"Some amazing changes coming to Celebrity fleet" announcement mid-week this week!

[Andy]

I'm presuming that's the "major" announcement.

[jruben18]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=6576

 

"We are also converting the S.S. United States restaurant to Tuscan Grille, adding an enclosed portrait studio and a new future cruise sales office, and refreshing the Solarium with new finishes throughout. We are changing the decor in the casino and creating a special space at the casino entrance where the maritime artifacts currently in the S.S. United States restaurant will be on display.

 

Editor's note: Tuscan Grille will replace The Normandie on Celebrity Summit.

 

We're also creating a brand-new venue that isn't found anywhere else in our fleet: the Rooftop Terrace. With an outdoor movie screen, chic decor and modern, modular furniture, this venue will be a brand-new way to enjoy the great outdoors on a modern luxury vacation. The popularity of our Solstice Class Lawn Club venues has shown us that some of the richest moments our guests enjoy are when relaxing in beautiful outdoor spaces. In creating the Rooftop Terrace, we wanted to create a hot spot where guests can kick back under the stars in the middle of the ocean, with amazing experiences where film fuses with food. During the day, we think the Rooftop Terrace definitely will be a hot spot for hanging out to read, relax or enjoy a glass of wine.

 

Editor's note: The Rooftop Terrace will open on Celebrity Infinity on December 5. "

[CruisingChick]

I'm presuming that's the "major" announcement.

 

So sad we are losing Normandie and SS United States. :(

[milesfromu]

Is this the MAJOR Announcement:

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=6576

 

That is what we were expecting it to be.

[CruisingChick]

That is what we were expecting it to be.

 

Nothing AMAZING about it at all. It was already rumored they were changing those restaurants to Tuscan Grille.

 

So if they are spending all this money on those 2 ships does that mean they will be keeping them when the Project Edge ships come out or is it to up their re-sale value?

Edited October 8, 2015 by CruisingChick

[jruben18]

"Q: What should passengers expect at Tuscan Grille on Infinity?

 

A: We are so excited to be bringing our very popular Italian steakhouse to Celebrity Infinity. Not only should our guests expect the same Mediterranean, chic, relaxed vibe and amazing service offered at our Tuscan Grille restaurants throughout the fleet, but they should also look forward to some changes. Our popular cuts like filet mignon and ribeye steak will remain, and we are adding skirt steak, as well as dry-aged steaks (porterhouse and New York strip).

 

And we are introducing new menu features, like fresh pasta made in-house; an Italian cocktail menu, a first for Tuscan Grille; a wine list focused on the wine-growing regions of Italy; and new foods like artisanal salumi and cheeses; crispy crab arancini with lemon pepper aioli; grilled branzino with spinach and olive oil; and swordfish with Castelvetrano olives, fennel and white wine."

[Andy]

So sad we are losing Normandie and SS United States. :(

 

I hear you CruisingChick. I have mixed feelings. We like Tuscan very much, so it will be nice to have them on Summit & Infinity. Arno made a great comment on one of the threads.... IF they are going to remove the memorabilia from Normandie & SS United States, perhaps they will be used on the Edge class ? Perhaps this is one of the reasons behind this decision. Time will tell.

 

As for the Rooftop area ? I think this is a nice idea. The current space is virtually wasted, so it should be well-received by guests. I've always wondered when Celebrity would add movie screens to their fleet. I figured it was only a matter of time.... and the time is now.

Edited October 8, 2015 by Host Andy

[CruisingChick]

I hear you CruisingChick. I have mixed feelings. We like Tuscan very much, so it will be nice to have them on Summit & Infinity. Arno made a great comment on one of the threads.... IF they are going to remove the memorabilia from Normandie & SS United States, perhaps they will be used on the Edge class ? Perhaps this is one of the reasons behind this decision. Time will tell.

 

As for the Rooftop area ? I think this is a nice idea. The current space is virtually wasted, so it should be well-received by guests. I've always wondered when Celebrity would add movie screens to their fleet. I figured it was only a matter of time.... and the time is now.

 

I really hope they keep the memorabilia or give some to me!!

 

Hopefully the rooftop area will be nice.

[C 2 C]

It looks like the basket ball court is gone for the new movie experience.

[Andy]

Nothing AMAZING about it at all. It was already rumored they were changing those restaurants to Tuscan Grille.

 

So if they are spending all this money on those 2 ships does that mean they will be keeping them when the Project Edge ships come out or is it to up their re-sale value?

 

What I find interesting is, no announcement on Millennium, which is the oldest M-Class ship. I certainly think it means that Summit & Infinity wont be sold anytime soon. It will be interesting to see if this plan is extended to Millennium & Constellation.

Edited October 8, 2015 by Host Andy

[wallie5446]

Captain Kate is a rock star!

 

[Ex-Airbalancer]

There is a video on their Facebook page talking about the changes

[stevenr597]

I just read that Celebrity is planning big changes for the Infinity and Summit. However, no mention was made of the Millennium. The Millennium is scheduled for Drydock early next year. Will Celebrity be making similar changes on this ship?

[A Sixth?]

We're also creating a brand-new venue that isn't found anywhere else in our fleet: the Rooftop Terrace. With an outdoor movie screen :eek:

 

Well that sucks big time!!!:mad:

 

Last summer when we were in our Aqua Class A1 cabin they played movies directly above us and it was LOUD!!

 

All the posts worrying about noise from above deck 12 cabins... well Celebrity is now making it a permanent fact. I'd rather see a water slide than an outdoor theatre. At least the slide would only be open during the day.

 

I am changing my cabin choice for my Bermuda ....

 

 

 

The Bermuda Summit "Outdoor Theatre" from hell

 

 

 

Celebrity's new and improved "Outdoor Theatre" from hell

Edited October 8, 2015 by A Sixth?

[Orator]

Is this the MAJOR Announcement:

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=6576

 

WOW! Upgraded toilet seats in the Penthouse and Royal Suites. Now that's a reason to rush to book them. Guess they got the money for this significant upgrade by discontinuing the Bulgari bath products.

Don't like the loss of Normandie and SS United States. Eliminating these upscale venues is really a mark of "Modern Luxury".

Edited October 8, 2015 by Orator

[thebutlerdidit]

I really hope they keep the memorabilia or give some to me!!

 

Hopefully the rooftop area will be nice.

 

The casino is getting a facelift, and it mentions a new display area that will house the memorabilia from SS United States ( or Normandie).

[richsea]

I really hope they keep the memorabilia or give some to me!!

 

Hopefully the rooftop area will be nice.

 

According to the interview, the ship memorabilia from the two restaurants will be moved to a remodeled casino.

 

As for the rooftop,it sounds like Movies u

Nader the Stars, at least for evenings.

[Andy]

The casino is getting a facelift, and it mentions a new display area that will house the memorabilia from SS United States ( or Normandie).

 

<sigh> Guess that ends any Edge class thoughts. Time will tell.

[Ma Bell]

Well, that took care of any appeal the deck 11 Aqua cabins had.

[kitty9]

Well, imho, this is an awful idea for the specialty restaurants. Tuscan is an inferior venue (yes, I did dare to use that word) when compared to Normandie and SS United States. It's an obvious cost saving measure as it's much cheaper to run a Tuscan than a Murano-style restaurant. No more lobster prepared table side, no higher end cuts of meat, no soufflés, no cheese cart, no caviar for those who like that, no extra staff to do the table side preps, and lets face it, pasta dishes are a lot less expensive than what Normandie, et.al. offers. They're not doing this because there's a demand for Tuscan, they're doing it because Tuscan will save money, plain and simple.

 

Personally, I think Ms Lisa Lutoff-Perlo is taking the line in the wrong direction, starting with the ridiculous BBB pricing insanity and now with the change in the two M Class ships. Bean counters rule.

 

I'm wondering about how bookings are going, in light of the cruises my family has been offered with the Blue Chip Club. In years past, we've never been offered holiday cruises as part of the Club. But now, in their most recent offering, they're offering us holiday cruises for free. One can only surmise that bookings are soft.

[Andy]

Well, that took care of any appeal the deck 11 Aqua cabins had.

 

Interesting point Ma Bell. I forgot about the AQ cabins located below.

[need2bespoiled]

I hear you CruisingChick. I have mixed feelings. We like Tuscan very much, so it will be nice to have them on Summit & Infinity. Arno made a great comment on one of the threads.... IF they are going to remove the memorabilia from Normandie & SS United States, perhaps they will be used on the Edge class ? Perhaps this is one of the reasons behind this decision. Time will tell.

 

As for the Rooftop area ? I think this is a nice idea. The current space is virtually wasted, so it should be well-received by guests. I've always wondered when Celebrity would add movie screens to their fleet. I figured it was only a matter of time.... and the time is now.

 

It looks like the memorabilia from the S.S. United states will be in a special display near the Casino. There is that wasted space forward of the Casino on the Starboard side (I think it is starboard anyway, I get turned around with the 4 entrance / exits from the Casino). EDIT: Others already mentioned this.

 

I'll be sailing on December 5 on Infinity and I for one look forward to the Rooftop Terrace which will debut on our sailing, as well as the new Tuscan grill menu and the new furniture in our suite. We've found all of the upper end suites on M-Class ships (especially RS and PH) could use new deck furniture and look forward to the new furnishings.

 

We could take or leave the Murano style restaurant. We were getting a bit tired of the Murano style restaurants anyway and they are definitely NOT modern. If they execute the new menu, it will be a nice change for us but of course it comes down to execution. It does say they'll have nicer dry aged cuts of meets, the quality of which is yet TBA.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

Edited October 8, 2015 by need2bespoiled

[A Sixth?]

Well, that took care of any appeal the deck 11 Aqua cabins had.

 

I'm on the Summit in those deck 11 A1 cabins this January and February BEFORE the refit .

 

I have always loved those cabins save that time in Bermuda when they ran the movies.

 

I thought "X" was going upscale "Edge" instead it looks like they're "Princessing" these ships.

 

[Laurab23]

Interesting point Ma Bell. I forgot about the AQ cabins located below.

 

We had an aqua class deck 11 aft on our cruise in May. We never heard a sound from the movies inside or on our balcony. My husband loves to watch the outside movies on a cruise so he will be thrilled when we cruise again in May on the Summit in our aft cabin. Maybe no one else will want these cabins so our price will go down.

 

Laura

[upwarduk]

Does this mean Infinity will only be doing 'hot weather ' itineraries?

Can't imagine watching 'movies' outdoors in cold weather climes!