Donut23

6 hours ago, Mountaineer0313 said:

Just switched from cabin 8159 on Millennium for Alaska 2020, to cabin 7203, which is an aft balcony looking out off the back of the ship. It was a decent bit more expensive, but it was the last one left and I really wanted it. Did I make a wise choice?

You are ruined.  I say RUINED for any other cabin but aft facing.

i changed our cabin to aft facing for Hubs first cruise ever (Alaska too).  If I want to do a cruise, I simply find an aft facing balcony cabin and he says yes.  If I try to book something else, he almost whimpers about it.

we are going to Bermuda in a Summit aft facing Accessible cabin.  

The BEST thing about an Aft Facing Cabin in Alaska?  You see everything on both sides of the ship.....and you don’t want to miss anything.

We have had the good fortune to have sailed the serenade and all her sisters .... married on the Radiance in Alaska.

Radiance Class is our favorite ship hands down.

lots of glass in public spaces.  Especially nice cruising in places like Alaska.  Dining rooms are all glass on each side.  We were dining one evening. On an Alaska Cruise and we passed a humpback and her calf.  Half the dining room ran out to see them.

comfortable size ship.  It’s NOT an amusement park at sea.

Small showers but storage in cabins is brilliant.  My scooter fits comfortably next to the sofa in a balcony cabin.

Aft facing cabins have KILLER balconies.  Check them out on Youtube!

35 minutes ago, Want2Cruise 701 said:

Just got off the Summit. I can tell you they did indeed keep the canopies over all the AFT Cabins. I do not have any pictures though. 

Oh you just made my night!  Thank you so much!

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Hello Peoples!

Does anyone have photographs of the new Aft-Facing Handicap Accessible Cabins?  There is one on deck 7-9?

We will be sailing with our best friend to Bermuda the end of the summer.

Cabins are important to me because I tire easily.  I generally spend part of the afternoon “at home”.  Hubs goes off with our friend for longer excursions.

Are the canopies still extended over the balcony.  My skin is sun sensitive from 12 years living in the tropical sunshine.  This would extend my use of an already fabulous balcony......besides a wee bit of privacy from above.

Any photos or comments will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!  😃

2 hours ago, MizDemeanor said:

Wanted to mention for fun facts, that the wood and stain and marine grade varnish railing have been replaced with a material that is quite lovely and much less work intensive and one that will look better over time. It’s like trex deck material. I really do like it although this photo may not do it justice, it will always look fresh and cared for.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Excellent material for your deck or even fence at home.  Wash it occasionally and your work is done.

Love mine!  👍

On 2/10/2019 at 9:52 PM, diesel1973 said:

We use a 16 oz. glass. We add hot sauce to taste and throw olives, Slim Jim, pickled asparagus, and sometimes a thin slice of dill pickle. Haven't had any complaints yet!

Yummo! 

Years ago - perhaps more than I wish to admit, I was one of the First Lady Captains running a charter sailing yacht in the tropics.  I would make a different frozen drink each night but mornings were all mimosas and bloodies.  Mine?

V8

copuous amount of horseradish

soupspoon or two of salsa

Beef bouillon (Campbell’s can)

Old Bay

Old Bay on the rim

Olives

Lime

Cocktail olives in the drink

Power Straw - no little Barbie Doll straw for MY Bloodies.

i would make the base the night before and put it in the fridge to be icy cold the next morning.

mmmmmmmmm😉

Our tips almost always beat our friends.😉. Was it my drinks everyone devoured or my first mate serving breakfast the last morning in his Tux and bare feet?

9 hours ago, Finnrox said:

Now that is funny!  It is amazing to me how so many people appear to be bound and determined to be upset about cosmetic changes and improvements, to the point where they want to cancel a cruise over it.  If the absence of a coffee table or updated colors is going to ruin all of the enjoyment that a cruise is supposed to bring, then maybe everyone would be better off if you make the choice to cancel your cruise.

Personally, I appreciate all the comments here - good and bad.  I am so much more prepared for my cruise because of them.

Cancel our cruise? I doubt it.  However, there are many choices of cruises out there.  If a beloved product changes and no longer meets our needs, you are darn right I’ll find something else that does.

i travel on my cruises on an EVC scooter following an accident 10 years ago.  I’m plenty capable of making lemonaid out of lemons.  I prefer Sparkly and Happy surroundings not drab prision grey.

Keep talking everybody.  I will soak it all in.

Watch out all you 1 September Summit cruisers.  You will know it’s me when you hear the laughter, giggles and tiny bell!  Only 150 days!

I’m trying to love the new Summit.   

To me (I’m old enough to remember) it feels like I’m watching an old Black and White television.

There are 3 adults (cruising with our best friend) in the aft facing Accessible Cabin.  For privacy, I’m taking magnetic hooks and a lightweight shower curtain to make a dressing room outside the bathroom and moved to give a little privacy between beds.  The curtain is a sensational tropical beach scene.

i always take nautical charts for our cruising area for the bulkheads.  Perhaps I can bring more tropical scene cloth shower curtains for the walls.

Cabins are important.  I tire easily and spend afternoons in the cabins and on our balcony.  I don’t prefer to spend time in a black and white television.

Sorry I’m a grump.

On 2/2/2019 at 1:48 PM, Diver2014 said:

How can you say Celebrity is 'shooting itself in the foot' without ever setting foot on the Edge?   Looking at photos and reading other people's opinions should not sway your opinion.  I think Celebrity knows exactly what they are doing and 'suite' folks like yourself are complaining about something you have not experienced.

They totally blew it with the Quantum/Anthem of the Seas 

i remember Cruise Critic reviews on fire for months.  No Main dining room for a beginning.  They sent the Oasis into the shipyard and she was changed to follow the Quantum/Anthem with Allure to follow. It was only high outrage that kept construction to 2 ships and saved the Allure from the changes in her scheduled trip to the yard.

we had considered Anthem but luckily we found the cute little Summit to Bermuda to save the day.

21 hours ago, puppycanducruise said:

Very nice.

You are a good friend indeed.

14 hours ago, Charles4515 said:

I like it.



Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Thank you.

These are longtime friends.  I wanted something to fill with “important” cabin goodies (nautical napkins and Basin “Ocean” soap.  I have always sent a bar of the Basin soap whenever anyone cruises.)

Finally we have found a time and a cruise we can all agree on.  (That was like hurding cats!) 😳😳

I hope this isnt “against the law” because I’m so excited!

we are cruising to Bermuda this year on the Summit with friends.  I have been looking for the perfect gift for them.  It’s $49, perhaps a bit pricey but it’s for my friends and it’s per couple.

ready?

i found woman who will make Custom Tote Bags displaying nautical charts.  In my case, one side is the chart for New York

Harbor and the other side

is a Bermuda chart.  Sturdy, water repellant fabric.

what do you think?  Pretty cool!

On 2/14/2019 at 6:37 PM, Jim_Iain said:

Just did a search of Port Everglades Arrivals and Departures and it is showing she will be arriving on the 16 at 20:30 and departing for Freeport, Grand Bahamas on the 17th at 04:00.

 

Wonder if it was more cost effective to drop off crew that will not stay with the ship for Dry Dock.

 

I recall YEARS ago Disney’s private Island was flattened in a hurricane (well, the peak of the island WAS 15’ above sealevel).  

For the next next few months as Castaway Cay was under construction their ships would deliver supplies from the states.

It must have been heartbreaking for the guests to be so close and not be able to go ashore.

I suspect the Summit was FULL of supplies for her refit.  Taxes to send those supplies over would be crushing.

5 minutes ago, CHEZMARYLOU said:

No, smoking is not allowed on balconies or in cabins, or any other inside area of the ship.  There are limited outdoor smoking areas and they will be listed in the daily bulletin.

6 minutes ago, CHEZMARYLOU said:

No, smoking is not allowed on balconies or in cabins, or any other inside area of the ship.  There are limited outdoor smoking areas and they will be listed in the daily bulletin.

Oh oh thank you for clearing that up.  I have asthma, even bring my nebulizer onboard, and smoking in a nearby cabin in the “olden day’s” would drive me off my balcony.

i remember on a Explorer Of The Seas sailing I practically lived on our big corner balcony.  One deck down was a cigar smoker and actually a friend of our fabulous table mates.  I said nothing about the cigar and weezed for 13 days.

😤😤😤😤

5 hours ago, TheReeferman said:

Many thanks to everyone who answered my question - and delighted that there's no smoking any longer at the Oceanview bar!

Smoking is allowed on balconies?

i guess I got spoiled on Royal Caribbean with no smoking on balconies.  

Their policy changed a few years ago when Carnival announced they would no longer allow smoking on balconies.  In their case, I think they had a fire issue when someone tossed their cigarette butt into the sea but the wind blew it onto another balcony, landing on towels on balcony chairs.

13 hours ago, 1025cruise said:

My guess it was more cost effective to have her sail back to Florida to take on the dry dock supplies than it was to ship to San Juan or Freeport.

I wonder if the Bahamas is like Bermuda.  Shipping to Bermuda incurs a heart stopping tax.

In my boating days we used to get around it by registering with Customs as a “yacht in transit”.  Then we had a specific date we had to leave or ....... 33% of the cost of goods was collected in tax.

if something like this happens in the Bahamas, that’s a very good reason to fill the Summit with as much material as possible.

8 hours ago, vtcruising said:

I got the same feeling that those cabins were a bit smaller than the usual AQ. It will be interesting to see what the dimensions are for those cabins.

 

I booked Alaska on Millie yesterday. We have always done AQ when not in a suite - decided to take many CC recommendations and book in the aft for best views. I didn't want to chance the 5 aft AQ cabins on deck 11 above the bar (that we have loved) without the canopy for some privacy, though maybe the reviews will be great and we will change our minds.  I ended up booking a C1 aft with a massive balcony, so we will get to enjoy the new MDR.

 

Will be following reviews of the new deck 10 AQ cabins. Also hope the 5 deck 11 aft AQ remain good options for us on M Class.

Keep the Aft Facing Balcony Cabin.  I promise.promise.promise you will not regret it.

i switched to an aft facing balcony cabin at final payment for Hubs (fiancé then) first cruise (Alaska).

he was hooked and we returned to Alaska for 2 weeks the following year and were married on the Radiance Of The Seas, this time in one of her Junior Suites Facing aft.

Every time I suggest something other than aft facing now his face scrinches and he makes little snorting sounds as he walks away.

Here is the Best reason to book an aft facing balcony (besides a view of both sides - everything) ......

Here is our next cruise balcony on the Summit to Bermuda.  A little wider because it is a handicapped cabin.

2 hours ago, micheleata said:

 

I would love to see some pictures if you have any!

 

I also put up a shower curtain between the beds for privacy and for dressing.  (Yellow with different color frogs!)

 

My sister and her fiance are coming with us in October and I am going to decorate their door.  Not sure what theme yet,  although they both love fish and aquariums.

There is a store on ETSY - mostly Disney stuff but Many things for door and cabin decorations.

i ordered magnetic hooks to hang on the overhead to hang my shower curtain.

only photo I have is this one of the sign I’ll put on my rental scooter.  It will have AT LEAST little teeny lights on the front basket.

Here is a photo of why we love aft facing balconies.

I think I’m back to smuggling on Old Bay and horseradish. 👍🙄🎉

i don’t drink at home so I’ll be flying in my scooter (accident a few years ago.)

3 hours ago, diesel1973 said:

I personally like them made with Clamato. 1 shot Absolute,1/2 shot Brandy,1/2 shot Tequila, dash of Worcestershire ,dash of olive juice ,celery salt, and all the goodies. MMMMMMMGood 

Oooooooooh!

I like your idea.....but ... with the vodka, brandy and tequila, is there room for anything else or do you just serve it in the handy 32 Oz cup?  😳👍

1 minute ago, Cruise Raider said:

 

They are average.  I like their bloody caesars better.  

No shrimp but you can get celery and / olives in it.  I like a bit more horseradish in mine.  

 

 

Phoey!

Princess’ Bloodies are pink with horseradish, maybe even a touch of Old Bay and other goodies.  The glass is full of olives pickled green bean and asparagus, lemon.

Generally I don’t drink but I break the rules for Princess. 

They are the same in the Princess Lodges in Alaska.

i was hoping for a mini miracle because Royal’s are forgettable.

(laughing to myself as I type).  I can see it now.  I’ll squeeze in a small jar of horseradish and old bay in our med bag with the ice pack.  Hahaha?

Hello Celebrity Peoples

Hubs and I are planning a trip to Bermuda this summer.  It has been a long time since I sailed on Celebrity and I have an important question.  😉

How are the Bloody Marys on Celebrity?

Through my years of exhausting research I have found a Princess Bloody Mary second only to Easton’s Tidewater Inn (Rim dipped in Old Bay and a giant Shrimp on top.)  (Giant Shrimp - a Non sequitur).  At sea, Princess is the winner.

How are Celebrity’s Bloodies?

thanks!

On 2/3/2019 at 8:26 AM, deliver42 said:

If there's any doubt about the dark hulls showing more flaws than a white hull, just look at HAL's hulls. They all look like they need repainting.

It’s amazing the affect of sun and salt on a dark hull.

Before my spring and fall transits to and from the Caribbean to New England I would lay 2 or 3 coats of varnish on exterior wood for protection.  All varnished wood on the forward part of the boat would generally get 4 coats.

Just the salt spray splashing on the wood on a 10 day passage would be enough to “sand” down layers of varnish and make the finish completely dull.

Our fall arrival would coincide the the Charter Brokers show so we had to make the boat pretty AND hit the varnish the moment we arrived.

Salt in Ocean Water is like fine-fine sandpaper.

Mosy yachts will put a coat of clear Awlgrip on to make them shine.  Salt water, again, would eventually dull the finish.  You just don’t see this gradual change as much on white hulls.

I’m a decorator.  I managed a Christmas tree for years for our Disney December pilgrimages.

first decorated cruise was our wedding on the Radiance of the Seas in Alaska.  Tulle bunting and bows on our balcony with a Just Married banner inside the balcony glass.  Door decorations as well.

we head to Bermuda 1 September and I’m already busy.

We will be joined by our best friend in an aft facing Handicap cabin.  Our door will be decorated especially because my birthday is half way through the cruise,

For some cabin privacy, I have a cloth shower curtain (tropical theme of course) and magnetic hooks.

We can hang the curtain between the bed and sleeper sofa for privacy at night and move it over across the cabin from the bathroom to create a very comfortable dressing room.

6 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

I agree--- also photos of the side of the ship pretty much dispels the fear that IV's would be installed.  

 

Looks like they were putting down new decking on the Aft balconies (notice the blue underlayment).  

Cannot remove/alter aft facing balconies-Hubs would go postal.

Hubs’ very first cruise was an aft facing balcony I grabbed around final payment.  Since, he has never cruised in anything but aft facing.

Luckily, we are not fans of floating Amusement Parks and are happy with about 90,000 tons.

a Summit ride to Bermuda is next, his first Celebrity Cruise.  It was an easy sell because of this drydock schedule.

if they alter our balcony it would not be pretty explaining this to Hubs.

On 1/31/2019 at 8:17 PM, B-Rizzle said:

 

Right? I feel like everyone has to look for something to complain about everyday on here. Betcha if they left it white they would complain TOO!

I remember I made an honest comment, years ago, about  a Disney World bathroom being smelly.  A very interesting conversation began only to be shut down when the Disney apologists began with snarky comments.

in case you misunderstood my note, perhaps my assurance that it wasn’t a complaint, just observation from my 12 years of professional yachting experience.

Its not news that a dark hull, at the best of times, shows flaws more than a light color.  Also much more work and expense to maintain.

It’s only common sense to realize a dark hull absorbs the heat of the sun and makes the interior more of a challenge to keep cool.

Not complaining.  Just stating facts.

😊😊😊😊