tfred

the vaping decision is really ruled by the casino revenue. X knows the PPD spend on other Royal Group ships and isn't equal to that evidently. They probably know what everyone is doing as well with smoking/vaping and feel X is leaving money on the table - literally The spa and photo are run by concessionaires - maybe the casino as well. In any case there is a guarantee per week for those first two and it is really quite high. At one time the photo quarantee was equal to a set amount or 70% of the weekly take. Made it hard for them to make money my previous comment on suites was just a comment and not a warning to X. Suites aren't cheap and I can actually get that price with equal to service on SS or Seabourn. As a matter of fact we are taking a 10 SS Italy cruise for less than a 10 day X cruise next summer. We dont need all the hoopla at night with a busy port schedule. Caribbean is a different story as we enjoy the big ship activities there but that is our January vacation since we live in Florida The vaping is a big no go for us as it allows it all over the ship one way or the other. X can't stop people from wearing shorts and baseball caps in the MDR because of concern over customer complaints "its my vacation and I will do what I want". Do you really think they will corral pax back into the casino when they are standing in the doorway with a vape ?

I got a call from celebrity after I sent an e mail to executive office. I expressed our displeasure with the vape concept. I also said since we book suites I can find a different cruise line that curtails smoking for that kind of money

This is the reason. The casino is the number one revenue on the ship.

They are still looking at the data. Don’t get too happy yet

and they will keep everyone who wants to tell her how to "fix" Celebrity at arms length

no, X won't become RC 2. X needs to replenish the 35-55 group on the ships now with internet using, drinks by the pool, spa using pax - unlike some on the ships now. X doesnt want cruise only pax - they dont make any/enough profit. CoCo is just a new stop that they can use in what is a fairly been there/done that port selection. The Caribbean ports are getting very similar to most people as they try to accommodate 3000 pax ships There isn't much local flavor compared to 20 years ago what the RC Group should do a better job in is aligning their brands into moving pax up as they look for other options. Most people wouldn't know that Silversea is part of the group.

didn't say you did but there is no shortage of posters reporting stories of "at these prices for a suite, make me whatever I want" or "go to the MDR and bring me that menu" when presented with the Luminae menu. Luminae can be reasonably accommodating but within reason for "selective" eaters

Luminae food is “inventive “ by design and may not be for you with these types of questions. That said the everyday menu and kids menu is available. They can prepare some things for you but it isn’t an unlimited Cheesecake Factory selection. Tell them what you actually want to eat and they can get close. They would be better at dietary restrictions low salt,gluten free , vegetarian menus.

You should probably take everything on this site with much skepticism. There are a few folks that are always negative about everything. Usually revolves around no more unlimited lobster tail or triple cut prime rib every night. Also where’s my free drinks. They also haven’t sailed in 2 years. the X product is high quality. Somewhat different than a few years ago but almost every hospitality segment moves as consumer taste change.

Doubt it

next up - dogs

Palermo is too far and too risky for a day trip. Traffic in the city is impossible. Taormina or Catania are better choices

X knows all the demographics of Captain's Club members and the profitability of that group. Every perk costs money internally and they weigh the cost vs the benefit to X. If it doesnt add to X profitability or keeping "profitable" pax then it gets diminished. X isn't looking for ways to hang onto low profit customers no matter how "loyal" they may be. Looking at these forums there is no shortage of "where's my free drinks, forward view, I dont use the spa etc" people. X is not looking to lure those folks back. They want the land resort crowd that spends money on services and get them onboard an X ship.

I've never had a "hard sell" in the spa. Do they ask? Yes. Then I just smile and say no and that is that

you are right but X is not up at night trying to get low profit customers back on the ship again. Future programs will add value at a higher cost not offer less expensive options

doubt that new builds will affect pricing. Ships are becoming floating hotels that offer range of experiences for different levels of pax. 30-50 % of pax (depending on the port) never get off so where the ship goes is sometimes a bonus but not the reason to cruise in many cases

bad news - no cruise line is looking for your usage profile. They won't be sad if you are not on board. They won't chase you away actively but if you leave for Princess I think that X will be OK with that You dont buy liquor, take excursions, eat at specialty restaurants or use the internet and I assume do not use the spa- all high profit items. Buying the room alone is a low margin proposition for any cruise line and they dont start seeing better profits unless you add on items Las Vegas figured out years ago that the idea of low rate, high volume with $8.99 Prime rib buffets was a quick way to lose money. Now it is high room rates with expensive restaurants and shows.

we thought the food in Luminae was excellent but I would use the word inventive for the menu. "Normal ingredients but with a definite twist. They also have the everyday items like steak, salmon and chicken. They also have a kids menu which I saw some couple (amazingly ) eating from we have stayed in AQ and dined at Blu. Very good but food is more of an edge than inventive. I wouldn't think that you would need specialty unless you are big steak eaters - then Fine Cut would be your choice. Luminae and Blu are not going to serve a prime rib, although there is a very good ribeye available some nights

Why wouldn’t they be.

I wouldn't count on MDR food being offered in Luminae on E class. There are everyday items or kids menu available as alternatives Did you just not like the menu items offered or was it not how you normally prepare that menu item? Luminae food is definitely "inventive" and one shoal die prepared for that

this is a classic "I only like what I like " food review. When everything is bad then I question the review. I have eaten on S and E class in Blu, OVC, MDR and Luminae in the last two years- all very good. All well prepared - whether you like the selection of menu items is another story food menus on board are changing and it isn't going to be prime rib and lobster every night anymore for any number of reasons Some people are very "selective" eaters and they should find cruise lines that cater to that - HAL would be my first choice.

Martini bar is good but loud. Eden is more relaxed with acoustic music.

we took a 45 minute boat ride to White Bay. Docked at a pier and then 5 minute transport in a small bus to the beach. All in all a nice day

didn't say they cant be seated together. However if the suites are sold out chances are that Luminae may be busy with many of those tables set for 2 or 4 There is a long banquette that would be best for a large party - that banquette is also used for the 2/4 seatings depending on the time and rush. You only need one part of 2 in the middle of the banquette to derail the 10 top idea

there really aren't that many long tables in Luminae to accommodate 10. I would go to the restaurant at boarding and talk to them. Probably the best would have a set time for the group to eat and stick to that Groups of 2 and 4 are what they are prepared for at anytime - not 10