Qmadam

Thank you for all the wonderful posts!  I'm looking forward to many more cruises now.  Celebrity cruisers are the best!

Just got off the Infinity last week and all was well.  Had a great cruise.

Jim, may I ask, is your last name Lain?

I am so excited!!!  Took me years and I never really thought I'd get here!  The benefits don't matter in the least.  It was always just a dream

.  When I started cruising Elite was the top tier, and now (LOL) there are more, but I don't care.  I made it.  I lost my husband last year and really didn't think I'd be cruising for a long while.  BUT, I just did.  It was wonderful and I'm ELITE!!!  

I have been cruising Celebrity since 1996 and I have to agree with most posters that entertainment options have slipped considerably.  Yes, I bought a race horse.  I miss Michael's Club on the M Class (as that was the piano bar).  Are there so many Elite + cruisers that it pays to make it a private lounge and then leave it closed every evening.  I miss the reggae music on the Caribbean cruises, it was so appropriate and put you "in the mood".  I also miss the acappella groups that wandered the ship.  And so much more...

Having said all that, I just returned from a cruise and I took my son and daughter-in-law along.  They had never cruised before and thought everything was absolutely wonderful.  I had to be careful not to tell them how far downhill things have gone.  I was happy to see how much they enjoyed everything that remains.  So the cruise lines know that there is a whole new generation out there that will never know what was and they will be happy with what is.  Unfortunately we live in a time when the bottom line is all about profit and customer satisfaction comes second.  Celebrity seems to be walking the line between the premium and the mundane experience.  I think they still offer the best "bang for your buck".  I have not found one to compare yet (at the price).

Just returned from my cruise.  Thanks to all who answered my questions.  ALL the croissants were delicious.  Had a great time as usual.

Thanks to you all for the great responses.  I'm so looking forward to being back on the sea!  My first cruise was back in 1996 on the Horizon and it was awesome.  So many changes since then, some good, some not so much; but cruising is still my favorite vacation.  I am looking forward to those croissants (and I will try the almond LOL).  

My first few cruises we had a buffet every night (yes at midnight LOL).  Then they went to once a cruise, then to gourmet bites, and then to the Brunch.  I also remember an elegant tea in the main dining room open to everyone.  I am glad I got to experience all of these things.  Time have changed and it's all good.  I'm really excited to be taking my grandson along and introduce him to the cruising life.

I am taking my son and his family on this cruise.  I'm not ready to go alone yet.  I would have enjoyed sharing the experience of the buffet with them as it was always an extravaganza and work of art.  That said, I always thought it was quite wasteful, but then that was part of the decadence of the cruise experience "back in the day"!  

I'm happy to hear I might find some chocolate croissants!  

My husband and I cruised every year for many years.  It's been five years since my last cruise because his health would not permit us to cruise.  I am finally going to cruise again next month.  I am wondering two things: is there still a midnight buffet and do they still serve hot chocolate croissants in the morning by the coffee bar?  

When we started cruising there was a midnight buffet every night, as the years went by it was reduced to one a cruise.  Just wondering if this is happening at all or has become a thing of the past.  And the chocolate croissants, well what can I say!

I am curious also. Was looking for a back to back today and couldn't find any.

Constellation

Millenium

Century

Summit

I agree with Emcee207. No real problem. There were problems all week in the Persian Gardens with keeping the steam room and the sauna hot. They kept working on it and always got it fixed. As anyone who owns a home knows, at a certain age upkeep is ongoing. Connie is still a beautiful, well cared for ship. At it's age there will be issues.

We decided to sleep in that day and totally missed the whole thing! Ha, ha!!! So, to reply to the poster who wished they made that announcement something you could hear in the staterooms I say, so glad they didn't! Another example of how differently things are perceived.

Just got home from that cruise itinerary and the formal day was day 2, Key West.

Yes there are hairdryers, but it depends on your hair type as to how good they are. I bring mine because it takes me a lot longer to dry my hair with the one provided.

Just got home from the 5 night cruise on the Connie. There were many men without jackets or ties on formal night. They did have nice dress shirts on though. This cruise was very relaxed. Everyone did however seem to make an effort to look nice, no jeans or sleeveless tanks at dinner. That said there were a few tuxes and gowns also.

Hey Guys! To quote one of my favorite philosophers: "Don't Worry, Be Happy!!!!" A few of us were just expressing a little disappointment, that's all. No biggie!

Happy cruising to all!!!

Wonderful replies all.

Chicagopaul, I also am from Chicago, live in the burbs now. Wintertime on a cruise ship in the Caribbean, heaven!!!

JanineM, what you say about memories is soooo true! Thank goodness for them. LOL!!!

Laslomas, Bon Voyage!!!

I have too many memories to try to recount, but will give you my favorite:

1st cruise with DH, inside cabin, not Captain's Club yet, no idea what to expect. Our first day out we came back to our cabin and found an envelope on the door. Can you guess? It was an invitation to the Captain's table and of course we accepted. What followed was a fairy tale evening that I will never forget; drinks, dinner, show, picture, flower and the most wonderful company one could wish for at the table.

Have been on 9 cruises now and we were invited to the Captain's table on 4 of them. I have no idea why as we usually book inside cabins and we don't "know" anyone special at Celebrity. Social Hostess told us she just tries to put together a "nice" table. Anyway, I am a very lucky lady and these are my extra special memories.

I love Celebrity! I have been on 9 cruises with them and seen many changes. I want to say that they are a class act! There are so many threads with so many complaints I want to start one that tells of the great times that have been had…

Yes, cruising has changed, it is inevitable. When I first cruised it was a very special experience. People were on their best behavior and they dressed to the code. Formal evening was looked forward to and everyone dressed to the “nines”. Lunch in the main dining room was an event, at the buffet waiters carrying your tray. A string quartet playing at dinner. There was a full buffet every night. We were treated like kings and queens.

Nothing in life stays the same. We move on for better or worse, and there are always some good things lost and some better things come. Share with me some of your fondest memories of cruising “back in the day”…

Back when I joined the Captain's Club there was a fee to join. Remember???

Sorry, math error... 286 points.

This is a very interesting thread. Both sides making understandable points.

I would point out though that there is a small number of us who fell into a strange, and not happy situation during this change. I, for example, had booked and paid for my 10th cruise, thinking "yay" I am now elite only to find after the fact I am not. I don't have a lot of money and can't cruise often (One of those who was unemployed for two years, etc., etc.) Obviously I was disappointed that I did not have enough points to take me there. I checked the website and did the math - was only given 16 bonus credits after my 9 cruises taking me to a total of 270 points. My previous cruises were from 7 to 11 nights in length and in different cabin categories, but all credited with the same points. Now, I really don't expect to make Elite.

No, this is not a big deal! The benefits to the Elite level are nothing that matters. It does not make any difference to my cruise experience. I love Celebrity and it will always be my cruise line of choice. I am so excited and looking forward to my cruise next month. I am disappointed however simply because being Elite to me was a milestone, a goal I had looked forward to reaching, something I was excited about. There is no dollar amount involved, just joy, happiness, a feeling of "making it". They have taken this from me and I do feel disappointment. I wish they could have handled it differently, at least for those few of us who were at that point of reaching a very looked forward to milestone. Maybe they should have created an extra category in between.

Anyway, I'm just saying...

Select. We are a little disappointed as we had booked and paid for a cruise that would have made us Elite, but as it is 5 nights and inside cabin it won't do the job. Not a big deal, but we kind of thought since it was already booked and paid for they should have counted it.

Still love Celebrity and this certainly won't change that! The benefits to Captain's Club are not why any of us cruise I'm sure.

Don't need staff to carry my tray. Do miss trays! I don't even eat that much, but lunch, with salad, entrée, fruit, coffee... oh well...

Have used and loved the T-pool on Summit, Millennium and Constellation. My favorite part of the cruise is chilling out there. Sure hope they don't do away with them.