goldsmip115

Thanks for that update. We have Tamarind booked for 6 nights, Pinnacle Grill booked for 4 nights and Canaletto for 4 nights. We may change it up depending upon how we find Pinnacle Grill. It used to be excellent. I remember the days of Sterling Beef. Loooong gone.

Bill and Mary Ann, I have followed your cruises and wonderful postings for many, many years. I so look forward to your daily postings when you are cruising. I am an avid cruiser but am not yet retired and cannot imagine a world cruise yet because of our four-legged kids. We have over 30 cruises under our belt, most on HAL. We started sailing on Celebrity and never looked back. Except we are sailing for two weeks starting on Sunday in the Pinnacle Suite on Nieuw Amsterdam. This is because of a charter sailing. My question is this. Each sailing that you take laments all of the changes and diminishment in service, amenities, food, etc. It seems that each cruise has more and more “disappointments.” While you always highlight the positive, what keeps you sailing on and loyal to HAL? I understand that you are top level cruisers and that entitles you to amenities but they too seem to be diminished. I’m curious about your loyalty and why given all of the cuts. Thanks.

I am anxious to hear about your experiences as we board on Sunday for two weeks. It’s disconcerting to hear about the poor internet connection.

Gede is no longer sailing. He is at home with his family. We email one another occasionally. He is the best of the best!

Video of the suite:

OMG, will we ever miss that huge aft facing deck! That and the 2 full baths….. and all of the other retreat amenities.

Thank you, Jim_lain, if time permits I will also post the costs that I have had to pay in advance of this cruise that are all included on Celebrity. Stay tuned. I recall that it is nearly $4,000 for the two weeks, all of which would have been included in a RS or a PS on Celebrity.

We did a 10 night cruise on Celebrity last May from San Diego to Vancouver. There were no issues with our overnight stop in SFO. I recall that we left May 4th of 2022

By way of background, I will become 5 star mariner on HAL on my upcoming 14 night back to back cruise. Most of my HAL cruising is because of charters and I have only sailed in Neptune or Pinnacle Suites. In 2013 I booked a cruise in the Penthouse suite on the Summit out of Bayonne to Bermuda. I never looked back! I have only sailed in Penthouse Suites on the M class ships and have 9 cruises with Celebrity. I have absolutely loved each cruise and especially the wonderful crew! My last cruise with Celebrity was last May on Millenium in the PS. I am absolutely not interested in getting any nasty or snarky comments about my sailings in suites. What I wonder is if anyone is interested in a comparison of the 2 top suites. I am only going back to HAL because it is a back to back charter on the NA. Otherwise I would not. I already know that there is no comparison with respect to the amenities and service and included items on HAL suites vs Celebrity suites. However, I have noted a very valid concern about the skyrocketing prices of Celebrity suites. As I look to book future the prices are staggering and there seems to be significant cuts in various areas. I sail a week from Sunday for 14 nights.

Was luggage direct available? On the Nieuw Amsterdam for two weeks beginning 02/19. It is such a great service. I have my fingers crossed.

Happy Cruiser 6143, Why were you eating at the buffet? Was Luminae not acceptable or a problem? I recall that you only sail in the top suites.

Awesome. Thank you so much.

Love the service. Cruise for two weeks on Nieuw Amsterdam out of FLL next month.

A substandard venue and suite experience is really an understatement. We will soon be 4 star on HAL primarily because of sailing on charters. Years ago we moved on from HAL Neptune Suites and numerous sailings in Pinnacle Suites. The suite experience on Celebrity is amazing. Sail in a Royal Suite or a Penthouse suite and you will never look back. Literally everything is included with respect to premium liquor, premium wines, high speed internet, liquor bottles in the suite, daily laundry and a butler and unlimited specialty dining, a lounge that includes all drinks with table service. A dedicated restaurant for suite passengers with no up charge for a shrimp cocktail or filet mignon. I’m sailing on a charter next month on the Nieuw Amsterdam for two weeks in the Pinnacle Suite. The charter cost for the suite was huge! The prices for 2 people for high speed internet access, specialty dining, premium drink package, 2 bottles of liquor in the suite and 2 bottles of wine in the suite added nearly $1,800 and that is only for one week. HAL suites are essentially nothing more than more space nd free laundry.

If your parents are accustomed to Regent or Silversea they will be severely disappointed. There is no comparison to those two upscale lines vs HAL.

I’m hoping for very direct answers. I’ve tried to look through the various postings. Can someone please provide the CURRENT prices for the following, please: Pinnacle Grill Dinner Pinnacle Grill Lunch Tamarind Dinner Canaletto Dinner Anyone who can also provide the current price for the top internet package would very much be appreciated. I really appreciate those that can provide the information.. thank you.

Ah, the wonderful Anu. Simply the best!

I’m 4 star on HAL but left many years ago because the top suite experience on Celebrity is so superior to HAL. I’ve become accustomed to all specialty dining included, all internet included, premium liquor package included, unlimited laundry, butler service and so much more. That said, I am sailing on the Nieuw Amsterdam for 2 weeks next year on charter cruises. While I’m on the pinnacle suite for 2 weeks I don’t expect much other than unlimited laundry and water and soda included in the full size refrigerator. I’ve tried to determine all of the prices for the many things that I am going to have to add on top of the cruise fare. The charter does not open the website for booking all of these things until 30 days out. Can anyone give me the per person or per day prices for the following: Best internet plan: Best drink package available: Dinner in Pinnacle Grill: Dinner in Tamarind: Dinner in Canaletto: Lunch in Pinnacle Grill: Thanks to everyone. I have so appreciated Celebrity’s all inclusive approach for their top suites. I’m only sailing again with HAL because I want to be on both of these charter cruises. I completely understand the Neptune Lounge. Been there and done that many times. I very much enjoy breakfast in the Pinnacle Grill.

I agree. Home is where your heart is and where you live with your life partner. I have fond memories of our dinner with you both in Luminae

Jim, i will so miss your posts and the magnificent pictures and living vicariously through your wonderful cruise adventures. I, never before, heard you post that you are anxious to get home. The older we get I think sometimes, as wonderful as the trip is, “there’s no place like home.” I truly hope that we will sail together again sometime. Trish and Karen

Sail in the PH and send laundry out every morning. My goal is to come home with as little wash or dry cleaning as possible. Typically the Butler will offer to pick up laundry the morning of the last full day of the cruise. It gets returned that evening while we are at dinner. I always mark the slip COLD WATER ONLY. In all my celebrity cruises I have only had one minor issue with the laundry. I can’t even remember it now.

Having been in the Pinnacle Suite several times there is NO privacy with respect to the hot tub on the balcony. If others are at the railing above you and in forward cabins they can see you in the hot tub.

By chance is Gede one of the amazing servers in Luminae?

What a fabulous upgrade. You will love the Penthouse Suite! Some cruisers that represent being “happy” are continually so negative about the revolution of the suite. It gets so old! Enjoy every moment. I have spent many nights in that suite before and after the revolution. Both experiences have been wonderful. The only problem is that you will never want to go back. Every suite pales by comparison. I did a very extensive review of the Summit PS with many, many pictures that you can find on the boards. I so look forward to your review. I guarantee you that you will find many comfortable seats in the suite. Especially out on that fantastic verandah.