Celebrity gets creative with after-dark Caribbean excursions

[richsea]

I know that there were many who were angry about the overnights that changed their booked cruises, & I don't know if this is new news, but I just read about some of the excursion offerings that X is planning. Looks good to me! I would have been happy if they had changed our Equinox sailing in November, but the overnights do not start until 2016.

 

http://www.seatrade-cruise.com/news/news-headlines/celebrity-gets-creative-with-after-dark-caribbean-excursions.html

 

I'm glad to see they are trying to shake up things in the Caribbean. It's been much of the same old, same old.

[CruisingChick]

Being the cynical person I am the first thing I think of is that Celebrity wants to get people off the ship at night so they don't have to provide quality entertainment and service. Less people at bars, shows and eating on the ship, etc.

 

I am hoping those that have these overnight stays enjoy them and that I'm wrong about cynical ideas.

[ChrissieB]

That might be what they're saying but there's nothing on their website yet!!

 

We are overnighting in Curacao and so far there's just the normal excursions posted. :rolleyes:

[Celebrity Cruises]

That might be what they're saying but there's nothing on their website yet!!

 

We are overnighting in Curacao and so far there's just the normal excursions posted. :rolleyes:

 

Hi there,

 

Can you please tell us some information about your sailing or a reservation number so we can look into this? We can be reached at concerns@celebrity.com. Thanks!

[Olive1950]

I don't think that Celebrity can come up with a single excursion that will lure me off the ship after dark.

 

So, if it is their intention to get us into town, this is an epic FAIL.

 

I won't go BIG; or go BETTER; or go BEST; and finally won't go ASHORE....

[cle-guy]

Even on the X Website, the only evening activities are listed in Categena (5 of them) and Barbados (only 1).

 

Wonder if recent web updates took them out. I know a month or so ago there were many more options.

 

http://www.celebritycruises.com/asr/shorex/BrowseByLocationLanding?destinationCode=CARIB&activityTypeID=44

[TxnAquarian]

I don't think that Celebrity can come up with a single excursion that will lure me off the ship after dark.

 

So, if it is their intention to get us into town, this is an epic FAIL.

 

I won't go BIG; or go BETTER; or go BEST; and finally won't go ASHORE....

 

 

 

Well, you're the one losing out. We have done Caribbean overnights on Azamara, Crystal and Seabourn and some of these ports are fabulous at night. It's definitely a unique atmosphere that changes the whole feel of being on the islands. I'm glad to see that Celebrity is adding more and more overnight stays. They are our preferred ships, but Azamara has been getting more of our business because of the long port stays. I hope to see X offer more of this.

 

 

 

Michael

[cle-guy]

Well, you're the one losing out. We have done Caribbean overnights on Azamara, Crystal and Seabourn and some of these ports are fabulous at night. It's definitely a unique atmosphere that changes the whole feel of being on the islands. I'm glad to see that Celebrity is adding more and more overnight stays. They are our preferred ships, but Azamara has been getting more of our business because of the long port stays. I hope to see X offer more of this.

 

 

 

Michael

 

I would think the cities take on a whole new vibe after dark, and after all the other cruise ships have left. I'd think it to be far more relaxed. Many of my friends arguments against cursing is that there is never a chance to explore nightlife in the caribbean, so now I have a chance of getting them to go, though as these are all on the longer itineraries, maybe not gonna happen yet. Would love to see a 7 night itinerary with an overnight.

 

Summit sits in Bermuda for 3 nights, the ship is active, restaurants have people, I don't think entertainment has been cut at all, in fact they bring on entertainment from the locals. Same dinner schedule, same theatre schedule. Summit also seems to ADD entertainment options with its overnights there (at least last summer).

[CruisingChick]

Summit sits in Bermuda for 3 nights, the ship is active, restaurants have people, I don't think entertainment has been cut at all, in fact they bring on entertainment from the locals. Same dinner schedule, same theatre schedule. Summit also seems to ADD entertainment options with its overnights there (at least last summer).

 

Summit entertainment after dark was okay. Best thing though is the casino is now allowed to be open at night when docked in Bermuda. Did they ever say if it will be open on the Caribbean overnights?

 

They did not add any entertainment that I could tell as they did take away Sin City from last year's cruises. We also did not see any locals entertainment brought on when we cruised.

[A Sixth?]

Even on the X Website, the only evening activities are listed in Categena (5 of them) and Barbados (only 1).

 

Wonder if recent web updates took them out. I know a month or so ago there were many more options.

 

http://www.celebritycruises.com/asr/shorex/BrowseByLocationLanding?destinationCode=CARIB&activityTypeID=44

 

They're adding them as I type... now Bermuda, Cozumel, Aruba.

 

Some look pretty cool IMHO

[TxnAquarian]

 

Summit sits in Bermuda for 3 nights, the ship is active, restaurants have people, I don't think entertainment has been cut at all, in fact they bring on entertainment from the locals. Same dinner schedule, same theatre schedule. Summit also seems to ADD entertainment options with its overnights there (at least last summer).

 

 

That's great point. You're right that the ships still stay active while in port. On the ships where I have overnighted in port, I would say it's about half-and-half in terms of how many people are in port vs. on the ship, and the ships have still offered regular dining and some interesting entertainment options. Even though Azamara is known for being "Destination Immersive", there is always an active amount of people who stay onboard during the evening - even in Venice, which I couldn't believe lol

 

 

Michael

[cle-guy]

Summit entertainment after dark was okay. Best thing though is the casino is now allowed to be open at night when docked in Bermuda. Did they ever say if it will be open on the Caribbean overnights?

 

 

Yes during the live chat, she confirmed casino will be open, shops will be open, and local entertainers are coming on board.

 

Q: Will you be bringing local performers on board for any of the Caribbean overnights?

A: That is part of our entertainment program, absolutely, and have added many local performers across our ships, especially in Europe

 

Q: As a cruiser who has never experienced an overnight, can you speak to services and entertainment during an overnight in the Caribbean? Will all services continue as normal (casino excepted), or will there be changes?

A: All evening festivities will be continued as allowed. The great news about our Caribbean overnights is that shops and Casinos WILL be open, which is great for our guests.

 

I haven't done Bermuda this summer, but last summer, they did the dance party at the solarium pool, Indulgence, and late night comedy. I never saw these things roll out elsewhere (MAYBE I saw the solarium party elsewhere).

Edited August 6, 2015 by cle-guy

[CruisingChick]

Yes during the live chat, she confirmed casino will be open, shops will be open, and local entertainers are coming on board.

 

 

Well then if they stick to the plan it sounds like it would be fun.

 

This year on Summit they did a party by the outdoor pool but nobody went because it was so windy out - like tropical storm winds - don't know why they didn't move it inside. Revelations was empty. There was no Sin City and as for Indulgence well since you have to pay - we do not attend.

Edited August 6, 2015 by CruisingChick

[Phxazzcruisers]

I think it looks great. I get bored with the Caribbean during the day.... Looking forward to some of the after dark excursions. We sail often with Azamara just because of the overnights. Lets us get a real feel for the Cities. I think it just may be a winner !!!

[tgg]

We've done evening activities on Azamara and Seabourn and they've been wonderful. Venice after dark is magical - and we did it completely on our own. We used our two day vaparettto pass at night and hopped on and off all over Venice. I'll always remember going under the Rialto Bridge late in the evening. The tourists were gone and the locals were out having fun.

 

I think people should give this a chance. You might find you like it. If you find this isn't for you, you can always stay on the ship.:)

[drafterdw]

I think it looks great. I get bored with the Caribbean during the day.... Looking forward to some of the after dark excursions. We sail often with Azamara just because of the overnights. Lets us get a real feel for the Cities. I think it just may be a winner !!!

 

I looked last night and they have no night excursions for my cruise....not going ashore on my own in a island I know nothing about. If it were somewhere I was familiar with I might consider, like Aruba. Not really happy right now about overnight. Hope they add some excursions so I can get off ship.

[EatonDoolittle]

....not going ashore on my own in a island I know nothing about. .

 

This made me chuckle - it's like that milk commercial on TV where the guy says "Let me get this straight..you won't drink it because you don't know what it tastes like??"

 

I would think that a sure fire way to find out about an island is to go ashore.

[TxnAquarian]

This made me chuckle - it's like that milk commercial on TV where the guy says "Let me get this straight..you won't drink it because you don't know what it tastes like??"

 

I would think that a sure fire way to find out about an island is to go ashore.

 

 

 

Well said! I'm not quite sure why some of these people bother traveling.

 

 

 

Michael

[norwegianwood57]

Celebrity, you cancelled Bonaire for an night in Curacao.

 

Give me back Bonaire !!!

[artlovr]

Cool shore excursions at night sound like a lot of fun. We'd love to participate in sunset cruises, pub crawls, and dancing. There's a lot of potential.

[Olive1950]

Celebrity, you cancelled Bonaire for an night in Curacao.

 

Give me back Bonaire !!!

 

We still have Bonaire as a port on the Oct 27, 2016 Infinity cruise; but that is because we already had an overnight in Aruba.

 

I think that all Hell will break loose if they cancel Bonaire and try to shove 2 overnights down our throats.... But our cruise is still a long way off; plenty of time for them to make changes, and force me to cancel....

[ORV]

Celebrity, you cancelled Bonaire for an night in Curacao.

 

Give me back Bonaire !!!

 

I think that ship already sailed. ;)

[norwegianwood57]

You are right, they have cancelled it for February and I am very angry. It was to be our first in Bonaire. Have been to Curacao, been there done that, was just going to get off use internet and get back on. Now I have a whole night to do that. Plenty of us have raised hell over cancelling Bonaire.

 

Yeah so what, now they will have some expensive outings in Curacao. Just another way for them to make $.

 

No evening outing makes up for loss of Bonaire, unless it was offered complimentary. Yeah as if that could ever happen. No one asked me if I wanted a useless overnight in Curacao.

 

Reinstate Bonaire.!!!

 

sorry, people I know it is not the topic here and I apologize for my rant, just huge frustration with Celebrity.

 

Yes have called, written, not much else I can do but cancel my 14 night Carib, but the old saying, cut off my nose to spite my face comes into play here.

[nngardener]

For what it's worth, our b2b on 2/21/16 and 3/6/16 ended up with an overnight each added in Curacao and dropping of Bonaire. Fortunately, I wasn't sorry to lose Bonaire because we had been there once before and were very unimpressed. However, after doing some research on Curacao I wasn't at all sure what to do with an extra day there. I'll be eagerly waiting to see what Celebrity will be offering; so far it sounds like it might actually get us off the ship when I was beginning to think we'd just stay on it. Here's hoping!

 

Betty