bigbenboys

32 minutes ago, phoenix_dream said:

I really am concerned about sailing in Aqua Class now that they’ve created the Aqua Sky suite concept. I book AQ mainly for Blu.  Blu was always crowded enough without essentially encouraging even more people to dine there! I know suites could always go there “based on availability “ but I think this change will make matters worse. I’m hoping I’m wrong as I have several AQ cruises booked in the next six months. I understand they can eat in Luminae as well, but I wonder if this will encourage them to eat in Blu more often.

If this is a concern I would not book E Class. Your best option would be M Class ships. As Luminae and Blu were cut out of the MDR. Giving you and others the most options for food item choices. I have order many items from the MDR in Blu and Luminae. I've read on CC that some guest have been able to order off the Blu menu in Luminae. I personally have not order Blu items in Luminae. Next is the S Class ships. Many here have said that Blu wait times are the worst on Reflection. Reflection added additional Aqua cabins, but seemed to not make Blu any bigger.

My thought is that X has newer staff that are still learning the ropes. So what was possible in the past might not be available until they get up to speed.

On 9/7/2023 at 1:12 PM, keysey222 said:

I agree with you on the lack of suite perks on HAL/Princess. However, the price of a suite is often lower on these lines. Even though I don't always have a private sundeck or dedicated restaurant, sometimes I find there is more value. But... if prices are equal among the lines, I'd still choose Celebrity as their suite product is far superior. 

After our Feb sailing we will be Elite with Princess. PCL does have a separate MDR area for suites called Reserve Dining. At least on Discovery. We have a aft PH suite with Premier package. Wifi, drinks up to $20 and tips are part of the package. With our suite we get 1st night specialty dining  and a 360: An Extraordinary Experience during our 7 nights and with the package we get 2 night specialty dining. That leaves us with 3 night to dine in Reserve Dining or casual dining. I'm sure Reserve Dining is no Luminae.

11 minutes ago, George C said:

My problem with Princess and Hal is a lack of suite perks , I like the suite lounge and restaurant like you get with celebrity, rccl oasis class and MSc yacht club.

  We saw Patti LuPone a couple of years ago with Mandy Patakin great show in Dallas had front row seats.

I also really like Celebrity suites and the benefits. Hoping X settles down by 2025.

Looking, yes. I even booked a Princess Penthouse Suite for Feb. I canceled 3 cruises with X this year all in sky suites. I looked at Carnival because of the new menu, but did not like the looks of the suites. I looked at HAL then I got a phone call from HAL. Looked at MSC Yacht Club, smoking policy and that it  seems like all the suites are forward. Same as the Edge. I dont like being so forward.

As we canceled 3 cruises for this year. I booked a week in a all inclusive resort in Playacar, Mexico. We flew direct from Seattle to Cancun 1st class round trip. Private transfers and a week at a all inclusive resort. Cost for the package was just under $10k. I told our TA to keep it under $10k. We did a short trip to Las Vegas to see Patti LuPone perform. This month on X in a CS for 7 nights. Dec off to England for 12 days for Christmas.

I got a call from my TA this morning asking me if I wanted a Starbucks mug from Andorra. I thinks she is on the Sun Princess. I said yes please. I have over 250 Starbuck mugs and counting from all over the world.

We are doing the Mexico cruise in Feb on Discovery. I went for the Penthouse Suite aft suite on Deck 12. Deck 15 is under the Lido deck. I would have booked deck 14 if it was available. The Concierge Lounge/Suite Lounge is on deck 14. Balcony looks bigger on decks 14 and 15. Also interested in what other say.

49 minutes ago, ravenjls said:

I booked my first suite for a January cruise.  Can I pre book a reservation for your "free" first night dinner on the app without having to pay for it or do I have to wait until after I board?  Thanks!

We are also 1st time in a suite with Princess. So I'm also interested in the answer.

32 minutes ago, jelayne said:

Unless they have stairs or escalator the waiter would have to go to mid ship down a floor to 4 then to the aft to get the dish.  Then reverse to get back to Blu.

While I'm not up during the middle of the night. How does X get supplies to the Blu and Murano's kitchen on deck 5. Tuscan Grille also has a kitchen on deck 5. I would be very surprised if X uses guest stairs or elevators to bring in supplies. 

4 hours ago, chamima said:

 

Just know that on S-class ships the MDR kitchen is really far from Blu so when you get something from there it means someone has to spend a lot of time getting your order. Try to eat during non busy times (like after 8 ) so the already stressed staff  isn't even more stressed because they're short handed while someone is getting that special order).

You can always also ask to see the next day's menu(s) so you can give them a heads up in advance.

On the S class ships Blu is on deck 5. The MDR kitchen is on deck 4. Blu sits on top of the MDR kitchen.

29 minutes ago, Pinboy said:

Ok--- So, lately there's been several negative threads about Celebrity ( Food, Menu selections, cut backs , upcharges, the size of the lobster tails, no friggin round tomatoes and cold onion soup ).

Wait-- forget about the cold onion soup----that one is a serious ( ?? ) complaint !!

I can't remember reading one post saying " I cancelled our upcoming cruise(s)" !

Lot's of " threats " , but not one actual cancellation.

And, to repeat --- we were on the Equinox and the Edge ( February and March ) -- never had a bad meal, poor service, or was invited to dine with an Officer--- it was all good !!

I could care less what Carnival offers in the dining " experience ". 

LOL---- Maybe if Celebrity " introduced " the bellyflop contest, the drink 14 beers through a funnel contest, the Congo line around the pool, the dancing Waiters with baked Alaska on their heads ,and the finale-- the singing of " We Are Zeee Worl " ( We are the world ) there wouldn't be such negativity ?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sept of last year we were in a sky suite on Solstice. The best meal I had was from the MDR served to me in Luminae (prime rib). Then changes happened in Jan. I have canceled 2 X sailing back in Feb. The reason was removal of prime rib. The limited food in the OVC for dinner. Both sailings were in sky suites. April, Infinity in South America, May, Summit New England. I thought that I had canceled our sky suite for Dec 2023. It was a 16 nights cruise on Eclipse. Last month my TA asked for final payment. Back in Feb we decided to visit friends in England for the holidays and my 65 birthday. So I canceled a 3rd sailing with X. This month we are on Eclipse in a CS. To check out the changes on board. I booked Princess last month for Feb in a Penthouse Suite. While Princess has made changes, but not as much as X. I'm going to wait until after our sailing on Princess to decide if I'm keeping our Sept 2024 SC sailing. Is the grass greener over at Princess. I'm not done with X. June we are on Apex to Iceland in a sky suite. Hoping things are better with X by then.

On 8/27/2023 at 7:35 PM, Dolebludger said:

Well, this is a reason to cruise on a smaller ship — at least for us.sounds like the “priority” system is not a great substitute.

We normally dont show up until 11:30. On the ship by 12.  Luminae lunch hours normally are 12 to 1:30. I dont see any reason to show up early, just to sit around.

1 minute ago, micruiser2002 said:

From everything I have seen the CS butlers have not changed.  You should have a dedicated butler as in the past.  Only Sky suites have had a change in the dedicated butler.

For now.

I'm pretty sure our butler in our CS will be getting their next tip. Most likely not for our June cruise in a sky suite. Time will tell.

On 8/31/2023 at 11:54 AM, RLM77 said:

I find it interesting that new-to-cruise and new-to-brand bookings have apparently increased.  I wonder if that is because they have managed to chase away some previously loyal customers?  As an example we are Elite+ but have put X on long-term hiatus after some really terrible food in AQ.  I wonder if some of the other X veterans have done the same?

Rich

We are Elite+ getting close to Zenith. I'm not looking to book any X until things settle down. I'm thinking 2025.

On 8/31/2023 at 5:49 AM, TeeRick said:

I question now if the people in Sky Suites will not feel inclined to tip the butler team (extra) like previously tipping a dedicated butler.  

We mostly book sky suites. This month we are in a CS. Overall we tip $240 extra for 7 to 12 night sailings. Of that amount the butler get $100. We tip extra to staff we interact with daily. If Luminae moves us around to different sections then less tipping of staff. If we dont have the same butler each morning then no extra $100 tip. We are sailing with Princess in Feb. We have one more X sailing in June on Apex in a sky suite. That will be the test for us. 

I just book a Princess cruise in a Penthouse Suite with Premium packages. Back after 12 years. Do you have to sign for drinks if you dont have a plus or premium package? For us it is about convenience of not having to sign and for the 2 SD, wifi and Unlimited casual dining meals. Already booked our SD for the days and times we wanted, again convenience. Looking forward to the 360: An Extraordinary Experience.

• Alcoholic drinks are limited to 15 beverages per 24-hour period (6 a.m. to 6 a.m.). Alcoholic drinks requested above the daily limits are at the discretion of the shipboard management and crew and charged at regular menu prices.
• Non-alcoholic drinks do NOT have this limitation, nor do they count toward this maximum.

I did you see the video of Crown Princess owner suite A752 on cruisdeckplans. Your on starboard and A752 is on port side.

18 hours ago, Cruise Raider said:

 We went every night it was held on the Ruby recently!  It was excellent … they served samosas (so yummmy) and spring rolls (again, so yummmmy), raviolis, sliders, quiche, etc as their hot dishes and always had an array of cheeses, dried fruit and nuts (one night there were macadamia nuts), as well as crudities with dressing and some kind of vegetarian salad.  We only made it into the MDR once as the tapas were our dinner most nights.  
Plus, one of the bar supervisors, Frank,  was super talented … played the ukulele and sang songs for the guests!  It was a don’t miss event as far as I was concerned.  

 

We will be Elite after our next cruise in Feb. We have been cruising with Celebrity the past 12 years. We are booked in a suite with premium package. What I'm hoping is to meet others that cruise a lot. Hear their stories, thoughts, where their next cruise is going. Their favorite boutique hotel. While the food is great and I will be eating appetizers with my glass of wine.

We are sailing on Celebrity Apex next June. Thanks for the info. Duke of Wellington looked very nice. I looked into booking 3 nights at Pig on the Wall, but to early to book for June. Great photos of Osborne house. On our list of things to see while in Southampton.

Looking forward to your thoughts. Us Celebrity Suite in Sept and Princess Aft Penthouse Suite next Feb. Then Sky Suite next June on Apex. 

https://www.celebritycruises.com/captains-club/tiers-and-benefits

3 hours ago, Jeremiah1212 said:

 

Right. Totally different experience. There is one particular 9 night Croatia cruise on Azamara Journey that I am interested in. No sea days, average of 10+ hours in port. 4 tender ports. The port-intensive schedule makes up for the lack of anything to do on the ship. However at that point we end up doing lunch and some dinners in port. Not much drinking so that is null. Then I have to question why I am paying $9k to use my shoebox cabin as a taxi and having to shower with the door open since I don't even fit in there.  

The only Azamara cruise we did was Rome to Venice with stops at Taormina, Dubrovnik, Split might have been a couple more stops. I did enjoy the white party bbq out at the pool deck. I will add that I was in my 40's when I sailed on Azamara.

It is also time for us to look at places that Celebrity does not cruise. Like the Black Sea or Seychelles Islands.

I think Celebrity was a Premium brand. Time will tell if it still is. We over 50 cruises and 36 of those with Celebrity. I do like Celebrity suites. With Celebrity moving away from Al. It make me think of a budget airline, everything is ala carte. Celebrity's dress code has been the one big reason not to try higher end cruiselines. Also no smoking inside. We tried Azamara once while the cruise was nice. The ship was boring, just not to much to do. I love the glassblowing. Already booked 2 glassblowing for next month on Eclipse with OBC. 

We have sailed 4 times since X started back up. The biggest problem I see is in lack of returning staff.

20+ years sailing with X and 12 years since we have sailed on Princess. Trying Princess next Feb in a suite. Feb I'll see how Celebrity compares to Princess. Is a 7 night cruise in a Celebrity Suites next month worth $3k to $5k more than a aft Penthouse Suite on Princess. I might be ready for smaller high end cruise ships in 5 years when I turn 70.

15 hours ago, the penguins said:

Regretably for some not all countries permit kettles in the cabin for "safety" reasons - the USA is one such.

Personally our kettle is immediately moved to the bottom of the wardrobe, we keep the tray and cups everything else is removed by the Cabin Steward.

We always have a cabin on Deck 7 central, for easy access to the Al Bacio and the Hideaway. Our day starts with an Al Bacio latte and ends at the same venue.

We sailed on Millie out of Seward Alaska last year and friends did not have any problems getting a kettle in their suite. 

On 8/25/2023 at 8:42 PM, jelayne said:

There was a pic posted.  So they try something, not well received and they reversed, is that a bad thing?? To me if they didn’t reverse it would be bad.

No, but why would Celebrity think their customers would want a double cheeseburger at dinner.

7 minutes ago, hcat said:

I cringe at Quail.. we have them wild in our backyard in Fl..also known as Bobwhite.  They are in decline..

For awhile X was on a bird binge! Not sure they ever served pigeon..

Thank you, I also wont eat Quail or any young animals. Blu did does serve pigeon (Squab). Never saw Squab on Luminae menu.