phoenix_dream

Thank you all so far for the interesting responses. I understand about the 7 day versus longer cruise being a different type of vacation. I do many of the things people are suggesting. I confess I do miss my TV, and my provider will only let me download 6 shows at a time to my tablet. Sometimes I am able to download on the ship but usually the wifi doesn't permit. I'm sure if I were taking the longer cruises in more interesting places than the Caribbean I would enjoy them more. I also really enjoy getting to know the crew. There are a number of them over the years that I still keep in touch with via Facebook, as we have cruised many times (69 I think is the current number) on Celebrity. I also like to meet new passengers onboard as well. Have several B2B's booked for 2023, but the longest is 18 days, with 10 sea days (Caribbean). Fortunately each goes to the ABC's (or parts of them), which are my favorites.

Two important points to remember for future: 1) online booking agencies are just that - they are not TA's and you do not get the same level of service you would get from a TA 2) it is your responsibility to remember when payments are due

For me it would not be. Even when we sail Aqua Class we rarely use it. To me the nicest part of the whole area is the heated loungers. Good luck ever finding a lounger available. Despite rules, people hog them for hours and hours, often sleeping on them.

It's always amazed me when I meet fellow passengers onboard who have been on the ship for literally months doing B2B2B and on and on. I think the longest I've encountered has been 3 months but I'm sure there are longer ones here and there. My longest B2B was 21 days and for me that was pushing it. Wondering just what people do on those longer cruises to continue the enjoyment? The production shows stay the same. The lounge entertainment often stays the same for several sailings at least. The menus, while offering some variety, stay the same cruise to cruise. Most activities repeat. Television is a joke unless you are a news or soccer fanatic. The libraries, if you are lucky enough to be on a ship that has one, usually don't have much variety of books (I know there are digital books - I just personally prefer book in hand). I can only do so many crosswords or games of Qwix or Yahtzee. I get free laundry and am not afraid to wear something two or three times a cruise, but I think I would get tired of wearing the same outfits for weeks or months at a time. On many of these cruises of which I speak it has been the same or similar Caribbean ports over and over and over. Maybe if I was a beach fan that would be nice but I'm kinda done with that now that the kids are grown. And what about family and friends? I know these days having internet can really help with that but it's not the same as being in person. I'm not criticizing, just honestly curious. DH would love to convince me to sail longer periods of time but I'm not sure how I would handle it. Feedback?

I’m with you. Love the food onboard and have no real interest in finding other food onshore, especially in a place like the Caribbean. Maybe I’d feel differently cruising someplace like Europe. Also seems silly to me to pay all that money for nice meals and then go eat elsewhere. But to each their own. If someone enjoys it, then good for them.

Not so anymore. On Apex they were 7:30 and 9:30. On our Summit cruise they were some other odd time - I wanna say 6:45 and 8:45 I think it was. I liked it better when it was always 7 and 9. Not sure why some ships are different now.

I absolutely hate the tubs on the older ships in particular! My husband, at 6'3" can't even stand up straight in any of them. And I struggle with the height getting in and out and even at my age (senior) I am reasonably agile and fit. Apex was at least easier to negotiate, although I just don't understand why they feel people think bathtubs are a plus. My other issue is the slip and slide factor. Just had a SS on Eclipse. The tub is narrow with sloping sides and while it has a grab bar it is not easy to reach. I asked for a rubber bathtub mat (which I had been able to get from them several years ago on Equinox in an S1) and I was told they don't have them because they are a safety hazard. Excuse me!! What is more unsafe than having a slippery tub with little standing room in rocking seas???

Whether they will wait or not depends on the circumstances. The reason they are delayed, how many passengers are involved, whether they are contractually able to stay longer at the port, the time necessary to get to the next port and on and on. I've seen it happen a few times over the years. A long time ago we had a very delayed departure sailing from Puerto Rico as several flights were delayed getting into SJU and dozens of passengers were affected. But no one should ever count on the ship waiting, and should plan accordingly.

That is a strenuous hike and I know many 30 year olds who couldn't handle it, especially given the altitude which can affect anyone at any age, even those in good physical shape. Hardly a realistic benchmark to use. You also say the "over 70's". At that age there is often eons of differences between someone 70 and someone 79. Revisit this topic when you hit that age and I'm pretty confident you'll have a different opinion. In the meantime, have a nice holiday!

So you think half of 70 year olds are not fit and able. Interesting. Curious if you are in that age bracket (or near it)? As a 71 year old quite able to snorkel, hike (moderate trails, not strenuous), and many other things I guess I fit in the other 50%, as do probably 90% of my friends and family of the same age range. I do think there is a logical cutoff age - I just am not convinced 70 is it. These days many people are living well into the 90's, and quite capable and fit well beyond 70. Not sure what the stats say - these are my experiences.

Exactly the point! I always give 10's unless there were serious issues that weren't resolved (which has not happened in years and years). But I absolutely hate them asking for the good ratings. Don't get me wrong - I don't fault the staff. They are driven to do this by the way they are managed. It's awkward and uncomfortable and IMHO unnecessary.

Generally on later departures or overnights, the dining times stay the same and sometimes the shows. On occasion we have seen them hold only one show at night rather than two in these situations. Lounge entertainment times are usually the same. We've also had situations in overnights in Aruba where they kept the casino open regular hours (also in Curacao) which doesn't usually happen in other ports.

And the heated indoor pools are never as warm as the T pool on M class unfortunately

I don't know about in December but when we sailed in early April it was SO HOT you would not want to be sitting out in a cabana all day!

Not necessarily. My DH and I always have a merged account and any charges shown on either folio combine to a net balance.

Agree with this answer. Once they are open to the general public I would not feel any guilt in booking one. Before that, I would only do so if really required.

Never had a noise issue in the Deck 11 cabins. At times while sitting on the balcony could hear the movies in the background, but not loud enough to matter to us. Have never done a Deck 11 at the very rear of the ship - there could be noise from the bar back there? My only issue with Deck 11 cabins is that on hot weather cruises it is often way too hot to sit out on the balcony but you said that didn't concern you. The location is great - right near the elevators with quick and easy access to both Blu and the buffet. When sailing M class in AQ we always choose those cabins unless a hot weather cruise with lots of sea days as we are balcony people.

You didn’t ask me, but as I’ve been on several of each I’ll offer my opinion (I sailed with Jim on the first leg of his b2b). I definitely prefer California coastal. Each port has so much to offer, both with just walking around from the port, on tours, or by renting a car and sightseeing. The ports are cleaner, safer, and have more options for nice souvenirs if you are interested. Don’t get me wrong, I love both but prefer coastal. In fact in March we have a b2b booked with this itinerary coupled with a pacific coastal. Best of both worlds!

It's really sad how these organizations take advantage of people! I remember last year we took an Uber from our hotel to the port in Lauderdale. Before they implemented surge pricing it cost about $20-$25. With surge we had to pay $80. Highway robbery.

Congrats! We have 1116 on this ship in March, first time in a RS. Will look forward to your experience!

No secret. Thank you. It was great meeting you as well!

Good to know. It happened to him quite awhile ago so maybe the person wasn't yet familiar with it.

I agree about having to recertification each year. Stupid. It's nor like you lose a Celebrity level once you achieve it

It also happened to be right after they introduced drink packages. Older kids were getting shot after shot and pouring them into drink containers to share with their underage pals. All 700 were from just 2 Florida universities so I'm not sure there was a sale, but perhaps some targeted marketing

Is it the egos (and I'm new to this Zenith thing so I can't speak to that) or is it because many of us are "of an age" and not the demographic Celebrity prefers to cater to nowadays I wonder? And are there really that many on most sailings? Again, new to this so i dont know the answer to that. Regardless it's still nice to get some extra perks and a free cruise, although some of the perks are worthless when you're in a suite. I honestly don't care all that much about the lunches or in person recognitions but I think they should be consistent sailing to sailing. I am bummed about lack of access to the Retreat lounge as I rarely find it really busy when I sail in suites so I feel this was an unnecessary cutback.