NutsAboutGolf

Status matching from RCI/X to SilverSeas is probably a smart move as it gives the customer something to stay in the brand. RCI and X have different loyalty benefits as does SilverSeas so there isn't a need to make status benefit updates to any brand but they may still choose to do so. I do not see the pooling of points between the brands being a benefit for many. On the other hand, doing so would allow them to advertise and receive free press that "RCG has the most customer-friendly multiple cruise line loyalty program at sea" at very little cost to them since so few would utilize a points pooling benefit

When LLP left, RCG stripped the title of Celebrity CEO away as LHB is just the President. RCG's Jason was a former CFO

I recall you stated this yet wasn't it held in the sky lounge more like a senior officer event? Did the other bars stop serving free drinks from 5pm-7pm? Were the vouchers given out each and every day of the sailing? Sounds like you did sail on a pilot program but it could also be a way for X to save money by stopping unlimited drinks

Was on her this month in a reg balcony, the furniture didn't have any noticeable wear but it was dated along with the carpet. I do agree with you on the premise of booking a newer ship; the Bliss started sailing a decade after the un-revolutionized (not updated) Solstice sailed. If the price and itinerary are in the same ballpark with all three ships, I'd pick the newest one

It depends on what's important to the OP. For example, there's nothing to see after the sun sets and if one is a night owl, and wants lots of evening entertainment and/or lively nightlife, X would rank at the bottom of the list

Plan for the worst (great suggestion by @Mike45LC to book now and perhaps cancel later) and hope for the best. Celebrity's non-private tours are rarely "the best" possible as private customizable tours (which X offers but are more expensive than booking on your own) will probably be the best. Keep researching the ports, I understand this thread is part of your research but check out the port section, watch youtube videos, check out tripadvisor forums, etc. Also, X does cancel tours for various reasons

Have you been on Celebrity, NCL or RCI before and if so, what did you think? Your answer will help us on the forum provide a more specific recommendation

This was a lot closer to a smooth-talking political debate than to marriage counselling

No cruise line is perfect, you have to take the good with the bad. The more accurate statement is to shop around all cruises and pick the one that checks the most of your boxes

Thanks, I realized I misspoke. Many see the "fancy" martinis being made and request one only to find out it's not covered therefore some will spread the incorrect statement that the martini bar is excluded from Elite HH

Have only sailed in one CC, otherwise either a balcony or AQ and the rooms were always ready when we boarded before noon. In ports where you don't go through customs/immigration to board the ship (Vancouver is one of those) we've found you can board, drop off personal items, do the muster drill, and leave the ship to explore and have an off ship lunch. Probably different for non-US citizens so YMMV

We don't have specific numbers but it's at least in part to attract new cruisers. On the parent company's Q2 earnings call, it was specifically mentioned that short cruises are "the on-ramp for new to cruise and also first to brand"

I agree with what you say and just wanted to point out that what I highlighted isn't unique to mass-market cruise lines. What makes a cruise line "mass market" is perpetually having new ships in their pipeline to fill

It's a good bet that reciprocity benefits are coming to SilverSeas and I also wouldn't be surprised if the benefits are revamped and become more standardized across the three brands. Some no longer see the value in X and are trying competitors which I'm sure the parent company wants to minimize. Additionally, all over the three brands' websites/apps, you now see "RCG" and the three brands listed. Finally, X's Casino Department is merging with RCI's so the current leadership seems to be a fan of standardizing where ever possible

If you do the MDR bear in mind it's only open for 90 minutes for breakfast and lunch. As stated at the buffet they have an omelet station. Pro tip, be sure to order "fresh eggs" or else you'll probably get the liquid pre-mix eggs from the carton

Just a FYI, it was publicly announced in the summer of 2019 and maybe six months ago, Celebrity Social Media had a poll to name the ship the "Vertex" or the "Excel". The only thing we know for sure is there was a video from VBlogger Don who stated he was told by X this ship will have "the most suites" ever which I'm sure surprises no one. Celebrity has added an extra deck in the past to add more staterooms so that's a strong possibility. My best guess is she'll mirror the Beyond/Ascent but have different styling and perhaps a new restaurant or two will replace the old and some repurposed public spaces

Like @cruzzzinma states, Elite HH menu is honored at the Martini Bar yet Martinis are not included which adds some confusion

At the moment as everyone has stated is the 5-7 every night but the first. However, I wouldn't be surprised if in the next year they change it to the four vouchers. I've personally seen some young heavy drinkers do some damage at the martini bar, they appeared to have at least 6 double vodka sodas in the hour we were there. Heck, you can "abuse" the benefit just by getting a bunch of water. Capping the drinks at 4 would stop that

In case you didn't see/hear, the new X President, Laura, had a Q&A webinar where she stated the previous President CEO, LLP, left some "white spaces" on the ship, what do you REALISTICALLY want to see? If a new restaurant, what kind? If a new/re-purposed public space, what? If the Eden remodeled, what would you want to see there? I'd love to see the Eden repurposed as a comedy lounge blocked off from the restaurant and with ample seating with a few different comedian shows a night like on the big 3 lines. When there are shows you can still look out the glass in the back. I cruise on X more than most and I generally see more people in the theater during the comedian shows than any other show

I personally love detailed reviews so thank you. I checked with a friend who recently went on VV and they said the food hall was painful as it took an average of a half hour from when you sat down to when received your food during peak times. I did hear they have an in-room tablet which some found easier to use than their phone but if the wifi sucks you'd imagine the tablet wouldn't work well either The elephant in the room that rarely gets talked about with VV as it can make the older generations uncomfortable is that they do push an X-rated/"get frisky" vibe. Did you find this to be the case?

I'm very curious, why keep the 5th ship features a secret? With a vehicle or a new smartphone, you want to keep them a secret as you want people to buy the current version and not hold out for the newer version but this logic doesn't apply here. No one is going to hold out on their vacation for two years as they wait for the newest ship to sail 🤔

Only the pixel and a few other androids can successfully take an incoming wifi signal and turn that into a wifi hotspot. Most other phones including the iPhone cannot do so. While iPhone's have a "hotspot" function, it only works if you have cell phone reception

You KNOW they're reading every word of this thread as they want to see how their first Q&A with the new President was received; I bet your post literally has them banging their heads against a wall...lol

Some tips/tricks off the top of my head -The treats at Cafe Al Bacio are free (their flavors are on the blander side) but the coffee is for a fee unless you have the drink package or high enough status -The buffet pizza station can make you your own pizza or calzone but it obviously takes some time for free; can bring it to the magic carpet, by the pool, or to the outdoor theater to watch a game - The Eden specialty is the best specialty on the ship - The Eden cafe has mostly free items at lunch, they just introduced a few premium sandwiches for a fee - The spa cafe is mostly free - The magic carpet may appear to have a roof but it is open mesh so one may not realize you could get sunburnt - MDR, there are 4, you can order off any menu at any one of the 4 - MDR, if you just want to eat dinner with as little as a wait as possible, any of the host stands can tell you the est wait times at any of the 4

As stated, not every European country is on the Euro including ports of call X visits like England and Norway, for example. European Itineraries vary