LB_NJ

14 hours ago, NMTraveller said:

Save the money and book specialty dining.  The two tops in Blu are too close together.  Fine if you want to dine with another couple...

 

 

I didn’t have a ruler but on Constellation I don’t think the tables in Blu were that much closer than the tables in the Italian restaurant.

You can very easily order off the MDR menu although I don’t eat lobster so there is always a chance that might be an issue if it was on the MDR menu and not on Blu that day.

So if the price is about the same I would definitely book Aqua, try for deck 11.

One thing though is that there is no fixed seatings and NO reservations.

On my cruise there was definitely a wait at certain times.  Like right after shows let out.

If we got seated at 6:30 we would make the second show.

1 hour ago, Liao said:

Summit is a beautiful ship and service is outstanding.

I like the Summit, it is a good M class ship.

24 minutes ago, Miaminice said:

 

Since the question was about Constellation, your dislike of Blu on Apex does not really relate to the topic and shouldn´t unsettle the OP. 
That being said, we enjoyed Blu on 4 cruises on Apex. We go for service and food and not for the view. When we go to dinner it´s dark anyway. The noise in Blu is relative - since it´s always more quiet than any MDR, I can live with it.

On Constellation Blu is narrow and long so you are closer to a window then likely in the MDR.

Also, don’t forget breakfast and the nice smoothies.  More likely to get a window table.

Fyi, while we loved dining in Blu on Constellation (the fillet was wonderful) the service is relatively slow.  You will be there awhile.

14 minutes ago, RichYak said:

2 chic nights. Typically first and last sea days (prior to final night).  Specialty dining menus do not change. 

What if there is only one sea day between the last port of call and the home port?

I have sailed Constellation a few times.  Last time a few weeks ago, in Aqua

I have sailed in both Aqua (dining in Blu) and regular cabins (dining in MDR).

Food is very subjective. Personally, we prefer dining in Blu because we think the food is better.

On Constellation they were handing out both Blu and MDR menus in case you wanted something from the MDR.  There is an overlap on some items.  Also, depending on timing there can be a 30 to 45 minute wait to get seated in Blu on Constellation.

Therefore in general we would prefer Aqua over regular cabins EXCEPT that on Constellation most of the Aqua cabins are on deck 9.  

This is under a very LARGE overhang with struts.  Having sailed on deck 9 I consider these obstructed view cabins. 

Not sure I would book a cabin on deck 9 ever again.

If you want to sail in Aqua on Constellation, consider deck 11.

4 minutes ago, Liao said:

Though even if dining is not a number one reason, there are several others that make the retreat reason for selecting.

What about on Solstice or M class?  I don't like large ships.

21 minutes ago, Liao said:

Not what you mean by No?  Anyone at all can dine at the specialty restaurants, anyone.  If one is in a royal suite or above though, the cost is already included, others must pay to dine there.

I understand that.  The Celebrity web site was a little cryptic about which suites included free dining in the specialty restaurants.

I booked a future cruise onboard and got the $150 on board credit.

If I decide to upgrade my cabin on the cruise I booked (same ship, same date) do I loose the $150 OBC?

15 minutes ago, RichYak said:

Why would you consider it a major benefit if you don't like any of the offerings? That's what you intimated in your OP.

I mean it is a major part of the suite cost.  If you don't like the food options then a suite doesn't really make sense on Celebrity.

5 minutes ago, Liao said:

Anyone can eat at a specialty, if in a royal suite or above the cost is included, 

So Sky suites and Aqua suites No.

2 minutes ago, RichYak said:

The everyday classics from the MDR menu are also available in Luminae. In addition, no one is forcing anyone to eat in Luminae. Retreat guests can dine in the MDR if they choose.

I understand that however I look at one of the major benefits of Retreat is a better restaurant.

According to Celebrity’s website only select suites have free access to the specialty restaurants.

Also, Wi-Fi and premium drinks don’t apply to move-up.  Which I understand.

Finally, I looked at the Luminae restaurant menu and it looks a bit eclectic. It is always this way?  What if you don't like any of the offerings?

11 minutes ago, CruiserBruce said:

Far better to be asking this on the Celebrity board, here:

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/16-celebrity-cruises/

I posted here by accident:

According to Celebrity’s website only select suites have free access to the specialty restaurants.

Also, Wi-Fi and premium drinks don’t apply to move-up.

Finally, I looked at the Luminae restaurant menu and it looks a bit eclectic.

15 minutes ago, Spif Barwunkel said:

True statement. Also, Aqua cabins are not in the worst locations on any class ship, although, like any cabin category, some locations are better than others. That is a personal choice. So, extreme exaggerations should not influence ones' decision. There are other perks in addition to Blu and the spa.

It depends on the ship. On Constellation the majority of Aqua cabins are on deck 9 below the pool deck.

There may be one or two veranda cabins that are at a worse location, but I can’t think of them off the top my head.

I have heard the laundry service referred to as "Boil and Bake" which seems pretty accurate.

I would not send anything that can't stand a hot water wash and drying at the hottest temperature.

Personally, I prefer ships that have a small laundry that guests can use.

There is a welcome bottle of sparkling wine.

You also get a small number of classes (eg Yoga) free.

While we loved Blu, the location of Aqua cabins on some ships is not that good.

Not sure what 2A is however in Aqua it is a door.

One of the things we really like about Summit and Constellation are outdoor movies.

Does Eclipse have outdoor movies?

4 minutes ago, rinshin said:

Oh no!  I no longer like full bodied red wines like Cabs or sweeter white wines like Riesling and most Chardonnay from California except few.  Did you return yours? 

Should have.

Decided to keep the La Crema Monterey Pinot Noir.

They were supposed to deliver Sonoma but delivered the cheaper version.

Warning!!  Bait and switch on wine.

We ordered 2 bottles of a red and they delivered a different red wine.  Lower quality of course.

So they may NOT deliver what you ordered.

I am on Constellation at the moment, first time in Aqua and yes just below the pool deck.

The room is quite however on the Veranda you do here noise from the pool deck.

However, our biggest complaint is the overhang.  You really can’t look up.

We much prefer the food and service in Blu, although a little slower, than the MDR.

We are struggling to decide if we will travel in Aqua again due to the overhang.

We are looking at Eclipse.

One expensive option is stay where you are and spend for specialty restaurants.

2 hours ago, ggo85 said:

I booked a 10 am excursion pre-cruise.  When I arrived on board, the ticket had a 2:45 departure time.  First notice I’d been given of the change.    When I complained to the shore excursion desk, they first suggested I’d forgotten what I’d booked.  I showed them my order receipt with the time clearly stated. They next said, “Well, sometimes the ship’s arrival time changes.”  It hadn’t.  
 

Finally, they said that sometimes they just switch people without telling them.  Blamed shoreside people.  Seemed indifferent to my concern.  Could not get me on the earlier departure.  I didn’t want the later departure as I don’t like to snorkel late in the day when I’m sisters and it would have interfered with dinner plans.  That’s why I only book morning excursions.  They did refund my money but way too late to book anything else I wanted.  
 

Never had this happen before on any cruise line.  Even when they do it last minute, they usually put a note of explanation with your ticket.  Here, it’s as if they thought I’d forget or think I’d booked the later trip.  And totally indifferent to the fact I was disappointed.  

 

In any event, don’t count on getting the excursions you booked or being notified of changes.  Probably will happen.  Might not. 

It has happened to me many times.

It is unfortunate.

No, she had even said hello to him.

Not sure what he was thinking.