Positives and negatives on the Silhouette TA- My Opinion

[Orator]

To Start with the positives:

Blu was outstanding. The Food and service was the best we've experienced in more than 25 cruises in Blu! The Maitre'd was wonderful! Some changes to the menu and they were positive for our taste.

Captain George was outstanding. He was totally transparent about rough waters  and his plans to navigate. He is an exceptional Captain who really cares. The film he took part in for Halloween was outstanding.

The entertainment was better than average. Jayne Curry was the headliner and no matter how many times I hear her she is amazing.

The Halloween Party was fun!

The speakers covered a broad range  of subjects and were quite good.

CD Mike was excellent.

 

 

The negatives:

I'm a Zenith so the negatives are from my perspective and might not apply to other loyalty levels.

I was in Aqua Class so I need to pay for internet and drinks which are included in my benefits. I don't like paying for things that I get for free.

The internet was very, very spotty. That's not the fault of Celebrity.

I the food in the Oceanview substandard. 

The Retreat was not available to Zeniths. Most Zeniths on this cruise were in Suites so they gathered there. This resulted in my not meeting most Zeniths until the end of the cruise. Possible solution: Grandfather in those who achieved Zenith before the change on the M and S Classes of ships on a space available basis. I realize that they needed to create something special for the Suite passengers to justify the price.

 

Conclusion:

Some of my fellow Zeniths asked me if I would take another Celebrity cruise. Answer: I would if I found the itinerary interesting and it was well priced. 

[Texed]

Thank you for posting.  😊

[cruising teacher]

Another possible solution would be to let the top two or three Zeniths into the Retreat. I hope Celebrity would consider this.

[upwarduk]

How was the staffing ratio?
I read that 68 waiters left the ship mid July and were not replaced, hence no assistant waiters, which slowed service considerably.

[Orator]

10 minutes ago, upwarduk said:

How was the staffing ratio?
I read that 68 waiters left the ship mid July and were not replaced, hence no assistant waiters, which slowed service considerably.

I don't know what the ratio was, but in Blu there was no service problem.

[di T]

Orator, thanks for your post, glad Jayne Curry is back on the ships! She is a great entertainer, we have seen her many times.

[Orator]

4 minutes ago, di T said:

Orator, thanks for your post, glad Jayne Curry is back on the ships! She is a great entertainer, we have seen her many times.

She might not be on ships until the Silhouette crossing to Southampton. She announced that Steve and her are embarking on a new venture. They have rented a place in Deerfield Beach, Florida and plan o stay there 6 months until they return to UK. Wish her well as she enters the next stage of her life.

[WIBadgerFan]

Left the ship yesterday.  I am curious about staffing as well, since we heard many tell us that their contract was up and they were going home today.  In general, the staff was amazing, especially in the MDR. 

There was definitely not enough staff at the bars, especially at the pool where ONE poor bar tender was continuously trying to meet the drinks demand of a huge group that we were unlucky enough to share our cruise with.  

Edited November 8, 2022 by WIBadgerFan
spelling

[puppycanducruise]

Thanks for sharing your perspective.

[Orator]

There are usually massive changes in crew the week before and after a TA. I have noticed that the Captain has changed. 

[Orator]

6 minutes ago, WIBadgerFan said:

Left the ship yesterday.  I am curious about staffing as well, since we heard many tell us that their contract was up and they were going home today.  In general, the staff was amazing, especially in the MDR. 

There was definitely not enough staff at the bars, especially at the pool where ONE poor bar tender was continuously trying to meet the drinks demand of a huge group that were were unlucky enough to share our cruise with.  

I rarely go to the pool area or drink anything other that Diet soda and water. You must have been on the 4 day, which is sometimes referred to as a "booze cruise". That being said, the ship should have been prepared

[WIBadgerFan]

3 minutes ago, Orator said:

I rarely go to the pool area or drink anything other that Diet soda and water. You must have been on the 4 day, which is sometimes referred to as a "booze cruise". That being said, the ship should have been prepared

Right, that company had hundreds of young and ... "inexperienced" (being very kind) people who treated the ship like it was theirs alone, but many seemed to be maxing out their drink package.  Maybe there was not enough staff but we thought that management could have at least reassigned staff to the busier bars.  The beer and wine cart was a welcome alternative at the pool.  Fortunately the ship has so many amazing venues to enjoy that it was easy enough to avoid that crowd.

[TeaBag]

Thank you Orator for your thoughts.  I'm sorry we didn't meet in Blu.  The food was great at dinner as it usually is but I can't say the same for breakfast.  We decided to give them another try on this cruise.  First day, breakfast was cold.  Four days later we went back and we were served by a trainee so we didn't expect stellar service.  DH ordered French toast, bacon and eggs.  He received French toast ONLY.  We sat waiting for the rest which never came.  Finally flagged someone and they brought us the rest.  French toast long gone by this time.  We told the Maitre'D to make it mandatory that waiters come back and ask how the breakfast/dinner is.  This would alleviate the problem we had.  We never went back to Blu for the rest of our breakfasts.

Yes, we too enjoyed Jayne.  I don't know how she can hop so fast around the stage and not run out of breath.  I wish them well in their new venture in Florida.

We found mistakes, like scheduling two things for the same time in the same place.  Does no one proofread the Daily?

Our room was never done by the time we returned to it even when away for 3 or more hours.  I think the room steward started with the same cabins all the time, leaving ours till near the end but she did do a good job.

We thought the Captain should have given some indication of cases of COVID on board.

We will be giving Celebrity a rest for the next few years.

[marieps]

49 minutes ago, TeaBag said:

Thank you Orator for your thoughts.  I'm sorry we didn't meet in Blu.  The food was great at dinner as it usually is but I can't say the same for breakfast.  We decided to give them another try on this cruise.  First day, breakfast was cold.  Four days later we went back and we were served by a trainee so we didn't expect stellar service.  DH ordered French toast, bacon and eggs.  He received French toast ONLY.  We sat waiting for the rest which never came.  Finally flagged someone and they brought us the rest.  French toast long gone by this time.  We told the Maitre'D to make it mandatory that waiters come back and ask how the breakfast/dinner is.  This would alleviate the problem we had.  We never went back to Blu for the rest of our breakfasts.

Yes, we too enjoyed Jayne.  I don't know how she can hop so fast around the stage and not run out of breath.  I wish them well in their new venture in Florida.

We found mistakes, like scheduling two things for the same time in the same place.  Does no one proofread the Daily?

Our room was never done by the time we returned to it even when away for 3 or more hours.  I think the room steward started with the same cabins all the time, leaving ours till near the end but she did do a good job.

We thought the Captain should have given some indication of cases of COVID on board.

We will be giving Celebrity a rest for the next few years.

Very surprised at your experience with Blu breakfast.  In our experience that meal has been one of the highlights of sailing Aqua.  We will be on Sillie's TA in October '23  Hope they're reading the comment cards.

[helen haywood]

4 hours ago, Orator said:

I was in Aqua Class so I need to pay for internet and drinks which are included in my benefits. I don't like paying for things that I get for free.

I’m confused by this statement.  Was a no perks fare not available when you booked?

[Orator]

3 minutes ago, helen haywood said:

I’m confused by this statement.  Was a no perks fare not available when you booked?

No, it was not available. I would have taken it if it was available. 

Edited November 8, 2022 by Orator

[PTC DAWG]

3 minutes ago, helen haywood said:

I’m confused by this statement.  Was a no perks fare not available when you booked?

Not on Aqua or higher..

[helen haywood]

Thanks @PTC DAWG  Didn’t know that. Booked AQ once and didn’t care for it so never look at it anymore.

[jagoffee]

Orator, I am glad you enjoyed your cruise.  I have often wondering if most Zenith’s were booked in suites or at least Aqua Class.   At least they were on your cruise.  Do you think this is typical?
 

Yes, the four day cruise was a giant party.  There was one large wedding group on the cruise as well.   I have never seen the Casino and bars so crowded on the last night. (My first four day cruise).  They were having a good time and I am fortunate to be  on a B2B.  Even as a B2B, I doubt whether I will do another 4 day cruise.

 

They had some major issues with immigration and customs at the end of your cruise.  They only got to half of the crew though immigration,  so they finished the rest yesterday.  There were double staffed as no one could get off.  I felt sorry for the crew, because Key West would have been a good port for them.  Yesterday went much better.  
 

 

Edited November 8, 2022 by jagoffee

[Orator]

23 minutes ago, jagoffee said:

Orator, I am glad you enjoyed your cruise.  I have often wondering if most Zenith’s were booked in suites or at least Aqua Class.   At least they were on your cruise.  Do you think this is typical?
 

Yes, the four day cruise was a giant party.  There was one large wedding group on the cruise as well.   I have never seen the Casino and bars so crowded on the last night. (My first four day cruise).  They were having a good time and I am fortunate to be  on a B2B.  Even as a B2B, I doubt whether I will do another 4 day cruise.

 

They had some major issues with immigration and customs at the end of your cruise.  They only got to half of the crew though immigration,  so they finished the rest yesterday.  There were double staffed as no one could get off.  I felt sorry for the crew, because Key West would have been a good port for them.  Yesterday went much better.  
 

 

Computers were down and they had to manually check at C&I. That was the cause of the delay.

[notsomadhatter]

1 hour ago, jagoffee said:

 I have often wondering if most Zenith’s were booked in suites or at least Aqua Class.  

 

 

I was on this sailing and can confirm that the highest-point Zenith folks (two sets of double Zs) were in suites and therefore had Retreat access.

 

 

[LuAnn]

I was on this T/A as well and sorry I didn't get a chance to meet you. This was the 2nd time I had seen Jayne Curry and I so agree...she is amazing!!! I also enjoyed the speakers and the "Fly Boys." I thought the singing by the female members in the production numbers was WAY too loud!! I worry for their vocal cords!! 

 

Steve our R/C member who did the Titanic lectures was terrific!! I have read many books, gone to other lectures and watch documentary shows as well as gone to museums and still learned so many new facts. And I agree that Captain George was great in his communication skills re the weather and the sea/waves etc. And the Halloween segment he was in was too funny!! 

 

My first time back on a cruise in almost 3 years and I was/am so happy to be back!! 

[notsomadhatter]

45 minutes ago, Orator said:

Computers were down and they had to manually check at C&I. That was the cause of the delay.

 

When we spoke with a couple of PortMiami supervisors, and were told there was an error with the scheduling. Eight agents manually checked passengers because the automated stations were not set up. One of the eight agent's terminal was down as we went through ourselves. It was less than ideal all the way around.

[Northern Aurora]

9 hours ago, Orator said:

.....

 

 

 

The Retreat was not available to Zeniths. Most Zeniths on this cruise were in Suites so they gathered there. This resulted in my not meeting most Zeniths until the end of the cruise. Possible solution: Grandfather in those who achieved Zenith before the change on the M and S Classes of ships on a space available basis. I realize that they needed to create something special for the Suite passengers to justify the price.

 

Conclusion:

Some of my fellow Zeniths asked me if I would take another Celebrity cruise. Answer: I would if I found the itinerary interesting and it was well priced. 

 

We became Zenith in 2016 and in the intervening years the number of Zeniths has more than doubled.  I doubt that Zeniths not traveling in Suites will ever be granted access to Michael's Club/The Retreat.

 

But would a Zenith lunch made you happy?  On my September 16th Solstice Pacific Coastal a cocktail gathering for Zenith's was held in Cellar Masters.  It didn't bother me as we could mingle and I thought I spoke with more folks than had we been seated, but one of the Zeniths complained that it was "lame."  On the September 24th leg not only no lunch but no cocktail gathering either.

[miched]

in the negative you wrote that you had to pay for the  drink pack and internet because you were in AQ.  I thought that Zenith always got those perks 

 

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