misha1

Wait...did they add a Tuscan Grill to Summit?

Ha Ha...my sentiments exactly. Many moons ago we got the recipe from Celebrity...we made it and it was AWESOME! Will try this version soon...very soon!

Spectacular photos...you have an eye for photo worthy subjects, and your camera is no slouch.

.

 

I could be wrong but I believe Misha simple meant check in where you check your bags before security. She did not mention anything about boarding, or their taking over head bins in 1st class. I could be wrong but don't people prefer to put their things above their seat? Why would one want to put their stuff in 1st class where it s not easily accessible?

Thank you, that is exactly what I meant and I was being light hearted at that, we never have more than 4-5 people traveling and if we can all stay together, it is best in my mind.

We have also done this at the airport when we fly FC and our travel companions are coach. If there is a long line for Coach check in, we all pile into the FC line...I am sure to the chagrin of others but we try not to hold up any progress for very long. We are traveling with 5 adults next year and we have same category cabins but DH and I are Elites so we planned on all of us checking in thru the same line

DH loves the new dress code...not that he minds suit and tie but in the caribbean, he is always too warm. So he wore a Tommy Bahama type shirt and I wore sundresses, long and short on most evenings, even Chic night... never felt underdressed.

Enjoying the review. I too have found night 1 on board + a premium drink package + martini bar= overindulgence. Medicate medicate medicate! That is my motto (and I am not referring to the booze...rather water and ibuprofen...or alka seltzer)

So, let me explain...DH and I were on a sailing and we decided to book another cruise while on board....to take advantage of the OBC offered. We are both Elite and booked two cabins, with each of us listed in one cabin...to get the 1 category upgrade. However, we would be staying in the same cabin and my DS and her 2 DD, who have never sailed, will be in the other cabin. At check in, will there be an issue when we tell them who is in what cabin? Does it matter?

After 20 cruises, it finally happened to us...locked out of the room from the balcony. DH knew it immedietly that he did not take the proper precautions. Not a soul around so DH lifted up on the glass sliding door and it popped open. Whew!

I love living the 5-star life! Yes, I enjoy cocktail attire on formal/elegant chic nights. I also dress nicely for dinner every night.

 

Yes, I wear business attire 5 or more days a week, church attire on Sundays and casual whenever I can between those times. I work 50+ hours a week and subsequently enjoy the fruits of these labors.

 

Enjoy living life YOUR way, be it casual, upscale, or other!

I love that analogy...living a 5 star life...at least on vacation. DH and I do enjoy "preparing for dinner". Champagne, lite bites, and beating my mug all go well together. We recently sailed without formal wear just to see how we felt on Evening Chic nights without suit, tie, and gown. We never felt underdressed...DH in a dinner jacket and button down shirt and myself in a floor length sun dress...still gave me a feeling of being " dressed" for dinner. We will probably bring a bit more formal wear to ou next cruise to Alaska...after all, its cooler, and after wearing jeans and rain coats all day, I will want to dress up a bit more. Now, with the clothing preferences out of the way...I adore the fanciness of dining on Celebrity. I may be a regular girl at home, but I love pomp and circumstance when I dine.

Be kind as Ellen would say

Can I be a little nosey? How can you have so many cruises under your belt at your tender age? I started my cruise career at age 40 and I have 20 cruises (and in my circle...that is a lot) I suppose living in Florida helps, if it wasn't for air fare, we would probably be able to sail more often as well. We are sailing Reflection March of 2017. Hope to find something to eat when we are on board.

we had 3 couples (cabins in same area) and we each had magnets with clips that we placed on the doors, tablet and pen attached. Worked really well to know when folks were out of their cabins and what venue they were headed to.

When we were on Connie, Cellarmasters was just a passage way to get to somewhere else. Our lift was at the other end I think.

 

Horrible place and sooooo cold. I mean unpleasantly so. My French husband was most concerned about the storage of the wine.

Did not notice this at all. Same temp as other venues. We found Cellar Masters to be a lovely stopping place for a fine glass of wine prior to dinner. You are allowed to take the glasses with you to dinner. They had some whiskeys, and I think I heard cognacs but no mixed drinks. Boris was the Sommelier most nights and he was very informative without being boorish. Turned me onto a beautiful dry Rose' that I took into Blu everynight. It is not a noisy or busy bar which is nice.

Also interested

Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

On our recent B2B in Fort Lauderdale on Connie, we met at a bar, recieved our new cards, were escorted off the ship (to the terminal hall where you would enter the walkway to the ship), we were met by immigration at that entrance, passports checked...walked back on, new picture...glass of champagne, went to the pool as the first on board. It was awesome. Also received a turn around day lunch in Bistro. 10 minutes tops

Solstice Ante room

Seems to me that the Solstice had like cricket chirping or something. Lovely Ante room, I always stopped to enjoy on my way through.

They ask how your meal is and they want open feedback. With that said, if something was not hot temperature-wise or not prepared properly or came with random sides that don't compliment the main entree we gave feedback. They asked for it. They begged for it, but then when they got it they didn't know how to handle it. I don't need a hug, I don't need you to sit with me, I don't need to hear excuses, I don't need 10 pounds of more food. We continued to say, what would be best is if you get it right the first time --hot food hot, cold food cold is 85% of the food being good imo. And, anticipate the customers needs. I continued to repeat myself for the first leg of the trip. After a few days I just said everything was fine bc I couldn't handle talking to another person in the dining room. I shouldn't have to tell you my food is cold. You should be properly trained to not bring me food unless it's hot and when I give you feedback that you ask for, take it back to the kitchen staff and fix the problem. It was really too much after a few days. They need a lot of improvement in this dining room.

I could not agree more with the level of chumminess that we have experienced in the speciality and Blu restaurants. I really do like to dine undisturbed by unsolicited conversation. We never had anyone sit down, but there were times that we felt like they stood over the top of us. Now, don't get me wrong, I love being pampered and wanting for nothing, but there is a line that sometimes gets crossed, at least with me. Some may enjoy the, what seems like, personal attention and conversation. To each his own. Believe it or not, this was one of the reasons we spent many a meal in the Buffet, so we could fend for ourselves, at our pace. DH made the mistake of telling a gal that appeared to be a level higher than the usual buffet bussers that the temp of the buffet food was cold, well...we were sitting outside on a 60 degree windy day, whaddya expect. He was explaining to the gal why he did not eat something on his plate (do not know why he feels compelled to do this) and we listened to 10 minutes of how important our feedback was and how the food is prepared and kept warm in the buffet...unsolicited. It is a first world problem for sure, and would never deter us from enjoying our surroundings and the awesome service that is Celebrity. Happy Sunday...Julie

I have enjoyed reading your review and seeing your trip photos. We take lots of pictures of our food...people look at us like we are crazy, I do not care, I want to remember (and hopefully recreate) my favorites. We will be sailing Reflection in March of 2017 (seems like a long time from now but we are fortunate to have a Solstice cruise booked this coming September and just disembarked from a back to back Connie cruise a week ago). I am looking at a number of reviews and do not see the cabanas mentioned. What are they all about? First come first serve or do you have to reserve them? Seems like a nice place to relax and read or just veg. We have been on the Solstice class once prior and love all of the venues. Wish we could do a back to back but alas, time is short for our 3/17 cruise slot. Thanks in advance...Julie

Hi Summer, we were on the same sailing...sorry we missed meeting you. We also had Aqua, our first time. We were on the 11th floor, the newly added rooms when Solsticized. Unlike you, DH and I did not care for Blu...the service was stellar, but the options for food were too limiting. We like the breads and crudites at the table and when we did eat our dinner there, the food was excellent. We checked the menu each night and compared it to the MDR to make our evening dining decisions. Believe it or not, we actually ate in the Buffet the most. If you go on non-peak times, there is less of a feeling of a free-for-all, honestly, it makes me wonder if people have never eaten before when they arrive in the buffet. We did receive water in our stateroom every day....I had read that this went away, maybe our cabin attendant did not get the memo. We did see some interesting weather, right? The winds seemed to be pretty gusty, and we had a clinking noise outside our deck that sometimes caused wakefulness. We slept in most every day until 7 or 8 (we usually get up at 4am). On our turn around day (we did the back to back) I was sitting at the vanity, preparing for breakfast, with the sliding doors open, as it was cool and lovely in Fort Lauderdale. It was about 8:15...I heard some clattering on the balcony, looked out and there was a crew person in overalls walking through our balcony to the next one...I think I surprised him as much as he surprised me...all I can say is thank goodness I was dressed. The ship, staff, Captain, food...A+. The ports (with the exception of Key West, which is why we booked this cruise)...Meh. The harassment in the Bahamas was overwhelming. Cozumel, same but not as bad. Too bad the weather was so yucky in Key West (both times). Things are coming back to normal here...glad we came home to warmer temps (left at -26...came back to 26 above 0). Happy Hump Day! Julie

If I recall correctly, 6030 is considered a Sweet Sixteen and is indeed known for it's deeper balcony. What is an S2 and S1? I do not recall those cabin distinctions. We had a Sweet Sixteen cabin and the balcony was mostly covered but similar to a Millennium class aft facing balcony in size.

Agree with taxi advice...took celebrity offered shuttle once...never again, Uber is ok but taxi is better. DH and I have never skimped on our transfers to and from the ship...why stress something so simple but so important to begin and end a fine vacation. We have even taken limos on occasion if the ride is a long one (Seattle airport to downtown for example). The hair dryer is a pain, I have burned my hand on it trying to hold the button down, thus, the reason I bring my own.

Let it go...sounds rather immature on the servers behalf, if tips were the area of concern. One will never know unless confronted In these days of pre-paid gratuities, seems like a moot point. You are there to enjoy yourself and nothing should stand in the way of that. DH and I will be in Blu for the first time when we sail in a couple of weeks, but we will also eat in many of the venues provided, without any guilt or worries. Attitudes slide off our backs like water on a duck's ***. Happy Sails!

Also joining you on this cruise...doing a back to back, our first. I bring a small travel hair dryer because I do not like the dryers provided...I do not use the robes but they seem to be fine for sizes and comfort. We arrive early as we do not want to wait at the hotel, and we check all of our bags except the one with meds, jewelry and electronics...which is usually a small overnight bag. We also head right out to the aft dining area and begin our cruise with a glass of bubbly and some snacks from the buffet. Once the cabins open (around 1pm) we check out our digs and if luggage has arrived, quickly unpack. We note our muster station and do a quick tour of the ship. Arriving early for muster with a beverage in hand as they do not serve during the drill, and seating is often a premium, in other words...standing room only. I like to sit. It's my thing. We will make our way to our spot for sail away (I prefer the aft or my own balcony sipping our bottle of bubbly) but we might be inclined to check out the lively pool deck as we make our way down the River to our Ocean destiny. DH and I are very excited for this cruise as, in addition to the B2B, we are first time in Aqua rooms. Looking quite forward to Blu, but, we also love our specialty restaurants. Happy Sailing, and Happy Holidays...Julie

I'm actually on the Reflection leaving this Saturday and have arranged for a driver to take us all over the island and wait for us while we shop, use the beach etc. Once I return, I will post my review of this driver if the trip is a success.

Great!