Lastdance

I think there is an art to ordering...going early and having the same person do my egg white veggie scramble is almost fool proof, at least for me. Going to Luminae is too much sitting for me, so that leaves the OV early in the morning. If I cannot do that, I just choose another venue. Thank goodness we all have choices for breakfast, not to mention other meals onboard. One size never fits all. My issue is trying not to eat too much, but easier said than done, even with using the gym, stairs and walking from the aft of the ship...third world problems for sure. Just feel blessed that I can travel, am healthy, along with talking with people face to face and not social media while onboard, as most cruisers are interesting and delightful.

Celebrity, all I want is Evian water for my premium package; I can’t even get that except in a huge glass bottle. The Retreat doesn’t even carry it in the lounge. However, those plastic bottles are plentiful all over the ship. I am specifically speaking about my three cruises on Beyond last year. Why is this such an issue, unless it is just pure and simple cost-cutting? Some of us are almost non-drinkers, but do want our specialty water. I would love to hear the answer, but sadly it most likely will not happen! I asked so many of the crew onboard and not one person could answer that a question for me...not one!

I don’t think it is a bit much at all, not to mention that this was not directed at you, but of course for some reason you needed to share your feelings about it…The door to the cabin/suite needs to be open; what about the elevator buttons? So, if she did not touch anything, as you so proudly point out because of course no one ever touches anything after they wash their hands in their cabins/suites. Her husband was the one reminding her to wash her hands, so I guess he thought it was important!!! Have a nice day! Just scroll on and don’t take things so personal, especially when it is not directed at you…however, that must be difficult for you, so I do understand your need to criticize! This isn’t your first time with my comments and I am sure it won’t be the last🤪

We would eat as soon as it opened, using hand sanitizer immediately before using our utensils. Actually, we just do this normally now whenever we eat. People always refuse to wash their hands at the station before entering no matter what is happening. I actually heard a lady saying that she just washed her hands in her cabin, so no need to do it again before eating...yep, that’s the mentality!

As long as you are not booking a suite, the $200 down and extra OBC is most likely the best way to go. If you do not use your FCC, the money is refundable, but you most likely need to make sure that happens. We have never had an issue either way, but do what is best for you. I would not suggest becoming a shareholder either, at this point in time. The stock is very high and you need to purchase 100 shares minimum. This also gives you more OBC after you submit the required information. Additionally, purchasing insurance without needing to worry about pre-existing conditions needs to just cover your downpayment, but you only have 15-21 days to do that after you book! Maybe I am sharing more than you were asking, but also wanted to share important information just in case. Happy Booking!

Lahaina? We are missing that one in May; however, we have hiked the NaPali Cliffs and been on all the islands, even Molokai several times, so we decided not to cancel, even though we will dearly miss Lahaina! Actually, I think the cruise is a little overpriced now, but we had over 2,000 in OBC, so will return with some $$. That sounds like a very nice cruise!

Our Oceania cruise is a TA from Miami to Lisbon in 2025, as we want to rent a car and drive to Algarve. Just out of curiosity, what cabin/suite did you book, along with ship? So for us, it was trying a smaller, but new ship, along with the itinerary.

I agree, as it definitely is a choice to have one’s glass half-full or half-empty. That being said, sometimes it is easier said than done🥰.

It is always sad to read this kind of information, especially when it is not taken care of ASAP! It seems like the chain of command is also in need of improvement. TBH, my DH and I actually had a cruise booked on her, but read other accounts of issues that made us cancel and transfer our cruise. One would have thought that these situations would have been corrected, but obviously not. The new ships get all the hoopla with the stock soaring, but your situation should have been taken care of immediately, period. Furthermore, customer service is lacking in so many areas, not just on cruise ships. Having to pay more for less is not a good business model and will show up in a variety of ways, especially after the newness factor wears off. I hope you will return and share what has transpired, mentioning what Celebrity has done to rectify your terrible experience, as this is unacceptable. I am waiting to hear how Celebrity has chosen to make this situation much better, taking responsibility for what has transpired.

Cruising in the Retreat on Celebrity is a really nice experience, but also very costly too. I booked my first Oceania cruise because of a new ship, along with an itinerary to where I wanted to go, in order to, spend time in Algarve, Portugal. The cost was actually much less than Celebrity for Retreat. Purposely, I booked PH class, so it will be a good comparison, IMHO. Also, I really wanted to try a smaller ship’s experience too. TBD...but I look forward to the experience! Change is always a bit of a risk, but my glass is always half full! I will see if a smaller ship makes a big difference, but it has been on my radar for quite some time!

This does sound like a wonderful cruise for retirement, but I would want to do it on a new ship. My DH and I really enjoyed Tahiti many years ago, but did not do it on a cruise, so living near the West coast would also be a benefit. I hope it all works out for you!

I totally agree about doing a cruise over Christmas; not only is the price more, but so many other things are not as special either. I did not enjoy my Caribbean cruise during the first part of December. Yes, winning the lottery would make pricing so much better. Thank you for your review! ****If you haven’t been to Europe, just go!

Don’t forget that you can use OBC for extra tipping too!

So, did your Butler and suite attendant set you back quite a few hundred dollars? We really do not have a big need for the butler at all. Factoring in everything is important when making a decision as big as yours, at least for me it is. Glad you enjoyed your villa!

I have been on Beyond three times; the first two were in Europe and absolutely wonderful, not to mention a great price. Our third in the Caribbean was nothing exciting, but an excellent price for a sky suite like the others, although one was in an SV and very enjoyable. Are you booking for the ship experience, itinerary or ? You really will not know how you feel until you actually cruise on the ship yourself, but without a balcony you may or may not enjoy it for what it is not- a true balcony. Also, there is your deposit that you may or may not lose depending on how you booked. I never want to actually convince anyone to spend their hard earned money unless it is their own personal choice. Having said all of this...I hope you make the best decision for your situation. Life is short! The Caribbean is just not my cup of tea because I enjoy a more diverse crowd with interesting ports of call that are rich on culture, history, food and experiences! I am just not ready to “float the boat” so to speak, not to mention paying a price that I feel is not worth the money!

Many are not getting the new booster, due to studies that are not adequate to warrant getting the booster, as per my concierge doctor. It is a choice whether you do or not. We chose not to get the booster it because of the research factor.

In a way, that worries me a little. I know putting everything into a new ship is important, but hopefully not at the cost of other ships. I also have her booked, so totally understand the excitement of a new ship. My DH. and I have also done all the E-class ships except Ascent, enjoying the ships in this category too.

Debfed65...Update from my TA regarding missing port(Lahaina)during cruise: Celebrity is not refunding any port fees due to overnight on the big island adding to the port fee; additionally, no OBC due to a natural disaster and cruise contract. Well, that’s the final word...it is what it is!

What an excellent and balanced review, not to mention very organized too. 🥰 Thank you so much for sharing this, as many will find it helpful.

Thank goodness it is just my OBC and not my own personal $$$! NZ is like that! On our hike into Milford Sound, there was an avalanche that scared me to death, causing me to run; however, I went in the wrong direction and sprained my ankle as the wind knocked me down...it all came out of nowhere! I will definitely be ready for the cold and food fiasco if it shows its awful side in Hawaii while in port, or maybe it will be cancelled.

We were on Beyond and experienced a decline in Luminae...choices were so limited and nothing really special at all during our 10 night cruise. For our Edge cruise in Hawaii, I have booked several specialty restaurants including the Magic Carpet to off-set all of this, but again, it may or may not help. It seems like all the emphasis is on Ascent!!! We have booked Oceania!

I am still in the process of finding what this compensation will be, if any at all. The itinerary has been tweaked, but so far that’s it...so port charges for missing Lahaina? Extra OBC? My TA is working on this, but so far...nothing.

The weather is something that only Mother Nature knows, so you take your chances. I have been in Hawaii during November where it rained almost every day, but that was on Kauai. Additionally, I have a Hawaiian cruise booked on Edge for this May that begins in Honolulu and ends in Vancouver. The E-class ships are my new favorite due to the Retreat areas available. We have also been on Edge before, so very familiar with the layout. We were returning from AUS/NZ originally, but canceled due to the high cost of airfare, so carried everything over to our Hawaii booking. Lahaina was a big draw for us, as we have been there before several times. Even though it was canceled due to the fire, Celebrity did make other changes to compensate, so not an issue for us. I would do columns of pros and cons, but if you haven’t been on E-class, you might want to give it a try. Food is always subjective, but it is possible to have the same waitstaff on either ship, whether in Retreat or not. Like many have mentioned above, the cabin/suite may make the difference for you...good luck!

So, if I may ask a general question regarding O, how are her TA’s compared to Caribbean cruises when talking about make-up of passengers? I do not know if I will do another Caribbean cruise, as the crowd had so many health and mobility challenges on Celebrity Beyond; I have never experienced that in Europe on a cruise. I also did not mind helping, but at times, I was unprepared for the crowds blocking areas, making things very slow indeed, especially embarkation! I have an O TA booked for my first cruise due to the itinerary and a smaller ship too.

I hope this means that there is one on Vista!