Karynanne

Those of you have experienced unusual methods for utilizing OBC in the casino, may want to keep it to yourselves. Celebrity does read CC, and in will create a new policy, if they find that passengers are beating their system.

What I noticed on board Equinox was a lot of people smoking on all open desks.

 

 

 

 

Italian Cruiser

 

Inviato dal mio iPad utilizzando Tapatalk

Smoking is only in specific areas.

Ricotta cheesecake!

Celebrity does not use the PA system all the time as they do on RCCL, ex Bingo, Bingo, Bingo!!! And all the sales taking place. It is more quiet on Celebrity.

Just one of the things I like about Celebrity!

To the poster that feels like Celebrity is a "Vegas-like" floating hotel. I have to disagree. The glitz and noise levels of Vegas aren't apparent on a Celebrity ship. And no smoking in cabins or public spaces.

Yes OP your friends can ask anyone to join them for in suire dining. No extra fee, but be sure to tip Butler for extra work. Meal served would be from Main Dining room, not Luminae.

The OP would like their friends to dine with them in Luminae.

The fee for dining in Luminae is $50 per person and it is charged to the Suite passenger's account. I'm not sure if you would be allowed to dine there daily. Maybe someone else can verify this.

Completely agree with the OP. We were on Reflection 12 months ago and just off Equinox. An entirely different experience whereby we have decided never again. The positives of the cruise last year was the service and food quality. Now these have become negatives.

 

- the quality of the food in the ocean view in particular has markedly decreased. Dry food. Poor variety. Recycling food from previous services. Poor quality ingredients. Preferred having lunches off the ship.

- the drinks service was generally crappy. Everyone on packages so no incentive for better service. Tips are seemingly shared equally so no incentive for good service. Unless of course you tipped in advance.

- the wine waiters in the MDR were run off their feet. Brusquely asked for preferences without even having the chance to see a menu.

- they will stop the ability to get water with alcoholic drinks. A few servers were already instructed on this.

- premium drinks like Perrier not available in many outlets.

- public bathrooms not cleaned as frequently. No towels and paper towels on a number of occasions.

- also felt like there was less security staff. They were visible last year and far less so this year.

 

The new all inclusive packages have attracted a different type of crowd. Also, the lack of a formal night has changed the vibe on the ship.

 

The supporters and apologists for Celebrity will no doubt argue against this but "modern luxury" is not a pleasant experience. Hard earned money and time wasted. Lesson learned.

Sometimes a call or note to the Hotel Director or Housekeeping Director would resolve the public bathroom issues.

I'm not negating your experiences, but each cruise takes on a different atmosphere. The demographics make a huge difference. We usually sail b2b cruises, primarily in Europe, and a TA. Each cruise is always quite different. And Modern Luxury is open to perception.

"Modern Luxury" is a term that Celebrity coined that maybe isn't well defined for the non-US passenger.

Personally, I'm not sure what that term really defines. But it's not glitz, it's not sparkle, and in some venues, not elegance.

But I like the design of Celebrity ships. I just care for the term "Modern Luxury".

It's all about perception...

I'm after any information on how the tenders were from Reflection in Santorini & also waiting for the Cable Car

 

I know ship excursions get priority (& go to a different tender port) as do suite guests so how long did everyone else wait?

 

We're the 1st of 5 ships to arrive on our cruise so will the queues for the cable car be ok, apart from walking/donkeys I've heard of boats from the tender ports what are these like/where do they go?

 

I'm trying to decide whether a ship excursion is worth it, private tour or just DIY and walk the trail between Oia & Fira which is supposed to get the best views.

 

Apologies for all the questions but Santorini has been on my bucket list for a while & whilst I know I won't do it justice in a day want it to be as good as it can.

A lot depends on what time of day your ship docks.

If your ships is in port at 2:00pm (our's was), then there isn't an issue.

??? So lets check the facts.................

 

Charge top dollar for a suite - tick

Don't open Luminae or even MDR on port days - tick

Other "premium" lines manage to do it and they're presumably making money - tick

Only place to eat is buffet or shell out for Bistro on Five - tick

Buffet food is okay, but if that's what a suite guest wanted they'd be in an inside cabin on the Island Escape (been there, done that) - tick

Buffet rage is indeed a relative concept and yes, been there, done that - tick

 

I'm assuming throughout that you are one of the people who would be eating in Luminae, not one of the malcontents who bleat on about suite guests getting too much cream. If this is not the case then with respect, your opinion is so far from reality that it deserves zero credence.

 

 

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Clearly, you aren't speaking for all Suite guests.

And some of us do not book Suites for the dining venue.

We like space. Closet space...drawer space...bathroom space, and balcony space. There is a value there.

We know that the MDR and Luminae is closed on port days. Not an issue. We don't feel cheated, or was led astray.

And if other cruiselines have a different policy, maybe it's time for you to make a change and find your bliss somewhere else. JMHO...

First time in a suite...first time here posting but long time follower. There is nothing wrong with the buffet...but it wasn't what I believed I was getting when I booked. I am not a nickle and dimer. But I am disappointed and I can feel that way....and so can others. It is what it is but i can still be disappointed.

Have you sailed yet, or is your cruise in the future? If you haven't, then why are you already complaining about a situation you haven't experienced?

You may be pleasantly surprised and actually enjoy yourself.

You know I had to think about your reply.. so when there wasn't a dedicated dining room you were ok with it. I can understand that. You weren't promised anything and you didn't get anything. How about there was a dedicated dining room and you were promised one thing and didn't get it?

I'm a very flexible person, and don't expect perfection. I understand change. After many years of cruising, I know that nothing is written in stone. If you have this attitude, then change won't be difficult to accept.

You are staying in a suite?

Yep. We have for many years. We're pleased with Luminae. It wasn't too long ago that there wasn't a dedicated dining room for Suites...and we were happy then and now.

First time in a suite...first time here posting but long time follower. There is nothing wrong with the buffet...but it wasn't what I believed I was getting when I booked. I am not a nickle and dimer. But I am disappointed and I can feel that way....and so can others. It is what it is but i can still be disappointed.

Most passengers are off the ship, while in port. Lunch in another venue is a nice change. We never find it an inconvenience if we decide to stay onboard, especially if it's a nice day, and we can enjoy lunch outside.

How soon before cruise is Choice Air available?

Usually airline schedules are available 300 days from your sailing.

It's a commercial size Nespresso machine.

The bottom line is $$$$$.

And what's wrong with that? Last I read, Celebrity isn't a nonprofit organization.

I understand that Reflection is (slightly) longer, but I've never quite understood the increase in beam. There are the same number of cabins width wise and the public spaces seem no wider on the deck plans. The extra passengers are accommodated in more cabins on the upper deck, so it must be more crowded around the public spaces. Then again I'm no space per passenger ratio expert. Douglas Ward on the other hand is big into it. His guides always focus on it. There's a lot more to space per passenger. It's how the ship deals with throughput of guests.

Phil, aren't there additional cabins across the Aft on deck 12?

Having sailed on 12 crossings, we do prefer the Wedtbound, especially after a port intensive previous cruise. A great way to relax and gain back some time. There is a nine hour difference between the West Coast and Europe.

It should be no surprise that a publicly held corporation's number one priority is making money, the bottom line, etc

Bingo.

I've always felt, if you're going to complain...also offer a solution.

This a definitely a "first world" silly issue.

Continental breakfast,? Um, no. They may have intended to do this at some time but it didn't materialize. Once in a while they have a pastry but on our last cruise they didnt even have that

Actually some ships do have a Continental breakfast. Equinox doesn't, but Infinity does. It depends if that room was designated as a dining venue originally.

Closing Luminae on port days gives the staff some needed time ashore.

If you find RCL a good investment, buy the stock. I purchased mine many years ago, and along Shareholder perks and increased stock values and dividends, it has been a good investment.

Throughout the years, I've come across many different personalities on CC. Most of the "issues" have been resolved via the moderators. Some people have been permanently banned from posting on CC, and in a few cases, Celebrity has banned them from sailing.