WNCtourist

Thank you for the review(s)! Always a great ride along with GenerationX!

35 minutes ago, LMaxwell said:

 

Like many "old wives tales" something gets posted and repeated incessantly for years by people who can't think out the logical answer for themselves, but like a soundbite answer whether it is correct or not.  

 

No business I've ever seen, been a part of, or managed a budget for ever issued such fast and startling overhauls. It seldom would ever work. You must set a goal for X% reduction that is achievable and sustainable. You make small changes in one or only a few areas, then go back and measure the change. If you just cut 66% of something you can say "See, we are under budget" in the very short term, but if you kill the business who cares what you saved 3 months before? 

 

This is not about efficiency of fine tailoring the product to the client expectations, while also trying not to be wasteful. This is intentionally hollowing out the product offering in an attempt to justify killing it off altogether. 

 

When they get rid of the omelette stations in buffet for breakfast, don't say it wasn't expected.  After all, they are just cutting "waste". No one will starve. Right? You can order an omelette on room service or go to the MDR. No impact to me....says, I. hmmm.

Removing the omelette stations in the buffet will be a bad, bad mistake (and I don't doubt that's one of the next cuts). That's one of the few areas that Celebrity could boast of as an advantage over other mid-level cruise lines. That, plus the loss of grilled-to-order chicken, steak, etc. at lunch and dinner, has made me look at other cruise lines. It's that big of a deal for us. We don't prefer spending 2 hours in the MDR crammed next to others.

Thanks to all for the helpful info. I appreciate it and looks forward too finalizing our plans!

6 minutes ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

Quick post, will catch up later but I did a walk thru of the cafe breakfast this morning specially for you. Here is everything offered. Looks like peanut butter or avocado are your protein choices. I’ll swing by another day to see if those rotate.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Waving to @Happy Cruiser 6143… so glad you checked in. , text me if you want me to pick up anything from town 🙂

That's just pitiful. 

The more I research potential cruises, the more confused I become. For a number of reasons, we prefer dining early and at a table for 2. Is that possible with Traditional Dining? From what I read, a couple is almost always seated with others regardless of what they reserved or requested. 

Is Anytime Dining better for getting a 2-top? Can you make reservations in advance for a specific time and have that honored onboard? Our last 2 cruises (2 different lines), we tried Anytime and they didn't honor either the reservations or table requests. I just don't to end up in the buffet every night. All suggestions  and tips are welcomed! 

1 hour ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

The dress code sign has vanished BUT, the man in front of me tonight was turned away in shorts. He was shocked. I was shocked. His wife was shocked. I take that back, his wife was pissed. She said they intended to eat dinner at the buffet but left because there are such limited choices.
 

Celebrity really should communicate the reduced buffet options considering many rely on it for dinner. This is a bit of a cluster and does not put Celebrity in the best light.
 

Ate in the mdr for dinner tonight because I was actually hungry. Shrimp was fine. Ceasar salad was fine, beef tornadoes were EXCELLENT!! What a pleasant surprise. I could have cut with a butter knife. Best meal I’ve had onboard.
 

Service tonight was also top quality. I had Anne from Kenya. She asked how I wanted to pace myself. The next course was brought promptly. The sommelier was at my table immediately and kept refilling my wine without me having to flag him down. When Anne asked how my beef was I raved about it and she said (quote) “it’s good you have this now because we may not have in the future”. So there you have it, confirmation directly from wait staff that things are still changing.

 

I enjoyed the New York Cheesecake with Litchee topping with some decaf for dessert.  Service slowed for dessert, but was still more than acceptable. Total 4 course meal time was one hour and 15 minutes. I can live with that and appreciate Anne moving the pace along for me. One thing you can not fault is the service. It might be the best I’ve ever had and that include MSC Yacht club where the butlers are formally trained at some special butler school. 

 

At this time, I would be very hesitant to book ANY cruise line much before a few weeks prior. The cost cutting measures still need to shake out on every line (i just read ncl is cutting back entertainment and that’s one of the things ncl does best).
 

If you are already booked and feel like a bait and switch has been pulled I do understand, totally. I felt like it too. But, I’ve adjusted my expectations, accepted that change is happening, and I’m going with the flow. I was able to share my displeasure before the cruise, in one of the surveys left in the cabin, and i will call celebrity when i get back per their request.
 

One thing for certain, most people can still have a wonderful cruise on Connie because the vibe of the ship and the exceptional service go a long way to make up for the recent negative changes. With that said, if you are an evening buffet person, you should probably reconsider unless Celebrity ups their game. 
 

 

Parmesan butter, horseradish butter, and plain whipped butter. What a treat since I don’t normally eat breads 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tonight’s menu was the exact same as the app

Thanks so much for the sign update. I feel for the couple turned away -- very annoying to head to the buffet for dinner to discover such limited choices and then be refused admittance to the MDR. Your dinner, however, looks and sounds delicious! Oh, for a couple of shrimp cocktails tonight!

20 minutes ago, C4HCG said:

Fair enough, think we are on the same wavelength. We love Celebrity and mostly enjoy almost everything on it. I do think people on here are looking for the perfection that as you say, doesn’t exist. Sometimes I think this forum should celebrate what Celebrity do well rather than continually criticising it.  Can’t wait for our Equinox cruise in September and we are looking at booking our 2024 one too, again on Celebrity.

For many people, the concern is that Celebrity is cheapening its product by cutting so much regarding food while increasing the cost of cruising. This impacts non-suite guests a great deal. 

When Celebrity starts improving its food and service to all levels of guests, I will gladly celebrate.

Just curious about the much-discussed "MDR Dress Code" sign for dinner. If you have a chance,  could you please take a look and see if it's changed? Thanks!

"German Rice with Ham"???? I am not familiar with that!

Can the MDR handle all the dinner guests that used to go to the buffet? My last Celebrity cruise (pre-pandemic), the MDR on Silhouette was packed every evening. We had anytime dining and typically had a 45-minute to 1 hour wait if we wanted to dine during the 5 pm to 8 pm time period. They would also not take reservations for anytime dining. It was a fiasco, and we gave up and went to the buffet nearly every night.

No wonder they are gutting the MDR dinner menu -- they have put themselves in the position of churning guests through the MDR as quickly as possible to make room for the next crowd. Not any kind of relaxed dinner possible.

And yes, I am making my feelings known to the executive suite.

Princess used to block off part of its buffet in the evening and serve more of a "themed" dinner -- perhaps the same as what was available in the MDR? I can't remember exactly, possibly because our waiter brought us limoncello that he made?😄

Thank you for your reporting. Sounds like it's going to be difficult to find decent food anywhere on Celebrity now.

Reading the responses from others, it's apparent that people cruising in "non-suite" cabins do not have any type of advocate onboard once they test positive for covid, while suite guests continue to benefit from butlers, Retreat hosts, etc. Surely by this time Celebrity can assign staff to check on quarantined guests several times daily to ensure they are getting meals at the very least. 

So sorry about your hand and hoping you continue to feel better!

Thank you for your posts and photos. Hope your trip continues to be great and look forward to more reports from Hawaii!

Really enjoying your review and especially the photos. Brings back great memories of our Alaskan cruise 10 years ago!

Enjoying your review and can't wait to see what's next! Wishing you safe travels and much fun.

What a beautiful day you had!

Thank you @lawchickfor your points regarding staffing and service. I appreciate getting all perspectives as I contemplate resuming cruising!

That's ridiculous!

Looking forward to another of your excellent reviews!  I'm having severe cruising withdrawal and your reports help me deal with it!

Thank you for an excellent blog! You and Arlona have enjoyed a true once-in-a-lifetime experience and we have all been fortunate that you shared it with us. Best wishes for safe travels home.

I am so sorry to learn of his passing. Prayers for you and your family, and thank you for letting this community know.

Best wishes to Arlona for a quick recovery and that you continue to test negative. As others have said, I've been greatly enjoying your blog and your wonderful photos. Thanks for all the time and effort you are investing in it.

Wow, those are significant changes. Not worth the expense of flying and cruising for me.