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Capt. George Iatrou, formally of Silhouette should be aboard Equinox when you cruise. He is a great Captain and very passenger friendly.

I was on the same cruise and appreciate your comments. The CD Mike was visible to me. He gave some interesting presentations on Titanic. The shows were really good with the new cast. My cabin attendant was friendly and professional. The staff was wonderful! The Officers were visible. The MDR food was very good. My fellow passengers were very friendly. 

On 1/30/2024 at 6:49 PM, Texed said:

I just got off of a B2B cruise on Ascent.  I have to admit, I didn't even notice what other folks were wearing.  🫠

Some people are difficult to ignore like the man dressed as a rabbit on Silhouette.

No enforcement of rules on SIL. People wore shorts on every night including Chic night. This was for the just completed 10 day followed by 4 days cruise. 

11 minutes ago, mrgabriel said:

 

Is the increased spending a blip?

 

Hotel taxes in my city will increase a LOT in 2024. Yesterday, one of the leaders of the local hotel/motel association advised hotel/motel owners to appeal their tax assessments en masse. Hotel occupancy and tourism were way up in 2023 - higher than pre-pandemic levels - but non-governmental tourism advisors are stating that the level of spending can't be sustained. The economy is facing headwinds and they also believe that 'revenge travel' has reached its peak. 

 

My suspicion is the same for other travel such as cruises. I don't think anyone at RCI is looking long-term - they're making decisions based on overly simplistic data like base spending, and not reviewing repeat customer data or surveys or accounting for discontent within loyal/long-term customers. But what do I know ... just that we're looking at non-cruise options for our future. 

Results count!  RCL is most interested in their shareholders and they seem pleased as the share price increases. 

2 minutes ago, tfred said:

It may be that this gentleman’s very recent departure (from VP Food and Beverage to VP Hotel Ops) has caused this change   Q4 2023

 

whoever the new person is may be the one who caused the change. 

I believe that the passengers who pay the price to use Retreat  (the Suite passengers)are most responsible for the increasing costs. Demand = price increases.

Jason Liberty reported last night on CNBC that onboard spending is up 30% and that the consumer is healthy. People are booking at what some find are high prices and we can expect higher prices as people continue to cruise. As I've said before RCL doesn't care who's in the cabin only that the ship sails full.  Complaints about prices are useless until their results indicate that the price of the cruise means less than full ships. Pricing is based on demand! High demand and onboard spending lead to higher costs. 

I also have seen dogs in several ports including Miami and Port Everglades. IMHO: Not worth the risk!

I pray that your sister returns to good health. Best wishes to you and your sister.

They might have defined their markets and concentrate advertising. Lots of commercials for Celebrity on TV in Boca.

They'd build it if it meant higher profits! They really don't care who occupies a cabin, they just care that it's occupied. 

The choice is yours. You can agree and pay the additional charges or you can chose to boycott Celebrity. They will continue to charge as long as they profit from the charges. Passengers usually don't see themselves as the part of the problem, but they are.

2 hours ago, Texed said:

 

I believe what he is saying, and I am believe he will correct me if I am incorrect, is that Aqua Class bookings can be made "cruise only".  But, the suite class must be booked including the premium drink package and internet that Zeniths get free.  As in, they have to pay for if they book suites.  

You are correct!

2 hours ago, C-Dragons said:

So you’re implying that as far as X is concerned, Aqua Class outranks Suites regarding the drink package for Zeniths?

As I understand it Suites still need to pay for a drink and internet package and now Aqua Class has a non included option. So Zeniths staying in suites pay double for the drinks and internet and below don't. So I guess your statement is correct.

5 minutes ago, cruisestitch said:

Did you write the executive office about this? Did you get a reply? That is what the OP wants to know…..

I spoke with the new President when I saw her. Not a drinker so I didn't write.  My problem with the double charge in Aqua Class has been resolved to my delight.

If you are in a suite you still pay for drinks as a part of your fare even though you as a Zenith receive the Premium drink package as a benefit. They removed this double billing in Aqua Class if you are a Zenith. I'm so glad that I drink only sugar free, non alcohol drinks.

17 minutes ago, RichYak said:

Here's a cruise I was looking at yesterday. Edge r/t Seattle to Alaska 6/7/24. These are the available S1 cabins (red boxes and 1 green box).

 

I'd keep an eye on this for a price reduction as you get closer to the sail date. Supply and demand rule!

There are strong future sales on all suites. Celebrity would be fools if they didn't get what the market dictates. Prices will only be lowered when demand comes down.

2 hours ago, C-Dragons said:

We would not.

Blu, as well as Luminae, are supposed to be exclusive to guests paying for Aqua class and Retreat (Suite) accommodations. They are not very large venues and many times guests have to wait to be seated for lunch and dinner.

Adding additional guests, regardless of paying for the privilege, would  just make the situation worse.

The OP asked a hypothetical question. My guess is that they are considering  Aqua Class and wanted to know how it was valued. I could be wrong in my guess.

To focus on the original question posed by the OP. It would depend on the menu. I would pay from $0 to $5.00 per person.

16 hours ago, cruisestitch said:

Captain George

One of the best!

3 minutes ago, cruisestitch said:

Bad weather

Capt. George is on vacation, or will be on vacation shortly. What is the name of the Captain on the ship? Have a great cruise.

On 11/29/2023 at 5:33 PM, Redtravel said:

Cruise lines are saving money by not sending out luggage tags.  Don’t print your own. Just ask the porters at the pier to attack tags.  They use tags that are strong.  

True for some lines. I received my printed tags for Oceania about two weeks prior to my November cruise on Vista.

On 11/21/2023 at 4:18 PM, MrsSheba said:

We are currently on a Vista Caribbean cruise and so far, it has been delightful.  We have found the ship to be beautiful, the staff friendly and the food delicious. If you are thinking about booking excursions, I would do so only for islands where the ship will dock.  We have already had one tender port on this voyage cancelled due to wind.

 

Am also on this cruise and agree with the poster. Most passengers are quite friendly, but there are also chair hogs in the heated loungers.

I believe that in planning for a flight you should consider the unexpected.