ClairetoCruise

We were born savers.

Keep tabs on the budget every day.

The Aqua Spa Café was my favorite place on the M-Class ships.

On the S-Class it's less and has fewer tables for the larger ships.

There are educational post on the thread as "modern luxury" a slogan, a perception, or a combination of this and that.

DavidYYC raises essential issues as the Celebrity passengers have a variety of expectations.

The cost considerations are a factor that makes me prioritize the necessities for my luxury. I need paper and pen for this.

"Modern Luxury" is subjective. It beats "X the Rules"

Thank you,

Claire

We learned a lot from the posters on this thread.

I'll add gracious posters to my list for defined luxury.

Thank you,

Claire

nothing in life is perfect even at sea :D

With people it's give and take.

Nothing and nobody is perfect.

Differences enrich the journey.

Of course all staff can't be excellent, or they'd be promoted.:)

Tired legs do relish an ottoman or at least a foot rest.

Innovation takes care of some shortcomings.

thank you.

Claire

Ruby, Emerald and Crown are sister ships so they are basically the same.

We cruised Emerald, Coral, all the Grand Class, and more with Princess. It's been an even and enjoyable line for us. Now, planning a comprehensive European cruise tour for 5th time. Looks like it's a choice of ports rather than ship based on your post. :)

We haven't cruised Diamond or Caribbean. SIL says they are too crowded. She likes Sapphire best.

Royal P appears to have missed on the design elements we prefer.

Thank you for posting.

Claire

Looking for luxury:

Food is subjective but service needs to be unobtrusive.

Comfortable furnishings with soft seats, back support, ottomans.

Great ventilation and air temperature in public areas.

Quiet places

Shade and sun options.

Unobtrusive entertainment.

Optional dining.

No lines.

Excellent, knowledgeable guest services and tour excursion staff.

Smoke control and non-smoking enforcement.

That's a start.

Thanks, Claire

Hard to define luxury when we don't know what your used to.

 

We look for great food beautifully served in a relaxed atmosphere.

Wonderful spacious suites with amazing bedding and butler service and well traveled interesting fellow travelers, almost no smoking and off season,when we travel,almost no children are more aspects of the luxury we enjoy. Casual elegance with NO formal nights add to the enjoyment. Since we never go to the entertainment we can not speak to that but it never has been a strong point for O.

Pick your favorite itinerary and join all of us who love O.

Yes, this meets our expectations.

I'll copy the list of what we're want from the Crystal thread. Be right back.

thank you. Claire

Can you describe the Diamond Club lounge?

Is it located in the Viking Crown Lounge, as DC on Freedom?

Is there a website w/photos of the "new" VOS?

thx, Claire

Just words in the press or something with meaning to the customer?

In recent threads it reads like a premium drink package is the luxury on Celebrity.

IOHO, the beds are luxurious in comfort yet bedding is short due to the curve at bottom.

The heated loungers on S-class are a luxury.

We're searching for more luxury with our cruise dollars.

Thx for post.

Claire

Do you see a difference in the design of Ruby or Emerald?

Which décor do you prefer?

Is the service, entertainment or food different?

Claire

What are the changes to Vision of the Seas since refurbishment?

Claire

We want to continue cruising but consider we need to upgrade our requirements. What is luxurious about Oceania?

Claire

Celebrity markets the concept "Modern Luxury", what does that mean to you?

Claire

Any word from Celebrity hqtrs on this?

Claire

Thanks!

 

About Oasis and the MDR...don't get me wrong we enjoyed our cruise and the food was better than we expected but when I say that we literally had to have people at other tables move their chairs to access our table I'm quite serious. The waiter could not get around the tables at all. We were at early seating. The last two days of the cruise they had rearranged them a bit which made it easier but have never seen MDR table that close. Perhaps the My Time Dining area or the later seating would be easier...something to consider....

Our dinners in the Windjammer/Jade buffet on Freedom were perfect.

There was plenty of staff to help us in anyway. They always served our drinks and visit the table to see if we needed anything.

I shouldn't post a secret here but: Freedom's buffet dinner was varied & plentiful, the seating was quiet & romantic compared to the main dining room.

Happy Cruising to the OP, no matter which ship you choose.

Claire

Well the person came back and explained their issues, so it apparently wasn't an issue for them, I suspect the "flaming" comment refers to other posts when they initially reported their issues after whatever cruise they were on that caused them. If you consider my post to be "flaming" then I can't imagine your response to those that truly attack. I simply wanted more info and the OP provided it. No need for you to jump in the middle and analyze either my or their words. :confused:

Gracie,

You are correct. When I wrote about flames regarding negatives I anticipated armchair analysis, psychology, or mind reading on this board in defense of Celebrity.

Your comments in response to mine are appropriate and informative not "flaming". I learned from your additions to my post. The comment that OASIS main dining is as crowded as Celebrity is a warning.

Claire

This isn't helpful if you don't explain what the "many problems" on Celebrity were....:rolleyes:

Celebrity rules and nuances

Passengers not allowed here

Passengers not allowed there

Passenger not dressed properly for this or that

Tours not meeting on time

Tours not meeting expectations

Special dining disappointments

Special dining over priced/ over hyped

Not enough entertainment

Not enough quiet places

Not enough dancing space

Not enough books in library

Smells in hallways

Smells from drains

Wheelchairs away from ship

Wheelchairs not there for back to the ship

Infrequent bedding changes

Not enough staffing in buffet

Not enough staffing in main dining room

Not enough space between tables in main dining room

Surly wait staff

Surly management

Groups get more bar service than couples or singles

Website problems

123Go as a not-a-go on this cruise

Choice Air delays and cancellations

Lost luggage/misplaced luggage

Promises/promotions not delivered as expected

Less is more attitude

Flames for reporting negatives on CC msg board

We find RCCL suits us better. No pretense, no problems, just fun at every turn. In 2014 RCCL will eliminate more smoking areas. We're ready to cruise with them on Freedom or Oasis class.

Celebrity gets good press but often fails to deliver for us. We've had many problems on Celebrity. The Celebrity line needs an attitude adjustment and a management shake up.

On RCCL we've had only one negative. It was the smoking in the Viking Crown Lounge. That lounge will be no smoking in the new year.

RCCL and Princess offer more for our cruise money and show a nicer personality.

Claire

Non-smoking

T-Pool

Cleanliness

Itineraries

Value

 

 

Claire

Sorry Celebrity, you aren't my favorite anymore. Your loyalty program, smoking policy, cleanliness, and service aren't enough to make me vacation with you.

Other lines have non-smoking policies, hydro-pools, good service, clean spaces and a variety of ports to compete with you.

The date choices are boring.

The buffet needs an infusion of new foods, better service, and evening optional dining.

The main dining room is too crowded.

You've given up nice strolls on the promenade.

You were a good date, for awhile, then you lacked inspiration. I now pay for over-priced dinners in special restaurants, we sit for the same recorded music, go to the same shows, limited dancing, less inspirational reading in the library.

Frankly the fun we had initially has faded. I need something more to find my vacation dates exciting.

I'll always have the memories. Like Michel Roux dining, duplicate bridge, easy storage in the stateroom, good complimentary coffee, and evenings filled with options.

Claire

We sail on the Reflection in December and staying in Aqua Class so dining in Blu, after we upgrade to premium drink package and pre-pay gratuities we still have a couple hundred in onboard credits. What should we spend it on, since we are eating in Blu not sure if the specialty restaurants are worth it. Also we stop in St. Thomas, St. Martin and San Juan, are any of the tours worth it? I realize we could book spa treatments but I am looking for best value for the money, and I also realize this is very subjective according to everyone's likes, but what was your experiences?

 

Thank you, looking for a lot of suggestions

Book the ship tour "Champagne Catamaran to St. John".

Claire

Non-smoking

T-Pool

Cleanliness

Itineraries

Value

Claire

We enjoyed the top front lounge, wide promenade and balcony cabin with bath tub on HAL.

But, the smoke and heavy dark decor on two ships were the reasons for "never again".

Claire

I'll ask a local merchant for directions.

A few yards of fabric makes a nice souvenier.

Thank you for the timely information.

Claire

Listed under fabric shops in the phone book is this place. It is also listed under tailors.

 

Sastreria Islena

Coxen Hole Roatan

Telephone: 2445-1220

 

Warren's is listed under fabric shops as well, it is possible they have some.

 

Coxen Hole is not so big and there are plenty of English speakers about to help you find fabrics if they are available.

Please tell me if there is a fabric shop anywhere within walking distance of the pier at Coxen Hole, Roatan.

Thank you in advance.

Claire

(Millennium 10/17)