Celebrity Cruises Making Bad Decisions?

Inspired by one or two comments I’ve had from my customers recently, this blog is essentially about what some consider to be poor decision making from a personal favourite of mine, Celebrity Cruises.

Of late Celebrity have made a couple of controversial decisions which seem to have had a large impact on the feedback of their normally, very satisfied guests.

Decision number one, and for me this is a bad one, although it doesn’t overly affect British guests, and here’s why – Gratuities increasing in price to a whopping $13.50pppn (per person per night). Wow! So you go with their suggestion for a 14 night cruise and your tipping outlay is not far short of $200 per guest, nearly $400 per cabin!

Now granted the staff work hard yes, but for me it was already high enough at $11.50pppn, now it’s even more! Why?

Reason I say it doesn’t over affect British guests is because we generally like to remove the tips anyway and pay who we want, what we want, service first, tip second. But I’m somewhat more lazy with it personally, I like to literally just have it done with, drinks package, tips paid before I go. But this would certainly make me rethink me usual strategy!

So jury still out on this one for me! Any feedback welcome?

Decision number two:

Bit of a mixed opinion on this one in fairness, and I see both sides. This is regarding the change to dress code in the dining rooms, specifically the lack of the formal evenings and formal dress, black tie etc

For me this is one of the highlights of the cruise, and I think a lot of my clients would agree. We love getting dressed up once every so often, makes you feel grand and a bit special. As a home working sales consultant with four dogs to walk daily, I tend to spend my entire life in somewhat scruffy attire, so I like the opportunity to scrub up and don the old penguin suit now and again. My wife is the same, like a lot, she has a cupboard full of fancy dresses she never wears! So good to dust them off once in a while!

So for me, again this is a bad choice. ‘Evening Chic’ as they have coined the term however, has been much better received on certain itineraries. Either destinations that are either very hot, or very cold. Why? Luggage of course.

You dive on a plane these days and are restricted to 20 or 23kg of luggage. I send a lot of clients to Australia for 2 weeks or more, so for them, not having to take heavy formal gear is a massive plus. Likewise, Alaska is another favourite, and when you are taking big coats, woolly jumpers, gloves, hats etc, all which add to your weight, again, big advantage.

So again, perhaps the jury is still out on this one, and again, I leave you the floor…………

Thanks for reading and I look forward to your feedback……….and of course as always, until next time………..