cpj

food is a matter of opinion, but that being said, the "free" food on Princess is MUCH better than the free food on NCL

I think there both lowsy.

It must be cheaper to have it done during the day. Do not have to pay overtime at night. I'm only guessing.

I think the pp charge went up to $45.00 It was the best dinner I had in a long time too.

For 45 dollars it should have been. I don't mind paying if it's that good. It seems more and more you have to pay extra to get a quality meal. I think your going to see more and more specialy restaurants on all the cruise lines in the future.

Obviously, there are people who are only happy when they are complaining. Many of them unfortunately have found their way to Cruise Critic. I recognize some of these posters on various threads - at least two on this thread alone - who rarely post anything positive, with complaints seeming the only reason they post here. What a waste of a life to be always complaining. Pretty sad indeed.

 

I have been on many cruises. None of them have been perfect, all have had at least one thing that has been disappointing. Fortunately, I don't have this need to obsess about those disappointments and then post complaints about them on Cruise Critic. I am well beyond bitching about every little thing that I encounter, and much rather remember the good things I have experienced. I'd rather live my life a happy person than a grumpy old fart like some people on these threads appear to be.

 

I used to read Cruise Critic often, at least several times a day. I am beginning to drift away because of the constant whining going on lately. What used to be a valuable tool to learn from others and to share information has lately been turned into a vehicle for people to complain about everything. It is no longer as valuable as it used to be, now ruined by the complainers. That's a real shame.

I don't think anyone is going to care if you read cruise critic or not.

Are you kidding? Why would I make my kids pay at that age (they are poor) when I have the money to spend?

 

I pay for their gas too. And their car insurance.

I feel the same way. I rather spend it on them. One day when they get situated I'm sure they will take care of me.

Was on the NCL Getaway in March and we had a great time. Was able to eat in the specialty every night for 119 dollars and the food was very good, well worth the money. Been on Celebrity many times and the food in the MDR is ok. If your looking for a good meal you also need to go to the specialty restaurant which is way overpriced. Entertainment NCL wins not even close. Also the comedy club on NCL is great along with the howl at the moon contest of the dueling pianos. Also the crowd was a lot younger and there was not much complaining as there is with the older crowd on Celebrity. I'm 68 and that's one the reasons I don't sail Celebrity any longer. The elite crowd drove me off the there ships. I see now why Celebrity is trying to attract a younger crowd. Also if your in to casinos they have the largest one I ever saw on a ship and the best casino program at sea. Also eating on the waterfront was a very nice time. Good luck in your choice.

People change jobs everyday. Why is this important?

My advice is to not pay attention to reviews. I use to pay attention to reviews and would not sail NCL. I finally went on the Getaway in March and it was one the best ships I've ever been on. You have a lot of choices just do your homework and do what's important to you. We had the ultimate dining pkg and for us it was well worth the extra money. The shows and comedy club were fantastic. We also enjoyed being around a younger crowd. Also the magic show for which they charged extra was well worth the money. Also I've been on Princess celebrity and RCCL and if you want a decent meal you pay extra. Believe me the lines are going to be adding more costs down the road. RCCL new ship they copied NCL in the free style concept. A lot of customers are hung up on the perks they receive for sailing the same line and that's what's important for them. It makes them feel special. A lot of customers also like to think that they sail on the best line. I like them all. There more alike then different. Bottom line there all mass market lines. For some reason Celebrity has the most complainers I've ever been around and one of the reasons we don't sail them anymore. I don't think you will be disappointed, have a great time.

I'm not sure about there profits but in my Opinion Princess is a well run company compared to Celebrity. Also the passengers are much nicer on Princess. I do think they will be adding more pay venues in the future. NCL on there new ships give you a lot of different places to eat and they have been sucessful with this concept and a lot of the cruise lines will be copying them?in the future. Never thought I would enjoy freestyle and I did not mind paying extra. Also the entertainment was far above anything Princess or Celebrity offers. It was nice to try something different. I also believe they will be marketing there ships to the younger generation in the future. I'm 68 and they have most of us hooked in the perks,and they know that.

I just read that post and there is nothing in there that talks to any of my questions (which are the same as many others have posted). It would be nice if celebrity cruises came back and reposted that post here with some additions that address what's covered (martini flights, vodka tastings); the official policy on paying for a drink that costs more than your package allows; does it cover any drink up to $8/13 or only the drinks with alcohols listed on the menu found sporadically in bars; what's covered in the martini bar (e.g. why do they only make some of the drinks in smaller glasses even when they all cost the same in the larger glasses).

 

We know Celebrity Cruises is here reading because I saw at least one post from them this weekend. I hate this sporadic participation....especially when we're asking for something that should be official policy. The lack of any statement is telling....I suspect there is no official policy, just a marketing thought that the ships get to implement whatever way they want.

I think the person from Celebrity who reads these posts does not know the policy also.

I agree that most mass market lines are basically the same, that's why they're "mass market". They all are trying to carve out a specific segment of the market. Celebrity seems to be moving toward attracting the higher end of the market. This might work, it might not. Time will tell. The industry like so many others, is a copy cat business. If something works on one line, it will be adapted to others. If you enjoyed the freestyle dining on NCL you'll probably enjoy the dining options on Quantum. I tend to be brand loyal in most things, but will switch if my choice stops working for me. I enjoy the new perks that Celebrity offers their most loyal passengers and seeing staff and fellow passengers I've known as "friends" for a number of years. To me, the "people" factor is the most important reason I cruise Celebrity. I'm sure you will enjoy your future cruises and look forward to reading about your Quantum experience.

Orator nothing wrong with being loyal and I do envy you and wish I was able to cruise as much as you do. I'm retired now and maybe in my next life I'll be able to catch up with you. God bless you and hope you can get another 50 cruises in the future. Also I pay attention to everything you post knowing you know what your talking about.

Who do you believe offers the best value and experience in the mass market cruise industry at the current time?

At the current time I think all the mass market lines are more alike then they are different. I've enjoyed my cruises on Celebrity on Princess on RCCL and even Oceana which cost a lot more. Just did not like the small ship experence. Was really impressed with NCL new Getaway ship. For some reason I really enjoyed the freestyle experence . And the entertainment was way above anything Celebrity offered. Also enjoyed the dining package and was able to eat in a specialty restaurant every night. I will be trying RCCL new Quantum one day also. I like having a choice and don't stick with just one line. The perks don't mean much to me but a lot of customers really enjoy them and I understand why there loyal to one line.

very simple.....because celebrity is still by far the best of the mass market cruise lines. If you base your decisions on prices and reviews, the cruise line won't matter because you won't find an airline to fly :)

That statement is highly debate able. I think it was once.

Yes, that's what I am saying. At least all the research I have done says that the alcohol Purell is effective against colds and flu but NOT norovirus. I am not a physician but I do have a science background. I've been looking into this for some time.

 

There are even a couple of studies (not done on cruise ships, but in homes for the elderly) that seem to indicate that the presence of these sanitizer setups actually make norovirus worse because employees, visitors, and patients use them INSTEAD of hand washing. Handwashing with soap and water is the #1 best thing to do. People visiting patients squirted the alcohol on themselves and did not use it as an adjunct to hand washing, and norovirus spread. When hand washing alone was the primary way to keep norovirus at bay, that was more successful.

 

To be fair, the cruise ships always say "hand washing should come first, Purell should be second". But we know that there are many, many people who do not wash their hands prior to entering the buffet. They squirt the Purell and figure "I'm safe". Not so.

 

I always take my own sanitizer (Gold Bond Ultimate) and show the "guard" at the door that I am using it. Same when I go ashore -- I won't let them squirt the Purell on my skin. The alcohol is very drying, for one thing. And I believe that my stuff works better. I am an n of 1, but I have never gotten the norovirus. I have convinced lots of my cruising friends to use other sanitizers, and none of them has come down with it either.

 

I'm still looking into what is the exact difference between benzethonium chloride and benzalkonium chloride but what I have learned so far seems to indicate that either of them work better than the alcohol.

And if it gets into the water or food is does not matter what you use

I have organized small 6 to 8 people tours. Some times we paid in advance and sometimes only a deposit was due. I did the research that was necessary and we never had a problem. a much better way to see things and we tell them what we want to do and when. Princess tours are ok but too many people and too many shopping stops.

Realistically, what difference does it make to you whether others want or don't want to sail with Celebrity? Are you afraid that the line will go out of business because no one will choose it? Or maybe you are a stockholder and have a vested interest in the company's success? Enjoy Celebrity! Don't worry about what others are saying about it. If it is as good a product as you say it is, others will find that out and sail with and love Celebrity, too.

 

I've been on CC for years and have never quite figured out why folks get so invested in defending a particular ship or cruise line. Is there anything you can say to shed some light on this mystery?

Because they want to think that they sail the best cruiseline, but all the mass market lines are more alike then different. Also the food is only ok unless you go to a specialty restaurant on all the lines. Your going to see a lot more options in the future costing more money. Food, shows and special classes. I like having more options and I dont mind paying.

Full time professionals need medical benefits, paid vacations and sick days. Why pay out the benefits when there are plenty of travel agents who can book the cruise and all they are paid is a commission.

Very true. I always use a travel agent. Was refering to the PVP who work at Celebrity you know the ones who have never been on a cruise.

Celebrity's contract is no different than most other companies. All these contracts are as one sided as they can legally make them...the latest wrinkle being that companies are requiring you to agree that you can't bring a class action suit against them and everything must be arbitrated.

 

Blame the government, lobbiests and lawyers for the one sided contract.....don't single out Celebrity. In most ways, the UK (and EU) are far far ahead of the US on passenger/consumer rights.

Celebrity one sided contracts does not mean they will hold up in court. Ask the NFL. One time the NFL told the owner they were not aloud to move there teams. How did that hold up.

Your kids would have really like the Breakaway. A lot more to do for kids.

Is there a reason they just don't call it a service charge, and make it mandatory.

Water

I am a big fan of NCL cruise line. But people you need to stop defending them. They have had plenty of time to settle this issue. I think an apology for there screwup is all the OP is looking for. They have not bothered to contact him at all. So if they get any bad press, they deserve it. Also if he desides not to sail NCL so what and tell others not to would not have any negetive affect on me and how many people do you think it will affect. I see that all the time and people and the cruise lines seem to being doing real good. Most people see past that BS. He is not happy with them and he has a right to do what he wants.

Maybe "Celebrity Cruises" will answer that question today!:)

I don't think they will. It's really not that important.

Don't know...but even if it is a PR firm they STILL work for Celebrity and would think are somewhat duty-bound to advise what they are reading here to the powers that be at X.

I was interested if someone knew. Was not questioning anything else.

I would agree to a point about cell service cust service. They are horrible and nasty. On the other hand a company of the same name who handles my computer landline and tv couldn't be nicer and more accommodating to me. While they may have the same name the wireless Is useless from a cust service standoff

 

There is also a wonderful airline out there as well. While they may be the only airline with great customer service I assure they do exist!! Lol

Im sure some do exist but I gave up dont care anymore. They wore me down.