TeeRick

Even though you are appalled with APEX, and some others have been negative, there have also been a lot of very positive posts from people recently off APEX. This is all taken in stride here on CC. For me it is best to try it myself and not worry too much what others say.

We did a late Jan sailing in Equinox this year. Luminae was excellent. We dined in Tuscan Grille and Murano, also both excellent. We could not get the right times (for us) for these restaurants pre-cruise, either online or by using the shoreside Retreat concierge (when she contacted us prior to the cruise). However she told us that they hold back perhaps 50% of the dining slots and times at Specialty restaurants until embarkation. We went directly to Murano once we boarded and booked it and Tuscan too. You can also do this with your butler or with the Retreat concierge. Have a great time on Equinox- we certainly did!

Lots of threads recently since January with similar complaints and comments if you want to vent even more about these changes with like-minded Celebrity customers.

I personally would not go on a vacation (or anywhere really) without at least basic wifi and my smart phone. A few short years ago I would have never said this. But now I find these things a basic part of my life. Not optional and not an added luxury. I am not judging at all but just stating that it is a sign of the times for me anyway.

Totally agree about the burgers!

We love the aft sky suites on S-Class ships and have stayed in them a number of times. We had two poles, but for us after day one we hardly noticed them. Also the aft view of the wake is not in any way obstructed. We have stayed twice with the window washing equipment on the side. Not really a big deal either. I would take any of these aft suites without hesitation. But note that it is more walking if you are mobility impaired.

I don't think this was too unusual. Coming on different plates would be expected. But at slightly different times is the norm, but that can be accommodated if possible (but not always).

She has pages on various social media sites - did you check any of these? Sometimes she comments on her schedule.

So what was stupid question number #356? Maybe this is stupid question #358? 😁

Good to know they paid you so quickly! Before traveling outside the US, I go to the GeoBlue website in their health network and find out some basic info on doctors, hospitals or clinics and record contact numbers in each country we are visiting. Just in case. They also issue medical/travel letters for those countries too and we take those along with us. It is a good overall package.

The fee for a second entrée in the MDR on Celebrity is only for the lobster. I don't think there is a fee for anything else but maybe somebody can confirm? Recently dined in Tuscan and Murano. There was no fee for additional entrees and appetizers were unlimited too. Same for Luminae. We typically get our separate entrée and also occasionally order another to share between us on the side. All delivered at the same time.

My son and I would enjoy playing shuffleboard on RCCL cruises when he was younger. I have not seen this on any Celebrity ship.

I have not been able to find a "trip only" policy without medical benefits. That would be nice to complement my GeoBlue plan. Some people do this additional trip coverage by relying on their credit card travel coverage benefit (for free). Can you switch to one of those CC's? I think a trip-only policy would still be quite expensive comparatively if it existed. Because those trip cancellation or interruption benefits are the costly items and most risky to the insurance companies in terms of numbers of possible claims. Yes a Med Evac claim would be expensive but very, very infrequent so low risk to the insurance company.

It is actually two different things. I will speak for us. It is different for everybody. 1) We buy the GeoBlue medical policy (Trekker Essential) which is annual and covers all of your trips and vacations for an entire year. If you travel outside the US it is worth it, whether it is cruising or a land vacation. GeoBlue is a backup to our primary medical insurance. They have a health network in almost every country. It is pretty inexpensive. 2) For cruises, a separate travel policy is needed if you are worried about trip cancellation and disruption, lost luggage, the usual stuff. These do come with some medical coverage benefits too. Maybe for a single trip (cruise) this is all you need but it is generally very expensive. So we personally choose not to buy it. We are more worried about a major medical event and cost of that. The travel cancellation stuff is a risk we choose to take.

Ok no problem at all. I was just reporting on my policy from GeoBlue. There are different ones. I have the Trekker.

I have the annual plan for multiple trips. It covers $500k for Medical Evacuation.

Huge problem since the pandemic. There are a number of reasons. For cruise industry, it is also an issue beyond recruiting. It is also proper training.

Thank You @Georgia_Peaches.

I may be wrong but I do not believe they are purposely and actively cutting staff. It is just hard to recruit them and fill their vacancies. And there is a lot of shifting of experienced staff to a new build (Beyond, and soon Ascent) when it launches. And think about the number of huge new ships from all lines being built and launching. There is just not enough staff to recruit across the industry.

I agree that you need extra medical coverage to deal with possible medivac events and major uncovered medical expenses. We use GeoBlue for this and get a 1 year annual policy. Pretty inexpensive. As for trip protection, interruption, lost luggage, etc. the travel insurance for that is pretty expensive in general. Sometimes we do not get that and take the chance and self-insure. But it depends entirely on your own personal financial situation and level of risk.

With StarLink this is much less of an issue these days.

Very interesting! Did they also carry cassette tapes, plastic disposable cameras, laser discs?😀

You can find the payphone in the Sky Lounge on E-Class ships.

Yes this family hours policy is a good example of The Needs of the Few Outweighing the Needs of the Many. Reverse Spock logic!👽

I have not even heard the term walkie-talkie for at least twenty years. 🙂