ThursdaysChild

I swear I saw a commercial about Celebrity buying local fish in Alaska. Anyone else see it?

Yes, I saw it, and fell of my chair laughing at how far they stretched the truth.

Look, I'm a Celebrity fan for many reasons, but in the nearly 7 years I've been cruising with X, Blu menus have not changed/been updated, and despite their cute TV ad, they are not buying halibut or wild salmon in Alaska. Food quality has been cut in many subtle, and some not-so-subtle, ways. Menus are not changed seasonally, or to suit the location, with the possible exception of adding Pavlovas to the dessert menus on a regular rotation when Solstice sails the Aussie routes.

We had the Top Chef menu on the Constellation, without the actual top chefs on board.

 

To be honest, that would be my specialty dining night. I thought the menu was lackluster. I went for the beef cheeks (anyone watch Below Deck??). The beef cheeks were the most awful thing I have EVER had on a cruise. My opinion only, as the table beside us raved over them. I did meet another couple the next day - they share in my review of beef cheeks.

OMG..Chef Leon on Below Deck! Beef Cheeks! Beef Cheeks! and again, Beef Cheeks! :eek: That was my first thought. So you are saying I should pass on the beef cheeks?:eek:

OP,Killsport, thanks for posting the menus. I am about to do my first non-AQ cruises in 7 years. After seeing the Blu menu, I remembered why I changed stateroom category. Blu menus have not changed since I started cruising X in 2009.

I haven't seen this posted anyplace, but, has anyone seen Agave Syrup as an alternative sweetener, either in the oceanview café, Blu, or the MDR. My DW likes using it as it is a hypoglycemic sweetener.

 

I'm going to drop a note to the dining folks at celebrity HQ to see if they can tell me.

 

Steve

From a NJ neighbor who is hypoglycemic and needs to be very careful about any type of sugars, please read this. I am linking to the article from Dr Andrew Weill but also copying his response:

http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/QAA401166/Whats-Wrong-with-Agave-Nectar.html

Q

What's Wrong with Agave Nectar?

I've been using agave as a sweetener for a couple of years. Lately, I've been reading some very negative reports on it, and am considering switching to another sweetener. Do you still recommend agave?

A

Answer (Published 9/4/2012)

Agave (pronounced 'uh-GAH-vay') nectar is a natural sweetener with a pleasant neutral taste. It ranks relatively low on both the glycemic index and glycemic load scales. For a while, I used agave as my main sweetener, although I don't use sweeteners very often. When I do, I use very small amounts.

I've stopped using agave myself and no longer recommend it as a healthy sweetener. The reason agave ranks relatively low on the glycemic index is because it has a high content of fructose. Fructose does not readily raise blood sugar (glucose) levels because the body doesn't metabolize it well. New research suggests that excessive fructose consumption deranges liver function and promotes obesity. The less fructose you consume, the better.

As it turns out, agave has a higher fructose content than any other common sweetener, more even than high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). Because of its reputation as a "natural" sweetener, it is now widely used in products claiming to be good for health – from teas to nutrition bars and energy drinks.

I don't think there's any doubt that Americans consume much too much fructose, an average of 55 grams per day (compared to about 15 grams 100 years ago, mostly from fruits and vegetables). The biggest problem is cheap HFCS, ubiquitous in processed food.

Fructose is a major culprit in the rising incidence of type 2 diabetes and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. It may also increase risks of heart disease and cancer.

Just think of the contests they could have. It gives new meaning to Big, Bigger, Best!

Ha! I read this as "Big, Bigger, Butts" !:eek::D

Hi, a travel agent in Australia (obviously I can't disclose the identity as it breaches CC rules) has just sent through the latest information from Celebrity.

 

Released just after midnight in Australia it includes details on the new Edge Class ships which are expected to based exclusively in the Asia Pacific area, hence the press release come from Australia.

 

Edge of the world Suite Class -

Will feature a promenade deck but this will be near the top of the ship and will be exclusively for Suite Class guests and will be part of a revolutionary completely private hotel within a hotel concept with access by key card. It will be called Edge of the world and will feature its own infinity pool, bars, shops and TWO restaurants – one serving Sushi. The Edge of the world will also feature a unique private entrance to the new theatre where suite guests will be able to watch the show from their own private exclusive area within the theatre. Edge of the world suite class will have their own private boarding and disembarking area as well as their own dedicated luxury Riva Yachts for tendering.

 

Edge K Class – All other guests will have state of the art facilities in modern luxury dubbed K Class– Celebrity will feature a number of Celebrity endorsed products to reflect the modern luxury vibe of the ships. Kardashian's will be the new Main Dining Room and will be Casual dress every night and will feature a menu aimed at a younger generation– those preferring to dress up will be able to dine in one of the specialty restaurants for a modest fee. Kim's will be our state of the art Spa. Khloe's will be the K Class Specialty Restaurant featuring gourmet burgers and hot dogs. In a first for Celebrity the Edge Class ships will feature a permanent musical show in its own show lounge - “Danke Schoen – The Wayne Newton Story”.

 

“Martini Bars are gone! Modern Luxury is about the classics”; said Luda Travnja, Celebrity's New Croatian Head of Edge K Class development “Our Bieber Bar concept will feature a relaxed funky atmosphere in what is a unique partnership with UK's leading luxury bar operator J D Weatherspoon”

Well, I'm not sure I'll be a Belieber in Celebrity's Edge Class...;)

This was a CHUCKLE! I recognize 2 of the 3, but could be wrong. Is the heavier gentleman a doctor (that's if anyone knows) or is this an opportunity photo?

No, I think the "heavier gentleman" is Captain Zisis (sp?)Taramas, one of the two Masters of Solstice. I sailed with him on my 2014 Sydney to HI transpacific. He's not very social, seems a bit uncomfortable hobnobbing, but was often found dining at the buffet with a few other officers. And my impression of him and comments aren't meant to be a knock, but I have to say the overall atmosphere of that cruise seemed to reflect his personality. Fewer officers interacting, crew less smiley, more reserved (no Dancing with the Stripes!)...just a more subdued air.

The Captain's replacement, Captain Berdos (sp?), came aboard on our first day in Honolulu, the day before turnaround day, and I saw him (wearing civvies)walking through the buffet and crew there were coming up to him, welcoming him aboard and smiling and laughing. The 2nd leg, from HI to Vancouver, felt as if someone had turned on the energy switch.

As I understand it, approximately 38% on top of each drink if you pay as you go and don't have the beverage package as a perk (there would be X's grats on top as well as the 20%).

Or if you buy a bottle of wine. That $60 bottle suddenly is nearly $90.:(

Do your parents have the Booking Confirmation-Guest Copy from Celebrity? This document clearly state the cancellation details for each booking. I don't usually have a copy because my TA uses her own form, but I booked my upcoming Hawaii cruise while on board another cruise so I received the Celebrity document. Although I only paid $100 per person deposit the confirmation clearly says 74-57 days prior to sailing beginning February 12 2016 cancelation amount is $450.00 deposit amount, and I assume that $450 is per person so $900 to cancel.

 

I also booked a cruise during the $25 deposit deal and there was small print to that effect if you took the time to read it.

 

Won't their insurance cover the deposit amount won't they also be losing a lot in airfare?

I ALWAYS insist that any TA I use give me a Guest Copy of the reservation from Celebrity. I book nearly all of my cruises onboard, or with reduced deposits. Here's a copy and paste from my Guest Copy for my upcoming cruise (I removed the dates):

Cancellation Schedule Cancellation Amount Date

74 to 57 Days Prior to Sailing 450.00 Deposit Amount

56 to 29 Days Prior to Sailing 50% of Total Price

28 to 15 Days Prior to Sailing 75% of Total Price

14 to 0 Days Prior to Sailing 100% of Total Price

My deposit was $100.00 per person.

Please note that cancelling 56or fewer days before sailing forfeits 50% of the total price!

Hi there - I was wondering if someone could tell me about check-in when boarding the ship (1 concierge room, 1 inside cabin). We have 5 of us traveling split between 2 cabins. My husband, 9 year old son and me are in a concierge room. My mother-in-law and 7 year old son are in an inside cabin. All charges are on our credit card. Can we all check-in together in the concierge line?

 

Thanks!

Yes.

We just returned home from our cruise to South America and I just want to share the incidents we experienced on the Infinity February 28 sailing, from Buenos Aires to Valparaiso.

 

The first incident occurred when my partner visited the ship's infirmary because he needed a band aid after a tour of Montevideo. He walked in and explained to the nurse what happened and the nurse told him that he's not supposed to be in that office. Confused, he asked where is the correct office? She then said, "aren't you a crew member?" and he said no, he's a passenger. Without an apology, she told him to have a seat. After about ten minutes wait, he returned to the window and told her he just needs a band aid.

 

The second incident occurred on a sea day when we sailed Cape Horn. We had such a beautiful day with the sceneries and later, a nice dinner at the specialty restaurant Q-Sine with two new friends. After dinner and feeling full, both of us decided to walk it off and head to the casino. There we met other friends whom we met during the cruise and spent about thirty minutes at the Blackjack table. Then we decided to go up to the Constellation on deck 11. On the way, I decided to put money in the slot machine and that's when casino staff member approached us and said we shouldn't be there. I asked what he means with this question and he asked if we are crew-members. I said no but he still was not satisfied and continued to ask for our room cards. There were few other guests next to us and they were looking at us at this point so I showed him our cards.

 

I started walking towards the elevator to go up and told my partner the incident bothers me. He told me to let it go but I told him I'm going to return to the casino to talk to him. I approached the same staff and asked to speak to him in private. I then told him how we did not appreciate his approach to us. He answered he was just doing his job. I told him, yes but there are different ways to do his job and he could've been more polite and more discreet without attracting attention. He said sorry we felt that way and still was adamant that he was doing his job.

 

I did bring this up to Guest Relations that night and the next day had a meeting with the Assistant Guest Relation Managers as well as Head of Security who told me that the whole thing was a misunderstanding and they did not mean to stereotype.

 

My partner and I are both Asian, in our 30's. I'm in law enforcement and he's in nursing. I understand that in this sailing, there were mostly older and Caucasian guests. However, they shouldn't have stereotype and questioned us based on our looks.

 

Perhaps we expected higher standard with Celebrity?

I can understand your being upset and angry about this. Racial profiling of any sort disgusts me, and were this me, I would be seriously escalating this to the Corporate office in Miami, because there obviously are training (or lack thereof) issues here. I am sorry you had to have this kind of experience onm what for many is a trip of a lifetime. I too expect better from Celebrity and their senior staff at least. :mad:

My sister and I are doing our first European cruise this summer on Emerald Princess. Fortunately only one of our stops is tendered - Helsingborg. My sister uses a Luggie mobility scooter and walks with a cane. She can do a couple of steps and I can lift the Luggie by myself.

 

Do you think Helsingborg will be doable for us?

JP, I'm on the Celebrity Silhouette 4/23/16 cruise that stops at Helsingborg. I am also having to use a scooter for the first time on this cruise due to several illnesses that have been progressing :-(.

Pls go to that Roll Call and look for a CC member named Bud#1; he LIVES in Helsingborg and is enormously helpful in answering questions about the entire region and can and will undoubtedly advise you. Post a message "paging" him there or on any other post. I think he also provided his email several times on our Roll Call. Good luck!

Hi Folks, I will be sailing on the Silhouette TA on 4/10/16 and will be Elite for the first time this cruise, is the Elite breakfast just pastries and coffee? Or do they also serve hot Items ? Thanks in advance. Leslie

No hot items last time I had Elite Breakfast a year ago. Just cold buffet items (smoked salmon, cold cuts, cheeses, fruit, yogurt) in addition to pastries and bread items, either pre-plated or buffet style.

I'm on the same TA as you, and also in NJ. :cool: We have a pretty active Roll Call with activities planned. Come join us if you haven't already! http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2153250&page=54

No - The CDC gave a history on its website. There have been few reported cases because simply said almost all infected have few if any symptoms and there has been no test until recently to check on if the person was infected or not. I completely agree there is nothing one can do except try to eradicate the mosquito and for people like myself - male or my wife - beyond child bearing years there is no concern. It is a huge concern for those that are or might become pregnant and there appears a lot we do not know about Zika. My problem with the current situation is when multiple couples aged 70+ cancel trips to the Caribbean over a fear of getting a brain disease.

 

I am - I am not aware of anything definitive regarding a time frame but would think that common sense suggests since the entire pregnancy the brain is developing then the risk would be for most if not all of the pregnancy.

I'm sorry AZ Tchr, I have to jump in on this because I read several posts of yours where you poo-poo the risks to anyone who is not young, female, and pregnant. And I'm finding your comments uninformed and a bit narrow minded, not to mention somewhat condescending.

While the greatest risk is to pregnant women, Zika (as well as Chikungunya and less common Dengue) do present a risk to those with compromised immune systems. Because I am living with active lymphoma and leukemia, and have a South America trip and a Caribbean cruise planned for February 2017, I had a lengthy discussion within the last week with both my primary care physician and oncologist, and they are concerned about the risks to which I may be subjecting myself should I go. There is evidence now of Zika linked to Guillan Barre Syndrome, which can also be fatal. And other consequences of contracting Zika are not yet fully understood.

I'm sure you think I'm over-reacting, but...living with an active but indolent and as yet incurable cancer, I'm not wrapping myself up in cotton batting and sitting at home. Au contraire, I am traveling more than ever, and still working at a challenging career, but I am working hard to maintain a good or at least decent quality of life until ...hopefully...a cure is found, and that includes not making foolish choices or decisions which would worsen my health. Paris, Europe, Istanbul, the Mediterranean...bring them on. I don't fear a terrorist attack (heck, I live in New Jersey...talk about multiple risks! :eek:) but my immune system is seriously compromised and a skeeter bite here at home causes infected 3" diameter welts and occasional antibiotics, to the point where I stay in after dusk throughout the summer. I can live without adding another health risk.

Please try to be a bit less judgmental in your responses.

Great question about the coffees. I roomed with a new cruiser when I was Elite. Their room card had Elite printed on it. They were invited to all elite events, but did not receive a coupon sheet. Hopefully an Elite+ who has done this will post.

The non-Elite can get a card from Guest Relations which gives them companion access for the Elite events. However, that's where it ends. No Elite+ benefits at Cafe al Bacio for the roommate. I have been on both sides of this, as an Elite traveling with a Elite+ friend and I paid for all my coffees. Next cruise, when I was Elite +, I traveled with another friend who was Elite. My latte was free; she got a bill for hers.

Perhaps it would be a good idea for you to cross the US off of your list since you think there are mass shootings here everyday.

Well, sadly Beanb41 is right. In 2015 there were more than 355 mass shootings in the US as of 12/2/15. Okay, he was not quite right...that's MORE than one a day. :eek:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2015/12/02/the-san-bernardino-mass-shooting-is-the-second-today-and-the-355th-this-year/

Until my country comes to its collective senses about this insane gun and ammo lust, I am safer abroad then I am at home.

Some have hit the nail on the head....the ad will trigger some folks to go to the website....the folks that they are targeting are web/internet centric. They expect web sites to work...they expect itinerary maps to map the cruise they are shown for and simple things like that. Once they book, they will encounter the backend of the web site that is really poor....and after the first "the record is in use, come back in 20 minutes", those folks will be out the door thinking that maybe they bought into "prehistoric luxury".

 

Finally, Celebrity has to deliver what their ads and web site "promise"....modern luxury. Folks...that's not a crowded buffet when boarding; it's not minimally seasoned food; it's not the missing pillow menus, the missing toiletries and so on.

 

Advertising brings people "into the store"....then it's up to the store to close the deal and create a repeat customer. Oh wait...celebrity doesn't really want repeat customers because they tend to spend less....

 

I wish them luck....

Exactly! I'm senior management for a small but global niche IT consulting firm. So many of my colleagues know I cruise Celebrity because I'm off cruising for 20-40 days a year, and I can't keep track of the dozens who've told me that after trying to even look at cruises on the website and get pricing, they gave up.

Believe me, I get ragged constantly for cruising with a "dinosaur" cruiseline (the term often used) who still hasn't even stepped a toe into 21st Century technology with shoreside operations. :mad: I particularly catch flak because at 63, I am by 12 years the oldest in the company, and am one of the few non-techies :rolleyes:, and my colleagues are precisely the demographic that X is targeting: mid 30s to 50, with per person incomes averaging $140K per year. These folks want to click and buy, period. They will, and do, spend crazy money. And they are ALL eagerly awaiting Sir Richard Branson's entry into the cruise world. Watch out, Celebrity. :eek:

Just to confirm you are stating that Celebrity has reduced the activity staff to one Activities manager and only one other person? This certainly was not rue on our last cruise and I am confident that it will not be true on our cruise next week. Wanna bet?

 

What cruise were you on that only included these two?

 

OP, we are boarding the Eclipse this Sunday, so I will let you know. The same cruise was excellent last year and I am condpfident that this year's will be excellent.

I was on the 8/22/15 Fjords cruise on Eclipse and that's exactly what they had: one Activities Mgr (Martijn?), and one other fun, lively & overworked Activities staff member. Period.

Thanks everyone for your comments.

 

Jazzbeau, no to both going up or down...we've always loved our afts and now love our Aqua afts so would never go down, and feel no need for a suite (unless it was the PH, ha!) so we're perfectly happy where we are - the cost was a principle not a budget issue.

 

Never thought of the lack of revenue source from the casino - but I did notice there was just one day at sea (the first one). That will be interesting, too, and we've never had 2 overnights before.

 

Can't wait.

Warmwinds, you can wave down at me in C1 9164 (aft). And come join me on the Roll Call...it can get lonely this far out from sailing. ;)

My TA just contacted Celebrity to verify the dates for the 2017/2018 Deployment Opening Schedule. She was told that they wouldn't start November 17th as reported previously; in fact, it might be as much as two months later. Has anyone else been told this?

I called Captains Club today and was told the same thing...end of November/early December at the earliest now.

Who out there is in need of a cruise. Has it been more than a week, month, or year since your last Celebrity cruise? Vent here because it is time to go.............:D

I got off my last cruise 54 days ago, and for the last three weeks have been jonesing to be back at sea. The problem is, next cruise isn't until 4/10/16, and it's unlikely that I'll have the time off or realistically the budget to cruise before then, especially since I have Spring and Fall back to backs with several extra days for land tours after disembarking.

Of course if it gets too crazy waiting another 5.5 months, I could end up spending the same or more on therapy and Xanax:eek: , so maybe I should just look for something in January right after Christmas. :D

Tom, it was great meeting you and Lisa on this cruise, and enjoying our Murano dinner with you as well. I'm loving your review so far, and looking forward to the rest of it.

We will be cruising on Eclipse next month. Besides the buffet, is the MDR open for lunch on the day of embarkation? If so, how early do they begin serving lunch? Thank you.

Bistro on 5 is my choice for lunch upon embarkation. Even at $10, which is double the price it was 15 months ago, the ability to sit and be served in a quiet, civilized pleasant environment is soooo worth it. You couldn't pay me to be in the buffet upon embarkation, esp having to schlep carryons until the staterooms are ready, usually after 1:30.

NYFeds, why don't you two join me there around noonish?

Greg, thanks for posting the new menu. Glad to see some "new" additions to the cocktail menu. But those wine prices! They make NYC prices look cheap. I purchase some of those wines by the bottle and bottle price is averaging about 1.5 times the price of a glass on X. Before the extortionate 18% GRATUITY.

Sorry for not being more clear. Yes I meant that approximately 5% of the cruise fare is returned to me as a refundable OBC, plus all Celebrity perks. This was for AQ and CC cabins, I dunno if it's an across-the-board bump. Easy enough to check if you do a sample booking.

 

So for example, in 2013 Celebrity was selling a balcony cabin for $1000/pp and 123GO. I got it from my TA for $1000/pp, 123GO, and $100 OBC.

Thanks for the quick response Mike. I usually book AQ, often go solo and so pay double, and for the most part book on board and hand the reservation over to my TA. I call the TA when I find price reductions and get that done, and in nearly every case that's the extent of the TAs work on my behalf. Cruise Critic Member CLEguy (Curt) said something in a post that resonated with me..."if I do all the work, I want half the commission".

I like my travel agent but I'm leaving an awful lot of money on the table so to speak. I will need to check in with the travel desk at my popular big box warehouse club. ;)

By the way, I highly recommend both transpacifics and transatlantics!

If you used my TA (a popular membership warehouse), the difference is about a 5% extra OBC.

Mike are you talking about 5% of the cruise fare when you say 5% extra?