One Cabin Steward & No Turndown-Changes Coming!

[BecciBoo]

We were quite impressed with our first Carnival cruise.

Frankly the food in almost every venue put both X and RCCL to shame. I can't remember if our bed was turned down but the cabin was spotless and roomy, we had ice in our bucket and fresh fluffy towels every day and evening. The ship was quite gaudy but the service was all around top notch and it really was a fun ship.

Maybe today's Carnival is the "model" X should be going for.

 

Say....what planet do you live on anyway, I wanna go there.

 

One Carnival cruise is all we could take!:eek:

[coolio]

If this is the case I will most certainly cancel the next 4 cruises that we have with Celebrity. Will see after my November cruise. For the amount of dollars being spent on each cruise it is very easy to move to land based vacations in any of the islands

[FloridaGirlLovesToCruise]

I agree Carnival has an overall better product than people give credit for. I'm about to go on my first X cruise and am looking forward to it. I have sailed RCI and agree CCL puts their food to shame. I have sailed CCL since there current change and it wasn't that bad. I selected daytime service and just asked the steward to bring fresh towels and ice when they brought by the fun times at night time. It worked out well and wasn't really that much different.

 

 

We just sailed on Carnival's new ship, the Vista, in July with our granddaughter. We always sail Carnival with her since they have a great program for the children. Our balcony cabin was decorated in the new blue and pale yellow colors and was very spacious for the three of us. I never had to select which service I wanted. Our room steward came twice a day and provided ice, clean towels, turn down service, etc. There are so many (free & for a fee) new options for meals, I didn't have time to try them all. We have sailed on Celebrity six times and will be on the Infinity in October and the Millennium in February. We make Elite on our Oct. sailing and was hoping to take more cruises with Celebrity, but now I'm wondering if I will if they keep cutting their service back.

 

 

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[cynbar]

I am sure we will all survive!!!;)

 

This is true, but many of us may be surviving somewhere other than on a Celebrity ship.

[cot427]

I don't understand why Celebrity would start eliminating evening turndown service except for chocolates. Are any other lines also eliminating this? If they really were going in this direction, they could do a much simpler version.

 

Fluff the pillows, make sure clean towels are there, remove any dirty dishes and plop a chocolate on the pillow. Voila.

[CruisingChick]

I just don't understand. They will have to come to your room in the evening otherwise how will you get the Celebrity Today progam with all those inserts in your room for the next day's activities? It' can't take that long to turn down the bed and place a few chocolates on the pillows.

 

As I stated in an earlier post RCCL got rid of assistant cabin attendants a while ago (our first RCCL cruise was in March 2014 and they were already gone by then) and they still have turn down service at night and on aother note they still have formal evenings (unless you are on Quantum Class Ship).

[cruzeluver]

Carnival has not rolled out the either morning or evening room service fleet-wide. From my vantage point they have actually stepped up their game in the last couple of years. Food quality I would put on par with Celebrity and in some instances even better. We will only sail their newer ships simply because I am not a fan of the decor on their older vessels.

 

We still love X and will continue to look at them, but not pledging allegiance to any one line as we find that too limiting in terms of embarkation ports, itinerary options and I don't want the same cruise every time.

 

I think these newest changes are an effort to keep fares steady. Its a shame and I fully understand why it is unacceptable to some folks. Fortunately, Celebrity is not the only game in town. To get the experience they once provided passengers will need to move up to more premium and luxury lines.

[Olive1950]

I have 2 cruises I just paid for on infinity in October. One is in a CS and the other is in a PH.

 

After that, I have no other Celebrity cruises planned. I'll have to judge for myself just how drastic the cost-cutting efforts of Lisa L-P have been. She is really making the term "Modern Luxury " an industry-wide JOKE....

 

If I'm as disappointed as I expect to be, I will kick Celebrity to the curb and move to another line.

 

It is NOT surprising to me that Celebrity's CC mouthpiece hasn't posted in this topic.... That person probably knows what a slippery slope X is descending....

[boscobeans]

Ms Lutoff-Perlo continues to downgrade what USED to be a wonderful product. I wish I had the opportunity to speak to her, face to face, and ask her if her definition of luxury includes increasing prices and taking away goods and services that have been a part of the tradition of cruising.

 

When I'm on vacation, one that I spend a lot of money for, I expect certain things and one of those things is a cabin that's taken care of. Sure, we can keep our cabins clean, but we shouldn't have to, because we ARE on vacation and one of the perks of being on vacation is not having to do the daily chores we have at home. While having the bed turned down isn't necessary, the changing of towels and tidying up the bathroom is.

 

If Ms. Lutoff-Perlo continues to downgrade what Used to be a wonderful product, she should just go all the way and paint the fleet orange. I can see her now re-christening each ship with a cheap bottle of plonk as she renames each one with the new company name as well, EasyCelebrity the ala carte luxury cruise line. I wonder if there will be a coin slot for hot water in the shower, if there will still be showers in the staterooms?

 

We have enjoyed returning each night after an evening in the casino, a stroll and a bar or two to find our beds ready and waiting with fresh towels, ice, the next days programs and all that we have had on the 23 cruises, MOST OF WHICH WERE ON X, since 2001.

 

bosco

[CruisingChick]

If Ms. Lutoff-Perlo continues to downgrade what Used to be a wonderful product, she should just go all the way and paint the fleet orange. I can see her now re-christening each ship with a cheap bottle of plonk as she renames each one with the new company name as well, EasyCelebrity the ala carte luxury cruise line. I wonder if there will be a coin slot for hot water in the shower, if there will still be showers in the staterooms?

 

We have enjoyed returning each night after an evening in the casino, a stroll and a bar or two to find our beds ready and waiting with fresh towels, ice, the next days programs and all that we have had on the 23 cruises, MOST OF WHICH WERE ON X, since 2001.

 

bosco

 

We started crusing Celebrity in 2002 and our 23rd cruise is coming up in 11 days. I will be interested to see the changes on board. This is definitely NOT Modern Luxury or any kind of luxury.

 

In the mornings I would still want our bed made, room vacuumed and ice replaced. They don't need to do the bathroom then, they can save it.

 

In the evenings I would want the bathroom cleaned, towels picked up as we always get ready late afternoon before we go out for the evening, ice replaced and deilivery of Celebrity Today Program.

 

I don't care if they don't "turn down the bed", but I do want chocolates on my pillow. Is that really asking to much for all the money we are paying? Besides the fact they have raised grautities twice in the past year.

Edited August 24, 2016 by CruisingChick

[excitedofharpenden]

It would be great to have some input from the Celebrity Cruises representative who posts here or at least some confirmation of the validity of the news from an official source. I know Host Andy is on the case. Thanks Andy!

[Olive1950]

If Ms. Lutoff-Perlo continues to downgrade what Used to be a wonderful product, she should just go all the way and paint the fleet orange. I can see her now re-christening each ship with a cheap bottle of plonk as she renames each one with the new company name as well, EasyCelebrity the ala carte luxury cruise line. I wonder if there will be a coin slot for hot water in the shower, if there will still be showers in the staterooms?

 

We have enjoyed returning each night after an evening in the casino, a stroll and a bar or two to find our beds ready and waiting with fresh towels, ice, the next days programs and all that we have had on the 23 cruises, MOST OF WHICH WERE ON X, since 2001.

 

bosco

 

Lisa's NO-Class Cruises

 

NO perks

NO turndown service

NO value

NO fun

NO reliable website

NO luxury, modern or otherwise....

NO Luggage Valet

NO repeaters

But I guarantee a chocolate on your pillow

COMING SOON: McDonald's and Taco Bell

 

Love,

Lisa!!!

Edited August 24, 2016 by Olive1950

[FlorenceItaly]

Quality declines YET prices CLIMB!

[Cruise Junky]

Don't think I could care less if I don't get evening turndown service. It's been gone from many hotels for years.

[CruisingChick]

Don't think I could care less if I don't get evening turndown service. It's been gone from many hotels for years.

 

I can't ever remember getting turndown service in a hotel, that's why on our first cruise in 2000 I was so shocked and spoiled that they did this. Now after 16 years it is something, albiet small, that still makes cruising special over a regular hotel vacation.

[cachouonacruise]

I am sure we will all survive!!!;)

 

 

 

I agree we will. Unfortunately, however, we don't go on a cruise just to survive. I can survive at home quite well, without any added cost.

 

On a cruise, when transatlantic flights became the standard, the industry's response for survival was to sell an experience based on luxurious amenities and pampering....

 

Removing those amenities progressively will eventually negate the experience and hurt the industry, IMHO.

 

 

 

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[gcorgain]

I am probably one of the odd people here that have accepted somewhat higher pricing over the last couple of years. I typically take one significant vacation a year, and don't mind saving and splurging a little. Therefore I am sensitive to the cutbacks. Most hotels I stay in have evening turndown service, and I would think a luxury cruise would.

 

I had already been considering whether to change lines to Oceania and/or Regent for better food and (hopefully) lounge entertainment. I've booked my next two Celebrity Cruises in suites (which I've never sailed in), primarily for the dining and Michael's Club experiences. I'll evaluate the product on our October cruise, but if it isn't up to previous standards I'll vote with my wallet.

[Junebug1]

*like*

 

Me too.

[cle-guy]

I really cannot see a single stateroom attendant being able to look after the larger suites without many guests complaining. The time taken will clearly almost double. When we sail in one of Celebrity's PH suites, the stateroom attendants take some days before they relax with us. It is clear that most PH guests expect their suite to be serviced invisibly and instantly.

 

I really do not think that the suite needs to be vacuumed twice a day and how many people at home replace their towels twice a day? I cannot help remembering my mother when I was a child making it clear that, if a towel was dirty, you cannot have washed properly. I would also like to think that, even on holiday, I did not make so much mess that my bathroom needed to be serviced twice a day. I hate seeing waste and cutting waste is modern.

 

I just hope that this change does not impact on the crew too much. In particular, I really hope (but very much doubt) that they do not take the brunt of guest anger/annoyance.

 

I'm quite similar to you, though admittedly I do like the room refreshed after coming back at night, but I always let them know, no need to vacuum the entire time I'm here, don't change my bed linens I like them softer and worn in. I sometimes leave my DND sign on the door and go a day or 2 with no service at all just because I don't care for the interruptions some times. and simply ask the attendant for a couple extra towels.

 

Perhaps it comes from frequent business travel, where I may end up holed in a hotel room for a couple days at a time working, but like many, I don't clean my bathrooms and make my bed 2 times a day at home, I don't change my sheets daily, so I don't get worked up over it while I travel either.

 

When I travel I do sometimes call the front desk for an evening refresh, many times I don't. It really boils down to do I have 1 more towel for the morning?

 

To each their own of course.

[Celebrity Cruises]

We have been testing out a new model for stateroom service on three ships, where the sections for the Stateroom Attendants are now much smaller. Stateroom attendants now have fewer staterooms to service and can engage in enhanced personal service to their guests. With the new model, 90% of Assistant Stateroom Attendants have been promoted to the Stateroom Attendant position, the remainder will follow with training. We are not losing any crew with this change. We have also updated uniforms and cleaning trollies for a more modern and efficient style. Luggage operation will also be faster, and more structured as the Stateroom attendants have fewer bags to move.

 

We have NOT discontinued evening turn down service. We will be rolling out this new model fleet wide through the fall.

 

We believe this change will offer our guests more personalized care during their vacation and our crew now has more opportunity for advancement, as Attendants instead of Assistants.

[DYKWIA]

I have never understood the logic of "I don't do this at home". Of course you don't...that is why it is called a vacation. I do not have waiters or sommeliers at home either, but I expect them on "floating hotels". Evening turn down service, fresh towels and ice are expected services, not extras. Probably will be a lot of wet towels in the halls for people to trip over.

 

100% agree.

 

I might hang the towels out on the balcony for all to see during overnights in port ;)

Edited August 24, 2016 by DYKWIA

[cle-guy]

Curt,

 

Is the above going to be the corporate line when you are asked on line about the turndown cutback (I'm presuming you're still affiliated with the online X chat service, if not I apologise for asking)? Genuine question, not meant to be vitriolic in any way, shape or form - just wondering if this is going to be the response X will be throwing out to their customers.

 

No idea, that program ended months ago after just a 90 day test, and we never got any "inside" information anyway, we just knew how to use the website better than most. We only had access to google searches and our own first hand knowledge.

 

My thought was gleaned from my experience in the hospitality industry (Was a hotel manager with Marriott for years) and observations on reading other cruise line activities, and some common sense - if we are cutting the number of cabins in half, to a number that is less than a typical hotel room attendant does, clearly they are going to be expected to up their game in some way. They are not going to house all those staff members and feed them and let them get on with half the amount of work they used to get.

[STLCRUISIN]

Once again I will say our cabin steward was very unhappy with the changes being made on the Silhouette following our cruise this past week just as most of us on this board are unhappy with them, as well.

 

I'm hoping to hear from others on the Silhouette now or from any other ship that changed over yet that can confirm as to exactly what "no turndown service except chocolates on the bed" means.

 

We'll be sailing again in 3 weeks, this time on the Infinity, so I'll report if the change has taken place on that ship.

[cle-guy]

On the matter of efficiency, two people can make a bed four times faster than one alone. And two can rehabilitate a room faster than 1.

 

When I was with Marriott, we experimented with "team cleaning", letting 2 housekeepers team up and clean double the number of rooms.

 

It lasted about 2 weeks, when the housekeepers themselves asked to go back to single cleaning, as they found it took longer overall since they were tripping over each other, they had their own specialties and efficiencies that were lost when another had to help. It actually took them a bit longer to get thru the list of rooms each day when teamed up.

 

The experiment was actually kind of a shock to me, we fully expected to gain efficiencies.

 

A good housekeeper knows how to make a bed quickly by themselves, they are trained on how to do it.

[cle-guy]

Once again I will say our cabin steward was very unhappy with the changes being made on the Silhouette following our cruise this past week just as most of us on this board are unhappy with them, as well.

 

I'm hoping to hear from others on the Silhouette now or from any other ship that changed over yet that can confirm as to exactly what "no turndown service except chocolates on the bed" means.

 

We'll be sailing again in 3 weeks, this time on the Infinity, so I'll report if the change has taken place on that ship.

 

Refer to post 86. Seems to be almost a non-issue.

Edited August 24, 2016 by cle-guy