JerseyGirlatHeart

FYI ... Machine usage is limited to 20 or 30 minutes (depending on ship) to give everyone a chance to use.  If there are people waiting, this is enforced.  If the gym is fairly empty, then you will not be bothered.

Sorry, was just talking about the upgrade (meaning thought you already had the classic package) and as someone pointed out it is now $12.00 due to increase in gratuities.  If you already have the classic package, you can upgrade on board, or on line (if booked with a TA may have to have them call celebrity directly) for $12.00.  We normally find a bartender we like and upgrade on board  ... they get a small kick back.

13 minutes ago, cruiserchuck said:

 

That was the price before they raised the gratuity from 18% to 20%.  The price is now $12, including gratuity.

 

 

Thanks, I wasn’t aware if the gratuity increase.

We paid nonsale $11.80 per day

DH and I always book AQ Class.  We enjoy access to the Persian Gardens and Blu.  Others will tell you that they don’t like either.  The only way to find out if it is to your liking, is to give it a try.

Last cruise on Reflection (Jan) I got speciality coffee, teas, and the virgin cocktails on the classic drink package.  The included water was fine for me, which I stocked up on in the cabin mini refrig.  Agree with others, get on board, try it out, then make your decision.

1 hour ago, GoHoward said:

Hi all - my wife doesn't drink alcohol, but loves smoothies. We will both have the CBP for an upcoming sailing on Summit (our first cruise with Celebrity) -- the material on the beverage packages states that fresh juice is included with the CBP, but only the Premium BP includes smoothies.

 

Since smoothies are $6 - less than the $9 per-drink CBP limit, is it possible to order smoothies with the CBP? Or is there an upcharge - or even worse - is the full price charged?

 

Thank in advance for your help! 

The last cruise I was on I could order a virgin daiquiri or colada on the Classic, but not the smoothies from the Aqua Cafe.  I was also able to get iced coffee from the coffee shop.

We did this for my husband's mom's 75th birthday, the only person that knew we (6 others) were on board was my husband's oldest brother.  Our reservations were connected before sailing so that we would all be seated together in the Main Dining Room.  We (all 6 of us) were sneaking around the ship the entire first day, every time we saw her, we went in the opposite direction (so much fun).  We coordinated with oldest brother to bring mom to dinner (i.e., delay a few minutes) until after we were all seated.  She came into the dining room, took her seat, glanced at the menu, then looked up to interduce herself.  The first person she saw was her older brother (almost 90 years old), she jumped up (as fast as a 75-year-old could do) went around the table, squealing, to give him a hug and kiss.  Then she turned to the table to explain that this was her older brother whom she had not seen in ages.  At that point, she realized that the entire table was there for her.  Lots and hugs, kisses and wonderful memories were made that night.  Sadly, her brother passed away about 6 months after that cruise and she still talks about (she just turned 87) how she cherishes that night/cruise and the time she got to spend with her brother … you see, he had gone off to war when she was very young, so she never really had not gotten to know him … the 10 days they spent together was the best gift we could have gotten her.  Not sure if the lifeboat drill will cause a problem, on our last cruise we were in the theater with many, many other folks … would be easy to "hide" if you chose to.     

Have fun/make memories!

Thanks again

Thanks all. 

Hi all, 

Hoping to get some "inside" information from those of you that book specialty dining on a regular basis.  DH and I have cruised many times, but rarely have opted for specialty dining. Our upcoming cruise is a B2B (first B2B on Celebrity) and we are considering dining in a Specialty Restaurant two days of the second leg.  We tend to eat early, around 6ish and Blu is our assigned venue.  

- The first day would be the "First" night of the second leg; know that Celebrity always offers reduced prices for the "First" night; current online advertised price is $30.00 pp for the Tuscan Grille.  Is this the lowest I can expect to pay for the Tuscan Grille or, in your experience, will there be better onboard specials?  Additionally, for those that have done B2Bs on Celebrity in the past, have they offered repeat cruisers an even better price for the "First" night of the second leg?    

- The second day would be most likely be on a port day.  I know you can negotiate prices with the Maître d', but am wondering what type of prices I can expect to negotiate for?  Thinking about doing Lawn Club Grill for a sail away.

BL:  What are your personal experiences in regard to specialty dining pricing?  Apologize if this question is too personal.

Linda

In Jan, it was 30 items per elite member.  Not sure of cost.

Doing a B2B in January on Reflection.  Hope the BOGO is offered for the premium upgrade as we have Classic package for second leg and have premium for first leg (just pipe dreaming).

We had a waiter by one of those names in Blu on the Reflection, his assistant was from the Philippines.  Both were EXCELLENT.  Hope to have them again in Jan.

We found that the Gym is busiest the first sea day (maybe two if back to back sea days) and the last sea day in the morning.  We try and go around 1ish pm on those days, the rest of the time we hit the Gym at 6ish am and have had no problems getting equipment.

Just wondering … do you just pay the difference for the flight, or the full flight price?

On the Reflection in January the charge was $17.80 for each class I was interested in (spin/yoga).  Too steep for me.

We book A1s quite a lot specifically for the overhang and Blu (I too have had skin cancer removed), but unfortunately I don't remember most cabin numbers.  I can tell you that we were never bothered by noise from above.  

FYI:  first night in Blu they normally have a filet and prime rib is served at some point during the cruise.  On another note, on the last cruise we were on (Reflection in January) the couple next to us in Blu ordered from the MDR menu more then a few times.  Enjoy!

Just went, no pool, but did have a water play area for children.

Yes, you can order French Onion soup and Shrimp ... every night if you wish.  I too, love both these and always have them several times in Blu during a Cruise.

Agree

Paid for internet on our last cruise, (Reflection two weeks ago) and it was terrible.  Most mornings it was down.  Will never pay for it again.  Wasn’t worth the trouble.  

Just follow the price of excursion you would like .... if a 20% deal is advertised it is not always as it seems.   For example, I booked an excursion for $124.00 and was following one for $189.  An up to 20% off” promotion came out and the $189 excursion I was following had increased to $289 (and flagged as 20% off), of course this was no deal, but the excursion I had booked for $124 was listed as $67 (again flagged as 20% off) so I cancelled the original booking and rebooked at the lower price.  Bottom line, just check/follow pricing, there are deals to be had, and some deals are just “Smoke and Mirrors.”  I have personally found if you keep checking you can always get a better deal pre-Cruise.  

Agree with Snow Bunny and Keesar, love the heated loungers.  In addition to the Persian Gardens, you will have access to the Relaxation Room on "I believe" Deck 11, front of the ship under the Spa.  This is just a quiet room (think Solarium without pool and people).   If you have a rainy/cool day, it is a nice place to find an indoor comfortable seat to read and relax (with tea/coffee bar).

I have asked the Room Steward to replace apples with bananas and grapes (not an apple fan and love snacking on grapes in the afternoon).  This request was always honored (as recently as a few weeks ago) and we were assured that it was not a problem. 

On our last cruise, the canapes seemed to be better then on past cruises.  As noted above, there were four different canapes (two small servings each) delivered every day on one platter, which always included a sweet.  Those that I remember were deviled eggs, ceviche salad, chips, olives, assorted cheeses, sushi, cream puffs, and petite fore.  

I also mentioned to a Room Steward in the past (not a request, just in conversation) that I love shrimp, and to my surprise, a shrimp platter was delivered to the room in lieu of canapes, not everyday, by on several days during our voyage.  

Not all of the offerings were to our liking, but some were.  Enjoy!

Just a note … we do tip nicely, in addition to the prepaid, at the end of the cruise (depending on service), not at the beginning, so service/request was not because we forked over a big bill.