C-Dragons

1 minute ago, phoenix_dream said:

That has been my experience as well in the past couple of years over the course of many Celebrity cruises.  

Our experience has been the same as yours cruising with X over the years.

2 hours ago, TeeRick said:

Sorry I was not being snarky but had not finished my post and hit send by mistake.  I'm glad you caught it and scolded me.  Much appreciated.  The full replacement post is there now.  

No apology was necessary IMO.
Nothing you originally said was snarky.

16 minutes ago, OysterD said:

 

OK thats 3 of the unnecessary overly expensive shops I can think to get rid of and replace with...

 

Culinary masterclasses. How to create Daniel Boulud signature dishes yourself.

All you need to do is make a reservation for dinner in Daniel Boulud's restaurant on board. Prior to the meal you and a group of other guests are shown how it is prepared. After eating the meal you are presented with his 10 pound Cookbook (it feels like it weighs that much!).

Then you can cook all of his recipes at home.

1 hour ago, SmilingOctopus said:

Just allowing vaping inside the ship is not acceptable. If they would come up with some sort of solution, fully isolating vapers from other casino guests, it might have a chance. 

 

If they are serious about making such a massive change in their ships policies, they should at least be prepared to set up a fully enclosed place to avoid any of the non vaping/smoking guests having to inhale anything at all...

 

If they would make somewhat of an effort I'm sure there could be a way to fix this. None the less the current policy worked for years and years, I personally don't see any point in changing it.

 

Also the fire hazard pointed out by C-Dragons is a very valid argument, these devices are manufactured with nearly no regulations, using cheap and unreliable batteries. Just dangerous.

I hope that the smoke detectors in the staterooms are decent enough to pick up any of this, if vape is detected immediately in airplane lavatories, I don't see why it should be any different on board of ships.

 

Just felt like sharing my point of view 🙂

 

Perhaps it's time for all concerned about vaping to share their points of view with CLIA, the Cruise Lines International Association, which is a major governing body of the Cruise Industry.

1 minute ago, russianmom said:

Exactly! We now live in the entitled narcissistic world of "I paid for my vacation so you can't tell me what to do". It's too late for Celebrity to close Pandora's box now....

X should reconsider that decision. Vaping can be a fire hazard.

I wouldn’t want to be in the middle of the Atlantic and have this happen:

• Explosions. There have been incidents of batteries in vaping devices exploding and causing serious injuries and burns.

5 hours ago, hcat said:

yup.. really miss being able to pre order flowers....esp with the dull and uninspired Hoppen decor ..needs something  colorful to perk things up.

 

I will bring on a small arrangement if I can carry it on..They have cute minis in PUBLIX  with a small vase.

 

i thought intuitive meant they know what you want/ need before you ask!  The butler we had was VERY on it.. a bit too much!

I used to pre order flowers as well, it was a nice service.
Now I usually hand carry a bouquet when we board.

11 hours ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

DH and I are religious about our low carb lifestyle when at home. When on a cruise it’s Katie bar the door and pass the damn bread! 🤭

I'll be happy too.

Would you like the butter too? 😁

🍞 🥖🧈

1 hour ago, jelayne said:

As I read it the change is more in who delivers what you request.  You request breakfast/dinner from  Retreat  Butler and it will be delivered and served by a member of the Retreat Room Service team.  Your requests for items stocked in the mini bar will filled by a member of the Private Bar Team.

Maybe 1 or 2 points off contact for requests going forward, not unlike now with the Butler and Retreat Concierges. 
Who fulfills your request is the change as I read it.

It could add efficiency behind the scenes and will result in more consistency in areas like the mini bar where what you bar is stocked with nowvvaries by ship and butler.

 

It is what it is. We have a B2B in October so will find out first hand.  
Personally the vaping issue is more likely to drive me away than this change in Butler service.

I agree with you.

Alot of the angst expressed here on CC is, IMO, much ado about nothing.

I believe that working as a Team will actually help the Butlers and improve service to all their guests.

42 minutes ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

Yet overwhelmingly majority those on a healthy diet do indeed avoid white bread and pastries.  Obviously people can cheat on their diet 

No one has to “cheat”. 😉

We eat a“healthy diet” and avoid pastries and white bread. Only wheat and whole grain at home. But on a cruise I might skip the bread and instead splurge on dessert - if it's really good. 😋

20 minutes ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

It’s just ironic is all…First interaction for dinner is a breadbasket or for breakfast, pastries. I’d imagine the first time cruisers may be caught off guard

Why would anyone be caught “off guard”?

Not everyone who eats “healthy” abstains from eating bread. 😉

26 minutes ago, phoenix_dream said:

I've gotten excellent service on every one of my 75+ Celebrity cruises without tipping ahead of time.  So I'm guessing you would have had the same without doing it. We do always tip extra at the end.

Ditto. 

14 minutes ago, Joker54 said:

I disagree and still go with my thoughts in post 459.

 

No matter how you read your post - the statement that customers book in to a sky suite to feel elitist doesn't change. It's offensive to those of us who do not book into a sky suite for that elitist feeling. You made a one size fits all statement.

 

Go ahead keep on trolling

I agree with your thoughts, however please don’t encourage them, they are doing it for sport.

1 hour ago, TeeRick said:

I think they are two different issues.  As far as tipping goes, I will still tip extra for excellent service so I will wait and see how it goes with the new team, or if I think instead the cabin attendant does more and then deserves more.  It will still be a personal assessment and choice as always.  No need to penalize the former butlers who are now on a Team.  Not their fault.  I usually tip the Luminae Team extra at the end of the cruise.  Same concept I think. 

That is our plan as well.

11 minutes ago, Spif Barwunkel said:

I don't know what to do with this. Perhaps there is more to come.

Take it with a grain of salt and go with an open mind. 😉

We've sailed Edge and  Apex multiple times and once on Beyond with another Beyond cruise coming up.

We love the E class, our experiences have been totally positive.

3 hours ago, Baggy178 said:

Doing our first TA with Celebrity this Autumn.

Looking forward to not purchasing the Wi-Fi package and spending our days at sea having a digital detox, reading copiously, a few early sharpeners and then not getting dressed up for dinner in the OVC.

Might play a bit of bingo, go to the odd lecture and maybe take in a show.

Generally in bed early.

Basically doing sweet Fanny Adams.

 

Very interesting history behind that phrase.

I learned something new today. Thanks.

29 minutes ago, WrittenOnYourHeart said:

 

I've never seen it. Vegas and its shows hold zero interest for me.

 

Why can people not just like what they like without having to justify it?

We can.

You just need to remember that you do not have to answer every post. 😉

32 minutes ago, bigbenboys said:

We were in sky suites in Asia. Our butler escorted us in small groups through custom before X started calling numbers. On tender days we would go to the Retreat and were escorted to the front of the line for tendering. Sometime X puts out the red carpet with a rope for suites guest returning to the ship. Your butler will bring appetizers to your suite if requested. Friends have had small gathering in their suite and the butler will bring in appetizers, wine, soda, water. We were invited to the PH for a party. The food served was from sushi on 5. Neither were charged a fee for their parties. See post #10 for photo of red carpet.

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.co.uk/topic/2903514-suite-priority-at-ports/

We have had the same “Suite” experiences as you on our X cruises. 

44 minutes ago, CruisinShips said:

Clearly we all cruise for different reasons.  For some of us neither the shows nor the casino are that big of a deal.  I certainly don't care about rock climbing walls, waterslides, flowriders, etc.  Food is fairly important, but I have come to not expect real fine dining on these ships, so if I have a nice meal with good service in a pleasant environment, I'm good.

 

I cruise for a week or more fora stress-free vacation...just being able to relax and see different places without packing and unpacking and without driving.  Doing things at our own pace, and often doing very little at all. It gives me a chance to disconnect as much as I wish, drink more than I normally would, and experience new things while enjoying the company of my wife without the daily stresses of normal life.

 

If I happen to see a show or two that I enjoy...awesome.  For me, that's just not a big part of the cruise experience.

Totally agree. 😉

15 hours ago, Kevin said:

I have never sailed with Celebrity before but have been reading for a large percentage of my life.

 

When looking at booking I first priced two veranda.  The upgrade option in that case says All Included.

 

 

When booking a veranda and a suite the upgrade option changes to read The Retreat.

 

As someone who has never sailed with Celebrity I understood the second option to be what it says, an upgrade for the connecting cabin to The Retreat.

 

I am not certain how I am supposed to read it as anything other than an offer to upgrade Cabin 1 to The Retreat amenities.

 

I am still waiting to hear back from Celebrity.  I was told on Friday that I would be hearing from someone today, Monday the 10th.

 

I have had some contact with reservations and The Retreat department.  I have not heard back from my email sent to ExecutiveOffice@celebrity.com.

 

As someone who has never before sailed with Celebrity I am not sure how I am supposed to know that an offer to upgrade to The Retreat is not really an off to upgrade to The Retreat.

 

This stinks of bait and switch. 

 

The website is offering something different than what is delivered after payment.  To further the bait and switch claim, when I did speak with The Retreat they told me that upgrades to The Retreat are NOT available for this sailing.  A trait of a bait and switch scheme is to offer up something that you have no intention of ever delivering.

 

 

When Suites are sold out, it means that the Retreat will be at full capacity. Why would X continue to offer “upgrades”?

The Retreat lounges are not large enough to accommodate all Suite guests at the most popular times of the day, or when they have special events. This was an unfortunate oversight by X.

We sail in Suites and on every cruise have seen other Suite guests come in and then leave because there were no open seats.

This is not a case of bait and switch.

2 hours ago, agape01 said:

Just curiously wondering

 

Had anyone tried calling for room service to be delivered to retreat lounge? 🤔😁

 

Or

 

Other than what is available in the lounge is allowed.

 

Reason for my asking is not to disturb my traveling companions just in case they are having a afternoon nap.

 

Not necessary, in our opinion. 😉

The Retreat serves Tea and a variety of very nice “sweets”around 3:30 pm.

Around 5:00 pm they serve assorted “savories” and your choice of beverage. If you need something else just ask the Concierges and they will do their best to accommodate you. However, depending on what you are asking for, they might not be able to accommodate you until the following afternoon.

5 hours ago, Stockjock said:

I’ve circled the cabins that I am looking at, and from the looks of the deck plan, they seem to be a little bit larger. But I did watch a video that someone took from one of these, and it looked more or less like the normal size. Does anyone know if they are bigger, or is that just the way the deck plan makes it appear?

On the picture you posted it says the cabin is 246 sq Ft. Have you looked at the square footage of the other cabins you are considering? that should answer your question.

1 minute ago, PTC DAWG said:

I am booked on the Ascent in Jan of 24, I won’t let it ruin my cruise.  I’ve sailed various lines that allow cigarette smoking etc. in the casino.  I’d prefer X not allow it for sure. 

We have sailed exclusively with X since 2010.

In the beginning, X did allow cigarette smoking, but eventually changed their policy and we were very happy with their decision.

Now they want to “go with the times” apparently. We didn’t care for second hand smoke, why we would want to breathe second hand Vaping?

YMMV.

9 minutes ago, PTC DAWG said:

Are you booked on one of these two ships? In the next 7-8 weeks? If so, I can certainly see your point. 

We are sailing on a X ship that coincidentally we just made final payment for yesterday.

At this point, if X does continue with their Vaping tests and decide on making it policy, who knows whether it might be taken fleet wide, or just confined to two ships?

7 minutes ago, jelayne said:

If you provided a phone $ the mail to executive office that should get you a call.  They are pretty busy right now with the emails re the vaping test.

You beat me to it. 😉 😁

1 hour ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

While a revolt is always a possible solution, I doubt many would do so with the cancellation penalties.

Since the majority of cruisers probably booked months, or even years ago, before X made this horrible announcement, legally I would expect them to be able to cancel without penalty.

Sadly, it may be something that we have to look into, since we will not sail under these circumstances.