Less sea day activites and no grand brunch/buffet

[shoesonfire]

We have 3 sea days on an upcoming 8 day Caribbean cruise and recently learned on our roll call that X has cut back significantly on activities as well as no longer having a grand buffet. We are not into board games or trivia but hoping that there will be other options on sea days, for example destination talks, photography or electronic/computer type classes. Wonder if anyone can advise what they personally experienced on recent cruises particularly on M ships.

[caladezi]

I hope that you didn't enjoy the movies in the theater because they are now also gone on M class ships. I was told by guest services that they were too expensive. The theater is now converted to a conference room.

[Phxazzcruisers]

On sea days the dailies are full from early morning to late at night. It all depends on what one likes to do. There is plenty offered. It will satisfy some and leave some wanting. You cannot please everyone.

[Rascal1]

Hi, can only comment about Eclipse but in June there were destination talks, talks from officers about the ship and operations and classes offered. All sea days had a good mix of activities. Sorry don't know what a grand buffet is/was but don't think there was anything called that.

[cardcrafter]

We have 3 sea days on an upcoming 8 day Caribbean cruise and recently learned on our roll call that X has cut back significantly on activities as well as no longer having a grand buffet. We are not into board games or trivia but hoping that there will be other options on sea days, for example destination talks, photography or electronic/computer type classes. Wonder if anyone can advise what they personally experienced on recent cruises particularly on M ships.

 

We've just booked a second celebrity cruise, thr high spot of which WOULD HAVE BEEN the Grand Buffet/Brunch. Have they really stopped it?....:confused:

[gimletgal]

We've just booked a second celebrity cruise, thr high spot of which WOULD HAVE BEEN the Grand Buffet/Brunch. Have they really stopped it?....:confused:

 

Sorry, it has gone the way of the dinosaur. (It is no longer held.)

[d4m]

Hi, can only comment about Eclipse but in June there were destination talks, talks from officers about the ship and operations and classes offered. All sea days had a good mix of activities. Sorry don't know what a grand buffet is/was but don't think there was anything called that.

 

On an M class TA in April/May, there were noticeable and significant cuts in activities. Yes there were destination talks and one talk (in 15 days) with the officers, a galley tour that was significantly more crowded and less informative, less trivia etc. Problem was that the activities staff was cut to three (with one of those being the DJ and the other two were running themselves ragged trying to handle everything else. We found a significant change from the fall TA. Always had 2 or more things then at any one time which we always wanted to do at the same time. Surely didn't find that in the Spring.

 

We've just booked a second celebrity cruise, thr high spot of which WOULD HAVE BEEN the Grand Buffet/Brunch. Have they really stopped it?....:confused:

 

Gone. Although some have indicated they were told it was some "health violation" I sincerely doubt that a cruise ine would have violated that for decades. Seems like another cost cutter, along with cuts in activity staff and dining staff to me. The replaced that Brunch buffet with a chocolate fountain with a few pieces of fruit and marshmallows. And oh yes, two ice sculptures. What a disappointment for some, including us.

[jayoldschool]

We've just booked a second celebrity cruise, thr high spot of which WOULD HAVE BEEN the Grand Buffet/Brunch. Have they really stopped it?....:confused:

 

If a buffet is your cruise highlight... you need to do some more things while you're on your cruise ;)

[patty1955]

If a buffet is your cruise highlight... you need to do some more things while you're on your cruise ;)

Why, because you don't agree? And I think the whole topic was about needing more things to do on the cruise.

Edited July 16, 2014 by patty1955
spelling

[cruisead]

And you'll notice, as we have, the many, many activities listed in the daily are money generating. It's things like wine tastings, scrap booking (a $20 fee), spa activities for a fee, lunch in a specialty for a fee, gym activities---many for a fee, casino tournaments, computer classes---some for a fee, and activities involving the shops. And these "talks" by the ship officers and the guys who run the computer room don't cost Celebrity anything extra because they're run by employees.

 

Where are the fun on deck parties like Caribbean night? Where are the smaller special buffets like the fruit or chocolate ones that they held by the pool? If you all really think back to all the activities they offered just two years ago, they're all gone due to these continuing cutbacks. Pretty soon, there will be no free activities and we'll all be relegated to just sitting by the pool or paying for activities. And Celebrity calls this Modern Luxury, and they think these cutbacks will attract their coveted younger demographic??????

[wpgcycler]

Blimey! The sky's falling g AGAIN??? This has to be the third time this week at least! Has someone alerted the media?

[WpgCruise]

D.W. and I have never ever had a problem entertaining ourselves and we really don't need any cruise line to provide a list of "FUN !!!" things for us to do. We make so little use of the activities that we really don't care if they have any or not. A warm ocean breeze, a lounger in the shade, a good book, a cold drink, great company, what more do we need?

 

Now, from a cost cutting point of view, I would much rather they eliminate a bunch of activities and keep my fare low. If others want a bunch of "FUN !!!" activities.......... well they still offer some, BUT as mentioned at a cost. I think that's great. Those that want them can pay for them, those that don't aren't paying for something we don't use. Why should I be paying for an entertainment resource I don't use?

 

And as far as a Grand Buffet or Grand Lunch goes................what a waste of food, people to manage the event, and all for what? Isn't there already more than enough to eat. Good Grief.

Edited July 16, 2014 by WpgCruise

[hcat]

We've just booked a second celebrity cruise, thr high spot of which WOULD HAVE BEEN the Grand Buffet/Brunch. Have they really stopped it?....:confused:

 

As time went on it became less grand...see current thread on this subject

 

there will be other events, demostrations, teas and tastings that will hopefully provide enjoyment!

[dodger1964]

Why, because you don't agree? And I think the whole topic was about needing more things to do on the cruise.

 

I think many thought since the food was the same as what they have in the buffet, with some limited exceptions, it wasn't worth the tremendous amount of staff time to do all the carvings and displays.

[Christine Frances]

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2072351

[patty1955]

I think many thought since the food was the same as what they have in the buffet, with some limited exceptions, it wasn't worth the tremendous amount of staff time to do all the carvings and displays.

I agree that the buffet should go. I always thought the food was sub-par and the whole experience seemed to being out the worst in people.

My comment was regarding the criticism of someone saying it was the highlight of their cruise. We all enjoy different things and I find it irritating that people feel they have to criticize other peoples way of enjoying themselves, but that's a whole different topic.

[ChucktownSteve]

As time went on it became less grand...see current thread on this subject

 

The last time ,a few years ago, that I went to the Grand Buffet on Mercury, I felt it was grand in name only. I wasn't impressed. It's not that the food was bad but there was nothing grand about the offerings IMHO.

[neverbeenhere]

Hope the elimination of the Grand Buffet isn't permanent, it's the only reason we cruise.

[jayoldschool]

Hmm. Lots of missing posts here with no explanation.

[royalcruz]

On the sea days, I have often seen the staff running around the deck begging passengers to participate in games. It's pathetic to watch them. Maybe they felt this meant not enough people were interested. Anyway, I've always found plenty to do. In between, read a good book.

[chromered7]

On Equinox in 2012 and Reflection in 2013 they had a Brunch on one of the days and it was really good. I often thought the midnight buffet I have experienced on other ships turned out to be a free for all. If prices continue to rise and things such as activities are reduced or disappear then vote with your feet. There has been a steady change of emphasis from Celebrity and certainly the cruise prices from the UK have increased with little or no room for travel agents to provide discounts.

 

 

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[Bouff]

We were on the Infinity in June and yes there were clearly less Activity Staff and there was no Sea Day Brunch - and we had 4 sea days!

 

Did it spoil our cruise? Definitely not!

 

There is plenty of food at all times and if cutting the Brunch, which was an additional event not in place of something, means that the standard of the food in the MDR is maintained then I am all for it. Last year there were posts about the standard of food deteriorating but we did not find that on the Century. Again, this year, on the Infinity the MDR food was excellent. One night there was a scallop appetizer and although only one was on the plate I easily obtained a second!

 

As far as Activities were concerned, we joined the 'choir'. We had done this on a previous cruise on the Eclipse when it was taken by the Activity Staff. On the Infinity it was taken by the Cast Singers. This was overall a much better experience. That said if there had not been a choir we would have created our own activities, like reading and playing board games.

 

Whilst it is a personal view we don't cruise to be organised. It's great just to be able to chill out.

 

That's my two penny worth!

[Orator]

I've had several discussions with several Cruise Directors. They miss the additional staff, but tend to agree that participation rates in many of the activities didn't justify additional staff. They felt that a number of the activities could be covered by non activities staff who would be paid something extra. They also indicated that the projected demographics of the cruise would be a factor in determining if additional activities and supporting staff would be required. A TA is quite different from 4-5 day cruises in the demographic. This appears to me to be what's happening. Makes perfect business sense to me.

[phoenix_dream]

As another poster noted, an increasing number of the extra activities are for a fee. Some, such as the wine tastings, certainly warrant that being the case considering that a generous amount of tastings are given. Others, like specialty gym classes, are pure money grabs IMHO. I don't like it, but at least half the CC posters on these boards disagree with me.

 

To each their own, but I continually disagree with the argument that this keeps the cruise fares low. Really?? On the routes I sail the fares have been continually rising and rising the past few years. I am paying roughly $400 more pp for my next seven day cruise as compared to just two years ago (exact same cruise with a comparable room). I do get my 1-2-3 perk, so you can drop that difference down for the value of that since I did not get it last time, but that is still a substantial increase in two years percentage-wise. Inflation has been mostly flat (at least in the US) so the increase cannot be excused that way. The extras are not purely to keep the fares low and the profits steady. The extras are to increase the profits, period. Not arguing that it is not a smart business move - businesses are in the business to make a profit. And based on comments on these boards, Celebrity has (without even saying so) seemed to have convinced alot of people that if they pay more for all these extras the fares will stay low. Hmmmmmm. If only.

[miched]

Pack your luggage, fill out your forms, check your account, book another cruise, then drink one of the duty free bottles that will be delivered to your cabin, buy a extra one for that or two to share with passengers you have met.

 

 

Drink up 🍸🍻🍺