tbmrt

We booked our 12/12/14 cruise in February and got our Guarantee Concierge cabin assignment a few days after booking.  I asked our TA to change since I preferred a different location and was surprised to have that happen.

We were on a Virgin Voyages cruise in June to the Southern Caribbean and although we enjoyed the ports and liveliness of it, we decided to do a more relaxing cruise early this December.  We chose the Connie with plans to enjoy sitting on the balcony, the food, shows, and our beloved Martini Bar.

Last time we were on Celebrity the Martini Bar was always packed so difficult to get a seat.  Would appreciate suggestions for best time to visit it and still be able to have the ambiance of the waiters' antics. 

13 hours ago, cbfb said:

I thought it depended on the ship. On the summit anytime dining was great but on the equinox it was on the upper level and it seemed chaotic with all the servers stations in the middle. 

This is what I disliked on another of Celebrity's ship that was set up in the same way.  Wondering if it is as chaotic with Fixed Dining on the upper deck of Connie. We might change to Anytime if that is the case.

 Does the deck location for Anytime vs. Fixed matter?

Plus or minuses for both please.

12 hours ago, MissyDot said:

And no more breakfast room service doorknob cards 

Didn't know that.  Is it just phone in your orders the day/night before?

On 5/23/2024 at 1:21 PM, May B said:

No, or anyway, not up until my most recent Connie in December. Anytime is on deck four; fixed is on deck five.

I don't remember what ship it was on, but I remember feeling "left out" of some main dining room floor activities like introduction of officers when we were seated on upper deck w/Anytime Dining. Did you find that?

If we book an Anytime reservation, can we choose between main floor and 2nd floor of restaurant?  In our case on Constellation.

Coming to Cozumel and was disappointed to read many negative reviews re: Chankanaab which was always our go to when we visited there.

Paradise Beach has great reviews.  However, seeing all the inflatables I'm wondering if there is a quieter section of the beach to relax at.  (2 adults)

Thank you so much...I've done many long trip reports on CC, but nothing close to your thread!

We have gone to Krazy Lobster a few times and loved the food, service and massages.  However, last time we were there the beach had washed away, leaving only a few feet of sand between chairs and water.  I seem to remember a small bridge to climb over sandbags.  

Not sure where we will go in December.  Can someone recommend a beach either all inclusive or not where the beach is better than at Krazy Lobster?  

18 hours ago, surfnsun said:

Concierge Class Gathering in the Reflections Lounge with appetizers and raffles and a few ship photos to help your cruise withdrawal...

Is Quisine the same as Le Petite Chef?   Read that there was a front and back side to menu, one not matching animation??  Tx again

5 hours ago, surfnsun said:

A few shots from last night after a very relaxing, much needed, sea day. MDR menu, MDR dress policy, ship officers. Seems to be a pretty lively ship compared to what I've read in the past.  Or maybe it's because it's a short video of the Martini bar area.  😁

Thanks for these...I thought San Marco was for early/late dinner diners...What is without reservations....For Anytime diners?

1 hour ago, surfnsun said:

These are the canvas located at aft beginning at about cabin 8159 on deck 8.  They appear to be covering the balconies on deck 6.  They are not a bother for us on deck 8, but I am glad we are not on Deck 7.  Just more fascinating, useful information from a traveler who missed a tour in Rome because she got the meeting point wrong.  😆

Thanks for this photo...I had originally had a cabin on Deck 7 over these and I really wouldn't like looking down at them.

13 hours ago, surfnsun said:

Ok, NBLIVING,  so DH didn't order an Old Fashioned tonight, but I asked what might be a somewhat, maybe, questionable, not sure looking, say what?, but very friendly staff member..."what type of cherries do you serve with an Old Fashion".  To which she replied "we only serve maraschino cherries".  But I can tell you the cherry I missed last night was not your typically maraschino cherry.  Larger, not quite as red, and tasty according to you know who.  😆

When we were in Puerto Rico in February my husband had the best Old Fashioned ever.  Had some sort of cinnamon stick in it.  Have you ever tried that? 

12 hours ago, retired dude said:

we live in tampa so there are no other options with celebrity out of our home port and rccl out of tampa is the same 20 year old ships that also need attention....It is what it is, and we just returned from taking cruises out of miami and lauderdale...At lease least we are trying to be loyal customers, we just expect that if you raise the cruise prices by 30% that maybe just maybe a few upgrades to the cabins might be justified....We enjoy celebrity and have for over 25 years, we just want a decent return on our investment.....and yes i have discussed this with the parent company.  Like  i said if the ships are full there is no need to right some of the wrongs...It is the corporate way....just say'in

We live about 30 minutes north of Tampa and agree that the RCCL ships out of Tampa really need an update. We love the ease of cruising from Tampa.  We cruised from Puerto Rico on Virgin Voyages in February.  The flight times were crazy and waiting in the airports were a pain. 

Every time we drive to embark on a Miami departure we usually get lost driving when we get close to the port.  Tried flying, but dislike having to spend so much time in the airport. Really wish Brightline from Tampa to Miami was completed.

Another plus for cruising out of Tampa is that we don't have to leave our beloved standard poodle with his sitter the day before our cruise.

Love this thread!

7 hours ago, May B said:

Hey dude. I wonder if I know you. 😁

8 hours ago, surfnsun said:

Actually, I'm glad you asked as I took a picture earlier of what's across from your cabin.  The first photo is the door across from you that says "crew service pantry".  Not sure about the noise but I would imagine it's used mostly during the day when servicing the cabins.  Can't be too bad compared to our neighbors who were up and in and out bright and early.  The second photo is from our balcony this morning, which is a bit more aft than yours on the same side of the ship.  Hope you can zoom in or let me know and I'll crop and repost.  It appears the boxes may be window cleaning scaffold which are well below our deck.  Finally, folks, beware the creativity.  I had to have two of these "puny portofino" so I'm well on my way to Ninja Powers.  😁

 

Thanks! I don't think the crew door is a problem because we'd sleep through a hurricane!  I am concerned about the canvas covers though...Would my cabin be over these?  If so, looking down may be a problem.  Also is window scaffolding that close to our cabin?  You are the best!  Hope you're having a wonderful cruise.

17 hours ago, surfnsun said:

Here's a little something for someone following along.  You know who you are!😀

Since your cabin is so close to 8141, can you tell me what the "white" boxes are looking down from balcony?  Also, is there much noise from the crew area outside the cabin?  Thanks so much for doing so much for everyone in this thread!

3 minutes ago, tbmrt said:

We will be in 8141 Concierge in December.  Thrilled about these perks.  I was trying to count down the cabin numbers to determine if our cabin has bed near balcony or near window.  Are you on Deck 8?  How do you like your location?  Thanks!

Sorry I just saw that you were on Deck 8 in one of your earlier posts!

15 hours ago, surfnsun said:

More helpful stuff if you happen to be Concierge Class, and the last photo is more ninja power, liquid courage in defense of gosh knows what might await.  😁

 

We will be in 8141 Concierge in December.  Thrilled about these perks.  I was trying to count down the cabin numbers to determine if our cabin has bed near balcony or near window.  Are you on Deck 8?  How do you like your location?  Thanks!

Just saw this menu on Constellation and unfortunately nothing appeals to me.  Is it possible to order something else, i.e., plain chicken?

1 hour ago, surfnsun said:

Welcome aboard!!  As the saying goes, let's get jiggy with it!  We left our Rome Hotel Dei Borgognoni via our precooked online SharedShuttle reservation.  Cost was 80 EUR plus tip in a shuttle that we shared with 8 others going to our ship and picked up before us at various locations.  Uneventful ride although the shuttle was late arriving at the hotel.  Rome is crazy busy!  We left at 1100 and arrived port 1215 and through security by 1230 and sitting down for lunch at 1245.  We are in a Concierge Class Balcony cabin so we enjoyed lunch in the San Marco dining room.  I'll post a few photos to include one shot of our port of Civitavecchia with a pretty cool looking ferry, the Main Dining Room, our lunch menu along with food photos.  Beef and salmon dish and both dessert options.  I shall need another cocktail before posting stateroom and some ship photos.  Connie is in very good condition after her long spa days with face-lift.  😀

 

THANKS....We will also be in a Concierge balcony in December.  Had anything been done to refresh your cabin?

 

 

 

 

12 minutes ago, CruiseSWE said:

Grazie Mille! 🥰 So excited to see pictures. If you are able to I would love to know if all the staterooms were refreshed.🙏🏻 We are cruising in 3040 this summer. Have a wonderful cruise! 😀

Just read this in a FB group: (Hope some of the rooms have been refreshed)

I saw your drawing, but it looked like no ice on the martini bar? 

Enjoy your trip!

Looking forward to your Connie cruise on the newly refurbished ship!

Found this Dry Dock List...Looking forward to seeing changes.  Dry Dock ends 4/21/24 according to this.