stringbean10

Weird - can't find it.

Did you erase your other post?

Everything I've read on Celebrity's app says *menu subject to change. They changed it.

This actually made me laugh out loud - bravo!

Link to the article. https://thehustle.co/the-economics-of-cruise-ships/

So people here are complaining about their own personal food costs (not to mention fuel costs) rising dramatically over the last several months but are unable to connect the dots. Simply amazing. Also - Cruise ship fares tend to be a loss leader - especially at the lower categories. They want you on the boat to spend your money. Everyone seems to very impressed with themselves for spending $3000. Repeatedly calling X's offices - complaining and 'really showing them.' How embarrassing.

I mean .....I am speechless.

What would constitute a material change to "what you paid for"? I am curious how abreast of changes Celebrity should keep their customers. Should we get an email with every change? Did they stop offering sports massages in the spa? Should I get an email? They reduced the buffet 1 buffet by 10%? Took away two dishes? Closing the main dining room 10 min earlier? Changing the laundry detergent? Stop offering a welcome drink? Change pillow suppliers? Once you make final payment - you are grandfathered in? Should they have a particular dish set aside for people that booked two years ago because it was on the menu when they booked and that is what they paid for? Should they continue to waste Celebrities just as hard earned money on you with food waste? Should they personally poll you and ask what is important to you and make sure that is all available from the day you put down your deposit to sailing date. What would make you happy?????? I'm just going out on a limb here and guessing - nothing. ever.

Cool.

I agree with your ideas regarding revamping the OVC. No, I do not think their current pricing reflects 30 BILLION in debt at 11%.

For a publicly traded company shareholders are the REAL customers. Corporations actually owe a fiduciary duty to their shareholders. They are legally obligated to look out for shareholder. What are shareholder interests? Increasing profitability and share price. They do not care about most value for their customer's vacation dollar. They have to find the pain points - to offer the least to make the most! Capitalism baby! This may be it for you. I bet it is not for many others - including the woman who pays $24k for her suite. I promise you they care more about making her happy than you. The fact is she is subsidising your vacation. All the people so upset about the buffet, yes they can lose your business. Easily, if they keep the high dollar folks happy. The vibe of this just reeks of entitlement - which ??? It's like freaking out at Target. Celebrity is not a super luxury brand or experience - it's nicer. Like Target is nicer than Walmart. It's still mass market. It is still a business.

Several people have mentioned the Bellagio/Ceasar's buffet as a bench mark 'good' buffet. That runs about $50-65 pp, Works out to be $700 per double occupancy room on a 7 night cruise - are people willing to have that baked in to their fare? Would they be screaming about the "outrageous" price increasess. Should they spread out the cost among and everyone else subsidises your buffet preference? I don't eat there. Is that fair/good value for other passengers? I don't mind the ala carte pricing. It makes me feel like I am spending my money on things I like most. Speciality restaurants, alcohol, casino and spa passes. If they returned the buffet to it's former 'glory' and charged would that make people happy? As of September 2022, RCL has a $30 BILLION dollar debt load - that they are paying 11% interest! It is honestly difficult to wrap your head around 1 billion dollars much less 30! Yes, changes will happen - so will be good and some will be bad. They are trying to become profitable. They have a big hole to dig out of here. Right now this freak out reminds me of when they stopped doing midnight buffets with the weird carved fruit, ice sculptures and chocolate fountains. Do I miss it? no. Did anyone stop cruising over those cuts? IDK

Maybe I'm missing it - but the 'reduced' buffet did have 2 soups. A turkey carving station - something 'ethnic' - the chop suey, a salad bar and a dessert station.

Yes I did. "Buffets in general are disgusting" I proclaimed for all the land to hear! 🤣. And you are right, I think I'll leave all the handwringing over a lack of hotdogs alone. Y'all have fun!

“The food is terrible—and such small portions!” The buffet looks the same to me except for quantity.

Yes, it sounds like you would be happier with a dive intensive land vacation. You would get more time diving and spend more time in the area.

I bet Celebrity's legal team disagrees - I bet the current offerings are vastly different then when I first sailed Celebrity in the 90s. Should I be up in arms and demanding OBC because it is different now? Things change - some for the better some for the worse. Would you rather sail on Celebrity's oldest ship with a December 15th buffet or a brand new ship with a reduced buffet? There isn't infinite money - they have to make choices. The nice thing is - you get to make those choices too!

I get it - my dad has mobility issues and it is a wonderful way for him to travel. It's nice to have options.

Just for fun - here is an article detailing Virgin's target market: https://www.travelmarketreport.com/Cruise/articles/Who-Is-the-Ideal-Virgin-Voyages-Client Is there a lot of overlap between their stated target and people angry about a reduced buffet? I don't know.

What constitutes the definition of a "full dinner buffet"?

How does the rest of the joke go? Gen X is 43 year olds to 58 year olds. That is a wide spread. Check out articles on their target market - what jumped out at me is they state their target market is 'women' who's house hold income is 75k+. Interesting.

Different strokes for different folks. A land tour would be much better suited to visiting japan. Why visit a country like Japan to eat at an American mass market cruise line buffet? I think you will have a better time on the land tour - by far!

Hahahahahahaha! it is kinda - lots of diverse opinions.

Cool. Then I'd get off a Celebrity message board and head on over to Virgin.