Orator

Their program; their rules. They can and do anything they want!

Asked a question on the difference of pricing on a cruise and land based price. Said that he wanted to narrow the price gap. To me that means higher prices.

You must pay for the Classic drink and internet packages even if they are a part of your benefits. Aqua Class was my favorite class, but not now since the rise in prices.

If you decide to do a Viking ocean cruise don't miss the afternoon tea, it is exceptional. I'm waiting for reviews of the new Crystal. It was my favorite before the bankruptcy and I am interested in what the new owners have done with the food and service.

They offer  only a port shuttle from ship to the port entrance. The terminal is an easy walk for most. There are cabs from the entrance to the train station. 

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. 

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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.

4 minutes ago, TMaine said:

As someone who doesn't go to the casino, drink alcohol or use internet, my questions would be more focused on food and entertainment.   Does Oceana have specialty restaurants with up charges?  What is the  entertainment like?  I have heard the food is much better than what Celebrity is currently serving. 

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.

2 minutes ago, ChucktownSteve said:

 

But that would cost Celebrity MONEY!

Hide the cost in a raise in fares.

1 hour ago, PTC DAWG said:

I emailed the other day myself with concerns..maybe they will listen. 
 

FYI they sent me the same response others have posted here. 

I believe they listen to their numbers, not passengers.

35 minutes ago, Charles4515 said:

Celebrity is in the mass market category. You have fallen for their marketing if you think otherwise. Their brand identity is more upscale than Royal Caribbean, has less flash and appeals to a generally older demographic but it has been and will remain mass market. It does seem there already has been a split personality before the new CEO with the Edge class ships almost like a different brand. I think the new CEO’s changes indicate she is a bean counter and that is what the changes are about. 

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.

6 minutes ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

Not sure of correct spelling but it’s Captain Nicola. 

Thanks!

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

2 minutes ago, the penguins said:

As soon as the  ships started sailing after the pandemic the number of "comments" X refused to accept the word "complaints" made by passengers onboard reached such a level that the Captain's Club Hosts were instructed to send daily reports on on the issue.

Then in the December after AI was introduced we received an email from X which stated that " we appreciate that not everyone needs or wants a drinks package or unlimited WiFi and we are working to address this issue".

I believe they retained AI for Suites partly to justify the very high prices.

Why they kept it for Aqua I have no idea but perhaps Aqua passengers didn't complain as much.

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. 

2 minutes ago, the penguins said:

please see the thread "vaping on Equinox"

Just griping here will not change things.

Whatever your views email X directly "executiveoffice@celebrity.com".

Be polite and be sure to ask specific questions that need an answer. 

Will it get vaping banned?

I don't know but passenger pressure did result in compolsary AI being dropped for all cabins except Aqua and Suites.

 

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.

28 minutes ago, Swann5 said:

As both you and your son suffer medical concerns when exposed to vaping, please email Celebrity to convey your previous experiences and voice your concerns at the following email address. Just because at the current moment of the trial, with limited vapes being used as word had not gotten out, and Celebrity has not heard of any negative impact, yet, please be proactive and perhaps if enough of us speak up, the pilot programs will end before we board.

My husband had a serious allergic reaction to second at vape emissions in an outdoor setting, so we are very concerned what might happen in an indoor setting.  We have emailed and waiting for a response. 

 ExecutiveOffice@celebrity.com

 

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".

17 minutes ago, MarkWiltonM said:

With the Simply More program, we are no longer looking at Oceania for future bookings. 

 

Ironically, we started looking at Oceania a few years ago when Celebrity tried to force cruisers to take their "Always Included" package of alcoholic beverages, internet, and gratuities. We don't drink alcohol so we have avoided lines that include this with the fare (except for "old" Crystal, for which we made an exception because the food was so good). Now, Celebrity is once again giving cruisers a choice between "Cruise Only" and "Always Included" and Oceania is doing what Celebrity tried to do for several years. We've booked three cruises recently on Celebrity and have two more cruise-only Oceania cruises booked, on Vista and Marina. Although there are a few things we enjoy about the smaller ships of Oceania, we are actually looking forward to getting back to Celebrity, which in our opinion have a more vibrant, more contemporary atmosphere.  

 

Anyone else going back to cruise lines you had abandoned in favor of Oceania? 

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

31 minutes ago, Veinless said:

How long until the cannabis lounge shows up? Charge a daily fee for access…

And sell snacks for outrageous prices.