Orator

Just sold my remaining shares for a nice profit

The most valuable thing on a ship is real estate. What is the best use of real estate? At this point it seems to be contributing to the bottomline.

I took a Viking TA and it was,IMO much better than Celebrity. The speakers were really outstanding. Speakers were one time excellent on Celebrity, but the quality has slipped. Remember the Viking price includes excursions and free specialty restaurants. There are also free drinks and a self service laundry. The ships are also smaller and I guess what you chose is according to your preference. You really can't go wrong with either, it's just what you prefer.

My guess is that more Zeniths would book AQ and Suites if they weren't required to pay for benefits they already get as a perk.

They don't need me to book a suite if they find enough people who wish to book it. Their pricing structure seems to be working. Some reasons that people book suites are stated in this thread. They include: "Spending my child's inheritance"; I only take 1 or 2 cruises per year"; " I like the space or the perks"; or "I prefer larger ships". We all have a choice of line and cabin category and that's more than fine with me.

This thread is proving Celebrity's constant inconsistency.

I told some of the Officers and Waiters that I would get a proper Key Lime Pie while in Key West and bring it to them. I got the pie in the protective packaging and was denied boarding with it upon my return. I called the RM and he called the Captain who called Security and ordered that the pie be allowed on the ship. The RM told me that the Captain never got to have a slice because it was "too good" and nothing remained after RM and Waiters sampled the pie.

You are not told. You pay that in the fare.

Yes they do. But if you are Aqua Class or above you are required to purchase a Classic package.

The AI is required if you are in Aqua Class or above so you pay for an item that is included as a benefit. That's what I meant when I said "paying double".

Yes, dry cleaning and pressing are included. You pay for the drink and internet packages if you are in Aqua Class or above. They are included in other classes of cabins. I normally book Aqua Class, but I will no longer book it because I don't like paying double for some benefits.

Perhaps Mr. Liberty will answer questions on Cruise Critic as some CEO’s have done.

I've cruised with Crystal, Viking and Oceania since the Covid shutdown and can assure you the cheerleaders are not only on the Celebrity board.

Hope that I'm wrong, but don't see significant changes. They both report to Liberty and the Board. They set the policies. I wish the new CEO well!

Every cruise is different even on the same ship. Crew changes and protein delivered to the ship might lead to a different experience. The Head Chef makes a difference. The Officers, especially the Captain do make a difference. The CD makes a difference.

IMHO: Lectures were much better. There was only 1 speaker on Oceania and he wasn't very good. Five excellent speakers on Viking. Food was much better in the Italian restaurant and the MDR. Did't care for Chefs Table on Viking. Entertainment was much better on Viking and you could see from the seats to the stage. The afternoon tea was exceptional on Viking, Public spaces are better on Oceania. Cruise ratings are based on what the critic thinks what's important to them and based on the particlar cruise. Take a B2B and you might have different reactions to the ship. I absolutely will take another Oceania cruise, but I prefer Viking based on my sample.

Wonderful cruise if they don't skip ports in Israel and Egypt. I was one the cruise three times and only 1 time had all the ports. On one cruise Egypt was missed due to riots. On one cruise they were forced to cancel Israel due to terrorist killings.

I did!

I'm a Zenith on Celebrity with over 100 X cruises. I took Oceania Riviera and Viking Neptune for comparison and found the food and entertainment on Viking. The theater in Oceania was subpar and there were very few speakers. The lectures on Viking were excellent. Both are beautiful ships with great crew.The officers were not as visible as Celebrity. There is more to do on Celebrity, but the cost, IMHO, has risen to the point where other lines are a resonable alternative.

I found the Onion soup to be inconsistent at best. Sometime its very, very good while sometime its very, very poor. One time thy forgot to add the onions and cheese. Tuscan Grille at one time had the best Onion soup, It was a cream base rather than water.My wife orders it with double cheese. I usually try it on the first day of the cruise as a sample.

I made the same choice.

I meant “does cover medical evaluation “ Doesn’t cover other items listed.Thanks for clarifying.

I've used GeoBlue. GeoBlue is a wonderful policy for a medical emergency or evacuation. Be sure to read the restrictions. It doesn't cover medical evacuation, trip cancellation, travel delays or lost luggage. It's more than fine when you desire to cover medical emergencies abroad of medical evacuation. It is their call if you need evacuation and what hospital you will be transported to. You might need some other insurance if you need to fill in the gaps in coverage. Cost is very reasonable.

You must read the policy before you buy it to make sure they cover what you desire. In case of evacuation make sure that you determine when it’s necessary. Many companies contain clauses that THEY determine when it’s necessary. They are very good at selling policies, but they are reluctant to pay. Buyer beware and read the policy before you purchase.

No points unless you actually take the cruise. Hopefully you had insurance to cover the cruise. Be well soon.