Spif Barwunkel

Book 'em Dano! And Gladys and Herman and Margie, as well.

Obviously, only bring ashore the required items that X tells you are necessary at a particular port-of-call. Beyond that, cash, credit card, etc. you have got to decide that for yourself. Lots of common sense and awareness can go a long way. Planned activities or excursions vs on-your-own and winging it, you be the judge.

you tell the stupidest questions.

i wuz never gud at capitols

its nise two see this thread retruning to thee fourfront of x fourums. we have segwaid into the identoficasion of briges now i see and i can uneqovocaly say that the current brige in qestion is non other then lupu brige in shanghy china. nown fore its ability to mimic other briges deepening on lite time of day an atmosferic presure it can easily be missedachin fore another span.

Totally agree on the importance and appeal of itinerary. Totally disagree on the inability to find appealing itineraries on S & M class ships. I have done the same three cruises, different ships and number of days, all on Celebrity. Nothing right or wrong here.

Knowing how much you apparently dislike many things about E Class, you are going to appreciate M Class. I'll not pre-dispose you to anything but count on a very enjoyable experience. Try the non-informed newcomer approach and figure it all out for yourself.

Ain't that the truth. Isn't it nice to have all that figured out, and we did not have to rely on anyone telling us how to do it? I would never ask another person how to spend my money nor would I ever tell anyone how to spend theirs.

No doubt, the debate over the pros and cons of Edge Class ships is way overdue for retirement. And yet it seems that the same perpetrators continue to infiltrate and permeate any and all X topics with their dissatisfaction. In the beginning it was helpful and informative to participate in worthwhile discussion. It has morphed into a boorish, non-pragmatic harangue against anything Edge related. Time to exercise some self-control.

I'll not speak to your cruising experiences, but considering your contributions to these forums over time I will assume that they are many. Between December of last year and June of this year I will have sailed on the three classes of X ships. Each had, and will have, totally different itineraries and exciting ports of call. Unless you have exhausted your cruising bucket list or just have no place else to go, I consider your comment a cop out and an excuse to further speak against Celebrity. There are many similar itineraries on all X ships. If one is pre-disposed to negativity, for any reason, nothing looks good.

Very interesting theories, suppositions and opinions regarding X changes at the top. I do appreciate the information and education from those in the know regarding such circumstances in the corporate world, although actual reasons for Lisa leaving as president and Laura taking over in that role are known only to a few. Today, just as in my many working years, I don’t give much attention to those high-level happenings, too far above my pay grade and I never felt the effects of any change. I therefore, in my lack of infinite wisdom, have always refused to place blame or give credit to one person for the good, the bad, or the ugly. No matter who has the final say, it is a team effort in arriving at the final result. If that is ignorance talking, I am comfortable in that incomprehension. Whether you’re a fan of LLP or not she was a big part of some big changes to X ships. Whether you’re a fan of Edge Class or not it is a big part of Celebrity’s new look. The times are-a-changin’ and if you do not care to keep up there are nine other ships - not counting Galapagos ships - that will gladly continue to cater to your cruising needs and desires. Continue to enjoy those offerings as you always have. Why continue to bluster, bash and rail against something you can do nothing about, too many positive ways to exert that energy. There’s a new prez in town. Hail to the Chief.

If Celebrity was not at a crossroads before, perhaps X is now, big change at the top with LLP moving to Vice Chair External Affairs, Royal Caribbean Group. Does that mean she will no longer be concerned with issues internal to corporate, thus no hands-on when it comes to day-to-day ship operations? Or, has she been tasked to resolve issues and concerns outside the RC purview that may be responsible for the continued perturbations and X bashing from some cruisers? With a new X prez in town will any changes be immediately evident and positive, thus toning down the clamorous negativities as spoken by X naysayers? I guess we’ll see. I have continued to buy the product and enjoy the presentation. Despite the imperfections and occasional minor issues, Celebrity is still my first cruise line of choice. Perhaps this change will eventually serve to bring back the cruisers who seek satisfaction elsewhere. Perhaps it’s that crossroads thing.

You can't say it much better than that. Despite the imperfections that have resulted in many negative comments, and minor desertions from the X brand, it is still a successful enterprise. And although you may not have been a fan of LLP, give the new lady a chance to do her thing. It still won't be perfect for everyone, but then again, we wouldn't know what to do with perfect and many CC folks would have nothing to write about

If this ridiculous comment is indeed serious, and the primary concern for the OP, then whatever else is happening on this cruise is of no importance. Too much worrying about whether or not one will be accepted into the neighborhood. Perhaps one should reconsider. Wow!!

As you should. No pre-conceived notions, no blame game. It's a two-way street and you must get to the end on one side before you turn to come back on the other.

I feel you! Whatever that really means.

What say we? Has it been determined that Celebrity is at a crossroads? I say, no. In trying to enhance the product, has Celebrity diminished the product instead? I say, no. Do many 'X' cruisers now look at the brand with one jaundiced eye and an eye patch over the other? I say, perhaps. In the total scheme of things, will it make a difference in my cruising choices. I say, no. what say you?

Quite right, HB. It would have been much more accurate to say 60's, 70's, 80's. Indeed, you're still a youngin'.

TR, do you really think that Celebrity is casting us older cruisers aside in order to make way for a younger, more vibrant maritime crowd? I do not, but I do understand that X realizes that those of us in our sixth, seventh and eighth decade of life probably don't have twenty plus years of cruising left. The younger generations of prospective cruisers need to be wooed and regaled with a product that reflects modern, contemporary change while maintaining a semblance of Celebrity past. Indeed, not all of the younger crowd will prefer 'E' class over 'S' & 'M', but the fact that additional choices are available makes 'X' an attractive product. You and I (older cruisers) are still very much a part of Celebrity's desired clientele. Perhaps it is us who are at a crossroads in our cruising life. Personally, I have enjoyed the Edge class and will continue to do so, knowing that I can still be well taken care of on Millenium and Solstice Class ships. And TR, 'X' still wants you.

I do not give much credence to what most people say and how they say it when it comes to separating themselves from Celebrity. You, on the other hand, having always been an even keeled and sensible poster, give me pause for consideration and understanding for what it is that you have to say. If I should stray from X, I would never consider MSC as an option, no particular reason why. Perhaps it just doesn't feel right. However, your endorsement may cause me to change my mind, should it ever come to that. I certainly do not see change in the near future. Your reasoning is valid and sound, without malice or insult. Smartly written and easy to read. Enjoy MSC. Perhaps we can continue to enjoy you occasionally where X marks the spot.

Celebrity is certainly not at a crossroads, they know exactly in which direction they want to go and to whom they want to appeal. Admittedly, the Edge Class ships are intended to attract Gen X and Gen Y, but not at the expense of losing the older generation of cruisers. In order to remain relevant and continue to provide an appealing product, Celebrity must evolve in its ships presentations without devolving in its overall attempt to provide familiarity and the best cruising experience. Across the entire cruiser demographic there will be those who like and those who dislike, those who adapt and those who cannot, those who help to provide a pleasant cruising experience for all and those who do not. Celebrity is not trying to fit into any category. X provides a means of recreation and relaxation, and there are many non-X factors that can affect the overall experience. Within the cruising population “a quality of people” that has always been there will continue to occasionally ruin a good thing.

Barbie looks lovely and fits right in with Beyond's intended ambiance. In this case, I've got to say that the luggage tags look good as well because they are taking you next door to another fun trip. We will sail Beyond in May in Europe, probably without Captain Kate. We look forward to the same great experiences you enjoyed as provided by the next Master of the Vessel.

Obviously, a great attitude accompanied the OP when boarding the Edge. No pre-conceived notions or planned investigatory procedures, just the intent to have a good time. Apparently, the OP succeeded in doing that. Indeed, if there were miscues here and there they were certainly not worth mentioning and had no negative affect on the overall experience. Also, the way in which this thread is presented affords us all the enjoyment of cruising positivity in the responses from other posters, unusually refreshing and humorously accurate. There are many of us with the same "tude" and it is nice when we occasionally gather in the same place.

If our cruise had been the very first for us and we were unable to take another, we would be very happy and satisfied at what we experienced. King Neptune and Sir Francis Drake were very good to us. We hit all the marks and feel privileged that Mother Nature allowed us access - up close and personal - to her mesmerizing beauty and hospitable creatures.

X knows the importance of being good to the countess!