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Recently off the Ascent.   Deck 10 midship Aqua.  Nights with higher ship speeds had lots of poping and cracking noises in our stateroom.    I now know first-hand what is being referenced with the noises.   Travel with a sound machine and still awoken a few times.    

We had 1 in our Aqua class room in 2019.   We brought our own that would fit in our back pack.  The one in the room was a longer size that was too large to fit.   In the end, we relied more heavily on our hooded rain coats....it was just easier to navigate.    

We took our first Celebrity cruise last June on the Solstice in Aqua class, and we loved it!  We are soon going on the Magic to finally complete our grand slam....just in time before the new ships, but I'm actually wishing I had a Celebrity sailing instead.  I'll make up for it in 2021.  

One thought....maybe go now to experience Solstice "the way it was".  I'm guessing it won't be your last Celebrity cruise to then experience "the improved".    

We did the beach version on Royal, and the lunch at the beach club was enjoyable...and after the heat of touring the ruins, a beach break was a great relief.    

Friends on the same cruise did Chitcinitza, and they spent a big chunk of that time in transit.   

We both loved our experiences!  

Another deck 11 Aqua to AK.... zero vibration...I've experienced this horribly on DCL ships in an aft room.  

No debris from Ocean View...but..and the only negative comment I have....when they hosed down the floor up there, all of that water poured down on our balcony.   Made for wet chairs.   Usually occured between lunch and dinner and again after dinner.  

I'll take a wake view whenever possible!  

I don't really see that it matters that much.  Just back, and we had an aft room.   It's only for that reason that we spent a lot of time on our balcony.   Otherwise, we probably would not have been in our room much.   Sometimes port side was better and at other times starboard.   

Curious to hear if and/or how far the ship makes into Endicot Arm.    The Dailies will be much appreciated!!!!   

22 hours ago, BillOh said:

Dan, I was working on our symphony roll call list, are you still with us on that cruise?  Being neighbors, I thought I'd ask.

 

Everyone else, sorry for the intrusion.

Hey Bill....we have not finalized our plans for Symphony yet....we are 50/50 at this point....we subsequently booked Alaska to celebrate us both turning 50...and crossing it off our bucket list...

Appreciate your perspective. We are on this itinerary June 21, 2019 and I was going to book the small excursion. Based on your input, I will not spend that money there.

Thank you for taking the time to post this! We are doing nearly everything you did with the exception of Kethican next June.

For the small boat glacier tour...what time did you return to the ship? What time did you meet beforehand? Did you see any wildlife?

For skagway, did you have any challenges meeting them on time?

We just used SAS again last weekend. Will continue to do so and recommend them.

The weather in each port was amazing! Locals noting it was unusually warm to hot. This was also thanks to the storm.

Departure day had amazing weather, but the first sea day was fog....fog....and more fog....all day long. Then fog every night...all night long. Was my first experience with fog on a cruise.

Last sea day and evening had some rough seas. I've never had a problem with rough seas....but some did.

I loved Anthem, so for me, I'd book it again without hesitation. Most made the best of it with the amazing port weather helping to take the edge off the disappointment of missing Bermuda. I spoke to others who said they wouldn't take the risk again.

Just to be clear, they are not stone crabs served onboard, they are Jonah crab. Similar but way different in price.

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I used USD in Halifax, but they would only give change in CAD. I only bought small items like bottled water and etc... with cash.

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Stayed there in Sept for a solo cruise, and I had a wonderful stay. Hotel was clean and staff were great. I walked over to the outlet mall and spent the afternoon. Hotel offered a shuttle to Anthem, and I made my rez for it when I checked in. Totally safe and will stay here for any future sailings.

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I have done both....2 B2Bs on Dream and Harmony and Allure. ...though Anthem is my favorite ship so far. I am a read a book and watch the ocean go by person, but I enjoy good shows and food. I sailed DCL first...we are gold.

I like the food better on Royal, and the shows on the Oasis class ships were wonderful. I watched some of them multiple times....especially the aqua shows.

I'll take Chops and 150 Central Park for dinner any day over Palo.... ....costs are similar if you are used to doing that....especially if you get a dinning package or catch a special.

The Oasis class ships never felt crowded to me. I was amazed by this!

While there are more things that are an upcharge on royal, there are often deals to come along on drink packages and specialty dinning.

We are on the Fantasy this spring, and even with drink packages and specialty dinning added into my royal cruises, it's much more expensive...and the % of increase year over year is now beyond my comfort level.

My advice....try Harmony...set your expectations. It will be different....but it will still be a wonderful experience. You may find, like us, the # of DCL cruises you book are less often.....

....ps...we are trying Celebrity next year...

We are a social and friendly couple, and we have had many conversations about this exact thing over the years. Our experience is similar to the OP.

We have taken the first step to conversation and still snubbed. We feel we encounter more who snub us than those who don't. This isn't to say we haven't met other gays, but it's the exception.

We have, however, met many straight couples. Many of whom have become life long friends.

We laugh to this day about a couple that was everywhere we went on the ship. They barely returned a hello and wouldn't have much to do with us. At Castaway Cay, they set up camp right beside us, and still wouldn't be friendly toward us. We were at a complete loss. It became our running joke.

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Great comparison and well balanced!!! Having done both lines, I agree. I too like Royal's buffet better and love the ethnic food options. We have found the Windjammer to be even better for dinner!!! Love the theme nights.

I've had the best room host on Royal, but we've been blessed to always have a great host on both lines.

We somehow manage to avoid the promenade....on purpose too. Never have much need to be there, so the sales stuff doesn't affect us so much.

I think people should try it for themselves. I found I had to approach it from a new perspective and not one to compare. They are both great products and a great time can be had on both!!! Lots of people doing it every week and lots of repeat guests.

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This is great news. Anybody have suggestions from a hotel near the airport TO the port? Thanks, Rhonda

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WE have always added cash for the waiter. If there is a 18% surcharge for a “tip” that used to be included in the price..... well, NO more cash for the server. What is even sadder is that the added 18% will be distributed to include others instead of just benefiting the excellent server that enhanced our evening.

This was my exact thought while reading this thread, and this will work out to a few dollars less in tips at current prices. I may save a few, but I feel badly now.... I also wondered if it's a way to lower service levels.....yet socialize the tips for all.

Was on the Anthem sailing....I feel there is a HUGE difference between Bermuda and Cananda vs eastern to western Carribean. For years, I've seen easterns become westerns or the opposite. I do not recall any compensation to passengers....by any cruise line.

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Just got off Anthem, and I found the food and service wonderful!!! After the years of reading negative comments, I was thrilled with my experience. I went into it expecting a positive experience, and I found it. My experience was better then Harmony back in April!!!

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We used the shuttle on the cruise before (31st Aug). As said its $20pp each way (they will do round trip for $40pp). Ask for it when you check in. The shuttle is run by an outside company who also do the Country Inns opposite for $17.50...don't ask me why its cheaper! First shuttle is 10am and supposed to be every hour. However, first shuttle was late and they didn't go until about 10.30am. We were booked for 11 and left at 1105. I think they said they have 6 shuttles (15 seat vans) running continuously until everyone is picked up. If you return on them, I think they said they start about 7.30am.

 

Simon

Thank you. I appreciate your details!!! Very helpful for a detailed planner like me!!! Is the return to the hotel or EWR?

Thank you!! Planning to stay at Embassy too. Did the hotel offer the shuttle to port? I've read yes and no comments on this. If so, do you remember the times?

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