OuiOnboard

Durn..just finding out now how going zero-proof is gonna cost me all those savings..

10 minutes ago, davekathy said:

 ...You can pour a glass of wine in your stateroom and taking it into the other venues. 

Yeah..BYOB😄

Our last sailing on X was in February 2017 when "Modern Luxury" was the way forward. Since then, we have done mostly land based breaks/vacations. Just recently we started looking again at resuming cruising. Part of the reason for pausing our cruising activities was our perception of declining quality in regard to our X cruise experience over time.

Gee!! It seems many think the food quality and perhaps other highlights X was known for, may continue to decline. This is disappointing.

The booking games can be as much fun as the cruises....

Glad to hear things are starting to improve for you. We will cruise again, but not right away because we feel we have more control of our environment and circumstances closer to home.

Be Well!

Thanks for the detailed review. We probably won't cruise again for a few years but you have surely rekindled our interest in doing so.  Bon Voyage!!! 

We have not cruised since early 2017. We put the money saved since then into a second home with fabulous marine vistas. We might cruise again someday. We stay positive when and where we can.

4 hours ago, ABoatNerd said:

Another item OP - have people on CC forgotten the increased postings from CC regulars before the virus - specifically the rapid product downgrading across all the cruise lines?  I have not forgotten, not at all.

I remember too well the trend toward modern cruising and agree with your comment completely. Really enjoyed cruising in the old days and can wait to see if they are worth it again in the future.

Don't you just love playing the booking games?

Some cruisers are filthy slobs and often illustrate that talent in the buffet. So glad to have cruised lots, and eaten in the buffet lots, back when my immune system was stronger. Sail on everyone.

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19 hours ago, az_tchr said:

I don't think it likely cruising will resume without a vaccine.  There is a significant risk both to people on board - crew and passengers - and financial risk to the cruise line.  Last spring - especially March demonstrated the risks.

Agreed. I think what Ben Franklin said might apply here: Experience is the best teacher, but a fool will learn from no other.

To quote a former debtor, "the longer I have it, the longer you'll have it". He was drawn to altruism and sought ways to  look out for others.

12 minutes ago, Argo. said:

I never want to sit again at a table for two in the dining room four or five inches away from the next table.

Agree 100%. Thank you for saying what I've long been thinking.

Don't know yet. Still playing wait and see before considering re-entry to the booking games.

32 minutes ago, Doubt It said:

Alternatively, you could get your $ back and wait to see what the actual cruise product will be.

 

Are you all assuming it will be same or nearly the same as before the virus, are you all assuming the advertised ports will be happy to see you?

 

 

We have been booking after final payment lately (last half dozen cruises) to reduce the likelihood of needing to make changes. This practice might be even more beneficial for booking post-Covid-19 cruises. Look before you leap when and where you can has a nice ring to it.

40 minutes ago, Pinboy said:

However, as time goes on and inventory is higher than planned, price adjustments are made .

As we get closer to sailing , this will probably happen.

This is why we have only booked after final payment for several years now, and don't anticipate there will be a reason to change the practice in the coming year or two.

20 minutes ago, acesneights99 said:

If the policy doesn't change, we will be forced to change to Carnival.

I am at a loss to understand why Celebrity would want to cause you and others in your position to even begin to think this way.

4 minutes ago, BigAl94 said:

I presume that was tongue in cheek!

I'm referring to what I think is the best way for strong supporters of Celebrity to show strong support. No tongues in cheeks, but if the shoe fits.....

1 hour ago, TeeRick said:

hcat- In a way this is like a pyramid scheme.  The cash collected by Celebrity from those of us paying deposits now is being used to refund people owed their deposits.  The cycle continues.

That is why I think that really strong support for Celebrity could be exercised by booking lots of cruises with payment in full. That would work so much better than just putting up a deposit.

Glad we cruised lots "when cruisin' was cruisin' ". Would consider one in the future when an effective vaccine is available. Would also look at the other effective alternatives as they are brought forward. We'll see.

11 minutes ago, Fly and Sail said:

bad haircuts, memories and a gazillion of hilarious memes

I had hair...once.

5 minutes ago, Fly and Sail said:

 

You think the world economy is going to permanently succumb to this COVID nonsense that will last at best 6-9 months? That's a pretty vivid imagination but will prove to be a distant dream.

Maybe not permanently, but this is a global recession. The negative effects of the last recession took some time to go away. Nonsense?

38 minutes ago, Orator said:

I have been a loyal Celebrity cruiser since 1999. I have more than 100 cruises with Celebrity. For a few years I've said that Celbrity has changed it's focus from "loyalty" to the high margin cruiser. I have said that this is a high risk, high reward strategy and that some day they will need he past loyal cruisers to return. That day is here! It's really up to those in Miami to decide if they really want to improve their bottom line by raising prices to recoup as much as they can quickly, or by reaching out to loyal past passengers and enticing them to once again see Celebrity as a company that really appreciates them. I believe that approach will in the long run improve the bottom line more than just raising prices that are close to the truly luxury lines.

Yes, we were there during this whole transition. The time has come for these  =X= supporters to step up. The future of Celebrity requires it. 

50 minutes ago, hcat said:

Those who are allowed  to  still cruise will keep them afloat...when they start up again.  Paying ahead is  hopeful but also speculative

With the CDC requirements in mind (mini-hospital, charter flights,etc), it may well be that the fares we see now will be seen as real deals when cruises start again. This may be a great time to help  =X= and get a great deal at the same time.