"LIVE" from Celebrity BEYOND. October 26th, 2022. 9-Night Repositioning. 1st Sailing from the USA.

PinkSandGirl · November 6, 2022

9 hours ago, mac_tlc said:

My absolute favorite at Luminae!!!!

Yes, it was good =).🍑

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PinkSandGirl · November 6, 2022

8 hours ago, dlh015 said:

WOW! Thank you so much for an enjoyable and very entertaining review!! Excellent pics the whole way!

Thank You! 🥰

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PinkSandGirl · November 6, 2022

11 hours ago, CruisinBanka said:

Glad you are home safe and had a wonderful time! Enjoyed following your post with on eye on our B3B on the Beyond in February. We did a B2B on the Edge recently, so it was great to see the similarities and differences for the Beyond.

Thank You!

How fun! A B3B. You'll have 'lots of time to explore and enjoy. 9 nights wasn't long enough. 😉

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PinkSandGirl · November 6, 2022

4 hours ago, OUBaylor1 said:

Thanks again for your extensive review of your time on the Beyond. We board the Beyond on 4 December and really appreciate your insights on Celebrity's new ship.

You're Welcome! =).

Enjoy your sailing! 🥳

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PinkSandGirl · November 6, 2022

On 11/3/2022 at 7:45 PM, hcat said:

We spent our day travelling to a Fla..no non stops from where we live.

Our place is in fairly good shape from Ian and we can take our time having the landscape issues addressed. Our overall Community is coming back slowly...bits at a time.

I was able to catch up on all the posts and great photos... really grossed out abt sewage / other smell issues.

Thank you for a wonderful review.. we are due to board on Tuesday for 5 days in a Sky Suite.. My review will be much shorter ( I am low tech...so is my tablet) ..but Gen X will be on board and her reviews are outstanding.!

Happy travels!

Hi! Glad to hear you have made it to Florida (getting closer for you to board) and your place is ok after Ian.

Yes, I was grossed out as well about the bathroom situation. I tried to stay calm. 😆

Have a wonderful cruise! I'm sure you will love your Sky Suite! 🥳

Kelly 😃

PinkSandGirl

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PinkSandGirl · November 6, 2022

23 hours ago, MamaFej said:

Glad you made it home in time to root for the Phillies to beat the Astros in the last two games of the World Series.

Thank You!

I'm not much of a sports fan but since they are a 'home' team, I hope they do well. I remember when they won in 2012. The parade was on Halloween and I went into the city to stay over for a friends Halloween Party. There was a big banner as you got off of the Walt Whitman Bridge.

I have been to a Phillies game before so I guess that counts. 😆⚾️

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HMR74 · November 6, 2022

16 hours ago, PinkSandGirl said:

Cabin # 9170 and 9168 - Location

I always like to book a cabin more forward and be on the part that sticks out the most, not an indented cabin. However, when I booked my aunt was supposed to go so I needed three cabins together and I couldn't get them on Deck 10 where I usually prefer and that section I like. I did a lot of research but had to take into account the Beyond would be longer and cabin #'s from the Edge and Apex would not be the same in the area I was looking at. I wanted to make sure the balcony divider could be open. I knew I would have a solid wall on one side of my cabin, which was fine. My research was spot on based on Edge reviews, deck plans and proposed Beyond deck plans. 😉

I know there was a whole discussion of poles on the Edge on some balconies. I didn't have the pole but my mom and dad did. It seems the poles on the Beyond follow the same pattern. For every four cabins, the outer two don't have a pole, the inner two have that pole that extends from floor to ceiling. They didn't complain about it. If I had to pick again, I would say no pole for me.

Turns out the location was great. The Magic Carpet did not interfere with the views. It was mostly on Deck 14. A few times on Deck 5 at night but I never saw it move. There was always some kind of light at night but not bothersome when sitting on the balcony.

You could also look to the left and see the bridge. View from the balcony - left, right, up and down was good. You could see the stars at night (when it wasn't cloudy).

It was close to the forward elevators.

It wasn't noisy. Well, except for the cabin creaking but it didn't bother me.

The view down was lifeboats. Something else I always avoided but turns out they weren't really bad and the water was right there.

Our cabins had the doors right next to each other. Something else I planned and hoped for.

When you exit the cabin to the left, a few steps away on the right is a door to an inside cabin. Not at all an issue. The next set of cabins walking aft have an access door across the hall, glad we weren't there. I don't know if that would be an issue, but I prefer nothing across from my door.

Except for the 'plumbing' issue in the cabin, the location was great. It seems this plumbing issue could happen in every cabin. The grate was off and my dad could see a ridge around the drain. The drain was higher so it would take a rise of liquid to accumulate before it goes down the drain. That doesn't seem like a good design. I don't know if there was a back-up somewhere else down the hall and it backed up and then an overflow in our cabin or what. Honestly, a new ship with unpleasant smells coming from a drain and then 'gunk' and liquid all over, is a bit concerning.

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Pictures to follow...

Thanks.

We are aft of the magic carpet, and picked cabins based on b2b2b availability and that we wanted ours to be on starboard side and stick out further albeit with what is likely to be a drainage pole. I think thats a 50 50 deal however thats better than moving imho.

life is a series of trade offs. Its nice to be able to pick em.

Edited November 6, 2022 by HMR74

CruisinBanka · November 6, 2022

13 hours ago, PinkSandGirl said:

Hmm... I have been thinking about this. I don't know if I have the answer yet. I think from just getting off yesterday, the Beyond is still fresh in my mind so because you want to be back on (it always seems to go by so quickly) I want to say the Beyond but I don't know if that would be a fully accurate answer after the excitement and anticipation of the cruise wears off.

There were things that I loved. Things, not so much or maybe more that I missed.

I will say this, for how hesitant I always was about E-class and never really cared to sail on the Edge or Apex, the Beyond did convert me and changed my mind. I would stick with the Beyond for an E-class ship because of the changes they made.

I think they could combine aspects of the S-class and the Beyond and make the perfect ship class, in my opinion, and call it C-Class. 😉

I know you asked a simple question. I have a hard time giving simple answers. 😂

Let me think about it a little more and I'll be sure to let you know. 😃

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Thanks for your honest response and I agree there are too many emotional connections to a cruise that you just debarked to make a rational judgement. (Especially if you didn’t want to leave! Lol) I know I was a fan of the S Class, especially the Equinox, until I went on the Edge B2B in a Sky Suite. The total retreat area (lounge, pool and Luminae) along with Eden, on the Edge is the difference maker over the S Class. I do agree if they could somehow combine the best aspects of the E and S class ships they would have a winner!

13 hours ago, PinkSandGirl said:

Hmm... I have been thinking about this. I don't know if I have the answer yet. I think from just getting off yesterday, the Beyond is still fresh in my mind so because you want to be back on (it always seems to go by so quickly) I want to say the Beyond but I don't know if that would be a fully accurate answer after the excitement and anticipation of the cruise wears off.

There were things that I loved. Things, not so much or maybe more that I missed.

I will say this, for how hesitant I always was about E-class and never really cared to sail on the Edge or Apex, the Beyond did convert me and changed my mind. I would stick with the Beyond for an E-class ship because of the changes they made.

I think they could combine aspects of the S-class and the Beyond and make the perfect ship class, in my opinion, and call it C-Class. 😉

I know you asked a simple question. I have a hard time giving simple answers. 😂

Let me think about it a little more and I'll be sure to let you know. 😃

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CruisinBanka · November 6, 2022

10 hours ago, PinkSandGirl said:

Thank You!

How fun! A B3B. You'll have 'lots of time to explore and enjoy. 9 nights wasn't long enough. 😉

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Thanks! We decided to split the B3B Beyond Cruise experience by booking the first week in Aqua Class and the next two in Sky Suites. We have not experienced Aqua on an E Class ship and wanted to try the Infinite Veranda cabin that people either love or hate to judge for ourselves. Then move up to the Suite life that we enjoyed so much on the Edge.

MamaFej · November 6, 2022

12 hours ago, PinkSandGirl said:

Thank You!

I'm not much of a sports fan but since they are a 'home' team, I hope they do well. I remember when they won in 2012. The parade was on Halloween and I went into the city to stay over for a friends Halloween Party. There was a big banner as you got off of the Walt Whitman Bridge.

I have been to a Phillies game before so I guess that counts. 😆⚾️

🍹

It didn't work out so well for anyone who cares about fair play. There's always next season (and, hopefully, the Dodgers will do better next Post Season).

Texed · November 6, 2022

On 11/4/2022 at 10:20 PM, MamaFej said:

Glad you made it home in time to root for the Phillies to beat the Astros in the last two games of the World Series.

😄😂😁🤣

PinkSandGirl · November 6, 2022

Cape Liberty Embarkation and Boarding the Beyond

I haven't gone out of Cape Liberty since 2011. It is definitely different, in a good way. We arrived and a porter took our luggage right away. Once inside, security was very fast. There isn't a separate Suite Access area into the building but once through security, suite passengers go to the left. We went to a desk and showed our Xpress Pass, Passport & Bermuda Travel Authorization Form (received a pink round sticker to wear). She took new pictures and we went to sit. That process took a couple of minutes. There were chairs set up and then an area with some food and hot & cold drinks. I entered the area to get something and a not so friendly guy said to me the area was for Retreat guests only. I kindly said that I was a Retreat guest. While sitting, this same not so friendly guy went up to a couple in front of me and said the same thing. They told him they were as well. Later in the cruise I would see him in the Retreat areas and he was not friendly at all. He should be in a different line of work. A very pompous attitude and mean looking. When you walk by someone, you say, 'Hi!' Never an acknowledgement from this guy. I should have gotten his name. Maybe I have a picture I can zoom in on and see if I can read his name tag. 😆

Boarding was to start at 11:00am. They started at 10:30am. Off we went! After showing our Xpress Pass, up an escalator we went. We had an escort onto the ship. It was just us at that point.

Making your way and seeing the ship up close is so exciting and then when you are about to step foot on...How Great Is That?! It never gets old. Never! 🥳

We boarded at Deck 5. The same area the Magic Carpet is 'parked at' when on Deck 5. The orange carpet was rolled out and smiling friendly faces welcomed us onboard the Beyond!

The Welcome Glass of Champagne has not made it's way back. I believe there was a Champagne Reception later that afternoon, but not the same. It was the idea that Celebrity had that little thing that stood out.

We went right to our cabins to get our SeaPass cards, take a quick look at the the Sky Suites and leave our carry-on bags. Vacation has begun!

We were attempting to complete the Muster Drill Videos but the app wasn't cooperating. We had to do some things on the app and some on the TV. We get that completed so we went to our Muster Station in the theatre. No one was there. A few other people were showing up as well. We left and walked around a bit and said we'd go back after lunch.

Next up...First cocktails in Craft Social and then lunch in Luminae.

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Edited November 6, 2022 by PinkSandGirl

kwokpot · November 6, 2022

Thanks for a great review. I no longer have the patience to do an extensive review like yours so I thank you for all your efforts.

BTW my parents were in 9172 so they were near your parents. If you saw an elderly Asian couple that was them.

PinkSandGirl · November 6, 2022

1 minute ago, kwokpot said:

Thanks for a great review. I no longer have the patience to do an extensive review like yours so I thank you for all your efforts.

BTW my parents were in 9172 so they were near your parents. If you saw an elderly Asian couple that was them.

Thanks! I definitely wasn't able to keep up (for how detailed I want to be) while onboard so playing catch up now. 😉

I saw your mom towards the end of the cruise! She was talking to the cabin steward one day (she wanted to give him soda and beer) and then a couple of other times. 😉

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gmbhardy · November 6, 2022

On 10/30/2022 at 10:01 PM, PinkSandGirl said:

Hi! No, I think people are dressed the same in Luminae as they would be in the dining rooms or specialty restaurants.

I think you will love the Sky Suite on the Beyond! 😍

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Does Luminae have a dress code?

PinkSandGirl · November 6, 2022

5 minutes ago, gmbhardy said:

Does Luminae have a dress code?

Breakfast and Lunch - Casual

Dinner - The same as the rest of the dining rooms and Specialty Restaurants.

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Edited November 6, 2022 by PinkSandGirl

kwokpot · November 6, 2022

25 minutes ago, PinkSandGirl said:

Thanks! I definitely wasn't able to keep up (for how detailed I want to be) while onboard so playing catch up now. 😉

I saw your mom towards the end of the cruise! She was talking to the cabin steward one day (she wanted to give him soda and beer) and then a couple of other times. 😉

🍹

That's her!

PinkSandGirl · November 8, 2022

Craft Social for a cocktail then Our First Visit to Luminae - Lunch

Our tradition on S-class is to have our first drink at the Martini Bar and write our names in the ice with the ship name and date. Since the Beyond's Martini Bar isn't ice topped, we thought we would go to Craft Social.

Craft Social. So cute on the Equinox. Craft Social on the Beyond...not as cute, much smaller and missed those little cozy nooks. I know that on the Equinox Craft Social was born out of the Revolution and the old wine bar area. Beyond is a larger ship and there isn't a bar inside the casino so it seems odd it would be so small. There were times it was packed, other times you could find a seat. I think I would have been in more if it had a different feel to it. As for the name, they really should have some good Craft Beers. I like visiting Craft Breweries all over the place and appreciate good stouts and porters. Those can not be found there...it was the same on the Equinox.

My mom and I stayed simple with Malibu Baybreezes, my boyfriend had a double Captain and Coke and my dad had a specialty cocktail, Tito's Punch, that was over the Premium limit. We sat for a little bit before we made our way to Luminae. This is also where I asked for my first evian. I would come to find out no little bottles of evian onboard. Large bottles, yes. Small, no. They had Acqua Panna.

As we made our way from Deck 4 to Deck 16 to Luminae we got to see a little more of the ship along the way.

That 'chandelier'. That's not my idea of a chandelier. It looks like something from outer space that's going to shoot down a beam to suck people back up. 😂

Luminae

We waited briefly at the hostess stand and gave our Cabin #'s and Names. We continued this the whole time. Last year in Blu, they knew us right away. Not in Luminae. I think she started to recognize us but when it came to names and Cabin #'s, not so much. I understand they meet new people constantly but just a comparison to Blu from last year.

When we entered Luminae, it is nice. I think it's large and spacious. There are tables of two, tables that can be put together, round 'booth' tables for 4 or 6, larger tables that can accommodate 8 guests and other tables as well. The room seems to keep going as the windows wrap around the room as you walk.

We were seated at one of the round 'booths'. We would sit in one of those on every visit except one time. We liked them. Velvety material that felt cozy.

Menu.

I knew what I wanted before we sat down (thanks to the app). Bourbon and Peaches 🍑, Borscht Soup and Burger (no bacon jam) (since it's mostly raved about, the burger). Everyone else had some of the same and some different.

Lunch Menu Day 1

Those lights are like flashlights or some kind of baton weapon. 😆

Their mayonnaise isn't very good. This is ship wide. You can tell just looking at it.

What did I think of the food?

■ Drink. Good

■ Soup. Excellent

■ Burger. Eh. I've had better... I asked for mustard. It was a Dijon that had a kick. I prefer yellow on a burger. I love all kinds of mustards but when it comes to a burger, good old fashioned yellow. It was a thick burger. I like thinner 'flat top' burgers. I did know it was going to be thick.

■ Fries. Ok. My boyfriend and mom said they weren't seasoned (I was fine with that, just dip in ketchup) and my mom's were cold.

■ Dessert, I didn't think I wanted anything but my dad ordered the Creamy Dark Chocolate and Duche de Leche and then I ordered one too after he got his. It was good. Presentation not very appealing but it tasted good.

The sun had come out earlier (it was very foggy all morning) but then the fog rolled back in. As we were sitting in Luminae, the clouds and fog started to clear a bit and the sun was trying to pop through and we saw the Statue of Liberty. 🗽

Luminae quickly filled up. They were pretty busy. It was nice to have a sit down lunch.

Service. It was fine. I wouldn't say exceptional. First day with all new guests so I'll give them some slack. 😉

I will also point out here. There are no menus outside of any restaurant. I'm used to the sign stand with the menu. Nowhere. I liked when they did that. Is that a new Celebrity thing or just the Beyond?

Next up... Our first visit to the Retreat Lounge and then Retreat Pool and Sundeck

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Edited November 8, 2022 by PinkSandGirl

PinkSandGirl · November 8, 2022

On 11/5/2022 at 7:58 PM, hcat said:

Great review!

We will be checking in next week!

hcat,

Hi! I hope you have a wonderful cruise! 🥳

I'm sure you're already onboard. 😉

Kelly =).

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Edited November 8, 2022 by PinkSandGirl

2Long2NxtCrz · November 10, 2022

Thank you so much for such a wonderfully detailed review and so many fabulous photos!

I've wanted to try E class since the Edge was announced, but it was never feasible. So I finally booked the Panama Canal for my birthday in March 2024 and then hubby won a cruise! So we're going in a regular veranda in mid-December. I really cannot wait!

miched · November 10, 2022

We have a cabin booked further forward that sticks out more 9150. Would the location of your cabin provide more shade during the day? I know it depends on the angle of the sun but I am wondering if there is more overhang from above

Thanks.

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅

PinkSandGirl · November 13, 2022

On 11/10/2022 at 10:00 AM, miched said:

We have a cabin booked further forward that sticks out more 9150. Would the location of your cabin provide more shade during the day? I know it depends on the angle of the sun but I am wondering if there is more overhang from above

Thanks.

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅

Hi! The balcony had both shade and sun. I wouldn't say it was any different from when I've had a cabin on the more forward section (S-class). There was a slight top bump out but I don't think it made a difference at all. I had reservations about being in an 'indent' but it honestly was perfectly fine. I am very particular and picky so I would definitely say if it made a difference. It did not...based on our sailing and trajectory of where we were going.

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PinkSandGirl · November 13, 2022

Hi! I apologize for being quiet the past few days. Life and work definitely gets in the way when updating cruise critic. 😉 It's so hectic before vacation and I think just as hectic, if not more after vacation. I need a vacation after my vacation. 😂

I'm still here and will be adding more pictures and thoughts. The Beyond has just begun her USA sailings so I'm sure my input will help future sailors. 😉

Thank You to everyone who has contributed and who have thanked me and showed appreciation. I love researching and getting pictures and comments so I hope to help those who have cruises coming up on the Beyond and/or possible future sailings.

=).

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PinkSandGirl · November 13, 2022

Retreat Lounge and Retreat Pool Deck

A definite plus and reason to book the Retreat, in my opinion. The 4 of us all think the same. Absolutely worth it. If you utilize the areas, then yes. =).

You need your Retreat SeaPass to access the areas. The Retreat takes up the forward areas of Decks 15, 16 & 17.

It was never really super packed in any of the areas. We always found good seats.

Staff were, almost all, very friendly.

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More Retreat and Ship to Follow...