galavant3

For us it is Blu. We really like the dining experience. Also, the free beverage package.

Otherwise, we don't see a big difference between Celebrity and Royal Caribbean.

We'll be in AQ on the Summit next month and I'll be interested to see if that's the case. Honestly, the biggest reason we book AQ is for access to Blu but the other extras are very nice.

We have rarely seen towel animals on X. We came back to our cabin and there was a couple on the bed. It was a nice surprise.

 

Later in the evening as we were getting ready to shower we seen that there were no towels. We called the hot line to get some towels. They were delivered about 15 minutes later.

 

The next day we told the cabin attendant that he forgot to leave us towels and that we had to call the service desk. He looked at us and said that he didn't forget our towels and pointed to the animals. We felt a little foolish because On the other lines those were in addition to the regular towels.

 

On our last Carnival cruise one morning every chair around the pool had a towel animal on it and everyone was different. Surprisingly no one removed them or tried to claim a chair for a rather long time until the real animals took over and then it back to the typical....

 

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I think this became part of the problem, at least that's how it was explained to us. All the towels plus the towel animals had to be laundered which increased the work load and the water usage. Plus, many people kept the towel animals on display in their cabins for the week which created a towel shortage.

I am one that would just as soon not have them unless I was traveling with small children.

We did get a book on making towel animals and one cruise had a towel animal waiting for the cabin attendant each night.

I am actually very impressed that Celebrity made the announcement on Cruise Critic (among other places, I'm sure).

I was one that said I would never buy an expensive bag on a cruise ship. Then, one day I found myself with a couple hundred dollars in on board credit and that's exactly what I did. Along with a Swavorski necklace.

Perhaps with so many people getting beverage packages, they are left with on board credit that they need to/want to spend. This gives them an option.

Classic and Premium here:

 

 

 

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It looks like page 2 from the Classic package is missing...the Canadian Whiskeys and Cordials. If I could copy and paste that section, I would.

You really can not compare the two lines. If you could Crystal customers would really be ripped off. It really comes down to how much you want to spend. You also have to consider how much of this "Luxury Cruise Experience" is real or just hype. If you just spent 10+k for a OV small cabin looking at a lifeboat would you really say it was just OK?

 

 

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I really like Crystal but it rarely fits my budget. I find that if I get a good deal on an AQ cabin and use the free beverage package promo, it is a good product for us. If price were no object, I'd choose Crystal but sadly, that isn't the case.

Crystal has the best food period. The MDR is elegant, the food superb and the service is second to none. The ships are smaller and therefore can get into smaller ports. It's tough to compare Celebrity to a luxury line such as Crystal because it's really apples to oranges. We have and will sail both. We take our adult children on Celebrity and sail Crystal for special occasions.

Completely agree. We love Celebrity but, to me, it doesn't compare to Crystal.

Thank you for posting these and the menu!

 

It all looks good right now and I can't wait to try it. One question, what is the little sauce they serve with the tator tots?

If I am remembering correctly it was a horseradish sauce.

Did you use the Internet on the ship at all? Just wondering how the speed seemed to you.

We used it earlier this month and the speed was ok - it seemed like connecting took a while, but once connected it was fine. Had no trouble connecting with iphone and very easy to apply coupon.

We were advised to actually use the logoff.com command and not just turn off the wifi for a faster disconnect (to save minutes).

I thought Blu was for Aqua Class passengers. Is it also open to Elite members?

I have the same question! I knew Aqua Class and Suite passengers (space available) had access to Blu. If Elite members do also, it isn't well advertised at all.

It's a brand. My guess is that "Tater Tots" is a register name, and that they are indeed Ore Ida. Maybe just a more upscale version. Had they called them Panko crusted gruyere potatoes," it would have gone over better, I think.:rolleyes:

This is how they are described on the menu...if I remember correctly, the waiter did a good job of describing them. He also recommended them. Otherwise, we would never have ordered the "tots". I much prefer something like this to a baked potato but I imagine I am in the minority.

Gruyère Cheese Tater Tots

The email states Diamond Plus and Pinnacle - yet some of you are talking Diamond - so is it across the board - Diamond and above ???? :D

I think they are just specifying Diamond Plus and Pinnacle as it relates to the Concierge Lounge. Diamond members also received the email.

I Look forward to seeing feedback on this from recent diamond cruisers

Thanks

Me too. I am wondering if there will there be a list of included drinks available? I've never had a request denied in the Diamond lounge but I don't know if that is "official policy" or just my good luck.

I think this is a fantastic benefit for when traveling with non Diamond members. Not to mention it should help to alleviate overcrowding issues.

Tater tots? For specialty dining?

They were panko crusted and had a Gruyere filling. Not the frozen kind. I was very pleasantly surprised.

So what cut of steaks are the included steaks? Are they choice or prime?

 

And does anyone have a picture of the Navigator Chops Grille now that there are no tablecloths? Curious what it looks like.

Just off the Navigator earlier this month.

The included steaks are not prime but it isn't specified if they are choice or select.

Our dinner was free so for us it was obviously worth it. The dining room is very nice and the service was good. For the life of me, I can't recall if there were tablecloths. Regardless, the atmosphere was nice.

We each got the smaller filets and they were done properly and tasted just fine. I don't think I would have paid extra for the meal but it was enjoyable nonetheless.

The Tater Tots were very good. I don't care for baked potatoes so that isn't an issue.

We weren't hungry for dessert and the waiter insisted we get one "to go". We opted for the Huckleberry Cheesecake. We had also purchased these nifty little wine aerators that they use. Both the cheesecake and the aerators were in our cabin when we returned. I thought that was pretty good service.

I think it is good experience but I don't think I would pay extra.

Disclaimer: I live in Texas so I am a bit spoiled when it comes to steaks.

Only sailed Celebrity once and that was in Aqua Class. LOVED IT. In fact, when I booked our October cruise, I would only consider AQ. The service, location, atmosphere and food...we enjoyed it all. I will say that when cruising, we do keep our expectations in check. It isn't as if they can have fresh seafood and produce flown in daily.

One thing I have noticed on cruise ships is that the dishes we enjoy most are those that benefit from long, slow cooking..coq au vin, osso buco, braised veal shank, short ribs....etc. We tend to steer of dishes that rely on more precise cooking since I know how difficult it is to get it right. We tend to stay away from steaks since we live in Texas and I know we would be disappointed.

We do have the beverage package and I will follow the suggestion to get a glass of wine before being seated in the event there is a wait for wine service.

I find Blu much more conducive to meeting fellow passengers and I love the flexibility of dining with others if you want.

We also tend to ask the waiter for recommendations and find that they are, for the most part, right on the money.

Hopefully, our October experience will be as good as our first!

One of the benefits for me is not having to handle tongs that have been handled by everyone else on the ship. Plus, I do like the salad and the dressings.

We only been in Aqua Class once and we did not bring formal clothes. In fact my husband didn't even bring a jacket. For our upcoming cruise, we'll probably bring dressier clothes and my husband will most definitely bring a jacket.

I can confirm they will not make you wait. There is nothing in place to check arrival times.

A rule is a a rule. Why differentiate between someone being sneaky about breaking the rules and someone being open about breaking the rules? Very contradictory.

I completely agree. My point really was that one was done more privately and the other was done publicly.

I just hope that you all that are so against the rules being broke dont engage in bringing your own water or soda aboard. I also hope you chastise those that do the same as you do those who want to wear shorts in the MDR for dinner.

 

Just a thought.

To me, the difference is that people wearing shorts to dinner are (intentionally or otherwise) publicly announcing that they are not complying with the published rule.

I would have no idea (nor do I care) if someone is bringing on water or soda.

But really is there any difference - a man wearing shorts and a woman wearing an above the knee dress?

Yes, I do think there is a difference. And apparently, so does Royal Caribbean. But, as I said earlier, I don't personally have an issue with shorts in the dining room. But I think if there is a "shorts are prohibited" policy, it should be respected.

There are those who want to dress up because they don't do that in normal life, and there are those who just enjoy that part of the cruise.

We aren't really talking about "dressing up". We are talking about wearing pants vs shorts. You can dress casually and still be wearing pants.

I can certainly appreciate first hand perspective. I've never worn shorts in MDR for dinner, but I would like to. Therefore I am in the camp of I would like the rules amended, although I have not "broken the rules" in the past. Like I have said in other threads, if RCI wants to split the dining room, offer table service in WJ, or another casual sit down table service venue included with the fare, I'd be game. I want greater comfort, less luggage, more freedom, and to be served the dinner I paid for with my cruise fare. Therefore I support a rule change. If because of a rule change some people come in like slobs or are messy, well, that's unfortunate but that's what comes with the territory. I can't be worried about regulating what every other passenger is doing.

 

I'll continue to respect whatever the rule is, but i will also continue to lobby for change.

I pretty much feel the same way. I don't really care what the dress code is but as long as "shorts are prohibited", I think the policy should be respected.

How is it a RULE, when it is allowed??? I wasnt told to change, and I have enough cruises under my belt to be "prepared" just in case I am told to change. But again, RCI isnt telling anyone to change unless they roll in looking a hot mess.

It is a rule but honestly, RCI shouldn't have to enforce it. It is clearly published. If someone is comfortable disregarding the policy, I'm guessing they would feel equally comfortable making a scene when asked to change.

If wearing shorts is that critical to someone, I say it isn't worth the argument.