SebagoSue

There are lots of people like me that bounce between RCL and Celebrity.  I go on RCL for things to do.  I go on Celebrity to relax.  RCL is more family friendly, and Celebrity is more upscale where I can enjoy the downtime.

They are similar but at the same time quite different.     Way less families on Celebrity as you don't have all the fancy things like waterslides, bumper cars, rock walls.     I have never found Celebrity stuffy or snobby.    I find the food quality higher on celebrity in the main dinning room.    Royal has a few more casual options.    Amenities and programming and activities Royal is better.   Shows are very similar except Royal has some types of shows on some ships the Celebrity doesn't such as Ice show or the water show.       Beverage package is better on Royal (but also more expensive than Celebrity's classic one).       If you are a person who likes all the activities/amenities on Royal, Celebrity might be a bit dull, but if you don't care about them and you are just looking to relax have some good food and service then you will enjoy Celebrity.

TL;DR - All is well.  Christmas is coming.  The BOGO process is a Charlie Foxtrot.
 
I promised a live blog for this sailing but in keeping with my utter unreliability for doing live blogs, I have failed again....this being day 3 already.
I will skip all of the pre-boarding and boarding details as these are not of particular interest to anyone and it was entirely uneventful.  All went well. We are here.
The ship is in great shape for her age.  We sailed on Adventure relatively recently so there haven't been any changes since that time.  Sure, she needs paint in some areas and there are patches of carpeting that are in need of replacing but these are purely superficial issues and have not impacted our enjoyment at all.
We are in a Panoramic Ocean View Suite (VP), a room which was converted at the time that part of the spa was removed.  The room has an ENORMOUS panoramic view with ceiling-to-floor window panes.  It makes for a really lovely view....particularly at sunrise and sunset.  LOTS of space.  There is a large-ish closet area that they advertise as a second bedroom but that's not fair.  It's just a couple of bunk beds in a closet with a curtain.  Yes, it provides additional beds. No, it is not a second bedroom.  There is a bath-and-a-half (full bath and second toilet and sink) but the full bath is somewhat disappointing as it is the same size and layout of a typical stateroom bathroom with a space tube shower (ugh).  Nothing special there.  It is considered a full suite so we have access to the Suites Lounge and all of the suites' amenities.  Breakfast is in Giovanni's on this ship (it's typically in Chops) b/c Chops is on Deck 4, forward and Gios is the only specialty restaurant on deck 11....and it is in an unusual place (instead of being located inside the Windjammer entrance as it is on most VY and FR class ships, the entrance is outside of the WJ).  The food and service have been very good.
It's a good thing that the VP is considered a full suite b/c we would otherwise be denied access to the Suites' Lounge on this sailing.  There are 65 Pinns onboard this sailing (and I'm sure we are #'s 64 and 65 in seniority !).  Only the top 30 are permitted in the Suites' Lounge and we certainly are not among those 30...but since we are in a full suite, we are allowed in.  As may be expected, the SL is an empty wilderness and the Crown Lounge (CL) (or Clown Lounge as some are calling it) is a whirlwind of chaos.  Since the only [public] computers that I am aware of are located in the back of the CL (there are 2), that is where you will find me in the AM.  At least there is SOMEwhere to get on a keyboard !
As one would predict, there are many families and children on this sailing but I have not found it to be a concern.  Everyone is having a wonderful time and the children are all looking forward to Santa's arrival.  
There was a show in the theater last night called "Can't Stop the Rock" which we fully intended to attend but failed (we decided that the hot tub would be a better thing to do)....but I heard it was tolerable.  We went to the ice show on our last AD sailing so we will probably skip it this time but as I recall, it was very typical of all the ice shows and definitely worth going to if you haven't been before.
We have not stepped foot inside the WJ and intend to keep it that way.  Our one night of dining in the MDR (so far) was fine.  Welcome Aboard is one of my least favorite MDR menus and that happened to be the night that we decided to eat there (having eaten lunch in Chops on boarding day....didn't think 2 big meals in one day would be a good idea).  We will also eat in the MDR on Christmas evening and one more time during the last part of the sailing...which night, escapes me at the moment.  We have a 3 night dining package plus 2, BOGO which works soooo well for us.  Speaking of BOGO I thought I would relay the mechanics of using the BOGO on AD...or at least, on THIS sailing on AD as it never seems to be the same process, even on the same ship !  We ate at Giovanni's last night (night #2) and told the server that this represented the use of the first of our BOGO dinners and that we would be eating in Chops later in the week.  Knowing that it is MANDATORY that you pay for your BOGO meals on nights #1 or #2, we requested that the server go ahead and charge us both, full price for our Gio's meal.  That utterly confused her....so she called the manager over.  The manager finally decided that the thing to do was to call Chops, have them charge us for our [yet-to-be-consumed] Chops BOGO and then when we get to Chops later this week, we will already have pre-paid.  PERFECT !  Exactly what we wanted.  We paid for our Gio's BOGO and went home full and happy.  Later that evening we checked our onboard account.  Gio's was charged...but no Chops.  UGH.  So this morning when enjoying our breakfast in Gio's we queried the manager...what happened to our charge for Chops ?  Blank stare.  So she got on the phone with someone...the final determination is that they will charge us for the second BOGO when we get to Chops in a few days.  WHAAAAT ?  I thought the charge had to be completed NLT day 1 or 2 ?  It's an utter mystery and it's yet-to-be-seen whether or not this process will actually work but if I get to Chops and have some bill-issue, I will turn full Karen and somebody's going to be sorry.  LOL  I will report back.
This is already waaaytooo long.  That's what I get for waiting 3 days.  I will catch up later.
Merry Christmas to all !  Santa comes tonite !!!!

Just a few highlights of the ways that AD may differ from other ships in her class.
Giovannis is the only specialty restaurant located on deck 11 and it has a unique entrance location (starboard side NOT inside the WJ like most of the others). Sorry…mentioned this above but repeating it in this summary  There is a complimentary sauna/steam room on AD (deck 11 forward in the vicinity of the gym…at least that’s what I’m told.  I don’t go there, but Dan does). Most of these spaces have been removed or are $$ on most of the other ships. Izumi is located smack dab in the middle of the Promenade !  That’s the good news (I love the location).  The bad news is….there is no kitchen associated with this Izumi so it’s basically sushi or sushi.  I think they have some Mizo soup but nothing that really requires “cooking” such as dumplings, soba dishes or tempura. So, if you’re not a sushi eater this is probably not going to be your Santa’s list this year.  I love sushi (as long as I can get soys wrappers…I loathe the seaweed ones) so I’m a cappy hamper. AD still has a Champagne Bar. YAY !  One of the only ones left that I am aware of. There are no computers in the Card Room/Library on deck 5 forward.  I also mentioned this above so forgive the repeat.  AFAIK, the only complimentary computers are located in the Crown Lounge.  Maybe the VOOM bubbas have some somewhere but I haven’t found them yet if that’s the case. The Suites’ /Pinns breakfast is in Giovanni’s vs Chops on AD.  No biggie.  Same menu.  Same great service. If other differences come to mind or to my attention I will review this topic downstream.
In other news, a US Coast Guard helicopter just buzzed us.  We are in Labadee.  I did not hear an Alpha, Alpha, Alpha so hopefully they were just visiting.

I just got off the Celebrity Beyond for 19 days around Thanksgiving and the first of December.  The 4 main dining rooms are slightly different with different staff.   I ended up going to the one with the staff I liked the best.  I had dinner reservations but that did not mean much.  You can walk up to any of them and get seated with or without a reservation. The specialty restaurants were the same way.  I had a 4-night dining package and was told by the maître d that I could just show up and they would find me a room.  Like @SebagoSue said the Edan and Le Voyage are busy, and it would be safe to get a time once on board.

Not Voyager, but we had an overnight in Istanbul in October sailing on Celebrity Beyond and the gangway was open all night.  The port area is beautiful, with lots of restaurants and shops. At certain times in the Fall, they even have free open air concerts at the port in the evenings.

Not Voyager, but we had an overnight in Istanbul in October sailing on Celebrity Beyond and the gangway was open all night.  The port area is beautiful, with lots of restaurants and shops. At certain times in the Fall, they even have free open air concerts at the port in the evenings.

Yes and there is so much history there.  My first time in Turkey, it's going to be an epic journey 😄

Not Voyager, but we had an overnight in Istanbul in October sailing on Celebrity Beyond and the gangway was open all night.  The port area is beautiful, with lots of restaurants and shops. At certain times in the Fall, they even have free open air concerts at the port in the evenings.

The moon of the summer solstice.

With a guest appearance from Jupiter - the small dot on the right.

Thank you @SebagoSue! 

Try deleting the app and then reinstall it

I was always told to think of it this way:
If you leave from the US to go to Europe, you wake up every morning with one hour lost. 8am becomes 9am. The next day, 8 am again becomes 9am. You keep losing time. You then also have to make the long flight back to the US when your cruise is finished.
If you leave from Europe to go to the US, you wake up every morning with one hour gained. 8am becomes 7am. The next day, 8am again becomes 7am. You are gaining time, and then you don't have the major flight/travel to get home (you did that prior to the cruise).
When I book a transatlantic someday, I'm definitely doing Europe to US!

Not a complete waste of money, IMO, but of course you can survive without them. If it's windy they can be helpful.
I'd vote for the bands as they take up less room.

I agree with everything @SMOKEY0202 said, it’s definitely personal preference.  But unless you love going to the spa, $2,600 would buy quite a bit of specialty dining as well as perhaps a one day spa pass.  I love all the specialty dining restaurants on Celebrity ships, so for me, I’d go with the regular veranda and add specialty dining.  

Norwegian fjords, Apex, June 2025

https://www.schiffe-und-kreuzfahrten.de/news/royal-caribbean-arbeitet-am-project-discovery-neue-auftraege-fuer-die-meyer-werft-aus-papenburg/290350/?fbclid=IwAR2npaBBwHtZABZ529iS5OnwYZcHtxXTpcXGoqwIk7FvbsgI8Fg91lQ3l0Y_aem_AW-4BT96wP7yvPh-ZW1QbxYPyrLbkxjeW9fxZP0H6J73KQq8iYfJhXpH0Qmk1DckdYo#google_vignette
 
Translation: 
Around Royal Caribbean International, there are ongoing rumors about smaller new buildings under the project title Discovery. Royal Caribbean International has now indirectly confirmed that work is being done on new buildings. In the introduction text of staff captain Markus Alander, who has been working in the new building department of Royal Caribbean for several years, states that he is also working on Project Discovery. In recent years, he has accompanied the introduction of numerous new ships for the Royal Caribbean Group.
Project Discovery is supposed to be planning for medium-sized cruise ships. Since with the four ships from the Vision Class and the four ships from the Radiance Class, several Royal Caribbean cruise ships will soon exceed an age of 20, 25 or even 30 years, these cruise ships must be replaced. However, you cannot simply replace these cruise ships with ships of a significantly larger ship class such as the Oasis, Quantum or Icon Class, as these cruise ships are far from being able to sail all routes.
Royal Caribbean International has not yet placed any orders for Project Discovery. Since the ship class is currently in the planning phase, the delivery of the first ships from Project Discovery is not expected until the end of the 2020 years, provided that this ship class is ordered. Presumably, the ship class is medium-sized cruise ships for 3000 to 3500 cruise passengers. This would only mean that these ships would be about half the size of the Oasis or Icon Class ships from Royal Caribbean International.
Allegedly, Royal Caribbean International is also talking to Meyer Werft from Papenburg about Project Discovery. The shipyard from Emsland could well use orders for new cruise ships. Since the current order book for cruise ships from Papenburg only lasts until 2025, the shipyard could build a new ship class for Royal Caribbean International from 2026. In 2026, the oldest Royal Caribbean cruise ship Grandeur of the Seas reaches the age of 30 years, a year later the Rhapsody of the Seas and the Enchantment of the Seas also exceed this age limit. Royal Caribbean International will have to replace these cruise ships towards the end of the 2020s.
The fact that the Meyer Werft on Papenburg will be involved in Project Discovery is well possible but by no means guaranteed. In addition to the shipyard from Papenburg, the competition of Chantiers de l'Atlantique from France has also built several cruise ships for the Royal Caribbean Group in recent years.

I agree with everything @SMOKEY0202 said, it’s definitely personal preference.  But unless you love going to the spa, $2,600 would buy quite a bit of specialty dining as well as perhaps a one day spa pass.  I love all the specialty dining restaurants on Celebrity ships, so for me, I’d go with the regular veranda and add specialty dining.  

I agree with everything @SMOKEY0202 said, it’s definitely personal preference.  But unless you love going to the spa, $2,600 would buy quite a bit of specialty dining as well as perhaps a one day spa pass.  I love all the specialty dining restaurants on Celebrity ships, so for me, I’d go with the regular veranda and add specialty dining.  

I agree with everything @SMOKEY0202 said, it’s definitely personal preference.  But unless you love going to the spa, $2,600 would buy quite a bit of specialty dining as well as perhaps a one day spa pass.  I love all the specialty dining restaurants on Celebrity ships, so for me, I’d go with the regular veranda and add specialty dining.  

What a sweet story !  That kind of love (from the crew) isn’t customer service - it is genuine love of his job and love for others.  ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Thanksgiving week 2022 on Anthem I was stuck in the room with 2 sea sick kids while my husband, parents, and the other 2 kids went to eat.  I gave my husband a list of what I wanted to eat and asked him to just bring it when he came back.  Imagine my surprise when our assistant waiter Miluten showed up at my door with all of my food, and some things for the kids to nibble on (because "it is too much for MrSleepy to have to balance!") (I saw him June 2024 on Liberty and he remembered me - "Sleepy425 with all the kids!!!"  And I know he wasn't making that up, because I didn't have all the kids with me that cruise.  That guy is fantastic!)
Definitely not a normal occurrence, but so appreciated. If you went to your table and just ordered a couple things and asked to take them to go I don't imagine they would give you an issue.  But too many of those plates with covers would be a challenge for you to carry.

I agree with everything @SMOKEY0202 said, it’s definitely personal preference.  But unless you love going to the spa, $2,600 would buy quite a bit of specialty dining as well as perhaps a one day spa pass.  I love all the specialty dining restaurants on Celebrity ships, so for me, I’d go with the regular veranda and add specialty dining.  

Here's this month's offers to be earned onboard as instant certificates (provided you secure a NextCruise open booking while onboard). You can use the offer codes above the QR codes and look at the available sailings from https://www.clubroyaleoffers.com/CertificateOfferCodeLookUp.asp
This will give you an idea of what ships/itineraries they are comping currently.

Our cruise on Beyond, our cabin steward took care of things like ice in the bucket, hangers, etc.  He seemed to always be working.  We had the Retreat host's card for anything else, and those requests were handled thru the Retreat.  We don't make many requests, so didn't notice any decrease in service ourselves.  For us, we were happy not to have to meet with the butler from time to time at the cabin.  
We still got a treat in the cabin for the birthday, had the bottle of champagne waiting, the rose on the table, and chocolates each night, one of which was the specialty chocolates onboard.