“LIVE” from the newest Celebrity lady —- Celebrity Ascent — January 21, 2024.

[mac_tlc]

Welcome to a cloudy sea day!

 

 

 

 

Yesterday at Nassau, as planned, we did not get off the ship.  I’ve often commented that the 9am cutoff for breakfast at the MDR or Luminae is too early, but we missed it and went to the Oceanview Cafe—- which reminds me why I think 9am is too early. At 9:30, there were many many folks , few seats initially. I got my steps in walking around finding a seat. The hunt was eventually successful. 
 

A late morning, early afternoon dip in the Solarium pool was enjoyable. Took a minute or two to find an unoccupied lounger. Not due to chair hogs, just a lot of people. Very few loungers were unoccupied and we were initially the only ones in the pool. We do like this area a lot.

 

Next Up - Eden and the evening.

 

mac_tlc

Edited January 23 by mac_tlc

[danceswithphones]

12 hours ago, mac_tlc said:

We are almost in your picture!! We were opposite you in the same section!!

 

mac_tlc

Sorry we missed you! Fine Cut tonight at 6. I've run into several people from the social media RC. Had a couple up to the EV for a peek.

[mac_tlc]

14 minutes ago, danceswithphones said:

Sorry we missed you! Fine Cut tonight at 6. I've run into several people from the social media RC. Had a couple up to the EV for a peek.

We are at Luminae tonight probably around 6. We will visit the lounge before, probably 5:30 or so. 

mac_tlc

[hcat]

looking forward to the EDEN posts!

[Texed]

I agree with you about the Luminae breakfasts being too early. I loved it when they did the brunch. 

[mac_tlc]

Before we get to Eden, here is the Celebrity Today for Day 3:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 23 by mac_tlc

[danceswithphones]

1 hour ago, mac_tlc said:

We are at Luminae tonight probably around 6. We will visit the lounge before, probably 5:30 or so. 

mac_tlc

I will take a lap of the lounge at 5:30.

 I'll be wearing my black and white Sky Princess polo.

[mac_tlc]

Hey @KKB ? 
 

 

[KKB]

57 minutes ago, mac_tlc said:

Hey @KKB ? 
 

 

You can always phone a friend--I'm ready!!😉

[mac_tlc]

Let’s talk 

 

 

We had a 6pm dining time. This is our favorite specialty restaurant on any ship we have been on. Love to watch the open kitchen :

 

 

 

It is tough to narrow down the food choices so we each choose two appetizers, which we share. 
 

I chose the mulligawtany soup:

 

 

 

and the Carabinero Shrimp:

 

 

 

My DW choose the crab cake :

 

 

and the bazaar bowl.

 

 

 

I think the best of the four was the crab cake. Very little filler, almost all crab, with a tasty sauce surrounding it. The soup was served hot — as we like it.

 

My wife’s least favorite was the bazaar bowl — she thought the Greek yogurt was a bit too heavy.

 

All in all, great starters. 
 

Next up —- The Entrees !!

 

 

mac_tlc

Edited January 23 by mac_tlc

[hopeless holiday booker]

Loving your review.  Is there a way of finding out prices of jewellery on board Ascent?

[countess5]

Mac

I see that they have valet luggage service, however it does not state what the earliest flight time is to qualify. Would you be able to inquire as to the flight times for use of valet? 

 

Thanks

 

Cheers! 

[mac_tlc]

10 minutes ago, hopeless holiday booker said:

Loving your review.  Is there a way of finding out prices of jewellery on board Ascent?

 
There are a number of shops that have jewelry. I’m  sure my wife will visit a few of them 😳😳. 

The only way I know of is to go in and ask about a piece. 

 

Anything in particular?

 

mac_tlc

[mac_tlc]

5 minutes ago, countess5 said:

Mac

I see that they have valet luggage service, however it does not state what the earliest flight time is to qualify. Would you be able to inquire as to the flight times for use of valet? 

 

Thanks

 

Cheers! 

Will do.

 

 

mac_tlc

[KKB]

On 1/18/2024 at 2:25 PM, mac_tlc said:

I’ll try, but I can’t promise they won’t run out of Woodford!!!

 

mac_tlc

YOU are the one who got me on Woodford in April! (that peaches & bourbon in Luminae was YUMMY)

I have been experimenting w/ Old Fashions now.

On Beyond last month I ordered one at Craft Social--DELISH. No idea what bourbon it was.

Then one at that Club. Not so good.

Our friend drinks Bullit so tried it with the. Naw, not for me.

Tried Woodford--YEP, THAT'S THE TICKET.

SO I BLAME YOU!!🤭

 

(Yes, thx for tagging me...we just got home Saturday from a week on the NCL Prima, so still not fully caught up on my CC readings!)

Edited January 23 by KKB

[hopeless holiday booker]

7 minutes ago, mac_tlc said:

 
There are a number of shops that have jewelry. I’m  sure my wife will visit a few of them 😳😳. 

The only way I know of is to go in and ask about a piece. 

 

Anything in particular?

 

mac_tlc

 I have my eye on a bracelet for my 60th but I wouldn't put you out to do that I can wait.

 

[KKB]

On 1/20/2024 at 11:51 AM, GenerationX said:

Thank you again for a great thread!

 

To each their own of course, but personally I really like it when live reviewers share about what they’re doing pre and post cruise.  
 

Like many on the boards I don’t live in a port city and fly in early for my cruises to mitigate risk of missing the ship due to flight issues.  I’m always looking for ideas of things to do during that day or 2 pre cruise.

 

I’m eyeballing a cruise later this year that sails out of Port Canaveral and if I book it, your posts have me considering coming in a little earlier and spending some time at Epcot pre-cruise…food & wine festival sounds like my kind of party!

I PROMISE F&W is your kinda party, Charla!

We have done it & the Flower & Garden one in the spring.

Epcot is our fav park--Dan has said he could easily just got to eat & drink our way around the park.

 

[KKB]

On 1/21/2024 at 7:32 PM, Stem to Stern said:

Oh dear.  I know it isn’t, but it all looks plastic including the folding camping table.

Not plastic. Steel

Pretty sure plastic would blow away

Edited January 23 by KKB

[mac_tlc]

14 minutes ago, KKB said:

YOU are the one who got me on Woodford in April! (that peaches & bourbon in Luminae was YUMMY)

I have been experimenting w/ Old Fashions now.

On Beyond last month I ordered one at Craft Social--DELISH. No idea what bourbon it was.

Then one at that Club. Not so good.

Our friend drinks Bullit so tried it with the. Naw, not for me.

Tried Woodford--YEP, THAT'S THE TICKET.

SO I BLAME YOU!!🤭

 

(Yes, thx for tagging me...we just got home Saturday from a week on the NCL Prima, so still not fully caught up on my CC readings!)

Here you go! It’s almost noon ….

 

[KKB]

15 hours ago, ETHTrader said:

Some lady just won $2,400~ playing slots. It's the first time I have ever seen anyone win that much playing slots in cruise casino 🤷‍♂️

Hit $2800 on video poker (Ultimate X Bonus streak...new one for us) on NCL Prima last week.

Largest payout I have ever won. ($1K is usually top end for VP)

Playing nickels, 3 handed, ($1.50/spin total)  flopped me a Royal & I had a 12x bonus on one hand.

NO COMPLAINTS!

 

(sr @mac_tlc not trying to hijack your thread...it was just too fun & had to share)

Edited January 23 by KKB

[KKB]

39 minutes ago, mac_tlc said:

Let’s talk 

 

 

We had a 6pm dining time. This is our favorite specialty restaurant on any ship we have been on. Love to watch the open kitchen :

 

 

 

It is tough to narrow down the food choices so we each choose two appetizers, which we share. 
 

I chose the mulligawtany soup:

 

 

 

and the Carabinero Shrimp:

 

 

 

My DW choose the crab cake :

 

 

and the bazaar bowl.

 

 

 

I think the best of the four was the crab cake. Very little filler, almost all crab, with a tasty sauce surrounding it. The soup was served hot — as we like it.

 

My wife’s least favorite was the bazaar bowl — she thought the Greek yogurt was a bit too heavy.

 

All in all, great starters. 
 

Next up —- The Entrees !!

 

 

mac_tlc

OMG Eden's crab cake is my FAVORITE one anywhere. 

If only for that, worth the visit! (tho never disappointed!)

Can't wait to hear about the rest of the meal.

 

8 minutes ago, mac_tlc said:

Here you go! It’s almost noon ….

 

OK...I JUST finished my coffee & it's not even 11 here.

PLUS...giving my liver a rest from the last 2 weeks...

(with all the storms the week before we left, we headed up to casinos to be sure we were there to catch the plane. Plus days with our Bullit loving friend in Houston...OOF)

[mac_tlc]

Ok , it’s time for the Eden entrees!!

 

I ordered the Nova Scotia lobster casserole:

 

 

I have had it before and it never disappoints. I am far from a lobster connoisseur, but I enjoy this one. 

My wife ordered her “go-to” — branzino:

 

 

 

She said it was excellent — as always. 
 

But we couldn’t stop at one each , we ordered the filet & lamb Wellington to “share” 😜😜.

 

 

 

The filet was “butter knife melt in your mouth “ tender, wonderful. The lamb Wellington was a bit strong —- the filet is the winner here. Great sauce/gravy surrounding the filet….

 

We had @Irishredhead21 seated next to us ! A pleasant surprise. It’s always nice to have folks you know for dinner!!

As someone who is not a chocoholic, I appreciate the strawberry surprise for dessert :

 

 

 

My wife had the butterscotch crème brûlée— I forgot to snap a picture ——— She liked it . No sharing here as she isn’t a strawberry fan and I am not a butterscotch fan. 
 

Of course the dessert tier tray is also delivered:

 

 

 

Overall a fabulous meal with attentive but not overbearing service, drinks refilled frequently—- a pretty good view for the first 30 minutes :

 

 

 

 

We have Eden booked again on Beyond next month — caught a deal a few months back and it was about $115 for two, gratuity included. 
 

As much as we like it - and we have never been disappointed — at the present on-board price of $85 + 20%, we will await a cruise planner sale. Especially since any OBC is no longer included in the Retreat fares and we have been fortunate to have been to Eden a number of times.
 

I wish we had booked it for our August Edge Alaska voyage before the price increase. 
 

If you have never tried it —- you should.  Be on the lookout for a sale or splurge…

 

 

mac_tlc

 

 

 

Edited January 23 by mac_tlc

[hcat]

3 hours ago, Texed said:

I agree with you about the Luminae breakfasts being too early. I loved it when they did the brunch. 

do they do waffles?

[hcat]

1 hour ago, hopeless holiday booker said:

 I have my eye on a bracelet for my 60th but I wouldn't put you out to do that I can wait.

 

there will be several stores..wide range of prices and materials.  fun to browse.

 

If you wait and return for a secobd or third look ..prices can be flexible!  HAPPY B DAY. 

I have a big b day to celebrate on board next week!

[hopeless holiday booker]

thank you.  Hope you enjoy yours as well.