Remember When Celebrity Was the BEST Cruise Line?

[JHU]

Sadly not everybody has the option to just up and move to another cruise line which is far better eg Viking.

 

If you can't fly then you are restricted to the cruiselines that offer round trips from your home port.

 

As a result some of us are very disappointed that lines that we have enjoyed in the past seem to be downgrading the experience.

 

 

As another non-flyer, I'm limited to the east coast cruises as well. Dining in the main dining rooms on both Royal and Celebrity is no longer a special event thanks, I believe, to the advent of for-fee dining rooms. Also, no longer are 'enrichment' sessions offered. In the past, you could learn much about the upcoming ports regarding culture, geography or history. Now these events are thinly-disguised sales opportunities. I still book Royal (for it's Baltimore departures) and Celebrity, but the "WOW Factor" is no longer there.

[4774Papa]

We were looking for a mass market line to fill a void in February to get to the Southern Caribbean. We've never sailed Hal but started looking at them. I found an AFT cabin priced at $175 per day CHEAPER than the least priced available Oceanview cabin on Celebrity for the same approximate date. There were no balconies available. The Hal itinerary has slightly better ports. I can buy a lot of drinks and specialty dining for $175 per day while still getting a nice breeze and view.

 

I don't mind that Celebrity is selling out at higher prices and charging cruisers more nickels & dimes. It doesn't have to be to me though. Because if I'm going to pay the price anyway, I'd rather do it on a line that still cares about their customers with better quality food.

 

I wish Celebrity well and may come back when their attitude comes back to earth. Otherwise I'll take the RCL stock profits and buy cruises on other lines. :D

We avoid HAL due to their terrible smoking policy, that allowed smoking on balconies as well as more places on the ship. I know smokers were attracted to HAL. We did Alaska last Fall and in Denali, we were already on the Denali school bus when we pulled up to a hotel and about 40 HAL people got on, the odor of cigarette smoke permeated the bus for some time.

 

Now HAL has changed its smoking polcy, however, I don't want to be on a ship when I have to deal with a lot of smokers that bring their odors with them.

[CRZR58]

What makes you think they are controlling costs over increasing margins? You're making assumptions. Do you think it is a simple matter to balance all the factors involved and still produce a product that people will buy and meet their fiduciary responsibilities? Do you really think this can all be boiled down to a few conclusiory sentences? You are delusional.

 

If you are you suggesting that X isn't increasing their margins, then it's you who are delusional.

 

I never said, suggested, or inferred that it's simple to balance all the factors involved.

 

Methinks that you protest too much for an average cruiser. :confused:

[Hlitner]

We avoid HAL due to their terrible smoking policy, that allowed smoking on balconies as well as more places on the ship. I know smokers were attracted to HAL. We did Alaska last Fall and in Denali, we were already on the Denali school bus when we pulled up to a hotel and about 40 HAL people got on, the odor of cigarette smoke permeated the bus for some time.

 

Now HAL has changed its smoking polcy, however, I don't want to be on a ship when I have to deal with a lot of smokers that bring their odors with them.

 

I think you are being a bit "over the top" with the smoking comment. We also cruise HAL and also had a big issue with their previous smoking policy,,,,which caused us to usually avoid paying extra for a balcony that we could not use. But times have changed and HAL now has a smoking policy in line with most other cruise lines. To be real honest, we now longer notice any more of a smoking issue on HAL then we do on other lines....with the exception that HAL still allows some smoking in their casinos (so we just avoid gambling). We actually have more issues with the smoking areas on deck, on Celebrity, then on HAL.

 

Hank

[NLH Arizona]

We avoid HAL due to their terrible smoking policy, that allowed smoking on balconies as well as more places on the ship. I know smokers were attracted to HAL. We did Alaska last Fall and in Denali, we were already on the Denali school bus when we pulled up to a hotel and about 40 HAL people got on, the odor of cigarette smoke permeated the bus for some time.

 

Now HAL has changed its smoking polcy, however, I don't want to be on a ship when I have to deal with a lot of smokers that bring their odors with them.

I had friends just come back from a HAL cruise. They didn't mention the smell of smoke, but they thought the food was awful and the customer service was bad.

[boscobeans]

To begin we have NEVER had a bad cruise experience.

 

My wife and I have only been cruising since 2001 and have been on enough Celebrity Cruises, five of them in a suites, sky suites and royal suites, since then to see plenty of differences.

 

On occasion due to schedules and itineraries we have strayed from Celebrity enough to be Diamond members on RCCL (not through reciprocity) and have sailed on HAL several times as well.

 

To compare prices I look at what we paid for a seven day cruise in a suite (our first) in 2001 and it came to about $2,800. for two. Today this same cruise is priced at about $4,500. for two,

 

Using the US Inflation Calculator the 2001 price, with inflation calculated, would be about $3,800. in today's dollars.

So there is a $700 dollar above inflation cushion for the cruise line.. Multiply that 700 times 1,800 cabins and you get 1.25 million dollars per week.

 

BUT, a suite today is different and has a few more perks than a suite 17 years ago.

 

Today, aside from all the features our suite had back in 2001, suites now include:

 

Main & specialty restaurant seating preferences

Spacious veranda, (there were no verandas on our ship at the time)

Dedicated private restaurant,

Luminae, reserved exclusively for all Suite Class guests,

Access to the private Michael's Club Lounge (all passengers had access to Michael's Club in 2001).

 

 

Back in 2001 aside from the Butler and a few in stateroom perks a passenger in a suite recieved the same "Exceeding Expectations" cruise experience as any other passenger on the ship.

 

ALL passengers had the same dining experience, remember Michele Roux?,

All passengers had access to any specialty restaurants and venues, if there were any on board.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

SO WHAT HAS CHANGED?

 

SERVICE BACK IN 2001 INCLUDED FOR ALL PASSENGERS;

White gloved stewards would escort passengers to their (READY) staterooms on embarkation,

Stateroom attendants introduced themselves (there were TWO) and asked if you had any questions or preferences,

Staterooms were cleaned, refreshed and ready, as if by magic, without a two hour or longer wait,

The bathroom amenities were top notch and included several little sundry items not present today,

Nightly turn down included a quality chocolate treat,

Besides a filled ice bucket there was a pitcher of ice water in each stateroom,

At the buffet waiters were always on hand to help with trays, for those who needed help, and to escort you to an available table,

In the MDR there was your waiter, his/her assistant, bar attendant and sommelier.

 

MDR DINING FOR ALL PASSENGERS;

Menu; always included appetizers, soup, salad, entree and excellent choice of dessert.

Your bar attendant would stop by, introduce him/her self and ask if you would like drinks and remember your likes and dislikes, the same goes for your sommelier.

After your waiter offered menu explanations if needed, and took your order and as your meal was served the ssistant would be there to offer condiments, dressings, refresh your water, bread, butter or anything else you needed in a timely manner.

A large dessert display was presented and the choices were explained by your waiter, once your table was set for coffee, tea or after dinner drinks.

The MDR experience was always relaxed and never appeared to be rushed allowing time for interaction between you and your servers, and was for most a true experience.

The menu offerings were varied and always well prepared, presented, served and of high quality.

On formal nights the dining room was formally dressed as well. The chairs were dressed for the occasion with covers, the staff was in full dress and the menu always had specialties and desserts often prepared my the maître d and assitants.

Midnight buffets were standard.

 

I am sure I have left out many items that past cruisers with more experience than may wife and I can think of, and although MANY of these are downplayed by many who say that they are petty little items that are just things of the past, I wonder why they are things of the past?? Aren't people looking for this type of service any longer? Is cruising becoming either suites or stearage?

 

If the cruise prices are more than what inflation dictates, why is the product offered so much less?

Why is today's price, which is if not the same actually a little higher, when rooms are not ready on boarding, no escorts, no ice water, no bedtime delicacy, sparse bath sundries and all the other obvious reductions in staff, service and quality??

 

Have corporate earnings grown well beyond inflation?

 

Have the prices of designing, building, staffing and maintaining things like multiple specialty restaurants, suite perks and venues like Eden and the Magic Carpet raised the cost of cruising so much?

 

Why the decrease in actual service staff, the salaries of them coming mostly from OUR tips? Is it to provide Avant Garde escorts to greet us at EDEN?

 

UNLESS YOU CHOOSE A SUITE or pay for so many of the new EXTRA CHARGE items your entire cruise experience now barely meets any expectations?

 

We will continue to cruise until we can no longer do so because we love being at sea, enjoying excellent meals, meeting other people, visiting both new and old places, having drinks with friends in a lounge, making our nightly donations in the casino and watching a show.. It is still for us the best and most relaxing way to spend what free time we can schedule into our yearly Springtime battery recharge at the tail end of our cold Winters.

 

We must understand that those at the top in Celebrity are aware of the changes, the cutbacks in staff and the degradation of the entire experience that X promised and delivered for at least the first seven or so years we sailed on their ships.

 

DO THEY CARE?????????????????????

 

Only my very humble opinion

 

bosco

[Fish Lover]

If you are you suggesting that X isn't increasing their margins, then it's you who are delusional.

 

I never said, suggested, or inferred that it's simple to balance all the factors involved.

 

Methinks that you protest too much for an average cruiser. :confused:

 

Are you implying that I am associated with Celebrity, other than being a customer? You are wrong if so. I'm not even a stock holder. However, I simply hate it when people make baseless assumptions and then further imply negatives on those assumptions. That goes for any topic whatever. It also goes when people do it to other people or groups of people. It's that kind of negative inflammatory nonsense that tends to "stick" and become fact simply by repetition.

So, on your part, one bad assumption right on top of another....

[mnocket]

 

We must understand that those at the top in Celebrity are aware of the changes, the cutbacks in staff and the degradation of the entire experience that X promised and delivered for at least the first seven or so years we sailed on their ships.

 

DO THEY CARE?????????????????????

 

Only my very humble opinion

 

bosco

 

Bosco

 

Your entire post was well said.

Things are changing. The changes are intentional. We each have to decide how Celebrity's degraded cruise experience will affect our cruising plans, now and in the future.

[NLH Arizona]

Bosco

 

Things are changing. The changes are intentional. We each have to decide how Celebrity's degraded cruise experience will affect our cruising plans, now and in the future.

Totally agree. Just like every company one does business with, one has to evaluate whether they are getting their expectations met and if not, move along to another company.

[Fish Lover]

To begin we have NEVER had a bad cruise experience.

 

My wife and I have only been cruising since 2001 and have been on enough Celebrity Cruises, five of them in a suites, sky suites and royal suites, since then to see plenty of differences.

 

On occasion due to schedules and itineraries we have strayed from Celebrity enough to be Diamond members on RCCL (not through reciprocity) and have sailed on HAL several times as well.

 

To compare prices I look at what we paid for a seven day cruise in a suite (our first) in 2001 and it came to about $2,800. for two. Today this same cruise is priced at about $4,500. for two,

 

Using the US Inflation Calculator the 2001 price, with inflation calculated, would be about $3,800. in today's dollars.

So there is a $700 dollar above inflation cushion for the cruise line.. Multiply that 700 times 1,800 cabins and you get 1.25 million dollars per week.

 

BUT, a suite today is different and has a few more perks than a suite 17 years ago.

 

Today, aside from all the features our suite had back in 2001, suites now include:

 

Main & specialty restaurant seating preferences

Spacious veranda, (there were no verandas on our ship at the time)

Dedicated private restaurant,

Luminae, reserved exclusively for all Suite Class guests,

Access to the private Michael's Club Lounge (all passengers had access to Michael's Club in 2001).

 

 

Back in 2001 aside from the Butler and a few in stateroom perks a passenger in a suite recieved the same "Exceeding Expectations" cruise experience as any other passenger on the ship.

 

ALL passengers had the same dining experience, remember Michele Roux?,

All passengers had access to any specialty restaurants and venues, if there were any on board.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

SO WHAT HAS CHANGED?

 

SERVICE BACK IN 2001 INCLUDED FOR ALL PASSENGERS;

White gloved stewards would escort passengers to their (READY) staterooms on embarkation,

Stateroom attendants introduced themselves (there were TWO) and asked if you had any questions or preferences,

Staterooms were cleaned, refreshed and ready, as if by magic, without a two hour or longer wait,

The bathroom amenities were top notch and included several little sundry items not present today,

Nightly turn down included a quality chocolate treat,

Besides a filled ice bucket there was a pitcher of ice water in each stateroom,

At the buffet waiters were always on hand to help with trays, for those who needed help, and to escort you to an available table,

In the MDR there was your waiter, his/her assistant, bar attendant and sommelier.

 

MDR DINING FOR ALL PASSENGERS;

Menu; always included appetizers, soup, salad, entree and excellent choice of dessert.

Your bar attendant would stop by, introduce him/her self and ask if you would like drinks and remember your likes and dislikes, the same goes for your sommelier.

After your waiter offered menu explanations if needed, and took your order and as your meal was served the ssistant would be there to offer condiments, dressings, refresh your water, bread, butter or anything else you needed in a timely manner.

A large dessert display was presented and the choices were explained by your waiter, once your table was set for coffee, tea or after dinner drinks.

The MDR experience was always relaxed and never appeared to be rushed allowing time for interaction between you and your servers, and was for most a true experience.

The menu offerings were varied and always well prepared, presented, served and of high quality.

On formal nights the dining room was formally dressed as well. The chairs were dressed for the occasion with covers, the staff was in full dress and the menu always had specialties and desserts often prepared my the maître d and assitants.

Midnight buffets were standard.

 

I am sure I have left out many items that past cruisers with more experience than may wife and I can think of, and although MANY of these are downplayed by many who say that they are petty little items that are just things of the past, I wonder why they are things of the past?? Aren't people looking for this type of service any longer? Is cruising becoming either suites or stearage?

 

If the cruise prices are more than what inflation dictates, why is the product offered so much less?

Why is today's price, which is if not the same actually a little higher, when rooms are not ready on boarding, no escorts, no ice water, no bedtime delicacy, sparse bath sundries and all the other obvious reductions in staff, service and quality??

 

Have corporate earnings grown well beyond inflation?

 

Have the prices of designing, building, staffing and maintaining things like multiple specialty restaurants, suite perks and venues like Eden and the Magic Carpet raised the cost of cruising so much?

 

Why the decrease in actual service staff, the salaries of them coming mostly from OUR tips? Is it to provide Avant Garde escorts to greet us at EDEN?

 

UNLESS YOU CHOOSE A SUITE or pay for so many of the new EXTRA CHARGE items your entire cruise experience now barely meets any expectations?

 

We will continue to cruise until we can no longer do so because we love being at sea, enjoying excellent meals, meeting other people, visiting both new and old places, having drinks with friends in a lounge, making our nightly donations in the casino and watching a show.. It is still for us the best and most relaxing way to spend what free time we can schedule into our yearly Springtime battery recharge at the tail end of our cold Winters.

 

We must understand that those at the top in Celebrity are aware of the changes, the cutbacks in staff and the degradation of the entire experience that X promised and delivered for at least the first seven or so years we sailed on their ships.

 

DO THEY CARE?????????????????????

 

Only my very humble opinion

 

bosco

 

I understand your analysis, however I think there are several factors you left out. Port fees, fuel, and costs of luxury end food items etc exceed the average inflation rates. As for differences such as formal dining etc... this is a response to market trends. If you read these boards you are aware how strongly people advocate for no formal dress. Pay for specialty dining is a market trend adopted by nearly all but the most elite lines. Look at Cunard and they really do the same thing except they lump your dining level in with your cabin choice. When they decreased the number of stewards, they also decreased the number of cabins they were responsible for. This has been met, according to posters whom have spoken to their stewards, as a real positive.

 

I concede that on Celebrity, in concierge class, we found years ago the tiniest touches to be "classier" and the food overall to be better. However, nothing ever stays the same and it's a matter of opinion as to whether change is for the better or not.

 

Personally, I think the cost of Bingo has taken all the fun out if it. I also think there are far fewer cost-free activities on board (both sea days and port days). Not enough to discourage me or change my line of choice, but a loss just the same.

[CABINET]

I do not mean to show any disrespect but am just puzzled by your post. Even though we live in the US, we spend a lot of time in Europe (on both cruises and extended driving trips). Getting around Europe is quite easy since you have excellent roads, a decent train system, and plenty of low cost airlines (we understand you do not want to fly). A cruise starting at one port and finishing at another should not be a problem for somebody from Europe/UK. In fact, since you are not dealing with the airlines you would simply have to use the train systems. From our side of the "pond" its a bit more tricky...although the use of "open jaw" airfares is a great aid.

 

I am actually a bit envious of your European transportation options. In the USA we often must fly because of the large size of our country and the lack of a decent train system. But you have an excellent train network and also some decent ferry options.

 

Hank

 

I certainly didn't feel any disrespect. All your points are valid but as one gets older the idea of driving for days or trying to haul luggage onto trains becomes more difficult.

 

A cruise which can begin within an hour and a half of one's home, where one can park the car and all luggage is carried on board by somebody else (apart from a small carry on obviously) makes for an easy and enjoyable holiday.

 

Nothing stays the same but it is sad when an enjoyable experience becomes less enjoyable because of changes made by the cruise line. All I was really trying to say is that it is not always easy to just take your vacation dollars (or pounds in our case :D) to another line as many people have suggested we do.

[Karynanne]

Bosco

 

 

 

Your entire post was well said.

 

Things are changing. The changes are intentional. We each have to decide how Celebrity's degraded cruise experience will affect our cruising plans, now and in the future.

 

 

 

Things have been changing for quite some time. Some good...some just OK.

 

I choose not to think of everything as being degraded. The only thing constant in life is change.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[boscobeans]

Totally agree. Just like every company one does business with, one has to evaluate whether they are getting their expectations met and if not, move along to another company.

 

We recently got back from a 12 day cruise on Royal Caribbean. Excellent cruise, huge aft facing veranda stateroom, beverage packages and Diamond Status ( I know-big deal. LOL ). Really not much difference between them and Celebrity as far as service in general. Meals at complimentary and specialty venues on par with Celebrity.

 

We have since decided to book a 14 night cruise from New York City and spend the money that would have been wasted on air fare, hotels and other costs incurred when flying to Florida on the cruise price.

 

As long as Celebrity and Royal Caribbean, also suffering from staff reduction, are lowering their standards we decided to try NCL. Granted, not supposed to be of the same standards as Celebrity but with a huge aft veranda with 2 chaise lounges and two chairs, ultimate beverage package, specialty dining package, about a dozen places to eat and as many places to have a drink and since there is no longer any TRUE formal nights on Celebrity, (as witnessed by us, seeing dozens of passengers in shorts and flip flops on formal night), why not try what they call FREESTYLE and go on an unpretentious cruise that is only a three hour drive from home. It may be a giant ship, but like most things in life we will decide where, when and what we want to do and see on this new adventure.

 

I hope we are pleasantly surprised.

 

bosco

[NLH Arizona]

As long as Celebrity and Royal Caribbean, also suffering from staff reduction, are lowering their standards we decided to try NCL. Granted, not supposed to be of the same standards as Celebrity but with a huge aft veranda with 2 chaise lounges and two chairs, ultimate beverage package, specialty dining package, about a dozen places to eat and as many places to have a drink and since there is no longer any TRUE formal nights on Celebrity, (as witnessed by us, seeing dozens of passengers in shorts and flip flops on formal night), why not try what they call FREESTYLE and go on an unpretentious cruise that is only a three hour drive from home. It may be a giant ship, but like most things in life we will decide where, when and what we want to do and see on this new adventure.

 

I hope we are pleasantly surprised.

 

bosco

I also cruise on NCL, along with Celebrity and Crystal. When I first started cruising alot, I only cruised on Crystal and then decided to add Celebrity into my mix. I was a little surprised during my first Celebrity cruise how different they were in food, service, amenities, etc., but soon decided it was best not to compare one cruise line against another, especially a luxury line, to Celebrity, otherwise I would always be disappointed. Then I added NCL into the mix, so I could do more cruises. Is NCL like Celebrity, no it is very different, but I will say that their service to their passengers on the ships is on par with Celebrity, IMHO. On NCL I cruise in a suite (aft-penthouse), so I have escorted embarkation, dedicated restaurant for breakfast and lunch and other perks. NCL is much more casual; I was surprised to see men in baseball caps in the specialty restaurants, but their attire didn't interfere with the enjoyment of my meals. I don't do the MDR on NCL, tried a couple of times and didn't care for the food or atmosphere, so I only eat dinner in the specialty restaurants. You will have some of the same issues on NCL, as you do on Celebrity - chair hogs, some rude passengers, etc., but as far as I'm concerned I've always had great cruises with them.

 

I think a cruise is what you make of it. One can complain about changes or embrace the fact that they are able to do something that millions upon millions can on dream of doing.

[ABoatNerd]

Celebrity has always been a "mass" cruise line.

 

However, a while back, Celebrity used to be the highest level in the "mass" cruise line segment - it was labeled "premium mass". Celebrity was the only cruise line between the "mass" NCL, RCL, Carnival group and the "premium" Oceania and above.

 

Celebrity's deliberate choice to provide a product to every customer that was worthy of this niche earned it significant industry and consumer praise and loyal repeated bookings from long term customers like myself. This was the time of the "Simply The Best".

 

In booking Celebrity cruises from 2001 onwards, it was clear the pricing was a bit higher than the "mass lines".

 

Fast forward to the past couple of years - Celebrity has chosen to pursue profit enhancement as a priority - achieving this by deliberate product degradation combined with price increases. The profit enhancement priority is described and analyzed in detail on another current thread.

 

Based on product related assessments on CC and elsewhere, Celebrity has deliberately given up their former niche in the industry and become one of the "mass" market cruise lines. Cruise lines previously "below" Celebrity have come forward to close the product quality gap. They, Celebrity included, all provide decent product albeit slightly different from each other.

 

This decline is one reason for the many negative threads and posts on this board.

 

But, degradation of product offering in every industry sector, is the current status in business everywhere - Celebrity is just one example.

[mnocket]

Celebrity has always been a "mass" cruise line.

 

However, a while back, Celebrity used to be the highest level in the "mass" cruise line segment - it was labeled "premium mass". Celebrity was the only cruise line between the "mass" NCL, RCL, Carnival group and the "premium" Oceania and above.

 

Celebrity's deliberate choice to provide a product to every customer that was worthy of this niche earned it significant industry and consumer praise and loyal repeated bookings from long term customers like myself. This was the time of the "Simply The Best".

 

In booking Celebrity cruises from 2001 onwards, it was clear the pricing was a bit higher than the "mass lines".

 

Fast forward to the past couple of years - Celebrity has chosen to pursue profit enhancement as a priority - achieving this by deliberate product degradation combined with price increases. The profit enhancement priority is described and analyzed in detail on another current thread.

 

Based on product related assessments on CC and elsewhere, Celebrity has deliberately given up their former niche in the industry and become one of the "mass" market cruise lines. Cruise lines previously "below" Celebrity have come forward to close the product quality gap. They, Celebrity included, all provide decent product albeit slightly different from each other.

 

This decline is one reason for the many negative threads and posts on this board.

 

But, degradation of product offering in every industry sector, is the current status in business everywhere - Celebrity is just one example.

 

I don't like to repost a comment I've made on another thread, but this comment of mine seems to dovetail so well with your thoughts.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

I'm afraid that what we are seeing may be the "natural arc" for public companies.

 

 

1. In the beginning they establish themselves by offering a better product/service
   
2. In the middle they focus on growing sales and are willing to invest in improving their product/service in order to attract new customers and grow market share.
   
3. The long downward glide begins as they shift focus to growing profit. Some profit growth can be realized by increasing capacity to serve more customers (i.e. adding ships), but faster & larger profit growth can be achieved by reducing the cost of goods/services sold (e.g. reducing quality) and/or increasing pricing (incl. adding for fee services).
   

Celebrity is now clearly in phase 3. It would be nice if companies in phase 2 could take the position that they were happy and content to make a good profit selling a good product to loyal customers. Unfortunately, public companies can't adopt this position (well some dividend driven companies can, but there are few). For the most part, public CEOs are tasked and rewarded for improving the stock price. This means growing profit and unfortunately that means eventually most public companies find themselves in phase 3.

 

The good news is we can look forward to new companies entering phase 1. Viking ocean comes to mind. Wouldn't it be great if Virgin entered the cruise market?

[bayonnejoe]

Having sailed Celebrity since 1995, DW and I miss the Celebrity of old (pre RCI) as much as anyone. We still sail them almost exclusively for a number of reasons. I still believe they provide an excellent vacation for the price. Just different than it used to be. You cannot have that level of food and service at prices pretty much the same (or sometimes even less) than what they were then. Not everyone has the ability to move up to the premium lines and still cruise as much as they would like to. Anyone can still have the Celebrity experience of 20 years ago. RCI offers Azamara as that alternative. Just not at Celebrity prices.

[mnocket]

Having sailed Celebrity since 1995, DW and I miss the Celebrity of old (pre RCI) as much as anyone. We still sail them almost exclusively for a number of reasons. I still believe they provide an excellent vacation for the price. Just different than it used to be. You cannot have that level of food and service at prices pretty much the same (or sometimes even less) than what they were then. Not everyone has the ability to move up to the premium lines and still cruise as much as they would like to. Anyone can still have the Celebrity experience of 20 years ago. RCI offers Azamara as that alternative. Just not at Celebrity prices.

 

Your post brought to mind a recent article I read about airline service. Maybe the company's goal is to follow suit and "scare" those who can afford it to book Azamara and leave Celebrity to the "low fare seekers"? Read the following article and let me know what you think.......

Why Does Air Travel Suck So Bad? This 19th Century Economist Explained It With Just 4 Words

 

https://www.inc.com/bill-murphy-jr/why-does-air-travel-suck-so-bad-this-19th-century-economist-explained-it-with-ju.html

[curtdesilets]

To begin we have NEVER had a bad cruise experience.....bosco

 

Great response Bosco. OP Curt Here. Best response to my post yet! Gold star to you for the effort.

 

BTW, our 1st cruise was on the Brand New Infinity in 2001. Your description and love for Celebrity in the same initial year as us, is like a parallel universe. You and I know EXACTLY what Celebrity was, and what it has become. :confused:

[boscobeans]

Great response Bosco. OP Curt Here. Best response to my post yet! Gold star to you for the effort.

 

BTW, our 1st cruise was on the Brand New Infinity in 2001. Your description and love for Celebrity in the same initial year as us, is like a parallel universe. You and I know EXACTLY what Celebrity was, and what it has become. :confused:

 

We sailed on the Connie a year or two later with friends and remember our MDR waiter, Carlos, who was from Panama and was nearing the end of his contract. We enjoyed his expertise as a waiter and his stories about his family back home. Good times and good memories..

 

bosco

[grandgeezer]

To begin we have NEVER had a bad cruise .

 

bosco

 

I know that statement isn't intended to mean since you have never had a bad cruise that nobody else has. Consider yourself lucky.

[boscobeans]

I know that statement isn't intended to mean since you have never had a bad cruise that nobody else has. Consider yourself lucky.

 

Just a statement with no intentions whatsoever. Yup, guess we are lucky. :rolleyes:

 

bosco

[mek]

They do not "give" you OBC. You pay for it.

 

On one cruise I have the cost of the cabin with one amenity is $300/person ($600 total for two) more than the cost with no amenities. I can pick $150/person OBC ($300 total) as my amenity.

 

 

What a deal! Pay $600 more for $300 worth of OBC.

 

 

And some think that means Celebrity is giving me a "wad of on board credit."

 

Well, I can tell you that many times I get OBC's and perks that are offered without the price changing. I watch prices like a hawk and pretty much know when they are throwing something into the mix that is truly a freebie. Other times, I have had things added to my package after I have made a deposit, with no increase. Then there are the "sales" that all lines offer that really don't give anything free. People just need to pay attention and know what they're buying.

Edited July 24, 2017 by mek

[loge23]

I realize I'm probably in the minority here on these boards, but I just had a fantastic time aboard the Celebrity Equinox. No problems parking, nor with embarkation, dining onboard (in five different venues - all very good to excellent), with entertainment that was

wonderful, nor service - all excellent, or value which was terrific.

Clearly, I'm missing something... oh! The baggage claim at departure was bungled!

 

 

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[newbie2013]

I realize I'm probably in the minority here on these boards, but I just had a fantastic time aboard the Celebrity Equinox. No problems parking, nor with embarkation, dining onboard (in five different venues - all very good to excellent), with entertainment that was

wonderful, nor service - all excellent, or value which was terrific.

Clearly, I'm missing something... oh! The baggage claim at departure was bungled!

 

 

Sent from my SM-G920V using Forums mobile app

 

 

 

Like!!! We had another fantastic experience on Solstice in March. Glad to hear.

 

 

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