pumpkin 11

6 hours ago, Raiders4Life32 said:

 

Costa Maya and Puerto Playa are not the greatest ports either. I love the resort in Bimini, but the other ports are time-wasters with not a ton to do. I'd take Cabo San Lucas over those ports anyday.  

100% on cabo. The port are there, and so is the demand I'd think, so I feel like that answer from the CEO is a cop out.

On 7/10/2022 at 3:00 PM, Wildcatllamas said:

I have been asked for input from Virgin twice since my cruise in December. Both times I suggested West Coast sailings and possibly one to Hawaii on occasion. It is so much easier to fly to West Coast out of Colorado then it is to the East Coast.

 

They really listen to input from their guests and also read the boards here. While on Scarlet in December people were upset about no football games or sports bar. They immediately began making changes to one of the bars to turn it into a sports bar and added American football to their TV line up. My friend and I curled up in our cabin and watched the game. 

 

So keep on tossing out suggestions and lets see what happens as they get all their ships going. 

Exactly, it is so much easier. Princess seems to dominate the west coast, and they're okay but I am more intrigued by virgin.

On 6/25/2022 at 10:32 AM, Fogcityca13 said:

I would be so happy if they sailed off the west coast, even for only part of a season. We’re considering flying in two days in advance since we loose an entire day traveling to the east coast. Per-Covid a flight delay put us a huge risk of missing a cruise, we ended up making it to EWR at 11:30pm vs to 4:30pm as planed. For our trip in November there is just no way we could fit the extra day into our schedule.

Exactly. It basically takes an entire day. And with the market they are attracting taking time off for that group is never easy

East coast born and raised but now live in Denver CO. As they add more ships anyone think it likely they would come to the west coast like LA, San Diego, or SF?

Would love to at least try Virgin. Was on Majestic Princess in December and the flight time and logistics were really easy from San Pedro. Recently did a TA on Celebrity Apex from FLL and the travel time to get to south Florida just isn't super easy especially when one looses 2 hours and there are so many flight issues. 

Curious to hear thoughts. 🙂

I think I could permanently live at cafe al bacio. So much better than princess coffee and they're always so nice there. We just got off Apex and there was distinct lack of bars compared to S Class. Glad they added 3 more to Beyond.

We just came back from the Transatlantic and I couldn't not give a bigger shout-out to probably the most talented guest entertainers I have ever had the privilege of seeing at sea.

Claire Maidin the singer and classical pianist had such an incredible voice. She was so captivating.

Wendy Law the cellist was so very funny and was at the top of craft, the best of the best on her instrument.

But Tian Jiang, Julliard trained pianist who left communist China was probably the best pianist I have ever or will ever see. He was so personable and was absolutely incredible on the piano. No words to describe his talent and composing abilities. Truly an amazing sight.

Also, the big screen in the back does such a good job of showing the up-close abilities of the musicians - it actually aides. 

If you are on Apex this summer and get to see these shows don't miss it!!

On 2/28/2022 at 7:57 AM, Dreamcruise27 said:

Just wondering if people are wearing/planning on continuing to wear masks on-board. 
 

If you are currently onboard, please let me know what it’s like on the ship! 
 

Thank you!

no

5 hours ago, danceswithphones said:

Medallions like Princess. Door automatically unlocks as you approach. 

it is easy, and super convenient yes 

12 minutes ago, deliver42 said:

Cancel Russia, as all the other lines except Celebrity and Royal. Forget the almighty dollar for once.

I'm sure they will. It is probably only a matter of time before US citizens are banned anyway.

Afternoon tea food selection is much better than Princess food wise - but it would be nice to have a dinning room service like they do. 

Evening entertainment on Princess is also much better. They have great shows as well as lots of games being played in addition. Daytime I think celebrity wins, but kind of luck of the draw depending on your activity staff. 

Celebrity buffet blows Princess out of the water.

Celebrity has really tried these last few years to up the itinerary game which I appreciate. But yeah sign of the times means shorter itineraries... 

I take nothing away from the grills experience already in place, and yes nothing is FREE (I knew I'd get that comment from someone LOL). But many competing lines include these things (even if at a modest level) for prices in-line with Cunard.

I do agree with @Wonky that Cunard seems to be stuck in the past with regard to this a little. Once you go all-inclusive with tips and drinks, it is really hard to go back to not having it. Maybe even if they had wine with lunch and dinner, or an included happy hour in the grills lounge? Wouldn't have to go all in.

Thanks for the comments all, I think this is a necessary conversation in this ever-changing industry. 

haven't posted on this forum in ages but this is a serious question. I am not referring to the dining experience of the grills or so much the larger cabins, but everything else! 

For example, Celebrity includes:  Faster Wifi, Gratuties, Premium Drinks package, and even OBC for shore excursions! All for FREE.

Cunard offers nothing of the sort. Kind of a shame for what you have to pay IMO.

I realize the Grills are nice (it has been many years since we have traveled Cunard), but many lines have more enticing "ship within a ship" offerings. 

I must say Cunard itineraries are better on the whole.

Should Cunard update or is what they have enough? I think not but wondering what others think as we come out of this pandemic...

I'm fine with them relaxing measures, but there are no requirements for boosters, so that muddies the water if your vaccine was taken a year ago now. 

1 hour ago, m8zenblue said:

It really does no good to put out a mask requirement when they do not enforce it.

I'm sure I will get backlash on my statement but I know first hand X does not enforce it.

I mean how can they enforce it? I’ve been on princess and they don’t enforce it there either. They are just happy to have passengers back I really don’t think they want to make them upset. Or cause a confrontation. 

4 minutes ago, LGW59 said:

I’ve said in the past that AI def works for me, I will get my $ worth for sure.  That said it clearly is not a one fits all solution.  They should seriously consider offering a cruise fare menu of sorts.

Well yes, but I think the pick 3 stuff got confusing for people and celebrity wanted to streamline their pricing strategy. So I doubt they will go back. But with the introduction of cruise only it seems they are having second thoughts. The problem with such large ships is it is really hard to do all inclusive pricing like this - but i'm sure they know this LOL

I would rather a comped specialty dining or shore excursion. Something of that type. 

What do you all think of this? I think Always Included has really muddied these waters. I am not even sure Al will stick around.

We had it on the Millennium in June - excellent as always.

3 minutes ago, Germancruiser said:

That " Go Green" concept is nothing but a nice covering up for cost cuts. I also would never set foot into this expensive resort- I agree. The cabin stewardess asked if I like to " Go Green" and have one day full service the other day- half service in June on board the Apex. I told her right away that I don´t like half day servcie and prefer the usual service.

An some people just don´t dare to say " NO " to a thing that is called " Green". In some minds it is like :

" Green"  - good person, NOT GREEN- bad person- and on that some cruise lines count on.

So if am I am bad person because I like full service- be my guest!

Agreed, we will not be opting in.

12 hours ago, Oxo said:

Why make excuses for people not wearing masks, regardless of age? 

 Why make excuses for crew not enforcing mask wearing.

I think posting cases on these forums by ship is very worth while. This gives all of us a feel for what is going on. 

UK or US, this affects us all. This is a world problem that is getting worse. 

This is not a Dress Code issue.

We should all follow the rules on this subject. 

Stay Safe! 

 

Well if they don’t want to protect themselves than I don’t see why us vaccinated need to worry 

We love the staff at Cafe al baccio! They're great. The verandas are small! But do-able

On 8/13/2021 at 5:22 PM, aring75 said:

Can you believe we are finally getting back to cruising?! Have you been reading every single LIVE thread just hoping it helps the time move a little faster, like I have? Are you so ready to get back onboard that you’ve been packed for two weeks!? No? Just me?

 

My husband Mark and I are onboard Equinox for twelve whole days (!) starting Sunday. Our ports have been changed, but we DO NOT care. We are so happy just to get back onboard that we could float around for twelve days and be supremely happy. 
 

 

Went today to CVS Minute Clinic for our rapid antigen tests. Q-tip in the nose. Easy peasy.
 

 

Nurse will call with results in 20 minutes. Felt like I held my breath that long. 
 

Phone call on the way home…

 

 

Aforementioned suitcases are packed. We are driving down halfway the day before. Staying in Ft. Myers (which may end up being a really stupid choice given that Tropical Storm Fred will likely be arriving around the same time we do) Saturday night at Crowne Plaza at Bell Tower Shops.  

 

 

We will drive the remaining two hours Sunday morning hoping to arrive somewhere near our 12:30 pm scheduled boarding time. 
 

 

Barbados was not friendly to cruise passengers in June, no problem missing that port.

This is ridiculous, every time we have a positive case we have to get upset? I'm done getting upset over this, especially if the cruises keep going regardless. 

1 hour ago, ChucktownSteve said:

 

You categorize Celebrity as a premium cruise line? Silversea is the premium line in RCG.

 

IMO based upon ship size, among other things, Celebrity is a Mass Market line; albeit a more upscale MM line with it's resort deck.

The long established ruling on this is (which has been the consensus for probably 20 years) :

Luxury/ Ultraluxury: Seabourn, Crystal, Oceania, Silversea, Regent,

Premium: Princess, Holland America, Celebrity

Standard: Royal Caribbean, Carnival, NCL, Costa, MSC

Now, LLP apparently calls Celebrity “new luxury” between premium and Ultra Luxury, but that’s a different topic.

1 hour ago, publicpersona said:

 

My post (#56) explains it to you very carefully. Just read that. I have no problem whatsoever with them packaging their cruises however they wish. The issue is dishonestly communicating what they are selling.

 

No other premium cruise line includes drinks, wi-fi, and gratuities? Are you kidding me?

You know what I mean with regard to pricing strategy and the other premium cruise lines as to what they usually include. 
 

words words words with you people! If this is the biggest problem bugging your life than that ‘s really impressive