Orator

Take Ginger and Green Apples.

We took the train from Civi to Rome and got off at the closest station to the Vatican. Check the schedule to see if it works for you. The do it yourself will save a ton of money. Take a tour if you feel uncomfortable doing it yourself.

Saw many former Celebrity passengers on the Oceania Riviera including Paul Baya, the former Celebrity CD who was CD on the Riviera. His next ship might be the Oceania Vista.

There are strict rules that govern the hours worked. If they open 15 minuets early they must find the 15 minutes from something else. There is a domino effect of every decision how to use staff.

I was once in Blu with a group of about 30. They opened Blu early so that they could accommodate the group.

What does Celebrity Today say about the opening time?

I don't think I'd take Oceania for a TA. Celebrity is much stronger for a TA. Entertainment and speakers are lacking and the theater on the Riviera is designed poorly. I'd would take Oceania for a port intensive cruise.

Good to have a choice. Celebrity is fine if you like large ships. Oceania is fine if you like smaller ships. Comparisons of the two like apples to oranges.

X bean counters may consider a "window cleaning fee" at $100 dollars per cabin. They add to the loyalty benefits giving Zeniths a 25% discount ; Elite + a 10% discount; and, Elites a 5% discount. The discount is for OV or above so inside rooms receive no discount regardless of loyalty status.

My DW bought a Hermes scarf that she liked using non refundable OBC. If you lose it unless you use it, it's a fair price. The transaction was completely honest.

Agree! Based on my experience relationships based on mutual respect are more important than money to the majority of crew.

"Revenue" and "Loyalty" are not mutually exclusive. Loyalty can lead to revenue growth if it encourages bookings.

I would prefer screaming kids to adults who wanted to get full value from their drink package. General rule is that the shorter the cruise more kids and drunk adults.

First time cruisers may get an upgrade to encourage future bookings. I got one on my first cruise with Crystal. Based in marketing, not loyalty.

Yes they do,

Happiness formula: M/E=H. Keep your Motivations high and your Expectations low and you will find Happiness.

I've never been offered a discount and I've been upgraded only once in 110 Celebrity cruises. I wouldn't expect a discount based on my loyalty. When LLP became CEO loyalty changed as evidenced by the former head of the Loyalty Department and her assistant leaving. No longer a Celebrity Loyalist since the recent changes.

Just sold my remaining shares for a nice profit

The most valuable thing on a ship is real estate. What is the best use of real estate? At this point it seems to be contributing to the bottomline.

I took a Viking TA and it was,IMO much better than Celebrity. The speakers were really outstanding. Speakers were one time excellent on Celebrity, but the quality has slipped. Remember the Viking price includes excursions and free specialty restaurants. There are also free drinks and a self service laundry. The ships are also smaller and I guess what you chose is according to your preference. You really can't go wrong with either, it's just what you prefer.

My guess is that more Zeniths would book AQ and Suites if they weren't required to pay for benefits they already get as a perk.

They don't need me to book a suite if they find enough people who wish to book it. Their pricing structure seems to be working. Some reasons that people book suites are stated in this thread. They include: "Spending my child's inheritance"; I only take 1 or 2 cruises per year"; " I like the space or the perks"; or "I prefer larger ships". We all have a choice of line and cabin category and that's more than fine with me.

This thread is proving Celebrity's constant inconsistency.

I told some of the Officers and Waiters that I would get a proper Key Lime Pie while in Key West and bring it to them. I got the pie in the protective packaging and was denied boarding with it upon my return. I called the RM and he called the Captain who called Security and ordered that the pie be allowed on the ship. The RM told me that the Captain never got to have a slice because it was "too good" and nothing remained after RM and Waiters sampled the pie.

You are not told. You pay that in the fare.