Rare chemmo Posted August 7, 2023 #1 Share Posted August 7, 2023 Several recent threads have focused on Celebrity ‘downgrading’ the product in an attempt to save money…I thought it might be fun to start a thread about things they could do and charge for which could enhance our experience and make them extra $$$. So what would you be willing to pay a bit extra for? To start, my ideas… Do a pop up speciality in part of the buffet every night. Each night a different theme, a focus on relaxed dining but a change from the MDR or the speciality restaurants. Not a ridiculous price, perhaps $15? This would be especially nice if they could incorporate some fresh produce from ports of call…This would be really appreciated on the M class ships with limited dining options. Give those with drinks packages ‘deals’ on full bottles (yes, I know you can order) but make a real feature of it. ‘Tonight’s special wine options are’…Celebrity would up their income, those of us on wine packages would get a bigger/better choice. If the up charge was too much then guests would choose to simply look at the wine menu but I am sure they could find a sweet spot where they would feel they had made a $ or $$ and we would feel happy with the deal… How about, now they are charging for room service, some special lunch options on sea days. A picnic basket or an all day English breakfast special…Things that you could really enjoy on those days you don’t want to do anything other than enjoy your balcony… So what would you enjoy that you would be willing to pay a bit more for? I really don’t want this to turn into a negative thread so no comments on ‘room service used to be free’ or ‘there should be more choices in the wine package’ please! Just let your imagination run to things you would enjoy and be willing to pay an extra $ or £ (in our case) for? 6 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare hcat Posted August 7, 2023 #2 Share Posted August 7, 2023 "Do a pop up speciality in part of the buffet every night. Each night a different theme, a focus on relaxed dining but a change from the MDR or the speciality restaurants. Not a ridiculous price, perhaps $15? This would be especially nice if they could incorporate some fresh produce from ports of call…This would be really appreciated on the M class ships with limited dining options." They actually used to do this on M clsss ships. it was by reservation with a limited menu and staffed by trainee wait staff with supervision. Had nice white tablcloths cloth napkins etc . and table service. We enjoyed it but recall that the area chosen was under a basketbsll/ sports court so you could hear almost every bounce. Also parents seriously failed to supervise.unruly children who jumped up and down on banquette seats, annoying everyone It did not last long. It was staff intensive. Doubt they have enough staff now to do this. Folks can self serve at the buffet without a special program or area. There are akready special theme offerings some nights. I think the picnic basket lunches were tried on the lawn as a Special Event with mellow music. .I believe that now folks who rent the huts or poolside cabanas get some food and drinks included. You could make your own balcony picnic from the Room Service Menu ..upcharge. Or do it yourself with items from the buffet..no upcharge. Bring your own small baskets to fit the small table. We would not pay extra but they could restore the great selection of free movies and other tv programming they used to offer. Other ideas would not appeal to us. Although your intentions were to be helpful X seems to find enough ways to add extra costs without our help! The beauty of cruising wss always the mostly inclusive fare.. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare chemmo Posted August 7, 2023 Author #3 Share Posted August 7, 2023 I remember the previous Buffet dining too and the picnic boxes, obviously with more enjoyment… 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare horseymike Posted August 7, 2023 #4 Share Posted August 7, 2023 How about including the cost of good food into the fare so as not to extend the nickel and diming concept ? One of the nice things about a cruise USED to be that you pay your fare , most things were included and you need not worry about accumulating charges as you go. 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcbiker97 Posted August 7, 2023 #5 Share Posted August 7, 2023 Thanks for making the thread. While I don't have any ideas, I too used to love the table service in the back seating area of the buffet. It had a limited menu, but you could just come in tshirts and shorts and still have nice relaxing dinner served to you. I'd happily pay for something like that where they could feature specials like you mention. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare chemmo Posted August 7, 2023 Author #6 Share Posted August 7, 2023 16 minutes ago, dcbiker97 said: Thanks for making the thread. While I don't have any ideas, I too used to love the table service in the back seating area of the buffet. It had a limited menu, but you could just come in tshirts and shorts and still have nice relaxing dinner served to you. I'd happily pay for something like that where they could feature specials like you mention. Yes, if they could create a bit of that casual but special ambiance it would be lovely! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeeRick Posted August 7, 2023 #7 Share Posted August 7, 2023 (edited) I would pay a bit extra for a high quality burger by the pool or elsewhere on the ship. Edited August 7, 2023 by TeeRick 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare hcat Posted August 7, 2023 #8 Share Posted August 7, 2023 2 minutes ago, TeeRick said: I would pat a bit extra for a high quality burger by the pool. but why cant they just serve a decent burger as part of the cruise fare.. 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeeRick Posted August 7, 2023 #9 Share Posted August 7, 2023 Just now, hcat said: but why cant they just serve a decent burger as part of the cruise fare.. Yeah but I was responding to the thread topic. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare hcat Posted August 7, 2023 #10 Share Posted August 7, 2023 1 minute ago, TeeRick said: Yeah but I was responding to the thread topic. yes I get it .. giving them more ways to make money.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHEZMARYLOU Posted August 7, 2023 #11 Share Posted August 7, 2023 6 minutes ago, TeeRick said: I would pat a bit extra for a high quality burger by the pool. That was tried and the outrage ranked that of vaping in the casino. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeeRick Posted August 7, 2023 #12 Share Posted August 7, 2023 Just now, hcat said: yes I get it .. giving them more ways to make money.. ---and without being negative. That will be hard for some posters on here! 4 2 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeeRick Posted August 7, 2023 #13 Share Posted August 7, 2023 Just now, CHEZMARYLOU said: That was tried and the outrage ranked that of vaping in the casino. Yes but that was because they replaced the Mast Grill burgers. A mistake. I think they keep the Mast Grill and add an option somewhere else (the OVC?) for a high quality burger freshly cooked to order. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare hcat Posted August 7, 2023 #14 Share Posted August 7, 2023 53 minutes ago, TeeRick said: Yes but that was because they replaced the Mast Grill burgers. A mistake. I think they keep the Mast Grill and add an option somewhere else (the OVC?) for a high quality burger freshly cooked to order. Luminae. or Retreat pool lunch! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare NMTraveller Posted August 7, 2023 #15 Share Posted August 7, 2023 With the reports of kids going wild on Celebrity ships I would pay extra for an adults only cruise. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padgman1 Posted August 7, 2023 #16 Share Posted August 7, 2023 How about bringing back the "midnight buffet" concept for a fee? 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C4HCG Posted August 7, 2023 #17 Share Posted August 7, 2023 (edited) Great idea for a thread, keeping an eye out for good, positive suggestions, have none of my own but thinking! Edited August 7, 2023 by C4HCG 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare chemmo Posted August 7, 2023 Author #18 Share Posted August 7, 2023 1 hour ago, TeeRick said: Yes but that was because they replaced the Mast Grill burgers. A mistake. I think they keep the Mast Grill and add an option somewhere else (the OVC?) for a high quality burger freshly cooked to order. Yes! I think this would particularly go down well on sea days…. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare chemmo Posted August 7, 2023 Author #19 Share Posted August 7, 2023 (edited) 1 hour ago, TeeRick said: ---and without being negative. That will be hard for some posters on here! Thank you for understanding the concept of the thread… Edited August 7, 2023 by chemmo 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare chemmo Posted August 7, 2023 Author #20 Share Posted August 7, 2023 18 minutes ago, padgman1 said: How about bringing back the "midnight buffet" concept for a fee? I could enjoy that! Perhaps just once or twice per cruise…It could even involve a pre buffet live music event… You could just pre book as you would for a speciality restaurant…Might be a good event/option on overnight stays… 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulh84 Posted August 7, 2023 #21 Share Posted August 7, 2023 1 hour ago, TeeRick said: Yes but that was because they replaced the Mast Grill burgers. A mistake. I think they keep the Mast Grill and add an option somewhere else (the OVC?) for a high quality burger freshly cooked to order. Ships with a Lawn Club usually do a burger menu for lunch on sea days for something like $15-$20. There are rarely more than a few tables occupied. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare chemmo Posted August 7, 2023 Author #22 Share Posted August 7, 2023 11 minutes ago, C4HCG said: Great idea for a thread, keeping an eye out for good, positive suggestions, have none of my own but thinking! Keep thinking! Inspiration needed! Whilst we are all budget conscious I was hoping that, like me and a few others, we could identify a few things that when we cruise we could see missing gaps, the decent burger being an obvious… Another thing I have thought of is cooking lessons. I don’t mean the quick demo of how to cook a steak sometimes shown on sea days. I mean a quality training session for perhaps 20 people… 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare chemmo Posted August 7, 2023 Author #23 Share Posted August 7, 2023 6 minutes ago, paulh84 said: Ships with a Lawn Club usually do a burger menu for lunch on sea days for something like $15-$20. There are rarely more than a few tables occupied. They are open daily and the evening menu is more popular. I think a burger venue on ships without Lawn Grill (all but two) could find this popular… Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare chemmo Posted August 7, 2023 Author #24 Share Posted August 7, 2023 1 hour ago, hcat said: Luminae. or Retreat pool lunch! But not everyone has access! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare chemmo Posted August 7, 2023 Author #25 Share Posted August 7, 2023 1 hour ago, NMTraveller said: With the reports of kids going wild on Celebrity ships I would pay extra for an adults only cruise. I think some of the music charters are adults only? I could be mistaken… Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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