bikerunner

Its either lazy persons tennis, and or wiffle ball with paddles. They have it here in my complex, thankfully not near me, the tennis courts are all by me but none there were changed over to pickleball. I tried it once and played and said enough went back to tennis the afternoon.

Personally I like the change to anywhere. Especially when there were so many elites onboard going into the lounge. Many cruises I just found it 2 crowded and people just sat in front of bartender and slammed drinks. The only time I enjoyed it was back 2005ish when on mercury and had a long conversation with the hotel and food and bev manager. I was at that point a gm of a Hilton so was doing an inquiry about what life was like as a ship hotel manager. Otherwise like I said just to many people now with any bar with the cpl exceptions easier. Even easier is just having drink package as 5-7 I’m usually sitting on balcony relaxing waiting for dinner with my glass of wine

They should be able to do it. They have all the information. If not transfer the booking to a TA and have them do it

Exactly the rates usually all come out very similar with their sales. Maybe more obc on one or lower rate on another etc. I book with TA's now. I have 2 main ones I ask to give me prices for, they always have group rates, or most of time anyways and usually a good 20-30% lower than the adv price on Celebrity. The main thing with the TA's they mostly just have the blocks with 1 or 2 room types, ie Concierge and sometimes Aqua and rarely suites. The obc amounts are whatever Celebrity offers plus a decent amount from the TA. I have gotten up to almost 30+% of the cruise price in obc.

https://cloud.na.celebritycruises.com/GOGREEN_OPTIN

But the ships are back to full. So they may have alienated some cruisers but gained new ones probably more since they have more ships to fill now. The argument is since you don’t like it must mean all must not like it. I personally don’t like the ships they use for the Galapagos, I guess I should hate and never sail with celebrity again As I said before they do have ships that have traditional balconies. They actually have 8 of them. Only 3 e class right now with 2 more coming. If it was not popular they would not have kept building them.From talking to freinds who went on a few of the e class the shows for Eden are standing room only. The restaurant is full and sold out every night. To me they are still going after the same demographic and age range. Peoples tastes change so they adapted to the more broader instead of just doing the same old thing and only catering to a smaller population.

They had them on the Mercury class ships, was never used the times I was on the ships.

I agree and also disagree with the IV cabins. Innovation always is taking a chance. Overall yes they might have alienated some of their clientele but also brought in many new cruisers, there filling these ships and still have 2 coming in the next few years. The long time cruisers many are not fans, but with that many people also like the extra space the IV brings. It's also not like celebrity does not have other options besides the IV/Edge class ships, 8 of their ships still have the traditional balconies available.

Interesting to see the complaints and gratitude's that are given on the various aspects of what there is and what there isn't with Celebrity. Mainly The E class is not for everyone, but with Celebrity building a 5th there is a big draw from the customers. The goal of a publicly traded company is to satisfy the stakeholders. With E class helping bring in higher end suite revenue and many people enjoying them the few who complain about no balconies is minor to them, they have record bookings, ships back to sailing just about full. They still have ships that have balconies, but people complain that they are not the new ones. The S class and M class ships are in great shape, anyone who has been on them, with a few decenters overall love them still, my favorite still currently next to the old Mercury Class. A company cannot please everyone, pretty much impossible. I personally have not been on E class yet but have many family and friends who rave about them, and this is from boomers to millennials saying this overall. Food has always been subjective, I have never had any issues and I have a background in Hospitality, Chef title included. The ships these days seem to be being built for unique travel experiences. They are not just meant to be a floating hotel anymore but now also a destination in itself overall.

My guess it will stay as is while things get evaluated. Any major changes will have to go to the board and or CEO of RCG anyways. I would hope there is always evaluation going on, and they know their shortcomings, ie staffing, food quality etc and they will continue to look for ways to improve while also satisfying stake holders.

Search LOGIN TO ACCESS DOWNLOADABLE VIDEO AND IMAGE CONTENT (for Accredited Press Only) Email address Password Forgot Password? Request Access VIEW ALL RELEASES DOWNLOAD Celebrity Cruises’ President and CEO Lisa Lutoff-Perlo Transitions to Vice Chair, External Affairs; Laura Hodges Bethge Named to Succeed Her MIAMI – April 6, 2023 – Today, Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL) announced that after an illustrious tenure at the helm of Celebrity Cruises, Lisa Lutoff-Perlo will transition to Vice Chair, External Affairs for Royal Caribbean Group, effective May 1. In her new role, Lutoff-Perlo will continue reporting to Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty. Laura Hodges Bethge, currently executive vice president, shared services operations, will become the next brand president of Celebrity Cruises. “Lisa has been instrumental in transforming the Celebrity Cruises brand to what it is today,” said Jason Liberty, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group. “From helping us introduce the revolutionary Edge Series of ships to advancing the role of women in maritime careers, Lisa has had an incredible career during her time leading Celebrity Cruises, and multiple parts of our Royal Caribbean International brand. I have had the pleasure of working with Lisa for almost 18 years, and I know her expertise will be invaluable as she transitions to serve as my Vice Chair, External Affairs.” “It has always been difficult for me to imagine leaving the incredible Celebrity brand, but the time is right for me to start an exciting new chapter and turn the helm over to a new leader,” said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo. “It has been my great honor to lead this brand and work alongside the phenomenal Celebrity shoreside team and crew. Together, our accomplishments have been extraordinary. I’m excited to now work closely with Jason on broader initiatives as we sail towards an even brighter future.” Lutoff-Perlo’s remarkable career with Royal Caribbean Group began in 1985 with her first role as a district sales manager and she went on to trailblaze a legacy of firsts. Along the way, she also led Celebrity Cruises to record growth, revenue, and profit, and she championed the brand’s evolution into the incredible cruise line it is today. Under her leadership, Celebrity Cruises welcomed four new award-winning ships, and underwent the Celebrity Revolution, one of the largest fleet revitalization projects in the industry. In 2005, Lutoff-Perlo became Celebrity’s first female senior vice president of hotel operations. In 2012, she was named executive vice president of operations for Royal Caribbean International, the first woman in the industry to oversee both hotel and marine operations. Two short years later, she was the first woman appointed to president and CEO of one of Royal Caribbean Group’s brands. “I would also like to congratulate Laura for her appointment as the next brand president of Celebrity Cruises,” Liberty added. “With her operational experience, business acumen and deep understanding of our company and the cruise industry, I know Laura is the right person to lead Celebrity Cruises to its next phases of growth.” Most recently serving as executive vice president, shared services operations, Laura Hodges Bethge has been with the company more than 23 years and has held senior positions in many different areas including product development, hotel and marine operations, sales, marketing, product innovation, market development and investor relations. Hodges Bethge is an exemplary leader with a long history of success at the company. Previously, she was senior vice president of product development for Royal Caribbean International, and led the teams conceptualizing their groundbreaking ships, private island destinations, and new experiences introduced throughout the award-winning fleet, including the first island in Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day Island Collection – Perfect Day at CocoCay. “Now 15 ships strong, this is an exciting time for Celebrity Cruises,” said Laura Hodges Bethge. “This year alone, we’ll be welcoming Celebrity Ascent, and reaching key construction milestones in the yet-to-be-named fifth ship in the revolutionary Edge Series. I look forward to building on the incredible achievements of Lisa and this world class team, as we continue to break boundaries and chart new courses in the industry.”

Tipping is all personal preference. What someone does, tips etc has no bearing on how I will tip. People will be all over the place on this, But for 2 drinks you would be in line since figure the drink costs on ship about 9-10 then do the 20% grat so anywhere from 3-5 depending on how you want to tip.

Ditto on the Renaissance, very convenient to many restaurants withen walking distance. Can walk out to the causeway and see the ships come in , from the rooms also but I just get a coffee and wander to the bridge and then walk around the area

But it was said on social media Facebook, so it has to be true. No one ever lies or tells false hoods there

Thats great, missed tho it will not work on my next cruise since flight is before 1130 but future

I usually do the button down or polo, but on occasion have worn a t shirt but will have a summer blazer etc over it. Pants always have a cpl with me and after dinner, especially Carribean I would change to shorts.

I don't have one this year in April but have it next year and looking forward to my 8 straight sea days and watching the Sunset from my Sunset Verandah on the Beyond.

I usually book direct with a TA, I use 2 different ones, not big box did that once and had some issues. Now I have a general TA and more a cruise specialist TA and depending on who has the better perks etc I would go with them, they both know I do this and have no problem with it. I used to work with them when I was in the hospitality industry years ago. I always have access to them they have dealt with some interesting issues and handled very quickly.

Also have to take into account if you want any of the coffees from Cafe Bacio and waters etc. With AI that includes the grats which is 17-20ish depending on room it works out well for many. I get a lot of coffees and teas from the cafe do not have to worry about liking or not liking a drink. I agree does not work out for everyone but for me its a no brainer, since I do need the internet to track work emails also at times.

Yep hits the Azores then 3 ports in Spain and one in France before Italy. Totally forgot about eu. Thanks. So will just walk off and head to Rome.

Not worries about transport that’s the easy part. We have friends flying over from the states into Fco that we need to meet up with and just figuring out timing.

I am on the Beyond next year,in April and wondering what time do passengers are able disembark and get thru customs. Not worried about flight since staying in Rome for around 2 weeks after, just for arranging pick up from service etc. thanks

In general Celebrity is trying to attract the same demographic it was trying to attract 10-20 years ago. 50ish area and up. This has not changed. The changes on board are to attract that demographic. I would never expect the company to keep everything like it was 20 years ago, where so many people say when it was like this and that etc.Changes happen and the way to attract the 50 ish range and what they want has changed from 10-20 years ago.

That is the job of guest services, Working in the Hospitality industry for many years, 25 plus, many years as Front office/General Manager etc I had many interactions with guests late at night. I have had guests removed from the premises very easily. If a guest even implies any type of action towards you do not be afraid to talk to Hotel Director/Security etc. That is part of their role onboard.

Been thinking about this overall. Many people say that Celebrity is going for a different demographic overall. Are they or are they just as cruisers we are all getting older and now Celebrity does not appeal in all the same way it did 10-15 years ago. Celebrity still is catering to that crowd more, I can see that, yes they have changed but more to stay enticing for the demographic they are shooting for. I started with them in my early 30s overall. The experience from ships to being now is very different, I still enjoy it completely, have tried others, but I also as mentioned usually take the 9+days at a minimum, which draws a different type of cruiser overall.