Celebrity Fatigue

[cle-guy]

I feel the same way and have expressed it the same way to others --- I'd be happy to be on a ship that just made great circles in the ocean for a week and then returned to port. :)

 

Speaking of RCI, we are doing the next best thing to a week long "cruise to nowhere" next fall -- the (not yet launched) Anthem of the Seas' TA from Southampton to Cape Liberty: 8 nights, NO ports. It's not the kind of ship we'd normally sail (too big, more like an amusement park), but we are actually very excited about trying something so new and different (after three wonderful TAs on Celebrity), particularly when the ship is not likely to be overrun with kids.

 

Thanks for the Anthem tip! I just emailed my TA tis morning to see about detail on Quantums crossing this spring. Suites are all gone, but know they will open at final payment.

 

I've never done the west bound trip and want to do so, so I just sent her a note to look to Anthem for me. I also like arriving to NYC as I can get a 45 minute flight back to Ohio, and visit some friends there in NY/NJ at the same time.

[M&Dcruisers]

I am also becoming blasé about the Celebrity experience. I've sailed exclusively with them and am at the Elite Plus loyalty level. The cruise used to feel special and pampering and now it is a little mundane. We don't eat at the specialty restaurants anymore since we find the menus have not changed for a long time. We find ourselves skipping the MDR more often and just grabbing something at the Oceanview café. We enjoy trivia, bingo and other daytime activities. However we feel as though they are doing these less and less these days. We are now looking at other cruise lines in order to get that old excitement back again.

[cle-guy]

Speaking of RCI, we are doing the next best thing to a week long "cruise to nowhere" next fall -- the (not yet launched) Anthem of the Seas' TA from Southampton to Cape Liberty: 8 nights, NO ports.

 

YAHOO! Booked into a grand loft suite....got the last one. :D:):D:)

 

Looks like I'll skip my spring TA and do the fall one instead!

[markf]

I am about to board my 3rd cruise in 12 months-- March 2014 NCL --Sept 2014 X--and in a few weeks my first with Princess.. 25th overall.

I too am not that excited-- as in counting the days excited!--

I often wonder how some people do it--On a different cruise line and thread a person is writing on his 6th or 7th round the world cruise of at least 90 days.

He writes each day with enthusiasm as does his wife.

I wonder how each day can be so wonderful, how each meal the best ever, how each crew member the most responsive..or is he being paid by the cruise line? Perhaps the latter!!

[C 2 C]

We celebrated our 157th Celebrity cruise today onboard Reflection.

 

I checked the weather back home...

 

On the way to San Juan, it's 80 degrees plus, the sun is shining, the seas are racing with 8 to 10 foot waves.

 

Our laundry just came back... no chores, no honey-do lists, no phone calls, probably 50 different ding menus options tonight...

 

Cruising fatigue, the smiling faces, the waiters trying to fill my glass, a fabulous singer in the theatre tonight or stroll old San Juan....

 

There are push and pull factors at work but no other line has offered us more consistent service, quality food nor a Celebrity-family environment than what this cruise line offers.

 

We are spoiled as we have never been before.

 

Until Celebrity pushes us away, we have no intention to play the field.

 

There are other itineraries that may entice us eventually but contentment is spelled C-E-L-E-B-R-I-T-Y...

 

Sent from our Reflection ocean view condo two hours from San Juan......

[parallax]

As you can see, a devoted crowd is forming to hear about your cruise experience. And as you become aware of the "what to expect" for going on a new cruise line, I saw this tid bit I would pass your way regarding the smoking policy which I copied/pasted from the MSC website.

 

 

 

Smoking is permitted in several bars on each ship, and on one side (indicated by signage) of the principal outdoor pool deck areas, where ashtrays are provided.

 

 

P.S. Just for fun, I went to the MSC website this morning to check on a few itineraries I would be interested in trying. I attempted to do a "dummy booking" just to see what price and availability were for those itineraries. Anyway, and a long story short, the MSC website is having problems and kicked me out all together. I have attempted 3 different times today and no luck so far. I guess Celebrity has company in the "crappy website" department. :rolleyes:

 

I find the MSC website pretty brutal. Originally, we were going to book directly with the cruise line but ended up booking on one of the major cruise websites. We saved about $400 by booking with them.

 

I will make sure to share my findings about the MSC Divina. However, do not expect me to report on whether the carpets are stained, etc. I won't follow the model that was the precursor to the Adriatic cruise. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2055146&highlight=parallax

[vulcan1971]

I find the MSC website pretty brutal. Originally, we were going to book directly with the cruise line but ended up booking on one of the major cruise websites. We saved about $400 by booking with them.

 

I will make sure to share my findings about the MSC Divina. However, do not expect me to report on whether the carpets are stained, etc. I won't follow the model that was the precursor to the Adriatic cruise. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2055146&highlight=parallax

 

That certainly was one hilarious thread post! :D

[foodsvcmgr]

We began sailing Celebrity after many (9) nearly consecutive sailings on Holland America. Were "fatigued" by never changing menus and the overall sameness, never varied whether sailing from Venice, San Diego, or Ft. Lauderdale.

 

Soon to take our third with Celebrity, with two more under deposit.

 

However, we are thinking of switching one of those to Cunard. Having not been on QUEEN MARY 2 since 2010, might be time to "mix it up".

 

Our main goal as others have expressed is relaxation away from the workplace, but it's a fine line between "familiar" and "monotonous".

[Turtles06]

YAHOO! Booked into a grand loft suite....got the last one. :D:):D:)

 

Looks like I'll skip my spring TA and do the fall one instead!

 

I was going to say you should come join the Roll Call, but I see you've already done that as well! :) Welcome aboard!

[happygran]

We love Celebrity but for many reasons we've sailed with a variety of lines.........not from choice, but from necessity...........

 

Some lines we hate as soon as we board, some come a poor second to Celebrity........we've enjoyed them all.......we're at sea after all.............

 

But it has made us appreciate Celebrity all the more..........it's still our line of choice.......warts and all............better than the opposition............

 

We will still cruise with different lines, but our hearts are always with Celebrity.......(we've seen the alternatives).............

[fleckle]

.........We love Celebrity and it has been our go to cruise line and we will definitely be back. However, we have decided to try the Yacht Club on the MSC Divina. Our excitement levels have risen again. I know that some on the board will question the choice but I find comparisions between cruise line experiences so subjective.

 

Has any loyal Celebrity cruisers experienced the same such fatigue?

No, we haven't because we enjoy variety, so we like to try different experiences.

 

As much as I like Celebrity, I can't even imagine limiting myself to only one or two cruise lines, or even to cruise vacations exclusively.

Our next two vacations coming up will be land trips -- no cruise at all.

 

But then there are some people who always order the same flavor of ice cream every time too.

Different strokes -- whatever makes one happy.

 

[goodycruising]

We did a fortnight in Melbourne last year, and that made us appreciate so much the convenience of being able to easily walk to all the food we desire, and the bars and shows. So easy to walk back to your cabin. No smelly taxis, and the costs of all those things on land really add up.

 

We also really missed the socialising that happens on board. Nod and say hello to people in the city and they think you are a weirdo.

 

I get the points made here, but I just love looking at the sea go by. We like the ports too, but find if they are cities then there are more options than beachy/island type ports.

 

If you want to do something else, go for it! The idea is to enjoy the anticipation as well as the holiday.

[matondo]

In November we took our longest cruise ever, 11 nights. Which I know is nothing for some of you folks. Anyway, towards the end of the cruise my DH and DD were pretty much ready to get off the ship and I feeling sad it was almost over.

 

Not sure how people I love so much can feel that way about a cruise but as I have learned, everyone is different. I even took a solo cruise in 2013 with my DH's blessing.

 

As for cruise line burn out, I hope that day never arrives for me but is sure would save me a boatload of money.:p

[4774Papa]

We have not reached the fatigue level, but must admit that we are feeling wearing the same glove over and over.

 

We still get excited about our cruises with Celebrity, especially since our last cruises (B2B) were on the NCL Star. We enjoyed those cruises, but look forward to getting back to Celebrity.

 

Also, after two cruises in Asia this year with Celebrity, we have a Douro River cruise with Vantage in May 2016. It is nice to change up and do a river cruise here and there.

 

We still compare itinerary and price with Princess, HAL and Royal, but have yet to cruise with them for whatever reason.

 

We lived overseas and did a lot of land trips using rail, car or bus. Still, travel excites.

 

I have been to 62 countries and expect within 3 years to top off at 80, but I still enjoy going back to some places.

 

Still, we have been to Venice (love the city) 6 or 7 times and have no interest in going there. There is a certain jading that happens with travel.

 

I will say that having been to Hong Kong in 1981 that going back in 2012 was quite interesting. The city had really changed. It had grown (more skyscrapers) and was more modern and appeared cleaner. Also, some places like Aberdeen Harbor was very different. In 81, there were row after row of sampans with people living in them on the water. In 2012, there were mainly fishing boats and yachts and very few people living in the harbor.

[keithm]

I " met " Celebrity in January 2012 after sailing exclusively on Regent.

I loved Celebrity's new Solstice ships, Aqua class and the great value. $2-300$ per night per cabin, I was traveling solo paying the single supplement.

I've since sailed enough to be Elite plus.

I began to get bored with the fourteen day menus last year, and the same repetitive lunch buffet items. The specialty restaurant menus never change. So after three consecutive years on Celebrity, I ( now we ) are taking a one year break.

Sailing on Seabourn last year, one day after exiting the Reflection was an eye opener for us given that we now only book a suite on Celebrity ( price is similar ). The food on Seabourn was fabulous, the menus were fresh, the service was personalized and the itineraries are way better .

I'm hoping Celebrity has a menu/ restaurant makeover in our absence . It's time.

We have four future Celebrity sailings held/ booked for 2016-7 hoping that the new Suite restaurant is a success, and Celebrity gets a long deserved food/ restaurant makeover .

Seaborne is a "luxury" line, wearas Celebrity is a "premium" line. Quite a difference in expectations.

[TLCOhio]

I loved Celebrity's new Solstice ships, Aqua class and the great value. $2-300$ per night per cabin, I was traveling solo paying the single supplement. I began to get bored with the fourteen day menus last year, and the same repetitive lunch buffet items. The specialty restaurant menus never change. So after three consecutive years on Celebrity, I ( now we ) are taking a one year break.

 

As expressed above and earlier by many other thoughtful, experienced cruise experts on this thread, it is possible to get a little in the mood to "experience something new and different". We've only done five cruises since starting with the Greek Isles/Turkish Coast in June 2006. We've done two with Celebrity, the Med in 2001 and early last year for Australia-New Zealand. We will soon depart for a Jan. 25-Feb. 20, 2015, Amazon River-Caribbean combo back-to-back sailing over 26 days on the Silversea Silver Cloud. Smaller cruise ship, more "personal" setting for this more unique sailing where a larger Solstice-type craft would not work very well.. The first four cruise were all in Europe.

 

For us, it is first and foremost about the itinerary, where we are heading and what we will see/experience. The ship is of importance, but more of a "bonus" on the trip. We will also work to be "creative" with what we do in these distant area both and/or after the cruise itself.

 

The good news is that there are lots of options out there from the different cruise lines. Plus, companies such as Celebrity are seeking more potential locations beyond the tradition "base" of the Caribbean.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Enjoyed a 14-day Celebrity Solstice, Jan. 20-Feb. 3, 2014, Sydney to Auckland adventure, getting a big sampling for the wonders of "down under” before and after this cruise. Go to:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1974139

for more info and pictures of these amazing sights in this great part of the world. Now at 91,904 views for this posting.

[varoo]

We love Celebrity and it has been our go to cruise line and we will definitely be back. However, we have decided to try the Yacht Club on the MSC Divina. Our excitement levels have risen again. I know that some on the board will question the choice but I find comparisions between cruise line experiences so subjective.

So don't make comparisons, but enjoy each experience for what it offers.

 

There is no reason why you can't ride in a pickup truck one time, and a limousine another time, and a sports car another, and ride a bicycle another time, and enjoy them all.

 

[vizgal]

We change it up every single vacation. I would go crazy cruising on same line same ports year after year. We will never be elite on any line because of this. After 5 cruises spread across celebrity, princess, and royal-I didn't think I would want to cruise again. Then I read about the haven on NCL and aqua spa on celebrity. So, as long as lines continue to add new things to keep us fickle people happy, I suspect we will try a cruise every other year.

 

 

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[Duanerice1]

We took 2 years off from cruising then did 2 this year. One was a last minute Carnival 7 night for my wife's birthday ant he other was the Equinox 10 night. Totally different experiences but liked them both. But the Carnival, although nice reminded us why we like Celebrity.

 

If I could afford to go in the Yacht Club I would surely try it. That sounds very interesting.

 

I don't have anything else booked until 2016 but every May we check the last minute prices for my wife's birthday and it is never Celebrity because they aren't in the South East at that time. Our other vacation of choice is Las Vegas :)

 

 

enjoy,

[MizDemeanor]

If getaways are not looked forward to with excitement then it's time to reconsider imho.

 

Not everyone has to cruise several times a year, or several years in a row, or at all.

 

Go with what feel right to you, and most of all be excited about it.

[dblane]

I totally agree with this. For us cruising is less about the food, the entertainment and socializing than it is about relaxation. When we do land-based vacations they are invariably busy, involve extended family and sight-seeing because we are interested in things.

This is our 5th X cruise coming up. I hope we will do more.

 

I agree with you. My sister and I cruise together to just get away and relax. I see you are sailing Equinox just before us. We sailed on her inaugural transatlantic, she's a favorite. Wishing you calm seas and blue skies.

[Kevnzworld]

Seaborne is a "luxury" line, wearas Celebrity is a "premium" line. Quite a difference in expectations.

 

True. But Seabourn's cabin is about the size of one of Celebrity's suites, and now roughly the same price. So one would " expect " a similar experience.

I'm not giving up on Celebrity, just taking a one year hiatus in the hopes that they refresh and update the menus and the new a Suite restaurant is a game changer.

[awhfy]

We cruised Royal this fall for the first time (with cruise friends we met on Celebrity). The 5-8 cocktail hour for diamond was nice, really liked the dedicated lounge, hated the food in MDR, loved Chops, despised the smoking in the casino (saved lots of $$), didn't care about pool games, had a great time with our friends & we're looking forward to another great cruise on Celebrity in March. Would we do another Royal? Maybe depending on itinerary & if our friends were on it... Prefer Celebrity but are thinking about Haven too

 

 

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[cle-guy]

True. But Seabourn's cabin is about the size of one of Celebrity's suites, and now roughly the same price. So one would " expect " a similar experience.

I'm not giving up on Celebrity, just taking a one year hiatus in the hopes that they refresh and update the menus and the new a Suite restaurant is a game changer.

 

Are Seabourn's ships really only carrying 200 to 400 passengers or so? They look real nice, I just looked at them given your cabin descriptions, but for me, I need more people to enjoy the trip.

[maggie.1008]

We have met more friends on the luxury small ships than we have on X ships. On the small ships you see the same people everyday. Have met really fun friends.