20pluscruises

Please let us know when you find O & AZ for "little more than the X price". Doing a quick search on a site that allows easy comparison, I looked for the absolutely cheapest price per night for itineraries in two regions:

 

Caribbean:

X = 74

O = 140

A = 137

 

Baltic:

X = 135

O = 257

A = 256

 

And that is for the cheapest cabin. Some of those old A and O ships have inside cabins less than 150 square feet, and their verandahs come at a very steep price.

 

For the difference in cost, I'd have pretty high expectations. I'm not saying I didn't think my three Azamara cruises were great, and they certainly have interesting itineraries, but for the price, I think I get much better value on Celebrity.

I may be wrong...but don't you need to add in the cost of the specialty restaurants (free on O) and liquor? I think I'm missing one other item as we recently looked at an O cruise and the price very close when all was said and done.

I just booked Reflection for April 8 for less money than Carnival Magic. Balcony cabin, drink pkg, and 400 OBC. I find Celebrity to be a very different experience, especially the passenger mix. I doubt I ever cruise Carnival again, I know my husband won't.

That is the problem...Celebrity use to be a step above Princess of Hall which is why we always cruised Celebrity. Sadly, I'm not seeing much of a difference between the three in the last month. A slight edge above last fall (2015) but summer of 2016 has changed my mind as Celebrity being a bit better than the other two. And it kills me to say that.

I just got off the phone with my TA takin' care of bizness. During the conversation I lamented about the direction of Celebrity. She told me a lot of her customers have been saying the same things and that I should write Celebrity. HA! I told her they'd never care. Queen Lisa has her own agenda direction and nothing I say will affect that.

 

How many of you feel the same way?

I do

Exactly and yet Celebrity picked up I think 5 of the top 10 overall ships in CCs poll. Yeah, they suck :rolleyes:

I think that's exactly the point. We would like them to continue to be in the top. It doesn't seem to be heading that way...imho :(

I think x will do fine with this change. There are many more youngsters who have their own money or family money to try X. They also have a tendency to spend more on board to boot bravo Lisa.

 

Sent from my KFTHWI using Forums mobile app

Interesting segment on the news tonight...whopping 40 percent of millennials currently receive financial assistance from their parents. Even those in their early 30s with jobs and spouses report receiving help with cell phone bills, health insurance, rent, or student loan payments.

Hey, we are like "what's happening man?" Long live Cheech & Chong!

"Dave's not here!"

That is actually almost funny :confused::eek: But not surprising.

IKR? We all scratched our heads with that one. :confused:

So one no longer needs the premium package at the Martini bar? That will save some $$.

Sorry, you still need the premium package at the martini bar for martinis. Friends had to upgrade. I'm not certain if that was due to her trying all of the specialty martinis, but she did have to upgrade from the classic package for the ones on the menu.

When was your last stay at the Nugget? Of the 7 lines we have sailed, NONE are as low brow as the Nugget.

 

So which is it? In post #70 you compared X to Disney, which is the farthest thing from the Nugget there is.??

Actually, the Nugget is not all that bad these days with the new upgrades, but it is no where near the Bellagio.

Tine Tine, if you are a foodie you are going to love Oceania. I have been on most of the luxury lines and Oceania dining is the best at sea. Hope you are going on the Riviera or the Marina their 2 larger ships. I would go on Azamara rather than go on their smaller ships. They are the same ships but better CC Perks go with Azamara. I am back on O Riviera in October and can`t wait. No noise at the pool, plenty loungers, all 4 specialty dining rooms are free. They let you bring on any liquor you want. Plus I have $600. OBC. Enjoy

We too are looking at the Oceania. Thanks for sharing the "2 larger ships". Was it difficult to get reservations in the restaurants? Any other tips? :) Thanks!

We were SO disappointed by this change that on our May 29th Summit cruise we only went to the Martini Bar once before dinner. On past cruises we lived there, especially on the old M Class Martini bars.

 

It did cut down on our onboard spending. So I hope Celebrity is happy.

It was very quiet on our cruise also. All three couples commented about it. All three couples also decided NEVER again on Summit. This was a very recent cruise and we all met o two years ago on the same ship. I'm so disappointed seeing Celebrity go in this direction. Even the 4:00 tea sandwiches were awful. A piece of bread with some red peppers placed on top and one other sad looking option. Who wants a piece of white bread with just peppers? AND soft serve ice cream was served only once during the cruise.

...and the photos are now one photo for $25.00. Crazy!!!!

This just jogged my memory that Celebrity/RCCL also cut ties with the bus service they use to have going to Cape Liberty from Boston, Providence, Hartford, Bridgeport, etc. Not sure who/why it ended but there were many disappointed cruisers who had cruises already booked that needed to find alternate transporation. Maybe the bus company wasn't making enough money. I don't know what goes into these decisions.

They also cut the size of the martini glasses at the martini bar. All are now small. Makes it difficult to take a nice drink to dinner and knowing it is grey goose and not made with the bar brand.

She turned it into a booze cruise. A stroke of genius. The price of drinks were raised to outrageous prices then she introduced the drink packages which is a savings over the posted prices but still highway robbery. The value buyers didn't fall for it so they only bought individually, or not at all. The lemmings fell for it hook line and sinker. The big gain was that alcohol makes the average food taste better, the mediocre service acceptable, and loosened up the purse strings that made the shops, specialty restaurants, tours, and other services look like steals.

This was probably done to attract the next generation, but it appears that the older generation fell fo it also. Although money isn't a problem, we worked too hard to throw it away on drinks and related expenditures.

To get the best bang for their buck they should change the name to Celebrity Bar and Grill.

LOL! @Celebrity Bar and Grill.

Sadly, with most getting the bev package you now also have to watch what the bartenders pour. I don't like asking for a grey goose and they pour a bar brand if you don't watch. AND then lie to my face and say it is grey goose when I clearly saw him use the bar brand. My biggest pet peeve!!!

When we want quiet time by the pool, we go to the Solarium. The outdoor pool is noisy, and crowded on sea days and doesn't appeal to me. I miss the live music at the pool. The piped in music is overused in my opinion, but others must have enjoyed it because the loungers were full.

 

I've never been on Summit, assuming Revelations Lounge is similar to Quasar on Solstice class ships? On our last cruise, I was surprised to see Quasar was actually being used. The DJ was playing songs from Grease, Flash Dance and other Broadway music.There was a large group of 40 somethings dancing and having a great time. The music was loud, but they seemed to be having fun. The DJ had a great rapport with them. It wasn't a place to sit and chat, but there are quieter lounges, as well as Café al Bacio for that.

I don't care how loud they have the music in the lounges...the pool area I can't understand. It has been loud for the past few years, but the new tall speakers are crazy loud.

Ok, fine. Let us say that all three of those were put in place solely to attract younger cruisers (not likely). That's not aligned with the point the OP made, and agreed to by plenty of posters. How are any of those changes "alienating loyal customers" or "destroying the brand". You're saying people are going to switch to Oceania because LLP is now offering Unlimited Internet? Really?

 

And regarding Bistro on Five...it is commonly stated on this board that very few to any passengers go there. We do, but only on embarkment day for a stress free lunch. So not seeing how Loyal Customers should feel they have given up SO MUCH to give the Gen Xer's "their" Fish Bait on Five.

 

So, please fellow CCer's ......help me understand what I am giving up by way of LLP's actions in order for her to attract younger cruisers. How, specifically, is she "alienating loyal customers" or "destroying the brand" in her efforts to attract younger cruisers.

 

So far what we have is..... the large speakers at the pool area on some ships. What else is she doing to attract younger cruisers that is "destroying the brand"??

 

Cheers,

OHP

It once felt like you were going to the Bellagio and now feels like you're going to the Golden Nugget...imho

My two cents. Celebrity is doing what has to be done based on the branding they are trying to be consistent and true to. Whether or not they can be truly consistent to it based on market projections is a tough call though.

 

I'm in my mid 30s, and personally find it a little ignorant to think that 'we' are all burdened by debt and don't spend money on vacations or bursts or luxury that celebrity or any other company would not want to cater too.

 

I despise being nickel and dimed and would choose more high end lines than celebrity.. BUT I find the higher end lines boring and full of a demographic that, although lovely to have dinner and drinks with, would be all too sleepy for me to spend my X number of weeks vacation time with.

 

So the way I look at it, celebrity is trying to find the sweet spot for what my 'dilemma' is. The problem is you can't fill a 'big' ship up with [classyish] 30 something's alone without ostracizing the typical cruise demographic.. But if they don't go after the market, the generation will think there's nothing for them and will never take part.. And frankly put, older is getting older and won't be there forever. Same way south Florida country clubs are struggling for resales of 'club' membership at the lower upper end, so are the cruises.

 

So I found celebrrity suites a good compromise. Been enjoying them! I don't expect vegas do to the demographics.. But what they deliver on is a good attempt to keep an energy going past dinner time.

 

Big point, 'we' aren't all broke and 'we' are just as much of a future of the industry as the OP assumes they are. Happily pay up front not to be nickel and dimed.. And entertained.

My first cruise was in my early 30's and I loved it. Now it is beginning to feel like going to Disneyland. (trying to say it as nicely as possible)

That one thing I can't wrap my head around is changing the theater entertainment to much earlier times.

Okay, two more...

 

Sushi

 

Unlimited internet option

I'll add two more..

Anytime / freestyle dining

7 day cruises to Europe (and the reason they first started the 3 day trips)

I can see your point on the speakers...but I'd think there are plenty of boomer that appreciate the change. Just like there are plenty of younger cruisers that want to converse with their friends and family and hate the larger speakers.

 

Casual Chic was implemented to attract younger cruisers?? Really. From the threads here there are plenty of boomers and ggeners that are praising the change (not me..btw).

 

Sweet martinis. Not sure there is evidence that younger cruisers like sweet martinis at a higher percentage than the general cruising population.

 

Thanks for your message. We now have on a four page thread one example of a change that was believed to be put in place to attract younger cruisers.

 

Cheers,

OHP

Okay, two more...

Sushi

Unlimited internet option

I like to think of myself as a 'young' 60 year old. My husband and I loved our first X cruise six years ago. We were hooked. Ditching formal night for evening chic only made it better for us.

 

The music entertainment seems to be aimed at our age group. Looking around the theater, there were mostly white haired passengers clapping and toe tapping along to Beatles' music and classic rock. While I enjoyed it, I'd like to see X mix it up a bit, with music that appeals to younger people. The surest way to become an old foggy is to live in the past and refuse to open your mind to anything new.

 

I have noticed a few cut backs that were of little consequence and the addition of things we do enjoy. Our next cruise will cost less than our first cruise of comparable value, once all the discounts and perks are added in. No complaints from us.

 

ETA - I'd also love an extended breakfast, later lunch and late night DJ in Quasar.

I like the mix of music...but does it need to be so dang loud out by the pool? Everyone around us were complaining. It also became VERY loud in Revelations lounge when they wanted cruisers to leave for the night

OK kind cruisers, need some help with this thread. If you recall the OP's thesis statement was, "Then the bottom fell out, and it became clear that Lisa Lutoff-Perlow was moving Celebrity in a new direction: try to attract younger customers to cruising. Hook them in now and they will be with you for life".

 

There were several posters that agreed with the OP and many that offered examples of changes they thought were hurting X or driving them from X to others. But there were no examples of specific changes rolled out that LLP intended to attract younger cruises at the expense of the loyal cruiser.

 

Then AdoraBelle posted (see above) to try to get specific examples. Again, there were no examples of changes to attract younger cruisers. For example, I'm not thinking removing free bottled water for AQ was designed to attract younger cruisers :-).

 

 

 

So, please, those that think LLP is out to chase us Boomers and our parents off in order to replace us with younger cruisers.....Please list out the changes that us Boomers hate but younger cruisers love.

 

Sorry for the ramble...but from reading the board over the past six months or so I really think there is the perception out there that LLP is the Wicked Witch of the West, wants us loyal cruisers to die off, and structure a business model to attract younger cruisers after our exit. I don't see it, so please help me out.

 

Cheers,

OHP

The story and half speakers out by the POOL. So loud you can't talk to the person sitting right next to you.

The casual chic dress code.

The new martini bar menus. 99% are very very sweet.

OK I've got one. Replacing live music with DJ loud, blaring music in the atrium so you can't speak with anyone at the nearby venues.

 

 

 

Queen Lisa doesn't necessarily want to chase off the old farts but wants to add more to the bottom line by cutting costs. If chasing off the expensive Elite/Elite Plus perk suckers saves money, the more the better. The younger ones don't get what's been cut yet.

 

Thus to use a metaphor, a person who's never tasted steak loves the flavor of hamburger and is happy.

Wait till you see the new two story (well, maybe a story and a half) speakers out at the Summit pool. You can't speak to anyone out by the pool now ither. The music was LOUD!!!

true....and as long as Celebrity can find over 800,000 of them to fill the cabins of their ships each year, they will do well. Of course all of those aren't the high priced suites....but on the less expensive cabins, they still have to compete with many other cruise lines. It's never good to alienate your past customers...and alas, Lisa and her predecessor have done just that and some, if not many are now at least looking at other lines rather than just booking Celebrity.....that includes us.

 

It's not just the big things....actually the change that had us start looking elsewhere was the water in aqua.....if Celebrity can be that cheap....what's next.

What's next?....the food in Blu has been downgraded. We just returned and it is much different than the same cruise last August. Sad really.

What is plan B? Wouldnt go to Turkey under these circumstances.

No way! Military coup....

Coup attempt in Turkey