Questions About The "New" Celebrity Journey?

[Rev22:17]

engineering 101,

 

They say that every single suite is going to have a butler. I've read it on these boards but is that in writing anywhere? NO The Celebrity web site says very little about the amenities of any of the rooms in the manner in which they describe them for other ships.

 

You obviously missed yesterday's press release in which the company put itself on the record.

 

Unique to Celebrity Journey and Celebrity Quest will be a more exclusive guest experience' date=' with two specialty restaurants, 15 classes of accommodations, butler service and concierge amenities in every stateroom and suite, and expanded spa services, including in-room offerings.

 

Both Celebrity Journey and Celebrity Quest will undergo a combined $35-million revitalization during separate one-month drydock periods to incorporate 32 new suites on each ship, entirely new bedding and soft goods, and a variety of Celebrity's most popular signature elements, including the Martini Bar, Cova Cafe, Sushi Cafe, Michael's Club jazz/piano bar, casino, Boutique C, AquaSpa by Elemis, Acupuncture at Sea and Online@Celebrity.[/quote']

 

So it's now official.

 

They say it is going to be similar to Expeditions which is all inclusive. I've read it on these boards but is that in writing anywhere? NO The Celebrity web site actually says that beverages and gratuities are not included.

 

I agree; this appears to be misinformation.

 

They say there are going to be two specialty restaurants and that at this price point they would be all inclusive similar to Oceania. I've read it on these boards but is that in writing anywhere? NO The Celebrity web site actually says that specialty restaurants are not included.

 

Again, the press release does say that the ship will have two specialty restaurants but it says nothing about "all inclusive." I believe that you are correct regarding surcharges.

 

The list of discrepancies could continue on as nothing on the deck plans with respect to room use/function matches anything that Celebrity has expounded in press releases and discussions with travel agents attempting to sell this ship.

 

Yes, it appears that there are a lot of dubious rumors floating around. It's generaly safe to believe the company's press releases, but not the rumors that the press releases don't substantiate.

 

Norm.

[engineering 101]

You obviously missed yesterday's press release in which the company put itself on the record. So it's now official.

 

Not trying to beat a dead horse here but,

 

Why doesn't Celebrity just put the information on the web site or put it in the brochures. Just give us somethng tangible that we can hold in our hands and have the ability to say "....hey why aren't you giving me what I paid for ......." if it doesn't come to fruition. I doubt waving a press release in their face is going to do much good. If they are wanting to charge as much as they are for these Journey cruises I just don't understand what is taking so long to update their web site.

 

I read a press release on these boards recently that had been released by Celebrity in 2002. It happened to say the pods on the M-class ships had been redesigned and were fixed once and for all. Perhaps that is why I am a little dubious and not willing to put much faith in their press releases.

[Charles4515]

They say that every single suite is going to have a butler. I've read it on these boards but is that in writing anywhere? NO The Celebrity web site says very little about the amenities of any of the rooms in the manner in which they describe them for other ships.

 

It has been no secret that Celebrity/RCI is extremely envious of the success that Oceania has had and that they were incredibly embarassed when they were so quickly rebuffed in their attempt to take over Oceania. They moved ever so quickly after that setback to purchase Pullmantur and their R class ships in order to prevent Oceania from purchasing one or two of them for themselves (Oceania was only really interested in Pullmantur's cheaply outfitted R class ships as a last resort if they were unable to obtain the more desirable R class ships originally outfitted with all suites on the 8th deck) in a rather feeble attempt to try and mimic Oceania's success.

 

I will make a guess- the butler service will be the cabin attendant upgraded. Given the size of the ship I don't see any way they can add crew to have butlers for every cabin any other way.

 

I do think this is all about Oceania. They could not buy it so they bought Pullmantur and will try to compete Oceania out of existence by their scale as being a big fish, RCI. And buying Pullmantur denies Oceania and also Princess any more R ships. (except for one other that is out there).

[Charles4515]

I just think that Celebrity really dropped the ball on this. I would love to be one of the lucky ones who booked Zenith & were transferred to Journey at the old cruise fare. I question paying so much when nobody seems to know exactly what they're getting for what I consider to be unreasonable.

 

The fares may well work if you take the Bermuda sailings out of the equation. Next summer Bermuda sounds like it might be for one season. After that there is a good chance they will not do Bermuda. I do think a market for small ships to exotic locations or ports where the mega ships can not go does exist and higher per diems can be charged exists for a premium small ship. I don't think Bermuda fits into that. I would consider Celebrity Expeditions at higher fares for other itineraries than Bermuda.

[Charles4515]

You are now! I'm booked for 8/18.

 

Actually, the price points are not that far off from what they were back in the early-mid 90's. In 2000, on the Pacific Princess, our Deluxe oceanview was $1765pp for mid-August with port and tax.

 

Back then I had a deluxe Oceanview on Pacific Princess for $1100 total as a single in the middle of June. The $1100 included the single supplement. Since then I have been on Zenith four times and the most I ever paid was $1500 total as a single including single supplement for an inside cabin. The four cruises on Zenith included two in September, one in June and one in July. So I think the Journey price points are way out of line for Bermuda and far off from what I have been paying. However I will add that all the Bermuda bookings I made were late bookings, within six weeks out, and I am comparing that to early booking prices on Journey. It is yet to be known if there will be any late booking prices on Journey to make a fairer comparision.

[richsea]

The fares may well work if you take the Bermuda sailings out of the equation. Next summer Bermuda sounds like it might be for one season. After that there is a good chance they will not do Bermuda. I do think a market for small ships to exotic locations or ports where the mega ships can not go does exist and higher per diems can be charged exists for a premium small ship. I don't think Bermuda fits into that. I would consider Celebrity Expeditions at higher fares for other itineraries than Bermuda.

 

I think that you're right about Bermuda being a one year deal.

Celebrity Expedtitions can command higher per diems like they do on Expedtition to Galapagos, but that is a whole other experience, with everything included, even all excursions, to a unique destination.

Again, I don't see how they can justify the current fares to Bermuda. Maybe as time goes on and they have unsold cabins, the fares will come down.

[tprime76]

So far the service of X has been pretty good to Emily and me, so I am willing to give them the benefit of the doubt. However, due to the price, they are on a short leash. Everything that I have read has indicated that the Bermuda itinerary is only a short term thing, but because they are working to establish this ship as a near luxury level, they cannot drop the price to a more realistic level. In order to do a more exotic (read as expensive) itinerary later, they need to establish and maintain the price up front.

 

Is it the right thing to do? No idea and only time will tell whether or not they made a mistake.

 

Weighing in on the Oceana thing, I think RCI is still planning on buying Oceana in a couple of years. Right now, Oceana is too hot and has no reason to sell. X will play the big fish and aim to weaken (not destroy) the Oceana brand to the point that they will be willing to negotiate. That is how most large businesses operate and I wouldn't expect RCI to be any different.

[drfun48]

Richsea,

I'm anxiously waiting to form my own opinion with my own eyes.

 

Me too...and I will as soon as my wife let's me know what it is.

[Baltic Express]

Weighing in on the Oceana thing, I think RCI is still planning on buying Oceana in a couple of years. Right now, Oceana is too hot and has no reason to sell. X will play the big fish and aim to weaken (not destroy) the Oceana brand to the point that they will be willing to negotiate. That is how most large businesses operate and I wouldn't expect RCI to be any different.

 

Celebrity has nothing it can do to weaken Oceania. Just being themselves and attempting to mimic Oceania with their two R class ships will only serve to strengthen the product that Oceania has. Unless they are able to buy the entire management of Oceania (and that never happens) RCI will have wasted their money, much as they did on Celebrity. As if they do obtain them they will just turn them into the same low class inferior product with management who couldn't care a hoot. Pretty much the same as what RCI is already doing to the once proud Celebrity line which is now no different than any other mass market line.

 

The one thing RCI forgot to do was look up the word premium to see what it means. For Journey their plans are to sell the cruise to you for a premium price and then give you the same old crap that you are receiving already on their other ships without paying a premium. And here is a good one - a butler for every cabin - did they forget to tell you they omitted the cabin attendant and changed his name to butler. Thats worth paying a premium for??

 

Celebrity/RCI actually needs to take lessons from other cruise lines such as Oceania in the art of customer service. Having been on both lines you can't even compare the two in the same breath. What I am thankful for is that so many of you are so loyal to Celebrity that you are willing to overlook all of their shortcomings and continue to stuff their pockets. That in itself is the best news passengers booking Oceania could ever receive.

 

So to all of you Celebrity loyalists, enjoy your pod problems with missed ports and delayed cruises and enjoy your over abundance of Noro problems since Celebrity apparently doesn't have a clue on how to control either of them. Enjoy sneaking alcohol on board or worrying whether it may be confiscated from your luggage as this is also part of what the premium cruise lines are all about. As you say on this particular board as long as you won't be sailing with Oceania there will be more room for those of us who enjoy truly being treated famously.

[C 2 C]

enjoy your over abundance of Noro problems since Celebrity apparently doesn't have a clue on how to control either of them. .

 

We inherited 30 NLV victims from the Holiday Inn in San Diego Dec 8th. There is a rigorous cleaning program on Mercuryand there have been no new cases for 4 days.

The NLV is not the only virus that's spread through crap.:cool:

[SheilaNC]

OK, I give, what does NLV mean?

[eph89]

Well, it seems that I'm in for quite an adventure - my first cruise ever turns out to be on the Journey. My mom & I were originally scheduled for the Zenith, and then we were booked on the Journey when the switch occurred.

 

And as luck would have it, we're on the May 5, 2007 sailing. So, while I won't have anything to compare it to, I'll be sure to post a report on the experience. Meanwhile, I'm looking forward to learning as much as possible in advance about plans for the Journey, Celebrity, and cruising in general - I'm glad I discovered this forum.

 

I guess next step is to look for a roll call?

[C 2 C]

OK, I give, what does NLV mean?

 

Norwalk Like Virus.. a nasty bug spread by a virus by passing through people, quickly and often... sometimes called the 24 hour flu, food poisoning, sea sickness.. Worshipping the Porcelain Goddess:eek:

[SheilaNC]

Thanks, C2C, hadn't seen that abbrev. used before - I'm very familiar with this disease (as a nurse) but wondered about the 'letters' :)

[JORAY]

Celebrity Expedtitions can command higher per diems is an interesting statement and may be true.

 

I always look at per day cost tor the two of us. Currently we have 4 cruises booked. (always book early for price & stateroom we want)

 

Following are SS staterooms (with Butler) and because they are sister ships (in a way) all SS staterooms are 246 sq/ft and veranda 69 sq/ft

 

Century -- 7/9/07 -- 12 nights -- Arctic Cruise at $798/day for a couple

Galaxy -- 11/10/07 -- 14 nights -- Ancient Empires at $485/day for a couple

Mercury -- 3/16/08 --12 nights -- HI to MX at $499/day for a couple

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Journey -- 2/9/08 -- 18 nights -- Antarctic Cruise at $605/day for a couple.

The equal of a SS on Journey the stateroom is 323 sq/ft (25% larger) and veranda 57 sq/ft.

 

Also AFT Sunset Veranda staterooms -- 215 sq/ft and veranda 54 at $461/day for a couple

 

For more info on the Blue Dream which is now the Journey look at this site as stateroom size should not change.

 

http://www.pullmanturcruises.com/crucerobritt/r6.html

 

The real cost of a cruise depends as we all know on -- date - number of nights - Destination - demand - departure port expense and so on.

 

Ray

[hammybee]

I sail all " mass marketed cruise lines" with the exception of Princess. I consider both X and HAL to be mass marketed. I have yet to have a bad cruise. It's getting tougher to distinguish between brands because of competition. NCL is sailing with almost 30,000 passengers a week and this is taking a toll on other cruise lines.

 

I am thinking that Journey is going to be what Prinsendam is to HAL, a cut above the line's standard. This is where they will put the most experienced crew and pull out stops to make it worth the premium. Thus far it's worked for HAL and there is no reason why the same won't happen with Journey.

 

Pure speculation on my part but I am thinking that Journey will remain a traditional cruise experience while taking full advantage of what can be done with an updated classic and elegant ship. In otherwords they will not be going toe-to-toe with all the other mass marketed cruise lines and are going to create a mini niche within their respective brand.

 

All this bigger is better in cruising takes a toll. For many of us, the true luxury sailings are out opf reach or we might be chatting on another board. For now, I am thinking Journey and Prinsendam will satisfy those who are loyal to X and/or HAL brands and are willing to pay a reasonablel premium for a classic sailing. I can't wait to sail her.

[JkyLovesRuss]

I see that Celebrity has obtained one of the former Renaissance "R" ships, renamed her Celebrity Journey and she will begin sailing 7 day cruises to Bermuda out of Bayonne beginning in May 2007. She is ideally configured for docking in all of Bermuda's ports and her many balconied cabins will be an improvement over the Zenith and the Horizon.

 

It appears, however, that Celebrity is hyping her as a "premium" cruise experience with prices to match. In pricing, I found her rates to be more than double that of similar category cabins on other ships offering seven day cruises to Bermuda. It will be interesting to see what this ship will offer to justify those high prices? There is little information yet available on this ship and Celebrity does not have a brochure available on it as yet? I look forward to the comments of the first passengers in May.

 

Me too! I'm booked in August. I'll be searching this board looking info in may! :)

[SheilaNC]

Will be sure to post a detailed report when we get back and hope that those sailing the two weeks before us get something posted to help us! Happy 2007!

[C 2 C]

I am very curious as to the possible obstuction indicated by the metal enclosure on cabin #7116. In my search I came across some pictures that may be of interest for other cabin types.

 

http://www.maritimematters.com/pacificprincess2-5.html

http://www.pullmanturcruises.com/r5.html

[cabo de hornos]

Thanks for the links to these ships.

 

While it looks like 8048 on Pac Prin would be similar to our 8042 on Journey, I found it interesting that on Blue Dream there is no 8048, the deck plan skips from 8046 to 8050. The balcony seems to be just a bit deeper than on M-class, but not by much.

 

Ahh sweet mysteries of life!!

 

The metal enclosure shown between cabins on the balconies does subtract a bit from the feeling of openness, but not much in my view. I think on the M-class ships the really deep aft cabin balconies have part metal, part frosted glass, but I could be wrong about that. I visited with some friends in those cabins a couple of times recently.

 

Cabo

[cabo de hornos]

Thanks for the links to these ships.

 

While it looks like 8048 on Pac Prin would be similar to our 8042 on Journey, I found it interesting that on Blue Dream there is no 8048, the deck plan skips from 8046 to 8050. The balcony seems to be just a bit deeper than on M-class, but not by much.

 

Ahh sweet mysteries of life!!

 

The metal enclosure shown between cabins on the balconies does subtract a bit from the feeling of openness, but not much in my view. I think on the M-class ships the really deep aft cabin balconies have part metal, part frosted glass, but I could be wrong about that. I visited with some friends in those cabins a couple of times recently.

 

Cabo

[cabo de hornos]

Duplicate post. Something about exceeding a time limit. Go figure

[DaveFr]

Arno & Joanne,

 

Thanks for the pictures of cabins on the Pacific Princess. They reminded me of something I've been meaning to ask. Are the Journey/Quest cabin sizes as shown on the Celebrity web site correct?

 

For example, Celebrity says that its Sky Suites measure 323 sq. ft. plus a 57 sq. ft. balcony. Princess and Oceania show their equivalent cabins as having 322 or 323 sq. ft. including the balcony. Similarly, Celebrity says their Deluxe Ocean View Balcony cabins measure 215 sq. ft. plus a 38 sq. ft. balcony, while Princess and Oceania state their equivalent cabins measure 216 sq. ft. including the balcony.

 

These figures lead me to wonder if Celebrity is double counting the balcony when reporting on the size of these cabins. The fact that the cabin sizes on Celebrity not including the balcony are virtually identical to the cabin sizes (including the balcony) of equivalent cabins on the R ships of two other cruise lines, seems odd to me. Of course, it's possible that the Journey/Quest have different cabin sizes because thay were built later than the Princess and Oceania R ships but that seems unlikely.

 

Maybe a CC poster with a direct line to knowlegeable people at Celebrity could check on the accuracy of the Journey/Quest cabin sizes.

 

It will be interesting to see how Journey/Quest measure up when operated by Celebrity. I'm hoping for the best.

[Charles4515]

Duplicate post. Something about exceeding a time limit. Go figure

 

After you hit submit reply it sometimes it looks like nothing is happening so the tendency is to hit it reply again or refresh your browser. Thus the dupes. But even though it looks like it is stalled the message has already been posted.

[cabo de hornos]

I'm usually pretty patient. So I didn't attempt to re-transmit until after a message came up that suggested the transmittal failed. It happened again more recently. Maybe it has something to do with IE7.

 

No harm though.

 

Thanks Charles.

 

Cabo