ScottC4746

On 5/24/2023 at 9:27 PM, FireEMT978 said:

Well,

Just got off of the 5/9/23, 12-night Hawaii Eclipse sailing. I'm sure that this will upset the "Loyalists"! But, the food quality was horrible on the Eclipse! I was on the 8-Night Beyond "Holiday sailing" from 12/26/22-1/3/23. The entire cruise, including the food was all phenomenal! As for our Eclipse sailing, I can't say enough about just how much the majority of the guests onboard were very disappointed with the food quality all over the ship. The buffet was pretty much identical, with minimal changes daily. The scrambled eggs were like soup! The quality of the "Celebrity" product has suffered severely! We looked up to Celebrity to be a big "Step up" in food quality! We now feel that Celebrity is being cheapened up, to save money/make the investors a larger profit. We feel like the exact same food that is being served on Royal Caribbean ships, is now the exact same food being served on Celebrity. It's really sad. The ships are sailing at up to 110% revenue capacity. And, they are still cutting the quality of the product. Many of us sailed during the restart immediately after the "Pandemic" to prove our loyalty. Now, I feel as if I should even consider booking anymore future cruises. While we have been very happy with my "move" from Royal Caribbean, to Celebrity Cruise Line, the current experinces will shape our future decisions. We dressed up in our "Finest" to go to the MDR on this cruise, only to find out that the "Aged Prime Rib of Beef" was not being served, as shown on the menu! Talk about a huge amount of the MDR guests being extremely upset! After 25 cruises in the past 26 years, the deficiences/intentional cutbacks are showing badly!

We noticed the same thing Sept 2022 on Solstice, but once we started taking all the meals in the main dining room and avoiding the buffet, WOW WHAT A DIFFERENCE.

I have a cruise in May 2024 to Alaska.  Our Sunday is a port day.  Will they have Catholic Mass on board or do we need to get ourselves to the local parish?

On 4/26/2023 at 1:57 PM, AliceS said:

I am so underwhelmed by this design, I will try not to ever settle for one again.   I will go to an ocean view, or upgrade…..no more infinite balcony.   I was solo…double cost.   The window made so much noise up and down… grrrrrrrrr, grrrrrrrrr……why?   I don’t get it.    It’s an ocean view cabin with a window that opens.

Forget it!

We are in a concierge class on Edge to Alaska.  This will be our first time using one.  I like the idea in cold/hot weather.  My DH hates the idea.

On 4/18/2023 at 5:46 PM, tusconcam said:

Help please with if I am required to bring my original passport with me on Celebrity cruise shore excursions in Spain, France and Italy.

I had hoped that a photocopy would suffice ; as you can imagine the problems with a potentially lost/stolen original.

The cruise departs from Barcelona May 1st, then visit: Palma de Mallorca, Mersaille, Villefranche, Santa Margherita,  La Spezia, Cagliari, Messina, Naples and finish in Rome.

Ideas, and feedback much appreciated. 

Thanks 

P.s I am Canadian with a valid passport traveling from Toronto 

 

 

Yes as you cannot travel, should you miss your ship, on a photo copy.

1 minute ago, Tinknock50 said:

I do not have assigned seating.

We didn't either last cruise and we had our wonderful two top, same table, same staff the entire cruise.

On 3/30/2023 at 12:19 PM, zitsky said:

I just watched part of a YouTube video by some rather annoying guys, recording in one of the Beyond pools.  Do I have to worry about influencers, TikTok stars etc taking over the ship?  I don’t have a problem sharing space but I’m not leaving a space to make it more convenient for them.

I have no problem doing what I was doing or planned on doing in the area.  So what if I photo bombed their video.  They video bombed my vacation.  Unless Celebrity has roped off the area for them to film in, not likely, it is fair game for me to enjoy the area.

1 hour ago, spearmint said:

It has been 6 years since my last cruise and I understand some changes have happened, especially since the pandemic.  For example, I have been told that Celebrity no longer has lobster on the menu,and that the cabin stewards do up the cabins in the morning only.  Can anyone give any information of notable changes made?  I have the impression that one is given a specific time at which to board.... we were used to coming to the port in the morning and would be allowed to board to public areas en masse as soon as the ship allowed, even if the cabins were not available yet.  I am cruising again in November, and just want to be aware of new procedures etc.

 

Thanks,

Bill

We went last year on Solstice to Alaska September 2022 just as the industry was digging out of the lock down.

1. We had lobster.

2. We, or at least my category of a Concierge State Room, had make up in the morning and turn down at night.

3. We were given 11 AM to board.  We arrived at 9:30 AM and had no problem boarding.  We threw things in the room and were messaged when the room was ready.

On 3/22/2023 at 5:38 PM, migdet71 said:

First time Celebrity cruisers, and we're wondering if the "Chic" attire applies to the entire ship or just MDR/specialty dining and shows.  We don't eat in the MDR, so on "Chic" nights are we going to get the stink eye for wandering the ship in nice shorts, sandals and camp shirts?  I've scoured the web site and it's not really clear on the subject.  Thanks in advance

Our first X cruise was on Solstice to Alaska.  While they kindly request that you adhere to the dress code in the public areas, I never saw anyone NOT adhere to the dress code.  The old days of cruises people wore suits and dresses or tuxes and gowns in the evening and as time marched on, people were rushing after dinner and changing.  Sad really as I enjoyed dressing up for the night.  Having been an officer for 6 or 7 years in a fraternal organization and having to wear a suit to 3 meetings a month, and a tux to 1 meeting a month, I appreciated the chic nights.  At night, I wore nice clean dark jeans with a collared sports button up shirt and the chic nights nice slacks and nice button up dress shirt with no tie.  No tennis shoes however.  I dressed up the footwear in the evenings and on chic night was black dress shoes.

11 hours ago, MrBill923 said:

Are the 2-top tables by the windows right next to other tables or are they more separated? We sail on the Equinox soon, just curious. 

Thanks

 

On the Solstice they were scattered throughout.  Ours was on the second tier along the railing so we had a lovely view of the entire dining room.

Just now, Ex-Airbalancer said:

Nothing wrong with that , some people want sit around the pools , other want to sit at a table 

At the height of lunch service with many passengers circling like vultures?

1 minute ago, Ex-Airbalancer said:

Never had a problem in the buffet but there usually a group of us eating together , sometimes too many people 🤣

Yes but at least you all were eating.  We had groups of people at lunch playing games and not eating.

The last time we cruised was the first time on X going to Alaska round trip from Seattle and was on the Solstice.  We were not a full capacity then and hearing cruises are now 100%+ now, which brings a questions about the Edge.

We are a couple and had a hard time with the buffet.  First, we started being "polite" and both going through the line together and then trying to find a seat.  When we got up to get seconds, we both got up to avoid us looking like table hogs and lost our table and had to go through everything again.

The second day one of us would be a table hog and hold the table while the other got their food.  While they were eating, the other would get food.  By the time they made it back the first was ready for seconds so we never got to eat together, really.

By lunch time the third day we decided to try all three meals in the MDR and boy what a difference in the quality and choices as they seemed to be rotated out where in the buffet they were not.

Is the buffet going to be the same on the Edge?

On 6/1/2022 at 10:37 AM, DCPIV said:

Oh, goodie.  Are we going to debate as to whether there's a debate?

Just now, Georgia_Peaches said:

Sorry, I don't mean to be dense but I have a question.  Is the 18.99 the result of the 5% discount or is it 5% off 18.99?  We are booked on the Ascent for a 4 nighter and it includes the Classic package.  We have the Elite discount of 15% and I was going to upgrade us to Premium on board.  I'm just trying to figure out what the price is pp/pd without any discounts so I can estimate the cost to upgrade with the 15% discount.  Also wondering, is the discount taken before or after the added gratuity?

The $18.99 is the result of the 5%.

Last time we cruised with X, also was our first time, was last September on the Solstice in Alaska.  The main dining room was trying their best, and doing a great job, of seating people at tables the size of the travel parties.  We are a couple, and me having social anxiety and an introvert, much prefer a two top and it is a breath holding game with us in hopes we get a two top.  Every breakfast, lunch and dinner in the MDR it was not a problem.  There was one other couple upset they were sitting by themselves and were told it was a COVID thing.  Are they still doing this, I hope?

19 hours ago, Maplemoose said:

I was just browsing the bar menus for the Summit and saw 2 bars selling buckets of 6 beers. My question is can the bucket be brought back to thr cabin to be consumed at my leisure  or does the bartender have to open all bottles at once as if a group is going to drink them in the bar. I have seen this on other cruises.  Another question: All those beers I see listed for 7 or 8 dollars....are they bottles or drafts? 

Not sure about the opening thing, but you can purchase any beverage at any bar and take anywhere on board.  I couldn't finish my predinner martini one night and the MDR had no problem me bringing it in.

4 hours ago, Rxgrad98 said:

We are sailing on the Infinity next year and we arrive back into our disembarkation port, Piraeus, on March 3, 2024, the day before disembarkation, March 4, 2024.  I can't get a clear answer on what time we can leave the ship on March 4.  Celebrity is only offering flights that depart after 12pm which would delay us getting home until March 5.  My TA says I should be able to depart at anytime on the 4th as the ship should have already cleared customs.  I was on the phone with Celebrity yesterday for over an hour only to be given a "we can't guarantee you can get off the ship in the early morning hours" to make a 6am, 7am flight.  We would prefer to get back home on the 4th.

 

Has anyone had experience spending the last night of the cruise in the disembarkation port?  What time were you able to get off the ship?  Thank you in advance for any info.  Appreciate it.

 

They will assign departure time based on your flight.  Based on Seattle last year, if you booked a shuttle bus through X, it appeared to us that when you exit the gangway, look for a porter, now matter how few bags you have.  They were whisking those using porters to the head of the line.  Not sure if it is the norm or because it was the year of Covid Startup Cruises.

21 hours ago, omeinv said:

No.  I have no idea how they are making that decision.  I can conceive of any number of methods, and none of them are going to avoid upsetting the affected passengers. I was really hopeful the fifth time was going to be the charm, so my fingers are crossed. 

 

Harris

Denver, CO

Hopefully they use the first in are safe method.  I booked Alaska for May of 2024 back in Nove 2022, the first day they went on sale.  Hopefully they account for that if it happens to me.

2 minutes ago, PTC DAWG said:

I despise signing slips, and I like better bourbon and gin/vodka.  I always upgrade on board..20 Stella’s, I’ll pass. 🙂

I like having the coffees and wider selection of other drinks is why I upgrade.

On 4/17/2023 at 11:49 AM, pattycake08 said:

I'm a Diamond Member in RCCL, so able to take advantage of the 4 free drinks that RCCL provides. I'm thinking of taking a cruise next Summer 2024 on Celebrity. I have never been on Celebrity before. I thought I heard that while I may have to start with "0" Loyalty Points on Celebrity, my Diamond Status from RCCL (meaning free drinks) should carry over to Celebrity, not sure if that is true, can someone confirm?  Also, if I book on Celebrity am I able to use my "Diamond" discount from RCCL, to get a discount on my cabin on Celebrity, not sure how that would work since I am not a member yet of Celebrity's Captain's Club Loyalty Program.

From RCCL Cruise website:

Equivalent Recognition or Loyalty Status Matching is a program that offers Crown and Anchor and Celebrity Cruises Captain’s Club loyalty members the opportunity to receive recognition and similar benefits when they sail with one of the two brands – both pre-cruise and onboard with matching tier status; however, Cruise Points will remain according to actual cruises taken and calculated using the Program level accrual system for Crown & Anchor Society. Members of one program must enroll in the sister program to receive equivalent recognition benefits. Credits earned on one brand are not combinable with credits earned from another brand. The benefi ts of the Captain’s Club and Crown & Anchor Society will stay independent and not be combined. Royal Caribbean Crown & Anchor Society Platinum and Emerald levels will be equivalent to Select in Celebrity Cruise’s Captain’s Club. Royal Caribbean Crown & Anchor Society Diamond, Diamond Plus and Pinnacle Club levels will be equivalent to Elite in Celebrity Cruise’s Captain’s Club. Gold membership status in Crown & Anchor Society is not part of this benefi t. Pinnacle Club membership tier level can only be obtained through earning the appropriate number of Cruise Points on Royal Caribbean ships

1 minute ago, DaKahuna said:

 

I do not see it that way — I see it as a listing on what is on each package and has nothing to do with having classic and ordering something off the premium.   However, I do see you point that it does not explain everything but then again I do not believe it ever was intended to cover all possibilities. 

 

I am not aware and have never seen a ‘cap per day’.  The only thing I have heard is bartenders refusing to serve someone who was obviously too drunk already.  

 

Last year on the Solstice we had a limit.  Personally after three martinis I was spent.  I knew someone who sued, unsuccessfully, Carnival because of their drink limit saying it wasn't unlimited as advertised.  If you have to worry about more than 15 alcoholic drinks then...well...Betty Ford might be the best next vacation spot.  I've been on some cruises where people want to see how drunk they want to get.  I'd rather enjoy my cruise without the hangovers, etc.

27 minutes ago, DaKahuna said:

 

I find there are two red wines on the classic package that I like -- the Columbia Crest Merlot and the Tapiz Joven Malbec.  My wife is the white wine drinker and seems to like, in order of preferences, the Mondavi Moscato and the Corte Giara Pinot Grigio.

 

Full discloure - I prefer the Malbec and Merlot on the Premium list over those two but I will not turn either away if that is all they have.

 

That is where it is a pricing thing.  Up to $10 for basic up to $17 for premium

1 hour ago, brovol said:

I'm about to book a cruise on the Apex, and we will have the "all included" package.  It looks like there is no per day drink limit, but it only covers drinks up to $10, which seems low, compared to other cruise lines.  

 

Few questions.  Does this basic package cover specialty coffees?  Does the $10 limit cover all the basic stuff, like a frozen margaritas, and most wines and beers?  Lastly, if I want to upgrade the package to the premium is it the $18.99 per person per day? 

 

And another somewhat related question; if I want to upgrade my internet package from the surf , which I get in the all inclusive package, to the premium internet, what will that cost, and does it make a difference if I book it in advance or wait till I get on the ship?

 

Thanks.

This link is the official listing of what is offered.  I believe there is a cap per day, but it does not show.

All-Inclusive Cruise Drink Packages | Celebrity Cruises  Specialty coffees included in the premium package.

3 minutes ago, jelayne said:

That is about it unless you have a  Captains  Club discount.

As low as that is it may be my CC Discount.

On 4/11/2023 at 2:16 PM, Cruise till you drop said:

Friends of ours travelled with us (they had Concierge and we did not) and they didn’t feel like they got much value.  The only things they experienced was a Concierge lunch which was on embarkation day and too over 2 hours and some snacks delivered to their room during the cruise.

And at that the snacks were meh.  Some were, "what is this slop?"  Definitely not X's culinsary standard.  We go to Alaska again in May 24 and we will tell our steward to skip the canapes.