NMTraveller

With the cuts is it still a premium product? MDR limited, buffet limited, balconies limited, forward looking views limited ...

I stayed at a Waldorf Astoria for the NYE holiday. They did not cut any corners. It was a fantastic product. It is a product where I do not have to second guess if I will go back again.

All that I see is the Private Studio Photo Shoot for 400 something. We do not have an unlimited package.

And I wonder if they can reprice your cruise when you are already on it ?? 🙂 🙂

Oh good, my favorite soap opera is back on the air! I am not sure why X is trying to tick off it's loyal customers and TAs?

Perhaps a small differentiation as for a multi day bag delay the owner would most likely have to go shopping for new clothes, etc. during the holidays. Not any fun. Other bags were lost.

I have no problem with X eliminating turn down service IFF they quit referring themselves as a "luxury" cruise line. Turn down service is the least expensive way to differentiate themselves from the competition and it is fairly inexpensive. I do enjoy the chocolates. If they are competing with Carnivore then yes eliminate it. Luxury hotels have it, so I would expect it from a luxury cruise line.

Here is what I found out when I priced cruises. Princess had both lower prices and better itineraries. Oceania either had about the same prices or better than E class. Oceania of course has better itineraries. It would seem like X has priced themselves out of the market and shortened their itineraries. In the past they were competitive. I would not have priced a cruise in the past, just chosen X. However the oopsie on X mispricing their cruises and ticking off their cruisers and TAs led me to take a look.

This sounds like a Celebrity pricing error ... Will they take it back or not. Only time will tell.

You are on the Bali cruise right after ours. Good to hear that it is listed.

Yep. I just compared Princess to HAL to X. Both beat out X in itineraries. X itineraries were short and unimaginative. The smaller ships beat out all 3.

How do you check port schedules?

After comparing Celebrity to HAL and Princess, my conclusion is that Celebrity does not have long cruises.

No comparison... I have done both ....

Make sure you are going at least a day early, especially if flying with Southwest. Insurance? Be proactive and not reactive.

Ah yes, Southwest is the new Spirit. Sad, but true.

It is not staffing as much as an antiquated computer system.

If you want to beat the record ...

Not worth the stress. It can be done, but the planets have to align.

Maine lobsters are the best by a long shot. Go to Maine and get them right off of the boat. The ahem cruise lobsters fall way short. While I do like the Murano lobster it does not come close to a Maine lobster.

You must have missed the part where Southwest lost a bunch of luggage lately. Having had a multiday flight delay on SWA a while back, I wonder why people keep on flying the dysfunctional airline. Memes of Southwest are plentiful. BTW the other airline in the meme is United. You don't work for them do you? 🙂 🙂

With or without luggage?

Hmmm. Southwest is always only one step away from a meltdown until they fix their computers. I would not fly Spirit or Southwest. Choose an airline that can put you on another airline if you run into problems.

Which is rather likely right now.