Celebrity as ala carte Ferry?

[rucrazy]

News Flash!! ....

Man O War ....Seabiscuit.....Citation....Secretariat are still dead....

In other words ..why are you guys still beating a dead horse?

[goody1]

It never fails to amuse me on the Celebrity Boards, that anyone having the nerve to criticise X is rounded on by numerous posters. My wife and I are Elite and really enjoy Celebrity, and do not agree that it can be compared to an upmarket ferry, however the OP is entitled to his opinion whether or not we agree with it.

[warmwinds]

We only cruise every 2 years or so. In between we take lots of land-based vacations to places like Hawaii, Florida, all over the US - National Parks, major and minor cities.

 

So when we do cruise, every time it is fun, exciting, new (even though we have ONLY cruised Celebrity M class for the past 15 years).

 

I think sometimes people cruise TOO much...and I can see where it would get boring. (Well, to me)... I know some cruise several times a year and love it, not us. Maybe the OP is more like us and hasn't realized it?

 

 

So my point to the OP is...take a break from cruising, take a few different types of vacations, then when you come back I bet you enjoy it a lot more.

[Cruising89143]

It never fails to amuse me on the Celebrity Boards, that anyone having the nerve to criticise X is rounded on by numerous posters. My wife and I are Elite and really enjoy Celebrity, and do not agree that it can be compared to an upmarket ferry, however the OP is entitled to his opinion whether or not we agree with it.

 

You're 100% correct that the OP can state their opinion and the same goes for anyone else on this board. When you start a thread asking questions and making comments people are going to respond. That's the nature of discussion boards. If someone does not want to hear what another person has to say then I suggest not posting. Pretty simple.

[A Sixth?]

Are the ships just ferry service from one port to another with all else but basics ala carte?

We have visited most of the Caribbean islands, now need to rethink what the ships offer.

jls

 

May I ask what ferry boat services you've been using because they sound way-nicer than even the best one's I used. :rolleyes::p

 

PS, if you're looking for me to deliver the list I'll be on my favourite cruise line having a drink at the Elite cocktail party between 5 and 7 if you can't find me. :cool:

[JLSPOOL]

<<<with little creativity to keep the "fantasy" of cruising for old timers>>>

 

I find this such a ridiculous, patronising and elitist statement.

 

You do know that there are more people than you in this world right? We aren;t all "old timers" and many of us are happy with a nice a la carte ferry.

 

 

Sorry about the confusion. IMO "old timers" means people who have boarded ships since the Big Red Boat or Norway, back in the early days of "mass-market ships". Even remember the Celebrity Meridian or Horizon, the early growth of RCl and Carnival, or the introduction of flat bottom ships and atriums.

 

Age of passengers has nothing to do with the "fantasy" of cruising.

 

After numerous cruises and repeat of the ports, we wonder if the Celebrity ships (only one we know w/no smoking casinos and mass-market appeal) are enough "fantasy" for repeat itineraries and ala cartes

jls

Edited December 1, 2013 by JLSPOOL

[Lois R]

Sorry about the confusion. IMO "old timers" means people who have boarded ships since the Big Red Boat or Norway, back in the early days of "mass-market ships". Even remember the early growth of RCl and Carnival or the introduction of flat bottom ships and atriums.

 

Age of passengers has nothing to do with the "fantasy" of cruising.

 

After numerous cruises and repeat of the ports, we wonder if the Celebrity ships w/no smoking casinos and mass-market appeal are enough "fantasy" for repeat itineraries and ala cartes

 

jls

 

I really think it depends on what you are looking for....from reading

your replies? It looks like (to me anyway) Celebrity does not fill your

needs. I am repeat customer and have gone on the same itinerary

several times and always enjoy each cruise.

 

I know there are many other cruiselines out there....if I was not

happy with the product, I would look elsewhere, but that is just me.

[boogs]

After numerous cruises and repeat of the ports, we wonder if the Celebrity ships (only one we know w/no smoking casinos and mass-market appeal) are enough "fantasy" for repeat itineraries and ala cartes

 

Just because you cruise so much and have become bored with the ports and doing the same thing on the same ships, that doesn't mean the product is diminished or faulty. It is you who is the problem, not Celebrity. Just as if you ate the same cereal every morning, it wouldn't the cereal that is to blame if you get tired of it.

 

If you want a cruise line to change along with your wants and desires, start your own cruise line and have it change along with you. To expect a large mass market corporation to evolve to your personal tastes is asking too much.

 

Look in the mirror - that is where you will find the problem.

Edited December 1, 2013 by boogs

[richstowe]

I really think it depends on what you are looking for....from reading

your replies? It looks like (to me anyway) Celebrity does not fill your

needs. I am repeat customer and have gone on the same itinerary

several times and always enjoy each cruise.

 

I know there are many other cruiselines out there....if I was not

happy with the product, I would look elsewhere, but that is just me.

Well then you are wrong! The correct course of action is to start an inflammatory post comparing a Celebrity to a ferry

and then, and here's the good part, state that you are only "looking for answers".

 

Everyone is entitled to their opinion but if it's an opinion it should not be camouflaged as a search for answers.

Edited December 1, 2013 by richstowe

[pris993]

Well said :)

 

Agree with you both.

 

We have over 45 cruises on 9 different lines, over the past 30 years. We are Elite on Princess and Celebrity. Cruised HAL, Cunard and NCL presently on a rotation basis. Meaning we pick the itinerary from the various lines we like the best. We are booked on HAL for a TA and X Silhouette for 2014.

 

All of these lines are very similar in level of service and food. We do received better service and food on Princess then Celebrity because Princess is more flexible about allowing us to order off menu and more consistent in quality when we do so. Cunard is probably the best in terms of service, food and entertainment. That being said, when we cruise the various lines we know what to expect and adjust our expectations.

 

On some lines/cruises we skip the MDR and actually enjoy the buffet instead, do this on Celebrity and NCL often.

 

So we have learned to go with the flow, if we don't enjoy something we skip it and do something else.

 

Years ago we booked a Crystal cruise... did not see the value in paying the extra fare so only did once.

 

Cruising for us is still a good value for our vacation dollars.

[ilovetexas]

Any of the specialty restaurants lose appeal when we visit too often.

Obviously, we should try the AQ class cabins on Celebrity for the Blu restaurant. Maybe there is a surprise there.

 

jls

 

Yes and No.

 

Yes- AQ Class for Blu, IMHO is a joke unless it's a real deal.

 

jls

 

How would you know? You've never sailed in AQ or tried Blu.

 

Your posts get an asterisk now...

[USVI-4-me]

Maybe it's time to visit Las Vegas for variety galore.

There's something new on every block: design, food, entertainment, even red rocks and the Grand Canyon. .

 

-Marisa

[Lois R]

Well then you are wrong! The correct course of action is to start an inflammatory post comparing a Celebrity to a ferry

and then, and here's the good part, state that you are only "looking for answers".

 

Everyone is entitled to their opinion but if it's an opinion it should not be camouflaged as a search for answers.

 

WOW:eek:...I was just giving my opinion. I didn't know opinions are right

or wrong.:confused: I said from reading the original posters replies it looked to

me like they are not happy with Celebrity.

I was just giving a suggestion to look at other cruiselines if he

is not happy......

[jaybird from SC]

What's with the loyals using reserved rooms for dress codes & cocktails (Sky Lounge & Michaels), special continental breakfast (Tuscan Grille) , and hoarding of the computers?

Entertainment and food have diminished. Waiters and cabin stewards are stretched to service more tables and cabins. The Solstice class buffets are self serve for food, utensils, and drinks. Passengers prepay tips and get less service. To get more than ferry service and basic bed and food, we need to pay extra and tip extra.

Are the ships just ferry service from one port to another with all else but basics ala carte?

We have visited most of the Caribbean islands, now need to rethink what the ships offer.

jls

We have not experienced what you're talking about....?

[richstowe]

WOW:eek:...I was just giving my opinion. I didn't know opinions are right

or wrong.:confused: I said from reading the original posters replies it looked to

me like they are not happy with Celebrity.

I was just giving a suggestion to look at other cruiselines if he

is not happy......

Oops. I agreed with you. I am sorry I didn't use enough ;);)'s. I value your posts.

 

Please reread my post.

[Lois R]

Oops. I agreed with you. I am sorry I didn't use enough ;);)'s. I value your posts.

 

Please reread my post.

 

Hi Rich...I did.....I think you were trying to speak about the original

poster? But it came across to me when you quoted my whole reply

and underlined it too......thanks for clarifying it here:)

[jaybird from SC]

It would be a boring world if things remained the same.....We can't make cruising like it was "in the good old days". Maybe as we personally age, our outlook and expectations change... so if you're not happy cruising then find a new venue....

[Host Jazzbeau]

I notice that OP lives in FLA and mentions that they have visited almost every Caribbean island. So I'm assuming that OP tends to cruise in the Caribbean (makes sense, no need to fly).

 

DW and I have cruised three times in the Caribbean, and we're already starting to feel that all the islands are pretty much alike.

 

We've also read a lot of posts on this forum that seem to show that Celebrity is tightly controlled by HQ. This is probably a conscious decision to have a consistent feel across all Celebrity ships.

 

So it's no surprise that OP is getting tired and jaded about Celebrity cruises in the Caribbean. But as someone above suggested about breakfast cereal, the problem is really that OP is in a rut. Try a different cruise line, so the ship will be a new experience in its own right. Or try cruising another part of the world. But don't expect Celebrity to change their marketing philosophy for you, or for God to remake the Caribbean.

[zoncom]

JLS, with so many cruises why are you not Elite? How many times on X? Perhaps, if you do a few more Celebrity cruises you could enjoy the benefits of Elite.

[dkjretired]

It never fails to amuse me on the Celebrity Boards, that anyone having the nerve to criticise X is rounded on by numerous posters. My wife and I are Elite and really enjoy Celebrity, and do not agree that it can be compared to an upmarket ferry, however the OP is entitled to his opinion whether or not we agree with it.

 

It is like that on all the boards, not just the Celebrity boards. Years ago when Cruise Critic was solely on AOL the Disney ships were introduced. If you dared to criticize their cruise line, not only did you get nasty posts but they were sending IMs to people which were not only nasty but in some cases obscene. The Disney board is not used as much as this board anymore because there are other actual Disney boards but go over there and criticize them now and see what happens.

Edited December 1, 2013 by dkjretired

[JLSPOOL]

May I ask what ferry boat services you've been using because they sound way-nicer than even the best one's I used. :rolleyes::p

 

PS, if you're looking for me to deliver the list I'll be on my favourite cruise line having a drink at the Elite cocktail party between 5 and 7 if you can't find me. :cool:

 

 

 

 

We'll down 3 mini-martinis with you, your vouchers and ours, other drinks are on us. Conversation to include ferry services.

jls

Edited December 1, 2013 by JLSPOOL

[pris993]

How would you know? You've never sailed in AQ or tried Blu.

 

Your posts get an asterisk now...

 

 

We have cruised in CC class mostly on X, last cruise we booked Aqua class on the Eclipse.... did not see what the big deal was... so we have booked a 1b balcony on our next cruise on X, on the Silhouette. The cabins are all the same, the money we save, we can book a speciality restraurant if we feel like it. I would not book AQ again, not enough value for us to spend extra for it.

[NLH Arizona]

We have cruised in CC class mostly on X, last cruise we booked Aqua class on the Eclipse.... did not see what the big deal was... so we have booked a 1b balcony on our next cruise on X, on the Silhouette. The cabins are all the same, the money we save, we can book a speciality restraurant if we feel like it. I would not book AQ again, not enough value for us to spend extra for it.

Don't forget because of the new Captain's Club, you can now book a 2b and get upgraded to a 1b. I just did this on my next cruise and it worked like a charm - paid for a C3 and got a C2 - Yeah!

[YYC F/A]

Thank you, yes, the "fantasy" has tarnished. We want something new on the Celebrity ships or new ports. The ala carte's are expensive and we have a problem finding the value. We're not interested in Oceania or Azamara. Seabourn and Crystal are ships for smokers. Disney is good for a family.

 

M-Class ships were best in the early years. The S-Class ships now offer the same lounges, same entertainment, same food, same, same, same, etc. with little creativity to keep the "fantasy" of cruising for old timers.

 

Increasing Loyalty benefits does not make surprises. 123 Pkg promos don't give enough incentive. The lounges are limited in entertainment, the buffet has no alternate service, the bells and whistles of the biggest RCI ships or the Princess ships are now major competitors due to changes in smoking policies.

 

Celebrity needs to polish its product and ferry us to a new Caribbean ports. Celebrity needs to mix things up aboard ship to make the ferry worth the ride and added costs worth the dollars.

 

jls

 

I frankly have no idea on what product you feel you'd really enjoy?

 

Your rush to dismiss Crystal and Seabourn (smokers!) is illustrative perhaps of choosing to believe what you want to believe.

 

To elaborate further - Crystal has one of the tightest smoking policies of any line now. In addition to no smoking in the Casino (for a number of years now), smoking has now been banned in all public lounges and indoor areas - except the cigar bar. Smoking is also banned in staterooms and on verandahs. So frankly, I have no idea where you are coming from with the comment about smoking? :confused:

 

Back to Celebrity - you can cruise the Caribbean for 7-nights on a brand new ship that has an upscale look and feel, modern art everywhere, nicely appointed staterooms - all for $899 for a Balcony Stateroom - and now with your bottled water, soft drinks, liquor and wine included too!

 

If you can't see the value in that, then I really am at a loss.

 

Certainly, I agree that the Specialty Dining costs have gone up considerably of late, but if I throw in a few nights of specialty dining, enjoy my complimentary beverage package, and factor in taxes and tips, I'm still less than $1200 for an upscale "all-inclusive" trip, or, around $340/night for two of us.

 

If I compare this to staying at a nice upscale resort in Hawaii or Florida, by the time I factor in dining, entertainment and unlimited beverages for two - I can't even come close.

 

I guess I see the "value" in these floating ferries differently from you.

[Kellie Poodle]

Just a few thoughts from an "old-timer"

 

We began cruising when some of the cruise ships were really ferries that were stretched out by being cut in the middle and an extra section added. One was an NCL ship (when they were still a civilized line) and the other was the Nordic Prince, a Royal Caribbean ship. I did get a laugh from the OP's use of the term "ferries" as I really sailed on them.

 

Way back in the days of no balconies and no buffet, cruising was very much a fantasy life. Three meals a day were eaten in the main dining room at an assigned table. There were two seatings, but no open seating.

 

A midnight buffet was held every night.

 

People dressed nicely for dinner. The gentlemen wore jackets (it was expected) every night and a tuxedo was required of them on formal nights.

 

To we parents of 6 teenagers working extra jobs and hours to save for their college and our retirement, a cruise was a giant step from our daily lives into a fantasy life where we could shed our daily cares, be pampered by an attentive crew, and pretend we were the hoy paloy (sp)

 

For this flight from reality, we paid about the same as the fares are today, decades later.

 

As for disenchantment with the Caribbean, I totally understand. We have been to just about every cruise port island. They all blend in together. If you are not into water sports, swimming with various aquatic animals, hanging from forests, and other active pursuits the only other activity is shopping at identical chain jewelry stores. ;)

 

The Caribbean has been changed by the cruise industry. We first sailed to Grand Cayman in the very early 1990s. There was nothing in the port but one duty free shop. We rented a car and drove around the island. When we returned there a few years ago, I could not believe how built up and congested the port had become. It seemed dedicated to parting cruise passenger's from their money, just like most other Caribbean ports.

 

We now seek out interesting itineraries where, :eek:, we have to fly to and from, but there is much more to see and do than Diamonds International. As a matter of fact, there are NO Diamonds International at those ports.:D