natshala

Your photos are beautiful!

Is that jello and canned fruit?

The “average fare per night” takes all room types into account—suites through insides. The average is far more than $200/night. 

There’s also an elite discount.

1 hour ago, 39august said:

Call X back. you should only lose the $200 deposit.

I’d refuse to pay it. Tell them you plan to dispute (undelivered goods) through your credit card. You might consider locking your CC so they cannot make an unauthorized charge. What a hassle!

1 hour ago, JFontaine said:

Isn't that the problem in a nutshell?  I don't know what you paid, but the average Celebrity fare per night is about $200 per person.  Take out the hotel cost, fuel, entertainment, port charges, etc. and the amount of money that you paid for your three meals a day is in Outback territory, if not less. I get that Specialty restaurants costs you more, but a good steak in Ruth's Chris is $60, plus sides, salad, dessert, tip and tax. Nowhere near what you paid on Celebrity.   Bottom line - you didn't pay for quality,  even if Celebrity tried to sell you the illusion that you did. Of course, for those paying $1000 or more per person per night on Celebrity the equation is different.   But those cruisers already know that and they aren't on Celebrity for the food. 

With respect, I would dispute your “average fare per night is $200.” Fuzzy math. Please identify your source.

2 hours ago, mnocket said:

This is certainly disappointing to hear.  I've been looking at O and from reading their forum I had the impression that while there were some cutbacks, they were not close to the extent of those at X.  I'd been hoping this was true.

Thank you for your post.

2 hours ago, hcat said:

thanks for the pics and commentary..you are a great guide!

 

we just booked EDEN and FINE CUT for our 7 night Ascent Cruise.  5 other nights for: BLU ,  Buffet  and Burger Grill...  

 

 We will not starve, as long as the QUALITY of what is offered is good,  fresh and well prepared. 

 

Veggies at dinner restaurants need an upgrade..On Beyond  in Luminae, they gave 2 carrots or aspagus..they were def burnt offerings, so portion size was not a problem.    I often order dbl veggies and few carbs ..but these veggies all went to the trash. pile

 

Does anyone renember the fresh grilled salmon at the Spa Cafe... folks lined up early.  It was the best Salmon on the ships!

I remember it! They had a number of good things like feta and watermelon cut in squares like a checkerboard. I noticed on Beyond that it changed significantly.

Ok. Just checked it and it’s still the same format. I’m on Apex and just chose one of the main dining rooms at random. Could that be the diff? I need to get to golf but when I return I’ll try my best to post. I really don’t know how to do it.

1 hour ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

Ok girl- spill it. Where are you finding the vegetarian menus in app? I’m usually pretty good at digging for info and all I see is the regular menu with one vegetarian option each night. 
 

Side note, my menus changed 2 days prior to departure. The room service charge didn’t even change until embarkation. Are the menus In your app matching  the menus I’m posting? So far, the dining room Menus and the app once onboard have matched but the menus from the app or online prior to 1/11/23 (we embarked 1/13/23) are distant memory. 

Ok. I’m seeing veg menus on my app immediately following Kids Desserts. Like, where else would they be?.🙄 it begins with Vegetarian Starters, then Vegetarian Soups & Salads, Veg Entrees, then all desserts—classics and signatures, then coffees followed by wines. I am not able to post it. Maybe my app is really screwy.  FWIW, they look good to this almost-vegetarian.

4 minutes ago, bikerunner said:

When I was on the Connie right after start up, my friend who is a vegetarian was able to get the separate vegetarian menu, you need to ask for it, not readily given.  Honestly I ordered off the vegetarian menu and many nights had either an entree or starter from the vegetarian menu.  The menus were very good.  

They are showing up on my app for my 2/11 cruise. They do really look good! One day shows my beloved crème brûlée! (Not veg for sure). 
 

The menus in general look quite good. 

Basic was consistently great for me. I do not stream.

I love your reports! I think it’s cool that X noticed you weren’t eating in the MDR and asked you why not. Someone there cares.

so, did you eat in the MDR from the menu you posted? If so, how was it?

Thanks again. I know a lot of people are enjoying your objective reports. 

5 hours ago, kirtihk said:

I remember 1 old cut back in Blu a few years ago: on our first Aqua cruise there was a special breakfast moving muesli station - a waiter was coming with a cart having multiple available ingredients and berries to make your own muesli; it was so delicious!  Then a year later we had another Aqua cruise, and that station was gone.  When we asked, the answer was "What is a muesli station? I don't understand you."

I remember the muesli cart. 

16 minutes ago, GORDONCHICK said:

Helpful.  I see you want me to dig through all the menus to find or not find something that many people already know.

 

And I have the app.  The cruise isn't booked yet.  

I’m booked on Apex 2/11-25 B2B. I looked each day for crème brûlée. I could be missing it, but I sure don’t see any.

2 hours ago, Cap_D said:

Reminder:  Even for suites Luminae is barely open for lunch, as it is closed on port days.  And, on E-Class, the Eden Cafe is open for lunch 1-2 times per sailing, each for an hour or so.  On some Apex Caribbean 7-day itineraries it's only open once for lunch.  

That’s odd. When I was on Beyond 11/27-12/4/22 Eden was open every day for lunch. It was very popular! I had lunch there almost every day. Excellent food.

On 1/15/2023 at 4:04 PM, dreamer321 said:

I'm sailing on Beyond next Sunday, Jan. 22.  Prior to all the changes I was planning on booking a future cruise while I was on board. That's no longer the case.  I think there is better value out there right now. I was thinking of booking a Fall 24 transatlantic on Silhouette but Virgin Voyages transatlantic is now looking more appealing.  Even Silver Seas has some itineraries for solo sailors that are better priced than a comparable Celebrity cruise. 

If you book SS, be sure you understand their cancellation policy. Just a warning.

Just now, Vagabond Knight said:

What are considered "premium coffees?"  Would it include all of the coffees in Cafe al Bacio that don't contain alcohol, such as typical lattes and cappuccinos? 

Unless it’s changed in the last month—yes.

The posted listing for Elite says “30 percent discount on Wi-Fi.” Did that change from “90 minutes free Wi-Fi?”

2 hours ago, RMore49 said:

We are currently booked on the Beyond for a seven night Caribbean cruise Jan 22nd, '23.  We also booked our first TA departing April 22, '23 on the Beyond going to Rome and remaining on the Beyond to the Greek Islands and back to Rome.  Thus we will have four weeks on the Beyond in the same year.

 

We were just told all those cruises will have the same big show entertainment.  Some changes will take place with comedians and magicians as well as the small bans. We're considering canceling if that the case.

 

Would appreciate comment.

I was on Beyond B2B 11/27-12/4. I’m not surprised that this is true. The shows and cast are truly spectacular. During the two weeks I was on, the shows were repeated. I think it’s understandable considering the resources that go into these productions.
 

FWIW, the quality is extraordinary. The cast said they practice 6 hours/day.

That said, you may want to consider a switch to another ship for part of the four weeks.

10 minutes ago, terrydtx said:

Doesn't matter if CCL does, it is proven and seen that Celebrity does now.

I was wondering if CCL has stooped that low. I think I’m entitled to ask a question.

1 hour ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

I cruise the most on X and the second most on CCL.  CCL’s specialty dining is cheaper and is on par with X’s specialty dining; CCL’s specialty dining blows away X’s complimentary dining but that shouldn’t be a big surprise.  Also while I understand many don’t cruise for comfort food, on CCL they have Shaqs Big chicken, Guys BBQ and Guys burgers all complimentary…All of those are some of the best comfort food I’ve had on a ship.  The big difference there is the cruise line is forced to follow a recipe and use a certain quality of ingredients (for guys burgers they can’t buy the cheapest patty’s) and are therefore immune to budget cuts

Does CCL serve tilapia?

Posters keep saying it’s not cheap. What is the price?

I just got off a B2B on Beyond and this is the first I’ve heard of this. How do you get a reservation? What is the cost? Thanks.

1 minute ago, Luvcrusn said:

18% of what? Certainly shouldn't be 18% of the service fee!

Yes. That’s what it is. Odd, huh?