mufflogan

My wife and I have been on Princess 4 times and Celebrity 14 times.  We love both.  We've been on both Reflection and Caribbean Princess.  All that to say we have opinions about Caribbean Princess.

We were on CB in July 2023.  It was our worst cruise.  I know how that sounds.  Cruising is amazing... every single one of them.  But this one was rough.  

A/C - It was a very warm ship.  Our room was too warm.  We found ourselves choosing spots to hang out in during the day that were the coldest places in the ship.  Wheelhouse Bar, Club Fusion...  It was strange to walk through the ship and to get blasted by warm spots and then slightly cooler spots and then warm spots again.  The A/C just couldn't keep the ship comfortable... especially our room. 

Smoke - The casino is right next to the atrium and throughout the day it was really difficult to find a spot to sit where you weren't constantly being attacked by the smell of smoke.  Our favorite bar was Crooners... it has an amazing drink menu.  But there was at least 2 times/day when we had to get up because the smell was too much for us.  Again that's an "us" problem.  I don't know your tolerance for the smell of smoke.

Lights - Our cabin had automatic lights(in the closet area and in the bedside tables).  I get up to use the restroom several times in the night and every time my wife would wake up because of the amount of light in our cabin.  I brought tape to cover the sensors(which other people had recommended on CC).  That helped to some degree but they would still come on... sometimes randomly too.

Ship propulsion - The ship was having issues with one of its engines.  We missed 2 of the 4 ports we were supposed to go to because we just couldn't get there.  Also, the time we spent in the other 2 ports were reduced. And we were supposed to get off the ship in Belize but couldn't because the tender situation was ridiculous.  3 hour wait times...  The cruise you are thinking about going on is that exact itinerary essentially.

Sorry for the long post but I think I would choose Reflection over Caribbean Princess if it was cruising the lake in my backyard.  Just my 2 cents...  hope that can help.

10 hours ago, mrgabriel said:

We used a taxi at Port Everglades three weeks ago, the guy didn’t turn on the meter and charged us $35. Then he read Twitter while driving. Just my experience. Next time I’ll book Lyft or Uber so I can report the driver if they’re driving unsafely. 

I'm sorry that happened to you.  We don't put our luggage in the taxi until we know exactly how much we're being charged for that trip from Port Everglades to FLL.  It's always been $15-$20 before tip.

Will you make your 10:30am flight?  There is a 99% chance that you will.  But how much stress does that 1% chance of missing your flight cause you?  Is it enough to move to a later flight time... that's completely up to you.

My last 3 cruises out of Fort Lauderdale. 10:00am flight, 10:15 flight, 9:40 flight.  We were sitting at the gate at least an hour before each of those flights.  

Our 9:40 flight was after the Nov. 13th Beyond cruise.  We had a delayed walk off process that became a nightmare with people all over trying to walk off at the same time.  People with numbers walking off.  When we got into the terminal there were LOTS of bags already taken by people with numbers.  Walk off was a joke on that cruise.... BUT we were still sitting at our gate in the airport by 8:40.  Was I stressed while I was standing in the masses trying to get off the ship? Yes I was.  Stressed enough to not book another early flight?  No.

Port Everglades is just so close to the airport.  If time is no issue I'll always take an Uber or a Lyft.  But when I'm trying to get to FLL after a cruise with an early flight I always take a cab.  The cost isn't that much higher.  There is no wait for a cab.  I've had issues with Uber and Lyft getting into the port.  Getting lost in the port area.  Finding me.  I've been cancelled on.  So I take a cab.  Like I mentioned... it's slightly more expensive but it's quick and easy.

Also I have to mention I have TSA-precheck(which sometimes at FLL doesn't make much difference).

Sorry for the long post.  Will you make your flight?  99% of the time you will easily... but how will you deal with the 1% chance?  Good luck and have a phenomenal trip... hopefully it's very soon!

I might be totally wrong but I feel like I've read on CC a few times that they do reservations for Specialty Dining completely different on holiday sailings.  

Many times my wife and I have gone to grab pizza in Oceanview and had them make one special for us.  You just choose from the ingredients they have and they'll make it quick and hot and fresh for you.  Since it's right next to the "create your own" pasta station there are normally a lot of toppings to choose from.  That pizza is always great!!

The best answer I can give you is to find someone who can make your reservations as soon as you are walking on the ship.  Sometimes there is someone with a tablet right when you walk on.  Sometimes you have to go to one of the specialty restaurants and there will be someone who can make those reservations for you.  If you wait too long after boarding there is chance that the times you are hoping for will be unavailable.  But my advice is to board as early as you can and go straight to someone who can make those reservations for you.  Good luck!!

Murano - We eat here at least 2-3x/cruise because there are so many apps, entrees and desserts we love.

Eden - So many great options.  We loved the old menu and the new one.  Wake view is lovely as well.

Rooftop Grill/Lawn Club - Eating outside with the sun setting watching a port fade off into the distance can't be replicated in any restaurant at home.

I posted this exact message a little over a year ago when someone asked about the OV cabins on deck 3.

"We've stayed in the OV cabins on deck 3 on three separate cruises.  We loved it every single time! It was awesome being so close to so many places we wanted to hang out at... Martini Bar, Cafe al Bacio, World Class Bar, Passport Bar, MDR, etc.  And we never heard noise from outside our cabin at all.  The first time we were in an OV we were further down the hall from the public areas but after seeing how quiet it was we moved to the first couple of cabins down the hall from guest services.  It was incredible... we were less than 100 steps from our table in the MDR!  I would never hesitate to get an OV on deck 3."

As far as the closing time for the casino... I don't have much experience in the casino but from what I've read recently I've seen it closing as early as 11pm and as late as "late".  Not sure how to define late.  

Have fun on Silhouette in April.  My wife and I will be there in April too for a B2B.

So this review is so great... just the right blend of humor and photos!  I also love the way you roll with the minor hiccups EVERY cruise has!  I don't want to take away from your time at all so don't feel any pressure to do this... but could you take a photo of the bartenders at the Retreat Sundeck Bar??  We're going to be on Silhouette soon and wondered who we might be hanging out with everyday?!?

We used Rome Cabs for our Apex TA on Saturday, Oct. 29th.  Our hotel was on Via del Corso(very busy street). There was no parking by our hotel. Our pickup time was 9:45.  We came downstairs at 9:35 and our driver was waiting for us right outside the door.  He had parked his car with the emergency flashers on right on the street.  We walked 50 feet to our car.  He loaded our bags.  He drove us quickly and safely to Civitivecchia.  Everything was literally perfect.  I will used Rome Cabs every time I'm in the Rome area.  I have nothing bad to say about them at all.  From their website to their email communication to our experience with our driver... absolute perfection.

We did the Mixology Class on Silhouette in March '22.  There were 8 of us in the World Class Bar.  Our experience was very similar to PinkSandGirl...  around 1.5 hours, made 4 drinks, all off of the regular menu, different spirits and glasses, etc.  It was a ton of fun!  It helped that my wife and I did it with friends we had made on the cruise.  There was a theme that I can't remember now but I know the last drink was Strawberry Cheesecake.  Every drink was amazing and it was a great way to connect with our favorite bartenders at the World Class... we would did it again in a heartbeat! 

55 minutes ago, durangokid said:

Thanks. We are in 6246 and it hasn't changed.  I wouldn't mind a move to an unobstructed balcony but not going to push it. Did not want to bid on an upgrade but maybe I will ask if there are any other balconies available after we board.  Thanks!

It never hurts to ask... good luck!  Sunday can't come soon enough!

Hello Nebraskans! My wife and I are going on Equinox on Nov. 7th.  We live in west Omaha.  We have rapid antigen scheduled for tomorrow morning at a CVS in La Vista. We scheduled our tests at 13 days out on the CVS website.  There are only a few CVS that are doing the rapid antigen test in our area.  I looked at having our tests at Walgreens but I didn't like that you couldn't reserve them out as far as CVS and I was worried about their turn around time on the tests.  CVS was saying 15-30 minutes, Walgreens was saying 24 hours or less.  We did buy at-home tests as a back up if for some reason our tests get cancelled.  We did get texts this morning from CVS confirming our times tomorrow morning so I'm pretty optimistic!  Hoping/praying for negative tests... can't wait to cruise again!!

4 hours ago, durangokid said:

If I may ask, how long ago did you receive notice of the change and what were the cabin numbers you were in on deck 6?  My app and the Celebrity website still show currently same cabin we booked. TIA

 

Mary

We were in 6173 and they were in 6177.  I randomly checked the app on Sunday, Oct. 24 and our cabins had been moved.  I don't know when it happened exactly... but that is when I noticed.  Celebrity moved us to a cabin on deck 10 that was pretty far forward and I have some motion sickness issues so I called to request that they move us more midship.  Thankfully they did and now we're really happy with our cabin.

4 minutes ago, durangokid said:

We are on deck 6 for the November 7 sailing.  No changes on ours either.  

 

Mary

DW and I are sailing on Nov. 7th along with her brother and SIL.  We were both in cabins on deck 6.  We were moved to deck 10 and they were moved to deck 7.

1 hour ago, funatseascott said:

"The chef even came out to talk to us as Sophia ordered off the menu and the chef obliged."

 

I'm assuming this was what Sophia ordered from off-menu... it looks amazing!!  What is it??

We've stayed in the OV cabins on deck 3 on three separate cruises.  We loved it every single time! It was awesome being so close to so many places we wanted to hang out at... Martini Bar, Cafe al Bacio, World Class Bar, Passport Bar, MDR, etc.  And we never heard noise from outside our cabin at all.  The first time we were in an OV we were further down the hall from the public areas but after seeing how quiet it was we moved to the first couple of cabins down the hall from guest services.  It was incredible... we were less than 100 steps from our table in the MDR!  I would never hesitate to get an OV on deck 3.  Oh and we would always choose being on a ship longer...

13 hours ago, aring75 said:

I will definitely take photos of the MDR menus. Not sure if they are doing printed menus right now or if they are suggesting we use the app. I will let you know what I find. 

From every person doing a longer sailing on the Equinox in the coming months we thank you for posting MDR menus from the bottom of our collective heart!!  Have a blast on your journey through the Caribbean!  Hopefully Tropical Storm Grace doesn't alter your stops too much or at all!

There are so many foods that I miss but here are a few...

1) The bread in the MDR with the all the different butter/spreads.

2) Cafe Al Bacio pastries... I love the walk there from my room in the morning anticipating what the selection will be that day.

3) Grand Marnier Souffle in Murano.

4) Prime rib in the MDR.

5) Butter Chicken in the Oceanview - Usually they only have it once/cruise.  I'll walk through the Oceanview every lunch and dinner to check out the Indian selections hoping they'll have Butter Chicken.  Even if I've just finished dinner in the MDR I'll make sure I get a plate of it.

6) Strawberry ice cream w/ sour patch kids mixed in - I'm 41... but you'd never know it from my ice cream choices!

7) French Onion Soup - it's good everywhere on Celebrity but in 2019 I was on Edge and had it in Le Grand Bistro as part of a "Le Petit Chef" show.  I can't fully explain how good it was! 

A story to go along with this... on the last day before we had to get off the ship my wife went to Le Grand Bistro and asked one of the servers if we could just come in and have the soup.  They welcomed us in and gave us each a bowl!  AND THEN... the sommelier that we had had from Le Petit Chef walked by and recognized us so she stopped and talked for a bit.  Then she left and went into the kitchen area and brought back my wife's favorite wine from that night.  It was a PERFECT illustration of everything good about the service on Celebrity!

I MISS CRUISING SO MUCH!!!!

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR POSTING WHO THE OFFICERS ARE!  I'm really sorry that you had to jump through the hoops to make that happen though... seems pretty crazy to bury that information so deep in the TV menus.  So excited to follow along on your TA!

I may have missed it but did you post the "In The Spotlight" sheet with the list of current Edge Officers/Directors?  If you haven't posted it could you?  If you have posted it sorry that I missed it.  Thanks!

A few years ago on Equinox my wife and I would hit the pizza station late at night before going back to our room. We'd order a special pizza with our favorite toppings.  They made it for us.  We only did it a couple of times but they never said no so I would guess that if they're open and making pizzas that they would be willing to accommodate you.  It was awesome to have fresh, hot pizza with only the toppings you wanted!  Good luck!

My wife and I did this this tour a couple of years ago and loved it!  We saw so many cool beaches.  Got to watch people jump off the cliff.  Snorkeled a little bit.  The bus we rode around in was fun.  They had unlimited water, beer and rum punch for us to drink.  We thought it was a really awesome way to see a lot of the island and many of its beaches.  We'll be there again this fall and wish we could do it again but our ship isn't arriving until 3:30pm.  Here are a couple of photos from some of the beaches we hit.  Good luck with your decision! 

14 minutes ago, mfs2k said:

 

Curious why you don't make specialty restaurant reservations 1-2 months in advance on Celebrity's website?  I just did.  This way, I am assured to get the dates and times I want.  

We usually get a 4 or 5 meal package which can save you quite a bit of money.  You can only book one meal when you pre-purchase one of those packages... and your reservation has to be on either the first or second night.  We really enjoy the menus in the MDR on those first two nights so that's where we like to eat.  So... when we go to Murano when we first board we reschedule that first reservation and then make the other 3-4 reservations we need to make because of the package.  And we do that first because we know that the specialty restaurants fill up quickly with the times we probably want to eat so we do it right away.  

The first thing we do when we get on board is go to Murano to make all of our specialty restaurant reservations.  Then we head to the MDR to check on the location of our table if we are doing fixed dining.  My wife and I don't prefer being at a 2 person table that's 4 inches from another 2 person table.  After that we go to the Martini Bar for our first Decadence.  Then we just sit and look at each other the biggest grins on our faces knowing what our lives are going to be like while we're cruising!!