Things that you are happy Celebrity has introduced since you first started sailing.

[TommyD3]

2 hours ago, Quo Vadis? said:

Zenith level perks

 

Definately the best impovement since I started on Celebrity in 1993.

Free premium beverage package, unlimited internet, unlimited laundry, Michael's Club access, etc !!!

[Luvcrusn]

1 hour ago, Cruise it or lose it said:

I paid to eat in Blu or specialty.  And than there was the main dining room. Could never understand why you had to pay to eat in Blu.

 

Blu is the dining assignment for Aqua Class guests. It also is open to suite guests on a space available basis. To my knowledge there is no option for anyone to pay to eat there except on rare occasions they open Blu for a special lunch for a fee. Blu and Aqua Class is one thing they've added since we started sailing that we really enjoy. It's a quieter, more intimate venue than the MDR and the service is more attentive.

[Cruise it or lose it]

6 minutes ago, Luvcrusn said:

Blu is the dining assignment for Aqua Class guests. It also is open to suite guests on a space available basis. To my knowledge there is no option for anyone to pay to eat there except on rare occasions they open Blu for a special lunch for a fee. Blu and Aqua Class is one thing they've added since we started sailing that we really enjoy. It's a quieter, more intimate venue than the MDR and the service is more attentive.

Yes but when I sailed in a suite there was no suite dining room maybe 5 years ago? Can't remember. Had to pay for Blu.

 

[Elusive_Cruiser]

On 5/4/2019 at 10:15 AM, jelayne said:

Not in any order:

 

Beverage packages 

WiFi

Dropping  carry-on bags in cabin on boarding.

Select dining

Unlimited drinks at bars during Elite HH

Blu

Suite Life 

No smoking inside or balconies.

 

Is that something really new?  I've been on 8 Celebrity cruises, mostly booked Concierge, and was not aware of this benefit - but we missed our annual 2019 cruise...

[Reel Love]

7 minutes ago, Elusive_Cruiser said:

Is that something really new?  I've been on 8 Celebrity cruises, mostly booked Concierge, and was not aware of this benefit - but we missed our annual 2019 cruise...

They allowed us to drop our carry-on bags on the Edge on the inaugural cruise in Dec 2018 and that is the first time I have seen this happen on any of our X cruises.  Don't know if they are making this the new process as they "revolutionize" each ship?  Have to say it really was quite nice to ditch the carry-on almost immediately after boarding (after being greeted with the traditional glass of welcome champagne of course 🍷☺️)

[SEAGURRL]

Silent Disco is a hoot!

[Twice_a_year]

On 5/4/2019 at 12:15 PM, jelayne said:

Not in any order:

 

Beverage packages 

WiFi

Dropping  carry-on bags in cabin on boarding.

Select dining

Unlimited drinks at bars during Elite HH

Blu

Suite Life 

No smoking inside or balconies.

 

This is a great list I don't miss the late night buffets. But, I enjoy lower fares (In relation to income)

[Denny01]

As I said (well, posted) before, first Celebrity cruise was 1997 on the Mercury, a month after Her inaugural cruise. I know most all are happy with the No Smoking inside or balconies, but I don’t think it was ‘introduced’ since most of us started crusing Celebrity unless you started well before 1997. 

 

But I could be wrong.......oh Noooooooo!!!

 

Den

[Blazerboy]

I'm always happy when folks complain loudly during the embarkation process...lets me know who to avoid.

 

Not sure if Celebrity is directly or indirectly responsible, but still appreciated.😁

[jagoffee]

My list is very long since my first Celebrity Cruise was some years ago.

1.  Significant improvement in the Captain Club benefits.

2. The Solstice Class design and implementation.

3.  The elimination of formal nights.

4.  The expansion of Speciality Dining options.

5.  The significant improvement of Suite benefits.  (Almost all inclusive)

6. Drink packages. (Usually a bundled perk)

7.  Improvement to the Internet service and the unlimited internet options (hate worrying about using too many minutes)

8. Implementation of the Luggage Valet.

9. Ability to board earlier.

10. World Class Bar.

11. Probably some other things that I cannot remember.

[davekathy]

Great thread and I agree with all of you. Also like the tier levels being reciprocal between Celebrity and RC (up to diamond and Elite).

Edited May 8, 2019 by davekathy

[BarbinMich]

We started our cruising on "modern" Celebrity on the Horizon in 1996 (Alaska).  (Technically our first was on Chandris' Amerikanis, one of those 1950s classic liners, in 1994.)  We have sailed 11 times on X, the last on the Eclipse in 2014.  Anyway, a lot has changed!!  Anytime dining is a biggie for us.  We like to "eat and run" so anytime dining has fit us perfectly.  I don't know if some of the features we experienced or watched on the Eclipse have survived.  Loved the "lawn" and occasional live music up there, pre-dinner.  The adjacent glass-blowing/kiln facility was a shock of sorts--think fire risk.  Loved the high-ceiling buffet with floor-ceiling window walls and multiple food stations--we ate all our meals there.  I don't know if they still have it, but Cirque de Soleil on the Eclipse was spectacular and a welcome addition to the nightly theater offerings.

[Twice_a_year]

Our first of 45 cruises was on The Horizon NYC to Bermuda in 1995. Since we no longer enjoy the hassle in air travel before and after a cruise, we are from New Jersey and appreciate going out of Port Liberty.  

 

P.S. Thanks Stateroom Sailor for a positive subject. I have a wife so I don't need any complaints. 

[NantahalaCruiser]

On 5/6/2019 at 1:14 PM, Denny01 said:

As I said (well, posted) before, first Celebrity cruise was 1997 on the Mercury, a month after Her inaugural cruise. I know most all are happy with the No Smoking inside or balconies, but I don’t think it was ‘introduced’ since most of us started crusing Celebrity unless you started well before 1997. 

 

But I could be wrong.......oh Noooooooo!!!

 

Den

I believe the no smoking inside (including the casino) policy was introduced around 2008.

[Marelaine]

The changes that I appreciate most - chic nights in lieu of formal nights, makes room in our suitcases for more practical clothing.
Beverage packages.
The smoking policy.

The luggage valet is great.

[JaneAustenCruiser]

On 5/4/2019 at 2:01 AM, chemmo said:

Drinks packages....We are among those who probably barely break even with the package but there are two aspects of it we really like....Firstly we know on boarding that we will not have a big bill at the end. Secondly, we are far more experimental with a drinks package, we will try new cocktails and wines whereas without a drinks package we would stick with ‘tried and trusted’...

I took my first cruise about a year ago (it was a gift! Can you believe that?!) and my stepmom had got the classic beverage package for us as one of the perks. As someone who has to travel on a very tight budget, NOT having to worry about what I was spending on a glass of wine or a fancy coffee was a godsend. I'm sure that drink packages are standard across the cruising world based on what I've read, but for me, the Classic package hit a sweet spot. There were plenty of drinks that I could try, lots of wine that I wanted to try and the limit they set made it possible that if I DID want to try something fancier, I didn't pay much more.

 

I really liked the complimentary products they offered in the bathroom too. I approved that it was Bounding Bunny (no animal testing) approved, something I didn't notice until I was using up my remnants in the gym this year! 😄

[colocop004]

I love everything about Celebrity, except disembarkation........ So the Luggage Valet has to be the best thing ever!!!  It makes it a breeze to disembark, with out having to lug your luggage for self assist or the endless searching in the rows upon rows of unclaimed luggage!  yes the airline has lost my luggage on one occasion, but they delivered it to my house several hours later, I have also had other passengers take my luggage from the terminal, so that is a wash to me as I got my luggage back on both occasions!!!  

[GateGuardian]

For S-Class ships, I really like the bar tables at the back of the theater. Most of them have great views, a table to put my drinks, and great for people who don't fit in the theater seats very well.

[TommyD3]

On 5/5/2019 at 4:14 PM, Reel Love said:

They allowed us to drop our carry-on bags on the Edge on the inaugural cruise in Dec 2018 and that is the first time I have seen this happen on any of our X cruises.  Don't know if they are making this the new process as they "revolutionize" each ship?  Have to say it really was quite nice to ditch the carry-on almost immediately after boarding (after being greeted with the traditional glass of welcome champagne of course 🍷☺️)

The reason they allow you to drop off you carry on onboard the Edge is because they implemented the stupid RCL practice of making you go to your cabin to get your seapass card. Absolutely absurd in my mind. Just give it to me in the terminal. Can't even get a drink or go to the Retreat lounge on the Edge until going by the cabin to get your seapass card!

[chemmo]

10 hours ago, JaneAustenCruiser said:

I took my first cruise about a year ago (it was a gift! Can you believe that?!) and my stepmom had got the classic beverage package for us as one of the perks. As someone who has to travel on a very tight budget, NOT having to worry about what I was spending on a glass of wine or a fancy coffee was a godsend. I'm sure that drink packages are standard across the cruising world based on what I've read, but for me, the Classic package hit a sweet spot. There were plenty of drinks that I could try, lots of wine that I wanted to try and the limit they set made it possible that if I DID want to try something fancier, I didn't pay much more.

 

I really liked the complimentary products they offered in the bathroom too. I approved that it was Bounding Bunny (no animal testing) approved, something I didn't notice until I was using up my remnants in the gym this year! 😄

 

We did cruise before drinks packages and have cruised on other lines since without them and I really found a difference in my experience...I just tried so many more things with a drinks package!

 

On one cruise I worked my way down some of the alcoholic coffees on advice from Cruise Critic about favourites...Aspen coffee was horrible! Sorry to those who recommended but not to my taste! 

 

Pleased to know the cosmetics are non animal tested too...

[TeeRick]

8 hours ago, TommyD3 said:

The reason they allow you to drop off you carry on onboard the Edge is because they implemented the stupid RCL practice of making you go to your cabin to get your seapass card. Absolutely absurd in my mind. Just give it to me in the terminal. Can't even get a drink or go to the Retreat lounge on the Edge until going by the cabin to get your seapass card!

Not sure why that is bothersome but I'm sure you have good reasons.  I like the practice of boarding the ship and immediately checking out my cabin and dropping off my carry on luggage.  Big step forward for me anyway.

[bermadu22]

We made our final payment for our September cruise yesterday. Yay! I'm excited we will be able to drop our bags off in our room upon boarding. Much more relaxing to have lunch without dragging our carry on bags around with us. 

[Mialias]

every cruise like has good food options - no other cruise has come up with anything like Le Petit Chef dining. It was a true highlight of my family's trip. outstanding experience!

[the_dylaness]

I like the Aqua Spa Cafe.

I actually like the drink packages, I don't know if I get my value from it, but I like not signing tabs or worrying about price.  Granted, there are things that could be improved but overall I like the concept.

I like that the rooms seem much nicer- I sailed on Mercury, in a sky suite, in 2009 and it was not a very nice room at all.  The mattresses were horrific.

[JackB60]

beverage packages. love silent disco. rooms are much nicer - great job. edge look (not price) -  another big plus bringing something as unique as Le Petit Chef as a dining experience rather than just another meal. We have friends who've seen LPC in Europe for 3 time the price - 55 is a bargain - we all loved it - great addition Celebrity