hcat

they give pencils and cardboard pens.. and one pad ..in the cabin hard to find paper or pads..we bring our own

in some places it's accepted more than in others..an open seat is a seat where we live!

if you can't get in to early, can you get anytime dining..and make res for each day? We could not eat at late dining ..way too late( esp for a diabetic) hope the ship will be accomodating once you are on board!

We have enough pins, pens, writing paper (still from Mercury), cocktail glasses, tote bags and card folders to fill 2 large bins in the attic.. Maybe we'll bring some of these "artifacts" on future cruises..use as door prizes at the get togethers. I do like the recipe books and cards (food and bev), and treasure all my ART tour books!

Jim..and othe photo pros.. You and some others create truly amazing photography. Works of art. Most of us just post photos taken along the way.. simpler the better for me. I like seeing pics of the ship, staff, food, activity on board, ports and excursions..but I will never be an artist and appreciate any effort by others to share! Never knew I- phones were so complicated. Hope you can help Georgia post some of her pics. Sign me " just point and shoot"

interesting photo..looks diff from other posts.. I take pics on my Android phone ..then I hit the "Add Files" box in a post , and then find images I want to post.. I pick abt 3 or 4 and they upload. to sep them i then hit edit and space them and re post (learned that from Jim)

the internet/ tech staff will probably be able to help you...they are great problem solvers! I have android so apples/ oranges

Hi Lois, Enjoying your review! How was lunch at Frog and Onion? Did they have music? Has always been a fun stop for lunch..hope it is still .... Celeb always has great soup.. yours sounded delish! Was it an outdoor or indoor pool party? How's the weather? Will you consider X again ?

more than coffee.. it's a lite breakfast..cold platters, bagels, croissants, etc and mimosas, bellinis and cappucino..

just saying....we have never consumed 5 alcoholic drinks in one day! wish there were no Crossover benefits at all b/c there are many more Royal cruisers who cross over to X..

Gross...

It has been a long slow death of Celebrity as a modern luxury brand that we once knew ...but we still like the ships and BLU so we sail on.... Have decided no visits to Coco Cay based on recent posts..

we showed our cards to a person at the door on ASCENT.. .no card reader???

We are not usual suite cruisers (disliked Luminae), but feel ZENITHS should get preference over crossovers and others who are given courtesy access. They earned their status being loyal to X.. Celeb gives too much away...

I am enjoying the entire review..esp descriptions and photos of places we will never get to in person, as we stay closer to home these days! also appreciate the great pics of APEX..We always take the Art and Design tour on E Class ships. Very excited about our Jan '25 cruise! Agree about card playing "table hogs" in Baccio, the Buffet, spa cafe and the few lunch tables in EDEN. Maybe the upper area of the Club should be designated for games and cards....and folks be gently directed there..there's a bar too! Maybe serve some free snacks! Our fav E class MDR is Tuscan..we love the Fellini decor, ital opera music and overall ambiance.. We also enjoy Cyprus. We will get to dine there in Jan....not in BLU priced out of AQ Class so we took an SV.

great photo ! you both look quite chic and happy tie coordinates nicely with wife's anazing dress!

For perspective only : when first introduced, the solarium area was touted as a tranquil spa like space.... It did not have a true T pool with mineral salts and strong therapy jets like on Mercury or Century( later removed) within the spa area, , but did have more jets/ in pool sprays and nice in water places to relax on the metal bars . Times change but that was the initial description and reality .Now lucky if the water is even heated! (Compare to the Royal C Solarium type spaces, which were always a bit more active.. but were still were kid free. ) Other spaces that might be relaxing on X are the Relaxation Rooms, and heated loungers in the thermal suites / Persian Gardens, if one is lucky! We still find ways to enjoy !

Used to be a nice gathering in Michaels to socialize...now it's more about the drinks. We have a drink package so for us, no need! Sr officers party is still ok..unless they open it to gen admission.

We have never seen drinking parties in any Solarium . Guess it depends on the ship , dates and clientele on board. In general, the Solarium space has changed over the years. It started out as a very tranquil area with spa music..pan flutes, etc. , perfect water temp , and no one snoring the day away on the loungers. No loud conversation and NO children. Gone are those days. Card players hog the spa cafe tables, there's snoring galore and a much louder vibe. Best strategy is to enjoy it early in the morning or at night..unless the ship has a party going on. On Ascent for our Jan. cruises, it became crowded early.....due to overflow from the loud and shouty outdoor pool area. Not the santuary we hoped for! But we managed to go early and leave when the noise level increased!

i agree with the comment that the addition of Royal crossovers and other "perk people" have resulted in overwhelming numbers, and a diminution of what once was very special...& exclusive. We only go if its a sr officers event for E plus..hopefully less crowded!

add to list of crowded ports at times.. santorini, mykonos, nassau, st maarten

link to walking tours Victoria.. some are self guided and free! https://www.google.com/search?ie=UTF-8&client=ms-android-att-us-rvc3&source=android-browser&q=victoria+canada+port+walking+tour

Classy or Trashy? def not modern luxury !

i think I read on another thread it was the " new" way..very unsanitary and gross! And blocks up the hallway! They could at least have a cart for dirty dishes somewhere and send someone around to collect it.. Hope you get to Frog and Onion.. we always stop in....great mix of cruisers and locals!

very impressive! the Empress hotel area and grounds will still be lovely.. but I would not rec going too far from port.. Traffic snarls are very well.known! perhaps you can find a nearby walking tour?