Celebrity is not any better than Royal Caribbean

[Spif Barwunkel]

I am embarrassed for and ashamed of Celebrity Cruise Lines. The blatant, purposeful swindling and pilfering of loyal, as well as new passengers is unacceptable. The disregard for their personal comfort and satisfaction is downright unconscionable. As a result, the ignominious taint that now permeates the heart and soul of many X cruisers might never wear off. Celebrity does not deserve you. Celebrity does not deserve your dollars, your euros, your pesos, your pounds, your francs, your krone or krona. What Celebrity does deserve is your divorce.

 

So, as you all move on to new and better adventurous offerings - land or sea - I will remain here and try, as best I can, to help offset the X debt. I don't yet reek of that ignominious taint, perhaps it's my genetic make-up. I wish you all well, I really do. Perhaps in the future the record will show that I took the blows while you all went off and did it your way. If we can all whistle a happy tune, that's all that matters.

Edited June 3, 2023 by Spif Barwunkel

[NutsAboutGolf]

51 minutes ago, mrgabriel said:

In my experience, hotels in the States are NOT operating at full staff complements. I’ve spent about 3 dozen room nights in Hilton properties  in resort areas and big US cities in the past 18 months including as recently as last month and there is no more daily housekeeping service unless you’re paying upwards of $500 a night. A nice resort hotel offered housekeeping once every 4 nights. Restaurant service is slow. Service is stores is horrible. 
 

I took a picture of a sign in a coffee shop in Palm Springs. It said, “The world is short staffed. Be kind to those who show up.”

 

it’s a problem everywhere. If it isn’t in your region then you are fortunate. 

 

If you want daily housekeeping, book just about any other chain as Hilton made a policy to no longer offer daily housekeeping.  We are still Hilton Diamond from last year but for this year book Hyatt whenever possible which still does daily housekeeping like most chains.  Hilton cheapened the brand by using the pandemic as an opportunity to save money to reduce housekeeping.  We specifically got fed up with many Hilton properties requiring you to call housekeeping for extra towels, you call them, request 8 towels for the next 4 nights, they say they'll be there in 5mins, they arrive 20mins later with 2 towels and say "no tip?"

 

Edited June 3, 2023 by NutsAboutGolf

[SHIP TRAVELER]

This is an interesting discussion.  We were on X Sillie in May.  I thought the food in the MDR was good overall.  My DH right across the table from me thought it was poor.  I ordered chicken, he ordered fish and steak.  We both thought the Mast Grill was very disappointing.  I love hot dogs and I left this (sausage stick) one on the plate after one bite.

 

I thought the Brit comedian on X was one of the best I have ever seen on a ship.  His late night 2nd show was almost packed due the laughs he got on the first show. Craft Social and the expanded Casino bar lounge made it easier to get a drink. 

 

We were on the Allure in February.  Mama Mia was great. I thought the food was mediocre and we have shown that I am easy to please. The bars in on the Allure were packed, often standing room only. Awful elevator wait time.

 

We have been on a number of cruise since the restart including Princess, RCL and X.  They were all better early on even with short staffing because the ships were not jammed with passengers.  You could get a seat at the buffet and in the show room.  You could get on an elevator easily, often alone.  Both the Silhouette and the Allure were full sailings.  You could not get a seat in the buffet on either cruise unless you really searched then waited and sat one down to hold the spot before getting your food.  The elevators were packed and passed you by many times on both ships.  There were long lines to get back on BOTH ships.

 

Passenger space ratio Allure 36%, Silhouette 35% Oceania 46% Seaborne 60% and Regent 60%.  Full ships on any main line cruise are now packed. We are looking at the luxury lines with higher space ratios per passenger.

 

[NMTraveller]

1 hour ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

 

If you want daily housekeeping, book just about any other chain as Hilton made a policy to no longer offer daily housekeeping.  We are still Hilton Diamond from last year but for this year book Hyatt whenever possible which still does daily housekeeping like most chains.  Hilton cheapened the brand by using the pandemic as an opportunity to save money to reduce housekeeping.  We specifically got fed up with many Hilton properties requiring you to call housekeeping for extra towels, you call them, request 8 towels for the next 4 nights, they say they'll be there in 5mins, they arrive 20mins later with 2 towels and say "no tip?"

 

Thanks.  I am Hilton Diamond also.  While I absolutely love staying at their Waldorf Astoria hotels using points.  And I do get daily housekeeping there which is phenomenal,  it is time for me to move on also.

 

I have stayed at Hyatt before,  and have been impressed.  If they will clean my room every day then they are my new go to.  I also kind of like IHG Intercontinental.  Daily cleaning there also.  I stayed in the San Diego Intercontinental and it was nice.

 

I do agree that many businesses are using the pandemic as an excuse for cuts.  I stayed at a Choice hotel and they told me only every third day with daily trash pickup.  I left a generous tip on the table and my room was cleaned every day.

Edited June 3, 2023 by NMTraveller

[jagoffee]

16 hours ago, cruiserchuck said:

 

So your room was never cleaned?  If it was cleaned, then your room attendant was existent.  I generally prefer it when the room attendant does not interfere with our schedule, and cleans the room when we are out.

I usually have a phone number in my cabin for the cabin steward.  The OP statement might be an exaggeration?  Obviously they did not enjoy their cruise.  

[jagoffee]

10 hours ago, NMTraveller said:

Perhaps they could have put a hold on building new ships and growing the business and expecting the cruiser to foot the bill.

 

Seriously have you looked at the current Cruise Critic reviews for whatever ship you are sailing on next.  They have dropped significantly.

Who would you expect to ultimately pay for any business’s capital expenditures? 

[NutsAboutGolf]

17 minutes ago, NMTraveller said:

Thanks.  I am Hilton Diamond also.  While I absolutely love staying at their Waldorf Astoria hotels using points.  And I do get daily housekeeping there which is phenomenal,  it is time for me to move on also.

 

I have stayed at Hyatt before,  and have been impressed.  If they will clean my room every day then they are my new go to.  I also kind of like IHG Intercontinental.  Daily cleaning there also.  I stayed in the San Diego Intercontinental and it was nice.

 

I do agree that many businesses are using the pandemic as an excuse for cuts.  I stayed at a Choice hotel and they told me only every third day with daily trash pickup.  I left a generous tip on the table and my room was cleaned every day.

 

Another reason we gave up on Hilton is they been stingy with suite upgrades despite several being available.  Hyatt does confirmed suite upgrades. Now there’s this:

[Spif Barwunkel]

14 minutes ago, NMTraveller said:

Thanks.  I am Hilton Diamond also.  While I absolutely love staying at their Waldorf Astoria hotels using points.  And I do get daily housekeeping there which is phenomenal,  it is time for me to move on also.

 

I have stayed at Hyatt before,  and have been impressed.  If they will clean my room every day then they are my new go to.  I also kind of like IHG Intercontinental.  Daily cleaning there also.  I stayed in the San Diego Intercontinental and it was nice.

I'm thinkin' you and Nuts might have hit on something worthwhile here. Unusual, I know, but perhaps you both have. What if Celebrity hires outside contractors to provide some of its most important services. For example, Ritz Carlton could provide housekeeping services on board X ships. Bolex Brothers (studios) could produce theatre shows and other entertainment. The French Laundry would be responsible for all food and table services fleet wide. This could be the answer in bringing ships and people together again in perfect harmony. I like it!

[NMTraveller]

22 minutes ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

 

Another reason we gave up on Hilton is they been stingy with suite upgrades despite several being available.  Hyatt does confirmed suite upgrades. Now there’s this:

That has been my experience also.  The only hotel that I can recall where I got an upgrade WAS the Waldorf Astorias.  Yet I have been Hilton Diamond for many years.  

[phoenix_dream]

11 hours ago, NMTraveller said:

 

Sorry to hear that you are still having problems in Canada.

 

Back in the USA we are back to normal and have been since the first of this year.

 

I hear we have many workers from down south that we could send you 🙂🙂 

Back to normal in the US? You’ve got to be joking or you live in a far different area than I do! Is it better than it was? Definitely. Back to normal? No way. There are help wanted signs everywhere, especially for service jobs. Tons of seniors who used to work lots of those jobs are aging out and/or decided to retire earlier than planned. For reasons I can’t figure out teens and younger adults either aren’t working service jobs or are finding other ways to earn $$.

[NMTraveller]

6 minutes ago, phoenix_dream said:

Back to normal in the US? You’ve got to be joking or you live in a far different area than I do! Is it better than it was? Definitely. Back to normal? No way. There are help wanted signs everywhere, especially for service jobs. Tons of seniors who used to work lots of those jobs are aging out and/or decided to retire earlier than planned. For reasons I can’t figure out teens and younger adults either aren’t working service jobs or are finding other ways to earn $$.

Business is mostly back to normal in Las Vegas.  They are buidling up a storm and bringing many many new jobs to town.  The moving vans are moving in.  Perhaps people are moving from Chicago to Las Vegas which is business friendly.  Also we do not have state income taxes.  Business is booming down here and the water is warm.  Come on down.  You will enjoy it here...

 

New houses and apartments are being built at a very rapid rate.

Edited June 3, 2023 by NMTraveller

[phoenix_dream]

11 hours ago, NMTraveller said:

Perhaps they could have put a hold on building new ships and growing the business and expecting the cruiser to foot the bill.

 

Seriously have you looked at the current Cruise Critic reviews for whatever ship you are sailing on next.  They have dropped significantly.

You do realize that contracts for these new ships were already signed which makes them legally obligated to adhere to their commitments?  And at this point it’s not wholly a matter of growing the business but rather of recouping millions of dollars lost. Of course any business ultimately wants to grow but it takes a long time to make up for all those losses.

[PTC DAWG]

Opinions vary.

[NMTraveller]

1 minute ago, phoenix_dream said:

You do realize that contracts for these new ships were already signed which makes them legally obligated to adhere to their commitments?  And at this point it’s not wholly a matter of growing the business but rather of recouping millions of dollars lost. Of course any business ultimately wants to grow but it takes a long time to make up for all those losses.

I do realize that the contracts for the latest ship were signed during the pandemic.

[phoenix_dream]

2 minutes ago, NMTraveller said:

Business is mostly back to normal in Las Vegas.  They are buidling up a storm and bring many many new jobs to town.  The moving vans are moving in.  Perhaps people are moving from Chicago to Las Vegas which is business friendly.  Also we do not have state income taxes.  Business is booming down here and the water is warm.  Come on down.  You will enjoy it here...

I used to love Las Vegas. Have relatives living there and have been going for literally 40+ years. If “normal” means the casinos are recently raking in tons of $$ then you could say it is. Or you could say that last time I visited service everywhere was awful, hotel prices were much higher than last year, airfare that used to be $300 or so is now $500-$600, I had $200 dining credit and still owed $50 more for a nice dinner at Mirage/Hardrock, and as a final insult the blackjack odds were just changed to grab more $$ from visitors. If that’s normal I want no part of it.

[NutsAboutGolf]

42 minutes ago, Spif Barwunkel said:

I'm thinkin' you and Nuts might have hit on something worthwhile here. Unusual, I know, but perhaps you both have. What if Celebrity hires outside contractors to provide some of its most important services. For example, Ritz Carlton could provide housekeeping services on board X ships. Bolex Brothers (studios) could produce theatre shows and other entertainment. The French Laundry would be responsible for all food and table services fleet wide. This could be the answer in bringing ships and people together again in perfect harmony. I like it!

All my complaints are for food quality, I have not complained about the crew/service.  It’s the same level of effort /service to serve me a bad tough and chewy steak as it is to serve me a good wagyu steak

 

With that being said, it’s inevitable X will eliminate twice a day cleanings for non-suite guests…With them cutting cakes, I’d be surprised if two-a-days make the 2024 round of cuts

[NMTraveller]

10 minutes ago, phoenix_dream said:

I used to love Las Vegas. Have relatives living there and have been going for literally 40+ years. If “normal” means the casinos are recently raking in tons of $$ then you could say it is. Or you could say that last time I visited service everywhere was awful, hotel prices were much higher than last year, airfare that used to be $300 or so is now $500-$600, I had $200 dining credit and still owed $50 more for a nice dinner at Mirage/Hardrock, and as a final insult the blackjack odds were just changed to grab more $$ from visitors. If that’s normal I want no part of it.

Normal for me is living away from the strip,  going to the local restaurant which is generously staffed,  cooks a steak to perfection,  and occasionally going to the strip for a show.  We normally eat at very good restaurants off of the strip for a fraction of the cost.  We are not seeing the big labor shortages here.  Everyone seems to want to move here.

 

Thank you for paying our taxes.  The strip casinos and hotels are very good at extracting money.  The shows on the strip are very good.  

 

Also when I vacation in California I am not seeing the big labor shortages either.

Edited June 3, 2023 by NMTraveller

[phoenix_dream]

2 hours ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

 

If you want daily housekeeping, book just about any other chain as Hilton made a policy to no longer offer daily housekeeping.  We are still Hilton Diamond from last year but for this year book Hyatt whenever possible which still does daily housekeeping like most chains.  Hilton cheapened the brand by using the pandemic as an opportunity to save money to reduce housekeeping.  We specifically got fed up with many Hilton properties requiring you to call housekeeping for extra towels, you call them, request 8 towels for the next 4 nights, they say they'll be there in 5mins, they arrive 20mins later with 2 towels and say "no tip?"

 

I am also a Hilton Diamond member who has traveled extensively since the pandemic, in Embassy Suites, Doubletree, Home2Suites, Hilton, Hampton Inn etc.  in multiple locations. Have not experienced any of the issues you mention except at the very beginning of restart and have never, ever had anyone ask me about a tip. We ask for daily housekeeping when we register and get it every day. No issue. Is it really that big a deal to ask at the front desk for housekeeping or perhaps pick up a phone the night before and make a quick phone call?. Yes, it’s a cost saving measure but as long as I can get it by asking I just don’t see why it’s such a big deal.

[phoenix_dream]

11 minutes ago, NMTraveller said:

Normal for me is living away from the strip,  going to the local restaurant which is generously staffed,  cooks a steak to perfection,  and occasionally going to the strip for a show.  We are not seeing the big labor shortages here.  Everyone seems to want to move here.

 

Thank you for paying our taxes.  The strip casinos and hotels are very good at extracting money.  The shows on the strip are very good.  

Yes, you have some excellent shows. Two of my faves are Love, and The Bronx Wanderers. 

[NutsAboutGolf]

2 minutes ago, phoenix_dream said:

I am also a Hilton Diamond member who has traveled extensively since the pandemic, in Embassy Suites, Doubletree, Home2Suites, Hilton, Hampton Inn etc.  in multiple locations. Have not experienced any of the issues you mention except at the very beginning of restart and have never, ever had anyone ask me about a tip. We ask for daily housekeeping when we register and get it every day. No issue. Is it really that big a deal to ask at the front desk for housekeeping or perhaps pick up a phone the night before and make a quick phone call?. Yes, it’s a cost saving measure but as long as I can get it by asking I just don’t see why it’s such a big deal.

 

FYI, Hilton removed the daily housekeeping requirement from all brands other than a few luxury brands.  It's up to hotel management to determine if they want to offer daily cleanings or not.  When this policy was announced in 2021, many properties quickly realized that it was more of a headache to not offer daily housing for two major reasons.  First, many talented housekeeping staff jumped ship to brands that have more consistent work and attempting to find reliable workers willing to work "on-demand" was challenging.  Second was they found in many instances guests were checking out leaving the room practically trashed, often with food waste everywhere.  They could have spent less overtime cleaning if they clean daily instead of once after a week

 

With the towels, we hoped you could just simply be given some at the front desk.  Making a phone call for towels wasn't necessarily a problem, asking for 6 towels (on a 3 night stay) and having them show up with only 2 was a bit annoying and extra annoying when they ask for a tip as we hardly ever have cash, especially singles

[C 2 C]

4 hours ago, SueMo said:

 We were on HAL’s Nieuw Statendam and had an excellent cruise as well.  Then we sailed the Silhouette, and like you, had a very disappointing cruise as far as food (severe cutbacks on evening buffet, poor quality cuts of meat, etc.), bar service (we had to stand in line to get served as there wasn’t enough bar staff to wait tables), and entertainment. 

In 2020 we were kicked off the Silhouette when covid struck.  Our first cruise "after" the pandemic was on the Nieuw Statendam in September 2022.  Despite catching covid onboard, we enjoyed the experience so much we booked 6 weeks on the ship over the winter holidays.  Food was excellent, service was great.  Entertainment in the theatre was mediocre to horrible but live music was exceptional.  Last month we cruised on HAL's Zaandam and the experience was OK.  

Overall HAL has much better desserts than Celebrity.  I had given up on X desserts years ago but I loved every evenings' offering.

During the winter we want to be at sea.  We picked the ship we love most: Constellation and booked a condo cabin that will provide a bed, a shower, and daily housekeeping; (something I sometimes skip at home.)  We don't eat out at home.  The food choice onboard will always be more varied than at home.  Whatever we choose off the menu or from the buffet will never taste as good as prepared by the chef I married BUT, she is enjoying the time off.  No dishes to clean, no garbage to recycle, no grocery lists to prepare.

We will be cruising with friends, dining together, listening to some music, enjoying Caribbean sunsets and not worrying about the next blizzard.

We don't do suites, don't care about sailing on more luxurious lines.  

Life at sea, plebian style.

(Everyone who has watched the movie "Titanic" knows that the lower decks enjoy life more than the "higher" classes.  🙃)

[PTC DAWG]

1 hour ago, phoenix_dream said:

I used to love Las Vegas. Have relatives living there and have been going for literally 40+ years. If “normal” means the casinos are recently raking in tons of $$ then you could say it is. Or you could say that last time I visited service everywhere was awful, hotel prices were much higher than last year, airfare that used to be $300 or so is now $500-$600, I had $200 dining credit and still owed $50 more for a nice dinner at Mirage/Hardrock, and as a final insult the blackjack odds were just changed to grab more $$ from visitors. If that’s normal I want no part of it.

Everything has gone up…except the stock market…I will leave it at that. 

[Bo1953]

3 hours ago, Spif Barwunkel said:

I am embarrassed for and ashamed of Celebrity Cruise Lines. The blatant, purposeful swindling and pilfering of loyal, as well as new passengers is unacceptable. The disregard for their personal comfort and satisfaction is downright unconscionable. As a result, the ignominious taint that now permeates the heart and soul of many X cruisers might never wear off. Celebrity does not deserve you. Celebrity does not deserve your dollars, your euros, your pesos, your pounds, your francs, your krone or krona. What Celebrity does deserve is your divorce.

 

So, as you all move on to new and better adventurous offerings - land or sea - I will remain here and try, as best I can, to help offset the X debt. I don't yet reek of that ignominious taint, perhaps it's my genetic make-up. I wish you all well, I really do. Perhaps in the future the record will show that I took the blows while you all went off and did it your way. If we can all whistle a happy tune, that's all that matters.

sb - if nothing else, I continue to enjoy your style and silver (platinum gilded) tongue...

 

bon voyage

[mnocket]

It would be interesting to know which customer is more profitable, X or RCL?  Perhaps the corporation is intentionally trying to bring the X product more in line with RCL's, with the only distinction being one is adult oriented and the other family.

[NMTraveller]

4 hours ago, Spif Barwunkel said:

So, as you all move on to new and better adventurous offerings - land or sea - I will remain here and try, as best I can, to help offset the X debt. I don't yet reek of that ignominious taint, perhaps it's my genetic make-up. I wish you all well, I really do. Perhaps in the future the record will show that I took the blows while you all went off and did it your way. If we can all whistle a happy tune, that's all that matters.

We thank you for paying down the Celebrity debt.  Make Celebrity Great Again 🙂