motherchic

We have sailed on carnival once and HAL once and Royal several times. For years now we only sail on Celebrity. That being said we always get a guaranteed veranda. Suites would be great but too pricey for us. Never had any interest in Aqua mainly because we have been extremely happy. We very much enjoy the food in the MDR. We also at times enjoy having lunch at the OceanView, and at the Spa cafe.

We have purchased the concierge cabins. It gives you more points when you are trying to go to elite and elite plus, otherwise the difference in price is not worth it.

I don't drink allot but we always get the drink package. That way you can try all the drinks you want and not worry about the bill you are adding to.

we did two 7 day cruises and after that we always do at least 10 days. Just not enough time to really relax and enjoy.

But take those four days and have a wonderful time!!

Pre Covid we were on a Solstice class ship, did not have reservations and quite a few times we had to wait almost an hour or more to be seated. For our TA at the end of the month we made reservations. Obviously I don't know for certain, but I would imagine if you just show up you may have to wait for a while. It certainly helps with the pagers, so you can grab a cocktail. 

On 10/7/2022 at 9:07 PM, Rick&Susan said:

Some rather incorrect accusations:

- I never said I complained to anyone. I simply told them & you that I was curious.

- I never complained about people not dressing up in tuxes or suits for Formal nights, which most cruise lines have gratefully stopped. 

- I did not bring a suit, as the current trip this cruise is part of is 30 days long & I had no other need of same. But anyone has room for a pair of slacks & a collared shirt.

- The buffet & room service have always been perfect options for those who want to remain in beach or gym wear into their evening.

- I first searched "evenng dress" & found no other threads, so I made my inquiry.

- I never criticized jeans or dressy, long shorts. For that matter, I didn't criticize anyone- as most of you ironically did me- I simply observed & expressed personal disappointment & curiosity about what other lines might be doing now. I actually received zero feedback on any specific lines that also have no policy anymore like Royal.

 

Yes, back to Celebrity's much better experience, food & service.

There is another post asking ,"Has cruising lost its sparkle?" Its been interesting reading the responses.

We are cruising on the Apex TA at the end of the month, this is our first cruise since the pandemic. So its been almost 3 years since I have been on CC. Ive always loved this site, still do, but what I have seen is an increased amount of people berating others for their questions. Cruising will never loose its sparkle for me. I have always felt very blessed that my husband and I can cruise at least 3-4 times a year.

But the CC has changed, I'm seeing an increase in rudeness, and honestly bullying. I apologize for the condescending remarks of others on this thread. What happened to just being polite and empathetic and welcoming?

We are on a TA in several weeks. I would be terribly disappointed if we could not board.

But I am still very pro testing for all cruises and having up to date vaccines.

I worry that the cruise lines are more worried about their bottom dollar then their workers and cruisers

We are cruising a TA in several weeks. We are both in our 60's and I am immune-suppressed. I am bringing Paxlovid, antibiotic and steroids with me. per my family doc. Also a pulse-ox.

With Paxlovid you can get rebound but the chances of dying are extremely low. And that's what I want, NOT TO DIE.

If you have concerns contact your physician before you sail and go prepared

We will be cruising in several weeks, it will be our first cruise since the pandemic. Sailing on the Apex, looking forward to it very much. Honestly so much has changed since the pandemic, many things not for the good but I honestly cannot imagine being unhappy with this cruise. I feel so lucky that we can afford such a luxury

We are now in our mid 60's. We have sailed Royal several times and for us it was just ok. The ships were pretty but loud, lots of announcements. Did not care for the smoking. I love children, had 4 but when I travel I enjoy seeing and hearing less of them. 

For us, food wise we felt that Royal did not even come close to Celebrity in comparison. We found Celebrity to be far superior.

We have had them on our TA's also on our Panama Canal cruise.

I believe its the luck of the draw as to who the speakers are. We have enjoyed many

3 hours ago, CGTNORMANDIE said:

TA and TP aficionados are a special breed.  Making a crossing is probably as close as we can come to reliving the Golden Age of ocean travel when a crossing was “The Only Way To Cross” (thank you John Maxtone Graham).  JMG was the Dean of what I call The Ocean Liner University…a club that every ocean liner lover, who has made a crossing, belongs to.  Many people do not realize that when they are enjoying those six days at sea they are actually experiencing the rituals and daily routines that were in practice for the past 170 years.  A few of us here were fortunate enough to have experienced some of the great Atlantic Ocean liners before the jet hastened their demise.  For those of you who are about to embark I would highly recommend that you read “The Only Way To Cross”.  John Maxtone Graham’s book is a history of his love affair with the Atlantic crossing.  The book will give you a better understanding of the rich history of sea travel when there was no other way to travel between continents.  I also knew JMG and Mary MG.  They were great fellow voyagers.  

Had the wonderful opportunity to hear his lectures. What a phenomenal couple! He was a true joy to talk to

13 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

 

 Was it by any chance Thomas who also works at the bar in the Ocean View Cafe on Silhouette?  That's where I got this hand made sangria. 

 

YES!!!!!

7 hours ago, hrhdhd said:

Bring some self-tests and arrange for online proctoring. I used the BinaxNow tests (available from a link on Celebrity's requirements page) twice in the last two months for required tests. I'm kinda a tech idiot, and it was easy.

We are also sailing on this TA, and this is what we are using. I am bringing four tests with meds a just in case. Ive not used these but friends that are also sailing on this TA have. they said the test and call in are easy peasy. See you on board

We really enjoy Celebrity. It is absolutely more laid back. I wish they did offer more activities and games other then trivia and napkin folding during the day though.

We always join the Roll Call and find other cruisers who play cards and board games. Thats something we really enjoy and have made many friendships over the years.

cruising in 3 weeks. This will be our first since the pandemic. Some of our favorite moments were enjoying a coffee and pastry (or two).......counting the days

I enjoyed reading everyones response.

We sailed Carnival once (not for us) too loud, did not enjoy the movie screen playing loud rock all during the day at the pool.....

Sailed Royal several times. Enjoyed it. As many have said, I love children, had 4, but when I sail I enjoy having a more adult company. Food was ok.

Sailed HAL once. We sailed on the cruise that gave HAL its reputation. People were asleep at the dining room tables!!

Then we tried Celebrity and we loved it! We found the food to be far better then the other lines we sailed on. the crew makes you feel so very special. 

I must admit I would like a bit more varied entertainment but I still choose Celebrity. We always join the Roll call and find others who enjoy playing cards, and games and share tours with. We have made lifelong friendships with many fellow cruisers

thank you, your review was such fun to read. we are not in a suite but in 3 weeks will be sailing on Apex in a concierge cabin. Very much looking forward to it

As others have said, join the Roll Call. WE always start a list of people who want to play cards and games. Its a great way to make friends and have allot of fun.

We have made lasting friendships on our previous TA's.

1 minute ago, LGW59 said:

I am on the same TA as you, and also so excited about it, my first TA.  Happy cruising and hope you have a fantastic time!!

You will love it! We have met so many wonderful people on the TAs and have made longtime friendships

We are sailing in 3 weeks, TA, Rome to Florida. Very much looking forward to experiencing it. Luckily I am and always have been easily impressed. So honestly I know I will like it.

That being said, sailed Carnival and HAL once and did not like it very much at all.

If I had a wish list I would have a thallo pool on every ship. I loved those and miss them very much.

Complaints of uncomfortable chairs! what's new? I have always thought they are not real comfortable (too soft, too short, poor back support) But Ive had two back surgeries so I am a tad critical of chairs and how supportive they are.

I just know I will love looking out at the ocean, being served my meals with a smile and meeting new friends

Can someone suggest a company I can call to obtain a wheelchair?

It may be more difficult because it embarks in Rome

On our last cruise their was a bartender that made a great sangria. Could not find it anywhere else on the ship but at the sunset bar with that one bartender

Its been ages since anyone posted a list of their favorite beverage or cocktail....

Going on a TA soon, I tend to drink Manhattans, Mcallen scotch and mud slides. I NEED to expand my horizons !!

Whats your favorite?

Thankfully there are allot of options. I have a friend who loves Carnival, usually, especially when we first started cruising we sailed Royal. So we tried Carnival and it just wasn't for us. Would never sail another Carnival ship

We tried HAL once and it was way too sedate for us. Just like Goldilocks you finally find the right one. We now are loyal Celebrity cruisers.

Royal had good entertainment but more children   I like kids, had 4, but when we vacation we enjoy not having children running about.

Celebrity has great service, food is very good. We found our perfect fit

We have dome quite a few in April/May and October/Nov.

I would rather sail home but will do both. We sail celebrity and love it. Never had a rough water sail

Our first cruise was many a year ago, RCL, a week in the Caribbean. A group of people were so drunk that at 10am they were SO loud. I was sitting with my legs dangling into the pool and someone actually dove over my head into the pool! My husband swore he would never sail again. It took years before we tried. We since sailed Royal again , liked it but we still prefer Celebrity. Once we took our three teen daughters, and due to cost we sailed Carnival, We had fun because we were all together but even my teens weren't thrilled with carnival. We drink and we laugh and we have fun but Celebrity is way more our type of vibe