Dolebludger

Just for the heck of it, I called the Windstar CS number yesterday to ask a few questions about their “motor yachts” relative to cruises out of Tahiti. My first (pleasant) surprise is that, once I got through the voice menu, someone quickly answered the phone! Where I live, if I call a business, it is an unacceptably long wait to get a person on the phone. It seems that on these ships, almost all suites are 277 sq ft inside room (except for the very few premium suites). Now, although some of the regular suites are called “balcony”, they are only “French balconies” which means that they have a large window that tools down from the top. No real balcony. Also, I learned that if one books at the all inclusive fare, everything in the suite fridge is included. Excursions are not included, but they aren’t on the PG either, but are on Regent. I guess it is a matter of getting a good TA to check pricing and “deals” from time to time. But, as (unfortunately) I won’t book anything on the (PG) unless it acquires an owner other than Ponant, if I had to book something in Tahiti right now it would be Regent — if the time factor was right. But the Windstar Star Breeze does have good pricing on the inclusive fare for window (not porthole) suites that are larger than on the PG. I hope this information is useful. Once, the PG was my favorite. But after Ponant refused to refund for cruise it cancelled, i wouldn’t book it again,— unless and until Ponant is out of the picture.

It matters not to me whether they call suite service providers butlers, retreat assistants, or room stewards. What does matter is the service that is (or is not) provided. On smaller ship lines, the steward and room service are far more active and reliable than in large ship lines. For example, on Regent, only the “super premium suites” have butlers. The rest do not. But it is the consensus of those cruising that line that steward, room service, other services, and the included socked mini fridge really make the addition of a butler unnecessary. The steward restocks the fridge and brings us any items we need. The steward renews the flowers and supply treats daily. Room service is prompt, and has a rather large menu. The only reason anybody needs a “butler” on a cruise ship arises when the other “departments” aren’t doing their job, which would seem to be the case with Celebrity.

Well, I think the Celebrity Retreat, as it is now, might find a market at a price much less than that offered by the true lux lines. But it is offering us a decreased product at a price higher than other lines that offer the full product. That “will not fly” for long.

Good, if Celebrity offers you the content you want at the price you want to pay, go for it. But what X has done increasing Retreat prices and reducing content makes me admit that there are better deals out there for me. That’s all..

Well, IMHO, no company of any kind that off shores it’s CSR dept. is a “better” anything. IMHO.

dog hog, Celebrity used to be one of the “better” cruise lines. It isn’t anymore, and that is the problem.

dog hog, with the “better” cruise lines, they can answer questions, and do so in a language I can understand.

Well, back to the original topic, which is a company moving its customer service staff overseas. The motivation is financial, for sure. But another motivation is to insulate management from complaints. The process with off shore CSRs is often so complicated that customers just give up. And that is just what management wants. And as to TAs, the reason many of us need them is to book flights and pre and post cruise hotels. TAs also are better able to compare cruise lines with comparable itineraries to help us find what we want for the best price.

On another post on the Celebrity forum, there is a report that X has moved all its customer service off shore. With that, we are unlikely to get a response beyond what is in the script of somebody thousands of miles away, who as no ability to address specific problems. If this report is accurate, this is another reduction in benefits by Celebrity, that harms all cruisers — not only those in the Retreat.

In looking at Celebrity offerings, the prices look OK in anything below the suite classes. But for those of us who enjoyed the Retreat as a former lower cost option to a lux line, we are very disappointed. Retreat prices are now higher than for comparable itineraries on the REAL lux lines (Silversea, Regent) and Celebrity has been reducing Retreat inclusions so that a cruise there is no longer comparable to a lux cruise — and even priced higher. So, it is back to these lux lines for us, and we even save some money.

I’m not wineoclock, but we were on the Regent Explorer this past June in Alaska. And we had cruised Regent many times before. Onboard, it was the best cruise of them all. However, we did not use the line’s hotel and transfers. Those who did said they were bad. And regardless of where you get your air, there are going to be foul-ups these days. But these things are beyond Regent’s control. And before we booked that one, we priced Celebrity SS and CS and found Regent concierge to be less expensive. We didn’t have a “butler” as such, but the room steward pool was very well staffed, room service was very prompt, and we had included use of the mini-fridge and in-suite spirits. The was no sign of understaffing, as has been reported on this thread. And we also had included laundry service, shore excursions, tips, and WiFi. We did not have priority embarkation/disembarkation, but with fewer than 750 guests onboard, it was not needed. IMHO, there is no reason to book Celebrity SS or CS suites instead of Regent. Four years ago, these Celebrity Retreat suites offered a great imitation of a lux cruise experience t a lesser cost. Now, Celebrity has reduced these lux inclusions an has raised price higher than a true lux line like Regent.

Yes, when I was on Windstar’s site, I couldn’t navigate to any rooms, except those with only windows — and not very large ones at that. Time to return to Regent, where all all suites have balconies — except a few window suites on the Navigator.

I have read elsewhere on this board that Bloody Mary’s is closed for a year for maintenance and repairs. Sad.

jjs, we’re you on a motor yacht or a sailing ship? From what I can determine, there is a real difference in those two categories. And if one is undecided, Regent is always a good choice.

Good info, Jim, and thanks. It brings up a related question. Twenty years ago, there was a site that listed the passenger/crew ratios on all cruise ships. That was good info, as it seemed that a nearly equal ratio was one indicator of cruise quality. Problem is, I have forgotten the log in for that site. Does anybody know?

Yessir, Destinations needs some work, badly! On our Explorer cruise to Alaska last June, we booked our own hotel and transfers. All was well. But the people we met onboard told us horror stories about the Anchorage Hilton hotel through Regent, and the provided bus transfers. I won’t go into details as it would be a too-long post. And when we picked excursion for that cruise (and the next one) we avoided bus tours, and chose to make our own transfer arraignments. I suspect that the international labor shortage prevents Regent from getting good contractors for their provided land services. Maybe it needs to try harder. But Regent can’t begin to control service at embarkation and disembarkation ports. So we older people just have to do our research and chose our start and stop ports carefully. But, yes, on land activities that Regent contracts out, more supervision and selection is needed.

For what it is worth, the three Windstar motor yachts to which I referred in post #15 above do have elevator access to all decks, according to their deck plans. These are not sailing ships. They have no sails. They are small cruise ships like the PG. they are named Star Legend, Star Breeze, and Star Pride. I wouldn’t book on a ship lacking full elevator access now at my age of 80, but these ships appear to have very adequate elevator access, so I’m considering them. Also, I am wary of the room accommodations on those sailing ships, whereas the motor yachts have fairly spacious suites. So the Windstar motor yachts are worthy of my consideration. But when there is any doubt, Regent is my default choice. Always good.

Wendy, I can’t recall the name of the company that owned the PG between Radisson/Regent and Ponant. I guess we both are getting old! We were not caught in the PG/Ponant mess of refund refusals, but read the accounts of many that were here on CC. We have cruised the PG numerous times (can’t remember exactly how many), and always had a great cruise. Notwithstanding this, we will never cruise on any ship owned by Ponant, including the PG — unless it is sold again. And I hope this happens, and soon. But there may be an alternative that hasn’t been mentioned. Windstar operates motor ships in French Polynesia that are similar in size to the PG. I believe Windstar bought these two ships from Seaborne. These ships have cabins/suites larger than on the PG. Unlike Windstar’s ships with sails, these motor ships have elevators. They also have “cruise only” and “inclusive” fare structures that give price breaks, principally to those who don’t drink (not us). I wish I knew more about this option. Never cruised it, and Windstar’s website leaves many questions unanswered. In 2014, we cruised the Regent Mariner with an itinerary starting in Tahiti, visiting several Society Islands, visiting Easter Island, and ending in Lima, Peru. I was a great cruise and itinerary. But the Society Island portion had some undefinable element missing, compared to the PG — and perhaps other small motor ships. .

We had experience on MSC a few years ago, both in the Yacht Club and in the regular ship. Then, the YC food was up to lux line standards.the food in the MDR was not.

Now, here’s another dress question that I don’t think has been asked before. This may not be covered in the published dress code. Men’s shoes in the evening? There are now popular men’s shoes that look like low cut sneakers, but the tops are leather. Are these acceptable on Regent in the evenings, if all else complies with the dress code?

Actually, one thing I like about X cruises is they are the only line that allows good jeans after 6:00 PM. But on the cruise, I have always worn a dress T shirt and a sports coat with my jeans. And I never got kicked out!

In 2014 we were on the Paul Gauguin cruise of French Polynesia, and there was a “cockney” British couple onboard. But when the woman put on her two piece, the bottoms were faded but the tops looked like brand new. Of course I asked why. She replied that only in the company of people from the USA did she feel the need to wear the top. Now I was an old man even then, and we were celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary, so none of this mattered to me. But it did make me think: why can men go topless but women can’t in the USA? I still don’t know the answer.

Back in the day, stewards introduced themselves politely when we were on a cheap RCCL in an ocean view cabin. And of course, we had no butler — of course. Back in the day, on cheap cruises, we did not need a butler (probably don’t need one now) when we had full room service and when we could bring our own drinks onboard. And, as an alternative, we could buy spirits at the store on Royal, take them back to our room, and have a drink. Then, shortly after 9/11, Royal (and other lines) started prohibiting carry on drinks, under the guise of security protection allowing the X-ray of luggage —without notice to those booked before the new policy. That’s when we started looking for alternatives. And now we find that some “mass market” lines won’t even allow us to carry on water? Oh hell! Now if we can’t cruise on a line that provides us with water, soda, beer, and booze anytime and anywhere we want it, we just stay home. Sorry for the rant. But now, some lines are cutting down on food? X Retreat included? Well they have been squeezing cruisers for over 22 years. After our next cruise on Regent (at less cost than on the Retreat),if it isn’t fabulous, it will be our last cruise. To my observation, cruise lines have been ripping us off for 22 years. And if the lines can’t show some respect for my $$$, they will have to do without it.

I can’t speak to Oceania, but I can speak to it’s big brother, Regent. Just ensure that your “suite” is large enough for you, and compare prices. Some very high level suites have a steward plus a butler. We don’t worry about that, because a butler isn’t needed. Room stewards take care of everything, but —- . All suites have restocked mini fridge, spirits in suite, access to all restaurants, full room service, tips, excursions, and economy air included. But few want economy air, so it is a bit of a problem getting the air you want. A good TA is really needed. Post pandemic, I can personally attest that the food and all onboard service is great on Regent. Even better than it used to be. We cruised in the Retreat on X twice before the pandemic shut down, and it was great, and at less cost than Regent. Now, the Retreat costs more and has fewer inclusions. Hello! What shall I book? Easy, book Regent instead of the Retreat, save some money, and receive better inclusions and service. Back in 4 or 5 years ago, the Retreat (then Celebrity suites) used to be the best deal for an onboard lux cruise. Now it is the worst.

Well, back in the old times when we used to cruise RCCL, our room steward used to come and introduce him/herself. They were still room stewards, not butlers. We didn’t pay for a butler also, and we didn’t have one. But if I pay for a butler and a steward, I’d better have both!