Retreat lounge at Port Everglades

[go.without.you]

Anyone know what time the Retreat lounge opens? Last time I got there about 11 and we boarded at 1130. I was thinking of getting there earlier and taking advantage of the continental breakfast. I'll be staying at a hotel the night before and why pay for their breakfast when I can get the Celebrity one instead, right?

[DaKahuna]

I assume it is available as soon as checkin is open.  We arrived at 1110 for an 1130 boarding and the continental breakfast was set up along with water and soda's.  We were not the first there either as there were empty spaces on the pastry platter. 

 

[jelayne]

We got to Port Everglades at 11:10 we’re immediately checked in and on the ship by 11:20.  Dropped our luggage in our suite, grabbed a drink and were lunching in Luminae at noon. 

[cruisestitch]

I wouldn’t go any earlier than 11, you might be standing outside in the sun waiting for them to open the door

[Straughn]

When you say “Retreat Lounge,” I am guessing you are referring to the check in area for suites in the terminal at Port Everglades.

 

My last two experiences, after sailing resumed, were this. I arrived around 10:30, dropped off luggage, parked car, walked back, went thru the paperwork process, and was in the terminal suite lounge by 10:50. Suite passengers were already boarding the ship.  I chose to sit in the lounge for a few minutes to enjoy a cup of tea and a pastry (or two). In speaking with fellow suite passengers, at the end of January, several stated that they had arrived as early as 10 AM, went thru the paperwork/security processes, and were able to enjoy the lounge. Just one note- be aware that your mileage may vary. 

[CHEZMARYLOU]

Our check in time is 10:30. Our car service is suppose to pick us up at 10:15 at the hotel.

[Missymo]

Ive been in a suite the last 4 bookings.  I walk in (at least 30 min early) go thru paperwork , and zip right up to the ship.  Drop my carry on, and go eat lunch at Luminae. Not in the lounge long enough to get any food there. 

[chemmo]

Over the years we have found you need a food strategy to survive a cruise…To us this starts at boarding…

 

We always skip the hotel breakfast the morning of cruising, then we ignored the offerings in the Retreat Lounge. It is the only way you can have an appetite big enough to really enjoy a Luminae burger at lunch! As others have said you can be sat in Luminae by midday. Even then I have to leave half my burger bun and not have a dessert so I will be ready for our first Tuscan steak of the cruise as we set sail.

 

I know some people have a food strategy to avoid weight gain, ours is more about saving the appetite for the food we really want to enjoy rather than filling up with snacks…

 

 

[DCPIV]

For our recent Reflection cruise, the shoreside concierge let us know that we would be admitted inside the terminal as early as 10 AM.  I'd like to think the lounge was set up by that time or very shortly thereafter.  This was Terminal 29.

 

I couldn't tell you whether the lounge was set up, though.  We were in no hurry that morning and did not arrive at the terminal until about 10:45.  We were immediately checked in and were up in the room within minutes.  At that point, we were plenty good to wander around a little and then hit Luminae when it opened at 11:30.

 

I do agree that, if you are willing to wait until 10 or so for breakfast that you may as well wait to go whole hog for lunch!

[chemmo]

2 hours ago, DCPIV said:

 

I do agree that, if you are willing to wait until 10 or so for breakfast that you may as well wait to go whole hog for lunch!

Totally agree!

[fsdorado]

When we boarded at the beginning of February, we had a check-in time of 11AM.  We got to Terminal 25 around 10:45 and were escorted up to the shoreside Retreat Lounge.  We were surprised to find it packed, with very few seats.  We ended up standing along a counter area in the back of the room.  A Retreat Concierge did come by and check us in where we were waiting.  We boarded around 11:15.  Overall, it was a quick and painless process.

 

 

Frederick

[Momma Rene]

I just did not think the retreat lounge to be anything special.  Yes, it is nice to have a small, separate room with coffee, juice and some danish available.  Chairs are set up in row format, not really conducive to enjoying a coffee and danish.  Better choices onboard.  Save the calories and enjoy Luminae!

[go.without.you]

1 minute ago, Momma Rene said:

I just did not think the retreat lounge to be anything special.  Yes, it is nice to have a small, separate room with coffee, juice and some danish available.  Chairs are set up in row format, not really conducive to enjoying a coffee and danish.  Better choices onboard.  Save the calories and enjoy Luminae!

I'm trying to use the lounge instead of a crappy hotel breakfast.

[CHEZMARYLOU]

If you want a light breakfast, grab a coffee at your hotel (avoid the in room coffee machines, how often are they cleaned) and head to the port.  We used to think we needed "something in our stomach" before we had a glass of champagne. Turns out that is an Old Wives Tale. We even bypass the light breakfast in the terminal lounge and wait for Luminae. That Old Wives Tale is false.  Enjoy what ever you choose.

[TeeRick]

18 hours ago, CHEZMARYLOU said:

If you want a light breakfast, grab a coffee at your hotel (avoid the in room coffee machines, how often are they cleaned) and head to the port.  We used to think we needed "something in our stomach" before we had a glass of champagne. Turns out that is an Old Wives Tale. We even bypass the light breakfast in the terminal lounge and wait for Luminae. That Old Wives Tale is false.  Enjoy what ever you choose.

I hear that the Welcome glass of champagne is no longer offered.

[CHEZMARYLOU]

2 minutes ago, TeeRick said:

I hear that the Welcome glass of champagne is no longer offered.

Doesn't stop us from having a glass in the Retreat or Luminae.  Would even buy a bottle if they did not charge Florida tax while in port.

[jelayne]

19 minutes ago, TeeRick said:

I hear that the Welcome glass of champagne is no longer offered.

Stop by a bar for a glass of nice champagne.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Timely thread --

 

I think we'll try to arrive about 11 on Saturday - and I'll be saving my appetite for a Luminae Burger 🙂

 

Tom

[Jim_Iain]

On 2/23/2022 at 4:17 PM, CHEZMARYLOU said:

If you want a light breakfast, grab a coffee at your hotel (avoid the in room coffee machines, how often are they cleaned) and head to the port.  We used to think we needed "something in our stomach" before we had a glass of champagne. Turns out that is an Old Wives Tale. We even bypass the light breakfast in the terminal lounge and wait for Luminae. That Old Wives Tale is false.  Enjoy what ever you choose.

I would think they are cleaned as often as the ones at work.   LOL --- Never

[Ipeeinthepools]

6 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

I would think they are cleaned as often as the ones at work.   LOL --- Never

 

Do they clean the coffee machine at work?

[tugboat]

5 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

Strange when we checked in 11:00 was the earliest time shown to check in that what we chose arrived at 11:00 once in the lounge it was full most of the people had to arrive before 11:00. So my question when do most suite guest arrive at the port?

[kwokpot]

Boarded the Reflection today in Retreat Class and it's a disappointing setup at Terminal 29 at Port Everglades. After a wonderful Retreat Class setup at Terminal 25 Terminal 29's Retreat check-in comes off as a temporary arrangement. If this was my first Celebrity cruise in Retreat Class it wouldn't be a favorable one.

And where's this escort to your cabin that everyone keeps talking about? No evidence whatsoever there's any Retreat Class cabin escort here at Terminal 29. In fact barely a decent chair setup.  

[39august]

At terminal 29 is any coffee, juice, pastries available? I've been at terminal 25, but not 29. I like the ideas above about skipping the hotel "breakfast". 

[asnaleah]

Terminal 25 was very nice for Retreat passengers. We had an escort; however, he escorted us to the Retreat Lounge, not our cabin. So we ended up escorting ourselves, and then headed to Luminae for lunch. 

[kwokpot]

32 minutes ago, 39august said:

At terminal 29 is any coffee, juice, pastries available? I've been at terminal 25, but not 29. I like the ideas above about skipping the hotel "breakfast". 

Yes,those things are available but tbh the setting is so dreary and makeshift I won't spend one minute lingering. The Retreat check-in is basically a cordoned off section of this big,warehouse like terminal with a couple of tables setup with food and drink. I'm sorry I didn't take any photos but trust me,there's no place to sit and enjoy a continental breakfast. In other words if you're embarking from Terminal 29 definitely don't count on sitting in the Retreat Lounge for a quick late breakfast since there is no Retreat Lounge in the check-in area. 

Edited February 26, 2022 by kwokpot