LGW59

perhaps choosing one of the more expensive lines like Oceania, Once you start delving into the details, you just may be very surprised to learn who is more expensive

I appreciate your perspective with Celebrity and Oceania. I was on a recent Edge TA and really thought everything about it was lovely, though the ship was only sailing at 50% capacity. There is a lot of consternation over on the Celebrity boards about this and that, cut, cut cut...though that was not my experience at all in Nov. many are saying it has changed since Jan 1. Anyway, we have been wanting to try Oceania for quite some time (had 2 we cancelled during pandemic) and the Vista inaugural seemed to hit the sweet spot for us. Not only was a PH many $$$$ less than a Celebrity Suite on Edge for the exact same dates in May, the itinerary really made the difference for us. We don't need big production shows, or late night clubs/music, heck when we travel we are always in our room by 9:30pm whether on land or a ship.

I tried to snag one for my upcoming Vista cruise, but as you say, they go quickly

For a nominal fee + 20% surcharge

IF these things are happening or being seriously contemplated, Celebrity will have a very big problem. I'm not doubting folks who are sailing or recently did, but this is so very far removed from my 14 day experience on the Edge in Oct/Nov 2022, though I was in an upper suite in Retreat. A current thread running here is from someone who just got off Beyond this week and her experience/review seemed very positive and similiar to mine, though she did mention a few glitches. As a couple who only sail once a year (on occasion 2x) we are comfortable sailing in suites, but def not if all of these cuts are sustained and become the norm. I just booked a cruise on Oceania for May 2023, 7 days, great Med. itinerary, which I compared a Celebrity Suite to a PH1 on Oceania, O won by being $4K less. My two considerations were #1 the cost diff was substantial and we have been wanting to try O for a long time, and what we have heard about their food, this seemed the perfect opportunity to do that. Not writing off Celebrity yet, but will def be keeping my eyes wide open.

Sure but it's Carnival, so there is that

LOVE that balcony! And holy moly that ship 6700 passengers, YIKES. I was just on the Edge and that holds 3000+, thankfully only 1600 on-board, can't wait for the smaller ship.

He said enough for his cruise. NOT the entire ship....

Please tell me there is a reason for this. For climbing out of debt

still do it

There is luggage storage in Ravenna but if you get a hotel in Venice you can just take it there also

Well I'm trying hard to not get sent to the naughty room this year, and jeez it is @#$%^&* killing me and it's only January.

AllAboard100? With all the changes they keep making, seems like even the reps are confused and this one thinks he's working for the railrroad!

Personally, I am rather partial to response post #2, 😌

Drop the luggage, deal with the jet lag/being tired/time zone change, take the train to Ravenna, I'd get a hotel for 1 night in Venice, tour all day and head back to the ship. Easy button...

You should post your experience and not feel any angst whatsoever, it's your experience and no one can make it otherwise. I've seen your posts, esp about your looking forward to this upcoming BDay cruise, I hope you have a fantastic time!!

So if someone posts here that they loved their cruise and had great meals etc etc that makes them a die hard or groupie? But if someone, like you, posts here how awful it was for them, does it become gospel? Or maybe it just IS each of the posters own persononal perspective/experience.

and it's free....

what's the beef (LOL) with the martini bar?

I would argue that if that is the case, just that on CC they've reached a very small segment of the cruising population, albeit a very loud one and that is not new since post-pandemic cruising, just ask Kelly Hoppen and the creator of the IV cabins and the art curator of E-class ships and the martini bar designer and (fill in the blank) 🙂

Cruising is no different than any other consumer driven business post pandemic. Everything has risen in cost drastically, most have been to the grocery store, dined in a restaurant, filled the gas tank, flown on an airplane, seen rent increases, bidding wars on home purchases and used cars etc. etc. What day-to-day costs have not increased, 20 percent-ish? It has hit the leisure travel industry as well and most of us here, I assume have a few extra dollars to spend beyond our regular expenses, many do not so we are all fortunate. Where, how and when we spend those dollars is up to us. My most recent cruise vacation was this past fall on Edge and it was fantastic in every way, I'd still and will sail Celebrity again (E-class only) when I feel I am getting the cruise that gives me the most bang for my buck. For my next cruise that was not the case, so I booked on another premium line and I'm happy with that decision. I don't ever expect perfection but can almost always find the better even if it isn't the best, I guess that's life too. If I had a cruise booked in the near future on Celebrity, I'd def be going on that cruise and making my own real time informed decision and not letting any keyboard cruisers influence me. If you've not gone on your paid cruise yet and all you are already do is whining incessantly, news flash, you're not going to have a good time. I guess just take the vacation with your family or friends or whoever, find the good and enjoy it, deal with the bad and then go find the line that can meet what you feel is important to you.

when I sailed in the fall plain old water was $2.50, Evian was $5.00

I don'y know Bo, I feel like I'm going to see you venturing over to try Oceania soon...I won't tell anyone, it'll be just between us!

Oh yes, I definitely agree, if you're going to do it, pay before cruising, makes so much more sense. I don't drink alcohol but I always get the premium drink pacakge, overall cost I don't recover but I exclusively drink Pellegrino, Perrier, cappuccinos, lattes, smoothies, so it just makes it a lot easier. I'm just struggling to accept and understand Celebritys current pricing especially when I compare to Oceania and Azamara.

I'm glad you feel you are getting your moneys worth, that's very important. I have felt that way as well, just one comment, the drink package, gratuitites and WiFi are not free, we pay for them in our fare, we're just paying them ahead of time. Celebrity has always been on the high side, they are now just on the HIGHEST side, at least IMO.