What's with the new overnights?

[Cindy]

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.

 

If my ship was going to overnight in St. Maarten, that is exactly what I'd do! I'd book the best restaurant in Grand Case, make it my big expense of the trip, and have a fantastic meal that I wouldn't ordinarily have the chance to have during a regular cruise stop.

[masterbaker]

We've been discussing this change in our itinerary on our Eclipse M&M thread.

 

A point just brought up by one of the members is the potential for lost casino revenue on the late night and overnight ports. I have to wonder if the ports that have been chosen for extended visits have agreed to allowing normal onboard casino activity especially after most of the shops ashore close for the day.

[swigso]

We've been discussing this change in our itinerary on our Eclipse M&M thread.

 

A point just brought up by one of the members is the potential for lost casino revenue on the late night and overnight ports. I have to wonder if the ports that have been chosen for extended visits have agreed to allowing normal onboard casino activity especially after most of the shops ashore close for the day.

 

I thought this as well, I just wonder that as Aruba/Curaçao have

lots of Casinos if they are allowing the casinos to open in the evening

, last time on the Eclipse we sailed at 10pm from Aruba

which IMHO was time a plenty. I will miss the Poker

Edited May 22, 2015 by swigso

[hcat]

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
  

 

What ports are safe on your own at night?

Evening escorted excursions?

What ports have 24 hr agents to staff re entry..?

Ship staffing for late night re entry?

How shops &:casino can remain open while on extended port call?

Added on board activities for those staying on board?

 

It's a nice idea if not for disrupting already booked cruises and not overnighting in crummy ports!

Also:

MDR lunch while in port?

What is there to do for half a day...which is what many of the add on days seem to offer?

How much should fare be reduced based in fuel savings and fewer ports per cruise ?

Edited May 22, 2015 by hcat

[saltydog77]

Have they already posted the new Itineraries. Particularly interested in an overnight in St. Marteen. Would not break my heart to see it replace a day at St. Thomas.[/quote

 

 

we are on the equinox they are replacing calling at Dominica for a full day in st Martin and overnight that is in november 2016 Jenny and Frank hope it useful.

[texkan]

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?

 

I want Celebrity to tell me where my Infinity Oct 2016 cruise has gone.

I have contacted the Capt Club and also my TA has called Celebrity. All Celebrity will tell us is this sailing is under review by the Revenue department.

 

What is Revenue Dept reviewing???? I booked this cruise to go back to Bonaire. I want Celebrity to advise what is going on :confused:

Edited May 22, 2015 by texkan

[chamima]

I want Celebrity to tell me where my Infinity Oct 2016 cruise has gone.

I have contacted the Capt Club and also my TA has called Celebrity. All Celebrity will tell us is this sailing is under review by the Revenue department.

 

What is Revenue Dept reviewing???? I booked this cruise to go back to Bonaire. I want Celebrity to advise what is going on :confused:

 

 

 

 

:eek:

 

 

 

WAY worse than losing a port!:mad:

[davekathy]

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?

 

Agree. Sometimes the squeaky wheel gets the grease.

[WEGL81]

 

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? .

 

 

By that logic, since I live in Florida near the beach I should just stay home since my two days on St Maarten wouldn't be any different than hanging out at the beach at home, and I wouldn't be paying $4000 to do it. It's a different place with different landscapes and different food and different people and different shops that was one of the deciding factors in booking this specific cruise.

[sdnich]

I will have to say I love the idea of overnights but I would be alittle bit bugged if I would have a change after booking . But would just make the best of it and enjoy the extra time.It was the reason why we booked a cruise in Spain over a year ago when we saw three overnights to allow us to enjoy without worrying about missing the boat!! We have been on Azamara that had an overnight and loved it and will now look for cruises that have that option!!

[delondin]

Its fine for everyone to say just cancel but we are UK and lose our deposit. If we are lucky enough to have a different offer and can transfer our booking we still lose our perks. It's one thing changing itinerary for political/safety/weather reasons but for anything else surely they can implement this with enough notice not to affect cruises already booked. Or at least give option to cancel/move itinerary without penalty. Don't forget for some people this will be the only chance they get to go to some of these places that have been removed.

[Nancyluvs2cruise]

I am very disappointed that they are taking away our port stop in Dominica. I don't even get off the ship in St. Maarten. Been there so many times. Dominica is one of the few places in the Caribbean my BF has not visited and was one of the compelling reasons for booking Equinox. I have significant penalties if I change cruises. I agree, don't change itineraries after the ship is heavily booked, as this sail date is. I for one will be calling the Captain's Club. Missing a port due to weather or political unrest is one thing, but doing it arbitrarily after selling the product is another.

[aquidneck1]

I called concierge and Captains Club. They were not aware until I brought it to their attention. I asked them to let the powers that be know of my dissatisfaction. They have notified me that they cancelled and refunded my shore excursion. So sad that Celebrity is not catering to the already booked clients. We all chose the itineraries for different reasons but many of us are now not getting what we want and those that are happy to have the overnight were fine without it.

[shipshape sam]

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.

 

I actually mention this about a month ago. I am sure this is not connected with my request/question about overnight stays on a cruise in their decision about itinerary changes.

 

We had an overnight in San Francisco in 2009 when our 15 day Panama Canal cruise, 3 days into the cruise, announce that H1N1 virus would prevent us from going to 3 Mexico ports of call. I was deflated. We were already on the cruise. Anyway, went to San Diego for 1/2 day, Catalina Island for a day, and arrived in SF a day early.

 

We loved the ability to tour and get back on ship and then be in SF the next day when we disembarked and headed for wine country.

 

I would love to try some excursions where we did not have to get back onboard ship by 4 pm to set sail. Where I would really love it would be Key West, but alas not sure that would happen. Also, maybe when Havana opens up.

 

When I mention it, Bermuda was the answer I got back

Edited May 22, 2015 by shipshape sam

[breezeone]

The ABC's cruises for October 2016, the October 27 cruise remains, however when I searched for all cruises on Infinity there are none between the beginning of Sept thru the Oct 27 cruise.

 

The ABC cruise had all Pick all perks for C class and above, we got a AQ1 for $2049 with the $300 OBC, Free Gratuities and all the booze me and the Mrs. can drink (worth about $750 per person), makes the net cruise price $1300 per person, no wonder the revenue department is looking at these cruise!

[chemmo]

Recently off the Equinox 11 day ultimate Caribbean. Great cruise, no problems at all. We filled in questionnaire on return. I do not recollect being asked if we would like an overnight, if so where.......not an issue for us but would that sort of information help Celebrity to make the best choices? Has anyone received questionnaires etc about the best places to overnight in the Caribbean?

 

Ask us Celebrity, we will respond and then changes you do make will be the changes we want.

[texkan]

The ABC's cruises for October 2016, the October 27 cruise remains, however when I searched for all cruises on Infinity there are none between the beginning of Sept thru the Oct 27 cruise.

 

The ABC cruise had all Pick all perks for C class and above, we got a AQ1 for $2049 with the $300 OBC, Free Gratuities and all the booze me and the Mrs. can drink (worth about $750 per person), makes the net cruise price $1300 per person, no wonder the revenue department is looking at these cruise!

 

There were (3) ABC October 2016 cruises with an overnight stay in Aruba or Curacao. The Oct 7 and Oct 17, 2016 cruises have gone missing :mad:

 

Trying to find out what Celebrity has done with the (2) missing cruises is maddening. NO answers :confused: So much for overnight stays.

[chamima]

Recently off the Equinox 11 day ultimate Caribbean. Great cruise, no problems at all. We filled in questionnaire on return. I do not recollect being asked if we would like an overnight, if so where.......not an issue for us but would that sort of information help Celebrity to make the best choices? Has anyone received questionnaires etc about the best places to overnight in the Caribbean?

 

Ask us Celebrity, we will respond and then changes you do make will be the changes we want.

 

 

 

Do you really believe that's why these changes are being made?

I wish I could.

[chemmo]

Do I really believe that the changes they make are the changes we want?

 

No, not always. But we do have a vote of booking or not booking. We presently have two cruises booked.... World wide, good room..... We really do love the celebrity product. We love to book well in advance, really do not mind handing over that deposit. But if itineraries change and we cannot see a good rationale behind it (not necessarily for us but for the majority of cruisers) then we would start to look elsewhere.

 

We did not look at other cruise lines 'comparables' for our next two cruises, we wanted the product we know and trust. Trust is a two way relationship, however, and we want Celebrity to listen to the views, opinions, wish lists.....of its very loyal clientele.

 

As my next cruises, at present, are not influenced by the changes in some ways I have no issues. However, I now have the concern that if I book well in advance, which is my choice, I am going to have the worry/concern that a port of call I really want may disappear for an overnight I do not particularly want to be in. By the time that change is made it may be too late for me to swap over to alternative cruise lines.....

 

Again I would request that Celebrity is open and indicates clearly in its long term cruises available that changes could happen and that also it extends its post cruise questionnaires so that the cruisers view is appropriately reflected in the decisions the company then make.

[jagoffee]

Do you really believe that's why these changes are being made?

I wish I could.

 

I certainly have read posts From people who want to stay late in selective ports, but have not read much discussion concerning stayin all night/two days.

[WpgCruise]

Recently off the Equinox 11 day ultimate Caribbean. Great cruise, no problems at all. We filled in questionnaire on return. I do not recollect being asked if we would like an overnight, if so where.......not an issue for us but would that sort of information help Celebrity to make the best choices? Has anyone received questionnaires etc about the best places to overnight in the Caribbean?

 

Ask us Celebrity, we will respond and then changes you do make will be the changes we want.

 

After our last several Celebrity Caribbean cruises, in addition to the standard post cruise eMail survey, (we've several weeks later, or months in one case) also gotten another survey that covered what interest we might have in an overnight stay.

 

In addition to level of interest in the idea, they also asked for choices as to where that overnight might be. IIRC they also at one survey asked for a ranking of numerous Caribbean island we might be interested as ports of call.

 

My experience from this example is that Celebrity is asking us what our interests are, and asking for us to rank the choices.

 

As with any survey there doesn't seem to be any rhyme nor reason as to why I was picked and you were not.

[chemmo]

WPG cruiser, I certainly have no idea re who or who does not get extended questionnaires. We have cruised out of the Caribbean two times in the last two years. We become Elite Plus after our next cruise. We complete all questionnaires sent to us because we believe they are a great way to communicate likes/dislikes.

 

Obviously new cruisers will not have been asked what you have, but I wonder how many other responders to this discussion have received the same questionnaire as you?

 

How hard would it be to ask all cruisers if there was a port of call they would have liked to spend longer at?

 

I have no issues with overnights. Just let us know before we book and if an itinerary is provisional when we book it indicate with a simple asterisk just that

[WpgCruise]

We are funny creatures us Humans aren't we?

 

Some of us demand that Celebrity "Change Up" their dull old Caribbean routes and when they do, we criticise change. One of those examples of "You Can't Be Everything To Everybody"

 

The change for our impacted cruise is now an overnight in Cartagena, and no stop at Costa Maya. My personal choice would not have been an overnight in Cartagena, but having said that, as I was one of the customers asking for change, I'll just go with the flow and have a good time.

 

I agree that if an itinerary is subject to a potential for change to dropping a port and including an overnight it would be nice to know before we booked.

 

Having said that, if Celebrity were to have taken this format it would be 2 years before they could implement overnights, and we have been demanding "Change" now, not in 2 years.

 

We've never booked a cruise with any specific port of call as the driving reason for the cruise. As we all know itineraries are subject to change, that's the agreement we took when we put down our deposit.

 

My attitude ? It is What it Is I'll sit back and enjoy the cruise. We just don't know if it might be our last one or not, and life is just too short to fuss over this.

Edited May 22, 2015 by WpgCruise

[hcat]

The ABC's cruises for October 2016, the October 27 cruise remains, however when I searched for all cruises on Infinity there are none between the beginning of Sept thru the Oct 27 cruise.

 

The ABC cruise had all Pick all perks for C class and above, we got a AQ1 for $2049 with the $300 OBC, Free Gratuities and all the booze me and the Mrs. can drink (worth about $750 per person), makes the net cruise price $1300 per person, no wonder the revenue department is looking at these cruise!

 

Yup...we got a great deal on a nice cozy ship.....but only if we get to take the cruise....something other than pricing must be in the works...we have pretty much written this one off mentally...just waiting for the news!

[Cindy]

 

The change for our impacted cruise is now an overnight in Cartagena, and no stop at Costa Maya. My personal choice would not have been an overnight in Cartagena, but having said that, as I was one of the customers asking for change, I'll just go with the flow and have a good time.

 

 

My cruise is also dropping Costa Maya for an overnight in Cartagena, and I'm kind of excited. I have a couple ideas for things I'd like to do that I couldn't do during a regular port call, and I've already requested information from the person we're touring with during the day as well as another tour provider.

 

Of course, it's easy for me to say it's fine, because I've been to Costa Maya multiple times, and I'll be there again in December.:o Our main goal in booking the cruise was to see the Panama Canal, and that hasn't changed. The fact that three ports are new to us (Puerto Limon, Colon, and Cartagena) is great, and the rest of them are just places we visit frequently as far as we're concerned!:)