What would you like to see on the Challenger series?

[superjerryw]

As a frequent cruiser having achieved elite status, I hate the thought of having to share a lounge with a nouveau-riche, landlubber on his first cruise in a suite...:eek:

 

Or even worse, someone that has taken 10 three day cruises in an inside cabin on Royal Caribbean and has attained Diamond Crown & Anchor status that automatically gives them Captains Club Elite status.:eek: :eek:

 

I would like a separate dining room or level for passengers who want to have their own choice of dress code or dining times.... with rules enforced.

 

They have that on all of Royal Caribbeans Voyager class ships, it's called Johnny Rockets......:rolleyes:

 

....

[Blazerboy]

SuperJerryW! Shame on you!

 

(:D :D :D )

[Ericknow32]

It's so frustrating to me when people feel threatened by what others might or might not have, instead of feeling comfortable in their own skin. :)

I completely agree with your statement here. Why can't all people be comfortable with what everyone else is getting. Why must people in a suite worry that what they are getting is not better than what the passengers in an inside cabin are getting. People should be happy that they are all getting treated well with great service and great amenities.

 

superjerryw: Was that a shot at me. I only took six 3-day cruises on RCI. One of them was a four day and most of them were not in an inside cabin. They are inexpensive cruises close to home. They are easy to go on. So don't hate the player hate the game:D Just to be clear, this was a joke.

[canderson]

Now I can't find/recall if this was already brought up or not, but it's being discussed on another thread again...

 

---------

Whatever it is that gives the Galaxy main theater its own unique look -- figure it out, and be sure to replicate the same effect on the new ships.

[Blazerboy]

Eric, c'mon.:D I don't WORRY that I'm not getting more than you, any more that I WORRY about what you think of me (New money, old money, common, snob, the list goes on;) ) But what I want, when I choose to spend the money, is the most value for what I spend, and a quiet lounge that only a few hundred people use, as opposed to 2000, has some value to me. Doesn't matter to me if the other 200 are from "the 400" of New York Society or hard working lotto winners from the local plant. It's just nice, when I can afford it, to buy that extra value of a quiet lounge.

 

And, furthermore, since I'm apparently like a pit-bull with this subject (:o )

you argued that the specialty restaurants are available to everybody. Aren't the suites? Last I checked, there was no blood test before booking, they didn't look at my pedigree to make sure I'm a purebred hound, and certainly no mimimum standard of income or status in the world, cuz' otherwise, they'd NEVER let me in!:D

 

(Plink) That's the sound of me trying to drop the subject.

(Roar) That's the cheers of the other posters here who want to focus on the reality/fantasy of the new ships!

 

Nice sparring with you, Eric. No harm, no foul, and ain't cruising great!:)

 

Andrew

[Ericknow32]

Andrew I think we are going to have to agree to disagree. It's been fun though.

 

So back on topic. I would like to see some itineraries that bring this new ship over to the west coast.

[Ericknow32]

Wait, wait, wait, Andrew are you insinuating that I alway stay in an inside cabin, because that is not true. While I may not have stayed in a suite (yet) I try my darnedest to stay away from inside cabins:D (This is a joke)

By the way, I dont think you are any of these things "New money, old money, common, snob."

[Blazerboy]

Eric, call me 'new money' all you want, as long as you bring the money to make it true!:D

 

And you just said a mouthfull! I TOTALLY agree. More West Coast intineraries!!! Esp. those leaving from SF! How are we going to get that wonderful new terminal that's being planned if more cruises don't stop/start here!

 

Andrew

[Blazerboy]

Andrew are you insinuating that I alway stay in an inside cabin, because that is not true. While I may not have stayed in a suite (yet) I try my darnedest to stay away from inside cabins:D

Eric, that reminds me of something that happened when we boarded our last cruise on the Infinity. My ever-charming partner and I got on the elevator on deck 3 where we boarded, but the elevator was going down, and he loudly announced that it was o.k., because no one would be getting off on deck two, because there couldn't possibly be cabins "down there," and we'd go right back up again. And then, to make it worse, when the doors opened on deck two, and two gentlemen got off with their wives and luggage in tow, he again said (too loudly) "Oh wow, there ARE cabins way down here," which earned him a dirty look from the gentleman, and a kick in the shins from me!:o :rolleyes:

 

And the only reason I stay away from inside cabins is to get fresh air and light- I suffer form claustrophobia a bit. I'm ALWAYS jealous of my friends who go on more cruises because they're not paying a premium for light and fresh air.:p

 

Andrew

[CaribbeanBound]

There are LOTS of good ideas in this thread.

 

Here's a few things I'd like to see on all ships...

 

1. Lower cost internet service. I have never seen more than 2 people at a time using onboard computers. 90% of the time, no one uses them. I would hope that Celebrity will rethink the pricing to find the price point at which the computers will be 75%-to-85% utilized. Passengers will be happier, and Celebrity will end up with more net income, rather than having a wasting asset onboard.

 

2. Better air circulation or a total ban on indoor smoking. The air circulation in the casino and night clubs are always poor. All it takes is for one person to legitimately light up for the air to become very poor. My eyes would burn profusely. Therefore we generally avoid these areas.

 

3. Provide popcorn at movies. Popcorn is cheap, and it usually induces thirst, which leads to bar sales. I've never heard why they don't pop corn to enjoy in the theater.

 

4. Get real on your drink prices. Folks I speak to say they would drink more if the prices were more reasonable. The bar waiters would also make more in tips if they could sell more drinks.

 

5. Get real on your photo prices, and install a digital kiosk on board for folks to print their own pictures. The price of the photos is an outrageous $9.95 per photo. My wife will buy but one. At $5.00 (still high) she said she would have bought 5. I really don't understand the mentality of taking tons of pictures of passengers and then expecting us to pay $9.95 for each. We won't.

 

6. Public planking of passengers at sea. In some ports, like Key West you have to wait onboard until EVERYONE has passed customs. This should take 20 to 30 minutes. This can take 90 minutes when it is necessary to find a couple of passengers who don't report for clearance like they were told to. These passengers should be made to walk the plank.

 

7. If you are going to schedule a port, stay all day. Get in by 7am and don't leave until at least 5pm. If it's a nightlife port, stay until midnight. We would gladly sacrifice an entire port from an itenerary to spend more time in all the other ports.

 

8. Stay on top of maintenance that matters to passengers. For example, right now there are too many complaints about old mattresses, linens, and deck chairs. HELLO! Obviously you're not doing something right when this becomes a major theme of every review.

 

9. Rotate merchandise frequently and excite us with daily sales.

 

10. Get real on the price of excursions. Of course, this doesn't really bother most experienced travelers. We all know to book on our own.

 

This wish list can be done at minimal expense and could actually increase bookings and revenue.

[ocngypz]

You can forget about the "challenger" name.

 

Ship is currently being designed.

 

Won't hit the water until late 08.

 

Our rep was in today.

 

Corporate is being very closed mouth on specifics.

[Germancruiser]

This is for Balzerboy and Ericnow32

 

I loved your little conversation. Very funny- and I do agree with both of you cruising is great.

Another question, is there special part in the live boats for suite- passengers??? That should be nice. I don´t like to mingle with all the others in those " cosy" little lifeboats. Also just to make sure- that was a joke too.

Greetings

Michael

[RodPat]

Let's face it Celebrity is going to have to give their suite guests a little bit more than just some space. A sky suite costs alot more but to me it is just a big room. It does not resemble a suite. We stayed in a Celebity suite on Infinity and that was a true suite. We had friends on the same sailing in a Sky suite and it did not come close to comparing. We take whatever seems to be a good price and have stayed on that second floor more often than in a suite or balcony. As long as it has a window it is fine for me. Just want a good value for my dollar. Pat

[Andy]

You can forget about the "challenger" name.

 

Ship is currently being designed.

 

Won't hit the water until late 08.

 

Our rep was in today.

 

Corporate is being very closed mouth on specifics.

 

Hi Ocngypz !

 

Agreed on all points. It is truly amazing how NO details are available yet. Not even a few tidbits ! Celebrity is being VERY quiet on this. I suppose they want to make sure they get it just right, and that is fine with me.

 

About the name of the ship.... the day the New ship was announced, I said that I didnt care for the name Challenger or Challenger Class at all. I truly hope they go in another direction on the ship's name.

 

At any rate, we still have about 2 1/2 years before we get to sail on her. I am sure SOME details will come out soon, at least I hope so !

[USSFRef]

Someone (RCCI?) should buy the SS United States, restore her to her former glory, and put her to sea.

 

People have been talking about this for years, but the cruise industry is smoking hot right now, and I think one of the big cruise lines could easily justify the cost. Make it a super-premuim cruise.

[katiebeth]

Dear Germancruiser,

 

Your comments are very funny. Personally, I think suite guests should be given priority embarkation on lifeboats designated just for them, with cocktails served before departure!! (ha!ha!) preferably some fine champagne!!

 

Happy Sailing!

 

Nancy

[negc]

Someone (RCCI?) should buy the SS United States, restore her to her former glory, and put her to sea.

 

People have been talking about this for years, but the cruise industry is smoking hot right now, and I think one of the big cruise lines could easily justify the cost. Make it a super-premuim cruise.

 

I think, but I could be wrong, that NCL purchased the SS United States some time ago, but has done nothing about restoring her. I'm not sure how practical it would be to refurbish her and put her into service, but it seems a shame that something can't be done, even if it is only refurbishment and opening her as a museum and a symbol of the old days of cruising.:o

[USSFRef]

I think, but I could be wrong, that NCL purchased the SS United States some time ago, but has done nothing about restoring her. I'm not sure how practical it would be to refurbish her and put her into service, but it seems a shame that something can't be done, even if it is only refurbishment and opening her as a museum and a symbol of the old days of cruising.:o

 

She's currently owned by a NJ real estate developer and sitting in the Philadelphia Navy Yard. I see her from a distance every time I drive to Philly. Even in her current state, she's a gorgeous ship. Unfortunately, she's been stripped of her furnishings and anything else of value over the years by a series of owners.

 

Take a look here: http://www.ssunitedstates.org

[Blazerboy]

Yes, Michael, maybe when they load us on lifeboats, they can take a little extra time, and check each person's income, net worth, and and social standing.;) I mean, it might take a little longer, and some of the deck two folks might perish because of the delay:rolleyes:, but, really, isn't it worth it to make sure that the line keeps some standards! Imagine having to socialize with one's inferiors in such close quarters.:eek:

 

Oh, wait, that was 1912.:o

 

In the lifeboats, can we at least give priority boarding and seating to the suites? But only if their butler has given them the proper voucher!:D

 

Nancy, I think we have a similar sense of humor!

 

Andrew

[pbcbbc]

Honestly, I hope that very little is changed. Make the T-pool more like the C-class, better beds and maybe the movies at night. One of the great things about C-class ships is the low number of public places, making it have the feel of a much smaller ship. You get a lot more socializing. So my vote goes for very few changes.

[hcat]

My wish would be that these cruises would all be " cruises to nowhere " so they will not stop at the small ports that we can now enjoy! Once the biggies cruise, the ports won't be much fun....hoping to do all my cruising before the mid range sizes are off the market! M class on celeb & radiance on Royal are the best! They are large enough to have lots of amenties but still feel like a ship rather than containerized passenger pods.....Just MHO

[Germancruiser]

Hi Nancy, Andrew, Eric,

oh yeah we really seem to have the same sense of humor, and now imagine us together on a cruise. We would make the ship rock, but not from bad weather, from laughing- LOL.

And yes this happend 1912- and I thought some things don´t necceraly need a repeat.

Happy Cruising on whatever cabin we may choose.

Greetings from cold Germany

Michael

[MAXII]

Hi:

 

I would like to see:

 

longer "quiet" times around the pool

 

more "kid free" itineraries

 

cell 'phone use on board banned - period!!

 

........ alternatively a dedicated area for cell phone users

 

dress code enforced in the main dining areas

 

Q & A periods with crew - maybe in the theatre

[Blazerboy]

Well, Michael, we may not be cruising together, but I just noticed that we'll both be doing Transatlantic crossings at the same time! See my signature below. We leave a day or two before you to cross to Dover! Your cruise will probably be warmer, though.:rolleyes: And longer.:mad:

 

Try not to mingle with the masses to much, and have a great time.:D

 

Andrew

[Germancruiser]

Hi Andrew,

just saw that we are crossing nearly the same time. This Constellation TA was my first plan, but it was two days to early, can´t get away from germany not before April 29 th. They had really great deals here in germany for this TA on the Constellation though. I was not able to get even a balcony cabin on the Millenium , so an outside view has to suit me -and it will- LOL. They booked completley- I hope for an upgrade at the pier. The fact that it is a two week cruise made my decsion much more easy. Hehe.

Mabe we can talk about our crossing while we are on board- should be fun.

Greetings and have a great time too.

Michael