Hey people......for those on 3/17/06..what did you miss most?

[bububr]

We all have different opinions on this hot topic.

 

I want to hear what you as cruisers feel you missed out on, especially returning Celebrity cruisers. I don't want this to become a "they should have done" or "Its their fault" thread. I just truly want to know the things you missed out on. And please don't turn this into a nasty or argumentative thread. Thanks in advance:cool:

 

I'll start.

 

1. the GRAND BUFFET. My eyes are always bigger than my stomach...

but I ALWAYS find a little more room to stuff a few things in.:D

 

Dave:eek:

[cml3]

Do We Have To Pick One???

[bububr]

Pick as many as you want...Just let us know a reason behind it or them.

 

Thanks!

 

Dave:eek:

[newmexicoNita]

My heavens, can't this subject just be dropped? This is about the 4th or 5th thread about the sailing. Lots of people got sick, lots of bleach was used, it wasn't a pleasant cruise for many; some made the best of it and good for them, now What did you miss the most? Well I guess if we keep reading these remarks and answering them it will continue, so I, for one am going to switch to someplace else for a few days. NMNita

[bububr]

"My heavens, can't this subject just be dropped? This is about the 4th or 5th thread about the sailing. Lots of people got sick, lots of bleach was used, it wasn't a pleasant cruise for many; some made the best of it and good for them, now What did you miss the most? Well I guess if we keep reading these remarks and answering them it will continue, so I, for one am going to switch to someplace else for a few days. NMNita":(

 

I'm sure I tried to be specific..:rolleyes:

 

"I don't want this to become a "they should have done" or "Its their fault" thread. I just truly want to know the things you missed out on. And please don't turn this into a nasty or argumentative thread. Thanks in advance":)

 

I truly didn't think this would be that difficult to do.....

 

Dave:eek:

[cml3]

I Think The Things My Husband And I Missed The Most Were...

**the Sushi Bar--we Love Sushi And Enjoy Having That At Night Instead Of Room Service.

**the Tea Service Provided By The Butler-this Was Stopped About 5 Days Into The Cruise. We Would Relax On Our Balcony With All The Goodies Before Getting Ready For The Evening.

**the Overall Happy And Accommodating Service From Celebrity

[bububr]

I lliked the way on the last cruise I was on they would do sashimi as well as the regular sushi.. I can't rembember did they used to have eel? I know they had salmon, tuna, yellowtail, california roll, tekka roll and some others, but I just can't remember if they had eel?

 

We also missed getting a bottle of chilled Sake. Of course we did the sushi bar as appetizers before dinner......oink...oink :D

 

Thanks for your considerate post cml3!

 

Dave:eek:

[NanD]

Sorry you got barked at a bit for introducing this thread. I don't think your intention was to inflame....plus the topic tells who it's intended for. As for the question, since we hadn't cruised Celebrity before we probably weren't anticipating certain features as specifically, and weren't quite sure if this or that would have been done another way without the virus blooming. I can say we were counting on the (1) sushi as a little sustenance in the evening before our late seating dinner. We ordered cheese plates from room service as a substitute. (2) It also would have been great to have been able to make my own salad at lunch....or at least the extras part, as a super salad is my lunch. Not being able to see into the containers holding the condiments, it was a long process to assertain what was in each and asking continually was holding up others. So lunch was mostly lettuce. (3) Would have also liked to see what the raves about the pastries in the Cova were all about. In the big scheme, I see each of these as relatively minor....but collectively add up in the overall impression. Each of us comes from a different place when we chose a cruise. We've been Princess cruisers lately and had no complaints. However, one of the important aspects of cruising for us is the shows....and what we've found is the repetative nature of a line's entertainment over the period of a few years as their production show turnover is slow. Our "fix" for this was to vary cruise lines, and we felt Celebrity would provide a new view on stage with a similar cruise experience. From that standpoint, things were great. We enjoyed the shows a lot. This particular cruise date had extenuating circumstances which colored some areas, but we feel we know enough to validate returning to Celebrity for the right itinerary. In fact, since I fell over the information on this site about RCCL shareholders benefits, for which we qualify, checking Celebrity out down the road will definitely be an option. Currently we're looking at the Southern Caribbean Galaxy sailings next March, along with a couple longer Princess and Holland Americas to the same vicinity. Hope your back is feeling better.

Nan

[bububr]

That was a great post. Glad your gonna give X another try. By the way....the pastries are REALLY good so you do have something to look forward to.

 

Actually we did enjoy the variety of the shows. Over the past couple of years they have been quite repetitive...however from what we saw its all new material. The ones we missed, or missed part of will mostlikely run again during our Alaska cruise in September.

 

We're actually doing the March 23rd trip on the Zenith, and after the spa bill we decided it was finally time to break down and buy those shares...we did and got our confirmation late last week.

 

Back is a little better...I might try cleaning the gutters this week....:D

 

I was told to take it easy...thats the hard part. I love to do things, and see things, and get thrown off things...oops. :D again.

 

Time takes care of everything.

 

Dave:eek:

[rubrrick]

Dave.............glad to hear that your back is getting better. Sounds like you had a MasterCard moment flying thu the air!:D

My DW and I were aboard the 2/14 cruise. Everything was up to speed and we enjoyed a wonderful cruise. Then two cruises later, it appears that the initial outbreak occured. The 3/27 cruise offered a credit for anyone not wanting to board because of the virus. I understand that the credit will not be offered to anyone not wanting to crusie on the 4/7 cruise. It will be interesting to hear what the passengers have to say that come off this Friday, in regards to what they most missed on their cruise.

 

Rick

[bububr]

I guess learning to fly wasn't free...it was "priceless":D :D

 

Dave:eek:

[NanD]

Dave....I've got to ask, what are your thoughts about the current cruisers getting some compensation for the situation aboard Mercury? Do believe it's a natural response, but I'm here thinking "us, too"!!

Nan

[bububr]

But to answer your message Nan.....

 

One of the things I missed most was ........a 25% reduction in price for the cruise as the current ones are being offered, and a 25% reduction on the next booking by May 2007...

 

This has to go in a different thread.....

 

I really am trying to keep up beat with this one:)

 

Dave:eek:

[NanD]

Dave~ Had to laugh when I read your response as, like you, the thing I'm really missing the most NOW is that dual compensation, as well!! Do you think there's any hope for us?

Nan

[Texasannie]

We enjoyed meeting you on board and at the Cruisecritic party. We found a great deal to like about this cruise, which our group of eight have already stated. But when the subsequent group gets a 25% refund, I believe every passenger on the March 17 cruise should receive something for boarding a ship with the risk of becoming quite ill without being informed about the virus on board! It was the cruise without the amenities! Without restating some comments already made, the thing we missed the most was the lack of friendly personal contact with any of the staff.

 

At no time did anyone address us by our names, even though many of the bartenders waited on us night after night! Before dinner, after dinner, in the Casino, etc...... We are used to a great deal of camaraderie with the staff on any ship which was totally lacking on this one. I don't believe I even saw one of them smile except our Manhatten Dining Room servers! Instead, we felt the crew were mostly overworked and angry (rightly so), and they took it out on the passengers who had paid good money for a good time. Even guest services was terrible! And I know these people are trained to do better! The buffet was the all time worst, and we were forced to line up and eat the high school cafeteria food like cattle and endure the surliness of the servers. Pretty bad situation for all of us. Not at all what we came for.

 

So a 25% refund would certainly be in order! Do we have to harrass the cruise line to get some sort of satisfaction for a bad trip? I'd be happy if they would just refund the price of the clothes that were ruined during the ten days! Instead, I got a note from them that says I should file a claim on my trip insurance or my homeowner's insurance. Get real!

 

Sorry, Dave....you opened this up again for comments!

[NanD]

Hi Texasannie~

I certainly agree with your point that folks on the March 17th cruise deserve compensation, as is being given to the current cruisers. While believing Celebrity is doing the right thing for those onboard now, they must also realize this would open up a Pandora's Box with us former cruisers. As you noted, we boarded at a time the cruise line was aware of a problem but a decision was made not to inform us. Given the recent developments, I'd like to think they could still do the right thing. Realistically, however, we are gone and scattered. The current folks are still under their noses and unhappy.

You said you got a note about filing insurance for ruined clothing. Was this from corporate or some guest relations offices on the ship? People are getting so many different answers on all sorts of issues; it seems there is no one authoritative voice for Celebrity.

[Texasannie]

Hi, NanD,

The response I received was from guest claims. They have a Fax number for personal property, 305-539-8101. No phone number listed other than the main switchboard for Celebrity - 800-256-6649. Good luck! Let me know if you receive any more information. I will call them again and see if they can do anything now that they are receiving so many complaints. So far they just refer me to the cruise ticket contract and Specific Exclusions on my claim for a ruined dress in the Casino. Not too helpful at all.

[NanD]

Thanks for the contact information. I'll let you know if I have any better results. Probably with a lot of these issue, there's power in numbers. We might consider joining forces as a group at some point. Stay tuned!

Nan