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

[lola2013]

2 minutes ago, Happy Cruiser 6143 said:

 

Trying not to hijack this thread--could you start a separate thread with recommended non-alcoholic drinks?  I don't drink alcohol either.  Thanks! 

Also a non-drinker (not even pop)...on last fall's Edge sailing, I asked one of the waiters for a chocolate shake.  I was told to try a virgin Mudslide.  It's delicious, refreshing and non-alcoholic.  Now I'm hooked.

[Treacher1]

Enjoying all your pics and detailed descriptions of ship, food, etc.  Sailing Apex in March in SS - LOVED your pic from the bathroom out to the balcony and timed perfectly to see the Royal Caribbean ship.

 

Thanks!!!!  Keep them coming - wishing you lots more fun times till your voyage is ending - so kind of you to take the time to share all this with us!!!

[Beachlover1989]

Just got through your review to date and it is amazing!  And I've already ordered one of your dresses (in green).  Thank you so much for doing this!  I'm learning so much!

[GenerationX]

Just got back to my room after swimming and getting some sun on the Retreat sundeck  to start my regular afternoon ritual of wine and reading on my veranda. Anastasiia thought that given the lack of Luminae lunch today and that I planned to stay onboard all day, I might need a good afternoon snack (and be extra thirsty) so she left me a little treat after arranging for my mattress softener!

 

I’m lovin life right now.

 

So…who’s up for this review turning into a live back to back?  I could even be a good wife and fly my husband down for the second leg for an early Valentine’s Day gift. lol

 

 

 

Edited February 2, 2022 by GenerationX

[Barwick Cruiser]

2 minutes ago, GenerationX said:

Just got back to my room after swimming and getting some sun on the Retreat sundeck  to start my regular afternoon ritual of wine and reading on my veranda. Anastasiia thought that given the lack of Luminae lunch today and that I planned to stay onboard all day, I might need a good afternoon snack (and be extra thirsty)!

 

I’m lovin life right now.

 

So…who’s up for this review turning into a live back to back?  I could even be a good wife and fly my husband down for the second leg for an early Valentine’s Day gift. lol

 

 

 

Yes! Do it! I’ve been lurking and immensely enjoying your live report so I’m selfishly hoping you’ll do whatever it takes to sail again and keep the rest of us living vicariously through your adventures! Even if it means inviting hubby to join you 😉

 

Btw, that charcuterie plate looks amazing and I’ve read that book…it was good! Enjoy and keep up the great work! 

[abbydancer2003]

9 minutes ago, GenerationX said:

Just got back to my room after swimming and getting some sun on the Retreat sundeck  to start my regular afternoon ritual of wine and reading on my veranda. Anastasiia thought that given the lack of Luminae lunch today and that I planned to stay onboard all day, I might need a good afternoon snack (and be extra thirsty) so she left me a little treat after arranging for my mattress softener!

 

I’m lovin life right now.

 

So…who’s up for this review turning into a live back to back?  I could even be a good wife and fly my husband down for the second leg for an early Valentine’s Day gift. lol

 

 

 

Ha Ha - your review just cost me 13.00.  In looking at the picture, I noticed the book and remembered you'd said something positive about it.  So I bought it for my kindle.  Perhaps I'll read it on my next cruise.

[GenerationX]

2 minutes ago, abbydancer said:

Ha Ha - your review just cost me 13.00.  In looking at the picture, I noticed the book and remembered you'd said something positive about it.  So I bought it for my kindle.  Perhaps I'll read it on my next cruise.

1) Sorry for costing you money!

 

2) I promise it’s money well spent. It’s a nice cruise vacation read.  I can also recommend Crossing on the Paris as a cruise-themed vacation book (also by a woman author)…but I don’t wanna run up your Amazon charges. 

[sjayo]

Hey GenX, if you decide to stay on the ship next week after flying your husband down, Sara and I would be delighted to treat both of you to dinner in Eden. 

Jay and Sara

[GenerationX]

13 minutes ago, Barwick Cruiser said:

Yes! Do it! I’ve been lurking and immensely enjoying your live report so I’m selfishly hoping you’ll do whatever it takes to sail again and keep the rest of us living vicariously through your adventures! Even if it means inviting hubby to join you 😉

 

Btw, that charcuterie plate looks amazing and I’ve read that book…it was good! Enjoy and keep up the great work! 

Thank you!

 

The charcuterie plate was sooo good!  The salami and mortadella were awesome and ah, the cured asparagus and 4 different cheeses…my Retreat hostess is serious about her job and I’m here for it!

[PTC DAWG]

You had me at Reggae Music…

[GenerationX]

9 minutes ago, sjayo said:

Hey GenX, if you decide to stay on the ship next week after flying your husband down, Sara and I would be delighted to treat both of you to dinner in Eden. 

Jay and Sara

Thank you for the wonderfully generous offer! I will include this as part of my sales pitch when I Factime with him this evening.  He’s quite free meal motivated. Wish me luck!

[lori-annk]

1 hour ago, GenerationX said:

Just got back to my room after swimming and getting some sun on the Retreat sundeck  to start my regular afternoon ritual of wine and reading on my veranda. Anastasiia thought that given the lack of Luminae lunch today and that I planned to stay onboard all day, I might need a good afternoon snack (and be extra thirsty) so she left me a little treat after arranging for my mattress softener!

 

I’m lovin life right now.

 

So…who’s up for this review turning into a live back to back?  I could even be a good wife and fly my husband down for the second leg for an early Valentine’s Day gift. lol

 

 

 

Fantastic idea!!!

[Laurab23]

And I just requested this book from my local library.

Enjoying your review.

 

Laura

[GenerationX]

Back in time post re: Lunch at Rooftop Garden Grill

 

Pre cruise in all my lurking of the Celebrity app it looked like Edge may not be opening this restaurant during lunch anymore, but at my dinner at Tuscan, my server Ben mentioned that it was going to be open the coming sea day for a $25 cover charge.  At that point it was a drop in the bucket in my wine event, Tiffany’s and spa budget, and I was impatient to check the venue out since I had to push my dinner there out due to weather so I decided to sign up.  

 

My server told me right now they’re only opening for one lunch per cruise and that is a very good thing for my BMI.You know the nice light lunch I had in Eden today.  Rooftop Grill is Not. That. Lunch.  There are many adjectives that I will use shortly in describing said lunch.  “Light” will not be part of the repertoire. 

 

For those familiar with Lawn Club Grill on S class, this restaurant overall is like a more refined version of LCG.  Lots fewer tables which made it feel way more exclusive/intimate.  A made to order salad on the menu with topping selections you picked and told your server rather than that random (and in my experience often unsanitary) salad bar and then for lunch entrees a selection of flatbreads and sandwiches served with cruelly delicious fries.

 

I started with the Salchicha flatbread with broccolini.  Where my fennel lovers at?  This pizza delivers on it in a big way.  I would’ve eaten the whole thing if I hadn’t also ordered the Rooftop Beer Burger.  I don’t think the burger beat the Luminae burger, but it was still very good. In the event that I convince myself to walk away from booking in the Retreat on E-class (keepin it real, that’s growing less and less likely every day as the pampering continues to escalate) the burger at rooftop would be a decent substitute fix.

 

I only ate about a quarter of the burger because, at @lola2013’s  brilliant recommendation I was saving room for the warm chocolate chip cookie a la mode dessert.  Lola, my dear solo cruising soul sister Lola, when we finally end up on a sailing together, pedicures in the spa are on me to thank you for bringing this goodness into my life.  I know when I go back to this restaurant for dinner in a couple of nights I should probably try something new for dessert, but I only have eyes for that cookie. 

 

As I mentioned earlier, the Mason jar margaritas in this restaurant are really good too and included in the premium beverage package.

 

If I had anything negative to say, it would be that service was a little slow. But it was the busiest I’ve seen a specialty restaurant on this sailing (even getting there for a late 1pm lunch) and with the open kitchen it was clear to see that the chefs and servers were working their hardest to keep up.  Plus, I pride myself on being an American who easily adjusts to “Island Time”, so I’m much more patient about if/when my food arrives when my Outlook calendar says “No Appointments Today” and I’m sipping a cocktail soaking up sun with the sea breeze in my hair.

 

Any questions feel free to ask!

 

 

 

 

[abbydancer2003]

41 minutes ago, GenerationX said:

Thank you for the wonderfully generous offer! I will include this as part of my sales pitch when I Factime with him this evening.  He’s quite free meal motivated. Wish me luck!

Good luck.  I'm so tempted to ask my husband if we can go too, but between X and Princess he has 9 cruises this year, (I have 10) and there are where X and Princess are a few days apart so we will be going direct, so he's said no more!

And if I ask, he'll make me cancel something, so I'll just read and be envious.  And looking forward to, when in a few years, we can draw into our retirement stuff, we can book and book and book.

 

 

[lola2013]

Well, it's been five days since I had that fabulous cookie...but you gave me a visual fix.  I didn't finish my filet (TWICE) in anticipation of that chocolate goodness!!! That was two dinners and one lunch on Reflection. 😉

And now, looking out at the Chicago snow, I think I'll have a can of Spaghettio's. 😆

 

[fsdorado]

1 hour ago, sjayo said:

Hey GenX, if you decide to stay on the ship next week after flying your husband down, Sara and I would be delighted to treat both of you to dinner in Eden. 

Jay and Sara

 

We are also schedule to board on Sunday and would love to meet you as well!!

 

 

Frederick

[sjayo]

I personally think Celebrity should upgrade you next week to the Villa for all of the good will you're generating. In fact, if anyone from Celebrity is reading this thread, I vote for a Villa upgrade for GenX for the rest of this week and all of next week.

[Buffett1964]

For anyone reading this excellent review and post that has stayed in both Aqua and Suites.... we have always sailed aqua for Blu as generally we like the menu better than the menu in Luminae. We have no real interest in the spa per se although your massage review has us thinking. We like our afternoon tea they provide in our room (the tapas not worth much) but also love our premium beverage package.

Aqua class is worth the price increase IMHO from say veranda, but sometimes the spread is too great and just book specialty all cruise ( think europe) but we havent done that yet.

Is the extra service (we have done Sandals butler suites) justified by the couple grand up charge... you really have us thinking to pull the plug and go for it for a change but am also concerned it is now the busiest place on the ship...? Any thoughts are appreciated. You have gotten us on island time and so ready for this Sunday. Hopefully your Husband will be ready to join you for another week after this weeks temps,ice and snow at home. 

[WNCtourist]

2 hours ago, GenerationX said:

Just got back to my room after swimming and getting some sun on the Retreat sundeck  to start my regular afternoon ritual of wine and reading on my veranda. Anastasiia thought that given the lack of Luminae lunch today and that I planned to stay onboard all day, I might need a good afternoon snack (and be extra thirsty) so she left me a little treat after arranging for my mattress softener!

 

I’m lovin life right now.

 

So…who’s up for this review turning into a live back to back?  I could even be a good wife and fly my husband down for the second leg for an early Valentine’s Day gift. lol

 

 

 

Great book for your cruise! And loving your reviews. Gah how I miss being aboard!

[Moonglo]

2 hours ago, GenerationX said:

Just got back to my room after swimming and getting some sun on the Retreat sundeck  to start my regular afternoon ritual of wine and reading on my veranda. Anastasiia thought that given the lack of Luminae lunch today and that I planned to stay onboard all day, I might need a good afternoon snack (and be extra thirsty) so she left me a little treat after arranging for my mattress softener!

 

I’m lovin life right now.

 

So…who’s up for this review turning into a live back to back?  I could even be a good wife and fly my husband down for the second leg for an early Valentine’s Day gift. lol

 

 

 

I just finished the book you are reading.........are you enjoying it? I found it quite the page turner.

[Moonglo]

1 hour ago, Laurab23 said:

And I just requested this book from my local library.

Enjoying your review.

 

Laura

Its a really good one.........

[GenerationX]

In case anyone was wondering how seriously Celebrity takes cleaning and maintenance, this afternoon I briefly had to move my champagne and reading indoors so that these hard working gentlemen could wash and sanitize my veranda mid cruise.

 

Oh also, I received a message letting me know that I’ve been remiss in posting some of my outfits.  Here’s last nights dinner dress and tonight’s ensemble for Fine Cut.

 

Tonight’s sunset sail away from Costa Maya was so beautiful and the weather so nice in the rooftop garden that I almost made myself late to go down and dress for my dinner reservation.

 

Cheers from the Edge!

 

 

 

 

 

Edited February 3, 2022 by GenerationX

[MarKay525]

Charla - so glad you were reminded about the wardrobe photos - you have such style! (Note to self-quit shopping at Kohls.) I'm loving your posts and taking notes on all your wonderful tips.

 

Since you are so generous as to share your vacation time with us, I'm going to take you up on your offer to ask questions. We'll be in a SS later this year and I'm intrigued with the Roman tub. Are there steps going down into it? You've posted a couple of great photos, but I still can't tell how easy it might be to get out of the tub.

Also - is the sofa comfortable enough to actually sit on? It looks very low and very hard.

 

Enjoy the rest of your days and hope you can talk DH into joining you next week - he has to be ready to leave snowy Missouri.

Edited February 3, 2022 by MarKay525

[CruiseCrew123]

5 hours ago, sjayo said:

I personally think Celebrity should upgrade you next week to the Villa for all of the good will you're generating. In fact, if anyone from Celebrity is reading this thread, I vote for a Villa upgrade for GenX for the rest of this week and all of next week.

I would like to see a real life review  from an inside cabin rather than a ‘never going to happen ‘ suite . Far more realistic !!!!