ChucktownSteve

True. I agree with expecting Denny's quality at Denny's prices. I would have those same expectations. However, how would you feel if Misty's Sunday Brunch quality became Denny's quality but at Misty's Sunday Brunch price? Your point of the quality of both has remained the same is key. However the complaint with Celebrity by many is the quality has not remained the same while they have continued to raise prices.

Personally I don't give a rat's you know what if most people enjoy the latest changes in Celebrity menus. All that matters to me is I don't. If I can find better cuisine on other cruise lines at a similar or even a little more expensive price, that's my prerogative just as enjoying their lessening of order options and beef cuts is yours reached my tipping point. At this point in my life, I've done well in the market and won't outlive my portfolio because I'm usually an under spender. However when it comes to cruising, I've shifted my paradigm to enjoy. It's taken me a long time to reach that thought, so I suppose Celebrity moved the opposite direction for me. Too bad because I used to really enjoy Celebrity until the death by a thousand cuts. I had been in marketing over four decades. You can't call yourself luxury while over promising and under delivering. I believe we're seen the push back from the Celebrity loyalists over that but I'll bet they regret it too. I really wanted Celebrity to continue to be my go to line. That's why I'm so disappointed and upset. They took that away from me. However if you still enjoy Celebrity, by all mean I wish you happy sailings. Only you will know when the time is right to change your opinion. Good luck.

Sorry but I'm going to use another Americanized euphemism. Those who have never eaten a good Prime steak believe a hamburger steak is flavorful, tender and very good. It's all in perspective.

You mean they bought their 100 shares for shareholder obc? lol

That's good. Celebrity likes you. You'll eat anything as not picky eaters. You are not alone.

OK here's my perspective...Someone at the TA screwed up. They don't want to pay Celebrity the retail price for the package. So they're offering you a gift card for the amount because they have the cost of goods for what you buy which saves them money. Therefore you have the leverage for restitution. I would forcefully ask them to reimburse you the gift card amount for all the retail Celebrity prices of each of the individual AI components before the cruise so you can add it once you're on board. Include the Wi-Fi. It won't cost you anything more. However if you use their credit to purchase the packages on Celebrity, you'll receive 3% cash back on the purchase. I suggest this solution because you don't want to sue or become confrontational. That is a win-win for both. You receive what you expected and the big box saves on the retail price what you buy due to the cost of goods at their store.

By reading the various threads with comments about Celebrity dining and having experienced varied menu options on different ships within a short time period, I have determined that each ship is unique as things roll out at various times. Some of the ships may have the restricted menus while others haven't gotten to that point yet or may not. However if the trend continues, I suspect the other ships will catch up at some point. So just because some haven't experienced the pared down menus, doesn't mean they won't see it next time they cruise. Some suggest Celebrity is doing this to push people towards paid restaurants. Several years ago, I attended a demonstration by the head chef. He admitted the cuts of meats varied by venue. The paid restaurants received the best, MDR less and the lowest cuts were put out in the buffet. That's just fact. Therefore I discount any comments from posters saying how good the food is in the Specialty restaurants. Because unless you're willing to pay extra for what many years ago was standard quality in the MDR, you're going to experience reduced quality or variety. It's just business for the XX cruiseline. The fact is that each individual can only better grasp and make judgements once THEY experience it themselves. There are many people that will think nothing is wrong with the quality or options while the next will feel they were cheated. Human nature. BTW as a side note, my Dr has made me give up salt so I can't take anything with a grain. 😁

TY for explaining my Americanize in detail for him. I didn't believe I needed to explain the little bit of "bonus" as being the difference of cash back between the two amounts. However I now see people around the world have different perspectives on credit card usage and their perks...me not being familiar with CC's issued overseas.

Baggy178 just above your post got a GREAT value that wasn't more expensive! There are also some other cruise lines that give a better value than Celebrity at lower costs so there's no need to stay home. I suspect Celebrity changed many of their itineraries to only 7 day turnarounds to attract more of the people who save for a long time to cruise. But with their pricing increases, that may be approaching becoming out of the reach of many.

But what is the unique selling proposition that all the others don't have? I don't see Celebrity exceeding that implied arena as they used to be in those values for me.

There's more to value than price! If someone only looks for price, they don't understand value. Because many times value is much more expensive but a better value. However that is subjective by each individual.

another idiom in the US:. EVEN STEVEN. lol or six of one, half a dozen of another. Both equal the same. Aren't we full of useless expressions this side of the pond?

I don't care whether any cruise line loves me or not. I look for value and what I get for my money plus the itinerary. If those lines don't give me what I want, I can always stop cruising and replace it with other holidays. A suggestion: if you're tired of anyone's digs...block us so you won't see our posts. You'll be a much happier person. However I haven't totally given up on Celebrity. I'm just waiting for their actions to come back to haunt them so they realize maybe their cuts didn't quite work out the way they planned. If not then I will totally move on.

Everyone needs to come to their own conclusion in their own time frame. I realized it a couple of years ago but still booked Celebrity until I did a reflections cruise in Dec 21. Their menus had already been paired down to not much choice and the buffet was low cuts of meat in heavy sauces to hide it. We did an S1 suite aft the following Feb on an E class and I noticed cuts then. But I've always been somewhat of a foodie because I am willing to pay for great food but not mediocrity. Someone else referred to is as school cafeteria food in another thread. lol I followed those with three Regent cruises at less pp/pn than Celebrity suits but the food was so much better. Lobster, scallops, USDA prime beef and more on the everyday menu in the MDR. Their prices have come up above my comfort level now because their largest ships are 750 passengers which fill quickly. The smaller ships usually have a more interesting itinerary. That's why I also like Azamara. If celebrity ever reverses course, I will consider them but they're on the race to the bottom with the other mass market lines. I understand that. They don't want me as a cruiser I suppose. Speaking of itinerary, Celebrity used to do more 12 night plus itineraries. I prefer those up to 18 nights. However Celebrity decided they prefer the quick 7 night turn around to make more money. That attracts a different type of client to fill their ships. More power to them that has to work. 😉 The bottom line is I have never seen so many formerly loyal Celebrity cruisers feeling the same and jumping to other lines. I hope the people who still enjoy Celebrity continue booking them. That way they won't clog the reservations at the other elevated lines thereby increasing rates. rofl.

I place mashed potatoes in the same category as scrambled eggs from a liquid carton. No way!

My TA offers the ability to take the rebate off the cruise price or send a check. Since my credit card gives me 3% cash back on Travel and the discount or rebate amount is a wash, I decide to take the rebate then take the CC cash back as a little bonus.

Instead of mashed potatoes, they will serve* (with 24 hour notice): french fries Pommes Frites julienne fries scalloped potatoes baked potato (maybe an up-charge) boiled potato potato salad cubed raw potato Only kidding. Eat your mashed potatoes and lump it! 😁 As a very minor shareholder, I want them to squeeze every penny profit then can out of cruisers. And they're doing an EXCELLENT job of it.

Because my TA sends me a rebate for $1,200 to $1,500 after the cruise depending upon the cruise's net cost. That is in addition to any perks included with the booking from AZ. Additionally, if there is any problem, they have to deal with customer lackofservice and I don't. They also carry more weight with AZ booking many cruises than I do individually.

Nope. I'm not smart enough. lol

That’s one way to look at it if you were going to spend the cash on what you’re forced to buy while on the cruise at probably an inflated price. My DW got several Mary Francis purses. However, what else is there to use it on Regent worth the dividend? I’d rather invest it in something that gives a much greater return on investment, then spend that on my cruise.

Yesterday, NCLH was up 11.52%. but in the last 52 weeks it is up only 1.79% including yesterday's gain. As of yesterday's close, is it worth $1,728 dollars to buy 100 shares to receive a couple hundred dollars of OBC where their cost of goods is minimal? IMO, it's not wise to purchase stock if the only reason is receiving OBC. NCLH also doesn't pay any dividend. I suggest asking your financial advisor his feeling about NCLH's potential price growth. In January 2021, expecting cruise lines to gain with the end of covid, I am down almost 23% with NCLH while the same purchase of RCL June 2020, is up 86%.

The Yorktown CV-10 is at Patriots Point in Mt. Pleasant, SC just across the harbor from Charleston. If you ever visit Charleston as a Port of Call, I suggest visiting them. They have several dozen aircraft on the ship and land-side. They also have the destroyer USS Laffey, DD-724. The ship that wouldn't die. We visited last year when the Navigator did an overnight in Charleston. We now return you to your regularly scheduled program.

I own a bridge in Brooklyn I'm willing to sell you a piece! All included IS NOT Celebrity. It's the LUXURY lines. Celebrity's ALL included package is ALL they're willing to give you for the price they're willing to charge you. If you believe them, you really should buy parts of my bridge! It's priced at 50% off the second piece after I raised the price 200%.

Have you disputed the 60 cent charge with your credit card? When you do, the merchant services assesses a fee to the company disputed for doing the research. Ten years ago when I had a merchant account it was $25 whether I won or not. If you haven't disputed it yet, do it! I would be a hoot.It costs you nothing more regardless of the outcome. lol

made me look