ChucktownSteve

On 9/7/2023 at 4:26 AM, uktog said:

 

I take what I’d wear to a smart restaurant in town. DH takes a blazer as he prefers to wear one (he travels in it). We may be dressed a little more smartly than others but we are ok with that - we are not in ball gowns! 

However my focus at all times is on the food and service - if others have other dress styles jeans robes etc I hardly notice never mind care. I do get upset at badly cooked or heated food and sloppy service 

Like it or not, people are judged by others on what they wear. Ever notice that when you first meet someone, one of the first things they look at is your footwear and how they're kept? I've always heard that says a lot about people and how they conduct other aspects in their lives.  I don't know if true or not but have heard it for decades.  However on the other hand some people just don't care.

I have found when I traveled in a sport coat and other were not, for some reason I got treated  by staff with a little bit more respect whether I deserved it or not.

However I do agree with your focus on food and service. Those are my priorities whether I'm sailing or on land.

On 9/8/2023 at 5:49 PM, commodoredave said:

Wishful thinking I guess. Fixing some of their onshore service issues is not rocket science. The CEO just has to make it a priority.

Or maybe she's too busy job hunting? 😆

6 hours ago, vitacura said:

Absolutely! One of the things I love of Regent dining, you can pretty much have anything you want when and how you want it!

 

I was pleasantly surprised on Mariner how true your statement is.  We were dining with new acquaintances when the dessert in Compass Rose was apple pie.  Our table mate from the Midwest mentioned he would like a piece of peach pie.  So when the waiter came back, I asked what are the chances of finding a piece of Peach pie?

He went to the galley and a few minutes later came back saying, come tomorrow night.  So the four of us made a date for dinner in Compass Rose.  What a special treat.  They had prepared a special peach pie for us.  It was the absolute best pie I have ever eaten.  It wasn't runny with filling like many other places serve.  The center was not overly sweet but the filling could stand on it's own. Mostly it was fresh peaches. It was still warm! Absolutely INCREDIBLE!

A few days later we were dining together again and they surprised us with another round of fresh warm peach pie with ice cream.  That was so memorable that they would do that for just regular passengers.  There was nothing special about us.

Thank you so much for a wonderful report on your cruise!!!! Your pictures are great. You have a good eye.

This morning I expressed my Azamara concerns to my TA for a Dec 2024 cruise. 

This was his response, "Those issues should be well ironed out by your cruise in December.  We have had good feedback for the onboard experience aboard Azamara recently, actually, including some customers who are long time Azamara customers who were especially nervous about the transition."

I sure hope it is accurate and he's not just trying to placate me.

38 minutes ago, dcbiker97 said:

As another Celebrity Elite+ thinking of trying Regent, I’ve been looking at the various stateroom categories. On Celebrity we always sail in a Celebrity Suite or higher because it has a separate bedroom and a sofa bed.  Every ship’s Celebrity Suite, even if a different ship class has separate bedrooms/sofa beds.  Looking at Regent, that doesn’t seem to be the case.  Are the 1br with sofa bed ship dependent on Regent (meaning is one ships Penthouse different than another)?

Yes each ship class has different SF and layouts than the other ships.  So you can't look at one ship and expect it to be the same as the other.  I really liked the marble baths and walk in closets. Tons of storage too!

I took the air credit since my cruises were not across the pond so I upgraded to Business.  Their flights would have been coach.. I also took a hotel credit for one of the cruises.

Just now, cheeseheads4ever said:

When is the best time to book for the best deals?

When the new itineraries are first released or as close to that as possible!  The further out the cruise, the lower the pricing.  Remember as suites fill, the pricing increases as well.

9 hours ago, GeorgiaPeach51 said:

FWIW, here is my lengthy report on our first Regent cruise on Explorer after way too many on Celebrity.  This might help you, since you are a former Celebrity fan, as we were.  You sound similar to us, so I hope it helps you.  Keep in mind that it was the first cruise after the COVID restrictions ended.  I wrote another one for our second cruise, which was on Splendor, and that cruise was more typical.

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2835144-first-time-on-regent—boarded-explorer-today/

I can tell you briefly, that we think Celebrity doesn’t begin to compare to Regent.  No contest.  Regent, by a mile.

 

We are taking our first Oceania cruise in November, only because my sister and her husband prefer Oceania, so I cannot give you any info on Oceania.  Good luck with your decision.

 

Joanie

Thank you for reminding me of your cruise and the link. 

Cheeseheads4ever, After becoming Elite+ on Celebrity, our first Regent cruise was on the Navigator May 2022 for 16 nights Miami to Montreal. Then 14 nights on the Mariner September 2022 Vancouver to L.A.  Our third cruise was 16 nights on Splendor in January 2023 from L.A. to Miami.

We were in two concierge suites and one Penthouse which were purchased during covid when nobody was booking so we got great pricing with category upgrades.  They were actually much cheaper than Celebrity who had raised prices drastically to absorb all the FCC they had to issue.

(I did a Reflections veranda cruise in December 2021 and we did an S1 Sky Suite  on  Apex February 2022)

.

On Regent, all the specialty restaurants are included.  We got several additional reservations just by inquiring and being flexible in time or sharing.

I was impressed with the food offerings in the MDR, Compass Rose.  Tons of seafood and steaks along with the rotating entrees.  Just about everything was excellent. 

I enjoyed all the included excursions in every port and the included pre cruise hotel at two embarkation ports. We didn't do Miami because we drove to the port the same morning.

Service is excellent.  Premium ltr bottles are given you in the suite.  Premium liquor is included at all the bars.

We didn't like the Navigator however there are tons of fans among Regent's regulars. It's their smallest ship.  We liked the Mariner then liked Splendor even more.

Regent is so far a cut above Celebrity it isn't funny.  Regent does raise their rates every month or so, thus the earlier you book, the less the price.

Just the other week I was looking at a lower suite on Regent's new ship, Grandeur, in the Southern Caribbean.  Regent was 2026 and Celebrity was 2025.  Regent was almost $100pp/pn less than a Celebrity SS but had all the real included perks and quality.

With Celebrity's astronomical pricing and excessive cut backs in service and food quality, I find it hard to believe I'll be going back but I can't say never.

We currently have two Azamara cruises on the books for December 2024 and May 2025.

I found the other Regent passengers non pretentious and friendly. The dress is county club causal without any formality. Both things I enjoy as well at tthis stage in our lives. We're 70.

I like longer cruises as you can see.  Celebrity has also cut back on the cruise lengths which is another thing I like better about Regent.  I don't want a 7 or 10 day sailing.  I hope this gives you some idea of our experience and if you select a Regent cruise that you enjoy it immensely.

48 minutes ago, bigbenboys said:

 I dont see any reason to show up early, just to sit around.

I do. In a bar.  I'm on vacation! 😁

I had downloaded the app but not one of the excursions during the total 44 days on three cruises from mid '22 to Jan of this year used the app.  So I'd agree, not in use anymore

2 hours ago, QuestionEverything said:

Lynn, thanks for the market analysis you shared.

Celebrity is acting as if they are universally loved and that the world is begging for their product.

My TA just advised me he has had 3 cancellations of Celebrity bookings just last week alone, and all 3 clients have either a Oceania and Viking booked.

Time will tell if the Celebrity prices, downgrading etc result in price reductions.

I am watching with interest indeed.

 

 

Even if XX (the double cross company) eventually lowered pricing because they had to in order to attract bookings, why would previous loyalists go back to them when they found alternative cruise lines which may have found new loyalists?  When a company kicks me on the way up, I kick them back on the way down!

23 hours ago, TeeRick said:

If you want good wine recommended and served by a true sommelier than go to a land restaurant.  On a cruise, you likely know more than the crew member play-acting sommelier.  So just order something you pick out.

I wonder if XX will be downgrading in the future to Target's California Roots or Trader Joe’s Two Buck Chucks to increase profits.

On 8/13/2023 at 4:36 PM, deliver42 said:

We were on the Beyond. The food in the MDR and Ocean View Cafe was very good. We also had a  sommelier in the MDR every evening. The entertainment was a big improvement over the past Celebrity cruises.

Celebrity's menus and food used to be a large step above NCL, Carnival and RCL.  They used to be known for having a large variety of quality food even in the buffet. Now it's pretty much equal to those lines or better if they had cut back too.  So I can understand why Celebrity cuisine seems good to several cruisers. 

How is carrying water and soda back to your SUITE considered luxury?  I don't understand.  It's already in the suite.  You can't drink that but you can go to the lounge and grab the identical item to tote it back to your suite....  What? Did someone at XX stay up all night to think that up?

Just as they let us bring one bottle of wine per passenger, do you think they'll now let us bring one steak per passenger with a cooking instead of corkage fee?

1 hour ago, hcat said:

How large are Regent ships?  How old?  Is there a nice spa or T pool?

 

we are thinking we may try Cunard again..anyone sail recently?

The two newest ships and the one about to be added are about 750 passengers.

20 hours ago, doghog said:

With RC you tell your cabin attendant if you want morning cabin service or evening cabin service. So if you pick evening you'll be making your own bed in the morning. 

No I WON'T!

1 hour ago, hcat said:

Mashed pot..would not enjoy..

Wouldn't it be easier to roll? 😊

On 8/29/2023 at 5:50 PM, fsdorado said:

What is the equivalent to an Edge-class SkySuite on Oceania and Regent?

 

 

Frederick

One of the three bottom categories on Regent's newer ships but with more inclusions.

On 8/29/2023 at 3:38 PM, QuestionEverything said:

I am on Oceania Insignia right now.

It is the same experience I had on Century in 1994 - premium. Gracious, one class, magnificent high tea, over the top service, high end food with multiple restaurants with large menus.

It is like a blast from the past.

To be clear, Celebrity is not a premium line, it is a mass line.

There is a big jump from Celebrity to an Oceania, Azamara etc.

Very different product offering. I cancelled Celebrity in 2018.

Celebrity used to be the Oceania of the day, it is quite the collapse of a company.

Consumers, there is significant choice in the market, no need to purchase Celebrity, you can move on if you wish.

TY. IMO Celebrity has always been a mass market line. Granted, elevated above their peers but still mass.  Just because they called themselves Luxury, didn't make it true.  They never were a premium line either. I've sailed mostly on Celebrity pre-pandemic but have included both premium and luxury cruise lines since.  It's easy to tell the difference when you've experienced it.

Over a year ago, I realized Celebrity was moving closer to the bottom of the mass market lines; not elevating themselves except for the prices.  Only recently have I observed a huge change in many CC poster's opinions...many of whom used to be cheerleaders. That's the true tell.

17 hours ago, gizmodog said:

Food has gone south, that’s for sure

Hey, please don't disparage the South like that.

12 hours ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

It's already listed on the website as $20 pp/pd but it's currently on sale for 5% off.

OMG! A whole $1 discount? How magnanimous Celebrity has become.

50 minutes ago, hcat said:

Celeb has  had white nights for many years.

Best ever was yrs ago on our Greek Island  Medit cruise.. Pax , staff, officers all in white out on the pool deck..very memorable!

I can understand a white night in the Greek Isles.  However I began sailing XX in 2014, reached E+ but have never seen a white night on any of my sailings.

Azamara's White Night  has been done on all their sailings for years!  I can't believe Celebrity is now mimicking something from the cruise line they dumped.

8 minutes ago, D. B. said:

If you can afford Regent there’s no reason to do Celebrity.

If you can afford Celebrity suites, you can afford Regent. So I agree, no reason to do Celebrity any longer if you find the right itinerary..  That's too bad because I used to really like sailing the old Celebrity.  But times change and so do the direction of companies dependent on the change in leadership priorities.  I'm apparently  not their priority any longer.

1 hour ago, Dolebludger said:

At least, Celebrity gave an announcement that tips would no longer be included as in the past, and gave over a month notice before it would take effect on new bookings. Some inclusions just disappeared, like included mini fridge beverages in CS suites. And including extra cost items on menus — how cheesy. The list of small things gone missing is too long to post here. And massive fare increases are the big problem.

Guess you're good at reading tea leaves?  It appears XX is now targeting the lower tier mass market cruise line passengers who believe they're upgrading their experience from RCL and Carnival. I wonder if they'll still market themselves as "Luxury?"  🤣Switching to mostly seven day cruises confirms that.