bikerunner

Question is how should Celebrity handle the increase in Food Cost overall....raise rates etc. HonestlyI get sirloin at my favorite farm, I buy from the the farmer, not stores and it has been way better than any filet I have had. I been to the top steakhouses in the U.S. etc so go at me on it if you want. I have the chef, grad from Hyde Park background overall, but ended up in mgmt. People get blinded and thinking filet mignon etc is the best, makes them feel better overall, ie luxury. It's all perception in my opinion. For example I have done wine tastings with friends who are tru sommeliers, there have been many people who picked the 15 bottle of wine vs the 200 bottle. Blind test,

I enjoy you go "with the flow" type of attitude. I do the same, will everything be perfect, nope, but the imperfect usually are small items when you think of them. Yes there are changes and understandable overall. Looking forward to your summary, I was on the Connie on second cruise after start up for her. One of best trips I have had. Like you said does room need updating probably but it was clean, relaxing, and plenty of room to store things for us

Thank you, I think changes are more class specific looking at the menu, also on the app looking. Enjoy your discourse of your trip, very perceptive writer

It's a meal done once a cruise usually. You will get the Time and day the you board when the Chefs Table meal is.

That's what Im thinking, tho lobster bisque would be out, I know the app menu has a bunch of choices for vegetarian. I'll probably book it and go with it. Definitely won't go hungry.

Tipping is personal overall. How one does it does not mean another has to. With that having run resorts and Restaurants for many years I know how hard service people work, and the behind the scenes ppl also.

Thinking of booking this, I been many times, but I notice they do not have a vegetarian entree at this point. My travel mate is a vegetarian. I know it can be done, plenty of apps that are vegetarian etc. I know it would not be an issue if we went later on the cruise, since we would talk to the Matre de beforehand so my friend could get something special. Does anyone have experience on this. Personally, I want to go to Lawn Club Grill, but that would be a reach for my friend I know.

Hence there is a difference in the the AI rate, drinks/tips/wifi...than purchasing piecemeal. This has been known for a long time that is why packages are priced that way. Yes great rate for Cruise only but if your not putting in the other costs your in for a shock. If you dont like it as said, cancel you would not be happy on the cruise. I know where I need to be on rates pp/per day with the AI to think about the cruise, and amazingly still can find it. This also includes air and hotel/travel costs.

There is a separate vegetarian menu. You need to ask for it it’s not on the app or posted anywhere’s my travel mate is a vegetarian also and was very happy with all the choices

That is a good price for a bid. I would do it as I love blu and also the other amenities that go with aq.

As much as the costs for the drink package have risen, I look at it a different way. I don't want to think when Im on vacation on will this drink put me over etc, so maybe Im one of the ones that is caught in not worrying about costs. I do a cost analysis before I cruise, I have a range I want to be in per day, this also includes flights and hotels etc. For my next cruises Im still in my comfort range and not going to worry about being on board and saying that drink is in the premium or above area. Am I happy not completely, but its just not cruises seeing this, which keeps it in perspective for me

How does that work on the E class ( finally found a good cruise we liked with an E class) , tho I'm thinking we will probably pick one restaurant for the bulk of the nights. Main reason my travel mate is a Vegetarian and it has worked out great on S Class and M class ships, but of course those are more traditional in that it's one dining room.

The prices are what they are, I decide if it's worth the extra costs now on many things. with my home heating gone up over 90% since last year, electricity more than dbl. Im still good with the prices on celebrity, any type of vacation has gone up dramatically, I went to an All Inclusive a few months ago and it was over 40% higher than I paid for just last year. Go to grocery store, etc....list goes on. Im okay with the price increases and xtra costs being put in, I'll have a great cruise always do on celebrity. My main issue is gonna be plane flights.

I always have at least one All Inclusive booked every year along with a few cruises to go on. Work gets in the way for more. Its across the board with prices and other small cutbacks at places. I noticed at the AI when I was there in Nov/Dec. Nothing major but there was a difference from staffing to some other little things. Did have an impact on my vacation, absolutely not, already booked again for this year.

No worries at all. The changes are not major for me, I know others feel different. I never use room service, easy enough to go get my coffee/tea in the morning at Bacio. I like the walk (rarely use elevators). Plenty of food to have and not bring in the room, honestly room is for storing clothes and sleeping and sometimes a shower there, mostly take them in the gym after using the Thermal/Persian which I tend to always get even if Im not in an AQ room. Not worried about the OVC and the buffet as long as pizza late night is available. I travel with my friend who is a vegetarian so we mostly eat in the restaurants since she will have more choices with the separate Vegetarian that is available. The main hiccup on cruising now is like some others mentioned the Flights. I have 2 cruises on Celebrity booked this year and a TA next year. Damm work gets in the way, way to often.

I would look at Excellence properties also, I go to The Excellence El Carmen every year, Dominican Republic. Very relaxing and great staff. Decent shows and food. Also Adults only overall.

You wont find individual drink prices for the gin and tonics etc. But I would guess they have them at the top of the pkg pricing...ie Hendricks and tonic 15 or 17 and Gordons (Classic) at the 9 or 10 level. I know the levels use to be 9 for classic and 15 for premium and they just changed. Also be aware unlike NCL packages, Celebrity already include the tips with it so do not have to add that in. But if you only have the classic pkg and order a premium alcohol you would pay difference plus 20% ex Premium alcohol drink 15...classic will cover 9 of that. So 6 plus 20% price would be 7.20

The App would be your best go to for prices. But you also can upgrade anytime when you board and take a look at the prices overall. The main thing is the wine and beer selection in the Premium works better for me and my travelmate. Last cruise I was actually drinking one not covered by either, was like 2 dollars over premium I think. All the wines are not listed in the app or easily found. I had to ask and found a good Pinot Noir by the glass that I did not know about.

I would keep the C1, my favorite cabins just for the views and going in and out of ports. Always can purchase the pass to the Persian Gardens if it is something you like with the extra saved.

St Kitts been to a few times and have always used ThemfordGreys Tours. Great choices and much better than the ship ones overall. On antigua have used Adventure Antigua and actually did the eco tour twice with them.

Im never concerned with what to take as my bank refunds me back any ATM charges each month. Main thing for cash is just the tips overall. Tho I will need to rethink that on a Transatlantic I have planned and will be staying in Italy for an additional week or so.

This really depends on you. I would wait until getting on as the price should be the same to purchase on board. Personally I used it every day on my last cruise. I enjoy it in the afternoon, after being in the sun all day to help clean off overall. I know many dont find it useful or indifferent about the space. Everyone will have different opinions overall. But I used it at least once a day and sometimes even two times for the morning wake up on sea days.

Perfect thank you. Forgot about the app and looking. Will peruse that soon. Will be there many a nights I think. Even tho cruise is way to far away.

I see the beyond has a wcb and happy it does. I also see different reports it has a different menu from the S class ones. If anyone has a menu or input would be appreciated

Thanks great information.