Celebrity used to be a step above the rest....Not anymore

[tiggypooo]

With all of the cutbacks and exclusions, they are on par or below the other options now.

Cruisers expect great food and service. These just don't exist anymore.

Is it now worthwhile to go to the next step and book luxury?????

 

[mizLORInj]

Agree; they need to stop advertising as "luxury" because they aren't anymore.  

[Dolebludger]

This is just my theory, for which I have no backup facts. But I suspect that people in the “head shed” of Celebrity’s holding company owner  believe that their mass market line (Royal) is more profitable than their premium line (X). This may be true, IDK, so they are moving X more in the direction of Royal. They just forgot to consider pricing. 
 

As far as “the next step of going to a luxury line”new did just that. We booked an E. Caribbean cruise on Regent for  $1100 pp LESS than a comparable cruise in the Retreat CS. Others on this thread have done much the same. This seems to save us money, and get more inclusions and perks too.

 

[mnocket]

That's been my choice.  X no longer offers the experience I desire.  My next 3 cruises are on Windstar, Regent, and stepping down a bit - MSC Yacht Club.  I used to be happy with the Celebrity and Princess products, but not so much anymore. So my decision was to cruise a little less frequently, but pay up for a luxury, small ship experience.  

 

Do I think Celebrity cares?  Not necessarily.  I'm sure they would prefer that I trade up to their luxury line Silversea and I'm sure many do.  On the whole, it's my opinion that the major cruise corporations are finding that their Premium lines don't generate the same profit per customer as their luxury or mainstream lines do. Hence all these changes to the Premium lines are intended to essentially make them mimic their mainstream product.  Their bet is that their loyal Premium customers will either accept the changes or move to a luxury line - most of which are part of the very same corporations.  It's a win-win for the corporations as the less profitable Premium lines are essentially phased out in favor of the more profitable mainstream and luxury lines. 

[High on the Seas]

14 minutes ago, tiggypooo said:

With all of the cutbacks and exclusions, they are on par or below the other options now.

Cruisers expect great food and service. These just don't exist anymore.

Is it now worthwhile to go to the next step and book luxury?????

 

The food on our last 2 cruises (post pandemic) was reasonably good in Blu. The overall service around the ship, especially in places like the restaurant, bars, OV, and Cafe Al Bacio had slipped year over year. Don’t know if it was a lack of staff but many of the workers seemed stressed and harried. The Maitre ‘d’ in Blu spent every evening bussing tables. We have a reservation in February of next year but haven’t decided based on our last two trips if we will go yet. 

[tiggypooo]

2 minutes ago, Dolebludger said:

This is just my theory, for which I have no backup facts. But I suspect that people in the “head shed” of Celebrity’s holding company owner  believe that their mass market line (Royal) is more profitable than their premium line (X). This may be true, IDK, so they are moving X more in the direction of Royal. They just forgot to consider pricing. 
 

As far as “the next step of going to a luxury line”new did just that. We booked an E. Caribbean cruise on Regent for  $1100 pp LESS than a comparable cruise in the Retreat CS. Others on this thread have done much the same. This seems to save us money, and get more inclusions and perks too.

 

 

Definitely worth considering. I'm going to start recommending this option.

[mnocket]

3 minutes ago, Dolebludger said:

This is just my theory, for which I have no backup facts. But I suspect that people in the “head shed” of Celebrity’s holding company owner  believe that their mass market line (Royal) is more profitable than their premium line (X). This may be true, IDK, so they are moving X more in the direction of Royal. They just forgot to consider pricing. 
 

As far as “the next step of going to a luxury line”new did just that. We booked an E. Caribbean cruise on Regent for  $1100 pp LESS than a comparable cruise in the Retreat CS. Others on this thread have done much the same. This seems to save us money, and get more inclusions and perks too.

 

lol    I just submitted my post and saw you posted essentially the same thoughts while I was writing mine.  Great minds think alike!

[tiggypooo]

If you're a gambler like me, their casino perks/freebees suck too.

I have been gambling in Celebrity casinos for years and have received very little freebees.

I just cancelled a Celebrity cruise for next year and booked a Princess one, because they can't give me enough.

16 nights Athens to Southampton, balcony with a huge shipboard credit.

Sign me up......

[doghog]

Exactly why I never let others opinions or experiences, positive or negative have any effect on our future cruises or plans to book more future cruises. I like reading and respect what others have to say, but...

[rgribble]

Celebrity is no long a premium line! 

[QuestionEverything]

I am on Oceania Insignia right now.

It is the same experience I had on Century in 1994 - premium. Gracious, one class, magnificent high tea, over the top service, high end food with multiple restaurants with large menus.

It is like a blast from the past.

To be clear, Celebrity is not a premium line, it is a mass line.

There is a big jump from Celebrity to an Oceania, Azamara etc.

Very different product offering. I cancelled Celebrity in 2018.

Celebrity used to be the Oceania of the day, it is quite the collapse of a company.

Consumers, there is significant choice in the market, no need to purchase Celebrity, you can move on if you wish.

[basenji56]

5 minutes ago, QuestionEverything said:

I am on Oceania Insignia right now.

It is the same experience I had on Century in 1994 - premium. Gracious, one class, magnificent high tea, over the top service, high end food with multiple restaurants with large menus.

It is like a blast from the past.

To be clear, Celebrity is not a premium line, it is a mass line.

There is a big jump from Celebrity to an Oceania, Azamara etc.

Very different product offering. I cancelled Celebrity in 2018.

Celebrity used to be the Oceania of the day, it is quite the collapse of a company.

Consumers, there is significant choice in the market, no need to purchase Celebrity, you can move on if you wish.

Cruise lines count on the fear many people have of an alternative being worse. And they reinforce that fear with the supposed perks from loyalty.

 

I am on Oceania right now and loving it. 

[wwcruisers]

3 hours ago, Dolebludger said:

This is just my theory, for which I have no backup facts. But I suspect that people in the “head shed” of Celebrity’s holding company owner  believe that their mass market line (Royal) is more profitable than their premium line (X). This may be true, IDK, so they are moving X more in the direction of Royal. They just forgot to consider pricing. 
 

 

 

You really bring up a good point. And actually, RCCL does have a true 'lux line' -- Silverseas.  And if memory serves, RC has always been the big moneymaker, ever since RCCL aquired X, from the Chandris family. I'm just not sure that I see a real path going forward for X. If it's not the luxury line (SS), or the family friendly line (RC) -- what's it going to be?

[RD64]

Celebrity has sadly come a long way from when it was privately owned by the Chandris family. Does anybody recall the swan pastries which they were famous for?

[poeticlicensed]

20 minutes ago, wwcruisers said:

You really bring up a good point. And actually, RCCL does have a true 'lux line' -- Silverseas.  And if memory serves, RC has always been the big moneymaker, ever since RCCL aquired X, from the Chandris family. I'm just not sure that I see a real path going forward for X. If it's not the luxury line (SS), or the family friendly line (RC) -- what's it going to be?

The in between. People who can't afford the luxury lines but don't want the RCL roller coaster turn it up to 11 experience. There' definitely a niche there. It just depends on how they play it

[QuestionEverything]

Just now, basenji56 said:

Cruise lines count on the fear many people have of an alternative being worse. And they reinforce that fear with the supposed perks from loyalty.

 

I am on Oceania right now and loving it. 

Greetings from Insignia. What vessel are you on?

You make a good point.

Another point to consider regarding RCL mgmt is that they appear to be relying on the "obedient consumer syndrome" which afflicts many consumers.

It seems apparent in Celebrity suite class folks, they will obediently book despite the changes and costs.

I do not want more people on Oceania, it is excellent as it is.

The one class configuration is why I purchase premium and above. 

I sailed Celebrity from 2001 to 2018 and saw the changes, a very sad situation for a once great cruise line.

Celebrity patrons need to realize that O and A and other premium lines are very different than Celebrity.

 

[bikerunner]

From what I can tell celebrity does not have an identity at this point. They are turning into rccl without the gimmicks but nothing else. At this point what they don’t stand out any way and are just becoming another mass market line that is much more expensive it seems.  I have 2 cruises left with celebrity.  Nov and a transatlantic next April.  That will be it for me as I have cruises now booked with oceana and Azamara.  Haven’t even looked at what celebrity had 2nd half of 24 or 25.   Not even on radar.   

[asnaleah]

Sadly, we too are moving on after our December cruise on Eclipse. We have Regent and Oceania booked.

[fsdorado]

What is the equivalent to an Edge-class SkySuite on Oceania and Regent?

 

 

Frederick

[ECCruise]

Have been sailing Celebrity since 1999.  30-some sailings, about a years worth of time on 15 ships.  Sailed every =X= ship built except Meridian before it went to the bottom.  Never sailed Flora or an E-class and have zero desire to sail either.

 

For many years, Celebrity's theme song, which was in all the commercials and played the last night when the staff and crew would assemble on the stage in the theater, was "Simply the Best."  And honestly, we strongly felt that way.  For the better part of a dozen years, we considered no other line except for something that Celebrity did not offer (an excursion ship to Antarctica, e.g. for more than the 1 year they offered it).  It was our line of choice and we wore that badge proudly.

 

But then we felt it starting to get away from our personal preferences.  When drink packages and Martini bars and Silent Disco and Liars Club became the focus rather than spending time in unique destinations.  When the bulk of =X= itineraries became, at the least, pretty hackneyed.  We no longer did the Caribbean or Alaska, so that worked against booking again.

 

Even though we have 4 =X= sailings booked with some interesting itineraries, we have largely moved on.  Have done many Azamara, which is by far our preferred choice, and a number of Oceania (no longer consider them) but also starting to re-add HAL to the mix after a number of years away since they have some really interesting itineraries. 

 

But Celebrity has obviously inked the direction that they want to go forward with, and that is fine.  Suite-centric, younger demographic, and maximum price point with less inclusions. If they feel that it is their best foot forward, more power to them.  They likely will be able to develop a new guest profile and perhaps to continue to sail full (although all lines are largely sailing full today).  We have some wonderful memories, and that will stay forever. 

[marieps]

I was about to explain the reasons I just booked 61 days in Asia with Regent.   I believe my fellow posters leave nothing for me to add.  

[mcatmcat]

And then , there are people that got tired of royal and now love x

That’s  me…

[basenji56]

3 hours ago, QuestionEverything said:

Greetings from Insignia. What vessel are you on?

You make a good point.

Another point to consider regarding RCL mgmt is that they appear to be relying on the "obedient consumer syndrome" which afflicts many consumers.

It seems apparent in Celebrity suite class folks, they will obediently book despite the changes and costs.

I do not want more people on Oceania, it is excellent as it is.

The one class configuration is why I purchase premium and above. 

I sailed Celebrity from 2001 to 2018 and saw the changes, a very sad situation for a once great cruise line.

Celebrity patrons need to realize that O and A and other premium lines are very different than Celebrity.

 

I am Regatta on the way to Alaska. Smaller than Riviera which I sailed on last years. 
 

Food is fabulous. I also love the ice cream. 
 

I guess Junior Suites on Celebrity are wonderful but I can’t justify the price even if they have an exclusive pool area. 

[Ex-Airbalancer]

3 hours ago, QuestionEverything said:

Greetings from Insignia. What vessel are you on?

You make a good point.

Another point to consider regarding RCL mgmt is that they appear to be relying on the "obedient consumer syndrome" which afflicts many consumers.

It seems apparent in Celebrity suite class folks, they will obediently book despite the changes and costs.

I do not want more people on Oceania, it is excellent as it is.

The one class configuration is why I purchase premium and above. 

I sailed Celebrity from 2001 to 2018 and saw the changes, a very sad situation for a once great cruise line.

Celebrity patrons need to realize that O and A and other premium lines are very different than Celebrity.

 

If you haven’t  cruise on Celebrity since 2018 why are you posting here, you have no personal experience of what happening on the line 🤔

A and O are $ hundred more per night than X when I compare cruises 

 

[poeticlicensed]

2 hours ago, ECCruise said:

Have been sailing Celebrity since 1999.  30-some sailings, about a years worth of time on 15 ships.  Sailed every =X= ship built except Meridian before it went to the bottom.  Never sailed Flora or an E-class and have zero desire to sail either.

 

For many years, Celebrity's theme song, which was in all the commercials and played the last night when the staff and crew would assemble on the stage in the theater, was "Simply the Best."  And honestly, we strongly felt that way.  For the better part of a dozen years, we considered no other line except for something that Celebrity did not offer (an excursion ship to Antarctica, e.g. for more than the 1 year they offered it).  It was our line of choice and we wore that badge proudly.

 

But then we felt it starting to get away from our personal preferences.  When drink packages and Martini bars and Silent Disco and Liars Club became the focus rather than spending time in unique destinations.  When the bulk of =X= itineraries became, at the least, pretty hackneyed.  We no longer did the Caribbean or Alaska, so that worked against booking again.

 

Even though we have 4 =X= sailings booked with some interesting itineraries, we have largely moved on.  Have done many Azamara, which is by far our preferred choice, and a number of Oceania (no longer consider them) but also starting to re-add HAL to the mix after a number of years away since they have some really interesting itineraries. 

 

But Celebrity has obviously inked the direction that they want to go forward with, and that is fine.  Suite-centric, younger demographic, and maximum price point with less inclusions. If they feel that it is their best foot forward, more power to them.  They likely will be able to develop a new guest profile and perhaps to continue to sail full (although all lines are largely sailing full today).  We have some wonderful memories, and that will stay forever. 

Completely agree. People can complain and write letters, but I'm guessing this has been the plan for some time now. I'm now searching other cruise lines to find one that has the things I value.