Cap_D

I think your interpretation is entirely reasonable, and it's consistent with those that have had non-drip coffee brought to their room. Bottom line, they claim to have about a 2:1 crew ratio, and they should be able to find someone to bring a suite guest a drink or anything else that is onboard, and disclosing any additional charges for the item (but the staff are already there, onboard, to serve). You already paid for the drink, so all you need is delivery. But the idea that the person who was already cleaning and making up rooms is suddenly going to have time and possibly skills to be the Butler is messed up. If the Butler can't bring a drink the system should find someone to do so.

On the topic of breakfast, in Retreat in the Spring, we had an issue arise when the hang tag wasn't taken, and then a parade of errors unfolded with the attempt to get us what we had ordered. There is also a huge difference between the quality of the room service breakfast and Luminae. It would be better if one could place the order online, so as not to have to repeatedly fill out the door hanger (and guess at what and how any notes or quantities may be handled), and receive a drop off from Luninae (if open).

Adding a charge for butler service would be insane, but they have already made some awful decisions. Oddly they could have needed additional butlers for Ascent in November. But, now with the cuts probably will have a net total of less butlers after Ascent than the same time last year.

Does anyone know if the Carnival fast food and buffet options are open and stocked during dinner? On Celebrity there only the sometimes reduced OVC available (which seems inconsistent), and the speciality options. No burger bar, chicken shack, tex mex, etc. like Carnival. So, the menu has to also be considered in the context of what is also available, and the environment it's available in.

Paging Cornelius Gallagher...... https://www.celebritycruises.com/mx/things-to-do-onboard/the-crew/crew-cornelius-gallagher . . . Never had a bad meal at an Emeril restaurant, before, during, and after his heyday, including the mega restaurants in Vegas. Can't say that about Daniel Boulud (not even counting the not well reviewed sous vide Moroccan chicken that was available in Luminae). I had been skeptical that a brand ambassador was needed, but it might help if Celebrity actually had someone from corporate out front explaining, listening, and taking back criticism. Just the appearance of caring could be a start. For a cruise line that has seemingly made it part of their pitch that ship officers mingle, are the entertainment, etc., it is astonishing how their new President is hiding behind her spreadsheets in Miami. She even used Captain Kate as a human shield in Alaska on the so called President's Cruise, which was more of a funeral than a celebration. And, interestingly, Captain Kate on social medial rarely if ever gushes over the onboard food other than a macaroon or occasional treat given to her by her subjects / crew. And, Celebrity appears to use generic pictures of wine and styled food that they probably pay someone to take. But, would settle for Cornelius to step up and do something other than trim quality, and buy commercial cookie dough for experiments.

Thank you for sharing. Not sure why anyone would book Celebrity Retreat after reading the above reviews, and Knowing what we know from the other threads. Even the thread I started about super awesome experienced has not netted anything Retreat related from after the cuts. It just seems so pedestrian and as if they are asking to be criticized. Not one report of a surprised positive moment, no observations of unique human interactions other than empathy with overworked room attendants, and so on. I'm hoping someone will take some video of how ridiculous the cutbacks are with the price paid and post it to social media like Celebrity's Instagram feed where the cutbacks don't appear in their publicity shots. @terrydtx, I am very much looking forward to your report, and hope you have a relaxing trip despite the situation.

In October and November 2022 we did a number of comparison bookings on RCL, Celebrity, and then anything else, for what was left for the holidays at Thanksgiving and December in the Caribbean. We were looking for 3 people. Thankfully we did not book because the weather was mostly rain and clouds between Thanksgiving and New Years. We were looking for suites or at least a defined product similar to what we HAD experienced in Retreat. We found RCL to be higher prices for anything comparable to Celebrity, and attributed that to the fare covering more quantity of included entertainment, slides, food, etc. Much of it sounds fine, but we may not use, or didn't want to compete with 5k other people for. But, also the ships were full for holiday periods and those are in demand more on RCL or other lines compared to Celebrity, and the fancier lines. The frustrating part was we could never figure out what RCL would cost exactly for all basics, including wifi (24/7), drinks not obtained at a free inclusive food venue, or if Coastal Kitchen was edible or even going to be available for certain rooms. Again, we came from a Retreat experience and liked the product, simplified choices, and treated OBC like it was part of the sum total of the experience to provide for speciality dining or a beach experience at a port. RCL was intriguing to us from a it would be okay for a few days, but we also realized the ships were inward focused with not many views of the ocean. Many the the costal kitchens face a sport court or mini golf. Now, RC wants to drive onboard revenue from Celebrity passengers plus raise fares. So, the comparison is likely not the same going forward. For NCL Haven we had trouble wrapping are mind around how a brown dark room and interior pool would be desirable, and the upper deck pool on some ships seemed off limits to families. Price seemed about the same as Retreat or a tad less since this was remnant rooms, but this before many price hikes of the base fares. For MSC we couldn't wrap our mind around the rest of the ship experience, vs Yacht Club. But, came out cheaper than Celebrity, as is known from that time period. In any event, we decided on a land based resort with many pools, Lazy River, kids club, and made to order food. We were land locked, and had some weather issues that the ships had too. We came out well under any cruise, and had just as nice of a time. And, off subject, we have recently been at some other land based resorts, with activities that would put an RCL ship to shame (golf, archery, multiple pools, climbing, horses, shooting, live music, fireworks, etc.). Renovated room, daily housekeeping, plenty of plugs, free waters, wifi included and excellent, and more. Total per day was cheaper than a cruise, and no Effy or retread Johnny Rockets in site.

Thank you @KGBRomeo. Very much appreciated. Hope you had a wonderful vacation.

Thank you all for sharing. Increasingly concerned about Luminae considering there's been the opposite of no affirmative signs of a commitment by corporate/management to the Retreat experience for the premium paid relative to other options on the ship. Luminae menu was already a bit inflexible, although at least there were options and sometimes classics well executed. And, design flaws with the service areas on Apex and Edge don't seem to help for beverage, and certain other parts of the dining experience. In my view the standout has often been breakfast as nothing comparable is available on board.

I fear we're the odd family out. I'd welcome suggestions and want to ask before the board goes cold. Now, as I have mentioned before, we're not in the usual demo. We are 2 working parents, and 6 year old that enjoyed the Retreat 2x since the pandemic, and is equally as frustrated as everyone here unless it related to a small number of families with kids (and I don't get that vibe from present company in the last several posts). Desired: 7-10 days with a stable product, good food with some great food, convenience and service, and all inclusive (except air). My recent disclaimer: we didn't use the solarium, and our son enjoys dining with a sport coat to dinner in Luminae (we'd sit in the area behind the maitre d station that was quieter), loved Eden, uses the camp at sea, wants to explore the world.... so Celebrity had and should be a good fit. Taking the rest of the night off...

I think some YouTubers with group cruises, and more tied up in the future of Celebrity are in a difficult position due to cutbacks. Similar to TAs generally, but enhanced because there's a need for content between now and cruise months or years away. Yet, if cruise fares rise, does commission rise assuming someone books?

Outbound calls in response to general complaint emails (reported by some) strikes me as at least registering with Celebrity. They shouldn't be thinking the calls are going to help with retention. So, they are reflecting concern. Nothing to suggest they are listening and making actual improvements or even communications (aside from the call).

Try OVC. They had a tray of fish fingers and not much else this winter as the result of the cutbacks. Some reports that some other options are available from more recent months.

Elimination of OBC from Retreat Suites is several hundred dollars of lost purchasing power. I would be surprised if Retreat prices are reduced by a comparable amount. As most know, but stating for future recollection, the amount varies by number of days, and is per person. E.g., $300 for 6-9 nights , which is $600 for a couple or $900 for a threesome (my family). Will the total cost of sailing in Retreat decrease for our family by $900 on a 7 day sailing?

Cookiegate is being spun by Celebrity and it's just making them look worse. One more reason why they can't be trusted. They would in no way know how popular the product was unless they offered it for free. And have yet to see or read a review of the actual cookie. So, their explanation makes no sense, as there are no reports of such a cookie being offered at the same spot, hours, etc. as included. And, they could always have a warm cookie at OVC with plenty of equipment to heat it, present it, etc. If cooked to order entirely then how many did they expect to sell, and why market it the way they did to seemingly promote volume consumption. And, why mess around with the passengers?! Meanwhile Eden Cafe has a well reviewed warm cookie, and there isn't a charge yet, but it's only available for a few hours a sailing and most passengers don't have one, know about it, etc. Will that go to a charge to lessen current demand? Enough about cookies, I hope the TA community makes their displeasure known about the brand going down the tubes regardless of the promos, commissions, swag bags and Ascent tours offered in the coming weeks, or pricing games that can be now played.

And probably changed so they could continue to play with advertising and promotions, but net same or higher dollar amounts.

Speaking as a 2x Retreat E-class customer with a child, who travels with not for them, CocoCay addition is a failure so far. We'd like a decent beach experience (have mentioned this before), and Grand Cayman, Costa Maya or Mr. So and So's club is not it. But, none of the itineraries during first half of 2024 or holiday weeks have CocoCay. It's almost all during the summer, competing with camps, prime vacation time to anywhere but Caribbean on a cruise, hurricane season, and when there's little reason to go to the Caribbean to warm up. And, degradation in quality, increased prices, lack of communication, passengers being tested on, and so on are not and would not be offset by CocoCay. * * * Low quality food, odd items, and limited availability, has been experienced by many. Doesn't seem subjective.

I know. But it's still shady. Plenty of space in the email to mention the change, even in the fine print.

Just sharing that their email marketing has zero mention of the changes in the fine print (it does say subject to change). Shady, but they are not letting up. See below. To be clear, not implying this applies to anything after the cutoff date in the FAQ or TA communication about groups. Just sharing that they are still promoting tips included. Also, Sunday night the website still said Butler or Butler and the team (not just the team) in places like mock bookings when we have all read that is not the case.

Not sure, but seems like senior management that worked with former CEO (don't want my post erased) are gone. This helps explain why the former head of TA sales or relationships left in Spring, too. Blowing up the hold Celebrity had with TAs and their tools to close sales, and now have to craft a new paradigm. My sense was Celebrity was very much a sale based on positive word of mouth confirming brand image. All the cruise lines have print and web ads that show happy people, and no kid (except maybe mine, Ben on Youtube, and "Gen Z") ask for Celebrity like they do Disney, go karts, etc. I am concerned about the experienced hotel directors and maitre d's, and anyone that has worked with Celebrity for years, they pass down the culture. If that isn't valued, then they may want to go somewhere else. And, fear changes give everyone an excuse to provide less or make impossible for them to provide same level of device as in the past even with lesser ingredients. On other hand, more crew will have their hand out looking for tips (annoying). *Had OBC left on last cruise, and spent night before embarkation getting form to guest services (had tired of casino work around, and better with crew anyway).

X infinity. Perfectly stated. Thank you.

I agree here this seems what they want. I am not sure it will work given their bastardized product. It's neither what it was or enough for most families. While not typical, as someone that has a family with a kindergartner, I'm not pulling him from school or camp to go to CocoCay or a cruise at all. Just ain't the message we would want to send and aren't that desperate for the nickel and dime experience. A true international trip maybe. And, none of the cruises go to CocoCay until Summer 2024. (Local park has pool has a two slides and snack bar, and is $8 if we're super desperate. Plus is next to a warehouse club with all the frozen cheesecakes, prime steaks, and champagne we would never need). That said, we don't need the ship to be a thrill park or chicken fingers banquet. Child wants relaxed luxury too. But, the ships aren't designed for more than a couple hundred kids at best, at peak, and thats being generous. There's not enough amenities, appropriately timed shows or food that is on trend for upscale or downscale, at this point, with kids. There isn't even a sport court or shuffle board painted on an underused part of the deck on Edge class. And, if we're going to Orlando it's for Disney cruise or park, and not to drive an hour to the port to do 4 days on a 20 year old ship or older tacked on to Disney. That becomes 2 weeks. And, to contrast with Disney, personal experience and all evidence is if you trust in the experience, it will be reciprocated. The shows will be themed and of a certain standard, it will be clean, rides will be amped up, cast members are encouraged to make magic, etc. They think about things like how entertain while in line, etc. Our recent experience at Disney was great. I thought they cared, and was surprised how plenty was included without nickel and diming me, even with paying for the Genie and considering it part of the cost. My son will remember going on a particular ride based on "magic" made by a cast member, and I left going it was worth it. Same with a prior Celebrity cruise. Yes, it was pricey, but the sum of the parts was worth it. Now, not sure anyone at Celebrity is worrying about creating positive experiences, has the right ingredients, or motives, not with the way they've been conducting themselves. The survey for the last several months, cutbacks, and rollout would be a 0 in a scale of 1-10.

Classy. If this happened today I fear the conference call would be from the revenue department chiding the crew or worse.

The options and quality may be inferior to our local Greek, Italian, and American fast casual restaurants or hotel group catering. The only difference is the server.

No question about it. Zero attempt to even shore up communications with customers while doing this, and no apparent commitment to the customer experience. Zero! A little humility and some assurances would be a great first step.