Treasure Hunter

However, if you put it in checked luggage they might put your bag in the naughty room with the surge protectors. ( I found this out the hard way because the ship sailed and I hadn’t gotten my luggage yet. ) Sure enough , it was put aside, they opened it and then lost the tag. My steward found the bag and brought up to our room. I’d rather put iffy things in my carryon.

I used to buy Dramamine and it worked great except I immediately fell asleep. Then I tried Bonine and it worked better without side effects. If I had no choice, I would take either. In 50+ cruises I only got really seasick twice. Once crossing from Athens to Italy where half the ship was sick and once in a bay outside of Bordeaux France. . We now only ask and eat at tables for two ( although often talk to nearby tables) but when we were younger and had more patience and traveled with our kids we often sat with other families. We have made lifelong friends this way.

We found out by accident. We were on the Pearl to Alaska and my daughter got into a conversation with a women in the elevator. She was invited to the Haven to see her suite. It was life changing. We have sailed Celebrity retreat many times , on the Edge, Reflection etc. and I still love the Haven best. I agree, stick to the newer ships if you want the full Haven experience. The food is better in the Haven restaurant than in Luminae on Celebrity, even though it doesn’t change. You can make minor changes, like get surf and surf or a shrimp cocktail or we order for lunch a sliced chicken BLT that is out of this world. The Haven concierge does special things, like bring you down early in the crew elevator to the shows. You are really treated fabulously. I like being in the Haven proper because I’m always running back to my room for something. The 16+ sundeck is wonderful ( Celebrity retreat has no adult only area).

Or you can gamble and get the casino discount. ( no free lunch but I love the slots so it’s a nice perk)

If I am paying for everything I’d want everyone together at dinner unless it’s a specialty dinner for the parents and MDR for grandkids and grandparents one night as a treat. Done that

Isn’t there a large group concierge on the website ( they will make reservations for you) if you have 10 people or more

We cruised on the Gem a few years ago. It was our first Haven experience and we loved it. We have since cruised the Haven on The Bliss, Getaway, Breakaway, Encore multiple times. Picking a ship like the Gem ( small intimate experience and usually more adult because of the lack of toys) is different from a ship built with the Haven restaurant etc.) On the Gem, we had the one room Haven suite ( heavy red and purple drapes with an outside wall and left NY in 4 degree weather. The toilet was so cold you could barely sit on it. The service around the pool was personal. Anything we asked for we got, including sliced chicken BLT's and the wonderful banana parfait dessert. We loved the breakfast in Moderna. An officer made the rounds and we had a great time talking to him. No lines anywhere including the entertainment. Yes its old, but it had a retractable roof over the Haven pool which was great for NY winter sail aways. A cruise is what you make of it. It helps to do your homework, but sometimes there are nice surprises too.

And baked potato and mixed vegetables

The reason you have to reserve the main show on NCL and get to the theater early for a good seat is that their entertainment is terrific. Just got off the Edge 11 days and only two nights were good. Celebrity theater shows are a ridiculous mash up put together in LA that we have tried to like but have repeatedly walked out of. NCL ( just did 8 days in February) are Million Dollar Quartet, Jersey Boys, Footloose etc. and the NCL comedy club is terrific. That being said, unless you are in the Haven on NCL , food goes to Celebrity. Some of the Celebrity specialty restaurants are excellent especially Raw on Five and Eden. And Celebrity casinos are nonsmoking 👍

How this post moved from the poor celebrity website to worker’s compensation I don’t know but the exact thing happened to me. Booked thru the casino for a Greek Island cruise. Three cabins ( kids and grandkids). Checking reservations I saw that my sons bed needed to be pushed together. As soon as I made the correction it said I owed $1800! I had paid in full two weeks before I called the casino on hold for 2 hours! Finally corrected. If that’s not a glitch I don’t know what is and poor customer service. We are going to wean ourself off Celebrity. It’s just dishonest.

True but then the airline does try to help you. This way they pass the buck.

Happened to our kid’s Thanksgiving. NCL and American couldn’t care less. Never book through the ship. The discount isn’t worth the aggravation. Six months later their insurance refunded half the money. They drove all night from Atlanta to Miami to get to the ship on time. And they had planned to come in the day before.

For some bizarre reason the always available menu items are a big secret. In addition to Caesar salad and French onion soup are escargot, chicken, salmon, and the mentioned green salad. Of course if you are on non Edge class ships you can order off the MDR menu too. We dislike the Luminae menu and often eat at specialty restaurants if we are on an Edge class ship and can’t order off the MDR menu

I agree, however, especially in Rome and Florence watch out for pick pockets. They have a trick. You get splashed with water from a balcony. A handsome young man sitting at a cafe table jumps up with napkins to help dry you off. You don’t know what’s missing until he’s long gone. Leave your passport and one credit card in the hotel safe. My friend was hit by a scooter near the pointe vecchio and spent the next day at the embassy getting emergency replacement. A photocopy of your passport will be a giant help.

Just take taxi. Long line of cabs available at the terminal, no waiting, no calling, just hop in. It's the easiest and cheapest if more than one person. AND PLEASE CHANGE YOUR FLIGHT.

It’s a real pain to wait for the Celebrity bus to fill up. I can’t believe you aren’t flying in the day before considering the airlines and weather. Taxis are plentiful and the trip to the pier takes 15 minutes.

Was on the Edge in January in a Celebrity suite and back on in March in a Royal suite. All furniture looked fine ( hated the chairs very uncomfortable), the Retreat lounge was beautiful. Frankly I don’t think it’s used much. The Retreat sundeck was in great shape. They are constantly cleaning. Now if there was only more shade and a better menu for lunch on port days. The bar tenders are over worked. Our Butler was pleasant but useless. The bed is the most comfortable that I have ever slept in.

The only special meal we ask for is our by the pool at lunch . We ask for a BLT sliced chicken club with mayo. Absolutely delicious and a perfect casual lunch. We just ask the waiter who then asks permission. We’ve gotten it every time.

On the Edge in January and March. The steaks at Fine Cut are not Prime. They are tough. My husband enjoyed the Dover Sole and I liked the Wedge salad and that was it. We ate ate Eden three times and really enjoyed our meals. Just very special.

The Egyptian government takes the safety of tourists very seriously. We stayed in Giza about 10 years ago and other than safaris it was the thrill of a lifetime.

If you can take a guided tour to the pyramids in Giza it would be amazing ( from Alexandria)

Yes, I prefer a smokeless Casino too but I also like to win ( at least a little). Last four Celebrity cruises, the casino ( and I book through the casino) were terribly tight. At least on NCL and RCCL you get a little play before they take away your money. Yes the Retreat is very nice but Luminae on the Edge is only OK. With the Royal suite on Celebrity we did eat at all the specialty resturants for dinner and that was absolutely great. I like shade so the lack of shade is a problem in the retreat.

Just got off the Edge and the Royal suite has the worst balcony. With Kids we go Royal ( or NCL Haven) but without kids we go Celebrity ( or Princess to Alaska or Hawaii). They pulled Cats because people kept walking out. They pulled Kinky Boots on NCL for the same reason. Entertainment and Casino is better on RCCL. Food, Service and all around luxury better on Celebrity. For great food and better Itinerary ( very port intensive) go Oceania.

I did receive a postcard on the third day. It said to go to the future cruise desk to book. We were in a suite and they came up to the lounge ( retreat). But when she heard I needed to book through the casino I was told that I could no longer book on the ship ( they changed the practice two cruises ago! No one knows what they are doing.

Just got off the Edge in Royal suite and yes to lip balm also got one in January in a Celebrity Suite. I'm sure you would get it if you asked. Also my husband loved the soap ( squares) and I loved the bed. We might buy one. But don't get me started on the WIFI ( worst ever).