tropiclvrs

I can't answer your question as I've never been to Baha Mar, but you may want to look at the Margaritaville Resort that is very close to the cruise port. You can buy a day pass for $100 adult and $50 chile and they do have some water park (slides and lazy river) activities plus unlike Baha you get access to the beach.

There seem to be some very positive reviews on Clifton. Hopefully this link to a prior post works but if not, just do a search of "Clifton" on this forum in the search bar and you can find some great info. I'm also looking into this as well.

Ship: Ascent Length of Cruise: 7 nights Cruise Sail Date: March 31, 2024 Date email offer received: January 10, 2024 Captain’s Club Tier: Elite Booked through Celebrity Direct OR via TA: Direct Current Cabin: Concierge Prime Bid? Yes/No: Yes If YES - Bidding Details: Cabin Category: Sky Suite Min Bid: $750 /Sunset Sky Suite Min Bid: $785/ Aqua sky suite Min Bid: $785/ Celebrity suite Min Bid $1,175 Bid Offer: Sky Suite Offer: $1,140 / Sunset Sky Suite Offer: $1,145 / Aqua Sky Suite Offer: $1,155 / Celebrity Suite Offer: $1,225 Notification Date: March 14, 2024 Accepted / Rejected: Accepted Aqua Sky Suite (this is the one I really wanted for access to Thermal Suite)!!! This sailing is sold out so I up'd my bids a couple of times as I saw that the cabins were being swiped up through regular bookings. All bids except the Celebrity Suite were in the strong range. Funny thing is though about 3 or 4 days before I received my acceptance I decided to decrease my bids slightly (maybe $100). So here's to saving a $200 and still getting the cabin I really wanted!

Thank you for taking the time for the review. Sounds like you had a lovely time! We board the Ascent on Mar 31 and will be experiencing The Retreat for the first time. So looking forward to it!

Thanks to those that have responded. Does the coffee station in the lounge make espresso drinks like latte/cappuchino or just typical drip coffee? It sounds like any and all drink that I can get in the lounge including the bar do not require the package or show of seapass card but it could be the sun deck does. Am I understanding correct? It seems that I probably don't need the No Alcohol Drink Package that I already purchased so maybe I'll cancel it if the above is true. If I want a coffee from Il Bacio or sparkling water at dinner I can just purchase a la carte.

Hello! I just received confirmation that my MoveUp bid for Ascent Mar 31 sailing was accepted and have just a couple of questions that I couldn't find from a search. We are going from Concierge Infinite Veranda to Aqua Sky Suite. We are not big drinkers so I purchased separately the Premium Wifi, and Non-Alcoholic Drink Package because it was more economical to do it that way with our Elite CC discounts. My question is regarding drinks available in the lounge and whether or not we even need the NA drink package or not (I know these amenities carry with me with the upgrade and we do not automatically receive the premium drink package). I mainly bought it so we could have specialty coffee and teas, plus sparkling waters etc. Are all of these things still available in the lounge or even the sun deck without the package? I was planning on utilizing my Elite HH benefit for any wine/cocktail in the evening hours. Are these drinks (specialty coffees, sparkling waters etc..) also available throughout the day even if I don't have the drink package? Also, I'm curious if Ascent has a sail away party one day for Retreat guests? If so, typically what day is this and where is the location? Thanks in advance!

As money grabbing as it does seem, it's all about the potential onboard spending that they would be losing for the 2nd person. At least that is their rationale. Unless you are specifically wanting to get double cruise points, I would suggesting making your booking for 2 people with that 2nd person (maybe a friend, family member etc...) never showing up at the dock. I've heard this is the way to go to save yourself some money.

If you have a Trader Joe's near you, they have amazing frozen croissants from Franc (Almond, Chocolate and double chocolate options). Just be sure to plan ahead and "proof" them overnight

When you check in at the terminal do they assign you a boarding group #?

I hadn’t considered just taking a taxi over to Atlantis to explore the property. Just to confirm you can look at the aquarium they have without any fee? What else is there to see just by walking through? Also, is there anything else over in that general area to walk around and see before heading back to the ship?

I was looking at this as well and found quite a bit of info by just a google search. I like to look through the videos as I think they give you a pretty good idea of what it's like. https://www.google.com/search?safe=active&sca_esv=122fa9eced25476d&q=Isla+de+Pasion+Beach+Break&tbm=vid&source=lnms&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjT1YTLgZ-EAxWTPEQIHb_HA2QQ0pQJegQIEBAB&biw=1920&bih=919&dpr=1

Has anyone done this specific excursion? Looking at it for our April cruise on Celebrity vs. just doing it on our own with Captain Marvins.

We went there for the day about 5 years ago and while it was nice I probably wouldn't do it again. The pass fee of $100 to basically just use the pool and beach isn't worth it.

Thanks to all for the input. Leaning towards Riverside or possibly just going with our usual Westin on the beach. It would cost more but it is so nice being right there. I do have the Hyatt Place in Dania Beach reserved just in case. I love that they have free breakfast, despite being simple. Plus they have the free shuttle from the airport. We would probably do taxi or Uber to port as it would be leas than the $15pp for thr shuttle they offer.

Hello! We typically have stayed beach front in Lauderdale for our 2-3 day pre-cruise stays but this time at the end of March a decent place is a little cost prohibitive. I've been looking elsewhere such as some of the better choices Downtown (i.e. Hyatt Centric downtown or Riverside Hotel) but I know we are probably going to want to go to the beach for part of our day. Does it make sense to be that far from the beach if I know we are going to want to spend some time there? How much would a taxi or Uber be each way? Also was considering lower budget such as Hyatt Place or Hyatt South in Dania Beach which is probably a littler further even but it seems very convenient from the airport and to the port. Any advise from experts? Thanks!

I have G-Wind booked for June 29th based on the recommendation of @parodeejay on YouTube (they're fantastic by the way..with lots of great info on the ports). @Coral, How was they water the day you went out? Was there much motion on the boat?

I bought a set from Amazon stating that they hold up to 27lbs but they just slid right down any metal surface with the slightest bit of weight. Do the walls on the cabins provide more friction so they will actually work? I returned them because I thought they were junk but since I see a photo I'm rethinking the situation...

There are 6 of us and an SUV or mini van would be about $160-$180 for the day. I'm sure it'll be less expensive to just take the bus to Fortress but I'm thinking of convenience too. However, if there isn't anything really around to explore then probably not worth it.

I've seen a few people say they were going to rent a car in Sitka for the day so it got me thinking. I can see the benefit as if you book through Turo the owner will drop it off for you at the port so you don't have to deal with the whole shuttle fiasco. I also am interested in seeing the Raptor Center, Totems at the Nat'l Historic Park, and Fortress of the Bears. Some of that is walkable, but not Fortress. Any one have experience with this or think if it's worthwhile or not? Not sure how parking is in town and at those places. Another option is to rent e-bikes but those are quite pricey and I'm not sure if they can be locked up (of if they even need to be). Any input you may have is most welcome!

Could you share who you are using for your Juneau fishing/whale watching charter? Thanks!

Thank you carlosalonsor! @Biker19, As I said it is not booking or person specific. You have to enter this info as you'll see form the link above.

Would someone be able to share the link for the Royal Up? I cannot find my email now even though I know I received it. From past sailings, I remember you have to put in your name and sailing date so I don't think the link is person/booking specific.

Looking forward to following you along for the week. I'm headed out on my first solo cruise on Friday so I'm very interested in your perspective.

Appreciate all the great feedback and advice! I think I'll stick with my dining package and enjoy my solitude and delicious meals. I'll post back how it went!

I think I will miss my family at times to, and will probably at least once question my decision at some point but I know in the end I’ll be happy to have done it.