Jimbo59

2 minutes ago, Jimbo59 said:

 

Celebrity Edge class ships are different than HAL ships.
The Infinite Veranda (IV) on Edge class ships is not a veranda cabin. It is an ocean view cabin with a window that can be opened halfway down (sometimes). We are on the Beyond now and the Management closes the window frequently without any notice. There is never an announcement that the window can be reopened.

 

Don’t book an IV cabin expecting it is a traditional veranda or balcony.

3 minutes ago, Jimbo59 said:

 

Celebrity Edge class ships are different than HAL ships.
The Infinite Veranda (IV) on Edge class ships is not a veranda cabin. It is an ocean view cabin with a window that can be opened halfway down (sometimes). We are on the Beyond now and the Management closes the window frequently without any notice. There is never an announcement that the window can be reopened.

 

Don’t book an IV cabin on Celebrity expecting it is a traditional veranda or balcony.

The alternative to an IV cabin on Celebrity can be a different cruise line. For me it will be Holland America. HAL has real balconies, traditional fixed dinner seating (Celebrity has done away with traditional fixed dinner seating on Edge class ships), a wrap around walking deck, and a different dinner menu every night.

Celebrity Edge class ships are different than HAL ships.
The Infinite Veranda (IV) on Edge class ships is not a veranda cabin. It is an ocean view cabin with a window that can be opened halfway down (sometimes). We are on the Beyond now and the Management closes the window frequently without any notice. There is never an announcement that the window can be reopened.

Don’t book an IV cabin expecting it is a traditional veranda or balcony.

20 minutes ago, PinkSandGirl said:

You're Welcome. 😃

 

We are rocking a bit now and the creaking has extended to other parts of the cabin.   It doesn't bother me or keep me up but just an observation.  Definitely noticeable.  😉

 

Lite sleepers may want to bring ear plugs. 😉👂

 

🍹

20 minutes ago, PinkSandGirl said:

You're Welcome. 😃

 

We are rocking a bit now and the creaking has extended to other parts of the cabin.   It doesn't bother me or keep me up but just an observation.  Definitely noticeable.  😉

 

Lite sleepers may want to bring ear plugs. 😉👂

 

🍹

We don’t hear any creaking on level 7 aft.

8 minutes ago, kwokpot said:

*The entertainment on the Beyond has been outstanding. I thought there would be no equal to the production show ARTE but Beyond has another winner with ELEMENTS. As with Arte it was the synergy of the individual performers, production, and the theater itself to produce a show that was breathtaking.

 

I also watched the show The Jazz Joint at the Club and it too was a great show with a Supper club feel to it. 

I found the two shows to be great, but too loud. I had to put in earplugs to save my hearing.

2 hours ago, Jimbo59 said:

It was closed several times when the Management considered the weather to be a problem. There is no announcement when it takes place.

And there is no announcement when the IV window can be reopened.

1 hour ago, TravelingCircusof5 said:

Is this common, and how long did it stay locked? That would be very bothersome to me. If i paid for paid Verandah, i want to be all to feel out in the air. I do get seasick at times and the wind in my face is the best salve. 

It was closed several times when the Management considered the weather to be a problem. There is no announcement when it takes place.

We are on Beyond now. I agree it is a beautiful ship. But Celebrity has a mixed personality. There are many upscale shops (but why would anyone buy jewelry on a cruise ship and pay more than a fine jewelry shop on land).

Bur some things are “tacky” such as the can of Pringles and Kind bars on the counter (presumably for guests to consume and pay for).

And the dining rooms are not open on port days for lunch, only the Oceanview Cafe.

The ship has only about 2500 passengers on this cruise and the dining venues are understaffed. What will happen when the ship has over 3000 passengers?

There is the full complement of “Carnival or Royal Caribbean” type activities such as art auctions, dance classes, games, etc.

I agree that the IV cabin in not a balcony cabin. Today  at 10:30 am the IV window is locked closed because???. Maybe rough seas?

I think Holland America is more upscale than Celebrity.

Has anyone noticed that the tips (gratuities) have increased to $17.50 per person per day?

Celebrity has increased the tips (gratuities) to $17.50 per person per day.

Are you aware that on Celebrity Edge class ships there is no traditional early and late fixed dinner time seating? Everything is just “eat when you want.”

But in practice it doesn’t work that way. Reservations are “not available” so it is necessary to stand in line, get a pager, and wait to be called. So your table and wait staff changes for every meal, and the wait staff don’t have the opportunity to learn your preferences as with traditional dining.

We are currently on Celebrity Beyond.

On 10/27/2022 at 12:24 PM, kwokpot said:

For people following this review just be aware Beyond no longer offers fixed early or late seating in any of the 4main restaurants. It doesn't matter what you chose as your dining preference precruise. The ship is 100% Select anytime dining.

It was explained that 40% of each dining room is allocated to precruise reservations, the remaining 60% for walk-ins.

This would explain way there have been posts on CC of people choosing fixed early or late set seating but able to make whole cruise reservations in whatever dining room they wanted. 

We are on Beyond now. First night, October 26, we went to the Normandie restaurant at 7:15. There was a line, we were given a pager and were called for dinner in about 30 minutes.

2nd night we went to Cyprus restaurant at 7:45 and were seated immediately.

I don’t like this system. I prefer traditional dining, fixed time, same table and same wait staff.

This change in dining room policy may have been implemented recently as my travel agent was not aware of it.

Are you aware that on Celebrity Edge class ships there is no traditional early and late fixed dinner time seating? Everything is just “eat when you want.”

But in practice it doesn’t work that way. Reservations are “not available” so it is necessary to stand in line, get a pager, and wait to be called. So your table and wait staff changes for every meal, and the wait staff don’t have the opportunity to learn your preferences as with traditional dining.

We are currently on Celebrity Beyond.

I am curious as to why people pay very high prices to stay in suites on Celebrity when for the same price you can sail on the true upscale cruise lines. By the way, I am Elite on Celebrity and have sailed on the Queen Mary.

The Celebrity Boarding Pass says “Everyone will receive a wellness check before being cleared to board.”

what is the “wellness check?”

I was # 37 on hold when I called during the week. Today (Sunday) I called again. A very pleasant woman answered the phone right away. She checked my application and approved it. So one less thing to worry about.

On 10/5/2022 at 3:01 PM, kstetser said:

Sailing to Bermuda for the first time at the end of the month.   We like to do things on our own.   Generally, that means hiking, eating or going to the beach.   Any suggestions?   I would like to avoid long bus/van drives as I am sensitive to that motion.   Are there things to walk to from the dock?   Looks like taking the ferry to Hamilton will open up more opportunities.

 

Any advice/suggestions would be very welcomed.

 

Kathi

Take the ferry to Hamilton. Cute little town.

depends on how long you will be there - day trip or overnight.

if you are there more than one day , visit a beach.

WebCam is offline as of 9:45 am Eastern today. Hurricane damage?

Does anyone know if Celebrity offers “Luggage Direct” or Luggage Valet from the ship to FLL airport?

The last time I sailed on Celebrity (three years ago) they offered discounts on the speciality restaurants while on-board. Does Celebrity still offer discounts?

Why spend the extra hours back and forth to the ship? Plan to stay overnight in Jerusalem to maximize your touring time. With traffic, the one hour trip from Ashdod Port to Jerusalem could stretch into two hours.

The buffet on QM2 was not as efficient as on HAL. No real alternative restaurants on QM2. But daily afternoon tea on QM2 was delightful - usually with music, sometimes with a  dance band. Entertainment lectures on QM2 are very interesting. 

Lincoln Center Stage on HAL is great if you like classical music.

7 hours ago, rafinmd said:

Thank you for the last Daily of the week Rich.  There's been a lot of nothing lately.  I'd love to see a Komodo Dragon sometime.  Remembrance of Prohibition carries a lesson to be learned.  Love the quote, and Glazed Roast Chicken sounds great.  My alternative is Canaletto Salad, Spaghetti Bolognese, and Pistachio Gelato as served on MS Prinsendam January 16, 2019 (for real this time):

 

https://morethangetaways.files.wordpress.com/2019/01/dishes16.jpg

 

 

Roy - any cruises planned yet? I think my first possibility is winter 2022. 

15 hours ago, rafinmd said:

With a vaccine on the horizon I'll likely be "ready" soon after it actually happens.  Maryland expects to start vaccinating those over 75 late this months.  Then another month for the second jab and a few more days for it to really kick in.

 

Roy

Anything booked yet or thinking about? I really enjoy reading your blog posts / daily postings. 

19 hours ago, rafinmd said:

 

 

Today's Celebrations and Shoutouts:

Teachers and school workers, especially StLouisCruiser’s DD

Front Line Health Care Workers

First jab completed for summer slope and highland cruiser’s DD

A new home for Sophie

The end of political ads in Georgia

Good MRI results for JazzyV

and Sabine, HAL’s likely first female Captain(I know this is a repeat but she’s worth it)

 

Summer, I'm surprised you don't have an actual appointment for your second jab.
                    

Roy

 

Roy - When will you be ready to resume cruising?