truckswain

Thank you Fouremco for your compassionate comment. I fly nearly every week for business and I have seen all kids of behaviours at the gate and on the plane and it makes seriously wonder what people are thinking. But I also see those that have obviously not travelled before and think it must be so daunting. Customer service is non-existent, workers are miserable and people in general have zero patience. I hope everything worked out for this individual.

We have been cruising for many years and this December it will be our first holiday cruise over Christmas on the Ascent. We have cruised on the Apex and Beyond and were just on the Ascent at the beginning of March. In all these cruises I was able to book Specialty Dining almost immediately after making the reservation. Most of these reservations were a least a year from sail date and I had not made final payment. The Specialty Dining for the Holiday Ascent cruise is not yet available, and I was wondering if this was normal that booking dining only happens much closer to sail date on holiday cruises

Agreed, it is not that close and with all the other sounds from other guests in the restaurant, the kitchen and the servers it would be difficult to hear or be distracted by any activity in that area of the Rooftop Garden.

Why would they need to stop Pickelball when the Rooftop Garden Restsurant is a separate space from where Pickleball would be played? Golf putting ran 3, 4 hours over? I don't believe these activities "are marketing campaigns"

Having just been on the Ascent as well, I think it is important to clarify that the golf putting, Pickle Ball and Curling happen for short periods of times. We were in Eden when some type of bowling activity started. Lasted 20 minutes and then nothing but soft music and watching the wake of the ship. We found numerous "mellow" places both indoor and outdoors.

It is unfortunate that has been your experience. We just returned from a 7 week cruise on the Ascent, Aqua Class, and this would be one of the best cruises we have had (we have have been cruising for 30 years). The food in Blu was exceptional along with the service. The service on the ship, entertainment and other food venues were outstanding. The price was approximately $800 more than our Apex, Aqua Class cruise in 2022 (we were on the Beyond in 2023, but in the Retreat). Given inflation and sailing on the newest Celebrity ship, I believe the increase was reasonable.

So last Celebrity Cruise was late 2019, early 2020. So not on a Celebrity Cruise in 4 years but in your opinion they have slipped back. Can't fathom how you have come to this conclusion, but it is your opinion, which you are entitled to.

I missed when your last Celebrity cruise was that you are able to compare that the service is better on the other lines and "Celebrity has gone downhill"

I have done many, many flights from FLL to Toronto after returning from a cruise. I always look for flights that leave between 10:30 and noon. Our last cruise in November, we came off the Beyoind and were flying home the day before American Thanksgiving with an 11:10 flight. No issue at all. Our next curise on the Ascent returns on March 10th and we have a 11:20am flight. DW and I both have Nexus, so that gives us PreClear for security, I check in for the flight as soon as check in opens and we always self disembark. The ususal gates for Air Canada at FLL are a complete disaster. Everytime I am there, AC has other flights going out and the seating is packed and cramped. The Zone lineup areas are tiny and poorly laid out. But if you are at the gate, you are checked in and through security so it is just staying patient till your flight boards. I have only had one issue with a cruise returning late and in that instance I had purchased airfare from the cruise line so they did all the rebooking. And in that case it would not have mattered if flights were at 2 or 3pm, no one was making any flights before early evening.

So unruly children and crying babies are only with families who book non suite accommodations? And the access is not free they pay a premium for the pass. When I read comments like this I am glad celebrity is sticking it to the suite class.

My vote is also for RCCL Oasis class ships and in particular Oasis as it has had a refurbishment, and either Harmony, Symphony or Wonder. Any itinerary that includes Coco Cay is a win. While the comment was made that this is RCCL's amusement park which is not true, it is their private island which is a great beach day and does not have to cost anything extra (unless you want the water park or excursions). Drink Packages and Wifi Packages also work on Coco Cay.

Thank you for your review. We were on the Beyond in November and your comment regarding Disembarkation is spot on. Very annoying. We are on the Ascent in a couple of weeks and I am hoping the outside space in and around the sunset bar is a little quieter than what you described.

This is great, especially for RC cruises that don't offer All Included. I take it there is not a way to have the cruise planner results in Canadian Dollars.

In my opinion the TA has messed up royally. The TA should have been well aware of the original booking details and when the change was made and the new price given, they should have taken any time needed to get it sorted. The customer should never had known there was even an issue.

This is a TA problem, the whole point in using a TA is so you do not have to deal with issues with your reservation. I never use a TA and book direclty with Celebrity, but never online always over the phone. I do enough research to know exactly what I want and have a live agent book it for me. I do not hang up until I have reviewed the email confirmation for accuracy. Final payment also done by phone and again, wait for the email confirmation to ensure accuracy. Ordering a trinket from Amazon, no concerns but I would not trust any company's webiste to book travel.

This is not cheerleading, simply pointing out that "bait and switch" or "false advertising" simply does not apply. People need to read their cruise ticket/contract. What disappoints me is how many have yet to take a cruise with the new policies and already are complaining. Take the cruise first. Will the experience be different? For sure, Will it be better or worse? Who knows. The best thing to do is vote with your vacation dollars and cruise other lines. But, please come back to the Celebrity Boards and post how much better the cruise line you found is because we all some much enjoy those posts.

We were on deck 11 and I did not notice any more of an overhang then other balconies and we did have sun. In my opinion these rooms are unique to Edge class and I am always in to trying something that you cannot experience on other ships cruise lines. I really like Boardwalk and Central Park Balconies on RCL Oasis class ships, not you ordinary ocean balconies. There are two doors to get in your cabin as the first door opens into a small hallway with a door to the inside cabin and the door to your suite. I thought this was would be annoying but it was fine. Did not hear any noise from the hallway and never heard the people staying in the inside cabin coming or going.

We were in a Magic Carpet Suite, middle room, on the Beyond last month. The cabin and bathroom had a great deal of room. The balcony was large as well with two loungers, two chairs and a small table. The magic carpet was not an issue and one day we saw it being lowered from the top deck to a lower deck. It does not move with people on in. A great cabin with suite benefits.

So, deceptive to those that booked before the changes in SSs were implemented. Going forward for those that have not sailed in an SS, Celebrity has clearly outlined what can be expected when booking this class of cabin so no deception. And if one reads that and believes the price to be of value then SS is not overpriced.

I am confused on how SSs are overpriced and deceptively marketed.

The other bars were busy at various times but I can say in 9 days I never went thirsty or hungry.

See this is where I get confused, what is understaffed? Only 1 bartender, or 2 or 3 during “busy” hours? How long is reasonable to wait for a drink? I think there are as many answers as there are people. If one’s expectations are they should be served as quickly in the evening as they are in the middle of an afternoon on a port day well yes Celebrity has degraded one of their main attractions. i have also read the numerous posts about staff shortages, overworked crew and noticeable service cuts all over various ships. The posts usually start - I sailed X in 2019 and the staff and service was amazing but my uncle’s best friend’s wife just returned from a cruise and the service was terrible. Lots of hearsay on this board, hard to find those that have cruised and reported back actual facts.

None that we encountered but we are pretty easy to please. If we were at the main pool and had not seen a server for a bit, I simply got up and went to the bar to get a drink. Which with all I ate I needed the exercise! The Martini Bar was always busy, could have had ten bartenders, still would have waited for a drink. No sweat for us simply waited and enjoyed the people and watching the bartenders make drinks. We were on the Apex in Novermber 2021 and April 2022 and I thought the service and food on the Beyond was just as good or better. I searched high and low for the $2 cookie but could not find it, settled for the free cookies at Al Bocio.😄

I was on the Celebrity Beyond, Nov 13 - 21 in a Magic Carpet Suite. First time in a suite so I have nothing to compare in terms of previous service. What I can tell you is the the cruise was fantastic. Service and food amazing and the ship is gorgeous. Luminae was outstanding as was our cabin steward. Had zero need to use the the Retreat hosts/Concierge/butler team. Not a fan of the Retreat Lounge or Sun Deck, but that is just me. Had so much more fun at the pool deck, sunset plunge pools and sunset bar.

That could just be my experience. I am not a very patient person, so when I see the luggage in the hallway I grab it. Maybe if I waited the cabin steward would bring it in.