thatguy865

On 2/16/2023 at 10:52 PM, jelayne said:

That happens if the cruise before yours was shorter.  We have a 10N which follows a 4N so currently the app shows no menus beyond day 4 for our sailing.  They generally are there the week before sailing 

So your dismissive response about checking the app didn’t work? And you knew it might not. Maybe OP was hoping someone could post 10 days of recent menus via photo. I’m pretty new here but it’s funny that the long term posters want to lambast  new people for asking questions when we booked a few months ago thinking we knew what was going on and now lots has changed or telling people who sailed 6 months ago to shut up and things are different. There are a small group of aggressive people including you who make this an unwelcome space for genuine conversation and questions. You’re as aggressive when people question if celebrity is worth it as the people who constantly hate on X. 

1 hour ago, naples1 said:

This is not a rant, just our observation. 

Thanks for your review! We are on 2/23 and dinner first night in Murano. Really looking forward to it!

38 minutes ago, cbfb said:

Thanks so much for your review. We are boarding 2/23. I too would not be happy with a balcony you described as we spend a lot of time out there. As far a the OV did you notice cuts at all meals or just dinner? Did you go to the martini bar? Wondering about staff there as we have never before had to go to the bar and order our own drinks but that may have changed. 

We're on this cruise too. Certainly hoping that at least some bars have good service provided. We are happy to stick to the ones that do. Trying to remain positive until we get on board!

My sailing on Silhouette next month only has a drink menu for Ensemble Lounge. No other menus listed for about 3 weeks now. 
 

As someone who works in the wine and spirits industry… supply chain issues are long gone. The last company claiming supply issues was LVMH, but Veuve, Dom, and Moët are flowing again.
 

3 hours ago, GenerationX said:

No offense taken! In my profession it’s a necessity to be pretty difficult to offend. After all, nobody really likes a lawyer 😂

 

I certainly never intend with my reviews to dismiss anyone else’s experiences on the same ships/cruise lines. I just try to report mine honestly in comparison to what I read pre-cruise.  
 

I always try to make a point of mentioning the class of stateroom that I’m sailing in at the very beginning of my reviews so that it’s very clear to everyone following what level of accommodations and cruise fare spend are resulting in the service and quality that I’m receiving and reporting.

 

I fully agree that it is not an apples to apples comparison to compare food quality in MDR’s vs. extra charge specialty restaurants and/or suite dining rooms and certainly didn’t intend to make such comparisons.  
 

I had actually read recent reviews reporting poor quality of food and service in Luminae and specialties on Celebrity and MANY such reviews about yacht club on MSC (hence my prior reluctance to try the line) and wanted to convey that those (in some but not all cases) have not been my experiences in the these two specific cruises, in these stateroom classes and dining venues.  

 

As far as “privileged” treatment for those who pay double or triple the non-suite rates for a cruise, I can certainly understand your position. But for me personally it doesn’t bother me as much or seem elitist, perhaps because of my background.  

After all, Celebrity and MSC aren’t like country clubs where an application, sponsor and reference are needed to get access to the extra benefits.  Anyone who is willing and able to pay X fare gets Y perks and benefits. 
 

When I was sailing in $300 per person inside staterooms (and even now when sailing in no frills verandas and elevated, but not suite level staterooms due to budget constraints), I fully expect that those who are paying 4 or 5 times or more than me to be on the same ship would be given preferential treatment over me.  
 

After all, to me it seems it would be foolish for anyone to pay so much higher fares and not get a much better experience than those who paid thousands less.  And it would seem foolish to me for the cruise lines not to go the extra mile for the customers who are driving the highest revenue.
 

Honestly, I struggle to think of any area in my non-cruising life where those who are able to and do spend more money aren’t given more/better service and quality.

 

Plus frankly, as a woman and as a minority in my country, I’ve experienced my fair share (sidebar for those interested: NEVER on Celebrity and not as of now on MSC) of others receiving preferential treatment over me for FAR less valid reasons than me spending a lot less money than them.
 

My view on those in higher classes getting put ahead of me is really is just to shrug and say “must be nice to have the means to that end” and enjoy what I can afford and have.

 

I worked extremely hard for the education and resulting earnings that allow me to splurge occasionally on higher level travel accommodations and with the exception of those (lucky people) with way better gambling luck or generational wealth, I assume those who sail/fly/stay in higher class accommodations than me do as well.  So I don’t really see a problem with them spending their much needed time off getting special treatment that they’ve paid an arm and leg for.

 

I sincerely hope that my thoughts don’t offend you either and I’m so glad that you’re enjoying the review!

 

 

 

 

I understand the POV of the poster you are responding to, and I thank you so much for your thoughtful response. I am also a minority and the lens through which we view the world isn’t always clear to other who haven’t experienced prejudices we have. Frankly we all as humans have different life experience and our preferences and desires and qualms are all a result of that. Thank you for sharing your experiences with us and giving us glimpses into who Charla is and why you feel the way you feel. 

1 hour ago, GenerationX said:

A few quick sea day updates:

 

1-If you’ll be onboard Silhouette and cruise director Mike is giving his beyond the podium presentation on the Titanic and her place in the ocean liner industry, I highly recommend attending. If you’re a big cruising history nerd like me, a lot of the info may be things you already knew, but he’s an engaging, funny and dynamic speaker and he provided some really interesting comparisons to how ship design, marketing and operations go down on modern cruise ships.

 

2-I think someone asked me to check on scotch and Hennessy Pure White availability in duty free. It was crowded in the shop so I didn’t get to look super well, but the scotch selection didn’t seem especially exciting. Looked like the usual wall of Johnny Walker.  However, I did see the Hennessy well stocked.

 

3-These are the loosest slots I’ve had on a last sea day in several cruises.  I only had a little time to play before lunch so I popped $20 in a quarter machine and max bet till I was down to my last spin then hit a great bonus!  I promptly gave nearly a hundred back (boo), but then switched to a wheel of fortune machine that turned out to be hot (yay!). I ended up sitting at up about $190 in like 20 minutes of play.  Not a bad start to the day!

 

 

Thank you so much! I’m a Certified Sommelier and grew up in TN so huge whiskey lover and flavor connoisseur generally. The Hennessy is always a nice bottle to have on the home bar. People know it’s only available outside the US, so it keeps attention off my Bourbon and Scotch when they visit. 😅 I sort assumed the Scotch selection would be anemic. I appreciate you taking time to shop a little on my behalf. Hopefully my terrible influence didn’t have you make too many purchases at the shops. 😅😅😅

Taking mental notes on your slot success!

Thank you so much! Loving your review. I’ll be on Silhouette in a few short weeks.

If you get a moment to check out the duty free liquor, I’d love to know if Hennessy Pure White is stocked currently. And also if there are any fun traveler exclusive scotches. Thank you so much if you’re able to help!

enjoy your cruise and your suite!

2 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

That is where I first saw Fireflies.   

 

My relatives on my Mother's side moved to Blount and  Sevier Counties back in the 1790's and remained there since.   Pigeon Forge is a great area (the entrance to Gattlingberg and the Great Smokies).    After my Grandfather passed we donated a log cabin to be moved to a historical site at Pigeon Forge. 

 

Really showing my age but remember seeing Dolly Parton long before she was famous at local places and on local TV. 

I grew up in East TN. It’s wild the things you take for granted when you grow up with them.