Spif Barwunkel

Even With my binoculars I did not see many.

Outdone by Maxwell Smart. Wow! But the current year is '23, right? Obviously, one of those problems is math.

Decided to take a look at the past in order to glean insight into the future. The following are threads on the Celebrity Forum from April 2004. - What is it About The "Lobsta" Tails??? - page 6235 - Putting Tips on Your Cabin Account - page 6236 - Food On Galaxy/Celebrity in General - page 6236 - Rough Waters to Bermuda vs Eastern Caribbean - page 6237*** - Is The Century Going to be Stretched? - page 6238 - Recent Zenith Sickness - page 6244 - Lobster on a 14 Night Cruise - page 6245 - Butlers??? - page 6248 Twenty-three years later and the only changes to yesteryears questions is the higher number of responses, with greater hostility in some cases. Obviously today, many more folks are willing to express their thoughts and opinions. Oh, my goodness, the problems we have had both then and now. ***One of my favorites, for the absurdity of the topic and the responses to it.

For some of you folks I see Virgin Voyages in your future. Nothing the matter with that. You should be able to talk out of both sides of your mouth there also, and maybe even establish more side-splitting humor creds.

We really enjoy the Eden Cafe for lunch. And, you know what, with these premium options and related charges I can still enjoy the Eden Cafe. By golly, I might even spend some OBC for those yum yums, prognostications and comic relief notwithstanding.

Virgin Voyages certainly offers a specific brand of cruising to the masses, and that is a good thing. There is a cruising niche for everyone and if you find one that fits, enjoy it. I'm not sure that Virgin is firing its advertising guns solely at Celebrity and I know that any crossover passengers from X to V won't even be noticed. The double V's are new to the cruising world and I hope that Branson's latest endeavor does succeed. It will definitely take some time and money to fill those cups. So, to the X boo birds, support your local Virgin and have a good time.

Just another responsibility that the CEO will have to rule on. Throw away the key as far as I'm concerned. No "Avast ye Matey" here. Are lashes appropriate?

You have got to appreciate the OP's attitude. We are all aware of the changes and problems across the entire cruising industry, along with the comments and criticisms that go along with them. They can seem particularly daunting when pertaining to our cruise line of choice, not necessarily exclusivity. You remain a fan until you can remain one no longer. I'll decide if and when that is, just as the OP will. In the meantime, how many of "those little things that matter", when no longer available, will it take to send me elsewhere, never to return. Not really concerned about that. Looking forward to cruising again on Equinox in January '25 after she takes up residence in the neighborhood.

Once upon a time there was a little boy who loved boats, all kinds of boats. He loved boats so much that he played with them in the bathtub, in the street puddles after a heavy rain and in his neighbor's bird bath. At a very early age he vowed to one day become a boat passenger.......that should do it.

And yet, here we are.

My point, exactly.

My thoughts, exactly.

The good old days become older with each passing day, do they not? So, if you have cruised with Celebrity for any length of time you have certainly experienced some changes, and not all for the better. Even so, changes are never the result of one particular entity. They come about over time because of varying circumstances, including the behavior and attitude of the passengers. Think about it, you could be responsible for Celebrity's shortcomings. We are not innocent in this blame game and no matter your cruising status some folks somewhere have a hand or two in the current events. This is the easy way. Band together - as it has always been - and ridicule Celebrity. There are many on these forums who are manipulated by a few. It's much easier to be in good stead, although wrong, than to be in disagreement and unpopular. Seriously, I'm not looking at other cruise lines because of any CEO's changes. Let's hope we get the proper pronunciation and spelling of people's names on these threads. Celebrity is probably cringing with the thought that someone somewhere will blame them. Seriously, that would really ruin lobster night.

You are most gracious in your thorough and insightful response. I appreciate your time and effort in doing so. It is a shame that you have so quickly lost your enthusiasm for Celebrity given that your first X cruise was in January '23. No doubt, Celebrity has and still is changing, more often to the negative for many. Your concerns and how you articulated them go to the important, personal disappointments you have had and feel you might experience again. Nothing silly or trivial about that. May your remaining Celebrity cruises not disappoint too much, and may all future cruising bring joy and great expectations.

RY, I could not agree with you more. We should kick all those pompous arses in their "holier-than-thou" buttocks. That'll show 'em. Along those same lines, we have several veteran posters who, despite many, many posts on many, many threads rarely say anything worthwhile, aimless drivel if you will. A different kind of blowhard. That's okay. But thank goodness some of those posters have the skill set to point out the real undesirables, you know what I mean?

Very true statement. Depending on where your head is can certainly determine where your money goes. If the expense fits, spend it. If not, keep the $$ under your pillow. Was it one particular Celebrity gaffe that sent you elsewhere (if so, please explain) or the combination of several that gave you trepidation as to future cruises? I assume that you have canceled all or some of the upcoming X cruises. If not, is that strictly due to math related circumstances? If you are cruising on X through your 2025 booking, is there a chance that, depending on how Celebrity behaves, you will continue to put your money where your head is, including Celebrity?

Be careful O2, your comments could be construed as coming from one who is indifferent and immune to the current disgruntled Celebrity cruiser vibe. That of course would transition perfectly from previous threads, and their posters who may not feel quite as aggrieved.

In "defense" of Celebrity, unfettered "loyalty" to Celebrity, two of the most ridiculous and over-worked forms of poppycock on the Celebrity forum. How ludicrous one sounds when advocating for a psychological diagnosis of cruising behavior while insinuating that some folks cannot possibly enjoy the X brand in its current form. I can. You can't. Anyone have a problem with that? I don't. I don't defend Celebrity in any of its decisions, good or bad, right or wrong. Why, because I am not smart enough to know the entire reasoning behind those decisions. We are booked on five cruises between now and August of 2024. Two are Celebrity, the remaining three on three different cruise lines. So much for unfettered loyalty. I will not base my future cruise bookings on what you are happy or unhappy with. I can only hope that future X sailings continue to satisfy our expectations, even with the occasional miss-step.

Wow! The OP offers "My Thoughts on All the Cuts" and in the next 7 posts is admonished because of a "no big deal" attitude, being "blase", taking the "perfect" cruise and not yet experiencing the "Celebrity Death Temperature." And then is solicited to, with all of us, "stick together." I'll not speak for the OP, but I would assume that the "lemming" philosophy was retired long ago, assuming there ever was one. I am in agreement with KKB. The changes, cuts, occasional bad food, extra charges and so on and so forth, have not yet gotten me to the point where I will carry a sign on the picket line. I will voice my concerns where I see fit, on the ship, on the post-cruise survey and by any other means I feel are necessary, including CC. I speak for me, not for anyone else. Whereas others are affected much more than me regarding Celebrity's indiscriminate indiscretions, they speak for themselves, not for me. Because we view the offenses at varying degrees of severity does not lessen the validity and the importance to all concerned. They are not that concerning to ME! Respect that. They are very concerning to YOU! And in your concern, you have my approbation.

Actually, you don't know what you meant. Cue the balloon drop and champagne pop, now there are two reasons to celebrate.

We "provincial" folks in and around Port Canaveral who enjoy cruising, consider ourselves fortunate that we can now include Celebrity among our choices with whom to cruise the high seas. Granted, residents of small seaside communities along Florida's East Coast might never consider themselves to be the same astute cruisers as those high-heeled big city 'snoots", and for that reason Florida has provided FLL and MIA for their cruising pleasure. In no way do we want you to feel dumbed-down or cheapened when in our small communities. That being said, you might have already done that with your comments above, resulting in the fact that you might just fit right in. Even so, Port Canaveral is not right for you. You would be so out of place here when boarding any ship. After all, PC appeals to the pre-teen to 75 plus age demographic. As you so profoundly stated, that does not appeal to you. Continue further south in order to get the best bang for your cruising buck. That is the smart decision.

Well, I guess I am okay with your latest Seaside review. You did state "over all a wonderful cruise." You know, my first MSC cruise is forthcoming on September 17 on Seaside. I am paying attention to what you have to say. The YC, the casino, the itinerary, in this case is irrelevant to me so no concerns there. Although, overnight at a private island is different and Ocean Cay gets rave reviews. Food wise, I am easy to please so there should be many good eats from which to choose. DW and I enjoy exploring new ships and that is where my concerns lie. You mention an awkward layout, empty spaces, spaces to nowhere. I do not want to get lost, disappear, never to be heard from again. Future posts would be from a "ghost of cruises past." We are on this MSC ship only because good friends from NY asked us to join them. I would hope that at the end of the cruise, DW and I will think of Seaside as a nice place to visit again, with or without friends.

Cheers to you, NMT. A fine bubbly certainly works.

I feel the same way. As for your football team(s) the ladies from England are on to the semis of the Women's World Cup. A tip of the hat and a sip from a pint is due, wouldn't you say?

Just like "loyal" customers can't lose money just for the sake of Celebrity...should they think that is the case.