"Some amazing changes coming to Celebrity fleet" announcement mid-week this week!

[The_Big_M]

Nope, the "golf balls" are aft. It appears that the Rooftop Terrace will be between the four balls. Those four large white blobs won't add to the ambiance of the place, that's for sure.

 

 

It's ironic. When these ships were built, they were leaders with dedicated upscale cinemas.

 

Then they removed them for the sake of increased revenue when 'solsticising.'

 

And now they put back an inferior substitute elsewhere.

[SantaFeFan]

That picture is fairly old. There are now 6 golf balls with the newest set further aft. There were added sometime after the deck 11 cabins.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

 

Yikes!!!! That sure is an old photo that I posted. Not sure where my head was at when I posted that ancient photo. :D

 

Thanks for the updated photos. ;)

Edited October 9, 2015 by SantaFeFan

[cle-guy]

It's ironic. When these ships were built, they were leaders with dedicated upscale cinemas.

 

Then they removed them for the sake of increased revenue when 'solsticising.'

 

And now they put back an inferior substitute elsewhere.

 

If consumers wanted cinemas they would still be on the ships. No one needs a dedicated movie theater anymore as we've all seen all the movies now on our iPads, Apple TV, Pay Per View, On demand, while flying on in the plane, or just on HBO. If consumers were showing their desire for Normandie versus Tuscan, it wouldn't be changing.

 

There was also a time when there were only a few cruise ships on the water, and they were all full of pomp and circumstance, formality all the time. The industry has evolved to suit the desires of the consumers who are using the product, pure and simple. If this were not the case, there would be new ships on order, high share value etc.

 

Oh and of course there are options that still provide the old-school pomp and circumstance, that come with the old-school price tag too in many cases.

 

If things remained as they were without innovation and following the consumer trends and tastes....We would be discussing Renaissance Crusie lines. Oh wait, they don't exist anymore.

[need2bespoiled]

After the Deck 11? I was assuming they were added for internet and TV based on age of prior image.

 

Wonder what they do.

 

One thing I've never seen discussed on CC is that X is the 1st cruise line to go to all electronic charts, no more paper maps. Captain told us this on our TA crossing to Rome, said the new protocol was adopted just in April. Wonder if the new golf balls are related to such guidance systems....

 

From the old image, what USED to be up top I see a couple glass covered atrium looking spaces...?

 

Originally I assumed they were added when the new deck 11 cabins were added but then I found many images with those cabins but without the extra antennas. But I knew those antennas where there as I've walked by them enough times, and I just took pics of Summit yesterday.

 

I have no doubt they navigate with electronic charts but still have paper charts as a back-up somewhere on the bridge.

 

I am guessing you're right it's for internet or other communication from ship to shore, which would allow them to update electronic charts, but not needed for navigation itself. They could also be enhanced TV, but I doubt that. If you're not a "mariner" then I'll bore you with what follows: Navigation has a few basic parts

 

GPS - tells you where you are, the receivers are extremely small, and extremely accurate

 

Charts (electronic or otherwise) - shows you a mapping both land and the sea bed including depths (generally at mean lower low water). Electronic charts, combined GPS shows where you are on a chart

 

Gyroscope (Compass) - Tells you where north is

 

AIS - Sends out where you are, where you're going (next port), what your speed is, what your current course is, size of vessel (and much more) which can be tracked by any vessel (see MarineTraffic.com), and can show it on your electronic chart. Interestingly enough, Celebrity doesn't always publicly transmit their AIS data as there are different levels of publication of this data.

 

Radar - Shows you what reflects back and is near you, and where it is moving over time. It can detect weather, other ships/boats, birds and more Usually they overlay it with GPS and Chart Data

 

Depth sounder (Sonar transducers) - shows you the actual depth beneath the hull at the given point in time

 

Autopilot while it doesn't really tell you where you are, or where you're going, it keeps you on the course that you set.

 

All of this stuff is pretty small except for maybe the radar, and of course it is bigger for larger craft, with multiple versions of each with lots of redundancy, but many 30-40 ft boats, especially ocean going sailboats have it all.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

[need2bespoiled]

Most agree that Tuscan is likely more profitable. That isn't a reason just to replace it as your response implies.

 

It's also likely more profitable to make the toilets pay per use in each of the public areas of the ship. From your assumption, it would be expected to occur in the next renovation. :rolleyes:

 

Seriously? Do you own a business? You think pay for toilets would make them MORE profitable? :rolleyes: :(

 

Celebrity is a business, and a profitable one at that and their smart enough to realize that profit is not all about costs or ancillary revenue. They know the amenities, whether their profit centers or not, need to attract customers.

 

Whether the food and experience was amazing or not, Murano and their M-Class equivalents was old school, and not modern at all.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

[cle-guy]

I have no doubt they navigate with electronic charts but still have paper charts as a back-up somewhere on the bridge.

a

 

We asked the Captain about this, he said well yes they are someplace for a few places, but the truth is they are obsolete the moment they are printed to the paper, so relying on them as they age and over time is not a good idea, and as they won't be replaced over time they are even less reliable as time nominees ahead.

[ghstudio]

As I recall, there is no handicapped access to deck 12...no elevator goes to that deck and there are no escalators. I wonder how Celebrity will handle those in wheelchairs and those who require assistance walking who want to watch the movies. Will this run afoul of the various American and foreign ADA type laws or will there be some sort of additional access added?

[cle-guy]

Originally I assumed they were added when the new deck 11 cabins were added but then I found many images with those cabins but without the extra antennas. But I knew those antennas where there as I've walked by them enough times, and I just took pics of Summit yesterday.

 

So I am still left wondering what came about after the cabins were added the necessitated the addition of the extra golf balls......all the technical stuff in your good mariner recap, must have already existed even BEFORE the added cabins. Unless the new balls are getting ready for the VOOM internet....?Or did they change internet?

 

Wonder if Connie also has the extra balls?

 

Something.....but what? :confused:

[need2bespoiled]

We asked the Captain about this, he said well yes they are someplace for a few places, but the truth is they are obsolete the moment they are printed to the paper, so relying on them as they age and over time is not a good idea, and as they won't be replaced over time they are even less reliable as time nominees ahead.

 

The same could be said for electronic charts. They're not updated live, they're published in a database, like this:

 

https://sites.google.com/site/nauticalfree

 

Where each country generally hosts its charts for its waters. NOAA doesn't update every chart, every day, or even monthly or yearly. It only changes when they have new data anyway. It's not like Waze or google maps where updates are crowd sourced :D

 

It's just easier, and probably cheaper, to update electronic charts.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

From the old image, what USED to be up top I see a couple glass covered atrium looking spaces...?

 

The Fun Factory used to be in that space.

 

[cle-guy]

As I recall, there is no handicapped access to deck 12...no elevator goes to that deck and there are no escalators. I wonder how Celebrity will handle those in wheelchairs and those who require assistance walking who want to watch the movies. Will this run afoul of the various American and foreign ADA type laws or will there be some sort of additional access added?

 

I'd assume they would just put in a little stair lift like many places do, if it is a requirement.

 

How do people access the basketball courts now when they do the movies? How do they get to the top full forward sun deck? I never paid attention....

 

From the comments in this thread, no one is going to go up there anyway... so it is kind of moot. ;)

[need2bespoiled]

I'd assume they would just put in a little stair lift like many places do, if it is a requirement.

 

How do people access the basketball courts now when they do the movies? How do they get to the top full forward sun deck? I never paid attention....

 

From the comments in this thread, no one is going to go up there anyway... so it is kind of moot. ;)

 

It's a good question, but I've never seen anything but stairs to deck 16 on S-Class or Deck 12 on M-Class, but then again, I wasn't looking.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

[Germancruiser]

I just thought the new " cinema" would be on the Top Aft Deck- the roof of the " new " Aqua Class cabin- looked like it anyway.

As for the elimination of the Spec. Restaurants and the New Tuscany Grill- well quite a shame- the Speciality Restaurants set the Milli- class apart- now- then they will be all the same on every X- ship- nothing really " special " anymore! All ships the same mishemashe- doesn´t even matter anymore which ones boards!

I still cross fingers that they will bring back the Maritime - themed Restaurants on the new class of ships! I also cross fingers that they will give us back a propper prommenade deck!

[maggie.1008]

We booked AQ1 Deck 11 May 2016 on the Infinity for peace and quiet. Not sure about fun and games on rooftop terrace. Maybe we will have to stay up late ! Early May up on deck 12 at night you might freeze your a-- off, so maybe not a problem.

[Ma Bell]

It looks like the memorabilia from the S.S. United states will be in a special display near the Casino. There is that wasted space forward of the Casino on the Starboard side (I think it is starboard anyway, I get turned around with the 4 entrance / exits from the Casino). EDIT: Others already mentioned this.

 

I'll be sailing on December 5 on Infinity and I for one look forward to the Rooftop Terrace which will debut on our sailing, as well as the new Tuscan grill menu and the new furniture in our suite. We've found all of the upper end suites on M-Class ships (especially RS and PH) could use new deck furniture and look forward to the new furnishings.

 

We could take or leave the Murano style restaurant. We were getting a bit tired of the Murano style restaurants anyway and they are definitely NOT modern. If they execute the new menu, it will be a nice change for us but of course it comes down to execution. It does say they'll have nicer dry aged cuts of meets, the quality of which is yet TBA.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

 

I wouldn't be at all surprised if this is an opportunity to charge extra for dry aged beef. I guess we'll have to wait and see.

[tjunmin]

Were you on the balcony when they were actually playing a movie? In port, nice evening, between 9 to 11pm plus or minus 1/2 an hour.:confused:

 

They didn't have any when it rained nor when underway.

 

FWIW we were in 1122 and even with the sliding door closed it was audible. At the mast bar you could follow the plot.

 

I honestly hope the implementation of the Terrace will be better than what was done previously during the test trials. If the Terrace negatively impacts the peace and tranquility that the A1 cabins on deck 11 currently enjoy, they will have ruined our Celebrity experience. We've been cruising on those cabins for a while, and for our next two cruises we are booked on A1 cabins on deck 11. The location of the A2 cabins on deck 09 under the deck 10 overhang is sub-par and not an acceptable alternative in my opinion. We'll be in the cruise when the Infinity inaugurates the Terrace. After the cruise, if the A1 cabins on deck 11 are ruined, we'll have to seriously reconsider our position with Celebrity.

[julia]

We stopped sailing on Princess because of the Movies Under The Stars which also shows movies, concerts and sport during the day. Who can forget the Tina Turner concert played on every Princess cruise we have been on. The noise is horrendous and makes sitting anywhere near these screens an impossible experience unless you are actually watching. On Princess the Movies are shown in the main pool area so it makes sitting around the nicest pool not possible.

 

The noise from the movies carries down to the balconies of state rooms underneath the deck, and not just the one immediately underneath. It is so loud that depending on wind direction it can be heard a long, long way from the screen itself.

 

Shame. Really sorry to hear this news from Celebrity. They may start off just showing movies at night, but I doubt if they will keep to that.

 

 

Spot on.... we too, stopped cruising Princess because of MUTS. It was beyond annoying, and could most definitely be heard throughout the open decks. We do NOT cruise to watch TV or movies.... there's plenty of that on 118 channels at home! If this is Celebrity's idea of "modern luxury" they are SADLY mistaken. After our upcoming Infinity cruise, we'll be taking a looong break from Celebrity. :(

[DYKWIA]

My thoughts, no, since all S class have both Tuscan and Murano already.

 

I'm guessing that since M class only have 2 specialties, not 3 or more, they have determined there's better demand for Tuscan, which was only on Connie on M class, and therefore have decided to move it into Normandie/SS US space to accommodate the desire for Tuscan, and get better value from the space.

 

They certainly aren't pulling Normandie out because it's popular (not to say people don't like it, just that Tuscan clearly must be more desired by the bulk of passengers), that would make no sense.

 

Don't anyone tell them some of the best returns per square foot are at McDonalds franchises.

[excitedofharpenden]

Phil:

Congrats on moving up the Loyalty ladder.

 

Thank you!:)

 

Phil

[excitedofharpenden]

I just imagine you will be able to hear the movies at night on your balcony since that is when they will be playing.

 

Not to mention noise from feet and moving chairs.

 

Phil

[Jane2357]

Well, that took care of any appeal the deck 11 Aqua cabins had.

 

:( We have a deck 11 aft booked for spring but on Millie - so I think we are safe from the noise issue - for now. I hope we find that we don't love that cabin because I certainly wouldn't be booking one with an outdoor theater over my balcony.

[Iamthesea]

I don't have any "M" class booked, but this won't be a deterrent and until I hear that those in A1 rooms around 1116 area are disturbed by the movie above that won't either. I like the idea of choices, and what the heck, this is just adding a new feature... I CAN see where the noise factor on the aft A1's might be a factor, but we haven't booked those in the past because of the Sunset bar directly below....

 

Not happy about having the movie theater above our AQ1 mid-Starboard next Fall. The cruise was booked when the itinerary first came out. We have previously stayed in that area and thought the rooms to be quiet because nothing really was above us. Because the cruise (New England/Canada) is nearly sold out, there is only one stateroom left above our category. It's a SS that would more than double (per person) what we are currently paying for the AQ. :eek: Plus, it's a HC cabin. Maybe it will be too cold on our itinerary to play movies. :rolleyes:

Edited October 9, 2015 by Iamthesea

[Cruise a holic]

We are booked on the Summit next August. Our CC cabins aren't on deck 11- We will give it a try- Sometimes we all resist change but in the end it does work out. I have a wait an see attitude regarding any changes on the M class ships and will reserve my opinion until after I experience the ship. Last time we sailed on the summit, the indoor pool area was horrible. Needed major renovation and comfortable seating- so that change will be welcome!

 

Thus far, we love the S class ships, especially the Silhouette and Reflection.

[Gracie115]

Not happy about having the movie theater above our AQ1 mid-Starboard next Fall. The cruise was booked when the itinerary first came out. We have previously stayed in that area and thought the rooms to be quiet because nothing really was above us. Because the cruise (New England/Canada) is nearly sold out, there is only one stateroom left above our category. It's a SS that would more than double (per person) what we are currently paying for the AQ. :eek: Plus, it's a HC cabin. Maybe it will be too cold on our itinerary to play movies. :rolleyes:

 

I think I would wait to hear whether noise REALLY is a factor in that area. And you're right in thinking it may be too cold for movies on that itinerary. I can see the AFT rooms up there getting more noise from the movie screen AND from the bar below...we wouldn't book those rooms before and now we definitely won't.

 

Also, I think it all depends on how late the movies play....if it's one showing at 8PM for instance, most movies would be over by 10-10:30.....

 

I don't know, I'm not going to judge this additional activity until it's been in use and we hear from more than just a few on what the noise ramifications might be...

[The_Big_M]

If consumers wanted cinemas they would still be on the ships. No one needs a dedicated movie theater anymore as we've all seen all the movies now on our iPads, Apple TV, Pay Per View, On demand, while flying on in the plane, or just on HBO.

 

Nothing to do with that. Cinemas on ships that had them are/were still well occupied, even frequently full or close to it for recent releases.

 

The actual issue is it wasn't a revenue earner. And this now is also reflected that they're returning it to fulfil the demand, but in a shared use space so it doesn't 'cost' them.

 

But like anything compromised, it's well... compromised.