Seriously now-how many of you are REALLY looking at other cruise lines because of the CEO's changes going on?

[ladylemondrop]

If any of you are UK based and enjoy the smaller ships, please take a look at Fred Olsen, they have two new ships, Bolette & Borealis (formerly Holland America) and the food is fantastic!  Having cruised with both Celebrity and Fred Olsen many times, I can honestly say that service, food standard and prices of drinks etc is better on Freds.  Some photos from our last cruise on Borealis - menus for reference, no upcharging! 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 7, 2023 by ladylemondrop

[wineoclock]

@ladylemondrop I’ve never thought about Fred Olsen. What’s the age roughly of passengers please? And the entertainment?
 

Our neighbours always used to sail with them so I should have done. 

[RosieCanberra]

I'm Celebrity Elite, my 10 future bookings are with MSC Meraviglia (first time on MSC!), NCL Joy, NCL Joy, Carnival Magic, Celebrity Reflection, HAL Noordam, HAL Oosterdam, a Nile river cruise, Royal Princess, Cunard Queen Elizabeth. 

 

I love Celebrity, but I cruise for itinerary. And unfortunately Celebrity and Royal Caribbean are not offering what I'm looking for. 

[ladylemondrop]

6 minutes ago, wineoclock said:

@ladylemondrop I’ve never thought about Fred Olsen. What’s the age roughly of passengers please? And the entertainment?
 

Our neighbours always used to sail with them so I should have done. 

I am 51, we went with my friend and my sons girlfriend who is 21 - she loved it! They have a lot of activities, enrichment speakers (all subjects and wildlife in particular ORCA etc for marine wildlife) quizzes, deck games, crafts, art studio, dance classes, and Martini classes, cookery demos.... Couple of speciality restaurants (asian/indian style) but we loved the main dining room food.  Shows are production, comedy, vocalists, classical, all kinds and very varied. Plus guitarists in pub, string trio in bar etc.  

I think the average age range depends on time of year, and length of itinerary, shorter cruises are younger demographic while longer (including world) are older. Not many children.   I think you could try looking at a short 5 nighter to start maybe, as a taster, you might be surprised! 

Edited September 7, 2023 by ladylemondrop

[wineoclock]

Thank you. I will have a look. Had enquired for a good regent cruise offer but will take a gander now.

[Harrisonkid]

I agree with everyone on the random looking cost controls. As I always try to see both sides I do realize that our government decided that flying and staying in hotels was ok but the open seas was to dangerous....but the cruise lines were forced to continue to operate their ships (fuel, restocking  food , salaries) without any income so getting back the billions lost makes sense to my biz mind.  Other lines are clearly trying to build a broad customer base at this time to increase cash flow...let's hope Celebrity comes to it senses soon

[bikerunner]

1 hour ago, Gracie115 said:

 

Celebrity is not that bad.......... it has just completely outpriced itself for what it offers and now fails to offer.

I'm sure there are many like you, obviously.  I choose to be more discriminating with the money we worked so hard to save over the years and want the product I buy to be the product I have come to expect.  Celebrity fails in that regard. 

 

Exactly, They are at the higher end of the mass market now, and do not offer anything for that anymore.  Use to be food, service was some of the best for the price point, now they are lumped in with everyone else but more expensive than most others.   

[Whinenowine]

9 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

Time will tell.    We are taking our first non-Celebrity cruise in 22 years next week.   On top of that we booked a Cunard TA to replace a cancelled Celebrity RS Booking for South America at about 1/3 of the cost (not apples to apples as we booked a Queens Grill Suite which probably is equivalent to a CS).

 

We still have 5 cruises booked through 2024 on Celebrity but most of our research is now directed to alternatives.  

 

At first I thought they were doing everything possible to drive us away but now realize how they have created an avalanche of those looking elsewhere.

 

From a marking standpoint,   I find it hard to understand how they believe that alienating their most loyal cruisers to the point of trying their competition will help them.   Now that we feel compelled to go elsewhere they will never have us back as a dedicated customer.

Jim--agreed! But I think the near-death experience X had during the pandemic has cause Management to be uber-myopic.  They're so focused on the short-term strategy of saving the company by shoring up the balance sheet and income statement that they've (understandably) lost focus on the intermediate/long-term strategy. It's the "we'll-cross-that-bridge-when-we-come-to-it" sequential style of management, which I feel is long-term detrimental.    btw--very much looking forward to your upcoming real-time review.

[mac_tlc]

3 hours ago, lifeisrealygood said:

Here's my two cents.  My wife and I are in our mid-seventies, and have been cruising for maybe 25 years.  Over the years, we have sailed Regent, Disney, Princess, Royal, Holland America, Tauck & Celebrity.  .  We have not sailed Carnival or Norwegian, or any of the luxury lines except Regent. 

We have been on maybe 60 or so cruises, but 45 have been on Celebrity, which quickly became our go-to cruise line.  Remember the Celebrity Century, that was our first Celebrity cruise back in the 1990's. 

     We have grown to love Celebrity, as we are not theme park cruisers.  We do not need water slides, bumper cars, laser tag, etc.  But, we do love Disney.  As our family grew, starting in 1972, we took our summer vacations to Walt Disney World every year for 24 years.  We started back in the E-ticket days (remember), and grew with Disney as they added park after park over the years.  

     So, we have cruised the world with Celebrity, and have exhausted our bucket list of places to visit on a cruise ship. So now, although we still do the sightseeing in Europe or the catamarans in the Caribbean, shore excursions are no longer our main reason for cruising.  We just love the ship itself and its activities.  We love the nightly entertainment in the Theatre, and all of the music around the ship.  As we grew up in the rock & roll era of the fifties and sixties, we still love to dance, and still enjoy dancing, whether it be in the Grand Foyer, Sky Lounge, Eden, the Club, wherever.  In the Caribbean, we're not using our minds much, and love just laying around the pool with a cocktail in hand.

So, we still like Celebrity, and will continue cruising with them.  I realize that is a different opinion than is being shared here.  We are not happy with a lot of what is going on, but "it is what it is".  All lines are making changes to help with their bottom line, and I get that.  And, no, I am not a fan of the new President of Celebrity.  We really liked the 14 day cruises of the past, but over the years those have been reduced to 12 nights, and now 10 nights seems to be the norm for a longer cruise.  We have noticed that the quality of food has gone way down for dinner, and that is a little problem, but we are not gourmet eaters, and the food is just fine. We still think the buffet has excellent breakfast and lunch choices and the quality is still okay.  Cruising has gotten a lot more expensive, but we'll still travel, and maybe the kids get a little less later.  We are not Suite people, which is what Celebrity is pushing these days, so all the comments about losing a butler is no issue for us.  We always stay mid-ship, prime concierge class cabin.  The canapes received every day are horrible, have been bad for a lot of years.  So we realize they have gone from bad to inedible, but we never got them anyway.  We go to Cafe El Bacio or the Oceanview Cafe for our afternoon treats.  Also the bottle of sparkling wine they give you for concierge class is terrible. Has always been terrible.  We just tell the cabin attendant to keep it.  We like the concierge class larger cotton towels and robes.   We like the free internet and laundry (Elite Plus perks).  We know our way around the ships, so we do not need anyone to be at our beckon call to help us.  We make our dinner reservations and shore excursions ourselves pre-cruise, and enjoy the Premium drink package.  And, yes, as wine drinkers, even the premium package has some pretty weak varieties.             

     So., Celebrity has clean and well appointed ships, have just the proper amount of guests, have a lot to do every day and evening, just no amusement park stuff.  We like that there are no announcements made over the loud speaker, except for the Captain each day at 9:45 A.M.  Music around the ship is plentiful, whether it be the house band, party band, orchestra, guitar player, string quartet, much variety.  Lots of bars to frequent, some louder than others, but also some quiet places like the Ensemble Lounge.  The ships are not crowded, no lines anywhere, service remains exceptional.  Food is okay, casino is non-smoking, table games in the casino are always available, Although there seems to be a lot of cutbacks, they really do not effect our cruising style much.  But, for many posters on here, these changes are considered bad enough for them to abandon Celebrity.  Just be careful what you wish for. Celebrity still meets our needs, at least for the stuff we like to do on a cruise.

      So, Celebrity, we are here to stay, at least for now.  We treat Celebrity Cruises like a four or five star hotel, with nice accommodations, daily food, daily entertainment, and great service.  While on Regent, for example, a much smaller ship, we were hounded constantly for "what can we help you with", and everyone had to tell you their life stories. The food was excellent, but there was not the same level of entertainment and activities that Celebrity provides.  We just like the bigger Celebrity ships where we still get the good service and atmosphere, but can be left alone to do our own thing.  So, the luxury cruise lines are not our cup of tea.  Just our opinion.  The luxury lines are just too small for us.  

Wow!!! That's a lot of words.  But, I wanted to dispel so much negativity on this forum.  Celebrity is just not that bad. 

Thank you for your post. It is fair and non sensational and no CAPITAL letters 😂😂.

 

We share some of your cruising methods, but Celebrity’s disregard for us on two recently cancelled TA’s coupled with the much much higher suite prices coupled with service cuts that are framed as offering the consumer “choice” has made us willing to look elsewhere. We will try a voyage on Oceania and see if we like that experience. 
 

We have not written off X, but if we can get a similar experience for less $$ or a possibly better experience for the same $$$, it makes sense to take a look. We love the Retreat on E-class and could have been happy with that experience for years to come but Celebrity’s decisions have made that very unlikely.

 

BTW, we also have been Disney-philes with over 100 visits and remember the 8-ticket ride book that used to cost around $8! 

 

mac_tlc

Edited September 7, 2023 by mac_tlc

[Cruise till you drop]

9 hours ago, RichYak said:

You left out "for the same price or cheaper than Celebrity Retreat." As one who is doing this, I AM dissatisfied with Celebrity AND moving up to a different class AND spending the same or less money for a better experience.

I think I’m now understanding where we’re going off the rails.  I think most that say lines like Azaramara are the same including price are ones that are booking the more expensive accommodations.  If you’re getting equal value on all these premium lines, the power be with you.
 

I’m speaking for the poor shlubs that book regular balconies and IV’s.  I did a Azamara Onward mock booking on a similar itinerary we booked on Celebrity and it came out to almost double on what we paid on Celebrity.

 

For the class we book, there is no way lines like Azamara are the same as Celebrity

Edited September 7, 2023 by Cruise till you drop

[BridgeMates]

Our cruise on the Reflection in November will be our 56th cruise and we're elite on RC, Princess and Celebrity.   To be honest, we are not wealthy and most of the time we were in Inside/OV cabins and we got to visit so many wonderful countries.  Since the pandemic we choose a balcony.  For the past 10 years or so we're pretty exclusive to Celebrity (prefer the S class ships).   Price, food, entertainment and of course service has been great!  I will find out for myself in November re the MDR food, etc.

However, based on price and itinerary, we have booked a Princess b2b next Spring out of LA along the Mexican coast and then the Pacific coast.   We generally travel with two other couples, and they enjoy Viking and Oceania, but have been quite happy going with us on Celebrity.  

Hoping we'll be pleased as usual with our cruise in November.  Now in our 80's, we don't care much about the ports.  The ship is our destination and good food/wine with friends is what we enjoy.  

Hope Celebrity is listening........

[Ellesor826]

Absolutely looking and booking elsewhere based on itinerary, perks, ports and personal preferences. 

[Silkroad]

1 hour ago, ladylemondrop said:

If any of you are UK based and enjoy the smaller ships, please take a look at Fred Olsen, they have two new ships, Bolette & Borealis (formerly Holland America) and the food is fantastic!  Having cruised with both Celebrity and Fred Olsen many times, I can honestly say that service, food standard and prices of drinks etc is better on Freds.  Some photos from our last cruise on Borealis - menus for reference, no upcharging!

Though I’m not UK based, this line sounds intriguing. Thank you for bringing it to our attention!

[MustBCruzn]

15 hours ago, Cruise Junky said:

I booked 2025 on Azamara.  I’m also in the market for a spring Alaska cruise that I was eyeing Solstice but now leaning towards Ruby Princess or Koningsdam.  We’ll see.   

 

We've cruised the Solstice to AK several times when we lived in Seattle. We're planning to visit family back there this May and decided to tack on another Alaska cruise. We looked at the Solstice again, but ended up booking the Koningdam instead, as we were able to get an aft Neptune Suite for significantly less than an SS on Solstice. Glacier Bay was also a big factor.

[diesel1973]

We too are Diamond/Elite and are taking our first cruise since 2019. We will be observing the quality of service and food and decide if we want to continue to cruise as compared to land tours. We are doing a Carribean cruise in Oct. on the Equinox. Hoping it's not too different.

[TeeRick]

16 hours ago, Linda W. said:

Seems like Celebrity is making lots of changes now they have a new CEO.  Celebrity is definitely NOT the superior cruise line it used to be.  I know I am studying other cruise lines and after our next cruise in February may say goodbye to Celebrity.  I'm wondering just what this new CEO is REALLY trying to accomplish besides getting rid of loyal Celebrity cruisers? 

Linda my short answer is yes we are not sailing Celebrity on our next few cruises.  We have for many years sailed suites on Celebrity exclusively with an occasional suite on RCCL.  They have lost us for the time being as we find better options elsewhere (at least we think so but who really knows until they try?).  It is too bad really since they were an excellent option for us in the past.

[shipshape sam]

Everyone has a story.

 

We are Elite Plus and know we will never sail enough to reach the next Captain's Club tier based on our cabin preferences.  

 

Thus, for us, we like Celebrity and will look at them along with other cruise lines when we are making  our cruise decisions.  Right now, we have chosen/booked HAL Rotterdam 2 times over Celebrity this year.  I used to love the M class, but with the addition of so many more cabins at the removal of public space has turned me off.  

 

We still like S class and, due to our likes/dislikes do not like E class IV category and thus (as I understand) there are not any standard balconies other than suites. So we, self imposed, are limited in the number of Celebrity sailings we will have to compare with other lines.

 

We also are sailing Royal now as we are enjoying sailing with our grandkids/kids.  With a larger group and kids, Royal tips the scale in their favor. We too, will make Crown & Anchor Diamond Plus in early 2025 which gives us a few more items unless they are removed by the time we get Diamond Plus.  Actually the loyalty programs have very little sway now on us as for example with HAL, we are 2 stars and have been choosing HAL over Celebrity 2 times this year.

 

We sailed on Beyond in January 2023 and I enjoyed the ship except the IV cabin.  We too were on a sailing that only had about 65% of capacity.  

 

Finally, we (me more so than DW) love the musical groups/musical location on HAL Rotterdam.  I am not a fan of the traditional production shows, so Rotterdam appeals to me as being familiar to  more how Celebrity use to be with the added bonus of the live musical groups each night for most of the night, not just a musical set a couple of nights.

[drakes2]

15 hours ago, hrhdhd said:

I have upcoming cruises booked on HAL and Princess along with Celebrity. 

I generally don't book AI as Elite plus so get 240 minutes wifi and drinks from 5 to 7 pm plus get a couple bottles wine given onboard in addition to taking my own. Having said that I cruised with Princess earlier this year also another with them in January as prices much cheaper than Celebrity. I do have 2 Celebrity cruises booked one on the Silhouette in November and next March on the Beyond.  Both were booked onboard my last Celebrity cruise so received reduced deposit and OBC.  

[drakes2]

11 minutes ago, Gracie115 said:

17 nights on Sky Princess Nov 28 vs 13 or 14 nights on any of Celebrity is far better price.

I was on the Sky princess in January. Beautiful ship and wonderful service.  Price was also good compared to Celebrity for same week and itinerary 

[Gracie115]

14 minutes ago, drakes2 said:

I was on the Sky princess in January. Beautiful ship and wonderful service.  Price was also good compared to Celebrity for same week and itinerary 

Great to hear, we will be on the TA Nov 28, 2024!!

[PTC DAWG]

I am already not locked into one cruise line...I like different experiences...sailing for the 2nd time in the Yacht Club on MSC next week...I've sailed Royal and NCL in the last few years also...but mostly Celebrity.  

 

I have two bookings next year on Celebrity...one on Ascent and one on the Equinox in the Med.  I expect both of those to be a nice experience.  

 

I prefer the entire ship on Celebrity, I prefer the YC on MSC.

 

I have a neighbor who has sailed Celebrity exclusively until recently trying a Princess Cruise out of Southhampton for the Baltics...he came back and said that although it was nice, he didn't feel like it was up to Celebrity standards.  The grass is not always greener on the other side of the fence.  

Edited September 7, 2023 by PTC DAWG

[PTC DAWG]

27 minutes ago, shipshape sam said:

Everyone has a story.

 

One of the better points made in this thread.  

[dunedinmaiden]

We have cruised most all main cruise lines (50+ cruises overall).  We are Diamond Plus on Royal and Elite on Celebrity.  While I prefer Celebrity, I'm holding off on any future cruises until what I determine is a "good deal".  I want to be an educated consumer and get the best value for my money, whatever line that may be.

[RichYak]

1 hour ago, Cruise till you drop said:

I think I’m now understanding where we’re going off the rails.  I think most that say lines like Azaramara are the same including price are ones that are booking the more expensive accommodations.  If you’re getting equal value on all these premium lines, the power be with you.
 

I’m speaking for the poor shlubs that book regular balconies and IV’s.  I did a Azamara Onward mock booking on a similar itinerary we booked on Celebrity and it came out to almost double on what we paid on Celebrity.

 

For the class we book, there is no way lines like Azamara are the same as Celebrity

This thread is chock full of people leaving Celebrity for all sorts of lines, not just premium ones like Azamara. Princess, HAL, VV, etc., have been mentioned numerous times.

[drakes2]

8 minutes ago, PTC DAWG said:

I am already not locked into one cruise line...I like different experiences...sailing for the 2nd time in the Yacht Club on MSC next week...I've sailed Royal and NCL in the last few years also...but mostly Celebrity.  

 

I have two bookings next year on Celebrity...one on Ascent and one on the Equinox in the Med.  I expect both of those to be a nice experience.  

 

I prefer the entire ship on Celebrity, I prefer the YC on MSC.

 

I have a neighbor who has sailed Celebrity exclusively until recently trying a Princess Cruise out of Southhampton for the Baltics...he came back and said that although it was nice, he didn't feel like it was up to Celebrity standards.  The grass is not always greener on the other side of the fence.  

I didn't have any issues on the Sky but it was only a 7 day Western Caribbean