hcat

Sometimes it speeds things up...and u get a temp credit back..

we are snowbirds, not cruising much these days.and are no longer the target demographic....but they still gladly take our money! In Nov, we enjoyed our first suite experience on BEYOND..used up accumulated fcc. Cruise and ship were outstanding other than Luminae dining which was not our style. We just booked AQ class (our go to) on Ascent for 2024. Very nice 7 night itin.. We are used to the Celeb systems (quirks and all) , enjoy BLU, Elite lite breakfast, Cafe Baccio thermal suites , Solarium & the spa.. No smoking is a plus, and we like meeting fellow cruisers..still a nice group lively enough but not wild!. The live music is usually excellent as are many of the newer shows. We enjoy the X excursions and some of the repeat ports. The included alcohol plan , laundry internet perks work ok for our needs. We usually do 2 specialty dinners per cruise..( EDEN & Fine Cut for ASCENT.) We will evaluate value, cutbacks and management attitudes that directly affect us as we go along. No other cruise line has caught our eye..abandoned Royal awhile ago and still feel X is a step up from there.

They are tone deaf so they might still Celebrate themselves! Their cruise line, their bubble!

if not, is it possible to file a credit card co dispute?

Thanks for a great "ride along" on Connie..Hooe you enjoy the next adventure! Hcat

This was such a great idea for a t review..Hope it does not disrupt your enjoyment of the meals! The photos and your descriptions make it all come to life! The ribeye appetizer would've been enpugh for my main course!

we took an X excursion on our cruise a few yrs ago. it went way up and all around and hit many highlights..It was very scenic and informative. Wished for more time at some photo stops..did not include the casino....There's alot more to Catalina Island than the area by the water. Glad we booked the excursion! After our tour, we had time for lunch ( more cruisers than seats for lunch ,,& service can be slow..pick something simple and quick!,) Also made a stop in to the pharmscy and a few tee shirt/ postcard stores... a fav port!

great review, fresh perspective my take away Be Happy Whine Less! thank you...

happy to read the start of a positive review..hope you continue to enjoy your cruise..!

same location (so likely there are still distance issues re kitchens? ) BUT NO life boats or maint equip to block the sea view.. and when we were there, much better acoustics than EDGE You might be able to eat outdoors with a great sea view Not sure? ...We were only there for dinner when we tired of Luminae. Hoping same layout on ASCENT..we booked AQ

LLP is part of the Royal C trained Management Team that has brought about many of the changes to the brand.."downwardly mobile". From elgance and classy to "........" fill in your own thoughts! No doubt when LLP and her people cruise X, they do not wait on lines or eat what we eat.. No shortages or downgrades for them.

As an aside , Blu on BEYOND( Nov,,) was fabulous, esp compared Luminae on that ship ( fresher food, bread baskets, better service, a brighter venue ) ... & much better than BLU on EDGE..esp as to the view and acoustics.

we just pre book via US trvl websites or hotel sites..US Dollars . Easier for us..not sure if we do better or worse

thanks.. Not only enjoying the review but learned alot..Just shows that old dogs can learn new tricks! love cruise critic!

great ongoing review.. we too loved BEYOND. Could you explain again the idea of charging your card in pesos in Cozumel and paying the card's conversion fee? We bought jewelry there but was charged in US $ at a duty free store, so no conversion fee.... I think for lunch we paid cash near the pier.( first time at Senor Frogs,,..interesting! )We usually use a card that does not charge a conversion fee.. Next time I want to see the ruins..I know it is small. Was the Thirsty Cougar worth the ride?

Both of these lobster dinners, at the Island restaurant and on the catamaran(?), look much better than what we were served in Luminae on BEYOND in Nov,,,( sorry no pic but was tiny, although sweet)

2 days NOLA ..very good, but we are booked on Ascent for Jan 2024..Need something later in the yr...but not during NOLA rainy season(?) I have been to NOLA a few days for a land based conference, but thought it would be fun to cruise there with dh..We'll keep looking..just hope X stays with Connie..updated or not..ok with us. But we would need AQ Class ..suites too pricey!

Excellent review! Thanks for sharing. Silhouette is one of our favs over the years. How much was Lawn Club Grill? Did you go on port nights? Loved the idea abt the cold washcloths in a baggie...

Just curious, have you actually eaten the recent version of a lobster tail on X.. ? sweet but teenie weenie! young wealthy cruisers tend to enjoy excellent food..which does not include 3 tiny burnt to a crisp veggies at Luminae or bologna for dinner at the buffet. X food and bev could still serve decent QUALITY food..just prepare smaller QUANTITIES based on usage of the venue and waste! That's for food mgmnt to figure out....not use as an excuse! disatisfaction by experienced X cruisers does not make them " greedy gobble gannets" (?) or folks needing to move to Carnival..heard they and other lines are managing food costs and supply issues much better

wonder if there will be some type of lamb leftovers in the buffet next day for lunch or dinner ..stew? hope crew do not get demerits if they are caught trying to assist guests with workarounds to the new policies.! Your lamb looked great so at least mdr served something folks might like. ( I love lamb but only if it is cooked very well done so I skip eating it on ships or restsurants which serve it fairly rare)

does not look like pork..

best plan.. book 2 AQ Class cabins with 1 child in each with an adult..no switching games needed or book 2 reg cabins and split uo the kids or book one cabin that allows 4 person Occupancy. buy wife a pass to thermal suite... or book a suite where u could all go to BLU if space is available or all go to Luminae . wife can buy a few day or full cruise thermal suite pass. the game plan you suggest is not workable or the way it's supposed to work..with good reason

we booked EDEN and FINE CUT for ASCENT...so far (never tried either one before on E Class) also booked 2 Celeb excursions for Tortola : .nothing special just a day in the sun..., St Kitts/ Nevis: ..includes tour, beach and lunch. waiting for spa and Keristase res to open.. Enjoying ur review...very descrptive and great photos.. thanks!

looked at Connie from Tampa for late next yr.. 9 nights. Includes New Orleans and W Carib. Prices for suites on this itin are sky high, and even AQ Class which we like, was kind of pricey..There was a discount sale listed for 2nd passenger but we decided to wait awhile before making this our next pick ..After Ascent comes on line maybe other E class prices will fall...

great start... following. we have cruised on Summit a number of times..Hawaii, Bermuda, Carib.. heard the upgrades were well done