Cruisegoer

not everyone who cruises can afford the suite life or Aqua class. Glad to know people like class systems in 2023.

Carnival has way better food selection and quality wise than Celebrity these days, just compare the menus and options. I'm Elite on Celebrity but going on my first Carnival cruise since 2019 next May on the new Jubilee. My last Celebrity cruise was July 2022 on the Summit, prior to that on the Apex in Feb 2022. I'm expecting the Jubilee to knock my socks off so not sure when I might be returning to Celebrity until their standards go back to the casual elegance it once was.

I was on the Summit in July of 2022 and there were plenty of places of bad rust around windows, on balconies and other outside railings. Let's hope they can do something about that while in dry dock.

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?

Over 600 cruisers signed up for this group and no one participates in Cruisecritic, that's disappointing.

You need a new name then.

I wouldn't think that is necessarily true. They might drop another non-Elegant night's menu, not just what's listed as the 8th night, it may just depend on availability when ordering. I'm actually surprised the Lobster and Beef Wellington aren't on the menu on the same night but I see they do have Prime Rib that night.

Following!

Perhaps you're satisfied with saving up for one nice "big" trip per year or perhaps you're at an income level you can afford a more costly vacation without having to save up. Other people prefer to get away more frequently and enjoy down time without breaking the bank so they budget to that, and sometimes "meh" is the best they can afford. It's kind of like an argument of flying Delta vs Frontier, both get you to the same location but people are willing to pay according to the comfort and reputation of the airline chosen.

Well it's pretty simple, a person making $250,000 a year can afford a much different level of vacation than someone making $50,000. I mean sure both could potentially be on the Apex but one would realistically be in an interior while the other is in the Retreat. I highly doubt someone on a lesser income would consider spending on an Oceania cruise line sailing. Seems kind of obvious to me, weird this doesn't register to you?

Haha, I need to eat at your local TGIF/Applebees because I haven't found much papperdelle with braised lamb, beef carpaccio, grilled swordfish or beef wellington on their menus. Unimaginative perhaps in that 95% of cruise lines have or have had the same type of offerings in their MDRs but still sounds like a thoughtful, upscale meal to me. Now, since you evidently don't understand cultural/societal differences. It's quite common in for the pasta dish to also be offered as a smaller appetizer portion, at least that's what your noted oddity referred to.

How old are you exactly? Most people vacation based on affordability.

LOL, unless you're in the kitchen or the food supplier of any cruise lines you really don't know what you're talking about. You have no basis to believe ingredients on one are any more healthy than on another. Food is a matter of taste, some people have none and to most flavor is absolutely what matters.

I'll take frog's legs over escargot any day!

Why wouldn't you get everything you like instead of having to choose?

Let's face it, food is very subjective. IMHO HAL has the best food and presentation in both the MDR and buffet but overall they have very little seafood. Celebrity can be hit or miss but has changed a lot in the last year. When I did the Apex in Feb 2022 the food was terrific and the buffet was first class. When I sailed the Summit (my 3rd time on her) last July the food was mediocre and the quality was subpar and this was long before the announced cutbacks. Royal has been that way for years (my last in 2015). NCL, I've only done once in 2006 and there really wasn't anything memorable about it, the most memorable thing I recall was that the "lobster night" in the MDR was better than their french bistro specialty restaurant they used to push. Carnival definitely has a different vibe but they have options galore. Their steakhouse has always been excellent and tons of options to plain resort buffet style foods in the lido is impressive. I think their MDR food is great and they don't charge $16.99 plus gratuity for a 3rd entree only $5.

So you think Emiril Lagasse is going to put his name on a poorly tasting dish? Who's to blame then, Emiril or Carnival? How many Carnival cruises (and how many nights cruise) have you taken to believe their food is so terrible?

I just can't believe what I'm reading! https://profcruise.com/carnivals-new-dinner-menus/

These menu's sound wonderful! Can't wait for my Jubillee cruise!

Balconies!!! The oldest of the fleet, mostly under 100,000 tons have very few balcony cabins.

I'm sure we can all agree that Celebrity has always been a step above the major RCI, CCL, NCL lines but in the last year alone with re-branding away from "Always Included" and the numerous quality cuts to both service and food quality, do you think Celebrity ever was or is still a Premium brand? Please understand by Premium I don't mean on the level with Viking/Crystal/etc because the price tags simply don't align.

I'm sorry I think you misread my OP, no where did I imply 2 entrees in a Specialty restaurant are allowed in my post. I specifically referred to 2 entrees being allowed in the MDR (Main Dining Room) before a $5 per entree surcharge is added.

So it's been a few years since I've cruised with Carnival but I just booked the Jubillee for next May. I know that with the dining changes there is now a limit of 2 entrees in the MDR before a surcharge applies but looking at the specialty restaurants, specifically Rudi's and the Steakhouse, do they limit how many starters or desserts you may order? Multiple starters were previously allowed so for $48pp I'm curious. Those with recent firsthand experience please let me know. I appreciate you!

Thanks everyone for your honest feedback. From what I read the Havana bar, at least on the Jubilee, is open to all guests.

Looking at the new Jubilee and noticing prices between regular interiors and Havana interiors are pretty close, I realize you get use of the "private pool" but on the deck plans it looks relatively tiny. Not sure what other perks might be included so appreciate any thoughts on those who've purchased the Havana experience if it's worth it IYHO?