CruiseRQA

Just back from the Jan 20 Apex sailing. Rather than a complete review, I will be a bit more limited and try to address some of the negative commentary about Celebrity that I read on the board in the weeks leading up to our cruise. We were fortunate enough to be staying in a Sky Suite. Will be happy to answer any followup questions. We left our Hilton Gardens in the Danio Beach area about 1030am via Lyft. There was no problem getting into the port area at that time. We were dropped off at the Terminal 25 in 15 minutes. A porter immediately took our luggage and it was just a short walk to the Terminal 25 entrance. We walked into the Retreat entrance and once our SeaPass was verified on our phones we were directed up to the Retreat waiting area. After enjoying a pastry and coffee it was time to board. We dropped off our carryons in our room (not quite yet ready) and went up to the Luminae for lunch. We were enjoying a wonderful lobster roll about an hour after leaving our hotel. Have never had an easier embarkation. Our suite: typical skysuite. I think these rooms are well arranged. A bit bigger than a standard room but not really a big room. The money you spend for a skysuite is not for the room but for access to the Retreat lounge, sundeck and Luminae. Regarding electrical outlets. There are two on the desk within the little phone charging box. One on the wall side of the bed (at least in our room) but not on the other but my extension cord for my CPAP was easily able to reach my side (the far side) of the bed. The butler situation. The head butler immediately came to our room to introduce himself and explain the Retreat and role of the retreat hosts and concierge. We saw him around just about every day and I am certain that if you needed something the "team" would have gotten it down. He did help me get onto the internet service but other than that we didn't have any butler requests. Drink pricing and availability in the Retreat. I was never charged for a drink or wine in the various Retreat bars or the Luminae. We were offered Decoy cab in the Luminae but were not charged anything extra (never saw the price for it on a menu either). Bourbon selection seemed good in the Retreat lounge with many major brands available. Scotch? Not so much. Dewer's, JW, Red and Black. Not much for single malt other than a Glenfiddich (IIRC). Food? Outsanding! Food quality was great in Luminae. And the service was better than ever. We also ate at The Bistro for lunch which, IMO, is an underappreciated gem. Ate at Eden for dinner one time Good, not great and overpriced for what we paid on board (something like $80 + added tip + additiional tip (if you so choose). Given the quality of food and service in the Luminae I would not go to Eden again. Walked through the OVC at each meal to check it out. Looked great, had lunch one time and the choices and quality were superb. Entertainment: great variety of musical and other acts. 3 production shows during our 7 night cruise. They ranged from strange to good in my opinion. The other 4 nights had a comedian, a Motown group, a music/comedian (Tommy Green Jr - outstanding) and a magician. My main complaint was regarding wine. Almost at every meal I asked for something that was on a very short list and every time they didn't have it and subbed in something else. I enjoy wine and don't consider myself a wine snob but how hard can it be to have an accurate wine list? My wife ordered the Opulance Cab in the Luminea (was featured on the menu) and was priced at $25/glass. Didn't have it but the wine steward said he would substitue something very nice. He brought a Modesto Cab. Regarding the ongoing Duckhorn Cab thing, I was served it one night and wasn't charged - didn't see the listed price. Deboarding? Piece of cake. Walked off with our luggage starting at 7:15, Walked through the terminal using the facial recognition thing and out on the street we were. Ordered a Lyft and 10 minutes later we were on our way to FLL. Checked our luggage curbside. Not much of line at TSA and we were at our SW gate by 820 for a 940 flight. That's what comes to mind, will be happy to opine further is so asked.

Then what's the point?

Interesting that some want a 3rd party to unpack. How do you know where your stuff winds up?

I think most lines have done away with assistant room steward. Haven't had one for years cruising HAL and Celebrity

Last year there was talapiagate ...

What does the premium drink package cost? $70/day?? I might have a beer at the pool during the day and a glass of wine with dinner. Water, ice tea remain "free". My drink expense per day is maybe 20 bucks per day.

Always amusing to me that people will jump over each other to get on the ship and then repeat the process to get off!

I will probably be at the airport by 8am

I will be the contrary poster here. You can walk off with your own luggage in the morning. Customs is not a slow as people are saying. Call an Uber and you will be at the airport in 10 minutes. 1030 will be an easy flight to make. We have a 940 flight out of FLL later in January and am not concerned about making it.

Thanks for posting. Some positive Celebrity opinions are coming back to the forum!

I booked a Jan 20 Apex cruise early in Dec 2023. All specialty restaurants claim to be completely booked every night of the cruise. Doesn't break my heart but some say they hold back some reservations for on board.

Checking the Apex Luminae menu (we board on Saturday) shows a Cakebread Pinot Noir for $15. That's a good one.

Let me upvote Le Grand Bistro. Amazing lobster bisque and French onion soup, great entrees and deserts. Worth $76? Well that's your decision. I think so, especially on embarkation day where the OVC can be mobbed.

Typically we have not ordered room service and so I will await others to chime in, but if you are going to order room service frequently it wouldn't hurt to tip $5 so that you will be on their good list!

1. I am certain that they will NOT allow you to have a mini-kettle in your room. 2. Muster station C1, have no idea where that is, but ask your cabin attendant when he comes around to introduce him/her self. They don't do the big muster station drill anymore - you just have to watch a video and then, IIRC, check in with staff at the muster station. 3. You'll be fine. If you get to the port early they may let you board anyway or at worst you will have to wait a bit.

Short answer - yes. There are no formal nights anymore on Celebrity. They have nights they designate as "Chic" which is the night to dress up if you want. On those nights there will be a few guys in a tux, a few more in a suit, quite a few with a jacket over a polo or dress shirt, but most just in nice slacks and a collared shirt.

Since we're in a gambling thread ... Does anybody know the current bet minimums for table games?

Each poster's math was correct, it's just that one poster failed the story problem.

My wife always orders her Martini or Margarita in a "rocks" glass. Tougher to get knocked over.

Old time cruising was the best. We used to get 2nd seating in MDR. What a great evening. Usually there was a combo playing dance standards somewhere and so you could enjoy a cocktail (yes you paid for it, no drink packages then) before dinner. At dinner you were welcomed by wait staff that knew your name, you were seated at a table that wasn't 6 inches from somebody else and could then choose a 5 course dinner. And you get get 2nds or 3rds. The term "upcharge" was not heard of. You could then go to the late show and then retire for the evening.

I have eaten at many nice restaurants around the US and in Europe. I still say that the best dinner I have ever had was at the Olympic. I had Dover Sole and my wife Steak Diane. I remember that cheese cart, yum. I forget what we had for dessert but I do remember being confused about what, if anything, to tip.

I think the common theme here is that when you pay money for a suite you are paying for an experience. My two stays in suites (Apex and Beyond) were great. Although we never found a use for the butler it was nice having good wines poured for you at dinner in the Luminae or a nice whisk(e)y in the lounge without being asked to pay something. It was part of a nice experience. Being asked for another 2 bucks for a glass of wine at dinner? Can most of us afford it? Sure ... but it sure is tacky and worsens the experience.

Leaving next week on the Apex. Received a notification on my phone this morning (Jan 10) to complete my check-in to assure a smooth arrival (or something like that). I did my sign in a few weeks ago including passport upload and as far as I know only have to complete the health questionnaire which I can't do until Jan 19. Am I missing something? Why did Celebrity send me a notification today to complete my check-in to assure smooth arrival when I can't complete it until the 19th?

Not that there is anything wrong with that ...

My local library had boxes of Covid tests for patrons to take if they wanted. Not sure where they came from.