Travel-and-See

Not unique to Celebrity... but in Ketchikan where the boat is literally right at the city, I cut it pretty close to "back on board time" - the crew at the dock joked and said "hey you are right on time!" but one of the security guys acted a little grumpy and said "we were waiting on you" It's pretty much the only time I would have cut it that close, since usually there are extra hoops to jump through to physically get to the side of the ship, but it seemed odd they were grumpy when I was back on board before the "be on board time"

It would just be a nice service for the guests 🙂 - I'm also surprised they don't offer a single origin or specialty blend drip (for $) at the coffee bars. I remember a guest asking for a Red Eye and the Barista arguing with him (argue is a strong word... but it was an odd conversation) that they make a red eye with Cappucino and water. That's of course not a red eye. haha. I guess he could get the coffee from the buffet and make it himself... deconstructed red eye! haha

Why does a town want less business? Aren't these the same towns that said cruise ships were everything during Covid?

If you want to take the train, you would need to stay in Anchorage and leave the next morning. Personally I always stay at a hotel within walking distance to the train station so I don't have to stress about missing a shuttle or getting a cab early in the morning. The train gets you into town with plenty of time to explore a little before boarding the ship if you'd like. I've stayed in Seward as well - there are not many hotel options but it's a lovely town and certainly has more charm than Anchorage. I'm not sure how you would get there the day you land though unless you hired private transportation.

I've cruised with Celebrity and Virgin - like them both. NCL has some great prices could anyone who has been on both Celebrity and NCL recently comment? I would be traveling in a standard room.

lol... I'm not arguing with you. I just think it's odd.

most likely. I always figured they would just start boarding when things were ready.

less than a year ago.

On my first cruise, they had free drinks for Untitled. Definitely helps to loosen up the crowd!

I thought Virgin didn't want to be like the other cruise lines? 😉 haha

Oh! That's different haha. One of my favorite things about the Spa Cafe for breakfast is not having to fight the crowds around the coffee makers in the buffet so I took that very seriously. Even if you end up with a table for 2, they are very close to each other and in my personal experience, fellow guests on Celebrity will be quick to start a conversation with you.

I've never had this experience on Celebrity - maybe I haven't boarded early enough? It seems to me they would start boarding when cabins are ready - it's weird to have guests drop off personal items in a dirty cabin.

You can get water, soda, and I think juice at many locations. I do think the grounds club should have complimentary coffee and tea available - either self serve of served by staff. Plenty of room for that in that area. I also think it's strange they don't have drink service in the red room like they do on other lines.

I would have definitely made a complaint on-board. The coffee is not "out of order" - even if the machine was not working and could not be replaced (doubtful, they surely have spares with all the coffee they serve) they can simply bring coffee from another kitchen like they do in the sky lounge sometimes. That's simply lazy employees and/or poor management.

Have you not experienced this? Like I'm describing something that happens... not something I dreamed up haha.

I think this goes back to the issue - what is the Celebrity brand? For me... sitting around the atrium and listening to jazz or big band play is the definition of the Celebrity experience. Others seem to think that shouldn't happen because nobody likes them? Even though others, like me, are always listening to them and they create a great vibe in the classy atrium! Silent Diso is fine in the club - again those who enjoy it have fun! But having it "takeover" the ship is not in line with my image of Celebrity... if Celebrity doesn't want to be Celebrity... who do they want to be?

Still some strange stuff... there is a Beyond Sailing available - you can book for 2 people but if you change the number of guests to 1 it says "no rooms available for this cruise" meaning it won't let you book as 1 guest, only 2.

This was a game-changer for me on the Millenium - I would grab what I wanted from the buffet and then head to the Spa Cafe for breakfast. I'd get my coffee with no lines and then help myself to the pastries, yogurt etc. - and of course it was easy to find a table. So relaxing! I like having a separate bar for the shower and sink, and if I can score an extra to take home all the better... Celebrity has really good bars of soap! haha.

The jazz trios I've seen on Celebrity have been quite good and always had good and appreciative crowds. Didn't realize there was so much hate for Jazz! haha. I guess that is why Celebrity has the Jazz band some nights, and the Silent Disco on others... we all like different things 🙂

If you are solo on a budget.... Solo Interior will always be the best deal. If you want to pay more for a balcony.. just pay the 150% or 200% - you can often still get a good idea.

the key issue for me is the "take over" - one of the reasons I like Virgin is the ship is designed so that events take place in certain sections of the ship and do not take over the entire ship (except for Scarlet Night - but even with that, different sections of the ship feature different styles of entertainment). I'm sure the Silent Disco is fun for those who enjoy it, but don't takeover the entire atrium of such a classy ship - it just comes off as tacky to me. Let the jazz band play - that's the right mood and people love them!

I'm seeing pretty good prices on Solo Cabins when I search. Gratuity, Wi-fi, and soft drinks are included too so if you usually spend on those factor that in.

That's how the glacier was too... very crowded at first but then everyone got the photo and left leaving me and a few others with a virtually private viewing platform. One of the workers started to "suggest" that we go inside soon and then the officer said "no... stay as long as you want, I'm in no rush to get back to work inside" haha.

Last summer on the Millenium they opened the helipad to all passengers for viewing the glacier - I snagged a front row seat in the morning in the sky lounge and told myself "it will be too crowded... it will be too cold..." as we got closer I had to go down and I'm so glad I did - the glacier calved multiple times and you could hear it from the helipad - plus there were seals on the icebergs floating by - truly magical! I also got a captain club invite for sailing into one of the ports but I slept in. haha.

Yes I agree - the e-mail I just got yesterday says- "No nickel and diming when dining, Wifi, tips/gratuities, soda + water, fitness classes, and entertainment are truly included (and never cost extra)."