cruisellama

Must be doing a Disney price match

On Edge class (pre policy change), we had a butler and a stateroom attendant (now the Retreat host per his card). Under new operation, the butler is reserved for upper suites and the stateroom attendant (Retreat host) takes on duties that the butler would take on. So if you want reservation - your attendant (Retreat host) can address (inexperienced attendants may not be comfortable with those tasks yet). However, you can always go to the Retreat and have the concierge team address reservations and special requests. On solstice class last month, we only saw the attendant - Retreat host. The butler left a card in the cabin but stopped by the entire cruise. The attendant (Retreat host) took care of housekeeping as well as address any special needs like reservations. We didn't notice an assistant attendant so he really worked - but still very attentive. We felt no need to provide additional tips to any of the Michael's club (Solstice class) concierge - just didn't interact. We have one more Solstice class trip booked. If you want the "legacy" service experience, you have to book a Celebrity suite or above on any of the classes; however, the Edge class ships seem to have more robust Retreat staffs than the other class ships. I'm sure what I'm describing may be a little different on various ships. Sailed Apex (pre policy change) this year, Beyond (post change), and Eclipse (post change). Reduced service was definitely noticeable on Eclipse.

We sailed just before the change from butler to retreat hosts. We observed service on the Edge class Sky Suites is better than last month's Solstice class Sky Suite with "host". Retreat on Beyond (and other Edge) "up" the experience on the ship.

We're booked on a PDCC trip Oct 2024 and the balloon was on the cruise planner, in fact, there was a 50% discount during Cyber Monday. Could be playing games, or maybe the unit needed a full up inspection/replacement/repair??

Just returned from our 8-day Eclipse Mexican Riviera trip. The destinations were very enjoyable - I thought the Mexican port cities of Cabo, Puerto Vallarta , and Mazatlan . I enjoyed the offerings - nice change from east coast port cities. The ship was alright, but in need of the revolution upgrade. We were in a Sky Suite and experienced the reduced "butler service" - and found in noticeable. Not that the room steward didn't do a great job, but it was nice when the concierge butler would show up and asked if you had any need during the week. Some of the touches with afternoon snacks and ice deliveries weren't there and you had to hunt down the overloaded steward to get things done. After sailing Edge class ships, the I can't continue to appreciate the old Michaels club and it limited service. We also noticed a pretty weak menu in Luminae which pushed us to other restaurant menus. Nice vacation, but not the Celebrity I'm used to.

Took advantage of a few cyber Monday discounts.

In some of our local restaurants, I've seen a tiered tip rate - from 15% to 25%. In other regions, I've seen a rule of thumb of 2x the sales tax. I've been in the 18-20% level since Covid shutdown.

This might be dated, but I heard the walkout could happen on Nov 17th, IF AA didn't not provide a counter offer to the FA position. The "lack" of a counter would trigger a next step by the union. I think a counter offer was presented, but I don't know where negotiations sit. I do know it's not settled yet. I too have flights during this tenuous period.

It will be interesting to see. Every Edge class ship has been able to incorporate some "lessons learned' from the previous ship in the class (within design reason). We found Beyond to have fixed nits on Edge and Apex.

Excellent price. Some friends just upgraded also for $6.99 on Reflection Nov 24 - ABC itinerary -

Publicly traded companies have an obligation to increase the value of those companies to the stockholders - yes the mass marketed lines can increase the bottom line by increasing efficiencies through technology and automation, reducing personnel costs. If the service / experience become negative to the point of losing a customer base, then they adjust the other way. Those of us who remember a "better" days of more attentive cruising are not the new market lines are positioning to capture. They're setting up for the next generations that don't have the same expectations (experience) we may have had. They'll expect technology and experiences over the personal service touch. If you like cruising, you don't have to necessary adapt. There is also the option to go to a premium, inclusive experience line. We're being nudged that way. We'll see what things look like after getting through the planned 2024 bookings.

I watched Laura's webinar on this topic and was impressed that she agreed with guest concerns after experiencing the menu on the Equinox with her team and directed change to the fleet. We' be sailing in a couple of weeks -updated menu should just start rolling out.

You can't know what will happen, but if you look back on Covid, they played a game of getting people to make final payments, then once in the window, cancelled the cruise. So if you let them cancel, you get a refund, if you cancel on your own by not completing final payment, they keep more. Plan on it going and put the burden on them to cancel. That's how I'd play it. (Had a similar situation during Covid - and that't how it played out- made final payment then they refunded everything once it was cancelled.) Additional thought, if Israel is only a stop and not an embarkation/disembarkation point, , they'll just change the cruise itinerary to stop at a different country and the cruise would not cancel - just change.

That was/is (on some ships) Michaels club. I thought that included Zenith, but guess it also accommodated Elite and Elite +. (I never saw E, E+ admission, so removal must have happened before I made it.) Zenith still has Michaels/Retreat access.

Celebrity ships lack the spare "real estate" to add a separate high tier club. (If you look at their current on board Captain's Club space - it's pitiful - CC rep desk and a few chairs.. Their business model relies more on buy-in for some level of inclusive perks. ie - "money can buy you love.. ". If you look at higher end lines, you're paying for greater inclusivity of on-board benefits like dining, drinks, etc. Getting a few drink coupons doesn't really help you out on the high end line as you've already paid for it.

Maybe the name tag?

Past years, I've seen it in December. (If you're sailing over the Thanksgiving holiday period - you can see some onboard next cruise office)

But they lay out d'oeuvres during that timeframe. When it's crowded - I don't even bother. "Trial" of some sort makes sense.

Could this become the beginning of combining/consolidation of all three line reservation staffs?

Fantastic documentation - quality photos - you could publish the Twangster Cruise Coffee table Book.

Very interesting. I wonder if they're offering RCL sailings on Celebrity - I'll check that out next month.

A show element would make sense. If if offered, how many passengers would be in the "ability window" to use it? All the liability concerns are well founded.

Anyone sailing Eclipse Nov 17th this year? Our first time departing from San Pedro.

Don't forget to use your complimentary laundry benefit!!