phoenix_dream

it all depends who's in those cabins. We just got unlucky. But my point is that you are more likely to encounter that type of noise if you have inside cabins across from you - on any floor

I’ll take a little noise in a suite any day over a concierge. I’ve been under the pool deck on several ships as I usually book Aqua Class. On warm weather cruises there has been a little noise but nothing outrageous.

Not sure if you're being sarcastic or not. For the record, meatloaf has been on their menu for years and I love it!

Interesting. Was totally different in March. I hope it reverts back to this process!

Good point. I forgot about that. Easy to walk to.

I will be very glad IF they charge less. We'll see what happens to the costs. Why do I think they won't come down commensurate with what they're taking away. Or maybe they will for a week or two and then rapidly sneak back up to where they were. I would be thrilled to be wrong

Maybe you missed this part of the article: "While there are no safe tobacco products....".

Be advised that the process for b2b in San Pedro takes longer than other US ports I've sailed. They make you get off the ship (which is normal) and then walk in a big circle to get back to the security lines where they make you go back through security again (which doesn't happen at other US ports). So it takes longer than usual - not outrageously long but longer. So by the time you do that, not sure it's worth it to go very far. San Pedro itself doesn't have much except a few nice local bars and restaurants in town, and a few shops. There is a free (albeit fairly small) aquarium not too far away you could Uber to. If you were to try that, make sure to check the opening times - I think it was noon last time we were there. It's next to a little park, but the park is mostly a family type park for kids or picnics.

My favorite things about Celebrity cruises has always been the staff. In all our many cruises (75+) it has been a rare situation indeed to encounter staff that wasn't the best at sea!

I wonder how many of the people who are saying they love Celebrity and don't see what all the fuss is about and they've had a wonderful time etc., etc., have actually cruised with them lately? I have also always had a wonderful time on my 75+ cruises on Celebrity, but am concerned about many of the very recent changes (as well as the failed tests). My last cruise was in March and since it was my one (likely only based on prices) cruise in a Royal Suite I'm not sure I can evaluate my decisions based on that one alone as higher level suites sure do get treated better, at least based on my experience. I have 7 more cruises booked with Celebrity, all with non-refundable deposits so it is likely I will sail them all. I have 3 cruises in the next couple of months (starting in October) - two in Aqua Class and one in a Sky Suite. How those go (along with any other as yet unknown upcoming changes) will help me make my decisions for future bookings. I cruise 7-8 times a year and if I am not happy with what I experience on those sailings, especially considering current pricing, I will definitely be considering other lines. I can tell you one thing for sure, if they combine the loyalty programs with Royal Caribbean (which has been rumored) and take away some of the key perks I've waited many, many years for after finally reaching Zenith any loyalty I have to Celebrity (which is obviously considerable) goes out the window. It truly makes me sad to even consider this as I have always really enjoyed Celebrity and looked forward to each cruise.

I agree. And at the same time I think many changes do in fact affect everyone in one way or another. Prices keep significantly increasing while quality is decreasing. That affects everyone. Food quality is declining and options are being limited and/or charged for. That affects everyone. Had the trial of vaping gone forward, that would have affected everyone to varying degrees depending on whether you used the casino or just walked through it. Granted some changes affect some people much more than others, but I really feel its naive to say that everyone is not affected in some way. People may be more willing to put up with some things than others of course. I also completely agree that they are definitely not done. I am hoping sincerely that I am wrong.

We did the same itinerary on Mercury, not sure if it was 2005 or 2006. Absolutely loved it, especially Zihuatanejo. The truly sad part is that several of those ports are just not safe to visit anymore. We were able to hit a couple of them this past March which we enjoyed. For everyone's sake (cruisers and residents) I hope that changes for the better.

Wow that's great. We've stayed there once and gotten no upgrade. In all our stays this past year (and there are many) we've literally only got upgraded once, and that was just a king to a king study and we had to fight for it. Most locations we've been at were very, very booked up so I'm sure that has something to do with it

On E class I will never book anything but a suite as I want a real balcony as I spend a lot of time on mine.

That's crazy. They share the same kitchen on M class.

But that is exactly my point. Now there are many Aqua suites which may in fact have the same priority as Aqua cabins. And Blu was already very crowded. And many people like the food in Blu better. All in all just seems very concerning for Aqua cabin passengers. I hope I am wrong

That was 100% true on our coastal cruises in March. On our Roll Call half the people (or more) were bragging about their free cruises! Being a very loyal Celebrity cruiser who had sailed with them recently, we of course had to pay full price. Don't think it's the same for our two upcoming October cruises though.

Although to be honest (we're Hilton Diamond as well), they have cut back too. It is very, very rare that we are able to get an upgrade anymore. Have often heard the claim that there are none available, until I point out that their website is still showing them as available and then sometimes (not often) we shame them into upgrading us. Other times they just swear that the website is not updated. With their dollar limits on credit for dining, many of our breakfasts are no longer free, just admittedly cheaper. Wi-Fi hasn't changed. Never had them give us 2 bottles of water per day but to be fair, if we ask for more they have never charged us. And Doubletree doesn't charge $2.40 for a cookie🙂.

I really am concerned about sailing in Aqua Class now that they’ve created the Aqua Sky suite concept. I book AQ mainly for Blu. Blu was always crowded enough without essentially encouraging even more people to dine there! I know suites could always go there “based on availability “ but I think this change will make matters worse. I’m hoping I’m wrong as I have several AQ cruises booked in the next six months. I understand they can eat in Luminae as well, but I wonder if this will encourage them to eat in Blu more often.

I hear you - totally agree. And I have to wonder - does Celebrity even read these boards anymore?!?! I know they used to. They certainly would be wise to do so, even if they didn't care to respond to some points/questions as they used to years ago. I know these boards are a small percentage of the overall passengers. But there is also other social media, and long time cruisers who used to promote Celebrity to friends and family are now telling them to consider other options. Word gets around quickly in this internet age.

I agree with that. Only issue we had was seating - the nights the best shows were on all the seats were full and there was literally standing only two rows deep at the back (which made it very difficult for our disabled relative in a scooter - including people who took the handicapped area seat even if they weren't)

What's hard is paying a lot more (often double the pre-covid prices) and getting a lot less.

Back before I was able to afford balconies I stayed on the third floor often. Great location - smoothest ride, easy access to the Guest Relations/bar area. Easy to pick up an empty elevator. My only (minor) issue was when I had a cabin across from a lot of inside cabins. The passengers in those kept letting their doors slam at all hours of the day (which can happen on any floor, but it's louder when the cabins are right across from you rather than next door or down the hallway). Try to avoid those if you can.

One comment to those complaining about the complaining- if not for Cruise Critic or various Facebook groups we would never have even known about the majority of the changes as Celebrity is certainly not telling us. I’d rather know what to expect when I board, or before I book, especially at current prices. Also keep in mind ( ok, that’s two comments) that all the complaints about the vaping and cookie gate caused Celebrity to reevaluate their position ( along with many, many emails to corporate which never would have been sent without knowledge shared by so called complainers). Of course all comments and reviews anywhere need to be evaluated as to their authenticity and validity. Yes, some are a bit crazy, but many have very valid points and when one sees a trend it would be foolish to disregard the issue at hand. But once again to the OP I will say that while some things have changed there is still a lot to enjoy and changes or no changes you should have a great time!

I'm on that cruise also (and the one after). The prices for cabins lower than Concierge or Aqua were actually very, very cheap for a long time. They sold out quickly and those cabins are no longer available. Not sure about AQ and CC - haven't checked in awhile but I know for quite some time there were a lot of them available. I'm thinking many people were hoping to book cheap and then win a Move-Up bid to a higher level cabin.