C-Dragons

49 minutes ago, George C said:

Not every ship has a retreat although I am sure the majority does.

We prefer to sail on Edge class ships now. 💜 They have Retreats.

52 minutes ago, bigbenboys said:

Yes, we had lunch on the Retreat sundeck and it started raining. At list on the Edge there was not a covered area to eat. Food even more limited than Luminae. Portions are smaller. Not all cruise locations are in a climate that you can eat outside. 

True.

But when it was raining, we would pick up lunch from the Retreat to eat on our our verandah.

And when portions were smaller, we could take a little extra, if necessary.

22 minutes ago, Cap_D said:

Exactly why boards like this are so important. Before I commit to vacationing on a boat (at sea) with prepayment, I would like to know generally what I'm going to be getting or I may go somewhere else setting aside contractual obligations and reservations.  And, if the cruise fare doesn't include the 4 lunches previously included, then that is relevant and material to my decision, and possibly others, too.  And, considering this community is a good source of information, and observations, and Celebrity is not or conflicts with its own information, plus has the reservation to change, it's worth sharing what we all know. 

 

Similarly, I'm very appreciative of those that do share what they see and experience. 

 

And, at some point, the effort and angst, and actual post reservation service and product changes, will lead me or others to simply opt out of cruising.  

Different strokes for different folks…

We've been cruising with X for over 10 years and never had any “angst” over changes that they have made during that time.

FYI, No one is losing four lunches. They are available out on the Retreat Sundeck. 

8 minutes ago, cruisestitch said:

It’s true they can change everything but it’s the way that they have gone about doing so that makes everyone jumpy.

Since this topic concerns what may be happening in March of 2024 

I'm just saying perhaps everyone should wait and see how this plays out. 

1 hour ago, TeeRick said:

Some people here are quite apprehensive now after the continued unannounced changes (most for the worse).  There perhaps would be less angst if Celebrity would be transparent about the changes and communicate them in advance instead of having them leaked.  They caused this angst in their customer base!

Respectfully, I have to disagree with you. IMO, X has not caused this angst.

Perhaps everyone needs to read the T&C's on X's website. They have reserved rights to change everything without announcements.

52 minutes ago, hcat said:

we do not use the app at all..our devices are yoo old and  we hear it has many errors overall

We do not use the App either, never have.

2 minutes ago, clojacks said:

Has anyone ever not had a steward tell them they send every penny home, or that they have 5 kids, or that the family depends on them, or…. My point is, the cabin attendants are not stupid, and they know how stretching a story will quite possibly work to their benefit tip wise. So yes, I might be cautious about what a butler or steward tells me, staff or work related.

Actually we haven’t heard any comments regarding tips for several years.

The usual request is for a rating of 10 on the post cruise survey.

5 minutes ago, Fly and Sail said:

Meh I don’t buy that story. For one, they (X) would have simply told the guest to return the items, if he refuses then yes police will be called.

 

Customs doesn’t care about bringing plates into the county and law enforcement wouldn’t care if the company knew about it but didn’t ask the customer to return the stuff first.

Believe it or not, your choice.

The reason for the arrest was because of the total dollar amount of what was being taken.

14 minutes ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

 

I can't believe someone would steal plates!  I mean they could easily break and put you over the weight limit for airline baggage 😅

I believe they were “locals”, going home by car.

4 hours ago, C4HCG said:

Gobsmacked! That much for used water bottles acquired for nothing!

They could be considered as “collectors items” since X is replacing them with plastic water bottles. 😉

2 hours ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

Some other items of interest

X branded used dinner plates

Slippers

Tote bags

Credit card holders/Wallet

Domino set with cards and wooden box

We were told by the Hotel Director on a X ship a few years ago that a room steward came into a passenger’s cabin to clean and found their suitcase open on the floor. Inside the suitcase was an entire set of X place settings for 12 people. The local authorities were notified and were waiting for him at the Terminal at debarkation. He was arrested.

So be careful if you're pinching the plates. 😉

32 minutes ago, Kelownadon said:

 

3 hours ago, TeeRick said:

Terry now I kind of understand why you are peeved at this change.  You actually use your butler a lot vs. my use of them.  I think perhaps once in a 7 night cruise I might actually call my Butler.  Not 1-2 times a day.  I see my butler when he/she stops by on occasion, perhaps to check our mini-fridge.  Or when they deliver our breakfast after leaving the card on the door.  I actually have very little need for them in reality.   We never have them meet us in the theatre on Chic night- and we don't like the reserved seat area.  Anything related to guest services, reservations, etc. I will go to the Retreat Lounge and use the Concierge there.  Our room steward takes care of us more than our butler including taking an occasional laundry bag.  That is my case.  Frankly I struggle finding what to do with the butler on most cruises.  So most of my needs would be easily met by a dedicated on-demand Retreat Team approach when I really think about it.  So I am willing to try it.

Our main request of the Butlers is for breakfast on the verandah every morning. We're pretty much low maintenance, so the Team approach won’t be a major change for us.

2 hours ago, DCPIV said:

 

In fact, we've always had excellent service.  That's why I don't care.

I totally agree.

1 minute ago, phoenix_dream said:

That has been my experience as well in the past couple of years over the course of many Celebrity cruises.  

Our experience has been the same as yours cruising with X over the years.

2 hours ago, TeeRick said:

Sorry I was not being snarky but had not finished my post and hit send by mistake.  I'm glad you caught it and scolded me.  Much appreciated.  The full replacement post is there now.  

No apology was necessary IMO.
Nothing you originally said was snarky.

16 minutes ago, OysterD said:

 

OK thats 3 of the unnecessary overly expensive shops I can think to get rid of and replace with...

 

Culinary masterclasses. How to create Daniel Boulud signature dishes yourself.

All you need to do is make a reservation for dinner in Daniel Boulud's restaurant on board. Prior to the meal you and a group of other guests are shown how it is prepared. After eating the meal you are presented with his 10 pound Cookbook (it feels like it weighs that much!).

Then you can cook all of his recipes at home.

1 hour ago, SmilingOctopus said:

Just allowing vaping inside the ship is not acceptable. If they would come up with some sort of solution, fully isolating vapers from other casino guests, it might have a chance. 

 

If they are serious about making such a massive change in their ships policies, they should at least be prepared to set up a fully enclosed place to avoid any of the non vaping/smoking guests having to inhale anything at all...

 

If they would make somewhat of an effort I'm sure there could be a way to fix this. None the less the current policy worked for years and years, I personally don't see any point in changing it.

 

Also the fire hazard pointed out by C-Dragons is a very valid argument, these devices are manufactured with nearly no regulations, using cheap and unreliable batteries. Just dangerous.

I hope that the smoke detectors in the staterooms are decent enough to pick up any of this, if vape is detected immediately in airplane lavatories, I don't see why it should be any different on board of ships.

 

Just felt like sharing my point of view 🙂

 

Perhaps it's time for all concerned about vaping to share their points of view with CLIA, the Cruise Lines International Association, which is a major governing body of the Cruise Industry.

1 minute ago, russianmom said:

Exactly! We now live in the entitled narcissistic world of "I paid for my vacation so you can't tell me what to do". It's too late for Celebrity to close Pandora's box now....

X should reconsider that decision. Vaping can be a fire hazard.

I wouldn’t want to be in the middle of the Atlantic and have this happen:

• Explosions. There have been incidents of batteries in vaping devices exploding and causing serious injuries and burns.

5 hours ago, hcat said:

yup.. really miss being able to pre order flowers....esp with the dull and uninspired Hoppen decor ..needs something  colorful to perk things up.

 

I will bring on a small arrangement if I can carry it on..They have cute minis in PUBLIX  with a small vase.

 

i thought intuitive meant they know what you want/ need before you ask!  The butler we had was VERY on it.. a bit too much!

I used to pre order flowers as well, it was a nice service.
Now I usually hand carry a bouquet when we board.

11 hours ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

DH and I are religious about our low carb lifestyle when at home. When on a cruise it’s Katie bar the door and pass the damn bread! 🤭

I'll be happy too.

Would you like the butter too? 😁

🍞 🥖🧈

1 hour ago, jelayne said:

As I read it the change is more in who delivers what you request.  You request breakfast/dinner from  Retreat  Butler and it will be delivered and served by a member of the Retreat Room Service team.  Your requests for items stocked in the mini bar will filled by a member of the Private Bar Team.

Maybe 1 or 2 points off contact for requests going forward, not unlike now with the Butler and Retreat Concierges. 
Who fulfills your request is the change as I read it.

It could add efficiency behind the scenes and will result in more consistency in areas like the mini bar where what you bar is stocked with nowvvaries by ship and butler.

 

It is what it is. We have a B2B in October so will find out first hand.  
Personally the vaping issue is more likely to drive me away than this change in Butler service.

I agree with you.

Alot of the angst expressed here on CC is, IMO, much ado about nothing.

I believe that working as a Team will actually help the Butlers and improve service to all their guests.

42 minutes ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

Yet overwhelmingly majority those on a healthy diet do indeed avoid white bread and pastries.  Obviously people can cheat on their diet 

No one has to “cheat”. 😉

We eat a“healthy diet” and avoid pastries and white bread. Only wheat and whole grain at home. But on a cruise I might skip the bread and instead splurge on dessert - if it's really good. 😋

20 minutes ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

It’s just ironic is all…First interaction for dinner is a breadbasket or for breakfast, pastries. I’d imagine the first time cruisers may be caught off guard

Why would anyone be caught “off guard”?

Not everyone who eats “healthy” abstains from eating bread. 😉

26 minutes ago, phoenix_dream said:

I've gotten excellent service on every one of my 75+ Celebrity cruises without tipping ahead of time.  So I'm guessing you would have had the same without doing it. We do always tip extra at the end.

Ditto.