newtocruiseinblue

I apologize for the delay in answering your question. I am feverishly catching up for the Christmas holiday since returning from my cruise. While I was not in the library when there was an event going on in the world stage, I could imagine that you could probably hear some noise from it. I did not sit and read in the library but found some quiet places on board to get away and read. I did see people sitting in there and reading though. Seemed like a nice place to read. Cheers to Holland America!

Here are some explorations cafe pics! I loved the Christmas touches on the art installation. Someone said they removed tables by the windows and installed this art (I assume to make room for wheelchairs)

Just off the Nieuw Statendam Roundtrip Eastern Caribbean Dec 10th sailing and wanted to share my experience with the new library on Deck 2 by the World Stage. It was bright, peaceful, and beautiful! I loved the selection of books, checked one out and read the entire thing on the day that HMC was cancelled due to high winds. I highly recommend a visit!!

I had the strawberry and it was delicious

The happy hour is BB King all drinks 50% off…3-4 pm daily followed by trivia

Once onboard, am I able to make main dining reservations through the app or do I need to go in person or call dining reservations? thank you and cheers!

Really enjoying this thread! It sounds like you are enjoying the sea says…I was wondering about that as we might like to do a TA someday. also I was wondering if you had found any cool spots to just sit and chill out and enjoy the view around the ship. Thank you!

Thank you so much for sharing your experience! We are on an upcoming sailing on the ship. I was wondering, the champagne tasting or wine tasting, is there gratuity added to the price or is the price listed the total? Thank you so much!

The classic beverage package is listed as $45.99 for the black Friday sale….how much is this discounted from the typical pre-cruise price? Thank you!

Yes, the new CEO is really taking the joy out of life by being stingy on the PUP opportunities. So will it be a Merry Christmas or will it be bahumbug for PUP? Cheers!

Good catch…I will keep an eye out as well…maybe they are slowly rebranding

Thank goodness they listened to us 😁

I’m not loving the new layout and landing page for cruises -it’s just like Royal Caribbean…it’s getting too much like Royal

Thoughts?

So true! I didn’t even feel completely comfortable in Kusadasi last summer. I wouldn’t go there now.

Sadly, one can’t deny that tensions in Turkey are higher and anti-American sentiment is at an all-time high due to the Israeli war and the Ukraine war. No one knows what tomorrow may bring and there is a global warning for all Americans from the state department for travel. Also, there are many areas of Mexico that I would not dare travel. It isn’t safe in some rural areas due to the Cartels.

The US Department of State travel level for Turkey is level 2, exercise increased caution with the exception of the following regions, which is “Do Not Travel”: Sirnak province, Hakkari province, and any area within six miles (10 kilometers) of the Syrian border due to terrorism. I personally would not feel comfortable traveling in Instanbul at the moment but I traveled to Kusadasi a couple of months ago and traveling with a tour group to Ephesus is safe.

Yes I was happy to see I didn’t have to wait until the “Black Friday” sale to apply the coupon. Thank you!

I was just going to say there…I use a travel advisor and she adds mine…

Yes it is November and time for another PUP opportunity. We need a sacrifice from the new leader to show appreciation to the already loyal Celebrity followers!! It’s about that time…… one new thing I noticed (may have been discussed elsewhere on the board) is the new landing page when searching for a cruise on my laptop (did not see it on my mobile device)….. it is styled exactly like Royal Caribbean and made me shudder a bit.

So, just for good measure, the last pup opportunity was sent at the end of September to watch a video or am I missing something? I’m really starting to have PUP withdrawal over here. And, no Halloween “treat” from Celebrity? Hmmm….can we still watch the last video for points or is that expired? And, if so, does anyone have the link? Cheers!

What does it mean for a cabin if three? No discount for a third person, only if you have four?

Isn’t there a bonus $50 if you signed up for Black Friday alerts??

Where was the destination?

Thanks for the review - sounds like an interesting adventure! I appreciate the details as I’ve always wondered about this type of cruise. I would give it a try for fun and cruising for one night is better than not cruising at all.