Domino23

Just wanted to add that I thoroughly enjoyed reading everyone’s perspectives. Wife and I sailed primarily Celebrity prior to having kids. Then switched to Royal. Royal’s food and service/staffing levels have gone waaay downhill since the post-Covid restart so we have booked Apex for Thanksgiving to get a look at the new class of X ships. We earned Elite status via Celebrity before cabin class was a factor so we did it cheaply with inside cabins and longer cruises. We love the benefits and they make X or RCL are first choices when deciding to cruise. We are low margin cruisers usually choosing inside cabins. Never buy drinks nor do ship shore excursions. We do now buy the unlimited specialty dining on Royal but again mainly because their menu and food quality have drastically been reduced. Very sad used to be above average. Last year we had 2 free cruise offers via casino status matches. MSC on a new ship was decent to good. Carnival’s new Mardi Gras has very good pizza, quick service burgers and chicken. Better than anything quick service on Celebrity or Royal. Buffet just ok. Main dining absolutely awful. And fellow passengers….well you know…..the lower price points attract the party crowd. However my Royal cruise last week reeked of marijuana too so there’s that.

Yes all EU. So I’m hoping no immigration. I may book flight from London and from Brussels and ask ask soon as I board the ship. I use points and so can cancel the flights without penalty. Dover just seems like such a pain. Private transport to Heathrow is $450!