phoenix_dream

I was waiting for someone to say that so I wouldn't have to be the one to start. I would never, ever book an accessible cabin I didn't need unless it was close to sailing and it was open to general booking. There are really very few , especially at suite level, and I would hate for someone to have to forego a cruise because I booked one just for the extra space.

I can say for myself that I didn't cruise to attain any loyalty level, but I sure enjoyed it when I got there. And it is frustrating that some of the perks are diminished. I finally, finally, finally achieved Zenith last year. I wish I could have some of the perks it used to have (like entry into the Retreat lounge). But I have to say I still get a lot. I get a free cruise, free premium internet, free premium beverage, and unlimited laundry. Not too shabby (although frustrating when I book a suite and some of the perks are included in my pricing!).

And related to your last statement, that's really a shame. I can speak for myself - in my early 70's, love to cruise, love Celebrity, but just can't afford to take as many cruises as I have since retirement. So while my cruising days aren't over, they are more limited. Sadly, by the time things level off to some semblance of normal (if ever, but I have to think eventually people will start looking at their credit card debt!) I may not be in any condition to cruise, or certainly not to the extent I would like to now. Land vacations are expensive as well, but I can do a driving land trip including gas, a nice mid-level hotel, and decent food for a lot less than a cruise. In some cases I can even fly somewhere, rent a car, and still be $$ ahead of cruising. Granted I am missing out on some of the perks like all the nice entertainment, but still a good time. Not as good as a cruise, but I am resorting to doing more of that and less of cruising.

I agree - it's usually the residents who do not. Sometimes an honest concern and sometimes too much of "not in my backyard". But the tendering part isn't the concern. It's the ports themselves that are often more and more and more crowded. I have sailed primarily out of US ports so am not very familiar with other cruises. But I know in the Caribbean and these days in Alaska the crowds can really affect the enjoyment of the experience. Many of these islands and small towns just do not have the capacity to handle the amount of people being offloaded on them. I'm concerned that more and more ports will start limiting the number of ships due to the huge size of many of the new builds. Unlike the Montereys and Bar Harbors of the world, they need the income from cruises, but they can only handle so much.

Actually I like having sheers as sometimes the bright sun is just too much in the cabin but we don't want it to be pitch dark either. That said, have sailed on ships where they were removed and it certainly didn't make that much of a difference to our enjoyment. I also don't worry about furniture or carpets that are a little worn here and there. Major issues - certainly would address those.

Hi, Naperville, Wheaton here. I agree with the advice to check the current pricing for any cabins you are considering bidding on. Sometimes the price to upgrade your cabin outright is similar to what you would need to win the bid, and if you upgrade yourself you can pick your own cabin. I am not an expert at bidding but I can tell you that we have bid several times trying to get a Sky Suite from Aqua Class and we have had no luck at all - we usually bid not much over minimum. I also agree that the Sunset cabins are great choices for Alaska - gives you a great view from either side.

Your vacation, your choice. But if you find a cruise line not cutting benefits and services while raising prices please do tell as I just don't think they are out there. The cruise lines are all in the same boat so to speak.

OMG how are the ports going to be able to handle these traveling resorts?? Even now many of the ports are super crowded and a number of ports are starting to prohibit or reduce the number of cruise ships due to overcrowding, concern about the environment, or whatever they believe or claim (for example just in the US, Monterey, Bar Harbor, Key West - three of my favorites!). I'm glad I enjoy spending time onboard!

I totally agree with you. I was responding to the idea that a lot of people were just booking various cruises and then dropping many of them prior to final payment. That is what I just don't see happening. It's one thing to book a cruise like you said, with the idea that losing $100pp is a lot better than paying several thousand dollars extra. But I find it hard to believe (and I know I can't prove it one way or the other) that people are booking multiple cruises and then only taking one or none, thereby losing hundreds of dollars at a time.

And when did I ever say I only sailed in suites?? I've sailed in them a few times last year as the pricing was much better, but most often I sail in Aqua Class, but have also sailed in Concierge and Balcony. So no, most often I do not get to dine in Luminae or have the Retreat.

As a long time Celebrity cruiser I don't generally read their reviews anymore. But based on this thread I decided to take a look. I specifically looked at reviews for the ships I have sailed recently. I was honestly flabbergasted by some of what I read. My experience compared to some of the long, ranting reviews was so different that I could not believe we were on the same ship! Now I understand different people can have different experiences with room stewards and so on, but the rantings about the common elements (like buffet food, shows, bar service etc..) were just so far removed from what I experienced in almost all cases (of course like anyone we found a few bumps in the road here and there). I don't even know what to comment anymore about that, but I know I will not be bothering to spend time reading those anymore and based solely on my own experiences (which is all I can honestly speak for) I sincerely hope people aren't scared away from Celebrity because of some of those awful reviews.

Do all the Celebrity tv's have this option do you know? I don't recall on Equinox but on our Connie cruise last year the tv's were very old and didn't have any menu options available. ps - thanks for the tips

I know what you mean about wishing you could help out just for awhile. I never got Certified, but I was a project manager for corporate wide business process reengineering projects. Sometimes it's all I can do in my daily life keeping my mouth shut about all the efficiencies I could suggest across so many businesses.

Thanks for your comments! And I agree, you do have a point about even mentioning cheerleader- it’s too often used to insult anyone defending Celebrity for something.

I find it very toxic lately as well. That's why I started this thread. I know Celebrity isn't perfect but I wanted to hear some positive experiences for a change! Unfortunately even this thread, whose sole intention was to hear positive things, is dipping here and there into negativity and in a case or two bordering on snarky.

I know there are a few Zeniths who get lots and lots of attention. He may be one of them I don't know. I just know I'm not. (not complaining, I'm happy with the perks I get and the chance to enjoy a nice cruise!)

I haven't been Zenith very long admittedly and obviously you have been, so perhaps over time my experience will be different. I just haven't noticed changes so far other than at CC gatherings, where sometimes Zeniths were recognized, sometimes just seated up front, and at least once not recognized at all in any way. We'll see. I don't really care one way or the other. I enjoy the nice perks and never really sailed just to attain any status anyway.

If you are referring to my post, you are misquoting me. I specifically said I do get more attention in suites. I said as a Zenith (granted, a new one) I have not seen more attention paid to me.

I do think you are on to something here. IMHO overall behavior in general on and off ships has reached new levels of entitlement and rudeness. For example, I have never in my many years of life seen the amount of horrendous driving behaviors as I have seen since Covid. Drive close to the speed limit and you'll be run off the road! Cars zipping in and out of lanes. Ugh! Look at the crime happenings - we won't get into political debates here just look at facts - gangs of people smashing store windows and grabbing whatever they can find I guess because they figure it's owed to them, and crimes of much worse consequence. One thing I've also noticed on these boards is that most (not all!) of the really ranting complaining is from people who rarely participate in the general, asking questions type of posts. They come onboard here just to rant and rave about their perceived problems (some valid of course and some so entitled and snobbish they are beyond belief). Have things slipped? Of course. Hello, there was a pandemic where the cruise lines lost millions of dollars. Something has to give. They have to recoup their losses and of course their passengers have to provide the way to do that. Do I like all the changes? Of course not but most of them I understand. Have I had a great time on all the many cruises I've sailed on Celebrity since restart? Yes I certainly have.

I can't speak for Jim but I can tell you my experience. I reached Zenith status last year. I can honestly say that except for being recognized (sometimes) during the Captains Club event as far as treatment goes I see no difference between before Zenith or after Zenith. I get no more attention now than I did then (and I've cruised several times since). I also cruise a lot of B2B cruises and yes, once I get to know the waiters and such and treat them well of course they will continue to take good care of us, but they do that on the first leg too! Have I made some staff "friends" over the years? Of course, but with all the ships, and all the various positions onboard I might be familiar with one or two or maybe three of them on a particular sailing. This is especially true since Covid, as many of them quit to go into different occupations. I have sailed mostly in Aqua Class and last year due to better prices (now long gone) in suites. Yes, I got more attention in suites than in AQ but I certainly paid for that extra attention. But as a Zenith or a B2B person, nope, that assumption is incorrect based on my experience at least.

totally agree. I've been on several cruises recently with stagnant roll calls and full ships. My opinion is that a lot of people booking cruises this year are new to cruising, and don't even know about Cruise Critic.

yes, my point was that they have not eliminated the "on request" option. In your post I was referencing you said it was up to the individual hotel managers if they wanted to offer daily housekeeping. In the paragraph you posted you are assuming that means not all properties even will provide it on request. I interpret it to mean some may still offer daily housekeeping without the need to request. But enough Hilton debate. Let's get back to complaining about Celebrity lol

And which crystal ball did you use to determine that? Maybe you're not aware but oftentimes they do some updates while they are sailing. For example, on our last cruise we left one day to old balcony furniture and came back to brand new. I understand they can't do a significant update while at sea, but they can make more changes than you would think, I sailed Eclipse about 9 months ago and while it was certainly not perfect, I would not have described it as sad. We were in an Aqua Class cabin.

Here's a direct quote from their website: Housekeeping Hilton continues to offer daily housekeeping to our guests, free of charge, across all of our hotels around the world. It goes on to say that the higher level properties provide it without the need to request it. I can't speak to your experience. Maybe you were told otherwise but the website says differently. All I can say is that I have been to many of their properties, at all levels up to Hilton, and except for early on during Covid restart I have never had an issue requesting housekeeping, nor ever had anyone ask me for a tip. There have been some occasions where we requested extra pillows or whatever and did not get immediate service, and sometimes have to call more than once. So i do certainly agree that service is not what it used to be.

Yes, you have some excellent shows. Two of my faves are Love, and The Bronx Wanderers.