Cruising to Retirement!

Enjoy!

My Husband and I just got off the Navigator on Friday September 30th from a 7 day cruise! Our second cruise on Navigator since the remodel. We love this ship so very much! We did not go to Ensenada this last time so interesting to hear more about Ensenada. We did book a Grand Suite this time with some remaining future credits along with cash and since our 38 Anniversary and since we had our honeymoon on a cruise ship doing this exact itinerary meant in June of 1984 this meant the world to us and my 60th birthday celebration too! I'll keep my fingers crossed for your possible upgrade! Our first cruise on Navigator in a suite we had a casino discount in March 2019 that enabled us to upgrade to an Owners suite. It was awesome too! We have been in the Balcony before on Navigator and of course loved it also. Actually 95% of the time we are either in a balcony or Jr. Suite so this was extra special for the occasion which is not our norm but was very special. Absolutely hands down our favorite of all Suite lounge up next to the viking Crown Lounge! I assume everyone has their favoites also. This ship with all the wonderful specialty restaurants is extra special to us. We had the ultimate dining package and were in a food coma for half the cruise. We book a dining package whether we cruise balcony or suite. We knew we were in trouble after having lunch at Giovannis and then we had over a 2 pound Lobster for each of us on the first night at Hooked while looking out to the water which is a little different than Symphony. They have all my favorite restaurants except 150 and the Hibachi selection at Izumi. The package last September when we booked at a much lower than it is presently so very fortunate with this one. No worries we did not go hungry for sure. Now 1 new favorite and 1 old favorite to us I must tell all of you. First my husband and I are San Francisco Bay Californians at heart and live in Atlanta Ga now. My favorite is wine. My husband likes it all... Well they have a new Women of Wine meaning 7 wineries that are run by Women from all over the world. The Sommelier gave us a brief overview and then a projector was set up with the women owners and wine masters showing and explaining their journey with each of their wineries along with a plate of various cheeses and fruit of sort. It was brief but very informative and very interesting It was by far the best plated presentation of a wine tasting with around 30 to 40 people in the side of the dining room since there is not a vintages on this ship. I sincerely recommend to a wine lover this tasting should not be missed. I did not see this on the Symphony in May or we would have done this for sure, but they did again say this was new. Also our old, favorite Chef's Table is on the Navigator. We did this once before. First, the location is on a perch above the second floor dining room with a huge round table for the 12 of us. Lots more conversation can be had around a round table and we feel the best wine ever at a chef's table that we have been too. Of course if you have the ultimate dining package and only incur the additional $50 cost instead of the normal $100 or more sometime so there was no doubt. We did this back in March of 2019 also. The other unique thing about our chef's table was this was our second time having the chef's table on the last night of the ship. Our first time we found out that we had not used our onboard credit yet on the last day and I called and set us up! We said if we come back we are going to do this on the last day. Well when we came back this time and first got on the ship we made all our dining reservations with the package and the last day was the only day open for the chef's table. I think the chef's table on this ship is definitely not a secret. The one downside to these two wonderful events is they both fell for on the last day since the wine event was only on the last day. So we were feeling no pain after dinner. Thank gosh we had packed before the wine tasting event.... So be aware. I will say being at the chef's table makes you so happy on the last night you don't have a chance to get too sad at least that's how I always feel even with specialty dining also. Just my happy place. The one thing that was mentioned about a month ago about the disembarking is no joke. It makes no rhyme or reason. This did not help for suites but everyone should carry their luggage off if you can. We did and saw some suite friends still waiting on their luggage when we finally got down there. We sure couldn't figure out what they did or didn't do because this was very smooth for everyone getting on. The very last thing if you are like us and have a plane to catch especially getting back to the midwest or east coast look into their excursions for after the cruise with the airport drop off to LAX. We did the LA highlights and Rodeo drive including Beverley hills for 5 hours in the most comfortable coach bus that had a great bathroom too! We went inside the area of the Dolby theatre and I walked the stairs that the actors and actresses do that get pictured coming into the Academy Awards, Hollywood walk of fame, walked rodeo and Melrose, and way way too many landmarks to miss. Also the excursion was only $98 so cheaper than even lyft if we had been in the car ourselves. When we knew our flight was later getting out we were happy, but after the taxis and ubers wanted anywhere from $100 to $180 we settled with a large Lyft with another girl who was dropped off close to our hotel for $50 for her and $70 for us. We stayed at the awesome Hotel Maya right on Long Beach Harbor next to the Queen Mary. It was awesome. The bridge lit up at night with so many beautiful colors. So wish we were as lucky as Twangster to stay in the Queen Mary overnight. Bill and I still talk about it. We truly thank you again Twangster for those awesome pictures we will never forget. I know you are probably tired of this long winded spill but I must say one more. We got there on Wednesday afternoon and our ship left on Friday because I wanted to go to Catalina Island. We could just walk over the bridge get on the ferry Thursday and spend the day. That very was a yacht ferry if there ever was one. It was smooth gorgeous seats and the hour flew by. There is so much awesome sights and history at Catalina between the movies made there, the hollywood A list coming over, Marilyn Monroe marrying there at 15 to Wrigley mogul who owned the island and had the Chicago cubs spring training there for 25 years. Also lots of World War II secret training of underwater new scuba equipment, diving, and more. Needless to say we had a ton of fun. The ports have a different wonderful vibe than the carribean ports to us too. If you ever get to that side of the world to cruise you won't be disappointed! Happy Cruising Daley and Happy Cruising Everyone! Michelle

Being on Edge during December will be great with all the holiday decorations! We will be on Wonder in May 2022 and looking forward to it. We also will be on Beyond in April 2023 and looking forward to checking out edge class too. We are going on an 8 night Equinox starting this Saturday with 5 port stops! Pretty port intensive. We are especially looking forward to the Virgin Gorda Baths excursion in the BVI's! We have been trying to get back here to do this excursion then covid hit and fccs so finally we will do it! We did lots of great snorkeling excursions here before so we want to see the Baths this time. So excited to get back on the Equinox that we were just on on July 10th! Ha! This time in Aqua eating in Blu and having access to persian garden which my back will really love! Please send a few pics of the decorations if possible in December! Happy Cruising Everyone! Michelle

That's exactly how we felt about the Retreat with your price point comparisons and we had fccs to use on this sailing and the one for August in the Aqua class. We booked the Beyond in Edge class April 16, 2023 in a Sunset Veranda which has the sliding glass door along with a large balcony in the back. We have a 4 night dining package to try the specialty restaurants and then the 3 dining rooms. (P.S. Twangster had great pictures a few months ago.) When all was said and done it was actually cheaper than Aqua with all the onboard credit. We had a blast. The service was over the top everywhere from Luminae to the Retreat Lounge with full bar, snacks, and spreads in throughout the day plus a spread in our room. They also had a designated silent disco in the retreat one evening, they had my favorite singer come in one night before dinner while we were enjoying cocktails. Complimentary slot pull for retreat guests one afternoon and my husband got the second place money! They had so many people that just couldn't do enough for you. I'm sure this is a lot like Star Class which I've heard so much about. The lawn club was very beautiful and watching everyone making their glass blowing vases to shelves, bottles, pumpkins, ornaments you name it they were all beautiful because these 2 guys in charge were hands on and they all turned out very nice. I'm very much doing this (with their help) on our 8 day in August even with 5 stops which will be the only tricky thing. I'm sure you will enjoy yourself very much. Michelle

The Equinox.

Forgot to mention there was only 1900 people onboard too!

You will loved the retreat suite. Ours was a sky suite on the side and the deck was super spacious along with the room. We had $600 for our 6 day which was wonderful and of course the all included premium drink package. We loved having our breakfast each morning set up on our deck with lots of little extras like that. All the Retreat staff really made this such a great experience with the little touches that were so thoughtful and nice and you could tell that they very much enjoyed their jobs.

Hello! We got back Saturday from our first time on Celebrity and first time in a retreat! Everything was over the top outstanding from Luminae to the retreat lounge to the entire ship! It was stunning and the service everywhere was outstanding. We loved the great singers in the shows and all over the ship. We are music lovers even the silent discos in different venues even the retreat lounge along with a lounge singer. The cruise director and captain were very good and engaged a ton also they both were in a liars game show with the 2 of them with a prominent entertainer. We were laughing so hard. It was a blast. Much of the ship I feel has been very much updated. Our room was completely updated in a sky suite but don't know about the other rooms. We have one more sailing with FCC's on Equinox again in an Aqua Suite with the restaurant Blue on an 8 day sailing this time. After that cruise we will be in a Grand Suite on Navigator of the Seas out of Los Angeles to replicate our honeymoon cruise in 1984! We love the Navigator so much especially with all the great restaurants. You know how I love Hooked. Hope everyone is having a great cruising Summer. So nice to be sailing again. We truly love cruising! Michelle

Going on our first Celebrity cruise on Equinox on July 10th, 6 days (Western) in the Retreat this weekend in a sky suite which was a great deal in the fall. Will be celebrating my 60Th Bday. We received our official retreat letter a few days ago. Getting very excited! Had a great deal that was less the Aqua with the amenities and onboard credit that the Retreat offers. Using up some FCC's. Also going on Equinox on August 13th 8 days Eastern in the Aqua class using up more FCCS. Excited to try Aqua too. Going to drive from Atlanta this time to avoid some holiday traffic in the airports. Will be our first time driving down to Ft. Lauderdale. Drove to Tampa and Pt. Canaveral several times for cruises. This is the first time in many, many years not to be on Royal. Any advice for Celebrity would be much appreciated! Michelle

Happening here also.

Actually we usually get the three night pkge but are getting the Ultimate on this cruise like we just did on the Symphony on May 14th for the first time. We got a great deal on the packages many months ago. Also with the Ultimate package you can take advantage of 40% off bottles under $100 in the restaurants which we did twice. Thats a great perk if you like wine. It's so great to eat at all the great restaurants also at lunchtime too! You are going to have a different experience cruising out of the west coast down in the Pacific vs. Atlantic and going out of Florida. We can't wait. Celebrating my 60th and are honeymoon is very exciting for us! Keep me posted! Enjoy! Michelle

We are doing a 7day on September 23th - 30Th this year! So excited! We have been wanting to do this cruise for years but we were hoping for Royal and then when Navigator came then it became a no brainer! We love the newly revamped Navigator was on her in March of 2019! It's fantastic! You both are going to love it! We went on this exact itinerary in June 1984 for our honeymoon but was on Carnival. We are excited to see how much Cabo San Lucas has changed in 38 years and the other 2 ports too! I turned 22 on that cruise and my parents did a land to ship telegram to wish me a happy birthday. Funny thing was they upgraded us from an interior to an oceanview and we were very happy and surprised! This is a walk down memory lane for us with my 60th birthday next month. So happy for you both! We are also going in a few days early to take the ferry over to Catalina. I'm a CA girl born and raised in SF Bay Area along with my husband so we are even more excited! Sorry for babbling but just saw this and just had to post! Michelle Ps. You may want to get a dining package on this cruise! They have the Hooked restaurant and lots of other great ones. We have the ultimate dining package but mostly do 3 night but for this cruise just like our May 14th Symphony because it had Hooked too!

We just got off the Symphony on Saturday and went to Vintages (our favorite) every night and used at least 2 vouchers of our 5 vouchers per day and met up with some of the same nice people each night and paid approximately an additional $2 per glass. I have a huge love of wine. My husband loves wine and beer. We did the ultimate dining package and also bought 2 bottles of wine with the 40% off of a bottle of wine under $100 which we thought was fantastic. The food coma is real! We ate at 150 twice, Hooked twice, Chopped, and Jamies, Hibachi for dinner and Jamies, Hooked, and Hibachi for lunch! Delicious and not super packed at all. We were the first sailing with Hairspray which was wonderful. Flight of course is spectacular. We loved Hiro and the 2 ice skating shows. Very, very full cruise. It was really nice to get back on a cruise ship!

Sincerely hope your family is feeling much better. I know you have been looking forward to this but I hope your family can gather again sometime soon in your fabulous suite. Our daughter tested positive for covid on Tuesday after being in a new job for 10 days so her and our new son in law can not come. There are actually some other members that won't be able to join this cruise after doing covid testing this morning. My husband and I are very sad but still going on this cruise and hope to do a cruise with my daughter and son in law in the near future. I just wanted you to know I'll be thinking of you and your family. I loved reading all your blog. Take care! Michelle

Oh we are now living in Atlanta, Ga and we can't drive to the cruise port unfortunately. That's a huge perk for you! We have a great straight through flight on Delta to Calif two days early. At least we can easily drive to Orlando or Tampa. We are a tad nervous about some flights going or not or delayed. Especially this year with having a cruise at the end of 4th of JUly week and a cruise over Thanksgiving. These 2 cruises are at the peaks of airline traffic. Not going to roll the dice on those times because we are not lucky people at all. Now one of our daughters is the luckiest person I've met! Besides peak travel weeks of the year we would probably fly.

Thank you so very much for blogging this cruise. We are sailing on September 23rd on the 7 day in a Grand Suite after using fcc's we figured let's just splurge a little more on this one. We are excited to go back to this Honeymoon cruise that was almost 39 years ago! (Well I just aged us) Well age is just a number, right? We absolutely love the Navigator after sailing on her right after the massive renovation for 9 nights in March of 2019 and had upgraded to the Owner's suite then! We truly are 90% balcony and now ultimate dining package people so this was a treat! We loved all the great new restaurants, etc. We definitely wanted the ultimate dining package on this cruise instead of our normal 3 night. I was hooked on Hooked! That is a must to try for a sea food lover. Your whole family will love this ship! If you could post either cruise compasses or give a short overview of the shows and music, it would be much appreciated! I'm getting a little more excited now for this cruise. I didn't mean to blab on but getting ready to go on the Symphony on the 14th with my daughter and new son in law (who has never cruised) so getting just really excited! We are native Californians that Royal brought Navigator to CA which was the icing on the cake for us! P.S. We all 4 have the ultimate dining package! Hooked here I come! (after testing) Michelle

Thanks again for blogging your Edge cruise. We have never been on Celebrity but had 3 cruises on Celebrity moved from 2020 to now 2022. You sure gave us a very good overview and important information on Celebrity along with great pics as always! We are Diamond Plus with Royal so will be going on as Elite. We are going on a 6 night in July in the Retreat on Equinox and an 8 night in the Aqua Class in August. The Edge wasn't available at that time of year. The price at the time of our booking for the 6 night was less in the Retreat with the all the onboard credit and premium included than the Aqua Class. That will never happen again I'm sure. I'm just realistic not pessimistic. So we definitely pulled the trigger! We are more balcony people with an unlimited dining package couple! We both love to go on as many cruises as possible with limited vacation time. Retirement can't come soon enough. Now if we won the lottery we would explore other options too I'm sure! I love all the great adventures and activities people do. I love to try many new things that people share! Please keep sharing all your great experiences Twangster! Much appreciated!

All of your pictures should be in a book for both Royal and Celebrity! I'm such an avid admirer of your talent! You bring the ships to life for all of us.

Totally want to go to all of these too. Also want to go to Dominica, St. Vincent, and Grenada!

Thanks! We found the document from Royal that has December 31st. I guess the only other possibility is if the CSO is cancelled October 31st, Royal could possibly cancel their policy that goes to December 31st. We would be not be nervous at all if Royal told us that that policy would still stay then even if the CSO cancelled. This Variant is more present each day, and the idea of having to get our own travel home, and we aren't eligible for the booster until mid December is fearful for us. I really appreciate your help. If you hear that Royal will extend no matter if CSO doesn't, I would sincerely appreciate you sharing! We are so excited to be back on Harmony. We went on her when she left out of Ft. Lauderdale many years ago and had another one scheduled over Labor day 2019 which was the Hurricane cruise! Ha! We always have said our first cruise back would be the Harmony so our fingers and toes are tightly crossed! Thanks one and all for your valuable information! Michelle

Thank you so very much for always keeping us up to date on all the ever-changing world of cruises at this time. Much appreciated by all. We are also on the Nov. 14th sailing on the Harmony and have been vaccinated and all. What is making us nervous right now is that Royal's fly home benefit ends on October 31st also. Insurance would not cover a plane trip home and knowing that even without covid but traced to someone that has it onboard you would need to get our own travel home really is weighing on our minds. We understand and accept the mask policy hands down but hope they can alleviate this one fear soon. If you could keep us all up to date about this aspect, we would be deeply appreciative. I know the RC Blog cruise is the next week so I know this would be valuable info for this cruise also. We would feel fine if they would extend that one part of the order to alleviate our nervousness especially with seeing the Variants becoming more visible. Thank you. Michelle

Thanks so much again for all your help as always! Please share any new info with us all if you hear of any please! Much Appreciated, Michelle

Twangster, My immediate concern regarding the C. Virus is if lots more of the small caribbean countries stop letting ships into dock in their ports can Royal and Celebrity actually let a cruise go that hasn't stopped at a port or is there possibly minimum stops required? Are the cruise lines permitted to begin a cruise knowing they can't dock at a port? Or would we be allowed to float around for all 7 days? I'm not saying that wouldn't still fun but of course we would miss stopping at the ports. We have our first cruise on Celebrity on March 22nd Edge very soon and are definitely concerned what could possibly happen in this case? Royal and Celebrity seem like they would be cohesive with one another on this subject, but information on either cruise line would be helpful to us at this time really. Do you have a source of knowledge/procedures on this subject by chance? You always give important detailed information that really help us for so many circumstances regarding cruises. So I sincerely would value any information, ideas, or any opinions you have on this subject. Thanks again for all the knowledge you provide for us on this blog.! Much appreciated, Michelle

It sounds like you guys are having the time of your lives! I'm so happy for you both! P.S. Now is the time to book that next cruise onboard. Hint! Hint!

I totally agree with you Sweety! The Milford Sounds pics and the return to Sydney pics were my personal favs! I wish I had a better words than Thank you, Twangster Again! Safe Travels and Look forward to your next awesome adventure you take us all on! Michelle