CruisinShips

Excellent review....well written and presented.

We sailed on the Scarlet Lady last year and had many of the same positive comments as you about the food in particular.  Agree the ship is confusing.  The main thing to discuss IMO is the overall vibe.  While they do seem to want to gear towards a 20-40 year old crowd, on our cruise we felt we, in our early 60s, were in the middle of the ages we saw.  That being said, one needs to have a pretty open/progressive attitude on their ships and you can't be someone who is easily offended by a little edgy humor and people being comfortable with their sexual orientations.  Otherwise, you may feel a little uncomfortable.  We enjoyed ourselves, and enjoyed the staff, but that's where Virgin stands apart IMO.

3 minutes ago, LB_NJ said:

Is there a reason why you want to prepay?

Not really, lol, it's just that I am used to starting cruises with a positive account balance rather than a negative one...so I guess it's just that. Same reason I like drink and wifi packages and I tend to pre-book specialty restaurants and excursions for the most part.

Thanks.  I actually booked while on board, and then handed it off to my travel agent, and I don't recall either asking me if I wanted to include it.  Sounds like I can just call my TA.

We booked our first cruise post "gratuities included".  Will there be a place to pre-pay them on the cruise planner...I don't see one now (11 mos out)?

We upload our own, but the laughter from the check-in person takes a while to subside before they can retake ours. 😉

10 minutes ago, Rustyman said:

Book what you want, stick to it and you’ll be happy with no redress.

I think the exception to that rule is possibly taking a chance on a move-up bid on the upper suites...there really are no bad locations with regard to those IMO.

27 minutes ago, paulh84 said:

 

Again, you also have a choice in how you present yourself and your issue. Choosing to avoid name calling and self-created stories will go a lot further. When you have obviously just made up elements of the story you will not be taken seriously.

I think the OP's issue was worthy of being taken seriously despite his poor use of a word and his injected speculation of the cause.  Those two items didn't negate the point of his post IMO.  People seem to look for reasons to blame posters here or otherwise invalidate their complaints.  In this case, I would be upset if that happened to me as well.

15 minutes ago, paulh84 said:

^{. Celebrity reserves the right to cancel the Offer at any time, correct any errors, inaccuracies or omissions, and change or update fares, fees and surcharges at any time without prior notice. ©2020 Celebrity Cruises. Ships’ registry: Malta and Ecuador.}

Again, it's not about what they have the right todo.  It's about what they should do so as to promote ongoing good will and customer satisfaction (and retention).

On 3/16/2024 at 9:10 PM, Liao said:

as long as they are within the terms & conditions, whether one likes them or not and if not, don't sign

Dear lord.  Can you not even fathom the emotional aspect of this?  Customers aren't robots...they are actual people with human feelings.  What one can do doesn't always align with what one SHOULD do, and in the uber-competitive hospitality industry, it's essential to understand this.

We were on the Apex recently in a CS on deck 11 and there was creaking in our cabin a couple of nights.  But the reason for the creaking is none of your damn business! 😉

1 minute ago, TheHawk1 said:

As for Rooftop Grill, we considered it, but every time we went up to that deck to the Sunset Bar or just walking around, it was a gail force wind event. I can’t imagine trying to eat dinner up there under those conditions.

Most of our cruise was pretty windy, but for whatever reason, wind was not a factor when we dined there.  I don't know if we just got lucky, or if the design blocked out the wind where we were sitting (frankly, I don't remember).

On 3/8/2024 at 12:10 AM, katenmax2 said:

Great review. My sis and I were also staying in the Retreat on the same sailing .  11th floor.

 

We have the same setiments.  The ship was beautiful, staff went overboard to keep us happy, Retreat Lounge concierges and attendants knew our drinks and keep glasses full, Somm in Luminae attentive albeit overworked, cabin kept clean and Al Bacio coffee outstanding. 

 

The only complaint was quality of the food.  Luminae was good but not as good as our previous cruises. Oceanview cafe was overcrowded and food was subpar.  Room service came straight from Oceanview with pre-cooked/pre-frozen than warmed over preparation and artificial ingredients. Inedible.  Was shocked at the quality decline from the Beyond last April.

 

As we were staying in a sky suite this sail, we didn't have the usual anticipated Butler experience.  Was a disappointment and the quality of our "butler team" (read - the rooom attendant) was't up to the Retreat experience. Not a single glass of water, ice nor timely room service was provided.  NOT a change for the better. Will return to at least Celebrity Suites or above in the future then cut down from 2 cruises per year to 1 due to significant price increases.

 

Was sad all our excursions on this sail were canceled as I'm a diver and was looking forward to the experience, especially in Roatan and Grand Cayman.  Understand that weather is a factor early in the season. 

 

We did feel that motion towards the end of the sail.  I am usually a strong sea legs individual and had no issues until disembarkation.  Am still feeling queezy and learned that Mal de

Debarkement syndrom is a true malady.  Hopefully will pass within the next few months. 

 

The Martini bar concocted excellent specialty drinks and the dance floor in the plaza was hopping every night. 

 

We did not attend any shows nor visit specialty restaurants this trip.  

 

Overall impression of Apex is very good to excellent and will not hesitate to book again!

I assume you have read the reports of the butler service being (or coming) back to Sky Suites?  That is happening.

5 minutes ago, PTC DAWG said:

Enough with the bragging! 🙂

Well in all honesty, I much prefer port Everglades to Port of Miami. The extra 22 minutes to get to Miami is kind of a drag. 😜

Is it a bad thing when you go to check in at the pier and person checking you in laughs out loud at the picture you submitted and re-takes it? Asking for a friend.

8 minutes ago, mahdnc said:

 

Interesting. I have not had the problem where I could check in one person but not another under the same booking.

Same. Both parties have always showed up for me at Check-in.

1 hour ago, cruisetonowhere10 said:

Is there an easy way (short of trying to find the correct invoice in my email in box) to see how much I paid for say a dining reservation or upgrades (out of OBC?). I want to cancel and rebook if it’s less expensive but I have no idea what I spent.

If I am understanding you correctly, yes.  Log into the website, click on the cruise/Plan My Cruise, click on your initials (on the website it's in the top right corner), and then click on Order History.

10 minutes ago, hcat said:

We cruise from Port Ev but travel  from the  West Coast of Fl,  so we always go  over one day ahead. 

 

 Prices for  pre- cruise hotels is escalating..esp in Prime Season but saves same day travel stress.

 

We usually find something interesting to do even in repeat ports & try not to repeat ships if possible.

as is said here very often, the ship is more important in Caribbean sailings.

Nothing is better than being within an hour of two major cruise ports (South Florida)!  The ports all start to look alike, but there is no flying or pre/post stay hotel issues!

17 hours ago, CruisinRoxy said:

CruisinShips

I agree with you all the way! We were also in a Celebrity Suite that exact same week. Throughout the Embarkation process, you felt like the welcoming staff was totally overjoyed that you were there!  It was a totally enjoyable experience, no stress whatsoever.

Enjoyed all the specialty dining.  And that we were able to use onboard credit, so technically did not cost us any extra. 

And we booked the exact same week for next year while on board!  That's how much we loved it.  We did not give Luminae enough of a chance though, as we thought the menu was a bit weird.  We like more simple fare.  But next year we will. 

As for the entertainment, we loved it all, the dancers, acrobats, the comedians, and especially the Apex Orchestra - what a talented group of musicians!

And I'm relieved to hear we were not the only ones who thought that Tina Turner dude was strange.  Did not have the nerve to walk out though, because so many folks were doing just that. 

Can't wait to go back next February.  And yes, the staff was awesome!

Thanks for your review, and reliving the memories!

We may have been neighbors on the ship.  We were in 11104. So funny you booked the same week (next year) as well.

Regarding Luminae...my wife is a simple eater and she was happy for the most part with the Classics menu...shrimp cocktail, Caesar salad, grilled chicken or steak.  I'm a bit more adventurous, so I can find something pretty much anywhere.

Glad you had the same great time as us...thanks for the comment.

19 minutes ago, calicakes said:

Thank you.  The entire experience was devastating.  I've never broken a bone, never had to rely on my spouse to do everything for me.  Never had to sit on a sofa all day( bored out of my mind), watching the roll call group go on with the cruise( a bucket list cruise for sure).  I'm still taking pain meds 3.5 weeks later.  I can't bear weight for another 3 weeks.  I have months of PT ahead of me.  Jeez, why do I even post here.  Its MY OPINION.  I'm entitled to it.  I feel its UNFAIR that I paid X 10k and I won't even get the points.  

I do see your point and agree with you that's what SHOULD happen.  Wishing you a speedy recovery.

13 minutes ago, hcat said:

nice review

how was the ship's speed and ride?

Thanks.

For the most part it was fast and smooth.  The Caribbean was pretty windy that week (tender at Grand Cayman was cancelled) and we did feel a little bit of motion later in the week...but honestly nothing to worry about unless you're ultra sensitive.  There were times where the seas looked pretty choppy and we commented about not feeling much if any motion.

2 minutes ago, zitsky said:

How does the staff open these umbrellas?

Again…with a crank. When open, they cover at least 4 lounge chairs. 

We were on it in October, in a CS.  The condition of the ship was fine..yes a little dated and maybe a little tired in some areas, but overall a beautiful, clean ship.  Food was good and we enjoyed Luminae.  Our butler service was very good as well.

My only issue from a suite perspective was with the Retreat amenities aspect...no sundeck and Michael's Club was tired and pretty unexciting compared to the brightness and vibrancy of the Retreat Lounge we have experienced aboard the Apex.

If those things don't matter to you...by all means, you'll be fine IMO.

29 minutes ago, zitsky said:

I don’t see a hand crank in that pic?  Are they meant to be pushed up and held with a pin?  Maybe staff could stand there waving palm fronds?  

LOL...I don't think you're grasping the size of those umbrellas.  A pin ain't gonna do it.

And for what we pay for those suites these days, I'd prefer my own portable AC unit.

Night and day difference in our experiences in the Eclipse (Michael's) in October, and the Apex (Retreat Lounge) in early March.

Some seem to like Michaels, but for our money it was way too isolated, enclosed and plain boring.  The Retreat Lounge was bright and vibrant and staffed by several terrific people who made the experience even better.  The availability of drinks from the coolers and snacks was a big plus as well, as was the convenience of the location relative to the pool deck and Luminae.