How to navigate the new normal

[cruisin from florida]

Based on many recent comments, Celebrity seems to be facing challenges in delivering the level of quality that many of its customers are used to. This isn't another pile-on thread. I haven't seen any of this first-hand. I'm looking forward to a Silhouette cruise in about a week. 

 

If you have cruised this class of ship since the changes took place ( first departure in Jan. 2023), what do you recommend to maximize our enjoyment? 

We booked the AI, and we're not in a suite. We don't want to spend big bucks on specialty dining. Other than MDR, OV, and spa café, are their any other options for lunch and dinner that might be better? Which bars are going to be less crowded?... That kind of thing.

 

I cruise Royal mostly, but did an Apex 7 night a year ago that was amazing. Please give me tips to help this cruise be as great as it can. Thanks!!

 

 

[horseymike]

No expectations, no disappointments.

[Georgia_Peaches]

I refuse to accept the “new normal”.  If something doesn’t sit right With you on your cruise, say something!  It’s the only way things have a chance of reversing course. I plan to do this in a few weeks. Don’t accept the new normal. Period. 

[cruisin from florida]

10 minutes ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

I refuse to accept the “new normal”.  If something doesn’t sit right With you on your cruise, say something!  It’s the only way things have a chance of reversing course. I plan to do this in a few weeks. Don’t accept the new normal. Period. 

We'll definitely say something, on board and in the survey if there are issues. Avoiding them in the first place may make for a more pleasant experience. Or even finding those little-known locations or activities that bring the "casual luxury." 😁

[Guest 4-2-N-8]

29 minutes ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

I refuse to accept the “new normal”.  If something doesn’t sit right With you on your cruise, say something!  It’s the only way things have a chance of reversing course. I plan to do this in a few weeks. Don’t accept the new normal. Period. 

I accept the new normal!

 

But I was in the Retreat on Beyond. Didn't leave often.

 

It was superb!

 

See you in August, Celebrity.

 

Peace and love to all...

[Arizona Wildcat]

47 minutes ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

I refuse to accept the “new normal”.  If something doesn’t sit right With you on your cruise, say something!  It’s the only way things have a chance of reversing course. I plan to do this in a few weeks. Don’t accept the new normal. Period. 

Wish you lots of luck.  You might well need it because things have changed in all forms of travel from motels to airlines to cruising. 

New normal?  Balderdash.

To be happy on board a ship, airplane or in an accommodation we will be flexible and if things seem not right we will see if they can be made better. 

[jelayne]

If you go looking to be disappointed you will be.  
Less busy bars, sunset bar at night, casino bar, ensemble bar after 9:30.  
 

Dinner options are MDR, OV or Room Service ( fee) or specialty restaurants, no different than before the shutdown.

[NMTraveller]

The S class has a bunch of smaller bars.  You can always find one that is not that busy.  My favorite is the Sky Lounge.

[shanebbb]

This is a great thread of posts - such a sensible way to approach the vacation!  We’re on Beyond in 10 days and I got to the point of exhaustion between the posts on chair hogs, the creaky noises at night, the drop off in service and the room service charges!  I love cruising and we have not been since pre-pandemic.  I’m feeling better after reading these posts and cannot wait to head south!  Thanks, guys… 

[mariners]

cruising from Florida, we had back-to-back cruises on the Solstice in January/February.  The differences between the cruises was huge, and I am well aware that other Celebrity cruises will have different opinions than mine.  That being said, this is what worked for me/us:

a)  the best and healthiest, IMO, food onboard was at The Spa Cafe and Juice Bar for breakfast and for lunch.  Please note that you cannot get water, coffee, etc. and will need to pick up your drink of choice before you get to the venue.  As well, there are few tables, and there will be a wait time to get some different foods as they make them fresh.  However, you can always get the food and go outside to the pool deck, take the food to your cabin, or find a different place to sit.

b) if you want to have a bottle or alcohol in your cabin onboard (not the wine you are permitted to bring), I suggest ordering it ahead of time.  This might no longer exist as an option on your cruise.  It was very difficult for the staff/crew to provide this choice onboard.  This cannot be ordered, once onboard, through anyone except guest services.  It was difficult and frustrating for everyone.

c) if you would like any "heat" to your food, such as Sambal, hot sauce, etc., make sure the wait staff know.  Ask them to bring it with your food.  As well, it was "hidden" on our cruise in the Oceanview Cafe at dinner but was available at lunch at one station.  

d) if you like coffee, Cafe Al Bacio is well worth the price.  If you drink specific tea, bring it with you.  Options might be limited and they do run out of some teas before a cruise has ended.

e) let your dining room staff know if you want to make it to a specific show at a time that make serving dinner difficult.  They will do whatever they can so that you can finish your dinner in a timely fashion.

f) if you are on set dining, arrive at dinner when it's "your time" as the dining staff will be maxed out and you will need to flexible and enjoy a prolonged dining experience if you arrive late.

g) if you want extra ice, facecloths, soap, etc., you need to let your stateroom attendant know.  They will do everything they can to meet your needs/wants.

h) new crew all tried really hard to meet passenger expectations.  Some of the crew  had worked for other cruise lines but found the transition to Celebrity difficult as passengers had different expectations.  I did not meet one crew member who did not try to make my cruise the best ever!

i) check out the shore excursions before you book.  If you want an excursion that is really active, do not choose a panorama, or an excursion that would fit "all passengers".  

j) although the Martini Bar makes, IMO, the best martinis, it was packed after 4 p.m. and many people were dressed for dinner. If you dine later, and there was no hope of getting service at the bar or a table.  One needs to be flexible, be prepared to have a longer wait time/and/or choose a different venue.

k) depending upon your itinerary and how full the ship is on your sailing, none of the above recommendations might matter.  When the ship was less that 1/2 full, we could not have asked for more.  On the second segment, life was very different.  My heart went out to the crew who were obviously stressed.  Our same wait staff in the dining room could not keep up with the number of tables they served, etc.

 

We are back onboard close to the end of the year on a different ship.   When possible, I will try to give other future passengers information that would be, IMO, beneficial,,  

 

Wishing everyone a cruise of a lifetime. 

 

 

 

 

[RichYak]

1 hour ago, mariners said:

When the ship was less that 1/2 full, we could not have asked for more.  On the second segment, life was very different.  My heart went out to the crew who were obviously stressed.  Our same wait staff in the dining room could not keep up with the number of tables they served, etc.

If Celebrity can't adequately staff their ships now, what happens when Ascent starts sailing? December will be here before we know it.

[TwoBeAtSea]

17 hours ago, horseymike said:

No expectations, no disappointments.

Hey now, there is a great new tag line for the company:  "Celebrity Cruises: No expectations, no disappointments" 
 

[weregoingcruising]

26 minutes ago, TwoBeAtSea said:

Hey now, there is a great new tag line for the company:  "Celebrity Cruises: No expectations, no disappointments" 
 

Or "Grin and bear it"

[weregoingcruising]

4 minutes ago, weregoingcruising said:

Or "Grin and bear it"

For those that are concerned about their next cruise on Celebrity. Listen to Bobby Mcfrerrin sing his song Don't Worry Be Happy. You can google it and record it to listen on your cruise.

[DesertRat46]

weregoingcruising....LOVE IT. My new motto for any cruise!

[miched]

Most bars are never crowded when not open for service,  but m if not open it may be crowded for an event taking place.  

 

When there are open it depends on the passengers and what is scheduled there and the time.   During shows and dinner many bars are empty.    You will have to find out for yourself during your cruise.  If you do find it don’t broadcast as it will becomes crowded. 🤗 as Yogi said “nobody goes there anymore because it is too crowded”. 
 

If you are Elite status there is the morning continental breakfast and it usually isn’t crowded.  
 

There is also the Mast Grill for burgers, hot dogs and etc for lunch and Cafe al Bacio for the sweet treats all day.    

 

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅
 

 

[C4HCG]

2 hours ago, RichYak said:

If Celebrity can't adequately staff their ships now, what happens when Ascent starts sailing? December will be here before we know it.

😂😂😂 must remember to start my Christmas shopping 

[C4HCG]

2 hours ago, TwoBeAtSea said:

Hey now, there is a great new tag line for the company:  "Celebrity Cruises: No expectations, no disappointments" 
 

Or maybe don’t book Celebrity if you don’t think they are value for money, but if you do, go for it and see what you think.

[scrabble6]

We were on Equinox and Silhouette in the last couple of weeks.  We're low maintenence cruisers and had a wonderful time!!

 

Check out Sushi on Five.  It's not a complementary restaurant but it is a la carte and reasonably priced.  I don't care for sushi and most seafood, but love to eat there--they have nice dumplings, a great shrimp tempura udon, and also a pork ramen that I have not tried.  They serve lunch and dinner.

 

We had some good meals in the MDR and also ate in the OVC several times.  We absolutely love sunset seating for dinner on the rear balcony of the OVC--and we found plenty of variety for great dinners there.  But again: low maintenence cruisers.  🙂  YMMV

 

The Passport Bar in the mid afternoon is not crowded.  We like to stop there on the way in from an excursion and pick up yummy margaritas.  

 

Craft Social usually had seating.  They have bar food there, but it's an extra charge.  We made a dinner out of the bar bites one evening on Apex last year, but did not try them on our recent cruise.  We did enjoy the bar atmosphere there though!

 

Enjoy your cruise!  What's not to love?  

[NMTraveller]

Our plan is to maximize time outside of the ship in ports.  That means skipping the MDR in the evenings and getting a bite to eat before getting back on the ship.  If we miss a show, oh well.  This should have been our plan before the degradation of evening meals in the MDR and OVC and room service.

Edited February 17, 2023 by NMTraveller

[miched]

I doubt you will miss many shows by dining off of the ship because sail away from most ports is before 6 pm and if it sails later there is the late show that starts around 9 pm

 

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅

[DCPIV]

On 2/15/2023 at 8:19 PM, cruisin from florida said:

Which bars are going to be less crowded?

 

If you like the Martini Bar but think have problems finding a seat at night, try heading over there right around the late seating time for MDR.  We often go to dinner around 6:30 and come out a little after 8 or so.  We'd head over to the Martini Bar, and it would be absolutely packed at 8:15.  Sometime within the next 10 minutes or so, it would clear out like the last one left got stuck with the check.  It might fill back up as more got out of dinner, but it never seemed to get back to the SRO situation before early seating.

 

Ensemble hardly ever feels crowded, even when it is.

 

As mentioned, the Sunset Bar at night can be a little piece of heaven.  Sky Bar is pretty calm and quiet until things get started in there at night.