cruisellama

On 12/4/2023 at 6:43 PM, Zambia-Zaire said:

Royal in danger of price cannibalizing itself.

Must be doing a Disney price match

9 hours ago, SpicyCherry said:

So when we were on Edge last December, in a Sky Suite, we had a Butler and a stateroom attendant. The SA took care of our room and the Butler handled everything else, from room service orders to reservation reminders to any issues that came up to making sure our favorite nightcap was waiting for us each evening. So are Butlers now called Retreat Hosts and do you still have a Stateroom Attendant as well?

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.

30 minutes ago, barbeyg said:

We returned last week from Celebrity Beyond.  We were in a Sky Suite, and had a great time.  The 'Retreat Hosts' are really room stewards who work their butts off.  We have no complaints about the service, but aren't high maintenance.  We asked for additional hangers and the ice bucket to remain full, and Domnick took great care of that.  He was grateful that we are up and out early, so he could begin with our cabin each morning.    The ship is beautiful, the staff very friendly, the Retreat lounge was really enjoyable.  We would sail the Beyond again in a heartbeat.  A very nice touch was that Captain Leo, cruise director Alexandro, and some of the officers were dockside to say goodbye to us as we left the ship.  So many times, once the cruise is finished, the staff is in a hurry to push you out the door because they have so much to do to prepare for the next one.  That goodbye made for a very nice finish to a great cruise.

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.

20 minutes ago, Pattycruise said:

I haven’t been to CoCocay since May and noticed 2 changes on this trip.

1. The balloon is absent.  The ring it sits on is there, no sign of basket or balloon.

2. The tram has  changed.  I took it back from Chill beach and when it got closer to the pier the 2nd tram is no longer “across the way”.  It’s nearby I’m sure…I didn’t see where.

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.

1 hour ago, icf75 said:

Not specifically cruise related, but there is a current discussion on a British Disney forum r.e tipping.  I'm interested to know what US citizens generally tip in restaurant's, as it seems there is a growing expectation that 20% is the going rate for decent service? (or sometimes just avg service).

I do feel a sense of pressure to tip when I probably shouldn't.

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.  

On 10/26/2023 at 10:51 AM, Cruising to Retirement! said:

 

Everyone might want to check their celebrity cruises for 2024 i got the classic drink packages and upgraded for $6.99 each!  Fantastic deal!  They did not work for our 2 cruises in 2025.  We just got off the Harmony and had an awesome time!  Really love that ship like the first time we sailed on it!  

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.

22 hours ago, Mike.s said:

Sounds like Celebrity have listened to feedback on the recent changes to the MDR menu and are rolling some of them back.

Perhaps Royal might listen to feedback and do the same??

https://www.cruisehive.com/celebrity-cruises-makes-dining-changes-after-guest-feeback/114720

 

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.

7 hours ago, Chester said:

There has been an error on my part in posting this .

The cruise which I am booked on is scheduled to sail on 02 February 2024;I should have put the sail date in on the original post.

Final payment is due on 24 November 2023,

Sadly I can’t see the circumstances changing in Israel soon.

I was only enquiring to see if anyone else is in the same position and if there were any rumours etc if the cruise was going to be cancelled or a change of itinerary.

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.  

18 hours ago, twangster said:

Only because they created The Retreat.

Prior to this concept X ships had a club for loyal guests which suite guests could also use.  

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. 

1 hour ago, twangster said:

They took Michael's Club away from Elites and now after so much vitriol and negative feedback they are giving something back but only two nights on a seven day cruise.

I don't see how that draws any conclusions about merging loyalty programs.  

They alienated loyal customers, got called out for it and came up with a compromise.  

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.

10 hours ago, AshleyDillo said:

You can't count on the 340 point single supplement discount. It isn't available on every cruise or every category of room. If you don't count it in your calculations you err on the side of being much more conservative with your estimates.

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)

On 10/15/2023 at 11:05 AM, smokeybandit said:

Seems kind of an odd thing to do since the happy hour isn't an open bar anymore.  It would make sense in the old days. Unless this is a quiet trial of what response will be. Or this just due to Quantum's current itinerary being a relocation cruise.

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?

On 9/27/2023 at 5:25 AM, twangster said:

I've been trading texts with some of my fellow travelers and now friends.  We all agree it was a pretty special trip. 

It's going to stand out as one of my top cruises for a long time, very hard to beat.  

I'd like to go back to see some different islands.

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

On 9/19/2023 at 1:30 PM, togo said:

I recently was on Anthem of the Seas and noticed they were also offering Celebrity cruises at the Next Cruise office.  I think this is new.  I wonder if there could be a slow merge of benefits between Royal and Celebrity?

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

On 10/8/2023 at 11:40 AM, Matt said:

Hrmm, I think this is just a show element in the AquaDome, not a new halfpipe for guests.

I say that for two reasons: I'm pretty sure Nick mentioned it when I was in Finland as something they were working on.  But even if I'm remembering that wrong, Nick tweets about his shows almost exclusively. 

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.

On 9/21/2023 at 9:02 AM, Debstr66 said:

Booked our first Celebrity cruise on Equinox! Will be Elite status due to my new Diamand status from RCCL. This is a bucket list cruise for 9 Night Spain & Portugal sailing on 7/30/24 out of Barcelona. 

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