wineoclock

I hope you are having a lovely time. It’s not somewhere I’ve stayed. I’m staying in Bath in November and I’m going to see if they do turndown if I remember by then :))

Where is that out of interest? I’m near London, savoy, langham, Landmark all offer it. Country hotels also. Was in Madrid this year, San Sebastián, Saint Jean de Luz, and all provided it. I love a turn down service, makes me feel like I’m on holiday.

Most places I stay offer twice a day service.

Great advice from @Hlitner In Limassol we have used Spanos Travel. About 16 I think to a group. In Athens we used PKTravel for a private tour to Sounion as we’ve been to Athens several times. In Israel we’ve used Moti Bar Tuv at Travel Israel for all 3 of our days on private excursions and was worth every penny. I agree with Kusadasi a guide is a must. Have a great cruise.

Obviously I had too much 🍷🍷 as I’m still convinced it was a tray or I’m thinking long back!

My worry on the smaller ships is motion sickness. The smallest ship I’ve been on m, I think was Celebrity’s Galaxy, Disney’s wonder also. If I sailed eg SB or SS or Regent anyone know how sizes compare? I’m not keen on E class but have 2 upcoming cruises on E class booked. We are starting to look around at other lines but dh is at the moment reluctant to change. But 2025 (if we do a cruise) is likely to be Princess for Panama and then Alaska if timings can work.

We cruise suites or Aqua. Next year in an SV. Price, other holidays and itinerary, dictate not just retreat or non retreat.

@MamaFej Celebrity need hire you. Your posts are always measured & talk sense. Something X seems to have forgotten about.

There isn’t one. Which I still find odd. We went to the OVC. It wasn’t too bad but not a great relaxing experience trying to find a seat with my tray balanced in one hand (I use a walking stick).

I was in Aqua last year and got my own water, it was a tad annoying having to think ahead but I dealt with it. When I’m in my CS or SS that I’ve paid considerably £1000’s more for, sorry but it’s going to annoy me. First world problem? Possibly. But for the price I’ve paid, it should be luxury. I don’t cruise a lot but it’s making me think where I’ll cruise next time for certain. Edit: we always tip extra and saw that as a bonus & tipped a bit more accordingly and didn’t really stress about it. We will now have to factor in an additional amount and probably will stress that we are tipping an appropriate amount.

I’m definitely starting to look around more. We only cruise occasionally as dh isn’t keen.

And to you:))) We are on Beyond in October in a suite guarantee so again I’m happy with the bargain. Had the cuts taken place I may not be but determined to make the most of it. At the current prices & changes maybe last time in retreat!

Speciality restaurants, we’ve booked 2 nights at fine cut and a night at Eden. Have done Little Chef - was ok but wouldn’t repeat. We’ve an overnight in Copenhagen so will find a good restaurant there for dinner. If it wasn’t for IV we would have booked Aqua from the get go.

It all looks messy to me especially for the retreat. We are downgrading our Apex cruise next year from a CS to a SV. I actually don’t mind - it’s Scandinavia so don’t really need the retreat sundeck. It’s also just under £20,000, no mini bar included (?), possibly no tips and too many changes. I may/ May not be happier with my SV but I added classic AI so will be under £7000. Dh doesn’t like lounge anyway and I’ve added SR to our bookings. Think we will be fine!

I’d have thought the one thing that should be included is gratuities as taking that away will affect the staff. We tip extra as saw the extra we gave as a bonus. Wonder how the staff feel.

It’s all so confusing. I don’t try and plan a holiday to end up confused. Another thread that will probably be deleted as well.

No sausages on a Southampton sailing - I’m surprised if there wasn’t a riot tbh!

Night and day. Night and day. No comparison.

Mine is Wake up and make myself tea and have on my balcony while dh is still asleep (I’m an early bird) Read till around 9 then wake dh up and head out to wherever elite breakfast is held. Attend whatever enrichment talks interest me, or sunbathe and read. Dh will be on deck. Lunch possibly Luminae or OVC Cafe al bacio for tea in the afternoon (dh prefers to the retreat lounge) Get ready for dinner and then pre dinner/show drinks, show, then dinner, then decaf coffee for me and casino for dh or a show if one interests us.

Anyone know if they have Cremant on board? Better than a lot of the cheaper champagnes and far better than any Prosecco imo.

Well no not really. As you said open window. I don’t open a window when I step out on my balcony, I open doors. Celebrity are being disingenuous by calling it a veranda/balcony. It’s a window plain & simple.

MSC aren’t being disingenuous. Celebrity is.

I worry about seasickness on smaller ships. I’m ok on the bigger ships but do remember feeling slightly unwell many moons ago on Galaxy.

We had towel animals when we were in PS I assume as we were with our young dcs. Always had them on DCL.

Thank you very much. Now to work out timings. I don’t mind an older ship. I’m not keen on the new Celebrity E class ships for instance and much prefer the S class. I’m limited mobility so a smaller ship for me is perfect.