Live Edge Review - July 3-10, 2021

[elf426]

Hi everyone, longtime lurker, occasional poster here. One can never have too many trip reviews, so I’m throwing my hat in the ring after several “gee, I should have done that” trips. I’m what you may call snarky, and generally don’t see many reviews with sass (perhaps for a reason).

 

Some background: My husband and I are 30-something DINKS from Central Florida and reasonably avid cruisers. Over the past several years, due to work schedules and such, my husband has reached D+ on RCI via several single-supplement JS and above cruises (no, I don’t “let” him cruise alone…if I had a dollar for every time I got asked that). We’ve also sailed together on Allure, Freedom and Navigator. As such, we status matched to Elite on Celebrity. We’ve previously sailed together on Reflection and he did a solo trip on Edge in its maiden season. I’m personally excited to see what all the hype around Edge is about.

 

On Friday we drove down to Ft. Lauderdale to escape the aerial bombarding our neighborhood faces every 4^th of July weekend. Sharing a community with vacation rentals really has a downside when no one gives a **** about the people that live there year-round. We checked into the Hyatt Centric Los Olas for the night, receiving an upgrade to a King Balcony due to his Globalist status (sensing a trend here?). Truth be told, we heard fireworks there, too, so there is no escaping it no matter how hard you try. The room was nice, our valet and breakfast were comped and I’d recommend it to anyone needing a pre-cruise hotel.

 

This morning we killed time at the Hard Rock Seminole, coming out ahead for once. Our drive to the port was about 20 minutes from the casino for our 1:00pm check in time. From dropping luggage with the porters to boarding the Edge, total time was less than 30 minutes. Seriously, we were walking down the stairs of the parking garage at exactly 1:00 and were on board at about 1:23. It’d have been faster but we picked the security lane behind a couple carrying on SEVEN bags (if you’re on here I curse you…if you’re not, I curse you) and then followed some, uh, less swift gals up the gangway. Oh – did no one in the lives from the first sailing mention the blue bracelets? We got them after presenting our vaccine cards at check-in with no explanation – are they meant to stay on all week? What happens if I take it off – will I be thrown overboard? What if it gets all soggy and gross after the third day, can I get a new one? They serve no tracking purpose.

 

Once onboard we went to our stateroom to drop our (one each) backpacks. We are sailing in an Infinite Veranda stateroom, 9^th deck forward. It’s a decent size and I like the color scheme. It’s modern without being too “cool”. I’m still trying to get used to the layout versus a traditional balcony and have mentally accepted that our room will just be unusually humid all week.

 

We had originally purchased the Indulge package as I spent way too much time at Café al Bacio on Reflection and my husband consumes Vitamin Water like he’s sponsored. When we learned about the Drinks and More package, which includes “free” casino money, we upgraded again. I’ll probably do the wine tasting alone and don’t particularly care about the minibar, but hey, they dangled the carrot and we bit. I’m happy to report that so far, Café al Bacio onboard Edge is just as good, however, specialty coffee in the MDR leaves something to be desired.

 

Re: dining, this is the first cruise that I can remember that we don’t have any plans for specialty dining. Onboard Royal we’ve enjoyed Chops and Izumi, and our sailing on Reflection we were in Aqua Class and dined in Blu. I’m sure I’m wrong, but I don’t recall Chops costing $50/pp like Fine Cut does. Seems a little pricy (says the couple that upgraded their drinks package twice….yeah, I know). I’m ok with exploring the MDR setup on board for the moment and plan to eat at each of the four while onboard. HOWEVER (and why should I even have to say this), if your small human is fussing at the table so much that we can hear them halfway across the dining room, can you please take them out of the restaurant? I’m sure I’ll get crucified as a non-parent saying this, but how someone dresses in the MDR doesn’t bother me an ounce, but a noisy child just rubs me the wrong way.

 

We also stopped by the spa/fitness center so I could reserve some time on the Peloton bikes they have onboard. If you’re not part of the cult...ahem…part of the…no, it’s a cult…there were five Peloton bikes in the gym when we toured (with cages). You do need to reserve time with the spa desk – our guide said the previous week they were booked solid! I optimistically packed four days of workout attire and signed up for as many days.

 

I hate to say that we have no plans of getting off the ship in port, but our scuba excursion in St. Thomas was cancelled a couple of weeks ago and we didn’t want to replace it. Having been to Nassau countless times, we’re taking the opportunity to enjoy the ship with limited capacity for the week.

 

Thanks for joining me so far, I’ll try to update everyone throughout the week.

[Irene225]

Loving this so far. Thanks for posting and happy cruising!

 

[Unlvswezel]

Thanks for the bit about Peleton. I ride echelon but have been looking to try, assume I need to bring my own spd shoes?

[cangelmd]

Enjoy the Edge, you should try Eden, it is excellent

[KKB]

33 minutes ago, elf426 said:

 

Thanks for joining me so far, I’ll try to update everyone throughout the week.

Gurl, I think we are sisters from another mother--I am SO going to enjoy this thread as I live vicariously for the next 3 weeks b4 my B2B.

Kinda wishing I was on with you!!

[Shadow9612]

2 hours ago, elf426 said:

Drinks and More package, which includes “free” casino money,

Thanks for taking the time to do a live review. 

 

I look forward to following this thread as well. All of these Live reviews as sailings startup are just so incredible to get everyone in the spirit.

 

I'd love to know more about this free casino money....I thought it's just easier to ask you than look it up online 😉

[TommyD3]

Can you post a picture of the blue bracelet? Do they look like the ones they make kids wear? Maybe just needed to get onboard the ship since you don't have your seapass cards yet?

[ItsADryHumor]

8 hours ago, elf426 said:

Hi everyone, longtime lurker, occasional poster here. One can never have too many trip reviews, so I’m throwing my hat in the ring after several “gee, I should have done that” trips. I’m what you may call snarky, and generally don’t see many reviews with sass (perhaps for a reason).

 

Some background: My husband and I are 30-something DINKS from Central Florida and reasonably avid cruisers. Over the past several years, due to work schedules and such, my husband has reached D+ on RCI via several single-supplement JS and above cruises (no, I don’t “let” him cruise alone…if I had a dollar for every time I got asked that). We’ve also sailed together on Allure, Freedom and Navigator. As such, we status matched to Elite on Celebrity. We’ve previously sailed together on Reflection and he did a solo trip on Edge in its maiden season. I’m personally excited to see what all the hype around Edge is about.

 

On Friday we drove down to Ft. Lauderdale to escape the aerial bombarding our neighborhood faces every 4^th of July weekend. Sharing a community with vacation rentals really has a downside when no one gives a **** about the people that live there year-round. We checked into the Hyatt Centric Los Olas for the night, receiving an upgrade to a King Balcony due to his Globalist status (sensing a trend here?). Truth be told, we heard fireworks there, too, so there is no escaping it no matter how hard you try. The room was nice, our valet and breakfast were comped and I’d recommend it to anyone needing a pre-cruise hotel.

 

This morning we killed time at the Hard Rock Seminole, coming out ahead for once. Our drive to the port was about 20 minutes from the casino for our 1:00pm check in time. From dropping luggage with the porters to boarding the Edge, total time was less than 30 minutes. Seriously, we were walking down the stairs of the parking garage at exactly 1:00 and were on board at about 1:23. It’d have been faster but we picked the security lane behind a couple carrying on SEVEN bags (if you’re on here I curse you…if you’re not, I curse you) and then followed some, uh, less swift gals up the gangway. Oh – did no one in the lives from the first sailing mention the blue bracelets? We got them after presenting our vaccine cards at check-in with no explanation – are they meant to stay on all week? What happens if I take it off – will I be thrown overboard? What if it gets all soggy and gross after the third day, can I get a new one? They serve no tracking purpose.

 

Once onboard we went to our stateroom to drop our (one each) backpacks. We are sailing in an Infinite Veranda stateroom, 9^th deck forward. It’s a decent size and I like the color scheme. It’s modern without being too “cool”. I’m still trying to get used to the layout versus a traditional balcony and have mentally accepted that our room will just be unusually humid all week.

 

We had originally purchased the Indulge package as I spent way too much time at Café al Bacio on Reflection and my husband consumes Vitamin Water like he’s sponsored. When we learned about the Drinks and More package, which includes “free” casino money, we upgraded again. I’ll probably do the wine tasting alone and don’t particularly care about the minibar, but hey, they dangled the carrot and we bit. I’m happy to report that so far, Café al Bacio onboard Edge is just as good, however, specialty coffee in the MDR leaves something to be desired.

 

Re: dining, this is the first cruise that I can remember that we don’t have any plans for specialty dining. Onboard Royal we’ve enjoyed Chops and Izumi, and our sailing on Reflection we were in Aqua Class and dined in Blu. I’m sure I’m wrong, but I don’t recall Chops costing $50/pp like Fine Cut does. Seems a little pricy (says the couple that upgraded their drinks package twice….yeah, I know). I’m ok with exploring the MDR setup on board for the moment and plan to eat at each of the four while onboard. HOWEVER (and why should I even have to say this), if your small human is fussing at the table so much that we can hear them halfway across the dining room, can you please take them out of the restaurant? I’m sure I’ll get crucified as a non-parent saying this, but how someone dresses in the MDR doesn’t bother me an ounce, but a noisy child just rubs me the wrong way.

 

We also stopped by the spa/fitness center so I could reserve some time on the Peloton bikes they have onboard. If you’re not part of the cult...ahem…part of the…no, it’s a cult…there were five Peloton bikes in the gym when we toured (with cages). You do need to reserve time with the spa desk – our guide said the previous week they were booked solid! I optimistically packed four days of workout attire and signed up for as many days.

 

I hate to say that we have no plans of getting off the ship in port, but our scuba excursion in St. Thomas was cancelled a couple of weeks ago and we didn’t want to replace it. Having been to Nassau countless times, we’re taking the opportunity to enjoy the ship with limited capacity for the week.

 

Thanks for joining me so far, I’ll try to update everyone throughout the week.

I’m cackling. Want to come sail with us again in a few weeks? 
 

Also, per a tweet I saw, “My neighbors with a ton of fireworks would like to wish you a very happy 3rd of July.” 🙄

[KKB]

Blue bracelets just started this cruise for vaxxed passengers

[Cruise a holic]

following along.

[tompeter]

Wonderful start! 

[oldplayer532]

elf426! Don't miss Jason Bishop illusionist. He was on the previous cruise. 

 

[pixiedust777]

Following along.

Please send a picture of the I am sure ….oh so lovely blue bracelets for vaxxed passengers. Also wondering if they will change the colour every week so that they cannot be passed on.

Also DH is wondering what the single malt selections are available in the duty free shop to bring home. Pictures with prices would be appreciated and super helpful😁

 Trying to decide if it is worth checking a bag.

We would normally do carry on for only a seven day cruise but our nice bar stock ran out long ago 😁🤣😉

Edited July 4, 2021 by pixiedust777

[Homestyle]

Do you have to pay for the Peleton sessions?

[vettegal99]

Following along - Have a great cruise!

[Diver2014]

I was pretty envious watching Edge sail out of Pt Everglades yesterday on the webcam.  I love the way you write--humor and sarcasm are my favorites! 

[ItsADryHumor]

55 minutes ago, pixiedust777 said:

Following along.

Please send a picture of the I am sure ….oh so lovely blue bracelets for vaxxed passengers. Also wondering if they will change the colour every week so that they cannot be passed on.

Also DH is wondering what the single malt selections are available in the duty free shop to bring home. Pictures with prices would be appreciated and super helpful😁

 Trying to decide if it is worth checking a bag.

We would normally do carry on for only a seven day cruise but our nice bar stock ran out long ago 😁🤣😉

Cruise Habit had a pic on their IG stories. 

[mlanders]

Thank you for all the info.  We are sailing Aug 14th, can’t wait. Have had the last 4 canceled due to covid. Can you tour independently in all the eastern Caribbean ports? I know Nassau is open didn’t know about St Marteen and St Thomas. 
Do you have to reserve show times, in Theater or Eden?

[pixiedust777]

4 minutes ago, stinkyenglishteacher said:

Cruise Habit had a pic on their IG stories. 

Thank you.

I will try and find it.

[elf426]

11 hours ago, Unlvswezel said:

Thanks for the bit about Peleton. I ride echelon but have been looking to try, assume I need to bring my own spd shoes?

There are shoe cages on all of the bikes, so you don’t need cycling shoes. You just don’t quite get the same tension as you would clipped in.

[elf426]

9 hours ago, Shadow9612 said:

Thanks for taking the time to do a live review. 

 

I look forward to following this thread as well. All of these Live reviews as sailings startup are just so incredible to get everyone in the spirit.

 

I'd love to know more about this free casino money....I thought it's just easier to ask you than look it up online 😉

The Drinks and More package includes $50 in free play at the casino, so the cost of the upgrade after accounting for this was minimal. To redeem you see the cashier at the casino and they transfer it to your card, which you then activate at any machine. There are other perks like access to your minibar, but this was the deciding factor for us.

[Susanb10567]

Have a great cruise..thanks for the updates

[elf426]

4 hours ago, TommyD3 said:

Can you post a picture of the blue bracelet? Do they look like the ones they make kids wear? Maybe just needed to get onboard the ship since you don't have your seapass cards yet?

The person checking us in just handed it to us, so we adjusted it to be loose enough to be able take off. I saw others being put in by the staff and adjusted tightly. Call me a rebel, but a damp ribbon on my wrist all week is gross and I want to be able to not wear it. 

[elf426]

1 hour ago, Homestyle said:

Do you have to pay for the Peleton sessions?

No, there isn’t a fee for Peloton. You do need to reserve your sessions with the spa desk though. Truthfully I’m not certain how long your session is, I was on for about 45 minutes this morning - when I arrived three of the five were occupied, they rotated out and a few more were getting on. Best I can assume it’s a hour slot per person. I’ll believe that until someone kicks me off.

[TommyD3]

5 minutes ago, elf426 said:

The person checking us in just handed it to us, so we adjusted it to be loose enough to be able take off. I saw others being put in by the staff and adjusted tightly. Call me a rebel, but a damp ribbon on my wrist all week is gross and I want to be able to not wear it. 

You have to wear it 24/7 even while sleeping and taking a shower ??? The tightness is not user adjustable? WOW !!!

Edited July 4, 2021 by TommyD3