TR: Dec. 1-10 S. Caribbean--second time around on the Beyond!

[KKB]

We sailed the Beyond in April--got an amazing deal on Retreat. 
Certainly enjoyed ourselves & it was nice we had booked this on our Nov. 2022 Equiniox cruise for comparison.

As usual, we had a WONDERFUL time--Eclass is our jam!

 

We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express along 17th Street. We used to ALWAYS stay in that area (Embassy or Hyatt Place) but hadn't for years.

We had IHG points so it was a good option.

It's a great location with lots of dining options in close proximity. 

Ate at DJ's Dugout--we remembered it from before. 

 

Preordered a Lyft for $12 at 945 the next morning--Uber was showing $42!

 

Embarkation was seemless--we were maybe 25th in line. Lines moved quickly & we were onboard by 11!

 

[KKB]

Food

 

Eden

We have experienced it alson on Apex & Edge. 

It did not disappoint.

I snagged it before the price increase (and we had a chunk of OBC so it was an easy treat).

At $75pp now, I'm not sure we will do it again.

 

Buffet

Our go to breakfast spot as well as late night pizza, occasionally lunch. 

We actually ate there for dinner a couple nights too--one day the seas (or the drinks the day before??) made me queasy, so carbs from the buffet hit the spot. Another night we got in late from our excursion, and it fit the bill. They do made to order grilled fish, chicken & steaks for dinner each night.

Last sea day was the "extravaganza" buffet--mostly the addition of SHRIMP. Only time I saw a LINE for anything at the buffet

It was a LITTLE repetative...BUT I knew what I liked, and went back for it. 

Most of what I ate was very good.

 

Eden cafe--I ate breakfast one day. My breakfast sandwich was OK. Decided I preferred the buffet.

DH had lunch there a couple times & really enjoyed it.

 

Mast Grill--always a solid burger choice. Love that they have carmelized onions, bacon & mushrooms to add on. 

 

MDR--We tried each MDR once, and loved the wait staff we had in Tuscan so went back there the rest of the cruise & were always seated in their section. 

I find Eclass MDRs to be very good.

I don't love the change of menus since we sailed Edge 2 years ago.

The sea bass at Cyprus was the best I've ever had...gone.

We originally loved the specialty offerings of each cuisine...not loving them as much. 

(not quality--just not my taste)

On the changing daily menu, there are 6 appetizers--only 2 change daily. I think that is a mistake even tho I am a fan of the 4 that don't change. (Caesar salad, shrimp cocktail, escargots, French onion soup). There are 5 or 6 changing entrees.

Not a fan of the focus of duck & lamb--just not my MO. 

I usually have the fish or seafood--very few seafood offerings. But fish daily.

Desserts have always been Celebrity's weakest part of their menu...they always LOOK amazing...and rarely deliver in taste. 

Not a problem for us. We aren't big dessert people. Usually stuck with the frozen options.

 

I know I nitpicked here.

I still find the food to be quite good overall--just not as thrilled with the selection these days.

 

[KKB]

Activities

Since we saw all the production shows in April (which are AMAZING) we opted out this time. 

We did see the comedian. He was solid--I'd say top 50% of the comedians I have seen at sea.

Not great (have only seen great ones on Carnival at sea)

 

Game Shows, Music Trivia & Music Bingo

Loads of fun as always!!

 

Zumba, Dance fit classes & Aqua fit class--these were all offered most sea days & some port days!

Lots of fun, always recommend these free options for working out.

 

Pool area--I had no issue getting a single lounger right by the pool at any time of day.

2 could have been a challenge. 

There were some chair hogs, but by & large most people were actually AT the pool who reserved those seats.

We used the infinity pools a couple times after returning from excursions.

LOVED them! (not crowded that we ever say)

 

Casino

Not very busy ever. 

Video poker was pretty rotten to us.

Luckily we did well at poker. Both profited from the evening cash games.

They offered tournaments 3x/day on sea days. 

These have ALWAYS been $60.

(fair price I gues as it is a horrid structure--goes too fast & you get few chips with a live dealer)

The first day DH went to buy in & they said $120--HUH?? For THAT tournament. NO WAY.

DH complained & they claimed that was the price the cruise before & they had no issues filling it.

Yeah, right. 

Well, they DID have issues filling it on our cruise...and lowered the price back to $60.

I did well. DH did not....but we had fun!

 

Movies on the Rooftop

We watched Barbie one night (our YA children said we would enjoy it--they were right!) Nice venue--glad it didn't rain!

 

SADLY we missed my beloved Silent disco.

1st one was day 2...seas & too many drinks the 1st day had me off that day.

2nd one was at the same time as the "Naughtly List" game show that we wanted to see (and was a lot of fun--18 & over only!)

3rd one was the last night (I still contend this is a DUMB day for that ). We planned to go & about 7 that night we were DONE. We had played hard for 10 nights...

 

A COUPLE COMPLAINTS

1--The activities for the week on the app may or may not have been accurate.

I get that the seas cancelled a production show.

I get that people can become ill & maybe they need to change things.

I get that the weather can change plans.

BUT when you have the dance party on the resort deck & move it to the Club--AND SUDDENLY ITS THE 80s GAME SHOW & DANCE PARTY--WHAT??!! 

(I am whining because I WANTED to go to the 80s party...but I did NOT go to the resort deck dance party so I DID NOT KNOW THIS)

 

2--Music trivia

PLEASE list what decade/theme it will be in the planner (or app--you had to check both, whatever)

We love certain decades & themes...but we aren't very good at certain ones.

We happened to show up at 50s/60s music trivia & Motown.

Yep, our worst music areas.

Had we known when the decades/themes we enjoy were going, we could have made plans to be there.

 

We still had a great time but it makes me sad when I miss my fav 80s activities (cuz I didn't know when they were!)

 

Edited December 19, 2023 by KKB

[KKB]

Bars

We enjoy our cocktails (well, I do--DH mostly drinks beer & an occasional blended drink)

 

Craft Social is our "spot" & our 2 bartenders from April were there. 

DH gives them a dollar or 2 every time we order.

They knew our room number after the first day...🤪

They took VERY good care of us all cruise!

 

We did enjoy Sunset bar several time.

 

World Class bar--went once. Intended to again & just never did!!!

 

Cafe al Bacio--my go to for my daily lattes & macaroons. 

(we did NOT see anything other than cookies, cakes & muffins at any time day or night).

[KKB]

Ports

One of the reason we chose this cruise is that there were 3 new ports for u.

I snagged Celebrity excursions at 50% off on Black Friday for 3 of the ports.

Recommend them all.

 

St. Maarten (had been a few times but it had been a few years)

Well this ended up being a debacle by no fault but OUR OWN.

I had booked Big Bastaard Beach all inclusive package.

We THOUGHT we had followed their email directions on how to get there.

Well...we walked for about 90 min. & I was DONE. 

It was HOT HOT HOT.

Found a bar & shade & recovered. 

DH even wandered & couldn't find it.

 

WELL...we grabbed the water taxi back to the ship...and as we sat I looked up & said 

OMG THERE IT IS.

We didn't realize there were different stops for the water taxi & had gotten off at the wrong one initially.

(their directions weren't for that one).

Well poop. 

Now we know for next time.

 

Dominica (new)

We did a Celebrity bus tour that took us to 2 waterfalls & a lookout point. ($60 each)

We really enjoyed this!

It did require some hilly walking but it was beautiful.

We did go 3K feet up the mountain on winding roads...if this bothers you don't do this one!

 

Barbados (new)

We had intentions of walking to nearby beaches, but decided to take it easy instead.

We wandered the port shopping area & sat out at a bar in the area.

Tried local beer & "fish cakes" (reminded me of Conch fritters).

Just sat, relaxed & people watched.

Plan to explore more another time.

 

Antigua (new)

Celebrity catamaran excursion ($45 each)

Went to a reef to snorkel, then a beach.

Very enjoyable (except the sunburn on my face as I somehow neglected sunscreen beyond my moisturizer there!) BUT it was MUCH too short--only 3 hours. 

I don't snorkel (legally blind w/o these glasses!) but I could have--and should have--gotten into the water at the reef just to swim) & we only had about 20 min at the beach--most of us just got into the water.

 

St. Kitts

We had been their once before last year & wandered the large port area.

This time we took the scenic railway thru Celebrity (not a good deal typically but it was at 50% off; normally we would just book direct) Included free drinnks.

Loved this tour of the island! 

But this is NOT a smooth ride. It very often wobbled heavily from side to side.

This did not bother us a bit but we have a friend w/ severe back issues & it would have bothered him a lot. 

 

 

 

 

 

[KKB]

Final thoughts.

We love Celebrity, especially Eclass.

But we are finding that Celebrity is running 50-100% higher than Princess & NCL on comparable itineraries. (and we are picky w/ our NCL ships--Breakaway class or above only).

 

$2000-2500 for the 2 of us on those lines vs. $3500-4500 on Celebrity (and I am talking interior here folks; yes, AI). That's a tough pill to swallow. Not sure it is THAT much better a product.

Will continue to try to find us deal son Celebrity!!

 

We had OV this time--got it for $200 total more on Move Up over our booked interior; I think we agree this is our "sweet spot". We just don't use a balcony that much as we are out & about the ship but we di like at least a window. Eclass OV is great--exact cabin layout as balcony.

 

I did mention a number of things that I didn't care for--but in no way did they negatively impact our cruise.

 

We had a WONDERFUL time (as we always do--we love to travel & belief attitude nearly always determines how good a time you have)

 

(BTW funny comparison here...the cruise director is a brunette from Canada. Her name escapes me.

If you know the Canadian sitcom Kim's Convenience--I SWEAR the CD is the sister of Shannon on that show...lol)

 

Thanks for reading!

Happy to try to answer any questions.

 

Edited December 19, 2023 by KKB

[Tyler414]

The review I have been waiting for!!!  I watched Beyond's first Ultimate Southern Caribbean sail away knowing I'm doing this long awaited cruise in March.

Thanks so much KKB for the review.  I was on Beyond in Jan so familiar with the ship, glad you enjoyed your vacation.  Thanks again!

[cruisegal40]

Thank you for doing this.  There are not many reviews of the Caribbean that I am seeing. Our first Celebrity coming up on the Beyond in September.  So this information is very helpful.  Glad you enjoyed it.

[Kelownadon]

Thank you for one of the best reviews I have ever seen on these boards. 

[chocolabmom]

We are sailing Beyond on a Caribbean itinerary in April.  Very happy to see your review.  I've been getting nervous about the sailing with all the negative comments I have seen lately.  But I agree - your vacation is what you make of it.  Thanks for taking the time to post your review!

[mac_tlc]

Did you miss your trivia partners 😂😂😂? 
 

Glad you had a good time and thanks for the review—- I was hoping it was coming. 
 

Hope to sail again with you and DH again!

 

 

mac_tlc

Edited December 19, 2023 by mac_tlc

[mac_tlc]

5 hours ago, KKB said:

Final thoughts.

We love Celebrity, especially Eclass.

But we are finding that Celebrity is running 50-100% higher than Princess & NCL on comparable itineraries. (and we are picky w/ our NCL ships--Breakaway class or above only).

 

$2000-2500 for the 2 of us on those lines vs. $3500-4500 on Celebrity (and I am talking interior here folks; yes, AI). That's a tough pill to swallow. Not sure it is THAT much better a product.

Will continue to try to find us deal son Celebrity!!

 

We had OV this time--got it for $200 total more on Move Up over our booked interior; I think we agree this is our "sweet spot". We just don't use a balcony that much as we are out & about the ship but we di like at least a window. Eclass OV is great--exact cabin layout as balcony.

 

 

 

We have been looking at some Apex itineraries for Spring 2026 out of Port Canaveral. On many, you can get a prime ocean view with AI for about $3K for two.

 

We are looking at a sunset verandah —— Retreat pricing just too high at about $8500. 
 

mac_tlc

[KKB]

39 minutes ago, mac_tlc said:

We have been looking at some Apex itineraries for Spring 2026 out of Port Canaveral. On many, you can get a prime ocean view with AI for about $3K for two.

 

We are looking at a sunset verandah —— Retreat pricing just too high at about $8500. 
 

mac_tlc

Yeah...it comes to about $3500...plus another $250 for tips. This for Oceanview.

For same dates in Caribbean I can get Princess' new ship...$3500 for a Mini-suite with a cabana, All inclusive with tips paid!

Edited December 19, 2023 by KKB

[KKB]

1 hour ago, mac_tlc said:

We have been looking at some Apex itineraries for Spring 2026 out of Port Canaveral. On many, you can get a prime ocean view with AI for about $3K for two.

 

We are looking at a sunset verandah —— Retreat pricing just too high at about $8500. 
 

mac_tlc

SOOOO...I went to book that Star Princess cruise. 

The price I pulled up an hour ago was All inclusive $3500 for the mini-suite w/ a cabana & balcony (cabana looked like IV...with a real balcony outside that. Interesting!)

But it kept going to their "we are working on the website" when I would try to click all the way thru things.

So came back just now & booked it. 

Same price.

Then realize they never gave me the choice to upgrade to AI.

That price was w/o AI...so that's another $850. GRRRRR.

Now, that was for a much larger balcony (their mini-suites are just larger balcony rooms), so a better deal than Celebrity...but, yes, I love my Eclass. Would like to try Princess' new ship. 

Strangely, the mini-suite was only $200 more each than an oceanview!

It's fully refundable up until final payment & I had an open booking so it cost me nothing more today & I have 2 years to decide...but that is so annoying!!

Edited December 19, 2023 by KKB

[KKB]

3 hours ago, Kelownadon said:

Thank you for one of the best reviews I have ever seen on these boards. 

Awww...thanks so much!

[KKB]

2 hours ago, mac_tlc said:

Did you miss your trivia partners 😂😂😂? 
 

Glad you had a good time and thanks for the review—- I was hoping it was coming. 
 

Hope to sail again with you and DH again!

 

 

mac_tlc

Oh you KNOW we did!! 

REALLY hope to cruise with you both again!!

[mac_tlc]

10 minutes ago, KKB said:

SOOOO...I went to book that Star Princess cruise. 

The price I pulled up an hour ago was All inclusive $3500 for the mini-suite w/ a cabana & balcony (cabana looked like IV...with a real balcony outside that. Interesting!)

But it kept going to their "we are working on the website" when I would try to click all the way thru things.

So came back just now & booked it. 

Same price.

Then realize they never gave me the choice to upgrade to AI.

That price was w/o AI...so that's another $850. GRRRRR.

Now, that was for a much larger balcony (their mini-suites are just larger balcony rooms), so a better deal than Celebrity...but, yes, I love my Eclass. Would like to try Princess' new ship. 

Strangely, the mini-suite was only $200 more each than an oceanview!

It's fully refundable up until final payment & I had an open booking so it cost me nothing more today & I have 2 years to decide...but that is so annoying!!

After I saw your note I took a look and noticed it didn’t include Princess Plus. But it’s a small refundable deposit, so no harm no foul. 
 

We were thinking of doing the 4/18/26 Apex and then maybe staying on for the transatlantic, which should be the next one. Not fond of the deposit T&C’s, so that may stop us from booking so far ahead. May wait until we are on Ascent next month. 
 

 

mac_tlc

Edited December 19, 2023 by mac_tlc

[KKB]

Just now, mac_tlc said:

After I saw your note I took a look and noticed it didn’t include Princess Plus. But it’s a small refundable deposit, so no harm no foul. 
 

We were thinking of doing the 4/18/26 Apex and then maybe staying on for the transatlantic, which should be the next one. Not fond of the deposit T&C’s, do that may stop us from booking so far ahead. May wait until we are on Ascent next month. 
 

 

mac_tlc

Yep. Much better with an open booking or book while onboard.

[Irishredhead21]

Terrific, well balanced review. Thank you for taking the time. So happy you enjoyed your cruise!!