Flowers, Chocolates, Qtips missing Oh My..

[hulamoon]

I thought this thread title was a joke.

 

Must remember to grab a couple of chocolate bars before we leave Ft Lauderdale.

 

No worries Dave, they are providing you with a chocolate covered Oreo on the formal night.:D

[Jessejo]

Did you have q tips and cotton. We are sailing the Solstice in 3 weeks. I am revamping my packing list to include items no longer offered on board.

We had the little box with 2 q tips and 2 or 3 cotton balls and a box with a shower cap. The Q tips and cotton balls were in a plastic pouch within the box.

Edited September 5, 2014 by Jessejo

[xxpinksaltxx]

We were on the cruise just before yours (disembarked august 30th). We did have q tips and cotton balls but they were not restocked over the 2 weeks. We however only received one chocolate at turn down(in the form of an oreo) over the two weeks. Also missing was the sorbet cleanser in the MDR on formal nights. No gala brunch (which we were aware of) but the attempt of a brunch in the buffet on the last sea day was pretty sad. Additions included: chocolate fountain, ice carvings and sushi. Seemed like there were less free activities (granted our last cruise was a TA in 2012). We still had a great time onboard, but it is sad to see so many things being cut.

 

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Forums mobile app

[Robb]

Well, if I do not get cotton swabs (I think Q-tips is a pattented brand name) I will just have to go to another cruise line. Maybe they have them on Carnival.

 

Seriously, it is not a deal breaker. :)

 

Happy travels.

[Can'tstopcruising]

No worries Dave, they are providing you with a chocolate covered Oreo on the formal night.:D

 

 

Now, THAT'S modern luxury!

[Project_gal]

Sorry, but the prices have risen quite steeply here in the UK and we seem to be getting less. :confused: The more I read this thread the more cross I get so am off to research land holidays where we seem to get more for our money.

:(

 

I am sorry to break it to you but you are going to be extremely disappointed:

 

1. Hotels in the UK are cutting back more than Celebrity and it is much more obvious. I have stayed in a number this year and each time the hotel [of whichever category] just feels cheap.

 

2. Even before I noticed the cutbacks in our hotels, I would miss everything I take for granted on Celebrity: being addressed by my name; staff remembering my preferences so I do not have to repeat myself every day; the waste bin being emptied twice a day; someone rushing to open my door when my hands are full. I could go on but, basically, it is all those things that make you feel special which are totally missing in a hotel anywhere in the world.

[Redtravel]

On my most recent cruise on the Summit, the cotton balls were gone. My spouse asked the cabin steward to bring some....and he provided. We also requested the ice water and cube container. I liked the nightly chocolates. I will miss them. I am allergic to roses. I will not miss the in cabin flowers. While these small changes may irritate some cruisers, it is not enough to cancel a cruise. Celebrity still is a good choice.

[teecee60]

Unfortunately things change. I used to pay $.30 a gallon for gas and have someone pump it and wash my windshield and check my oil. Now, at $3.50 a gallon we get squat. Yes, I enjoyed the chocolates but it will not make me change cruise lines as I still get more with Celebrity.

 

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=Judge+Smails+Video+Quotes&FORM=RESTAB#view=detail&mid=13D2D2DCB2B10854259113D2D2DCB2B108542591

[20pluscruises]

No worries Dave, they are providing you with a chocolate covered Oreo on the formal night.:D

 

Is it an actual Ore..or an Oreo "like" cookie.

[20pluscruises]

. I now have to bring my own shampoo and conditioner because the product that replaced the former Lemongrass hair care products do not do the job for my fine hair. I had a miserable time combing out my tangled mop on the first Celebrity cruise I sailed on, after that particular cutback, when the hair products I had relied on for years were no longer provided.

.

 

We must have similar hair..I had the exact experience and miss those lovely products. I found the replacements drying. Unless there is some report of change, I will be bringing my own too.

 

I had to use my own conditioner....it was pretty bad. The shampoo was just okay. I do NOT like the new white bottle stuff

[Sloop-JohnB]

Unfortunately things change. I used to pay $.30 a gallon for gas and have someone pump it and wash my windshield and check my oil. Now, at $3.50 a gallon we get squat. Yes, I enjoyed the chocolates but it will not make me change cruise lines as I still get more with Celebrity.

 

Lol, you should come to Canada for a visit. We still have "some" places that aren't self serve... And sometimes in the most unexpected spots (along the Expressways, Downtown in Major Cities etc). American Tourists are so surprised when they accidentally come upon one, especially as they haven't been part of US culture now for over 20+ years (and there isn't usually a big upcharge for service, same price as self-serve or just a cent or two a Litre).

 

Mind you Litres freaks out the Tourists too... More so when one does the math and sees what we all pay for gas up here. The majority difference which is our "sin taxes"

 

Cheers!

Edited September 5, 2014 by Sloop-JohnB

[whitshel]

So let's look at these numbers with less assumptions

 

The Celebrity fleet can carry 25,031 passengers if every ship sails once per year and is full. We also have to consider how many nights each cruise is to see how many chocolates we need for a sold out ship.

 

The info below is straight from X's site regarding the number of pax that can be held and number of nights sailed....I used Jan 2015 - Dec 2015

 

Xpedition...98 pax....82 nights scheduled for 2015

Century...1814 pax...223 nights scheduled

Constellation...2170 pax...326 nights scheduled

Infinity...2170 pax....622 nights scheduled

Millennium...2138 pax...691 nights scheduled

Summit...2158 pax...105 nights scheduled

Eclipse...2850 pax...520 nights scheduled

Equinox...2850 pax....244 nights scheduled

Silhouette...2886 pax...418 nights scheduled

Solstice....2850 pax....418 nights scheduled

Reflection...3046 pax....195 nights scheduled

 

total pax capacity...25,031

total nights scheduled for 2015....3,844

total number of chocolates needed for 2015....96,291,164

cost of chocolates at $.02 ea....$1,924,328.28

it wasn't millions...but I was pretty close at a first guess...and this is assuming the $.02/ea price

 

I understand that every ship doesn't sail full, but that have to write a plan as if it will. Many of these chocolates will be already purchased meaning their money is tied up in something and can't be used elsewhere. Many are being stored off site...possibly even at the manufacturer...if stored there, they are paying a storage fee. We also haven't even touched on the possibility of better fuel economy due to the less weight on board.

 

I'm not trying to tear anyone's vacation apart nor am I trying to belittle your wishes for past service. What I am trying to show is real dollars and cents and say I would rather have that $2million invested in better accommodations, different food options, upgraded this and that.

 

I am curious....in the post cruise survey, does it ask about the chocolates(or something similar) or do those who are upset about these 'cut backs' voice your opinions to the Cruise Director or directly to -X-?

 

Hmmmm.... how can any cruise ship have more than 365 nights scheduled per year? Every ship sails everyday thats 365 nights? Or am I missing something? :confused:

[Presto2]

As have the prices generally here in the US. Most of the last minute deals that Celebrity publishes weekly are more in line with what the normal cabin prices used to be.

 

We still love the Celebrity experience, but can't help but wonder, where all of these "small cutbacks" are going to end.

 

It's tiring to keep hearing "it's only chocolates, I don't eat them; it's only flowers, I can live without them; it's only fruit, as long as they leave the fruit I like; it's only cotton swabs, they've probably been touched anyway; it's only 2 or 3 of the activity staff, I don't play trivia; I don't want to pay for others' zumba anyway; it's only the MDR cocktail waiter, I don't drink anyway", and on and on and on.

 

Someday they'll be a point when those who appreciated those things that set Celebrity apart feel that they may as well consider other alternatives & leave Celebrity to those who do not care about those things.

 

Heck, maybe then they can even turn the music back up & it will be the best of both worlds, less amenities because we don't need them, & loud music!

 

As you can see we are pretty new to cruising compared to many of you and though we are from the UK became VERY loyal to Celebrity for 3 years. (If you read the roll calls we've been part of you'll see just how passionate we've been about our cruises!) I cried when I walked off Silhouette the last time (very embarrassing!) so am not normally a moaner at all.

 

We just find it SO sad to read about the little things that to US meant SO much and made our holiday that extra bit magical being removed. When penny pinching takes over then I feel that who ever is at the top has lost sight of the customer - but reading other posts it seems that Celebrity are trying to reinvent themselves and don't care.

 

I disagree that land holidays have risen in price as much as cruise holidays - but perhaps our problem is that we book early, book the cabin that we want and don't do the 'wait and see', 'go anywhere' and 'get one of Celebrity's special promos'.

 

To compare our last land holiday --- we had:

champagne on arrival, personal service at our included cabana, FREE a la carte / gourmet dining in 3 amazing restaurants (one by the sea), cold towels and drinks when returning to the hotel, a special late restaurant for breakfast, special shampoos/ body lotion etc etc, a jacuzzi and rain shower, a nightly turn down service with biscuits (it was too hot for chocolates) -- I could go on and on. This 2 week holiday in Cyprus was far cheaper than a cruise (same time of the year) but what is interesting is that there we NOW get MORE for our money there and those little extras that Celebrity are removing are being added !!!???

 

It gives me no pleasure to write the above -------- if we return we just want Celebrity to how it was when we first went on the 'Beaaauuuuuutiful Celebrity Silhouette'. Sadly, it seems that we will never recapture those very special moments and will have to go elsewhere.

[Presto2]

I am sorry to break it to you but you are going to be extremely disappointed:

 

1. Hotels in the UK are cutting back more than Celebrity and it is much more obvious. I have stayed in a number this year and each time the hotel [of whichever category] just feels cheap.

 

2. Even before I noticed the cutbacks in our hotels, I would miss everything I take for granted on Celebrity: being addressed by my name; staff remembering my preferences so I do not have to repeat myself every day; the waste bin being emptied twice a day; someone rushing to open my door when my hands are full. I could go on but, basically, it is all those things that make you feel special which are totally missing in a hotel anywhere in the world.

 

In 3 words ---- sorry I disagree.

 

This is not our experience - must share the names of the hotels we stay in

[Presto2]

Details are like stitches; remove too many and the article is useless.

 

Brilliant - sums our feelings up perfectly. :)

[CHEZMARYLOU]

Is it an actual Ore..or an Oreo "like" cookie.

 

According to the wrapper it is an actual Oreo. Very tasty but does not compare to the nightly chocolates that we would bring home to enjoy daily while we reminisced about our cruise.

 

Mary Lou

Edited September 5, 2014 by CHEZMARYLOU

[C 2 C]

Details are like stitches; remove too many and the article is useless.

 

 

Sums it up for us.

[caladezi]

So who cares if the chocolates are wasted? It's part of the cost of doing business. What about all of the food served that is not eaten in the MDR. How about the soap that isn't fully used, or the leftover food in the buffet. Perhaps they should cut back on the number of peas served at dinner, since many people don't eat theirs. Celebrity needs to get real and forget about this nickel and dime stuff and give the passengers what they expect when they sail on a ship that is touted as having some class.

[C 2 C]

But that's just me.

 

No it's not.

 

I would really like to know the cruising history and cruising intentions of those that agree or disagree with OP's point of view.

 

It's easy to say that cuts are no big deal when one is cruising elsewhere or has never been on a cruise long enough to notice the special small touches that make Celebrity special. We are about to sail for the next two months and have many cruises booked for next year as well. It will be interesting to see if life on board remains as good as it did earlier this year.

[DavidYYC]

No it's not.

 

I would really like to know the cruising history and cruising intentions of those that agree or disagree with OP's point of view.

 

It's easy to say that cuts are no big deal when one is cruising elsewhere or has never been on a cruise long enough to notice the special small touches that make Celebrity special. We are about to sail for the next two months and have many cruises booked for next year as well. It will be interesting to see if life on board remains as good as it did earlier this year.

 

My cruising history is not really relevant. What is relevant is how an individual reacts to these supposed issues. We have *only* been cruising for 4 years, and in those 4 years we have seen the Q-tips, cotton balls and chocolates. Very nice. All things I can live without.

 

That may change. I may get more entitled and fixate on the small stuff - but for now, I'm ok.

[CathyCruises]

I would happily give up on ALL of the things people are complaining about for a fully functional website!! Something that works across all platforms and on all continents. Not asking for much, I know.

[NLH Arizona]

My cruising history is not really relevant. What is relevant is how an individual reacts to these supposed issues. We have *only* been cruising for 4 years, and in those 4 years we have seen the Q-tips, cotton balls and chocolates. Very nice. All things I can live without.

 

That may change. I may get more entitled and fixate on the small stuff - but for now, I'm ok.

Totally agree.

 

I've been on over 30 plus cruises in my lifetime and enough to be Elite on Celebrity after my next cruise and I've seen the q-tips, cotton balls, chocolates, being escorted to your cabin, higher prices back in the good old days, etc., on Celebrity and I don't miss any of them. If someone misses all those things, that is certainly their right, just as it is the right of others to say they don't miss them, hopefully without be attacked or judged. If I ever get fixated on losing the small stuff, I'll just move on to another line that offers those things, but for now, I've got three more cruises booked on Celebrity.

Edited September 6, 2014 by NLH Arizona

[Ma Bell]

There are plenty of things that I don't particularly care about but it's not just about me. If everyone takes the attitude that I don't care if they cut anything unless it's something I like, it won't take long until the experience won't be good for anyone.

 

There's a fine line when trying to make cuts and still provide a Modern Luxury experience.

[C 2 C]

My cruising history is not really relevant. What is relevant is how an individual reacts to these supposed issues. We have *only* been cruising for 4 years, and in those 4 years we have seen the Q-tips, cotton balls and chocolates. Very nice. All things I can live without.

 

That may change. I may get more entitled and fixate on the small stuff - but for now, I'm ok.

 

The list of changes over the last year is much larger.

Ok there is no longer a bowl of fruit but you get an apple but some people don't like fruit so it does not bother them.

The activities staff has been cut in half but some people don't do activities so it does not bother them.

The flowers seem to have gone missing, but some people don't notice flowers and it doesn't bother them.

The Celebrity orchestra has been reduced in size and on some routes been removed entirely, but some people like canned music better anyways.

There are fewer opportunities to dance but some people don't like to dance and it does not bother them.

The Acappela singers are gone but some don't like them anyways.

Park West has returned and on many voyages occupy the Sky Lounge so passengers can't sit up there during the auctions but some don't enjoy the view up there anyways.

There is no longer food at the Captain's Club Celebration, just a few aperitifs.

The Grand Buffet is gone but some don't eat anyways...

 

But that doesn't bother many because there is still the ocean to watch from the solitude of your cabin....

 

Good thing I like watching the ocean, sipping a drink and reading a book while the Polar Vortex envelops the land. But I do notice.

 

Yup. Don't sweat the small stuff.... The stockholders have a grin a mile wide because every cut makes the stock price go up and people don't notice the cuts anyways.

[Can'tstopcruising]

On one of our early cruises (about 13 years ago), we took our sons to Alaska. The whole ship experience blew them away.

 

In the main dining room, the food was presently artfully on the plate.

 

The china had the x loggo. The x had to be in a certain direction. Boys being boys, my sons kept turning them around. In no time, a waiter or asst came over and corrected the plate or cup. My sons couldn't get over how "perfect: everything had to be.

 

Do you notice, when asked how they are, no staff any longer answers "

excellent".

 

Also Missing: Showtime for desserts

Crepe suzettes and cherries jubilee made where we we can see

March of the baked alaska

Celebrity mints

Truffles with champagne first formal night..