boscobeans

At present there are no water attractions and things like the Northstar or rock climbing, but the future? Sailed on Celebrity 23 years ago and earned our elite +, but things as always change and the refined upscale got to be more and more strange to us when they began with the new ship builds and the new management. They used to have white glove service and live music in the MDR along with staff that took your TRAYS in the buffet and seated you at a table. Now Diamond + on Royal, and fully enjoy all they offer along with the more relaxed atmosphere. You can find anything X offers on R/C cruises. You just have to look. On one of our last X cruises they began a CHIC dress suggestion, and it was funny to see flip flops and shorts in the MDR. We will now stick with R/C for several reasons and keep our eyes open for the things we enjoy.

We are Diamond Plus on Royal as well as Elite Plus on X and have done a few NCL and HAL cruises and if it wasn't for the horrible NYC cruise terminal and the total disorderly mess embarkation and disembarkation days are we would have NO PROBLEM switching. The ships, food and itineraries on NCL are what we want, more so than Royal or Celebrity and their prices are more than competitive.

Guess the pizza is okay but the MDR is not. What ? That must be a joke.

So true. When businesses grow and have to answer to board members who answer to stockholders who are not interested in how their dividends are created the bean counters must respond in like fashion. Gone due to GROWTH are the small family-owned businesses where pride was more important than profit. Remember back when the X on Celebrity ships stood for something.

What point are you trying to make?? I bought a brand new 1964 Mustang with a special 271 HP engine for $2,812.00 what does that have to do with the price of a 2023 which is an easy $40,000.00 ??? My point is that if you are willing to pay the updated price for a cruise you might be able to get the same experience. If I am willing to pay 40 grand I WOULD be getting the wheelie doing power I had beck then PLUS SOME. The new inflated price would get you an aqua class with prepaid grats and a beverage package. Would that be a fair comparison ? Or take a cruise and pay a price less than the inflation equivalent and spend the difference in extras and upgrades.

Very true.

I just made a fake booking on the Celebrity site checking today's price for a 7 day Bermuda cruise in a veranda stateroom and came up with around $3,500.00 . Then looked back at our Bermuda cruise 23 years ago to compare and it was $2,700.00 . We didn't start doing the Royal Caribbean thing till a few years later but it interesting to see HOW OR IF cruising went up on price, on X which probably would hold true for Royal. The total experience has definitely gone down but the above is interesting to look at if you calculate how prices in general have gone up in those 2 decades. Inflation calculates out to about $4,500.00 in today's dollars for what is the current actual price of $3,500.00 . A new Honda Civic was about $15,000.00 in 2000 and is now in the $26,000.00 range. We still find cruising the best bang for your buck especially if you book wisely, even with the oft times seriously dumb upper echelon decisions that have reduced the quality in favor of keeping the prices down. How many would consider paying the inflated price to bring back the higher quality cruise experience that was de rigueur 20 years ago ??????

Pizza sauce should be made with HIGH quality canned tomatoes, SAN MARZANO D.O.P. are the best. Just crush them and use it right from the can. NEVER cook pizza sauce. No sugar or anything else. Put some mozz, fresh basil on top and MAYBE a sprinkle of dried oregano or a drizzle of olive oil and that's the basic pizza. It is th standard for most places making good pizza.

It's amazing that with millions and even billions spent on mega ships with electric windows and 14th deck amusement parks, they still are unable or unwilling to make a decent pizza. Hundreds of lowly pizza joints around the country where a teenaged kid who throws pizzas as an after-school job can toss a piece of dough, add sauce and other ingredients and make a great pizza.

Thanks, will keep fingers crossed for a decent location. May do a Royalup bid when the time comes.

I have never booked a guarantee and have a question as to the OBSTRUCTEED VIEW PERCENTAGE part of the invoice and what does it mean ???

Like I said earlier. "My question has been answered, Thank you for your response." Happy cruising.

Whatever the proper terminology is, there is apparently still service off the pier.

I would like to see how many mechanical electrically operated windows that have been exposed 24 / 7 to the salty spray and atmosphere that is unavoidable on ocean going vessels. Thousands of switches, solenoids, motors and sensors all ostensibly sealed from what is truly corrosive and TRULY UNAVOIDABLE as most boaters know. I am sure with all your sailings you have seen the effects of salt on the older ships. I have been on 20+ year old rust buckets and there is no way these IV mechanisms will not need major repairs a lot sooner than a handle on a veranda door. HAPPY SAILING

Why do you feel that the figure is 50% ? I spend at least an hour or two at various times of the day relaxing, reading, napping, sunning or just plain looking at the waves roll by on a reclining chair or lounger, not possible with an IV, What possible advantage to the "MAJORITY" does the IV have over a plain old traditional open air veranda, where YOU can spend YOUR 5 MINUTES standing just as well as you can looking out the open window in your stateroom. Imagine a warm day in the Caribbean, docked while a frequently occurring rain is falling. YOUR window most likely be closed automatically when it is raining, BUT you could very easily be relaxing on your traditional veranda enjoying a drink or just chilling, PROTECTED by the overhang. My wife and I have actually had a visit from a bird who decided to land on our veranda railing while docked in Barbados. Glad we had the stateroom door closed or he might have decided to check out our stateroom. I have no idea if or if not opening the IV affects the HVAC system with or without curtains or frosted doors, but I do know that in the warmer climes any lessening of cooling ability is something I would avoid. I just don't see the need to change over to the IV and don't understand what makes them more attractive than a conventional veranda. JUST AN OPINION and this is just mine.

Thank you. I have been to Bermuda many times however I was asking about the transport from the SHIP to the DOCKYARD AREA when docked at the Heritage Wharf. I remember when there was a tram that went directly from the gangway at KINGS WHARF to the DOCKYARD. I was asking if it still runs and if so, does it service ships docked at HERITAGE WHARF bringing them to the DOCKSIDE AREA. My question has been answered, Thank you for your response.

So the MAJORITY of passengers book a cruise with a traditional veranda to do what? The IV is just a stateroom with a very large rectangular PORTHOLE,

Been a long time and since then a bi of reduced mobility. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

We haven't been to Bermuda in a few years and remember seeing a shuttle or tram from the ship to the dockyard. Having some knee problems and it would be nice to avoid the walk from the LIBERTY on the Heritage wharf side.

I am limited as to the amount of walking I can do due to knee issues and hate to waste it walking off the pier. When docked at Heritage Wharf where does the tram to the dockyard area pick up passengers?

I had many a cheese sandwich and bowl of soup at H and H..

What next?? Coin operated elevators?

YES and YES.

We have cruised on the Grandeur 3 times. The third time was actually the last day cruises left when the industry closed down because of Covid. The ship is definitely more than long in the tooth and our suite had problems from day one throughout the entire cruise. Staff is wonderful and meals were about par with most R/C cruises however CHOPS was an easily forgettable experience. Since nothing seems to have been done to do a COMPLETE refurb of the ship, I would avoid it. I admit I have more wrinkles than the Grandeur and although there were many problems it was still an adventure, but our next adventures have all been on other ships.

The reviews on Celebrity have been mixed from loved it to hated it. Why would a CruiseLine do this when there is so much negativity from passengers on a sister cruise line?????? There is no advantage to the new non-verandas when compared to a traditional OPEN-AIR veranda, or at least none I can see. NEW COKE anyone?