Oh those olden days, those golden days...

[Bo1953]

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

Yes, even coach was more expensive.

 

In FC there was a je ne sais quoi which I find wanting for the last 12+ years.

 

Some of it are the airlines, some the passengers, some frequent flyer accounts.

 

Especially since flying is considered a common carrier these days....

 

I roll with it.

 

Bon voyage

 

Sent from my P00I using Tapatalk

[Finabear]

Blueboro - I agree with you.

We love X for their comfortable ships and excellent service. The non-smoking casino, decent entertainment, no formal nights, Al Bacio goodies, etc are all what WE are looking for in a vacation. We do not look to be entertained all day. The art auctions and spa seminars are not for us and it would be nice if they went away but I realize that is not likely so I just ignore them. I did not eat at those extravagant late-night buffets - so I don't miss them or many of the other things that others bemoan the loss of. I consider most of the recent changes - evening chic and upgraded internet in particular - to be great improvements for us. We would not be able to cruise without reliable internet and now WiFi calling is just another terrific advancement. (I am not crediting the cruise industry with this advancement but their internet now supports it nicely. And for those who are tempted: please don't tell me that we should "unplug" on vacation. We don't need it for work. It is a family issue.)

[NLH Arizona]

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

 

Merry Christmas

But the difference is that those that are trying new cruise lines like Cunard, don't realize the cutbacks that they went through. I've cruised Crystal for many, many, many years, as one of the cruise lines I cruise on, and it has changed, just as Celebrity has changed, but their prices continue to raise. So those that say that the newbies to Celebrity will settle for less, I guess you will settle for less on the new cruise line you are now trying, because it really is a lot less then it use to be, at least as far as many of us who have cruised them for some time. I guess if you don't know what it was like, you won't miss those things.

[gerelmx]

But the difference is that those that are trying new cruise lines like Cunard, don't realize the cutbacks that they went through. I've cruised Crystal for many, many, many years, as one of the cruise lines I cruise on, and it has changed, just as Celebrity has changed, but their prices continue to raise. So those that say that the newbies to Celebrity will settle for less, I guess you will settle for less on the new cruise line you are now trying, because it really is a lot less then it use to be, at least as far as many of us who have cruised them for some time. I guess if you don't know what it was like, you won't miss those things.

I have experienced it in RCCL, and in Celebrity and other companies I have read it and I am informed.

 

Happy new year

[CruisingChick]

“

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.

 

Partly this is because, at least on the M Class ships, when they re-did them they took away public space (the card room, the cinema, the board room, etc.) and added cabins. More cruisers less public space for them to occupy. We saw many cruisers playing cards / games at the Cafe al Bacio tables on our last cruise.

[Mynki]

But the difference is that those that are trying new cruise lines like Cunard, don't realize the cutbacks that they went through. I've cruised Crystal for many, many, many years, as one of the cruise lines I cruise on, and it has changed, just as Celebrity has changed, but their prices continue to raise. So those that say that the newbies to Celebrity will settle for less, I guess you will settle for less on the new cruise line you are now trying, because it really is a lot less then it use to be, at least as far as many of us who have cruised them for some time. I guess if you don't know what it was like, you won't miss those things.

 

One thing I like about Cunard is that they seem to be more honest in their promotional and marketing material than Celebrity. In the pictures they use, most cruisers are sporting grey hair. Whilst this comment may appear facetious to some, I sincerely appreciate their openness and honesty. The models used by Celebrity must have an average age of around 15 to 20 years younger than the pax you find on board in the real world.

 

They have some of the most elegant looking ships afloat today too.

[NLH Arizona]

One thing I like about Cunard is that they seem to be more honest in their promotional and marketing material than Celebrity. In the pictures they use, most cruisers are sporting grey hair. Whilst this comment may appear facetious to some, I sincerely appreciate their openness and honesty. The models used by Celebrity must have an average age of around 15 to 20 years younger than the pax you find on board in the real world.

 

They have some of the most elegant looking ships afloat today too.

I learned a long, long time ago on my very first cruise, that not all passengers are beautiful people, dressed to the nines, as are pepicted on the brochures and websites.

[billslowsky]

I learned a long, long time ago on my very first cruise, that not all passengers are beautiful people, dressed to the nines, as are pepicted on the brochures and websites.

 

We need more photos with tank tops, tattoos, and big guts. The real people!

 

More seriously, the cruise lines want to expand their revenues and they need more people from different backgrounds to make this happen. Other than the occasional drunk at the pool or slob at the buffet, it really doesn't affect my experience. I don't lose my appetite in the dining room if, God forbid, someone wears shorts.

 

But to backtrack, there really are too many drunks these days.

[Mynki]

I learned a long, long time ago on my very first cruise, that not all passengers are beautiful people, dressed to the nines, as are pepicted on the brochures and websites.

 

We all did. So why do X's marketing department insist on insulting peoples intelligence still? The first Edge film made me smile, not a mobility scooter in sight!

[NLH Arizona]

We all did. So why do X's marketing department insist on insulting peoples intelligence still? The first Edge film made me smile, not a mobility scooter in sight!

I don't think it is insulting peoples' intelligence, it is a matter of showing a company in it's best light. Have you ever seen an over weight person on a Cunard brochure or website or on any other cruise lines brochure or webiste. I never have, but after cruising on over 50 cruises there are many on the cruises. Does this mean that Cunard is insulting your intelligence as well?

[Mynki]

I don't think it is insulting peoples' intelligence, it is a matter of showing a company in it's best light. Have you ever seen an over weight person on a Cunard brochure or website or on any other cruise lines brochure or webiste. I never have, but after cruising on over 50 cruises there are many on the cruises. Does this mean that Cunard is insulting your intelligence as well?

 

In my opinion there's a big difference between weight and age. I've seen many thread on here asking about age, but never about how many fatties are onboard a ship. To me, one is partially relevant the other much less so.

[NLH Arizona]

In my opinion there's a big difference between weight and age. I've seen many thread on here asking about age, but never about how many fatties are onboard a ship. To me, one is partially relevant the other much less so.

It is the same thing. There are older people on Cunard and Celebrity, there are those with walkers on both Cunard and Celebrity, there are those with scooters on both Cunard and Celebrity and there are over weight folks on both lines, but it seems that you hold Celebrity to a different standard than you do Cunard. Thanks for the great conversation.

[Mynki]

It is the same thing. There are older people on Cunard and Celebrity, there are those with walkers on both Cunard and Celebrity, there are those with scooters on both Cunard and Celebrity and there are over weight folks on both lines, but it seems that you hold Celebrity to a different standard than you do Cunard. Thanks for the great conversation.

 

It's really, really not. HAL and Cunard target an older demographic.

 

Who deliberately targets obese cruisers?

[beentothere]

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.

 

Glad to hear they have solved the issues. Always nice to have happy campers.

[BosoxI]

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.

 

Amen. Just a wonderful experience on what is still my favourite ship

[CruisingChick]

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.

 

One of my DH's biggest pet peeves is what you have just mentioned. This trend has been going on now for at least 2-3 years.

[beentothere]

One of my DH's biggest pet peeves is what you have just mentioned. This trend has been going on now for at least 2-3 years.

 

Try 4 to 5 years......

[The_Big_M]

Partly this is because, at least on the M Class ships, when they re-did them they took away public space (the card room, the cinema, the board room, etc.) and added cabins. More cruisers less public space for them to occupy. We saw many cruisers playing cards / games at the Cafe al Bacio tables on our last cruise.

 

Very true.

 

More pax, less space - is the outcome surprising, or the passenger's fault?

[hcat]

We need more photos with tank tops, tattoos, and big guts. The real people!

 

More seriously, the cruise lines want to expand their revenues and they need more people from different backgrounds to make this happen. Other than the occasional drunk at the pool or slob at the buffet, it really doesn't affect my experience. I don't lose my appetite in the dining room if, God forbid, someone wears shorts.

 

But to backtrack, there really are too many drunks these days.

 

Fortunately, X has not attracted the hairy armpit tank top, tatoo crowd, Yet.The drink packages seriously downgraded the demographics, however! And that led to new X cruisers who did not want to dress up or have set meal times etc. We still enjoy cruising on X but less frequently.

[Mynki]

Fortunately, X has not attracted the hairy armpit tank top, tatoo crowd, Yet.The drink packages seriously downgraded the demographics, however! And that led to new X cruisers who did not want to dress up or have set meal times etc. We still enjoy cruising on X but less frequently.

 

That reads as if those who don't wish to eat at a set time are in some way inferior to those who do! Do you honestly believe that?

[Sandtrap328]

Fortunately, X has not attracted the hairy armpit tank top, tatoo crowd, Yet.The drink packages seriously downgraded the demographics, however! And that led to new X cruisers who did not want to dress up or have set meal times etc. We still enjoy cruising on X but less frequently.

 

Last January, Mrs. Trap and I took a last minute 5 day cruise on the Summit. The demographics were SURE different from the 14 day cruises we usually take! Yep, lots of tattoos, "man bun" hair styles, and kids on board. It was a lot of fun!

 

Drink packages downgraded the demographics? Get real! The older, wealthier folks drink just as much as the 35 year old cruisers.

[mickey89]

Oh those olden days, those golden days... I remember them well, we experienced them just last month aboard the Silhouette - it was heaven, fantastic food as we ate in Murano every night and the staff throughout the ship were marvellous.

 

It was better than our first cruise over 25 years ago and when indexed for inflation it was about the same price. Keep it up Celebrity you are doing a great job......... at least in my opinion.

[richsea]

Fortunately, X has not attracted the hairy armpit tank top, tatoo crowd, Yet.The drink packages seriously downgraded the demographics, however! And that led to new X cruisers who did not want to dress up or have set meal times etc. We still enjoy cruising on X but less frequently.

I have to seriously say that I have not noticed any difference in the guests on a Celebrity ship since the advent of the drink package. Perhaps if you cruise during summer of school break you may see it, but not at other times. Bartender service is definitely slower however, due to overworked staff.

 

 

Please tell me what difference a tattoo or preferred eating time makes. Are you saying they are beneath you? The dress code has been evolving on ships at least since the mid 90s, when we started to cruise, as had the dress code in society. But then again, I never wore knickers, but my grandfather probably did, and my parents used to dress up for a flight to Bermuda or the Bahamas. Things change.

[Kingofcool1947]

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...!

 

Good luck. Hope you enjoy Cunard.

[Kingofcool1947]

Fortunately, X has not attracted the hairy armpit tank top, tatoo crowd, Yet.The drink packages seriously downgraded the demographics, however! And that led to new X cruisers who did not want to dress up or have set meal times etc. We still enjoy cruising on X but less frequently.

 

So, what’s your problem with that?

Are you one of those Dress Police PAXS?