Shep_Proudfoot

I was on it last week and it seemed plenty full to me, I am not aware of any issues with the ship it was in fantastic shape and adequately staffed.

I am in GC today. Well, actually on Reflection. Came back onboard with three hours to spare, not because I did not want to have another drink after lunch, I would have been open to it, but because Georgetown simply has nothing going on in that area. There’s an unappealing Sharkeez (chain) and that’s practically the only bar option near the cruise port. A few restaurants far more suited to getting a bite than a drink. There is a microbrewery on the outskirts but it’s not particularly convenient to the port and we were able to sample most of their (good, but not special) offerings at lunch anyway. if people aren’t spending their time and money in GC, it’s because this port is so lame once you’ve done the basics like Stingray City; GC should look in the mirror first. They badly need more and better options for people who would like to have a beer or cocktail, or two. Also, can confirm only one bar is open on the ship here.

It’s not the only reason, but along with the itinerary, the number one reason my next booked cruise (after Reflection next week) is with VV.

On the very next sailing, so loving the good news so far! Thanks for sharing.

“Capitalism Baby!” An obvious simp for a flawed economic system will never be someone whose opinion will be very interesting to most of us here. This isn’t an investment or economics forum, fortunately.

The regular cabin pricing is doing the same thing. Prices are far higher across the board, irrespective of category.

I often do dinner at the buffet on formal night since I hate dressing up. I don’t appreciate X forcing people to dress up just to get a dinner that isn’t the pathetic steerage chow in the video. Not that MDR food is special lately. This new reality looks like a choice between garbage buffet food befitting a two star ship, getting gouged at specialty dining or room service, or dressing up to go to the MDR for food that is not even worth a change of clothes to me. In contrast, I can go to a well-regarded and included specialty restaurant on VV for similar money and there is no dress code. Looking forward to seeing if it’s all it’s cracked up to be because that is much more to my liking.

It’s a cruise ship, it will never be glutton free.

I have Reflection booked in a few weeks from many months ago, but yes, next booking after that is on Virgin Voyages. Between all the talk of downgrading on X, those idiotic IVs on the newer ships, Celebrity’s staid itineraries (among the least imaginative in the cruise business) and Virgin’s value proposition and ships being close to ideal size, it wasn’t a hard choice.

OP here. Just finally pulled the trigger on Valiant Lady Sea Terrace XL for France and Spain late this summer-seemed a bit better deal than Symphony of the Seas which also had a solid itinerary for the same dates. Looking forward to it and thanks for all of your help!

I believe you will find yourself in a small minority in that opinion. The live musicians I saw on HAL were sufficiently talented to transcend any video concert that I can watch at home. No, their talent level may not compare to the virtuosos out there, but live music is inherently a far more memorable, and unique, experience than recorded music.

Could not disagree more. Live entertainment, done well as Lincoln Center was, is infinitely more compelling than commoditized digital entertainment will ever be.

Very well said. I agree with you wholeheartedly. Cruise lines like X need to understand that by constantly changing things up to cost cut, that they risk alienating loyalists, who will experiment with other brands and perhaps leave cruising altogether if all they find is further diminished product and nickel and diming elsewhere, or unaffordable luxury lines. However, I suspect X’s analytics focus is geared toward maximizing short-term profit and they won’t figure that out until it’s too late. Also sad to hear about HAL dropping Lincoln Center performances. That was my favorite thing about my one HAL past cruise and shows were well-attended. Definitely less likely to consider HAL in the future now.

Wow, not even a month to my next cruise on X, and first since Covid, and honestly I sort of wish I could do something else. (Too late) So tired of reading stuff like this all the time, both on CC and elsewhere. Which is not to say I don’t appreciate the discussion. I hate nickel and diming and my cruise fare was actually fairly high compared to what I’ve paid historically, so my expectations are still fairly high and largely based on past (pre-Covid) cruises. The reality is my expectations likely won’t be met, it’s just a question of by how much. Hope this sort of talk is all more smoke than fire and the fundamental product is still solid, but if not, bye bye X.

If this is true, then count me out of Celebrity going forward. It’s already hard enough finding interesting itineraries with Celebrity (they are seriously in a rut here) but I really hate dressing up, find MDR food generally poor to mediocre, and always hit the buffet for dinner at least twice when not going to the specialty restaurants.

In response to a couple of inquiries, I dug up an invoice provided with an email at some point, booked directly from Celebrity. I see codes for TDL3 and YVY2-I am pretty sure these are the related codes as they have descriptions that seem related to internet and drinks, also INDULGE NRD is shown as an applicable code as well. I think I am fine, just that, for whatever reason, the site/app don’t show these purchases in plain English like they do with the purchased shore excursions & premium dining package, or available OBC, so it’s a bit confusing. Thanks for your help!!

Hi All. I’m around a month out from sail date for a cruise on Reflection (CC stateroom) purchased last summer when the Indulge Package was still available, which was purchased. Even now, having received checkin paperwork, neither the premium drinks package nor premium WiFi included in Indulge are reflected in my account on the website or in the app. For those of you who have cruised with the Indulge Package, is this cause for concern or can I assume this is normal and that it will be taken care of no later than time of boarding? Just unclear how this works and want to get out ahead of any issue, if even applicable. Thanks.

Thanks all for your insights! Appreciate the wisdom and experience shared.

I highly recommend H10 Madison. I am the kind of person who seldom rebooks the same hotel (or cruise ship) twice, but next time I go to Barcelona I’m going back, without question.

Hi. I was on Caribbean Princess nearly a decade ago but otherwise have no experience with Princess. When searching for my future cruises, interesting itineraries for Enchanted Princess and Sky Princess sometimes pop up. But I am leery about them due to mediocre user reviews on CC despite being newer ships. Conversely, the older Royal class ships (mostly) seem to have better reviews on average. Is this just because there are a disproportionate number of reviews during COVID times for the newer ships and no stellar pre-COVID reviews to keep the overall average up, or are there truly differences, negatively speaking, with these newest Royal class ships? The biggest complaints seem to be around cabin size (which seems odd given the tonnage and passenger capacity ratio seems perfectly capable of providing a roomy experience but perhaps a design issue) and general crowding but I’d assume that would apply almost equally to the entire class. Any thoughts around this? If one books a (mini?) suite does that address the majority of the issues or are there other issues that one needs to be aware of across Royal class ships, or specific ships within the class?

Good news, thanks!

Just wondering if you still have to pay a corkage fee for self-brought wines in the optional dining venues even if you have a drink package? (In our case premium package) Debating whether to take a special occasion wine onboard for a special occasion, especially with some of the reviews saying by-the-glass wine selection has been spotty.

In my opinion you do not need an excursion for Santorini or Dubrovnik. Dubrovnik might be desirable for convenience but it’s very doable on one’s own. Santorini is walkable in the main area, and there’s plenty to see on foot for the first-time visitor. Ephesus you do really need one, not necessarily through the ship.It was a decade ago, but Ephesus Shuttle was fantastic and no carpet demos or unintended shopping stops-it was offered but there was zero pushback when we declined. And as others have said, do the Terrace Houses. Athens can be done on its own but is probably easier on an excursion, especially if you don’t want to take the janky subway and you want to see the ancient sites properly. Haven’t been to the rest.

Yes, it’s pure trash. Especially on mobile. The user experience is so disjointed and biased toward making the sale vs. supporting those who have booked. Random functions sometimes hang and you get the feeling there is a tired hamster on a wheel in there rather than a proper IT infrastructure. Although I will say MSC may be even worse. I test software for a living and every time I am on that site it’s like a bad day at work.

I’ve only sailed the Oosterdam and it’s an older ship, but I was fairly impressed with HAL. Considering the age of the ship it was immaculate and felt nowhere near as dated as a Royal Caribbean ship of similar vintage I had sailed a year earlier. Food not quite to Celebrity standards but the musical entertainment was superior on HAL. Celebrity feels more innovative, modern and unique in many ways vs HAL’s very traditional.I feel they’re very much peer lines for my tastes and would sail HAL again if the itinerary, timing and cost worked, but I still consider Celebrity my go-to and best all around of the mainstream lines.