Orator

I have more than 100 cruises with Celebrity and took a Viking TA from Barcelona this year. This is subjective, but I found food, entertainment, speakers and the quality of fellow passengers superior on Viking. The officers were more friendly on Celebrity. The crew on both lines was exceptional. If you want a large ship experience, try Celebrity. If you want to go smaller ship experience, try Viking. I found Viking superior the Oceania. .

I was in Aqua Class during one of the President's cruises. Someone asked in a Q&A session why they have not included bottled water in Aqua Class. LLP responded that she didn't understand, but the bottled water was restored for that cruise only. I did a B2B in Aqua Class and the bottled water was discontinued in the cruise that followed and it vanished in the cruises that followed. I always have the premium package so stopping at a bar is not a problem.

There are many All Star Captains on Celebrity. Take other lines and you'll draw the same conclusion.

"Pearl" indicates the entry level of the Blue Chip Club.

You can set a wake up call for any time you want.

Food is better in the MDR on Oceania. I found the entertainment better on Celebrity. If you like a smaller ship: Oceania. If you like a larger ship: Celebrity. I found the passengers more to my bias on Oceania. The officers and crew more friendly on Celebrity. These are MY options and some might differ.

You must add SimplyMore if you book after July 1, 2023. This will add considerable costs to a cruise, especially if you don't take ship's excursions. See the threads on Oceania. I have booked the Vista as a cruise only option. That option is now gone.

Do you have SimplyMore or OLife?

All cruise lines use smoke and mirror pricing. Carefully look at every offer to see if it works for you.

Hide the cost in a raise in fares.

I believe they listen to their numbers, not passengers.

They have fallen for their own advertising in that they don't realize they are mass market and appeal to older folks who are Americans and British. They've really taken their eyes off the ball by trying to change the demographics.

Thanks!

I have not read the entire thread so apologize if you answered this question: Who is the current Captain?

Many of the Suites have the premium drink package as part of their amenities. IMO, and I might be wrong, when a corporate culture replaces loyalty with the bottom line it is in trouble. In the long run you will be alienating those who have displayed loyalty and in the long run adversely affecting the bottom line. I can understand the need to reduce debt. I want Celebrity to succeed, I just feel that their approach is incorrect.

Was the changing of AI due to passenger pressure or the need to sell cabins? As you said they did maintain AI for Aqua Class and above where sales were strong.

Only the bottom line affects policy, not my medical concerns, or yours. As I said in another thread: If the vape policy adds to the bottom line, it will remain. If it detracts from the bottom line it will be abandoned with tag "We listened to you".

It really doesn't matter what we might think. It's the bottom line that matters. If their action results in increase in revenue it will continue. If reviews decline, it will end with the tag that "we heard you".

Celebrity is now testing vaping in the casino.They are becoming more like Royal Caribbean. Read the Celebrity board before you consider returning.

And sell snacks for outrageous prices.

Maybe they will sell vaping products in one of the stores.? Destroy loyalty, destroy the environment on their ships.

Choices are generally in the interest of the consumer. No choice is generally in the interest of the company.

The price of my 12 day cruise on Vista with a cruise only price costs $1000 pp more with SimplyMore. Not worth to me since I cannot drink alcohol and I don't take excursions. I've been to all the ports many, many times. That's me, you will decide for yourself based on your preferences.

Let's see who criticizes or complains once the pricing of SimplyMore is released. Just look at Celebrity's prices once they started Always Included, especially for Suites. They have amended their program to included AI only for Aqua Class and above. Many found Oceania as a result of the significant rise in price, including me.

LLP stayed off the ship on one my President's cruises. She only showed up for a few events like honoring women officers on the ship. On 'another President's Cruise she did host special event in Puerto Rico. But it was by invitation only.