ak1004

Trust me, if I'm served food from Oceania and Celebrity, I will know the difference even if blindfolded. We had friends with us on our last O cruise who sailed exclusively on Celebrity for over 20 years, they noticed the difference from day 1.

We have been on two SS cruises and asked for pomegranate juice. I don't think this is too much to ask - on both cruises the answer was "no, we don't have it". Asked for cherry jubilee on SS and O - got it on both lines. So the answer is - it depends.

Haha.. good luck with that, especially with the newest Celebrity ships.. Many times when you account for all inclusions and compare apples to apples (cabin size, refundable deposit etc), Celebrity actually becomes more expensive.

I don't doubt comments by others, and I don't doubt that this was your experience. I just pointed out that our was completely different in most aspects. The comments I picked were in the UGLY category, this is why I picked them. Excursions prices are higher, but not higher than other lines (I just happened to look at SB excursions recently and was shocked by the prices). We typically prefer to book our own tours. But the fact that OP posted this so called review and didn't bother to come back speaks volume.

Well, my experience on the Regatta was completely different. While I prefer the newer ships, we had a great cruise. Hard to believe that things changed so dramatically in 1.5 years. But then again, different people look at different things. I would never mention that a singer has "distinctive European accent", but that's just me.. "Shower size frighting"? Yea.. 5 minutes of Google search would avoid UGLY surprises.

We learned a long time ago not to take ships excursions that include lunch. To much time is wasted on lunch, all the logistics etc. Looks good on paper, usually not so good in reality.

Yes, I noticed that too. Takes all the credibility of this so called review.

No, not Nova. But the process should be the same for all ships.

Haha!! No, one prior (May 6th)

I had exactly the same experience about our cruise on Riviera last May. And then read some reviews after we came back, and wondered if we were on the same cruise..

Personally I can appreciate the incrementally elevated level of service and willing to pay for it (to some degree). But the question is - is this really the case? We sailed on old Crystal, SS, O and Azamara, and I cannot honestly say that the level of service was that different. Yes, it was nice to have a butler on SS - but SB doesn't have butlers. does it make SB less luxury than SS? Maybe someone who cruises extensively (like 3-4 months a year) and sails say 3-4 weeks on SS and then a few weeks later 3-4 weeks on O can really feel those nuances. We sail around 3 cruises a year, each one around 10-12 nights, and truly enjoy all of them - maybe it's just not frequent enough to truly compare them and see the difference? But to me, when I see the current prices of SS and Crystal, I just don't see the value.

The problem with airlines is that the only two choices are to accept higher prices or not to fly. Of course it's different with cruising, but don't forget that everything is more expensive now. I checked a few hotels in Europe that we booked pre Covid, prices are now 50-70% higher. Same for restaurants and pretty much everything. So while in theory you have many choices, practically this is not the case.

Just sent an email to our TA. We sail before you, so will tell you 😁

Do you do it in advance or while on board? If in advance, is it possible to do it online or you have to contact the TA to put a request?

Everything is our opinions and our priorities and preferences. If someone mentions that a line doesn't have enough premium wines and it's unacceptable, and their opinion. I couldn't care less because I don't drink. Same for premium sparkling water. Does it have a major effect on my sailings? No. I will manage. But I think it's matter of principle. Same as a line calling itself all inclusive but charging extra for 2 out of 8 restaurants, "premium" internet etc. Are those things a deal breaker to me? No, but they are part of the overall experience. Anyway, we will be sailing on the Spirit soon, and unless the prices change, this will be probably our last SS cruise for a while. Just cannot justify those prices for what you get. Lack of premium sparkling water is just a symptom.