What has changed in cruising since January, 2005?

[Z'Loth]

Greetings.

 

The last time I took a cruise, it was a southern Mexican Riviera cruise on the Carnival Spirit in January, 2005. Since then, I haven't cruised in twelve years as I got my business degree and paid off my debts.

 

I am in process of booking a August 27, 2017 Alaskan cruise. And, besides a different cruise line, I'm wondering what has changed in twelve years. I assume WiFi is now available. Anything else? :)

[Grandmaanne7]

Too much to list. I would advise checking out the boards and then coming back with specific questions if any remain. Besides, personal tastes and preferences would make it impossible to answer satisfactorily.

 

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[wallie5446]

Bottom line, nothing has changed at all, except the wi-fi :D

 

All the same things are still included in your fare. A cabin, all the same food options at the same schedule. Over priced foo foo drinks with little umbrellas.

The same varied shows every night with kids that didn't make the finals of so you think you can dance or the voice. And funny guys that can't get a gig in Vegas, and slight of hand tricks that make you yawn. Chair hogs that make it hard to get a seat by the pool, and the feeding frenzie when the $10 watches are put out.

 

Yup not much has truly changed at all. :rolleyes::D

Edited September 2, 2016 by wallie5446

[jwb3843]

No more midnight buffets!

 

 

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[ghstudio]

You get less for the same $'s. While that sounds a bit flip, cruise lines have pretty much held their prices and improved profits by reducing costs.

 

Cruising is still a good value proposition but the on-board experience...food, service, entertainment have all seen cost cutting, at least on Celebrity.

[Iamcruzin]

I would say the biggest change is the pricing. You can now choose up to 4 add ons to be included in the price of the cruise. These include a drink package, paid gratuities, $300 OBC ($150 pp booked in the room) or unlimited wifi. Choose carefully if you pick more than one perk. For example if you pick the paid gratuity as a second choice you could actually be paying more for the upgrade than what the gratuity actually costs. It depends on the room you book. The higher the category the higher the daily gratuity fee.

 

Also be aware of the new sleazy marketing tactics. They inflate the prices just before a sale and offer the cruise at the same price that it was 2 weeks earlier. You should continue to monitor prices after you are booked. If a better price comes along before final payment call and have the price adjusted.

Edited September 2, 2016 by Iamcruzin

[2theship]

Since you're posting this on the Celebrity board, I assume you're considering a Celebrity cruise. Every cruise line has policies and/or practices that differ from others.

 

Yes, there is wifi. Until very recently, it's speed was similar to old-fashioned dial-up. Celebrity has made some huge improvements with their new Xcelerate wifi.

 

Celebrity has a fairly restrictive smoking policy, there are only a couple of public areas where smoking is permitted, it's prohibited in the cabin and on balconies. For many of us the best part is that the casino is always non-smoking.

[ClaudiaB]

I'm not sure if drink packages were a "thing" in 2005. I don't think so.

There are different "tiers" of packages: a water package, a soda package, classic alcohol, premium alcohol, premium non-alcohol.

 

These are often given perks when booked. Or like many of us who transfer our booking to a big online travel agent we get lots of perks and on board credit from the T.A.

 

One has to do the numbers to find out of a package is truly a good deal. For some it really is. Often the perk is the classic package and a $10 + tax per day upgrade is all that's needed to get the premium package.

 

I know it sounds confusing, but bottom line - keep reading here. If you like specialty coffees and bottled waters and beer and frozen fuu fuu drinks during the day and some wine and cocktails pre-dinner and some more in the theatre or casino and on the balcony before turning in for the night, a premium package might be for you. It would never even come close to working out for many people but you have to do the numbers to see if it will come close.

 

Specialty restaurants can be $$ but we have always considered them part of the cruise experience. We love most of them.

 

At least on Celebrity, there is one big main dining room for most of the people on the ship - two seatings that are set times and select seating which means you go when you want to go. Some say the service and quality has gone down in recent years but I can't speak to that as we haven't eaten there since about the time you last cruised!

If you are in an Aqua Class cabin your main dining room is Blu which is a smaller more intimate venue. It's easier to have dishes custom ordered and substitutions there as they are not mass producing everything for 2000 people. We love Blu and ate there in many cruises.

If you are in a suite you also have your own dining room, Luminae. You can also eat in Blu if you want to and there is space available. Luminae is smaller and more intimate and in my opinion the best food on the ship. But we pay for it in much higher cruise fare than a basic balcony cabin. Suites also have their own private lounge with activities, entertainment, free ship tours of different departments and free drinks (any drinks) any time.

 

Many of us long ago have learned that we get a better tour with smaller group and for less money by researching and booking our own shore excursions. Much of this is done independently and with others on our specific Roll Call (see above) for our cruise. In our early cruises we always thought it best to go with what the cruise line offered, worrying we'd be left if the independent tour got us back late. While that is technically true, we've come to realize those independent tour operators make their living at this, and they know how to do it and get you back in plenty of time. So we never worry.

 

Welcome back and enjoy your Alaska cruise. If you are on a Celebrity ship that has Brent Nixon as the naturalist, I suggest going to all his lectures. He's amazing.

Edited September 2, 2016 by ClaudiaB

[rogfam]

MUCH more casual.

[Iamcruzin]

MUCH more casual.

 

To elaborate no more formal nights. Formal nights are now called Evening Chic. Read the dress code sticky for more detail.

[NordicPrince]

One of the obvious changes is that the ships are so much bigger than in 2005,

commonly more than 2x the size of a typical ship sailing then and in the cases of RCI Allure, Oasis and Harmony OTS more than 3.5 times as large as your average 2005 ship.

 

What this means for you is multiple "pay as you go" speciality restaurants, much larger show rooms with bigger stage areas and height so they can offer shows with Cirque de Soliel ceiling acts, a lot more balcony and suite cabins to choose from, room for special areas such a solarium for adults only and additional food options. Most have larger and higher central atriums for use as public gathering space and allowing other areas such as quiet sanctuary reading areas inside that space at higher areas. Elevators operate on the inside of the atrium with views of the area as you ascend and descend.

 

More space for a larger pool area. More space for a larger spa and exercise room.

 

Just more space for increased place to drink adult beverages with more beautiful viewing areas.

 

Lots more options in the buffet.

 

Other than that nothing much related to size.

 

Enjoy your cruise.

[Rufferto]

Larger ships, as some have said (but I think for Alaska smaller is better?).

 

More price points: specialty restaurants, SPA areas like Persian Gardens, secluded things like alcoves on S-class ships. You can still have a great cruise without paying for any of it.

[grandgeezer]

Except for the new ships, nothing positive. Cutbacks have affected all aspects of cruising including service, entertainment, and food. We've cut our cruising days by over 1/2 and have cancelled our first cruise since we started almost 14 years ago and it wasn't because of cost. The cruises we take now are must see iteneraries as we classify cruising as transportation only. It's hard to beat the unpack and pack once while seeing 4-5 different places. We are running out of places we want to go so we have 0 planned.

[ReneeFLL]

On Celebrity and Royal you are allowed to bring on 2 750ml bottles of wine or champagne.

 

"No beer or hard liquor may be brought onboard for consumption. If you wish to bring personal wine onboard with you on the day you board your cruise, you may do so, limited to two (2) 750ml bottles per stateroom. When enjoyed in any shipboard restaurant, bar or dining venue, each bottle shall be subject to a corkage fee of $25."

 

Here is a link to some FAQs for Celebrity. There might be some info of interest here for you.

http://www.celebritycruises.com/frequently-asked-questions

[Z'Loth]

Thank you everyone. I've booked a Alaska Hubbard Glacier Cruise on August 27th with a 2A-Veranda Stateroom. It should be different from the Carnival Spirit. Since I'm going as part of a group, my choices are limited. :( However, I heard about the cutbacks too, and the nickle and diming. (sigh) On the other hand, I'm not a drinker, so a non-alcoholic drink package is very.... tempting.

 

Please tell me that I can hook up my laptop via HDMI cable. I'm sure the movies on my laptop will be better than the movies on the cruise ship channels.

Edited September 3, 2016 by Z'Loth

[TeaBag]

I take it that this cruise is on the Solstice out of Seattle? Lovely ship. Enjoy your cruise.

[waterbug123]

Generally speaking:

 

 

• ships are getting bigger and bigger, though there are still smaller ones out there
  
• more dining choices, sometimes included and sometimes extra cost
  
• drink packages are available
  
• wi-fi is available
  
• the atmosphere is more casual; some cruise lines don't even do formal night anymore and on ones that do, far fewer people truly dress in actual formal attire (i.e. tuxes, long gowns)
  

[Host Jazzbeau]

Thank you everyone. I've booked a Alaska Hubbard Glacier Cruise on August 27th with a 2A-Veranda Stateroom. It should be different from the Carnival Spirit. Since I'm going as part of a group' date=' my choices are limited. :( However, I heard about the cutbacks too, and the nickle and diming. (sigh) On the other hand, I'm not a drinker, so a non-alcoholic drink package is very.... tempting.

 

Please tell me that I can hook up my laptop via HDMI cable. I'm sure the movies on my laptop will be better than the movies on the cruise ship channels.[/quote']

 

Haven't tried to watch movies from laptop to cabin TV, but have read that cruise lines disable the HDMI ports. OTOH, you will hopefully find so much live entertainment onboard that watching movies is the last thing you want to do. Especially with Alaska outside every window!

Edited September 4, 2016 by Host Jazzbeau

[Brad1185]

The biggest change we have noticed is the cutback in quality of the cruise experience especially the meals and what we precieve are extra charges at every turn.

[wallie5446]

Thank you everyone. I've booked a Alaska Hubbard Glacier Cruise on August 27th with a 2A-Veranda Stateroom. It should be different from the Carnival Spirit. Since I'm going as part of a group' date=' my choices are limited. :( However, I heard about the cutbacks too, and the nickle and diming. (sigh) On the other hand, I'm not a drinker, so a non-alcoholic drink package is very.... tempting.

 

Please tell me that I can hook up my laptop via HDMI cable. I'm sure the movies on my laptop will be better than the movies on the cruise ship channels.[/quote']

 

Great choice, excellent ship. My 1st comment was very young in cheek

We have been cruising since 1987 and still find it as enjoyable now as we did then. The Celebrity experience will be more country club feel compared to your previous cruise.

 

Don't let the nay Sayers clog your planning with stinkin thinkin!:rolleyes:

 

We have not tried to plug into the TV, but others have told us it was not possible.

Edited September 4, 2016 by wallie5446

[Z'Loth]

Well, I did purchase the Premium Non-Alcoholic Package. It would be a bad thing if they disable the HDMI ports on a television.