When will Celebrity get some interesting cruises ?

[Ex-Airbalancer]

28 minutes ago, Happy Cruiser 6143 said:

 

I never said anything about future cruises.  The Summit cruises to Iceland and Greenland I was booked on were all canceled.  The new itineraries do not appeal.  Nothing like what they offered previously.

But this thread is about future cruises 😁

we cannot travel on past cruises 😉

 

[scootersdad]

14 hours ago, Ken the cruiser said:

Makes a lot of sense. That's why we also book Princess and NCL cruises when we want to go to exotic places like Longyearbyen or East Africa, at a fair price, on 3-5+ week cruises. 😎

I agree. 

Especially the transatlantic cruises on Celebrity and RCL.   Both are lacking ports.  Too many days-at-sea.

As a D+ and stockholder I hate to admit NCL has much better Transatlantic offerings.  

[Bugsy1966]

14 hours ago, ehall said:

We booked the "Spice Route" cruise in 2024.  It is 12 nights.  starts in India, overnights in Sri Lanka, goes to Thailand, Malaysia, and then overnights in Singapore.  I think this one is pretty interesting.

 

 

https://*****.com/2p95h9ut

 

We have done the same in an SV. Great itinerary and sensibly priced - for once!

[mikewomb]

That looks like a nice trip. 

[AtlantaCruiser72]

Celebrity have been moving, under the guidance of parent company RCG (Royal Caribbean Group), to shorter average cruise lengths for some time now.  Shorter cruises appeal more to younger Gen-Xers and Millennials who take multiple short vacations a year vs 1 or 2 long vacations.  This is the demographic RCG wants to target with both the Royal Caribbean and Celebrity brands.  Focusing on the Caribbean, Alaska nd Europe markets with a high proportion of 4-9 day sailings gives them the broadest access to this demographic.  RCG is all about incremental revenue and they know what types of sailings earn them the most on a per passenger per day basis.  Obviously they have decided to follow the money and focus on shorter cruises that are more profitable than longer sailings. 

 

Even "exotic" sailings in South America, Australia/NZ and Asia are seeing shorter average cruise lengths than in the past - many 14 day itineraries have been shortened to 9-12 days, which allows a higher # of sailings per season, which means more potential revenue.

 

By the way in case you don't get the point of my post - It's all about the money.

[Ex-Airbalancer]

11 minutes ago, AtlantaCruiser72 said:

 

By the way in case you don't get the point of my post - It's all about the money.

You’re like Hotel.com , Captain Obvious😁

[tfred]

3 hours ago, AtlantaCruiser72 said:

Celebrity have been moving, under the guidance of parent company RCG (Royal Caribbean Group), to shorter average cruise lengths for some time now.  Shorter cruises appeal more to younger Gen-Xers and Millennials who take multiple short vacations a year vs 1 or 2 long vacations.  This is the demographic RCG wants to target with both the Royal Caribbean and Celebrity brands.  Focusing on the Caribbean, Alaska nd Europe markets with a high proportion of 4-9 day sailings gives them the broadest access to this demographic.  RCG is all about incremental revenue and they know what types of sailings earn them the most on a per passenger per day basis.  Obviously they have decided to follow the money and focus on shorter cruises that are more profitable than longer sailings. 

 

Even "exotic" sailings in South America, Australia/NZ and Asia are seeing shorter average cruise lengths than in the past - many 14 day itineraries have been shortened to 9-12 days, which allows a higher # of sailings per season, which means more potential revenue.

 

By the way in case you don't get the point of my post - It's all about the money.

we met a couple (maybe 50 or so) that had always stayed at all inclusive resorts and then decided to try cruising again.  Their first was years ago with their 4 (now older kids). Gave X a shot and really liked it compared to all inclusive. Food, entertainment and different sights.  

 

This is who X and RCCl really want and it is a time issue for them.  They cant take a two week vacation

 

More interesting ports will be the next level up - Oceania, Azamara Viking etc.  Smaller ships that can go to more "exotic" places - and longer.  Asia cruises almost by definition are at least a 2 week vacation - probably longer when you run into "well, as long as we are this far...." question

[chemmo]

On 4/20/2022 at 1:58 PM, Airbalancer said:

When do you think Celebrity will be getting some interesting cruises ? 
I do not do Caribbean cruises , almost getting tired of TA’s as they have the same ports 

we did enjoy our Suez Canal cruise  a lot, will they be offering that one soon ? 

Would  love see a cruise around Australia or Africa  

Maybe  a TA from Lisbon to Canary Islands to Cape Verda to Florida

Around trip FLL to Canary Islands 

It would be nice to see things change up a bit.

 

 

 

Why not fly to the UK, do a tour and then follow with a cruise to the Canary Islands, Norway or a Spain and Portugal cruise?

 

The range of European cruises are amazing as at every port there are multiple things you can do. Look at Naples as an example, Pompeii, Naples itself, coastal drive, coastal boat trip, climb Vesuvius…Then look at Rhodes as an example of the range of types of sites available on a Greek Island, visit Rhodes town itself, visit butterfly valley, follow in the footsteps of St Paul in Lindos.

 

Or fly to Australia and look at their itineraries. We have enjoyed two fabulous cruises from there. How about a TP from Hawaii to Sydney? Our favourite cruise ever calling at Bora Bora, Tahiti and New Zealand… Spend days in Hawaii pre cruise and days after in Sydney (one of our favourite cities).

 

The Far East is an itinerary I would love to do again. Flying into Hong Kong for a few days then cruising to Singapore…Simply wonderful.

 

There are still many itineraries we haven’t experienced. We tend to look at 11 - 14 night itineraries then add on land stays to enhance the experience. We even do this when cruising from our home port of Southampton, visiting the New Forest one year prior to cruising and Salisbury on another. 
 

I know lots of people rule out the Caribbean with a dismissive ‘been, seen, done it’. However, there is a real cultural, historical, geographical and culinary wealth of things to experience there…so much more that beaches. Why not reconsider? Look at one of the longer itineraries then really look at the wide range of experiences available. Visit a historic estate, experience being guided around a market by a local chef explaining the use of spices and chilli then have the food cooked for you or simply go for a long guided walk looking at the flora and fauna in the more natural part of one of the islands…

 

In our experience a cruise anywhere is as good as you make and plan it. I would happily redo any of our cruises and find different things to do in each port!

 

 

 

 

[sgmn]

11 hours ago, AtlantaCruiser72 said:

Celebrity have been moving, under the guidance of parent company RCG (Royal Caribbean Group), to shorter average cruise lengths for some time now.  Shorter cruises appeal more to younger Gen-Xers and Millennials who take multiple short vacations a year vs 1 or 2 long vacations.  This is the demographic RCG wants to target with both the Royal Caribbean and Celebrity brands.  Focusing on the Caribbean, Alaska nd Europe markets with a high proportion of 4-9 day sailings gives them the broadest access to this demographic.  RCG is all about incremental revenue and they know what types of sailings earn them the most on a per passenger per day basis.  Obviously they have decided to follow the money and focus on shorter cruises that are more profitable than longer sailings. 

 

Even "exotic" sailings in South America, Australia/NZ and Asia are seeing shorter average cruise lengths than in the past - many 14 day itineraries have been shortened to 9-12 days, which allows a higher # of sailings per season, which means more potential revenue.

 

By the way in case you don't get the point of my post - It's all about the money.

Strange though, with an aging more wealthy population in most western countries. You would think they would specialise in the grey pound/dollar/euro

Older people have both the time and often the disposable income to do longer more exotic cruises. If Celebrity doesn't service this demographic they will just go elsewhere. 

Why duplicate what their sister company is doing?

[AtlantaCruiser72]

8 hours ago, sgmn said:

Strange though, with an aging more wealthy population in most western countries. You would think they would specialise in the grey pound/dollar/euro

Older people have both the time and often the disposable income to do longer more exotic cruises. If Celebrity doesn't service this demographic they will just go elsewhere. 

Why duplicate what their sister company is doing?

Gen-Xers (defined as those born between 1965-1980) like myself, are now in our 40s and 50s. Combine us with the youngest boomers (those born after about 1955 to 1965) and that is firmly where Celebrity have their sights set.  We are the core of the client base they want to cultivate, as we will be travelling/cruising for the next 20+ years  Many of us still work, and don’t take lengthy vacations. We have ample disposable income, kids off to college or starting their own families/careers, etc so we want something more adult than Royal or Carnival but not a floating retirement home either. 

 

They are also looking to attract the oldest of the Millennial cohort (those in their mid/late 30s - early 40s born between 1980-1990) who again want something a little more sophisticated and adult. 

 

Edited April 22, 2022 by AtlantaCruiser72

[Orator]

1 hour ago, AtlantaCruiser72 said:

Gen-Xers (defined as those born between 1965-1980) like myself, are now in our 40s and 50s. Combine us with the youngest boomers (those born after about 1955 to 1965) and that is firmly where Celebrity have their sights set.  We are the core of the client base they want to cultivate, as we will be travelling/cruising for the next 20+ years  Many of us still work, and don’t take lengthy vacations. We have ample disposable income, kids off to college or starting their own families/careers, etc so we want something more adult than Royal or Carnival but not a floating retirement home either. 

 

They are also looking to attract the oldest of the Millennial cohort (those in their mid/late 30s - early 40s born between 1980-1990) who again want something a little more sophisticated and adult. 

 

I wonder what the current inflation problem will have an impact on people of your generation and younger. Will Celebrity need to adjust their strategy?

[zitsky]

On 4/20/2022 at 8:58 AM, Airbalancer said:

When do you think Celebrity will be getting some interesting cruises ? 
I do not do Caribbean cruises , almost getting tired of TA’s as they have the same ports 

we did enjoy our Suez Canal cruise  a lot, will they be offering that one soon ? 

Would  love see a cruise around Australia or Africa  

Maybe  a TA from Lisbon to Canary Islands to Cape Verda to Florida

Around trip FLL to Canary Islands 

It would be nice to see things change up a bit.

 

 

 

I'm sorry I don't get it.  While yes I've had cruises canceled, there are still plenty of options.  Western Med, Eastern Med, Europe.  Next year we're hoping to do South America.  (Did on NCL 5 years ago.)

 

I haven't checked recently, but doesn't Celebrity has an NZ cruise?

[Islander500]

On 4/20/2022 at 8:29 PM, Happy Cruiser 6143 said:

 

They are nowhere as good as the itineraries (all cancelled by covid) offered on Summit in the past.  14 nights going over to Reykjavik from Boston and 14 nights coming back.  You actually got to spend some time in Reykjavik AND no international flying involved.  LOVED those and was booked on both of them.  Current itinerary is a mere shadow of what they offered previously.

The cruises that are appealing to me lately appear to always be on Summit.  But I have been concerned about sailing on that ship and missing some of the "bells and whistles" on the newer ships.  Although, I often don't participate in all that new stuff anyway. 

 

Would love to hear your assessment of your cruises on Summit.  Thanks!       

[Islander500]

On 4/20/2022 at 8:58 AM, Airbalancer said:

When do you think Celebrity will be getting some interesting cruises ? 
I do not do Caribbean cruises , almost getting tired of TA’s as they have the same ports 

we did enjoy our Suez Canal cruise  a lot, will they be offering that one soon ? 

Would  love see a cruise around Australia or Africa  

Maybe  a TA from Lisbon to Canary Islands to Cape Verda to Florida

Around trip FLL to Canary Islands 

It would be nice to see things change up a bit.

 

 

I so agree with you.  Would love more options to the Canary Islands, all three main islands rather than just one.  Especially sailing there from Lisbon or Barcelona instead of Southampton.      

[Islander500]

10 minutes ago, zitsky said:

 

I'm sorry I don't get it.  While yes I've had cruises canceled, there are still plenty of options.  Western Med, Eastern Med, Europe.  Next year we're hoping to do South America.  (Did on NCL 5 years ago.)

 

I haven't checked recently, but doesn't Celebrity has an NZ cruise?

They do.   

[Turtles06]

57 minutes ago, Islander500 said:

Would love to hear your assessment of your cruises on Summit.  Thanks! 

 

The Summit was "revolutionized" in 2019 and looks beautiful.  We had a wonderful NE/Canada cruise on her in Sept. 2019.   Here's my review with photos.  (Celebrity is doing this itinerary out of Boston now, instead of Bayonne, which has made for a shorter cruise, unfortunately.)

 

 

[clojacks]

On 4/20/2022 at 8:06 PM, Airbalancer said:

But this thread is about future cruises 😁

we cannot travel on past cruises 😉

 

To be fair, you asked "when we thought X would have interesting itineraries", and we named interesting itineraries that X has had, and probably continues to have in the future.

[talljules1]

2 hours ago, Islander500 said:

I so agree with you.  Would love more options to the Canary Islands, all three main islands rather than just one.  Especially sailing there from Lisbon or Barcelona instead of Southampton.      

We're booked on the Infinity for Christmas/New Year 2023/4 - Barcelona to Canaries, Morocco, Spain.  Think they have some interesting options in the mediterranean for Winter 2023. 

[zitsky]

2 hours ago, Islander500 said:

They do.   

Ok call me confused. I know you’re not the OP.  Seems X has plenty of options.  Now if they could just stop canceling cruises…..

Edited April 22, 2022 by zitsky

[Islander500]

3 hours ago, Turtles06 said:

 

The Summit was "revolutionized" in 2019 and looks beautiful.  We had a wonderful NE/Canada cruise on her in Sept. 2019.   Here's my review with photos.  (Celebrity is doing this itinerary out of Boston now, instead of Bayonne, which has made for a shorter cruise, unfortunately.)

 

 

Thank you so much! I'm enjoying your review!