Just A Few Thoughts......back from REFLECTION

Thanks for the review - I was on the cruise before yours and had similar entertainment which I would give a solid B for. I actually found the opposite in Opus - food was insanely quick at our regular table. We ate twice with my inlaws who had 'any-time' dining and the service was okay at best.

We noticed that the OP did not mention any of the "Production Shows" which have generally left us less than happy (when we bother to attend). Our experience the past 3-5 years has been the "Guest Entertainers" on Celebrity are really improved.....over years ago.

 

As to the MDR, one person's slow service is another persons "dining." MDRs on all the mass market lines have cut-back on staffing over the past few years, and things have slowed. To us, this is actually a plus since we are seldom in a hurry and enjoy socializing at large tables. We have had some fast waiters and some very slow waiters, which is just the way it is these days. Years ago when there was only Fixed Dining (you always had the same table and waiters) and passengers directly tipped wait staff......service was usually quite good, But now, in the era of auto-tips and tip pooling there is less incentive for wait staff to hustle.

Hank

I agree with this, however, the staff may feel there's always a chance a pax may give them extra if they give really good service.

Thanks for your review. Our cruise on the Reflection last month had pretty much the same demographics.

We are thinking of a river cruise in the future. Which line do you prefer?

Ron

Thanks for your review. Our cruise on the Reflection last month had pretty much the same demographics.

 

 

We are thinking of a river cruise in the future. Which line do you prefer?

 

 

Ron

Hi, I have only been on AMA Waterways and it was FANTASTIC:D....I am trying to decide which cruise to take;)

I want to go back to the smaller experience....River Cruising is definitely in that genre........

Hi, I have only been on AMA Waterways and it was FANTASTIC:D....I am trying to decide which cruise to take;)

I want to go back to the smaller experience....River Cruising is definitely in that genre........

Thanks.

Wonderful review Lois. I prefer small too. You would like Oceania.I recall the social hostess stating " You will feel like family when you disembark." I just laughed. She was right.

The Cruise Director spoke to us and introduced the officers who were there....and people chatted with each other.

They served coffee/tea. It is a nice way to meet folks who have been chatting on the roll call.

Thank you!

Hi, I have only been on AMA Waterways and it was FANTASTIC:D....I am trying to decide which cruise to take;)

I want to go back to the smaller experience....River Cruising is definitely in that genre........

My friend is going on this line a few months. They are really looking forward to it. I also have a friend that really likes Oceania.

Wonderful review Lois. I prefer small too. You would like Oceania.I recall the social hostess stating " You will feel like family when you disembark." I just laughed. She was right.

I have 2 friends who just returned from their first cruise on Oceania and to be honest, they were not that impressed.

I was going to possibly look at them....all of sudden I have been BOMBARDED with Oceania snail mail:confused:

I have actually called them multiple times to stop and take me off their mailing list.......I am continuing to

research things.

Is Sue Denning the cruise director and not Marten? He was a few weeks ago so maybe he went on hiatus. Never had Sue. Does she keep things entertaining?

Maarten was Sue Denning's assistant on our Eclipse cruise in 2015. She is a dynamo [and as Ginger Rogers said, "she does it in high heels" -- really high heels -- if the ship is rolling at all I can't walk in sensible shoes but she flits around like nothing!]. Also a good singer. [Maarten was CD on our Connie cruise last year. He is also good, but we liked Sue even better.]

. Years ago when there was only Fixed Dining (you always had the same table and waiters) and passengers directly tipped wait staff......service was usually quite good, But now, in the era of auto-tips and tip pooling there is less incentive for wait staff to hustle.

 

Hank

I don't think this is the problem at all. There are sufficient incentives (aside from passenger tips) to ensure excellent service from the individual servers. I think the problem is two fold. First is the drastic staff cuts. There simply is a point at which a person cannot possibly do the job to the same standard. Passengers (in general) are also responsible for the situation because they demanded the conveniences of anytime dining and pre-paid drink packages. Also, by pre-charging tips, it becomes somewhat less likely passengers will stiff the staff, which happens all too often. I do think the staff cuts have gone too far though. It was noticeable on my last cruise.

Maarten was Sue Denning's assistant on our Eclipse cruise in 2015. She is a dynamo [and as Ginger Rogers said, "she does it in high heels" -- really high heels -- if the ship is rolling at all I can't walk in sensible shoes but she flits around like nothing!]. Also a good singer. [Maarten was CD on our Connie cruise last year. He is also good, but we liked Sue even better.]

Hi Jazz:)....I thought she was terrific:)...after many years of sailing with Celebrity I think it was the first time I had

been on a cruise with her and I was quite impressed. She gave a "one woman show" one evening....sang, spoke

to the audience about her life, etc.....I thought it was very well done.

Hi Lois,

 

Happy to hear you had a good vacation. I chuckled when you mentioned your age (same as mine ;)) and you felt you were one of the younger on board, Poor =X= trying to lure the younger crowd with their "Modern Luxury" slogans only we oldsters just keep coming back! As long as I like the Celebrity product, I could care less if they spend the next 100 years trying to figure out their target niche.

 

That St Martin excursion sounds fun. Can you describe the dinner at the Porch?

They could learn a thing or two from NCL about nightlife and the "younger crowd." I love X.....except for their incredibly bad night life and entertainment. My last cruise with Celeb was Nov 2015 and with the exception of say Grasstonbury and the adult game shows, their attempts to appeal to the younger demo they're after was wow bad. Not just bad. Wow bad. Throwing a couple of cage dancers in the wine club does not a "Miami nightclub" make. I was embarrassed for them and it cleared out inside of 45 minutes. Or trying to have another whatever party in the Solarium. It's just not working for people like me.

Now NCL has its own issues. X is worlds ahead in service, staff attitude, the buffet, cabins and pools. But NCL is just in another galaxy entertainment wise. Even if you don't care for their nightly booming deck parties that are packed, their shows are damn near Broadway quality, the comedians are top notch, Howl at the Moon dueling pianos is a blast, the karaoke bar is hilarious and their casino is awesome. On the Reflection (twice) the whole boat went ghost by 11pm. On NCL, that's when the real nightlife is starting up!

I know it takes time to transition, but I wish Celeb would get its nightlife act together sooner rather than later because if they could get it going, I'd go back.

Waiting on more details regarding the new ships but in the meantime, I'm booked on NCL again this year.

Just to point out, I didn't think the nightlife was poor......if it came across that way, that was not my intention.

I am looking elsewhere but not specifically because of the nightlife. I did have a good week but it wasn't

what I would consider "fantastic"......I had fun watching the Superbowl and met some very nice folks........

But after going on the River Cruise last year? Maybe my taste is changing overall.

Oh, I don't care about "late night" stuff.....if something starts at 11? Unless it something I think would blow me away?

I probably won't make it that late....but that is just me.

My comments FYI. My husband has mild dementia and I have mobility issues. Together we are a HOT MESS but Celebrity Crew and Officers continue to treat us with the care and expertise that causes us to continue our loyalty to their brand even though the cruise clientele has degraded somewhat. Franco the Asst. Head Mater'd helped us with special dining accommodations and suggested solutions as dining issues arose. Roberto waiter, and Srdjan asst waiter were top notch. Melaida the sommelier seemed to like the smell of her own flatulence. I wish they did not have the special on the drink package as too many passengers were over imbibing and after 10 pm it was very wild so we started retiring early. I felt sorry for some of the entertainers/comics as a drunk audience member was often disruptive. Sweet Sue Denning was the best and I will follow her on future cruises. Activities manager Charlotte made some inappropriate comments to new cruisers and needs an extra dose of gentleness. Chrystal in Activities was hard working and shows great leadership abilities. We liked Geo as well. The other young lady in activities had such a strong accent that it was hard for passengers to understand her. At least she was more charming than Charlotte though. We had a substitute Staff Captain who was so personable and accessible to the passengers and I also liked the Guest Relations Officer. I wouldn't mind if you brought back the dress code to raise the level of passenger conduct. I expect Celebrity will have to increase their security staff to keep control if you are going to continue the drink specials. We saw more than we wanted at night but were treated very well during the day.

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My comments FYI. My husband has mild dementia and I have mobility issues. Together we are a HOT MESS but Celebrity Crew and Officers continue to treat us with the care and expertise that causes us to continue our loyalty to their brand even though the cruise clientele has degraded somewhat. Franco the Asst. Head Mater'd helped us with special dining accommodations and suggested solutions as dining issues arose. Roberto waiter, and Srdjan asst waiter were top notch. Melaida the sommelier seemed to like the smell of her own flatulence. I wish they did not have the special on the drink package as too many passengers were over imbibing and after 10 pm it was very wild so we started retiring early. I felt sorry for some of the entertainers/comics as a drunk audience member was often disruptive. Sweet Sue Denning was the best and I will follow her on future cruises. Activities manager Charlotte made some inappropriate comments to new cruisers and needs an extra dose of gentleness. Chrystal in Activities was hard working and shows great leadership abilities. We liked Geo as well. The other young lady in activities had such a strong accent that it was hard for passengers to understand her. At least she was more charming than Charlotte though. We had a substitute Staff Captain who was so personable and accessible to the passengers and I also liked the Guest Relations Officer. I wouldn't mind if you brought back the dress code to raise the level of passenger conduct. I expect Celebrity will have to increase their security staff to keep control if you are going to continue the drink specials. We saw more than we wanted at night but were treated very well during the day.

 

 

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Hi Charlotte....thanks for your thoughts...Charlotte made inappropriate comments?:confused:...really? I met her a few years

ago and have always liked her.......guess we had different experiences........

It was nice meeting you both:)

Hi Charlotte....thanks for your thoughts...Charlotte made inappropriate comments?:confused:...really? I met her a few years

ago and have always liked her.......guess we had different experiences........

 

It was nice meeting you both:)

Hello Lois

We had trivia on deck 5 one day instead of sky lounge and a few new cruisers came rushing in a bit late and said they didn't realize the change in location. Charlotte said "read your daily". It was the smarmy tone of her voice that was so abnormal to hear from a Celebrity employee. We heard her short temperament a few more times on that sail. Perhaps she was unwell.

Great meeting you as well. I would encourage you to try Oceiana just one time. It very well may be your cup of tea. Happy sailing and hope our paths cross again. It is certainly a small world. [emoji173][emoji173][emoji173]

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I have 2 friends who just returned from their first cruise on Oceania and to be honest, they were not that impressed.

I was going to possibly look at them....all of sudden I have been BOMBARDED with Oceania snail mail:confused:

I have actually called them multiple times to stop and take me off their mailing list.......I am continuing to

research things.

We get snail mail four out of five days each week, sometimes two pieces. We have never sailed with them.

We have Elite Plus friends who changed to Oceania and say it's like old Celebrity Century loyalists. When you consider all extras including liquor and excursions are included in the price, the price is competitive.

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