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Crew against crew. I have also seen managers stand up and defend the crew and was told, by a Hotel Director, that he always supports the crew. Thats why the smiles on Celebrity are genuine and that’s why we love it!

We’ve just watched them on their latest voyage on a Celestyal ship and they were suitably impressed! Most reviews, if any, are quite dated. Has anyone cruised recently and how was it? We’re Celebrity fans but having watched B&D we’re considering a Celestyal voyage next year.

No bullying!!! On my last cruise I happened to glimpse a large poster in the restricted staff area about bullying. There is a shipboard, confidential hotline to encourage staff to report bullying whether it be personally or if a staff member witnessed bullying. We all say how amazing the crew are and to see this confirms that the smiles are genuine.

The whole ship has been ‘revolutionised’ and the main thing you’ll see, as a regular passenger, is the difference in the cabin decor. Thank you so much for the photos, especially the Abba night. It’s just the best, isn’t it! We love Mohammed (Mo) in Tuscan too. Keep the pics and info coming!! X

It’s obvious that they look at these posts!!!

We watched you leave from our vantage point on the Isle of Wight. You are so lucky with the weather. Looks like the Bay of Biscay will be beautiful. We are most envious!

It’s full size bottles. We had a Cunard red wine and a Queen’s gin. When you finish them they ask what you’d like them replaced with. Mixers (Fever Tree) came whenever we wanted. Also, and I got told off on the Cunard forum for this but….. you get the same table every night. We’re not bothered by sea views when we eat but do like to be on our own. The Grills are quite tightly packed and if your new friends on either side of you aren’t to your taste then you’re stuck. The reason I got told off is that a Cunard regular, who we met on the Silhouette, told us to give the Maitre d’ a discreet tip when we first arrived. We asked him to be seated in a table away from the masses. We were given a lovely corner and had a ball with amazing staff. Best few bucks I spent as our original table would have been hard work seeing who we were a going to be a few inches from!

Not sure if it’s been mentioned but you must watch Gary Bembridge on YouTube. He’s a Cunard fan. We didn’t realise that in a suite when you finish a bottle it gets replenished! Have a great trip and thank you for your enjoyable posts.

We would pick Blu over Luminae!

Yes it’s him. Wasn’t sure if I could mention names of crew on here but he’s a lovely chap and fits the role perfectly. None of this self adulation some of the other people crave but the sort of chap you know you’d want in charge in any eventuality. Don’t be put off by negative press on here. Although we didn’t eat in the main dining room we found the OVC excellent (no whole tomatoes to be seen) and the specialty dining (Tuscan and Murano) were up to their usual standard. I’m sure you know but whenever you board get your restaurants booked. Learn from our mistake a few years ago when we simply couldn’t get in anywhere! The weather looks great for your crossing and a few of us ‘regulars’ on here will enjoy your voyage too! Thank you. X

Awww. Most envious! You’ll be with a charming Greek Captain and Dutch Hotel Director who is equally charming. They are probably models on their days off and the crew love sailing with them. It’s noticeable throughout the ship. We’ll be interested about the tomato situation on board and if you go to Tuscan will you get much mashed potatoes? Looking forward to seeing your pics and hope you have calm seas.

So in reply to the OP methinks that Celebrity aren’t trying to alienate UK customers.

15% if you call. I did it a few weeks ago.

There was a 50% off offer earlier this year on drinks packages and tours which was only available to UK customers. I’m often in the US and check prices frequently. Sometimes it benefits us in the UK sometimes it benefits them in the US. If you’re that upset by it and think you get better value in the US then why not use a US travel agent?

I hope that whatever movie you watch doesn’t have subtitles as bad as your CC font!

For us, the Retreat on the Edge, was jam packed. We couldn’t get a seat in the Retreat. No hot tub space, no chairs or seating anywhere. Kids everywhere - very noisy. We ended up seeking solace out in the main pool/hot tub area for a spot of peace… This is about our expectation, regardless of price just the same as Concorde was!

I know what you mean. I’ve done Seadream a few times but much prefer the bigger ship ‘feel’.

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It’s a tricky one isn’t it? We are friendly with someone quite senior on board and they also see the standard in etiquette dropping, especially post Covid. We’ve think we’ve struck the perfect cost balance of getting a balcony cabin, premium drinks, tips and speciality dining as the suites (they’re awesome) just aren’t worth the extra. The Retreat will always be full because of the bidding. If not the pricing then would stricter dress codes help? I honestly don’t know hence this post because I enjoy sharing a quality product with likeminded people!!

I’ve just come off another Celebrity cruise and have thoroughly enjoyed it. The cruise isn’t cheap and it was full. British Airways made a loss with Concorde for years until they were told that they could charge whatever they wanted. They did and they made a profit, literally overnight! Now I’m thinking that if Celebrity are doing the same just how much extra I would pay. I never do main dining and always have a drinks package. To be completely honest, I’ve seen the standard of my fellow passengers go down (rude, loud, expecting everything) and I’d happily pay more not to have them on board and essentially out-price them!

I’m an avid cruiser but you cannot compare people having an indulgent vacation with a ship carrying essential supplies. Likewise, aircraft don’t only carry people from A to B but carry perishable goods (fish, fruit, medicines) and mail. Cruise ships don’t.

They’re not very environmentally friendly. I do wonder why the airlines get a bad reputation whilst this is happening 24x7.

There was a medical emergency and at 3am, after watching the helicopter airlift the passenger off, we decided to have room service. There was a delivery charge but it has got to be the best room service I have experienced in a long time. Burger and club sandwich were delicious and the fries were crispy and piping hot.

To making it count, although we did that in Murano!

Yes. And again all the veg seems to be chopped but everything else is great! The previous cruise on this ship was challenging (apparently) with demanding passengers and unruly kids and the next one is a 4 night booze cruise so the staff are enjoying the relative calm on this one! The ship looks amazing, passengers are enjoying themselves and the weather is unexpectedly warm and dry.