Cancelling my Escape and going back to Celebrity....

[cruisetimeforme]

We're actually about to take our fifth cruise in a years time on the Getaway for the 2nd time. 4 NCL and the Reflection balcony hump cabin (Nice!) this past Jan as well. Had another Reflection cruise scheduled again for same cabin for Jan 2017 but cancelled after the first one to go on the Escape, which we had a blast. We love Celebrity and we're Elite with all their benefits, but always end up with drink promo which we pay to upgrade for the better items and get their Ultimate dining pkg, so we end up paying $600 addt'l either way. We just got bored with the same old stuff and menus Celebrity has. Same old entertainment for the past years and nothing to do other than watch another sales pitch/activity. My husband is your age, I'm younger and for us we just have WAY MORE FUN on NCL, and we're Platinum so enjoying those benefits as well. I think it's just good to mix things up once in a while to get the biggest bang for your buck. I know we'll be back to Celebrity/Royal again, but at the moment enjoying something different. Hope you enjoy your cruise

[Zoey]

Yes, I'm sure Escape is an amazing ship, however, so is Celebrity Reflection.. and for the cost difference, it's really a no brainer for us..

 

Also depends on the cruise atmosphere you're seeking. I've been on four Celebrity ships (including Reflection) and took my first NCL cruise on Escape in May. I like to cruise to escape (no pun intended) my hectic daily life and look for quiet for reading and doing crossword puzzles; shade, moderate to low crowds and good food. I obviously failed to do my normal over research when I booked Escape - it was LOUD, crowded, forget about any shade outside of the Waterfront, and outside of specialty restaurants and Food Republic (which I loved!!), the food was pretty lackluster. I had the UBP but could rarely get a drink (even though I tipped - or tried to tip) $2 to $3 cash each drink, due to the ship having almost no roaming servers on deck and the two or three deep crowds at the bars. If give the choice of Reflection or Escape today, even if Reflection were a few hundred dollars more, Reflection would win hands down. Just my personal opinion and thought folks. I realize most people who sail her, love Escape.

[luvtheships]

If I've got this straight - You booked a cruise

" primarily to see WHY people put up with all of these fees and ongoing changes..." ?

 

Politely I'd have to say That is insane . :confused:

 

 

Maybe he got an obc!!! Lol

 

Or actually thinks the ubp is free.

Edited July 2, 2016 by luvtheships

[mafig]

We like Celebrity, but I have to admit on our last Reflection cruise we were bored.:(

 

Also, since they've added Luminae for suites, and the Aqua Class restaurant (whose name escapes me), I think the regular dining room food has gone down.

Edited July 2, 2016 by mafig

[Envelope21]

If you use a coupon in a restaurant, do you tip the staff based on the regular charge or the discounted amount?

 

Gratuity is part of service staff compensation so if you tip only on the final, discounted amount, you're essentially stiffing you waiter.

 

I totally get your analogy and I agree. But then why is the 18% gratuity included in the cost of a suite? Don't the service staff waiting on suite members deserve a guaranteed gratuity also?

 

Clearly, the 18% gratuity is a money-maker for the cruise line. Businesses are certainly allowed to find ways to increase their bottom line. And that is exactly what NCL is doing. Its just annoying they call it something else.

 

Why not offer a perk called "Discount Drink Package, Gratuities Included!" Charge the same amount you are charging on the 'free' package and make your guests happy instead of annoyed.

[cruisetimeforme]

It's called Blu! Want to mention that I've never felt that Celebrity is such an upscale cruise line as people seem to think. Years back, yes. Now they're actually trying to downplay that image in hopes to attract some new younger pax. They've relaxed their dress code and do these nightly events that you can never get in to see, crowded in the atrium etc. Forget ever getting near the Martini bar, there's just not enough seats, but the bar sure is fun. I recall on my last time just walking around looking for something to do, not what I think of when I sail. I no longer care to spend endless hours in the sun, so that makes a difference in my experience too. Good thing we're all free to do what we want and have a good time....

[NLH Arizona]

It's called Blu! Want to mention that I've never felt that Celebrity is such an upscale cruise line as people seem to think. Years back, yes. Now they're actually trying to downplay that image in hopes to attract some new younger pax. They've relaxed their dress code and do these nightly events that you can never get in to see, crowded in the atrium etc. Forget ever getting near the Martini bar, there's just not enough seats, but the bar sure is fun. I recall on my last time just walking around looking for something to do, not what I think of when I sail. I no longer care to spend endless hours in the sun, so that makes a difference in my experience too. Good thing we're all free to do what we want and have a good time....

I don't think Celebrity has ever been a upscale luxury line, even though one of their Presidents once referred to it as a luxury line, it is a really nice premium line. There is not a lot of night life nor do I feel there are a lot of interesting activities. I love that they relaxed the dress code, got really tired of packing a gown and then seeing others in what I call everyday dresses. After saying all this, it is a really nice cruising experience and is a perfect mix of my cruise line choices, as I have one luxury, one premium and one mass market.

[DCT61]

One persons "upscale" is another persons "unrealized expectation". We finally left Celebrity a few years back after a cruise on the Solstice. The suite experience on Celebrity just didn't equal the same on RCCL, PRINCESS or NCL anymore. Don't even get me started on the entertainment. On Celebrity, we listened to Domenique Ava saw away on a violin for about 45 minutes. Their attempt at a "classy" evening, resulted on an entire row being put to sleep. Never again at any price.

Edited July 2, 2016 by DCT61

[jjjennys]

What cruise on celebrity. I am wanting g to book last minute and am having difficulty.

[mystic51]

What cruise on celebrity. I am wanting g to book last minute and am having difficulty.

 

Reflection Jan 7 2017

[purpletequila]

If I've got this straight - You booked a cruise

" primarily to see WHY people put up with all of these fees and ongoing changes..." ?

 

Politely I'd have to say That is insane . :confused:

 

Why are you confused? Lol My travel partner wanted to try it after seeing it while pulling out of POM on our last Celebrity cruise. I had the money at the time so I booked it because yes, I really do want to see what the hype is all about. Consider it my version of "I'd like to check that out."

[purpletequila]

Maybe he got an obc!!! Lol

 

Or actually thinks the ubp is free.

 

Neither. In fact, the fact that you repeat NCL people actually pay that service charge adds to my curiosity as to why. I'm assuming it is a good time since everyone seems to accept these fees.

[triptolemus]

Neither. In fact, the fact that you repeat NCL people actually pay that service charge adds to my curiosity as to why. I'm assuming it is a good time since everyone seems to accept these fees.

 

Not everyone pays it. Suite guests are not charged the 18% tax on the promotions, as you may already know.

[LrgPizza]

Neither. In fact, the fact that you repeat NCL people actually pay that service charge adds to my curiosity as to why. I'm assuming it is a good time since everyone seems to accept these fees.

 

 

Here's my why: If I'm not getting the UBP as a promo, then I'm buying it. So yes, I accept the fees. Paying just the gratuities on the package, as opposed to the actual cost of the package plus gratuities is a no-brainier for us. We've purchased it twice, and we've sailed with it as a promo twice.

[Boschmann]

Here's my why: If I'm not getting the UBP as a promo, then I'm buying it. So yes, I accept the fees. Paying just the gratuities on the package, as opposed to the actual cost of the package plus gratuities is a no-brainier for us. We've purchased it twice, and we've sailed with it as a promo twice.

 

I would say people who currently buy the UBP are a tiny percent of a percent, I would love to see actual numbers. Have you purchased the package since the late 2014 promos started and price escalations? I don't accept the service charge/gratuity fees as much as I accept the overall cruise price, I think that is the case with a lot of NCL cruisers with the package. I feel bad for the non-drinkers being forced into guarantees to get a decent price.

Edited July 3, 2016 by Boschmann

[LrgPizza]

I would say people who currently buy the UBP are a tiny percent of a percent, I would love to see actual numbers. Have you purchased the package since the late 2014 promos started and price escalations? I don't accept the service charge/gratuity fees as much as I accept the overall cruise price, I think that is the case with a lot of NCL cruisers with the package. I feel bad for the non-drinkers being forced into guarantees to get a decent price.

 

 

No, since we receive it as a promo. If we didn't, we would again buy it. I also agree those that buy are a small percentage, although that has nothing to do with my response above. The poster asked why people continue to pay these gratuities, and my answer is because it's a hell of a lot cheaper than buying the package. I can't answer for others, but I'm giving our reason.

[purpletequila]

Not everyone pays it. Suite guests are not charged the 18% tax on the promotions, as you may already know.

 

I did not know that.

Thanks for the tip!

[berryberry]

so let's see? you are sailing on the same type and class of ship on the approximate same time and a similar or same itinerary for hundreds of $$ less including all gratuities and a $300 obc Either there is something totally wrong or you got one Hell of a good deal. Normally the great deals and I don't care what cruise line, turn out to have a catch.

 

Enjoy your cruise, lets hope you have no hidden surprises.

 

Wow - take off your rose colored glasses and set down your NCL pom-poms.

 

In the Spring of 2015, tried X for the first time and really loved it

In the Spring of 2016, returned to NCL after sailing other lines for at least 8 years. Had a good deal on a one week cruise from Tampa. I liked it enough that I considered booking NCL again in Spring 2017. Only problem was NCL prices were much higher for next year compared to this past year. And when I compared, I could go on Celebrity for about $600 less overall, with free drinks and $525 in OBC ($300 from Celebrity, the rest from the TA). So it was a no brainer to book on X next year.

Edited July 3, 2016 by berryberry

[Boschmann]

So, I wanted to add my response to why I, as a NCL cruiser, continue to pay the fees. Purpletequila obviously doesn't have NCL loyalty glasses on, so from their Celebrity perspective NCL's UBP's fees stink. I'm unfamiliar with Celebrity's pricing structure for "free" drink plans, so I won't go there.

 

My opinion:

 

NCl's continual promo policy since late 2014 has created a weird forced UBP situation on many passengers, myself included. I feel comfortable most everyone who takes the package calculates what the gratuities will be (about $100/pp/7days - and NCL has spent some effort fine tuning this number) and decides to accept this perk as a better alternative to buying individual drinks that they would normally purchase without the package. It really amazes me how many non-drinkers post on this forum they chose the UBP.

 

I was trying to elaborate that people who buy the package are probably extremely rare. If UBP wasn't a promo I would not be buying it. Since we know NCL is not losing money on this we must admit the cost, if there is any above the amount we pay as a "gratuity", is being reflected in the cruise price. After taking cruises with the UBP I feel there probably are some costs as I see quite a bit of freer than normal drinking under the package. Well, NCL can't admit that UBP cost, or any other promo's cost, is really in the cruise price so when pricing all the various combinations of promos the rates are all the same. Coincidentally only the guarantee rooms, which have a much better rate, don't get any promos. The cost (to NCL) of the SDP, internet and excursion credit is easy to see, and I think everyone will agree the UBP is the biggest cost of all of these and therefore (yes, I cannot prove this) most often chosen. So basically we are left with a situation of non-drinkers, or any non-UBP choser, subsidizing the UBP unless they book a guarantee.

 

As a drinker I have to put all the gratuity nonsense aside and look at my total cruise cost, unfortunately so do non-drinkers and some see the problem. An interesting conundrum, as I feel I need to take the promo or otherwise I'll be subsidizing another person who does take it. Can't say this is true for all that choose the perk, but there seems to be a growing number of non-drinkers discontent with the never ending promos.

Edited July 3, 2016 by Boschmann

[luvtheships]

Neither. In fact, the fact that you repeat NCL people actually pay that service charge adds to my curiosity as to why. I'm assuming it is a good time since everyone seems to accept these fees.

 

 

I'm still ...at least for now...but that will change....one of those "repeat Ncl

People " as you graciously call us....but...

 

Not sure why you used me in regard to ubp as

 

I've never taken it as a perk nor would I

 

Ive never purchased it as a package nor would I

 

If my drink bill is $50 per person it's a lot on a cruise

Edited July 3, 2016 by luvtheships

[luvtheships]

One persons "upscale" is another persons "unrealized expectation". We finally left Celebrity a few years back after a cruise on the Solstice. The suite experience on Celebrity just didn't equal the same on RCCL, PRINCESS or NCL anymore. Don't even get me started on the entertainment. On Celebrity, we listened to Domenique Ava saw away on a violin for about 45 minutes. Their attempt at a "classy" evening, resulted on an entire row being put to sleep. Never again at any price.

 

 

The smoke free casino will be why I seriously look into celebrity

 

I don't gamble but I also don't want to have to walk thru a smoky casino to get from point a to point b like most Ncl ships so cleverly require

 

Although the casino is easily avoided on the gem if you dont exit the theater on the wrong level

[purpletequila]

I'm still ...at least for now...but that will change....one of those "repeat Ncl

People " as you graciously call us....but...

 

Not sure why you used me in regard to ubp as

 

I've never taken it as a perk nor would I

 

Ive never purchased it as a package nor would I

 

If my drink bill is $50 per person it's a lot on a cruise

 

Didn't mean to. Sorry. But really I'm talking about any package you choose from NCL. I really don't understand how they can call it "free at sea" when they add on this "charge" to choose it and to not choose it, is the same price as choosing it.

 

I'm an NCL virgin.

I'm sure I'll figure it out eventually.

I truly hope to be pleasantly surprised.

[purpletequila]

BTW, with the exception of one comedian who was on tv sitcoms for several years, I can freely and openly admit that Celebrity's entertainment blows.

 

However, LOL, as shocking as this may be, it wasn't long after my booking before NCL was canceling and or moving their marquee shows so we shall see if they are any good now. I know in the past, NCL was known for its top notch "Broadway" shows but reviews seem to show that has dropped off. Looking forward to their comedy shows though in Headliners.

Edited July 3, 2016 by purpletequila

[MMMD]

Haven Hands down no one can beat.....but you are right...I sailed the Getaway this past May in a 2 bedroom penthouse suite and paid $6200, I am sailing the Epic this December same type of room $7000 and so I was looking at December 2017 on the Getaway 2 bedroom and it went up to $8400 given it is a different ship (smaller than Epic) still way more expensive. I hear great things about Celebrity suites and I would love to try them and see how they are but I love the whole "ship within a ship" concept on NCL.

 

Unfortunately the Haven 'experience' isn't guaranteed.

Mine on the Breakaway last October soured me on NCL -probably for good.

 

I realize NCL can't guarantee the type of fellow Haven passengers we will have, but get stuck with bad ones & the entire 'experience' is a bust. It seems NCL has rules -but won't enforce them. The standard line they get is 'we paid the Haven fare & will do as we please'

 

Unfortunately, I too paid the Haven fare & my experience was miserable.

 

If NCL ever decided to make the Haven adults only (even for some sailings) I may reconsider, but for now good reviews have me looking at MSC & Celebrity.

[purpletequila]

Unfortunately the Haven 'experience' isn't guaranteed.

Mine on the Breakaway last October soured me on NCL -probably for good.

 

I realize NCL can't guarantee the type of fellow Haven passengers we will have, but get stuck with bad ones & the entire 'experience' is a bust. It seems NCL has rules -but won't enforce them. The standard line they get is 'we paid the Haven fare & will do as we please'

 

Unfortunately, I too paid the Haven fare & my experience was miserable.

 

If NCL ever decided to make the Haven adults only (even for some sailings) I may reconsider, but for now good reviews have me looking at MSC & Celebrity.

 

It's unfortunate. I was looking at bumping up to the Haven on a possible upgrade but heard horror stories of the kids and Haven adults actually getting Vibe passes to escape the insanity so no thanks.