chemmo

6 minutes ago, weregoingcruising said:

How will you post current information if your not on a Celebrity ship?

Comparative experience of new experience against previous Celebrity experiences definitely valued by myself. 

1 hour ago, batsabode said:

Totally agree cant stand the buffet on any ship.  when will people realize they can go back multiple times and not have to pile everything on one plate.

That is the buffet entertainment…

A couple of weeks ago I met up with a group of friends I don’t see that often. As is often the case talk turned to holiday experiences. Instead of the usual adjectives of ‘fantastic time’, ‘wonderful experience’, ‘the food was to die for…’, ‘the service was top notch…’ the general consensus was this years vacations both on land and at sea had been lacking in one way or another…

Airports…frequent complaints about flight changes, higher charges, charges for things that previously had been included. Business lounges over full, offerings reduced. 
 

Hotels…cleaning suspect, needing updating, room servicing reduced, breakfast previously included now at a higher cost or hot breakfast replaced by continental…Difficulties arranging early check in or late check out or only available at a high cost.

Cruises…Cunard, Celebrity and Princess all reported on with very similar comments about cuts to food and service.

A positive from the group….one couple had booked a Tui Mediterranean cruise (usually Cunard or Princess cruisers). They had booked it as a ‘cheap and cheerful’ way to see many Mediterranean ports having ruled out their usual cruise lines as too expensive…They report the food as perfectly fine. Not fancy or luxury but they could always find something on the menu to enjoy. They reported the ship as a bit old and dated but perfectly clean and in good working order. Service not as good as they had experienced on the other lines they are familiar with but they were happy to go to a bar to get their own drinks.

From me….dithering with cruising this year for a variety of reasons, I opted for a 10 night stay at an AI in Turkey for my Autumn break. It was ideal for a crash out relaxing break and made me wonder why for all these years I have paid so much more for a crash out cruise holiday in September/October each year. Definitely see cruising still as  a great way to see the world but I am unsure if I will still use cruises at the price they are for crash out breaks…

I think we all have to simply accept that the whole tourism industry has changed….we are as a rule paying more for less if we stick to the cruise lines and hotel brands we are used to. Shopping around will become for all of us more demanding if we want to keep to a set budget but maintain standards…Personally, I will probably pay more for my next Celebrity cruise but I will cruise less often…Perhaps even give a budget line a go! 

On 12/13/2023 at 2:32 AM, jayoldschool said:

I added my details to the Move Up thread, but was so happy that I thought I would start a thread. Booked a porthole OV on the xmas Ascent. The old "just get on the boat" move. After I figured out the Move Up process, I put bids (min) on every balcony I could up to AQ. I wasn't offered anything higher. Sure enough... got one of the last two AQs on Friday! Should be a nice surprise for my travel mate, lol, they don't know. And I won't tell them until I grab the cards and walk in!

 

My minor issue is friends are joining, and they aren't in AQ. We'll make it work.

Congratulations! Enjoy…

1 hour ago, LooseMoose said:

With many years of experience with Celebrity and Flight's by Celebrity, I've had a very distressing event happen today.

Firstly,  I booked several months ago a stateroom , which was in a dream location, next I booked airfare through FBC. The cabin and port fees were paid in full, the airfare was No Risk. I admit that with this time of year certain things get forgotten, like final payment for airfare. Well, I contacted Celebrity to complete the payment only to be informed that the entire booking had been cancelled. Again I admit that I missed the deadline for the airfare, but everything on the booking was erased, which included the cruise itself . With Zero notification. 

The reason given was, I had added airfare to the booking and that constitutes a full cancellation if Final Payment date is missed, just not the airfare. 

Of course, they stated I could rebook at today's prices both the cabin and airfare, which as you can guess are both astronomical. Lastly, I was informed in a cheery voice that my payment for the cruise will be returned to my method of payment.

So take my experience as a caution.

Didn’t you receive any reminders? 
 

On a couple of occasions an extra (minimal) charge has appeared on our account after final payment and we have received quite assertive mails clearly stating ‘unless payment is made your cruise will be cancelled’…Certainly not messages you would ignore!

Sorry for your predicament and thank you for highlighting it, especially if no ‘chasing’ of payment is made.

On 12/12/2023 at 10:41 PM, markeb said:

A little nuts for me. Traffic will "probably" be fine southbound, but who knows.

 

It's Friday. Book a room near Pike Place, spend the day in Seattle, and have a leisurely trip to a 10:20 flight on Saturday (assuming the same flight schedule on Saturday). Tons to do in the area if you don't want to do downtown Seattle. That sounds a lot better than stressing over an early flight or wasting the day "homeless" for a 3:00 pm flight.

Definitely the best solution!

We have only flown from SeaTac once so can’t offer a generalisation. However, I do know that any early flight from any destination world wide simply results in finishing a cruise in a stressful way…

9 hours ago, emmas gran said:

Thanks for your comment, he has been with me every step of the way as I wear his St Christopher back to back with mine. My friends have been wonderful and I am grateful for their friendship and support, I’m staying with them and flying home on Tuesday evening. Thank you again.

Safe journey home…

On 12/11/2023 at 9:23 PM, emmas gran said:

We visited Fine Cut early last week , I also had the Dover sole which was really disappointing as Iain said. When I asked for St Francis Zinfandel the sommelier said only available by the bottle when I had been drinking it every night of the 40 nights!!

He said he would send to Luminae to rget a bottle and  I was served Layer Cake on the premise it wasn’t available.

The following evening in Luminae the chef came around the tables and asked how we enjoyed Fine Cut, I mentioned the Dover sole was very disappointing (as it was a favourite dish of my late husband was my reason for ordering). Before we left Luminae Dev our waiter asked if we would like Dover sole the following evening as the chef wanted to make amends for Fine Cut. Four of us had a fabulous meal and toasted departed loved ones

Apologies for breaking into Jim’s thread but wanted to say I hope you are finding peace and solace on what must be a difficult cruise for you…

51 minutes ago, Itchy&Scratchy said:

we must be buying very different cruises, because there is no way 20 days in AI luxury resorts with flights included, a week's rental in the UK plus a European city break, with leftover change, would cost $3.5K.

As RedIguana said…

47 minutes ago, RedIguana said:

They said they sail in upper suites. 10 nights for 3 in an upper suite is probably over 20K, not sure where you came up with 3.5K.

I am not rich but trying to enjoy the opportunities left before travel becomes too hard to enjoy.  Cruising had become less about the destinations and more about the on board experience. We all make choices with the budgets we have…When a RS was a certain amount I was comfortable with the price…Now I am not so sure when I see the alternatives I can spend my £££ on. 
 

1 hour ago, Ipeeinthepools said:

 

For the first time in many, many years this is what I see on the Celebrity website and I'm not sure it will change anytime soon.   High prices, E-class ships, a new definition of Always Included and the lack of longer itineraries have caused me to look else to send my vacation time.  I suspect there are many other cruisers in the same situation.

 

Maybe the new CEO will change the situation.

 

 

Yes! We are in, or rather not in, the same boat!
 

We would usually have a cruise from Southampton, a Caribbean cruise and a ‘something else’ (Mediterranean or world wide) booked too over an 18 month period. I can’t blame it all on Celebrity, owing to some mobility issues I find I need to pay business for flights for long haul and they have become ultra expensive too! 

We presently have one cruise booked on Infinity next year and I am really watching the very mixed reviews on this ship coming through. 

Southampton cruises for us are definitely more about a bit of Autumn sunshine than itinerary but the cost is really expensive. The arrival of E class to replace Silhouette has not gone down well. As you say, with the changes as to what is included, that adds further to the cost too…

I have looked at other cruise lines but I don’t fancy some (the small and the very big) and others seem to have a ‘something’ I don’t like (Cunard’s dress code)…Princess a possibility but their suites aren’t that cheap either.

We have always booked upper suites. I am finding it hard to commit to a 10 day cruise for three when for the same cost I can book 2 x AI luxury resorts for 10 nights each (flight included) in Europe plus a week’s rental in the UK (country or seaside cottage) plus enough left over for a European city break and a bit of change….That is over 30 days quality vacation time vs 10 nights…Another anomaly is (if I can face economy flights) it is cheaper for me to fly to Florida to cruise on S class (RS) and see Mickey Mouse for a few days than to cruise from Southampton on E class (RS) where there isn’t enough room on the balcony for the three of us!

Will we do our Infinity cruise? It will depend on how much they achieve in the February refresh. I am not bothered about it being ‘Revolutionised’ (I know that isn’t scheduled) but I would like the reassurance that furnishings, balcony railings etc are being addressed. If we don’t do this cruise then who knows? After many years of cruising being our ‘main’ holidays they may become the occasional. 

I think most people on Celebrity are perfectly honest. There is also excellent camera surveillance which I am sure must be a deterrent for anyone less than honest…

I did once leave a pair of reading glasses in OV and went to the desk to see if they had been handed in and the size of box they brought out with assorted glasses in was massive! Obviously a lot of us are a little less than careful with our property on board. I feel very different about beaches…

16 minutes ago, fstuff1 said:

Oh.. I'm on ncl.

Updated my op

Hmmmm! Hope you are having a good cruise!

1 minute ago, fstuff1 said:

I noticed recently that emails from celebrity has a different Capt club # but same email addr.

 

I can't call right now because I'm on a cruise.

Anyone else have this?

How did this happen?

If you are on a cruise pop down to see the Captains Club host…she should be able to access and sort…

9 minutes ago, Whinenowine said:

I'm all about quality over quantity, so generally speaking I'd be interested in a higher tier (assuming that there is a high degree of correlation between quality and pricing...which ain't always true).  However given the lack of availability of many premium level wines/bourbons on our past 3 cruises, I'd be loath to fork over more money without some sort of 'guarantee' (as if!) of availability.  In the absence of this, I've done the same as @NMTraveller and just paid the incremental amount.  That way I only pay it IF they have it and IF I want it. 

I was thinking exactly the same. I was also contemplating taking a couple of bottles on board next cruise rather than pay the silly money charged by the bottle when you have already paid for a premium drinks package.

The funny thing is I am not a faddy wine drinker. Going back a few years on the premium package you could guarantee some perfectly adequate choices but that no longer seems to be the case…some cruises seeming more limited than others…

After becoming a ‘singleton’ after 42 years of marriage and beginning to look at future cruises and other holidays I have been amazed at the prices and on some occasions even the inability to book a holiday.

Quite simply I think I will either book with family members/friends or not book. 

1 hour ago, jelayne said:

Too bad they didn’t get our Retreat Host.   At one point we had 9 bottles of water on the vanity and 4 in the cooler.  Every day more came in spite of us telling him we don’t need water.  Finally, put 8 bottles on the table with a note PLEASE REMOVE.  

Sublime to the ridiculous springs to mind!

2 minutes ago, NMTraveller said:

There is no medical condition.  Just a dietary preference.

 

Our other dietary preferences besides no milk,  are low sugar and no flour.  I think that would rule out most deserts.

I think I would suggest you still discuss it with the M’D…They are always keen to please. If you discuss your preferences the first evening, see what they can offer…

Continuing to thoroughly enjoy your cruise. -12 here in the UK last night, I would love to be too hot!

Seriously, Jim, take it easy…so understand your wish to see everything but be careful!

Just tried a few dates and the prices for higher suites are significantly more than I have booked. I think bargains may be room sensitive! 

12 hours ago, villauk said:

 

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it. Looks like nothing internally will be done then 😔.

I contacted Celebrity directly as I have a cruise booked on in Infinity next September. There were rumours that it was going to be a full upgrade like Summit and Millie. They told me it was routine maintenance and the family rooms (big ones at the back) are being changed into suites. Nothing else.

I have some reservations about my booking. Not cheap and whilst I don’t mind dated I don’t want shabby either in my suite or in the lounge areas…Reviews have been following have been varied. Few complaints about staff, most saying service has been very good. However, many saying their rooms/bathrooms need updating.

I think I may have a look at itinerary’s between now and then and see if I can find a bargain and do a swap!

3 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

I was amazed by Bali -  Costs are very favorable to the USD.   Many spent the night ashore renting Villa's with private pools for as little as $100.   

 

Our first guide had asked how much I paid Tours by Locals and I told him $140 for 10 hours for Guide, Car for 6 and Driver.     He said he had to hire the driver and car and was paid $70.  Some said.    The average wage in Bali is $13,000 a year.

We were lucky enough to spend a week in Bali after a China tour. We booked it as a beach crash out after what had been an intensive sight seeing experience. We were AI and had not expected to do much. However, even on the journey from the airport to the hotel we fell in love with the people and the culture.
 

We had asked the concierge at the hotel about a private day tour for the three of us to touch the ‘best of Bali’ not particularly liking any of the options our tour operator was offering (too much shopping). Whilst it was some years ago the cost was very reasonable. Our own small van with its own driver and guide cost less than for two of us on the itinerary offered by our tour company. We had asked to see a temple, a garden, a volcano, rice fields and a nice lunch with not too much walking anywhere.
 

Highlight was lunch in a cafe precariously perched next to a very tall and upright volcano….Our guide told us if we were lucky we would see our drinks ‘look like Jurassic Park’…We were a bit bewildered by this remark but a few minutes later we heard a slight rumble and indeed our glasses wobbled! This happened twice…on the second occasion it was accompanied by a small fumarole giving a gentle puff half way up the mountain…It was then we decided there is being near a volcano and there is being sat on one…Such happy memories!

25 minutes ago, Midsomer Madness said:

25 Sky Suites and 5 Sunset Sky Suites still available for our cruise in January, also 3 Celebrity Suites, 1 Royal Suite and 1 Penthouse Suite…I guess most will get filled with Move Up bids but I didn’t think there’d be that many free at this point in time.

I agree with you…rare that RS and PH are available. I guess many people (like us) are finding the price to high and are beginning to worry about the reliability of the product…

30 minutes ago, jelayne said:

Unfortunately even if she was in a SS her experience would not be anywhere close to what most experience in a SS.  

I doubt her Retreat Host would tell her they could only deliver 2 bottles of water a day and for other beverages she can stock them from the lounge.  

Should she the Host ask about an afternoon cheese plate I doubt she would be directed to call Room Service. 

For a problem with her onboard account would she be directed  to stand in line to speak with a Concierge in the Lounge.

When the bar setup she purchased doesn’t show up would her Host tell her “ I asked about that and they can’t find a order, try the Concierge.

Would she only see the Head Butler once, on embarkation day. 

 

IMO, to get the real experience a couple of unrecognizable members of the staff need to be in Sky Suites and not in any way associated with her or her entourage. 

 

I totally agree…

It concerns me at present that so many guests I ‘know’ from CC as reliable and truthful are posting less than good and no where near excellent experiences. 

Jim, I hope you are soon feeling better. You have had a hectic time even without taking on board the climate change.

I must confess to feeling really annoyed for Iain about the wine…Excuses that things are not available when they are on board is not acceptable and as for trying to charge you….well!!!

I remember sommelier service in Luminae being really slow one cruise and after our wine not arriving two nights running until our starters were nearly finished my late husband saying politely to the waiter “If our starter arrives and our wine hasn’t we will be sending it back…”. He said it pleasantly but firmly and when our starters arrived and we still had empty glasses he asked the waiter not to serve it. Our waiter was flustered and talked to the M’D who chased the sommelier….After that wine service did improve…

Perhaps next visit to Luminae you order the wine you want and refuse to accept your meals until it is provided!

4 hours ago, NMTraveller said:

I was just wondering if Celebrity has some deserts that are made with coconut milk instead of milk?  Say for instance a coconut creme Brule?

If you have a medical condition that means you can’t have products containing milk then discuss options with your waiter/M’D.