Peteymil

26 minutes ago, Jjohnb said:

 

Following are just the changes that I'm aware of but there could be more:

 

There is no longer a tray with apples and pears on embarkation

They no longer provide herbal tea every day in cabin

They no longer provide a daily tray of canapes

They no longer provide a welcome bottle of champagne

They no longer provide the individual bottles of upgraded shampoo, shower gel etc

They replaced the tote bag with a smaller one

They no longer provide a sea pass card holder

They apparently eliminated the pillow menu

They do not have the yoga mats and in-room fitness items available

 

While some of these items may seem trivial, in the aggregate it's quite a lot to take away after you accepted a non-refundable deposit based on your toting that these things would be available.

We were in aqua 2 weeks ago and I got the sea pass card holder, I used the yoga mat that was in my room, and I had the champagne, but you had to ask for it. Same with the pillows, I just ask.

I haven't had a tray with apples, pears, or tea in my cabin in years.  

Although I didn't care for the canapes, they are gone, as you say. The other couple things don't bother me, but someone else may be bothered.

5 minutes ago, Jjohnb said:

 

I see it as being taken advantage of and not valuing me as a loyal customer (of RCG).  I booked an Aqua class cabin with Celebrity based upon the current offerings at the time, they gladly took my non-refundable deposit but have no qualms with eliminating a majority of the Aqua class perks, downgrading the quality of the food and so many other changes.  While it may be within their legal rights to do so per the cruise contract, it is not how you treat your loyal customers.  Change is a reality and we need to embrace it but so many significant changes is a clear choice between profits and respecting your loyal customers. 

I am curious what Aqua class perks they took away? 

On 9/14/2023 at 11:06 AM, Cruisegoer said:

So I generally use a large online vacations website to book my cruises.  Today I was looking at a cruise that if I booked for 2 passengers would be roughly $120 cheaper than booking the same cabin at the solo supplement rate. Has anyone ever created a "phantom" second passenger who doesn't show up on the day of sailing? I know the cruise line likes for passengers to generally Check-in prior to the cruise but I don't believe this is mandatory, I'd just have to make a reservation for 2 and name a second passenger.  I could probably book under a friends name who I can provide a good portion of info. Thoughts?

We actually booked our son and Fiancee a cabin when it was 75% off the second passenger.  Unfortunately she can not go, so I had to cancel her. His room rate did not change, and it was probably less expensive than if I had booked a solo, so though I am sorry she cannot go, I think it might have ended up cheaper for his cabin.

9 hours ago, OysterD said:

Currently on Beyond, not sure what menus you had but out of 2 nights so far there has been 1 pasta dish, the duck ravioli which was delicious. Same number of items offered each night as a year ago on Reflection. Service has been good so far and its not noisy, no more than any other restaurant. 

Are they allowing you to order off of the MDR’s menu? I know that on Edge class the MDR’s are quite a distance.

Last week in Blu I found the choices to be very limited.  Love the size of Blu and the service, food was just so so.

I have read through previous threads about Oslo, but I am a bit stuck.  It is our first time visiting, I am wondering if a walking tour would be the best way to spend my time.  Any suggestions welcome.

On 7/14/2023 at 9:48 AM, John Bull said:

 

We took this same tour - and it was excellent, one of the highlights of our cruise.

They start just outside the port gate, just yards from your ship.

 

Yes, they accept walk-ups - but our coach was full, so do book to be certain.

On the coach, for best views sit on the same side as the door (not the driver's side)

 

JB 🙂

Is May too early for this excursion.  I tried to book but it is not available until May 25th.

2 hours ago, princeton123211 said:

I tool an Uber last time I was in Rotterdam and needed to get back to Amsterdam. Was super easy and relatively cost effective. 

 

For something a little more put together I use an app called Blacklane extensively when traveling in Europe. It works with top local black car/livery services. More expensive than Uber but you get a Mercedes E or S Class (depending on what you choose) and can use them "as directed". All the billing is handled in the app and tax and gratuity are included so not worrying about that on the ride. Highly recommend for something more high end. Saves you from dealing directly with local services. 

Thank you, that is great information.

We would like to find a reliable company for transportation from the Rotterdam cruise port to our Amsterdam hotel. We would love to stop at a tulip field and see some windmills on the way. Any ideas. Thank you.

On 9/10/2023 at 7:20 AM, terrydtx said:

We board the Apex Thursday and we are using  private transportation to the ship, I would try that when you get off the ship. We are using Welcome Pickups.

Welcome - Making travel easy, friendly, personal (welcomepickups.com)

Are you coming to the ship from Rotterdam or Amsterdam. We are trying to find a private transportation company to go from Rotterdam to Amsterdam after our cruise.

Wondering if anyone on board can tell us if they are changing your current itinerary at all based on weather forecast for inclement weather due to hurricane Lee

If my husband and I are traveling together, and we are both elite plus, Do we each get two free bags or is it two bags of laundry per cabin?

On 8/22/2023 at 11:57 AM, gmbhardy said:

Do Retreat cruisers get priority disembarkation?

yes

2 hours ago, baggal said:

I guess I'm one of the few people here on cruise critic who are just happy to be able to cruise a few times a year, with or without pillow chocolates.  

I understand what you are saying, however I think the point is that people feel they are not getting what they paid for, even if it's a very small thing.  Where does Celebrity draw the line? No more free cookies and nighttime chocolates morphs into lounge chairs on the pool decks must be rented or seats in the theater must be reserved and paid for--who knows what will be next.

32 minutes ago, the penguins said:

Still curious how you missed the drinks coupons. Several possibilities spring to mind:

1) you weren't Elite until very recently 

2) you had a long break in cruising.

3) your cabin companion enjoyed extra drinks by using your coupons.🤣

4) your cabin companion swopped your coupons for casino credits.💲and kept the winnings

Other suggestions welcome 😂😀😂

I don't know either. But none of 1 - 4  apply for me and I highly doubt that the casino would trade free drink coupons for casino credits. We have cruised 30 times on Celebrity and six times in the last two years, so just saying I've never seen the coupons for drinks, not important, enjoy your cruises!

6 hours ago, the penguins said:

Sorry no "next time" the vouchers/coupons have all been stopped 😂😀. 

Fortunately, the benefits have not, just loaded onto your seapass now

55 minutes ago, the penguins said:

There were not only vouchers/coupons for drinks but also for laundry, dry cleaning, pressing, gelato etc. The coupons were on sheets and you had to cut out the individual vouchers. The ones for drinks were even dated.

 

I've seen all the coupons you've listed except for drink coupons--maybe next time!!

20 minutes ago, mahasamatman said:

 

You can only get the drinks they list specifically for HH, which are the cheapest grade of alcohol. None of them will be over $10 drinks. In other words, this perk is useless if you have a drink package.

 

 

We've often asked for other drinks, not top shelf, and they've been happy to accomodate.  We do not have a drink package.

On 3/9/2023 at 9:26 AM, Oxo said:

Maybe it depends on ship. When they had vouchers, I used them in the MDR to order a glass of wine. You got a vouchers.

There is no such thing as always. LOL

Funny, In over 20 years I've never been on a Celebrity cruise that had vouchers.  Must have missed that.

My husband wears jeans (no rips or tears), and a polo shirt or long sleeve shirt.

I would look at medical, evacuation, and also covering trip interruption

No formal nights. Hard to know if there will be one or 2 evening chic nights.

21 hours ago, ohiopops4 said:

I'm very interested in knowing if Celebrity is considering a change to allow vaping or smoking in the casinos.  The fact that the casino is non smoking is something we really enjoy.  

 

We were on a recent Holland America cruise and they had a designated smoking area in their casino.  Our clothes reeked and the air smelled.  After one visit, we didn't go back.

 

 

Yes, they are considering vaping and testing it on two ships

On 7/5/2023 at 10:50 AM, Georgia_Peaches said:

I felt like it was easier to start a separate thread so as not to get lost in the shuffle of the current threads on the subject of the new vaping policy. 
 

The Marketing & Revenue director took time to sit down with me and hear my concerns about the new policy. She was extremely engaging and took notes to pass along to corporate. While she maintained that this is only a test and no final decision has been made, she admitted that A LOT of feedback has been received and based on this, corporate has instructed that the signage be removed in favor of word of mouth instead. 
 

I raised several concerns including:

 

1. Enforcement of the “while actively playing” rule and mentioned the vapers who were vaping while watching the slot tournament. 
2. The awkward position it puts the crew in who have to enforce the policy. 
3. The health concerns for everyone. 
4.  The changing of the Celebrity brand and what attracted me to Celebrity in the first place

5.  What changes will this open the door to if this is implemented permanently?

 

Our conversation concluded with assurances that the feedback was valuable and would continue to be collected and analyzed. 
 

My take away from this is that they are already walking back on this little experiment by removing the signs. Experienced Celebrity cruisers already know the policy and those who are new will not know the difference as long as the signs remain hidden….hence, making word of mouth more difficult. 
 

She is also aware of the threads here on CC as well as other social media platforms. 
 

Don’t let up on the feedback…it’s working!

This sounds like a good discussion however, I am still concerned about. "word of mouth" caveat. I think we would've miles will spread very quickly I'm on vapers and I think it's still gonna be a problem.

On 7/3/2023 at 2:34 PM, kasowell2 said:

If anybody has a link or email to voice our opinion on this, please post and I will gladly give them my thoughts

Executiveoffice@celebrity.com