mac_tlc

We love the Oasis class GS’s, especially Coastal Kitchen! Enjoy! mac_tlc

Aqua80 is the best Aqua show in the fleet. I would see every show if I. Plus get a reservation. We have it for day 4. I have tried the standby line before and never got a seat. mac_tlc

I’ll let you know. At CoCo Cay we will try to be off by 8:30 - 9. We did this itinerary sans Labadee twice last year and the lines were not bad. mac_tlc

Welcome Aboard!!! After a “longer-than-it-should-be” 95 mile ride, we have boarded Oasis. Had a 12:00 time but didn’t make it until about 12:45. No worries, I don’t need to be first anymore. Check-in was fairly quick, grabbed a bite at Park Cafe and now heading to the room to get sea pass cards and dining assignment. We have 6 D+’s in our group and wanted to use the BOGO other than nights 1 and 2. Went to Giovanni’s and no problem— made reservations for day 5 at Giovanni’s and day 8 at 150CP. More later ….. mac_tlc

Well, time to head out to sea again. This time on the first big lady, out of Bayonne. This is our annual family cruise with the 8 of us, ages 64 to 5. I’ll try not to compare it to last years on Harmony in the 4-bedroom Villa Suite …. Prices have gone through the proverbial roof so we have 4 adjacent balconies this time. We will head down to NJ around 9:30 this morning, it’s about a 2 - 2 1/4 hr ride. Our check in time is 12:00. We will be celebrating our 40th anniversary tomorrow. This one won’t be as “live” as our Norway cruise in June but I will probably post every day and try to answer any questions. Being as this is the transition cruise from Friday departure to Sunday departure, it is 9 days instead of 7, with a stop at Labadee added along with another seas day. At this point the wife and I will probably only get off at Coco Cay. The kids and grandkids will be a bit more adventurous. More later ! mac_tlc

I love this Viking itinerary..just sayin' ...🤣

We have had three different Royal Genie’s and have sailed X Sky Suites 7 times. Here is my comparison: There is no comparison. The Royal Genie’s are exceptionally personalized. They typically only have 3 or 4 cabins, offer pre cruise communication seeking out your likes/dislikes, what beverages you want in your suite, any celebrations, etc. once onboard they are “all-in” if you want them to be. They check in a couple times a day, handle any specialty restaurant reservations, room service, etc. They often have “surprise” food/items delivered. We have done the genie with a party of 8 and everyone has access to the genie for anything they may want. They meet you at the shows and bring you to the reserved Star Class seats, which are typically in the first few rows, but they will put you anywhere you want to be. The last time we had one in 2022, we set up a group in WhatsApp and all communication was done that way, with almost instant response. As with X, the price of Star Class has increased dramatically and is now out of our “value” zone. I’m 2022 on Harmony of the Seas, we had the 4-bedroom Villa Suite for the 8 of us, at less than $350pppd. Now it’s double. mac_tlc

I think you are right. The past six/seven months on this board have been very different. There are as many negative threads as positive ones and, unfortunately, I have found it necessary to contribute to those negative ones. There have always been negative views but there are a lot of upset long time E/E+/Z Celebrity cruisers. mac_tlc

I am not a fan of the new menus either. Its not as much as they changed it, its that they cheapened the ingredients and choices. On our 12 day cruise I swear there was some form of "cottage pie", "shepherds pie" or some other offering in a pastry crust at least 5 nights. We always enjoyed the classics being offered every night, although the french onion soup, which is our favorite and a nightly indulgence, was abysmal -- smaller portion no longer in a crock, little cheese, lukewarm favorless broth. That and the temperature of the food was inconsistent and rarely hot enough. The curry's were the saving grace most nights. Hopefully the chef on the Oasis later this week knows how to make french onion soup. mac_tlc

We love sea days so I would consider it. Noticed that Viking had a 33 day R/T from LA to the South Pacific. That one looks interesting too. I’d rather spend time on a ship than a plane. mac_tlc

FWIW, I fired off my email to the executive office last night, it was much more pointed than the one I sent 4 weeks ago 🙄. While I focused on the butler changes, I did mention many of the other anti-guest changes that have occurred this year. Awaiting my Kool-Aid call. mac_tlc

Yes, ours is 9 nights. mac_tlc

I will probably do a LIVE thread from the Oasis when we board this Friday, although it will not be as detailed as the one I did on Jewel in Norway last month. I'll try to answer any questions you may have. mac_tlc

Well said, especially the highlighted sentence. If the change doesn't impact someone, why do they feel obligated to post a snarky comment attacking those impacted and that adds nothing to the conversation? mac_tlc

It doesn't sound like they did. The wounds are still open.... mac_tlc

My expectations are getting lower by the day. By Friday, I’ll be happy if she floats.😂. mac_tlc

Research? What research? Some BS from some consultant who wants more Celebrity business. How about the “research” they will get from actual paying passengers when they find out on board. If their research is so compelling, they should be shouting it from the top of every mountain. I can’t believe their arrogance and gaul…. But actually, unfortunately, I can. mac_tlc

Not always. Especially with the recent high prices. Our Royal suite experience was on cruises that were booked before the current price increases and service changes. Last month on Jewel we had a regular balcony, and next week in Oasis we will too. There have been changes that affect every cabin category differently. Deposit amounts, on board booking changes, menus, price, stateroom service, buffet offerings ………. mac_tlc

Very close to booking Vista for either a TA or Panama Canal for 2025.

There is nothing personal here, just business. They have to do what they have to do, so do I. At some point the value proposition isn’t there. As we have gotten older and are retired, we have fortunately been able to sail in a suite when it’s just the two of us. There suite prices have increased far above inflation and are outside our “value zone”. I understand the business dynamics and as a customer, I will look elsewhere. They won’t miss us, there are a line of folks ready to replace us. That’s OK too. mac_tlc

That’s the insidious nature of these individual cuts: no one is a make or break but in total they lessen the experience and, for us, have us questioning the value. mac_tlc

Our first experience with the cutback was last month in Jewel of the Seas. Our only other upcoming Royal cruise is next week on Oasis, and that’s the annual family bonanza with the kids and grandkids. Most important thing for that is that everyone is together. For the first time in 20ish years, we have no other Royal cruises on the books, and barring a unique itinerary I don’t foresee any others unless things change, which is about as likely as me winning Powerball without buying a ticket. mac_tlc

I just want what I booked 18 months ago, not 18 years ago. mac_tlc

That’s great for those in that community, most are not. While not impossible, it is difficult to spend $1,000pppd on a Sky Suite. Even Celebrity’s ridiculous pricing for SS is often closer to $650-700pppd. Many pages back on this thread, I believe the reference to $1,000pppd was a CS, not SS. That’s an easier feat. I took a quick look at Regent today and for us normal non-aviation folks, it is close to $1000pppd or more —- pretty easily. Not wanting to cause a ruckus, but I think the stated $1,000pppd has morphed into something it was not originally. Imagine that happening on CC! 😂😂. mac_tlc

While that next step is possible, I think it’s unlikely for the E-class at least. All the venues on those ships were built and sized assuming SS is in the retreat. Luminae would be a ghost town and the other venues MDRs would be a zoo if 200-300 people just got booted. Same would go for the retreat Sundeck and other pool areas. But nothing is “Beyond” the current Celebrity management team. After never writing an email to any cruise company, I need to compose my second one this month…… mac_tlc