xxpinksaltxx

Hey everyone, We will be on the Beyond in May, and an onboard excursion "Galley to Table: Tour and Lunch" has become available. The description reads very much like the 'Heartbeat of the Operation' which on previous cruises was free, and contains no information about where the lunch is. Has anyone done this onboard activity? It is AUD$90 per person (about US$60).

I think we waited 6-7 days a few weeks ago. Our dates ended up being sold out, so we booked a mystery hotel on priceline for a similar price.

Spot on, I first sailed Celebrity when I was 21 (14 years ago). We weren't their target audience, infact we were some of the youngest on the transatlantic. Over the years, the marketing has changed. I think I prefer the 'old' Celebrity. We looked at Virgin Voyages, as I believe we are the target audience (30's, double income, no kids), but honestly the ships look average, the decor tacky, and the entertainment is simply not our cup of tea.

We cancelled off the Hawaii to Vancouver cruise for May this year on the Edge. Itinerary changed, and now its only stopping Hilo and Kona. Wasn't worth it for a 10 day cruise, especially when travelling from Australia.

We took a risk and decided to book on Priceline. Very happy, that we received SpringHill Suites in Dania Beach. Paid AU$220 for the mystery hotel, and to book on Expedia it is AU$550. We figured it was worth the risk for only a 14 hour stay, free breakfast too, can't go wrong.

We are looking for early May, and also on a late flight in. Normally we stay in Plantation, but can't believe the prices for FLL area hotels for our dates. I know the Aussie dollar is weak, but AU $350 for a budget hotel in Plantation is alot. Today I've noticed both Hyatt House and Hyatt Place Dania Beach seem to be offering a decent price for our dates AU$280 (USD $184). It also comes with free airport shuttle and breakfast.

Have you stayed at the Hyatt, booked through Valuetrips before? I'm unfamiliar with the site (Aussie), but we just looked at prices for our dates on Expedia and couldn't believe how expensive they are (AU$350 for 1 night in Plantation). Just looked at Valuetrips and we can book for US$119 for our dates, which is great value, but wasn't sure if the site was 'safe'.

On the Eclipse in March, we had one day where there was the chocolate fountain, and a nicer selection of desserts, meats and cheese. Definately no ice sculptures. It didn't compare to the brunch they use to do in the MDR. I didn't see afternoon tea (and we use to go everyday - unless onshore) where there use to be scones, finger sandwiches, quiche and sushi (oh the days)! I think this might have been phased out as well. Or maybe some ships are just offering scones.

We were on the Eclipse in March (hadn't cruised since 2018, but had been on Celebrity several times before this). I felt the quality of the food in the MDR wasn't to the same standard as before, everything was edible, but nothing was a wow. The guests sitting next to us, seemed to have a problem with their meal every night, from flavourless soup, to tough steak. We went to both Tuscan and Le Petit, and couldn't fault the food, but we didn't receive any discounts. So paying AUD $100 each extra (that's converted to our local currency) adds a huge expense. The buffet, I thought it was much better than previously. Ever changing variety, food always fresh, great presentation, and the desserts we actually edible (ok, I'm a bit picky on the desserts as a pastry chef 🤣)but I've read many people say they don't bother with the desserts on Celebrity.

Yes from the Australian site the CocoCay cruises are more expensive. Beyond 7 nights (Nassau, St Thomas, St John's) Concierge class AUD $1476 Beyond 6 nights (CocoCay, George Town, Bimini) Concierge Class AUD $1510 Of course much cheaper options on the Reflection for CocoCay

😬Oh my, I wrongly assumed they just hadn't posted the Beyond summer schedule for 2024. I hope they can at least price match you onto the Ascent (think Edge is doing Alaska, and Apex mostly Northern Europe from Southampton). That's such a huge itinerary change.

Sailings are available to book on the Australian site, with Beyond and Reflection there for the summer season. May is full of 3/4 day cruises (on Reflection) with longer cruises available on Beyond.

I've been sailing Celebrity since 2012 (at just 21 - we were the youngest couple on the transatlantic), the time of brunch in the MDR, ice-sculptures, free room service, tubs of cotton swaps in the bathroom. This for me, is what broke the camels back. Last sailing was March this year, just as they rolled out the 'no lobster on sailings under 6 nights', limited dinner options in the buffet and charge for room service. For us, Celebrity isn't what it use to be. Food is a huge part of why we select Celebrity (as a chef), but also because smaller lines like Azamara are out of our budget. Often we are still seen as some of the youngest couples onboard, as millennials without children. We might be young, but we don't want to dine on cheeseburgers in the MDR, and fork out money for an upcharge at every meal, whether that be in the MDR or speciality restaurant. We have a cruise booked for May 2024, Honolulu to Vancouver, AUD $3260 PP with no inclusions for 10 nights. Almost AUD $6500, for no drinks, no wifi and now sub standard options in the MDR.

I find it odd that it's removed from the main dining room, but still on the room service menu. As a chef myself, if you are stating "cutting food wastage" as the reason, you have a better chance of cutting wastage by having the product available in multiple areas, vs just one (assuming it is all located in one central kitchen). They would have ample data to show what they sell on average per day, and should have good control over what they require, alongside this, the lifespan after defrosting (if defrosted correctly in the fridge) would be a minimum 3 days. Or possibly room service has become so quiet after the additional service fee, that they can get away with only having several portions defrosted a day.

Took both these screenshots during the 'sale'. I regularly check the prices, as we rely heavily on the exchange rate from USD to AUD. I know the AUD isn't strong, but I'm sure nobody is paying $230 per person, per day, for the classic package 🤣🤣. What a rort of a sale.