foodsvcmgr

Looks good, thanks!

Thanks everyone, how were your bird and wildlife viewing opportunities in the South African ports?

Looking at N. Dawn for 2025 Mauritius to Capetown. I would have preferred the r/t Capetown to Namibia offered this season and last, anyone have any idea why they have changed the routing for ‘25? Also has anyone taken one of the current Africa itineraries, curious for any comments and insight as I was last on the Dawn way back in 2004.

Us also, interested in the menu rotation but hoping Liberty happens to be one of the ships that prepares it well most importantly.

After reading this thread for the last couple years and seeing the endless difficulty and frustration, has anyone heard even a murmur about ever resuming traditional dining as an option? It amazes me that Princess is so enamored with their questionable technology that they won’t even consider relenting a bit in just one MDR maybe. I see a couple of newly announced Caribbean sailings for 2025 that look interesting but the dining is just a downer for me. And yes I’m clear on how MTD is supposed to work.

I was strongly considering a r/t Capetown sailing for 2025 but looks like NCL will be doing one way now either sailing from or ending in Mauritius. An interesting itinerary but horrendous airlift getting there from the US. Also I was much more interested in the scenery and wildlife in Namibia which has been dropped for ‘25. Very disappointing, especially as no other options below luxury level cruises.

Pre-reserve or just pull up to garage?

QA would certainly seem logical from the marketing perspective, I never expected to see her assigned to a World cruise so hard to say just what Cunard thought process is.

Valid point exlondoner and flying out of UK to one of these islands likely has decent non stop airlift as a bonus. But if the intended passenger base is not American they sure were trying to convince me anyway. I wonder which ship would be dedicated to these sailings? I’m thinking QV.

Mine was largely sample Caribbean itineraries sailing from Jamaica or other various islands. I answered all the same “inconvenient departure Port”. Not sure why they seem so intent on operating standard itineraries easily homeported in Port Everglades or Miami out of Jamaica with limited airlift. Not appealing to me. I at least got to cast my vote for formality and fixed dining however!

We took Deck 13 as the cabins were new plus the preferred shower door. Minimal movement one night on T/A, not an issue for us. Quiet as it’s a short corridor only and nothing really going on above. I’d take Deck 13 again.

A number of shore excursions for Celebrity Eclipse Antarctica next January are already showing as sold out, Plus there are way less in total per port than what Princess was offering on my prior cruise to South America. Is this typical currently? Will additional space (extra coaches) be added? Will different tours be added closer to sailing? To make matters worse I made some direct contacts with operators in Stanley and were told they can’t book direct, only through the cruise, yet nothing resembling their tour appears on Celebrity’s listing which makes me think maybe I’m early rather than too late. Anyone with recent experience? Thanks.

Thanks for the positive input, looking forward to experiencing the menus myself.

Anyone been on Liberty of the Seas to see how they are handling prep and service of the new menu?

I’m glad to read a review about the new MDR menus that is fair and balanced and gives credit where it is due, not just another pile on that everything is inedible garbage. Thanks for your assessment.

HAL has gone all in with pickleball, Celebrity is trying to catch up.

I think this is reactionary from the general poor economic news rather than anything specifically related to the cruise lines.

I like the March ‘25 Caribbean 13 day from New York. Amazingly after dozens of Caribbean cruises with many different lines this one has three ports I have not visited. Also always a pleasure to bypass flights as I am a 2 1/2 hour drive to Brooklyn.

Thanks, glad to see these options are still quietly available. Looking forward to QV British Isles in August having last been on Cunard in 2018 T/A.

Thanks for the link, although a bit smaller there certainly are some interesting dishes on offer. Are the unpublished everyday options of Caesar Salad, Steak, and Chicken still available on request?

United and American allow no fee changes for all classes except basic economy now. And the issue with airlines similar to many hotels is that while there is in fact a non refundable offering, the difference is very minimal compared to Celebrity pricing of refundable vs non. Typically I’m seeing maybe $20 savings on a $300-400 hotel room and $50-100 on a $900 airfare.

Well said Benny!

It’s a tough call for Celebrity and Royal, clearly the intent is to reduce the speculative multiple bookings that many people make then cancel prior to final payment. But people who are not 100% certain of traveling may simply book with other lines with less onerous terms. Tightening the rules while continuing to raise fares and cut back food and service may be the straw that breaks the camels back, for some at least, and on highly competitive routes with lots of other choices like the Caribbean.

There are actually example photos of models dressed in various attire for daytime and evening on the Personaliser now for additional clarity.

Don’t send your rent checks in just yet for the former Ryndam. It’s being reported that she has just been acquired by Celestyal Cruises. A much more sensible use of the ship and a good fit in terms of size and amenities for Celestyal.