RTR 21-0

We cruised on Beyond in May (1st time with Celebrity) and was blown away by the experience.  Beautiful ship (highly recommend sunset veranda stateroom), very friendly and helpful staff throughout the ship, food was great, cocktails perfect, relaxed and chill during the day but plenty of music, shows and dancing to keep us entertained.  We were celebrating our 35th anniversary and it was perfect.  

Those cobblestones can be brutal when wet!  Saw many people fall in Dubrovnik wearing both sneakers and sandals.  Proceed with caution on them and hold someone’s hand - even if it is a stranger’s 😉

On 7/18/2023 at 1:25 PM, zoepipes said:

Would they be able to accomodate a party of 6?

Sorry for the late reply, but yes, I’m pretty sure they have vans. 

We booked a private guide for tours of the Colosseum, Vatican, St. Peter’s, etc., and it was the best decision we made for the entire trip.  He purchased all of our entry tickets including skip the line prior to arrival.  After seeing the miles and miles long lines at both the Colosseum and Vatican we knew he was worth every  Euro.  Watching all of the people in group tours trying to follow their leader while listening through the headset and pay attention to their surrounds made us appreciate having our guide to ourselves.  Learned so much on those tours.  

Check out Mia Limo.  In May we used them for all of our transportation needs pre and post cruise (airport, hotels and port). Wonderful company and drivers and they had some of the best rates of any company (I contacted around 11 or 12 companies). All drivers were early for pick up, professional and their cars spotless.  They offer tours as well and they have port access so they are allowed inside the gated area to wait for passengers.  

While reading the comments I was thinking the same thing buckeye7 posted when we were there in May.  I purchased a pair of New Balance 990GL and they were fantastic. Pretty neutral color so they went with nearly everything I wore. We walked upwards of 18,000 steps a day.  Trust me, wear whatever is not going to make your feet curse you at the end of the day 😂

Not going to be on any of these sailings but sure wish we were.  Recently was on Beyond and fell in love with it and Celebrity.  Wishing everyone a great cruise vacay! 

On 7/8/2023 at 4:19 PM, bigbenboys said:

 

I called Celebrity Saturday inquiring the same thing (specifically Ireland) and was told to check back around September or October.  

4 hours ago, PROCRUISE said:

You could also request a Celebrity Personal Cruise Planner. He/she will have a direct extension number to call and work with you booking a cruise and follow up items, like price drops. Our PCP at X is pretty good at returning calls in at least a day. However, as mentioned, you could also secure a travel agent, who if good, will do all this for you.

Is sharing PVP name & ext on cruise critic allowed?  If so, I would like to get that info from you.  We recently cruised on and loved Celebrity and would like to have a reputable PVP.  

On 6/20/2023 at 3:08 PM, kruzerci said:

Omg. I hope not. They look like they’re cut right off of a chub. 
 

I absolutely die when I see the advertising photos and videos featuring great looking burgers from the mast grill. In reality it’s like a high school football concession stand LOL. 

Now that was funny!  For real though, the ones sold at our HS football stand was far superior to that we had from Mast Grill.  It was the one thing on our cruise that was not enjoyed.  For me not to finish a burger is saying a lot 😂

We got a really good rate from C&F Travel Insured International.  

Anyone have a guesstimate when Celebrity will put out their 2025 dates for Ireland, Scotland and Mediterranean? 

Thanks for your review and sharing your lovely pics!  We were on the May 7th sailing and had an amazing time.  First Celebrity cruise for us and hopefully not the last.  

On 6/13/2023 at 11:41 PM, FlyerTalker said:

 

Known Traveler Numbers are not printed on your boarding passes.  What is printed is a notation that you are eligible for TSA Pre-Check at the security screening points.

 

Having Pre-Check is NOT a guarantee that you will have it given to you on every flight.  There are still randomizing elements in the TSA procedures.

 

 

 

You are correct…..what I meant was the words “TSA” stamped on the ticket so thanks for correcting that so no one else misunderstands.  I also understand pre-check is NOT a guarantee; however, we’ve flown plenty using it and never had an issue.  Actually the only issue are the lines getting longer than regular security check in and not enough staff working the TSA areas.  

Flew recently on American and there was an issue with our TSA # not being printed on our tickets.  Uploaded everything on the website a year earlier, double checked before we left, got our tickets, got to the TSA booth and they turned us back to the American Airlines desk b/c TSA wasn’t printed on it (we didn’t think to look).  Went back to AA desk and they had no clue why it wasn’t printing.  Happened both outbound and return.  They ended up letting us go through but had we not arrived per the recommendations who knows if we’d been running to the gate.  Regular lines to go through clearance was crazy long and TSA’s was only better by a fraction.  I’d rather show up early and chill with a book than be rushed.  

Was on Beyond (also our 1st Celebrity but not to cruising) and we had the best sleep in our lives on that mattress.  Right amount of comfort and big!  Loved it so much we’ve googled the manufacturer to see about buying one. 

7 hours ago, balsam88 said:

I actually ended finding a bunch of tours on viator/trip advisor. I went with one that had a decent amount of good reveiws and hoping for the best at this point. 

Positive thoughts heading your way that all will go according to plan and you have a fabulous tour.  

4 hours ago, cruisemom42 said:

 

Having so much rain in early May is not normal weather for the region -- unfortunately no one can predict or control the weather. My "spring cherry blossom" Japan cruise was also dogged with unusually rainy weather this year. (After being delayed twice due to Covid.... 😢)

Now that would be a reason to cry! 

On 6/3/2023 at 6:27 PM, USC Adventurer said:

Has anyone needed to go from the Rome Airport to the Cruise Ship Terminal?  I hope so.  I need advice on the best form of transport from the airport to the ship.  I'd rather not spend over $200 for a private taxi if I don't have to.  I am limited in my walking ability and walk with a cane.  Haveing luggage doesn't help either.  Thanks in advance for any advice.

Check with Mia Limo.  Used them recently for all of our transportation and they had the best rates when we booked.  (I checked 11 companies). Their website quotes 130€ from FCO to Civi.  They were prompt with emails, early for each pick up, friendly and cars were very clean.  

On 5/22/2023 at 10:22 PM, manlie said:

I have read all the ways to hopefully combat jet lag but for the first few days when did you find yourself at your best? We wanted to book a few tours before sailing and am unsure if I should book morning tours or if you found you were more of a night owl? 
I am a Canadian currently on Central Time (7 hours behind Rome)

Recently took our 1st International trip and was concerned about jet lag. Booked ann overnight flight and after our dinner we started to watch a movie and I noticed we only had 5 hours before landing. My light bulb went off and I realized the movie could wait.  Took a melatonin and settled in for a couple of hours sleep.  Once we landed at 9:30, we checked into hotel, had a cappuccino and croissant, freshened up a little and walked around until we met our tour guide for the Colosseum at 2:00.   I hoped being out in the sun the first day would help and it surely did.  We went to bed around 9:00 and felt pretty good the next morning for our Vatican tour.  We really didn’t experience any great amount of jet lag fatigue until we returned home.  Took a full week to feel like we were getting fully rested even after sleeping 7, 8 hours each night.  

Recently used Mr Taxi Cab Driver for a tour of Amalfi Coast, Ravello, Sorrento and had a good experience.  We were in port on a Sunday.  Met our driver at the port about 7:45, spent about an hour or so in Amalfi and Ravello, around two hours in Sorrento, stopped for some pic taking along the way and had us back at the port by 3:30 PM, plenty of time to be back onboard by 5:30.  

On 6/9/2023 at 6:08 PM, Jusaun said:

For full day in Rome before cruise would love to find a good tour company. Any suggestion ? Would like to see as many sights as possible.

In May we used To Rome with Dino for tours of the Colosseum, Vatican, St. Peter’s, etc., and highly recommend him.  Listening to him speak about the history of his country is like stepping back in time. Very reasonable rates. 

Same as earlier post, we were in Dubrovnik, Kotor, Corfu, Naples & Zakynthos week of May 8th recently and while the temp was perfect there was rain most every day.  Didn’t let it ruin the experience but would have loved more sunshine.  All in all though from reading reviews of how hot it was last summer in Europe, I’m glad we went when we did.  

5 hours ago, Seaworthy71 said:

 Hello All 🤗Anyone stayed in the Trastevere area of Rome italy? any info about area appreciated or suggestion of an area in Rome

We recently stayed there our last night post cruise.  Lots of graffiti which kind of surprised my husband and he gave me a WTH have you gotten us into look when the driver dropped us off at air b&b but we loved the area!  Hubs and I did a little exploring then he went to nap and I ventured out on a 3 hour journey alone.  Had the time of my life walking over to the Tiber River and beyond, finding picture perfect alleys to take pics.  Our first two nights pre-cruise we stayed in Piazza Navona (walking distance to most of what we wanted to see) so it was neat to see how different the areas were.  I have to admit I am officially obsessed with Rome and my doesn’t like change husband said if he won the lottery he would move there the day he won 😁! 

On 5/31/2023 at 9:55 PM, gam888 said:

We are considering the Celebrity Beyond for this July to Europe. It's a 10 days sailing. Does anyone have the daily programs from the ship they can post here. We are curious what the evening programs are. A few years ago we sailed with other Celebrity ships, and they offered a pre-recorded Ballroom music hour from time to time in a lounge. Do they offer that in the Beyond? Is the Club used for dancing most of the evenings, or is that space mainly used for shows and other events? What is the age demographic of the ship? Any info on the Beyond is welcome.   Thank you in advance.

We were on a 8 day on Beyond in May out of Europe.  I have all of the daily Celebrity Today papers that I would be happy to screenshot and email you. But, to answer your questions as best I can without posting the papers and taking up a lot of space, each evening at different time segments at Grand Plaza 3 there would be a guitar soloist, jazz quartet or DJ.  There’s a dance floor in that area (also where the Martini Bar is located) and seemed to be where most people gathered in the evenings before/after dinner and/or shows in the Theatre. The two get your fancy on nights were both sea days.  
 

The Club was definitely used for dancing most every night with different themed nights and was a lot of fun.  Usually that started around 10:00.  Before that there would be game show activities and on two nights there were shows put on by members of the Theatre group but the nights always ended with live music and/or DJ.  

Different shows were each evening in the Theatre at 7:30 and 9:30 and a couple of nights in Eden.  Acts ranged from solo performers, musicals and comics.  
 

We found the age demographic to be mid to late 30’s but mostly, we thought, mid 40’s on up.  We met some great, fun people of all ages on our cruise.  There was the usual trivia and dance class activities; mixology and health/spa events during the day.    Photographers were taking pics most evenings at Grand Plaza 4 but there were no embarkation or port pics taken which were used to from Carnival & RC. We didn’t play in the casino but it had a lot of gaming options and the best part was it was smoke free.  Anything else you’d like to know, just ask and I’ll try to help.