phoenix_dream

When I can't afford a suite I always book Aqua primarily for Blu as we don't really use the spa. Much prefer the restaurant to the MDR, including for a nice sit down breakfast. I disagree that all the cabins are way upfront. We have a B2B on Reflection in November and we have Aqua Class with a nice hump balcony.

She answered it because they had already announced that they were going to add more real balconies to the next new ships. So that was a good news answer that took no thought and required no management speak to get us to accept it. I'm still waiting for an answer to the loungers and/or footstools on balconies, which matters to a lot of us. Nothing yet.

And best of luck to you. The hump cabins are often the first to go as those in the know realize they have the extra big balconies. They're my favorite for sure - we always try for those if they are available as we spend lots of time on our balcony

It is frustrating. Most of these do not require a lot of thought - they already know the answers to them. Maybe it just takes awhile to make up all the management speak to often avoid ever answering the actual question, or to try to put it in a way that we will think it is a good answer when in reality nothing is changing. I appreciate the effort to an extent - and I guess this is what I expected, but I confess I was hoping for more

Exactly! One of our very favorite parts of cruising is relaxing on our balcony. And definitely not a fad- it's been true for us for dozens of years, ever since ships started adding balconies to their ships. To call it a fad is ridiculous to say the least. Those who dont use their balconies don't care. But lots of us do!

My point was, while they were taking them away on Celebrity (and as you point out, inconsistent in doing so) their newest Royal ship had them. Doesn't make sense. We'll see how they spin the answer to this one.

I've sailed Apex twice, and have another scheduled for February. Is she my favorite Celebrity ship? Not by a long shot (although she does have my favorite production show). I would not sail in anything but a suite as I love a real balcony. The Retreat areas are lovely. Don't like the Martini Bar on this ship due to the design. E class IMHO is louder, more vibrant, more crowded than M and S.

I've sailed Celebrity 80 times on all ships but two of the newest. I have yet to find any ship worn out and shabby, or resembling Motel 6 (ok I take the latter comment partially back - the newest ships and remodeled ships have some awful and uncomfortable furniture in various places like balconies that resemble Ikea). I sailed Reflection earlier this year - had no issues. But then I personally find some of the older furniture, even if well-used, much more comfortable than the new modern stuff.

And when all is said and done, the purpose of the decisions is about money. End of story. But there remain some things that just don't make sense, such as the reasons we are given. I wrote the "balcony comfort" question. One big point that doesn't make sense - if loungers were removed for "safety", which is what we were told, then why do some cabins on the newest Royal ships have them? I'm not expecting an answer and doubt I will get one. Chances are there was some kind of specific lawsuit related to them that affected Celebrity only. But we'll never know.

So are you saying they are completely gone now? My understanding is that they are just being moved.

Been on many ABC cruises on Celebrity on various ships. Loved them all. Definitely my very favorite of all the Caribbean islands. In fact we are doing them later this year on Reflection and I think it is Eclipse we are on in January visiting them.

Curious - has anyone on these boards ever taken part in a focus group? In her response to answers, Laura mentions using focus groups for feedback (among other things). I've sailed Celebrity 80 times and never been asked, nor do I know of anyone ever being asked to join one. But of course I don't know everyone on these boards. Has anyone been involved in one in recent years, and how did it go? I've gotten a survey here or there but they have been primarily disguised marketing ploys. Not the same thing at all.

One of the reasons is that most (granted, not all) of these are related to 3 and 4 day cruises. A large majority of us hate those short cruises. And it is not just that they exist - it is that they take away options for more 7 night or longer cruises in the Caribbean, which is what the large majority of us want ("us" being the heretofore loyal Celebrity cruisers).

Agree. Some of the questions, like the referenced one, were embarrassing to say the least. A shame we had to clog up the board with stuff like that. I understand different things are important to different people, but there are major questions and concerns to be dealt with (or not) instead of a situation where someone doesn't like how a particular dish is cooked.

I don't think so and boards are small and easy to pack. We've found even if the ship has a particular game it is often missing parts so always bring our own.

Despite sailing 90 or so times, I still am subject to seasickness at times. If there is motion to be felt, you may feel it more on this size ship compared to S or E class. That said, it wouldn't stop me. I have sailed both these ships many times. I would pick based on itinerary and cost. Summit is more updated but also then more modern decor. Connie has been updated in many public areas but the cabins were not. So they are a little more worn, but frankly more comfortable.

Anyone who has issues with this please submit a question to LHB. I've already submitted one, but if she sees lots of similar ones it might have more impact. They will combine like questions but they all remain listed as written

Ugly?!??? Wow. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I absolutely love desert environments so I find them very beautiful. To each their own I guess. These are my very favorite of all Caribbean islands. And besides water activities, there is no Caribbean island I know of with much else to see. I do also love the tropical islands for their own individual beauty but to me there is nothing more beautiful than a desert landscape.

Honestly it doesn't matter what people think or felt. It's a simple matter of science. If there is motion to be felt at all, it will be worse further aft or further forward. Scientific fact. I also feel (and this gets into personal opinion and experiences) that all the way aft you will often feel more side to side rocking at times.

I always check that out too. Often the best books are there!

yes, it can take awhile. But sooner or later they definitely do that.

I'm Onyx level and have never gotten a single offer! What am I doing wrong? I confess I have never called to check, but would much prefer to receive emails with them.

I always fly into ports (live in the Chicago area) and I always bring books to read and leave. Last b2b I brought and finished six. Yes, it takes up some luggage space and weight but it's worth it. I confess, though, that since we travel so much with our airline status we are allowed 70lb per bag, although we rarely go over 50lbs.

I always bring and leave several books. Unfortunately most people don't and the ship doesn't buy them anymore. In fact, when you leave them the ship slaps their own sticker on them so no one takes them home which I think is wrong since they didn't buy them. But I would absolutely LOVE to see more people bring books and leave them when they are done. Many of us (like me) much prefer a book in hand to reading on a tablet or Kindle.

IMHO the absolute best cruise itineraries are those that include the ABC islands. We're doing that on Reflection in January as a part of a B2B, for the umpteenth time. Love them.