JEDIKNIGHT

Curious if anyone has been on a "Sky Loft" on an RCCL suite. I think Oasis has them - but as an RCCl virgin i'm still learning about the fleet.

Questions....

*Being 2 stories - did you feel rough seas more than you would feel them in a regular 1 floor room?

*Is there a lot of rattling and other noises while the ship is moving due to having 2 floors?

Any other observations?

Thanks.

Deb….

I've had 3 Butlers on X so far - 2 were AWESOME, 2 'ok'. Anyhow of the trip where I had an 'ok' butler - I knew his name in advance from these boards, and a suite pax told me the guy is sort of a dud.

SO on Day 2 I confirmed the Butler is a "dud" and all I did was be friendly, told him the name of my 2 great Butlers. I told the new Butler that after all the myriad of services the Butler provided - I was hooked on Celebrity suites. I of course mentioned all the details. It was a nice way of me say "Look, I know what you are supposed to do. I know all about it. So please, that's all I ask" miraculously after Day 2, my Butler got much better :)

VERY nice comparison - thank you. I also love Celebrity - but cutbacks make it seem less "better than mass-market" than before. BUT right now with young kids, it's just not worth the money to do Crystal and Celeb's departure ports are better for us.

Question…. is there a difference in food and service in Celebrity's S class, versus other Celebrity class ships?

Thanks

Do I crave Officer interaction? Nope.

I would think less of them if they didn't say 'hi' or nod or smile when walking past me - mind you, I extend the same courtesy to an officer, a room steward, or a stranger this morning who walked into the coffee shop as I walked out.

I will say it was a nice 'feeling' in the air when on my 5/2014 Summit cruise, Officers played poker with pax at night, it was sort of "pax vs officers". They were personable, not snobbish, and it was a nice touch. I won the whole thing and beat the Food and Beverage Officer in the finals and he says in front of everyone "you aren't getting lobster for the rest of the cruise" LMAO. I think when officers "float" it means they care - it means they are personally looking at cleanliness, service, food quality, etc no different than a manger walking around at a restaurant. Also, it prevents officers from having a "fiefdom" where they are insulated from everyone.

Anyhow, FWIW…...

A table next to us was very casual on formal night - as in slacks and Hawaiian shirts - Maitre'D and waiters were their usual friendly selves.

So perhaps it depends on who is running things?

Either way, I figured it means Celebrity is going more "Freestyle" a la NCL on certain things.

Firstly, when you are on a cruiseship you are often not "in a country". These days most cruises have a very eclectic mix of passengers. The last two Celebrity cruises I have been on Americans have actually been in the minority. If I am cruising in (for instance) Asia on a ship mainly populated by non-Americans why should I observe American customs, particularly those that seem utterly ludicrous.

 

Secondly, making tipping compulsory surely destroys the whole point of it - to reward exceptional service.

 

It's not up to the passenger to ensure that the crew are paid properly. Gratuities should be include in the fare. Giving people the option of removing them is just idiotic.

I never said a ship is a country- that is a distraction from people not wanting to tip. I also said "mode of travel" - cruising IS a mode of travel and the need to tip is clearly disclosed.

Don't agree? Don't cruise - find another mode of travel.

"Include them in the price" - ok, so you are still spending the money for tips. Does it bother you so much that it's called a tip?

When I hear that, I'm GLAD there are pre-paid tips - frankly, I hope they RAISE pre-paid tips now.

Pre-paid tips are in because ahem, some people don't like tipping.

I don't make excuses for the international crowd- sorry. Many of them read these blogs, many of them have access to tourist guides, books, other friends who have traveled to the USA and they *know* about tipping yet keep asking about it. Kinda like a kid who doesn't get the desired answer, and keeps asking.

Americans are always lectured "respect the local customs!" when abroad and that is very fair.

So, yeah, if you're traveling in a country or a mode of travel that requires tipping well, then, TIP!

It's disingenuous to say "i wish the business would just pay their people better!" well ok, but then your price would be HIGHER. IMO - many people seek excuses for not tipping, or tipping poorly.

I think it's a pleasure and a privilege to tip when service is good, and frankly, a duty to nicely complain when things aren't good.

I can't afford a private plane - so I fly commercial. Guess what, if I can't afford tipping, well, I would not eat out or cruise.

Truth is this disease can't be kept out of the country either, unless you ban ALL travel from ALL countries -- and that won't happen.

 

What caused the spread of this situation in this country was poor handling by the Dallas hospital on the day that Mr. Duncan first appeared there and then it seems everything they did after he returned to the hospital a few days later seems HIGHLY questionable.

 

So put the blame for the spread of this incident squarely where it belongs.

Also, I am not blaming any one entity for this. When innocent Americans are dying for no fault of their own - I could care less about "the hospital in DALLAS". Whether it's the hospital in dallas, or the record high STD's in New York City, I'm not into tribalism and blaming.

I merely look to the entity charged with keeping a nation as safe as possible - and that is the entity who will happily 'ban' my re-entry into America if refuse to lose fruits and veggies I picked in a different country. If they can ban me for a few apples and cherries - they can do it for Ebola reasons too.

Truth is this disease can't be kept out of the country either, unless you ban ALL travel from ALL countries -- and that won't happen.

 

What caused the spread of this situation in this country was poor handling by the Dallas hospital on the day that Mr. Duncan first appeared there and then it seems everything they did after he returned to the hospital a few days later seems HIGHLY questionable.

 

So put the blame for the spread of this incident squarely where it belongs.

Sure it's not foolproof.

But neither is banning a few food chains from using styrofoam - there's still enviro degradation, maybe.

It's not foolproof to snatch a cupcake from a child's lunch - because after all junior has 15 hours a day at home to pig out.

Yet we still take precautions - many times on our own citizens personal lifestyle choices.

So it's my hope we do the same thing with Ebola - if anyone has a recent history of being in affected hotbeds of Ebola - I wish they'd be kept out.

But alas, I realize we are in a world where we aren't permitted to do that and I accept that and I understand my place on the totem pole fully..

Just saving tons of money on flying.

Hoping this thing doesn't get out of control cause I'd still like to do some sort of trip over President's Day week with my kids - they are only young once.

Appreciate that Cubs - it really helps.

Have a nice safe trip and I'll look for your review later on.

I don't think it's irrational fear - for someone to take notice that "Look, this is a disease I won't get cause of bad diet or unsafe sex - this is a disease I'll get, just because my country allowed people in who might have this disease, and I'd rather not die from that"

Sure Flu and other ailments kill more people - but those can't be kept out of a nation.

Everyone has some sort of fear - no need to disregard each other.

For instance, some wish for certain travel bans as a means of keeping Ebola out - ok, cool.

Others have instituted bans on cupcakes for fear of kids getting fat - ok, cool.

Given a choice, I'll risk it with the cupcake ;)

We were going to fly to Orlando In February for Disney with the kids - but as of now have cancelled the flying idea due to Ebola. Yes it's a tiny chance - but it's a chance I won't take. If the powers that be are content with allowing people into the country who *might* have a deadly disease thats' fine - but our opting out of travel is fine too.

Still hoping to do a Feb trip of some sort so thinking of doing a cruise which also has a risk - though I'm hoping less risk.

Going to buy the 'cancel for almost any reason' insurance - and come February if this Ebola thing has worsened, then it'll be a lovely stay-cation for us.

Thank you everyone for the answers - it really helps. Keep them coming.

Sorry - should've clarified. YES if I go RCCL - Quantum would be the 1st cruise.

BUT I'm asking more about RCCL as a cruise line - and I asked Oasis Class because I figured it'll be slightly more similar and modern vs one of the oldest ships. Also, the things I was curious about would be sort of uniform thru most ships - such as Suite embarkation, or Chops Grille.

Hello Everyone, I've never done RCCL but due to itinerary - seriously thinking of it. If things work out - it'll be on Quantum. A few questions:

*Suite Embarkation/Debarkation. I know there's a shorter line - but how 'smooth' is embarkation and debarkation?

*Chops Grille: Food-wise, how is it? To give a better idea, can you liken the food to a chain restaurant that we'd all recognize be it Outback or whatever?

*Buffet - on Oasis Class - how is the "flow" of buffet lines - and food quality and temperature?

Thank you and safe travels to all.

I've had plenty of complaints, recently about the buffet. Yes, call me crazy, I don't make excuses for my cruise-line, I call it like I see it.

BUT, the MDR we've consistently enjoyed on Celebrity on 5 cruises so far.

Food quality and temperature has been great.

Service is great too - those on the most recent cruise you could tell the staff i spread somewhat thinner.

But for a mass-market affair, the MDR is fine with me so far.

Wow that is very good news - I hope the idea is put to rest. I remember the last cruise, I dreaded going to buffet but did it for 6 year old DD twice a day and decided that i'll cut back on cruising and do more land-based from now on. Really hoping the buffet situation improves - i'd like to still do 1 cruise a year if not 2 like before.

Food is fine, not asking for anything fancier, not asking for dish X to be like 'my favorite restaurant back home'. Just that the food isn't cold, and that common sense things - i.e. butter, condiments, etc are not empty, or not placed in such a way that it forces the cattle to roam around searching.

Wow, we've gone from "A cruise is what you make of it. Aww shucks, it's ok if they make mistakes" to a full blown "it's your fault if you get bad service if you didn't complain"

Paging CruiseLines: Cut expenses further. Raise prices especially on the sacred Drink Packages. The faithful will pony up. You guys have 'loyal' customers.

I've never been on RCCL - so was hoping some folks here have done suites on both X and Royal Carib.

Of course I can see the lists on their respective websites and the biggest difference I can see is X has a butler - while RCCL does not.

The small perks I love about X suites, especially Penthouse/Royals:

*Embark-Debark is seamless. It's like strolling in and out of a small neighborhood place. Very very easy.

*Priority debark for shore excursion - same thing, short or no line.

*Reserved seating at shows.

How does Royal Carib "compare" to X on those 3 categories?

Thanks

Used to solely do Regent.

I remember we did Mercury "just because" it was convenient to our location and after our 1st 2 days we were like WOW! We wasted time and money on Regent because Mercury - staff, food, whatever - was awesome. Did "2" 12 nighters and then Mercury was gone.

Have stuck with X - but the rest of X feels like NCL compared to what those 2 Mercury cruises were like.

I've got high hopes for this dining concept. The latest "buffet" trend of cold food in baskets is one of those things I just can't tolerate. Hoping this new dining room has quality menu's because other than the buffet - X is a solid value for us at this time.

We've had similar issues (Pre-Canyon).

Solution: NO more spa on cruises. Now, we *start* our vacation 1 day earlier in that I take DW to a local spa that day. Tired of these mass-market cruise lines finding ways to crimp on service, because they know their 'loyal' customers will shrug and say "oh well, a cruise is what you make of it, don't complain".

Cruising for me is still a pleasure - and for now with kids, mass market like X is still the value. BUT it's a place for easy, self-contained vacation, and a lovely ocean view.

*Spa - never.

*Drinks with lunch - never - why flag down a waiter?

There's a few other up-charges we just don't do anymore. We used to love it - but have decided not to spend too much money on a mass-market experience. And then it's all good - we et what we pay for and it's a square deal.

What’s next? The venerable reaction from some - “a cruise is what you make of it, don’t complain”'

After that, look to airlines and see what is next.

I’ve had the pre-plated buffets in Vegas.

Difference is on my May 2014 Summit Cruise - the same plates would languish and languish. Fine, put pancakes in a plate. Pre-plate it. BUT do it in a fashion that stuff doesn’t sit and get old.

Funny part: To each his own BUT i read some nice reviews where people say “Restaurant X on the ship had slow service - but so what, i’m on vacation - no hurry” BUT- then they explain that while the Summit Buffet pre-plates were not so good- they appreciated the speed and convenience.

Hmmmm, “you’re in no rush on vacation” when service is slow, BUT “you prefer quickness” when the pre-plated buffet isn’t up to par.

I’ve concluded, people fall into lust and love with cruise-lines and will justify and make excuses for their beloved line.

Kinda nice to see actually. So cute. Awwwwwww.

I’ve been on the NCL’s Garden Villa and while some parts of NCL I do not care for, I must say…their ‘VIP” treatment was AWESOME.

Overall X is a better product but on my recent Summit cruise, the buffet (in my opinion) as really screwed up. So while I still like X over NCL, the 2 products just got ‘closer’ for me.

I browse NCL’s site now, much more than I used to.