goofysmom99

I just checked the FBC site for a couple of cruises next year.  Even though I've always called, I still use the site afterwards to frequently check if they have a better deal.  That saved me $2K my upcoming Nov flight; fare was only on FBC for about 18 hrs and wasn't on google flights at all.  Agree, I don't care for the new version.

Silhouette and Reflection have more specialty restaurants (same for both of them) than the other three S-class ships.  All veranda cabins are the same size on both.  Silhouette has been refurbished and carries fewer pax than Reflection.  Since I'm not a fan of the main dining room, the extra dining options and fewer pax than Reflection are primarily why Silhouette earns my vote as favorite. 

33 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

Yea... and unfortunately they keep removing so many of the things that use to make Celebrity stand above the other mainstream cruise lines. 

To me, the thing that's hurt the most is food quality.  Celebrity began its life with a "foodie" reputation and it certainly was memorable on my first cruise (1993, Zenith) and the decade that followed.  Sadly, the food on my most recent X cruises, 2022-4, has also been memorable....for being so poor in all venues.  The wonderful food pix and menus you've been posting have reminded me of a few of the offerings from X's former glory days.  Thanks for taking the time to make this enlightening thread.  Oceania looks very promising.

When my DH had cataract surgeries and quit wearing glasses, he looked 10 years older because the bags under his eyes showed and he wouldn't consider cosmetic surgery.  So, I convinced him to get clear-on-top/reading progressives and, voila, he looked handsome again (and younger). 😉 

Just now, zitsky said:

I’d be really interested to compare those with Sky Suite prices.

Sold out.

3 hours ago, mahdnc said:

Has anyone received an email for this PUP?

David, TraderSam who posted the link, is from Scotland.  I've noticed that the last few "watch the video" PUP offers seem to arrive in Europe/UK first, then US.  

I just checked prices for Aqua on Eclipse 10/20/25, 13 night TA out of Barcelona.  

Current cruise-only fares (for 2, including taxes):

Aqua A2 - $7086

Veranda (Deck 8):  $3266  

Concierge (hump cabin):  $3833

Wow, the food in Blu must be really good....$3820 more than a veranda?  And $3253 more than a hump C1 (my preferred location)?? 😲 Somebody at X has lost the plot.  That'd make specialties for every dinner a real bargain.  

Yup, Celebrity suite pricing is out of whack for me.  As long as I have to pay x2 as a solo (less only one zenith discount), I won't be booking more suites on X.  It's not just price either.  As a celiac, the food in MDR is mostly awful, Luminae is repetitively boring (plus they downgraded beef quality and removed the vacherin dessert, my pet peeves), and M and S-class specialty restaurants haven't changed their menus or upped anything but prices in close to 20 years.  I do enjoy OVC for dinner occasionally, especially stir fry or GF pizza.  Re entertainment, I haven't bothered with a show in a decade except for a few when there were three times more crew than pax after the covid restart.  Currently, I have three cruises booked on Silversea for 150% solo fares. Includes gratuities and excursions which are of little value to me, although I might take one/two.  Switching to Silversea should make corporate happy for the time being; however, Regent and Seabourn are also in my future.  All of my bookings (luxury brands?) have been priced equal to or less than a solo sky suite on X even before the status match.  

My Silversea veranda suite fares:

Apr 2025, 18 night Panama Canal transit, Silver Moon (2020 build) $9380, bk'd 1/23/24 (Summit for 16 nights was $17,800)

Nov 2025, 13 night TA, Silver Ray (2024 build) $7175, bk'd 1/30/24 (Ascent suites sold out, basic aqua A2 is ~$10K)

Mar 2026, 14 night TA, Silver Ray, $9813 w/10% status match, bk'd 6/03/24 (X's Spring TAs aren't out yet)

I do like that Silversea releases TAs far enough in advance to be able to time and book a R/T air ticket vs two one-ways.  Unfortunately, my sojourn with Silversea may be short-lived as RCG is already targeting it with hefty price increases, removing most solo supplements, and adjusting food quality.  If they downgrade the experience as much as they have on Celebrity, then NCL (Regent) and Carnival (Seabourn) will be getting more of my business, assuming they maintain solo supplements.  

3 hours ago, agape01 said:

Avoided embarkation lunch at La Terrazza and went straight to Atlantide where for about an hour, we were the only ones there.

 

This is what I had:

 

Atlantide Lunch Menu

 

Since I'm new to Silversea, just curious if that's a usual lunch menu?  Would you happen to know if they have a Main protein available for someone who needs gluten-free?  That's slim pickings for a celiac.  TIA

RCG also punished solos (~225%) on Celebrity last year and earlier this year.  Seems the bean counters have zeroed-in on Silversea now.  At least Celebrity appears to have gone back to the usual 200%.  I feel fortunate I was able to book three 2025/6 Silversea cruises earlier this year @ 50% before they upped the ante.  Definitely wouldn't have booked my cruises at their current solo rates.

I have the time and live nearby but September in the Caribbean (or any Summer month) is too dang hot.  I'd rather stay home.  I took a bunch of cruises Aug/Sep/Oct in 2021 after the restart.  The empty ships and low solo fares made it worthwhile but I well remember how the balcony divider walls radiated heat like an oven well into the night....and make a good case for booking an infinite veranda. 😉 I actually do think one of those would have been better.

I'm going to guess that folks who post their statuses prominently will wear their pins prominently  because they do want everyone to notice.  Whatever.  

I'm pretty sure the pasta dish is the talapia.

57 minutes ago, Pollypammy69 said:

do Celebrity supply non slip mats ? either as standard or upon request? ...considering taking my own . Thanks so much 

They do not.  Take your own.

3 hours ago, Lena11033 said:

How are you getting these deals for Silversea? When I look for me it's like $20k and I still have to book airfare.

You have to book over a year out; better yet, when their cruises are first released.  That's when I've found solo supplements for cruises that work for me (min 14 nights, balcony, less that $10K).  All the cruises I currently have booked were made more than a year out.  At least now with Silversea, the deposits are refundable and with the status match, most folks get a 10% discount.

I'm a long-time solo cruiser.  In January this year, before the status match, I booked 18-night Silversea Panama Canal transit in basic suite for April 2025 for $9800, all inclusive ($544/night).  Same itinerary on Summit for 16 nights in A2 (just an aqua cabin) is $750/night all-in. I don't think X is such a good deal these days for most categories, but obviously a lot of folks keep booking, probably assuming it's cheaper without actually price comparing.  

I told them at check-in and it was refunded in about three days, I think.  It was while I was aboard.  It was legitimate = roommate couldn't make it, but they'd have no way of knowing one way or the other.

Celebrity didn't come up with Zenith pins until after the status match.  Think they should have skipped that.  To avoid the "what's a black card" questions that often happened after I got one, I learned to put my room key face down on the table before handing it to a waiter.  And saved X the expense of a pin because I honestly would be embarrassed to wear it, even to the luncheon (always thought it was rather gauche on Royal).  It'll be interesting to see how many Zs wear one.

I'll add that I've had both forward and aft facing CS cabins.  I cruised suites for many, many weeks after sailing resumed.  The type of suite I'd choose now would depend on how hot the weather usually is where I'm going.  It was beastly hot in summertime in the Caribbean.  My aft-facing CS balcony got very little breeze.  The following cruise I switched to a forward facing CS and loved it.  Also got way more air than the regular sky suites I'd booked.  On M-class, the Aqua suites will get a breeze, although the ones next the the PH, not as much.  Again, this would only be my recommendation for very hot weather cruise.  Oh, I'd skip Deck 9 because of deck noise from above and spotty wifi (IT guys weren't able to boost it either).  Had to go out on balcony to get a connection.  The other decks are great.

I've had a CS on M-class many times but my favorite memory was right after sailing resumed. In passing, I mentioned to the concierge that I dreamed of not having to "get decent" to answer the door for my daily room service breakfast (DH used to do it).  So first morning, the phone rang and my butler told me "your breakfast is ready."  When I walked out, and there was my breakfast and double cappuccino set on the dining table, accompanied by that magnificent view that the M-class celebrity suite provides.  OP, it was definitely worth the price of admission.  Go for it. 😉 

I can't handle suite bathtubs anymore, though, especially the CS tub, so now I book only aft-facing cabins on M-class, for the showers and view.

Sign-in to the website.  Then click on your name.  Then "My Tier and Points."  Then scroll down to "My Cruises & Points."  Your upcoming sailings will show there along with the number of points assigned to the category of cabin you have booked.  It should show whether it's 5 or 8 pts/night.
 

1 minute ago, little britain said:

My friend on apex last week also confirmed full access and she certainly wouldn’t go anywhere she wasn’t allowed. 

She asked?

Just an FYI, and don't know if this is available outside the US, but you can buy a year of Spotify Premium for $99 from Amazon.  I have them sent to the relatives for Christmas every year, self too.  Finally found something they all use.  Saves a chunk.