gfkcruiser

It was offered to me pre covid on week prior to sailing.  Could not take advantage of the offer.

Have been on many Royal Caribbean and Celebrity in Europe.  Find no dressier than Caribbean.  Will always have those who prefer to dress formally on chic night.  

On 4/28/2024 at 7:30 PM, Harrisonkid said:

Opps I meant to add if I try to upgrade to a suite ...Sky or higher 

If you upgrade and pay the prevailing rate for suite you get suite perks and amenities.  If you secure suite thru move up bid, you get the drink and Wi-Fi your currently have.  We secured a move up to suite but had upgraded our drink and Wi-Fi before that.  

We are sailing out of Dover next May and need to discover the best way to get there from London.  Will fly into LHR at least a day prior.  

5 hours ago, miched said:

We have ATT.   I have permanently turned off roaming.  I live close to Canada and sometimes with roaming on we would pick up Canada and get hit with the bill.   
 

When we board the ship in FL we never had that problem with extra charges.   We would turn on air plane mode after we connect to the ships internet as we usually have the internet package.      It would be very easy to forget about doing that if we didn’t.    We will also remind each other for the same reason.  
 

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅
 

 

Was that Canadian issue recent?  Our service covers us to/from US to Canada and Mexico.  

23 hours ago, Norwaylady said:

B2B meeting was in celebrity central 09.00. 

OMG🥶🥶🥶 why do it has to be a freezer inside🥶🥶🥶🤪 They could definitely turn up the temperature a little bit…. Should have put on my winter jacket and scarf 🧣

 

Back to the meeting. 

They stated by a raffle. 

-1 special dinner for 2

-All access tour for 2. 

 

No price for me🙃 

Document officer talked thru the process and answered questions from people. 

— Everyone has to fill out that health form and deliver it. Really? I asked can we use the app?  and he answered this was the policy on this ship, in paper.

Almost everyone had already filled it out and delivered it in on the meeting🥸

It’s the first time we had a paper for this since type 201x something😝 

 

They only offer lunch in the buffet  on turnaround day. Unless you have access via your stateroom to Concierge lunch in MDR or Laminae, suites. 

They did not welcome b2b to the mdr lunch.
I was actually surprised, since this has always been the case on our b2b. 

 

Shore excursion was present, told about the b2b tour and deadline for booking. 

They gave 20% off on the all-access tour on next cruise.

No other discounts. 

 

Specialty dining was present. 

They offered 30% off first night in all specialty restaurants on next cruise. No other discounts offered.

They told about the ultimate dining package and the lunches on sea days. 

 

Paperwork in the envelope: 

 

 

we have not decided yet if we go for a walk or stay onboard on turnaround. 

Done a few B2B and not had the raffles or other offers!

23 hours ago, Norwaylady said:

Out & about😎

We have been to Curaçao 🇨🇼 before. 

We have been on a guided walk in the city centre, on a snorkel 🤿 tour etc. 

So this time we had no big plans. 

 

We decided for a walk and a beach stop at Mambo Beach 🏖️ YES, the very crowded beach area where all cruise guests from SY & EQ was🙈

 

The walk from the pier to Mambo is a very nice way to explore Willemstad and deutsch houses. 

Lots of colour, details and character. 

It’s a good walkway/sidewalk all the way. So it’s safe from cars and traffic. 

 

 

 

Mambo Beach is a shopping mall & beach complex. It’s 3.50$ pr person in fee for entering. Beach lounges are additional fees. 

 It was a full house+ lots of tours stoping here and everyone else😅 so no beds or chairs available. 

 

El cheapo Norwaylady rolled out the towel on the beach😂😂😂 it was so loaded of people😜😎

Mr needed to cool off a bit🏖️

 

After 2 hours on Mambo beach 🏖️ we decided it was time to walk back to towards the city centre and our ship 🚢 

 

We passed a grocery store on our way to the beach 🏖️ 

Mr had a great speed from the beach to the grocery store🤣🤣🤣

He was “smelling” a local serveza 🍺

 

Local beer 🍺 was collected from the fridge and we found a ice cream and some Limonade for me🧃 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then we continued our journey back to the ship. 

We arrived back at 16.30. 

 

Mr called for a Al Bacio stop☕️ Some coffee, club soda and a little bite for him😋 ( it’s strange… I had to reverse👀 they do have mini sandwiches 🥪 in the selection of daily cake👀👀) 

I think we arrived just during crew turnover. It was a bit of for service and just a bit of for the staff. 

We waited for a while before someone came and then the order came halfway to us…. 

Someone else was delivering it.

Coffee, club soda (no glasses) and the order for Mr bites don’t🙈🤭

Well well…. He will not starve to death ☠️ 🤭🤣😋

Hopefully dinner later will make up for it😋

Tell me more about the walk to Mambo Beach.  Have been a few times but was part of shore excursion and seems that the walk is quite a distance.  How far if walking and what is the distance?  If driving have to go over the high bridge but if walking don't have to go that far.

Quite often The Club was quiet at that time of day.  

5 hours ago, Norwaylady said:

Mr was all dead ☠️🤣😴😴

So no early start today😜

No shore excursion booked. 
 

I dragged Mr out of bed just before 9… King of the evening, king of the day😎

 

It was OV for breakfast today☺️🫡 

Mr was a happy camper😁 had omelette and OJ on the terrace. 
I was on the boarders of just give up🤪😝

 

it was not crowded, lots of tours had walked off the ship already. 
But I hate the idea of fetching my own food for breakfast, walking around, walking back to get coffee or something…. 😵‍💫

I found my yoghurt and some banana 🍌 to taste it up and my cat pellets🤗 

mission accomplished🫡

 

Angelo had stopped by to make up the room while we had breakfast. 
B2B letter was on the bed: 

 

it’s the first time I have received a health letter ✉️ to fill out for turnaround day. 

I always do it by the app the evening before turnaround day or early morning of the turnaround day🤓 for our b2b and it has worked out great. 

 

Just did B2B on Beyond and did not receive the health questionnaire. Also did not have one on the app. Only had to do Muster Station stuff.

14 minutes ago, Hlitner said:

About 10 years ago we ran into some problems using US issued credit cards that did not have a Pin.  More recently, the cards generally work with or without a signature.  We do have Apple Pay set-up on our phone.  Keep in mind that if using Apple Pay, depending on your card you may incur foreign exchange fees.  Some cards (Chase Sapphire, AMEX Platinum, several CaptitalOne cards, etc) have no foreign exchange fees.  

 

One other suggestion is that we find it wise to have enough Euros so that we can pay cash if cards do not work or are not accepted.  More than once, we have been at a European restaurant (or even a B&B) when the credit card system was down.  Most recently it happened in Bruges and it did cause some real problems at the restaurant where we had dined. Quite a few customers had to go down the street to a nearby ATM to get Euros, because the credit card reader would not work.  Technology is great, but there are times when it can let everyone down.

 

Another interesting thing happened when we went to a museum in Stockholm.   Sweden has gone somewhat cashless, and many places are no longer used to using cash.  At one major museum, DW was required to lock-up her purse in a locker.  The lockers were the old kind where you had to insert the appropriate coin to remove the key.  When you later unlocked the locker you would get your coin returned.  The problem is that hardly anyone in Sweden carries coins (or cash).  So the museum's information desk gave out coins (for free) and begged folks to please return the coins because they also had a shortage.   

 

Hank

When in Bruges last year, dined outside the in the old town and was surprised when large restaurant preferred cash.  Had not much euros on me and took my card but had to go inside and use traditional card reader.  Did not have card reader that is brought to table. Contrary to no one uses cash in Europe 

Looking forward to the review as we will be getting on when you exit.  Did B2B February 2023 and enjoyed the Equinox.  DH tested positive for Covid beginning of 2nd cruise and received great treatment from all staff. 

We are trying HAL for the first time on a 14 day British sailing around d Scotland.   Was enticed by the $1 deposit and it is going where I want to go.  Did the early booking with all included.  Will miss the complimentary laundry I have on Celebrity.   
As for Celebrity, after experiencing IV in both hot weather and cold windy weather, will not do it again.  Loved the Retreat on the Beyond that we got as a Move Up bid, but it is double what I am paying for my SV on the Ascent.  Disappointed that, as of now, only building ships with IV.  

On our Beyond TA, the IV was locked for a few days as we had a string of bad weather days last November.  On our Apex TA, we were in a SV and the IV’s were locked for a few days due to storms.  Our veranda furniture was brought in to the room.  

Just now, markeb said:

 

That's actually delicious. I've ordered it. Hence my question.

 

Luminae tries to be an upscale adventurous menu. The sauce on the lobster sounds interesting to me; I'd much rather have the choron sauce that butter, although I don't get excited about lobster in general. Much of what they serve in Luminae is French inspired and that means sauces. And I find the variety exciting. It's fine that you don't. It's a challenge with the entire Luminae concept. Upscale dining for their upscale Retreat experience, but sometimes you just want something simple prepared and served well. That's something they don't do as well.

 

 

Appreciate your comments and do agree. 

1 hour ago, markeb said:

 

Can you elaborate on that? Your tastes are your tastes, but what specifically did you not enjoy in Luminae and what specifically in the MDR was tastier?

Was on the beyond.  Did retreat on 2nd leg of B2B so got to experience MDR and the Luminae.  Have been on many Celebrity sailings and usually found food in MDR good or very good.  Was looking forward to an incredible dining experience and were we disappointed.  After 2 lunches, gave up on that.  Dinner was a very unexciting experience.   Sure you could order the classics from the MDR if nothing sounded good but what is the point of that.   Sauces were added to food that didn’t need it - added a sauce to the lobster and must not have read the menu close enough.   We had a 3 dinner dining package so enjoyed most of those and added a Raw on 5.   Asked some other retreat passengers about their experience in luminae.   4 couples all had our same opinion and one couple ate dinners in the ocean view.  We could have eaten in Blu but those menus were not appealing.   Maybe other ships have better chefs for the retreat.  Not all selections were bad.  Hamburger was good and the marinated chicken sandwich at the retreat bar was good.  Perhaps our expectations were too high or not expecting the extra touch added to dishes.  Pigs foot carpaccio anyone?  Waiter said no one ordered it. 
We did like everything else about the Retreat experience.  

15 hours ago, dleahy4444 said:

I understand that, based upon availability, you can have a non suite travel companion join you for dinner for a fee at Luminae.  Do you know if it the same for lunch or breakfast? Thank you 

Based on my recent experience on Beyond , would not pay anything to have a guest join me.   Enjoy a tastier meal with them in the MDR. 

I would contact them now to inquire about  doing this.  Happened to me twice but due to flight issue.  Was able to board in Mexico and in  Puerto Rico.  This was a long time ago.  

Currently on the Beyond on the March 1 - 11 sailing as B2B from this one.  We had a IV (for 2nd time) and got a bid up to Aqua Suite on current sailing  (Minimum bid)

Love the larger room, larger veranda and larger bathroom.  
In many cruises, this is our first time in a suite on Celebrity.  
One experience that we are not enamored with is Luminae.  Not bad, just not exceptional.  Have not rated at Blu, which we could, but don’t find that menu exciting.  May try just for experience as have never sailed in an aqua cabin. 
Have aft veranda for a future sailing on Ascent and will be hard pressed to sail in an IV again.  Especially in a warm weather sailing. 
Next sailings are on S Class with traditional veranda.  

5 hours ago, mac_tlc said:

It looks like Margaritaville at the port is no longer: 

 

 

 

We are also on board and have been to Aruba on a Sunday.  Very quiet!  We did not go, but were told from others that beaches were very busy that day.  Went to beaches last year as was a weekday.  
We saw the Captain being interviewed by the port people in Cartagena.  

Have always had one or more enrichments speakers on our TA cruises.  It is not usually advertised before hand unless a specialty cruise (which have not seen).  Have them mostly sea day unless ahve an issue as we had but was after ship had sailed from a port and not during the day.  Sometimes the enrichment speaker will join the roll call and make the announcement.  What sailing is it?  Haven't seen one that has that few sea days consecutively.

13 minutes ago, haynesra said:

On my cruise planner, I have two options to upgrade wifi. Premium 2 device package at $27.99 per guest per day and Premium 1 device package at $7.99 per guest per day. With 2 guest in room, on the 1 device package does mean that for $15.98 per day we get 1 device per at premium wifi for one of us and the other guest gets basic wifi? Or both guests get 1 device each at premium wifi?

If 7.99 is the upgrade price to premium it is per person per day.   Can upgrade one person or both (if 2 in room)

On 2/4/2024 at 5:01 PM, Monthend said:

Could you disembark later and still self assist?

We have.   Had asked that question a few years back and was told yes. Full elevators may be an issue later on.  But just go up and then stay on and go down. 

51 minutes ago, ijscheer said:

Just an aside here - On Ascent, our Sky Suite (one and only time) balcony door had the usual handle lock and an additional deadbolt lock.

I was curious if the suites had the handle on the outside to lock/unlock the sliding veranda door.  

12 minutes ago, the penguins said:

Each landing is subject to local conditions and is checked out by the first boat in which carries the Expedition Leader and the Emergency Supplies in case the ship can't pick you up again.

One landing was a aborted due to rough seas - the ship moved about 500 yards turned to block the wind and then all was good.

Another had a beach with too many seals again we moved further along  - animals always get priority.

Most sailings only land on the peninsular but we were due to try for a landing on the mainland. Unfortunately a passenger had a suspected heart attack which resulted in us going to King George's Island where we had to wait for 5 hours for an air ambulance to arrive. Turned out to be a great day as the 2 Research Bases agreed we could all land, explore the bases and meet the Scientists/workers. The passenger was "rescued" and we learnt later that she hadn't been having a heart attack - better safe than sorry.

As it was then too late for a landing we went as far South as we could get only stopping when the ship nudged up against the solid ice.

The great advantage the small ships have is their ability to adapt to the ever changing conditions plus they can get in really close to the shore something the big ships can't due. They are also "ice strengthened".

I suppose if every landing was cancelled if would just be a panoramic cruise like  X offers but I have never heard of that happening.

Pics show how close in the ship gets. The last pic but one is the landing at Port Lockory the Southern most Post Office in the world and a Research Station. Manned by staff from the UK for 6 months every year. 

 

Thanks for all the info and beautiful photos.  Do agree that this type of sailing would be beneficial for this part of the world.  Just have to get my DH onboard for this long a flight from northern US.