LGW59

I'm going to assume that by "cheapening" you don't mean in the cost of, rather I think you mean the experience. If the latter, I do not think so, and this is based on a cruise on Edge this past fall. The ship is beautiful, food, service, crew etc were all fantastic, I honestly loved everything about it. I was in a Retreat suite and could not have asked for a better experience, but was also all over the ship as we had so many sea days, and again, everything about it was just wonderful, IMO. Now the current $$ cost to cruise may be a different stroy, that is what it is and i make my deciiosn in cost comparison, but I still don't beleive that cheapens the product in any way. They are IMO a very good, solid premium line that provides a high quality experience.

I say just go into it with an open mind and eyes wide. Accept there may be stuff you miss but focus on what is there that you have always enjoyed. At least you’ll be on vacation, can see if it’s still worth it in the future and be able to know you have experienced it and can now make your own informed decision.

ahh, yea OK, I guess...

someone has asked her, she will chime in, she's a good egg

and note post #442

and I don't like the price increases of day to day either, but I am thankful I can still afford what I need and a nice vacation, maybe a bit less frequently, but I can still do it

that is a definite, possible, maybe we will, maybe we won't but we won't tell you until you have paid in full and are on-board

It has to be corporate because they clearly have in excess of 3,000 employees

Is he a waiter in the MDR? Please assign him to my table!!

Personally, I will never understand how a crew members salary/tips etc would ever come into conversation with a passenger. How they are paid, when they are paid, how much they are paid is none of my business, under any circumstances, ever. What is my business is how I treat them, interact with them and tip them. My opinion on this is that the crew when they sense a passenger inquiring about this, they know exactly what to say and how to say it, as it means potential $$ for them. I say good on the crew that do this, especially when the passenger is opening the door (one which we should not). They signed a contract, knowing the terms of etc etc etc, after that it is between them and their employer and none of my business.

No more sea bass ever or was it just not available on that cruise?

@terrydtx As a person that cruises far more often than I do, I really enjoy reading (and learning from) your cruising perspective. When I do cruise, I want it to be what to me is a "luxury" experience, a subjective term I realize, as it can be different for each of us. However a few things I know, for me Carnival, Royal, NCL cannot provide a "luxury" vacation experience, yes I have sailed on each of them, though it has been quite a few years. Not judging anyone who enjoys any of these lines, but I do not cruise to go to an amusement park, massive shopping malls (I can do these at home and I don't consider either a vacation) white night or big deck pool parties and all that goes with that. Celebrity definitely meets my ideal of a more refined vacation and yes "luxury" to me. My recent TA on Edge was a fantastic experience in every way and when the price is right for me, I will definitely cruise with them again if they have an itinerary I am interested in to go with the price I am willing to pay. While I have not sailed with Oceania yet, though I will be in May 2023, I know that they will provide my style of "luxury" and for this cruise it met the price I am comfortable with that Celebrity could not (by a LONG shot) for a Med. itinerary that both my husband and me are very excited about, which includes several ports that Celebrity does not go to. So in this instance, it is a big win-win for us. Will I sail Celebrity again, very highly likely, but I will also continue to value shop them along with Oceania, Azamara and most likely Viking Ocean. At this point in time, any cruise I have looked at for late 2023/early 2024 on Celebrity itineraries, thus far all of the aforementioned lines are providing better value for my "luxury" dollars. I'll be anxious to hear your thoughts after your O cruise, as I will share mine here in May. Cheers!

If they decide to allow shorts in the MDR then the rule is not being bent it is being changed, new rule shorts allowed in the MDR. Honestly though, does it really matter, dinner will still taste the same

So you are still ahead of the game, a good quality set of Riedel wine glasses coast $135 bucks, so you saved $15 and had a nice time

For sure, from all 12 of them

No no no you are wrong, I just read about it in an old time radio show history book, I promise, I know nothing about radio dial knobs, nothing!

Only the Shadow knows for sure

Oh I 100% agree. In spring 2022, me, my son and his wife spent 2 weeks at a fantastic 100% all-inclusive in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Direct ocean front, awesome food etc. far far less than any cruise would have cost the three of us. Most of my vacations are land based, but I do really enjoy cruising and have no problem going solo if my husband does not want to go, it's not always his thing and my son won't get on a cruise ship ever.

The big three being RCCL, NCL & Carnival?

Strike up a casual conversation with him/her, they will get to know you a bit and ask some questions. I saw mine in the hallway often and he always wanted to know what he could do. On my 3rd day he commented that he noticed I went to breakfast everyday at 9am but would see me coming back to my room around 7:30 after getting a cup of coffee. He suggested why don't I bring you a coffee (he suggested capuccino) and pastries so it is here when you get up. From that point forward, every morning in my room on the dining room table they both magically appeared and as the bedroom was upstairs I never ever heard him come in the room. I did not spend a lot of time in the room but I did go a few times for a break/nap. He would see me (they always are around the rooms they service) and would ask if I'd like snacks and a beverage, from then on, every afternoon whenever I went to the room, crackers/cheese, a few shrimp cocktail and a small fruit plate witing there on the table. I did call him as I had a reservation at Eden that I wanted to chage, he took care of it. He came to my room 15 minutes before the res time and asked if he could escort me to Eden...I said no thank you, but that is the kind of stuff they can do for you and by all appearance they are so sincere and work so hard.

I can't do an "up" grade the EV bedroom is on the top floor!

Yes, I know, I just returned from 2 weeks in the EV

Guest services will issue extra keys, could also bring a sharpie and mark them

OV is

Just stay in a RS, PH, EV or Iconic, they still come with diplomatic immunity