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

[A Sixth?]

I agree. But if you're going from your own boat, the smaller cruise ships should be even more appealing. Not only no MUTS – no muzak everywhere.

 

PS -- it's not "slumping" into retirement -- it's sliding and shouting Whoopee!

 

Always nice to get feed back from you and Andy

 

I was in my 30's when I lived on my own small sail boat and loved it

 

I'm in my 50's now and know what I like. Solstice Class ships are IMHO the best

 

Having been on cruise ships fron under ten to over 140000 tons, I know what I like.

 

drive in movies died awhile ago:p

 

Ps Slump I meant slide..... Im taking time off at times years at a time because I still come back to what I love...

 

Oh ya 60+ cruises thinking two months each winter on cruises (first test this year) one in Europe until I drop (or run out of money / ear plugs)

Edited October 10, 2015 by A Sixth?

[wallie5446]

No, obviously you don't understand the problem. This area covers or is in close proximity to almost all the Aqua Class cabins on deck 11. The balconies on the side are uncovered as well and probably have an even greater chance of being impacted than those on the aft. Unless they find another way to access the area it will also impact traffic in the aft elevators and the hallways on deck 11.

 

From the looks of it, it would also be appealing to people to sit up there late at night even when there are no movies playing.

 

As, I said, hopefully it won't be too bad but those cabins are certainly not going to be the little oasis that they have been.

 

I most certainly was. I sailed three sailings, 3 weeks total on Summit when they had MUTS on the program, one to "Bermuda" in 2014 and two this past April to the Caribbean.

 

Never heard a PEEP of it, as others who stayed in deck 11 reported. Granted, I was on deck 6, but, shrug, you still haven't seen what they're going to do with the space and how the furnishings will impact the sound.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

Ok, so I did a search and can not find a thread nor post from a member that said anything negative or positive about the trial run.

 

Ma you know how to find stuff like that, remember!:D l tried, can't find none.

Oh, congrats on reaching Zenith, we finall made it to Elite after 20 years.:(

EW

[Dimarie40]

Aside from the upgrades to suites and the outdoor movies/solarium works will Celebrity use the dry dock time to do other repairs to cabins etc around the ship?

[The_Big_M]

Re-read what I wrote. Profitability isn't about costs only. There is a big picture involved in choosing what amenities are available on the ship and what I said WAS about profits, but profits also come from booking ships early, at higher prices which requires providing amenities and services people want. If Tuscan is more profitable and popular it's a double win as it will help get reservations (not just for the restaurant, but for the ship). If it was all about costs, why make any changes at all, THAT will cost money.

 

Bigger picture, there's less of an issue with _getting_ bookings early, then there is with _retaining_ bookings made early!

 

Right now, it's quite easy to find sailings booked out if not fully, at least in significant segments quite some time before final payment. However, come final payment, tada... availability appears again. And in fact that has a significant hit on profitability as when they get a bulk back at that time, prices do fall to bargain levels to deal with that last minute glut - and this is often discussed here.

 

But back to your point, even considering your claim there would be a profitability gain by increasing early bookings, I contend replacing SS United States or Normandie with Tuscan grille would cause _no_ increase in bookings. That argument doesn't wash.

[The_Big_M]

Sadly there is no correlation between screen size and sound level. :p:rolleyes:

 

 

What about when a hoon drives past you on the street with speakers thumping? No screen at all. ;)

[The_Big_M]

X can continue to change and evolve over time, look for cost saving and revenue generators and keep our cabin fares relatively steady over time.

 

Alternative, which would be far simpler for them and really easy, just never innovate again keep all as it is now, and as costs increase, just raise cabin fares to cover the extra costs. No need to analyze, think or do anything, If costs go up 3 million, raise cabin fares by 3 million. easy peasy.

 

I imagine we'd be in for a bit of sticker shock within 3 years or so, which would then cause the rumblings of X has priced itself outside of reality, they are pricing themselves like a white glove tip end cruise line....

 

When you compare on a same sailing basis, it is evident that the trend is for prices to increase, and this has been confirmed in announcements. Equivalently, as can be seen in the increases in gratuities and drinks prices this past year, they also rise and there is no attempt to keep prices the same.

 

The above is not a reason for this. Changes as are typical are to increase profitability.

[CHEZMARYLOU]

Your timing couldn't be better. :-)

 

Just yesterday, we were asked to start accumulating a single list of the most common website issues we get from customers.

 

 

If you have a pet peeve or 2, email them to me, happy to add them if not already there. But we do need specifics, and links to failed pages etc. are most helpful.

 

I'm curious. Who is the "we" that were asked to accumulate a list and who did the asking?

Was it specific to web site issues?

[Ma Bell]

Ok, so I did a search and can not find a thread nor post from a member that said anything negative or positive about the trial run.

 

Ma you know how to find stuff like that, remember!:D l tried, can't find none.

Oh, congrats on reaching Zenith, we finall made it to Elite after 20 years.:(

EW

 

Thanks Wally and congrats to you too.

[uktog]

I'm curious. Who is the "we" that were asked to accumulate a list and who did the asking?

Was it specific to web site issues?

 

I think Cle is using information he has as an ambassador or whatever it is - not sure how this aligns with what Cruise critic feeds back.

 

And I'm with others although we won't know for certain until people sail on new look summit or infinity, it would not be unreasonable to assume the movie place will impact on Deck 11 rooms in some way, the exact extent is not clear

Edited October 10, 2015 by uktog

[CHEZMARYLOU]

I think Cle is using information he has as an ambassador or whatever it is - not sure how this aligns with what Cruise critic feeds back.

 

And I'm with others although we won't know for certain until people sail on new look summit or infinity, it would not be unreasonable to assume the movie place will impact on Deck 11 rooms in some way, the exact extent is not clear

 

I agree, the changes on deck 12 will most likely impact the Aqua cabins on deck 11. Luckily for us we like cabins with overhangs so would not book deck 11.

 

I wonder if a Celebrity ambassador is also a "chat person" on Celebrity's web site. I was looking to move our Dec 11 cruise to Nov 27 but could not find a sailing. A chat box keeps popping up so I figured, why not ask. Turns out the person I was chatting with was not a Celebrity employee. She was an Elite cruiser though.

[upwarduk]

-----

 

And I'm with others although we won't know for certain until people sail on new look summit or infinity, it would not be unreasonable to assume the movie place will impact on Deck 11 rooms in some way, the exact extent is not clear

 

I wonder if they've thought of viewers of Muts wearing ear- buds/ headphones.

It happens on planes, so other passengers aren't disturbed.

That way they won't be having to turn volume up, especially for those of us who are hard of hearing.

Edited October 10, 2015 by upwarduk

[shipfriend_max]

The best open air cinema is on Caribbean/Crown/Emerald/Ruby Princess, and Azura, and such a great place will never exist on any other cruise lines/ships!

 

I thought "X" was going upscale "Edge" instead it looks like they're "Princessing" these ships.

 

 

Actually, I like the fact that the open, mostly unused space on Deck 12 will be used.

The new roofterrace venue looks quite appealing, but I am asking myself?: Where will be the galley for that venue, if meals will really be served there??

 

And I must admit, it's a pity to see Normandie and United States to be substituted by Tuscan Grille - those restauranats were unique among the cruise market/ships, and now, with the refit, also the Millennium-Class-ships will have another "mainstream" restaurant... :(

And the paintings and other items from those restaurants should be displayed in the casino? IMHO the last place where it makes sense to display it, since gamblers are just there to gamble and smoke, and not interessted by traditional shipping! IMHO, Rendez-Vous-Lounge, or the main dining room would be a better place for it.

 

Despite those changes, I'd definitely return to Celebrity, since I think, the layout and design of the M-Class-ships is great, and service and food also.

And I'd love to try out Solstice Class some day, and Café al Bacio, and the Observation lounges, I really love on M-Class! [emoji5]

 

But I am a little afraid if RCI/RCCL have a bad impact on Celebrity sooner or later.

 

It seems, Princess and HAL do not need big changes or new enhancements when refitting their ships - the venues installed upon delivery seem to be still good, and loved by the passengers! [emoji5]

[shipfriend_max]

What I find interesting is, no announcement on Millennium, which is the oldest M-Class ship. I certainly think it means that Summit & Infinity wont be sold anytime soon. It will be interesting to see if this plan is extended to Millennium & Constellation.

 

I am quite sure Millie and Connie will receive the same updates sooner or later. Millennium is scheduled for dry-dock in May, just after her Hawaii sailing, so I could imagine she will be updated before her Alaska season, starting May 12, 2016. [emoji5].

 

And consider: Infinity and Summit were the first ships which recieved the AQ cabins in 2011/2012, and for them it was announced first.

Millie got those updates in May 2012, Connie in 2013.

 

I am sure we will have announcements for Connie and Millie soon.

[ghstudio]

I wonder if they've thought of viewers of Muts wearing ear- buds/ headphones.

It happens on planes, so other passengers aren't disturbed.

That way they won't be having to turn volume up, especially for those of us who are hard of hearing.

 

Perhaps you forget that this is the cruise line that decided to turn up the music throughout the ship to give it a younger vibe. While that has tamed a bit, I suspect that louder is viewed as better by the marketing folks. Not disturbing other passengers is likely not high on their list of priorities.

[ghstudio]

I am quite sure Millie and Connie will receive the same updates sooner or later. Millennium is scheduled for dry-dock in May, just after her Hawaii sailing, so I could imagine she will be updated before her Alaska season, starting May 12, 2016. [emoji5].

 

And consider: Infinity and Summit were the first ships which recieved the AQ cabins in 2011/2012, and for them it was announced first.

Millie got those updates in May 2012, Connie in 2013.

 

I am sure we will have announcements for Connie and Millie soon.

 

If they are going to update the Millie, I hope they announce it soon so I can change my 2017 travel plans. Maybe we'll do that safari instead of the b2b cruises we've booked on the Millie in A1 cabins.

[cle-guy]

I wonder if a Celebrity ambassador is also a "chat person" on Celebrity's web site. I was looking to move our Dec 11 cruise to Nov 27 but could not find a sailing. A chat box keeps popping up so I figured, why not ask. Turns out the person I was chatting with was not a Celebrity employee. She was an Elite cruiser though.

 

Yes this is the program I'm part of. But ambassadors are a ship side position handled by the Entertainment Director, an actual celebrity staff member which is not the program we chatters are part of.

 

We "chatters" are really cruisers like us who have gone thru a screening process who can give "real world" advice from a cruisers perspective, rather than talking to a phone agent in Kansas who has never seen the ocean, much less stepped foot on a ship.

 

The Chat system is in a 90 day test period (started end of August), we are being teamed against a set of actual celebrity employees also chatting, so they can monitor customer feedback on celebrity staff versus us chatters. Funny thing is, that even though the Celebrity staffers are accessing their full resources, reservations systems formal training etc., we are receiving better customer feedback scores consistently, even though we often have to tell people we can't help with their booked reservation or access their records, while the X staffers can and are.

[excitedofharpenden]

Perhaps you forget that this is the cruise line that decided to turn up the music throughout the ship to give it a younger vibe. While that has tamed a bit, I suspect that louder is viewed as better by the marketing folks. Not disturbing other passengers is likely not high on their list of priorities.

 

It hadn't been "tamed a bit" when I was on Constellation recently. Intrusive on a number of occasions and a couple of times it was almost funny what the DJ did.

 

Phil

[C 2 C]

If they are going to update the Millie, I hope they announce it soon so I can change my 2017 travel plans. Maybe we'll do that safari instead of the b2b cruises we've booked on the Millie in A1 cabins.

 

Millie goes into drydock when she returns from Asia next April.

[kitegirl]

When I heard for sure the United States restaurant will be Tuscan now i was sad as DH and I had wanted to have our anniversary dinner there on our Sept 4 2016 cruist... But we will now look forward to trying this new venue.

 

Also humour was had thinking of sailing by icebergs in Alaska and watching Titanic on the outdoor screen..... LOL

[need2bespoiled]

The best open air cinema is on Caribbean/Crown/Emerald/Ruby Princess, and Azura, and such a great place will never exist on any other cruise lines/ships!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Actually, I like the fact that the open, mostly unused space on Deck 12 will be used.

 

The new roofterrace venue looks quite appealing, but I am asking myself?: Where will be the galley for that venue, if meals will really be served there??

 

 

 

And I must admit, it's a pity to see Normandie and United States to be substituted by Tuscan Grille - those restauranats were unique among the cruise market/ships, and now, with the refit, also the Millennium-Class-ships will have another "mainstream" restaurant... :(

 

And the paintings and other items from those restaurants should be displayed in the casino? IMHO the last place where it makes sense to display it, since gamblers are just there to gamble and smoke, and not interessted by traditional shipping! IMHO, Rendez-Vous-Lounge, or the main dining room would be a better place for it.

 

 

 

Despite those changes, I'd definitely return to Celebrity, since I think, the layout and design of the M-Class-ships is great, and service and food also.

 

And I'd love to try out Solstice Class some day, and Café al Bacio, and the Observation lounges, I really love on M-Class! [emoji5]

 

 

 

But I am a little afraid if RCI/RCCL have a bad impact on Celebrity sooner or later.

 

 

 

It seems, Princess and HAL do not need big changes or new enhancements when refitting their ships - the venues installed upon delivery seem to be still good, and loved by the passengers! [emoji5]

 

 

First, no one is smoking in Casinos on Celebrity, or anywhere else indoor. Second, the display is going to go in a wasted space where they occasional display art that many people walk through to get to the theater. It's always been another "wasted space". I don't disagree there are better spaces, maybe around deck 3 midship even but this way more people will see it than do in the restaurants as a minority of cruisers actually find in the specialty restaurants.

 

Finally, the other cruise lines all make major changes. We sailed on Zuiderdam when it had 1 specialty restaurant. Now it has 3, which I believe is true for many of their sister ships. . They made many changes to a similar aged ships as M-Class. They've also added balcony/lanais to cabins, around their promenade deck I believe. To think they don't change those ships is plain false. Maybe they're just not promoting it, maybe the changes aren't "amazing" or maybe they think they're product is ok, or maybe they're content just staying with the same old tired ships. It's all perspective but there are facts that can't be disputed.

 

Either way, based on the discussion here, you could say the Celebrity changes are amazingly good, bad or stupid but if they weren't amazing I doubt they're generate all this discussion.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[need2bespoiled]

When I heard for sure the United States restaurant will be Tuscan now i was sad as DH and I had wanted to have our anniversary dinner there on our Sept 4 2016 cruist... But we will now look forward to trying this new venue.

 

 

 

Also humour was had thinking of sailing by icebergs in Alaska and watching Titanic on the outdoor screen..... LOL

 

 

Like watching "Airplane" or "Flight" on an airplane or "Open Water" on a dive trip :D

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[mrsaquashark]

I know the big focus on the thread so far has been the deck 12 outdoor terrace (and FWIW, I think it looks like a venue DH and I would enjoy, especially in the Caribbean.)

 

However, I am more concerned about changes in the Solarium, specifically the thalassotherapy pool. DH and I sailed on Summit in 2/14 and while we had a wonderful time, the only compelling point of M-class vs S-class ships for us is the T pool. Are they going to keep it a T pool or make it a regular pool that from what I can tell, would require far less maintenance?

[need2bespoiled]

I know the big focus on the thread so far has been the deck 12 outdoor terrace (and FWIW, I think it looks like a venue DH and I would enjoy, especially in the Caribbean.)

 

 

 

However, I am more concerned about changes in the Solarium, specifically the thalassotherapy pool. DH and I sailed on Summit in 2/14 and while we had a wonderful time, the only compelling point of M-class vs S-class ships for us is the T pool. Are they going to keep it a T pool or make it a regular pool that from what I can tell, would require far less maintenance?

 

 

They said refinishing but only more info will tell, or cruisers seeing it and reporting back. We boarded as they finished completely stripping and refinishing the T-Pool on Millie last December. It took about 3 days of our cruise and who knows (Arno?) how many of the previous cruise.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Gracie115]

I know the big focus on the thread so far has been the deck 12 outdoor terrace (and FWIW, I think it looks like a venue DH and I would enjoy, especially in the Caribbean.)

 

However, I am more concerned about changes in the Solarium, specifically the thalassotherapy pool. DH and I sailed on Summit in 2/14 and while we had a wonderful time, the only compelling point of M-class vs S-class ships for us is the T pool. Are they going to keep it a T pool or make it a regular pool that from what I can tell, would require far less maintenance?

 

When Connie was in drydock they completely refinished the T-Pool, which desperately needed it... we cruised a few months before and a few months after..... my guess is all the "M" class need this refinish and hopefully all they will be doing with the T-Pools.....they are very popular...

[maggie.1008]

I have cabins 1122 and 1124 booked for May on Infinity. Will look forward to feedback before I cancel. Suites are sold out already. Curt thanks for all your input. You are a world of knowledge. Heather