B x

Celebrity is a class above its sister company Royal, both in food and service. On Celebrity, the food is not just different, it is much better. We enjoyed gourmet food on all our Celebrity cruises, with lobster, jumbo prawns, etc.

Royal has more action, activities and entertainment; ideally suited for families, young and middle aged adults.

Celebrity attracts a lot of seniors over 70 years.

Ouch, that's a wild statement. Having traveled many times on both, RCI mainly when the children were younger seems to attract more families which is logical as their activities are aimed very much at that category. Celebrity on the other hand has a good blend of ages and yes some over 70's but by no means the majority as you suggest - and might add I've not reached that landmark yet and been going with X for many years.

In answer to the OP, the food quality is in my opinion of a much higher standard on X and as another poster said, one is not reflective of the other.

The benefits of suite guests on Celebrity sway us that way, Michael's and Luminea offer that little bit extra and if you enjoy fine dining then that might be for you, but as with all things it's subjective and you will find many opinions on here. We choose X as preference, try others but always return.

If the itinerary suits, then sailing out of Venice is something not to be missed. Have done it a number of times and still it has the WOW factor.

Both Cities would be getting busier at the end of June, but equally we have visited Venice in February and were amazed by how busy it was.

Michael's Club stocks a variety of beverages at the start of each cruise, mostly (if not all) within the premium package price. However guests can make requests of what they would like to have available there; so long as they are reasonable they are usually obliged within a day or so (sometimes same day), even if they are priced a bit over the premium cutoff price. How much over the cutoff would be obliged is really a function of the individual staff as well as likely the status of the guest (i.e. a Penthouse Suite guest may be more likely to have something well over the cutoff granted than a Sky Suite guest). The guests relationship with the staff member also may play a role at times (i.e. some staff will even more out-of-the-way than normal to please a guest that has established a good relationship with them). And of course how much of the requested product is available plays a role.

If there is something you like that is not stoked, just chat with the Michael's Club concierge the first day (or a bartender at Michael's); no harm in asking. Even when I was in a Sky Suite they granted some special requests I had, such as Green Chartreuse as an after dinner drink, a bottle of Sake I liked that was on the menu at Sushi on 5 (but not available by-the-glass), and a bottle of non-Prosecco sparkling rose for my wife.

A somewhat misguided assessment suggesting a discriminatory approach to clients. In our experience nothing could be further from the truth and whilst concierge staff will know suite grades, bar staff certainly do not. And do not lose sight of the fact some Top Tier clients also have access irrespective of cabin grade. It would probably be more than their job was worth to show any form of differentiation between one client or another purely because of cabin category - assuming they even knew.

I'm happy that there is Montaudon on board - that was my "introductory" champagne into the world of champagnes, before I fell in love with Veuve. It's an overall tasty champagne, and I'm super picky with both champagnes and sparkling whites. I'm curious though - is the price of the Montaudon *just* $13? Or is it an additional $13 *with* the Premium package (aka, the upcharge)? This is my and my husband's first cruise, so I'm researching a ton of stuff. This is great!

In many X cruises have never once paid extra with the Premium Package and have taken advantage of a good few champagnes and whiskey's in that time. Plus if you have access to Michael's they offer a good selection of both wines and spirits across the board other than house specials.

You poured peach schnapps into expensive Champagne?!? :eek:

 

 

Generally low-end sparkling wine, not Champagne, is used for Bellinis and Mimosas; the strong flavors of the cheap juice/spirits overwhelms the more delicate qualities that distinguishes good Champagne from run-of-mill sparkling. .

Yes indeed and delicious it was. As I said, they used the house champers for it, watched it poured.

Does michaels pour better champagnes if requested?

All the time and on reflection October 2017 made an awesome Peach Bellini with the house champers and peach snaps. Will be supping a glass or two this time next week.

Check your prices online before you go. Shops on board, just like the shops in the DF area of the airport, are duty and tax free, but NOT profit free!

 

 

In my experience, items in the stores on board can be significantly higher than you can get them from Amazon or other online sources.

 

 

The only store that offers potential savings is the Apple Store onboard. Although the product range is limited, because they are rarely dicounted on land, you can, at least, save the tax!

Totally agree, last cruise found most things in the perfume store on board overpriced. I use Estee Lauder facial products, had always purchased on board at a good price previously, last time (October) they had been hoisted by about 50%. Bought much cheaper at John Lewis on return.

Same here, my TA always adds my CC number to bookings as do they when you book on board. Just checked with them again and they confirmed everything is where it should be but don't seem to have any explanation other than junk box. A good cop out.

Just come off the phone to Captains Club, extremely quick for a change. They confirm I am subscribed which I already knew from my account profile and suggested they may be going into my junk, do I check that daily, of course I do and nothing from them of late. So it's another cyberspace mystery.

Thanks for the reply, I was hoping for one from a UK resident. Yes I have two cruises booked, one the end of next week and another late summer, that's what sparked my interest. Maybe I'll give Captains Club a call.

I've noticed several posts and discussing threads about emails for flash sales and such like.

Does anyone know if these are generated to US clients only or Worldwide as I have never received one - I am in the UK and am definitely on their mailing list as I receive mails promoting new sailings ships etc.

As an MS sufferer I have sensory issues, would I contemplate walking on an open deck in the Greek Isles, of course not. If I did I would expect consequences. How on earth could a cruise line protect open spaces from the heat of the sun, down to user stupidity if you ask me - apologies if I offend but it all comes down to common sense.

I believe if you book on board and want to include others on your sailing they will get the same OBC for booking on board. That's the only thing I've heard of. Doesn't help here I know.

Indeed they do, have tested this one and know it to be factual.

We were on Reflection in October for a Greek Isle cruise and so enjoyed her that we booked on board for the end of the month for the Med. We usually go suite but I don't think that alters your 'whole ship' perspective, I know it's all relative to your personal expectations but find the negative comments unjustified. Had many, many X cruises and Reflection compared well.

Well we have boarded a Med cruise on day two at Sicily because the previous day was the last day of the school term so not doable. We let X know and it was no problem.

They certainly still serve it in Michael's, that took the place of in suite butler afternoon tea. No idea if they still serve in the Oceanview but sure someone will answer that for you. And yes, a very English thing and hubby and I certainly enjoy it.

Beg to differ but the transfer to Fumacino is less than an hour, done it a number of times in private transfer. It is slightly longer to Ciampino.

The earliest we have got off in Rome is about 6.30 and that was walk off, those who left baggage outside their rooms had not started to disemark at that time.

As with most ports.

It's so nice to read your perspective. Sadly we often take what's on our doorstep for granted, we are from a small village close to Cambridge UK and although we know that like the back of our hand have never, despite many cruises from there actually explored Southampton. One for the list.

Thank you for posting about the flash sale. I have just bought the premium drinks package for my transatlantic in November. 25% off. A saving of £414.

 

We do not get the go better deal in the U.K.

 

 

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Reading threads on here think it's evident that there are quite a few perks we don't get here in the UK :(

I would take clothing to cover all eventualities, we did late July into August, a lot of rain and some chilly days. By far the warmest places when it was tee shirt weather was Helsinki and Estonia (which is magical). I think it's very much luck of the draw as we have known people have wonderful weather on that itinerary.

As we often travel with daughter and family have had several celebrations aboard (two of the girls Birthdays fall in the UK summer holidays and we usually cruise that month) and invariably there is a bottle of some sort left in their cabin on the appropriate day which I can only assume has been picked up from our paperwork.

Last year hubby and I celebrated our 40th Anniversary on board and amazingly they had the dates carried over from our 25th which we also celebrated with X and we were treated to a cake on not one but two nights in different dining rooms (along with the requisite singing) plus a bottle of bubbles and flowers in our cabin.

All very nice gestures.

It takes about 40/50mins by car from Rome Fumacino dependent on time of day, train from Roma Termini about an hour.