Madio

Not sure if this is the right place to comment and/or ask a question.  We have 47 days on Princess, jumped over to Celebrity because we felt food quality had declined on Princess.  Would like to go back, but only if they have improved the food.  Can't seem to get answers.  Realize the "food question" is subjective.  Thanks for any input.

We are on the August 27 Infinity Western Caribbean in an S2 Sky Suite, Cabin 6119. Have done 5 X cruises, 4 on Solstice class, on one the Apex, but not familiar with this M class.  Read somewhere that it was revolutionized in 2021, but now I read here that it was 2018.  Also didn’t realize our balcony view may be obstructed by lifeboats.  Any recent info appreciated.  I may try to switch cabins.  Thanks!

On 2/24/2022 at 3:45 PM, like2cruise said:

We were on the Apex in January in an Infinite Veranda.  Would not book again. Didn't ruin the trip of course, but MUCH, MUCH prefer a true balcony.  

Thanks, Like2Cruise.  I asked one of the Retreat Crew how people are liking those infinite verandas.  He said “They’re not”.  I’m puzzled as to why they are now building the 4th one.  My DH says the contracts were signed a long time ago.  What say you?

On 2/14/2022 at 11:29 AM, cruisestitch said:

Faithful readers will know that in January I was on this ship Back to back. I then took a short break to go to reflection for two cruises back to back and now I return to silhouette. Any questions, just ask

We cruised twice on the Silhouette a few years back and loved it.  Then, we did a couple of Princess cruises, and then back to Equinox last August, and Reflection Dec. 2021.  They all had their pros and cons.  I liked the fact that the Reflection & Silhouette were the only two s-class ships that had The Porch & The Lawn Club, although Porch on Silhouette was never open.  Do you know what changes their revolutions will bring?  March 19, we'll be on Apex, and are excited to see this new (to us at least) style of ship.  We got a Sky Suite, as I am pretty positive we wouldn't like the infinite veranda.  Would like to hear others' opinions of them. Also, don't understand the rocking chairs; the ship already rocks enough for me.

4 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

In all frankness, I hung out in all those same bars at different times of the day/night.

 

-Magic Carpet during the day on sea days and for sunsets

-Eden bar for pre and post dinner drinks

-Martini bar for nightcaps and special events (like Silent Disco)

 

Hard to make a bad choice.

Thanks graphicguy…..I copied down your suggestions.  

11 minutes ago, Madio said:

Wow….it sounds like some great bars.  In my previous post, I made a mistake when I said my DH would love that bar (I was thinking of Magic Carpet), but maybe Eden is nice too, right?

On the S Class ships (Equinox, Reflection, Silhouette) they had flair bartenders at the Martini Bar.  So entertaining!!  Do they have those on Apex? Which bars? Thanks.

1 hour ago, graphicguy said:

EDEN bar is fun to hang out in, too.  Bartenders make some tasty and unique drinks.  Plus, there's usually good entertainment there for both the restaurant and bar patrons.

 

I'm betting you'll like Eden.

Wow….it sounds like some great bars.  In my previous post, I made a mistake when I said my DH would love that bar (I was thinking of Magic Carpet), but maybe Eden is nice too, right?

Just now, Madio said:

YOU SOLD ME!  We’ll try it.  Sounds like an experience not to be missed.  If we don’t like the food……oh well.  Sounds like fun.  Thanks!

And I’m pretty sure that will turn out to be one of my DH’s favorite bars as well.

8 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

I know I had to walk through Raw on 5 to get to the Magic Carpet when it was stationary on Deck 5.  I don't recall them offering to allow the food from Raw on 5, though.  Could be no one was dining when I was on the Magic Carpet.

 

But, it was my favorite bar, so I was there a lot and never saw anyone with food.

 

Is Eden adventurous?  Maybe.  I've eaten quail, alligator, snake, etc.  So, compared to those delicacies, EDEN was tame.  Great venue, overlooking the aft of the ship watching the wake.  Plus, the kitchen is visible to all.  Just a cool dining venue with really good food and service.

YOU SOLD ME!  We’ll try it.  Sounds like an experience not to be missed.  If we don’t like the food……oh well.  Sounds like fun.  Thanks!

7 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

Can't speak to specialty dining on Apex since I'm not sailing until week after next.

 

Can't be too dissimilar to the EDGE, though.

 

Loved...LOVED EDEN!  Did Raw on 5, too.  Good, but not nearly as good as EDEN.

 

Had drinks at the Retreat Bar by the pool during sunset.  Nice way and place to see the sunset.  Plus, if we were hanging around the pool and/or loungers, the waitstaff were readily available to keep us hydrated.

 

Robes were in our cabin closet.  I don't recall using them, though.  Just as easy to throw on a pair of shorts or swimwear.

 

We don't wear PJs, though. 😉

I was wondering if the menu in Eden was too bizarre, although we love fine dining.  Your recommendation is pushing my toward it.  Thank you.  As for Raw on 5, we always have lunch in Sushi on 5 (Silhouette, Equinox, Reflection) on embarkation day and love it, so we thought we’d do it on this one as well.  Question:  Is the Magic Carpet part of Raw on 5 at certain times?  I thought that was used for embarkation.  Then I read that they serve sushi there.  Can you enlighten me?

21 minutes ago, Cruise a holic said:

 

Good to know!  March 19 will be our first cruise on E Class (Apex). Loved the Reflection and Equinox this past year, but on Retreat Sun Deck (Equinox anyway) there was no bar, or bathroom, and no pool..  Never even checked out the one on Reflection.  So we’re going with a Sky Suite, as I’m SURE I wouldn’t like those infinite verandas.  We like to sit outside at night and watch the stars and the ocean go by, as we enjoy our nightcap. To each his own, but I asked a crew member on the Reflection in December how people who liking those infinite verandas…..he said they weren’t. Now, they’re building a 4th one I heard?  Did you do any Specialty Dining on Apex?  What do you recommend?  So far, I’ve only booked the Steakhouse for the first night, but I’m looking to do maybe 3 more.

4 hours ago, Big_G said:

We enjoy aft Sky Suites. The value is there for us. I'm not a main ding room fan so Luminae is a hit. We like the premium drink package as well as the Retreat Lounge. We spend more time in the Retreat Lounge than the Suite Lounge on Royal Caribbean. The butler service is great.

 

That said, we upgraded to a Royal Suite on Summit on our last cruise. No aft Royal suites. Never used the hot tub on the balcony. I never finished my choice of liquor for the room and my wife never opened hers. We never took full advantage of the dining package because we liked Luminae. It was still a great cabin and great cruise but the extra amenities weren't as valuable to us. Others may disagree.

 

Next Celebrity cruise is Apex in an aft S1. First time on an Edge Class so my opinion might change.

I totally agree.  Our very first suite was last August on Equinox (S1), then December on Reflection in a Signature Suite.  We each used the jacuzzi on balcony only once, and we only drink beer & wine so the 2-bottle offer was lost on us.  Having free specialty dining was great, but I’d rather use my OBC’s on it and do it 3 or 4 times.  The March 19 Apex will be our first Edge class back to a Sky Suite, and I’m very confused about the dining venues.  Need to access menus, opinions of people who have already sailed her.  So far, I’ve only booked the Steakhouse for the first night.

16 hours ago, Denny01 said:

Trust me, smokers are quite able to find it all themselves…just need to insure they understand where they Can’t smoke, such as anywhere even remotely close to your husband. 

 

Den

We do run for the hills whenever we get a whiff.  However, it is just not in my makeup to look down on them, as I recognize it as such a powerful addiction, having gone through the quitting process myself more than 30 years ago. We've been on 12 cruises, and have never had trouble staying away from it.

31 minutes ago, Auntiemomo said:

Sunset Bar port side, an area by the pool, the Mast Bar, and port side deck 5 out by the life boats.

31 minutes ago, Auntiemomo said:

Sunset Bar port side, an area by the pool, the Mast Bar, and port side deck 5 out by the life boats.

Thanks Auntimomo.  I pray every day that this dear family member will quit, but I will relay the info.

We are booked on the Reflection next week, traveling with family members in another cabin.  One of them is a smoker (unfortunately).  I am well aware of the strict rules, and have stressed this to that person.  Have been on sister ships (Silhouette & Equinox) and they had a smoking area on Deck 15 near the Sunset Bar.  I thought there was at least one other near the pool.  Anyone know?  Sensitive topic in our family, as my husband just finished cyber knife treatment for lung cancer, having quit smoking 35 years ago. Thanks.

On 11/21/2021 at 9:25 AM, morpheusofthesea said:

Of course, I spoke too soon. We all had to be tested for covid on Wednesday 2 days/48hours for boarding on Friday and on Saturday night Capt. Tasos, the comedian captain of the Celebrity fleet, was all serious when he came on the loud speakers at 10:30pm Saturday evening announcing that a women was feeling ill and tested positive. She and her closest contact, husband, who tested negative were moved to isolation and will be  escorted off in Jamaica. Do not know nationality, if b2b, but is seems awfully fast if  a Wednesday negative becomes a Friday positive?

Sorry,  but I didn't see the dates of your cruise on the Equinox.  We were on Equinox Aug. 1-8 with Capt. Tasos.  He is such a hoot!  However, we were told that he was going on leave at the end of our cruise, so that probably wasn't true, depending on the date of your cruise.  We are going on the Reflection Dec. 11....so happy to be back to cruising.  What date was your cruise?  Sounds like a great time...your suite looked wonderful. Our first suite was in August (Sky); this one is Signature (spending our children's inheritance....lol).

Our most recent cruise on Aug. 1, 2021 was the first one that we had treated ourselves to a suite.  It was a Sky Suite, and we had never before had a butler, so we didn't really know what to ask of him. We tipped in the beginning, end, and once when he delivered our breakfast. He also kept our fridge stocked with Heineken for DH, and made dinner reservations for us twice..  I'm curious to know what others request of him. We have another cruise coming up in December, and booked a Signature Suite (had to break into the piggy bank for this one LOL).  My two daughters, and my son-in-law are booked in a Celebrity Suite four decks below us, so we will probably spend time in each others' suites.  Can we all order drinks from one cabin's butler?  Do we bring our own? Also wonder about dinner reservations for this party of 5....same butler?  Just basically curious how others handle the butler situation. Thanks for any info.

On 8/17/2021 at 1:03 PM, Eglesbrech said:

Can’t say I have heard of that here, luggage delivery is generally reliable. The stevedores do a great job tips or not.

Reminds me of my youngest daughter, who seemed to often lose her luggage when she flew.  I finally asked her how much she was tipping when she checked in at the curb.  Answer: “Oh, you’re supposed to tip?” I always overtip those guys, and now she does too (LOL).

On 8/14/2021 at 9:11 PM, davekathy said:

Or how much the staff earns hourly, monthly or by contract. 

We got friendly with a bartender whose salary is $1300/mo.   Works his XXX off.  Happy to tip him extra, especially since the tax rate in his home country if 40%. He couldn’t do enough for us.  Great guy.

4 minutes ago, keesar said:

We passed on our unused OBC to select individuals by filling out a form.  Our form had an option to give $$ to an individual or a group i.e. Blu wait staff. etc.

That’s what we did too.  Wasn’t about to leave $39.67 on the table (LOL). We designated it to a particular person. 

1 hour ago, Pinboy said:

Sure beats candy bars, photos of " me, me , me " , or trinkets from your home town, while you ( the Staff person ) are busting your xxx off trying to make a living and supporting a family that you are away from for " months " at a time.  If I were a Staff person I would " snicker " if someone left me a Snicker bar. 

 

 

 

Plus, while these people, through no fault of their own, were struggling to support their families back home, my DH and I were locked down in our comfortable small villa, with plenty to eat, watching our vacation fund grow (since we couldn’t go out and spend money).  Don’t mind sharing it now.

1 minute ago, zitsky said:

 

Did you tip through Customer Service or did you leave cash for each individual? 

We filled out a form for our Retreat staff.  Evidently, they heard about it immediately, because they thanked us for our generosity.  For cabin steward, special servers, and favorite bartenders, we had brought along little envelopes, and handed them to them.  A young couple on their first cruise was sitting next to us on the last night, asking for tipping advice.  This funny lady on the other side of us said “Where I live in New York, they shoot you if you don’t tip.”  She was a hoot, and we all got a laugh.

23 hours ago, zitsky said:

 

What's the point of AI with gratuity (or service charge) included if you are going to tip extra?  I consider myself a generous person but I don't want to tip twice unless the service is really, really good.

We were on the Equinox last week, and got friendly with a few of the staff.  We were very curious to hear how they had survived being out of work for 1.5 years.  One server in Luminae told us she was quarantined on a ship from March to September 2020, before she could go home to Mauritius (sp?) to stay with her mother.  They’ve all had a tough time, and they were so wonderful last week and happy to be back to work….couldn’t do enough for us.  Long story short:  We tipped extra, were happy to do it,  and hope others followed suit.

My DH & I have never liked buffets, simply for the sanitation factor. Last time we went to one, I ended up with jelly on my back! (No idea how that happened, yuck).  My TA/Cruise Specialist recently told me that the cruise industry has put out a 10-point protocol list, that includes a “no self-serve” order in the buffet.  A worker will serve you, wearing gloves.  Also, they will completely sanitize the cabins twice daily, older people will require a doctor’s note.  Don’t know the rest, but we should be able to look it up somewhere.  As for the kitchens mentioned in this thread, I have no worries.  We have toured the kitchens three times, and they were immaculate, with very stringent rules.  Our next cruise is Jan. 2021, and we are praying for a vaccine, as we are older.  Happy cruising.

On 3/9/2020 at 6:17 PM, cruisestitch said:

You are allowed to bring as much soft drink as you wish on board -- some people put it in a dedicated carry-on bag, some people shrink wrap cases of soft drink and slap a luggage tag on it, I guess it all depends on how many cans or bottles she thinks she needs for that cruise.  There won't be any corkage to pay.

Thanks so much!  I didn't know you could bring on soda.  She drinks very little alcohol, but has the AIBP because it was one of the perks. So it will be my two non-drinking daughters and my DH and I (who both drink), and we all have can have 15 drinks per day.  Go figure.  All in all, we got a fabulous price on this cruise.