EDGE JULY 10, 2021 (semi) LIVE

[graphicguy]

2 hours ago, Lane412000 said:

Why was some lady on her knees screaming on the dock right off the gangplank?  This happened around 5pm. They escorted her away back into the terminal. Not sure if she returned to the ship.

No clue……!

[Reel Love]

2 hours ago, graphicguy said:

S1 Suite!

Hello graphicguy.  Thoroughly enjoying your thread..... you are both factual and witty/humourous and are making me laugh  😊  Thank you so much for that!  (I work in health care like your girlfriend so the laughs are much needed....and I feel so badly for her that she is missing this cruise! 😴)

Quick question from someone who sails Celebrity but is "suite naive"  (or to anyone who can answer for me).....is an S1 what is referred to as a Sky Suite?  Is this the one where I have seen pics where the bed faces the balcony and has the bathroom "behind" the head of the bed with the window that can look out to sea?  Cannot normally afford suites, but thinking if we scrimp and save that maybe for a special occasion we would splurge and the suite that I described above always looked kind of cool to me but not at the higher end of the price scale for suites?  TIA for anyone who can help me with this!

Looking forward to reading more from you!!!  

[Lastdance]

22 minutes ago, Reel Love said:

Hello graphicguy.  Thoroughly enjoying your thread..... you are both factual and witty/humourous and are making me laugh  😊  Thank you so much for that!  (I work in health care like your girlfriend so the laughs are much needed....and I feel so badly for her that she is missing this cruise! 😴)

Quick question from someone who sails Celebrity but is "suite naive"  (or to anyone who can answer for me).....is an S1 what is referred to as a Sky Suite?  Is this the one where I have seen pics where the bed faces the balcony and has the bathroom "behind" the head of the bed with the window that can look out to sea?  Cannot normally afford suites, but thinking if we scrimp and save that maybe for a special occasion we would splurge and the suite that I described above always looked kind of cool to me but not at the higher end of the price scale for suites?  TIA for anyone who can help me with this!

Looking forward to reading more from you!!!  

S1's, except for the corner afts with the huge balconies, have the magic windows, as do S2's.  S3's do not have that window; the beds face the side wall. If you want a huge balcony, you forgo the magic window, as the bed is to the side.  My DH and I love the huge balcony,  the configuation of the bathroom, along with the long walk from the corner aft to get places like the Retreat and gym.  S2's are just a littles less in price, with S3's being the cheapest.  Make sure you look at the decks and where all these cabins are located.  Read the cabin reviews too.

Edited July 11, 2021 by Lastdance
Many thanks to Vtcruising(Marilyn) for her wealth of information. I did see all of these cabins on a cabin crawl.

[Reel Love]

8 minutes ago, Lastdance said:

S1's, except for the corner afts with the huge balconies, have the magic windows, as do S2's.  S3's do not have that window.  if you want a huge balcony, you forgo the magic window, as the bed is too the side.  We love the huge balcony, along with the configuation of the balcony, along with the long walk.

Thank you so much, Lastdance!  Much appreciated.  We also love large balconies (always book on the slant of the hump on S class and have to admit that we will not book IV on E class again).  That is good info to know about the magic window (did not know that's what it was called) vs. large balcony in making a final decision.  Again, thank you 😊

[Lastdance]

4 minutes ago, Reel Love said:

Thank you so much, Lastdance!  Much appreciated.  We also love large balconies (always book on the slant of the hump on S class and have to admit that we will not book IV on E class again).  That is good info to know about the magic window (did not know that's what it was called) vs. large balcony in making a final decision.  Again, thank you 😊

I call it the magic window.  So glad this helped for your choice; yes, book a suite!  

Edited July 11, 2021 by Lastdance

[graphicguy]

@Reel Love….you’re welcome.

 

I was pleasantly surprised by the size of the balcony.  Plenty big for two.  I’m sure larger would be appreciated.  But, happy with what I’ve got.

 

Thank you for your work, too.  I realize how tough and tireless,  your job is.  And many times how grossly under appreciated you all have been,  particularly over the last couple of years.

 

These pics really don’t do justice to the size of the cabin or balcony……also a view from the bathroom to the balcony.

 

Not sure I know what the “magic window/door” is.  Mine is just a regular sliding door.

[Silkroad]

I'm so happy that you made it @graphicguy! I'm enjoying your live review very much. Thanks for posting helpful details for those of us who will follow you. Cheers🥂

[graphicguy]

Just made a contribution to the casino…..dinner at Raw on 5 tonight.

 

Had lunch in the Luminae yesterday (Bronzino).   Excellent!  After tilting a few….OK, some….if you insist, many cocktails last night, the “crew”  from the Magic Carpet” SAIL AWAY” party decided we needed food.  Oh, we definitely needed food.

 

They couldn’t get into Luminae.  So, I joined them in the Cosmopolitan.  Had grilled chicken breast.  Simple dish, but so many times they dry it out.  Not this dish….it was moist on the inside and crusty on the outside….delish!  Phyllo Dough Tulip (citrus cream and fruit) for desert…..yum!

 

Next time I’ll remember to take pics.  

 

Time to go watch the UFEA and get this party cranked back up.

 

Oh yeah…one more thing…..the casino offers free drinks if you’re playing…not that it matters….everyone has AI.

 

Another thing…not one to get into the smoking debate, except no one is allowed to smoke ANYWHERE indoors.  I have not seen anyone smoking outdoors, either.

 

This ship is squeaky clean and minty fresh, too!

 

Later!

[Reel Love]

18 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

@Reel Love….you’re welcome.

 

I was pleasantly surprised by the size of the balcony.  Plenty big for two.  I’m sure larger would be appreciated.  But, happy with what I’ve got.

 

Thank you for your work, too.  I realize how tough and tireless,  your job is.  And many times how grossly under appreciated you all have been,  particularly over the last couple of years.

 

These pics really don’t do justice to the size of the cabin or balcony……also a view from the bathroom to the balcony.

 

Not sure I know what the “magic window/door” is.  Mine is just a regular sliding door.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you so much for the reply and pics.  I think (Lastdance please correct me if I misunderstood) the "magic window" referred to is the "window" that looks from the bathroom out over the room/balcony?

And my apologies....I should have specified when I said I work in health care......I am not a nurse.  I am a social worker with Oncology and Palliative Care patients working alongside our nurses.  And I certainly appreciate all that nurses do, even more so during this pandemic!

Enjoy your cruise and keep the observations/experiences coming  😊

[graphicguy]

Oh yeah….no elevator lines and no elevator crowding.  No $5 watch,  purse or costume jewelry sales, either.  Loving it!

[graphicguy]

1 minute ago, Reel Love said:

Thank you so much for the reply and pics.  I think (Lastdance please correct me if I misunderstood) the "magic window" referred to is the "window" that looks from the bathroom out over the room/balcony?

And my apologies....I should have specified when I said I work in health care......I am not a nurse.  I am a social worker with Oncology and Palliative Care patients working alongside our nurses.  And I certainly appreciate all that nurses do, even more so during this pandemic!

Enjoy your cruise and keep the observations/experiences coming  😊

OK…definitely have the magic window over looking the balcony/water.

 

Your work is greatly appreciated!

[countess5]

We are in a S2 Sky Suite on 8/28. You get the premium package( it’s in the price of the cabin) but how did you get beer in your fridge? Also water and coke. Did you buy up to drinks and more.

I know you answered S1 but that is not part of a Sky suite. 
 

Cheers! 

[graphicguy]

Just now, countess5 said:

We are in a S2 Sky Suite on 8/28. You get the premium package( it’s in the price of the cabin) but how did you get beer in your fridge? Also water and coke. Did you buy up to drinks and more.

I know you answered S1 but that is not part of a Sky suite. 
 

Cheers! 

It is a Sky Suite.  I think Celebrity is doing everything they can to make these first cruises As pleasurable as they can.  So, got the fridge drinks as a part of that effort…at least that’s my guess.  Not much in the way of the “nickel and dining” as we’ve seen on other cruise lines.

[lostchild]

3 hours ago, graphicguy said:

AJ (my Butler) is taking good care of me….

 

 

I think they are called Retreat Host now!

[KKB]

5 hours ago, graphicguy said:

 

TSA was called back to work, but it takes a while to get everyone back to their position.  In addition, there was a plane at our gate that they had to gather the passengers to load aboard.  OK….another 15 minutes go by.  The plane that was in our gate is pushed back.  But, not sure what happened to the gate agent who operates the loading bridge somehow disappeared between the removing the jet way for the departing plane, and operating it for us to deplane.  Huh??????  How’d that happen?   So, we wait while they find someone to operate the jet bridge.  You’re totally backed up and you can’t unload the plane that’s been waiting for 1+ hours that was already late? The airlines do everything within their power to confound their customers.  That hasn’t changed.  All due respect to those who work in the industry.

 

Then, they couldn’t find a conveyor to unload the baggage from the plane.  Double Huh……..??????

 

I suspect with the backlog of flights the jet bridge operators & luggage conveyors were spread a bit thin...

 

I've heard the reason they shut down is some guy didn't like that he was going to be charged $60 for his luggage & he flipped his lid. Clearly he must have made threats for things to go that far. Not sure why security couldn't just haul his *ss out...but perhaps more to the story will unfold...

 

LOVING your trip report!! 

 

Edited July 11, 2021 by KKB

[kimlovesfl]

18 hours ago, vswan said:

Could be as simple as people arriving late following the airport scare at FLL. It may have taken longer to get the passengers processed.

We sailed out of Port Everglades a couple of days after that shooting a few years back. Flights were STILL delayed, and the ship was held up for a bit as they awaited passengers coming off of flights. I don't remember if it was Celebrity or Princess, although I think it was Princess. So, your guess is probably correct. 

[abbydancer2003]

Thanks for your detailed Live thread.  We're on the Millennium in 3 weeks, and the Equinox in October, so this is great for helping my anticipation!  Have a great trip. 

[george35]

Please help a dummy, what are the free resturants & what are the pay-for resturants on the EDGE??

 

george35

[bucfan2]

8 minutes ago, george35 said:

Please help a dummy, what are the free resturants & what are the pay-for resturants on the EDGE??

 

george35

https://www.celebritycruises.com/cruise-ships/celebrity-edge/eat-and-drink/main-dining

[number one eagles fan]

6 hours ago, graphicguy said:

Let me get some of the inevitable questions out of the way…..

 

Celebrity takes your passport and your vaccine card and takes an image of both.  Plus, they take your picture for facial recognition….even though I had uploaded my picture on the check in app.

We’re sailing at the Celebrity capped capacity of about 1,500 passengers…or about 40% of absolute capacity. I’ve “heard” there are about 30 people aboard unvaccinated.  Assuming they are all children, I’ve only seen two children on board.

 

Most (almost all) guests are unmasked.  I saw two kids on board who were wearing masks.  That’s it.  All crew wearing masks.

 

Food in the buffet is served…no more grabbing tongs and sticking your fingers in any items.  Even silverware and plates are handed to you.  I like it.

 

Crew is truly and sincerely happy to see me (well, assuming not just me).  None are forcing smiles or greetings.

 

Talked to one of the bartenders on the Magic Carpet last night that said he could not have acted any quicker when Celebrity contacted him to come back on board.  He said he’d never complain about working again. 😉

 

The reason we were late on sail away was because of the airport fiasco.  Didn’t really matter to me.  I was having cocktails with some new found friends (and 2 alleged porn stars…at least they said they were) on the Magic Carpet as we were doing “horn wars” with the Odyssey of the Seas and a Disney ship docked as it was one of the most memorable and awesome SAILAWAYs I’ve ever experienced.

 

Weather is just about perfect.

 

I know it can’t stay like this forever, but nothing feels crowded.  There’s plenty of room to move around.  And, nothing ever feels vacant, either.  

 

We’re less than 24 hours into this cruise, and I already feel it’s going to be one of the best I’ve ever taken.

 

Got so many pictures already.  But, need some coffee and breakfast.  

 

My Butler (AJ) listened to me and stocked my cabin fridge with water, sodas and Stella Artois, per my request.  The beer, water and sodas are included.  Sweet!

Loving reading your "play by play." You mentioned about 1500 passengers or 40%. Have you heard if the the crew is at 100% yet? There are conflicting reports.

 

Thanks and enjoy!

[Tatka]

This cruise is amazing. Ship, service, food. Even England is still winning 🙂 

 

[lbryant]

We sail next week!! So excited. How do the crowds feel at half capacity? For instance, is it relatively easy to get a lounge chair by the pool or solarium?  Are there waits to get into restaurants? Does the thermal Spa feel very busy or crowded?  Just trying to set my expectations.  The video from week one looked pretty empty so it seemed easy to find seating at the Sunset bar or Magic Carpet. I realize there are a few hundred extra people now so wondered if the ship felt more crowded.  Thanks!!

[parrothead33]

I just wanted to thank you for doing this review.  So glad you made it onboard and as many have said, really enjoying the way you write. We have to wait for our cruise on Apex in April so we feel like we’re sailing with you.  Enjoy all of your time on the ship.  Cheers!

[graphicguy]

1 hour ago, number one eagles fan said:

Loving reading your "play by play." You mentioned about 1500 passengers or 40%. Have you heard if the the crew is at 100% yet? There are conflicting reports.

 

Thanks and enjoy!

Glad you’re enjoying this.  Don’t know about crew numbers.  I know they seem to be everywhere and doing their level best to make sure we’re all happy. They’re in the halls, in the elevator areas, restaurants, etc.  All ask me “having a good time?  Anything you need?” Yeah….let me get on a winning streak at the casino. 😉 

[graphicguy]

10 minutes ago, lbryant said:

We sail next week!! So excited. How do the crowds feel at half capacity? For instance, is it relatively easy to get a lounge chair by the pool or solarium?  Are there waits to get into restaurants? Does the thermal Spa feel very busy or crowded?  Just trying to set my expectations.  The video from week one looked pretty empty so it seemed easy to find seating at the Sunset bar or Magic Carpet. I realize there are a few hundred extra people now so wondered if the ship felt more crowded.  Thanks!!

No problems at all, anywhere.  I wouldn’t say it’s empty.  I was at the pool this afternoon.  Found a lounger immediately……and it’s a sea day, no less.  Went through the buffet around lunch time.  Not empty, but it was easy to find a table.