Has Celebrity changed much

[ConnCruise]

since 2000?

 

Hi, We just booked a 7 day out of Barcelona on the Constellation on Oct 2. We haven't cruised with Celebrity since 2000 on the Millennium. (We loved it, great service, great boat).

 

Has the line changed much since then? Same excellent service?

 

We booked a concierge veranda stateroom.

 

Thanks in advance for any feedback.

[Denny01]

We've cruised Celebrity since '97 and Celebrity is our Cruise Line of choice - we start with Celebrity and usually end up with it. Only go with other Lines to join friends or for a special itinerary. We love all our cruises, but Celebrity meets our Niche.

 

The Service is still top notch - best of the main cruise lines, love the lowkey adult (what I call it) approach of few announcements and lots of things to do, but not all the 'group things'. Those can be fun, but just not our 'thing'. Some say the dining quality in the MDR has gone down. We have had some up-and-down entree experiences, but my personal opinon on something as subjective (along with Service and most all other opinons on cruising) opinion is still better than the other comperable Lines. Again great service in the MDR, and many selections and options.

 

So I think you'll love coming back. We go with Conceirge a number of times also. Constellation is our 'favorite amoungst favorites' and is still in great shape, has that fantastic T-Spa and great decor. Also, the Constellation has gone through what many refer to as being 'Solsticized', where they added a number of Solstice-Class venues to this ship and will do so to the other M-Class. Added the Bistro at 5 (light dining on crepes and so on - $5pp), the Tuscan Grill where the Conservatory was topside and modified some of the Bars. Sounds great. Adds what we love of the S-Class to our favorite M-Class ships.

 

Welcome back, Denny

[ConnCruise]

Thanks Denny! Sounds like we made the right choice.

[cabin1018B]

A think a little reality is in order here. We had our first Celebrity cruise in 1997, and just have come home from our 9th today (Summit). We love them, and our next is in February.

 

General Grant is misquoted as saying "My country right or wrong".

The full quote is "My country right or wrong, if she is right, keep her right, if she is wrong, make her right."

 

To say Celebrity has not gone down from 2000 is totally wrong.....and the cheerleaders on this site that say it has not are not helping Celebrity learn what they need to do!

 

-They no longer have your escorted to your cabin as you enter.

 

-MDR food has slipped way back. The 'everynight' selections are standard banquet food (think RCCL). There are fewer waiters in the MDR.

(I recall in 2002-ish talking to a VP at RCCL corp telling me that yes, they needed to bring "economies" to Celebrity....great job guys.)

 

-The Normandie was a total disappointment. In past trips we have eaten in the specialty resturants almost every night (United States on Infinity, Ocean Liners on Connie) and the experiences were awesome. Four or five servers working as a team, bringing the dishes covered to the table and removing them in one flourish. Not now - one waiter and one bus boy just like in the MDR. No harpist/pianist/classical guitar playing during dinner - no entertainment at all. The cheese table used to contain 6 or 8 really amazing rare choices - not now, just one or two the rest were basics. We knew one of the folks there from prior cruises - he was clearly upset that he could no longer present the product of the past. And if Michel Roux is out (for how long?) why are there still several of his dishes on the menu when a common complaint is that the menus in the specialty restaurants never seem to change - year to year! One night, we did not go back.

 

-Cafe...less staffing, tables often were not cleared. Smoked Salmon only once during the week - used to be every day. Seats were so dirty that when using a paper napkin to move the seat (for norovirus avoidance) the paper stuck to the arms!

 

-Maintenance - lacking. lots of rust, lots of paint and varnish needed....lots of very dirty cloth seats.

 

+As usual, a happy crew, great people; entertainment was great, overall an outstanding product, but people at our table who were not Celebrity regulars did not see that the product was that much better than Holland or Princess.

 

sorry, but a little truth only helps.

 

d

[eandj]

A think a little reality is in order here. We had our first Celebrity cruise in 1997, and just have come home from our 9th today (Summit). We love them, and our next is in February.

 

+As usual, a happy crew, great people; entertainment was great, overall an outstanding product, but people at our table who were not Celebrity regulars did not see that the product was that much better than Holland or Princess.

 

sorry, but a little truth only helps.

 

d

 

Cabin, even tho having some complaints, still says X has an outstanding product. I'd guess that's the thought of most Celebrity cruisers. The Summit does have a few issues...not LOTS of rust, dirty cushions etc. Considering it's age and the itineraries it's been on, I'd say it's in darn good shape. And is on schedule to be "solsticized" along with the other M class ships. Celebrity is and has always been compared to HAL in many areas. I don't see being told that it wasn't "that much better", as a negative. ;)

Sure they might not send a staff member to walk you to your room automatically. But I have seen many ask for help and were escorted.

 

Food is a subject that of course can't be discussed objectively. Think that you'll find some favorite dishes and maybe some not to your liking. Remember if you don't like something they gladly will replace it with another choice. We found the buffet in the last 3 years has improved and has much more variety.

 

So has the line changed? Maybe. Depends on what you are looking for and at. I know this tho....you WILL have a wonderful time!!:D

[Denny01]

A think a little reality is in order here.....

sorry, but a little truth only helps.

 

Thanks for providing all of us the 'truth'. Maybe some posters should look up the definition of 'truth' and 'opinion', and 'subjective'. One one post (mine of course!) the poster stated this was their opinon. While the post accuses those saying postive things as Cheerleaders (god do I get tired of that silly phrase used on anyone providing a positive post about a Line on that Line's Forum - what??), then puts out the 'truth' about very subjective issues. Having actually cruised Celebrity since 2007 (11 times overall and 4 times since 2007, plus other Lines), my subjective opinon is based on cruises as recent as Dec 09.

 

There is little if any rust and wear, except what you'd expect on an object that is bathed in a saltwater environment....the service is outstanding, and of course the dining is...well isn't that why there are 1,218 restaurants in my relatively small town - OK I exagerate - but you know us Cheerleaders. Yes, Celebrity is my Line of choice - but being an adult I can make judgements even of things I enjoy. And I try to stay away from putdowns and the little insults and let those that must fortify their position with such, do such.

 

I bet (see I don't see you Will) you'll really enjoy Celebrity - you may find a Line you enjoy more, but that depends on what each of us is looking for, but Celebrity should be an excellent experience - enjoy.

 

And enjoy whatever you decide.

 

By the way, we were escorted to our cabin Nov 09, but they probably thought, boy this Old Sailor will probably get lost and wander around all cruise, somebody take him to his room!

 

Denny

[TeaBag]

Celebrity is also our line of choice. We have never had a bad cruise and the last one (Connie TA 2010) was our best yet. Would I say it has gone down a bit? Maybe a little. Fuel is triple what it used to be and cruise fares are sometimes less than half what they used to be (I keep the records of all our bookings). Frankly I don't know how they offer such a great product in today's market. I say, 'Way to go Celebrity!" and I'm not a cheerleader, I'm too old:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:!

[Lois R]

A think a little reality is in order here. We had our first Celebrity cruise in 1997, and just have come home from our 9th today (Summit). We love them, and our next is in February.

 

General Grant is misquoted as saying "My country right or wrong".

The full quote is "My country right or wrong, if she is right, keep her right, if she is wrong, make her right."

 

To say Celebrity has not gone down from 2000 is totally wrong.....and the cheerleaders on this site that say it has not are not helping Celebrity learn what they need to do!

 

-They no longer have your escorted to your cabin as you enter.

 

-MDR food has slipped way back. The 'everynight' selections are standard banquet food (think RCCL). There are fewer waiters in the MDR.

(I recall in 2002-ish talking to a VP at RCCL corp telling me that yes, they needed to bring "economies" to Celebrity....great job guys.)

 

-The Normandie was a total disappointment. In past trips we have eaten in the specialty resturants almost every night (United States on Infinity, Ocean Liners on Connie) and the experiences were awesome. Four or five servers working as a team, bringing the dishes covered to the table and removing them in one flourish. Not now - one waiter and one bus boy just like in the MDR. No harpist/pianist/classical guitar playing during dinner - no entertainment at all. The cheese table used to contain 6 or 8 really amazing rare choices - not now, just one or two the rest were basics. We knew one of the folks there from prior cruises - he was clearly upset that he could no longer present the product of the past. And if Michel Roux is out (for how long?) why are there still several of his dishes on the menu when a common complaint is that the menus in the specialty restaurants never seem to change - year to year! One night, we did not go back.

 

-Cafe...less staffing, tables often were not cleared. Smoked Salmon only once during the week - used to be every day. Seats were so dirty that when using a paper napkin to move the seat (for norovirus avoidance) the paper stuck to the arms!

 

-Maintenance - lacking. lots of rust, lots of paint and varnish needed....lots of very dirty cloth seats.

 

+As usual, a happy crew, great people; entertainment was great, overall an outstanding product, but people at our table who were not Celebrity regulars did not see that the product was that much better than Holland or Princess.

 

sorry, but a little truth only helps.

 

d

 

Sorry your Normandie experience was such a disappointment.

Since you said you just sailed, I am guessing we were on the same

cruise? I just got home today. I had a totally opposite experience

and all my Normandie meals were simply amazing:):D

 

Sorry you thought the ship was in bad shape.... I guess we each

have our own views of reality. I sailed her in January and this week

she looked just fine to me:)

[Denny01]

Cabin 1018B, sorry about my comments that inferred you hadn't cruised Celebrity since 2007 - missed you'd just got off the Summit and was just looking at your 'history'......but I'll stick with my comment that you should voice your opinon and not state it as 'truth' when discussing subject issues such as these, and you might reconsider labeling those you disagree with as 'Cheerleaders', a bit of a putdown when we are talking about each person's subjective opinon especially on dining.

 

Den

[sammamishcruiser]

Well, OK, I'm not the experienced cruisers several other people here on these boards are but here is my two cents FWIW!

 

We have been on two Celebrity cruises #1 Millennuium, Sept. 08 and #2 Infinity Sept. 09. On both of these wonderful cruises we were treated like royalty. Welcome aboard drinks and we were escorted to our cabin both times (although I REALLY did not need it the second time, but it was nice). We ate in the Olympic and the USS United States and both were 5-star. Our wait staff in the MDR was fantastic and very attentive to each and every one of us. I could go on and on, but you get the picture. Celebrity is our line of choice.

 

BTW, our first cruise was on Princess. While it was not bad (nothing to compare it to) Celebrity is just a better fit for us. When I board, it just feels like "home".

 

Happy cruising to all

Melody:D

[Dunelm]

My husband and I have been on three cruises in the last year, on different cruise lines. We had a wonderful time on all three, but our favorite ship was the Constellation. I think that, to some extent, most modes of travel are not what they used to be--lots of reasons; however, cruising remains a great experience. I just think that some people's expectations are too high no matter what they do or where they go, and I think that some of us have been rather spoiled. So, the Constellation is a beautiful ship with fantastic crew and service. And, to have yummy meals made for us is always a treat!

[WpgCruise]

A think a little reality is in order here. We had our first Celebrity cruise in 1997, and just have come home from our 9th today (Summit). We love them, and our next is in February.

 

General Grant is misquoted as saying "My country right or wrong".

The full quote is "My country right or wrong, if she is right, keep her right, if she is wrong, make her right."

 

To say Celebrity has not gone down from 2000 is totally wrong.....and the cheerleaders on this site that say it has not are not helping Celebrity learn what they need to do!

 

-They no longer have your escorted to your cabin as you enter.

 

-MDR food has slipped way back. The 'everynight' selections are standard banquet food (think RCCL). There are fewer waiters in the MDR.

(I recall in 2002-ish talking to a VP at RCCL corp telling me that yes, they needed to bring "economies" to Celebrity....great job guys.)

 

-The Normandie was a total disappointment. In past trips we have eaten in the specialty resturants almost every night (United States on Infinity, Ocean Liners on Connie) and the experiences were awesome. Four or five servers working as a team, bringing the dishes covered to the table and removing them in one flourish. Not now - one waiter and one bus boy just like in the MDR. No harpist/pianist/classical guitar playing during dinner - no entertainment at all. The cheese table used to contain 6 or 8 really amazing rare choices - not now, just one or two the rest were basics. We knew one of the folks there from prior cruises - he was clearly upset that he could no longer present the product of the past. And if Michel Roux is out (for how long?) why are there still several of his dishes on the menu when a common complaint is that the menus in the specialty restaurants never seem to change - year to year! One night, we did not go back.

 

-Cafe...less staffing, tables often were not cleared. Smoked Salmon only once during the week - used to be every day. Seats were so dirty that when using a paper napkin to move the seat (for norovirus avoidance) the paper stuck to the arms!

 

-Maintenance - lacking. lots of rust, lots of paint and varnish needed....lots of very dirty cloth seats.

 

+As usual, a happy crew, great people; entertainment was great, overall an outstanding product, but people at our table who were not Celebrity regulars did not see that the product was that much better than Holland or Princess.

 

sorry, but a little truth only helps.

 

d

 

 

I agree. In my opinion service, food quality, maintenance, cleaning have all slipped even in the few years we have been taking Celebrity cruises. If the O/P expects the same level of service they likely had in 2000 I think they will be disappointed. We have enjoyed Celebrity, but to deny the points made by Cabin1018B above is in my opinion somewhat unjust. Times have changed, and to deny this truth is only setting the O/P up for disappointment.

[dzcruisers]

I agree. In my opinion service, food quality, maintenance, cleaning have all slipped even in the few years we have been taking Celebrity cruises. If the O/P expects the same level of service they likely had in 2000 I think they will be disappointed. We have enjoyed Celebrity, but to deny the points made by Cabin1018B above is in my opinion somewhat unjust. Times have changed, and to deny this truth is only setting the O/P up for disappointment.

 

I would agree and X is our line of choice. We were just on the Summit and found everywhere that we were to be in great shape, so they take maintenance seriously. Our cabin steward was wonderful. However the little perks from the past, being escorted and such made us feel special. There were more waiters in the MDR and buffet in the past. If one didn't cruise before 2007 on X you probably won't see much of a difference now. There is IMHO a noticeable difference.

 

However we can afford to cruise much more often now because the prices have dropped so much. I'll take the trade offs, no escort, fewer waiters, etc. to take a really good cruise more frequently. X still has a great product and offers a great cruise if somewhat different from the early days of our X cruising, 1999. I don't think you'll notice small decline in service on a port intensive cruise.

[jt1120]

Celebrity is our Cruise Line of choice - we start with Celebrity and usually end up with it. Only go with other Lines for a special itinerary. We love all our cruises, but Celebrity meets our Niche.

 

The Service is still top notch - best of the main cruise lines, love the lowkey adult (what I call it) approach of few announcements and lots of things to do, but not all the 'group things'. Those can be fun, but just not our 'thing'. Some say the dining quality in the MDR has gone down. We have had some up-and-down entree experiences, but my personal opinon on something as subjective (along with Service and most all other opinons on cruising) opinion is still better than the other comperable Lines. Again great service in the MDR, and many selections and options.

 

So I think you'll love coming back. We've gone with Conceirge a number of times also. Constellation has gone through what many refer to as being 'Solsticized', where they added a number of Solstice-Class venues to this ship and will do so to the other M-Class. Added the Bistro at 5 (light dining on crepes and so on - $5pp), the Tuscan Grill where the Conservatory was topside and modified some of the Bars. Sounds great. Adds what we love of the S-Class to our favorite M-Class ships.

 

Welcome back,

Denny

 

No sense in me repeating what Denny has outlined. ITA with everything Denny lists, though I will say that I've seen a slight decline in food quality, but it's still better than any of the other cruiselines we've sailed. Plus, with the Connie just coming out of refurb, she looks more and more like her cousins the Solstice class, which are beyond beautiful. We're on the same cruise, only two weeks later. Enjoy!

[kelmac]

I agree. In my opinion service, food quality, maintenance, cleaning have all slipped even in the few years we have been taking Celebrity cruises. If the O/P expects the same level of service they likely had in 2000 I think they will be disappointed. We have enjoyed Celebrity, but to deny the points made by Cabin1018B above is in my opinion somewhat unjust. Times have changed, and to deny this truth is only setting the O/P up for disappointment.

 

After cruising on Celebrity since 1993 (14 cruises), I always get a kick out of the "good old days" passengers. Things were different back then, but not everything was better. In fact, my worst Celebrity experience was back in 1998 on the Zenith.

I'm about to cruise the Solstice for the second time; I will be in an Aqua Class cabin; I will dine in Blu; visit Bistro on Five; visit both the Tuscan Grill and Muranos -- all this, at about the same price as that 1998 cruise. Dollar for dollar, not adjusted to 2010 values. I will have a better cabin, better bathroom, much better bed, better shower, a balcony, and better entertainment.

People seem to forget:

--the buffet with little choice, faux meats, and limited hours.

--the staff forcing you out of your cabin at 7:00am on disembarkation day.

--almost no food that last morning.

--the dog eat dog world the staff had to operate under.

--long waits to board the ship, exit the ship at ports, and disembarkation.

--smoking all over the ship with ashtrays at the elevators.

--Greek officers that bathed twice a week with uniforms that smelled of BO.

 

Yes, the MDR had great European service and great food, but the menus never changed for over ten years. My wife and I had every menu memorized.

 

People's memories, coated with that rosy nostalgia, paints a more positive picture of a younger time.

 

I don't buy it.

Kel:)

[nadalina]

I admit that I have wondered the same thing: "Has Celebrity changed much?".

 

After a six-year hiatus, I am returning to Celebrity this coming weekend for my 32nd cruise with them on the Solstice. I took my first Celebrity cruise on the Horizon in 1990 when she was brand-new and have sailed on most of the other ships, too, along the way, my last being the Constellation in 2004. But by then, I'm sorry to say, I DID feel that after the merger with RCCL, Celebrity's outstanding standards had decreased somewhat, so I decided to venture out and try other cruise lines: Princess, RCCL, Carnival, Norwegian, Costa and Crystal. Now I'm really anxious to go back to Celebrity and form my own opinion about how they are today. Opinions are just that..... opinions, and they are all based on our expectations. I read a different post yesterday from someone who had just returned from the Solstice, and they said they much preferred RCCL because, in their opinion, the entertainment, food and activities were much better on RCCL. In fact, they said they were "bored" on the Solstice. But rather than take their comments as a negative toward Celebrity in general or the Solstice in particular, it told me a lot about what they were looking for in a cruise, i.e. their expectations. From personal experience, I know that RCCL and Celebrity offer different types of products..... different cruise experiences...... and I know, without any doubt, that the Celebrity I first experienced and came to love, offered the type of product and experience I was looking for. It was the perfect fit for me in every respect. I just hope my upcoming cruise on the Solstice will, again, prove true to my expectations. And I can't wait to step aboard!!

 

Peggy

[Woobstr112G]

Thanks for providing all of us the 'truth'. Maybe some posters should look up the definition of 'truth' and 'opinion', and 'subjective'. One one post (mine of course!) the poster stated this was their opinon. While the post accuses those saying postive things as Cheerleaders (god do I get tired of that silly phrase used on anyone providing a positive post about a Line on that Line's Forum - what??), then puts out the 'truth' about very subjective issues. Having actually cruised Celebrity since 2007 (11 times overall and 4 times since 2007, plus other Lines), my subjective opinon is based on cruises as recent as Dec 09.

 

There is little if any rust and wear, except what you'd expect on an object that is bathed in a saltwater environment....the service is outstanding, and of course the dining is...well isn't that why there are 1,218 restaurants in my relatively small town - OK I exagerate - but you know us Cheerleaders. Yes, Celebrity is my Line of choice - but being an adult I can make judgements even of things I enjoy. And I try to stay away from putdowns and the little insults and let those that must fortify their position with such, do such.

 

I bet (see I don't see you Will) you'll really enjoy Celebrity - you may find a Line you enjoy more, but that depends on what each of us is looking for, but Celebrity should be an excellent experience - enjoy.

 

And enjoy whatever you decide.

 

By the way, we were escorted to our cabin Nov 09, but they probably thought, boy this Old Sailor will probably get lost and wander around all cruise, somebody take him to his room!

 

Denny

 

Well said sir.....

 

Bob

[ConnCruise]

who posted! I'll let you know what I think in October.