Arubamoose

We recently returned from Israel on the Odyssey. We did not book through the ship. We booked a three day package through Guided Tours Israel. We did an overnight in Ashdod and a day ported in Haifa. Day one we went to Jerusalem and Bethlehem. Day two we did Masada and the Dead Sea. Day three we went to Galilee. Be prepared for long bus rides since none of the sights are close to the ports. I would heartily recommend them as a tour company. Not to say that we didn't run into a few hiccups along the way. But it is Israel. Just so long as your expectations are not unrealistic. Security is tight. The tours are long and tiring. Ship happens.

We were on the Apex last February on an 8 day cruise and we ate in Fine Cuts twice and Eden once. DH ordered the tomahawk twice. I ordered it once and another cut once. Best steak on a cruise ship. Ordered a rib eye on the Enchantment in Chops and half of it was inedible - gristle. Hoping that it's still as good for our February B2B on the Edge. We have a three night on each leg. With all the chatter about the cutbacks I am worried.

Not a good sign. Going on the Edge in February and was looking forward to the super grill night that we enjoyed on the Apex last year. Remember when X offered sushi at 5 O'clock in the OV??? I honestly don't mind smaller portions. I prefer trying little bites of items and hate waste. If I am really that hungry - I'll indulge in another bite.

We usually do not do buffet for dinner but I would miss it. Remember when X did a sushi station in the buffet? DH and I would get some as soon as they opened and go back to the cabin and enjoy our appetizers on the balcony.

We are sailing on the edge in February and the charge is $4.95 between 11 PM and 5 AM 20% gratuity for beverages.

It isn't a biggie for me. I can turn down my own bed. Don't need the chocolates. I am a save the earth type of person - I use my towels more than once and make a point to hang them up. The daily can be gotten rid of - no need to kill more trees. The only thing I would miss is my ice. Gotta have my ice in the evening.

Arashi is a lot further from the port - 7 miles vs. 2 miles for Arashi. Don't know if you are doing a taxi or bus.

It is about 5 miles. We have been going to Aruba since 1984 for two or three weeks each year. Sole Mare used to be a favorite but has dropped out of our rotation due to some poor service issues way before Covid. The one redeeming dish is the pasta in the flaming wheel of cheese but you can get that dish elsewhere. I would recommend Azzuro's instead if that dish is what you are looking for. Azzuro's has a prettier space with Ocean views - Sole Mare is just a plain restaurant.

I received the same info from Avila. Thanks for the info on the Renaissance Wind Creek. My fear is that with two ships in - we may be closed out without a reservation. The Marriott has the following info on their website: Harmony pool and beach access Serenity pool access: Adults only Beach towel and lounge chair Food and beverage credit to be consumed at Salty Iguana Ocean Grill Daypass hours: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM Prices: NAF 75 per Adult with a NAF 35 food and beverage credit included NAF 35 per kid (6-12 years) with a NAF 15 food and beverage credit included Kids 0-5 years enter for free A reservation 24 hours prior is required. For reservations please call +5999 736 8800. Maximum 2 kids per adult. Valid upon availability. Please remember that reservations are required to get access to our day pass. A limited number of passes are available per day. I've tried looking for an email address for the Marriott Curacao but the only contact information I can find is a phone number. I would love to reach out to them but I am not calling Curacao! Anyone have an email address??

I am not in need of handicap access. Like SbbquilterUT said - getting out can be cold and windy and having to walk down the ramp all wet doesn't seem to be very conducive and counterproductive to a great hot tub experience. Although the high view aspect of them seems nice. I guess they won't be that crowded being out of the way.

I kind of figured that. Not very handicap accessible?!?!?

The two Champagne glass shaped hot tubs on deck 16 - How do you get to them? I don't see any elevators up to deck 16 outside of the Retreat area. Do you have to walk up the ramp from deck 15? Is that the only access?

I've had sparkling wine previous to Covid sailings.

We are currently on the March 4th 2024 out of Singapore and the following March 16th 2024 out of Yokohama. I see Celebrity does not have our cruises for sale but they are still listed in My Cruises. Yes I am worried because we really wanted to do Singapore after the Ovation was cancelled in 2021. We shall see!!

We had a form for my crystal block on the last Odyssey Europe sailing last month.. Personally - I don't mind. We are usually close to over on our luggage and don't need the extra weight. We had one for the Radiance in Alaska and we had so many heavy clothes that I had to carry that sucker in my backpack. I am curious to see how long it takes for them to send it. Probably a few years! Will have earned another by then!

We just got off the Odyssey and we only had reservations for the Book.

No Central Park or Boardwalk. It does have the Mall of America. Quantum class has to be my least favorite. Have done Anthem and Odyssey and going back on Odyssey this weekend only because of the itinerary. Walking around those ships makes me feel like I am at the mall. Shops that I have no interest in going in. Restaurants that feel like a food court instead of fine dining. No outside windows to let you know you are on a ship. Oasis class is my favorite because it has Central Park.

We've been to Curacao quite a number of times and I agree - Mambo Beach has seen better days. In the past we rented a car right at the cruise port. We've used Advance Car Rentals before - get in touch with Celestino De Freitas cvdefreitas85@gmail.com. We will be using Advance Car Rentals in February. Here is his email back to us: We can offer you a " Mid size " car. The price will be 125 USD for "One day Rent". The car is full insured. NO DEDUCTIBLE. No extra charges.Total to pay in cash ( included GPS ) = 125 Dollars ( in cash ! you can pay when you receive the car or return it back) We don't accept credit cards! In this price included a cell phone in case you need help or you want to extend or return the car earlier. Also you will get a map of the Island and a programmed GPS with all the best beaches of Curacao.We can deliver the car outside " The Mega Pier" when you walk, search for the security and find the gate on the yellow wall to come outside. I will be There with a paper and with your name on it! That you can recognize me. ( THE MAIN GATE WHERE THE TAXI ENTER TO THE PARKING LOT OF THE CRUISE PORT.)Only thing to keep in mind is timing - not sure what ship you are on and their port time. Curacao is a big island and you don't want to miss the boat!

I personally do not like the indoor pools on the Quantum class. Granted - they are gorgeous. However, you can't really swim or even stand in it. Basically, you just sit. I like to do aqua aerobics. At least the pool in the Oasis class is good for that. I am not a fan of the hot tub in the solarium on the Quantum class either.

I would agree with Glacier Wind. We even had a small whale swim under the boat!

I had used Ocean Potion in the past. LOVED the smell of it. Reef safe - no ingredients starting with O. Can no longer find it. Not even on Amazon! Going to Aruba soon and will look for it there. Hopefully they still carry it.

We are also doing this cruise next month. We have three full days in Israel. First two in Ashdod (overnight) and third in Haifa. Both dock at 8 AM. I don't know if your experience will be the same as ours. Will need to speak to the Diamond concierge first thing. Hopefully not!

I bought just after the COVID drop. Considering I've cruised RCCL/Celebrity 4 times since then - $400 is a very nice return on my $2500 investment. Plus I got $100 OBC on my next three cruises.

In our early days of cruising - we never went to specialities. Besides - back then you were lucky if there were two - Chops and Portofino's. We actually started when we sailed on NCL and Celebrity and they had more variety. Now that we are D+ we sometimes do a BOGO. We did Chops on the Enchantment last month. I've had a better bone-in rib eye from my local supermarket. Mine was half gristle and fat. Probably won't do Chops again anytime soon.

That's why I like Celebrity too - Sushi on Five.