phoenix_dream

53 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

You are correct.

And with this change, there is zero hope of that ever happening in the future.  Not sure it ever stood a chance, but definitely no chance now

On 5/30/2024 at 1:09 PM, critterchick said:

And yet, Royal Caribbean, which started the "kids sail free" promotion that ruined the line for me and which only seem to advertise to the young fun crowd, still have loungers on the balconies where they will fit. Our aft junior suite (not a full suite but about the size of an SS) had two loungers, a cocktail table, a tall table and four chairs just a week ago. 

Long ago I woke up in the wee hours in Honolulu to the sight from my balcony of a couple making whoopie in the sand. Somebody who would do that (think of the burn) would not find the lack of a lounger to be much of a deterrent.

You mention one of my biggest issues with this whole thing - was docked next to Icon and they had loungers on their balconies.  What the heck?!?!  Spare me the safety excuse.  They have way more kids and way more safety concerns than we would have.  That is not the reason.  If a couple here or there has "misbehaved" on their balcony, let's punish us all, right?!  And what is their excuse for footstools - which to me are even more important than loungers?  Safety again.  I don't like being patronized.  I don't know for sure what their real reason is, but it definitely is not safety.

4 hours ago, cruiselvr04 said:

Royal cruiser here.  Personally for us, this is great.  We have been wanting to cruise more with Celebrity but hesitate because our D+ perks on Royal are so good. Royal is becoming too family focused for us with the huge amusement park ships.   We want longer, better itineraries which makes moving over to Celebrity natural. SS is interesting us too with some itineraries we’d otherwise never have the opportunity to do. Having perks with the larger company may keep us from going over to Viking, Regent etc. I think that’s the point of all this. This gives a cruiser a wide choice of price and itineraries within the same company.

Unfortunately these days Celebrity is focusing on shorter cruises and reducing longer ones.  One of many changes being made to mirror Royal.  Thankfully they are not building Icon sized ships with all the amusement park rides

21 hours ago, Texed said:

 

Untrue!  Many of the new Zenith members that earned Pinnacle do not have 3000 points on Celebrity.

i think you're misreading what was said.  I think she meant all of the Zeniths who earned it on Celebrity have 3000 (or more) points

On 5/24/2024 at 8:07 PM, Missusdubbya said:

Celebrity’s first cruise out of PC is not until December

Actually when I said that on a FB page I was told the inaugural visit was in April.  The person who told me that was on the sailing. It may be that one of their ships does not visit until then

6 hours ago, zitsky said:

I'm always amused when people complain about crowds.  You want to travel, so do 1,000 other people.  We just came from London where we visited the National Gallery and British Museum.  It was packed to the rafters.  My goodness, didn't the staff know that we were the only ones allowed in?

 

And where do people get the money to cruise?  Maybe credit cards, maybe it's their one vacation a year or maybe once in 5 years.  Maybe they worked overtime for a year so they could take their spouse on a nice vacation.  I can afford to do what I want now, but there was a time I thought being on an airplane was adventure enough.

I'm so glad you're amused.  Many of us are not.  I am a senior with who knows how many years left that I will be able to travel.  The big surge in crowds makes my remaining vacation time much less enjoyable.  It also is causing ports to completely eliminate cruise ship stops.  Some of said ports are some of my favorites.  I'm much less amused.

I think besides my unhappiness with the inequity in benefits across the lines and how Royal Pinns will benefit so much more from this than we Zeniths, is the fact that this is yet one more step in blending the companies and therefore taking away what made Celebrity special.  The way it's going, I don't understand why they even bother having three companies.  Not sure about Silversea but it seems that just about every change made is to make Celebrity more like Royal.  Change to more short cruises.  Change to sail out of Port Canaveral (more challenging for those of us who fly, which is a lot!).  Change to offer 3rd and 4th person free to bring more children and families onto the ships, which make them even more crowded than before.  Change to aim the marketing more and more towards younger folks, which often means more of those families.  Change to design the ships to also appeal more to the younger crowd.  Change to give Pinnacles better benefits on Celebrity so we will be competing with them for bookings and I can't imagine that won't make the prices rise even more.  I also can't imagine that likely bringing so many high level Royal cruisers over won't ultimately result in our benefits being lowered for cost reasons over time. 

Dang it all - you already have a successful cruise line in Royal.  Why can't Celebrity continue to be a step up and a quieter, more sophisticated (not stuffy) cruise line like it used to be??  Ok, I'm getting off topic of the status matching, but it is just one Royalization after another.  So frustrating for those of us who built the brand and have loved it and been loyal to it for years.

It seems to me that this change is very beneficial for Pinnacle members and provides much less benefit for Zenith members.  From what I understand the Pinnacle benefits are not nearly as nice as the Zenith benefits.  That being the case (if it's true) I can see more and more Pinnacle members in particular coming over to Celebrity, causing even more crowding and even more raising of the already outrageously high prices.   Am I being too negative about this?  One reason I feel this way is I have zero intention of ever sailing on Royal and already Celebrity is marketing to younger people which is already drawing a lot of younger, Royal cruisers onboard.  This will just exacerbate the situation.  I am not criticizing younger, Royal cruisers.  It's not about that per se.  But it likely will raise prices again, cause even more crowding (families in cabins result in a higher passenger load than couples), and change the more quiet, soothing ambiance of Celebrity cruises even more than is already happening.

One point we need to remember is that the access to the Retreat Lounge that was reinstated for Zenith members had the caveat that it was also on a space available basis.  Not sure if this still holds true, but if you recall that is how it was when announced.  So then the question becomes - if there are x amount of CC Zeniths and also x amount of status matched Zeniths, will the numbers be combined and then they decide there is no space for us?  Or will CC Zeniths be allowed in, but status matched Zeniths not?  

This is very concerning as with suite prices these days getting into that lounge was a very, very nice perk when booking other categories.  We made use of it a lot to escape the crowds in places like Ensemble for example.  

1 hour ago, the penguins said:

Port crowding isn't a real issue - just don't follow the crowds and you will be amazed at what you can do - just a few examples:

1) The Bahamas on our last visit there were 3 ships in port each with 2000 plus passengers each. We went with with 4 other passengers for a guided tour of the Primeval Forest (what Bahamas was like before tourism). The total number of visitors booked for the whole day was 20.

2) Akoroa New Zealand we spent a day travelling with the Mail Man visiting farms way up in the hills. Our day included a picnic by a lake, walk along a deserted beach and stunning scenery. Apart from our 4 travelling companions we never saw another passenger from the ship all day. Also stopped for a cream tea at the Giants Garden again not a single passenger from the ship even though the garden was only 15 minutes walk from the pier. 

3) Bora Bora we ignored the beaches and spent time with a guide exploring the WW2 gun emplacements and going up into the hills to see the amazing flowers and scenery.

4) Lisbon the Museum of Death is a must see. Not as morbid as it sounds in fact we intended to visit for 10 minutes to get out of the rain and ended up being there for a lot longer.

Planning these trips is part of the cruise. Look at private guides and share the costs with another couple on the Roll Call - we look for guides with a vehicle that holds 6 and share with one other couple as we like the space. Try putting "unusual things for tourists to do" into Google for every port and you will be surprised at what you will find.

If you really can't find anything at a particular port stay on the ship and enjoy the space.

 

Port crowding can definitely be an issue, depending where you go.  I sail primarily out of US ports - Caribbean, west coast when they have them, and Alaska.  I have sailed for more than 30 years and over 90 cruises, probably at least 20 in the last couple of years alone, most on Celebrity.  I've already done a lot of exploring in all these places.  Many ports are extremely crowded.  Several ports I have been to no longer accept ships at all or limit them severely in number and size (Monterrey, Bar Harbor, Key West).  I'm not saying there are not options in some ports, but overall the crowds have significantly increased.  We often do in fact stay on the ship and enjoy the relaxation, but I feel for some of the islands and small ports like Alaska where they are inundated.

23 hours ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

No different from saying Rome when they mean Civitavecchia or Venice when they mean Ravenna...but I get what you're saying.  You have the right attitude and I have no doubt that you will handle the hurdles and have a great cruise.

 

We are about to jump over a few hurdles ourselves as we fly out to Seattle this week.  I've read the airport is a nightmare...not sure what to really expect...can it be worse than navigating Hartsfield-Jackson?  We shall see...

It's been awhile since I sailed out of Seattle, but I don't recall it being all that bad.  Granted, it was soon after restart when the ships were sailing to Alaska from there

On my last few tender ports, it took as much as 2 hours before they called general disembarkation.  It really can vary by port and by sea conditions in that port.

5 hours ago, Marie51 said:

I started going to CocoCay in the 1990s when it was just a private beach.

Even though it’s very different today, I’ve been there five times and I still find it possible to find a nice quiet place on the beach. It’s what you make of it. One of my favorite places to stop.

Any advice for those of us who have never been there (or at least not for years) as to where to find the nice, more quieter spots to just relax and take a short dip?

1 minute ago, hcat said:

More and bigger ships,  but not  very many new ports!   The private islands will have to take on more pax!

And this is also causing more and more ports to eliminate cruise stops altogether, or limit them to only the smallest ships or one per day.  And yet the various lines keep building them bigger and bigger and bigger.  It's very frustrating - ports we used to enjoy very much are now wall to wall people.  And there is no real market for the older ships these days - they are not big or modern enough.  So what happens with them?  More port crowding?

One wonders given the size of the ships and the size of the credit card debt if the day will come soon when the bookings start dropping considerably.  CEO's in general tend to do what is best for them right now to earn their bonus, figuring they won't still be around later when these decisions turn out to be disasters and the stocks start falling.  

20 hours ago, mnocket said:

 

Good to hear.  I keep reading about how the younger generations are being squeezed financially.  Sounds like that's not the case. 

I think they are being squeezed.  But they are putting it all on their credit cards, which have the largest debt in their history.  I keep thinking something has to give sooner or later

3 hours ago, leaveitallbehind said:

There is a charge which varies but ship and sailing date.  It is walkable but the tram also goes there and would certainly be faster with far less walking. If you haven't been there for many years, you won't recognize it.  JMO or first time there was in 1992 and I preferred it when it wasn't the waterpark it is today.

Definitely agree with you on this one!  It was a nice, reasonably peaceful time years ago when we visited.  Now to get some peace and quiet you need to book special areas that can get quite expensive.  For us it may just be a good day to stay onboard!  I so miss the nice private beach stops of cruises years ago. 

The bags hold quite a bit of clothes - you can stuff in pretty much as much as you can.  We have free laundry due to our CC status so use the laundry service a lot.  Not uncommon for us to have multiple t-shirts, a few pairs of shorts or pj's, socks and underwear in one bag.  I just wouldn't advise sending out anything very expensive or delicate.  The standard is to use hot water and a hot dryer.  People say they have had success asking for cold water wash and warm dry but I've seen the laundry room on a tour and unless you are in an upper suite I wouldn't count on that level of attention.

Thanks everyone so far for the helpful information.  I love Equinox and miss going to Key West so that is why we chose this port and these sailings (we are doing a b2b).  For those of us flying in, it is a real hassle and takes a lot more planning, as well as more expense.  Oh well, it is what it is.  Unfortunately we only fly United (due to our status as we are frequent travelers) so the Melbourne airport is not a viable option. 

One concern of mine is that the port is already the busiest in Florida from what I've read, and more and more ships (and not necessarily small ones!) are being added.  It sounds like the port is just not ready to handle that passenger load yet, as well as the hotels and rental cars around the area.  The port is growing faster than the area can keep up.  I'm not trying to be a negative Nellie here, but I wonder how it will be changing going into next year when even more ships are sailing.  Whatever we decide planning-wise, we will make sure to bake in enough extra time to return rental cars, pick up rental cars going back to the airport, or arrange shuttles, etc..  One thing I don't like is how they describe it as being out of Orlando (not that they don't mention Canaveral as well).  Those of us familiar with the area know that is just not so.  I feel bad for any international or other less traveled passengers who possibly don't realize the challenges when they book.  

All that said, I'm sure once we're onboard we'll have a great time as always!

11 minutes ago, keesar said:

We received  $21 and $16 dollar retail  (U.S.local store).  wines from Spain.  Actually, pretty good.

wow - never happened to me.  Would be happy with those

They will be happy to switch it for another bottle of $8 (retail) wine.  

On 5/25/2024 at 2:28 PM, joydivision84 said:

Yeah I'm sorry but this is nonsense. The only time you saw this was a few years ago and this reeks of "just trust me bro". You keep mentioning similarities between flying and cruising but in regards to vacations there really isn't much similarity at all. A cruise is the vacation, a flight is just transport from one place to another, and as others said most places have multiple options for that, within hours of one another.

 

It's very different. 

 

That's before you start taking into account things like excursions people have booked, plans for ports, flights back home post cruise, hotels post cruise. 

 

I've never heard of this ever occuring but I'm not calling you a liar, I'm sure there's been one offs, but we'd all be hearing about it daily if this was even semi-common.

 

We book our cruises at least 9 months prior to leaving and if I turned up and someone told me our room was going to someone else I'd spontaneously combust. 

It is not nonsense and it has happened fairly recently, not a few years ago.  I am not saying it's common - it definitely isn't - but neither is it nonsense.

23 hours ago, mnocket said:

Part of the reason that vacation spending in general, and cruising in specific, remains strong may be the bifurcation of the economy. Inflation is really hitting the working generations hard.  Inflation typically hits retired folk even harder, but for many retirees (especially those who have the resources to travel) the growth in their retirement accounts more than makes up for it.  Many retirees who have significant funds sitting in retirement accounts are actually feeling pretty good about their financial situation.  

 

So while the younger generations who have favored spending on "experiences" (e.g. travel) over savings and material possessions, may start to cut back, those retirees who have been traveling will likely continue to do so. 

The extra crowds I am seeing these days are not retirees, they are 30 and 40 somethings, often families with kids.  That's why I made the point I did.  Other than the lag during Covid, the ships were mostly filled with retirees, or at the very least 50 somethings.  So I honestly don't see a change as far as that goes.  This observation is based on my sailings on Celebrity, which total 13 over the last year and a half.  

On 5/25/2024 at 11:05 AM, hrhdhd said:

Why does anyone think he can pinpoint acquiring an illness from a specific sneeze? 🤨

 

My DH has reflux issues and has a consistent cough. He won't infect you, so no need for the side eye.

You are right - it is certainly not a 100% thing.  But saying that, I do actually think I can pinpoint where I caught Covid on a cruise.  I had been very careful with masking (this was some time ago), avoiding sick sounding people, sanitizing, etc..  Then one day I stepped off an elevator without a mask (I was riding alone) and walked past a couple standing outside the elevator.  The woman standing there started coughing right in my face, no hand over mouth or anything.  No apologies and no consideration of what she was doing.  I was furious!  Sure enough, two days later I was sick.  I would literally bet $$ that she is the one who gave it to me.  Such an inconsiderate ...........well, I'd better keep that word in my head.

5 hours ago, PhillyFan33579 said:

I enjoy both cruise lines for different reasons. Since January of this year I have cruised on Celebrity three times (Constellation, Apex, Reflection) and RCI six times (Icon, Symphony, Allure, Explorer, Freedom (x2)). Since you asked about Celebrity, this is what I like about them:

- The casino is smoke free! Even if you don’t gamble this is a big plus, since smoke tends to drift out of the casino on RCI ships. 
- Limited number of kids (keep in mind I am in my late 50s with adult kids). This could be a negative if you want to cruise with your kids. 
- Towels are available without having to check them out/return them like on RCI. 
- Public restrooms are nicer with small towels (similar to what you see at upscale restaurant restrooms). 
- The senior officers interact a lot more with passengers than on RCI. 
- Better service such as staff walking around with cold towels on the outside decks and warm towels on inside decks. 
- In general the atmosphere is much more relaxed. 
- If you want a drink, very easy to get one, especially on the outside decks. Celebrity always has numerous “temporary” bars located around the outside deck areas. 
- This is more subjective, but I think the food and entertainment is better on Celebrity. 
- Currently, at least on cruises I have looked at/booked, it is cheaper to cruise on Celebrity’s newest ships than RCI’s newest ships (Utopia’s prices aren’t excessively high right now, but it will only be doing 3/4 day cruises).

- I don’t recall ever seeing anyone drunk/loud on a Celebrity ship. I can’t say that about RCI. 
- From my experience, people on Celebrity ships treat other passengers with more respect/courteous. However, I don’t think this is a problem on RCI. 
 

The bottom line for me is I like both cruise lines and cruise on both of them often. I plan to continue cruising both of them in the future,  but I have found myself booking Celebrity more frequently as I get older. At some point in the future I envision sailing on these cruise lines with a 50/50 split. 

I agree with most of your opinions.  I am not debating yours, just adding a few different ones based on my experiences for another perspective, rather than re-typing all the points of view I agree with.

These days I am seeing way more kids on Celebrity due to their push for younger passengers- definitely fewer than Royal but way more than I used to see.  I believe the entertainment on Royal overall is quite a bit better.  I know that's subjective.  I sail a lot and am very tired of the same old/same old production shows on X.  Also, my opinion is that X tends to put their very best guest entertainers on their newest ships to the detriment of their older ships.  Same for lounge entertainers.  I also have on occasion, especially on the new X ships, seen quite a few drunk and loud people.  Don't see it as much on the S and M ships.  Overall I definitely prefer Celebrity, particularly on S and M class as I am of the older crowd and prefer a more traditional cruising experience.

I am subject to seasickness and it always concerns me when people reply with info about how much movement on their sailing.  How one sailing works out motion-wise is zero comparison as  to how the next sailing works out.  I have been on sailings where the sea was smooth as silk, and other sailings with 30' seas.  Half the crew was sick on that one.

Here is the science of the matter - no opinions:  the further you get away from the lower middle of the ship the more motion will be felt IF there is motion to be felt at all.  So the further aft you go, the more potential motion.  The further up you go the more potential motion.  Far aft cabins, I have found in many, many sailings, also are subject from some side to side rocking motion regardless of the seas - usually not enough to bother most people.  The key word here is "potential".  You may luck out with smooth seas and no motion.  Or you may not.