SkystheLimit

All of this just more work for an already overworked crew!

We have one cruise booked on the Reflection in March. Got a decent deal a few months ago and have substantial FCC's to use. We have sailed so many places with Celebrity and have enjoyed our time with them. However, we can't really rationalize spending the amount of money that they are charging now for what appears to be a continually degrading product. Our cruising days are winding down and we are probably disposable to Celebrity. Fortunately, a couple of cruise lines don't feel that way and value our patronage which is why they have earned our business.

"CFO’s have no business running a company, they don’t understand customers, customer behavior and that it is MORE expensive to attract new customers than it is to retain your current customers". Could not agree more!

It's quite a distance to Lake Como(nearer to Milan) from Rome. Interesting to see what is included and how long is the extension. That may explain the pricing.

Don't discount Captain Carl's leverage and pull. He's been around for a long time and has quite a few contacts. Such a great guy!

Well, I tried a booking today. After giving all of the information which should not be necessary to see what cabins are available, I clicked "book" and was assigned a cabin with no options given. In searching the one travel sight that usually shows cabins available for most cruises including truly premium lines, Azamara does not show cabins available. In an effort to secure an Azamara special with a midnight deadline, I booked with intentions of transferring to our travel agent. The lack of information in the booking process is just not going to work in today's environment. We've had several wonderful cruises on Azamara but something just doesn't currently feel quite right.

Would love to see Madeira in the summer with all the hydrangeas in bloom. The blue island.

We board the Mariner in two weeks. Thank you for posting. Look forward to more. Hope you have a wonderful crossing.

Ex-CFO speaks volumes. Never known one that put customer service first!

Well, Celebrity "management" is certainly working hard at eliminating any new bookings.

That's what we like about world cruise segments. They usually are not cookie cutter itineraries and often reasonably priced.

Have to wonder how desperate things might be if this is supposed to be a money maker.

I've always felt a little sorry for the person working the gelato counter. They seldom have any business and they mostly stand around wiping down the counter endlessly. This charging for a cookie probably won't add to their excitement.

So disappointed to read the current downward trends in the dining rooms. This is such an insult to the professional chefs, sous chefs, etc. that work so hard to make passengers happy. Literally, their hands are tied by the powers that be. However, they and the dining room staff are on the front lines taking the heat for abysmal decisions by the higher ups in Miami. Shame on the "latest" upper management "team'!

Thank you for taking the time to review and post all of the lovely photographs. We just booked the Muse for next July and this really added to our excitement. It will be our first Silversea cruise.

It's not you becoming less tolerant. There just don't seem to be any boundaries anymore. SO many aren't even aware of others around them. Their phones/music/etc. are all that matter.

We have decided at our advancing ages that we do not like to be locked into a strict pre or post itinerary. The flexibility of doing things on our own suits us and well as our budget. Barcelona is definitely an easy city to do on your own. We were there in May and took taxis everywhere. Booked timed tickets for a couple of places but usually just a day ahead of time. Can't actually comment on the Regent pre cruise but this was our experience post cruise independently.

Must have been some changes because the Regent orchestra on the two cruises prior to Barcelona-London was outstanding!

So nice to see a post from you! On our very port intensive cruise last month my husband and I would say " sir, sir where are we?" Hope you travel soon and take us along with y'all.

Definitely agree with changing in the US and then nonstop to Barcelona. Atlanta is not a difficult place to connect. While there are there are 6 parallel terminals(concourses) they are all connected by an underground train. The train stops are in the middle of the concourses so there are not any extremely long walks. The international concourses E and F are comfortable, spacious, and brightly lit. Easy places to spend some while waiting to connect.

Thank you for the review. We board next week and are very excited after your comments.

I get that theatre envy. My starring role was a street urchin in The Roar of the Greasepaint and the Smell of the Crowd. Thank you so much for this review. We have been reluctant to sail on the Edge class. You have changed our minds.

Thank you for the review. We are scheduled to sail next week on the Splendor. Definitely looking forward to it and will keep your review in mind when making selections.

Absolutely! If the CEO doesn't know the little things they don't know all they need to know.

OH, goody! Love your trip reports!