Reflection - Review - Ultimate Caribbean - April 2, 2018 - April 13, 2018

[oskarNZ]

Still reading and still enjoying. Thanks for your great port posts. I can’t wait to visit the ABC islands.

[Artie212]

Hi Noreen,

very enjoyable....thanks

[Noreen411]

Hi Noreen,

 

very enjoyable....thanks

 

 

 

Thank you

 

 

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[Noreen411]

Still reading and still enjoying. Thanks for your great port posts. I can’t wait to visit the ABC islands.

 

 

 

Hi

 

Glad you are still with me.

 

I am hoping to get a little more posted today.

 

 

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[Noreen411]

Tuesday 4/10/18 - Bonaire - Continued

 

We had a nice table at the window with a great view of the wake.

 

I had Sprite. Scott had Mer Soleil wine. I think he talked Rich and Eileen into also having Mer Soleil wine.

 

 

We were brought a bread basket.

 

 

For my appetizer I had the meatballs. These were very good and I enjoyed them.

 

 

Scott and Eileen both had the fried calamari but neither of them liked it. They said they were too chewy and dry so they got meatballs instead after seeing mine.

 

 

Rich had the Pork Belly which he liked.

 

 

Rich and Eileen both had the Goat Cheese and Arugula salad. Scott and I skipped having a salad course knowing how filling the food is.

 

 

 

 

 

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Edited May 28, 2018 by Noreen411

[Noreen411]

Tuesday 4/10/18 - Bonaire - Continued

 

For my entree I had the Grilled Branzino. This was good, but the best Branzino I ever had was at Wonderland on Anthem of the Seas.

 

 

I had a side of Cacio E Pepe pasta. This was very good. The reason I tried this pasta was because when I’m driving to work the station I listen to on the radio has a DJ/host who is always telling various stories and he was talking about a trip to Italy and how one of the best meals he had was Cacio E Pepe pasta. I never heard of it before and he described it so well and made it sound so good. When I noticed it on the menu today, I wanted to try it.

 

 

Scott had Veal Parmigiana. It’s not on the menu but he enjoyed the Chicken Parmigiana so much last time, he asked if it’s possible to get Veal Parmigiana. If they couldn’t make it, he would have been happy to have the Chicken Parmigiana. The waiter checked with the chef and said it was no problem. So he had the Veal Parmigiana on top of spaghetti. He said it wasn’t as good as the Chicken Parmigiana we had our first visit to Tuscan Grille but it was still very good.

 

 

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Edited May 28, 2018 by Noreen411

[Noreen411]

Tuesday 4/10/18 - Bonaire - Continued

 

Eileen had the filet mignon with a side of gnocchi. I tried one of the gnocchi and it was good but very heavy on the truffle.

 

 

 

Rich had the Ribeye with Polenta fries.

 

 

 

 

 

Rich also ordered the Cacio E Pepe pasta but the waiter never brought it. There was so much food Rich didn’t remind him.

 

 

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[Noreen411]

Tuesday 4/10/18 - Bonaire - Continued

 

Time for dessert

 

 

 

Both Rich and I had the Spumoni Donuts. I didn’t like them, but was already pretty full so didn’t mind. Rich liked them.

 

 

Scott had the Tiramisu which was just as good as the one he had the first visit to Tuscan Grille.

 

 

Eileen couldn’t decide so had both Pistachio Creme Brûlée and fig gelato. She said both were really good.

 

 

 

 

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[Noreen411]

Tuesday 4/10/18 - Bonaire - Continued

 

After dinner the four of us went outside on the deck for a while.

 

Then we went to the theater to see the 9pm show - The Big Voice of Evan Bosworth. The show was OK.

 

 

 

After the show, Rich and Eileen went to their cabin.

 

Scott and I went to the casino.

 

We played our regular games. Some table games and I also played my favorite poker slot machine.

 

Throughout the evening they were doing raffles where they would randomly call out a name and slot machine number and you would win various amounts of slot dollars. You had to tap your card at your machine to be entered for the raffle (it’s also how you earn points).

 

Right before midnight they called my name and slot machine #225. I won $500 in slot dollars. That was so exciting. I very rarely win anything. And even better was that it was right before midnight. My birthday, April 11, starts at midnight. This was a nice way to start my birthday.

 

I asked the casino host, Dmitry, to pose with me and my certificate.

 

 

 

We went back to the cabin around 1am when the casino closed.

 

Scott wanted room service so ordered pizza and a hot dog. When they called to confirm the order he said to skip the salad that comes with the hot dog.

 

When it arrived and he took off the lid it was very funny. Just a hot dog on a big plate. No bun. No french fries. He didn’t want the salad, but he wanted the bun and the fries. So he just picked up the hot dog and ate it by itself.

 

 

His pizza came the normal way.

 

 

We hung out on the balcony for a bit then went to bed.

 

 

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Edited May 28, 2018 by Noreen411

[daddyslittle girl]

enjoying your review of your cruise, we will be taking this cruise in november, so i am really getting a lot of information..happy belated birthday.....

[Noreen411]

enjoying your review of your cruise, we will be taking this cruise in november, so i am really getting a lot of information..happy belated birthday.....

 

 

 

Thank you

 

It was a great trip. You will have an amazing time.

 

If you have any questions let me know and I will try to answer.

 

This was our first Celebrity cruise so I am not an expert, but happy to share based on our experience on this trip.

 

 

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[bighairtexan]

I too am really enjoying your review. My gal pal and I will be in a R/S on Equinox 9/3/18.

I think the fact that this is your 1st Celebrity cruise in some ways makes it more informative and less "biased" (and certainly more refreshing) b/c you have no pre-existing expectations. You take things as they come and share it with us. I'm E+ having cruised X since the very early 90's, but I still am finding your review very informative; it's nice to see a cruise thru the eyes of a first time X cruiser!

[bluwes]

I have come to your review late and have spent the evening reading through your wonderful posts. We are looking at this sailing for April 2020 as I will celebrate a special birthday on board (I'll be 65).

We have done Cartagena and Cayman previously but always wanted to do the ABC's.

Looking at a good price on a Sky suite at the moment, we have usually sailed in Concierge, doubt we could push as far as the Royal suite.

 

Can I also just ask do you guys have more hours in your day than the rest of us !!!

[Cruise a holic]

I have come to your review late and have spent the evening reading through your wonderful posts. We are looking at this sailing for April 2020 as I will celebrate a special birthday on board (I'll be 65).

We have done Cartagena and Cayman previously but always wanted to do the ABC's.

Looking at a good price on a Sky suite at the moment, we have usually sailed in Concierge, doubt we could push as far as the Royal suite.

 

Can I also just ask do you guys have more hours in your day than the rest of us !!!

 

Sky suites are great! You get all the same perks as other suites. Except the penthouse has additional perks.

[bighairtexan]

Penthouse and Royal Suite have pretty much the same perks, some of which are not at the Sky Suite or Celebrity Suite level. Mini bar set up. 2 bottles of spirits and set up. "Special Delivery" on embarkation. Unlimited specialty dining, Premium Beverage, Internet and grats. Are they worth it? That's the question.

[Cruise a holic]

Penthouse and Royal Suite have pretty much the same perks, some of which are not at the Sky Suite or Celebrity Suite level. Mini bar set up. 2 bottles of spirits and set up. "Special Delivery" on embarkation. Unlimited specialty dining, Premium Beverage, Internet and grats. Are they worth it? That's the question.

If you can afford it why not. Now you get the unlimited drink package, tips and intenet with sky suites, unless you book a special Sr rate, and with all of the cruise credits we get it pays for our specialty dining and shore x’s. Our livers surely do not need more alcohol or food in the suite!

 

However some people want to drive the top of the line mercedes, others happy with a lexus, or toyota. When we can, we book celebrity suites, which give us the added space we enjoy.

 

Life is short and getting shorter every day Enjoy your cruise experience! We love ours!

[Noreen411]

I too am really enjoying your review. My gal pal and I will be in a R/S on Equinox 9/3/18.

I think the fact that this is your 1st Celebrity cruise in some ways makes it more informative and less "biased" (and certainly more refreshing) b/c you have no pre-existing expectations. You take things as they come and share it with us. I'm E+ having cruised X since the very early 90's, but I still am finding your review very informative; it's nice to see a cruise thru the eyes of a first time X cruiser!

 

 

 

Thank you

 

I agree, it’s all new to me on Celebrity.

 

It was a great trip.

 

I can’t wait to book another Celebrity trip.

 

 

 

 

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[Noreen411]

I have come to your review late and have spent the evening reading through your wonderful posts. We are looking at this sailing for April 2020 as I will celebrate a special birthday on board (I'll be 65).

We have done Cartagena and Cayman previously but always wanted to do the ABC's.

Looking at a good price on a Sky suite at the moment, we have usually sailed in Concierge, doubt we could push as far as the Royal suite.

 

Can I also just ask do you guys have more hours in your day than the rest of us !!!

 

 

 

Happy Early Birthday!!!

 

Best way to celebrate if you ask me. Especially for milestone birthdays.

 

We felt like this was one of our most relaxing trips and we didn’t run around as much as we usually do.

 

 

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[Noreen411]

We received a reminder card for dinner at Tuscan Grille for Wednesday April 11

 

 

 

 

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[Anita Latte]

We are even thinking of driving round trip to Disney World in our own car.

 

I've reached this far in reading you review...I've never seen the Royal Suite. Nor have I been on an S-class ship. I'm enjoying learning about it here!

 

I just wanted to give you some info that maybe you know already...but there is an Auto Train on Amtrak that only runs from DC to Orlando. I read a trip report on the Dis Boards years and years ago. It looked like a great idea! Your auto is loaded into a transport car and you ride the train. It's not quite the same as being in control of your trip, but just an idea for the homebound journey maybe? I love WDW but it can get very tiring! Driving down when you are all excited about the trip is one thing...driving home afterwards is a bit of a drag. We have done the drive to and from Houston and Orlando. I totally would've taken an auto train home if that were an option!

 

Reading more...

[CHEZMARYLOU]

Loving the review, it's giving me some ideas for our November cruise. If you have it, can you post the information on luggage valet. Just booked our return flight yesterday and I think we will be able to take advantage of it this time.

[Noreen411]

I've reached this far in reading you review...I've never seen the Royal Suite. Nor have I been on an S-class ship. I'm enjoying learning about it here!

 

 

 

I just wanted to give you some info that maybe you know already...but there is an Auto Train on Amtrak that only runs from DC to Orlando. I read a trip report on the Dis Boards years and years ago. It looked like a great idea! Your auto is loaded into a transport car and you ride the train. It's not quite the same as being in control of your trip, but just an idea for the homebound journey maybe? I love WDW but it can get very tiring! Driving down when you are all excited about the trip is one thing...driving home afterwards is a bit of a drag. We have done the drive to and from Houston and Orlando. I totally would've taken an auto train home if that were an option!

 

 

 

Reading more...

 

 

 

Hi

 

I looked up info for the auto train, thank you for the suggestion.

 

I don’t think it’s right for us. It sounds like it takes almost 18 hours to get from Florida to Washington DC (if I read it correctly). It makes a few stops.

 

We can probably drive home from Disney in 16-17 hours.

 

I am not a fan of public transportation. I drive from northern NJ into New York City for work. People think I am nuts to do that.

 

Even with those drawbacks to the train, that is a good point that going on vacation you are excited. The drive home could just be boring.

 

I suggested it to Scott. He said he did the train as a kid since his parents didn’t fly and he got very sick with the flu on the train. Then he gave the train to Florida a try as an adult with his ex wife. They were delayed 24 hours and he got hit in the head with the bed in the train and had a concussion.

 

I think it’s either going to be driving or flying. He’s so excited to drive I think we will probably do that.

 

We have to decide if we are taking one of our cars or going to rent one to take.

 

Thank you for the idea

 

 

 

 

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[Noreen411]

Loving the review, it's giving me some ideas for our November cruise. If you have it, can you post the information on luggage valet. Just booked our return flight yesterday and I think we will be able to take advantage of it this time.

 

 

 

Hi

 

No problem. We did luggage valet on the flight home and it worked great.

 

Below are the forms we filled out

 

 

 

This was delivered to us near the end of the cruise. It included the airline tags as well as special orange tags that said luggage valet.

 

 

 

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[Noreen411]

Celebrity Today for Wednesday 4/11/18

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[Noreen411]

Inserts that were in the Celebrity Today

 

 

 

 

 

 

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