Cruise Talk: What is going on at Celebrity?

Cruise Talk

Cruise News

Welcome to Cruise Talk the Internet's most popular discussion forum dedicated to cruising. Stop by Cruise Talk anytime to post a message or find out what your fellow passengers and industry insiders are saying about a particular ship, cruise line or destination.

>>> Reader Reviews
>>> CruisePage.com Photo Gallery
>>> Join Our Cruise Club.

Latest News...Norwegian Cruise Line celebrated the debut of the all-new Norwegian Aqua to Port Canaveral, Fla. on Saturday, April 26, 2025, where she commenced her inaugural season of round-trip Caribbean cruises as the newest ship in port. This past weekend, approximately 3,700 guests embarked on Norwegian Aqua's first week-long voyage to the Caribbean from Port Canaveral, Fla., her initial homeport ...

Latest News...Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL) today reported first quarter Earnings per Share ("EPS") of $2.70 and Adjusted EPS of $2.71. These results were better than the company's guidance due to stronger than expected pricing on close-in demand and lower costs mainly due to timing. Royal Caribbean said that it is increasing its full year 2025 Adjusted EPS guidance to $14.55 to $15.55...

Latest News...Holland America Line announced itineraries for its two Grand Voyages sailing in 2027, offering guests the choice to embark on an ambitious 129-day circumnavigation of the globe on the 2027 Grand World Voyage or a 70-day, region-specific in-depth exploration on the Grand South America & Antarctica Voyage. As revealed today by the cruise line's president Beth Bodensteiner to guests on board...

More Cruise News...

my profile | register | search | faq | forum home

»	Cruise Talk » Cruise Lines » What is going on at Celebrity?

UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!

Author

Topic: What is going on at Celebrity?

mec1
First Class Passenger
Member # 4287

posted 01-17-2007 06:44 AM

I can't work out quite what Celebrity is up to. First came the news that Michel Roux is ending his partnership with them (and he did make a real difference to the food on board) and now they are binning their partnership with Cirque du Soleil too (OK it has been a fiasco but it was another thing thta helped them differentiate their brand).

Anyone know what is going on?

Posts: 1675 | From: London, England | Registered: Nov 2003 | IP: Logged

Linerrich
First Class Passenger
Member # 4864

posted 01-17-2007 07:12 AM

I think we can blame RCCL management in part; they have consistently held back on making Celebrity a high-premium product. OK, perhaps the Cirque du Soleil thing just wasn't as popular as originally imagined, and they're cutting their losses there. But in so many other aspects of this operation, which had/has so much potential, it just seems that the entire product is being held back from really shining like it could and should.

Rich

Posts: 4210 | From: Miami, FL | Registered: Jul 2004 | IP: Logged

mike sa
First Class Passenger
Member # 5957

posted 01-17-2007 07:14 AM

I suspect that Michel probably felt the number of new ships etc was getting too much for him to spare the time, hopefully they will come up with plan B quite soon, mind you not easy to fill Michel's shoes.

As for Cirque, I believe the original agreement was for 2 or 3 years on limited ships to see how it worked therefore it would expire about now ? As you say it was a bloody fiasco anyway, I was shocked at how the observation had been brutally changed into the Bar at the Edge of the World - should have pushed it off the edge and put back what was there in the first place which hopefully they now will do. Frankly the only thing they should have done is a Cirque show in the show room which would have been a hit, however Cirque did not want to do this hence the Bar story. Frankly the shows on Celebrity while OK are not what you would expect from them, they should have an added edge - hopefully they can find a partner that can give them that edge so they are less also ran.

Posts: 2272 | From: Durban, South Africa | Registered: Sep 2005 | IP: Logged

Frosty 4
First Class Passenger
Member # 5826

posted 01-17-2007 10:18 AM

Pay more get less!! This seems to be the case with Celebrity. Just look at the perks they offer their Elite, etc.customers are offered. Yet RCL offers more perks and they are considered the middle of the road cruise line. As to food I don't consider Celebrity's any better or worst than and other cruise line IMHO!!
I also can't see having the pay extra specialty dining. In this case Celebrity which claims the best food on cruise lines already???

Frosty 4

Posts: 2531 | From: Illinois | Registered: Jul 2005 | IP: Logged

6263866
First Class Passenger
Member # 5115

posted 01-17-2007 10:48 AM

ey on Celebrity, the food is far more better than RCL. Celebrity has a lot of little things that make it a elite line, i.e complementary chanpange upon boarding the ship, and someone who walks you to your staeroom.

Posts: 580 | From: San Francisco | Registered: Oct 2004 | IP: Logged

Tom Burke
First Class Passenger
Member # 5238

posted 01-17-2007 11:12 AM

Cirque were only on the M-class ships, so that's no loss to people who cruise on C-class and older ships.

As for the menus, my understading is that the contract had come to an end; the parting of the ways is simply the two parties not renewing it.

Of course, we wait to see what they are going to do now. Having got M. Roux's name all over the current brochures they may be in a bit of a fix.

Posts: 1469 | From: Sheffield, UK | Registered: Dec 2004 | IP: Logged

Cambodge
First Class Passenger
Member # 906

posted 01-17-2007 11:48 AM

For Tim @ Oceania:

Given the kerfuffle over the departure of Michel Roux, can you comment on the replacement of Jacques Pepin? My meals on Regatta, when he had the fleet chef's baton, were the best I have ever had afloat.

Posts: 2149 | From: St. Michaels MD USA , the town that fooled the British! | Registered: Nov 1999 | IP: Logged

eroller
First Class Passenger
Member # 1649

posted 01-17-2007 09:33 PM

I don't think Celebrity is up to anything. Strictly a matter of coincidence and timing regarding the departure of Roux and Cirque. Frankly I don't think the absence of either will make any difference what so ever.

I do think Celebrity has it's hands full right now. Soon they will acquire two ships and three newbuilds are on the way. I'm quite anxious for more details on the newbuilds. Although very large (probably too large for a premium brand), they promise to be exciting new vessels with the largest standard cabins afloat of any major cruise line.

Ernie - looking forward to any new ship that is not a Spirit/Vista Class derivative.

Posts: 7046 | From: Miami, Florida USA | Registered: Oct 2000 | IP: Logged

mrblanche
First Class Passenger
Member # 714

posted 01-18-2007 09:22 AM

Haven't been on Celebrity recently, so I can't speak to their current situation. However, there are good reasons we haven't done another Celebrity cruise, and among those are that the food just didn't impress me, and neither did the entertainment. The management of the hotel seemed rather odd, and it's the only ship I've ever been on where the supervisors would chew out the service staff in front of passengers.

Posts: 308 | From: Cedar Hill, TX | Registered: Aug 99 | IP: Logged

eroller
First Class Passenger
Member # 1649

posted 01-18-2007 12:40 PM

quote:
Originally posted by mrblanche:
The management of the hotel seemed rather odd, and it's the only ship I've ever been on where the supervisors would chew out the service staff in front of passengers.

My experience on Celebrity has been excellent. Food and service on par or better than other premium lines.

I have never experienced the 'chewing out' of any staff/crew member on Celebrity. I think what you experienced was something unusual and certainly not the norm. My guess is the same thing has happened at one time or another on just about every major line. There are just too many people and personalities for any cruise line to be 100% consistant.

Ernie

Posts: 7046 | From: Miami, Florida USA | Registered: Oct 2000 | IP: Logged

mrblanche
First Class Passenger
Member # 714

posted 01-19-2007 06:32 PM

Actually, we were aboard the ship as part of a group of about 20 people, and a number of the group expressed exactly the same observations, so, if it was an "isolated incident," it was isolated only in that all the reports were aboard the same ship during the same week.

Posts: 308 | From: Cedar Hill, TX | Registered: Aug 99 | IP: Logged

eroller
First Class Passenger
Member # 1649

posted 01-19-2007 07:53 PM

quote:
Originally posted by mrblanche:
Actually, we were aboard the ship as part of a group of about 20 people, and a number of the group expressed exactly the same observations, so, if it was an "isolated incident," it was isolated only in that all the reports were aboard the same ship during the same week.

I read reviews of Celebrity all the time, and I have sailed on them several times myself. I have never seen any crew member chewed out in front of passengers nor has anyone in the many reviews I have read. I'm not saying it didn't happen, I'm quite certain it did. What I am saying is this is not typical of Celebrity or any other cruise line. I have sailed on enough cruises to know that inconsistency prevails not just on Celebrity but any large cruise line. If I based all my opinions of a line on a single experience, chances are I would have never returned to many lines (Cunard, Carnival, NCL, Princess). I've had great cruises on these lines and also not so great cruises. It shouldn't be this way but it's a fact of life as cruise lines become larger and larger and staff/crew is more difficult to find and train. Consistency is a difficult thing to achieve.

Ernie

Posts: 7046 | From: Miami, Florida USA | Registered: Oct 2000 | IP: Logged

OCEANSDEVINE
First Class Passenger
Member # 2141

posted 01-21-2007 07:02 PM

Celebrity has been and is my favorite cruise line, having done 37 cruises on most cruise lines. More specifically the Constellation is rated #1 in Conde Nest and for very good reasons. The food is superb and the ship is kept spotless. The entertainment is great and many little amenities too. Those wool blankets at poolside. When I sailed on her three times I was remembered and treated like I came home. I possibly thought that Michel Roux was up for retirement anyway??

Posts: 146 | From: NEW YORK | Registered: Jun 2001 | IP: Logged

mrblanche
First Class Passenger
Member # 714

posted 01-22-2007 09:07 AM

I went back and re-read my review of our cruise on the Mercury, and, as I recalled, the issue of personnel friction was mentioned by other members of the group. Maybe it was just a bad week, but it was something I had never seen before (or since).

Posts: 308 | From: Cedar Hill, TX | Registered: Aug 99 | IP: Logged

BigUFan
First Class Passenger
Member # 1382

posted 01-24-2007 11:13 AM

Ernie, you're probably right about the complexities of effectively staffing large ships within large cruise lines. In speaking to a friend of mine who is fortunate to be able to take far more cruises than can I, he said that basically all the lines are getting this way to one extent or another. He told me this after I voiced some mild disappointment experienced on my recent Caribbean Princess cruise. I really hope this isn't happening that much on HAL, because I'm thinking of giving them a try next time.

[ 01-24-2007: Message edited by: BigUFan ]

Posts: 904 | From: Orlando, FL | Registered: Jun 2000 | IP: Logged

Coral
First Class Passenger
Member # 5505

posted 01-27-2007 07:50 AM

I also have not tried Celebrity for a few years because the food, the service and the entertainment were very disappointing. I really think they were are over hyped compared to the other premium cruise lines (HAL, Princess).

I really hope they redo their menus and entertainment now that the contracts have expired.

Maybe this will be a time to retry Celebrity.

Posts: 47 | From: Midwest | Registered: Mar 2005 | IP: Logged

All times are ET (US)

Ultimate Bulletin Board^TM 6.1.0.3

VACATION & CRUISE SPECIALS

Check out these great deals from CruisePage.com

Royal Caribbean - Bahamas Getaway from $129 per person

Description: Experience the beautiful ports of Nassau and Royal Caribbean's private island - CocoCay on a 3-night Weekend Getaway to the Bahamas. Absorb everything island life has to offer as you snorkel with the stingrays, parasail above the serene blue waters and walk the endless white sand beaches. From Miami.

Carnival - 4-Day Bahamas from $229 per person

Description: Enjoy a wonderful 3 Day cruise to the fun-loving playground of Nassau, Bahamas. Discover Nassau, the capital city as well as the cultural, commercial and financial heart of the Bahamas. Meet the Atlantic Southern Stingrays, the guardians of Blackbeard's treasure.

NCL - Bermuda - 7 Day from $499 per person

Description: What a charming little chain of islands. Walk on pink sand beaches. Swim and snorkel in turquoise seas. Take in the historical sights. They're stoically British and very quaint. Or explore the coral reefs. You can get to them by boat or propelled by fins. You pick. Freestyle Cruising doesn't tell you where to go or what to do. Sure, you can plan ahead, or decide once onboard. After all, it's your vacation. There are no deadlines or must do's.

Holland America - Eastern Caribbean from From $599 per person

Description: White sand, black sand, talcum soft or shell strewn, the beaches of the Eastern Caribbean invite you to swim, snorkel or simply relax. For shoppers, there's duty-free St. Thomas, the Straw Market in Nassau, French perfume and Dutch chocolates on St. Maarten. For history buffs, the fascinating fusion of Caribbean, Latin and European cultures. For everyone, a day spent on HAL's award winning private island Half Moon Cay.

Celebrity - 7-Night Western Mediterranean from $549 per person

Description: For centuries people have traveled to Europe to see magnificent ruins, art treasures and natural wonders. And the best way to do so is by cruise ship. Think of it - you pack and unpack only once. No wasted time searching for hotels and negotiating train stations. Instead, you arrive at romantic ports of call relaxed, refreshed and ready to take on the world.

Holland America - Alaska from From $499 per person

Description: Sail between Vancouver and Seward, departing Sundays on the ms Statendam or ms Volendam and enjoy towering mountains, actively calving glaciers and pristine wildlife habitat. Glacier Bay and College Fjord offer two completely different glacier-viewing experiences.

More Vacation & Cruise Specials...