andyfriend80

At the end of the day a cruise is what we make of it. I’m sure you’ll have a great time!

We sailed on Virtuosa and Iona last year. 
 

At the time we didn’t think much of Virtuosa as their COVID procedures were very lax. We also found it odd that people could get on and off at different ports. 
 

Rooms were ok. Kids club was very limited but may have improved now. 
 

Specialty restaurants were very good. There was  limited seating inside and our sense was that the ship was designed for warm weather cruising. 
 

I rang them at the weekend and they added the credit for the two cruises I booked direct. They couldn’t add it to the one I booked onboard as it already had increased credit. A good result though!

They do provide them. They take up quite a lot of room in the cabin so they will put put them away during the day if you ask. We didn’t bother as our son used to nap in it during the day. 

I think it is worth it just to get the choice of cabin location - of course it depends how much it is though. 
 

Choice of cabin location is a personal thing. Most places seem to say to have one with cabins above and below as it’s quieter than having a bar etc. underneath. If you have a forward or aft one you can end up a long way away from things but I’ve never found that a problem. Higher up cabins have a bit more movement if the sea is rough but again, never found it a problem. 

Our 2.5 year old slept in the sofa bed on our last two cruises. When we went on Celebrity when he was 6 months, they were a standard size travel cot. They take up a lot of space in the cabin which is partly why we didn’t bother. 

4 hours ago, ohnonotmeagain said:

This is obviously my personal opinion..... having disembarked on Sat 11th Sept after a full week....

 There is practically NO social distancing, even before you get on board, we had to wait an hour and half in what I can only describe as a glorified shed with hundreds of other people waiting for paperwork to be checked , that's even before the covid test.

The ships tannoy repeatedly requested guests to socially distance [ you can't or some just didn't] AND wear masks unless seated eating or drinking [again many many didn't for example in the theatre]

Rumours were rife that at least 45 staff had covid as did many passengers.... I must stress that these were rumours but I myself saw crew in full hazmat suits delivering food to cabins.

Self serve buffet was stopped - crew only service .

Regarding YC.... unless you didn't come out of YC [ no shows, shops etc] you still have to mingle with other PAX and staff .I cannot believe that all levels of stall don't mix below decks so to speak

There were queues for everything, buffet, bars, shows ,pool bars_ not enough staff for the number of people, don't get me wrong, the staff worked bl00dy hard, there just wasn't enough of them.

The CD and Captain were noticeable by their absence. CD around 1st day then stand in.....

Never saw or heard from captain,  and didn't see any high level crew walking around like you normally do.

I could go on but I think you get the picture....

 

We were on that cruise as well and your experience is the same as ours. 
 

I think with fewer people on it will be better. We had some great moments as well as the chaos. Indochine and Butcher’s Cut were exceptional. 

We cruised with our son when he was 6 months. It was great and he had an amazing time. 
 

We used to put him in his pjamas and get him to sleep in the pushchair and then head for a drink or two. Sometimes we’d eat in the main restaurant with him (they found us a great spot in a corner where he wouldn’t bother anyone!) Other days we ate in the buffet because it was just easier. 
 

Hope you have a great time! 

Coronavirus outbreak could last until next spring and hospitalise 7.9 million, says leaked Public Health England document

The figures in the leaked document used "reasonable worse-case scenario figures".

https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-phe-document-says-7-9-million-britons-could-be-hospitalised-11958143

A month ago I was planning what to do on our cruise  at the end of May.  Now I'm wondering how we'll manage work/day to day practicalities.  

Wishing you safe travels.  Terrible situation for everyone.

4 hours ago, TourDeCruise said:

We are booked on the April 24th Reflection British Isles and Ireland TA and cruise that follows. We are not optimistic. We are also hoping others will weigh in on this.

I think it's very unlikely it will go ahead.

We are in the UK and they are saying the peak of the virus will be mid May / early June.  

I have just cancelled our Ireland/Iceland cruise from Southampton for end of May.

2 minutes ago, Debs224 said:

We are sailing May 9th from Barcelona on the Infinity and, fingers crossed, this will all be history by then. 

 

I understand that this virus is bad, but most healthy people will recover.   For those with compromised immune systems or elderly people they should absolutely stay home.  For the rest of us, we need to travel smart - keep our distance, wash hands, avoid contact, etc.  When we return we certainly plan to limit our movements for the first 2 weeks if necessary.  Even now I am not visiting my parents in their retirement home despite having no symptoms and low possibility of having contracted the virus.  Be smart - but we can't be afraid.

Sadly I think that's unlikely.  UK Government say the peak here will be mid May - June.  Spain has just banned all cruise ships from docking for at least the next two weeks.

I am gutted because we are booked on Ireland and Iceland cruise at the end of May.

4 minutes ago, Debbiem83 said:

I’m still going!!!! Unless celebrity cancel it for me, I will be onboard at end of May! I’m healthy and I will take extra precautions, but I am determined not to let the possible threat of isolation or virus dictate my holiday plans!!

 

I’m not reading the mixed information available online. If they haven’t shut the country down by then, I’ll be off!! 

That was exactly how I felt.  The bit that worries me more than getting sick is that the ship can't dock in some of the places it is due to visit.  That can happen any time but a cruise is a lot of money and the risk of missing some of the key ports is too great.  Final payment not due until 3rd April but it doesn't look good.

We are on Silhouette at the end of May (Ireland and Iceland) and Iona (Fjords) in September.  Who only knows what will happen! 

We normally just book for a specific cruise and then change it later to the one we really want to do.  I've only done it with one but next time I'll do it with two.

52 minutes ago, cruisejunkie136 said:

I am currently sailing on the Celebrity Silhouette.  We  just left the port of Miami where we did in fact dock in the commercial area of the port and personally observed two people depart the ship from my balcony.  We were informed last night vía a captains announcement that passengers were disembarking due to an undisclosed medical emergency and are once again returning to Miami.   During the same announcement and as a result of us returning twice now, due to unforeseen circumstances, all passengers are receiving a 25% refund back on our original form of payment and two days worth of OBC .

Fast forward to the “Return to Miami part II”.......

As mentioned above, I am on my balcony watching this.  The odd part of this “medical disembarkation” was that both persons left in a  taxi.   There were two marked  police cars and a fire truck on scene.  The interaction between the parties was casual and appeared more whimsical to the extent that the departing guests were posing for photos while at the pier.  This resulted in them getting booed by fellow cruisers watching this exchange.   Hmmm.  
I don’t want to feed into any rumors but I feel more at ease knowing they were not surrounded by numerous health professionals in masks and gloves and leaving in an ambulance.  (On the return to Miami part I both passengers left in far from desirable methods)
I can say that the executive staff is doing their best informing us as much as they can during these trying times for the industry .  We are back on course although  I am not clear on what our next stop will be.  

 A lot of information is getting distorted by keyboard cowboys and adding to the hysteria that we really do not need.  I just wanted to share my personal observations to dispel any rumors.  
 

the mood on board is not very festive but we are all trying our best to enjoy our vacation and make light of the situation.  The beverage package is a huge help.  

Safe travels to all.  
 

Thank you for sharing and I hope you enjoy the rest of your cruise. Hopefully the rest of it will be less eventful!

I've been asking myself the same question. 

Final payment for our Ireland/Iceland cruise is early next month. As we booked onboard we can move it for free before final payment. 

We are travelling with a 15 month old and even the thought of being confined to a cabin is not in the least appealing. It would be ok for a few days but 2 weeks would be a nightmare!

1 minute ago, BigAl94 said:

Reported that ambulance and police cars are on the dock

We were medevaced from Port of Miami a couple of years ago.  They bring the Border Protection, customs and paramaedics on to the ship to clear the passengers before they get off.

It's very busy at Port of Miami today so I suspect it is nothing more than that as to why they have docked in the container dock.

1 hour ago, WestLakeGirl said:

No sky lounge

Not enough bars and no quiet intimate ones

No reasonably priced gift shops

No card room 

No coffee  table in stateroom

TV doesn’t swivel

uncomfortable seating in stateroom and throughout  the ship

there’s more but this is what comes to mind when I think of The Blunders of Edge

 

 

That's what makes us all different.  

None of those things would bother me too much.

We have only been on Solstice class but I'm planning to book on the Apex TA.

We enjoyed the lunch on our last cruise.  My tip would be to get a glass of wine before you get there; the drinks waiters were run of their feet and we never did get a drink.

Any on the "hump" are good.  We have had 9241 and are back in it next year.  Great balcony size and convenient for everything but very quiet. 

I don't really get the al bacio issue.  If it's busy during the day we get coffee to go and find somewhere to sit in one of the bars that are closed; no problem.

Our favourite spot changes each cruise.  The relaxation lounge is always good but last cruise we didn't go there at all as we were with our little one. Ocean View Cafe in the evening was brilliant; quiet, floor to ceiling windows, good drinks service.

42 minutes ago, bluwes said:

Norris, Thanks for this great review. We are late to the party as we have just got back from an eventful Edge sailing around the Amalfi coast and the Greek Islands. While on board we booked this itinerary for next August which has an additional day in Geiranger making it an 8 day.

Cant wait for your ports photos.

We were on this cruise and had a great time.  I did enjoy the 8 day itinerary a little more though; Gerainger is stunning.

Horses for courses. We have been Aqua (A1 & A2) , Concierge and Balcony.

We love Blu and have never had a problem with either A1 or A2 categories. Sadly we can no longer travel Aqua as we have a little one.