georgew4

Regarding the lack of staff...here's our theory...

With more and more people subscribing to a drink package, the cruise lines (not Celebrity specific) are not hiring the additional bartenders and servers...thus saving $$ for lack of service to serve drinks!!  We were on EDGE pre covid and found people 3 and 4 deep around the bars begging for a bartender...who were running around nonstop!!  The fewer servers/bartenders, the fewer drinks, the more $$ in the company's pockets!!

We'll be going on the Alaska Inside Passage in August. It appears that the distance between the Solstice dock and the Tram and/or downtown Juneau is pretty far. Is it too far to walk? What types of transportation are available...shuttles? taxi? What is the cost??

THANKS!!

Hi All...

With all due respect, I have to really disagree with the original post. I'm not going to say that what he/she said was not true, but being on the same cruise and also eating at Sabor, Windjammer, and the other up-sale restaurants, we were NOT asked about purchasing an avocado slicer!! We enjoyed ALL of the restaurants, had GREAT service, excellent food and were NEVER asked about anything but the next course. We were part of a party of 6 and had a great selection of appetizers, and deserts...along with a delicious main course. Yes, staff were pushing the up-scale restaurants, jewelry, drink package, etc., but I wouldn't expect anything less of if that were my staff.

Basically, it was a great cruise...except for 3 medical emergencies, one of which the ship diverted to meet the Coast Guard helicopter and many had to cancel excursions on Cozumel...and another diverted to George Town on the way back to Galveston...but that was an late night/early morning diversion that not many know about.

RCCL is a wonderful company that has done much to keep customers satisfied while trying to sell a product.

CHILL AND ENJOY THE TRIP!!!

Hi...the bridge/cockpit/steering wheel...is forward on deck 10. I believe your cabin on deck 9 is under this section. Should be pretty quiet!!

I've used a set of vinyl luggage tag holders for a few years...2-3 cruises/year. They work well and have a wire loop for attaching to suitcase handle.

https://www.amazon.com/Itinerary-Luggage-Tags-Cruises-Holders/dp/B011DDHZJG/ref=sr_1_8?m=A35JS1DJHN7FV&s=merchant-items&ie=UTF8&qid=1482191419&sr=1-8

A few bucks but much security.

Hi...

Just got off of SIL yesterday and although not in a suite cabin, there was NO venue = Luminae on the ship by that name.

Was on a RCC cruise last year and sitting by myself at the bar while DW got ready for a formal night. The bartender started showing me some toothpick puzzles...to keep me occupied. Was amazed (I'm pretty simple-minded) at the tricks and jokes they can do. It also caused me to purchase 2 or 3 extra drinks and by the time DW found me I was a bit loopy going to dinner!!

Can't wait for 3/1 Silly cruise.

I too have used the baggage valet...and I agree...it was super! Particularly if you have a flight that leaves later in the afternoon...no hassles with lugging suitcases around airport/hotel/ship.

We've cruised several times on each of these lines and found that we enjoy X much better...but...living in TX and having RCI out of Galveston...and the lower cost...we prefer RCI. We found almost every aspect of cruising better on X...and prefer Con-Class that's a bit more $$. Driving to the departure port is HUGE rather than air fare!! Mrs. also likes the healthy/veggie food that's seems more available on X.

Princess now sails out of Houston...and we prefer RCI over Princess...but X over RCI.

If X sailed out of Houston or Galveston, we'd switch in a second!!

We'll be checking on to the Navigator of the Seas on Sunday in Galveston. On previous cruises, there is usually a pretty long line. We are down Diamond status. Can we jump the line and go directly through the doors to check-in??