So far no celebrity cruises booked for 2025

[tschwa2]

For the last couple of years we have had 3-4 Celebrity cruises booked and end up taking 2-3.  With the changes including the much lower levels of OBC, lack of refundable deposits, elimination of gratuities include with all included and nothing particularly exciting in terms of itinerary, ship and price means nothing booked for 2025.  I am eyeing a Princess west coast and then perhaps something more last minute, with who knows, for fall of 2025.  

 

[QuestionEverything]

2 hours ago, tschwa2 said:

For the last couple of years we have had 3-4 Celebrity cruises booked and end up taking 2-3.  With the changes including the much lower levels of OBC, lack of refundable deposits, elimination of gratuities include with all included and nothing particularly exciting in terms of itinerary, ship and price means nothing booked for 2025.  I am eyeing a Princess west coast and then perhaps something more last minute, with who knows, for fall of 2025.  

 

I get it.

It is the cruise industry period. The product downgrading and, frankly the contempt for the customer displayed by all lines, this consumer is not accepting this.

We have 1 cruise booked on Oceania in Jan 25, SE Asia.

No other cruises considered.

Moving our travel $ to land vacationing and a brand new Fab SUV. Driving North America.

My cruise in Jan 25 - 1 year from now has limited bookings - Oceania just took $2,000 pp off the pricing, I locked in. Yes, lack of interest. Tells me something indeed.

 

 

[Jim_Iain]

I have sailed in Suites exclusively for 23 years.   I've never had less than 9 cruises booked.    Since the beginning of 2024 I have booked 4 cruises and only one of them is with Celebrity.   In 2025 I booked the Lisbon to Buenos Ares with Celebrity which has been cancelled 2 times.   Prior to that I booked an Oceania Vista Istanbul to Barcelona  in an Owner's Suite (2,000 Sq Ft) for less than the cost of a comparable Celebrity Suite on Celebrity.    Playing off our shift from Celebrity I also booked a Cunard Queens Grill from NY to Southampton for less than a Sky Suite on Celebrity.    

 

I haven't given up on Celebrity but am out to explore what is out there.   Our last 5 cruises had been in CS and RS on E-Class ships and have really been underwhelmed.   We have a B2B in April from Sydney to Vancouver on Solstice and maybe the S-Class will win us back but probably will be steering clear of e-class for the foreseeable future.   When experiencing the Retreat experience on E-Class I feel like I'm in an Airport Lounge.    I know many love it and I'll be happy to free up a slot for you.

[QuestionEverything]

1 minute ago, Jim_Iain said:

I have sailed in Suites exclusively for 23 years.   I've never had less than 9 cruises booked.    Since the beginning of 2024 I have booked 4 cruises and only one of them is with Celebrity.   In 2025 I booked the Lisbon to Buenos Ares with Celebrity which has been cancelled 2 times.   Prior to that I booked an Oceania Vista Istanbul to Barcelona  in an Owner's Suite (2,000 Sq Ft) for less than the cost of a comparable Celebrity Suite on Celebrity.    Playing off our shift from Celebrity I also booked a Cunard Queens Grill from NY to Southampton for less than a Sky Suite on Celebrity.    

 

I haven't given up on Celebrity but am out to explore what is out there.   Our last 5 cruises had been in CS and RS on E-Class ships and have really been underwhelmed.   We have a B2B in April from Sydney to Vancouver on Solstice and maybe the S-Class will win us back but probably will be steering clear of e-class for the foreseeable future.   When experiencing the Retreat experience on E-Class I feel like I'm in an Airport Lounge.    I know many love it and I'll be happy to free up a slot for you.

Much discussion about the insane pricing of the Celebrity suites versus actual Premium and Luxury class lines.

Celebrity gets away with it I guess because there are enough consumers who believe the suite class on Celebrity is great.

Not.

I have cruised on Oceania and had wonderful product - everyone on Oceania gets great experience, no class apartheid on Oceania, unlike Celebrity. 

 

[Jim_Iain]

I haven't sailed Oceania yet but when I saw the Owner's Suite (larger than the Iconic but smaller deck) at the price of a CS I grabbed it.   There are difference that one has to build into the price like premium drink package and tips but even that isn't onerous.  

 

While I often read that there is no class difference - upper classes do get a different set of priorities and perks.   e.g. when and how many specialty dining reservations you can make pre-cruise.   6 bottles of Booze and/or Wine in a Owner Suite.   Butler that will serve meals course by course from any of the Specialty Restaurants in your suite.

With those perks and me not being a drinker,  we figured we may not even use a premium drink package.   We may just have pre-dinner cocktails in our room. 

 

We have never supported the class separation of the retreat deck (which we don't use anyway).  

[Stem to Stern]

I only have one booking for 2025 and beyond on Celebrity Xcel cruise-only on a group rate with refundable deposit.  I booked on somewhat of a whim for the ship alone, but depending on how my September Beyond cruise plays out I could easily cancel.  I am looking at many options, but prices are crazy across all the lines I am considering.🥲