Dr. Cocktail

I was on the third sailing of the Horizon - it was GREAT!

I most certainly will but it's not until the end of the year! I'm hoping that they will have ironed out some of the likely kinks but I'm sure that there will be hiccups along the way. I confident enough to be an early adopter!

I have three booked so far - it’s like they addressed every desire I have in terms of cruising. I’m hoping that the reality lives up to expectations! They launch in a few weeks….

Um, that’s an Artisanal Crouton….

Actually, Explora is offering Matching Status to Captains Club members in the form of obc …. https://explorajourneys.com/int/en/info/exclusive-welcome-match-terms-and-conditions But in terms of pricing, Explora is definitely in the Ultra Luxury category in line with Regent and Silversea.

An interesting discussion but all the major cruise operators (except for MSC...) are saddled with HUGE debt and have to start paying it off. Corners will be cut in a race to the bottom before consumers "complain" which does not involve letters or emails - it involves NOT booking! That in itself can also start a negative cycle of ships not being full leading to discounting leading to further cuts ....🤷‍♂️ While some posters are referencing HAL, my travel agent says she has become VERY reluctant to book HAL and Princess because of all of the complaints she's getting from her clients. For what it's worse, she has fewer complaints with Celebrity. On my recent cruise on Regent, I was taken aback by many low cost items on the buffet - luxury doesn't appear to be a guarantee these days!

I just spoke to them .... only applicable to bookings made after May 12, 2023 .... I'll just have to be happy that my price never went lower, even with all of the various promos and offers!

It appears that there's a new Status Match offer .... in the legal bits, it alludes to an Explora Loyalty program that will also likely offer Status Matching. https://explorajourneys.com/int/en/info/exclusive-welcome-match-terms-and-conditions

While we have enjoyed both the Haven and the Yacht Club, the deal breaker for us is that there is absolutely no shade whatsoever on the Divina and Seaside Class ships. Whereas there are plenty of umbrellas, pergolas and the covered pool on the Breakaway & "+" ships, it's like the surface of the sun on Seaside. For our second sailing, we took attachable chair umbrellas but they wouldn't fit the chair arms. All this because Mrs. Aponte (seriously) doesn't like the look of umbrellas!

Pierfrancesco Vago is on the record for saying that cruise lines that sell their ships are basically idiots as it allows low cost competition to enter the market. That's why you saw so many RCI and Carnival ships scrapped during the pandemic. I think they'll operate those older ships until they're truly financially prohibitive.

Don’t worry - it all worked out… Mr. Fluffles found a good home and now has 1.2 million followers on Insta….

Some very recent footage set to stock YouTube rescued kitten music ......

Actually, they do read these boards but I'm not sure to what effect. The most important thing is to put it on your comment card - those are most definitely read. We were recently on Norwegian in the Haven and have always enjoyed their grilled scallop main course which consisted of three HUGE scallops. We ordered it this time and literally broke out laughing as it was placed in front of me - three tiny scallops appropriate for a pasta sauce or seafood salad. The server asked me if anything was wrong - I was still laughing and said something like it's not how I remembered it. Moments later the restaurant manager swooped in and (short version) said "please, please, please put it on your comment card and be very specific. They are read in head office and carry much more weight than our complaints". It was obvious that they were aware of the changes and weren't happy. For the next few years, it will be a balancing act for the cruise lines between being fiscally prudent while not totally alienating guests. And no - you don't need to wait for a dry dock to change out worn items. Our favourite was one cruise where we spent the day at the beach, walked into our cabin and froze - all of the carpeting was new. We were amazed - everything (including our suitcases under the bed and shoes in the closet!) exactly where we left them earlier. While the new carpet smell was a bit strong, we were duly impressed! Meaning - things can change on an ongoing basis.

Actually from Cruise Critic: Ship: Celebrity Eclipse Dates: Spring 2025 Details: Celebrity Eclipse is slated for all new carpeting in this drydock along with new draperies. All staterooms and suites will get new balcony furniture and the galley is getting new equipment.

I have enjoyed this thread with its "I know you are, but what am I vibe" and unfortunately, it could be applied to any of the different boards for all of the cruise lines. I sailed on Regent this past March and on NCL in May and there were hits and misses on both. What was "interesting" was the substitution of cheaper ingredients in many of the tried and true venues on both cruise lines - and I'm including Regent on this. My takeaway statement is that you have to be flexible - while I still love cruising, no it's not the same as it was a decade ago, but what is? It's easy for me to say but it REALLY helps if you're an omnivore. I must admit I love a big piece of dead cow but if my server says "the vegetarian stew is really good tonight", that's what I go for. There seems to be an obsession with beef on these boards - people have to realize that the shocking price that you pay for beef in your supermarket is the reality that the cruise lines have to deal with while still keeping your fare "reasonable". Go for the ocean, the vibe, the random chats with staff and fellow passengers and listen to recommendations. If your a "meat and potatoes" person, expect to pay extra in the specialty or expand your horizons a bit. You can whine all you want but these are the current realities of cruising right now.

Actually, all of the luxury cruise lines have loyalty programs with perqs such as obc, discounts on shore excursions, free phone time and such. I've attached Regent's as an example. https://www.rssc.com/seven-seas-society Having said that, Explora (for the time being anyway) wants to keep MSC at "arms length".

I think that the possible reticence may stem from the association with MSC. I was at a horrible (another story entirely…) cocktail party two days ago and was chatting with a long time business associate who was going on Seabourn. I told her about my 3 booked Explora cruises and she waved her (finely manicured and bejewelled) hand and said “I’m not sailing on MSC!”. I said “hon” (seriously) - “you’re sailing on Carnival - same corporate arrangement!” She said “no, that’s different!” I am suspicious that this isn’t a unique response…… As I’ve stated on these boards before, I’m willing to be an early adapter. With these prices, many are most certainly waiting for some early reviews.

I have to be the outlier here but can't tell you how many times our ship has arrived an hour or two (or more!) late into port. Fog, unfavourable currents, a medical emergency at the final port before home - they can all cause problems. In fact, arrived on NCL into Manhattan two hours late just this past weekend because of said strong currents. And flights are FULL - saying that your biggest worry is not sitting together if you miss your flight is not based in reality. These days, if you miss your flight you could be stuck for days trying to get back. It's not a game show .... give yourself plenty of time and have a drink at the airport. Anything before 11:30 am would make me sweat.

Many thanks to all who answered .... I was last on Equinox over 12 years ago and wasn't sure if my memory was playing tricks on me!

Good morning! It's been a minute since my last Celebrity Cruise I and was looking at Cabin 9241 on the leading edge of the "hump". If I remember and read correctly, do ALL the connecting cabins on Eclipse have the little exterior vestibule - that is, no actual connection within the cabin itself? Many thanks!

Exactly.

Sorry, didn’t catch that….

I was very pleased to find out that now that I’m 60, I’m eligible to sign up for Explora’s Codger Club (sm) “This special area will entertain the most demanding older gents and will maintain them in a specially created low-grade alcoholic stupor while allowing them to regale fellow guests about 1) their exploits on previous cruises 2) their (former) careers and 3) their feelings on the recommended dress code” I’m in!

We've stayed in a FF once and LOVED the cabin but .... it's a helluva walk .... we're talking two 6 foot tall men and I do 60 minutes + of intense cardio a day but it got tiresome. For our upcoming Joy cruise, I did the reverse of you .... cancelled my FF and booked an HI! The FF is great if you're going with your kids as you truly do get two separate rooms .... if you're a balcony person, it's not great ....

I think that the concept, while exciting leaves a lot of questions and will need a lot more finessing to make it work. For its first itineration, it's basically a pescatarian restaurant that will in itself exclude all those with shellfish/seafood allergies and those that simply don't like fish! If you're a seafood restaurant, do you really think that someone's going to eat the Vegan smoked Tofu as a main? If I'm paying the rather high service fee, will there be actual restaurant staff from Italy working in the kitchen or will it be Explora people trained in the prep? A very different situation.Also, will all of those seafood delicacies be frozen or loaded fresh onto the ship? It may become an Insta-worthy splurge (please be impressed - I'm not on ANY social media except CC!) but I think it's just too expensive. In the immortal words of a professor friend of ours, people always say : "it's not the money, it's the principle while of course IT'S THE MONEY!!!"