Oh those olden days, those golden days...

[Germancruiser]

My dear friends are currently ending a cruise on board the Millenium- once my favorite X- ship! We actually met there- so I have many fond memories of the Millenium and the Cruise Line Celebrity once - not so long ago - was!

So many cost cuttings- so much nickle and dime- well I appreciate that they have to make money. Really- but Sushi no longer for free- the Snacks in the Solarium no longer free!

Service and Crew are still great and they ship still very nice- even though refitet beyond recognition!

Thanks to all those included drinking packages one very rarely finds a seat in Al Bacio! The food at Buffet- almost unbearably bad - Main Dining Room- better- but a far cry from the quality they once offerd!

My last cruise with them was 3 years ago- and I found they no longer the experience I was used to- so I switched to Cunard.

I wantet to give them another try on board the Edge- now I rather wait and see...!

[ano]

I hear you. We've decided to not take cruises for a while and do land tours instead. I've been cruising for 20 years and its just a slow path to the bottom by everyone. I'd pay more for a cruise with nice things like free sushi and edible food, but that doesn't seem like a product any of the mainstream cruise lines are interested in anymore. You and I both know how nice cruises USED to be, and I don't think cruise companies want our kind on their ships anymore. They want newbies who expect nothing at a bargain price, and they want as many of these people as they can squeeze in every ship.

[Bo1953]

Like in the heyday of flying....

 

The public was so different, then...

 

I feel your pain....

 

bon voyage

[neverbeenhere]

I hear you... Been cruising for 25+ years. You might try this if you are really willing to spend to get the inflation adjusted experience that you once had on Celebrity.

 

We have a dollar per day amount that we have set for cruising. This amount includes all things related to the cruise. (Transportation, cruise, liquor, meals, spa treatments, excursions, etc) We spend this amount on almost every cruise. If the cruise is within a short flight distance, we might fly first class or book a higher category of stateroom or book more excursions or specialty dining. So, we know what any cruise will cost us before we book. There have been a few exceptions, but we try hard to fit the experience we want within the budget.

 

Everyone's budgeted amount would be different, but we find we get the experience we want at a price (adjusted for inflation) that compares favorably to cruising in the past.

[Germancruiser]

Ano- could not have said it any better! Cunard charges more - yes- but as I said to my friends Cunard is like Celebrity from years ago. Of course Cunard is not everyones cup of tea. For a Newbie Celebrity might be still a step up from the other mass mart line´s!

The Cruise product is so "watered down" there is nothing really special in it anymore! Since they built and fill more and more of those behemots we are in minority- LOL. Camping ground goes to the seven seas.

Sloopy, unattentive, slugish clothes worn in the Main Dining Room. Tasteless games on the pool deck. Seems to me people have to be constantly entertained, otherwise they get easly bored!

[beentothere]

My dear friends are currently ending a cruise on board the Millenium- once my favorite X- ship! We actually met there- so I have many fond memories of the Millenium and the Cruise Line Celebrity once - not so long ago - was!

So many cost cuttings- so much nickle and dime- well I appreciate that they have to make money. Really- but Sushi no longer for free- the Snacks in the Solarium no longer free!

Service and Crew are still great and they ship still very nice- even though refitet beyond recognition!

Thanks to all those included drinking packages one very rarely finds a seat in Al Bacio! The food at Buffet- almost unbearably bad - Main Dining Room- better- but a far cry from the quality they once offerd!

My last cruise with them was 3 years ago- and I found they no longer the experience I was used to- so I switched to Cunard.

I wantet to give them another try on board the Edge- now I rather wait and see...!

 

We sailed the QM2 on its second voyage. Perhaps they improved...even the luggage on leaving the ship was not sorted and thrown in a massive 52 pickup pile. The Queens grill

ate with us peons as our food was better. And it was very expensive. Not a nickel credit

nor even an apology. It was so bad we will never sail them again. Just total arrogance.

[chemmo]

Whilst I can see some of your issues and that Celebrity may not be the cruise line for you I think many of your points can be seen in another light...

 

Cafe el Bacio, thanks to drinks packages, is now enjoyed by far more guests. Many, when they were paying per item, would just enjoy as a treat just once a day.

 

You can still enjoy Sushi in Sushi on 5 if you pay for it, as you used to do for your coffee, and as it is a pay venue it usually is quiet!

 

If you want a taste more luxury you can pay for it by booking into a suite room....

 

My glass is always more than half full....

 

We did, last year, seriously consider giving Cunard a try but after doing the sums we did two higher end suite cruises on Eclipse. Both were stunning in terms of service, rooms and food....We did bump into two separate couples in Michael’s who were regular Cunard cruisers who had decided to give Celebrity a go and had thoroughly enjoyed....They had found the suite rooms excellent, the butlers attentive and Luminae a real delight. Both had paid less than they would have for a comparable Cunard cruise.

 

Millie is an older ship, I don’t think getting rid of Olympic has done her any favours....When I board I set my expectations to what I know I am getting....When we cruise an M class ship now it is for the itinerary rather than the ship....

 

Happy, more than half full glass, cruising.

[Keith1010]

Our first Celebrity Cruises were on Zenith and Horizon. Those actually were our favorites. Part of it was the times and part was their intimacy.

 

With that said if you adjust for inflation the last time I looked at pricing the pricing back then was more then it is today.

 

Like most things (hotels, airlines, etc.) it isn't what it used to be but IMHO some of what is offered is clearly an improvement over the past and some are cut backs.

 

On the positive side keeping prices low allows more and more people to afford cruises.

 

I also believe our own tastes changes overtime. Things I like back in the day I might not like as much even if they stayed the same because I have changed.

 

I do focus on the positives and am just thankful we can travel and cruise.

 

Celebrity is very dear to my heart as we cruised it often with our family and then by ourselves.

 

Keith

[drew69]

Like in the heyday of flying....

 

The public was so different, then...

 

I feel your pain....

 

bon voyage

And so were the prices. You paid far more to fly or cruise then

[Bo1953]

And so were the prices. You paid far more to fly or cruise then

 

Quite true, quite true...

 

:cool:

 

bon voyage

[hcat]

Hey....at least they still use cloth napkins in the dining rooms...

[thepoint]

“Thanks to all those included drinking packages one very rarely finds a seat in Al Bacio!”

 

 

I don’t think it is all about the drink package. Take a look at how many people are actually drinking coffee or eating pastry. Maybe they did an hour ago, but a lot of people park themselves at a table, read books, work on their computer, or just decide to own the table. If there are empty chairs around a table, I politely asked if they would mind sharing so we could sit eat. Most people volunteer that they have an inside cabin or they are traveling alone and the Cafe is a great spot to relax by a window and socialize. This is a great way to meet wonderful people and share a few moments. I encourage you try it.

[gerelmx]

This is not happening only on Celebrity major cruise lines are cutting costs.

 

Merry Christmas

[richard1s]

I am also in complete agreement with your comments. I never thought I could flip so quickly but after 32 cruises, we came home from our recent Equinox voyage disappointed with the whole Celebrity cruise experience. We're also done for a while until we can find a cruise line that offers more entertainment, music and activity options.

 

In particular, with this last cruise, the majority of onboard activities, especially on sea days, seemed to all center around some product promotion. Since when did facial rejuvenation, watch, jewelry and art promotions, Cariloha sheet sales etc. etc. become the main activities offered? It wasn't that long ago that there was usually some type of musical entertainment available in the daytime on sea days; and, certainly throughout the evening there were pretty much continual live music performances going on in different venues.

 

I don't know if our recent experience was the result of corporate directives or a totally M-I-A cruise director, but we're not wasting our money any longer on this brand.

[ABoatNerd]

I concur with the OP and others on this thread - Celebrity is a shadow of its once great self - the former "top drawer" of the mass cruise lines. New cruisers will not likely know the previous Celebrity - Celebrity used to be considerably better than the other mass lines - quite deliberately so.

 

Celebrity is now willingly participating in the "great rush to the bottom" of lowest price, "deals", misleading advertising and "keep them boozed up" which is the prevailing philosophy of the mass cruises lines. But, for a mass cruise line, Celebrity remains a good product - but now very similar to HAL and Princess. They are all participating in cheapening of the onboard experience, shilling for sales, distracting consumers with gadgets and magic carpets, turning the ship into a floating las vegas. That is totally fine if that is what a consumer wants to pay for. Nothing at all wrong with offering this type of product.

 

For consumers looking for a cruise experience more aligned with the onboard experience of the past; may I suggest Oceania and Viking. I could not be more pleased with these service providers; especially Oceania.

 

These cruise lines offer a very different cruise experience focused on high end food and service, sedate entertainment, enrichment and most importantly focus on the ocean. Shilling for sales is absent. The scale of the vessels totally change the cruise experience away from the mass lines. Yes it does cost more.

 

Give you an example, on Oceania Marina in September's Baltic, we stopped at Skagen - the mayor and business development community reps came aboard and set up a table in the lobby - provided information and maps. Totally wonderful!

 

I believe today there are more cruise options for consumers than in the past.

 

The secret is to end being loyal to a cruise line and branch out and explore all the offerings out there.

 

Actually that is a good philosophy for life to be frank!

 

Happy sailing all.

[Wiltonian]

But Celebrity are not rushing to the bottom with regards to pricing. Some of their 2018 European pricing is simply ridiculous, especially when the current offer comes with pseudo-free perks. Typically, 50-70% higher than in recent years, and more expensive than some other 'at least comparable' lines, like Cunard.

 

Stuart

[mnocket]

I concur with the OP and others on this thread - Celebrity is a shadow of its once great self - the former "top drawer" of the mass cruise lines. New cruisers will not likely know the previous Celebrity - Celebrity used to be considerably better than the other mass lines - quite deliberately so.

 

Celebrity is now willingly participating in the "great rush to the bottom" of lowest price, "deals", misleading advertising and "keep them boozed up" which is the prevailing philosophy of the mass cruises lines. But, for a mass cruise line, Celebrity remains a good product - but now very similar to HAL and Princess. They are all participating in cheapening of the onboard experience, shilling for sales, distracting consumers with gadgets and magic carpets, turning the ship into a floating las vegas. That is totally fine if that is what a consumer wants to pay for. Nothing at all wrong with offering this type of product.

 

For consumers looking for a cruise experience more aligned with the onboard experience of the past; may I suggest Oceania and Viking. I could not be more pleased with these service providers; especially Oceania.

 

These cruise lines offer a very different cruise experience focused on high end food and service, sedate entertainment, enrichment and most importantly focus on the ocean. Shilling for sales is absent. The scale of the vessels totally change the cruise experience away from the mass lines. Yes it does cost more.

 

Give you an example, on Oceania Marina in September's Baltic, we stopped at Skagen - the mayor and business development community reps came aboard and set up a table in the lobby - provided information and maps. Totally wonderful!

 

I believe today there are more cruise options for consumers than in the past.

 

The secret is to end being loyal to a cruise line and branch out and explore all the offerings out there.

 

Actually that is a good philosophy for life to be frank!

 

Happy sailing all.

I'm thinking you're right. If I want the cruise experience of the past, I'm going to have to step up the the luxury lines and pay more. It's no use complaining about the "great rush to the bottom" of Celebrity and other lines. They aren't going to change direction - no matter how much we complain. It's a strategic business decision. For me this means I might have to cut back from 2 to 1 cruises per year. I'm taking a small step to Azamara next year - then I'll be looking to try a luxury line. Viking sounds great, but my wife and I do like to visit a casino after dinner. I'm watching the news on Virgin, but it's not clear yet what demographic they are targeting.

[PatC]

Agree with everyone here. We have sailed Celebrity since 1992, loved Zenith, Horizon, Century, Galaxy, and the M class ships. Now sailing S class and that's great and we will be trying Edge in 2019. BUT, it has slipped quite a bit.

 

Our main problem is we have to stay with US ports. Hubby uses electric chairs, walkers, etc. and flying is just not what he wants to do any more. Sadly, we are now looking at mostly land based trips. One more biggie for me is Scotland and Ireland and that would also have to be 1 flight back and forth. Celebrity is great for us with handicapped services at the ports.

 

We just need to decide what our next move is. We have been extremely disappointed with their select dining. It is total chaos and we don't ask for large tables. We cruise with friends mostly and usually we are 4. We have Silhouette booked for 2019 in a Sky Suite but that is the last suite for us. Prices are thru the roof. Had suites on Galaxy and Mercury but we could afford them at that time. No more.

 

Looking forward to our Eclipse trip in April, 2018, last 14 day one forever. We loved it so much this is our 3rd time but no more. Longer trips are better for us but with them going away, who knows what our future holds.

 

I hope everyone enjoys their cruises. You make the most of it with the people you meet and sail with. We have made lifelong friends sailing Celebrity so that was our big bonus.

 

Pat

[gordylad]

Agree with whats being said and can especially relate to Richard1's experience.

 

Need to get the thinking cap on about future vacations.

[Baron Barracuda]

Over the past 25 years we've had many excellent X cruises and no bad ones. In recent years however too many of the little touches have been disappearing, making each voyage a little less special than the one before. DW is interested in moving up a notch and with Oceania, Regent and Viking all sailing from NY next year (no airfare) we'll probably give one of them a try.

[blueboro]

We have recently sailed Holland America, Princess and Celebrity and I will take X any day! Sure they don't have everything included as when we first started cruising in the late 70's but I am also not in an inside cabin or cabin with a porthole as in years past. On X we have experienced...beautiful balcony cabins...numerous food choices (yes...some YOU elect to pay for)...drink packages included in the cruise fare with pricing still similar or less than other mainstream lines...decent entertainment...and typically outstanding service.

 

Guess I am a glass half-full guy because I try to focus on all the great things and the improvements instead of the things that are not like they were "in the good old days". Interestingly, my brother and his wife recently returned from a cruise on the new Silver Muse around the same time we were on a similar European itinerary. They paid over twice as much as we did for the "privilege" of sailing on a luxury cruise only to find out they preferred Celebrity after all.

[chemmo]

We have recently sailed Holland America, Princess and Celebrity and I will take X any day! Sure they don't have everything included as when we first started cruising in the late 70's but I am also not in an inside cabin or cabin with a porthole as in years past. On X we have experienced...beautiful balcony cabins...numerous food choices (yes...some YOU elect to pay for)...drink packages included in the cruise fare with pricing still similar or less than other mainstream lines...decent entertainment...and typically outstanding service.

 

Guess I am a glass half-full guy because I try to focus on all the great things and the improvements instead of the things that are not like they were "in the good old days". Interestingly, my brother and his wife recently returned from a cruise on the new Silver Muse around the same time we were on a similar European itinerary. They paid over twice as much as we did for the "privilege" of sailing on a luxury cruise only to find out they preferred Celebrity after all.

 

Glad I am not the only half full CC poster! Come to think of it my glass is far more than half full! Three Celebrity cruises booked and none on any other line!

[bigbenboys]

Glad I am not the only half full CC poster! Come to think of it my glass is far more than half full! Three Celebrity cruises booked and none on any other line!

 

Yes the glass is more than half full. I enjoyed cruising on Mercury. I myself try to look forward and not to the past.

[Wiltonian]

One more biggie for me is Scotland and Ireland and that would also have to be 1 flight back and forth.

Pat

 

How about Cunard NYC-> Southampton, round Britain with Celebrity or Princess, or. . . and then Southampton->NYC?

 

Stuart

[Covepointcruiser]

We sailed the QM2 on its second voyage. Perhaps they improved...even the luggage on leaving the ship was not sorted and thrown in a massive 52 pickup pile. The Queens grill

ate with us peons as our food was better. And it was very expensive. Not a nickel credit

nor even an apology. It was so bad we will never sail them again. Just total arrogance.

 

We have sailed Cunard in Queens Grill every chance we have(or can afford). We first sailed the QM2 in Dec 04. No passenger dining in the Queens Grill would ask to be seated in the main dining room either then or now. You can eat whatever you want, whenever you want. Your table and servers are waiting for you. No timed seating, whenever they are open you can dine. You cannot invite passengers from other categories to eat with you and it doesn’t matter how many points you have you can only eat there if you have a Queens Grill Cabin. I have had wonderful meals there including as many lobsters, alaskan crab legs and other delights as often as I liked. The last two sailing drinks have also been included. However, there is a dress code and passengers usually have no problems following it.