goofysmom99

Military discount and onboard booking OBC are still available in current form to all but zenith and/or solos.  It's X staying under the radar while chiseling away at formerly standard discounts/OBCs.  Chip, chip, chip.

After booking four cruises elsewhere because I'd lost patience with X's management moves, they finally instituted a cruise-only option for zeniths, so I upgraded an Eclipse cruise (A2 to S1) for next year which I was going to let go.  The new invoice came through from my TA and instead of the usual suite $200 OBC for a repo cruise, it's only $125.  She asked about it:  "I questioned the onboard credit for booking onboard and he said 'this is for a single rate'." I'm still trying to determine how to compute a single rate for OBC.  Oh, and they didn't honor the military discount with the zenith discount.  Don't know if that's because I'm solo, zenith, or it was just simply arbitrary.  I'm very cranky about this on principal.  Haven't decided if I'll switch back to A2 or cancel.  Grumble, grumble, grumble.

BTW, my Eclipse (2010 build) S1 Z-discounted price w/gratuities is $380 more than an identical cruise I've booked on Silversea (2024 build).  I'd like to do both, but for sure, not in the S1 now.

My TA is unavailable and I don't know for how long.  Meanwhile, there's a cruise I'd like to book.  Other lines allow a booking to be transferred to an agent within X number of days.  Does Silversea?  I'd wait except I need an accessible cabin and there's only one left.  TIA

2 hours ago, mahdnc said:

The only problem was that Solstice was sailing into the sunset.....

 

Great photo!  (You're on Summit.)

46 minutes ago, mahdnc said:

Here is a photo of the chateaubriand:

 

 

David, I'm curious, were both sauces ordered or did this come sitting in gravy with bearnaise?  Thanks.

5 hours ago, kwokpot said:

We were on the Solstice last February and then the Apex last July and Ascent this past February. While none of our cruises were in Retreat I can honestly say of the three recent Celebrity cruises the Solstice out of LA for the Mexican Riviera itinerary was our least favorite with regards to the cruise ship experience. On the Solstice there wasn't lobster served on either Chic Night.

That pretty much follows X's fleet-wide menu quality cuts last year, and their reinstatement this year (and other cuts/returns as well).  I noticed a big difference between cruises this past November and last month.

8 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

Today was day 4 and I thought I would reflect on the cruise - especially with our recent disappointment with the Edge Class ships.

 

Michael's Club - vs - Retreat Lounge

 

While the Suites lounge hasn't been updated and still the old dark clubby paneling - we are enjoying it much better than Retreat.  

 

The Concierges are engaging, attentive and very responsive to any request.   Even though they don't have a hot/cold table they have everything you wish with table side service.   It is our go to place for a light continental breakfast.    We went to the CC Breakfast one morning and it was mobbed -- we had to grab a table when someone got up and it was cleared of the dirty dishes quickly.   I think this cruise has a large CC member count -- they had 2 Captains Toasts --- Elite + and above and all others the next day.

 

They have a actual bar on Solstice which we love.   Originally there were 4 chairs and Lucy pulled up 2 more --- then last night she had 8 high top seats for the group that we have been drinking with.     Really fun -   as opposed to to the Airport Lounge feel of Edge. 

 

Sorry --- these are of course only my opinions and we each have different tastes and preferences.    I think Edge convinced us we will never sail E-Class again.     If E-Class is Celebrity's future we are Celebrity's Past... ok... ok.... I'm an GRUMPY OLD GIT!   Stay tuned.

 

Luminae -

 

So far would give it a 10+ on Solstice vs a 7 on Edge.   Food always perfectly cooked to order.   The Maitre'd an Assistant are ever present and checking in.    The Sommelier greets us when we arrive and is watching glasses constantly.    Edge shall we say was like pulling teeth or asking the assistant waiter to find him.     Iain was please that they had his  Louis Jardot - Macon-Village 2020 on the Premium Package.... He is happy.   I have my Fre Red - January 2024 so am also pleased.

 

When we first boarded we saw they had implemented the "New" Luminae Menu -  Of course the Raspberry Pistachio Vancherin had been replaced with the Chocolate Pill on the Daniel Boulud menu.     Last night I noticed it was on day 3 menu.   I asked Mori (our waiter) if it was a mistake.  He said no-   they were going to alternate and it was indeed available ---  2 points for the Solstice.

 

Next up Murano -

 

Excellent as usual.   It was quiet with light music in the background -  unlike ALL OF THE SPECIALTIES  on Edge Class with no walls and blaring noise an music.  I would give our experience a 10+ vs.   all the specialties on Edge Class -  7-

 

More later --- Iain just left for a smoke and I meet him in Michael's Club in 15 minutes.

 

 

 

Jim, all the S-class ships (except RF) have only 70 suites total.  Apex has 184 suites and Beyond, a whopping 204!  The numbers alone disenchanted me with E-class.  No way to receive personal service among hordes.  BTW, I also prefer Michael's Club to the Retreat.  Excellent news about the vacherin!  That and the zenith discount just might win me back to X. 😉  

10 minutes ago, mahdnc said:

I hope you have a smooth embarkation today. 

David, did you get another eclipse photo today?

1 hour ago, BeasleysMom66 said:

 

I don't know about the nunchucks but when it comes to the handcuffs some of those "pineapple" people (and non-pineapple) are into some weird stuff.  😈😈  Just sayin......

Nah.  I prefer the bunny fur-covered handcuffs.  Just sayin.... 

Concierge cabin on Summit earlier this month.  Had stateroom attendant push the bed all the way to the chair.  Plenty of room to park and turn around.  Also exposed the plug so used a Euro adapter.  Worked well.  Will NOT work in standard veranda; in standard cabin, bed is already up against the chair.

From X's FAQs:  If your assistive device is 23 inches or less, it will fit through a standard stateroom door. If your assistive device is 32 inches or less, it will fit through an accessible stateroom door.

The scooters come with a big charging brick, a bit like laptops had in olden days.  They take both 110/220. 

You can make it fit in a concierge or aqua cabin but M-class standard balcony cabin is too small.  I know this first hand.

2 hours ago, jcpc said:

I priced out a few sailings. An example of what I'm seeing is:  Royal Suite on June 2025 sailing on Silhouette - a reduction of $600 using the Zenith rate (priced reduced from $16.1K to $15.5K.)  A savings of $600 on a $16000 booking is not going to make me jump back to booking suites on Celebrity.

After checking the zenith fare for next year's Eclipse TA, I looked at the price I'm paying for identical 13-night TA on Silversea for same period.  Celebrity Eclipse (2010 build), in an accessible S1 w/zenith discount, is still $200 more, +$299 for gratuities, than the solo fare I grabbed in early Feb for next year's Silver Ray (2024 build) accessible suite (way bigger and better than X's).  SS includes excursions, specialty dining, and $300 OBC.  I do appreciate the effort X is making, but so far, the product doesn't yet justify the price for me.  Royal Caribbean Group is probably quite happy, though, that I'm at least keeping this particular TA within the family.  

I just looked up next year's 13-night Eclipse TA and the difference for cruise-only  is ~$911 (~$70/day). For two, it was $1012 (~$39/day/person).  Didn't reflect my usual military discount, though.  I suppose including both the z and mil discounts automatically would overtax X's IT dept, but I'm actually impressed they were able to mesh the CC numbers (plus, I can do -$200 math in my head😅). 

Last three cruises (Constellation, Summit), every time I used my card at Sunset Bar for a single drink, when I'd check my account, always showed multiple orders, usually +3 or 4.  Only happened at Sunset.  Bartender was obviously pouring freebies (for tips).

1 hour ago, Ex-Airbalancer said:

I wonder if this will make a lot Zenith members come back ? 

Finally.  It's too late for me for this year and next (booked other lines), but it's now a possibility for 2026.  A lot will be determined by their handling of this for a solo.

13 minutes ago, markeb said:

 

Those are two very broad genres that encompass an awful lot of music.

Or, a lot of awful music. 😇

Earlier this month on Summit, I wanted to enjoy the before-dinner group in the Rendezvous.  Had much more current tunes, good singer with talented backup, but....they were so overamped, it was actually painful.  My fancy, new Sony noise-canceling earbuds weren't up to the task either.  Probably could have benefited from the noise-suppressing earmuffs I was required to wear around jet engines back in the day.  I don't know what demographic ear pain should appeal to; it was absurdly loud all the way into Luminae where they closed the doors.  Up until this last cruise, Summit has been nearest to my heart (cruised her 11 times since the restart).  Sadly, this time, everything was "off" in most of the venues.  MDR quality was much better, though.  Looking at the big picture, I'm glad RCI is profitable and paying off its debt but it saddens me to watch Celebrity's bumper-car style of management steer the line I've loved for 30 years so far off course.  Someday I hope they can find their way back.

Just now, leaveitallbehind said:

 

OK then, with the correction to the time the staterooms may be open open made, your luggage still had to fit through the scanners and to my understanding that typically would restrict large sized luggage, correct?  That was the caveat I was making.

If OP was able to carry luggage on onto Apex, I imagine that luggage will fit through the scanner for Summit.  

1 minute ago, Liao said:

I’ve always gone directly to my room and drop everything off.

Exactly what I did on Summit late last month @ 10:30.

9 hours ago, cublet said:

Hello,

 

It's not a "rude slap in the face" if the private excursion is to a place/event that is not being provided by Celebrity - it's their fault.

 

Regards,

 

Cublet

I repeat, I don't see M&Ms ever returning.  They win.

For sure a raincoat/poncho of some sort.  I've been rained on a whole lot during/after Spring TAs and it's usually too windy for an umbrella (and umbrellas are a hassle anyway).  But all the gardens are glorious at that time of the year!  

So many of the M&Ms/Connections I used to attend devolved into folks making announcements about their private tours = a rude slap in the face to the folks who put on the gathering since those folks obviously cared about selling Celebrity's tours.  And even though Cruise Critic lists Meet & Mingles as "paused," in light of the current revenue-producing frenzy occurring within all the RCI fleets, I don't see M&Ms ever returning.

49 minutes ago, keesar said:

Also, many zeniths are hooked on Celebrity and no need to get feedback from them. Many are guaranteed bookings.   But I think it is more related to numbers.

They got plenty of feedback from me after a cruise earlier this month.  No beverage package on my room key (bartenders knew black card should have it, though) and I was charged for room service three days in a row.  Three trips to Guest Relations.  At the Zenith lunch, I fussed to CC concierge about the charges and she actually said she'd have to check on if it was free.  I chose not to complain about it to HD who was seated next to me.  Later I got a call that "Miami" said free room service was OK.  Ya think?  I can't possibly have been their first zenith not in a suite!  Oh, and also haven't received double points after my last six cruises; waited for the two most recent to post so I'd only have to make one call (yesterday).  Yup, I sure feel "special."   One X cruise remaining in November then 2025/6 are all booked elsewhere.

And they didn't give me Suite/Zenith luggage tags.