Retreat lounge at Port Everglades

[39august]

Well, fortunately, our next cruise will be on a Friday, so I assume we will embark from terminal 25. 

[Oceangoer2]

On 2/24/2022 at 2:07 PM, TeeRick said:

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

oh no....I don't even drink champagne (well, sometimes.....) but that one little 'helping' on boarding starts my vacation off the right way.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

2 hours ago, kwokpot said:

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.  

And, I had no idea that there was not parking at the terminal (29). We had to park at a garage across from another terminal and get a shuttle back...

[crusinthrough]

22 hours ago, kwokpot said:

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.  

Terminal 29 is very dismal.  Terminal 25 is a breath if fresh air.  Celebrity should really consider upgrading 29 when there is adequate cash flow.  I have not had a Retreat escort in terminal 25.  I wouldn't want one.  Just pointing out the option was not available.  

[kwokpot]

1 minute ago, crusinthrough said:

 I have not had a Retreat escort in terminal 25.  I wouldn't want one.  Just pointing out the option was not available.  

Neither did I when embarking from 25. But as you said I was never offered the option.

[Oceangoer2]

2 hours ago, crusinthrough said:

Terminal 29 is very dismal.  Terminal 25 is a breath if fresh air.  Celebrity should really consider upgrading 29 when there is adequate cash flow.  I have not had a Retreat escort in terminal 25.  I wouldn't want one.  Just pointing out the option was not available.  

Are there any pics of terminal 25 and 29?  I can't remember which one I was in Dec '19, but it was a very big empty, yellow room with skylight windows and chairs all around the circumference...not very comfortable at all.

[danceswithphones]

12 minutes ago, Oceangoer2 said:

Are there any pics of terminal 25 and 29?

This is T25. 

 

[LGW59]

On 2/26/2022 at 1:09 PM, kwokpot said:

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.  

@kwokpotI will be interested in hearing about your experience in Luminae on this cruise, esp after what you shared from your previous cruise.  

[Oceangoer2]

1 hour ago, danceswithphones said:

This is T25. 

 

Thanks...looking more for Retreat area inside...not something most would take a pic of I'm sure...LOL.

Edited February 27, 2022 by Oceangoer2

[danceswithphones]

21 minutes ago, Oceangoer2 said:

looking more for Retreat area inside

I've seen a few images. Top suites are only there a few minutes. Then they are on to the Retreat Lounge onboard (or their suite if it is ready). There are snacks and drinks. Looks very spacious but people don't linger. I'm eager to experience it in November. I've been in a PH boarding from T29 (2014) and T4 (2016). We were escorted directly to Michael's both times. We are in an EV this time. 

 

[kwokpot]

1 hour ago, LGW59 said:

@kwokpotI will be interested in hearing about your experience in Luminae on this cruise, esp after what you shared from your previous cruise.  

I'll make a longer and more comprehensive post but after two meals I think the service is more attentive and on point; however, not to be pedantic, but we were NOT given menus from the main dining room nor were we automatically made aware of other starter or entree choices other than what was in the Luminae menu. Our waiter did say after noticing we didn't finish all of our desserts if we wanted some other choices and started to rattle off desserts that weren't on the menu. 

 

My particular take on this issue is that it's solely dependent on what the guest asks for. If one asks if there's anything other choices then they will happily inform you of alternative items. But I find it hard to believe that guests are being offered a menu from the main dining room unprompted. Tbh that would be strange since it implies that what Luminae is offering is inadequate and must be supplemented by offerings from another restaurant. If I were the restaurant manager I would NEVER allow my employees to automatically offer up alternative menus unless there was discussions with the diner. And so far, that's been my experience.

Edited February 27, 2022 by kwokpot

[LGW59]

11 minutes ago, kwokpot said:

I'll make a longer and more comprehensive post but after two meals I think the service is more attentive and on point; however, not to be pedantic, but we were NOT given menus from the main dining room nor were we automatically made aware of other starter or entree choices other than what was in the Luminae menu. Our waiter did say after noticing we didn't finish all of our desserts if we wanted some other choices and started to rattle off desserts that weren't on the menu. 

 

My particular take on this issue is that it's solely dependent on what the guest asks for. If one asks if there's anything other choices then they will happily inform you of alternative items. But I find it hard to believe that guests are being offered a menu from the main dining room unprompted. Tbh that would be strange since it implies that what Luminae is offering is inadequate and must be supplemented by offerings from another restaurant. If I were the restaurant manager I would NEVER allow my employees to automatically offer up alternative menus unless there was discussions with the diner. And so far, that's been my experience.

I've only sailed EDGE once and ate all but 2 meals (other than breakfast in my suite) in Luminae.  Never once was I offered an MDR menu, though I also never asked as I was not interested.  I am guessing that folks who are being offered that, have inquired, can't believe it just randomly comes up from the wait staff.

[danceswithphones]

33 minutes ago, LGW59 said:

Never once was I offered an MDR menu

I simply asked. Two sailings in a PH and ate every meal in the room both times. The butler was more than happy to make sure we had the menus. I'll do the same in November. 

[LGW59]

14 minutes ago, danceswithphones said:

I simply asked. Two sailings in a PH and ate every meal in the room both times. The butler was more than happy to make sure we had the menus. I'll do the same in November. 

That's good, but as I said I did not ask as had no interest, food in Luminae satisfied plenty.  

[DaKahuna]

On 2/26/2022 at 1:09 PM, kwokpot said:

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.  

We felt the same way about the Retreat waiting area at terminal 29 but was not there long enough for it to make much of an impression other than glad I did not have to wait there for very long.

 

My experience is only the higher suites are escorted onto the ship.  Those of us in a Sky Suite do not normally get escorted. 
 

[crusinthrough]

5 hours ago, Oceangoer2 said:

Are there any pics of terminal 25 and 29?  I can't remember which one I was in Dec '19, but it was a very big empty, yellow room with skylight windows and chairs all around the circumference...not very comfortable at all.

Sounds like you were in 29.  You would remember 25.  Here are a few pics from the Retreat area in 25.

[Oceangoer2]

OMG...a world of difference.  Thank you.  If we have to spend a little time in the lounge, it'll be comfortable!

[danceswithphones]

Some excellent photos in this thread.

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2700653-lounge-for-suite-guests-at-fll-embarkation/

 

[Prada Cowboy]

Does somebody knows something about The Retreat Check-In and Lounge at Port of Miami? I guess there will be a similar set-up for The Summit???

[danceswithphones]

59 minutes ago, Prada Cowboy said:

Does somebody knows something about The Retreat Check-In and Lounge at Port of Miami?

 

The Summit used Terminal G at Port Miami last week. I don't expect anything special. 

[peanut head]

If I understand this thread correctly, Term. 25 is not exclusively for the Edge series ships?  I am on the Equinox in October out of FLL and there is a possibility that this would be my terminal?  If not, and it is Term. 29, is there any insider information for where I would find the Retreat check-in?  So much has been written about the Retreat check-in location and luggage drop-off for Term. 25.  Lastly, when and where would I find out which terminal I go to? 

[Momma Rene]

20 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

We felt the same way about the Retreat waiting area at terminal 29 but was not there long enough for it to make much of an impression other than glad I did not have to wait there for very long.

 

My experience is only the higher suites are escorted onto the ship.  Those of us in a Sky Suite do not normally get escorted. 
 

We are in the Celebrity Suite.  It will be interesting to see what happens.  We usually book the Sky Suite.

[DaKahuna]

Edge ships have preference on Terminal 25 as it was built especially for Edge and her sister ships that followed.    If you are embarking / disembarking on a day when one of the Edge class ships are not scheduled in port you may get Terminal 25.   That has happened to us -- embarked at a 'regular' terminal but disembarked at Terminal 25 -- a wonderful experience. 

[LGW59]

10 minutes ago, peanut head said:

If I understand this thread correctly, Term. 25 is not exclusively for the Edge series ships?  I am on the Equinox in October out of FLL and there is a possibility that this would be my terminal?  If not, and it is Term. 29, is there any insider information for where I would find the Retreat check-in?  So much has been written about the Retreat check-in location and luggage drop-off for Term. 25.  Lastly, when and where would I find out which terminal I go to? 

Your cruise is 8 months away, you will def find out before you show up at whatever terminal

[micruiser2002]

2 hours ago, danceswithphones said:

 

The Summit used Terminal G at Port Miami last week. I don't expect anything special. 

I was on the Summit in November and the suite lounge at the port was very nice.  But we were not in it long.