phoenix_dream

I confess I am getting confused about cancellation changes. As of today, what is the cancellation policy? Thanks for clarifying. FCC?? No FCC? If there is, is there a time constraint?

Sounds like a group I would not want to sail with. But regardless I hate to sail with any large group. We had a lot of issues on a group cruise on Reflection some time ago. Couldn't get reservations in specialty restaurants at all. Bars were often jammed with groups and you couldn't get a seat. At the same time, I will admit sometimes groups aren't an issue. Sailed with a 700 person LGBTQ group on Apex and the only issue was getting seats in the Martini bar area.

Unfortunately for us too. Already booking a lot fewer suites and this just tops off things. In fact we likely will go down to Concierge or regular balcony as our next preference, AQ, comes only all included so as Zenith we are again paying for Perks we already get. I love Celebrity but very frustrated with her right now.

But that would mean they would be losing $100 pp if they canceled, per cruise, prior to this change. Do you really think people were willing to throw that much money away? I highly doubt it. In the days of fully refundable deposits probably. But after the cancellation cost was put in place? I find that unlikely.

I fail to see how comments relate to being a longtime Celebrity fan, or not. I think many felt it was a bit of an entitled attitude. Don't need to be a longtime fan to see that.

A matter of opinion. Overall I far prefer the Blu menu and find the food just as good. On ships where we can, we often order off the Blu or even MDR menu while in Luminae.

I can't speak to Eclipse as we have not been on her in awhile. But shabby Celebrity ships are a very rare occurrence. As to outlets - yes, the older ships have fewer outlets. They were built before they knew everyone would want so many. To me that's not worth complaining about, regardless of the type of suite. We sailed (for the first and probably the last time due to cost) in a Royal Suite on Solstice recently, also not revolutionized. The lack of outlets was something very easily worked around (as we have on our many other non-revolutionized X ships), Paint flaking constantly on the balcony? Yes that would definitely have bugged me as well. It is something the crew should be able to take care of, even during sailing. Of course then someone (not suggesting necessarily the OP) would be complaining about not being able to use the balcony for a day or two. They do try to keep up with that kind of maintenance while still sailing. Last cruise we had our balcony furniture replaced with new items during our sailing, and on our cruise prior they revarnished the balcony railing which required us to avoid leaning on it for a day or two. As to some of the ship looking a bit worn and some scratched carpeting or furniture here and there. Unless it's overall a shabby mess, it makes no difference to me. I don't see what that has to do with being in a higher level suite either. Are they supposed to refurbish the whole ship just to make the higher suite folks happy?? Maybe I'm overreacting but I guess I just don't know what people expect these days. There was a pandemic. The cruise industry was totally shut down for a long time and they lost tons of $$, causing them to delay revolutionizing and slow down refurbishments. I understand that when I book and adjust my expectations accordingly. If you want brand, spanking new book one of the newest E class.

Thanks for all the input so far - appreciate it!

Not sure which ship we would do, but possibly one of the smaller, older ones.

Our friends are trying to talk us into trying Holland after over 70 cruises on Celebrity. Would likely be in a balcony, and possibly a suite. Can anyone help me figure out what the major differences would be? I have a lot of perks with my Celebrity status, so cost of add-ons like drinks, wi-fi, and laundry (it's a long cruise) are a concern. On Celebrity suites include those perks, but it doesn't seem a part of the pricing here? What other big differences might I notice? Thanks much in advance for any information!

As to private islands, they don’t have to be miniature theme parks! Many years ago on cruises (not sure of which line) we stopped on private islands, or in actuality private beaches. It was quiet and peaceful and very relaxing. Would totally fit the Celebrity vibe and would cost much less than the mini theme parks disguised as beach days.

Any time a new class of ships comes out, the newer ones will always have some changes or perks that weren't on the original as they learn as they go along. For example, the design of the Martini Bar was changed from being along the side to being in the middle of the area. A much better design. Also, in Retreat, the design was modified to include two floors instead of one. Haven't sailed on it yet so can't give detailed feedback. But they are all very similar so I would choose by itinerary.

I like mattresses that are medium - not too firm but not so soft I sink into them. The mattresses Celebrity uses these days hit that target with perfection. I love them!

IMHO the only real disadvantages besides cabin selection are airline flights, which if available, may be very expensive. I would check that out first, especially for overseas flights. Same for hotels for a day or two before the cruise. Very popular, smaller excursions may be sold out but that wouldn't stop me - there are always some open and if not you can book a private tour or find something on land when you disembark. Some specialty restaurants may be sold out for prime times but available for very early or late, and sometimes there are last minute cancellations.

To me the biggest proof that loyalty and pricing aren't compatible anymore is what happened with all the free Blue Chip cruises offered to people who haven't cruised with Celebrity in quite awhile and perhaps only once or twice. If anything irked me that did. (I am not talking about the people who actually earn the free cruises by all the gambling they do - I'm talking about exactly the opposite kind of people - those that rarely cruise and hardly gamble). As someone who has sailed 70+ times with Celebrity over 30 years I do wish that very loyal cruisers would get some kind of pricing benefit. And I guess technically we do because as a Zenith I think when I bid for upgrades my bid is increased 2% I think it is. Wow. 2%. I don't expect it, and I know these days I won't get it. Just saying it would be a nice perk.

Definitely just supply and demand in action. I agree - the cabins are larger on M class so a Concierge or Aqua is preferable.

How are they handling non-refundable deposits these days? Do you lose the entire amount or does some part of it go to a FCC, which is what they were doing after a $100 pp penalty.

What's causing me to book fewer cruises these days is the prices in general. This year we have 8 cruises booked/taken. Next year so far 2, and maybe adding one or two more. I don't like the high full refundable deposits, but I just book the non-refundable and cross my fingers. Hopefully if I had to cancel my credit card travel insurance would cover me.

Suites get priority for pretty much everything. That's just the way it is. They pay the most so they get the most. Higher suites get the most priority, so it would be rare (if ever) the highest level suites couldn't find reservations.

I guess you haven't sailed on Celebrity recently. On all my recent cruises (and there were many) the demographic had changed dramatically to what I am used to. Lots more families with kids, lots more people under 60. Granted, nowhere near what it would be on a Royal ship, but very, very different from what I consider the norm (after sailing on X more than 70 times)

If we're going to do minor rants, I wish my Caribbean cruises would all stop in Key West, and then head down to the ABC's to overnight in each port. I also wish there were options for 14 night Caribbean cruises like there used to be. I agree I would much rather have Kauai than Astoria, but I do like Astoria as well. Have been there twice on cruises and had a great time. They have a really nice Maritime Museum within walking distance as well as a cute downtown.

Also depends on how long the cruise is, and where is it going?

I can't make an accurate guess on money made. I do think, though, that if you are estimating you need to consider that since move-up started probably quite a few people are booking lower priced cabins hoping to get a deal during move-up. Perhaps if there was no Move-Up available they would have booked the higher priced cabin initially. In those cases, Celebrity would be taking a net loss for those bookings. I have zero estimation as to how often that is the case, but I would bet money that it certainly happens sometimes.

The notice we got very clearly states inside and ocean view only. I suspect with everyone splurging on their vacation plans lately they are possibly having a hard time booking those cabins. If anyone takes advantage of this on an M class ship, the ocean view cabins I recommend are the ones on deck three aft of center. These were added several years after deployment and they have nice big windows.

My all time favorite is the crepes in Murano. For everyday desserts, I go for the creme brule. It's considered a "classic" so available every night in the standard (i.e., not specialty) restaurants.