jakebloke

Looks like Icon will be in Cozumel the same day as my Ascent sailing March 20. We never get off the ship in Cozumel so I'm not concerned about the number of people, but I am looking forward to seeing this behemoth in person. I hope Celebrity doesn't move in this Royal direction. I'd like them to adopt some aspects of Virgin and develop a few adults only ships.

In a perfect world, I would like to see a "combo" of VV ship and X Edge class. While the decor on VV is nice, I would like it to feel a bit more upscale as well as have nicer sundecks and a better connection to the sea. I think there's a market for X if they had a ship that borrowed some of the VV experience.

I understand that the AI pricing is similar to booking a specific cabin (however it’s a little cheaper to book a sunset verandah than a guarantee). I guess it’s how you look at it. I really should look at it as the cruise only rate is a phenomenal deal and it would be ridiculous to pay the all included fare for this specific situation.

Does this make any sense Celebrity? Anyone? A full mock booking cruise only fare for 2 people is $2300. The all included ‘best value’ is $8061. Complete insanity. I’ve seen this a few other times as well.

Fair enough. However these kids' enjoyment shouldn't supersede the enjoyment of everyone else. I know it's not going to happen, I just wish it would, So.... then the parents should be supervising their children and stopping them jumping in the pool. ITs clearly stated on Pool Rules sign NO JUMPING. and in these words.. :"kids will be kids..watch yours" It really was ridiculous. I overheard the parents talking about how there's nothing for the kids to do on this ship...Apex. WHY WHY WHY don't you do your research and perhaps choose a different cruiseline? And if you chose Celebrity for your own interests, then don't complain if there's not much for your kids to do. And there's certainly more to do around the ship then in the Retreat.

I do think they should make the Retreat adults only. Around 8 kids jumping in and out of the retreat pool all day everyday was almost enough to ruin it for me. Especially with cost of suites now, it would be nice to feel like you were truly in a retreat.

The promos are mostly BS. A few Mock bookings really show how Celebrity pricing is currently all over the place with many making no sense at all. I did a mock booking for the Mediterranean this summer and could book a guarantee suite with all their perks including $300 per person OBC/premium drinks and Wi-Fi and access to the Retreat for a few $100 less than a sunset verandah with classic beverage/basic Wi-Fi and no OBC. Makes no sense unless you must be on the aft. Another was a cruise only rate in a regular verandah for $1300. If you wanted the always included it became $2700. Really? More than double? It’s nuts. I don’t pay much attention to the promos. You have to do these mock bookings and see what the final costs are.

I just priced a cruise that leaves in 3 days on the Apex. An S1 suite is priced at $10,355 for a one week western Carib cruise. In comparison, I sailed in an S1 suite on Apex back in December for a one week cruise and paid $5400 total (granted, decent price, booked onboard the Summit in June 2022) But that's just insane. I would think last minute, they'd try and fill the ship by offering some deals. Also edit: Aquaclass was over $7000. When did Aquaclass become $1000+ per day?

We were planning on doing a land trip to Hawaii last year, but the pricing was just outrageous. We ended up booking a cruise and felt like it was a good way to get a taste of the islands in a more relaxed way and much less money. It's too bad this cruise to Hawaii doesn't shave off 2 of the 4 days on the Big Island and go to Kauai. Then it would be an almost perfect itinerary on a great ship, with great food and entertainment, and relaxing days at sea. IMO 4 days on the Big Island is too many. It was my least favorite island, although granted we were only there 2 days on the the POA October '22. POA leaves so much to be desired, but definitely gives you a better opportunity to get a taste of the islands. Cruising past the Napali coast was amazing. Also we spent a couple of nights before and after the cruise in Waikiki and NEVER need to go there again. I'd go to Oahu again, but spend more time on the eastern coast and north shore.

If they start building ships with waterslides and go-karts and climbing walls and ice-skating et,, I'll be looking elsewhere. I'd actually be in favor of Celebrity coming out with a line of adults only ships.

We just got off the Apex. They didn’t offer and day passes, and we had a lot of onboard credit so we decided to book the week. Colossal waste of money. Thankfully it was onboard credit, but I could have found something else to spend $530. Not peaceful, people leave their dirty towels everywhere. At one point in the Turkish bath there was at least 20 towels in there. People are ridiculous. The dry sauna is no warmer than 80. The crystal and salt rooms are just gimmicky. Anyways, we experienced it, but never again.

It’s kinda strange that the rest of 2024 hasn’t been announced or released for sale at this point. Since the Edge is going over to Australia and the pacific, maybe Ascent will go to the Europe? That’s what I would assume, but who knows? Are they opening it up for a summer full of charters? Seems unlikely.

Are you there Dec 21? We’re on the Apex that day. I was doing some research and just noticed there will be 6 ships that day. 20,000+ cruise passengers at a tender port. Ugh. And the Apex doesn’t get there until 10 am. I think it may be too late for us to get to Public beach before it’s already overcrowded. I want to stay away from Coral. Anyone have suggestions for a potentially overcrowded island? I’m tempted to stay on the ship even tho I’ve never been to Grand Cayman.

We were on the October 22nd sailing in a suite. I have to be honest and say if we were going to do this cruise again (not likely) we wouldn’t do a suite. There is no real suite experience that you find on other ships….including the rest of the NCL fleet. Yes, the cabin and balcony were large…very nice, but on such a port intensive itinerary, we didn’t spend much time in it. There is no Haven restaurant or lounge. I think the amount of $ suite guests pay, they should make up for the lack of suite experience on POA by offering unlimited specialty dining, unlimited Wi-Fi (not really needed) but you do get that on other lines. The butler is there to help, but at times he was more annoying than helpful. The one thing that was helpful was priority tender in Kona. That was nice not to have to wait. I don’t regret booking the suite, but don’t think it was worth the much higher cost. NCL should make more of an effort to create a suite experience on POA.

We disembarked October 29. The concierge guy was Chris. I can’t remember his last name. We called on him a few times and he was very helpful.