What's changed - First Celebrity cruise since 2012

[ChucktownSteve]

Okay reading the boards I'm expecting nothing but the worst;)

 

So I'm still not sure if the classic drink package is fine or worth upgrading to premium.

 

I also love fresh squeezed orange juice & smoothies. Are those available with the classic package?

 

The debates about the class structure is quite sad imo. Sorry this is a 3000 person ship and if you want to be separated from the plebes then cruise on Oceania/silverseas..... There are butlers, larger suites, specialty dining.... already. To read passengers upset that Evian wasn't served in a timely manner makes me shake my head.

 

I read the shortcuts taken with the food, the lower quality, smaller portions, indifferent wait and housekeeping staff. Add to that music that is too loud, too geared towards a younger demographic, lax dress codes.......

 

Funny I thought I was getting a good deal and it is a "cheaper" cruise date, but when I add up the cost, it is the same price as a 5 star Mexican AI resort (top-rated by TripAdvisor).

 

Good thing I'll be off after 5 days and won't be stuck for a week plus on this ship....:rolleyes:

 

Still would like some more tips.

 

The difference in cabin price may be if the TA has held a group of cabins. They get a group rate that they pass along.

 

Whether the classic drink package upgrade to premium is worth it depends upon whether you need to have a specific call brand that is not included in the classic pkg. It's not the drink but the brand that makes it worth the added cost. If you can drink Johnny Walker Red instead of Black then you'll be fine. I can't so I switched to Makers which is in the classic pkg. It's all about choice and how much you are willing to pay for what you want.

[I&J Cruisers]

Over the past 5 years the changes have been slow but insidious. There is less staff all over the ship making service slower. No more fresh OJ at the buffet. Each time we've gone to Morrano something has been changed or eliminated. You now have to request the cheese course. If you cruise several times a year you don't notice the changes immediately. But there definitely are changes not only on X but on all lines including much higher priced products than X. Enjoy your cruise.

[readyforacruiseagain]

Over the past 5 years the changes have been slow but insidious. There is less staff all over the ship making service slower. No more fresh OJ at the buffet. Each time we've gone to Morrano something has been changed or eliminated. You now have to request the cheese course. If you cruise several times a year you don't notice the changes immediately. But there definitely are changes not only on X but on all lines including much higher priced products than X. Enjoy your cruise.

 

There has never been fresh squeezed OJ as part of the regular package, but always at the bars. Is this no longer the case? I dislike those dispensed from machines and only drink Tropicana (or similar not from concentrate) juice. That to me is very disappointing.

 

As said went to an AI last year and frankly enjoy cruises more, but adding up the price and the cruise is more expensive.

 

Just yesterday I spent 15 minutes extolling the virtues of cruises with 8-14 year old kids and how care free they were and so few hassles. From the sound of things I better stop.

 

Also I love the martini bars and fun creations and again wondering if worth the extra $11/day as I can slum it with mixed drinks if I must.:p

[CruisingChick]

Our first Celebrity crusie was on Millennium in 2002 and the amount of things that have changed since then is a long list. Not only did they ruin the M Class ships by adding more cabins and moving the martini bar but the service and food have taken a bit hit since then. Not to mention the increase prices of drinks, specialty restaurants, etc. Yes, prices do go up, but we think they have gone up too much. Martinis use to be bigger they would fill the glass up to the top and then leave the shaker if there were any left in it. Now you are lucky if the glass is 3/4 of the way filled.

 

Celebrity still offers a good product,most of the times - our May cruise on Summit was a bit disappointing - but no where near as good as it did 13 years ago.

Edited November 18, 2015 by CruisingChick

[readyforacruiseagain]

And again not clear..... Where is fresh OJ available? Always needed a drink card for it and hope that is still the case.

 

Specialty coffees (i.e. Latte, Cappuccino, iced) available with the Classic Drink card?

 

Also found some old paper casino match plays and drink vouchers that I never used but saved. Spouse looks sideways at me when I said I'll try and use them (no expiry date on them).

 

Another question.

 

Is it worth calling to see if there is a new offer or upgrade available? Any trick there, as we've never had a single upgrade in any cruise?:(

Edited November 18, 2015 by readyforacruiseagain

[SAC69]

And again not clear..... Where is fresh OJ available? Always needed a drink card for it and hope that is still the case.

 

Specialty coffees (i.e. Latte, Cappuccino, iced) available with the Classic Drink card?

 

Also found some old paper casino match plays and drink vouchers that I never used but saved. Spouse looks sideways at me when I said I'll try and use them (no expiry date on them).

 

Another question.

 

Is it worth calling to see if there is a new offer or upgrade available? Any trick there, as we've never had a single upgrade in any cruise?:(

 

It is my understanding that there is no longer any "fresh squeezed" OJ anywhere. There is fresh, like Tropicana that they charge for. Someone can correct me if I'm wrong.

[lambcom]

As far as I know, Holland America is the only mass market line that still offers freshly squeezed orange juice. It's free in the Lido at breakfast time and sometimes, at a charge, at various bars.

 

George +

[readyforacruiseagain]

As far as I know, Holland America is the only mass market line that still offers freshly squeezed orange juice. It's free in the Lido at breakfast time and sometimes, at a charge, at various bars.

 

George +

 

And that is the other cruise line I was on and appreciated it every morning. The fact Celerity has discontinued it (and I asked in the OP) is disappointing.

 

Am I to prepare for a great big let-down?

[I&J Cruisers]

Yes things have changed. But I'm still cruising. Cruise fares have not gone up in line with inflation to make up the revenue the are charging for previously included items and services, staff is "thinner " so service is often spotty. We paid the same fares for standard cabins that we now pay for Jr. Suites. We've sailed Regent a few times and it's wonderful comparable to mass mkt lines in the first 80s but very expensive. You have to add up everything you spend and compare the total cost. If you add all the extras, air etc. the prices are very close. That's what it costs to provide what we received in the 80s. Don't worry. You'll enjoy your cruise.

 

 

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[lawgeek]

Our first Celebrity crusie was on Millennium in 2002 and the amount of things that have changed since then is a long list. Not only did they ruin the M Class ships by adding more cabins and moving the martini bar but the service and food have taken a bit hit since then. Not to mention the increase prices of drinks, specialty restaurants, etc. Yes, prices do go up, but we think they have gone up too much. Martinis use to be bigger they would fill the glass up to the top and then leave the shaker if there were any left in it. Now you are lucky if the glass is 3/4 of the way filled.

 

Celebrity still offers a good product,most of the times - our May cruise on Summit was a bit disappointing - but no where near as good as it did 13 years ago.

 

I was on Summit in June and martinis were always too full at Martini Bar. I couldn't sip without a little spill. I would imagine this is more of an individual employee thing. It doesn't make sense not to fill it up with all the packages as it would only make them work more!

[TeaBag]

Just off Eclipse. We thought the food was very good except for a few things. Two of them, poorly made Bananas Foster (sent it back) and Texed, I'm afraid I was very disappointed in the waffles. I think the batter was too thick. They were doughy and dense even freshly made. No more fresh berries for quite a while now, just that awful pie filling. OP, I did find some fresh blackberries by the muesli one day and they were lovely with the muesli. the rest of the days they had frozen blueberries and strawberries. I would consider those better than that awful pie filling.

 

Changes.....higher charges for Sp restaurants. We were offered 2 for 1 at Qsine which we took. We were also offered 2for 1 plus 2 glasses of Champagne at Murano but we declined. We were not looking for offers, they came to us.

 

Zumba, yoga, spinning are $13/class incl the tip.

 

I think the coffees at Al Baccio are included in the drink pkg although I'm not sure as we get them as a perk.

 

New, all Captains Club people get one free gelato on the cruise.

 

Coupons are given out for winners at Trivia and at the end of the cruise you can "buy" things with your coupons. Lanyards, golf balls, pens etc.

 

Bingo has gone way up but we don't play so that doesn't bother us.

 

We really enjoyed our cruise and that's really all that matters. I hope you have a great time.

Edited November 19, 2015 by TeaBag

[CruisingChick]

I was on Summit in June and martinis were always too full at Martini Bar. I couldn't sip without a little spill. I would imagine this is more of an individual employee thing. It doesn't make sense not to fill it up with all the packages as it would only make them work more!

 

We don't get a drink package so we pay as we go. We usually only have 1 before dinner. The last few cruises martinis were never filled up to the top. We sailed in May (7 night Bermuda) and September (14 night New England/Canada).