DarrenM

22 hours ago, K32682 said:

Would you rather miss the cruise because you didn't book it and it becomes unavailable or miss the cruise because you did book it and your health took a turn? Making the booking is making a bet on yourself and let future unfold as it will. 

A friend of mine had many great plans of wonderful things he wanted to do and was always saying "someday I'm going to...."  I attended his funeral last month. His "someday" never came. 

this. Absolutely this

this year we paid an extra $100, for two, to eat in Tuscan Grille on celebrity Constellation.

It was very nice, and they brought us extra dishes we didnt order.

When we left the restaurant we both said the same thing.

It was very nice but not $50 each nicer.

21 hours ago, Hlitner said:

Yep.  On the new Explora Journey 1, which is a luxury cruise ship known for its fine cuisine, they have a small venue called Anthology.  That restaurant is generally used to showcase a Michelin starred chef who is either cooking or has trained the onboard staff.  On our cruise, the Michelin Chef was Emma Bengsston who currently reigns as the Chef at the NYC Michelin 2* restaurant, Aquavit.  

 

Since "Chef Emma" was aboard and doing the cooking (in a galley that can be viewed through a glass wall) we decided to book that venue.  As I recall it was about $195 per person (which included wine pairing).  The evening, we went to dinner, there were only 8 dinners in the venue and Chef Emma actually came to all the tables to chat.   We talked to her about getting a reservation at her NYC restaurant, which she admitted was very difficult (one must book about 1 month in advance).  Chef Emma is the only North American female chef to have earned 2 Michelin stars.  And dinner was quite good with 7 courses.

 

Keep in mind that dinner, with wine, in Aquavit would cost significantly more than $400 (per couple) so, in a way, the deal on EJ1 was a "bargain."  Restaurant prices have truly gone through the roof.  In NYC, a simple pizza and beer can easily cost more than $50.  Dinner in the top Michelin starred venues can go over $1000 per couple (a lot more if one selects an expensive bottle of wine).

 

Speaking of EJ1, I should explain a little about that new ship.  She carried up to 900 passengers (on our voyages there were only about 450 onboard) on an all suite vessel.  The ship has no main dining room, but rather has 4 separate restaurants (each with their own galley and staff) plus a high-end Lido and that small Anthology venue.  When I say high-end Lido, consider that if we wanted grilled lobster we had our choice of what kind of lobster.  The raw seafood bar had oysters on the half-shell, cracked crab claws, huge shrimp, etc.  Their sushi restaurant had 2 sushi chefs preparing items to order.  It is a very interesting new cruise line (wholly owned by the MSC folks) with its 2nd (of 6) ships soon having its maiden voyage.

 

Hank

 

Hank

Think I would rather go without.

It could be argued they only charge that amount because people are prepared to pay it.

I wouldnt. I just cant get my head round food being that much better than normal food.

Also, I would feel seriously guilty, with so many poor folks living beneath the breadline. But thats just me.

I have never eaten Lobster at home. Would cost a ridiculous amount to buy, and would leave me hungry.

15 hours ago, ldubs said:

 

Yeah, I can see how those who are there for the ship experience would likely stick to one line more than those who are itinerary driven.   Then there are those of us that are there for both.  We have, in over 50 trips, been on a few lines.  We are at the top tier perk level on one and pretty high up on another.  We do take some family group cruises that are more of a fun getaway than anything else.  But I would guess 80% of our cruises are itinerary driven (100% when not with a group).  

 

Kind of hard to think of a place with no country having a treaty.   But I know what you mean.  I think the travel restrictions are a UN treaty.  Obviously to keep folks from proving the earth is really flat.  Lol.   

You mean the earth isnt flat?

7 hours ago, navybankerteacher said:

If the ship you are referring to is one of NCL’s fleet, and the MDR food is better than what you eat at home, I  strongly suggest that you invest in a cookbook.

Never been on an NCL ship. and dont intend to start any time soon.

Only been on Celebrity.

As for buying a cookbook, I have never owned a cookbook. Nor never will.

And now I have found Just eat, I dont think I need an oven any more.

I mean I have never finished a meal in the MDR or the Buffet, and thought to myself, I really  wish I had paid $50 for that steak now.

As long as I am full, I am happy.

If I did happen to pay $50 more a steak, the likelihood is, i would finish and say, well that was nice but it wasnt worth paying all that extra dosh for.

15 hours ago, sparks1093 said:

I specified if "I'm happy with..." so I wasn't assuming anything about anyone, simply talking about me. Frankly I've seen nothing the premium/luxury lines have to offer me, personally, that would entice me to book with them. The "better" doesn't matter to me. Now, if I really could book with them for what I would pay with one of the mainstream lines or even close to it I might consider it. Our week cost $5k or so all in for two people in a balcony for our last cruise and we feel that we received a good value for our vacation dollar. 

I said something similar in another thread. The food on the ship in the MDR is better quality than I eat at home, so not sure why I would ever need to pay even more to better that.

How good can it possibly be that can justify ridiculous pricing like that?

Give me a decent burger over a steak anyway.

On 6/12/2024 at 1:57 AM, navybankerteacher said:

I maintain that anyone who believes, without qualification, that “bigger is better” is unthinking.

is there anyone out there saying this?

Another thing I find very peculiar is those wanting to hire Cabanas at extortionate prices.

Its a cruise ship right? We are all living in luxury for however many days we are on board.

Its just beyond me.

7 hours ago, Hlitner said:

I am old enough to remember most of those things and they were not really all that bad.  Skeet shooting, off some ships, was fun and done quite safely.  Midnight buffets were a bit over the top, but quite popular and also fun.  Better and more varied entertainment?  That depends on the cruise line and ship.  HAL eliminated their Production Shows (apparently, they are no coming back on some ships)  and more recently got rid of the popular Lincoln Center Stage groups.  Princess also made some changes, such as eliminating their popular piano bar from the new build, Enchanted Princess.

 

Yes, many cruise lines have expanded their dining options, but at a price.  One venue on the very upscale new Explora Journeys cruise line cost us over $400 (per couple)..and that was on a luxury line that charges luxury prices.  Several other luxury lines also have high priced add-on venues.  On mass market lines, there can be over a dozen venues that charge substantial fees for what used to be included in cruises.  

 

Free and Unreserved deck chairs?  That assumes you can even find one that is not being "saved."  And quite a few lines offer reserved chairs for a fee.  Even the luxury Seabourn has some expensive cabanas (which can cost about $200 a day).  Princess charges a substantial fee for reserved loungers in their "Retreat."

 

I do think one big improvement is that there are now cruise lines to fit just about any age and class.  Want a budget cruise?  You can find it on some lines.  Want to spend $2000 per person/day for a luxury experience?  No problem.   There is still much to love about the cruise industry, but I will admit to sometimes missing the "good ole days."

 

Hank

 

 

Sorry but am I reading this right. You paid $400 dollars for a meal?

What on earth could you possibly eat thats worth $400 dollars for one meal?

Apologies if I have misread.

8 hours ago, Host Kat said:

 

And speaking of the good old days, check out this recent Cruise Critic article:

 

10 Changes to the Cruise Industry That Made Things Better Than Before

 

Great article.

9 hours ago, Shep_Proudfoot said:

My last two cruises were on Virgin (Valiant Lady on the Med) and Celebrity (Reflection in the Caribbean). I found Virgin to be over-hyped and underwhelming, despite the pricing much more reasonable than it is now.

Despite the Celebrity ship being a decade or so older, and with Celebrity’s overall product suffering from cutbacks, the onboard experience was nonetheless superior to VV in a great many ways, and it was really only the superb VV itinerary (with two overnights) vs. the cliched and tired Celebrity one that made the VV cruise the more memorable experience overall. 
 

I would not discourage anyone from giving VV a try, but it’s just not “all that”, at least for me. Your priorities and tastes likely differ however.

Thanks for this. Can I ask what was overhyped and underwhelming?

And Celebrity reflection is my favourite Celebrity ship to date, and I have been on Edge and Beyond.

Ask me this again in 12 months time after I have been on my first cruise line other than Celebrity.

To be honest though, after doing 4 celebrity cruises, I would be struggling to find anything wrong with them. I mean I can nit pick over pointless little things, but that would be churlish.

Not sure how good food needs to be for some, but the food on celebrity was substantially better than I eat at home. Therefore it was awesome.

The luxury is beyond my requirements.

And the drinks package works a treat.

But like I said, I havent tried anyone else yet.

And I cant compare it to the good old days of the 1920s.

14 hours ago, navybankerteacher said:

Agreed - but you should realize that a lot of posters here have only sailed on 3,000 plus passenger ships of mass market lines.  Once you are over 3,000 you have big ship mentality/attitude - it would be interesting (though probably impossible) to get a head count of regular CC posters who have ever experienced a smaller (less than 1,000 passengers) ship.

What is a big ship mentality/attitude? Genuine question.

7 hours ago, clo said:

How small? We were on 400 for Antarctica and then ONE HUNDRED for Norwegian coast. The first there could have been almost none and I would have loved it because of the location. The 100 pax one had people from various countries, all experienced travelers, only two others from the US. Tons to talk about. And IIRC there was only one somewhat elderly couple...who drank wine at lunch and dinner 🙂

Not that small. lol.

Celebrity Constellation. Massive compared to the two you mention above.

I have a very low boredom threshold.

8 hours ago, crusingrightnow said:

Is a bigger cruise ship always better ?

 

 

definitely not.

I dont want to be on a cruise ship that is a floating theme park, invaded by thousands of children.

On saying that, I have just been on my smallest ship to date, and I found it quite dull. A bit like an Old peoples home for cruisers. If the most exciting thing is an unused ballroom then its potentially very dull.

So the medium sized ships are my go to. 2500-3500 customers.

3 No.

2022 Celebrity Reflection

2023 Celebrity Beyond

2024 Celebrity Constellation

2025 Virgin Voyages Resilient Lady Booked.

not counting now its too far away.

Is there a number for FORVER?

On 4/10/2024 at 1:39 PM, DarrenM said:

Only been on 4 ships.

 

1. Celebrity Reflection

2. Celebrity Beyond

3. Celebrity Edge

4. Disney Magic (I think) but it could have been the other one 2002.

 

The Celebrity ships were vastly superior to the Disney one in my humble opinion. But there again, why would an adult want to go on A Disney ship without their own little creatures. My kids liked it at the time. but they were only 9 and 5 years old.

I am now putting in a No.5.

5. Celebrity Constellation.

My least favourite ship to-date. Still nice enough but seriously in need of a huge overhaul.

The inside public spaces were really nicely decorated. But the Pool deck area, and the cabins are so so tired.

There was some serious maintenance work going on whilst we were on the ship. Never seen that before. Actually grinding off steel handrails whilst people were sunbathing.

And painting the hand rails almost every day.

A very tired ship.

The other criticism for me with it, is its old fashioned, and ever so slightly dull.

Huge room for ballroom dancing that next to no one used. Although the cocktails there were immense, Rendezvous lounge I think. And the massive reflections lounge which looked like an airport lounge, only used at night.

Buffet not as good as edge ships either.

Still loved it, but can only compare to others I have been on.

39 minutes ago, navybankerteacher said:

I get it: you believe that cruise lines offer drinks package to reduce passengers’ spending on drinks.

Thats not what they are saying. They are only talking about themselves. No one else.

I am pretty sure I got more than twice my moneys worth on the premium drinks package on celebrity. But that was just us.

For example. Pre evening meal, last night of cruise. We both had 2 cocktails in the martini bar. Thats 68 dollars there, and it was only 6pm.

Its hardly heavy drinking either.

I darent tell you what followed in the MDR, where the drinks really flowed. We met a lovely couple from Vancouver and we had a blast on the last night. Arrest us.

6 hours ago, MacMadame said:

I have a spreadsheet. Trust me, I've run every scenario.

I totalled up our first night on cruise and it came 220 dollars approx.

I could do that because I could vaguely remember how much we drunk. And the bartender in the sunset bar reminded me the following day.

By about day I reckon we were in credit, but who's counting?

23 hours ago, sparks1093 said:

I am sure that there are people that do try to take the most advantage they can of the drink package, it's only human nature. But I cannot control what they do so I don't worry about it. 

This.

This thread is bizarre.

I dont go on the ship to ensure I get my "moneys worth"

But if we are having "one of those days" where the booze is flowing and we enjoying ourselves, having the premium drinks package means I dont have to worry about a bill at the end.

And when I am on vacation, worrying about money, or bills, is just not acceptable.

I am there to enjoy myself 100%.

Now if Celebrity have made a saving from us on our cruise of 2 weeks back, well done celebrity. You have some amazing buyers.

I had a great time, tried nearly every cocktail on board, and just let the world pass me by. 

And when back for 2nds and 3rds on quite a few of them.

OK Florence wasnt great because of it, but hey, Florence isnt all that anyway. (Controversial)

1 year and 26 days.

My god. I need a drink.

And I dont have a drinks package at home.

Does anyone know ow if you can use your bar tab to pay for the extras in the restaurants?