What other lines have you tried when Celebrity started to feel "not nice enough"

[Lastdance]

On 10/19/2023 at 2:36 AM, JoePDX said:

Oceania has become our first in line choice.  We love the small ships and the great itineraries.   I rarely drink so the included soft drinks, coffee, smoothies, etc. works well for me.  We shall see for the future as the Simply More scheme is not of value to me, especially since I do all private excursions.
 

That said, we are open to trying others.  Doing our first Royal Caribbean cruise in a few days.   It is a trial as I paid less that $700 a person for a 14 night TA in a boardwalk balcony.   I am looking at Holland America for their transpacific itineraries from Australia to the West Coast.

 

Joe

I have one cruised booked on Oceania, but since simplyMore includes excursions(Like to do my own)we have yet to book another.  Oh well, our itinerary and TA is exactly what we want; maybe, Oceania will look at changing this in the future.

[rj59]

I booked Azamara in April in Spain and Virgin in Europe in October, catching some bargains for a solo inside. The most unfriendly move by Celebrity for me has been chaging solo passengers more than 2005 of the doubles rate, and I don't like being disrespected that way. I'm trying Azamara because of the small ships, lack of formal nights, long port days and an overnight in Lisbon, and now that they're not part of RCL, they're not tied to its debt or stock price (the ship I'm going on was going to be part of Celebrity, until the pandemic). I want to try Virgin for the innovative dining, with all dining in free speciality ones, and a food hall rather than a buffet. I'm tired of all cruise ship menus and buffets, and being lobbied for a good review score by Celebrity waiters makes me uncomfortable, as would any shore restaurant waiter begging for a good tip. I love Celebrity shows and music, but Virgin seems to be more innovative and interesting and daring. Virgin also matches loyalty programs, which gets some nice perks. I'm not feeling rewarded by lines I've been loyal to, like HAL, Princess, and Celebrity, so I'm looking for new lines where I feel happier, or at least can experience something new.

[wahlct]

Did Azamara earlier this year.  Was cheaper than Celebrity and blew it away in every category except entertainment.

[TX-Cruiser]

Thank you all so much. So much food for thought here.....

[Dolebludger]

With us, it is not a matter of Celebrity not being “nice enough”. By way of background, we don’t like to cruise where we use big ship MDRs, crowded lounges, and lines and crowds everywhere. Thus, when we have cruised Celebrity, it was in the Retreat. We certainly found that “nice enough” and I’m confident it would still be. The thing we liked about the Retreat was that it was as “nice” as a small ship lux cruise. The benefits were that we could book a suite (like a CS) that was larger than what we would book on a lux line, and (when we cruised in the Retreat) the cost was less. Now the cost is more than the smaller ship lux lines. So it is not a matter of the Retreat not being “nice enough” — it is just too expensive.  Especially as some of the perks in the Retreat (or at least some levels of it) appear to have been eliminated.

[Treasure Hunter]

Viking does not have casinos. Oceania casinos are tiny and dead. The reason I like NCL Haven ship within a ship concept. Top of the line service and amenities and great BIG casino and entertainment in the main ship. Regent ( dead). We are on Celebrity Silhouette in January. After our two Edge cruises last winter we are giving Celebrity once last chance. Even in a Royal suite on the Edge we just felt it wasn’t as good as it should be.

[Gretchendz]

There are quite a few people trying Virgin Voyages. The food is great--no mian dining hall or buffet, Every dining venue is a specialty restaurnat already included in the fare. Basic wi-fi is included. Fitness classes are included.  

 

Contrary to some fears, it is not fears, it usually has no more "drunk crowd" than cruises with similar itineraries.

 

It is adults-only. While the demographic skews toward people in their 30s and 40s, older clients love the experience too. Big caveat: People who are offended by drag shows would not enjoy Virgin.  After all, the call their free gelato-style ice cream shop "Lick Me Till I Scream."

[bac513]

Celebrity is pricing itself out for us. We first sailed on Zenith in 1992. For 30 years X has been our go to cruise line. With the E class ships, we do not want an infinite balcony so have been sailing in Sky Suites. We have been on a few MSC cruises in the Yacht Club and really like it.

 

Comparing a 7 night Apex cruise from FLL to a similar cruise on MSC Seashore from Canaveral - An Apex sky suite runs $8600 and a Seashore grand deluxe suite $5300 with Voyagers Club discount. Oh, and both itineraries are not the most attractive.

 

The Yacht Club has benefits above those of Celebrity including dedicated butler, free minibar use, Espresso machine, free bottle of booze, buffet breakfast and lunch on pool deck. There are only about 120 suites totally within the yacht club requiring key access.

 

Sadly it appears our cruising with X days appear to be over unless we find a concierge cabin on a good itinerary on a S class ship.

[Bobblehat71]

On 10/22/2023 at 5:45 PM, Gretchendz said:

There are quite a few people trying Virgin Voyages. The food is great--no mian dining hall or buffet, Every dining venue is a specialty restaurnat already included in the fare. Basic wi-fi is included. Fitness classes are included.  

 

Contrary to some fears, it is not fears, it usually has no more "drunk crowd" than cruises with similar itineraries.

 

It is adults-only. While the demographic skews toward people in their 30s and 40s, older clients love the experience too. Big caveat: People who are offended by drag shows would not enjoy Virgin.  After all, the call their free gelato-style ice cream shop "Lick Me Till I Scream."

 

We sailed with Virgin back in May around the Med. My wife and I are in our early 50's and Absolutely loved it. The food was excellent throughout the ship.The entertainment wont be to every ones taste but it was high quality great fun. The restaurant and food court concepts are really refreshing.It was nice to get the speciality restaurant feel without being fleeced for more cash. The service across was some of the best we've ever experienced on any cruise line and the staff were so much more relaxed and appeared genuinely happy .

[deliver42]

On MSC, you have to go Yacht Club, or be sorely disappointed. However, the YC is no longer a great buy. Their pricing on newer ships run over $6000.00 for a 7 day cruise plus gratuities. That being said, the service is impeccable.

[doghog]

On 10/18/2023 at 8:40 PM, RichYak said:

I’m looking forward to my “test cruise” on MSC in YC in March. That said, finding interesting itineraries is a challenge on MSC for me. YMMV

I'm not impressed with MSC ships. 😁

[RichYak]

56 minutes ago, deliver42 said:

the YC is no longer a great buy. Their pricing on newer ships run over $6000.00 for a 7 day cruise plus gratuities.

Status match to any MSC Voyager's club tier and get 5% discount + another 5% discount for booking 6 months out. That gets that "not a great buy" $6000 fare down to a little over $5400 or about $387pp/pn. Find me a Retreat cabin on Celebrity at that price--even on ships without a Retreat Sundeck. There aren't many.

Edited October 24, 2023 by RichYak

[marco491]

 

We remain loyal to Celebrity for now, but with retirement looming and more days available we might turn promiscuous.

 

Threads like this are a great resource, but I have to say that talking to people onboard tells a rather different story: people who have tried and come back to X.

 

Some good friends of ours tried Silversea recently, for twice the price, and had many misgivings: a smaller ship with less to do; running into the same people over and over (not necessarily what they wanted); more of a "country club" type of clientele, with politics to match; a not-at-all relaxed dress code; formal-bordering-stiff service, with the feeling that the waiters will be keel-hauled for the slightest slip; and the pressure to do every excursion simply because you have paid for it in advance. They are returning to Celebrity, for now.

 

As I said, we look forward to experimenting a little, but are wary!

 

 

[Dolebludger]

In our recent cruise price/value research, we certainly did not find Silversea to be twice the price of The Retreat. In fact, in many cases, we found Silversea to be less expensive than The Retreat. Of course, Silversea may well be twice the per diem of other levels of Celebrity accommodations that do not include what Silversea and The Retreat do. We too feel that the dress code on Silversea (both official and unofficial) is a bit dressy for us. We find Regent’s dress code and guest’s practices to be much the same as Celebrity. Regent also offers inclusions that The Retreat does not — like unlimited valet laundry services and unlimited use of mini fridge items and restocking.  We also found Regent to be less expensive than The Retreat in most cases. Bottom line, our cost/value comparisons did not favor The Retreat. But in many categories below The Retreat, Celebrity’s cost/value relationship looked quite good. 

[marco491]

19 hours ago, Dolebludger said:

In our recent cruise price/value research, we certainly did not find Silversea to be twice the price of The Retreat. In fact, in many cases, we found Silversea to be less expensive than The Retreat. Of course, Silversea may well be twice the per diem of other levels of Celebrity accommodations that do not include what Silversea and The Retreat do. We too feel that the dress code on Silversea (both official and unofficial) is a bit dressy for us. We find Regent’s dress code and guest’s practices to be much the same as Celebrity. Regent also offers inclusions that The Retreat does not — like unlimited valet laundry services and unlimited use of mini fridge items and restocking.  We also found Regent to be less expensive than The Retreat in most cases. Bottom line, our cost/value comparisons did not favor The Retreat. But in many categories below The Retreat, Celebrity’s cost/value relationship looked quite good. 

 

Indeed, I don't think their Silversea was twice the price of our Retreat (we didn't compare $$), but our suite and bathroom appeared to be much bigger, we had more choice of eating and entertainment venues, and weren't bound by the excursions. You would know better about quality, though, as we haven't done Silversea. Regent sounds far more amenable, but much will come down to personal preference.

 

[Dolebludger]

Regarding included shore excursions, they are really pretty basic and guests are not required to take them. Lines with included shore excursions also offer premium ones at extra charge. We always end up with room credit on the lux lines, which we use for premium excursions. On these lines, there isn’t much else for which to use the credit.

[Traveling Fools]

On 10/19/2023 at 6:25 PM, Traveling Fools said:

We are booked on a TA aboard Azamara's "Onward" departing Lisbon on Nov 18th.  We didn't select the ship or the line  Once again it is part of an "Enrichment Journey" that takes us to Casablanca, Marrakesh, and Lisbon pre-cruise; 3-4 days in each location. 

 

Returned home on Dec 1st from a TA aboard Azamara.  The booking was included as part of a land/cruise package and not an intentional booking made by us.

 

Aside from VERY rough seas from Lisbon to Bermuda, we found the cruise to be a good one. 

 

We liked the layout and size of our suite (same class as a RS).  The balcony was spacious and when seas were calm was a great place to enjoy the sun and seas.

 

With one exception, we found our fellow shipmates to be friendly and congenial.

 

The crew were astonishing and took no time remembering your name and preferences. Our butler and cabin attended were always there for us and did a great job!

 

This was the first cruise we have ever been on where we noticed the CD really doing something and being part of the stage entertainment. 

 

While on board entertainment can't be compared to big ship Vegas style reviews, it far surpassed what we experienced on Oceania.  Could be because the CD was involved.

 

Food was good to great.  The first night out our waiter in Prime C totally screwed up our order.  DW didn't get the Steak Dian she ordered and instead of the filet I ordered I was served a grisly New York strip.  Not a great first impression, but things improved.  The Italian Chef's Table wasn't worth the money paid for it, but the French Chef's table was excellent.

 

We have had two really fantasticate Captains on our cruises.  The first was on our TP crossing from Japan to Vancouver in 2017 aboard the Mille.  The second was aboard this cruise and he topped the Mille's Captain.  He was involved with the passengers and conducted the bridge tour...the most comprehensive one we have taken!

 

Check-in was quick, but boarding (regardless of class of cabin/suite) did not start until 2:00 PM.  Boarding was done by class of cabin/suite and loyalty status groups.

 

While able to pay for an upgraded beverage package and bundle of Chef's tables on-line pre-cruise, we were not able to make actual reservations until after boarding.  Reservations were made at a single table in one of the specialty restaurants on a first come first serve basis. I went there straight away and there was only one couple in front of me.  While making my reservations, I heard more people join the line and was very surprised when I left to find the line extended outside the restaurant to the elevators.  We learned from some of our traveling companions that booking reservations through your butler didn't grant any priority in getting your desired seating (Don't know if this was true for PH class suite).

 

Onboard shopping was limited and didn't provide the distraction the number of shops found on larger ships does on sea days.

 

On Azamara, regardless if you have a beverage package, there is no restriction on bringing alcoholic beverages aboard; either at the time of initial boarding or at ports of call.

 

Disembarkation was a breeze.

 

Would we consider Azamara again?  Yes.  We have another cruise booked with them, again incidental to a land/cruise enrichment journey.

 

 

 

 

Edited December 25, 2023 by Traveling Fools

[chereya]

Anyone try VV and have a comparison to the Celebrity Experience? My husband and I are in the 40-50 age group and not party people but curious about the adults only vibe.

[CruiseRQA]

On 10/19/2023 at 7:40 AM, Ex-Airbalancer said:

Which cruise line can I get get a balcony cabin  for $120 USD per couple  per night , with $620 OBC ?

 

So you're looking to pay $840 per couple for a 7 day cruise AND have them give you $620 OBC?    Good luck!    I also refer you the thread titled:  
"We are doing to Celebrity what we accuse Celebrity of doing to us"

[Ex-Airbalancer]

44 minutes ago, CruiseRQA said:

So you're looking to pay $840 per couple for a 7 day cruise AND have them give you $620 OBC?    Good luck!    I also refer you the thread titled:  
"We are doing to Celebrity what we accuse Celebrity of doing to us"

Don’t do 7 night cruise unless it a b2b with a transatlantic 😁

our next Celebrity cruise, 12 night  Transatlantic, basic cruise is $1666CAD ( including taxes &F eels) for 2 in a balcony with about $300 OBC 

 

why refer me to that thread ? 

[George C]

On 10/24/2023 at 9:20 AM, RichYak said:

Status match to any MSC Voyager's club tier and get 5% discount + another 5% discount for booking 6 months out. That gets that "not a great buy" $6000 fare down to a little over $5400 or about $387pp/pn. Find me a Retreat cabin on Celebrity at that price--even on ships without a Retreat Sundeck. There aren't many.

I just booked Seaside yacht club, price was about 3k per person for 7 nights, but I am a veteran so I get a 10 percent discount, this includes drink package and WiFi and a couple hundred OBC , plus I get a free dinner for two in steak specialty restaurant because of my diamond status . We just did a rccl grand suite of about 5k total , WiFi was included but not drink package or OBC , rccl suite restaurant is not as good as Luminae and suite lounge just has free liquor for 3 hours a night . But considering most celebrity suites I recently looked at were 4K per person or more.

[hcat]

On 10/24/2023 at 10:43 AM, marco491 said:

 

We remain loyal to Celebrity for now, but with retirement looming and more days available we might turn promiscuous.

 

Threads like this are a great resource, but I have to say that talking to people onboard tells a rather different story: people who have tried and come back to X.

 

Some good friends of ours tried Silversea recently, for twice the price, and had many misgivings: a smaller ship with less to do; running into the same people over and over (not necessarily what they wanted); more of a "country club" type of clientele, with politics to match; a not-at-all relaxed dress code; formal-bordering-stiff service, with the feeling that the waiters will be keel-hauled for the slightest slip; and the pressure to do every excursion simply because you have paid for it in advance. They are returning to Celebrity, for now.

 

As I said, we look forward to experimenting a little, but are wary!

 

 

good point made...how many come back and why?

 

  We used to switch off between X and Royal C...but one cruise on Oasis convinced us to stick with X.   It was too big, mall like, crowded,  we needed to pre reserve events, but waited on   lines anyhow... more family oriented activities.....food and service not comparable to X..and the adult only area out back was not as nice as X Solarium...

 

if we stray..it will be on Cunard..again.

[TeaBag]

We have tried HAL and Azamara.  We loved Azamara and have booked a third cruise in 2025.  I guess Celebrity must not be so bad after all because we have 4 more booked!

[Dolebludger]

Celebrity does offer good deals for those wanting a “basic” cruise with few inclusions and perks. Especially on its older, smaller, and less crowded ships. For those wanting a lux experience, the Retreat used to give great value for the money. But with all the fare increases and all the cuts (there seem to be more cuts every week) it is our opinion that value is no longer there in the Retreat. 

[Loracpin2]

6 hours ago, hcat said:

good point made...how many come back and why?

 

  We used to switch off between X and Royal C...but one cruise on Oasis convinced us to stick with X.   It was too big, mall like, crowded,  we needed to pre reserve events, but waited on   lines anyhow... more family oriented activities.....food and service not comparable to X..and the adult only area out back was not as nice as X Solarium...

 

if we stray..it will be on Cunard..again.

We sailed the Oasis this past July to cruise with Family!! Although the time we spent with Family was fantastic, the experience of sailing on the Oasis was enough for us to never sail with RCI ever again!!!!!