phoenix_dream

3 hours ago, jmdlv1 said:

Just received a call from Geidy in the "executive office"

Who said all the changes are being looked at and there may be some postive news at the end of the month.

Hope they are positive changes for real. Unfortunately doesn't help me much on my upcoming b2b.

So my question is- how come when the prices went up they were miraculously able to raise them all immediately,  but in lowering them (at least some of them) it has to roll out slowly and inconsistently across the fleet?  And of course first on the newest ship.

52 minutes ago, Ex-Airbalancer said:

Should people comparing the price of wine to what is cost in a restaurant and not a discount store when they comparing a wine price on Celebrity? 
 

Yes, and I have. Cheaper by the glass at high end Chicago steakhouses.

22 hours ago, ScottC4746 said:

Even with the upcharge, it is still cheaper than on land.  As an Elk member, even the upcharge is cheaper than my cheap drinks at the lodge.

Not from what I've researched.  I can get several of the upcharged wines for less per glass at high end Chicago steakhouses. 

9 minutes ago, C4HCG said:

Cruises are what you make them and the holiday you are on helps or hinders. Perspective is what a lot of people on here lack, not you obviously. We feel lucky to be able to cruise, luckier still for it to be on Celebrity. And whether it is a luxury line, mass market, cheap and nasty, don’t care, we enjoy it and feel we get value for our money. Now if our butler didn’t put water in our fridge 😜

I think you are being unfair with your comment about perspective.  I can speak for myself here.  I always board with a positive expectation to have a good time, which I always do.  I also consider myself lucky to be in a position to cruise, but that doesn't mean I have to be happy about all the cuts and downgrading that was done, especially with no notice, no announcement, and after payment.  That's just not right. If you ordered a Rolls Royce would you be happy to be delivered a Chevy just because you're able to own a car?  I think not.  I do 100% agree that once you're onboard relax, enjoy, and be happy.  But don't put people down for reporting all the changes adverse to customers who expected a promised value for the price paid.  If not for these sites, we would never have heard about these changes until we were shocked with them onboard.  That would kill a good vibe pretty quick.

I love the Retreat on Apex.  The lounge is a nice size and has good service and nice snacks.  On the deck there is a small bar and dining area where you can get a quick lunch.  I am not into lounging in the sun, but they have a small pool and a nice sunning area.  If you want shade you won't be as lucky- not much to be found.  I frankly did not care for the Luminae experience as far as design.  It is one big room so when crowded, which it usually is, it gets very, very loud.  Service and food, however, were very good.

I am a loyal cruiser - my upcoming will be my 80th Celebrity cruise.  I have, this past year, posted my share of negative comments.  Those of us loyal to Celebrity have seen so many cuts and detrimental changes, generally with no notice and no recourse for people already booked and fully paid.  In so many ways, these negative posts have been very helpful as pre-boarding we would never have heard about the changes any other way than social media as Celebrity certainly will not advertise cutbacks.  And some changes were so crazy that all the complaining done here resulted in many emails to head office to the point where the changes were rolled back.

That said, despite these changes I am very much looking forward to my 4 upcoming cruises.  I have never had anything but a great cruise on Celebrity.  The staff is outstanding.  The food is generally good to very good.  Entertainment is not their strongest point, but is usually still quite good.  Overall I always have a good time.  As a new cruiser, you will not even notice or know about what has changed so it won't bother you.  I would definitely not cancel.  Honestly all the changes have caused us, for the first time in 20+ years, to consider other options but I still will consider Celebrity as well when booking future cruises.   

I have sailed Alaska on Celebrity many times.  In general people are more casual on these cruises.  not unusual to see jean, hoodies, and hiking boots in the dining room for dinner.  Usually chic nights are a little dressier, but in general still more casual than other itineraries.  As to food, unfortunately I have never known them to locally source any of the food.  Disappointing.  So unlike our usual Caribbean itineraries we will often go for some local food onshore.  I have never seen the casino or stores open while in port regardless of the time it departs.  Enjoy.  You will love it!  Some of my very favorite cruises.

I wonder if the lowering of Roll Call participation has to do with the changing demographic on the cruises.  I think many of us "old timers" found it pleasant and useful to chat with our fellow travelers.  These days cruises are full of younger people, as well as many people new to Celebrity (also usually younger) who maybe don't even know about Cruise Critic let alone Roll Calls and/or couldn't care less.

3 hours ago, C4HCG said:

This board negative??? Surely not 😂. Many complaints justified I don’t doubt but repeated many times gets tedious. I find it entertaining but still a board where you can pick up very useful advice

Definitely useful advice.  If not for posts here and on FB we would never know about some of the adverse changes until after we had boarded, or after we had paid in full.  Celebrity, like all businesses, will shout loud and clear about positive changes, but sneak bad changes in and hope no one notices.

Let's face it folks Keno is a game favored by the AARP crowd.  Celebrity doesn't care about what we want, they want to attract the younger crowd.  I am also a 90% Keno only player and find this very frustrating.  Even the ships that do have it only have 2, and they are often taken by poker players.

22 hours ago, Oceangoer2 said:

Not really fair to judge all Equinox cabin attendants and the cleanliness of the cabin by this posting.  We sailed her in Nov '22...couldn't have changed that much.  Everything was as it should be...clean and well attended.  I would have definitely insisted on 'meeting the attendant'.  GS knows who it is and who to refer this situation to....and not left the desk until something was done about immediate cleaning OR transfer to another cabin, preferably at a higher level for customer satisfaction.

Exactly! I'm not denying the OPs experience,  but it is certainly an exception! I've sailed 9 times on Celebrity last year including a b2b on Equinox and I had ZERO issues of the type described.  Anyone canceling because a few people experienced issues like this is making a big mistake IMHO. But go ahead- it will make the ships less crowded on my 4 upcoming cruises! (Including 2 on Equinox)

17 hours ago, Lastdance said:

We would eat as soon as it opened, using hand sanitizer immediately before using our utensils.  Actually, we just do this normally now whenever we eat.  People always refuse to wash their hands at the station before entering no matter what is happening.  I actually heard a lady saying that she just washed her hands in her cabin, so no need to do it again before eating...yep, that’s the mentality!

So if she just washed her hands in the cabin and literally did not touch anything before entering the buffet or dining room, exactly why does she need to re-wash her hands?  Geez. I am very careful about cleanliness for the record,  I wash hands, carry and use hand sanitizer, etc., but this judgment is a bit much.

1 hour ago, megfla said:

It boggles my mind...how many men I see walking out of the restroom without washing their hands!!  Or the people bypassing wash stations and hand sanitizer upon entering OV!!

I often visit the ladies room immediately before entering the buffet or dining room. Don't use my hands to open the door.  My hands are clean so no need to wash again or use hand sanitizer.  Just saying know the facts before judging. 

Wow I was shocked to read your review.  We did a b2b on Equinox a year ago and had great service from everyone.  Doing another starting next week.  We've been on 79 Celebrity cruises and only once have we had a poor experience with our room attendant thankfully.  Definitely take it to the Hotel Director's attention. 

9 hours ago, Julma said:

People who can afford the PH, very often can because they've kept track of the "couple of bucks" for years.

That is so very, very true!  I am enjoying a reasonably comfortable retirement exactly because I watched those nickels and dimes closely through the years (along with hard work of course).  Not everyone who can afford a PH got there because the money fairy dropped some lucky fairy dust on them.  I made lots of sacrifices over the years to get where I am now as I'm sure many others have as well.

40 minutes ago, C-Dragons said:

Perhaps it would be better if it was spelled Sillie? 😁 

Nope.  Still sounds silly😄

On 1/5/2024 at 12:07 AM, miched said:

That area was also shown on the other Edge class ships.   It wasn’t used because of the winds and other elements and eventually abandoned.

 

There is a  outside patio next to the Eden Cafe.   You will see many die hards out there trying to eat with the wind blowing stuff off of their plates, and being baked by the sun.   No thanks 

 

 

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅

All I remember seeing outside the Blu windows on Apex was a line of lifeboats.  Great ambiance.  Did I miss something?

28 minutes ago, Rmoosh said:

From what I can find online - rule of thumb for pricing of a glass of wine price is 1 glass = 1 bottle at MRSP and 1 bottle at a restaurant = 3-4 times MSRP. That being said some of Celebrity’s pricing seems correct and some seem very off. Also what size pour are you consistently getting on the ship - standard again is 5 oz? Sometimes I just want 1.5 glasses because I don’t wanna waste wine or now money what’s my option? Maybe Celebrity needs to increase the allowance for classic and premium to $12 and $19? Or reduce some menu prices because they should pass some of their buying power discounts to customers?

Out of curiosity I have priced a couple of my favorites at a couple of higher end restaurants in Chicago - not cheap restaurants and not a cheap city.  Celebrity's prices were $2-$3 more per glass.  In other words, just enough to push them out of the premium package.  And while I agree with your summary of pricing strategy, IMHO one needs to weigh the fact that due to the huge volume purchased of these wines, Celebrity I am sure pays less per bottle than a restaurant pays wholesale.  So they are making more than restaurants are, per pour, even before raising those prices.  Very frustrating, and very tacky.

4 hours ago, CruiserinCarlsbad said:

My daughter and I are leaving on a Reflection cruise in a few weeks.  Do 6-day cruises have a Chic Night?  

 

yes, they will likely have just one

5 hours ago, doghog said:

That's just "Silly". 🤣

Which is my personal boiling point.  I can handle Millie and Connie - they are decent words in and of themselves.  But to refer to a ship as "Silly" is, well, just silly!

3 hours ago, richczarnecki said:

OK, so here is my latest conversation with Laura.  Seems like something is changing for the better, with Sunday's Ascent departure being the first to add more wine ("variety") choices under PBP (the date I sail).  But she still does not confirm that a Retreat menu item over the PBP limit will not be charged (as others have experienced).  So hopefully more (better?) choices within PBP in Retreat, but still an upcharge for Retreat menu items over $17.  BUT then she says this, which would seem to state that nothing on Pool Deck and Lounge menus is either (a) over $17 or (b) will not be upcharged.  Confused?  I shall see and report back . . .

 

From: Laura Hodges Bethge <lhodgesbethge@celebrity.com>
Sent: Tuesday, January 9, 2024 11:41 AM
To: Richard 
Subject: RE: [EXTERNAL] Retreat

 

Thank you for your note. I can assure you that on Ascent this weekend, in all three locations for the Retreat, there will more variety than in the past on the wine menu and those wines will be included in the premium package.

 

As I mentioned, as we have always had, in all locations around the ship, wines for an additional charge over and above the package are available if a guest would like them.

 

Laura Hodges Bethge

President, Celebrity Cruises

lhodgesbethge@celebrity.com

 

From: Richard 
Sent: Tuesday, January 9, 2024 11:59 AM
To: Laura Hodges Bethge <lhodgesbethge@celebrity.com>
Subject: Re: [EXTERNAL] Retreat

 

Thank you, Laura.  That's great to know!  But I still am unclear.  If I order wine off a Retreat menu with a premium package,  am I still understanding correctly that I will not be charged even if the menu price is above $17?  I believe you stated that here but other passengers are saying this is not accurate and that they are being charged.

 

Thanks again!  Rich

 

From: Laura Hodges Bethge <lhodgesbethge@celebrity.com>
Sent: Tuesday, January 9, 2024 12:07 PM
To: Richard
Subject: RE: [EXTERNAL] Retreat

 

Hi Richard—

 

All of the wines on the Retreat Pool Deck and in the Retreat Lounge are within the Premium Package, and those same wines are available in Luminae (given Luminae is a restaurant that list is more extensive). And, starting this weekend on Ascent we are adding more variety to that list of wines included in the premium packages– so that our Retreat guests have plenty to choose from. (It will be fleetwide by the end of the month).

 

There are additional wines available for an upcharge – that has not changed. Did we make some changes to inclusions in the classic and premium package, we did, and that will always continue to evolve and change based on guest preferences and inventory availability.

 

As I also mentioned, we are in the midst of reviewing, updating and adding breadth and depth to our wine menu. As you can imagine, these things do not happen instantaneously. We are excited to bring these new offerings to our guests in the next few months.

 

My very best, Laura

 

Laura Hodges Bethge

President, Celebrity Cruises

lhodgesbethge@celebrity.com

 

 

 

 

---

 

Thanks so much for posting this.  So my next question is - what about the rest of the ships??  All she talks about is Ascent, although she mentions new wines rolling out across the fleet..  Of course - newest ships always get the best of everything.  (ok I'll modify that with the statement that many great staff members choose to, or are assigned to, other ships)  If I take a copy of her note and bring it onboard my upcoming Equinox cruise will I still have to pay a surcharge for wines in the lounge or Retreat deck?!?!???  Why do I think the answer is yes.  Does she not realize that all the ships are still charging an upcharge in the lounge or deck?  Or is her plan to just remove the decent wines like Decoy and Conundrum from the lounge and the deck and just leave the $9.95 a bottle wines?

16 hours ago, Linda W. said:

I'll have to relook at my booking as they took Decoy OUT of the premium beverage package AFTER they marketed it.  We will see.  I emailed the executive office about it but of course, doubt they care.

 

When the news just came out, believe me they received many, many emails about it.  I sent one and got a call - the usual management speak.  They claimed they were going to have a meeting about it.  That was several weeks ago and nothing has changed.  Whether they met or not who knows, but if they did they just don't care.

I agree. Very frustrating.  It's my favorite game. And even the ships that do have it only have two. And half the time they are taken by poker players even though they have multiple other machines to choose from.

4 hours ago, Oceangoer2 said:

Can't bring pre-illness antibiotics with me but yes to the covid tests.

I said basic OTC meds, not prescriptions. Things like aspirin, ibuprofen, cough drops etc.