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Points towards credit card points for getting OBC credit on a cruise are one thing, but points towards advancing in levels of Cap Club is what I would oppose.. They have already been too loose with that! It took some of us yrs to accrue enough Cap Club points to move up, esp if we cannot afford suites.. fewer points for less money spent . It took us many, many cruises and cruise nights to achieve E + on X, and also some mid range level on Royal C. I totally respect ZENITHS..some who cruise in suites, but most who showed loyalty by frequently cruising with the brand. I also think reciprocity with Royal C has overwhelmed X.. Royal C crossovers have crowded lots of X events b/c Royal C has had a larger client base over the years..Just my opjnion.. On some past cruises, the visiting Royals had special parties and focus groups as X tried to woo them....

poll or not a poll, the poster has made valuable past contributions to CC..including live from reviews with great pics and helpful info. he raised a topic that has garnered interesting comments, so no need to pile on based on poll or not a poll..who cares?

yes.. initial bonus worth it, but if you cancel you'll get a credit ding..so it will probably sit unused like ours..

Bermuda was a bit tight as well when we flew..

We ate at the Rooftop Garden Grill on ASCENT. Had to ask the adjacent Pickle ballers to stop their overtime play..Plink Plink. ..It was a beautiful night. calm waters, stars etc! Service and food were very good but it was a very casual venue with tables closely situated and a few large groups. We would skip it next time.except maybe for lunch..if no Pickleball. I recall lunch portions were huge on other ships..

We mostly had the lite bkfst in Tuscan on E Class, but on Ascent in Jan/Feb, it was held in Grand Bistro. We were told depends on the numbers! either location is nice!

X is getting really chinzy on your chocolates! We had the regular tiny pieces on ASCENT. The spread contains oil and is only 68% butter..from Denmark.. Odd

So far, this is my fav video and pictoral of your cruise.. I worked with someone who lived there for a few years. Gov job.. It was very laid back and he loved it! Earned extra location pay..in US $.

NOT INTERESTED in more marketing..just improve the actual product! Years ago we used to have a BOA Celeb card and a BOA Royal Card. When X or BOA decided to end the Celeb card we had to use or lose our accrued points on their timetable ...The break up was a raw deal for us. We still have the former X related card..now named something else..hardly used. We no longer cruise on Royal, but still use the Royal Card to accrue some OBC, usable on X...not our main card.

Driving anywhere in Miami is insane..night or day Sorry you got the " tour". I realize you had no choice about driving, but we always hire a car service when we are there...to avoid that very scenario. Hope by now you are settled in!

small island, low population. but looks beautiful.. and obviously not a cruise port!

great pics.. someone in my high school class in NY (eons ago) , visited an aunt who lived on Saba...it was the biggest news of the holidays! Very intriguing!

dup post sorry! could not remove

Enjoy!

found on line..no ID..but gives an overall view if it.

great summary.. great space, lovely view..Well worth the upcharge! Sorry, I cannot yet locate my earlier photos of the view, tables and copper pots from EDGE.. after she first sailed..

Bistro pics from ASCENT Feb 2024..

Hope you let guest rel and excursion dept know..not so much for a credit but to have them square things away with the vendor, We had a simlar experience on St Kitts..long trek in hot sun to board an obviously too small ferry...then we were asked to get off..long wait in the sun for a larger vessel..No one from Celeb excursiin dept in sight..at least to hand out water! Dropped off at same inconvenient spit...had to take a ling trek thru shops. Our ferry ride and tour on Nevis were great, but X excursion Dept was useless!

Sad to hear that ASCENT has joined the creaky party ! Why sea trials did not reveal this is a big miss! Hope the new XL will be tested big time! We were lucky with EDGE and hoping APEX will be OK

Great menu for lunch or early dinner...see X website. Love the soups, entrees and wine service there,....nice views. Daily menu changes . You will be very full! (Upcharge) Will post a few pics later... Differs from the petit chef.. set menu with cartoon which we do not do. We recently had a great take out lunch at Bistro on ASCENT..sammies on fresh bread and shared a dessert.. We were served at the little tables out front and dh grabbed drinks from the bar next door.. Sometimes the Elite breakfast is served there... One of the best places on E Class..hope it is not ruined or swapped.

Thanks We'll keep it in mind.. seems much less crowded that the last stop you made, where the umbrellas were tip to tip...

Sal liked the idea,..thanks for this info! We would stop over but go to kw... one time trip!

WOW...Truly amazing! I would not mind lounging at the Key Largo hotel pool, but sorry you are missing the dive trip! I am thinking we might enjoy the drive down the keys. In .all our yrs in Fl we never did it! Right now, Summit is asking high prices for AQ and Concierge..We have a limited budget these days & might try a shorter cruise to check it out before plunging ahead! So I will enjoy your review even more! ENJOY!

forgot the Spa Cafe for lite lunch..great taste!

I am a long term type 2 diabetic so this is my way of life on land and sea: BUFFET: Breakfast for me is a half toasted bagel, cr cheese, smoked salmon, capers, onion and tomato. Alts are French toast ( 1thick slice) with lite syrup or jelly, or fresh egg omelet with veggies, ham and cheese.. Splurge is bacon! For lunch, X buffet offers fresh and steamed veggies..... great variety for salads...go light on dressings, eat fish when available, avoid carbs in bread, rice, pasta and dessert.. skip ice cream drink diet or club soda, unsweet tea /coffee.. Never feel deprived! BLU (usually) or MDRs... Great for breakfast ..skip pastries .Same choices as buffet, but frittata or eggs beneduct are nice! (Alt..go to E + lite breakfast if eligible, splurge on a Mimosa or Bellini) For dinner in BLU: enjoy a few breadsticks, skip rolls and butter, enjoy soup (can be salty but worth it), ask for sauce/ gravy on the side, skip pasta, request double veggies and eat half of any plated carbs . Most meals in BLU are healthy with lower salt and fat. .I like poulty but not squab, all fish including shrimp cocktail and lobster, and splurge on beef. Skip dessert. They are not that great but my husb loves the Creme Brulee (If BLU gets boring try Raw on 5...and esp EDEN! CAFE BACCIO..teas are great with biscotti or a few almond cookies...SPLURGE for me is the IGLU..once per cruise and a MUDSLIDE ( at a bar or pool deck).. Nice for afternoon pick me up. If in certain stateroom categories, you receive afternoon canapes..quite meager so better to look elsewhere for a snack. (We pack small bags of nuts) GELATO; one time splurge! yummy. ALCOHOL .not a big drinker..it conflicts with my meds and liver test result. Drink wine coolers, and lower carb alcohol. My SPLURGE is Amaretta or Baileys on the Rocks (my husb drinks lite beer and scotch) WATER: Use bottled water. Bring spring water on board, buy Pellegrino or Evian..to avoid bloat. We walk, use the stairs, and the gym a few times if we can. My blood sugar does go up after a cruise but usually no weight gain. My husb does Ok too ENJOY..Never feel deprived!