mybichon

I booked a reserve mini suite on the Sun for November 2024. I received notice yesterday that i was “upgraded” to the Sanctuary Collection.

Princess posted on their Facebook page ten minutes ago that they have taken delivery of the ship

When I log in to the “web”version instead of the App it brings up my 2025 cruise but not the 2024 one. Does anyone know how to change between cruises on that version?

I just booked and paid $200 deposit for two people.

Here is my two cents on the Sky Suite experience I just had on the Apex. I am a first time Celebrity cruiser. The day we got on ship the Head Butler made an appearance late in the afternoon and gave us his card. Our only request at that time was for some extra hangers. He left and we never saw him around again. Late in the day the Retreat Host, otherwise known as Room Steward, brought us the hangers and his card. We asked him about emptying the minibar so we could use it. He said he would but it never happened, so I did it. He said we could have the two bottles of Evian water in the room but all others would be charged. He said he would bring two plastic bottles of water each day to the room but it didn’t happen until about day 3. There was no introduction to the features of the suite such as room controls for air or drapes or how the shower controls worked. I had to search for him in the hall the next morning because I could not figure out the shower controls at all. When I needed a different type of pillow I mentioned it to the Retreat Concierge in the lounge and she said she would take care of it. It never happened but I was able to catch the room steward and he did get it for me. Missing bath mat one day, washcloth another day, had to change over toilet paper roll and kleenex box another day myself. All in all, these were not major problems but I definitely did not feel we had the suite experience I thought I would be getting when I booked the cruise with a Butler experience. This was no different than any other room experience with a regular room steward. The price of the Sky Suite seems to have doubled from when I booked it and also no longer includes room credit or tips. I don’t think I could justify the price any more, even though the room was nice and we did enjoy the lounge. I could make do without Luminae as we only ate there two out of seven nights.

I was on this cruise as well, my first with Celebrity. I experienced staff shortage issues in the main dining room, as well as Luminae. One evening in Cosmopolitan, after we finished our entrees we sat and sat, waiting for someone to clear the dirty dishes and offer us dessert. It never happened, so we left. The wait staff was simply too busy with other diners and too many tables. I also had a breakfast in Luminae where I was seated and given no attention for quite awhile, when it was normal to be offered coffee and pastries before ordering. Room steward was overworked as well. We loved the ship and the employees could not have been nicer. I just think they have cut the staff and overworked them to the point that the level of service they are giving is suffering.

This was my eighteenth cruise overall. I have cruised Royal Caribbean, Princess, and Carnival previously. It had been five years since my last cruise so I was expecting some changes since Covid happened. Some of the best food we have had on a cruise has been on Carnival. On this cruise I found portions to be small, extra charges, a lot of repetition in the menus, and overworked staff. I guess that is just a sign of the times now. We loved the Apex but missed some of the more fun things we had on different lines. More singing and dancing, well attended deck parties, steel drum band, more activities on board and interaction with the entertainment crew. Each cruise line definitely has its own vibe. I definitely like sailing on a newer ship but look for traditional balconies, passenger count and price of course.

I am just off the Apex and my first Celebrity cruise. The best steak I had was the first night filet mignon in Luminae. Totally disappointed in the steak at the Fine Cut Steakhouse. Definitely not worth the money. I would recommend Eden. The lobster casserole was excellent, as well as the appetizer and dessert.