Silvery Seas Cruiser

Guess what. I kept looking and found the current rate has gone up to $15.75, still less than some other ports.

Oh, to Eaton Doolittle, thank you for your post. I guess we posted at the same time. I do appreciate your attention. That web site will probably be helpful for other information I need having never been to the Port of Tampa Bay.

Leaving from Cruise Terminal 2 at Port of Tampa Bay. Last I checked parking was $14 a day, but is that the current rate?

We weren't given one during our early December Reflection cruise. No tote was in the closet or any drawer.

Just left Reflection a week ago. We didn't get a welcome Prosecco.  Additionally, we didn't get the usually Celebrity tote bag as a gift in our room. We used to get two separate plates of tiny canapes each day in our room. That has been reduced to one plate. They might as well send nothing, because the canapes are so tiny now. We did still get a small vase of flowers on the first formal night. 

Some of these perks seem like such a small matter, but they do create a feeling of hospitality and appreciation from Celebrity for our patronage. There are so many ships to choose from now. We wouldn't have to sail Celebrity but choose to because for many years we have liked their ships and service. I don't appreciate the sneaky little cutbacks and feel that Celebrity believes new guests won't notice what they have never been offered and the long term regulars are probably tired of the gestures anyway. 

My last few cruises on Celebrity I have seen  virtually every level of casual, sport, athletic, and, well anything  except bathing suits and bathing suit cover ups. There is no ship's authority or security posted at the theater doors sending folks away because their attire does not meet written standards. 

Glad to know this. We will be on Reflection soon. By the way, why wouldn't a waiter just automatically tell diners the special? Just trying to save time?

I feel left out. Celebrity did not send me this new survey.

One thing I'll say. I love the sail down (and up) the Mississippi River. So picturesque. However, you might sail south and  sail back in the dark. That would be a pity to miss this scenic ride because you can't see it. I will say though, New Orleans and The Crescent City Connection Bridge are beautiful at night with all the lights. The skyline is awesome. So that is the advantage of a night departure.

One other fun fact, right beside your NOLA dock, there is a pretty good sized shopping center, all enclosed. If you have time, check it out.

Being a Libra, I think everything has to be fair. This piggybacking on Diamond Plus status is not fair if it has been earned only by association and not actual cruises. One feels such D+ numbers inflation when trying to get a seat in the Crown Lounge or standing in line at the espresso machine. It seems that Royal could remedy this error if they made it a priority to award cruise points more strictly and not allotted to temporary romance partners. Royal Caribbean isn't the Love Boat.

Don't know the dates of the nine-night cruise, but if it is Easter week, spring break, Christmas, New Years, Fourth of July, etc or includes Panama Canal, it will cost more. The times of the year I just stated just plain cost more. 

8 hours ago, Happy Cruiser 6143 said:

 

I agree.  Was on her in January and had an excellent cruise.

I always respect your opinion. We are booked on Connie next year, but have been unsure if we really do want to go. I'm a big fan of big, new ships. But I'll take your word for it. If we are disappointed, I'll tell you where we felt Connie was not equal to big new ships. One thing for sure, the itinerary is special.

Maybe Celebrity just couldn't source the longer pencils anymore. The short ones do look like cheapies. I remember when the notepad included a pen on Celebrity ships. In fact, I even recall some envelopes too.  

On 10/27/2023 at 4:36 PM, kywildcatfanone said:

Why are people hung up on boarding times.  I've never had them check. Go when you are ready.  At least that is my experience.

I've only once seen Celebrity make early arrivals wait at the side, as personnel outside the terminal door were checking arrival appointments. That has happened no other time in my cruising experience. It was right after the pandemic, so perhaps they were beng careful to keep crowd numbers inside low for the six foot separation rule ( which went by the wayside in elevators on the ship.)

This may not help you, but an acquaintance took his four year old son on an Edge Class ship and had a porthole balcony. He really liked it because he felt it was a safer option for the child  than a standard railing design. he said he'd choose that again for that reason. If you are not traveling with children this advice won't help you. 

We' sailed Royal and Celebrity pretty much equally. Royal is definitely livelier and more family oriented of the two lines. Years ago, there didn't used to be a lot of kids during school months, but that is definitely changing. I guess more kids are home schooled or take advantage of Internet technology to study & cruise, so there isn't as much slack a before. That said, I doubt Rhapsody would attract the usually very active families and singles crowds.  Newer Royal ships offer so much more to the energetic demographics.  

Given the choice you have, I'd choose Summit, but neither of your choices do much for me unless one of those two ships has an amazing itinerary you really want to experience.

I never use the swimming pools or hot tubs.

I never use the spa.

I never buy expensive jewelry in the luxury stores.

I never miss a production show.

I never fail to tip extra to the room steward even the worst ones because I really appreciate what they do. 

I never use the casino, even the non-smoking casinos. I apprecate all those who do gamble because it reduces the price of the cruise for everyone. Many thanks. 

I never book an inside room because I am claustrophobic. I do appreciate the good value those rooms offer to hardier folks than I am.

I never under pack, but always always over pack and swear everytime I will bring half the stuff next cruise.

19 minutes ago, maggieq said:

Was this the suite concierge ?

Gonsalves was the Diamond (Crown) Lounge concierge on our very same cruise last week. He was very helpful to us.

Can't wait to see actual changes for the better. Will be on Reflection in a few weeks. I will be looking around for positive changes since my last Celebrity cruise in February. 

I'm not clear on your title. Do you mean Celebrity has eliminated Sky Suites as a class or do you mean that you will no longer book sky suites? Actually, your plan is the exact one Hubby and I have followed for many years.

3 hours ago, darsura said:

Small selection of wines on premium package and often lack of availability of listed wines.  

My husband would definitely agree with you on that statement. Even with a premium package he couldn't get his preferred pinot noir on Beyond.   

I believe part of what top management is thinking is that new cruisers don't know what cruising used to be. They don't miss amenities they never knew about. While Celebrity is dazzling us with amazing new ships, they believe that bedazzlement is enough to attract new cruisers and sufficient to keep high tier loyalty cruisers loyal. That appears to be the current marketing philosophy. Time will tell if that approach will be successful.

I have to wonder if Celebrity doesn't read these boards anymore, do they even read our customer satisfaction surveys either. 

We are booked for 24, but might not consider the shorter one in 25. We'll have to see how we like Constellation. We have done 3 Mardi Gras cruises on Reflection and Equinox out of Fort Lauderdale and loved those cruises. We like Solstice Class ships and prefer to leave from Fort Lauderdale. I wish they weren't making the 2025 cruise shorter. It's nice to relax a few days after Mardi Gras. 

Whoops!! Looks like I accidentally posted my response to you in such a manner that it looks like you wrote it. I do apologize for this mistake and hope it doesn't cause you any embarrassment.

20 minutes ago, Honolulu Blue said:

Normally they release cruises about 12 to 13 months before they're due to sail. For example, we could hear about the 2024 sailing of The Big Easy Cruise as soon as late September, but probably closer to October. Keep an eye on your emails. 🙏

20 minutes ago, Honolulu Blue said:

Thank you for you quick answer. I will definitely stay posted. I also signed up for their mailing list. But that doesn't always guarantee they will mail, so I will check their web site too. Hopefully next year we can make this work. It sounds like such fun. Maybe I'll get lucky and next year they'll have Christone Kingfish Ingram. Fingers crossed.