The legacy of Lisa Lutloff-Perlo

[Quo Vadis?]

Most of the complainers will not put their booking's where their comments are, with another line. Like you, we have been there, experienced the others, and found them to be lacking, not Celebrity.

 

 

Have you booked more cruises with X as a result of your Equinox experience?

We were on board Equinox as well and found nothing that made the cruise an exceptional experience. We found the new shows a real disappointment compared to earlier productions.

[kevinyork]

Have you booked more cruises with X as a result of your Equinox experience?

We were on board Equinox as well and found nothing that made the cruise an exceptional experience. We found the new shows a real disappointment compared to earlier productions.

 

 

 

Don't start me off on the awful new in house new shows.........modern luxury? Tacky and amateurish.

 

 

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[Karynanne]

Have you booked more cruises with X as a result of your Equinox experience?

We were on board Equinox as well and found nothing that made the cruise an exceptional experience. We found the new shows a real disappointment compared to earlier productions.

 

There are so many variables that can make or break a cruise experience. Some can be specific attention given to passengers, or lack there of.

 

Twenty passengers on any given cruise, will have twenty different experiences.

[wallie5446]

Have you booked more cruises with X as a result of your Equinox experience?

We were on board Equinox as well and found nothing that made the cruise an exceptional experience. We found the new shows a real disappointment compared to earlier productions.

 

We booked the 10 day for Nov 2015 while we were on ship during the 11 day in Nov 2014. simply because of the wonderful time we had.

 

We haven't been 'go to the show" folks for a number of years. We will sit and listen to the jazz singer at the Ensemble lounge, the comedian acts, and last yr the Almost 3 Tenors and the Beatles tribute band had us dancing till way past midnight in the Sky Lounge. The production shows were a dud, as they have been on Celebrity for 20 years.

[scotslass]

We have booked another 2 celebrity cruises because of the overall experience. We did not particularly enjoy the production shows on our recent cruise but loved Jane Curry Phillip Browne and "the other guys" a Franki Valli tribute .

 

 

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[Quo Vadis?]

We have booked another 2 celebrity cruises because of the overall experience. We did not particularly enjoy the production shows on our recent cruise but loved Jane Curry Phillip Browne and "the other guys" a Franki Valli tribute

 

I could go to a Jane Curry show every night.

[FlorenceItaly]

I could go to a Jane Curry show every night.

 

I agree! She is great. I just looked at her schedule and I am disappointed she is not on any of my upcoming cruises.

 

 

 

 

Marie

[riredsox]

I have never gotten over the fact that she said she wants new cruisers from the right zip code! To me that is truly an offensive remark. I cruise 3 or 4 times a year but I'm pretty sure I'm not from the zip code or age group she wants. I spend all of my onboard credit onboard (always have) and not afraid to eat multiple times at the specialty restaurants. Still I'm not who she wants... 'The suite person'...

[duchesslt]

I haven't sailed Celebrity yet and do not want to throw off your polls but here is my experience so far:

 

Bad - Technology. Itinerary/bookings not presented professionally or packaged. Loss of perks for booking extra room.

 

1. Could not book with them online. Website is a disaster. Booked with Amex - also got 2x points from Amex. I can't look up my linked reservations - website gives errors and have to call to "unblock" access to multiple reservations.

 

2. Horrific linking of reservations. Called the reservations desk and spent hours making payments for excursion per stateroom vs. inability to associate to a master reservation. Led to mistakes and confusion. Also horrific way of communicating reservations via email. Comes with internal system notices of what other perks I paid for but not easy to understand my overall itinerary and spend.

 

3. Did not like how I lost perks for my kids because instead of stuffing them in as passenger 3 and 4 in my room, I booked an interior across from us for them. Why not look at my total cruise spend on 4 cabins and 1-2 excursions per port and honor perks for "passenger 3 and 4" in another stateroom?

 

4. No notice that excursions were open for booking 1 year out. I was surprised to read on cruise critic about having to secure certain excursions that mattered to me that are popular and pay for those a full year out! I am skeptical that at this stage there were "only a few spots left" as the website represented. I tend to not be loyal to brands that aren't above water in marketing.

 

Good:

1. Does not seem to nickle/dime like NCL. I feel like I had the opportunity to pay an all inclusive price that lets me budget.

 

2. The reviews are outstanding. I feel confident that my high spend will get me the "big memory family vacation" experience I seek.

 

3. Customer Service did follow up and call/email when I inquired about illogical losing of perks for my kids when I spent more by booking them in their own stateroom. Pleasant conversation even if it went nowhere.

[SoBe2010]

We are Elite at X and yet we learned, that we are not X target group anymore. Since the focus on food and entertainment disappeared and it´s all about "drinking packages" with declining service, since less waiters are coming around.

Without this development we might have never considered another cruiseline.

We are somehow greatful, since we shop around now from HAL to Princess to Oceania. Likely, that we won´t see X in the future.

[hcat]

We are sticking with Celebrity for now,,,but agree that marketing focus has changed. Emphasis is definitely on suite bookings / amenities...and drink package cruisers...

 

Whatever the CEO envisions does not translate to Modern Luxury for us.......AQ class cruisers..fewer perks, less spa feel....but thankfully BLU and Canyon Ranch are on board,

 

Feels too much like X has been " Royal Carribbeanized".....we enjoy that line as a fun cruise line but falls short of "modern luxury".....and does not pretend to be.

[K.T.B.]

We are Elite at X and yet we learned, that we are not X target group anymore. Since the focus on food and entertainment disappeared and it´s all about "drinking packages" with declining service, since less waiters are coming around.

Without this development we might have never considered another cruiseline.

We are somehow greatful, since we shop around now from HAL to Princess to Oceania. Likely, that we won´t see X in the future.

 

I disagree about the quality of the food. Service, overall, hasn't declined, but there are some areas where it's gone from very good to barely adequate. The main one being cocktail service in the MDR.

 

it took me until night 5 on my last cruise to finally get the attention of a cocktail server. And he was serving the table next to ours the every night! He was just oblivious his surroundings.

[hcat]

I disagree about the quality of the food. Service, overall, hasn't declined, but there are some areas where it's gone from very good to barely adequate. The main one being cocktail service in the MDR.

 

it took me until night 5 on my last cruise to finally get the attention of a cocktail server. And he was serving the table next to ours the every night! He was just oblivious his surroundings.

 

We left the MDR for BLU for similar reasons...worth it for us...great service but staff must really work hard there.

[blueboo]

I don't know but I do know that flipping advert she does on cabin TV for internet service is really, really annoying.

[SoBe2010]

I disagree about the quality of the food. Service, overall, hasn't declined, but there are some areas where it's gone from very good to barely adequate. The main one being cocktail service in the MDR.

 

it took me until night 5 on my last cruise to finally get the attention of a cocktail server. And he was serving the table next to ours the every night! He was just oblivious his surroundings.

 

I am glad, that you had a different experience. We noticed the changes continuously over the last years that were not our cup of tea. Especially regarding the MDR Food, Specialty Restaurant fares and Entertainment around the ship.

But it´s fine, since we all can have a different perspectives and are free to shop around.

[ediemarie]

FWIW - 2014 Summit to Bermuda - A+ - we had a great time. our 4th X cruise at the time. Service, food, crew attitude, great. So much so we convinced a group of friends, 7 others, to join us this year on the same cruise.

 

Talked about how great the service, food in BLU, the entire X experience was.

Major disappointment. Drink service was terrible at most bars EXCEPT the martini bar. Food in the MDR, fine, nothing to write home about. BLU, hit or miss, even their breakfast, which we had raved about.

 

Disappointing to the point I was somewhat embarrassed for talking friends into joining us. The feel of "being taken care of" is gone. Have already started looking at other lines.

[Cruizen Susan]

Positive.

[boscobeans]

We were on a recent Summit cruise to Bermuda (May 2016) and loved every minute but do notice a few things different than "Your Parent's Cruise."

 

My wife and I, and I'm sure many other cruisers, are very happy to see so many pleased passengers on current and past Celebrity cruises. It is a great line and the service along with the food and the ships are always right up there at the top.

 

We began on Celebrity in 2001 and have cruised with them once or twice a year since, with a break here and there to another line.

 

Just as a point dealing with cuts that have occurred in the short 16 years we have cruised Celebrity let me list a few things that are no more, but were part of our first on the Zenith to Bermuda in 2001.

 

All the rooms were ready by boarding time and we were given our mimosas and our carry ons were taken as we were escorted to our cabin. (seems like a big cut in staff over the years)

 

Fresh fruit, flowers, ice, pitcher of ice water in each room. Not sure if the fruit was standard as we sailed in a suite and had a bottle of Michel Roux "Champagne" on ice as well. No verandas on Zenith at this time.

 

Our room steward and asst. introduced themselves and aside from seeming to be there to open our doors whenever we returned to our cabin they were invisible but efficient.

 

(since it was a suite we will not mention the Butler which was really about the only perk a suite had back then)

 

In the buffet there were waiters at the end of each line waiting to carry your tray (yes they had trays) or at least get you seated at a table and check to make sure you had everything. There always seemed to be staff around checking to see if you needed another drink or anything else while you were in the buffet.

 

The MDR was the only restaurant back then and provided everyone with what was a special part of each day. During almost each night's meal there was a musician or two providing soft background music for part of each meal.

 

A changing assortment of breads, rolls and breadsticks each night followed by soups and appetizers then salads than entrees. Desserts were displayed on a large tray as the waiter explained what each was before you made your choices.

 

Small things like bread replenishment, pepper grinding, condiment service, water from your assistant waiter who was not just a busboy and other drinks from either your bar server or sommelier were there when you wanted them.

 

Formal night was that, with white gloved waiters in tuxedos and crisply draped chairs made the evening meal truly elegant.

 

Elemis or other above average toiletries were supplied and replenished without asking as were cotton balls, cotton swabs, sewing kit, shower caps and emory boards.

 

Note paper, postcards, pen, ship maps and in suite class there was personalized stationary.

 

Cova chocolates on the pillow at turn down along with a card showing the next days weather and what to expect.

 

There are others that I am sure to have forgotten.

 

These WERE and for the most part ARE NO MORE, whether or not they seem over the top, silly or anything else that is WHAT THEY WERE on our first 7 night cruise to Bermuda on the Celebrity Zenith September 2001 suite # 1008. Approx $3,000.00

 

We still choose Celebrity above others and have 2 booked for the future. This is just to show what maybe some people might call "Your Parent's Cruise." LOL

 

bosco

[richsea]

Veey complete list, boscobeans. You've pretty much hit all the changes. Our first Celebrity cruise was in 1996 on Meridian, & that pretty much had us hooked on Celebrity. All of the things you list were things that set Celebrity apart. Their strong point used to be "attention to detail", & overall, that is the biggest change from then to now.

 

I have a 1996 Frommers criise book, & in the Celebrity Cruises review, the author tells of arriving in the MDR, sitting down with her fellow guests, & the waiter noticed a tiny spot on the tablecloth. He apologized profusly, renoving all of the tableware, replaced the tsblecloth, & reset the table. When the guests made a joke about it, he said no, it was very serious, & his mistake, & very sorry. That is attention to detail! I doubt any waiter would have the time to do that today.

 

Anyway, despite the changes, Celebrity is still our line of choice until we rhink the chanes have affected the product to the point where they no longer appeal to us, or their higher prices for a less desirwble experience drive us away.

[kevinyork]

We were on a recent Summit cruise to Bermuda (May 2016) and loved every minute but do notice a few things different than "Your Parent's Cruise."

 

 

 

My wife and I, and I'm sure many other cruisers, are very happy to see so many pleased passengers on current and past Celebrity cruises. It is a great line and the service along with the food and the ships are always right up there at the top.

 

 

 

We began on Celebrity in 2001 and have cruised with them once or twice a year since, with a break here and there to another line.

 

 

 

Just as a point dealing with cuts that have occurred in the short 16 years we have cruised Celebrity let me list a few things that are no more, but were part of our first on the Zenith to Bermuda in 2001.

 

 

 

All the rooms were ready by boarding time and we were given our mimosas and our carry ons were taken as we were escorted to our cabin. (seems like a big cut in staff over the years)

 

 

 

Fresh fruit, flowers, ice, pitcher of ice water in each room. Not sure if the fruit was standard as we sailed in a suite and had a bottle of Michel Roux "Champagne" on ice as well. No verandas on Zenith at this time.

 

 

 

Our room steward and asst. introduced themselves and aside from seeming to be there to open our doors whenever we returned to our cabin they were invisible but efficient.

 

 

 

(since it was a suite we will not mention the Butler which was really about the only perk a suite had back then)

 

 

 

In the buffet there were waiters at the end of each line waiting to carry your tray (yes they had trays) or at least get you seated at a table and check to make sure you had everything. There always seemed to be staff around checking to see if you needed another drink or anything else while you were in the buffet.

 

 

 

The MDR was the only restaurant back then and provided everyone with what was a special part of each day. During almost each night's meal there was a musician or two providing soft background music for part of each meal.

 

 

 

A changing assortment of breads, rolls and breadsticks each night followed by soups and appetizers then salads than entrees. Desserts were displayed on a large tray as the waiter explained what each was before you made your choices.

 

 

 

Small things like bread replenishment, pepper grinding, condiment service, water from your assistant waiter who was not just a busboy and other drinks from either your bar server or sommelier were there when you wanted them.

 

 

 

Formal night was that, with white gloved waiters in tuxedos and crisply draped chairs made the evening meal truly elegant.

 

 

 

Elemis or other above average toiletries were supplied and replenished without asking as were cotton balls, cotton swabs, sewing kit, shower caps and emory boards.

 

 

 

Note paper, postcards, pen, ship maps and in suite class there was personalized stationary.

 

 

 

Cova chocolates on the pillow at turn down along with a card showing the next days weather and what to expect.

 

 

 

There are others that I am sure to have forgotten.

 

 

 

These WERE and for the most part ARE NO MORE, whether or not they seem over the top, silly or anything else that is WHAT THEY WERE on our first 7 night cruise to Bermuda on the Celebrity Zenith September 2001 suite # 1008. Approx $3,000.00

 

 

 

We still choose Celebrity above others and have 2 booked for the future. This is just to show what maybe some people might call "Your Parent's Cruise." LOL

 

 

 

bosco

 

 

 

A good summary. There is a common theme to many of the lost items, staff. Clearly staff have been cut back and this impacts massively on all aspects.

 

 

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[Got2Cruise]

What about the things added to appeal to millennials? That party with the people walking around with animal heads?? And you pay extra for it. Haha I don't understand