rolfecms

Another indication of the morphing of Celebrity into a brand that attracts a demographic that is not us, sadly. :(

Times and people change but we (hopefully) have lots of vacation dollars left that won't be spent on a Celebrity ship.

I can easily imagine the scenario whereby turndown service is eliminated for awhile, then reintroduced as an upgrade for a fee or available 'free' for Elite members or in Concierge Class or higher.

Cunard does a world cruise on each of its three ships once each year beginning in January. They sell separate segments on each of these cruises.

In its quest for trendiness Celebrity has thrown tradition overboard and the abandonment of the grand/chocolate buffets are one more example. Not sure who their target demographic is but it's certainly not us.

We are consider a cruise next month, but will not be in a position to book until 5 days before it leaves. Other than the obvious issue of availability, has anyone had any issues booking this late?

Please let us know how it turns out for you

We did a B2B in April-May 2013 (see signature) that included both the Transpacific and Alaska.

The weather went from comfortable (while in Asia) to very cold as we headed north. The ship was way too cold and a lot of people got sick as result of the climate change. Although I love sea days, the combination of cold weather made the time between ports tedious (X on-board activities leave something to be desired)

The weather in Alaska was also rainy and cold (too early in the season).

We took the cruise because at that point there were few cruises that had this itinerary so it was unique. it was also cheap since it was a respositioning cruise.

We enjoyed the visits to Shanghai and Russia, but I see that there are no stops there now. We always enjoy visiting Japan and the spring weather was delightful.

It was Celebrity's first transpacific so it was new to them. We realized on the cruise that X are better with tried and true itineraries but not so good when they have to think out of the box at new ports.

For this and other reasons it was our least favorite Celebrity cruise so I would not recommend it unless these things don't matter to you. IMHO there are other cheap cruises that offer better value for your travel dollar.

It appears that you may be headed in the other direction so things could be different for you.

We like the small ship experience of Hal although we haven't cruised in Alaska with them. More intimate and you feel closer to the sea. Easier off and on too.

We don't smoke but I didn't notice anything that bothered us.

A primary reason we go on sea cruises is the dinner atmosphere made special by the dress code. Reducing the formality makes other travel options - such as land trips and destination vacations - equally appealing to us.

Cunard needs to be aware that dumbing-down their dress code not only makes themselves more generic within the cruise market, it also opens themselves up to other competitors such as those vacations that don't involve ships.

Cunard, please take note.

Finding an itinerary niche for SSUS could be challenging for Crystal. Crystal operates cruise vacations, not transatlantic crossings. Also, IMHO the demand is not large enough for two regularly schedules transatlantic crossings. The lack of balconies would seem to keep the ship out of the tropics where balconies are more heavily used and expected. This assumes of course that Crystal does not reconfigure the superstructure to add decks and balconies.

Do not agree with the comment that they have to relax dress code to fill rooms. They are cabins not rooms for one thing. I choose to sail with Cunard over other cruise lines because of their formal nights. For people who don't want formal nights please don't sail on Cunard. On my last two half world cruises there were lots of long gowns and men in tuxedo's.

We enjoyed the atmosphere on Celebrity until they changed beyond recognition, including eliminating formal nights. Our favorite is now Cunard because we like traditional cruising. If all cruise lines morph like Celebrity we'll find other ways besides cruising to spend our vacation time.

So what's causing this low dollar? Is it the damn Liberals?

The US Federal Reserve has started raising interest rates from near zero where they have been since 2008. Other countries are still easing monetary policy. So the money goes where it can earn the most. That is reflected in the exchange rates of currencies based on which ones are more desirable. Low commodity prices and a slowing Chinese economy is also causing money to flow into the US dollar for the relative security it affords.

MUTS represents the continued evolution of the Celebrity product in a direction that moves their target demographic beyond us.

Celebrity was a perfect fit for us when we first cruised with them in 2008. That has changed - it was gradual at first and I was in denial that there was something wrong with the relationship.

The Solstice class was initially a welcome addition to the Celebrity fleet. Their contemporary beauty made cruising special for us, especially in Aqua Class.

What we didn't realize initially was how Celebrity was forced to change their business model in order to fill those huge ships with paying passengers. Each new push for change on Celebrity's part was meant to increase the number of passengers as well as the amount those passengers spend while on board.

I understand this is a business decision and I do NOT hold Celebrity or Royal Caribbean in contempt for working to maximize their profits. They are, after all, a for-profit enterprise that needs to answer to its shareholders, of which I am one.

However, each successive Celebrity cruise (the latest being in May of this year) makes it clearer to me that the once cherished relationship we had is indeed over for good.

Where once we were motivated by our enchantment with Celebrity and their product, the sad truth (for them) is that itinerary and price will be the only drivers in determining whether we cruise on Celebrity in the future.

While I agree that the most frequent guests would be the logical choice, one line of thinking may be that these frequent guesta are going to book cruises regardless. The newer cruisers have not shown any brand loyalty yet, and maybe Celebrity thinks this may lead them to more cruises.

It is more difficult and expensive to secure a new customer than it is to maintain an existing one. A Zenith customer has already proved to Celebrity through their repeat business that free upgrades are not necessary.

If a free upgrade will encourage repeat business than the upgrade pays for itself and is a no brainer.

It might engender good will to give upgrades to existing customers, but that does not contribute either to the cruise line's bottom line or expand their customer base.

Sadly I have no personal recollections of hearing that phrase or attending a bon voyage party on a ship.

However, when I fantasize about what it would have been like a certain musical number by Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell in the 1953 movie "Gentlemen Prefer Blonds" fondly comes to mind. The scene takes place aboard the Isle de France in New York City harbor where the two are in the midst of their own bon voyage party. The ship's steward momentarily interrupts the festivities with the famous phrase as he bangs the gong. The pair then sing "Bye Bye Baby" as they make their fond farewells.

If one must live vicariously, this is the absolute best way to do it:

The rates will be reduced to the point that the incremental revenue of selling the cabin is greater than the incremental costs of sailing with the cabin empty. Where the break even point occurs is proprietary information, but you can be assured that the Celebrity accountants are on top of that number.

I would suggest that Celebrity's marketing department pronouncements be taken with a grain of salt. Those are meant for public (and travel agent) consumption and do not necessarily reflect the views of those who control the company's finances.

It's what is termed 'aspirational' pricing by the marketing department. The cabin class everyone can desire and dream about - while at the same time feeling both lucky to travel on the same ship as those fabulous few and enjoying the great deal on the cost of their inside cabin.

I must admit I'm one of those aspirationalists.

Hi cruiser69420,

I see you're new to Cruise Critic based on your number of posts, so a welcome is in order.

I've learned so much from these forums, including which cruise lines are best for us along with so many other helpful tips. I'm sure it will be the same in your case too.

We've gravitated to Cunard because we've learned that they provide the best classic cruise experience of any that are available. That includes the formality of dressing for dinner on ships brimming with so much legacy and tradition.

Are you past last your last payment date? If not perhaps you could cancel and re-book on another line that is more to your taste.

Good luck in finding a cruise that suits you (no pun intended).

We were on a 12 night r/t from Venice in May where we had a 50 lb and 15 pound limits on checked and carry on. I was able to pack a summer weight tuxedo with 3 sport coats. I did use my wife's luggage for a pair of shoes (her clothes are much smaller and more lightweight), but it worked.

Your limits are more strict so it will take some planning. Mix and match has to be the order of the day. Since its summer take lighter weight clothes - you can pack a lot more when they're not heavy woolens. I stick with darker colors for evening dress.

Make good use of your personal carry on. Use a tote and cram it as full as you can. As long as it fits under the seat you'll be ok. I think my tote weighed as much as the carry on bag.

I wasn't aware that QV or QE did TAs outside of their world cruises - does anyone know how often this happens?

Thanks so much for the update!

Look forward to your updates. Thanks and bon voyage!

Bon voyage!

We just returned from the above cruise and experienced a very similar circumstance as the OP's.

The itinerary was fabulous. While the crew and most MDR food were on-par with what we've come to expect from Celebrity, the rest of the shipboard experience sadly left a lot to be desired. In this context I’ll describe our MDR experience.

We ate in the MDR on late seating (as is our preference on port-intensive itineraries) at table 114 for eight (as we had requested). Our waiter, who surprisingly recognized me from a prior cruise, told us there were indeed eight people assigned to our table.

However, most nights we were able to enjoy the company of only one other couple from Tennessee (and were thankful for meeting and conversing with them). Even so, that couple had been persuaded to purchase a specialty dinner package for three evenings and for two of those nights we dined with 6 empty chairs. We had one personable Englishman join us for three evenings and one pleasant Grecian couple from Luminae one night who arrived as we were finishing our entree.

So what happened to the three other people who never ate one meal at our table? Good question and quite unsettling. I could understand it if this were a one-off occurrence. But unfortunately the same thing happened on our previous cruise in 2013 with Celebrity.

It is evident that the focus has shifted from the San Marco MDR nightly dinner experience to an NCL-like freestyle (aka “fee-for-all”) that includes Ocean Liners, Tuscan Grill, Blu, Café al Bacio and now Luminae. Moreover, this symbolic shift was made manifestly apparent by the further reduction of the dining space caused by the recent addition of Luminae restaurant on the first level that leaves only one entrance to San Marco. So with Blu and Select Dining occupying the second level the MDR is a mere rump of its former spacious - and important - self.

On those evenings we sat alone, we observed other things, including a noticeable lack of decorum encouraged by Celebrity turning a blind eye to violations of an already too-loose dress code. We also missed the live music on formal nights, even though the classical string duet played at the elegant tea. This lead me to wonder whether Celebrity thinks it too high brow or just part and parcel of its shift in focus.

Other nice touches that have disappeared: I ordered Grand Marnier soufflé and when it arrived the waiter provided instructions to pour the sauce over it after piercing the top with my spoon – instead of just doing it himself. I also missed the waiter performing the ritual separation of the lobster from its shell. Add these things to the lack of sorbet between courses on formal nights, which was stopped many cruises ago. Did I mention that pork and beans were offered as an entrée one evening?

Each one of these things is not a deal breaker in and of itself. But taken together they send a strong signal of where Celebrity's intentions lie.

Two things will bring us back to Celebrity - our status (now Elite Plus) when teamed with a great itinerary. Unfortunately the MDR and shipboard experience in general will not because it has morphed into what has become unrecognizable as the Celebrity we once knew in the relatively recent past.

Celebrity: Please tell us who authorized this marketing message.

Apart from that I would choose Cunard every time - better food, more formal (if that is your thing), better service, better speakers.

Hi Host Hattie,

I think we can all agree that most opinions on cruise line offerings are subjective - people are attracted to them based on their personal preferences and experiences. As such your caveat on Cunard's formality in this context is completely unnecessary. Moreover your use of that qualifier here suggests that this particular attribute of Cunard is the most subjective and least desirable of their product offerings.

Indeed, if one is put off by this nightly ritual, then virtually all other cruise lines will provide solace to those who prefer a less dressy routine.

Rather than proffering back-handed complements, I would instead suggest that for those who prefer Cunard's overall experience that they trumpet the fact that Cunard is one of the few lines that provide an essentially traditional shipboard experience, with dressing for dinner being an unabashedly positive aspect of it.