hcat

Your photos are amazing. We did the ship's tour to Taormina...enjoyable and well organized, but at times our guide droned on a bit much. We got to see a wedding party emerge from the local church...very exciting. Nice shops and places to eat.. it was an expensive outing. As your photos show..it is very hilly. The bus took the mountain curves okay but sometimes I just closed.my eyes! if anyone gets bus sick, wear your bands!

what exactly is intuitive service? esp if you now have to request it?

dont send anything that can shrink.in very hot water or anything you cannot afford to lose We use our E + perk to do a white load..socks and undies and a dark.load of sturdy tees and shorts.. nothing delicate or apt to shrink.or melt

Eddy Jenkins is outstanding!

BLU from day one , offered us a respite from the overwhelming din of the crowded mdr and often being seated with strangers. Menu is to our liking, service more personal, food fresher, and the BLU dining rooms are bright and energizing. Those criticizing will likely be happier dining elsewhere. That's their option..just like we found Luminae to be over rated, dark and pretentious at times. I am diabetic so bread, carbs, alcohol and desserts are limited . Other than the period of too much wild bird....have always found satisfying choices in BLU..

good to know..what are the hours?

honey moon couples get reserved sun loungers. That's . not us....but we never were without places to lounge at either pool or at the island pool.. We might try another Sandals in the Bahamas that offers golf for dh.. The one we went to involved easy flights, small clean airport, limo pick up and champagne at check in... All in price at the time was same as a cruise on Reflection which we cancelled in lieu....felt a beach vacay would be more relaxing at the time!

we have enjoyed Sandals....Nassau Bahamas..go suite or concierge.. excellent accomodation.. lg ocean view balc .treated like Royalty.. complete in rm bar set up. Only extras were Red Door SPA ..( great prices) shopping and a few extra tips.. great restaurants/ bars. workout space with ocean views, night time events...music.. quiet and active pools, off shore island with pool and lunch...and they offer excursions too. Maybe we'll go back sooner than planned!

great photos! beautiful!

thank you... I could manage nicely!

not sure what outdoors will be like on Ascent We usually prefer indoors with A/C. but.maybe it will be a lovely terrace area..We will try it for breakfast if not too sunny. On EDGE, BLU 'S outdoor area was by maint equip and life boats.. counted as seating but no.one went outside, .curtains were kept closed. we are also booked at Fine Cut so maybe will try the new lobster dish!

not the experience we have had since BLU was created.. but diff strokes for diff folks.. We were never offered smoothies..we enjoy, less salt, no gravies and sauce free. food made to order..served fresh and hot.. we reject carbs and get nice servings of veggies. Suite guests were so envious of Blu, X created Luminae!

Our Jan cruise will be on ASCENT. Based on that article we fear what they may do to BLU..with regard to design, format and menus. We are in AQuaclass, and are ( were.? ) really looking forward to being in BLU again after not liking Luminae on BEYOND. Too late to change that assignment. We are also booked at EDEN for the first time. We just want the regular menu..no pairing with wine ,no tasting menu and no vegan tasting. If we hear it is downgraded, we can cancel that. Next cruise after ASCENT will be on APEX..SV with 4 mdr plan...we favor Tuscan and Cyprus...and hope the basics will still be available and well prepared. Decided not to look for any cruises for awhile...we'll see how it develops...Hope not down to Royal C level..Their restaurants at any level cannot compare..so far!

Happy for that... cruise is not til January...hope Blu stays same and has the butter pats

So how are they counted.. potential debit if used??? Finances not my lane...but its like unused gift cards..but they expire.

Will they still offer soups and salads as well as appetizers like shrimp cocktail? some nights that's enough for us... wonder if BLU will stay the same?

just curious.. Is there a figure on how many fcc are ourstanding from Covid cancellations? We used ours last Nov.. not sure when they all expire. they paid pretty hefty salaries to CEO etc during Covid...what does the new CEO get paid?

pictures tell the story.. we will pack light and do walk off. We are about a 2 hr drive from the port..

Thanks for the reminder abt booking cruises after a transatlantic..always slow to board...we will keep this in mind. .Now that timing adjustments were made to avoid fog delays..we are looking for options from Tampa port to combine with a city stay...Zoo, Aquarium, nearby museums. Easy drive from our winter place. Tired of the drive to Port Ev or Miami

maybe just a one off for that cruise, but we are hoping they do not reduce days for the Elite bkfst.. We will be in BLU for our next cruise but enjoy stopping in for coffee and connecting with Cap Club reps. For early excursion, buffet hours work best.

exactly! Are they not having that anymore?

seems a bit heavy handed to me! Like the people who used "offer" to hold your stuff to keep it dry at the falls in Jamaica

This was posted by Scrapcreator on the current APEX live thread: "We went to the Captain’s Club Coffee Lounge for breakfast and was told it’s only on sea days. So we ended up at Cafe Al Bacio. Our welcome note says daily. Is this a new change? We’ll have to find out." I have asked them to post more info if they find out why. This would def be a big cutback of an ELITE perk. The lite bkfst would be more crowded on sea days, loss of opportunity to see the Cap Club rep, and one less venue for bkfst which includes mimosas and cappucino. (Not everyone rushes off the ship for every port)

most definitely..

hmm. That would be a serious cutback for sure. If you find out more info, please post the info. That would make it more crowded on sea days and elim another breakfast option that we enjoy.