Have Celebrity Food & Beverage Department lost the plot?

[ghstudio]

I suppose some would call it a change in tone to appeal to the younger cruiser ;) but I have to agree there are less staff per table and significantly less sommeliers. I long for finding onions in my onion soup...we now seem to have a no onion onion soup that probably appeals to the new customer set who still have teeth;) Steak has almost disappeared from Murano, etc. The waiter used to bring a tray with desserts to help us decide what we want....now if we want to see what the desserts look like, we have to get up and find someone who has gotten one:rolleyes: I know things change....I'd like to see something change to be better/more for passengers rather than changing to reduce Celebrity's cost.

 

Perhaps the "audi driving" set doesn't care about these things...but on the other hand, other than louder music, I'm not sure what Celebrity has added to attract those folks. I guess they figure that that target market won't care about the changes....after all, they didn't cruise before so what they see is what they start with. Us old time cruisers...the ones who have spent many thousands with Celebrity over the years...are no longer their focus and the food/dining is, IMHO, changing in the wrong direction.

[cruise kitty]

I suppose some would call it a change in tone to appeal to the younger cruiser ;) but I have to agree there are less staff per table and significantly less sommeliers. I long for finding onions in my onion soup...we now seem to have a no onion onion soup that probably appeals to the new customer set who still have teeth;) Steak has almost disappeared from Murano, etc. The waiter used to bring a tray with desserts to help us decide what we want....now if we want to see what the desserts look like, we have to get up and find someone who has gotten one:rolleyes: I know things change....I'd like to see something change to be better/more for passengers rather than changing to reduce Celebrity's cost.

 

Perhaps the "audi driving" set doesn't care about these things...but on the other hand, other than louder music, I'm not sure what Celebrity has added to attract those folks. I guess they figure that that target market won't care about the changes....after all, they didn't cruise before so what they see is what they start with. Us old time cruisers...the ones who have spent many thousands with Celebrity over the years...are no longer their focus and the food/dining is, IMHO, changing in the wrong direction.

 

Hi,

 

I've noticed the "Audi" comment on quite a few threads, & I don't quite understand what great crime Audi owners have committed to became the target of snide comments...

 

I'm a pretty nice person, in spite of my vehicle choices, if I'm to blame for any negative changes Celebrity has made, I guess I get to lay claim to the positive ones too :D

 

Sincerely,

 

Debbie, who used to drive an A6 until the kids moved out & she got a hardtop convertible...:D

[Quo Vadis?]

Hi,

 

I've noticed the "Audi" comment on quite a few threads, & I don't quite understand what great crime Audi owners have committed to became the target of snide comments...

 

 

The powers that are at Celebrity have determined that Audi represents modern luxury, the vehicle of choice for those that luxuriate with modern taste...

We like the look but not the practicality nor the longevity of the product.

It's not an insult but a mark of "getting it" according to X.

Other brand owners move to the back of the line.. our 1982 Buick won't let us join the club...;)

[cruiser87654321]

I suppose some would call it a change in tone to appeal to the younger cruiser ;) but I have to agree there are less staff per table and significantly less sommeliers. I long for finding onions in my onion soup...we now seem to have a no onion onion soup that probably appeals to the new customer set who still have teeth;) Steak has almost disappeared from Murano, etc. The waiter used to bring a tray with desserts to help us decide what we want....now if we want to see what the desserts look like, we have to get up and find someone who has gotten one:rolleyes: I know things change....I'd like to see something change to be better/more for passengers rather than changing to reduce Celebrity's cost.

 

Perhaps the "audi driving" set doesn't care about these things...but on the other hand, other than louder music, I'm not sure what Celebrity has added to attract those folks. I guess they figure that that target market won't care about the changes....after all, they didn't cruise before so what they see is what they start with. Us old time cruisers...the ones who have spent many thousands with Celebrity over the years...are no longer their focus and the food/dining is, IMHO, changing in the wrong direction.

 

 

This seems to be quite a snobbish attititude. Are Audis such downmarket cars? Ditto their drivers? And your drive of choice is?;)

[ghstudio]

This seems to be quite a snobbish attititude. Are Audis such downmarket cars? Ditto their drivers? And your drive of choice is?;)

 

If you had followed the long discussion here about celebrity changes, there were a number of references that Celebrity was now focusing on the younger crowd with older kids or the kids off to college...the folks that Winn hotels are focused on....and that's where I picked up the reference to the audi drivers.....because some have referred to that group as the audi drivers. I actually like audi's and with the new diesels coming out this summer (the A8 diesel has already hit the dealers), I may buy an A7 or A6 diesel. I would be driving one now (probably the A6), but MB had a much better lease deal (leasing was a much better deal then buying) which was irresistible, so that's what I'm driving until August....then not sure what will be next...might be an audi, might not....we'll see who's most anxious to sell/lease me a nice car.

[Micklen2]

I think we have gotten off the point here. Not sure about the car references, but its clear that with the disenchantment with airline travel, those holiday goers are now looking for something a little less stressful, and cruising is in the front line, what with all the extra capacity these large ships are creating. This is big business, and the cruise lines (all of them) are looking at the Benidorm and holiday camp set to fill the ships. I am not a snob at all, but do take offence at cruise lines taking my money for a great experience, only to find out I could have gone to a seaside hotel and got the same service. My wife and I will be mixing with anyone (Audi, Rolls Royce or Kia drivers) and we will keep up our standards and dress up every evening and generally behave with decoram and dignity. I hope the cruise lines keep this in mind.

[Oville]

I suppose some would call it a change in tone to appeal to the younger cruiser ;) but I have to agree there are less staff per table and significantly less sommeliers. I long for finding onions in my onion soup...we now seem to have a no onion onion soup that probably appeals to the new customer set who still have teeth;) Steak has almost disappeared from Murano, etc. The waiter used to bring a tray with desserts to help us decide what we want....now if we want to see what the desserts look like, we have to get up and find someone who has gotten one:rolleyes: I know things change....I'd like to see something change to be better/more for passengers rather than changing to reduce Celebrity's cost.

 

I'm surprised to learn that Celebrity has cut staff in Blu. So there is only one sommelier there now?

[tserface]

We were on Solstice from HI to Ensenada and the food was the best we've ever had on a ship. We heard from others on our roll call that they did not like the food at all. I think it's all pretty subjective.

 

We did see a lot of dirty plates in the buffet and ended up moving some to get a table on occasion, but we didn't think it was that inconvenient.

 

For us the buffet wasn't as enjoyable when we all had to be served,but as soon as they opened it up for self service it was great.

 

We loved our MDR waiter and especially they assistant. They were fun. Others on our cruise didn't share that experience. I think we got lucky, but I also think some are just unlucky as well. Celebrity waiters are more about "serving" and less about "entertaining" like some other cruise lines.

 

We never went hungry and certainly enjoyed many great meals, but I sometimes think the bigger ships come with some issues.

 

Tom

 

Whereas I, on the same ship, in the same market. Didn't see any of that. I never saw plates run out. And we always got food hot (in the MDR). And we had the sommelier always return to ask if we wanted another drink..even though we only got the cheap Chateau Plonk by the glass. We always got a seat straight away in select dinning. I didn't think the 2 seaters were close together and we don't talk to the next table. And...all the other complaints you see again and again...

 

As for cold food in the buffet...hmmmm. Not sure how people enjoy dried out food if they kept it boiling hot. In fact if food was boiling hot in the buffet these same people would be complaining about the heat or that the food was dried out and over cooked. I have yet to have been to any buffet in my 30 years as an adult and had hot buffet food.....

 

Go figure...and it does make me start to wonder when I read this forum whether in fact these are people that would have trouble where ever they went land or sea...except in their own homes where the food is cordon bleu.

[Rutheth]

We returned from the Equinox last month. I enjoyed the food on board in both the MDR and the buffet. I thought the menu choices were not as good as last time we went on Celebrity but what I ate was lovely on the whole. My husband found his pasta dishes very bland. The surprise dessert one night was the souffle which the chef had prepared with grand marnier sauce which wasn't on the menu - that was definitely a treat :)

 

We found the service in the MDR was good but agree with the points made about the sommelier. We often had to wait for wine! :(

 

To be honest though any food that I don't have to cook and clean up after I will enjoy, though if it arrived cold I would definitely send it back!!

[ghstudio]

I'm surprised to learn that Celebrity has cut staff in Blu. So there is only one sommelier there now?

 

Yes, just one sommelier in Blu on the Millennium for two cruises this year.....he was very nice, and very efficient but there was no way he could service that entire dining room.

[cruise kitty]

Yes, just one sommelier in Blu on the Millennium for two cruises this year.....he was very nice, and very efficient but there was no way he could service that entire dining room.

 

I wonder if it's the same on S class?? We had 2 on the Equinox in late fall 2011, wonder if that has changed? I also wonder if M class ever had 2 in Blu?

 

I also wonder if itinerary/length of cruise makes a difference.

[pris993]

Have just returned fron Celebrity Eclipse transatlantic and feel that the overall standard has dropped.

 

When the ship sails from the UK tea & coffee makers are placed in the cabins and I asked if these would be available and was told that once unpacked one would be sent to my cabin, nothing happened.

 

On several occasions had to ask why the food presented at our table was cold, food and plate! On the second formal night the Chateaubriand steak came out cold, when the maitre D finally turned up his comment was that he would ensure the meal was hot the following night, that in my opinion is not good enough, we did not return to the restaurant.

 

In our cabin was a form to fill in should we have any complaints that could be attended to rather than leave until the end of the cruise which was filled in and given to guest relations.

 

I also mentioned this to the Food and beverage manager who said he would investigate and report back - NO ONE BOTHERED!!!!

 

I mentioned this on the disembarkation questionaire form, but does anyone read all these, I think not.

 

If you want excellent food you now have to pay for it, we eat six times in the Specialist restaurants and the food and service was faultless.

 

I personally feel that in the days of food on Celebrity under the auspice of Michele Roux was far superior.

 

I appreciate that everyones taste in food is different but to present cold food on cold plates is not good enough.

 

Having cruised on all classes of Celebrity Ships, will we cruise again, it is doubtful.

 

Anyone from Celebrity like to comment?

 

Kind Regards

 

Chris

7364

 

We did a cruise on the Equinox in the Mediterranean in 2009. We eat in the MDR 5-11 nights because food and service were mixed. We put this on our comment cards, they did call us at our cabin while on board. they followup via a phone call after we returned home.

 

Next cruise in 2011 on Eclipse, Carribean, we booked AQ class and eat at BLU. It was okay but not outstanding.

 

Next cruise in 2014 will be on Silhoutte, again in the Mediterranean. We booked a 1B cabin, will eat and pay extra @Blu and the steak house a couple of times, other wise it will be the buffet that is our preference.

 

That tells you a lot about what we think of the MDR food and service.

 

We just got off the NCL Jade and basically did the same thing.

 

We are older so don't need to eat that much... so we have a late lunch and skip dinner. We save money... because we are not sitting in the MDR for a long time eating bread and drinking wine at their high prices waiting for service. We dress in the evening and go out an enjoy the entertainment instead. Makes for a very relaxing cruise.

[cruise kitty]

If you had followed the long discussion here about celebrity changes, there were a number of references that Celebrity was now focusing on the younger crowd with older kids or the kids off to college...the folks that Winn hotels are focused on....and that's where I picked up the reference to the audi drivers.....because some have referred to that group as the audi drivers. I actually like audi's and with the new diesels coming out this summer (the A8 diesel has already hit the dealers), I may buy an A7 or A6 diesel. I would be driving one now (probably the A6), but MB had a much better lease deal (leasing was a much better deal then buying) which was irresistible, so that's what I'm driving until August....then not sure what will be next...might be an audi, might not....we'll see who's most anxious to sell/lease me a nice car.

 

I should add that my husband drives an old chevy pickup with about 130k miles on it, & not cool, "retro" old, just "dumpy" old :D so I guess we cancel one another out.

[Oville]

Yes, just one sommelier in Blu on the Millennium for two cruises this year.....he was very nice, and very efficient but there was no way he could service that entire dining room.

 

Is Blu smaller on the M class ships than the S Class. There were definitely two on Reflection this past winter.

[ghstudio]

Is Blu smaller on the M class ships than the S Class. There were definitely two on Reflection this past winter.

 

98 vs 130 seats....do you think one sommelier can handle 98 guests??? 152 on reflection. From personal experience 14 day cruises on the millenium, 2 12/13 day cruises on the eclipse...you see the sommelier at your table once on the millenium and a few times during dinner on the eclipse. Can't talk to the reflection haven't been on it and don't plan to be.

[Oville]

98 vs 130 seats....do you think one sommelier can handle 98 guests???

 

Over 3/12 hours maybe. But if you are eating at a prime time, say 7:15, maybe it becomes an issue. Also, not all people drink wine so that 98 is a smaller number. You point is well taken though.

[ghstudio]

Over 3/12 hours maybe. But if you are eating at a prime time, say 7:15, maybe it becomes an issue. Also, not all people drink wine so that 98 is a smaller number. You point is well taken though.

 

That was before 1-2-3. Now it is likely worse because instead of one bottle, a table may order 3 or 4 glasses of wine at different times. Anyone want to take bets on celebrity increasing staffing in the dining rooms to handle the 1-2-3 load?

[CptSticky]

Hi,

 

I've noticed the "Audi" comment on quite a few threads, & I don't quite understand what great crime Audi owners have committed to became the target of snide comments...

 

I'm a pretty nice person, in spite of my vehicle choices, if I'm to blame for any negative changes Celebrity has made, I guess I get to lay claim to the positive ones too :D

 

Sincerely,

 

Debbie, who used to drive an A6 until the kids moved out & she got a hardtop convertible...:D

At least you only get snide comments on CC. I drive a Prius and every red neck loves to cut me off. The funny thing is that I'm probably more red neck than they are. Being in the greater LA area, I'm pretty sure that they don't belong to the Farm Bureau:p I do. People love to make judgements, usually wrong.

[ghstudio]

OK....enough of the audi comments...... It's from RCL/Celebrity's own marketing brochure!!!!

 

http://creative.rccl.com/Sales/Celebrity/General_Info/Flyers/11024748_CEL_ModLux_defined_Flyer.pdf

 

If you don't like the definition of Audi as part of the new modern luxury target audience, take it up with Celebrity.....

 

oh, by the way on the same page, they call me • Pretentious• Stuffy• Formal, proper• Boring ....because I drive a mercedes. Clearly, they aren't after my $'s and I'm a frequent celebrity cruiser.

 

 

I don't make this stuff up. It's hard to believe they'd put this in print...but this is your (and my) Celebrity today!

[CptSticky]

OK....enough of the audi comments...... It's from RCL/Celebrity's own marketing brochure!!!!

 

http://creative.rccl.com/Sales/Celebrity/General_Info/Flyers/11024748_CEL_ModLux_defined_Flyer.pdf

 

If you don't like the definition of Audi as part of the new modern luxury target audience, take it up with Celebrity.....

 

oh, by the way on the same page, they call me • Pretentious• Stuffy• Formal, proper• Boring ....because I drive a mercedes. Clearly, they aren't after my $'s and I'm a frequent celebrity cruiser.

 

 

I don't make this stuff up. It's hard to believe they'd put this in print...but this is your (and my) Celebrity today!

I'm afraid that it's not "my Celebrity" anymore:o (at least for the next couple of years). Now if they would allow me to tranfer my points back to Royal I'd be back on them in a heart beat. Chasing a level can be a terrible addiction. I guess their marketing department has me hook line and sinker.:(

[Oville]

That was before 1-2-3. Now it is likely worse because instead of one bottle, a table may order 3 or 4 glasses of wine at different times. Anyone want to take bets on celebrity increasing staffing in the dining rooms to handle the 1-2-3 load?

 

Good point.

[Oville]

OK....enough of the audi comments...... It's from RCL/Celebrity's own marketing brochure!!!!

 

http://creative.rccl.com/Sales/Celebrity/General_Info/Flyers/11024748_CEL_ModLux_defined_Flyer.pdf

 

If you don't like the definition of Audi as part of the new modern luxury target audience, take it up with Celebrity.....

 

oh, by the way on the same page, they call me • Pretentious• Stuffy• Formal, proper• Boring ....because I drive a mercedes. Clearly, they aren't after my $'s and I'm a frequent celebrity cruiser.

 

 

I don't make this stuff up. It's hard to believe they'd put this in print...but this is your (and my) Celebrity today!

 

But that brochure was dated 07/2011.

[Ex-Airbalancer]

Next cruise in 2014 will be on Silhoutte, again in the Mediterranean. We booked a 1B cabin, will eat and pay extra @Blu and the steak house a couple of times, other wise it will be the buffet that is our preference.

 

That tells you a lot about what we think of the MDR food and service.

 

We just got off the NCL Jade and basically did the same thing.

 

We are older so don't need to eat that much... so we have a late lunch and skip dinner. We save money... because we are not sitting in the MDR for a long time eating bread and drinking wine at their high prices waiting for service. We dress in the evening and go out an enjoy the entertainment instead. Makes for a very relaxing cruise.

 

If you staying in a 1b, how are you going to get into Blu :confused:

 

It the same price for wine throughout the ship , it not more price in MDR

[Despegue]

Just for the record... audi id overpriced crap, just like BMW and Mercedes.

Subaru is Confidence in Motion!:D

 

Ok, I will now crawl back in my corner.

 

 

I do not think that X is stuffy at all. It is modern comfort though , luxury qualification is not appropriate, mind the prices we pay compared to the luxury lines...

 

In all, Celebrity provides a comfortable, up to date cruise experience that pleases the thirty something crowd as well as most older passengers.

[scotslass]

I have just returned from a Med cruise on the Silhouette and thought the food was the best yet and I have been with Celebrity many times before and always had good food. People were actually cancelling the speciality restaurants because the MDR was so good