What is your expectation when you cruise?

[txflood33]

I see A LOT of threads of ho Celebrity just couldn't be doing it worse right now and how bummed people are after vacation. This is my first cruise on Celebrity and I haven't seen any pictures...stock or guest taken...that shows a vacation area I would be disappointed after being there for a week or so.

 

My first cruise was on Carnival and I thought the dumb towel animals were cute but over the top....unnecessary service. It's pretty nice for a floating hotel that takes you to foreign lands.

 

I get they are expensive, I just bought one myself....well, started paying for one. Some are more expensive than others....balconies and suites and such. But isn't that extra money for the extra space...bigger room, balcony, both?

 

So my question is, what level of service/quality do you expect on your cruise? Silk sheets? Just a mattress? lobster and caviar? mac n cheese?

 

On a scale of 1 to 10....1 being a peasant and 10 being the Emperor of (your name)iztan....how do you expect to be treated?

[Lastdance]

My expectation when I cruise with Celebrity is to have an absolutely wonderful time. This always happens, as it goes by way to quickly! I don't expect everyone to wait on me hand and foot; just to be pleasant and assist me if I need help. My DH and I have been very lucky on our past cruises because everything went smoothly...we want to rest, renew and learn new things. Life is way too short to be unhappy!:)

[wallie5446]

Most times the problem with expectation's are the 8 inches between my ears and what I let fill it up.:D

 

I only expect to be treated as I would someone coming to my place of business. No more, no less.

[MissBreezy]

I consider myself to be really laid back...I'd say a 6.

 

Deliver what you are contractually obligated to provide for my cruise dollars, maintain a clean ship and serve customers to the best of your abilities. My expectations aren't any higher than any other hotel stay/restaurant visit. Sure there are going to be staff that are better than others but they will be rewarded and the ones who aren't will not, it won't keep me from enjoying my cruise any less though.

 

I'm on vacation, I have no desire to stress out about anything :D

[ghstudio]

Before I even try to answer your question, you have to take cruise critic comments with a grain of salt....that is, many of us have a long history of crusing so we constantly compare to what was. Much of the negativity is "relative to what we used to have". Celebrity, in my mind is the leading mass market (not meant negatively) cruise line....offering the best service, food and total experience for your $.

 

Hard to put a finger on everything we expect. A clean ship, clean room, good service and good food are all pretty basic. There are lots of "added value" items some of which set celebrity apart. I'm thinking here of the staff being friendly and being happy, visible officers who talk with passengers...these are areas where celebrity excels.

 

There are always some negatives on any cruise with a lot of people....getting a good deck chair, finding a seat in the buffet...but those only bother you if you let them bother you.

 

Not sure I've answered your question....but if the crew is smiling and saying hello, you see the captain wandering through the public rooms interested in the passengers and their experience and your eating well....I'd say you're having a great cruise.

[We're The Groupnors]

That would entirely depend on the cruise line and what I paid. I feel Celebrity is a bargain, and I'm probably a 6 or 7 when I cruise them. In reality, as long as I don't have to cook or clean or make my own bed, am served drinks and meals in a clean environment by people who shoot a smile my way I'll be happy. If I'm paying over the top prices I expect better food and better service, maybe an 8 or 9. Nothing is ever going to be perfect, in real life or on vacation, so if I expected a 10 I'd be the only person letting myself down.

[vacation luvver]

What are my expectations on my cruise?

 

1) I expect that the tickets to my shore excursions will be in my cabin when I get there. I do not expect to have to go to Shore Excursions and ask for my tickets and to be told that they are in my cabin, while I insist that they are not, only to have the Shore Excursions guy insist that yes, they are in my cabin, until he finally calls my cabin steward who tells him that he was never given shore excursion tickets for me.

 

2) I expect that activities will start at about the time the daily says they will start. I do not expect to go looking for an activity and find nothing, and then go to Guest Services, who tells me that I was completely wrong about the time, and then when I show the daily, they say that the daily has the inccorect time.

 

3) I expect that when I order a drink, I am charged for the cost of that drink plus 15%, not several dollars more, and when I ask why and am told it's because I was given the drink in a ship's glass that I did not ask for. And when I say that I don't want the ship's glass, so please take it back and wash it for someone else and charge me the price on the price list, I do not expect the waitress to refuse to do this, necessitating someone else helping me get my drink for the price posted on the pricelist.

 

4) I expect that when I go into the MDR alone for a meal, after I look at the menu and decide what I want and close the menu and put it down on the table and take out a book to read, I will be treated just like anyone else. I do not expect to be ignored for 25 minutes, and when I ask where my waiter or waitress is, I do not expect her to say "Oh, I didn't know you came in here to eat! I thought you came in here to read!" Really, if a couple put their closed menus down on the table and talked to each other, would she think that they came into the MDR because they wanted to talk?

 

5) When standing on the line for dinner when I have a reservation with Celebrity Select, if the woman in front of me says that she had a reservation with some other people but she doesn't know where they are, I expect the hostess to ask her to stand on the side so that she can help people with reservations. I do not expect the hostess and the woman to talk and talk and talk and talk and talk and talk about the situation, making everyone with a reservation have to wait and wait and wait, while the people on the line for those without reservations are able to go into the MDR. And after they talked and talked and talked and talked and talked, they talked and talked and talked some more.

 

6) I do not expect to hear at the very first breakfast that they have already run out of something.

[ClaudiaB]

Pretty much what LastDance said. I don't pay the "critics" on here much mind. I know things happen. They happen at home, out in public, on a cruise -- things happen. It's how we react to things (or don't react) that to me shows a person's character (or lack of it). I try very hard not to compare. I take each cruise as its own individual entity.

We cruise because it's a great way to see new places, meet new people, experience new things - and relax and have fun. How can you complain on a cruise when your biggest decision of the day is whether to sit by the pool or enjoy the ocean from your balcony or go learn about something in a theatre - and what lovely umbrella drink you're going to have? Or when your biggest decision of the night is what nice bar to enjoy for a few drinks and some musical entertainment or what game of cards you're going to play with some new friends?

 

I'm not having to cook, clean, drive the car, clean the bathroom, run the errands, wash the clothes. Really no complaints from me.

[bearette]

If in a suite I would expect a 10. Since I travel in economy an 8

1) I expect excellent customer service. By that I mean any issue is solved in a few minutes ( not hours and without attitude from helpers.)

2) no long waits ( over 15 min) for any thing, drink, help etc...

3) clean and as described accommodation ( ov, next to elevator etc...)

4) items requested ( I have twins so I constantly have to remind places I need two cribs, high chairs etc...)

5) greetings, hello goodbye, good morning etc...

6) enforcing of rules

 

Sent from my KFTHWI using Forums mobile app

[debkaysmith]

I expect to find myself aboard a gorgeous ship, sailing to new and welcoming ports of call. I expect to eat good food, make new friends, and relax all week long. In 25 cruises I have never been disappointed. Well... once, but I won't go into that here :p

[karena1]

My expectation when I cruise with Celebrity is to have an absolutely wonderful time. This always happens, as it goes by way to quickly! I don't expect everyone to wait on me hand and foot; just to be pleasant and assist me if I need help. My DH and I have been very lucky on our past cruises because everything went smoothly...we want to rest, renew and learn new things. Life is way too short to be unhappy!:)[/quote

 

So with you!!!

[Cruising89143]

A clean ship, good service, quality dining and good entertainment which Celebrity has provided thus far along with RCI. We tried other lines and they fell short in some of those areas.

 

I NEVER want to go back to what was. Why? It wasn't as good as it is now.

 

As far as some not being happy. Some see the glass as half full and others...... well you know. ;)

Edited May 13, 2014 by cruisingator2

[NLH Arizona]

Pretty much what LastDance said. I don't pay the "critics" on here much mind. I know things happen. They happen at home, out in public, on a cruise -- things happen. It's how we react to things (or don't react) that to me shows a person's character (or lack of it). I try very hard not to compare. I take each cruise as its own individual entity.

We cruise because it's a great way to see new places, meet new people, experience new things - and relax and have fun. How can you complain on a cruise when your biggest decision of the day is whether to sit by the pool or enjoy the ocean from your balcony or go learn about something in a theatre - and what lovely umbrella drink you're going to have? Or when your biggest decision of the night is what nice bar to enjoy for a few drinks and some musical entertainment or what game of cards you're going to play with some new friends?

 

I'm not having to cook, clean, drive the car, clean the bathroom, run the errands, wash the clothes. Really no complaints from me.

I second your thoughts, but I say my biggest decision of the day is what am I going to have for dinner LOL!

[parallax]

I expect to be happy. I'm not at work and I'm going to have time to relax and unwind. I find that if I'm nice to the staff that I will be treated in kind. We don't sweat the small stuff..

[steveweese]

What are my expectations on my cruise?

 

1) I expect that the tickets to my shore excursions will be in my cabin when I get there. I do not expect to have to go to Shore Excursions and ask for my tickets and to be told that they are in my cabin, while I insist that they are not, only to have the Shore Excursions guy insist that yes, they are in my cabin, until he finally calls my cabin steward who tells him that he was never given shore excursion tickets for me.

 

2) I expect that activities will start at about the time the daily says they will start. I do not expect to go looking for an activity and find nothing, and then go to Guest Services, who tells me that I was completely wrong about the time, and then when I show the daily, they say that the daily has the inccorect time.

 

3) I expect that when I order a drink, I am charged for the cost of that drink plus 15%, not several dollars more, and when I ask why and am told it's because I was given the drink in a ship's glass that I did not ask for. And when I say that I don't want the ship's glass, so please take it back and wash it for someone else and charge me the price on the price list, I do not expect the waitress to refuse to do this, necessitating someone else helping me get my drink for the price posted on the pricelist.

 

4) I expect that when I go into the MDR alone for a meal, after I look at the menu and decide what I want and close the menu and put it down on the table and take out a book to read, I will be treated just like anyone else. I do not expect to be ignored for 25 minutes, and when I ask where my waiter or waitress is, I do not expect her to say "Oh, I didn't know you came in here to eat! I thought you came in here to read!" Really, if a couple put their closed menus down on the table and talked to each other, would she think that they came into the MDR because they wanted to talk?

 

5) When standing on the line for dinner when I have a reservation with Celebrity Select, if the woman in front of me says that she had a reservation with some other people but she doesn't know where they are, I expect the hostess to ask her to stand on the side so that she can help people with reservations. I do not expect the hostess and the woman to talk and talk and talk and talk and talk and talk about the situation, making everyone with a reservation have to wait and wait and wait, while the people on the line for those without reservations are able to go into the MDR. And after they talked and talked and talked and talked and talked, they talked and talked and talked some more.

 

6) I do not expect to hear at the very first breakfast that they have already run out of something.

 

Have a great day!

[Minoushka]

I expect a rather small cabin but that fits my needs . i expect a beautiful view from my balcony

I expect good food well presented ,

Nightly entertainment ..music,dancing and singing

A friendly casino

To meet pleasant people ...happy and smiling

Great itinerary. Lovely ports ..fun excursions ...great shopping ...great snorkeling

fun FUN .Fun

Great days at sea or in ports ..a veruy pleasant experience notwithstanding snafus and hiccups here and there but nothing serious

 

Attitude is what counts here

[txflood33]

it's good to see more 7s than 10s :rolleyes:

[DWhit]

I have high expectations, because that has been in line with past cruises. By that I mean I expect the Celebrity personnel on the ship to be very smiling , pleasant, and to provide good service to the best of their ability. I expect that because that's how its been every time I have cruised before.

 

I have had cruises before where not every detail has gone off without a hitch, so I try not to get upset when this happens (and it often will). But as long as the people I have to deal with to fix things are smiling, pleasant and provide the best service they can, I certainly try to be patient and understanding. So far (knock on wood), this has worked for me.

 

I travelled a lot on business in my career, and I know and have experienced that sometimes a company fails to provide acceptable service. Its happened to me with airlines and car rental companies, for example. In those cases, I tend to give someone else a try, and move on. I am hoping that will not ever be the case for Celebrity or any other cruise company. So far, so good.

[Cruising89143]

Pretty much what LastDance said. I don't pay the "critics" on here much mind. I know things happen. They happen at home, out in public, on a cruise -- things happen. It's how we react to things (or don't react) that to me shows a person's character (or lack of it). I try very hard not to compare. I take each cruise as its own individual entity.

We cruise because it's a great way to see new places, meet new people, experience new things - and relax and have fun. How can you complain on a cruise when your biggest decision of the day is whether to sit by the pool or enjoy the ocean from your balcony or go learn about something in a theatre - and what lovely umbrella drink you're going to have? Or when your biggest decision of the night is what nice bar to enjoy for a few drinks and some musical entertainment or what game of cards you're going to play with some new friends?

 

I'm not having to cook, clean, drive the car, clean the bathroom, run the errands, wash the clothes. Really no complaints from me.

 

Very nice post and spot on. Nothing in life is perfect.

[Leviathan2772]

To take advantage of the Suite's features & amenities, then I like to squeeze every nickel out of the experience.

[PROCRUISE]

We expect to have an enjoyable, relaxing time.

We expect to be treated with simple respect and we feel the crew members should expect the same from us in return.

We expect good food, good entertainment, a comfortable cabin and pleasant fellow passengers. Now "good" is very subjective but we're pretty easy to please.

When the cruise is over, we expect to be grateful that we're able to travel as much as we do, and we expect to look forward to the next cruising adventure we plan for the future. :)

[teecee60]

Have a great day!

 

Now THAT was absolutely PERFECT! ;)

[Cruisingirl2012]

When I cruise, I expect to have a good time no matter what! I plan to eat, drink, visit new places and make new memories!

[OCruisers]

We realistically expect to not OVER expect. ;)

LuLu

[odysee]

I posted following comment yesterday on another thread, but it fits better here :

 

Look at it this way : After another good experience aboard Celebrity I usually worry that the next cruise can just not compare anymore; same old, same old.

Then I read these blogs before I go and start believing that services, food, etc. etc. will have deteriorated badly and I mentally prepare for the worst. However once on board I am pleasantly surprised again and come back more than happy and having again booked already the next cruise while on the ship.

 

And maybe other persons go with such overly high expectations after all the P.R., raving and promises that they can only be let down.

 

I just think it is all about "managing expectations" !!.

Edited May 15, 2014 by odysee