What's with the new overnights?

[jagoffee]

After reading all of the posts on this thread, I went to Celebrity web and checked our March 2017 and sure enough Dominica has been dropped and replaced with the overnight in St. Maarten. Where they dock in St. Maarten always gives us a lovely view of the container ships and run down docks. Lovely. The main reason I booked this cruise was because we had never been to Dominica. We have been to all of the other ports. Final pay is a long time away so will have to decide what to do. Not a happy cruiser.

 

You have had some very bad luck. I have been to St. Maarten many times and I am not sure that I have ever had a view of container ships and run down docks.

 

I was on a late night departure once in St, Maarten and enjoyed a sunset cruise on an old sailing ship.

[MisterBill99]

They can win. Offer something new and then sell it! Don't sell one product and then change it after it's been bought.

Right -- the idea was great, it's the execution that was poor.

 

Consumer and trade research indicates this is something they desire,” Ritzenthaler said.

 

I believe this statement is very true. I have said for years that I wished ships either stayed in port later or overnight. In my case I do not necessarily like the particulars (removing Bonaire), but I loved the overall idea.

Staying later is great. I rent a car in St. Maarten and always rush back to the ship in because I'm concerned that I will hit traffic and miss the ship. In Cozumel I can see that they would be able to have a longer stay at the ruins if they didn't have to worry about the ship leaving. That 10 hour excursion often got back late, anyway.

[Oville]

I am not one to have dinner off the ship' date=' but if you have never tried Rijsttafel, this may be an opportunity.[/quote']

 

Thanks, for sure we will be having dinner in Willemstad, it's a 14 nighter and eating out one night is quite appealing.

Edited May 22, 2015 by Oville

[Oville]

They can win. Offer something new and then sell it! Don't sell one product and then change it after it's been bought.

 

We are on the same cruise and I know you are disappointed about Grenada as are we. The difference is I'm researching dinner and excursion options and looking forward to the overnight. We'll probably rent a car the first day and hit a beach/hotel with day pass, eat dinner in Willemstad, and then tour Wilmemstad the second day.

 

If I had a $1,000 (a day) for each time a cruise line made changes or canceled cruises for charters, I'd have a nice chunk of change put away.

[UniPac]

Infinity Oct 7, Oct 17, 2016 were overnights but have disappeared from Celebrity Website. Infinity Oct 27, 2016, is an overnight in Aruba that is still on the Celebrity Website.

 

Celebrity has not advised were Oct 7, 2016 and Oct 17, 2016, have gone :confused:

 

On my german TA site (that has already listed all the overnight changes for each cruise) both dates are 100% booked - normally that happens if there is a charter or drydock coming up.

It is also possible that the 20days will result in one charter plus one new itinerary - that happened to the Equinox last year, two cruises we have been "monitoring" cause they were in our time frame were cancelled because of a charter and then they set up a new itinerary which was perfect for us and we booked!

[waterbug123]

 

I do not know what to do during night in Colombia - I do not feel safe enough there to be out at night.

 

Well, if the ship was on the move during the night, you wouldn't be out on the open ocean in a dinghy, so why feel like you have to be out in Cartagena during the middle of the night just because that's where the ship is? :confused:

Just do what you would normally do in the evening- have dinner and enjoy shipboard activities.

 

Have you ever been to St Maarten? The last time we were there we took a 4 hr tour around the island, and that included an hour stop in Marigot and a half hour stop in Maho Beach. How much more is there to do? I believe you when you suggest that businesses (and the cruise line) will try to have nightlife and longer excursions. But I can't think of anything they might do that would interest me. What would have interested me was the stop in Dominica, where I have never been.

 

Just curious- what would you have done differently in Dominica? Don't get me wrong, it's always nice to go somewhere you haven't been before, but what would your day there have consisted of? A drive to the beach to spend a few hours? Would that really be that different than doing the same on St. Maarten? I'm not saying it would or wouldn't but a lot of people do the same basic thing regardless of what island they're on, so some be making a bigger deal out of this than it has to be.

 

On our cruise this summer, the stop in Athens has been eliminated and instead we will overnight in Istanbul. We are already arriving 2 days early so will have some time in Istanbul even without the overnight, and were looking forward to taking the hydrofoil over to the island of Aegina while the ship was in Athens. I could get myself all up in arms about it and let my anger fester, but what good does that do? While I'm disappointed that we won't get to visit Aegina, I figure it's one day out of 7 and it isn't the end of the world, so we're shrugging out shoulders and going with it.

[aquidneck1]

Arriving in St Maarten at 2PM the day before the scheduled day long docking does not give the opportunity to "not rush back". It really gives little opportunity to schedule an active tour as it is late in the day and it will really only save the ship money as people eat and drink off the boat.

 

Considering that we are in Phillipsburg, it would make for an expensive evening to try to get to the French side for a special meal.

 

Overnights are fine if they are done properly and without removing the opportunities that were originally purchased.

[UniPac]

Well, if the ship was on the move during the night, you wouldn't be out on the open ocean in a dinghy, so why feel like you have to be out in Cartagena during the middle of the night just because that's where the ship is? :confused:

Just do what you would normally do in the evening- have dinner and enjoy shipboard activities.

 

Maybe it was not clear what I meant. Of course I will have dinner and enjoy the ship - but I can do that while travelling to another exciting port, so there is no use of being the night at Cartagena. Plus I loose the visit at Costa Maya.

I like overnights - I was in Venice overnight and in Barcelona - but that's different from Colombia I think. Plus I chose the cruise with overnight as my decision. This time, X altered all the cruises knowing that a lot of ppl already booked on them. They should do such changes before they publish the itinerary.

[chemmo]

I think that the real issue here is not about overnights. It is about booking one thing and then finding that it has changed.

 

Yes, you can then swap if you don't like the change but you booked the first itinerary because out of the full world 2/3 year programme that was the itinerary you really liked and met your needs!

 

We all know owing to political issues and climatic anomalies sometimes changes will be made, often at the last minute.

 

My next two cruises (at present) have no changes but they both are 'bucket list' destinations for me. Places I may never go to again. I want as many ports of call as possible, I have no desire to see a lot more of one place at the cost of totally missing another.

 

I would prefer Celebrity, on itineraries that they are possibly looking at changes for, to release them with asterisk. Then you would make your provisional booking, open to the idea of possible changes.

[Snit13]

Consumer and trade research indicates this is something they desire,” Ritzenthaler said.

 

I believe this statement is very true. I have said for years that I wished ships either stayed in port later or overnight.

In my case I do not necessarily like the particulars (removing Bonaire), but I loved the overall idea.

 

I agree totally, but not after we have selected a cruise and booked. I booked that cruise just for the one port and now it is gone.

[Snit13]

You have had some very bad luck. I have been to St. Maarten many times and I am not sure that I have ever had a view of container ships and run down docks.

 

I was on a late night departure once in St, Maarten and enjoyed a sunset cruise on an old sailing ship.

 

We always book AQUA PORT SIDE. Trust me port side faces the container ships and run down docks. Not a beautiful site. What do you see on star....side?

[phoenix_dream]

Bummed that our February 2016 cruise now has dropped Bonaire for an overnight in Curacao. First, why in the world not overnight in Aruba instead as there is much more to do!?! Second, one of the reasons we picked this cruise was because we had never been to Bonaire. I guess we may never get there:(.

 

And to those who say, you asked for changes so why all the complaining. Duh. As I have said on these boards many times in response to people who say old-timers like me just do not like change - all change is NOT good. Just because it's a change doesn't automatically make it good and mean I have to like it. The idea of overnights per se is a good one. Some of the choices they have made to implement it are certainly not.

[chamima]

Thanks, for sure we will be having dinner in Willemstad, it's a 14 nighter and eating out one night is quite appealing.

 

 

 

If you're on a 14 night cruise you're already eating out for all 14 nights!

 

 

 

 

 

Just curious- what would you have done differently in Dominica? Don't get me wrong, it's always nice to go somewhere you haven't been before, but what would your day there have consisted of? A drive to the beach to spend a few hours? Would that really be that different than doing the same on St. Maarten? I'm not saying it would or wouldn't but a lot of people do the same basic thing regardless of what island they're on, so some be making a bigger deal out of this than it has to be.

 

.

 

 

I am on phoenixdream's cruise - the stop we're losing is Bonaire.

We were looking forward to snorkeling there.

I don't think Curacao has the same beautiful reef that Bonaire has so THAT's what we would have done differently! :(

 

And we also LOVED that the cruise did all 3 of the ABC islands. So sorry to lose that.

I get the feeling more and more that we're just not the customers that Celebrity wants. It's not one thing - it's the totality of a whole bunch of little things.

Edited May 22, 2015 by chamima

[shipshape sam]

For years & years, every time Celebrity releases their new Caribbean schedules, I have read so many posts of " same old, same old, can't they ever do something new?" Now they try something new & we get "boy, they screwed up my cruise!" They absolutely cannot win.

 

Might have been nice to try a couple of sailings vs as many as they are trying or adjust some itineraries that are way out having recently been released. Or even better, release itineraries with overnights before anyone has booked. I can see how people are disappointed.

 

But you are right, it is hard to please everyone.

[rqd]

Celebrity can spin it anyway they want, but I think they did it for the crew.

 

I can't recall a message on these boards begging a cruise line to offer overnight stays in the Caribbean. If people were asking, maybe I just missed it.

 

This will be a great benefit for the crew and Celebrity's ability to retain them.

[MVPinBoynton]

If you're on a 14 night cruise you're already eating out for all 14 nights!

 

 

 

 

 

I am on phoenixdream's cruise - the stop we're losing is Bonaire.

We were looking forward to snorkeling there.

I don't think Curacao has the same beautiful reef that Bonaire has so THAT's what we would have done differently! :(

 

And we also LOVED that the cruise did all 3 of the ABC islands. So sorry to lose that.

I get the feeling more and more that we're just not the customers that Celebrity wants. It's not one thing - it's the totality of a whole bunch of little things.

 

Hi Karen,

I do like overnighting in ports for many reasons and am glad that X is moving to it; but changing itineraries that are already being booked is. We are missing Antigua for a Curacao night. Actually an extra day there, since we were going to be there until 11:00 PM anyway. One of the reasons we have enjoyed Oceania, is that they have lots of overnights. But for next year's 14 night southern Caribbean cruise in the Caribbean, there aren't any. Spending the night in the Caribbean isn't as big a deal, since they can stay in ports later if they wanted, since the islands are quite close.

[RodPat]

I can understand why some people are complaining if they booked a cruise for a certain itinerary and now a port is dropped so they can do an overnight in another port. We are sailing Infinity Oct 27, 2016 and we picked that because of the overnight in Aruba. We booked this back in January. Perhaps these sailings we going so fast that Celebrity thought it a good idea to add some to other dates. Aruba has some great restaurants that I want to go to in the evening and also great hotels with casinos that pay better than the one on the ship. Would love to do an overnight in St. Maarten as we would love to go to the French side and not worry about traffic coming back and missing the ship.

 

Pat

[Calebo]

We are on a cruise on the Equinox in Feb 2016. I have heard of the overnights, and went on the website, We are in Cartagena until 4am the next day and into Panama at the same time as originally scheduled. We do not miss a port. I am already scouring the websites for evening tours. When thrown a lemon, make lemonade :)

[MisterBill99]

If you're on a 14 night cruise you're already eating out for all 14 nights!

Let's not make this a discussion about food. There are people who say "food is food" and don't care if they eat in MDR or the buffet. Similarly, even if the food on the cruise ship is very good, you cannot compare it with eating at a great restaurant on an island. In St. Maarten there are some phenomenal places over on the French side (probably on the Dutch side as well). Even the nicest place on the ship won't compare, and you'd be paying almost $50 to eat there.

 

My biggest regret on our NCL Hawaii cruise many years ago was that I didn't think to go have dinner in a Maui restaurant when we over-nighted there. I even had a rental car parked in the lot. We even ate in the French restaurant on board that night. It just never occurred to me to go out at night. On the other hand, when we had a late port stop in San Juan a few years ago, I made plans in advance and found a nice place walking distance from the pier and had dinner there. Much different than eating on the ship.

[jagoffee]

I agree totally, but not after we have selected a cruise and booked. I booked that cruise just for the one port and now it is gone.

 

Good point. I am disappointed in missing Bonaire. If you cannot get your deposit back if you cancel then it is really a bummer. I would think you would deserve a waiver and dpfull refund. Although I am disappointed I would still book my two cruise affected. I would not want to give up the deals I have, but I take comfort that I can get. Full refund if I want.

[hcat]

Well, if the ship was on the move during the night, you wouldn't be out on the open ocean in a dinghy, so why feel like you have to be out in Cartagena during the middle of the night just because that's where the ship is? :confused:

Just do what you would normally do in the evening- have dinner and enjoy shipboard activities.

 

 

 

Just curious- what would you have done differently in Dominica? Don't get me wrong, it's always nice to go somewhere you haven't been before, but what would your day there have consisted of? A drive to the beach to spend a few hours? Would that really be that different than doing the same on St. Maarten? I'm not saying it would or wouldn't but a lot of people do the same basic thing regardless of what island they're on, so some be making a bigger deal out of this than it has to be.

5

On our cruise this summer, the stop in Athens has been eliminated and instead we will overnight in Istanbul. We are already arriving 2 days early so will have some time in Istanbul even without the overnight, and were looking forward to taking the hydrofoil over to the island of Aegina while the ship was in Athens. I could get myself all up in arms about it and let my anger fester, but what good does that do? While I'm disappointed that we won't get to visit Aegina, I figure it's one day out of 7 and it isn't the end of the world, so we're shrugging out shoulders and going with it.

 

sorry, while I follow your point...not all ports are cookie cutter...Dominica and St Maarten are not at all similar. Dominica is unspoiled and as yet not a shopping port unless local and Indian crafts, spices , There lush waterfalls, and pools....beautiful hiking areas. Beaches not typical sand....no hamburgers! Sorry someone will be missing this wonderful port....

[chamima]

Is it just me or has anyone else noticed that all of the ports that have been eliminated seem to be the smaller, less commercial ones?

 

Maybe I'm cynical but ............... :( .. :confused: .. :(

[hcat]

Arriving in St Maarten at 2PM the day before the scheduled day long docking does not give the opportunity to "not rush back". It really gives little opportunity to schedule an active tour as it is late in the day and it will really only save the ship money as people eat and drink off the boat.

 

Considering that we are in Phillipsburg, it would make for an expensive evening to try to get to the French side for a special meal.

 

Overnights are fine if they are done properly and without removing the opportunities that were originally purchased.

 

Agree

not many arrive mid afternoon on day one so you are getting day and a half with an overnight sitting docked, while losing cruising time and full port day elsewhere

 

Celebrity must be saving alot on fuel costs,.. ...lost revenue for the locals in the deleted ports!

[chamima]

Just spoke to someone at Celebrity. I was given this email to voice my complaint --

 

celebrityguestrelations@RCCL.com

 

Maybe if enough people complain we can get Bonaire back.

 

Marcia

 

Hi again-

You can probably tell I am really upset about this itinerary change.

 

My friend, who is also on our cruise (but not part of CC) just called the Captain's Club to complain. She was told that her call is being registered as a negative comment call and if there are enough of these negative calls they might actually listen to their customers and restore the original itinerary.

 

SO CALL THE CAPTAIN"S CLUB (1 800 760-0654) and tell them you want them to restore the stop in Bonaire.

 

Marcia

 

 

People on our Roll Call are pretty upset and have decided to at least let Celebrity know what we think of this change (of course it's in hopes of them reversing it).

Maybe if everyone on these boards also took the time to do this it might make a difference.

Can't hurt - right?

[cle-guy]

I imagine determining overnight ports comes with lots of nuances and variables.

• what ports are such that people can come and go at all hours?
  
• what ports have berthing space available for extended periods of a large ship?
  
• what ports have some sort of decent night life, or local cuisine that is worth of staying overnight?
  
• what ports might be willing to offer the best "deal" for the cruise line to stay there