Are Low Staffing Levels Part of Celebrity’s Plan to Cut Costs and Increase Profitably?

[HMR74]

1 hour ago, sgmn said:

I've had two celebrity cruises, both during the pandemic, both 'S' class. Prior to pandemic we always cruised on Royal Caribbean. 

Our last cruise in May was almost full and I didn't notice any downgrading in staffing or service levels .

I do miss the wrap around promenade decks as Celebrity doesn’t seem to have them, as we like to walk right around the ship.  We do like the Sky Lounge but I've heard its not there on Beyond (our next cruise) because of the increased size of the retreat area. Hopefully we will find somewhere else to look out to sea in the front,  otherwise will make do with the Eden Lounge. 

To be honest, everyone tends to say that Celebrity's food is better than Royal Caribbean but we found it similar, some meals were good, others disappointing. But we haven't cruised Royal since the pandemic so maybe the food there isn't as good as it was.

I am shocked at how much the specialist restaurants are, around $55pp plus per meal.

We usually go to one or two a cruise but won't on Beyond. Looking forward to the four dinning rooms with different menus concept on Beyond. 

with the 4 MDR concept so you can get a different feeling each night to some extent, it makes spending 55 a little crazy seeing as how the MDR's are not slouch  venues as is. Unless you have money to burn and do not care. Perhaps on longer cruises or B2b's one needs a change of pace. Everybody is different.

 

Eden is a bit different, till its not. The Old Quisine (now Petite Chef in Bistro Cafe) with the "show" was different and food was pretty good. But the food was better when a first night special price was 35 vs 50 or 55.

 

[HMR74]

On 5/18/2022 at 12:03 PM, markeb said:

 

For a variety of reasons not all due to a global pandemic, we will have gone over 4 years between cruises. And I haven't cruised the Edge class. A lot of what you're hearing about "half the ship being out of bounds" are from people cruising an M or S class ship they'd previously sailed, and facilities that used to be open to all aren't. The most frequently mentioned is Michael's Club, now the Retreat Lounge, which I believe was an open to all area, and even a piano bar. There are undoubtedly other areas of the ships that IF YOU'D SAILED IT BEFORE (shouting for emphasis), you'd notice a difference. The Edge class was built pretty much to emphasize the suites and the Retreat, so I have to assume those areas were never there, and now they are, but only for those who paid extra. But again, the biggest criticism (as JFontaine stated, the name of this board is Cruise Critic...) has been change in access.

MIchaels club as recently as 2019 was Suite guests only.

 

Suite guest are around 10% of normal capacity and I have read articles that report that suite guests have an intangible benefit and do contribute more to the bottom line than other classes, not just on dollars but % margins. KInd of like businees travelers pay more for their air tickets than the discounted travelers, even in coach. Last minute pricing thing.

 

So, "regular" balcony , IV, outside view and inside cabin guests should be "thankful" Suites, Aqua and Concierge guests are actually subsidizing the other guests. Heck, the food does come out of the same kitchens on S and M classes.

 

 

[HMR74]

21 hours ago, kjwinston2019 said:

FINALLY some one who makes sence. Have you looked at you 401K lately? The corps are going to be worried about their earnings

I think your post was before Walmart, Target, Home Depot and Ross Stores reported their quarters and the stocks tanked.I think the marekt is down 15% in April,  and thus 3/31/22 statements will look great compared to the 4/30/22 statements unless the market rebounds. 

Its the inflation in prices and not so much in wages or social security payments putting the squeeze on consumers.

 

The cruise lines bookings are pretty solid now for late 2022 and 2023 and into 2024 where they exist. The tell will come at final payment dates.I would think more "guests" are using refundable reservation deposits now for the flexibility

 

 

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

Just a few comments.  I do not believe Celebrity is intentionally trying to keep the staffing levels down.  That would be long-term suicide.  I am just off a B2B on the Summit.  On the first cruise we had around 350 pax and the captain kept referring to it as a private yacht.  I was in a suite and experienced wonderful service.  The second cruise which we moved forward from one previously booked so as to do a B2B had no suite availability, so I was in a C1.  Same cabin attendent as the previous cruise, so no complaints about the cabin.

 

However, suddenly there were about 1600 pax on the ship!  The Bacio waitresses were literally running to keep up with the increase.  I personally witnessed stripes pitching in to help--several times my order got delivered by an officer.

 

The MDR was a complete disaster.  Long waits to get in and then no service once one got in.  It was clearly understaffed and/or staffed with untrained newbies, although the MDR manager maintained they were properly staffed.  That made me wonder how much experience with Celebrity he had.  It was nothing like my many previous experiences with the MDR.  Two nights of that sent us to talk to the wonderful Lobo, maitre d' extradordinaire in Luminae.  He magically conjured up some handicapped SSs and the rest of our cruise was delightful.

 

Our butler on the first cruise said that they were down to 3 butlers from the usual 5, but that did not prevent him from providing exceptional service.  With the exception of the MDR, all the Celebrity staff I encountered were as helpful and cheerful as I have previously experienced.  No complaints about MDR food--I frequently mix & match MDR & Luminae items when dining in Luminae.

[Ipeeinthepools]

At least on the Summit, I am more convinced than ever that Celebrity was deliberately keeping the staffing levels down, perhaps because the passenger loads in the Caribbean were lower and they intentionally chose not to staff up for these initial Bermuda cruises.  We talked to a Senior staff person yesterday and they are adding 80 to 90 people a week for the next few week to back to a staffing level of about 1200.  The officer told us they no longer have an issue staffing their ships.  The passengers on the first few Bermuda sailings  are just victims of Celebrity’s attempt to reduce costs.

 

 

[Minniebug]

another reason why not book the first cruise of the season as you will be the guinea pig...

 

[Janebott]

Just got home from an Alaska cruise in the Solstice. We are not regular cruises but both my husband and myself noted how much the staff were totally masked and constantly cleaning. I am not totally sure but believe there was around 1600 or 1700 passengers. Not sure about crew numbers but service was wonderful, at least what we experienced. Again, not season cruisers but looking forwarding to booking celebrity again based on our experience on the solstice. 

[kjwinston2019]

On 5/21/2022 at 4:48 AM, Janebott said:

Just got home from an Alaska cruise in the Solstice. We are not regular cruises but both my husband and myself noted how much the staff were totally masked and constantly cleaning. I am not totally sure but believe there was around 1600 or 1700 passengers. Not sure about crew numbers but service was wonderful, at least what we experienced. Again, not season cruisers but looking forwarding to booking celebrity again based on our experience on the solstice. 

Thanks love to hear this....than ks again!