mac_tlc

Did you miss your trivia partners 😂😂😂? Glad you had a good time and thanks for the review—- I was hoping it was coming. Hope to sail again with you and DH again! mac_tlc

Well, the price you quoted of $10,980 includes airfare I believe, my quoted number does not —— nor do the Celebrity prices. Sounds like a “logical cartwheel” to me. That brings your calculated $853 to $2,653, or roughly 20%. The size of a PH2 (420 sq ft) is closer to a CS than an SS (300 sq ft). Not sure of the relevance of the $1200 OBC is, I included none on either. And I did intentionally leave out the $1000 excursion credit on O. I have no “purpose” here, other than to provide an example as you were looking for. I also did not mention the true butler on O, versus whatever X calls their current SS approach. The CS has a butler. I also didn’t mention the minibar differences, tough to put a dollar figure on that. My only point here is that Celebrity’s current retreat prices are no longer guaranteed to be cheaper than a higher level cruise line. The comparison I have shown is a specific one that we have done. We chose O, and have a PH2 — even with an extended huge balcony. Enjoy whatever choice you make, but there are alternatives. mac_tlc

How about this: Celebrity Ascent, transatlantic, Oct 31, 2025. 13 nights, Sky Suite = $12,458 for two Celebrity Suite = $25,511 for two Oceania Vista, 14 night transatlantic Nov 19,2025 PH2 = $9,180 for two I’ll let you decide if the PH2 is more comparable to a CS than an SS. Given the size of the cabin and the removal of individual butlers from the SS, I would say it’s more comparable to a CS. Both ships are currently the newest for each line, and each line has another similar ship debuting in 2025. Neither one includes gratuities, Oceania includes all specialty dining. Celebrity includes premium drink package. Add another $750 or so to the Oceania price to make it comparable. So, $25,511 is a lot more than $9,930. And it’s one day longer. There are many more examples. mac_tlc

We also like deck 17, although my DW prefers the one floor room. Prices are so variable lately. I have found that Royal suites are even more then Celebrity in many instances. For instance, I was just puttering around looking at March/April 2026. I looked at three options: Oasis of the Seas - 4/4/26 8 nights from FLL Grand Suite for two = $13,700 Sky Junior Suite for two - $10,400 Silhouette - 4/4/26 8 nights from FLL Sky Suite = $5,801 Prime Verandah with AI = $3,801 Celebrity Apex - 4/4/26 7 nights from Port Canaveral Sky Suite = $8,530 Sunset Veranda with AI = $4,590 These prices are very similar for all of March and April 2026. For the heck of it, I looked at Star of the Seas leaving 4/5/26 from PC and a Grand Suite is about $20K. Those Silo prices are not horrible. mac_tlc

I hadn't seen the press release, thanks. That is good news. Although I'm trying to find Bimini on my globe in the Western Caribbean............. mac_tlc

I am hoping that the lack of Apex itineraries out of PC today doesn't mean it will be doing 3 and 4 day cruises and the deployment will be in February when they show "Short Bahamas". Not a fan of those short trips. mac_tlc

We are also on Ascent in January (I believe we will see you there) and Beyond in March. Grabbed a Sky Suite on Xcel in Jan 2026 for about $390 pppd. Also a brand new ship. A far cry from $1000 pppd for a GS on Star. Apex is definitely coming to PC since its Fall 2025 TA ends there. Let’s see if the pricing is reasonable…. A lot of their suites now are not, IMHO. mac_tlc

I agree. Way too expensive for the product. I did a quick scan and the cheapest GS I could find was in March 2026 and it was still over $14K for two. Too many other options at $1,000 per person per day. mac_tlc

👏👏👏👏👏👏 Look forward to experiencing a new cruise line with some past cruising friends!!! Now we need @Silkroad or @Mrs_Tiki to join us 😂. mac_tlc

We have done a CLS a few times also. Their prices have gone up considerably too. We used to target about $5 - $5.5K for two for a week cruise. Now they are typically $7-8K, sometimes more, although Galveston departures seem to be a little less. It’s a good alternative and a great cabin. mac_tlc

I got them from the TA booking site. mac_tlc

The added space has always been one of our main attractions to the Sky Suite, or to the Grand Suite or Owners Suite on Royal. We spend time there and don’t want to do the “one-at-a-time-sideways-shuffle” past the bed. Unfortunately, X has raised their prices far beyond the value received for the SS’s. Frankly, even if the butler situation was not changed, and the gratuities were still included and the OBC was still there, we would not pay the current pricing. mac_tlc

You are indeed a charter member! mac_tlc

Our January 21, 2024 Ascent sailing currently has the following suites available. 1 PH 2 EV 1 RS 11 CS 11 Aqua SS 6 Sunset SS 5 SS 11 Magic Carpet SS We booked out SS in October 2022 for about $370 pppd, with grats, $600 OBC, premium drink package, premium wifi Today that same cabin is $670pppd with no OBC and no grats. The loss of the butler after the fact is troublesome but the drastic price increase and removal of previously included items is the deal breaker for us. Absent a great deal , which we have been lucky enough to find on this Ascent sailing, on Beyond last April and on the Xcel for 1/4/26, we will not be going anywhere near a suite on X. mac_tlc

We will be with you in a SS. We can offer each other moral support to get through the "elevated" experience. mac_tlc

Another “nice touch “ that has gone by the wayside. Unfortunate. mac_tlc

Eden, no question .

For the fjord itinerary, Jewel was a good size. We had an aft veranda and that was the highlight. It was in decent shape for her age. The MDR was ok —- you can really see/feel the cuts Royal has made there. Some of those 2025 Apex itineraries are very tempting. We agree. We will always look around now, may end up on X, maybe not. Looking at Viking too but something isn’t clicking with me… can’t put my finger on it.. maybe payment policy? Wheelchair policy ( at least as their words state). Looking forward to your Cunard experience. My wife would like them I think. I love the alternative to flying to or from Europe, since we are 90 miles from NYC. mac_tlc

We also have the 2024 Westbound TA on Vista booked, one more day than the 2025 version but the price is not as good—- but still less than a comparable X suite option. We have a PH1 now but I am considering downgrading to an A1 to save a few $$$$. But we really like the larger cabin especially for 15 days. mac_tlc

Love. Those. Almond. Croissants. !!!!!!! Oh, and Happy Birthday. My wife and I celebrated our birthday (yes, we have the same birthday) onboard Jewel of the Seas in Honnisvag, Norway this past June. Only bithday I have ever had with no sunset ! mac_tlc

Meet you on the Vista !! We also have a PH2 booked on the Fall 2025 TA -- one of the ones on deck 7 with the extended balcony., maybe we are neighbors!!! Our upcoming SS's on Celebrity were booked before prices went nuts. Ascent in January is about $365pppd, Beyond in February is $385pppd. Also include Grats and OBC ($600 on Ascent and $1100 on Beyond). We did get a good price on Xcel for Jan 2026 at about $385pppd, no OBC but that price includes grats. At those prices, we won't downgrade -- it would probably be the same or more money given current pricing. Absent deals like that, we wont do Suites on X. We have two O cruises and one HAL booked instead.

@Norwaylady thanks for sharing your SS experience. Too bad they have destroyed a great product. All we can do is let our feelings be known onboard and through the surveys. We will decide for ourselves in January, but all the reviews have a disturbing common thread. FWIW, I will be the lone wolf in preferring the E class lounge to S class. The old Michaels club, with no windows, seemed uninviting to me. Sorry, I’ll take this view: For the right price, I would sail any of them. Unfortunately, that right price is hard to come by. mac_tlc

According to this, the Beyond will be at Terminal 18 and Ascent at Terminal 25.

Our most memorable cruise was to Norway this past June. Highly recommended, especially before the fjord restrictions kick in full force. I would also recommend Alaska. Less populated places are wonderful to explore. mac_tlc

Fabulous B2B!!!