Summit Oceanview Cafe Changes

[cle-guy]

I think the recent change is midnight to 5 a.m....no free room service.

 

Website still says 24 hour complimentary....though there are enhanced options that are for a fee in addition to the standard complimentary items.

 

I guess we need someone to confirm the change if it happened as it's not what their website (which we know can be certainly outdated at times) currently says, and I feel if this were the case we'd see as much word of it in this forum as with the beverage package changes, and I don't recall any moaning about the change in room service...

[Beachdude]

So is this small sampling of 100% satisfied customers indicative of the reality for the majority?

 

Hmm, you would be an interesting study. First you defend the changes as all good and everyone should suck it up. Now you are defending the cruise company for listen to the critiques and making the changes to what you said was good. I guess we should all be greatful you aren't running the company.

 

Burt

[20pluscruises]

Website still says 24 hour complimentary....though there are enhanced options that are for a fee in addition to the standard complimentary items.

 

I guess we need someone to confirm the change if it happened as it's not what their website (which we know can be certainly outdated at times) currently says, and I feel if this were the case we'd see as much word of it in this forum as with the beverage package changes, and I don't recall any moaning about the change in room service...

 

Maybe most don't order late night room service...me included. Actually never have ordered late night/wee hours. I'm also no longer comfortable ordering breakfast room service due to the cabin steward having to now deliver it. Even with a nice tip I feel bad as they are already so busy....but that's just me. Yes, I'm the one who cleans the house before the cleaning lady comes. :D

[cle-guy]

Hmm, you would be an interesting study. First you defend the changes as all good and everyone should suck it up. Now you are defending the cruise company for listen to the critiques and making the changes to what you said was good. I guess we should all be greatful you aren't running the company.

 

Burt

 

If you read all my comments, you will see I describe often in great detail how I have observed changes and modifications the entire week I was on board.

• I like the addition of trays that weren't there apparently the week before. I didn't like trays when service by plate was the norm, but with the new presentation they are needed.
  
• I was fine with the old sloppy buffet before actually, but am happily enjoying the enhanced presentation. I didn't hate it before, I just like it more now.
  
• I continue to refer to the changes as an experiment, and an ongoing process that is being tweaked. Most of the tweaks, yes in fact I think are positive.
  
• I've also said that the carved to order cheese and lunch meats is a bit ridiculous.
  
• I've said the desert presentation of nothing but the same item with variations (multiple creme brûlées for example one day, nothing but cakes another day) is a bit restrictive.
  
• I've said I miss the little tea sandwiches that used to be on the buffet that are now replaced by open-faced snacks at the AquaSpa cafe.
  

 

Not sure I ever said "suck it up" so much as have described in great detail my actual in-person observations of the change as it happened before me. I might remember 1 post someplace, perhaps another thread, where I used "suck it up" but it's certainly not the general words I use. I do carry a tone of "accept change and move on" or "if you don't like the changes, how much more money are you willing to pay for your cruise fare to ensure it will cover the additional costs that are incurred annually while cabin fares themselves remain static when related to inflation". That few if any have said they are willing to pay higher cabin fares to keep things as theory were, means change needs to happen. Although there was one person who said they were willing to pay $10 more per cruise to return the the white gloved services from the 80's....

 

I've NEVER felt the cruise line didn't listen though many here and perhaps farther up this thread claim they don't but clearly they do and continue to do so. Read posts by others in this and the similar thread about how the staff actually wrote comments down on a notepad listening to customers during service.

 

I generally try to present concrete, often personally observed, researched factual information, rather than strictly anecdotal, personal opinion and rhetoric. I do this mainly to offset the rhetoric that gets presented in these forums mostly for newer forum members to have both sides of a story and FACTS from which they can then make a personal informed decision about the experience of cruising on Celebrity. When I first started these forums, I found a whole lot of misinformation or partial information that caused me some difficulties, so now I strive to report facts and observations. Some of it was accidental such as not knowing the nuances of the variations among ships and classes of ships, others were blatant passive-aggressive attempts to get the line to react to their wish to never have anything change.

 

Curious, are your coments to this thread in reaction to what you've seen and experienced personally on the Summit since cruising her this May, or is it based on anecdotal rhetoric posted here by others?

 

And you're in luck, I have no desire to run a Cruise Line. Although when I worked for Marriott, I was assigned 2 times to poor performing hotels and turned them around in my role as Assistant General Manager. One was Peoria Illinois who rated 98 in the chain for guest satisfaction, after 3 months it turned to 4th in the chain. Another was Beachwood, Ohio Courtyard, from 113th to 2nd in the chain, while at the same time raising room rates from average daily rate of $42 to $97, and without any room refurbishments. I still have my Diamond Pineapple Award plaque and certificates and my "Best of the Best" lapel pin from those turnarounds. So based on my experience, you might actually be grateful if I were to take control.

[hcat]

Pre-prepped eggs.? Really? Yummy????

 

From what I have read, I conclude that posters on this thread have widely diff views of what Modern luxury.. .even at a buffet is all about...Have been to resort buffets that are lovely...no pre-prepped eggs!

 

the Celeb cruiser demo is obviously changing and seems that is not us....rather than beat it to death, we have already looked at some really nice itins on Azamara... yes..more pricey but have read some positive reviews...

 

We will still do Celeb but understand it is more no frills these days...hopefully temporarily.!

[lucinjo]

I have read this thread (all 6 pages) and I have to chuckle.

The biggest "buffet" complaints over the last few years by those on the Celebrity board has been about people touching food they don't take, licking fingers and then taking food, reaching over food to take other food, taking "half a tray" of something (usually bacon), not using the tongs, moving tongs or spoons, thus cross contamination issues, or when under a code red, having to be served everything, thus making for crazy lines and frustration.

It sounds to me like Celebrity listened to these complaints (and there have been a lot of threads about this over the years, so I can only imagine the complaints onboard and through survey cards) and is trying to fix the problem by introducing this new system pre portioned food, wrapped bread, etc. on the Summit. Sounds like they are continuing to tinker with the system. Hopefully they will get the kinks ironed out before introducing it on other ships. I am guessing the main reason for the change is not cost cutting, but an attempt to prevent the spread of Noro virus and other illnesses.

[CruisingChick]

There have always been pre-prepped eggs on Celebrity's buffet, before they were in a big tray where one had to scoop them out with a serving spoon onto their plate. Now they are just pre-portioned in smaller self serve containers.

[chamima]

I have read this thread (all 6 pages) and I have to chuckle.

The biggest "buffet" complaints over the last few years by those on the Celebrity board has been about people touching food they don't take, licking fingers and then taking food, reaching over food to take other food, taking "half a tray" of something (usually bacon), not using the tongs, moving tongs or spoons, thus cross contamination issues, or when under a code red, having to be served everything, thus making for crazy lines and frustration.

It sounds to me like Celebrity listened to these complaints (and there have been a lot of threads about this over the years, so I can only imagine the complaints onboard and through survey cards) and is trying to fix the problem by introducing this new system pre portioned food, wrapped bread, etc. on the Summit. Sounds like they are continuing to tinker with the system. Hopefully they will get the kinks ironed out before introducing it on other ships. I am guessing the main reason for the change is not cost cutting, but an attempt to prevent the spread of Noro virus and other illnesses.

 

 

I agree!

We were on the Eclipse last year when there was a small outbreak of Noro and they went absolutely nuts in over-reacting. I'm saying over-react because we've been on several Princess cruises that had Noro and I'm comparing the changes that happened on these cruises. (And one of our Princess cruises had a rather large outbreak.) We take longer cruises and have seen the "code red" end on the Princess cruises while it never did end on the Eclipse, even though there seemed to be less than 30 cases - confirmed over and over by crew.

I do understand that previous to our cruise there was a large outbreak on another RCCL ship that had to return to port early and probably cost the corporation a fortune so I understood the over-reaction.

My first reading of these buffet changes left me with the same impression as the previous poster, though.

[seahorse]

Pre-prepped eggs.? Really? Yummy????

 

From what I have read, I conclude that posters on this thread have widely diff views of what Modern luxury.. .even at a buffet is all about...Have been to resort buffets that are lovely...no pre-prepped eggs!

 

the Celeb cruiser demo is obviously changing and seems that is not us....rather than beat it to death, we have already looked at some really nice itins on Azamara... yes..more pricey but have read some positive reviews...

 

We will still do Celeb but understand it is more no frills these days...hopefully temporarily.!

You can get eggs made to order at the omlet station. I loved the blintzes at breakfast.

[antsnanny]

I have read this thread (all 6 pages) and I have to chuckle.

The biggest "buffet" complaints over the last few years by those on the Celebrity board has been about people touching food they don't take, licking fingers and then taking food, reaching over food to take other food, taking "half a tray" of something (usually bacon), not using the tongs, moving tongs or spoons, thus cross contamination issues, or when under a code red, having to be served everything, thus making for crazy lines and frustration.

It sounds to me like Celebrity listened to these complaints (and there have been a lot of threads about this over the years, so I can only imagine the complaints onboard and through survey cards) and is trying to fix the problem by introducing this new system pre portioned food, wrapped bread, etc. on the Summit. Sounds like they are continuing to tinker with the system. Hopefully they will get the kinks ironed out before introducing it on other ships. I am guessing the main reason for the change is not cost cutting, but an attempt to prevent the spread of Noro virus and other illnesses.

 

 

Anyone we asked onboard about the changes at the buffet said it was to cut down on waste!! Nothing to do with Noro. I do agree, however that this may cut down on Noro and other bugs as well but that is also up for debate. I clean my hands after I choose my items from the buffet and before I eat and had my fair share of being sick either during or right after cruises. The same viruses can be picked up in the casino, at a bar, and I suppose even in our cabins..

[antsnanny]

Yes, but that doesn't mean the small sampling isn't indicative of the reality for the majority.

 

I work under the marketing theory that keeping ones head stuck in the sand doesn't expose real problems. Logic behooves companies to listen during changes.

 

Burt

 

 

AMEN BURT !! WELL SAID…. Celebrity wants to please but we have to ask them to do better.

[toras]

. I do not eat what I do not recognize and since nothing was labeled it was anyone's guess on my cruise what the food was.

 

Everything was labeled last week, there were tags at eye level saying what each dish is.

Although sometimes the name is in its original language, e.g. there was a taco like dish that had a Spanish name and I had no idea what it was.

Edited June 5, 2014 by toras

[melsdt]

I think the recent change is midnight to 5 a.m....no free room service.

 

I definitely ordered room service after midnight on our Summit trip last week and was not charged.

 

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Forums mobile app

[hcat]

You can get eggs made to order at the omlet station. I loved the blintzes at breakfast.

 

Anything made to order usually comes out warm and tasty..worth standing on line for the omelets, waffles, etc.. Glad they are still offered...now that we are in Blu we don, t go to the buffet very much...but can't get waffles in Blu...

[20pluscruises]

I definitely ordered room service after midnight on our Summit trip last week and was not charged.

 

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Forums mobile app

 

Looks like they changed it back. :) Hope it's still that way in a few weeks...I'll be sure to give everyone a heads up

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

Looks like they changed it back. :) Hope it's still that way in a few weeks...I'll be sure to give everyone a heads up

 

I don't believe it was ever changed in the first place. Some people get their cruise lines mixed up.

 

[20pluscruises]

I don't believe it was ever changed in the first place. Some people get their cruise lines mixed up.

 

 

It was changed on the Reflection December 2013.

[Iamcruzin]

The buffet was my only complaint last year on the Summit so I'm glad that they are making an attempt to improve it. Scrambled eggs and bacon were all I wanted last year and you would have thought that it would have been a simple request. I couldn't fill my order without having to go to multi stations. This all in one plated entry would be perfect for me.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[cle-guy]

Here are 2 replies from this thread from a single poster:

 

I believe they have stopped the 24 hour room service. Room service is available, but I think it is closed midnight to early morning.

 

It was changed on the Reflection December 2013.

 

[emphasis mine]

 

It's conflicting posts like these that confuse many people. In one instance they "think" it changed, then a day later all of a sudden they "know" it changed. Posts like these lead readers to believe one just makes things up to bolster their points as time goes on without any actual factual information.

 

Another poster did something similar when I requested information on the up charge on premium pricied drinks. He originally said "I remember reading a [b}while back[/b]". then later posted, "darn it - it was there this morning". Which was real, it was a while back the last time they saw it, or it was today the last time they saw it.

 

It's why I am often very carful to research and provide factually documented information or I specifically note that it's my opinion. I try to ensure the forums are full of facts not rhetoric.

 

And maybe posts like these aren't done to purposely mislead, sometimes ones perceptions are off, maybe it was last night of cruise, maybe they reread a daily and saw midnight closing not knowing it was final night of cruise. Maybe it was a one time occurrence to close the kitchen overnight for a deep clean. Who knows.

 

In another thread a poster stated there was no live music at all by the pool on summit, only DJ music on the same sailing I was just on. As I was just on Summit last week, I pulled my dailies, and posted the FACTS, there was live music every single day at at point or another (I couldn't prove Monday, as I didn't have Monday's daily). Perhaps that poster just never went to the pool when there was live music or never bothered to read the dailies to seek out the live music options. Not sure, but it was actually incorrect to state "there was no live music at the pool".

[NLH Arizona]

Cle-Guy, I understand what you are saying. It gets so confusing on here. One poster will say there was no protein in a certain restaurant and another poster on the same cruise says there was. One poster says there was no trivia and another poster on the same cruise says there were 3 games a day. One poster says there was no this or that or this changed and another on the same cruise says it was there or there were not changes. It gets really confusing and I always wonder why there is this 100% difference in what people are reporting while on the same cruise. Is it that we only see what we want to see or is it that we just don't pay attention to things? I wish I knew.

[cle-guy]

Crusie Critic Article on the "tests" being done on Summit.

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/blog/index.php/2014/08/08/just-back-from-celebrity-summit-the-lines-test-ship/

 

Regarding the buffet changes to portioned dishes

"What it does do is cut food waste, significantly, and also minimizes the spread of gastrointestinal illnesses such as norovirus, he (Hotel Director Raffaele Bernardini) says."

 

So it does seem that as suspected, food waste is actually down with the new serving method, despite the fact that some will take double portions, most will do with the smaller portions.

 

Keeping costs down and enhancing the experience at the same time.

[study3101]

I have booked Summit for April and November 2015. Are they still using the buffet pre-plated foods?

[cle-guy]

I have booked Summit for April and November 2015. Are they still using the buffet pre-plated foods?

 

From what I've read, they have been dramatically reduced, but some still are.

 

I'm on her January 24 and will be able to give a real comparison from my 2 summer sailings then.

[Max Circus]

Crusie Critic Article on the "tests" being done on Summit.

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/blog/index.php/2014/08/08/just-back-from-celebrity-summit-the-lines-test-ship/

 

Regarding the buffet changes to portioned dishes

 

 

So it does seem that as suspected, food waste is actually down with the new serving method, despite the fact that some will take double portions, most will do with the smaller portions.

 

Keeping costs down and enhancing the experience at the same time.

 

I look forward to your report. We'll be on again 3/14/15!!

[study3101]

I look forward to your report. We'll be on again 3/14/15!!

Really looking forward to your comments