Baron Barracuda Posted July 19, 2017 #226 Share Posted July 19, 2017 On last Equinox sailing after long day ashore often returned to ship hungry around 4pm. Buffet is closed from 4 - 5:30 so only free choices were burgers at the grill, pizza and room service. Grill was always active for sailaway. Now I guess it's just pizza and room service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Cruiser 6143 Posted July 19, 2017 #227 Share Posted July 19, 2017 Just thought I'd share this. I sent the following email to CEO Lisa Lutoff-Perlo: I am writing to voice my displeasure over addition of extra fee burgers and hot dogs at the above venues and the relocation of the included burgers to the Oceanview Cafe. As anyone who has cruised before knows, the convenience of a quick burger for lunch while lounging at the pool, particularly on sea days, without having to change from one's bathing suit to go the OVC for burger that has been sitting in a pan, only to return to the risk of losing one's lounger, is a very popular option. The addition of a high quality burger at an extra charge is a welcome choice. However, by choosing the present location, there are two aspects lacking in addition to the relocation of the standard burger: available seating and table service. Please rethink this. Thanks for your consideration, Impressively within an hour of my sending it, a person from the executive offices called me (& come to think of it, I did not include my phone #, only my CC#, so she had to look it up) to thank me for my input. Aside from the usual smoke blowing which I won't get into, she said that there is an active conversation ongoing regarding the new setup, & that concerns like the ones I and others have expressed are being actively discussed right now. I did not bring up the Kobe/fake Kobe aspect which seems to be taking on a life of it own. My main problem is not that they added the extra charge burger, but that they made the standard burger less accessible, & that for the extra charge, there should be ample seating and table service. Whether or not any changes result from this remain to be seen, but I'm glad that they responded so quickly. I'll give them a E for effort. Interesting. That's where I think they made their big mistake. Those sitting by the pool just want a quick bite for lunch without having to go and change clothes. If I'm going to pay $10 for a hamburger (with or without pretend Kobe beef), I expect to be seated at a table, have a waiter take my order, and have the hamburger delivered to me. Pool grills are meant to be informal, not "gourmet" food destinations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CRZR58 Posted July 19, 2017 #228 Share Posted July 19, 2017 If X had decided to have an extra charge burger almost anywhere else on the boat, they wouldn't be getting a lot of the well deserved complaints. It's not just that it's an extra charge, it's that you can't get anything that isn't an extra charge poolside. Lawn club or Gastro Pub extra cost burger? No one complains. They compounded the problem by misleading advertising regarding the Kobe beef. If they'd said x% Kobe style beef, they could have eliminated most of the rest of the complaints. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare 4cats4me Posted July 19, 2017 #229 Share Posted July 19, 2017 Just thought I'd share this. I sent the following email to CEO Lisa Lutoff-Perlo: I am writing to voice my displeasure over addition of extra fee burgers and hot dogs at the above venues and the relocation of the included burgers to the Oceanview Cafe. As anyone who has cruised before knows, the convenience of a quick burger for lunch while lounging at the pool, particularly on sea days, without having to change from one's bathing suit to go the OVC for burger that has been sitting in a pan, only to return to the risk of losing one's lounger, is a very popular option. The addition of a high quality burger at an extra charge is a welcome choice. However, by choosing the present location, there are two aspects lacking in addition to the relocation of the standard burger: available seating and table service. Please rethink this. Thanks for your consideration, Impressively within an hour of my sending it, a person from the executive offices called me (& come to think of it, I did not include my phone #, only my CC#, so she had to look it up) to thank me for my input. Aside from the usual smoke blowing which I won't get into, she said that there is an active conversation ongoing regarding the new setup, & that concerns like the ones I and others have expressed are being actively discussed right now. I did not bring up the Kobe/fake Kobe aspect which seems to be taking on a life of it own. My main problem is not that they added the extra charge burger, but that they made the standard burger less accessible, & that for the extra charge, there should be ample seating and table service. Whether or not any changes result from this remain to be seen, but I'm glad that they responded so quickly. I'll give them a E for effort. What is the email address? Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ma Bell Posted July 19, 2017 #230 Share Posted July 19, 2017 That was the problem I had with it too. Great that they were still going to have the burgers but most people grabbing burgers and dogs are by the pool. If they want to sell high end burgers they need to have a place for people to sit down and have some service. The other problem is the Ocean View is crowded as is and they don't need even more people from the pool area going in with wet swimsuits and perhaps causing some slips and falls because of drips on the floor. This was not well thought out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richsea Posted July 19, 2017 #231 Share Posted July 19, 2017 What is the email address? Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk iLutoff-Perlo@celebritycruises.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richsea Posted July 19, 2017 #232 Share Posted July 19, 2017 Agree Ma and Linda. An additional premium burger, fine, it's anotger choice. But not at the inconvenience of getting their standard burger, though some may disagree. Heck, I think the location of the Mast grill on S class is kind of out of the way, up a level from the pool! Also, make the venue at least appealing by providing table service and adequate seating. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toofarfromthesea Posted July 19, 2017 #233 Share Posted July 19, 2017 It may be a deceptive practice, but I doubt anyone is deceived. I find it hard to believe that there are people who know what Kobe beef is who ever actually thought they were getting half a pound of it on a burger for $10. Just as most 'prime rib' is not Prime, and no one thinks it is. So I am not really shocked, SHOCKED that Celebrity uses the same kind of marketing BS that virtually every other mass market business uses. And while I am sympathetic to the resistance to change, I am not sympathetic to the argument that this potentially interferes with Pax being able to monopolize loungers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChucktownSteve Posted July 19, 2017 #234 Share Posted July 19, 2017 So I am not really shocked, SHOCKED that Celebrity uses the same kind of marketing BS that virtually every other mass market business uses. You mean that Celebrity is no longer a premium cruise line but now just another mass market one? Some people here will be sooooo disappointed in your opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DYKWIA Posted July 19, 2017 #235 Share Posted July 19, 2017 It may be a deceptive practice, but I doubt anyone is deceived. I find it hard to believe that there are people who know what Kobe beef is who ever actually thought they were getting half a pound of it on a burger for $10. errr well here's one person who appears to have been deceived Follow up to my post above. The 'new' burgers ARE Kobe Beef so MUCH better quality. Not saying this makes things right, just the way it is.... I think that whilst many people know that Kobe Beef is an expensive luxury product few people understand laws on provenance or the true cost of the authentic product. This kind of marketing might be acceptable in the USA, but it clearly assumes some expert knowledge by the customer. This is not acceptable in many other countries (countries that Celebrity does business in) and goes way beyond Advertising Puffery, namely the legal way of promoting a product or service through hyperbole or oversized statements (this is Modern luxury) that cannot be objectively verified (This is Kobe Beef can be objectively verified). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shipfriend_max Posted July 19, 2017 #236 Share Posted July 19, 2017 You mean that Celebrity is no longer a premium cruise line but now just another mass market one? Some people here will be sooooo disappointed in your opinion. IMHO already longer Celebrity is no premium anymore. So many "premium" features (brunch, tea time, sushi, petit fours, sorbet) have been removed, which seperated them from other cruise lines. But Celebrity is raising prices, either for the cruise fare or the onboard costs (the highest among the major cruise lines), and now charging for standard items like burgers. This one should call"premium"? :') Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Hlitner Posted July 19, 2017 #237 Share Posted July 19, 2017 As one who spent a couple of years of his youth living in Japan, I am somewhat annoyed by what is pawned off as "Kobe" or "Wagyu" beef...in North America. If it does not come from Kobe, Japan...it is simply not the real thing. Nearly all the so-called Kobe sold in the US is not real Kobe....but rather beef that comes from cattle that perhaps can trace their linage back to the cattle one finds in Kobe. Back in the 60s I saw how they make the real thing...and its quite a process including daily rations (for the cattle) of beer, massages, etc. Its quite an amazing process and results in fantastic beef that is amazingly tender and flavorful. I once had "shabu shabu" made from the real thing in an Osaka restaurant. Fifty years later I can still remember that beef literally melting in my mouth. yum, Hank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gonzo70 Posted July 19, 2017 #238 Share Posted July 19, 2017 It may be a deceptive practice, but I doubt anyone is deceived. I find it hard to believe that there are people who know what Kobe beef is who ever actually thought they were getting half a pound of it on a burger for $10. Just as most 'prime rib' is not Prime, and no one thinks it is. So I am not really shocked, SHOCKED that Celebrity uses the same kind of marketing BS that virtually every other mass market business uses. This goes far beyond "marketing BS" and clearly constitutes false advertising. On land this behavior is illegal (not sure of the implications of such false advertising at sea). Multiple people on this thread alone were clearly deceived, the OP, Bo and others. This is totally unacceptable behavior by Celebrity to call their burgers "Kobe beef" - if they are being deceitful about that, are you really confident the brand name jewelry they are selling in the on-board shops isn't knock-offs? What else are they falsely advertising? They need to correct their menus ASAP and issue some type of apology. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare hcat Posted July 19, 2017 #239 Share Posted July 19, 2017 If X had decided to have an extra charge burger almost anywhere else on the boat, they wouldn't be getting a lot of the well deserved complaints. It's not just that it's an extra charge, it's that you can't get anything that isn't an extra charge poolside. Lawn club or Gastro Pub extra cost burger? No one complains. They compounded the problem by misleading advertising regarding the Kobe beef. If they'd said x% Kobe style beef, they could have eliminated most of the rest of the complaints. Agree 100% , location and convenience of no charge dogs and burgers is key...upcharge fine elsewhere for those who want them We used to be treated to ice cold wash cloths & sorbet poolside...that's when we were still enjoying Modern Luxury Celebrity Stlye! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kathynorth Posted July 19, 2017 #240 Share Posted July 19, 2017 I hope they don't make that change on the Summit when we board her Sunday!!! My cousins 16 yr old son can't wait to eat burgers to his hearts content!!! Sent from my iPad using Forums I'm just off the Summit and the burgers were still free last week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swagner36 Posted July 19, 2017 #241 Share Posted July 19, 2017 I was on the reflection in January. They had the lawn grill where they had gourmet burgers for an up charge. The grill was full. It had an air conditioned enclosed seating area. The burgers were very good, but also had the poolside grill where the burgers were included. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toofarfromthesea Posted July 19, 2017 #242 Share Posted July 19, 2017 It is the way of the world. Lots of wines are called Sherry and Port that don't come from Jerez or Portugal, respectively. Just to give a couple of examples. There are many things like that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Husky61 Posted July 19, 2017 #243 Share Posted July 19, 2017 If the hamburger is good and I want one, I'll pay the $10. Would not bother me.:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DYKWIA Posted July 19, 2017 #244 Share Posted July 19, 2017 It is the way of the world. Lots of wines are called Sherry and Port that don't come from Jerez or Portugal, respectively. Just to give a couple of examples. There are many things like that. It might be the way of the USA but not the world, yet. Sherry and Port have protected status within the European Union. No different to Champagne. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare villauk Posted July 19, 2017 #245 Share Posted July 19, 2017 It might be the way of the USA but not the world, yet. Sherry and Port have protected status within the European Union. No different to Champagne. Or Cornish pasties ;p. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ECCruise Posted July 19, 2017 #246 Share Posted July 19, 2017 Glad Celebrity is making these changes. The Free burgers will continue to available AT THE BUFFET so people will have to walk another 50 feet. celebrity is a Luxury line and a Luxury Burger will be fun to try. Our experience at the burger bar is that they are pre made frozen and mediocre so we welcome the change. Also.....Maybe the cost will cut back on the lines....some people are tight..if they want free burgers by the pool.....perhaps its time to change cruiselines......... Celebrity is neither a luxury line by any stretch nor are the for-cost burgers not previously frozen. Do you think they have beef on the hoof and butchers on the ship? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johhnnyt Posted July 19, 2017 #247 Share Posted July 19, 2017 I was on the reflection in January. They had the lawn grill where they had gourmet burgers for an up charge. The grill was full. It had an air conditioned enclosed seating area. The burgers were very good, but also had the poolside grill where the burgers were included. Sent from my iPad using Forums Agree, thought they were delicious and worth the $10 for the platter Like anything else if you don't like it, you don't have to buy a thing. If it makes money it will stay, if not they can always try something new. I wish they would get rid of that terrible pizza at the buffet and put a real pizza oven out there. I'd gladly pay a dollar or two a slice for good pizza Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChucktownSteve Posted July 19, 2017 #248 Share Posted July 19, 2017 (edited) Agree, thought they were delicious and worth the $10 for the platter Like anything else if you don't like it, you don't have to buy a thing. If it makes money it will stay, if not they can always try something new. I wish they would get rid of that terrible pizza at the buffet and put a real pizza oven out there. I'd gladly pay a dollar or two a slice for good pizza Correct. The problem is the cheap ovens either never get to temperature or the crew doesn't understand what a good pizza is and takes it out too soon because they can't keep up with the demand. Edited July 19, 2017 by ChucktownSteve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miched Posted July 19, 2017 #249 Share Posted July 19, 2017 Hi miched! I would think that you and your wife probably are in the minority, which is neither here nor there. The point is that the Mast Grill on S ships and the Grill on M class ships has always been a popular place, especially on sea days, for people hanging by the pool who do want to eat a burger on a cruise, to just walk up and get It, without having to change out of their bathing suit, going to the OVC for a burger and then coming back to the pool to find their loungers taken. Also, the burgers in the OVC are sitting in pans for who knows how long, & truly are hockey pucks. If Celebrity wants to offer a premium burger(I won't even get into the semantics of what they're made from), fine. But they should not offer it by inconveniencing their guests; having them travel for a free burger. I guess it's human nature that if a change doesn't affect you, it's OK. I know when I heard about the for pay burger on Constellation, I didn't like it but thought at least it's not on my Equinox sailing....WRONG! But unfortunately, Celebrity's trend lately is to pick, pick, pick away at the things that many loved about them. Sooner or later, everyone will be affected by a change or a cut that they personally feel is a big deal. Just a matter of time. Very valid comment. Reminds me of a few years ago when I wrote a post about how things that I noticed were being elimated or being charged for. There were so many posts for the cheerleaders here that told me that I had a bad attitude, and that they could see that I wasn't happy with Celebrity and that I should just quit sailing with them. I stopped posting for over a year but lurked and found that those that made those comments were now complaining about the same issues. I wasn't complaining just posting my observations about the cruise I was on. Problem is it isn't unique to the cruise industry where you book something in advance and then things change before your reservation. We have a room booked at a casino in Vegas. We were just sent a email that parking is no longer included. There is now a $20 per day parking fee. You want a longer close to the pool? Pay for a cabana to have a nice cushioned lounger reserved for you pool side. Other wise it is a webbed lounger wherever you can find one I can see the cruise lines doing this in the future along with charging a "resort" fee. When does it end? Some sporting events charge a seat fee over and above the cost of the ticket along with premium prices according to the team they are playing and the day of the event. I remember years ago someone mention that the way things were changing in the MDR eventually the standard will be SOS for dinner and porridge for breakfast. Everything else will be a added cost Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌞 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CCruiser1234 Posted July 19, 2017 #250 Share Posted July 19, 2017 If good burgers well worth it, I couldn't take the stuff they had before, it reminded me of my Navy days Johnny, you didn't like the sliders or midrats? [emoji23] Thank you for serving. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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