Tigerfnan23

We've done specialty dining in the past and enjoyed it but we were happy enough with the MDR options on our recent Edge cruise (wife isn't a foodie) that, for the first time ever, we didnt do any specialty dining. Now with the most recent cuts who knows what the next cruise will be like, but the MDR food was much better than it was in years past.

I would be curious to see how the new E class ships are performing. Personally we've enjoyed them, but we've been able to "move up" into an IV room for pennies on the dollar every time. Never had much luck moving up on other classes of Celebrity ships. Don't know if these are just one offs or if Celebrity is struggling to fill these ships, especially the IV rooms, for the prices they may need to in order for them to be profitable. Imagine how much revenue they may be leaving on the table if they are almost giving away rooms that would, on other ships with traditional balconies, be commanding a premium. One would expect their newest ships to be the toughest and most expensive to get on to but that may not be happening the way Celebrity needs it to and they are about to crank out another one. Would be interesting to see the ship by ship financial performance.

Seems like poor decision making to force everyone into the MDR for dinner while simultaneously eliminating options and downgrading in general the MDR menus. I mean one would think they are saving a ton by gutting the dinner buffet so why double down and make the only realistic dining option left significantly worse as well? Seems like an odd way to generate any customer satisfaction or loyalty.

Well if we use room service we are gonna get two of everything! LOL.

Haven't been on Apex yet but it was very easy to use on Edge. We didnt experience anything blocking it at any time although there are a couple of bottlenecks where it could potentially happen.

We only had the buffet for dinner one night on our recent Edge cruise but it was very busy. It also seemed very busy any time we passed through during dinner hours when on our way elsewhere. I would imagine they could strategically cut back without it being so obvious if they wanted to maintain at least the illusion of a decent buffet, but those pics make it look like they are actively attempting to dissuade people from even trying to eat there for dinner. Hope that trend doesn't continue.

I'd honestly be fine if nobody entered my room for our entire stay. Couldn't care less about turn down which is probably why they are doing away with it.

Traveling on Apex in February and the fee is showing on the app.

We were recently on a cruise that delayed leaving port for over an hour due to some passengers being delayed due to a car accident causing a major traffic delay on the only road coming back to the port. Don't know if they were on a ship or private excursion though.

We just did a 7 night upgrade from classic to premium and it was $223.02 with the Captains Club 10% discount. Not sure why it was less but we'll take it.

I like them OK and would probably be willing to pay an additional $100-200 to upgrade from an ocean view room, but there's no way I'm paying full retail for the privilege of opening my window. They act like we are supposed to happily pay for a full balcony when its just an open window. No thanks.

We are looking at Alaska cruises and have decided not to use an E class ship. We will either use one of the other Celebrity ships or use a competitor since we would absolutely want a balcony on this cruise. We tried the IV and thought it was OK, but not sufficient for Alaska.

My take is that its less a young/old or traditional/high energy situation as it is a couples vs families situation. When you look at the new ships for the other major lines they are quite obviously catering to families with their water slides, go kart tracks, etc. Celebrity has gone in the opposite direction and seems to be attempting to appeal to couples of all ages. Kind of like a Sandals or Couples resort would do on land. Thats my take anyway.

It didnt on our cruise. We had signed up for 6:00 beforehand but saw on the app it had been changed to anytime dining a few days before the cruise. We assumed it was an error and asked about it once on board and were told that it wasnt a mistake and anytime dining was the only option for the MDRs. This was in September so don't know if its still the case or not.

We were on the Edge recently and it was anytime dining for everyone

This is obviously a very individual specific question but we were on the Edge recently and found it to be a little "dull" especially at night and we are in our 50s. Still loved it and are trying out the Apex next but I can definitely see where some teenagers might not be thrilled with the entertainment options. We saw a few smaller children on our cruise but virtually no teens.

We also bought liquor at a couple of ports on our last cruise and were allowed to bring it right on. We were kind of surprised. Wasn't the last day either. First time we assumed it was an oversight as we weren't trying to hide it or anything, then it happened again the next day.

No doubt, only trying to show that the dress code isn't going to be getting enforced any time soon based on their non enforcement of even more egregious rule breaking.

I personally don't care what others wear as it has no direct impact on my cruise experience. If Celebrity were going to suddenly start enforcing any rule I would much prefer it be the one that doesn't allow saving seats by the pool. Was just on a cruise and its very frustrating to get to the pool at 8am, intending to actually use the pool right then, and have literally every seat already "saved" and just sitting there empty, sometimes for hours. If Celebrity can't seem to manage something this blatant, that clearly impacts the cruising experience of other passengers, good luck getting them to hold anyone's feet to the fire over what they wear to dinner.

If true, its typical modern corporate mentality to hold the front line employees pay hostage in response to any negative customer comments as a result of poor corporate decision making. "Oh you commented that you prefer typical balconies to IV's? Well we will dock our employees pay due to that negative feedback. Thanks for your participation, come cruise with us again"!

I wouldn't recommend anyone who is truly worried about getting COVID go on a cruise, regardless of who is is or isn't being forced to wear a mask, for a whole bunch of seemingly obvious reasons.

I think adding to the app is a great idea so you have it when you aren't in the room. I think forcing it on everyone without exception, thus requiring them to use only a wonky app to know what's going on on the ship is a terrible idea.

Our cruise on an Edge class ship a couple weeks ago was about 75% full.

For us, it wasn't that we didnt like it (we did) its that we didnt think it was worth paying the full $2500 over the ocean view we originally booked. We got it on a Move Up for around $300 and would definitely pay that again, just for the extra space if nothing else. Having said that we would never choose it over a traditional balcony for the many reasons that have been discussed at length already.

Just did a concierge class that we got on a move up bid. While we did enjoy the extra amenities, we probably wouldn't ever pay full retail for a concierge class room.