mac_tlc

I believe that is the old policy. Bookings made as of 9/1/23 are subject to the new policy. I “borrowed” this table from a post on the O board: USD & CAD DEPOSIT & PAYMENT PROGRAM NEWBOOKINGS –SEPTEMBER 1, 2023 Final Payment Due 150 Days prior to Voyage For all cruises (all lengths) excluding Around the World Cruises CANCELLATION PENALTIES PH and below OS, VS, OC 181+ $150pp Admin Fee $150pp Admin Fee 180 -151 $500pp Admin Fee 10% of fare 150-121 25% Cruise Fare 25% of fare 120-91 50% Cruise Fare 50% of fare 90-61 75% Cruise Fare 75% of fare 60-0 100% Cruise Fare 100% oof fare Basically, as soon as you make the deposit, $150 of it is non refundable. For our Vista cruise, the deposit is $500pp. mac_tlc

I certainly have, for Oceania, Viking, MSC. There are some similar issues. Long time Oceania cruisers don’t like “Simply More”, change in cancellation/refund policy, seemingly frequent port cancellations. MSC folks don’t like that prices seem to be creeping up. But, in my review, there is nothing compared to the volume, speed and scope of Celebrity’s changes. And frankly, none of them seem to be affecting already booked customers. The butler change, with its accompanying lack of any communication, affects folks who booked over a year ago, including me. Yah, I’ve looked, and I’m trying a different cruise line. mac_tlc

The engineer in me has taken over on this. I have four random sailings that I am tracking through September and into October. We should be able to see something ——- or not. I’ll post the results. Can you tell I’m retired with no September or October cruise ???? mac_tlc

Thank you for your post. It is fair and non sensational and no CAPITAL letters 😂😂. We share some of your cruising methods, but Celebrity’s disregard for us on two recently cancelled TA’s coupled with the much much higher suite prices coupled with service cuts that are framed as offering the consumer “choice” has made us willing to look elsewhere. We will try a voyage on Oceania and see if we like that experience. We have not written off X, but if we can get a similar experience for less $$ or a possibly better experience for the same $$$, it makes sense to take a look. We love the Retreat on E-class and could have been happy with that experience for years to come but Celebrity’s decisions have made that very unlikely. BTW, we also have been Disney-philes with over 100 visits and remember the 8-ticket ride book that used to cost around $8! mac_tlc

We thought the production shows on Beyond were fantastic. Part of that is due to the stage and incredible display screens, plus the layout of the theatre. I believe that the days of contracting for top line Broadway shows on RCI are numbered. Wonder doesn’t have one and Icon has announced the Wizard of Oz, which is not quite the same as MamaMia or Grease. I doubt that Utopia will have one. It will be interesting to see what happens as the Oasis/Allure/Harmony/Symphony etc reach the end of their show contracts. Last month on Oasis of the Seas, there was only one production show (Cats) in nine days, with headline acts filling the gaps. For the first time in 50 cruises, we did not set foot in the Theatre. The Aqua show and ice show are unique and usually very good —— and you get to share them with 6500 - 7000 of your closest friends. mac_tlc

After the twice cancelled Fall 2024 TAs and were were given no options, we booked the Oceania Vista for its Fall 2024 TA. We will take our three booked Celebrity cruises, mainly because they were booked under a different pricing regime. Our experience will dictate if we book X again or try another line. mac_tlc

An alternative to Celebrity is anything that a person would consider instead of Celebrity, here size doesn’t matter. If it weren’t for Celebrity’s drastic price increase and flurry of changes/cutbacks, we probably would be booking a few more Retreat cruises. We love E-class Retreat. But, we are looking at other options . Personally, I don’t think Celebrity cares if I stray, or if I ever come back. I think they should, but they probably don’t. Sending them a thread such as this would not be a surprise to them. The only thing that will get them, or any company, to consider reversing some of their decisions is less bookings. Given that the next 6-12 months are mainly bookings made before the changes were made, it will take a year to know if our decisions to look elsewhere has any impact. mac_tlc

After getting cast aside when the Beyond 11/1/24 TA was cancelled— and being encouraged to book a replacement such as the 11/9/24 Apex TA — which we did and which was subsequently cancelled about a month later— and getting little in return , we have booked the 11/20/24 Oceania Vista 15 day TA from Rome to Miami. We were going to go with a Concierge Veranda, but a Penthouse Suite opened up and we grabbed it (plus it was close to the elevators which is very helpful). Even after adjusting for gratuities & beverages, it’s cheaper on a per person per day basis than a Sky suite on the Apex Now-October TA. Space wise, the Penthouse suite is closer to a CS. That dollar comparison is not even close. It’s not all about the dollars— but given X’s 2023 actions, it’s time to try something different . We haven’t burned the X bridge yet, but their prices and decisions need to change for us to run back. mac_tlc

Interested in your comparison of the two. mac_tlc

We have made all of our show and dining reservations when the concierge sends the email. Both Coastal Kitchen and any specialty dining. The shows that will take reservations would be the ice show, Aqua show, production show(s) and comedy show. May not need it for all of them as they will have a standby line. We would rather have the reservation if if is something we want to see—- easier to plan the day. mac_tlc

We are considering the 1/24/25 LA-Miami voyage. mac_tlc

We sailed on Equinox in January 2020 and that was our first Sky Suite experience. Our waiter in Luminae was Jose and we loved him! Let's fast forward to the restart and the Edge in July 2021. Our first E-class Sky Suite and who is in Luminae ???? Jose !!! We all recognized each other and he affectionately referred to us as "mama" and "papa". It was so nice to see a familiar face after the previous 18 months. Also had Hussein and Joao in Retreat Lounge, also from Equinox. We were also lucky to meet @KKB on this cruise and her Mom. If you need a partner for any music trivia, its @KKB!! We were back on Edge in October 2021 and who is in Luminae ???? Jose !!!! By now, I almost felt like his papa! We were on a roll so we went back on Edge in March 2022, but (sigh) Jose was no longer there --- he had gotten a promotion to Butler --- I really wonder how he has fared with the latest butler changes. We had the same Butler (Al) on Edge in 2021 and Apex in 2022. This year has been the year of Beyond, with a January and April sailing. Petre as Luminae Maitre'd and Mariana as Luminae host were on both sailings and are both moving to Ascent -- hopefully we will see them in January 2024. Of course, it was great sailing in April with some CC friends, @KKB, @Silkroad, @GenerationX, @Mrs_Tiki . So, it's really about the people --- crew and fellow passengers. Those are what we will miss as we are investigating alternatives, due to the crazy future Retreat pricing. mac_tlc

This seems to be very ship dependent We sailed with four D+ people.. On 12 night Jewel in June, we were able to use it any night so long as it was paid on night 1 or 2. They ran the receipt for both sets of BOGOs on day 1 and our second meal was on day 12. On 9 night Oasis in August, we were able to use it any night and they just rang up one meal for each couple on the nights we used it (nights 3 and 6). I do appreciate the flexibility . mac_tlc

FWIW, The updated menu was on Oasis last month out of Bayonne. mac_tlc

The popcorn cart was set up outside of Studio B on the Oasis last month every time there was an event there, mainly the ice shows. $2.50 a bag --- saw a decent number of purchases. mac_tlc

It took me until page 4, but I'm in!! Like so many others, we are looking at some other lines. As my DW and I have thought about it, the main X factor deterring us from booking them is the Retreat price (ok, also how us cancelled-TA folks were cast aside). We really enjoy the E-class Retreat experience. Looks like an MSC YC and an Oceania cruise will be the next two we book, just trying to decide when and where. With my wife's mobility issues, we don't want a really port intensive itinerary -- its not feasible to get off at all of them. My guess is Oceania will be a TA or Panama Canal. We shall see. Anyway, looking forward to another Jim & Iain review !!!! mac_tlc

On Jewel in June and our cabin was definitely not updated. A fair bit of scratches, nicks, dings and semi-functioning drawer and door hardware. mac_tlc

Sounds like they have their Oceania blinders on 😂😂 😉😉. mac_tlc

A quick scan of their website shows the ships are about 40,000 to 55,000 gross tons and have between 475 to 750 passengers. Oceania’s smaller ships have about 650 passengers, larger ones about 1250. Viking ships have about 930 passengers. I am as interested in investigating other lines as others around here lately. But people continually throw out dollar comparisons without adding ship details too. For us, we will probably not go from a 3000 passenger E-class ship to a 475 passenger Regent cruise. For still a decent amount of money, that feels like too much of a change in experience. We will walk before we run and seriously consider Oceania, but only on their larger ships. Price is not the only determining factor. mac_tlc

Just upgraded our basic wifi to premium for $3.99 a day for our Edge cruise in August 2024. No good deal on upgrading beverage package though. mac_tlc

The last few cruises, I have become a fan of the cheese platter for dessert. Not a big chocolate fan and most of the desserts look better than they taste. Often it is the cheese platter and a scoop of vanilla ice cream for me ! mac_tlc

I would go three or four down either side, away from the entry door. We have been on both sides, on Oasis and Allure, and don't notice any difference. We also greatly prefer the sides. mac_tlc

Better hurry up and book it before 10/4 so you can get that $800 OBC!

I noticed it, mentioned it and noted that it is a bigger $$ item than the grats. On a 7 day cruise, suite grats are $322, OBC has been $600. I plan on tracking four or five random cruises for pricing before and after 10/4. I’ll look at balcony, Aqua and suite prices. The engineer in me needs data and a spreadsheet in order to come to a conclusion. 😂😂😂 mac_tlc

I think it’s pretty obvious why they are taking the tips out—— so they can effectively raise the price without the number changing. I fully expect the listed price for an AI cruise to be no different on 10/4 than it was on 10/3. So Celebrity pockets the gratuity amount that was previously part of the fare. No different than shrinking the size of the potato chip bag, or ice cream container, or yogurt container and leaving the price the same. People notice the stated price. Hope I am wrong but Celebrity has brought out the cynic in me in the last 6 months. mac_tlc