Cap_D

Has anyone run into trouble taking magnet hooks on an airplane?  Have had magnets sent to me at a pre-departure hotel, but did not travel with them due to weight and the warnings related to the magnets.  We also found magnetic clips helpful to hang various pamphlets, tickets, other paper to get it off the dresser.

Does anyone actually enjoy the Luminae menus and food quality?  Also, it's the same regardless of which room type booked.  We have found fresher food at the OVC, and the having to ask about the so called classics menu or for kind of fresh vegetables (often skimped on even when one asks) makes the experience taxing.  To be sure there are some good dishes and examples of execution, convenience, space compared to other dining rooms, and of waiters that "sell" the experience, but it definitely should be improved on.  

Just want to chime in that providing a bag to toss around during the trip is a nice touch even when you may brought a backpack or another travel bag for excursions and the pool deck.  It's a small thing, but nice hotels provide little things to make the stay easier.  This is something that hopefully is kept.

The events team could host a decorating activity for the canvas bags.  And, a sharpie marker would come in handy to put "if found" return contact info on the inside.   

I was told by a cruise director that the music loops and in shows don't change after the ship is launched.  So, playlists are sort of set and forgot.  Hence, why aspects of the experience can seem dated.  Fully agree some playlists could use a refresh, even if it's not necessarily current music.  But, nothing screams x year like a particular song by Katy Perry, Celine, etc.  Too much of that and the vibe becomes nostalgic and not a specific vibe appropriate for a particular venue, time of day, etc  The use of DJs and live musicians helps in some places depending on their mandate.  

Are passengers even allowed to bring zip ties on the ship?  For various reasons I know they are prohibited in some places.    

A recent nice resort hotel we stayed at had at their pool a small number of similar chairs with one major difference.  The legs were not crossed like these are.  Rather they were not collapsible. The back reclined all the way down and to different positions based on the selected groove.  These chairs are used in a high traffic area and seemed as stable as any other pool lounger.  

Eden is the winner. 

Distant seconds - Not especially eye catching but The Club doesn't get used until later in the morning and the second floor balcony includes booths and lounge chairs.  I've always thought it would be a good place if one didn't want to be disturbed or a view.  Also, depending on how early the rear of the OVC or the pink side room could be an option if one wanted access to drinks and firsts at the buffet.  There are also areas of the Plaza that could allow for some degree of people watching without being in the direct path of passengers on non port days.  

Fwiw, one of the best services ever and really makes the trip end on a high note even with the porters that are terrific at FLL the convenience can't be beat.  

Thank you for sharing your journey.  The time you put in is appreciated.

Question - Might of missed which cabin you have, how does the room service from the restaurants work?  I've only sailed on Edge Class in lower suites, which may be the difference.  Continued safe travels.  

Thanks for sharing.  Could you provide more info and a review of your bladless neck fan?  Are you using it at each port or selectively?

44 minutes ago, NanaPam00 said:

We were just on the Ascent Retreat in May and can confirm this is correct.

This was correct for Edge (Easter 2022), Apex (Easter 2023), and Beyond (Easter 2024).

14 hours ago, abbydancer2003 said:

Day 1 Embarkation

 

We both had a jet lag based wake up in the middle of the night last night, but did get back to sleep for a few hours.

 

We woke again at 9.  I looked out of the windows and we could see the Apex.

 

 

 

 We got dressedt about 10 we went down to the lobby for some complementary coffee.  Last time I thought they had regular coffee but today it was just an espresso machine in the lobby.  I drank a little, but it was hot so I went back upstairs and added some of the milk packets in the room.   After Glen arrived, around 10:30 we decided to head to the ship, since hanging around the Moxy isn’t that comfortable.

 

We arrived a bit before 11.  Luggage drop was at the far end of the terminal, so off we went (last time an officer took our luggage for us at the entrance).  We then walked back to the terminal entrance.  There was a separate retreat entrance (wasn’t there in 2022).  After security there was a separate area where we sat and got checked in, and then walked to the ship.  

 

We dropped our bags, and went to our room to drop bags, and then to the lounge.  Here’s the view from the ship.

 

 

I had a latte and part of a kit Royale, as they had a tray with sparking wine and Kir Royals at the bar. 

 

We finished those around 12:40 and decided to go to our muster station.  Since it was earlier than I like lunch, we decided to stop for a latte at Al Baccio.  There was plenty of seating (one of the plus points on E class) but I stopped at the display case.

 

 

 

Notice something different?  There are mini sandwiches.   Also, the lemon tarts are different, and I’ll try to get a picture of that tomorrow.

 

At about 1:15 we went to lunch.  We were seated by the window in the Alcove behind the hostess stand.  Our waiter was Usmena (something like that), not the same as December, but very nice.  I had the beet soup, which is not borscht, but more of a stew, and the steak with bearnaise.  Pretty good, and we both skipped dessert.

 

I’m falling asleep so rest of today, tomorrow.

My favorite table.  

I highly doubt anyone on a specific ship submits the info to the magazine.  They also don't have access to the advertising budget for the publisher.  

8 hours ago, canderson said:

And if that doesn't net an improvement, the next stop is the Hotel Director.  It's a matter of eventually figuring out where the buck stops aboard, though...

 

One hopes that this practice isn't known and approved out of Miami.

Start with the hotel director and the QR code to let them work their way downward.  No one should have to spend their time on vacation having to negotiate or beg for what they paid for.  Of course, never let the immediate staff in vicinity escape accountability.  And, email @Laura Hodges Bethge.  And keep a record, take pictures and video and share publicly the bait and switch.  

52 minutes ago, Veinless said:

Celebrity selling you one thing and giving you another is pretty much their standard practice. I mean they took away butlers from already paid guests without so much as an apology. 

This pretty much sums it all up.  @Laura Hodges Bethge

The cruise dorks on YouTube stated in forward-facing cabin for two recently on one of the edge class ships. Each day was a different video, so you can see many shots of the room.

No one shipboard on Edge, Apex or Beyond has heard of the menu or offered Luminae prepared breakfast as part of room service during Luminae operational hours.  See picture below from Celebrity website.  

The hours should be extended past 9 am or room service should be able to be had in Retreat lounge so one can have a simple oatmeal after 9 am without having to self transport oatmeal while Retreat staff are indifferent.  If reading, please work on the elevator lobby off the solarium which gets very slippery.  Thanks.  

Thank you.  Always enjoyable and glad it was a wonderful time.  We look forward to your next trip.  

Bottom line for anyone considering a book later certificate:  Its likely not a good deal since the OBC would not exceed the amount of discounts a certain big box membership store or, perhaps a TA, will provide, and there's no potential that Celebrity will provide anything to someone booking through them that is greater than the OBC.  The membership store even allows booking online, has the same exact prices, and can avoid having to call Celebrity to use the certificate that nets less value.  Plus, if one doesn't use the certificate within a year it becomes forfeited even if none of the available inventory is acceptable.  It's a scam and abusive business practice.

Isn't this the wettest, warmest, and most humid time of year for these itineraries?  That's a good reason to skip. 

One could have 1 alcohol based drink a day and still end up with up charges even if they otherwise don't need/use the drink package for alcohol.  That is very frustrating.

You've done more than my family has since your last cruise.  Congrats on the house renovation.   Have a great cruise!

Fascinating.  Thanks for re-sharing. 

I was told by a cruise director that there are no plans that they were aware of to update music once shows are installed on ships.  The only thing that changes are the performers.  So, all the Edge class ships  have what they have.  A decade from now even the newest song on Beyond will seem dated.  The shows could easily be updated considering visuals are computer driven and fairly generic.

A turnoff for us was Sweet Caroline at the Martini Bar, and overuse of Abba and Elton.  The dated soundtracks are most noticeable when it's a preset setlist being played over the speakers and not a DJ.  Even in the 90s at the mall we'd get new tapes every few weeks and specific instructions of what tapes could be kept and the rotation to a create the atmosphere.  Celebrity could update the canned music for different venues and spaces with little effort.  But, again, I think we're destined to get the installed music set and forgot when the ships were launched.  We recently YouTube review of Cellar Masters on the smaller ship going to Coco Cay in the background music definitely didn't fit the younger crowd. It was no doubt left over from in the ship launched.

28 minutes ago, jelayne said:

Only time I have found the lounge crowded is the night of the Sr Officers Soiree and debarkation morning.  Luminae on Edge & Apex can can feel very crowded and noisey.  We don't get the same feel in Luminae  on Beyond. 

To the extent its a discussion about Edge class Luminaes....We enjoyed the atmosphere in Luminae on Edge and Apex primarily when we were seated in the small room near the host stand. 

We did not enjoy the room as much on Beyond during the Easter cruise.  We did not care for the seating configurations as many were oval banquettes and set up for large groups.  There is also no smaller room.  Rather, the front area is a bottleneck with a feeling of being in an orchestra pit, and the side area has many seats with a prominent view of the glass enclosed wine fridges with the fingerprints. (I can't imagine the wine bottles are that special, too).

FWIW, we felt the kitchen on Apex April 2023 was stronger than Beyond March - April 2024. Both Easter.    

As for sailing on Easter, it's been crowded, but many times Retreat is sold out.  The spaces are definitely at capacity.  

I'd also add that no amount of times the maitre d checked on things or the mia head waiter (not friendly) on Beyond made the food or experience any better.  E.g., steamed frozen broccoli was the same regardless, anything from classics was made out to be a stretch.  On Apex Yuksel and his Headwaiter Marius, and our waiter team were hustling and food was better, and less of a hassle. 

FWIW, the Luminae staff take turns working the OVC on port days in case one wants to see them.  While they have specific duties, they have been very helpful when we have gone to the OVC for lunch (e.g., steering me to the fresh guacamole).  The food quality has been good, and crowds okay on port days when we have gone.  On Edge class ships there are several table areas that can be nearly empty too.  I am not positive, but if mobility is an issue the staff may be of some extra help.  Again, you may recognize some, and vice versa.  

I view the Retreat sundeck menu and food service as being a weak spot of the Retreat experience.  We have observed that the wrap is premade, the burger is often par cooked and then finished, and salads have been sitting in a holding shelf before being carried out.