LIVE Suite Review 1/30-2/6: A (Solo) Woman on the Edge

[Straughn]

Just disembarked Edge today. Also a solo female in a Sky Suite. Two things you posted interested me, based on my experiences. 
 

The sommelier in Luminae last week was Bonny. I am curious to know what happened to him as he was great.

 

I also did the Premium Wine and Cheese tasting. I overheard Bonny talking to the table behind me, at dinner on the first night, about it. I asked if there was still space? He said yes, and signed me up immediately. I learned from a passenger, the next day, that they were told at the Luminae embarkation day lunch,  that it was sold out. Not sure who gave them that info, but I doubt it was Bonny. 

[lola2013]

On 1/26/2022 at 7:08 AM, GenerationX said:

Thank you! Yes, there were some good hidden treasure solo supplement free sailings in January in February.
 

Just out of curiosity, have you had any luck finding any no/low solo supplement sailings in 2023?  

I haven’t found anything yet and I’m so ready to start planning next year’s solo vacay.

Looking forward to reading about this Edge adventure.  What a great ship.  I sailed in a SV in September.  
 

Just got off Reflection yesterday…10 nights of sun, fun, rest and relaxation 😎.

 

 I’ll be taking a solo trip next February on Equinox to the ABCs.  It’s been a long time since I sailed solo.  I didn’t get the solo discount that I got on Edge (such a great deal that my friend and I were able to book separate SVs).  But none of the deals that Celebrity has offered recently can match the price I’m paying for Equinox so I’m happy.  
 

Enjoy Edge ⚓️
Susan 

[GenerationX]

I’m all dressed and sitting down for my first night dinner in Eden.  Btw Celebrity, if you’re lurking this review, I’m sure you know that putting a Tiffany’s between me and the most unique bar and restaurant on the ship is TOTALLY the equivalent of a snake dropping smoothly out of a tree and offering me (aka “Eve”) allll the aqua bagged sparkling temptation…I see what you did there, Celebrity. Pretty witty.

 

After dinner I will be at guest services putting some cash on my onboard account (because how much of my own hard earned money that I spend on jewelry and handbags on this cruise is my own business that my husband doesn’t need to see show up on our joint Celebrity credit card account).
 

Well played, Celebrity.  Well played.

 

 

 

[Redking]

Great review @GenerationX

If you get a chance, can you please post a photo of the entrance to Luminae. I'm struggling to visualise it. Sounds like you walk past the Royal suites and then hang a left into Luminae. Bit odd? Txs.

[MamaFej]

21 minutes ago, GenerationX said:

I’m all dressed and sitting down for my first night dinner in Eden.  

 

 

 

 

 

I am nearly as far from a fashionista as is possible, and I look awful in yellow, but... dang, girl! That skirt is 🔥!

[fsdorado]

@GenerationX If you get a chance, please find out what the infection rate was on the last sailing.  We're scheduled to board in a week in a Sky Suite for the first time and are very closing following your adventures.  Have a great cruise!!

 

 

Frederick

[GenerationX]

11 hours ago, Redking said:

Great review @GenerationX

If you get a chance, can you please post a photo of the entrance to Luminae. I'm struggling to visualise it. Sounds like you walk past the Royal suites and then hang a left into Luminae. Bit odd? Txs.

 Will do!  Yes the entrance to Luminae is in kind of a weird spot if you’re coming from the aft.

[GenerationX]

Good Morning from Nassau!

 

 

I had grand plans for my first morning on the Edge that included putting some serious miles in on the 2 deck jogging track with incline changes.

 

Instead, I made ALL rookie mistakes last night and drank martinis like I’d never been on a Celebrity cruise ship before (full report coming).  As a result, this morning I woke up feeling like I just got off the roller coaster on the Carnival Mardi Gras docked next to us. 

 

Fortunately, my personal retreat host (the crew members formerly known as butlers) Anastasiia is an absolute goddess and made sure there was cold Evian (as well as one of my my favorite beers, but I have hours to go before I’m ready to drink again) in my fridge at turn down last night. 

 

Speaking of my digs for the week, shall we talk about my stateroom a bit?

 

I’ve been on the ship less than 24 hours and I can already tell that Edge was designed with particular attention paid to the suite life (as well it should be given what Celebrity charges for said suite experience on E-class, at least when you don’t luck into a good fare deal).  

 

The bathroom in my sky suite seems like it’s almost as big as my entire standard veranda cabin on the Equinox in November.  

 

Things I’m a big fan of:

 

-The cute sitting area to do makeup

 

-The tub I plan to be chin deep in a bubble bath in after lunch

 

-The abundance of charging ports, including (finally) bedside

 

-The lit full body mirror

 

-The slide open bathroom mirror in the bathroom so you can see the ocean while you brush your teeth

 

-The toilet having its own little room

 

-drawer and shelf space a plenty

 

Things that make me go Boo:

 

-No lounge chairs on the veranda

 

-The scaled back room service menu (don’t act like there weren’t steak and eggs and a salmon Benedict on the suite room service menu on S class Celebrity)

 

-No dinning table on the veranda (room service breakfast at sea is one of my favorite things, but I don’t think it’s gonna happen with that tiny cocktail table…but I guess it’s not that big a deal since I can’t get my steak and eggs or salmon Benedict anyway…) #shade

 

I’m just finishing up a fantastic hangover breakfast in Luminae. The huevos rancheros on Edge are soooo much better than they were on the Summit. The salsa tastes super fresh and has just the right amount of heat for me.

 

Today I plan to spend some time in the spa then relax and read on the Retreat pool deck.  Dinner tonight is at the Rooftop Grill

 

Next up: Report on Luminae embarkation lunch and All About Eve’s -oops I mean, Charla’s dinner in Eden

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 31, 2022 by GenerationX

[sjayo]

Why not just place the small dining table that is inside the door to the patio, and place it outside? Can you ask for a lounge chair to be placed on the patio?

[mafig]

15 minutes ago, sjayo said:

Why not just place the small dining table that is inside the door to the patio, and place it outside? Can you ask for a lounge chair to be placed on the patio?

 

I have read of some asking and receiving a lounge chair.  Doesn't look like much room for it, but I guess where there's a will there's a way.

[sarasotascott]

We will be sailing on the Edge in late Feb. in a suite and I was wondering who is the Retreat Manager? We were on Edge in October and Claire was the Retreat Manager.

 

 

 

[CruiserFromSC]

On 1/28/2022 at 12:46 PM, GenerationX said:

Thank you for this recommendation! The food looks really good!  Do I need to make a reservation in advance or can I just show up?  Also, is it pretty easy to get a taxi back to port from there at the end of the day?

 So happy to see you cruising again.  Very much enjoyed your "Live From" in November.  We just got off of the Edge on Jan 23 (and my husband tested positive the next day and I tested positive this past Saturday 🤧) and though we haven't been to jaimesatthebluereef, we did go to Maya Chan for the day.  Mark, the owner, and his family run the resort and opened in 16 years ago after a cruise stop in Costa Maya.  Mark arranges transportation to and from the resort and there are no hassles.  The food and drinks were very good and we thoroughly enjoyed the day.  Just another option.  

[mchell810]

22 hours ago, GenerationX said:

Now it’s back to my after lunch 20 year tawny port.

 One of my favorite drinks. A great way to end a meal. 🍷

[CruiserFromSC]

On 1/28/2022 at 2:11 PM, ILgirl said:

Unfortunately, instead of meeting you on the Edge as planned, I will have to  settle for living the cruise vicariously though your great posts.  I tested positive for COVID this am.  I am fortunate with only mild symptoms, congestion, a bit achy, that’s it.  I guess it was not meant for me to cruise on Sunday.  I hope you have a BLAST and I will definitely be along for the ride.😃

Hope you feel better soon.  At least you are home isolating and quarantining and not on the ship!

Edited January 31, 2022 by CruiserFromSC

[GenerationX]

I’m currently relaxing on the Retreat deck after a very nice pedicure (if you go, ask for Megan from Jamaica, she’s super nice, not too pushy on the product up sells and she’ll hook your nails up) and drinking what has to be the world’s strongest pina colada.  As in I’m 3 sips in and pretty sure I can see through time.  So much for starting today off on a lighter cocktail note.  I LOLed at some of the questions on the spa intake form this morning.

 

I got up to the Retreat deck a little after 10am and there were still quite a few open deck chairs by the pool. I was even lucky enough to snag one of the cabana beds.  

 

While my toes dry, let’s talk embarkation lunch in Luminae.

 

As far as the atmosphere, I’d call that lunch barely controlled chaos.  The restaurant was packed.  Zero chance of social distancing. All the servers were fantastic but you could tell they were really hustling to try and keep up. My server Alvito was very nice and attentive though. 

 

I started with the lobster bisque and the beet salad followed by the bronzino  entree and macadamia nut cake for dessert.

 

The bisque itself I really enjoyed but the puff pastry in it was a little hard and stale.  The beet salad was very refreshing.

 

Most of my bronzino was nice but as I got to the center, it started to taste really fishy.  I knew I had a dessert course coming so at that point I called it a day on the fish.

 

I really liked the dessert cake and washing it down with a glass of port was the perfect embarkation day decadence.

 

In a bit I’ll pry myself off this cabana bed and maybe try Le Grand Bistro for lunch (the fruit skewers the pool servers are passing out or yummy but not gonna hold off my hangry till dinner). I can taste the escargot already!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Laurab23]

I can identify with too many martinis the first day. I sometimes remember not to do that and sometimes I don't.

 

Laura

[lori-annk]

16 hours ago, GenerationX said:

I’m all dressed and sitting down for my first night dinner in Eden.  Btw Celebrity, if you’re lurking this review, I’m sure you know that putting a Tiffany’s between me and the most unique bar and restaurant on the ship is TOTALLY the equivalent of a snake dropping smoothly out of a tree and offering me (aka “Eve”) allll the aqua bagged sparkling temptation…I see what you did there, Celebrity. Pretty witty.

 

After dinner I will be at guest services putting some cash on my onboard account (because how much of my own hard earned money that I spend on jewelry and handbags on this cruise is my own business that my husband doesn’t need to see show up on our joint Celebrity credit card account).
 

Well played, Celebrity.  Well played.

 

 

 

Love your outfit!!!

[mocruzer]

Great review and pictures.  Good you have the Retreat though, as the kiddie chairs and table on your balcony look ridic😂  Good luck getting a reservation for the VC dinner😊

Edited January 31, 2022 by mocruzer

[GenerationX]

I just woke up after a wonderful afternoon nap thanks to lunch at Le Grand Bistro that gave me what the French call “Le Itis”.

 

There’s a $20 cover charge for this restaurant but in my opinion it’s well worth it.

 

The escargot was every bit as yummy as the MDR appetizer I came to love on S and M class, but the puff pastry it was served on was kind of hard.  I wonder if the ship got a bad batch of flour or something. This is the second puff pastry fail in 24 hours.

 

The French onion soup wasn’t the best I’ve ever had but was still very good. The cheese on top was the star, as it should be.

 

For my entree I had the steak frites medium rare.  The steak was well seasoned and omg the fries!  Arnold the sommelier made sure my glass of champagne stayed full (they have real champagne in this restaurant! Included in premium package!) and when the steak came he poured me a glass of Conundrum Cabernet to wash it down.

 

I contemplated passing on dessert then I remembers it will only be 6 more days before my lunches consist of lean cuisines eaten during conference calls again.  So I had the Floating Island for dessert.  How a dish essentially made of whipped creme and egg whites can be so rich and filling, I have no idea, but I have no regrets for ordering it.

 

After hydrating on my veranda for a bit I’m currently reading in a nearly empty solarium.  With the cooler temps and us booking it towards Mexico it’s pretty chilly and windy outside on the pool deck.  Not to sound like an ingrate (especially given that my husband is preparing for a snow storm at home right now) but I’m getting a little tired of the summer Alaskan cruise weather in the Caribbean.

 

I’m starting to worry a little that my dinner at rooftop garden tonight is going to be very uncomfortable. After some hot tub time, I may ring up Anastasiia and see if I can move it to another night.  

 

I mean I do love lamb chops and Mac n cheese, but not enough to risk catching pneumonia for them.

 

Pics of my decadent French lunch below!
 

 

 

 

 

 

[cruise kitty]

20 hours ago, GenerationX said:

I’m all dressed and sitting down for my first night dinner in Eden.  Btw Celebrity, if you’re lurking this review, I’m sure you know that putting a Tiffany’s between me and the most unique bar and restaurant on the ship is TOTALLY the equivalent of a snake dropping smoothly out of a tree and offering me (aka “Eve”) allll the aqua bagged sparkling temptation…I see what you did there, Celebrity. Pretty witty.

 

After dinner I will be at guest services putting some cash on my onboard account (because how much of my own hard earned money that I spend on jewelry and handbags on this cruise is my own business that my husband doesn’t need to see show up on our joint Celebrity credit card account).
 

Well played, Celebrity.  Well played.

 

 

 

 

Wow!   You look amazing!

[r2h2]

I was in the exact same Solarium pool lounger you are sitting in. It looks empty in there. The hot tub is amazing in the Solarium. Did they say how many passengers on board yet? If you have a free night, make sure you try Blu for dinner. I think it was better than Luminae.

[joand452]

First-time follower and definitely enjoying!!  We're taking our second Celebrity cruise in just 74 days (but who's counting?) on Apex.  Our first was on Equinox in late 2018.  We normally sail on Royal and had decided to branch out.  We're also sailing in an SV cabin -- with a regular balcony.  Doesn't seem like we'd be fans of the IV.  Hoping we can snag a suite closer to sail date.  

 

We're also staying at that same Hyatt Place beginning two days before the cruise.  Enjoyed the photos, although we tend to stay at one when we visit family in RI.  Glad to know we'll be in a good area.  We will have to find a place for our Covid test, however.  I'm sure there will be Walgreens and CVS around.  I'll be making appointments about a week before.  We're taking the AutoTrain down, since after Apex we'll be driving to Port Canaveral to board Harmony of the Seas the next day (also staying in another Hyatt Place).

 

Looking forward to enjoying more of your cruise!!

[GenerationX]

I just got back from the solarium to find that my new BFF Anastasiia had my evening chic night dress pressed and hanging in the closet and left me a little snack.  I think I’ll eat these in a bath while drinking some wine. Cuz vacation. 
 

If you’re sailing in a suite don’t forget to pack your favorite bubble bath for the tub!

I decided to go ahead and move my rooftop dinner, so while I’m soaking I’ll peruse all the menus and decide where I’m eating dinner tonight.  This is the first time so far that I’m missing S class. I could really go for some Tuscan Grille spaghetti and meatballs!

 

 

 

[GenerationX]

7 minutes ago, joand452 said:

First-time follower and definitely enjoying!!  We're taking our second Celebrity cruise in just 74 days (but who's counting?) on Apex.  Our first was on Equinox in late 2018.  We normally sail on Royal and had decided to branch out.  We're also sailing in an SV cabin -- with a regular balcony.  Doesn't seem like we'd be fans of the IV.  Hoping we can snag a suite closer to sail date.  

 

We're also staying at that same Hyatt Place beginning two days before the cruise.  Enjoyed the photos, although we tend to stay at one when we visit family in RI.  Glad to know we'll be in a good area.  We will have to find a place for our Covid test, however.  I'm sure there will be Walgreens and CVS around.  I'll be making appointments about a week before.  We're taking the AutoTrain down, since after Apex we'll be driving to Port Canaveral to board Harmony of the Seas the next day (also staying in another Hyatt Place).

 

Looking forward to enjoying more of your cruise!!

I’m so glad you’re enjoying the review!  I’m not sure the address but I know there’s a Walgreens less than 10 minutes from the hotel.  I had to stop there after dinner Saturday night to get a couple of last minute things.

[GenerationX]

25 minutes ago, r2h2 said:

I was in the exact same Solarium pool lounger you are sitting in. It looks empty in there. The hot tub is amazing in the Solarium. Did they say how many passengers on board yet? If you have a free night, make sure you try Blu for dinner. I think it was better than Luminae.

 
It’s been so empty pretty much everywhere but the suite areas! Especially today being a port day. There were a few times where I felt like I was in a cruise ship version of The Shining lol 

 

I will definitely try to make it to Blu!

 

I haven’t heard a guest count yet but I was in the spa during the captain’s announcement this morning so I may have missed it.  I’ll see what I can find out when I’m in the Retreat Lounge tomorrow.