Happydays2024

Reality in 2017/2018 on board Odyssey vs Reality today on board Encore/Ovation. In 2018, the Colonnade was great for both lunch and dinner. There were good specials everyday served at the table - now the choice is burgers etc. Guests were greeted by name. The restaurant was mixed. There was room around the pool. Service was more intuitive and far more on the ball. Stops were longer including later night ones (Mykonos, Rhodes, Siracusa). Managers were visible. The ship was both intimate and spacious. Definitely not perfect but overall a memorable experience. In 2024, nearly all aspects of service and quality were well below where they were. Colonnade had become barely ok for lunch (started eating off ship) and mixed for dinner - aspects were excellent. Pool area crowded and not very enticing as a result. The Restaurant was inconsistent. On the other hand, the Retreat is excellent and worth the money especially if you have credit. Room service seemed to be a better menu but they were slammed all the time (due to shortcomings elsewhere?). 2024 was more expensive (30% higher) and delivered less. All in I would encourage people to lower expectations. It is a good product compared to the mass market lines but it is not the same luxury line it was. The question is whether it goes in a better direction or continues the stride towards mediocrity.

The wines were never great but they have become quite dreadful. I am surprised they did not fine some Blue Nun wine to go with the dreadful Mateus Rose. The Ripasso was ok. I like the Champagne. Overall on our Encore cruise there were a lot more misses than hits. It feels like the whole cruise industry has come down a few levels. Can be turned around by good management with decision making, and being less formulaic/corporate. Need overnights in ports and some later stops, better included wines, more intuitive service, and definitely improve food consistency and quality. Actually maybe we need a new line….

The journey has been in the last weeks so maybe it is big ship v small ship experience. And perhaps Sojourn should be our next one.

The point about the pool deck is well made. Odyssey in 2018 in the Greek islands was great on the pool deck - never felt crowded except during entertainment. The big difference is the soft product which seems to have gone down hill significantly. Different calibre of staff but this may be pre-Covid v Post Covid and irrespective of the ship.

Agree. And there are many worse places in the world than spending a few more hours in Piraeus. There are some nice spots there if one ventures away from the ferry port.

Agree it makes sense - curious as to how they manage crew who are infected? Isolation cabins? Presumably the same if someone is on a back to back cruise.

Mystery solved - should have read the email…. On Ascent’s most recent sailing, a small percentage of guests reported experiencing gastrointestinal illness. Out of an abundance of caution, we will be activating our enhanced sanitizing protocols before you board, both within the terminal and onboard the ship, to prevent any illness from affecting your cruise.

Ascent is delayed leaving Athens on Saturday? Any idea why? A deep clean? Or an engineering/tech issue? Or perhaps staff training?

Can you buy the package at any point during the cruise or is it day 1 only?

Thanks for the comments. The app shows the wine lists for the various restaurants. The wines are reasonably priced compared to restaurant prices.

Are they still offering speciality dining specials on board?

Hi, I tried to search this but could not find anything solid so apologies for another beverage question. We are weighing up getting the premium beverage package - we like the freedom of a package but our plan is to to max out time on shore and do nice lunches out so a beverage package at 224 euro per day is quite a lot. We do like wine with dinner and are wondering if Celebrity have wine packages on board and any idea of the cost? If not what is the price of bottles of wine on board? We also know we can bring a few bottles of wine on board and can pay corkage. Many thanks.

How much is the upgrade from the signature to elite drinking package? Can this be done pre sailing or on board?

thanks a mill. Indeed the Suez Canal looks like a very interesting cruise.

Hi, Does anyone know what are the prices for dining packages? Considering a cruise on the Edge - weighing upon cost of a more basic balcony cabin but buy the dining package. We did that before on Reflection and it was one of our best cruises. Many thanks.