bigbenboys

On 12/4/2023 at 10:14 AM, sdnich said:

You have made some beautiful art!! I was thinking about booking this for our cruise next year and wondering if you’ve seen any better sales than the 5% off that they have now??

No, I have not seen more than 5%. I've gotten 5% for being in a suite. Also as Elite Plus.

We have sailed twice since the restart on Millie. Both times have been great. We are thinking about do Mumbai to Singapore cruise in 2025 on Millie  .

Last Sept I was having problems booking a table of 4 for Murano. We were in a CS and MIL was not in a suite. I called the Retreat number and was able to book the table of 4 for 6:30 using OBC from X.

We have Apex booked for June out of Southampton. 11 nights in a sky suite. The cost is $12k. Our last cruise in Sept on Eclipse the food was not that good in Luminae. Mer Soleil by the bottle only is disturbing😱. I hope I can get Mer Soleil by the glass in the Retreat.

Great fun. Here are some of my pieces I've made.

8 hours ago, FlutePrayer said:

We are currently on the Eclipse in an Aqua Sky Suite that we got with a Move Up bid. It is magnificent. There is no comparison to the Prime Aqua Class stateroom we sailed on in October on the same ship. We would bid again in a heartbeat.

Yes, great location and should be quite.

While I have not asked in MC or The Retreat. I have heard in the past that if you wanted higher end booze you might have to pay. I'm talking about booze above the PDP.  I have heard that JWB in MC was $20 a shot. Might be higher now.

Might TA's have cabins on hold from before Oct 4th? 

5 minutes ago, imlulu said:

Our x press passes state PALL, CALL..

That tell me you upgraded your drink package from Classic to Premium.

Another factor I take in when booking a cruise is location of cabin on the ship.

As to the M Class ships. I like that most of the suites are on deck 6. I would book any of the SS suites on deck 6. Also CS had a table for 4 for dining.

With the S Class ships SS might have noise issues from the OVC above. I'll only book Aqua Sky Suites or the 1st 2 Sky Suites after AS or book a Sunset Sky Suite. I also look at the cost difference between a AS and a CS.  AS offers us nothing but a great location.

1 hour ago, miched said:

We got it in a SS back in Mar.  it is more cuts. 
 

We got the same bag.  It also has that little pouch bag inside 

 

The top bag is the most recent.  Flimsy material.  The one other is from a few cruises ago.  More like canvas

 

Also the boxes that had the chocolates.  
 

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅

The above is what we got in our CS last Sept. The photo below is what we had been getting in a SS in the past. It is a better quality bag with a zippered pocket within the bag.

 

 

Many of our cruises are more about the ship than where we are going. My 1st choice is Millennium then Summit, Eclipse, Solstice, Silhouette, Reflection, Equinox, Constellation and Infinity. All E Class ships last. My biggest problem with E Class is limited food options in Luminae. $12k for our next cruise on Apex SS without a butler. Our last cruise on Eclipse in a CS the MDR food was better than Luminae food. We were doing 3 Celebrity cruises per year before Covid. Now 1 per year. More land holidays for us until things get settle down at Celebrity.

53 minutes ago, miched said:

On chic nights they use to give a little box with a few pieces of higher quality chocolate,  no more.  
 

 

 

 

Sept we were on Eclipse in a CS and I asked our butler about the little box of chocolate. The butler said only the high suites get the box of chocolate. In SS we used to get the bag with the zipper in the side. Not in our CS in Sept. Just a X bag with 2 handles.

I would fly to Vancouver BC and do a 7 night Alaska cruise Vancouver to Vancouver. Then Vancouver to Hawaii 9 night cruise.

Sept 15 Solstice Alaska, Sept 22 Solstice to Hawaii.

I would use OBC for sushi on five on sea days.

We were on the Eclipse last Sept in a non angle CS. Photo of the lounge chair on balcony. I personally dont like the E Class ships Retreat area or Luminae. 

Photos from Summit balconies cabins 1114 and 1116.

Our last cruise on Eclipse the pilot came on board by helicopter. The port was at Astoria Oregon.

On 11/10/2023 at 6:15 AM, georgetheblue said:

Will be on Connie, assigned to Blu.  The Blu dinner menus make me puke.  I don’t eat duck, pheasant, veal, lamb.   I plan to ask for the MDR menu every night in addition.  I understand this should not be a big deal since MDR and Blu are basically in the same room.  I chose an aqua suite for cabin location, Persian garden entry and the fact that I will not be waiting in a long line for a table to open up in MDR.  I refuse to deal with OVC carrying a tray around looking for an open seat.  Perhaps if Celebrity had given me more OBC I would have booked a Tuscan Grill package for the entire cruise now that I can see the Blu menus on the current sailing.

I agree with you about some of the food choices in Blu. I also wont eat duck, pheasant, veal, lamb. But would add quail, pigeon/swab and Blu meatloaf (damp and soggy) that looked like cat food from a tin. We were just on Eclipse and the food in Luminae was not very good. The food I ate from the MDR was very good.

12 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

 

That is very true, but the biggest complaint that I have seen is that people cannot book the restaurant they want when they purchase the package because those paying for individual bookings have booked all the open reservations. 

 

Our last cruise I tried to book a individual booking for Murano for 4 at 6:30. We were in a CS suite. My MIL was in a balcony cabin. I was unable to get 6:30 until I called the Retreat Concierge. X holds tables for suite guest.

2 hours ago, the penguins said:

She is currently on the Edge.

Her mass of red hair makes her easily recognisable.

She is almost always a panelist on Liars Club.

Until you meet her you can at least listen to her as she is the " voice" in the lifts /elevators on every Celebrity ship.

We just love Julie. 

The colors are the same as Cruise Critic. 

On 11/1/2023 at 3:50 PM, miched said:

 

As I said why be a snob and only mingle with those that are Elite or above?  If It wasn’t about the drink and they had a dedicated lounge for elite and above from 5 to 7 without the free HH  drinks how many would attend?  🤗

 

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅

We sail mostly in suites and have the PDP. We still went to the Elite events until 6:30. 

AT NIGHT

SMART CASUAL 

Smart Casual attire is required for entry to main dining, specialty dining, and the Celebrity Theatre. Smart Casual means you look comfortable yet tasteful in a dress, skirt, long pants, or jean, and stylish top or button-down. Shorts and flip flops are not considered Smart Casual. 

EVENING CHIC

Each itinerary features one to two “formal” nights we call Evening Chic. Evening Chic means you dress to impress, glamorous and sophisticated in your own way, with a cocktail dress, skirt, slacks, or designer jean, an elegant dress top or blazer—some guests even pack a tuxedo or gown for onboard photos. The Daily program, delivered to your stateroom and available at the Guest Relations Desk, will be your guide to the correct attire each evening. If you do not wish to participate in Evening Chic, Smart Casual attire is acceptable for dining and theater.

59 minutes ago, lovecruzin said:

We board Eclipse on the 11th. Other than the menu in Luminae how is the overall service including wine? The server we had in May is on holiday and the somm has moved to Ascent.

 

We were on Eclipse in Sept/Oct. Service in Luminae was very good. Assistant waiter G was great. Our somm was ok. He was better after a couple of days. The ribeye was horrible.