Cirque vs. the View: Say it ain't so!

[birders]

Hard to put in a thread title what I mean but...

 

One of my favorite places on the M-class ships is the "Revelations," "Reflections," etc....the lounge on deck 11, forward -- for relaxing (whenever there wasn't a noisy trivia game!) and watching the beautiful view from a gorgeous-ly designed window area.

 

What I'm reading from the first posts on Constellation and the CdS experience implies that there are new drapes and curtains and the room was often CLOSED during the day, etc. WHAT!?!?!?!?

I can't imagine not having that view and space available!!!!

(After experiencing several beautiful sail-ins and sailaways in Vancouver, Alaska, Scandinavia, White Cliffs of Dover, Golden Gate Bridge, etc., I am truly disturbed!!!)

[duke052]

The view is gone. We were on the Connie last week and there are drapes and a large seating area in the middle looking forward with only a small area to walk behind it. This was my favorite room as well now it even smells strange. [ incense from the so-called show ] We were very dissappointed.

[msiowa]

This is terrible!! Who's (bad) idea was it to take a fabulous space and ruin it? Especially when it's ruined for such a limited purpose??

 

Celebrity? I expect more from you!!

 

Happy sailing (without the beautiful view),

Joanie

[Perki]

OK now I'm FREAKING out! I figured they would use drapes and decorations that could be easily moveable so the area could still be used during the daytime/early evening and any other time they are not "performing", as a place to relax and have a drink! My hubby & I love this place while departing ports - that is what we always used it for, it's a perfect vantage point to say good bye to an island and start the evening with an adult beverage :o) I certainly can't believe this place is now strictly for this special use - makes no sense at all. Hopefully that will be straightened out over time as well - they have til Mid-April to do so cause that's when I get there! tee hee. I'm with whomever earlier in a post questioned why this wasn't "tested" before all these changes were made, sounds pretty disorganized right now and I certainly wouldn't expect that from Celebrity.

[Nitemare]

It's where we hung out entering the fjords in Norway when it got too cold/windy on deck. Loved Reflections (even for Trivia!), not thrilled with this move. Back on Princess for our next cruise I think.

[eroller]

Stupid move Celebrity! You don't take an observation lounge with expansive windows and and cut off the view!

 

I'm also curious as to where the disco is now. It also used to be up in the same lounge after-hours. Don't tell they don't do that anymore either?

 

Celebrity Cruises is a favorite, but I'm not pleased with what I'm hearing. :mad:

 

Ernie

[Hummer]

Bravo to Celebrity for being bold and taking risks!

 

I have always thought this gorgeous space was underutilized. Glad this is getting people's attention. I know you will turn this into a tremendous asset!

 

Look forward to sailing the Constellation on Jan 8th

 

Nancy

[birders]

I have always thought this gorgeous space was underutilized.

 

Underutilized?!?!

 

TRY AND FIND A SEAT during an Inside Passage cruising day, or Hubbard Glacier, or cruising any of the fjords... the hours spent sailing past the islands into and out of Stockholm, or while toasting the history at the White Cliffs of Dover, etc.

 

etc.

 

etc.

 

(I just enlarged and framed a dramatic sunset photo taken thru those gorgeous windows in Alaska in September...can't imagine not having that view available...)

[eroller]

Bravo to Celebrity for being bold and taking risks!

 

I have always thought this gorgeous space was underutilized. Glad this is getting people's attention. I know you will turn this into a tremendous asset!

 

Look forward to sailing the Constellation on Jan 8th

 

Nancy

 

 

I agree that taking risks is a good thing, but not at the expense of shutting off one of the popular shipboard features (the observation lounge) to any passenger how doesn't pay for the "experience". Turning a free space with a great view into a revenue producing venue with no view is not a great thing IMO. Apparently not only is the view gone, but be prepared to pay in order to get in. I don't see this lasting, especially after initial reports where people were so disappointed they all got their money back. I'm still curious where the late night nightclub is?

 

Ernie

[KenM]

You have got to be kidding..

Nobody could be this stupid...

[wieslaw]

I agree that taking risks is a good thing, but not at the expense of shutting off one of the popular shipboard features (the observation lounge) to any passenger how doesn't pay for the "experience". Turning a free space with a great view into a revenue producing venue with no view is not a great thing IMO. Apparently not only is the view gone, but be prepared to pay in order to get in. I don't see this lasting, especially after initial reports where people were so disappointed they all got their money back. I'm still curious where the late night nightclub is?

 

Ernie

Hi Ernie, I was there last week.

No, you do not pay to get there on the 'regular' nights - only the "Masquerade Ball" night required the payment.......and who knows that might change in the future. The 'late night' disco and DJ is still there.

Sorry about the view - most of it is obstructed but there is still a little space with chairs left in both forward left and right corners .....a small table and I think 4 or 6 chairs on each side........so it is not completely gone. I guess you can also seat on the big flat sofas and face the windows instead of the "Bar..." but there is no support on the sofas for your back.

Do not blame them for trying something new......sometimes it works......and sometimes it does not. If nothing will change in the present Cirque experience......who knows ......Reflections will be Reflections again......and the "Bar......" will be history minus some $$$$$$$.

Wes

[eroller]

Hi Ernie, I was there last week.

No, you do not pay to get there on the 'regular' nights - only the "Masquerade Ball" night required the payment.......and who knows that might change in the future. The 'late night' disco and DJ is still there.

 

 

Good to hear about the disco, etc. I'm still rather shocked they would cover up those wonderful windows during the day. There is an easy solution (although more expensive), and that is to install automatic curtains that could be raised during the day. Problem solved!

 

Ernie

[wieslaw]

Ernie, the windows themselves are not covered - they are covered or somewhat blocked off by the large cubicles all covered with fabric (something like a scene from the "Arabian nights") that are placed about 2 or 3 feet in front of the windows. I quess the idea is that you and whoever will be half seating/ half reclaining on the sofa/bed surrunded by the white fabric on sides, top, and back and partially in front and you are watching the 'projections' or whatever might be happening on the 'stage'. I guess they try to create somewhat 'mystical' and perhaps a little more private atmosphere for the people using the 'cubicles'. Everything is white in there, all the fabric, chairs, sofas a lot of fabric hanging from the ceiling, lighting is kind of low and it is somewhat dark, so you can see the projections on the fabric in the middle around the 'dance floor'. They suggest to wear white clothes otherwise you bland with the background and it is hard to see you, the walking around 'characters' got some lights on them to make them more mystic and interesting......I guess. The whole thing is not my cup of tea but who knows others might like it.

So your automatic curtains........will not do ....

 

Wes

[ocngypz]

The forward lounge on M-class ships has also been used for private group functions (which generates $$$) as well as the CC cocktail parties.

 

Just wondering, where did they hold the CC cocktail party on Connie last week? The theater???

[Texed]

The theatre is where the CC cocktail party was held on Thanksgiving week. It really felt wierd.

[42trvl]

Really too bad to hear. We've been on Summit twice - once to the Caribbean and once to Alaska. Very different experiences, but both times really enjoyed the "quiet" time in Reflections. You could sit there and relax, looking out without feeling like you were cooped up inside somewhere - especially nice in windy or less than ideal weather conditions. We are also Cirque fans, having seen many performances. However, we would rather enjoy our Celebrity cruise as it was and go see Cirque performances elsewhere. No matter what they've done to the lounge, it's hard to imagine that it can come anywhere near a real performance in that space.

[wieslaw]

The forward lounge on M-class ships has also been used for private group functions (which generates $$$) as well as the CC cocktail parties.

 

Just wondering, where did they hold the CC cocktail party on Connie last week? The theater???

Greetings ocngypz,

the places were as follows:

Wed. Pre Dinner Cocktails (Main seating) 5:30 - 6:00PM The Conservatory

for Elite (2nd seating) 8:00- 8:30 PM The Conservatory

(one officer was there for the 1st party - the Food and Beverage Manager)

 

Thu CC Cocktail Party 7:45 - 8:30 PM Celebrity Theater

 

Fri Senior Officer's Party 5:30-6:15PM The Edge - changed to Rendez-Vous

(was there for about 15 minutes did not see any officers)

 

Fri Farewell Party Under the Stars 10:30- 11:30PM Pool side

(One officer showed up The Food and Bev Manager)

 

That is it.

Wes

[hajekfam]

The forward lounge on M-class ships has also been used for private group functions (which generates $$$) as well as the CC cocktail parties.

 

Just wondering, where did they hold the CC cocktail party on Connie last week? The theater???

On our last couple of Celebrity cruises, the captains club cocktail party has been standing room only in the forward lounge. I really thought they would be moving it to the theater based on my past two cruises - especially with the reciprical agreement with crown and anchor. I guess the captain's club party will be the same as the welcome aboard cocktail hour used to be in the theater with the captain greeting everyone as they came in the one door to the theater.

[duke052]

Nancy; Don't get your hopes up.

[QueensChick]

The forward observation lounge has been my favorite on each of my Celebrity cruises. It's sad to hear that these fabulous views are being taken away.

[cruzinj]

I felt that X's M-CLASS ships have a lot of dark, enclosed spaces. (casino, photo gallery, shops) I felt it also didn't have enough lounges. Some of the decor appeared to be cold, and impersonal. (IMO)

 

There was one place where I felt very open, a place with huge windows, and views!

 

oh well.......:(

 

I like princess better anyways, X's ships are too dark, and enclosed for me.

[melaniausa]

Is the actual bar in the old disco still there? Do they still have bar stools there as well so you can sit? Hopefully this feature is still there.

[wieslaw]

Yes it is, the bar stools too.

 

Wes

[Joanie510]

Hi Nancy: We are also on the constellation on Jan 8-15th. Are u attending the C.C. party? We live in Bucks Co and will be travelling with another couple from Upper Bucks. Perhaps we can get together.

 

Joanie 510@aol.com

[SoCalGal]

Oh no! We camped out the entire day in Summit's Revelations while at the Hubbard Glacier...and also enjoyed Mille's forward lounge upon entering Alexandria, Egypt in 2001. Can't imagine Celebrity ruining these wonderful experiences by this silly idea of Cirque. Hope they change their mind about this before our next cruise to Alaska this May. Everyone should write to Celebrity about this, I plan to do so immediately.