Dear Jack...an open letter from XSNOBS.

[Danno]

back to our letter...

 

- Keep cruising as "all inclusive" as possible. We understand that "free" drinks would not be a great idea, however the constant adding of fees or "nickel and diming" as it's refered to, is becoming a pain. Again, we don't mind paying for it, just include it in the ticket price.

[hajekfam]

At one time (back in the olden days), Captain's Club members were given priority embarkation and disembarkation even before suites. It was so nice meeting in a small room and being escorted off the ship to find your luggage in a very small pile and making it out of the terminal before anyone else disembarked. Now on our last few cruises, the Captain's club priority disembarkation has been the third and fifth groups off the ship. What kind of priority is that?

 

As far as a separate line for Founders - well once you move to select or elite status, your card no longer says founder. We joined back in 92 after our first cruise and went into the new Captains Club with select status. We just got our new elite cards. Neither had founder on them.

[tuggers]

I love X, have had the best times of my life on these ships and have met the greatest people and made terrific friends. So if X does so much right and is so spectacular in the food department, what is it with those canapes in the CC and suites? I would have been much happier if they had put some slices of cheese and a few grapes on the plate rather than those soggy crackers and melba toast rounds (which are 75% of the problem) and toppings.

 

BTW, that's what I started doing this last cruise, calling room service and getting the cheese, fruit and cracker plate for the room about 4:30. Was just right for a nosh with a glass or wine while getting ready for dinner. :D

[Danno]

Really...our canapes were VERY good. Fresh, crisp, cool and tasty!! Must have been Carl's doing...I really miss Carl.:D

[Cindy G]

Ditto, ditto, ditto.....enforce the "rules" especially in dealing with the dress code. I liked Capt's Club more when I felt "special," like it truly meant something (and I would happily pay). What about missed ports...what criteria is used to pacify the pax...anything from a beer to $125.00 cabin credit? Who decides?

[CelebrityMan]

I, too, dread the "bean counters" getting control of things and attempting to make Celebrity into a more mainstream line. May it NEVER happen!! To me that would remove/erase all distinction. Rather than trying to be like everyone else, X should concentrate on the marvelous niche it has garnered and market that.

 

For instance, I don't see Radisson or Seabourn trying to become the cruise line for the masses. Why should X do so?

 

The loyal Celebrity sailor appreciates the fine details for which we've become accustomed: excellent, personable staff; elegant but not pretentious decor; high quality cuisine; unique spas and other ship features; high standards of pax behavior, dress and demeanor; and the peaceful lack of a constant barrage of public address announcements — just to name a scant few.

 

Sailing on Celebrity feels special. Don't take that away from us!! I enjoy the formalities, and being dressed up, and appreciate that "casual" hasn't yet come to mean slovenly. An entire cruise ought to be a special event, and dressing appropriately enhances that feeling for everyone aboard ship. Otherwise, I fear the cruise experience will gradually lose that magical sense of being in touch with the traditional romance of an ocean voyage.

 

Am I a sentimentalist? You bet! But a 44-yr. old sentimentalist that doesn't like seeing some of our best traditions go by the wayside.

[Danno]

Strangly enough X has figured out a formula to set it apart from what is becoming a very "white bread" industry...now if we can just convince the bean counters that there is a way to keep it special and make it profitable!!

 

The way this industry panders to the lowest common denominator is awful. Instead of being delighted to offer something different and grow a solid business that way, they want to be like everyone else. I think this may stem from execs who have decided that if they "go with the flow" and it fails the industry as a whole is at fault...if they take a stand and break new ground and it fails they themselves will take the hit.

 

I wonder how many were past airline execs?? Now there's a group with knowledge of how to fail and blame everyone else.

 

SHOW SOME NERVE...CHART A NEW COURSE, A BETTER WAY, A BETTER CRUISE LINE!!

[gkm]

Really...our canapes were VERY good. Fresh, crisp, cool and tasty!! Must have been Carl's doing...I really miss Carl.:D

and I miss Richard...:D

 

One other thing I think needs addressing is customer service. I haven's seen too many posts here lately that have had good experiences with them. It seems to me that their staff needs more training, or at least get the same updates. You can call 10 times and get 10 different answers. I wonder how many frustrated clients have given up and gone to other cruiselines?

 

Garry

[Ichiban Nekko]

Everyone,

Well said! We had something longer drafted, but then the system didn't take it. Oh well, you all probably said it better anyway!

We love to cruise on X and getting dressed up on formal nights is something we really enjoy. What we don't understand is why people know in advance that there is a dress code (and other rules). If this is not a feature which has any appeal, why book this kind of vacation? There are so many travel options out there that we find it hard to believe that something more casual (if that's what you want) is not available.

We personally, would pay a higher rate if it were for a more inclusive fare (for instance, expresso coffee).

And although not single now, we were once (of course, we were young and skinny once also, but we digress). For a very long, long time and so we know how creativity is essential when planning travel for one. We are horrified at the costs for single occupancy and were heartbroken to read Lois R's story. The suggestion regarding selling available space 30 days out at a more reasonable rate is an excellent and constructive one.

 

Thanks for starting this Danno!

-Dave & Cat