HeddaGarbled

On Beyond for 10 days in the Med, it was locked shut twice when we got back from short port visits, for window cleaning. I’m guessing they picked times when most passengers were off the ship. Once we’d had lunch and come back to the cabin, they were unlocked again. We didn’t have any bad weather.

It’s do to with consumer regulations: in the U.K, the price quoted on menus etc, must be the price you pay. Hidden extras aren’t allowed. That’s the gratuities/service charge. So it’s the same drinks, same price, but with honest pricing.

Booked GTY IV on Beyond, allocated almost immediately, think it was 9171 (can’t quite remember, something like that), very happy with it.

Albeit served in plastic glasses because of the wind.

No, it’s a normal bar with normal range of drinks.

Yes, I’ve had glasses of red wine at the WCB on Beyond (October 2023). I can’t remember exactly what was on the menu but maybe 2 or 3 that came within the Classic Package and then another 2 or 3 over that limit.

No theatre - the performances are on the floor by the bar. They are high energy and very popular. Early evening, they have gentler, short sets from solo guitarists and similar, which we really enjoyed listening to with a drink before dinner. There are lovely wake views from the chairs along the balcony. They turn them to face the window during the day, and the entertainment space at night.

Oh my goodness, it’s not just Retreat guests. Two incidents from our recent cruise: Re-boarding at a port, walking past the crew handing out iced flannels and cold drinks. Woman in front of us barks the single word “orange” at the crew member, no please, no thank you, no smile, can’t even stretch herself to a sentence. In the theatre before an excursion, husband has just been given two bottles of water by the crew member supervising the table. Woman steps up - “I need water” and picks up the two bottles (my husband calmly took them back off her).

Eden would have solo guitarists (and a cellist) every evening around 7.00pm, and there was a variety of bands and soloists in the atrium (by the martini bar) all through the evenings. I think the Sunset Bar had performers too but we didn’t get to any of those.

Ha, there’d be riots! I think the last sentence is referring to the drinks listed in the first paragraph. Agree, could have been worded better, unless there is a subsequent paragraph making it clear which drinks are always freely available.

I think I’d probably assume that I’m not going to get 9 loungers together by the pool, and go and choose a nice spot elsewhere. Less stressful, I think.

The chairs are comfortable. I’d put my feet up on the table. I never tried it out for 3 hours though.

Yes, I liked it (Beyond, Med, October). Walking into the cabin every time to that wonderful floor to ceiling view was a joy and I spent a good amount of time sitting in the “balcony area” with the window down listening to the sound of the sea and looking at the view, or hanging over the ledge doing the same.

OV on Edge class is spacious. Yeah, gets busy at busy times but never failed to get a seat. The food is excellent, too.

We can’t afford suites, Oceania, Regent etc. For us, the price comparison is Princess, HAL, P&O, Royal Caribbean. If the itinerary was attractive enough, I’d definitely jump but it would be a jump towards rather than a jump away from, if you understand me. I’m very tempted by Celebrity’s new Iceland itinerary for my next cruise.