mac_tlc

I'll be watching you depart on the webcam ! msRotterdam just left, Caribbean Princess next then you, I believe!!! mac_tlc

Glad you could take advantage of it !! Which date did you pick? mac_tlc

Looking forward to following along! We sailed Ascent in January and loved her! Enjoy some time away from the chaos! mac_tlc

Includes Premium drink package and Premium WiFi. mac_tlc

Also felt it here is CT. Windows shook a bit, felt like a low flying plane was nearby.

The 12/1 is Nassau, Labadee, Grand Cayman. 11/17 and 12/15 are Bimini, Labadee, Grand Cayman. Don't disagree on the premise, though. That itinerary is offered in January 2025 also -- will be interesting to see if those prices "adjust". mac_tlc

I think the itinerary may be a factor. The surrounding cruises are $2K more for a SS. For us, we probably wouldn’t get off the ship all week. My guess is that Labadee won’t happen by then but who knows. we have been to Labadee a bunch of times on Royal, but those sandy, beech days are in the rear view mirror for us —— especially if the option is to sit in Cafe alBacio and enjoy an almond croissant 😜. mac_tlc

IMHO, the only benefit to an onboard booking is any OBC that it may include. The underlying pricing is no different. For a cabin lower than a Suite, the deposit requirements are more attractive too. mac_tlc

The current pricing scheme ( note I didn’t say sale) ends 4/7 and will be immediately replaced by essentially the same thing on 4/8 and run through 6/3. Still says “75% off second guest for non-refundable and 50% for refundable”. The “bonus savings” will again vary by day of week 🙄. Monday-Friday is highest, Tuesday-Wednesday a little less, Thursday none. 3rd/4th/5th guests free on selected sailings for “no-perks” rate. After all this, it doesn’t matter. Just look at the bottom line, if it’s acceptable then book it. Prior to final payment you can reprice if it makes sense. mac_tlc

Everything is relative and the past is the past but there are three Ascent sailings that have reasonable— by current standards— suite prices. All three are under $400pppd for a Sky Suite, or about $5,500. On the 12/1 sailing, the Sky Suite is less than the Magic Carpet suite. As I promised, I will tag my previous fellow E-class sailing friends. @Mrs_Tiki, @GenerationX, @Irishredhead21, @KKB, @Silkroad. Currently we are suppose to be on the Oceania Vista during that time, but that may change for other reasons. mac_tlc

Given the big increases in some Celebrity cruises I was looking at for Spring 2025 and Spring 2026, we expanded our horizons and looked at Oceania and SS. Booked the Vista for its Fall 2025 TA for about $325 pppd for a PH2. Was seriously looking at Silver Ray Spring 2026 TA and it was a great price -- about $305pppd for a Superior Veranda Suite. All cheaper than any option in a Sky Suite on Celebrity for their transatlantic voyages. Then the SS prices went up, and now that same cruise is about $505ppd. Any price advantage over Celebrity is now gone. We may still try SS but, for us, it is now a tougher decision. mac_tlc

I got a kick out of this ! We have sailed all four E-class. Other than one, we have had the same cabin number —- 10123. Have had it on all four ships. Love the location, near elevators, near all Retreat areas, and since it’s directly behind the elevators, there is virtually no foot traffic. mac_tlc

Following along! We were on Beyond in February and I started my “live” a few days before cruise day also. I find the planning and anticipation fun…. We had the premium wifi and uploading pictures was no problem. mac_tlc

We have done Star class three times, twice in the two-bedroom ATS (8330, on Oasis and Allure) and on Harmony in 4-bdr Villa Suite. You will love it! Our genies (Joyce, Smitha, Raj) were excellent and handled numerous dining and scheduling changes with ease. I did find that the pre-cruise survey didn't translate to much on board, unless there was a special occasion. We sailed very close to our anniversary so the room was usually decked out. Be prepard for more food than you can possibly consume -- don't be shy to tell the genie -- ENOUGH 😃. I agree with you on the current prices. We wanted to do the 4-Bdr VS on Symphony in 2025, but it is double -- or more depending on the week -- than the Harmony 4-Bdr was in 2022 (booked in 2020). For our merry band of 8, it's now about 50% or more of the median income in 38 states!! Looking forward to your review and impressions! If I recall, Bertie used to be the Suite Concierge for a few of our sailings --- mac_tlc

Thanks for your “live” review! We did this itinerary in February and loved the 11 days. We have been on E-class a number of times and it was the first time it felt crowded. Loungers were tough to get unless you wanted to experience the sunrise 😏. Have a wonderful time!! mac_tlc

Glad me and my DW are not her only ones! We both have it almost every night. mac_tlc

As we have discussed, we are in a similar position….although I was looking at a December Ascent sailing that was tempting …..UGH. There are two weeks that look “Celebrity-reasonable”. Also a couple in Spring 2026 on Silhouette. Hope Mr. Tiki is doing well.

I use something similar to this, which has some USB ports too. https://www.amazon.com/European-Adapter-TESSAN-Outlets-International/dp/B0B27HX6P7/ref=asc_df_B0B27HX6P7?tag=bingshoppinga-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=79920843356084&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=m&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4583520406013291&psc=1 mac_tlc

Wow, only 8 hours in and I'm on page 3 !!😄 Jim, have a wonderful time. I really enjoy following your adventures. This trip is on my bucket list, but the flight time from CT to Sydney makes me take pause ----- alright, maybe not the time but the fact that its Business Class or bust for the DW.... Oh, the $$$....... I hope the S-class rekindles your Celebrity spark !! mac_tlc

Looking forward to following along. Have a wonderful time ! mac_tlc

I noticed that Celebrity’s current “sale” varies by day of the week. You can see it in their TA promotions calendar. Don’t book on Thursday, Friday through Monday is best, Tuesday/Wednesday has a little less “discount” than Fri-Mon. While there can be price variations daily anyway, a few I have been looking at for 2026 have only varied based on their promotions calendar. “Base” fare has not changed. mac_tlc

No worries Rich, it didn’t. Just mentioning that different people cruise different ways and fortunately there is something for everyone ! Hoping to try YC this Fall and contrast/compare. mac_tlc

To each his or her own. I’m sure others, including us, have had memorable times on a cruise ship outside a bar. Variety is good. Plenty for everyone. mac_tlc

It is interesting how different people value different things. My wife and I have never sat at a bar on a cruise ship. Having one or not is zero impact for us. My guess is if X had one in Retreat they would need a full time stationary bartender. It could be done, at least on non-Edge E-class ships. mac_tlc

That is so true. S@$& is going to happen, it’s how they react that makes the difference. Our waiter and the manager offered to replace our meal but by that time we were done. mac_tlc