Tom-n-Cheryl

2 hours ago, Team Stag said:

VV installed a new CEO in September (when the previous one retired).  In some of his early interviews, he shared his focus will be transitioning from launching a new cruise line to profitability.  Since then, I have also seen a reduction of discounts and booking promotions.  I'm guessing some more changes are headed down the line for VV.

2 hours ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

 

That wasn't a very long tenure - probably had a nice retirement package/incentive !

 

"Profitability"... we all know what that means !  😉

 

Tom

Funny - just read an article on CNN regarding Virgin Galactic (how Branson indicated he's not putting any more of his money into the company) which included the following quote:

Branson was quoted in an article posted by the Financial Times on Sunday as saying that his investment company — Virgin Group — hasn’t been in the best financial shape because of the pandemic.

-----

Branson was originally also involved with (what is now Brightline) a few years ago, and ended up pulling out. (NEWS)

But wait, there's more, he was also going to build a Hyperloop test facility in WV - which also ended up being pie-in-the sky.

Perhaps his eyes are too big for his stomach, or wallet...

Tom

56 minutes ago, flcraigs5 said:

Thanks Tom

Yikes - just noticed this was a HAL thread !

8 minutes ago, Team Stag said:

VV installed a new CEO in September (when the previous one retired).  In some of his early interviews, he shared his focus will be transitioning from launching a new cruise line to profitability.  Since then, I have also seen a reduction of discounts and booking promotions.  I'm guessing some more changes are headed down the line for VV.

That wasn't a very long tenure - probably had a nice retirement package/incentive !

"Profitability"... we all know what that means !  😉

Tom

23 minutes ago, flcraigs5 said:

So zi read that you can bring a 12 pack of canned water onboard as long as it is not in plastic bottles. Can it be seltzer water? 

We usually bring along a 12-pk of Lacroix. Never any issues

Tom

1 hour ago, crusinthrough said:

...I had a fairly good deal on the Ascent for Dec 10th with the old elevate package.  I debated a long time before cancelling.  I'm glad I did.  I went on Virgin in Nov and absolutely loved it.  The food is night and day and VV still offers incentives to book such as a bar tab, although prices are starting to rise and booking incentives are being taken away like the 10% pay in full discount.  

I noticed that vanished over the last few months too. I haven't yet pulled the trigger on booking with Virgin, and had to do a double take when I couldn't locate that discount recently while cruise shopping.

Tom

1 minute ago, DallasGuy75219 said:

And free for all of us bleeding Carnival dry with free casino offers!

I will say, the DRINKS ON US EVERYWHERE does get my attention !

Tom

I was looking at some 2025/26 dates for the Mardi Gras under my VIFP#. In most cases it's only giving me (suite options) of Ocean View Suite - and - Family Harbor Ocean View Suite.

I logged in later from another computer, and didn't have my credentials handy, and checked the same dates. Lo and behold, there are NINE categories of suites available - including every type of Excel Suite they have (what I was looking for).

I'm scratching my head as to why Carnival does not want me to see all the options, and is only spoon feeding me limited cabin types. I mean, leave it up to me to decide if I'd be ok paying full price (non-casino rates) for something. If it's a Presidential Suite I'm looking for, I might just wander off to another cruise line if I can't find it. This just seems ... stupid !

BTW, I've encountered this in the past as well.

Tom

5 minutes ago, illinoisfive said:

I think for our Horizon sailing last April we left from the new Celebration Terminal but didn't realize how far it was from Garage D where we parked!  So I am hoping that tomorrow we can park in G as it looks much closer to Terminal F

Thank you everyone for your help with this parking info!!!!

Have a GREAT time !!

Tom

1 minute ago, illinoisfive said:

looking on the port map it shows parking garage G as the closest to Terminal F.  Has anyone been able to park in that garage?

Yep, it was probably G - rather than D - we parked in for our two Celebration sailings.

2 minutes ago, BlerkOne said:

Yes, Internet is cheaper and more reliable.

 

Cabin prices are cheaper for (too) many.

 

Cheers is still cheaper than buying max number of drinks.

 

Adjusted for inflation, there are probably more.

 

 

Glass half full 👍

10 minutes ago, mac_tlc said:

We have done a CLS a few times also. Their prices have gone up considerably too.  We used to target about $5 - $5.5K for two for a week cruise. Now they are typically $7-8K, sometimes more, although Galveston departures seem to be a little less. 
 

It’s a good alternative and a great cabin. 
 

 

mac_tlc

We usually shoot for their first (actual) suite - GS, though have splurged a couple of times up to a Grand Panoramic Suite, or some such labeled cabin, lol.

With Celebrity, they might as well rename sky suites to junior suites, as they do seem to be the red-headed stepchild of the suite lineup...

Yep, parking there will include a bit of a trek to the garage. I believe it's garage "D". Not a major issue.

It's not as bad as our last two sailings on celebrity out Port Everglades though. There, for the Reflection at least, you had to take a shuttle to and from the terminal to get to the parking garage. 

Another reason I prefer sailing from our home port!

Tom

The only thing that comes to mind is the per minute cost of calls (to land) from your cabin phone. 

I recall it used to be something like $9.99/minute, then several years ago some ships started dropping it to $6.99.

Now it's, what, $1.99/min?

Is this the only thing that costs less now?

Tom

17 minutes ago, TeeRick said:

I am one of those people - after many, many years booking suites on Celebrity-  we walked.

For example we booked a Crown Loft suite on RCCL Symphony next cruise.  Less expensive than a Sky Suite on Celebrity by quite a lot.  We get a number of suite perks including unlimited streaming WiFi, and meals at Coastal Kitchen (suite restaurant), but we would have to pay for a beverage package if we wanted one.  And gratuities are not included on either line now.   As we are D+, we can get drink coupons every day and access to the Diamond Lounge.  Also drinks included for free in the Suite Lounge.  This all works for us anyway.

I agree, with our daily drink coupons and the open bar in the early evening in the suite lounge, that covers a majority of our drinks.

I used to think that making Zenith was a reasonable goal, and likely achievable without significant effort other than time. However, I don't see that being in the cards going forward.

And, to me, the experience is just OK... and too long... Once and done. Well, or 5 times and done.

(or so)

Tom

18 minutes ago, x lindsay x said:

 I have only done the Chef's Table on Carnival once, it was 6+ years ago and the wine was definitely the weakest point in evening. They had a red or white, nothing of note and the same two wines course after course, it was not a pairing event. If it's $150 and has a true pairing it *could* be worth it.  

We opted for a wine pairing (upgrade) on our first Celebrity cruise 15+ years ago. One of the wines was a glass of Château Lafite Rothschild. Prior to that, I wasn't much for red wines - but that was the turning point! For reference, they no longer offer that on their wine pairing menu. Further, the Steakhouse (probably back in the Supper Club days) on Carnival used to have multiple vintages of that wine still available by the bottle (I can't recall if was actually on the menu). We sprung for it a couple of times - and now they're all a thing of the past. Those were the old Bob Dickinson days - he enjoyed his wines. Back then we even opted for their Wine Club, and had a few nice bottles show up throughout the year.

Tom

FWIW - as long as we're talking about revenue sources - I'd be happy to pay for an actual room service breakfast. They've come a long with with the breakfast sandwich offerings now, but I'd still like to see fresh egg options.

Tom

17 hours ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

I'm glad to know that the service in those upper suites was on point...at those price points, it should be...lol. While I love nice things, I don't have the cruising budget to pay what they are asking for the amount of times per year that we cruise.  But an interesting observation we made while in the Retreat was the age demographic was, by and large retirement age and beyond while the age demographic outside the Retreat was definitely younger...thirties/forties...perhaps they will graduate to the Retreat at some point as their income levels increase.  Celebrity seems to have the E class sweet spot figured out and has offered a really nice experience across all price points.  That's a good thing!

Perhaps they need to consider a meaningful "senior" discount.  😉  lol

Tom

Just now, Joebucks said:

 

....There is zero chance I'm paying $350 for a dinner on a cruise.

But, it's an upgraded experience... 😉

18 hours ago, BlerkOne said:

A new design, but parts will resemble Excel class, and largest casino Princess has on a cruise ship.

Hopefully with a decent non-smoking area!

Tom

13 minutes ago, mrgabriel said:

I've never seen any of the specialty dining or MDR's open on port days. The exception is, of course, the MDR for the Concierge lunch on boarding day.

 

BTW - we lived in Melbourne for several years & loved being able to take short cruises out of PC. Hope you're able to enjoy a lot of X cruises from your home port. 

I was thrilled when I heard that Celebrity was bringing a ship here - then happy to learn that it was at least a Solstice class ship, less so that it wasn't the Reflection or Silhouette (really love those two lunch options). 

Having said that - I predict we'll be getting back on the Equinox, just because it's going to be so convenient !

Around that same time (ballpark) Princess also announced that it would be brining its first ship to PC - sadly, it was the Caribbean Princess... the only Princess cruise we've been on, and a ship we didn't care for. Hey, we have to take the good with the not so good !!  🙂

Tom

"upgraded" experience = hogwash

I see that there are several dates where these two ships are doing 3 and 4 night runs, with either 0 or 1 sea days. Does that mean that the Porch and/or Lawn Club Grill are only open for lunch once during each cruise, if at all... or, have they made any changes to that policy for these cruises?

Tom

11 hours ago, markeb said:

Thanks. Not to hijack a Celebrity thread, but this is an issue with marketing across cruise lines. Regent does an amazing job of promoting itself as pompous and boring! From what you’re describing they should at least also promote the affluent adult space! Unfortunately the fares I’m seeing are beyond my comfort zone. But we’ll keep them in mind. 

(for the record, I'm 61 also)

I'll note that most of the people I see in the marketing from Celebrity don't accurately reflect the guests I typically encounter onboard.

I just noticed this image from the Carnival page - I will say, they're not far off the mark here...

I've been curious about the "luxury lines" as well - but I also prefer bands that have a bit of edge to them. I was on a sailing earlier this year where the house band (Carnival Liberty) was playing great sets, finishing off with a great rendition of Zombie.

Tom

1 hour ago, Dolebludger said:

Great! And Regent does have a casino. Never used it because if I want to gamble (very rarely do) I go to Vegas where it is regulated. Regent does also have entertainment and lectures. I’ve enjoyed many lectures. Never went to much of the entertainment, but what I’ve attended was good. And finding a good seat is never a problem, with no long lines to get in. What you will find is a true lux experience, without the crowds, lines, and bottlenecks that are typical on many cruise lines. We do not usually book concierge class either, but our recent past and near future cruise had a two category upgrade. Other than the pre-cruise hotel, most who have been on Regent agree that there are really no benefits in it.

Any chance their casino is smoke-free (or other premium lines)?