Guindalf

We disembarked Solstice a week ago and whilst I can't honestly say we didn't notice any differences, I also can't complain like the OP! Sure, there are things disappearing from the menus (like Prime Rib, Wellington, etc.), but this only makes a difference to those making direct comparisons and in reality, is barely noticable on board as there are plenty of replacements. The wait staff, and even Patrick, our Cruise Director, agree that the quality and offerings have slipped, but personally, I would rather have a comparity reduced cruise than none at all! We got great service and the food was (mostly) good. IMO, it's completely impossible to say that 'everything was bad' unless you make your mind up pre-cruise that nothing will be acceptable.

We're in a Penthouse Suite for our Alaskan cruise on Discovery in September. Is an invite automatic and is there a cost involved? We have done Le Petit Chef on Celebrity a couple times and this looks a little more immersive.

No Wellington or Prime Rib on any menus last week.

Yes, you can go to Guest Services and have them applied to your stateroom account. Or, if you prefer, you can use them to buy onboard credit through your account online before the cruise.

Not true! I quit smoking in June of 2015 (bear with me) and our next cruise was our last and final Carnival 5-day, because it fit the time we had available. I tried gambling in the non-smoking section and that made me realize that the only reason I gambled was because I could sit and smoke at the table. It was then that we transferred our allegiances from NCL to X. I have NEVER gambled on X, unless you count our second ever cruise on Zenith in 2003. My Captain's Club number has never been linked to a Blue Chip account until X did it this year and sent me a 10% off offer just before our Mexican Riviera cruise on Solstice last week, which is the first time my SeaPass card has EVER said 'PEARL' on it! I know that a large number of passengers on our cruise lase week had free staterooms. How they determine who to send the offers to I don't know, but it makes sense that bodies are better than empty rooms and a good way to fill them is with free offers, especially when the bounce-back after Covid is considered.

I got the Mexican Riviera offer on Saturday as we were returning from…you guessed it, the Mexican Riviera! We also live in Georgia and the air fare, taxes and fees, and hotel costs make it non-viable, not to mention getting the time off work! Oh, and we don’t gamble at all!!!

You have the same wait staff in Luminae as we had last week! Ana was very good at remembering your preferences. Try and catch Yuna without that huge smile on her face! Don’t miss TJ Tana, the magician/mentalist if he’s still on the ship. He performed in the theater one day and a 2:30pm matinee on a sea day. He also did a close-up special for suite guests in Michael’s Club one afternoon. All three performances were excellent!

We had 1800 last week!

I would very much doubt that they know the exact split of all the gratuities. Especially as Maitre’Ds and Sommeliers are not usually included in the pool as they are generally salaried staff and don’t rely on tips (but do enjoy a cash handout)!

Two bottles of wine per person, corkage fee charged if consumed in a restaurant unless you have a drinks package. To avoid potential problems, soda should be in cans and need to be carried on. Bottled water can also be carried on, but water on board is all drinkable, so a refillable bottle would be better.

Just off the Solstice (yesterday) and, whilst there are noticeable differences to the pre-pandemic experience, we still had a wonderful time. Never did we find we couldn’t get a drink, unless you count the Sky Lounge at 10:00am! Personally, I prefer to live with a few changes than not have a cruise line at all! Don’t like the room service charge? Don’t get room service! In 21 cruises, we’ve never used it. I love lobster, but I can live with just one (this trip, I made it a surf & turf with the most delicious lamb rack), and we were in a suite!! Compare a cruise with the $52 it cost for two entrees from grub hub in the hotel plus $4 for a Diet Coke and cruising becomes great value again! Remember that many people are getting offered free rooms, so they have to make some money somewhere. I came home to a blue chip email offering us a free verandah stateroom and I haven’t gambled in over seven years!

Yes

The answer to the question is ‘YES’.

…and I’m going to go with totally irrelevant. Not always a suite guest, just when I get a great deal on one. Otherwise we’re balcony guests, just like the majority. However, we’ve never ordered room service and on the rare occasion that we may if necessary in the future (I have limited mobility), I’m certainly not going to stop cruising because of it! I don’t like the changes any more than anyone else, but if it means the cruise line can keep going, then I’ll grin and bear it. A large number of the people boarding with us on Saturday are cruising for free anyway, so where’s any revenue coming from if not from extras?

I've found you can get a great deal if you ask, especially when things are quiet. I've had and all you can eat lunch for $20 or dinner for $35. Depending on the ship, the crispy shrimp and calamari (on Apex) or the slider and lobster tail ramen on S-class are both our go-tos.

No. Only suite guests avoid it.

Some people will never be satisfied. It reminds me of our very first cruise, a four-nighter on the Sovereign Of The Seas from Canaveral in 2002. We were at breakfast in the MDR on the last (or one from last) morning and two elderly ladies were seated near us. One did nothing but complain that they could never get her eggs right nd the toast was the wrong color, etc. I turned to my DW right then and said something to the effect of 'how could anyone be that miserable in such a wonderful environment?'. I remind myself of that. when things aren't perfect and tha tone small issue does not mean the whole cruise was dreadful as some like to feel!

it's $9.95 and it's old news. It's als a great example of the negativity seen on this forum of late! Yes, it's an extra fee and there are others, but Celebrity didn't go under like many cruise lines could have done! It ls doesn't apply to continental breakfast. Rather than focus on the negatives and/or fear mongering, how about being grateful there's still a product on offer at all? I'll be on the Solstice on Saturday and I plan to focus on the positive and have a great time!

Jim, that was the whole point of my post - to be positive in a world of negativity! As for whale watching, we've done it twice in Alaska and are booked with Cabo Trek this time! I'm just a little concerned as I have limited mobility and I hope it's not too far from where we dock!

What's this supposed to mean?

We're flying from Atlanta to LA on Friday and boarding the Solstice Saturday. We'll be in a Sky Suite. With all the negativity on this board, MUCH more than the boards for other lines, I understand that post-pandemic, cruise lines must make changes to survive. Cruise ships need to sail at over 100% to make a profit and ships are still sailing as low as 25% full. This means they must get creative where they can. Yes, there are cuts. Yes, there are bar closures, yes, there are new charges, but the alternative i NO CRUISING AT ALL. I'll live with the changes in order to gt my week of R&R, no matter what cutbacks there are. I'll be happy with what I get. I accept that cruising is a privilege and many people may get no vacation at all, so it's time to shut up and accept things will be different, but still awesome! We have a reservation on Princess for Alaska at the end of September and I was considering cancelling in favor of the solstice, but all the poor comments made me think that the people on board the Discovery Princess will be happier than the X passengers.

1. Yes. 2. $17 3. What ship? Sometimes yes, sometimes no, but you can always eat in one of the MDRs if you prefer. 4. Either 7&9 or 7:30 and 9:30. Times will be in the app. 5. Boarding times are assigned at check-in. Assistance can be requested here...https://www.celebritycruises.com/special-needs/accessibility

Yes, it's included.

Sure - just ask.

Probably not. Different venues have exclusive cocktails that do not alway repeat throughout the ship. Having said that, often if you ask, a good bartender may be able to make any off-menu drink.