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

Given current prices, this may be as close as I get to going on Wonder of the Seas. From Jetty Park yesterday, in your neck of the woods, I believe….

There was Pickelball going on while we had lunch at RGG. There was no distraction for us. Here is a picture from our table: Really didn’t seem all that close. mac_tlc

Thanks for the review. We enjoyed Tommy Green Jr on Beyond last month, and also had a “meh” experience at Fine Cut. Do I see a trend? mac_tlc

I assume the Celebrity Beyond was more expensive then too? Weren’t you considering that one also? For us, we have no interest in a land all-inclusive. Not beach people so staying on one beach locale does not have any attraction. With current prices, we will just cruise less. In fact, I may even cancel one of our O cruises because the ancillary plane, hotel, etc costs make the total too high. mac_tlc

My wife uses a wheelchair from time to time and we always try to get room 10123 on any E-class. We have had it on all of the E-class ships. Fabulous and convenient location. Very quiet because it is directly behind elevators and gets little foot traffic. I don’t think we could ever do an aft Sky Suite. Keep the deck 10 forward cabin. mac_tlc

We certainly hope to meet up again. I was just talking to the DW this morning about some Spring 2026 options. Looks like the Silhouette is heading the pack so far. I'm heading back down to Florida this afternoon for a golf week + 3 days with my BIL and a mutual golfing friend. mac_tlc

Are one of these in your future 😜😜?

I am also looking forward to your experience. I keep looking at YC but haven't pulled the trigger yet. I am hesitant due to the number of passengers and the continued reviews of the non-YC areas. Have a great time ! mac_tlc

Symphony has one 9-nighter departing on July 4, 2025 and one on April 30, 2025, They usually do one to switch their departure day from a Friday to a Sunday. (July 4th). The one on April 30th gets their departure day to a Friday. And those four cabins that were $9,700 in 2023 are over $28,000 for July 4, 2025. mac_tlc

We are in a similar spot. We had 4 adjacent balcony staterooms on Oasis last year for a 9 night cruise out of NJ. Total cost about $9,700. Looking at a cruise on Symphony in 2025 -- and its only 7 nights -- same exact four cabins is over $17,500. I didn't dare look at the Symphony 9-nighter in 2025. mac_tlc

We just did the Beyond in February and stopped at Aruba and Curacao. We did not do any ship excursions, just got off ourselves and wandered around. Curacao was fun walking to the floating bridge and then wandering through the old part of the city. We really liked the ship and the itinerary. More info and pix on what we did here: mac_tlc

I did not include the grats, that would be another $23pppd. The deposit requirements are an intangible to me. I would probably never pay the extra $$ for a refundable deposit on X. You are correct— will never know if you don’t try it. I probably would not go all the way up to a Medallion Suite to find out! mac_tlc

Have been investing early 2026 myself. I can find any price relationship anybody wants 😂😂. I was intrigued by the “$408pppd more than Regent” . For 2: Celebrity Ascent - Feb 23, 2026 - 11 nights - CS= $17,849 = $811 pppd Silversea Silver Ray - Feb. 27, 2026 - 11 nights - Medallion Suite= $21,200 = $963pppd Regent Grandeur - Feb. 28, 2026 - 14 nights - Penthouse Suite C= $25,283= $902 pppd. No air in any of those numbers. What am I missing? As an engineer, I have a spreadsheet for everything —- except the intangibles. Ship size, passengers, activities, entertainment, food—- I wish I could have a formula for those. 😂. That 14 night itinerary is nice. mac_tlc