DingoMom

Okay, so probably Not important to the OP, but in case other folks are wondering: E-Class ships do not have Tuscan Grille, but, IMHO, they have a might fine Specialty steak restaurant in Fine Cut!

Oops!

Hi! It does depend on which E-class ship you are on! Most people swear by Eden, but we have been there several times and it is not our favorite. We like Fine Cut the best, but only if you plan to eat around 6 p.m. or so…it gets really loud later than that, as it is open to the Martini Bar below. Le Petit Chef is very good, but check the menus; I think the better menus are at the second half of the cruise. Finally, Le Voyage seems to be a big hit; I am looking forward to trying it in January! On a Holiday sailing especially, I would book prior to boarding. On other cruises, I am willing to take my chances (and book upon boarding), but I have been on several Holiday cruises, and they do seem to book up quickly. X will hold some reservations back from pre-booking, but unless I was in an upper suite (a girl can dream, right? 😉), I would pre-book. Enjoy your Holiday cruise!

@Ben100014But first, please tell us what kind of phones and what settings? Thank you!

@Silkroad, I am quite confident Charla and Jeremy will have cocktails in hand LONG before they get to Rome! 🍷🍷🍷 @GenerationX enjoy the journey and please send us some Flagship pictures!!

No; this is on Beyond.

I am so excited to read you are going on the Beyond and you are taking all of us with you!! I have been off of Cruise Critic for nearly a week, because I was Not happy. We were supposed to leave for Barcelona this Monday for a 2-week Transatlantic that I put a lot of love, time, money, and effort into. We had a sweet Sunset Sky Suite booked for 18 months. On Oct 4, I had a nasty fall and broke my leg in three places. The surgeon fixed me up 9 days ago, but no amount of sniffling, bargaining, or promises persuaded him that I could go on the cruise. I have spent this week canceling all of our trip plans - not a fun task. Yesterday, I thought, “I sure wish Charla has an upcoming cruise.” Lo and behold, I get back on the boards today and HERE YOU ARE! I am now super-motivated to heal and be ready for our Beyond cruise in January. Thank you so much for posting and taking me along…you will be my coffee companion (oooh, and wine!) for two weeks!! Have a FABULOUS cruise, and thank you for making me smile with joy and anticipation! Dawn

On my upcoming cruise, the Twin Souls is listed with a minimum age of 13.

Great news, @Mark_UK!! Have a marvelous cruise!

Aw, Mark. I am SO sorry. I sincerely HATE that this has happened to your parents. I hope that the Executive Office does the right thing by them. Or that the Consumer lady can get results. You are a good son, and my positive thoughts are with you all.

Okay, I’m new around here! Would dressy (maybe even sparkly!) sandals be inappropriate? is it only “casual” sandals that should be avoided at dinner? TIA!

Earplugs!!

We left the Equinox on Sunday, August 27. We were in a Sky Suite, so our Dining Room was Luminae. I was told that there is NO LONGER a kid’s filet (4 oz) available. Our beef choices were either Luminae’s, or the MDR. We really used to enjoy the small filet when nothing else seemed appealing.

Hi George! we are in a Sky Suite, and I was told nothing in the mini-fridge was free. Also of note…you can’t grab a beer out of the big refrigerator in the Retreat Lounge. I used to snag two to drink later in my cabin. Now the Retreat Lounge refrigerator only has water, Club soda, and soft drinks. Looking forward to our March music cruise!

Okay, I’m back, and I sincerely appreciate the well- wishes. I feel much better today. Here is what I found out … at least, on the Equinox. First, we are very frequent X cruisers and have been on all classes of ships. We usually sail in Sky Suites, and this is our 4th this year. I am generally in the camp of “stop cheapening the product once I have paid for it.” I also was up in arms about all the ‘experiments’ … vaping, anyone? … that X has been throwing out after final payment. The Sky Suite ‘ transition’ has been seamless to me. Our Retreat Host is our room attendant and also does what we ‘used’ to have a butler do. Ice, removing used glassware / dishes, and laundry come immediately to mind. We don’t get canapés and we don’t have any ‘standing requests’ for certain services. Our wonderful Host takes care of seven cabins. (As an aside, we emptied out the mini-fridge of water, wine, and some soft drinks when we boarded and stored the contents in the large cubbie next to the fridge.) I asked about the structure that is being implemented. Each Host also has a Head Butler that backs them up and ensures that Sky Suite guests are taken care of. When I inquired of the Concierge, I was told that yes, you can request certain items from either the Host, your Head Butler, or the Concierge. I specifically asked about room service (breakfast), a pot of coffee in the mornings, or a specialty drink from Al Bacio. For the coffee, I was reminded that one must have the proper drink package to avoid a charge. (Lest anyone thinks that everyone in Sky Suites has a premium drink package, please note that casino players, as well as any other comped programs, and ‘move up’ bids into Sky Suites do not necessarily have either the Classic or Premium packages.) The Retreat Lounge is staffed by 3 concierges, and it is staffed for at least 12 hours per day. The bar is open from something like 9 a.m. - 11 p.m. There is also a Retreat Manager. We never had to wait for anything, and we did our future cruise booking by appointment in the Retreat Lounge. One night I got a single (beautiful) long-stemmed red rose. (I think I recall in the past usually getting a small vase with a rose and baby’s breath sometime during the cruise - none this time.) We haven’t received ‘extra wine’ during our cruise…we used to get one or two bottles in our room during each cruise. Right now, the only folks in Luminae whose names I can remember are Antonio, the maitre de and the sommelier, Arnold. The service there has been impeccable. Some of the recently added entrees make me shake my head; but have nonetheless, I am sure I have gained the requisite weight for this length of cruise. (Except 3 sick days says maybe no weight gain!) Evening chic nights have butlers at both sides of the 5th floor theater entrances to escort Retreat Guests to the middle section of the 5th floor balcony. One morning I ordered Room Service for breakfast (but only so I could report back to y’all 🥰) I didn’t coordinate with my Host, but I filled out the tag and hung it on the door that night. I chose a delivery time of 9 to 9:30. It was delivered at 9 on the dot, piping hot, thoroughly delicious, and it was someone other than my Host who brought it. He offered to set the whole thing up, but I declined. Not a single item that would enhance the meal was forgotten. On the cookie note, the only chocolate chip cookies I have seen are the ones for sale at the Gelato place. Although it is a stone’s throw from Al Bacio, Al Bacio has had No. Cookies. At. All. He ice cream station in the OVC has put out some cookies, but no chocolate chips. I will answer more questions later…if you have any. Right now I need a drink so I can begin my preliminary packing!!

We boarded the Equinox for an 8-night cruise this past Saturday, Aug 19, in a Sky Suite. Our room attendant wears a Retreat name tag. He takes care of 7 suites. His service has been superior. He does everything we used to request from a butler: laundry, ice, and whatever else we have asked for. We have not requested room service, but our neighbors have. The team in the Retreat Lounge ‘reminded’ us that they are there to help us out, and that for any matters pertaining to Guest Relations, Shore Excursions, Specialty Dining, or Future Cruises, we should come to them (and not wait in line). We were advised NOT to drink anything from the mini-bar (incl Evian) or there would be a charge. Getting water at any venue to bring back to the cabin has not been an issue. I spoke to one of the gentlemen who is always at the Retreat Lounge last night (unsure if he is a Concierge or a Butler, but am betting on the former) and requested to sit down with him today to discuss the changes. Unfortunately, I got sick last night and haven’t left the room today, so I had to delay that conversation. I read the full thread with the request that someone currently in a Sky Suite provide an update. When I talk to the Retreat fellow, I will try to get as many answers as I can!

That is what I am seeing for the menu on my app on my current sailing. I haven’t tried to order room service though. I cannot do the cookie report today because I am under the weather pretty badly. Will do it tomorrow!

Ear plugs cure a lot of issues!

On Equinox now, and I regret to inform you that the cookie situation is as reported. I haven’t been by the Spa Cafe to look, but I have not seen any cookies at the OVC ( but truthfully, have not been looking). Will try to check both tomorrow. On a better note, no signs of Vaping in the casino. And the Luggage Valet is back for major US airlines flying from Ft. Lauderdale, although at an increased cost.

@Jim_Iain what on earth is Iain doing that might get him arrested? 😜

And with respect to bottles of wine, if you don’t finish one, it can always be ‘saved’ until the next night or even moved to a different venue. (I don’t believe I have ever had ‘left over’ wine, but that is what X does!!)

We have 5 cruises already booked in Sky Suites through next March (booked when prices were MUCH lower)!! I am willing to see how this works out. If they go farther, though, and ‘downgrade’ SS from using the Retreat Lounge and/or Sundeck, no more X. We often meet new people in those spaces and have dinner with said people in Luminae. Oh, and I didn’t get a letter or an email from X regarding the changes.

Well, it is spelled the same in English! 🤣

Thank you, @morpheusofthesea. I am eager to try Yacht Club and your posts have been very helpful, as have the pics and videos!

Thank you for the update! Hope your cruise is Wonderful!