mac_tlc

As it was used in the post I quoted , “normal” referred to the a cruise, not a price. Since the initial discussion was about the maiden voyage of Ascent , my impression was “normal” was being used to refer a non-maiden voyage on a not-brand-new ship. I compared the Ascent pricing to a “normal” cruise on another line that, as almost all reviews indicate, provides better food and better service, and in a room that is over three times the size of an Edge Villa and is 2/3 the per person per day price. X can charge what they want. But to characterize is as the same as the pricing of a “normal” cruise is as absurd as the price itself. mac_tlc

I can book a 2,400sq ft Oceania Suite on the Vista for a "normal" TA for about $1,021 per person per day. Try to sell it any way you can but X's suite prices are not "normal". mac_tlc

I'll be following along, although grudgingly. We were booked on the first two legs also and had to cancel. I would have loved to chat with you and your husband about our wonderful visit this summer to your gorgeous country. Enjoy the Edge. mac_tlc

Our reality is that after our already booked X voyages, we will move to other cruise lines to get the value for our $$ that X used to provide. Current Sky Suite prices are insane, CS and above are even more so. No thanks. I agree that those unhappy with the changes need to voice their opinion, regardless of how many deaf ears they may fall on. mac_tlc

Early and often come to mind. Celebrity needs to hear it, whether it changes things or not, both on the ship, in the survey and an email afterwards. As Charla said, this is not a $20K experience or even close. mac_tlc

I've some price creep in YC sailings that we were looking at. See what you did!!!!! mac_Tlc

Eden is the only specialty restaurant that we do on every cruise that we have the chance. For us it has always been great. Best crab cake, love the bazaar bowl, lamb, it’s all really good. My tip —— eat a light lunch. mac_tlc

Ohhhhhh… Bourbon and Peaches………. mac_tlc

Thanks for your comparison. We have our first two O cruises booked on Vista and are looking at VO too. For the ones I look at, VO is a bit pricier. Having never sailed them, and only reacting to others comments, they don’t seem very wheelchair friendly. That’s a big deal for us. I like that instead of just picking a winner on each category, you explained why. In that way, each person can evaluate if your criteria apply to them as choose accordingly. It doesn’t seem like there is a wrong answer here . Thanks again, mac_tlc

Mainly it is Retreat pricing that has us exploring alternatives, although SS changes and a couple of “customer unfriendly” decisions pushed us also. We have two Oceania TA’s booked on Vista and also an 18 day HAL to Hawaii, since it’s R/T out of San Diego. First time on either line for us after 20 years of X and Royal. Both Oceania trips, in a Penthouse Suite, are cheaper than an X SS. It will be good to try a new line and a smaller ship. We haven’t abandoned X, but if their pricing and policies don’t change, we will look other places first. mac_tlc

All Star Class suites on Oasis, Quantum and Icon class ships have a Genie. On Oasis it includes the 2 Bedroom Aquatheatre Suites ( 6 of them), Star Loft Suite ( 2 of them) , Royal Loft Suite (one of them), Ultimate Panoramic Suite (1), Owners Panoramic Suite (1) and Grand Panoramic Suite (1). Slightly different ones on other Oasis class ships. Less on Quantum class ships. mac_tlc

I don't think they went through the process of renaming and changing signage on a bunch of ships to keep everything the same. This company is not in the position to spend money for no gain. It may be months or years but change is a comin'. mac_tlc

That what it seems by what has been reported so far. What's interesting is: 1) We always had a room attendant. Giving them more to do doesn't elevate the experience. 2) The Retreat Concierge's have always been there. Giving them more to do doesn't elevate the experience. 3) Always had room service -- as does every other cabin that pays a lot less than Retreat guests. 4) Where is the elevated experience provided by a Head Butler. I would assume that the former butlers had some manager above them overseeing their work. I struggle to find out how anyone can spin this new setup to be an "elevated" experience. I'll find out in January on Ascent and February on Beyond. But my late 2024 and 2025 cruises which have been booked in the last month or two are not on X. mac_tlc

Correct. They removed tips worth say, $259 a couple (which still need to be paid), and the fare went down LESS than $259. Out of pocket cost went up. mac_tlc

Thanks, I will send along my findings. I wanted to get some more data after the change occurred so I have continued checking. I also began checking in September so I could see if they raised the prices just to then lower them. That did not occur —- they just didn’t lower them. We have started to investigate other lines and have booked our first HAL for 2025 and our first Oceania cruises in 2024 and 2025. For twenty years we were exclusively X and Royal. mac_tlc

See the thread linked below. Posts #60, #63 and #65 show the random cruises I was price-checking through September and through the 10/4 changes. Rarely did the price change as much as the cost of the removed items.

Maybe my phrasing was confusing. They removed gratuities from all AI and removed the OBC from suites. I get it. Still made only 1 out of 3. And from the price checking I was doing for a number of cruises, the price did not go down by the amount of the removed gratuities. We have been successful cashing out the OBC a number of times, so that cash could pay for anything. Thats probably another reason they got rid of it for suites. Bottom line is they changed a bunch of stuff on 10/4 and in many cases the total price went up. mac_tlc

We have also booked our first (three actually) non-Celebrity/non-Royal cruises in about 20 years. At the end of the day the overriding factor was pricing of suites. Of course its exacerbated by the cuts in quality and service. We have finally reached a point in our lives (somewhere on the back 9) where we appreciate the larger room and amenities. I have been perusing the HAL, Oceania, MSC, Viking, Silversea, and Seabourne boards and while there are certainly complaints, they didn't seem to compare in number and volume to the X complaints. We always enjoy your LIVE's and look forward to future ones where we get to compare products. mac_tlc

Too bad they coupled it with removal of gratuities and elimination of suite OBC. Maybe they got 1 out of 3 right. Host Andy's post is encouraging. Just give me some French Onion Soup and cheescake ......... mac_tlc

For our only stay in Rome -- many many years ago --- we stayed in Trastevere. Loved all the narrow streets leading to fantastic piazzas. My daughter still talks about Piazza de Santa Maria. mac_tlc

Hope to see you on board ! mac_tlc

Ascent January 21 just sayin’ mac_tlc

What I noticed is that it looks like the Celebrity Beyond will stay in the Caribbean year round in 2025 also. I thought it might but this could be confirmation. mac_tlc

You bet I’m interested in following along! I still think fondly of our sailing on Beyond in April. Remember? mac_tlc

As do we !! We have done some O class since they started sending one to NJ. About 100 miles away. None scheduled since suite prices are too high for us and the value isn’t there. Would probably jump on a bargain but … We did book a HAL Hawaii cruise in January 2025 R/T out of San Diego! Looking forward to seeing your beautiful state — with no long flight and lots of sea days !!! All the best, mac_tlc