TKS

I'm fully aware that I will be well below the average age of a typical O cruise being in my early 40's. However, with that said, I fit well into the mindset of the older passenger as described by many of the posters. I would like to think that the level of service for us younger middle-aged cruisers won't be overlooked.

 

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Not to worry. O treats all passengers extremely well. There are always passengers under 50 aboard, and I've never talked to any of those folks who felt they were being slighted in any way.

Go and enjoy!

As i see it, the extras are (compared to O)

 

sodas

bottled water

specialty coffees

specialty restaurant charges

no self service laundry

 

On cruises where we save thousands pp, those extras are negligible to say the least.

On our cruise those "extras" added up to about $250 per person. We visited Murano three times it was so good! And I loved a couple of espresso's in the morning. Oh, and fresh squeezed OJ. All of which cost extra.

More than the actual cost is the constant pulling out your card and waiting for it to be scanned. The "hassle" factor, if you will. I'd happily pay the additional cost in the cruise cost to skip the inconvenience. (Oh, that sounds so self indulgent. But, after all, I am on vacation!)

Having taken my first Celebrity cruise in May of this year, after having taken the last four cruises on O, my opinion is O is a definite step up. Food definitely better, and love the ease of not having to worry what you do and what you don't pay for - everything is included except alcohol and spa services on O. O passengers skew older and better travelled, but I found both groups to be nice people and fun to visit with. O's itineraries are often more intimate, and the atmosphere aboard is definitely more intimate and quiet - the difference between 700-1300 and 2000+ passengers. Neither line has great entertainment, but I can still usually enjoy the "less than Las Vegas/Broadway" level of entertainment on both. The service on Celebrity was good - just a hair below O. I found all the crew you meet on O smile and say "good day" while about half the crew on X do. Some seem shy and actually turn away as you pass, but we also met some talented, dedicated crew members at all levels on Solstice I'm sure Mr. Del Rio would love to lure away from X.

All in all, we were certainly comfortable on X, as we have always been aboard O. But unless the itinerary on X is something I can't find on O, or the cost is a fraction of O's (after adding in all the "extras" X charges for that O doesn't), my dedication is still to O.

Thanks for your feedback, everyone. Your experiences, and some photos from Pinterest, made me decide Sorrento was a great place to spend time, and skip Capri.

Same topic, different pier. We arrive at Naples and want to DIY in Capri. Is there a similar hydrofoil service, or do we need to taxi/train to Sorrento? Thanks.

Call Celebrity for beverage and dining packages at 800-722-5941. They will process the upgrade (as well as charge your credit card now) and send you an email confirmation. Having booked through a TA won't hinder the process -- this is the Department that handles 'enhancement' purchases. Good luck!

I called this # last evening and also upgraded and cited the CC concerns about having to stand in line once aboard. The agent indicated people needn't worry about having to stand in line once aboard if they choose to upgrade then, because any bar aboard could upgrade your package "in about 30 seconds" when you order a drink.

So, we're set. Thanks, BEAV.

I had a shellac manicure removed aboard Marina as it had grown out, and removal was $80!!! I nearly passed out from shock.

Never again.

Thank you, Mr. Del Rio, for re-confirming the surf & turf sandwich at Waves Grill is still available! It was one of my favorite indulgences on Marina, and I'm so looking forward to enjoying it on our upcoming Marina adventure too. Along with the miso/sea bass, the lamb chops, the wonderful smoothies at the ice cream station. . . Sorry, I have to go exercise now, I need to lose a pound or 35.:D

We've been on three O cruises with either Mr. Ames or with Leslie Jon as CD. They are very different, but both are very outgoing, "hands on" people who enjoy meeting and serving others. They are both very efficient, and I don't know how they carry the details in their minds they do. Both are high energy folks and seem to be everywhere at one time. All this on top of the number of people they coordinate and supervise? These are pretty impressive folks!

I've read about two other O CD's here on CC, and people seem to really enjoy them too. This makes me believe O is just really good at picking, training and retaining (this may be the hardest part when you have really capable employees) these folks.

Does this really surprise anyone? :)

I would rather use the $500 to go for a couple of great meals at home rather than to make four extra reservations during the cruise. Our friends just returned from the marina concierge level and said next time he would not pay a penny extra to do that again (having been upgraded this trip). If money is no object, then a move up to a penthouse suite at least makes more sense since there is so much more space.

Yes, PH on board Marina is a considerable advantage, in many ways and worth the money, in my opinion. The concierge level on board the R ships has the advantage if being located on deck 7, between two other passenger decks with no common space above or below. That is the only real advantage I see, as there is no noise or odors from kitchen, pool area, etc.

It's really a personal choice though. The concierge and verandah cabins are exactly alike - no difference in space or furnishings. The upgraded bath amenities in concierge are certainly not worth the difference in price. Either way, enjoy your cruise!

If you are on a cruise that doesn't have a teaching bridge instructor on board, you can still ask the CD if space can be set aside with advertising in Currents and on the CD's Daily Program to organize your own tournaments. You may even find a crew member who is an avid player and can be called on to help.

I'm not a bridge player, but I appealed to the CD for Marina's MV with a quilting group, and Leslie Jon was very supportive. He put notice in the Currents every day and we were in the calendar of his daily program. He even dropped in several times during the cruise to see how we were doing.

I found O very helpful so we could "do our own thing." I'm sure you will too.:)

Cheers! Kay

Do they supply the canvas, yarn, etc. or did you bring your own?? joyous

O provides kits and instruction, as well as just an organized time to work and ask questions. Kits range from a small scissors case to a makeup kit size.

Don, I'm so glad Betsy went forward with her watercolor painting. We had so much fun, and she was really good! Tell her I also purchased the watercolor materials, but guess I'll just have to satisfy myself with Santa Fe sunrises and sunsets until my next cruise (Poor baby!???!). I'm excited O has put a fiber artist onboard, as you state!

My comment about the art loft is that it is a promising venue, but was a work in progress on our maiden voyage. Not all the supplies were yet onboard, so we all worked with what we had. I believe the lighting in the room needs "tweaking"- a large window is covered by fixed, half open shutters, and the recessed "can" lighting in the ceiling provides mostly "puddles" of light. The tables and chairs are adequate and comfortable, with space for about 25 people at a time. The space was a bit too "sterile" for my taste, very organized and neat, but with not a lot of inspiration around us. (If you saw my studio you'd find photos, sketches and supplies out and available to be picked up whenever I find inspiration and time.) Supplies are locked up and the room was only attended by the "keymaster" during organized class times, which I believe is unfortunate because there was a great deal of interest among passengers (see below). There are individual storage cubbyholes for students work along one wall (many very talented people on our voyage!), and instructors are onboard. During our cruise a painter and a photographer were in attendance, but we are told the art media and the instructors will change from time to time. The instructors had an overhead projector available and used it for teaching, as well as providing hands-on assistance. The classes were offered in short series, with no fee during our trip for either classes or materials. I don't know about future cruises, but my impression is they intend to keep the classes gratis. Classes followed a logical progression through the cruise and were offered morning and afternoon, with some evening classes by the photographer. One could drop in and join any class on a "first come, first served" basis, except for a couple which required early sign-up so the instructors could prepare the space and materials. For most classes the room was filled to capacity, so get there early to claim your seat!

Two of us CC'ers offered a fiber/fabric challenge on our CC roll-call thread, and part of the challenge was to bring some of our own materials to share, based on a stated "inspiration." Not all the supplies we'd arranged with O to have on board were available when we boarded (throughout the maiden voyage things kept magically appearing from the hold all around the ship), so we waited a few days for our first meeting. Ultimately, some of our supplies didn't make it onboard, and because we waited we ended up scheduled at the same time as the needlepoint group (that was held in Horizons), so we were a small, but dedicated, group. Several of the needlepoint folks stopped by and expressed interest, but I certainly understand their dedication to the endeavor they had already undertaken. No matter, we "did our own thing." Cruise Director Leslie John was very helpful, getting us scheduled in the art loft and "plugging" us every day in the Currents daily calendar and on his morning tv show, and he stopped by several times during the cruise to see how we were doing. We shared the supplies we had brought, shared the supplies available to us in the art loft and improvised the things we did not have. After all, finding a way to make something interesting from what's available at hand is really the definition of art. We had a grand time, and I was inspired by the creativity and energy of the others in the group. My thanks to all who joined!

My discussions with the O representative as we were setting up our fiber challenge before the cruise revealed O has a general, broad plan for the art loft, but it is a work in progress, and they are depending on us, the passengers, to give them feedback and ideas as well. Therefore, I hope others who enjoyed the art loft, and would like to see its use continued and expanded will let O know their thoughts.