foodsvcmgr

Reverting to the classical piano/violin duo in Explorers and rotating the larger Lincoln Center groups ship to ship would be a lot more palatable than just eliminating classical music altogether. Hopefully what you are experiencing on ZUIDERDAM now will be the new model. Much better than the news story implied.

If the elimination of traditional dining on Edge class is true and permanent, I hope it does not spread to the older ships. Much as I dislike the idea, I understand the reasoning in that the Edge class has more dining rooms to support any time only. The rest of the fleet needs to continue offering traditional and open. Could be a selling point for traditionalists like me. Look no further than the Princess dining debacle.

HAL’s death by 1000 cuts continues as Lincoln Center Stage will be eliminated later this year as a regular quartet on each ship and will now be a rotating headliner act that moves from ship to ship. Thus you may or most likely will not encounter it on your particular sailing. Source - Points Guy.

Rich yak as prmssk says in theory traditional dining “might” be replicated, but I’d prefer the real deal. I have zero interest in begging a MD, trying to battle a poorly functioning app, carrying a buzzer or waiting to eat.

Elimination of traditional fixed dining eliminates me as a customer.

If Celestyal’s investors are serious about upgrading their fleet, AIDAaura will be available this Fall. Similar size to Olympia and 20 years newer. Seems like a no brainer, but of course so did Costa NeoRomantica and we all know how that ended, just not exactly why.

Been cruising since 1978 but over the last ten years an equal mix of Celebrity, HAL, and Princess. Celebrity pricing for the most part is the highest of the three and with high non refundable deposits. However I’m willing to give my cruising dollars to Celebrity if they demonstrate less cutbacks to food and service than the competition.

Thanks for your review, looking forward to sailing Liberty to Bermuda in May.

Agreed, makes no sense for the entry level line to offer more than the superior mass market line. Runs contrary to basic marketing. Currently RCL is experiencing food and service downgrades while Celebrity is not (for specific items that differentiate the two).

Is the free ferry an NCL exclusive or do other cruise lines offer it as well?

What is the idea with the blankets?

True, Celebrity prices are typically higher than HAL in most regions. And high non refundable deposits. However if they can deliver better food and service with less cutbacks they are an option for those who have stated “I would gladly pay more to get better”. What truly is better of course is open to everyone’s opinion.

What government entity is still mandating this?

Valid point, but Azamara needed these particular vessels as they were identical sisters to their existing fleet. Whereas Marella would be better served with more vessels of the same class that they have already gotten from Royal Caribbean.

I thinks it’s doubtful that the lines associated with the Royal Caribbean group would be permitted to source tonnage from Carnival.

I wouldn’t say these music venues are for a younger clientele. I’ve seen the Rock Room packed with a sea of white heads swaying to the music. I’m 63, even those 10+ years older were in their 20’s when a lot of this material was current. Thats their oldies music, not Big Band era, but I enjoy that also.

Seajets is hard to understand in that to date they have only found a buyer for one of their acquisitions nor have developed any operating plan of their own. Celestyal desperately needs newer tonnage but these Costa ships seem too large for their niche. Margaritaville could be ready to expand but Port of Palm Beach has size restrictions. Who else is still shopping second hand?

Finally after a two year hiatus drive-by sailings will be resuming this season on NCL, Celebrity, HAL, and Princess. As I am booked on Celebrity in January 2024, very curious for current reports as to exactly what areas are being visited, last minute changes, issues, etc. There has been endless discussion as to what itineraries are and are not permitted, curious to see if what is promised is actually delivered. Thank you in advance for any of this seasons passengers who reply.

Sadly the trend away from fixed dining has exacerbated the issue of people being in a hurry. Shows and other activities were coordinated around the two seatings, one show for each seating. Now there are continuous activities and people are rushing to get to them.

We’ve sailed 100 days with HAL and 40 with Celebrity but neither since 2019. Is the general consensus that Celebrity has cut back less post Covid on food, entertainment, and the overall experience?

Chandris successfully operated Britanis till nearly 60, CMV had Marco Polo over 50 and Astoria at 70, the current Ambassador fleet is barely broken in yet!!!!

Check those price differences closely, I’m booked on Liberty OTS 5 night Bermuda balcony cabin at $650 pp. I can (and might) switch to Celebrity Summit 7 night Bermuda at $1000 pp. Either Celebrity will be right behind Royal with the latest round of food and service cuts or they may be picking up a lot of disenchanted folks.

Also curious about how this currently works for Liberty OTS with Key program?

Has anyone been able to discern how much of this is truly still government regulations in the ports vs HAL creating their own policies? For example, transatlantics?

As a frame of reference the leading hotel workers union contract calls for housekeepers to clean 14 standard rooms per shift, so 18 is challenging.