PatC

We are in an IV cabin on January 13th so we can compare with the S class as we board Silhouette directly after on January 20th. Now, we have a Sky Suite on Silhouette but still we can compare differences in the balcony experience. Been on every S class except Reflection, every M class except Infinity and go all the way back to the Century class and Zenith and Horizon so we've seen many improvements over the years. BUT, still the first one on Edge will be so different. Looking forward to exploring this ship. Didn't think we would like the "S" class but love them now. Always exciting to try something really different and get out of that comfort zone.

Captain Leo also stands at the gangway and thanks passengers for sailing with him. He is another of those very engaging Captains that Celebrity has. We have sailed with them over many years and always have had crew who were personable and welcoming. Loved when we only had set seatings in the MDR and at the last formal night we were treated as family. Staff who knew you sailed with Celebrity before always said "welcome home". Sailing on Edge in January and have sailed with this Captain before also so hoping the comraderie of the staff doesn't change because of the new ships.

 

 

Why didn't Celebrity release this type of video.... check out the section around the 13 minute mark that goes into cabin design.... it is really helpful to understanding the thinking behind the IV cabin...

They did release this and also had it live. I saw it a while ago. They have made some changes since this video but we are looking forward to experiencing the ship in January. You can check out all the "reveal" videos. Do not like the Eden one. Seems this is one space we will avoid in the evenings but, other than that, looking very different and interesting.

Having been caught up in the ‘unseasonable’ weather in March flying into Florida via Philadelphia from the U.K. we sympathise....When our flight across the pond was finally cancelled (12 hours before departure) we did manage to change our flights and arrive pre cruise (we did have a two night cushion). We are still very grateful to the Philadelphia residents on CC who indicated they thought the airport would close many hours before our flights were actually cancelled....This gave us time to look at alternatives and liaise more knowledgeably with airline staff.

 

Can you consider leaving from other airports other than Philadelphia and landing at airports other than Miami? I think our flexibility in doing exactly this was what helped to ensure we did manage to arrive on time.

 

Sincere best wishes, please keep us updated.

We live right outside Philly in NJ and no airport would be flying in this type of weather. My son was looking to fly to Florida next weekend and he's very doubtful of getting out. He flies all the time and knows exactly how this works as he works for the FAA at Atlantic City's airport in the tech center. He's been caught in these storms out of Florida and it's not going to worry Florida but flying up this east coast is a horror in bad weather. Took him 17 hours to get home one time. Just be vigilant. Our NJ guy who we trust with our storm warnings is saying it is looking much higher that it will impact us all. Nothing definite for a few days but getting out of Philly will be a nightmare if it even hits us with rain and wind. Check all the weather updates, both ours and the European models. They really conflict a lot at times so it makes it harder to understand who is right. I wish you so much luck. So much stress makes it hard to concentrate on the excitement of a cruise but you really need it after all the worry, especially when they are WRONG about it being so severe. Pat C

Now if only they would let us know about a handicapped section, not way in the back like on the other ships. We stopped going to the shows because it was just too difficult to find a place. This looks very promising.

Thanks for the info. I think it should work much better on EDGE.

 

For our 9 night ABC cruise in Nov, we booked 2 nights in each of the 4 MDRs, plus 1 night at the rooftop grill.

 

Hope to also have lunch at the Bistro and Seafood place if there,s something ok on menu for dh who has ..fish allergies. Lots of lunch choices on board which is good !

 

We will try Fine Cut Steak house and Rooftop Grill in January when we will be assigned to BLU

 

Not worried about going hungry but maintaining good blood sugar control. Dinner at 6 or 6:30 works best with my plan..

I goofed. Our dining times will be 6:30 since we know how crowded it gets from 7 on. Went earlies on the last few cruises and it worked out great.

My recent experience on the Constellation was that the first night was a mob scene (and we ended up getting seated approx. 30 minutes late for our 7:30 slot). I had concerns that this was going to be the norm but every other night we were seated almost immediately.

 

The problem on night one appeared to be caused by a large group of suite guests (the "reservation" line is also for suite guests - with or without reservations) that were trying to get several adjoining tables. The Hostess spent almost 20 minutes with them alone.....

We have learned to book a specialty on the first night. Works out great. Great discounts too! On Edge we booked Le Grand Bistro (Le Petit Chef) so that's our plan.

Here is a nice 13 minute overview of all of the reveals. Though nothing really new to those of us who have been following the Edge closely, there are a few views of venues I hadn't seen. It would be a nice video for those who are just coming onboard to the Edge. :D

 

I saw this and sent it to our group sailing together on 1/13/2019. I believe we will see changes but other than a few of those this ship looks so very different from the other ships in the fleet. Looking forward to exploring and deciding if it's "one and done" and back to the other classes for us.

Pat C

We have only had a few minute wait on any of the ships since we went to Select Dining. The main problem on the ships already in the fleet, don't know how it will work on Edge, is that sometimes diners spend a lengthy time at the table just sitting there. When we are done and reasonably have spent enough time in the dining room we are aware of other diners and leave. On Eclipse in April we had the same table almost every night, same wait staff until one night it was taken by 2 women who were obviously finished their entire meal and were still sitting there when we left. Now that is just, plain ignorant. No one rushes you but this was just way too long. First time that we saw that on any cruise we have taken. Hoping that with the new format of 4 dining rooms it will be easier BUT, that being said, how many will be fighting to get into the same one every night? We made reservations for 7 in Cosmopolitan and Tuscan. 1 in Tuscan, 1 in Le Grand Bistro, 1 in the Fine Steakhouse and the balance in Cosmopolitan. If one is way too crowded we will move to the next one, even the buffet but I do believe it will be an experiment since this is all new. Just go with the flow and enjoy. You will never go hungry, that's for sure!!!!!

Pat C

We're with some of you. Loud music, Cirque type entertainment, adventurous eating and the like may be for others but not us. We seem to be entering a really different Celebrity....why not leave this to Royal and Carnival....is it really necessary for X? I certainly am curious about the remainder of the ship but am wondering if this is a mistake. For us at any rate I think M and S class fit us.

 

Charles

Agree Charles. We may be "one and done" on this class. Love trying the new ships but this one is still up for discussion. At least we disembark her and head right back to Silhouette!!!! Now that's the way to compare experiences. Of course, if they revamp all the other class ships to this one and we are not happy with the "new brand", other options are always out there. I agree about Eden. Not something we would enjoy AT ALL. Willing to try new stuff but this looks way over the top. Now a you tube video on facebook has me anticipating the production shows. Hopefully we will be able to get in.

Pat C

I need to chime in here about these "reveals". This has become so annoying! We are only a few months out from their "pre inaugural whatever" and still have so many questions. We are booked in January and it's way to long for them to hold this information back. They know darn well that people like to book early, book prior to sailing and want to "investigate" options. Now they get Apex going and we still don't have some ideas about Edge! Just not good business but that's my opinion. Rushing to get the next ship going and don't even give us the complete details of a ship we are sailing on???? What's with that.

Anyway, just my opinion and still looking forward to Edge in January, even if they are still "revealing" it at that time:eek:

Pat C

If Edge follows the other ships, we do book prior to boarding and when the bill comes they will apply your discount so you don't lose that "perk". Just for your information. Now, who knows what they will do with this ship but they are all one brand and I would hope they honor our status. After all, not much has changed in the levels of the CC in years.

Pat C

And... to start with the loungers that are 4-inches off the ground in the Solariums will be raised up and grab bars added!

Now that would be a massive improvement, not only for us "old folks" but the younger ones who have mobility issues and can't get out of those torture chambers;p;p

Pat C

It is also discourteous to other passengers and crew.

 

Accessible rooms exist for a reason!

But there are so few "accessible" staterooms and they are all booked up immediately. We know. As far as scooters, my husband has booked a scooter for 3 past cruises and they do fit thru the cabin doorway. We booked thru special needs and they know what is needed. Now, on the S class it works great! Always book with the bed by the balcony. Yes, it does take up room but moving the small table worked for us and gave us the walking room around the scooter. We purchased an EZ Lite Cruiser chair for him and took it on Eclipse for our last cruise. PROBLEM!! As has been said, the doorways into the cabins do not open all the way and we had to fold it down to lug thru the cabin door every time. Now, when we were out during the day and only came back for a little while our cabin steward told us to leave it outside. Our cabins was near the cleaning closet so the chair was not in the passageway but I hated doing that. Yes, it was out of the way but still didn't like that it was even outside. We have been on ships where the entire passageway was crowded with chairs and scooters and it was awful! We do not get off in tender ports because of the walking issues but in the Caribbean it works great because 90% of the ports are walk-off and Bermuda is perfect.

We sail on Edge in January and our Infinite Stateroom invoice indicates handicapped accessible doorways (I presume wider) so that will work. As I said, it is next to impossible to find a handicapped stateroom on any of the Celebrity ships. I wish you luck and don't let this stop you from cruising. Just the idea of NOT cruising because of handicapped issues makes me cringe. We love the ships for themselves. Happy sailing!:cool::D

Pat C

Thanks and I'll let people think what they want because as an east coast'r I really don't GAF what anyone thinks. Still I can recognize rude, unfriendly behaviors particular to the certain areas of the east though I find it humorous numerous other east coast raised people agree while a Canadian, a Carolinian and a Texan disagree. For the Canadian and Carolinian I was talking about the New York/New Jersey, vicinity so you can calm down I didn't mean you.

I was born and raised in New York (THE BRONX) and currently live in NJ. This is not the case. Just because you sailed out of Bayonne does NOT mean we are all this way. AND we are a large world. Ignorance has become the norm everywhere so don't pidgeon-hole us. Check their passports before you start being rude.

PatC- what large cruiseline or cruise ship isn't crowded these days? They all sail at capacity. Why would you be worried any more about Edge than other ships?

Yes, they are all "crowded" but having experienced small crowds on the S class ships I can tell you that when it is a popular show getting into the theater is next to impossible with a scooter/chair, etc. And, to be honest, the handicapped areas are not very inviting. We have avoided shows these past years due to the fact that sitting at the top level is noisy and you could hardly see the stage. That being said, we are sailing Edge in January and will see what happens. Looking forward to LLP's so-called "innovations". AND, after Edge we cross the dock to Silhouette so we can really compare in real time.

I totally agree as she has ruined the Celebrity brand.

Been feeling this way since she took over. They have priced us almost out of cruising with no improvements. AND we have sailed Celebrity since 1992. Nothing there much for loyal customers. Yes, love some Elite Plus benefits but will NEVER reach Zenith. That's the sad part. Oh well. We are trying Edge in January.

People watching might be quite interesting!

I believe that also. AND, it will be interesting to see if folks "dress up" nicely as in the pictures. This is a new ship, so-called "higher class"? Those renderings are not typical folks on Celebrity these days. Just saying! Should be very eye-opening and interesting.:cool::D:cool:

Pat, I found a website with some info about accessibility on the Edge. It had a lot of things listed (like lower height bar area at Martini Bar). I will try to find it again. :D

Thanks VT. I would appreciate that but I seriously think the first year with this ship might be a hassle for us. Still, looking forward to the experiences we can enjoy. Just strolling the decks might be an experience!

Pat

I'm thinking our cruise in January will be so crowded that we won't be able to experience many of these areas. My husband uses a small electric chair and, other than the theater, might be an issue for us. Hope not. If it seems that way it might be one and done for the Edge class for us. Will post our experience after the cruise but hope it works out. So many interesting things to do.

Pat C

We had booked Le Grand Bistro for the first night of our January cruise. Then they changed it to Le Petit Chef at the high price of $55. pp. We received a call from Celebrity and were offered to either cancel or take Le Petit Chef at the same price of $25.pp Took it! Got the same time we had originally asked for and thought, what the heck, might as well try it since the first night of Select dining is always chaos. Will report back when we experience it and let you all know our thoughts and opinions. I do believe they will honor whatever you have in your cruise planner. As long as it is in writing and confirmed you should be good.

I still have my original Captains' Club pin, the tiny one. When I wear it on my visor from Summit, along with the little pins that they used to have on the older ships, everyone asks where I got it. When I tell them, especially crew, they are amazed. Won't give that one up, ever.

Ours is and E2, by the balcony for the entire reason that my husband has an electric chair and it makes life so much easier for us having the extra space right inside the cabin door. The best part of the cabins is that they are almost all marked "handicapped accessible" and we need that for the doorway. On Eclipse the chair, which is NOT one of those big ones, was about 1 inch wider and we have to break it down to get it into the cabin. Scooters fit thru those cabin doors but nothing wider. So, we will see how this works.

Of course, looking forward to a whole new experience, it will be interesting to experience the new cabins.:D

Pat C

Waiting until we experience this in January but I think we are going to like it. While we never had a real "wait" with Select, we did notice that on many nights of a longer cruise a large portion of the dining room in the select section was empty. Also, from the pictures it seems that there will be more space for waiters to move around and a lot more "intimate" dining options. We are doing Le Grand Bistro and Fine Steak House 2 nights and opted for Tuscan 1 night and the balance in Cosmopolitan. That should give us a good idea.

PatC

Until today I had no opinion really of the MC. Seeing it now at sea, not liking it. Bet it has to grow on you but I think it makes the ship look weird on the starboard side. JUST MY OPINION. Anyone else think it looks awkward? Loving the port side look. Now that is a classy ship. We booked port side for January and I'm glad we did. Looking forward to sailing this beauty but, that MC, still not so sure I like it.

Pat C