I'm really looking forward to our upcoming 10 days on Infinity next April. Just had 2 cruises on MSC Fantasia class ships. Agree with you about the "gaudiness", especially with MSC Divina. The decor on Celebrity Infinity (and Solstice in 2025 on a TransPacific) looks very appealing to me. Elevators - I used to pull similar tricks during my college years to gain an empty elevator when the waiting area was otherwise full. I merely paid attention to how the pair of elevators functioned, and engineered my way to getting an empty one 90% of the time.
VIATOR is fabulous. I used them When I went to London and Rome, fabulous and very reasonable prices. I also always walk off the cruise ship with my luggage it’s so much easier!
The attraction of the pool is to be able to jump in and cool off when you get too hot. We have just been on the Eclipse. I was so grateful the portion sizes in the MDR were small. My stomach turns if I am confronted with a plate loaded with food, and even if I am hungry I lose my appetite. Even in the buffet there is plenty of white space on my plate. However we had one meal where one dish was really disappointing. It was a cheese soufflé, but the egg was much more like the consistency of a quiche. I normally try to eat everything on my plate as I don’t like to waste food. It was one of the few times I left half of it on my plate. I did not force my self to eat it (it tasted fine) because I would not have had room for the main course. I totally agree about Murano. Sadly the night we had booked for that restaurant, my partner tested positive for COVID. However room service arranged for Muranos to cook the meal and bring it to our cabin.The meal was delicious, absolutely the best on the ship. We also had soufflé for desert. It was done to perfection (which was why we were so disappointed with the MDR’s soufflé 5 days later - the night my partner was released from isolation).
yes I've heard the shops were way to over the top, even on the Queen Mary, the shops and 'bargain day' were really quite good value.. we're going on to a Celerity Reflection in May in the MED.... so looking forward to it,,,,taking your very valid problems, THANK YOU !!
We will be sailing on Equinox for the third time end of April, will sail again on her in May of 2024. We think it is a great ship with amazing crew. Try the Aqua class, worth the extra $$. Agree with you on the pool, like the atrium pool, quiet. Yes, there are places that need TLC. Shops are soooo expensive and high end, not a good place to find necessities. Public washrooms are attended and use cloth towels, kept nicely cleaned.
I have been sailing with Celebrity since 1991....I have never seen this low quality of food since sailing with them...The quality has drastically declined...many items in the Buffet have been eliminated...The MDR is now average at best...I have to think I will not sail with them until these cutbacks are somewhat restored...what was a 4.5 star cruise line has sunk to an average cruise line....When I got home from Jan cruise, I cancelled my next booking....so sad to see this happen to what was once a great cruise line.
Loved this series and have just got back from the same cruise on the equinox. We’re also doing a Fjords cruise later this year, we may see you onboard 😂
Absolutely agree about the shops on board. Our cruise was port intensive- so not such a problem to go to a supermarket in port to buy needs. I also noted the cabins were in need in TLC. Ironically the cruise line had varnished the railings on embarkation day. My partner did not see the sign saying wet paint (which was under the railings) and leaned on them. I do not think he was the only one 🙂. We did not go on any excursions. It was a cruise to NZ so we went a week before and saw quite a few of the attractions then.
As far as shops...who the heck buy that stuff on the ship. If you need something buy it when you are in port or bring it from home. Buy before you get on the ship in port or where ever. Not a pool lover either on the ship. I've been on 3 cruises recently. I was able to go straight to my stateroom. I boarded the ship as soon as it was open. The problem with sitting by the window or with no one around you, you don't have a chance to talk to other people. The last cruise with my husband we didn't enjoy our dining because the people near us only spoke French. Talking to other people is half the fun of taking a cruise. I also travel solo. I always say I don't know a sole before getting on the ship buy I have over a thousand new friends by talking to others. I guess if you like to be by yourself, get a table in a corner. It was not fun for us being in a corner.
Nice video. Hubby & I will be on the Celebrity Reflection next week (12-19 Feb 2023) via the gay tour group, VACAYA. We always have a lot of fun on their gay chartered cruises.
It’s even cheaper to plan your excursions without using a company like viator. Just book tickets directly with the companies or ferries It saves hundreds.
Hello! Thank you for your channel!! We will be traveling on the Equinox this May. The MDR certainly did seem chaotic! I also watched your other video with a detailed review. Did you choose the Select Dining or have the set dining time (6:00 or 8:30)?
Thank you for your reply! We chose to do the set time at the MDR this sailing. Hoping it will be a bit more organized! Although we usually do the Select and then book a time in advance, perhaps during these times of short staffing and flux, set seating might be the better option. 🤷🏻♀️
BTW, I love the food in the MDR, I've never eaten in a speciality dining room, why pay extra for food you already paid for. You might be the person I met at the outdoor grill area. There was no open table, but a guy sitting by himself. I asked to sit with him and he felt insulted I guess because he picked up his things and left...so insulting not wanting to even sit with another person...please don't bash Celebrity...I only cruise Celebrity..your British...I guess English don''t know good food.
I have just been on Celebrity. I thought the food on Celebrity was pretty good until our second last night when we had the cheese soufflés which were the consistency of a quiche. Some people we meet in the MDR a few days earlier also described some dishes they had the night before that were pretty poor also. I thought the food in the buffet was fine, but not very exciting. I was not expecting much. I did not expect what we usually get in Australia in buffets - which is usually includes prawns, oysters and other cold seafood as well as what you get in cruise buffets. In Australia you would also get a lot more Asian cuisine on offer. So I think that a lot of passengers are finding the food a bit hit or miss. I think most of the food is still pretty good, but there are a few dishes not hitting the mark. However we were impressed with the care Celebrity took of my partner when he contacted COVID. He had to isolate for 5 days. The MDR sent a menu for lunch and dinner. Although I went to the buffet a few times, most of the time I ate with him in the cabin. I thought the food was still pretty good. Celebrity also sent little afternoon treats to him such as a fruit platter, a cheese platter and so on.
Thank you I’m enjoying your videos so much since we are going in September
I'm really looking forward to our upcoming 10 days on Infinity next April. Just had 2 cruises on MSC Fantasia class ships. Agree with you about the "gaudiness", especially with MSC Divina. The decor on Celebrity Infinity (and Solstice in 2025 on a TransPacific) looks very appealing to me.
Elevators - I used to pull similar tricks during my college years to gain an empty elevator when the waiting area was otherwise full. I merely paid attention to how the pair of elevators functioned, and engineered my way to getting an empty one 90% of the time.
VIATOR is fabulous. I used them When I went to London and Rome, fabulous and very reasonable prices. I also always walk off the cruise ship with my luggage it’s so much easier!
Not booking excursions through the cruise is a big tip! The prices are double 😮 . Thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome!
YES YES ..good advice, I book through VIATOR or shore excursons ..never had a problem, sooo much cheaper
The attraction of the pool is to be able to jump in and cool off when you get too hot.
We have just been on the Eclipse. I was so grateful the portion sizes in the MDR were small. My stomach turns if I am confronted with a plate loaded with food, and even if I am hungry I lose my appetite. Even in the buffet there is plenty of white space on my plate.
However we had one meal where one dish was really disappointing. It was a cheese soufflé, but the egg was much more like the consistency of a quiche. I normally try to eat everything on my plate as I don’t like to waste food. It was one of the few times I left half of it on my plate. I did not force my self to eat it (it tasted fine) because I would not have had room for the main course.
I totally agree about Murano. Sadly the night we had booked for that restaurant, my partner tested positive for COVID. However room service arranged for Muranos to cook the meal and bring it to our cabin.The meal was delicious, absolutely the best on the ship. We also had soufflé for desert. It was done to perfection (which was why we were so disappointed with the MDR’s soufflé 5 days later - the night my partner was released from isolation).
yes I've heard the shops were way to over the top, even on the Queen Mary, the shops and 'bargain day' were really quite good value.. we're going on to a Celerity Reflection in May in the MED.... so looking forward to it,,,,taking your very valid problems, THANK YOU !!
I have never been on a cruise ship where the pool areas we’re relaxing. They are always too busy. That’s 25 cruise ships.
Us neither!
We will be sailing on Equinox for the third time end of April, will sail again on her in May of 2024. We think it is a great ship with amazing crew. Try the Aqua class, worth the extra $$. Agree with you on the pool, like the atrium pool, quiet. Yes, there are places that need TLC. Shops are soooo expensive and high end, not a good place to find necessities. Public washrooms are attended and use cloth towels, kept nicely cleaned.
I have been sailing with Celebrity since 1991....I have never seen this low quality of food since sailing with them...The quality has drastically declined...many items in the Buffet have been eliminated...The MDR is now average at best...I have to think I will not sail with them until these cutbacks are somewhat restored...what was a 4.5 star cruise line has sunk to an average cruise line....When I got home from Jan cruise, I cancelled my next booking....so sad to see this happen to what was once a great cruise line.
That’s very sad to hear
We felt the same way that the food was even at times inedible.
Loved this series and have just got back from the same cruise on the equinox. We’re also doing a Fjords cruise later this year, we may see you onboard 😂
Yah!!
I agree about the shops
Absolutely agree about the shops on board. Our cruise was port intensive- so not such a problem to go to a supermarket in port to buy needs.
I also noted the cabins were in need in TLC. Ironically the cruise line had varnished the railings on embarkation day. My partner did not see the sign saying wet paint (which was under the railings) and leaned on them. I do not think he was the only one 🙂.
We did not go on any excursions. It was a cruise to NZ so we went a week before and saw quite a few of the attractions then.
Oops!!!!
As far as shops...who the heck buy that stuff on the ship. If you need something buy it when you are in port or bring it from home. Buy before you get on the ship in port or where ever. Not a pool lover either on the ship. I've been on 3 cruises recently. I was able to go straight to my stateroom. I boarded the ship as soon as it was open. The problem with sitting by the window or with no one around you, you don't have a chance to talk to other people. The last cruise with my husband we didn't enjoy our dining because the people near us only spoke French. Talking to other people is half the fun of taking a cruise. I also travel solo. I always say I don't know a sole before getting on the ship buy I have over a thousand new friends by talking to others. I guess if you like to be by yourself, get a table in a corner. It was not fun for us being in a corner.
I love Celebrity. You should really try Edge Class.
We will soon!
Nice video. Hubby & I will be on the Celebrity Reflection next week (12-19 Feb 2023) via the gay tour group, VACAYA. We always have a lot of fun on their gay chartered cruises.
Sounds great. We have never been on a gay cruise. I hope you have a blast
It’s even cheaper to plan your excursions without using a company like viator. Just book tickets directly with the companies or ferries It saves hundreds.
Good tip!
Has anyone had issues with Viator retuning to the ship before departure?
@@jessicamcneil5624 we haven’t
Very informative video… Would love to know what your favorite cocktail was in the sky observation lounge… Thanks so much🚢
I recall but I did have a very nice one that I mentioned in one of the videos!
@@OnTheRoadAgain-UK thank you
Is Cafe Al Bacio Included in the cruise fare or do you have to pay extra?
Pay extra or use it via your drinks package
Hello! Thank you for your channel!! We will be traveling on the Equinox this May. The MDR certainly did seem chaotic! I also watched your other video with a detailed review. Did you choose the Select Dining or have the set dining time (6:00 or 8:30)?
We had select dining and then booked in advance eat night we ate in the MDR
Thank you for your reply! We chose to do the set time at the MDR this sailing. Hoping it will be a bit more organized! Although we usually do the Select and then book a time in advance, perhaps during these times of short staffing and flux, set seating might be the better option. 🤷🏻♀️
Did you find they offed a discounted drink package prior to your trip, as they are so expensive
Yes probably although we used credit to buy our package
BTW, I love the food in the MDR, I've never eaten in a speciality dining room, why pay extra for food you already paid for. You might be the person I met at the outdoor grill area. There was no open table, but a guy sitting by himself. I asked to sit with him and he felt insulted I guess because he picked up his things and left...so insulting not wanting to even sit with another person...please don't bash Celebrity...I only cruise Celebrity..your British...I guess English don''t know good food.
Nope. I didn’t meet you! And glad you enjoy MDR.
I have just been on Celebrity. I thought the food on Celebrity was pretty good until our second last night when we had the cheese soufflés which were the consistency of a quiche. Some people we meet in the MDR a few days earlier also described some dishes they had the night before that were pretty poor also.
I thought the food in the buffet was fine, but not very exciting. I was not expecting much. I did not expect what we usually get in Australia in buffets - which is usually includes prawns, oysters and other cold seafood as well as what you get in cruise buffets. In Australia you would also get a lot more Asian cuisine on offer.
So I think that a lot of passengers are finding the food a bit hit or miss. I think most of the food is still pretty good, but there are a few dishes not hitting the mark.
However we were impressed with the care Celebrity took of my partner when he contacted COVID. He had to isolate for 5 days.
The MDR sent a menu for lunch and dinner. Although I went to the buffet a few times, most of the time I ate with him in the cabin. I thought the food was still pretty good. Celebrity also sent little afternoon treats to him such as a fruit platter, a cheese platter and so on.
You sound very naive about cruise or not having cruised very much. Just sounds ikie it but then again I have only just seen this site.
Why do we sound naive? We have been on many cruises. I hope you enjoy the rest of the channel