Robert de Beaumont

Surely once past bookings dry up, these changes are going to adversely impact their load factor sometime in the second half of 2024? Maybe that’s what it will take. I’m remain hopeful the market will discipline Celebrity and a change on leadership occurs that will put things right. Meanwhile, I’ll enjoy Oceania!

After my trip on Beyond next week, my next cruise is on Regent (Seven Seas Splendor) and the one after that is on Oceania Vista. Considering both of those included airfare and transfers within the cruise fare (not to mention gratuities — and Regent even includes shore excursions), they’re really only marginally more overall than the total cost of the Beyond trip.

Same here.

Yes, and they are expected to be cash flow positive in 2023 (after being $2 billion negative in 2022). They’ve done well increasing margins. But demand for their product is elastic; and, as you note, they might kill it with a combination of continued cutbacks, perceived erosion in value, and just plain bad PR. Time will tell. We’ll see how demand looks for 2024.

Thanks so much 😊

They have a selection of ports, but the Tokaji and Sauternes are not offered these days — not since Covid. More’s the pity! The 20 yr port is nice though.

Thank you! Good to know. I don’t think much of many of the rotating selections.

Hi all, My apologies if the following question has been asked and answered. I’m not great at searching the forums. Question is: can you order an item exclusive to one of the main dining rooms in another main dining room? For example, could I order something from Normandie’s menu in Cosmopolitan and vice versa? I know they call them “exclusives” for a reason, but I have heard of others doing this and the wait staff obliged. Not sure if this still happens or if X stopped permitting it with all its changes. Thanks!

I hope you and the other passengers will share your views in the post-cruise survey!

Did they push through a recent price increase on the so-called “premium” options?

I’m on the Beyond on the Sept. 8 sailing and things seem to be moving and changing frequently. I thought night 7 was lobster night and now it’s not.

Sooo . . . I sent a rather candid (though still polite) email to Laura Hodges-Bethge yesterday. Just moments ago, I got a phone call from 305-539-6000. A Miami number, which made me think it could be from Celebrity. Sure enough, a Google search showed this is Royal Caribbean Group’s corporate communications number. I didn’t answer. But a few minutes later I got the following email. Of course, it’s just corporate spin, but I was rather surprised they attempted to call me by phone — and on a Sunday. I hope they truly are going to approach changes more carefully. Here’s the email: “I hope all is well.As a member of her Executive Team, it is my pleasure to respond on behalf of our President and CEO, Ms. Laura Hodges-Bethge. I am pleased to inform you that as of yesterday, August 26th, we have discontinued the test offering of a warm chocolate chip cookie for a small fee for our guests.Receiving honest feedback from our guests is critical to our efforts to do better as a company. This is why we truly value your additional input regarding the areas of service that we could improve upon. We are always challenging ourselves to perfect the onboard experience, and, with your help as our partner, we will rise to the occasion.Once again, please accept our gratitude. Your thoughts and feedback mean the world to us, and we hope to welcome you both back on board soon!”

This is it precisely. I couldn’t put it better. The cookie fiasco was very ill advised, cheapened Celebrity’s brand image, and repulsed many loyal cruisers, like us. It’s not the cookie in isolation; it’s the cumulative effect of changes over the last several months: shrinking MDR menus, MDR quality degradation (low-cost fish, such as Tilapia; even a hamburger as a “test” on Equinox); new room service charges; reduced offerings for Aqua Class; elimination of dedicated butlers for Sky Suites. These are just the items that come to mind.

I must agree with you! Also, it’s not just the cookie. It’s the cumulative effect of that with all the prior new charges. I do still hold out hope that X reverses itself. They did with dinner cutbacks in the Oceanview. But the proof will be in the pudding, and meanwhile I’ve made my new bookings with different lines. I do plan to enjoy my sailing on Beyond (13 days to go!) to the full. Hopefully this stupid cookie thing will still be in its pilot phase on the Equinox!

Precisely! Hence the eye roll 🙄.

FWIW: I received this in response to an email expressing some concern. “Thank you so much for your email. We are piloting offering a hot chocolate chip cookie right out of the oven for our guests for a small fee. All other treats that have been offered complimentary are still being offered. Absolutely nothing has changed in that regard. This is an additional offering for those guests that may really want it.” My reaction: 🙄

This is becoming too much. I’ll be sailing truly inclusive lines from now on. Higher base fares on those, but I really despise the nickel and dime approach Celebrity is increasingly taking. That plus the nasty little change they made regarding butlers in Sky Suites have really just sent me right around the bend.

The minimum and maximum bid amounts are per person based on double occupancy, so what ever you put in on the little slider will always be doubled. As for the 50%, supposedly it means the bid ranges are discounted (i.e., the minimum bid is half of what it would normally be). However, I take that with a grain of salt. As is typical of all discount promotions, the “normal” price is simultaneously inflated, so it’s really a wash, purpose being to entice bids.

I was notified today, 7 August 2023, that my bid for the Edge Villa was accepted! I actually increased the bid a few days ago to $3,500 pp. So it was pricey but this is cruise for a milestone birthday and I’m still getting the suite for about half the list price, including what I paid already.

FWIW (which I suspect is very little), I emailed Celebrity’s executive office yesterday with questions and got this reply today. Thank you for taking the time to contact the Executive Offices at Celebrity Cruises. I am pleased to have this opportunity to respond on behalf of our Executives.I am sorry that I have been unable to get in touch with you by phone to discuss your concerns. Celebrity Cruises will transition from a dedicated butler concept to a Retreat Butler and Team approach for all Sky Suites. We are not removing your butler; we are providing our Sky Suite guests a dedicated team elevating the Retreat experience. Rest assured that every aspect of your service that you received before from your Butler will be available to you with our dedicated team. Receiving honest feedback from our guests is critical to our efforts to do better as a company. We greatly appreciate your feedback.We cannot wait to welcome you aboard Celebrity Beyond in September. Wishing you a wonderful cruise!

Oh, just noticed you said Aqua SKY Suite. I believe you have access to Luninae and the Retreat as well.

Congratulations! I’m pretty sure you get the rest of the standard inclusions, such as dining in Blue and spa access.

Yes, that’s real risk there as well. But I can’t see RCL cutting back on Silversea unless Carnival and NCL do the same on Seabourn and Regent, respectively — which of course, they might. We shall see.

Snark aside, you’re correct, naturally. Voting with one’s feet is the most effective response. Well, this buttercup’s boots are made for walking.

I agree. It pains me to see them harm the brand, while charging more. This latest move must surely increase the guest to crew ratio. It might be time to look to Silversea, Regent or Seabourn.