boscobeans

2 hours ago, HBE4 said:

 

Is this no longer true?

 

I've never sail on X but my impression is that it's a more mature, more refined and upscale version vs the Royal brand.

At present there are no water attractions and things like the Northstar or rock climbing, but the future?

Sailed on Celebrity 23 years ago and earned our elite +, but things as always change and the refined upscale got to be more and more strange to us when they began with the new ship builds and the new management. They used to have white glove service and live music in the MDR along with staff that took your TRAYS in the buffet and seated you at a table.

Now Diamond + on Royal, and fully enjoy all they offer along with the more relaxed atmosphere. You can find anything X offers on R/C cruises. You just have to look.

On one of our last X cruises they began a CHIC dress suggestion, and it was funny to see flip flops and shorts in the MDR. 

We will now stick with R/C for several reasons and keep our eyes open for the things we enjoy. 

1 hour ago, deliver42 said:

'm not done with Royal, but definitely looking elsewhere, except Carnival.

We are Diamond Plus on Royal as well as Elite Plus on X and have done a few NCL and HAL cruises and if it wasn't for the horrible NYC cruise terminal and the total disorderly mess embarkation and disembarkation days are we would have NO PROBLEM switching.

The ships, food and itineraries on NCL are what we want, more so than Royal or Celebrity and their prices are more than competitive. 

On 8/19/2023 at 3:23 PM, MommaBear55 said:

I feel very badly for all of you who find the food in the MDR better than you eat at home.  We've been known to "snack" our  dinner by getting a few slices of pizza from Sorrento, then the charcuterie plate at Vintages and finish up with salad and dessert in the Windjammer. 

Guess the pizza is okay but the MDR is not. What ? That must be a joke.

17 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

The bean counters might disagree if ships are filling at higher rates, why would they charge less. 

So true. When businesses grow and have to answer to board members who answer to stockholders who are not interested in how their dividends are created the bean counters must respond in like fashion.

Gone due to GROWTH are the small family-owned businesses where pride was more important than profit.

Remember back when the X on Celebrity ships stood for something.

2 hours ago, grandgeezer said:

 

2 hours ago, grandgeezer said:

 

How many would consider paying the inflated price to bring back the higher quality cruise experience that was de rigueur 20 years ago ??????

 

Are the two cars mentioned the exactly the same, with the same options, I guess not. I’m guessing the gas mileage is much better also.

On the other side of the coin, in the early 80s I bought my first VCR for $1,000. It was about 6” tall and you had to plug the remote in, using a cable. About three years ago I bought a CD recorder. To compare the two was like comparing an entry level new car to a new Corvette. They had the audacity to charge me $134.

What about inflation with this scenario? 
We’ve had several other VCRs between the two recorders mention above.

What point are you trying to make??

I bought a brand new 1964 Mustang with a special 271 HP engine for $2,812.00 what does that have to do with the price of a 2023 which is an easy $40,000.00 ???

My point is that if you are willing to pay the updated price for a cruise you might be able to get the same experience.

If I am willing to pay 40 grand I WOULD be getting the wheelie doing power I had beck then PLUS SOME.

The new inflated price would get you an aqua class with prepaid grats and a beverage package. Would that be a fair comparison ?

Or take a cruise and pay a price less than the inflation equivalent and spend the difference in extras and upgrades.

1 hour ago, Mikamarii said:

 

If businesses are to survive they need to adapt. Either raise prices or decrease service as time moves on. No business is immune to that.

 

 

 

Very true.

I just made a fake booking on the Celebrity site checking today's price for a 7 day Bermuda cruise in a veranda stateroom and came up with around $3,500.00 .

Then looked back at our Bermuda cruise 23 years ago to compare and it was $2,700.00 .

We didn't start doing the Royal Caribbean thing till a few years later but it interesting to see HOW OR IF cruising went up on price, on X which probably would hold true for Royal.

The total experience has definitely gone down but the above is interesting to look at if you calculate how prices in general have gone up in those 2 decades.

Inflation calculates out to about $4,500.00 in today's dollars for what is the current actual price of $3,500.00 .

A new Honda Civic was about $15,000.00 in 2000 and is now in the $26,000.00 range.

We still find cruising the best bang for your buck especially if you book wisely, even with the oft times seriously dumb upper echelon decisions that have reduced the quality in favor of keeping the prices down.

How many would consider paying the inflated price to bring back the higher quality cruise experience that was de rigueur 20 years ago ??????

1 hour ago, Falling_down said:

 It tastes just like they opened a can of tomatoes and warmed it up. It even comes complete with an authentic "metallic can" taste. 🤣

 

 

Pizza sauce should be made with HIGH quality canned tomatoes, SAN MARZANO D.O.P. are the best. Just crush them and use it right from the can. NEVER cook pizza sauce.

No sugar or anything else.

Put some mozz,  fresh basil on top and MAYBE a sprinkle of dried oregano or a drizzle of olive oil and that's the basic pizza. 

It is th standard for most places making good pizza.

It's amazing that with millions and even billions spent on mega ships with electric windows and 14th deck amusement parks, they still are unable or unwilling to make a decent pizza.

Hundreds of lowly pizza joints around the country where a teenaged kid who throws pizzas as an after-school job can toss a piece of dough, add sauce and other ingredients and make a great pizza. 

19 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

 

Thanks, will keep fingers crossed for a decent location.

May do a Royalup bid when the time comes.

I have never booked a guarantee and have a question as to the OBSTRUCTEED VIEW PERCENTAGE  part of the invoice and what does it mean ???

Like I said earlier. "My question has been answered, Thank you for your response."

Happy cruising. 

4 hours ago, Charles4515 said:

 Unfortunately they discontinued the tram stop at Kings Wharf in the Dockyard a number of  years ago. 

Whatever the proper terminology is, there is apparently still service off the pier.

20 minutes ago, kwokpot said:

I agree with you 100%. You're confusing my advocacy for the IV cabin to mean that I  believe it should replace the traditional balcony cabin. I think nothing of the sort. As I have previously said I think MSC has named and marketed this type of cruiseship cabin for what it really is, a deluxe Oceanview cabin. I have never waviered from that position and if you go back to the introduction of the Celebrity Edge back in December 2018 you'll see my posting about this cabin since I was on one of the inaugural cruises for this ship. Royal Caribbean Corp had to continue marketing this type of cabin as a balcony since it couldn't do an about face on the Icon and call it an Oceanview when 5 ships on their other cruiseline call it a balcony. 

I would like to see how many mechanical electrically operated windows that have been exposed 24 / 7 to the salty spray and atmosphere that is unavoidable on ocean going vessels. Thousands of switches, solenoids, motors and sensors all ostensibly sealed from what is truly corrosive and TRULY UNAVOIDABLE as most boaters know.

I am sure with all your sailings you have seen the effects of salt on the older ships. I have been on 20+ year old rust buckets and there is no way these IV mechanisms will not need major repairs a lot sooner than a handle on a veranda door.

HAPPY SAILING

3 hours ago, kwokpot said:

I'm not understanding what you are asking. My point was the majority of the people that book balcony cabins don't spend a lot of time sitting outside on the cabin balcony for extended periods of time. Do you think over 50% of the people who have a balcony cabin spend more than 1 hour each day of their cruise sitting outside on their balcony? I'm not saying no one does that, obviously lots of people do, but not over 50% of those that have a balcony cabin. I would venture many people would go out and sit maybe 20-30 minutes enjoying the fresh air and views. And many people would spend even less time than that. For those people that just want a few minutes, and by that I mean 5-10 minutes of fresh air and views from their cabin balcony, a IV cabin could be an alternative since you have that panoramic window and can open it for all the fresh air you want. As you can see in my posts I have NO illusions that an IV cabin is comparable to a real balcony/veranda cabin. I'm one of those that strongly describe the IV cabin as an oceanview cabin with a window that opens and I ALWAYS say that one is never outside, you are always inside with an open window. And for the record with 105 cruises under my belt I have stayed in all types of cabins, most recently in an IV Veranda on the Apex in July directly followed by a large balcony cabin on the Odyssey of the Seas, so I have recent, real experiences when I make my comments. For me, on both cruises that were Port intensive (Iceland & Northern Europe on the Apex, Greece and the Mediterranean on the Odyssey) there wasn't alot of time to spend on a private balcony. In my case I actually spent probably less than 5 minutes sitting/standing on my balcony on the Odyssey (it was during the Southern Europe heatwave last month) while I was able to have the window down on the Apex in some of our ports of call and while in Iceland it was prefect to sit INSIDE with the window closed but right next to the panoramic window and enjoy sailing through the fjords. 

Why do you feel that the figure is 50% ?

I spend at least an hour or two at various times of the day relaxing, reading, napping, sunning or just plain looking at the waves roll by on a reclining chair or lounger, not possible with an IV,

What possible advantage to the "MAJORITY" does the IV have over a plain old traditional open air veranda, where YOU can spend YOUR 5 MINUTES standing just as well as you can looking out the open window in your stateroom.

Imagine a warm day in the Caribbean, docked while a frequently occurring rain is falling. YOUR window most likely be closed automatically when it is raining, BUT you could very easily be relaxing on your traditional veranda enjoying a drink or just chilling, PROTECTED by the overhang.

My wife and I have actually had a visit from a bird who decided to land on our veranda railing while docked in Barbados. Glad we had the stateroom door closed or he might have decided to check out our stateroom.

I have no idea if or if not opening the IV affects the HVAC system with or without  curtains or frosted doors, but I do know that in the warmer climes any lessening of cooling ability is something I would avoid.

I just don't see the need to change over to the IV and don't understand what makes them more attractive than a conventional veranda. JUST AN OPINION and this is just mine.

Thank you. I have been to Bermuda many times however I was asking about the transport from the SHIP to the DOCKYARD AREA when docked at the Heritage Wharf. 

I remember when there was a tram that went directly from the gangway at KINGS WHARF to the DOCKYARD.

I was asking if it still runs and if so, does it service ships docked at HERITAGE WHARF bringing them to the DOCKSIDE AREA.

My question has been answered, Thank you for your response.

On 8/5/2023 at 2:15 PM, kwokpot said:

You are correct in saying that for those that lie to really be outdoors laying on a lounger on your balcony an IV cabin isn't the right fit for you. But that's definitely not the majority of people who book balcony cabins. 

?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

So the MAJORITY of passengers book a cruise with a traditional veranda to do what?

The IV is just a stateroom with a very large rectangular PORTHOLE, 

32 minutes ago, paulco said:

Yes there is a free shuttle. It makes a loop with several stops then back to the ship. Very easy!

Been a long time and since then a bi of reduced mobility.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

We haven't been to Bermuda in a few years and remember seeing a shuttle or tram from the ship to the dockyard.

Having some knee problems and it would be nice to avoid the walk from the LIBERTY   on the Heritage wharf side.

I am limited as to the amount of walking I can do due to knee issues and hate to waste it walking off the pier.

When docked at Heritage Wharf where does the tram to the dockyard area pick up passengers?

On 8/10/2023 at 2:52 PM, Illbcruzn4life said:

Maybe they could do an automat like Horn & Hardart’s.

I had many a cheese sandwich and bowl of soup at H and H.. 

What next?? Coin operated elevators?

26 minutes ago, paulfoel said:

 

 

So is it easy to switch devices?

 

Does it just kick out the other device if you log in with a new one?

 

 

YES and YES.

48 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

 

I doubt I'd book grandeur again unless with friends who wanted it and couldnt afford a better cruise.

We have cruised on the Grandeur 3 times. 

The third time was actually the last day cruises left when the industry closed down because of Covid. 

The ship is definitely more than long in the tooth and our suite had problems from day one throughout the entire cruise.

Staff is wonderful and meals were about par with most R/C cruises however CHOPS was an easily forgettable experience.

Since nothing seems to have been done to do a COMPLETE refurb of the ship, I would avoid it.

I admit I have more wrinkles than the Grandeur and although there were many problems it was still an adventure, but our next adventures have all been on other ships.

On 11/11/2022 at 9:01 AM, goldfish65 said:

 When we wanted fresh air we spent time on our balcony. Will be interesting to read the reviews.

The reviews on Celebrity have been mixed from loved it to hated it.

Why would a CruiseLine do this when there is so much negativity from passengers on a sister cruise line??????

There is no advantage to the new non-verandas when compared to a traditional OPEN-AIR veranda, or at least none I can see.   NEW COKE anyone?