Changes in Celebrity in past 7 years

[zitsky]

30 minutes ago, bbappel said:

 

I have noticed seemingly greater class distinctions being made. One thing I loved about my first Celebrity cruise was that we were all treated great. People who booked suites had a nicer cabin and probably got invited to Captain's tables and all, but there wasn't a significant difference in available space. Now it is very different. 

 

Some folks here tell me if you want an egalitarian environment you have to go book Regent where everyone spends $50,000 on a suite.  Not my definition of equality. I choose to stay with Celebrity when I could be elsewhere.

 

That said I have been in suite and non suite.  I do think there should be some difference between someone who spends $1000 versus $15000 on a cabin.  
 

Most folks still get to use the same bathrooms, have access to the pool, theater, can use the buffet or pay for restaurants etc.

[lizinindy]

Just pop into Cafe Al Bacio on boarding day and ask and they'll give you a free glass of bubbly...and very inexpensive blow up footstools can be found on Amazon. Easy to pack! Hot tip if you like to float around in the ocean--cut a fat foam noodle in half and stick half in your suitcase. Easy to pop into your beach bag for the day and your float is more enjoyable.

[lorimay]

A couple of comments - I've sailed on Regent and didn't even come close to paying half of the "$50,000" that @zitsky seems to think everyone pays. And it's a whole world away from Celebrity and way off topic for this question.

 

For me, the biggest change for the good in the last few years has been the incredibly fast embarkation and disembarkation. None of the other cruise lines we have sailed have come close. There's also the replacement of the live muster drill with the do-it-yourself version. That's a huge positive.

 

The biggest negative change has been the food and service in the dining rooms. I don't have a problem with the Oceanview except the quality of the food. You can always find something, and there's usually a large variety, but the fried chicken is now all legs, the barbecue is steamed and covered with a big sticky sauce, the Asian food is not great, etc. Large variety - but low quality. On some of the ships the fresh pizza is quite good. We can always find something to eat and really appreciate the variety, but wish the quality was better.

 

On the M and S class ships, the dining room experience for us has been sad. Tables for two are now so close together that you might as well be eating with the tables around you. There are no private conversations. We've met some nice people, though. The service is not what it used to be. Each waiter has many more tables and nothing is personalized anymore. They run around like crazy trying to cover everything. On one of our cruises last year on Equinox, the waiter refused to give me a steak with my lobster on lobster night - he insisted I had to have two completely plated meals. It's a little better on the Edge class ships in the smaller dining rooms, but not always. On the last four trips I've taken on Celebrity, I have found it impossible to get a refill on a non-alcoholic drink at dinner. They aren't making money, so they can't be bothered.

 

The main dining room food on all of the ships has taken a nosedive over the last few years. The menu is probably half of what it used to be, and very repetitive. While I don't mind the smaller portions, the quality of ingredients is poor. You will see the same rice, potatoes, carrots and broccoli every night with most of the dishes. Nothing is plated nicely and everything is uninspired. You can tell it's all about cost cutting or trying to get you to go to the specialty restaurants for a fee. 

 

One thing that hasn't changed is the service. We have found all the staff to be very friendly and they do their best for you no matter where you are on the ship.

[zitsky]

14 minutes ago, lorimay said:

A couple of comments - I've sailed on Regent and didn't even come close to paying half of the "$50,000" that @zitsky seems to think everyone pays. And it's a whole world away from Celebrity and way off topic for this question.

 

 

 

It most certainly is not off-topic.  @bbappel raised the question and I answered.  If you don't want to discuss it, then don't.  I addressed the issue because I've been told ON THIS FORUM that I should try Regent because Celebrity is a classist environment because of the Retreat.  And yes, I have checked the prices.  That figure is what I was quoted for a 14 day Regent cruise in a Penthouse suite.  🙄

 

 

[Nancycat]

6 hours ago, Spif Barwunkel said:

When you step foot on to Silhouette in 2025, it will be eight years since your last X cruise. No doubt there will have been changes, and even between now and 9/25 more will follow. We have noticed changes/differences not only from ship to ship but also from cruise to cruise. Those circumstances have never been a factor in determining whether or not we enjoy our Celebrity cruise. If your enjoyment is based on factors mentioned in these responses, perhaps you have cause for trepidation. I would echo the statement made by jelayne in post #4, unchanged is excellent crew, great service, visible officers. You will enjoy your next X cruise. Silhouette will see to that.   

I was on the Silhouette in May-June this year, I have a detailed review, but in one word it was wonderful!

[Lastdance]

I think the OP is going to make the best out of the cruise because of the glass being half-full!  But I certainly understand wanting some information from Cruise Critic and those who are great at sharing.

[George C]

18 hours ago, jelayne said:

On E class ships the 4 MDRs are better than the 1 MDR ( more menu options).

The production shows have been improved. 
 Check in on the app is fast and easy making boarding a breeze instead of a nightmare. As mentioned muster is soooo much better.

E class ships Retreat area with Sundeck is great.

New loyalty  events added.

Some new activities, eg archery, drawing classes, Deal or No Deal to name some.

 

Unchanged:  excellent crew, great service, visible officers. 

 

 

Love E class , outdoor retreat with pool and bar are totally great if in a suite . Also entertainment is excellent on E class , I love that even in early afternoon there is live music in either Eden or martini bar . But definitely prefer Luminae on M class , E class seems to large and noisy and food isn’t as good.

[Ex-Airbalancer]

The OP posted they  are on Silhouette in a DV

so great to read all the post about sailing in the Retreat 🤣

[chamima]

16 hours ago, 1Virgo said:

We ve done 2 Aqua and 2 Retreat in the last year and a bit.. I don’t have a reason to lie. In Aqua, NO canapés. I asked. Answer. No. 

 

loungers and footstools may not be important to you, but there are many that enjoy using their balcony. The loungers or footstools and comfortable chairs make a difference

 

 

 

 

FWIW- Last year we sailed in Aqua and got canapes every day.

Someone on our same cruise, also in Aqua  but with a different room steward was told no canapes anymore.

It didn't come up until late in the cruise so they didn't bother to do anything about it. but this is why everyone has different responses.

[Lastdance]

1 hour ago, chamima said:

 

 

FWIW- Last year we sailed in Aqua and got canapes every day.

Someone on our same cruise, also in Aqua  but with a different room steward was told no canapes anymore.

It didn't come up until late in the cruise so they didn't bother to do anything about it. but this is why everyone has different responses.

I agree!  So many ships and so many difference in cabins and suites.  Talking with others onboard find out these little differences/details, so many ask questions with Guest Services, or concierges.  If you love having a lounger and don’t, just ask up the chain of command if necessary, as some cruises, like TA’s, are not port intensive.  If the chairs work fine for you, that’s great...if you want canapés and it says you should get those, by all means, go for it.  It is your cruise, your hard earned money and your choice as to what is worth it to you, or not worth the time to get it fixed!  Two people can be on the same ship, same cabin classification, but different experiences based on many things that are not the same; it happens each and every day!  You are your best representative, as to what is important to you, not judging others, as to what should be important to them.  Sing your own song...🥰

Edited Monday at 11:19 PM by Lastdance

[Liao]

3 hours ago, George C said:

Love E class , outdoor retreat with pool and bar are totally great if in a suite . Also entertainment is excellent on E class , I love that even in early afternoon there is live music in either Eden or martini bar . But definitely prefer Luminae on M class , E class seems to large and noisy and food isn’t as good.

I so agree on the Luminae differences.  While I totally enjoyed every meal that I ate there on the Edge, and the service was absolutely perfect, the size of the venue, with low ceiling very much impacts the acoustics.  On Summit, again the food and the amazing service, YAY Kurt, was fantastic, the much smaller size of the venue and actually being on a low deck so close to the water, made a big difference in my experience.  

[George C]

35 minutes ago, Liao said:

I so agree on the Luminae differences.  While I totally enjoyed every meal that I ate there on the Edge, and the service was absolutely perfect, the size of the venue, with low ceiling very much impacts the acoustics.  On Summit, again the food and the amazing service, YAY Kurt, was fantastic, the much smaller size of the venue and actually being on a low deck so close to the water, made a big difference in my experience.  

We did summit last year and this March and have it booked for next year. The other advantage is you can order from Luminae menu or mdr if M class.

[cruisetonowhere10]

20 hours ago, BeasleysMom66 said:

people losing their marbles and tying their panties in a knot over it.  

This made me giggle…

[1Virgo]

3 hours ago, chamima said:

 

 

FWIW- Last year we sailed in Aqua and got canapes every day.

Someone on our same cruise, also in Aqua  but with a different room steward was told no canapes anymore.

It didn't come up until late in the cruise so they didn't bother to do anything about it. but this is why everyone has different responses.

really is an inconsistency 

[1Virgo]

4 hours ago, chamima said:

 

 

FWIW- Last year we sailed in Aqua and got canapes every day.

Someone on our same cruise, also in Aqua  but with a different room steward was told no canapes anymore.

It didn't come up until late in the cruise so they didn't bother to do anything about it. but this is why everyone has different responses.

again - no consistency.  If a business implements something, should be across the board.  What I am seeing not only different ships, but stewards on same ship in same class.   That is not good business    Thanks for sharing

[canderson]

20 hours ago, BeasleysMom66 said:

 

Not true.  I sailed on Summit to Alaska in May ...

 

The foot stools and loungers were gone on Summit (at least on my balcony) but it really didn't make a difference for me.  There is a thread on this forum though that is over 25 pages of people losing their marbles and tying their panties in a knot over it. 

Better than wearing them over your head, I suppose.

 

The relative importance of a comfortable veranda lounger is a function of a whole host of things, including the itinerary (HUGE difference in the visuals between our annual TA where it's sea, and more sea, and the Inside Passage on an Alaskan cruise, which is nonstop gorgeous), the style of cruising one prefers (martini bar or listening to the waves late at night), and so to some, it's a worthy topic.  That their absence didn't concern you just indicates that unlike others, you didn't find a good use for them.  I'm sure those who don't drink coffee didn't miss the Lavazza units in their suites, either, when they disappeared.  Does that help?

 

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

 

Which brings me round to the topic at hand.

 

Of interest, I note that all suites may have the Lavazza coffee (espresso, really) makers available?  For a while, not even the Royal suites had them, then they returned.  But I have no recollection of them in, say, Sky Suites 7 years ago.  @DaKahuna reported this recently >>>

 

If you were enjoying Bistro on 5, note that it's become Sushi on 5 somewhere in the last 7 years.  Whether that's a good or bad thing will depend upon your preferences.

 

Qsine changed from whatever it was when it started out to Le Petit Chef, a combined presentation of food and video on your table.

 

Space has been created or converted for the new Craft Social, a sort of pub experience with a good variety of beer.  It's a standard on the newest ships, but I believe for Equinox and Silhouette, it occupies what was once Cellar Masters space.

 

We don't find that X is using talented crew members for music much these days.  One could often find a three piece string ensemble in the area of Al Bacio in the afternoon on an at-sea day, or before dinner, or occasionally in the Retreat lounge in an evening.  Not so these days, and we do miss that.

 

There seem to be more individual entertainers, and the 'production' shows are more often Broadway or rock musical compilations.  Shows like Elysium & etc are fewer in number, and not shown at all on many ships.  Add to that some tributes to one performer or group or another. 

 

 

 

 

 

[D C]

23 hours ago, zitsky said:

Has there EVER been champagne at boarding?  I’ve only had sparkling wine shortly before Covid.

 

 

Most definitely, considering that 'champagne' is used interchangeably with 'sparkling wine', 'bubbly', or 'prosecco' in the American lexicon. 

[cruisetonowhere10]

6 minutes ago, D C said:

Most definitely, considering that 'champagne' is used interchangeably with 'sparkling wine', 'bubbly', or 'prosecco' in the American lexicon. 

Yes, for sure something sparkling…varietal unknown. 😂

[Ex-Airbalancer]

Since the restart I havent seen a musician playing in the Sunset Bar , 

they would play just before HH 😁

[zitsky]

33 minutes ago, D C said:

Most definitely, considering that 'champagne' is used interchangeably with 'sparkling wine', 'bubbly', or 'prosecco' in the American lexicon. 

Well I’m going to book another Celebrity cruise now that I know they leave a bottle of champagne in your room, at least in Aqua class.

 

 Since we’re pretending, that’s not a $7 bottle of Lodi Merlot in Murano.  That’s a $3000 bottle of 1966 Petrus.  🙃

Edited Tuesday at 12:12 PM by zitsky

[horseymike]

On 7/1/2024 at 7:16 AM, NMTraveller said:

On E class ships balconies replaced with open/close windows.  Fewer outward looking views.

Think about it , casino mentality, no clocks , no windows  , fewer places to enjoy being outdoors while at sea. Focus on herding passengers to venues to spend more $$$$.

I get it , cruise lines need to make a profit, but contrary to famous movie quote , greed is not good.

[cruisegirlppp]

17 hours ago, lizinindy said:

Just pop into Cafe Al Bacio on boarding day and ask and they'll give you a free glass of bubbly...

Not consistently...when I enquired on the Equinox last summer I was told I could purchase one. 

[cruisegirlppp]

If you were Elite+ on your last cruise you would have received an invitation to afternoon tea, a nice event that was offered once per cruise. 

I do not believe this has been offered since the re-start.

[Definitas]

22 hours ago, the penguins said:

We used to offer the room steward $20 for 2 footstools paid on delivery - never failed. The price was good for us and recognised the extra work involved especially as we asked on Boarding Day.

We would still make this offer but since adding the request to "Assistance Form" we haven't had to.

 

OK, you have git me here Geoff. What is an assistance form?

 

[canderson]

Just now, Definitas said:

OK, you have git me here Geoff. What is an assistance form?

 

https://www.celebritycruises.com/content/dam/celebrity/pdf/Celebrity-Guest-Special-Needs-Form.pdf