kwokpot

The OP is leaving from the UK which makes the experiences from Baltimore difficult to compare.

Is you're preference still the older Michael's Club layout vs the E-Class Retreat Lounge now that you're been on a 2nd E-Class ship?

I'm curious what they are going to do. Suva isn't in the 'resort' part of the island. The majority of the island is very rural and poor. The government is paying China to build out a whole highway system. When we were there we did a private tour to see where native Fijians live and visited a children's school. Then we saw some native performances. I felt it was a worthwhile tour to see where and how Fijians live rather than a fancy resort only meant for tourists.

That's disappointing. Too much maintenance?

A couple celebrating their 25 wedding anniversary would never in a million years stay at a hostel.

Depends on the itinerary. I was on the Pride last year in Europe for 31 days and the whirlpool was packed in the afternoon every single day. I workout everyday in the afternoons so I can see what's going on. On one of the segments there was this gentleman who acted as if he was the King of the Hottub and everyday when I did my workout he would be there and would literally be the only person talking for an hour in a packed whirlpool. Not quite sure what the allure of this guy was but it was quite amusing to see people fawn over his every word. .

The OP's grandson is 23.

FYI, from a current Men's Magazine. https://www.mensjournal.com/style/best-mens-summer-shirts?utm_source=Iterable&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=campaign_6624167#gid=ci02b8d1f9b0172491&pid=1-j-crew-short-sleeve-baird-mcnutt-irish-linen-shirt

We were there in 2018 and just an FYI for others you can take the public busses to the beach. We enjoyed walking along the beachfront and the cove was just amazingly beautiful. We had lunch in a very nice restaurant and had a delicious pizza.

You know you can ask for as many boxes of tissue as you want?

That seems very reasonable. Good for you! Sounds like you're a good packer given the amount of dressier things you take.

I didn't realize you've been on an E-Class ship before. Your many informative posts and contributions don't seem to wade in on E-Class issues which is why I didn't think you've been on this class before.

Given the timing of your cruise I don't suspect their will be many people his age traveling on this cruise. I think if it was the heart of the summer you'll have more extended family groups on which would include post college age travelers. Having said that these kinds of itineraries are about the port stops. If you're grandson is interested in working out the good news is the Pride will have gone through it's drydock and one of the mentioned changes will be updating the Fitness Center with new equipment, which is sorely needed You didn't make mention of your own personal physical abilities nor what your relationship is with your grandson but what I'll add is let your grandson know if he wants to spend more time wandering around some of the port stops than you have energy for that it's OK for him to do his own thing. Same thing after dinner on the ship. He shouldn't feel like he has to be with you 24/7. I just checked your itinerary and you're jammed packed with wonderful ports that have tons of things to see. I would suggest that you talk to him about having him research what's there to see at each port and what interests him. Just about every port you're visiting can be done on your own by foot exploring the city streets and attractions.

Since this is your first E-Class ship I'm wondering what your initial impression is and whether it's what you anticipated.

Impossible.

You must have a lot of luggage if you're taking a tux AND 2 or 3 Sports Jackets. How many pairs of shoes do you take?

It's a term used in America, so maybe not in Ireland. Similarly with pants and trousers being interchangeable words in American English.

Again it seems that Celebrity has maintained two day turnaround for REGULAR laundry service fleetwide. Having said that for a upper mainstream line it should be a quicker turnaround. Carnival has next day service.

No jacket required AT ALL. PERIOD. Slacks and a shirt will be just fine. Even a polo type shirt will be fine too.

Since the restart as an Elite+ I've done six Celbrity cruises on all three ship classes in all three cabin classes (standard,Aqua,Retreat) and it was only the Solstice cruise this past February did we receive the Elite+ complementary laundry with a two day turnaround. This included two prior Retreat stays where laundry took 3 days and in one instance where we had handed in the laundry late one afternoon it was returned on the FOURTH day in RETREAT Class on the Apex. The Elite Laundry benefits aren't promised back the next day. That's why you can't hand it in on the last three days of your cruise.

That's why I did clarify my statement by saying the majority of cabins are interlocking. As you state, suites and insides aren't interlocking cabins with indentations.

Celebrity has improved on this recently and yes the turnaround time is two days when I was on the Solstice in February. Prior to this since the restart it had been a three day turnaround.

The Celebrity Rep is WRONG. The majority of the cabins on E-class ships are interlocking cabins and yes, where the indentation in the cabin walls are is where the bed goes. It cannot go anywhere else since the width of the cabin isn't wide enough to fit the bed and have space to walk by unless it's where the indentation is.

I was on the Pride last year in June for this itinerary also. The itinerary was amazing. The food not so much.

There seems to be two sets of locker rooms, one set on Deck 9 near the Thermal suite, but also on Deck 10 near the Fitness Center. It's that locker room where the deck plans indicate a free sauna. Could you check that out for everyone? Thanks!