basenji56

I have never seen a true formal night on any ship I have sailed on since 2011.

Is that all there is?

9:45 pm? That is late. 9:15 pm is much better.

I would rather see Richard Branson.

"Request Paxlovid for its 86% risk reduction of being hospitalized or dying." Sounds impressive but let's break it down. If 10,000 people got covid, at this point, how many are likely to be hospitalized or die? 100? 500? Let's say it's 100. So, with Paxlovid, you reduce that number to around 60 rather than 100. But even without the drug, 9900 wouldn't be hospitalized or die. With the drug, 9940 wouldn't be hospitalized or die. Not so impressive anymore. Especially when you factor in side effects from the medicine for people who had no risk of being hospitalized or dying. You need to look beyond the 86% risk reduction number and understand the underlying numbers. If you are old and sick, the risks make more sense.

I have seen Viking enthusiasts even defend its policy of sometimes requiring full payment two years in advance.

That is the kind of itinerary I look at for a TA. My friend just got off a Viking TA. TWO ports. St. Maarten and Funchal.

The Viking TAs I looked at had very few ports. I sail on TAs for the sea days but also for 4-6 European ports.

I'm not a cheerleader for Celebrity but I do believe it provides a very high level of value for the cost. I am not a fan of the infinite verandas so I often cruise on other lines. I am glad that Celebrity no longer requires you to book the "all included" since, as a non-drinker, I didn't find that to be a good value.

I did an excursion that went into the town. It didn't feel overly unsafe. Much better than, say, Falmouth. Your mileage may vary.

And people see that the suites are all full and think everyone is paying that inflated price for a suite.

I had friends who just got back from MSC and loved it. But she said the ship was very large? I assume you are sailing on a much smaller MSC ship?

Very good point. Change can be scary.

It is insanity. But I guess some people have money to burn. I would prefer to sail on a smaller ship like Viking or Oceania rather than upgrade to a sky suite for three times the cost of a Celebrity veranda. But, to other people, the additional cost is worth it.

I doesn't appear to be worth it to me either. Especially since I wouldn't spend any time on the Retreat pool deck. Only advantage TO ME is a different dining room and a bit more space in the cabin. But to other people, those things may be worth the cost.

COST is always the factor that gets ignored when comparing cruise lines. How much more is worth it for what you get?

Yes, maybe Hamilton. Not anything including words that can't be spoken in other contexts.

The people in Suites just talk about it more. I would too if I were paying that much.

I love their fish and chips.

It’s been hard to compare because until recently, VV didn’t have seven day sailings. When I compared recently, the prices were fairly comparable when you consider that Virgin includes wifi and grats. Nothing like the price difference between Celebrity verandas and Oceania verandas.

Oceania is also a competitor to Celebrity. Albeit a much more expensive competitor compared to VV.

Competition is always good. Glad to know the food was so tasty. If Celebrity loses customers to VV, they will need to upgrade its food.

I’m holding out for the Rudy Vallee show.

Yes, Celebrity sounds like a better fit. I am constantly telling people--there are a lot of cruise lines. No one brand works for everyone. Try different ships--don't be blinded by "loyalty programs."

You are probably right about itineraries I thought Princess had better shows But I thought the Princess buffet was very disappointing and their MDR food not up to Celebrity standards However, all of this is subjective