JLMoran

Unfortunately, as with all things involving these kinds of suits and our legal system, it ain't over yet.
I'm also not thrilled with this particular line in the article (emphasis added):
For frick's sake, Today, that area is not a children's play area!! That's just the spin the ambulance-chasing scumbag lawyer has used. The Solarium is no more a children's play area than the Schooner Bar or Boleros is. Do just two minutes of homework so you can give a truthful statement. ?

+1 for this, especially if you're on a shorter cruise (<7 days) and you can afford to take the extra day or two to fill out the week off from work. I did that last October for our Bermuda sailing then, doing it again this year. Combined with the fact we're just driving home from the port, it makes for a nice relaxed disembarkation.
On these trips, we're that couple; the one who's hanging out in Two70 Lounge, enjoying the last beverage sold in the cafe and waiting until 9:30, when we hear that very final, "Please, if you're not doing a B2B then GTFO!" We've made sure to clear the room plenty early so housekeeping doesn't have turnaround impacted, but darned if we'll rush our breakfast or not enjoy the last bits of hospitality we can elsewhere.
I just read an article about how people in the US are reluctant or embarrassed to take their vacation time and it blew my mind. You've got it, for goodness sake use it!

I always recommend a margarita made with a reposado tequila. From the menus others have posted here, Sabor offers at last two options there -- the Sweet & Spicy, and the Grand(?) Margarita.

Hey all!
Clearly the Roll Call sub-forum is something that had a lot of pent-up demand! In the interests of making it easy to search for a particular roll call and add new ones into the forum with a consistent format, please be sure to follow these guidelines:
First, always search for your sailing to see if a Roll Call was already created Easiest way to search is use the first word in the ship's name, the word AND, and the date enclosed in quotes (e.g., Vision AND "Aug 14, 2021"); this should properly limit the search and not give a lot of false matches on just the ship or date Don't worry about searching on the full ship name since every ship ends with "of the Seas" If you don't find it through search, try sorting the forum by title (see later posts in this thread for screen shots); it's possible your sailing is there but the entry was created with a different style subject line. If you don't find your sailing in the search results or after sorting, go ahead and create a new topic. Please try to use the following format so it's easily found through search: Ship Name a hyphen Departure date using the format month name (3-letter), followed by the day, then the year; this should help avoid confusion for members from countries where an all-digit date usually puts the day before the month. Examples: Aug 14, 2021 Jun 12, 2021 Jul 22, 2022 An optional itinerary name / description in parentheses This should let anyone easily find any sailing here, without having to guess what date format got used or which ship it's on. Examples:
Adventure of the Seas - Jun 12, 2021 Vision of the Seas - Aug 14, 2021 (Bermuda and Perfect Day) Radiance of the Seas - Jul 22, 2022 (Alaska Southbound)  
Forum moderators / @Matt, if possible can you update the existing topics that include "ROLL CALL" or use a different date format so they're consistent? I figure better to ask this now while we still have a relatively limited number of sailings posted. ?

I will be on Celebrity Summit on August 2, 2020 for my long-hoped-for and dreamed-of 50th birthday celebration trip. It's a 14-night transatlantic voyage (8 port days, 6 sea days) going to Nova Scotia, Greenland, and Iceland before ending in Dublin. It will encompass a number of firsts:
First time on Celebrity First transatlantic cruise First time in Iceland (bucket list item!!) First time NS, Greenland, or Ireland (not bucket list, but way cool) Really looking forward to this, especially as Summit will only be a year post-refurbishment; not exactly "new ship smell", but exciting to think about! And we may stay a few extra days in Ireland, as none of us have ever been there and my wife has cousins there who she hasn't seen since the last time they came to the US; but we'll figure that part out down the road.
We've got... 575 days(!!!) until boarding day. A new personal record!
It will be another six days before I actually have it booked (waiting for my card to cycle), but given that my whole family is on board and I have the cabin selection figured out, I'm fine with saying it now. And if you can't start the countdown until it's booked, it'll still be a record at 569 days.

Just to close out this thread -- someone on my roll call found a third-party tour group in Guadeloupe with an acceptable tour, so wife and I joined that for 190 Euro total. And we now have a private tour booked with Beyond the Beach in Martinique; that one is $$$$ -- 320 Euro total for a half-day 5-hour booking, that's just barely 50/50 between driving time and our time at the botanical gardens and Anse Mitan beach. Plus a 15-minute stop at a bakery to grab a quick bite, since the area restaurants get very crowded on Sundays and it would push us into even more expensive full-day booking territory. But it's still a better choice for us than their stock tours, since those include stops we just don't care to do.
But I have to say that working with Beyond the Beach was very pleasant, considering I was putting together a booking last-minute, and they definitely tried to help me with making a multi-passenger option that I could post to my roll call. No one was interested, though, so I'm "stuck" with the private booking for just the two of us.

For St. Maarten, there is a third-party excursion offered by Soualiga Destinations, simply called their most popular tour. It's a boat tour around the island, with multiple stops for snorkeling and beach time, along with time at a variety of other places of note. My wife and I did it with our kids in 2018, and loved it so much we're doing it again on our upcoming cruise next month. Very reasonable price per person, and they make a point of scheduling the trip to work with each ship's schedule for the day. They are the #1 third-party excursion you'll find in St. Maarten on Trip Advisor.
For St. Thomas, I'm only doing my first visit there next month. But I found that sites like Trip Advisor are offering many if not all of the same excursions being offered by the ships, such as a half-day tour that includes stops at Magen's Bay, a panoramic mountaintop view, and the downtown quarter; or a trip to St. John's for most of a day. Their prices are comparable to the ship excursions; in the past I would have said they are typically less than the ship offerings, but I'm finding this time around that they are generally the exact same price, sometimes even slightly higher. Not sure if this is lingering after effects of the pandemic that will eventually sort themselves out; another effect of worldwide inflation; or the cruise lines getting desperate enough for passengers to book with them / give them more revenue that they've decided to really compete against these other providers.
Don't be discouraged by the ship excursions selling out, the reputable third-party sites like TA / Viator and such are generally very reliable.

@SpeedNoodles / @ron s - Sorry, didn't ever make it to any of those Greenland ports. Our cruise that would have stopped in Qaqortoq was canceled due to the pandemic (2020) and we haven't booked any replacement for it since then.

Yeah, add me to that list

Yes, I would agree with you there.  I think Quantum class has the best solarium out of any cruise ship, on any cruise line.  Especially for sailing out of a cold weather port. I also love how they also have a separate indoor pool that is open to younger passengers (less of an issue for you.)
I'm not sure any of the Solariums on Celebrity are as nice.
Music Hall is also a great venue on Quantum class ships.  On Oasis class ships they rebranded a different space as Music Hall, but it doesn't work as well as it does on Quantum Class ships.
Since Celebrity Edge is a smaller ship, they have fewer bars onboard.  Quantum class ships have the Pub, Boleros, Schooner Bar, Music Hall (each with a different musical perfomer/band), Vintages.  Plus a bar at Two70, Casino Bar, Bionic Bar.  Edge really has 2-3 indoor bars... the big Martini Bar in the middle and Eden in the back.  There is also a bar in "The Club" but it didn't seem like much was going on there.  If you want a drink and to listen to a live performer, you pretty much only have 2 options.
Sounds great! When I had my JS on Anthem, we were traveling with others that were not in a JS, so we didn't try CK.
Celebrity does have some cabin classes that include a 'special' dining room.  There is a suite restaurant, but there is also a dining room for Aquaclass guests, which are just balcony cabins that cost a little more.
Yes, I totally agree that breakfast in Two70 on Anthem is wonderful.  Even if sometimes they don't heat though the breakfast sandwiches as much as they should.  The view (and it being pretty empty) makes up for it.  I'm planning on having breakfast there often next week when i'm on Anthem!
They have something similar in Eden on Edge, but it didn't seem quite the same to me.

This was an awesome comparison. Just about as "apples to apples" as you could get. Thank you for posting this, @steverk!
Are there are other folks here in the forum who have sailed similarly comparable ships, and could give similar reports on the differences and your experiences on each? I think there are really only two other comparisons like this that could be made:
Voyager class on Royal vs Solstice class on Celebrity I'm pretty sure the Solstice class is most comparable to Voyager class in size and capacity, but if Freedom class on Royal is the better comparison... Quantum class on Royal vs Edge class on Celebrity The few reports I've read about Edge, Apex, and Beyond all clearly show that their designs took strong influences from Royal's Q class; but are they simply "Quantum plus" in amenities and activities, or are they a more significant step up? So far, Q class on Royal has been our favorite; I feel like if I wanted to get my wife to try X, starting with an Edge class ship might be the best route (even if their itineraries are a lot more limited)

We are back at it:
 
It was well over 10 years ago that we cruised and now we have a second cruise scheduled since August of this year, I guess we are making up for lost time.
Last cruise on Harmony of the Seas was our dream cruise and it was everything we could’ve wished for except maybe the Covid. The one thing not mentioned in the Covid brochures is the amount of snot, oh so much snot, the humanity.
It’s 8 Days until we set sail, but we are leaving in 6 days. This trip will be my wife, my daughter, my son-in-law, granddaughter (7), my partner in crime (grandson almost 3), and the baby (10 months), and of course me. We invited our two adult-ish sons, but they declined when they found out they would have to pay their own way. What did they expect? They grew up being raised by a cheapskate.
We are going full cheapskate mode this cruise, no deluxe drink packages for the wife and I. The daughter and son-in-law will get the drink package because they have us to look after the kids. Now that I think about it, we should’ve called dibs and got the drink package first, hindsight is 20/20 I guess. We have $200 on board credit and I have a $50 Starbucks gift card I earned through another reward program. I told my wife there will be no diamond rings this time and I mean it, I only wish I was in charge because on the scrotum pole, I’m on the bottom. Just in case you are wondering, here is the pecking order:
My wife
My daughter
My granddaughter (7) (red headed wonder kid)
My son in law/my partner in crime (almost 3): tie
The baby (10 months)
And then there is me.
We did get a balcony room again, but that was because my daughter booked a spacious ocean view room and the connecting room was a balcony room. Plus where else can you get a balcony room in the $300s and kids sail free? The red headed wonder kid will be in our cabin.
We’ve been hyping up the cruise to the grandkids. The red headed wonder kid is looking forward to making a bunch of new best friends and my partner in crime is excited about the unlimited food. He’s most excited about the desserts and fruits, the vegetables not so much. I did tell him there were no leeks on the “big boat.” (Dad joke, I know. Ugh)
We are looking forward to a fun and exhausting 4 days.
I’ll check back when we leave town.
 
 
 

We have sailed on both in the past years. I don't think that there is any question that Celebrity is about 15-20% more expensive on a cost/person/day basis. 
Having said that and qualifying my response as coming from someone  who travels almost exclusively on the "Dark Side" i.e. in a Suite, the intangibles like not feeling nickeled and dimed forever and the level of personal service has directed us more and more to the X. 
Please note that this is personal to my wife and me. 
We have another Royal cruise on the books because we will be travelling with my siblings +spouses. The price for an equivalent Canada/New England cruise made the difference to them.

This was an awesome comparison. Just about as "apples to apples" as you could get. Thank you for posting this, @steverk!
Are there are other folks here in the forum who have sailed similarly comparable ships, and could give similar reports on the differences and your experiences on each? I think there are really only two other comparisons like this that could be made:
Voyager class on Royal vs Solstice class on Celebrity I'm pretty sure the Solstice class is most comparable to Voyager class in size and capacity, but if Freedom class on Royal is the better comparison... Quantum class on Royal vs Edge class on Celebrity The few reports I've read about Edge, Apex, and Beyond all clearly show that their designs took strong influences from Royal's Q class; but are they simply "Quantum plus" in amenities and activities, or are they a more significant step up? So far, Q class on Royal has been our favorite; I feel like if I wanted to get my wife to try X, starting with an Edge class ship might be the best route (even if their itineraries are a lot more limited)

Nor am I. If the focus of this ship is families and basically having a resort experience at sea, then I will never be sailing her. My kids are both grown and out of the nest, and I cruise to see ports and experience new places. This ship will be just as limited in port options as the Oasis class, if not more.
 

Nor am I. If the focus of this ship is families and basically having a resort experience at sea, then I will never be sailing her. My kids are both grown and out of the nest, and I cruise to see ports and experience new places. This ship will be just as limited in port options as the Oasis class, if not more.
 

Nor am I. If the focus of this ship is families and basically having a resort experience at sea, then I will never be sailing her. My kids are both grown and out of the nest, and I cruise to see ports and experience new places. This ship will be just as limited in port options as the Oasis class, if not more.
 

Nor am I. If the focus of this ship is families and basically having a resort experience at sea, then I will never be sailing her. My kids are both grown and out of the nest, and I cruise to see ports and experience new places. This ship will be just as limited in port options as the Oasis class, if not more.
 

Nor am I. If the focus of this ship is families and basically having a resort experience at sea, then I will never be sailing her. My kids are both grown and out of the nest, and I cruise to see ports and experience new places. This ship will be just as limited in port options as the Oasis class, if not more.
 

https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/article/royal-caribbeans-new-icon-of-the-seas-will-be-worlds-biggest-cruise-ship-with-room-for-nearly-10000-people/ar-AA139VVa
Over 250000 tons and 7600 passengers, too big for me but I guess I'm not it's target cruiser
 

Just finished reading the rest of this. Very sorry for your loss. And glad that you and your friend had a great time in spite of all the uncertainty around Ian. My wife still wants to sail Oasis at some point, but that will likely not be before 2024 (and then only if she's still sailing out of NJ and doing an itinerary that we both will be OK with). So the perspective on the ship is much appreciated.

Awesome, ellcee!!  Bravissimo!
 
So, forgive me if I'm obtuse, but I'm curious about wearing a mask being a sensitive topic.
When we sailed on Harmony this spring, I felt a little "off" (it was not covid!), so unfortunately
spent more time in our cabin, and when I did go anywhere onboard, I wore my mask.  I
don't recall feeling uncomfortable or feeling like people were staring at me.  
It sucked, and I wanted to go maskless, but I try to be a responsible person.  So, I applaud
you and A2 for doing the right thing!! 
Thanks again for the outstanding blog!
 

thank you for including this. 💚
my friend and i are traveling in december + february and i felt like you had read my mind when you shared!! we have a similar situation; immuno-compromised close family members and i am extremely claustrophobic in elevators/enclosed spaces. a lot of times i prefer to take the stairs just to keep moving and not get crushed inside. although on the bigger ships, climbing from deck four to deck 16 can be a challenge 🤣 (THRILLED that the muster drill has changed as a covid update -- getting anywhere after that mass drill was always a real challenge and had me gritting my teeth the whole time. especially when they'd line you up REAL CLOSE in between other people. Y I K E S)
i appreciate that you were aware and share your feelings; like you, we would not demand others wear masks or insist up on it. we just feel more comfortable keeping them on when in highly trafficked areas, as it gives us a degree of relief/control over the situation.

Stray observations. 
The staff was amazing. Not one complaint. We've all been reading things about staff issues. I did not have one issue or complaint. The staff was lovely, every single person. Our Izumi waiter (we'd had gone 2 nights) was so nice and kept giving us discounts on our food and drinks. (some allergy issues for my friend and things we assumed didn't have seafood, did). I tipped a lot because I had OBC and not sure when my next cruise was, didn't want to lose it. 
I was on the facebook group and we never met up with anyone. Way too much complaining. Complaining about the amount of kids, the amount of rude people and the large asian groups. That made me feel pretty uncomfortable because while there were a lot of large groups of Asian/Indian I didn't find any issues with them or anyone. This is cruising. You will find large groups of ANY type of people. I dunno. My friend and I didn't notice any issue with them. All people crowd the elevator - no matter the race. 
 
Some might find this a sensitive topic so feel free to skip. My friend and I are both on the cautious side. We wore masks in the elevators. It made us more comfortable. We both ride mass transit so in crowds it's second nature for us to. She's immuno-compromised and I have family who is. We were among the 2%. We got some looks but I don't care. I don't care who does what, it made me more comfortable and that's what's important. I'm claustrophobic and elevators are already a big deal for me, when people crowd in on the best of days I wanna hold my breath. Did not hear anything about covid while onboard. Nothing from the facebook groups either. The family in the room between my friend and I were coughing from day 2. Wasn't my business and not sure what was going on but every time I was in my room relaxing the husband was out on the balcony with a deep cough. We both heard the wife coughing from day 3 on. 
 
As I said before - the MDR is the MDR. The quality does seem to have gone down a little. It's fine for what it is. My only complaint with the Windjammer is there seemed to be less choices than before and no real change from day to day but the food seemed as usual. Izumi - not as good as I remembered but the hibachi side food was great. The Key Chops lunch was good. Giovanni's wasn't my favorite, I liked Jaime's better but it was still good. 
 
Drink package was used. My friend can drinkkkkkkkkkk. I tried to keep up but no way I could. Only day 1 did I try but after that I definitely got my use but was more careful A 2 day headache was a little overkill. lol.
 
Casitas were worth it for this cruise because it allowed us to stay outside in the rain, both days.
 
CocoCay. LOVED. Loved the Beach Club. Will I pay that much again, probably not but it was fun. 
 
All in all, even though it rained almost every day we made the best of it and had a great time.