Stockjock

We like the shows on probably a bigger scale than seems to be offered on Oceania, different bars/clubs, the GF likes to dance but I really don't, I suppose a broader array of venues. We like some of the MSC ships that have a Sky Lounge up high, overlooking the pool, with a band playing jazz or popular hits while we sip Grand Marnier in a snifter or a good red wine. I've always preferred the mid-sized ships, maybe 2,500ish in capacity. I think the GF likes some of the Monster of the Seas type vessels, since they have so many varied types of entertainment. That said, I'll probably still give it a shot. We have zero sea days, so between visiting the ports, getting back to the room, relaxing a bit, cleaning up for dinner and actually doing dinner, I'm not sure there will be a ton of down time anyway. As I mentioned earlier, if she gripes she gripes. At least I'll be providing the cruise, air and hotel.

You might be right. I had wanted to try something different, but in a good way. The reservations are fully refundable until August, so it’s something I will have to think about.

I have to be honest. While we love good food and good service, you guys are scaring the heck out of me with comments about hanging out in the library or hunkering down with a Kindle. Some of the "activities" mentioned sound tremendously boring to me. Will still probably do this, but the GF has been concerned that she'd be bored, and I hate to drop a chunk of cash on a milestone birthday cruise for her, and then have to listen to complaints during and afterwards.

I did Summit NYE 2022 with the then CEO aboard, and her sister Infinity this past summer. I thought Summit was in outstanding shape, particularly given her age. Infinity needed some help. They need to either Revolutionize Infinity or dump the ship, imo. It wasn't terrible, but not up to Celebrity's standards, imo. But I felt Summit was up to standard.

I also thought Butcher's Cut was very good. I'd improve the plating presentation, skip the bands, and possibly elevate the decor a touch, if it was up to me. The food quality is pretty solid, imo. Service was also pretty decent. In terms of plating, it seems as if many of the entrees are served without much attention to aesthetic presentation, and the items served often look pretty lonely, alone, or nearly so, on a huge plate. I've attached a couple of photos as examples.

Not sure who the musicians are. Not sure if it was a trial gig. It was a Med cruise. Not sure if they got off or not. But a buddy and I did a couple of specialty restaurants on Celebrity last year, and the service and atmosphere was First Class, particularly in Murano Restaurant, which was so impressive. Pretty good service in Butcher's Cut, but not in the same league, and really, I didn't need to have a band marching through the restaurant during dinner. Others obviously might feel differently.

That's why I wrote "quasi." As a side note, I was the announcer for a marching band, back when.

A small, quasi-marching band visits your restaurant during dinner. How would you feel about it? A. Hey, why not? It's kind of fun! B. Um, this is supposed to be an upscale specialty restaurant & we're trying to have a relaxing dinner. Not exactly the place for a quasi-marching band. C. Something else (explain,)

I see some opposed to this, but how is getting CC points for spending any worse than getting CC points for watching online videos that many probably don't watch anyway? The spend would give points to the branded credit card users, and this would benefit Celebrity/RCCL directly in several ways. I'm trying to view this from 2 perspectives. From a corporate perspective, i.e. more revenue. And from a customer perspective, i.e. more perks/benefits.

To clarify, it's a poll in the way that I had intended. I find the comments to be more meaningful than a simple click to vote tabulation format.

If you're priced out of Retreat, let me know if you try MSC Yacht Club, which I've heard good things about, and the pricing seems to be much better. I've sailed on MSC quite a few times, but not in YC. We did an Aurea Grand Suite for NYE, but that's not YC.

This is the poll. Do you prefer a spreadsheet?

Ok then, 100 points?

As you may know, Celebrity has a house-branded credit card, and typically they offer something like $200 or $300 in OBC if you sign up for it. But let's say they sweetened the pot, and in addition to the OBC bonus, they offered some Captain's Club loyalty points, let's say 50, and perhaps they could tie that to an initial spend challenge, perhaps spending $2,500 in the first 3 months or so. Would that make you more likely to sign up for their card? It seems to me as if they'd get a lot of new credit card business if they tried this. I know that the airlines make big money on their house-branded credit cards. What do you think?

While I've had some maddening shore-side customer service experiences, in terms of the onboard experience, MSC generally offers good value for the money. I'd take them in a heartbeat over Carnival. Likely over RCCL and NCL too.