Gracie115

16 minutes ago, PTC DAWG said:

Reading this thread, I can see why Celebrity made the E class different...they can't keep catering to an older and older crowd.  

 

Complaints about music etc...younger folks like music...I'm 60 and I like to hear music around the pool etc...at my house, there is music going around my pool when I'm out there...

 

They do have the solarium on these ships if you want tranquility...puts me to sleep.  

 

Choices are good..glad Celebrity made this one.  

I like music around my  pool too and in my house....but not to the point where speaking to others has to be near shouting and or also entertaining my neighbors it's so loud......which is what I found on E class ships.....

Just one of the many things we didn't like on Apex....

Have never had a problem upgrading after final payment as long as the upgrade is more than the room already booked, even just $1.00 more.  Have also not booked guarantees so maybe that's the difference.

2 hours ago, fabo said:

I was able to find a company that did some interior work (see pictures from their linkedin) on equinox during this dry dock. They are called Ready2Sail. On their portfolio they list some turn key projects (see picture) including Equinox. According to that list they did: CARPET AND TILES INSTALLATION IN OCV, MDR,
CELEBRITY CRUISE LINES ENSAMBLE ENTRANCE, TUSCAN GRILL AND CELEBRITY CENTRAL

 

EDIT:As mentioned in the linkedin post they also replaced some stage flooring.

 

 

Sadly so far I was unable to find any details on what if any work was done to the cabins. I sure hope they have been refurbished to reflect the standard of Silhouette. From what I have been seeing most of the cabins are in a horrible state between to styles and worn down. Anyone find anything else?

 

Another video I found showing some of the outside work done: https://www.facebook.com/reel/979725683589407

Strange that description doesn't mention the renovation of the Family Veranda to Horizon Suites at the front of the ship......  Hope they got done or whoever has booked those rooms is not going to be happy.

23 minutes ago, Baron Barracuda said:

A few years back in an expense cutting move they took production of the shows on Celebrity in house.  Result was a series of bland productions barely distinguishable from each other.  Top Hat, Chandelier, etc all featured similar aerial acts, mostly unrecognizable songs interspersed with brief snippets of a few popular ones and male singers who could hit all the high notes but none of the low ones.  They also scaled back live music in the lounges.

You sure got that right....

3 hours ago, nelblu said:

I can't even remember the name of the CD even during the sail.🤣

Except for a guy named Alejandro on Celebrity I don't remember a single one either.  He was exceptional...and at the time was an assistant CD, apparently has gone onto to CD on all their newest ships.   

26 minutes ago, Ex-Airbalancer said:

After 5 years the furnishing on E class ship will also appear to be old and ragged 😁

 

And the Edge is already 6 years old......give it a pass for now because of the 18 month Covid shutdown....but getting close!! 

22 hours ago, lv2cruisgrl said:

I am 69, I look and feel 60 and I have done 45 cruises.  I love things old and new. In the past we have loved all the celebrity ships but new things appeal to me more than old and ragged.  

I don't think there's anything "ragged" about S class ships.   Newer is not necessarily better in our minds.  We also will never sail Edge class again.  Loud, not easily navigable, chairs in most areas uncomfortable, can't believe how heavy the MDR chairs are (and I am not weak), specialty restaurants Fine Cut and Le Petit not up to X standards at all both meals mediocre and the noise from the martini area made it impossible to hear across the table.  Seating in the "Club" horrible, so few seats have decent viewing of whatever is going on in the center, huge waste of space.  

We liked the theater.  

Our next cruise is on the Equinox coming out of drydock tomorrow, so shouldn't look too old and raggedy......😁

17 minutes ago, orville99 said:

Yes, we do. Have done all of our own bookings for about 20 years so far. We do make use of the cruise line's concierge services when we decide to book on a new cruise line in order to better  understand the nuances of their booking process, but when it becomes time to book, we always do it ourselves.

 

Case in point:

When we decided this year to book on a new cruise line, I went over to their CC board, and several posters insisted that I would be better off if I used a TA to book. I tried that with several agencies, and in each case, the booking would have ended up costing me the exact same amount, they could (or would) not book me in the category I requested, and neglected to tell me that the "OBC" they were going to give me for booking with them was the same OBC that the cruise line was going to give me for booking direct.

This was my feelings until about 2 years ago when I began using an agency someone recommended and have literally saved $1000's by doing so.  Not only do I receive a check in the amount of about 8% of the cruise cost, but there is usually a bit of OBC thrown in.  Have never had an issue having them book exactly what we wanted and the agent I work with is very helpful.  I usually book the room and then they take it over from there.  Wish I had done it years ago.

We are long time Celebrity cruisers who just sailed on Royal's Allure of the seas, Oasis class.  We had a great time.  We ate dinners in Specialty restaurants and enjoyed all of them.  The ship was completely full, but we never waited in lines for anything.  The entertainment was good to great. It was only a 4 night cruise, but fun enough that we booked another one on the Utopia which is a sister ship that is brand new.  It's easy for us since Port Canaveral is only an hour away from home. 

We've been disappointed in Celebrity the last few cruises.  I don't think the food is any better for the most part.  The IV "balconies"  don't work for us.  Hate the idea that the Captain can, at any time, close the window.  One of the things we enjoy the most about cruising is the balcony.  Sitting on it sipping a glass of wine in the evening before dinner, or before retiring for the evening the IV just doesn't have the same or equal feel at all.  The entertainment is good in the theaters on Celebrity but not much otherwise....  they DO have a lot of trivia games though if that's what you enjoy.

I don't know if we will ever try the Icon class as it's even bigger and even more accented toward the pool and other amusement park type things, but we like the Oasis class. Have been on 3 of them now and always enjoyed what they have to offer. 

We are now at 284 points and finally received our 1st block on our Allure cruise last week.  They are kind of cool and definitely made of glass, very heavy.  

Good idea as a doorstop.....lol

On 5/5/2024 at 3:52 AM, Chan50 said:

Hi

 

We are first time Royal Caribbean cruisers and wanted to understand what suite perks are part of being in a Grand Suite on Anthem of the Seas?

 

Does the lounge admit Grand suite guests and does it serve alcohol through the day? Just trying to weigh up drinks package options and suite perks.

 

 

 

 

Thank you all in advance 

We were in a Grand Suite on Anthem and while, no, they don't serve alcohol all day long, you can get drinks during lunch at CK and of course all evening in the suite lounge and CK.  We were fine with that plus our D+ free drinks.  

Go back to the balcony room.  We are just off Allure and while we love JS & above the cost these days is crazy.  We booked a regular ocean balcony room and added the Key to our reservations.  The room was fine, the Key got us the welcome lunch, internet, excellent seats at the shows and discounts on Spec Dining.  Yes it was a couple hundred $$ but that's nothing compared to what it would have cost to upgrade to a JS or better.  

We are now booking a 4 night on the Utopia and doing the same thing.  Not sure we would like the balcony room on a longer(10 nights or more) cruise but for a short cruise it's just fine.  

1 hour ago, PTC DAWG said:

I’m a big S class fan myself..but the Sky Lounge is under utilized, IMHO..and it’s not like you are outside in the wind. 

I wasn't referring to the Sky Lounge, which is very nice to just look out, but yes under utilized.  There are areas outside on the S class ships that you can be right at the bow of the boat on decks 15 & 16...... also deck 12 on M class.   

9 minutes ago, PTC DAWG said:

I don’t sail on Carnival owned lines..that said, I’m sure they have boards you can get info on. 

I already have the info, and, thankfully, the S class ships are great for bow views for everyone. Which is what we book, will not book E class again, for many reasons.  

20 hours ago, PTC DAWG said:

The newly designed Sunset Bar on Beyond and Ascent are great connections to the ocean..the best I have seen on any ship. YMMV. Maybe they kept you from going outside. 🙂

For many people, me included, the view from the front of the ship is for more preferable than from the aft.  I like the aft, but it just doesn't match that feeling you get standing at the front of the ship, the wind in your hair, sometimes strong enough to feel like you may just become part of it.   One of my favorite things about cruising. 

We even seek out rooms that face the front with balconies.  Princess has many of them on Royal class ships, HAL has a few on their newer ships.....

3 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

Our main decision is related to the food in Luminae.   While they have the same menus we get the feeling the meals are being made banquet style and were often over cooked, missing items or cold in the middle of numerous entrees.   On the M and S class ships they cook all dishes to order -  there may be a slightly longer wait time but was very pleased with all meals I've ever had on M and S Class ships.

 

The other thing we don't like is the sheer number of additional people.   While it usually doesn't affect Suite Passengers --- Disembarkation at some ports cold take 2+ hours and even leaving the ship as a Suite Passenger with escorts was delayed and of course the glares you get as you are escorted to the front of the line can be uncomfortable.

 

The other thing we don't like is that all of the specialty restaurants are open air (no walls) and very noisy.    Finally there is not Tuscan Specialty or Murano.     Final Cut's just doesn't do it for us.

These are also many of the things we don't like about "e" class ships @MyView.  We were very disappointed in our last 2 X cruises, both on the Apex.  Luminae was nearly always very crowded, noisy and the food nowhere near the quality on the S or M class ships. As I said our sailings were on Apex and I know that Beyond & especially Ascent have an even larger Luminae with more suites...so the wonderful ambiance that the smaller, older ships have is completely lost in that environment.    Just our "2 cents"

20 hours ago, KiwiCruiser59 said:

My Wife & I are finally returning to big ships after 5 years and we're really looking forward to it. Things have changed with Celebrity since we last sailed on the Equinox in the Caribbean and I was hoping for some guidance, if possible, please?

• Is it best to purchase the upgrade from Classic to Premium Beverage Package on the website OR call? The website only offered 5% discount and I had read that by calling, you may get a better deal with a Captains Club discount, instead. 
• Are Specialty Dining Packages better to purchase once on board? I recall crew selling them at a reduced rate the last time we sailed. 
• Will there be Formal Nights? We're on board for 19 nights so it would be great to know how many to pack for.
• Do they still do Theme Nights? "White Night" "80s Night" etc?
• Mandatory Pre-boarding Testing and Screening : What documentation will they require? Proof of vaccination? RAT-test?

Thanks very much for your time and I look forward to any advice you are willing to share. 

What kind of room are you in?  If any kind of suite I wouldn't buy a Specialty Dining Package because you have Luminae to dine in.  Even if you are not in a suite I would probably avoid the package because you can usually get better rates on board.  

No formal nights, "elegant chic" is what they are calling it now, but the last few cruises we have seen fewer and fewer formal wear, although there are some.  I would think on 19 nights you would have 3 - 4 of those.  

No proof of vaccine has been required recently.  

Hope you have a wonderful time on your cruise.  Let us now how the Equinox looks since you will be boarding right after it's 3 week drydock!!

6 hours ago, BuckeyeMark said:

Never been on Apex before. Excited about it - the ship looks amazing. However, I'm thinking there is no forward location to see off the front of the ship. That's prolly not the best nautical terminology but I'm looking for a place where I can stand and see what's coming up. Not on the top deck SIDE watching as the world slides by ... I want to look forward and see what's coming. Is there a lounge, deck, place where that can be done, especially if you're not a suite, Aqua class or other higher up cabin class? What if you're in an interior cabin - where can you go to see out the front of the ship?

Nowhere

Thanks for taking the time of entertaining us all for the last few weeks.  I can tell it was a wonderful trip filled with new and old memories.  I can't wait to see your "Live" report from your first Oceania cruise.

11 hours ago, Ex-Airbalancer said:

I would love 10% deposit 😁

on our November cruise our deposit is 58% of the cruise price 

 

Wow....that's just crazy...

2 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

After the large Zenith Lunch, we decided to take a break and had a Pizza and TV night in our cabin.   Just let out Butler know and he went upstairs to OVC and had them make a Pizza to our specifications.  

 

It was nice to just kick back and relas.

It's wonderful to be on the ship for an extended period and have time to do just this....... enjoy!!

6 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

Last night was our least favorite Luminae. 
 

Menu 3

 

 

we ended ordering from MDR - it was a French Mushroom Pot Pie.  It was actually quite nice.   
 

For desert I had the new Orange desert on Luminae.  
 

 

 

I think I would have opted for the Swiss Chard & Butternut squash lasagna just for the heck of it....sounds interesting.

But that orange dessert looks yummy!!!

4 hours ago, abbydancer2003 said:

 

 

We're on the Beyond next.  Luminae meals are going to be a challenge.  On Apex last year, I had a small filet with bernaise most nights.

Last year on Apex I wound up with the "Kids" menu bolognese for about half the dinners.....  (didn't realize it was the "kids" until the last night when Sonny the waiter told me)

So easy to get to and you don't have to deal with South Florida traffic...which is miserable.  

We are boarding a Royal ship on Monday there,  have sailed from there several times, always easy.

12 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

I usually don't use it much but siting out there now as we approach Hilo.    Perfect 72F and while it is currently in the morning sun it is very comfortable.

 

It's a shame they removed the wonderful thick padded lounge that was once on all those slant CS balconies.  The cushion when in the sun was like a body length heating pad, felt great on arthritic bones!!