter!

 

on ASCENT and BEYOND we found the Sunset Bar area usually crowded but nice sea views and some shade.  Lawn area might have movie or music  or Pickleball..plink plink!

 

I suggest bringing  earplugs, just in case..We left one show very early on..due to intense volume and flashing lights, but others were easier on the senses and well done!

 

Prepare to enjoy!

What are your ports?

Thanks! When I said "stuck" that was in reference to the advice to choose my stateroom wisely. That ship has sailed. I got what I got - I think 10248 (stuck in the password debacle so I can't double check).

I do have an Aqua Class cabin - I got so spoiled in Blu on the Summit I upgraded to Aqua after booking on board. So yeah, I'll have the Thermal Suite - and Blu for breakfast and dinner. I well remember the hard upsell on the additional classes - on the Summit the fitness center guy actually walked away from me when I politely but firmly stood my ground and said that I might well book more classes once I try them - but I got burned before with signing up for a package of classes and they were not what I was expecting. Massages...again I always get stuck with someone who ignores my "No Sales Please" and goes in for the hard sell at the end, so I try to avoid those.

I'm gluten-free, so that complicates where I can grab food to a degree. But maybe if I have a bigger breakfast and aim for an earlier dinner I can get by with just snacks here and there.

Ports are Aruba (currently have Small Group Jeep... I can't remember the full name and now I'm caught in the "password is not correct" thing, so I'm not going into my account for a bit to see if it straightens itself out); Bonaire (currently have Woodwind booked for snorkeling); and Curacao (currently booked on the Irie Tours tour that includes snorkeling with turtles).

5 hours ago, buncosquad said:

Select your stateroom wisely.

 

We live in our staterooms, so we select accordingly. 

 

We only book Edge class on Celebrity, and use our itineraries and staterooms as our personal retreat. The views and the silence broken only by the wind and sea is worth every penny.

 

We typically only leave our stateroom for shore excursions, spa treatments, lunch and dinners, as well as walking the track, going to the World Class bar (Beyond and Ascent), and Cafe al Baccio.

 

When we walk the track on sea days, every time looking down to the main pool, it is usually quite crowded (warm climes). Won't do crowds. Won't even utilize the Retreat sundeck, as likewise typically busy on sea days.

 

As noted, select stateroom wisely and you'll have a memorable sailing, regardless of how busy is the ship.

At this point regardless I'm stuck. Only a few solo cabins and suites left - both at higher prices than I paid. I'm not one who likes to live in my cabin - it's a place to sleep and mostly that's it.

3 minutes ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

Was on the Beyond in May, nearly full.  I parrot what @hcat says about Blu not being crowded if you go early and the pool being jam-packed.  With shows, one of the best "tricks" I learned is to sit in the back which allows you to leave for any reason

Thanks.

oh, I always sit near the back or somewhere I can escape easily because I’m super picky about entertainment. I have no shame in walking out if something isn’t worth the time to me. Lol.

24 minutes ago, Hearthosesteeldrumsplayin said:

Sailing on Beyond over the July4th week.  Our cruise is almost sold out, too!  (or maybe we are on same sailing?)  But, I have noticed that even on the larger ships, you can often find quiet places to sit and read.  Fingers crossed for all of us!  Happy sailing!

I'm on July 27.

28 minutes ago, samplecd02 said:

Just curious, which sailing are you on? Im on the July 13th.

July 27. I was looking at both, but when I booked there was some special on Sunset Verandas for solos where they were cheaper than even the Solo IVs on the 27th. Then once AQ was no longer bundled with internet and drink package (outside of the solo IVs it's WAY pricey for a solo to book AI since it's doubled other than the solo IVs), my TA was able to get me a super rate on that.

1 hour ago, mac_tlc said:

We were on the Beyond in February, 11 night Southern Caribbean. It was definitely full and, at times, it was noticeable. The Pool deck and Solarium were packed -- early and often. Chair hogs were out in full force. We did not notice it as much in the other venues, although at late morning on a sea day Cafe alBacio was packed too, very tough to get a seat anywhere on deck 4. 

 

Having said all that, we would not hesitate to do it again. 

 

 

FWIW, here is a link to my LIVE...

 

 

 

mac_tlc

Thanks! Will check it out! I was finishing the aforementioned Anthem cruise when you were embarking on this, so I missed it.

2 hours ago, RICCruisers said:

We did a B2B on Beyond last October in the Mediterranean. Ship was full and we never felt it was crowded other than the Martini Bar. We were Aqua and ate both breakfast and dinner in Blu other than a couple of specialty restaurants. We had the same table every night in Blu early (about 6:15) and never had a wait. When we left at 7:30-7:45 there was a short line a few nights. 

 Thank you!

9 minutes ago, C-Dragons said:

Yes, actually most of the cruises we take are full.

And we only sail on Edge class ships now.  Never had a problem.

Thanks.

7 minutes ago, Bead Pirate said:

On one right now...

 

I have only seen about 7 children on the cruise (mind you we do not have common interests so our paths do not cross often anyway).

 

As you would expect Blu often has a line early in the evening. The elevators are a bit of a pian in the back of the edge ships (they are small). Tough to get a seat at Martini bar and Eden for shows. Lots of big groups taking seats early, etc.

 

Food has been overall very good. Specialty dining is available (this seems to be a rather cost-conscious bunch on here this sailing).

 

 

Thanks. That is ugh about Blu - I'd rather eat earlier. 😞 (Weirdly on Disney I prefer late dining, but everywhere else I like eating earlier.)