luv2cruzuk

5 minutes ago, OttawaJohn said:

 

Bummer, we're going on the Edge.  Oh well, will just look at the menus each day and decide 🙂

There’s nothing stopping you going to the main restaurant if you see something you really like. Obviously, the service won’t be as good, but it’s still a option for you and a change of venue can be nice too.

8 minutes ago, OttawaJohn said:

Can someone clarify how the menus in Blu work?  It seems you can order from Blu's menu or the menus of the MDR?  Do you get all the menus given to you or do you have to ask or how does it work?

 

Thanks in advance

Yes that’s correct. You can order from both.

So each night, they will give you the menu from Blu. If you don’t see anything you fancy, look on your phone at the celebrity app. You find all the restaurant menus in there. 
 

I believe this only applies to Solstice and Millennium class ships.

7 hours ago, manmachine said:

I read somewhere that the Mast Grill burgers have improved.  I hope that is true, because otherwise I would agree 100%, maybe quibbling with the word ‘complimentary…’ yes, the burgers at Mast Grill are at no additional charge, but they deserve no compliments whatsoever.  ;  - )

 

The burgers were just about ok. Nothing like they used to be and heaven forbid if you ask for a cheeseburger! Literally a few flakes of cheese on top. It was embarrassing! 

48 minutes ago, mkmaj said:

 

This was one of the best video reviews that I've seen. I will happily click to support the content.

 

I noticed that you were on the Anthem a couple of years ago as well. Our last cruise was on Anthem and upcoming cruise is on Eclipse. How do the two compare in your opinion?

Thank you so much for the kind comments, I really appreciate it.

I loved Anthem. I’ve also sailed Quantum and love that class of ship. Anthem and Eclipse are very different, however I would certainly sail on either again. The Eclipse is very much a ‘classic’ cruise experience. ‘Classic’ doesn’t mean boring. It’s very relaxing, has great outdoor spaces (and indoor for that matter), good food and wonderful crew. Yes, she looks a little rough in a few places, but still a sound ship. She’s also going for a refurb March 2025.

Thanks again for watching and enjoy your time on Celebrity Eclipse. David

52 minutes ago, Arzeena said:

I enjoyed the video, Thank you.
Do you happen to have any cabin pictures/review to post, please?

Hi and thanks for watching the video. The cabin review is here for you to watch if you like.

Best wishes, David

21 hours ago, CruiseDad-NYC said:

I just got off 3 weeks on the Eclipse (1 week in Aqua Class from Buenos Aires to Rio and then 2 weeks not in Aqua Class for Rio to New York) and wrote about it in 2 separate reviews that I posted recently.

 

I was not impressed with Blu after having had high expectations and I agree with your assessment.  The service was really good, but not noticeably better than the MDR where the service was also really good even though we did My Time Dining.  The food was not better in my opinion, just different (and even then sometimes items on the Blu menu were the same as the MDR).  Where we thought Blu was much better was the ability to walk in any time and sit down  with no line  and it was definitely calmer and less frenetic (not sure if is always like that, but it was our experience).

 

The only time we ordered food that wasn't on the Blu menu was at breakfast.  We word order oatmeal, which wasn't on the menu but should have been.  Our server would get it for us, but it took quite a long time each time.

 

It would be so nice if Blu were a truly more elevated dining experience, but it just wasn't in my experience.  I would pay $100 pp more per week for it just to be able to have dinner without a wait.  But, I wouldn't pay more for that.

Haha! We were on the same cruise from Rio to NYC! We had a great time.

Thanks for commenting. Good to hear your comparisons. 
 

David

On 5/22/2024 at 5:21 PM, markeb said:

Is there anything in the video? The poster runs a YouTube channel. Most of his posts on Cruise Critic embed his YouTube videos. He gets paid based on clicks. I don't click.

 

We've only cruised Aqua once and really enjoyed Blu. But that was 8(!) years ago so can't really comment on today. The menus in the app look very good. Something other than typical cruise food, and things I wouldn't make at home. There was something every night that I'd try. Frequently more than one.

Hello! I literally get paid a few pounds, that’s certainly not my driver. The channel is a little hobby. I’m lucky enough to take lots of cruises and started doing cabin reviews so people could get information etc The food reviews are just a bit of fun and a light hearted look at some of the food options onboard. Nothing serious.

In anycase, thanks for the comments. David

3 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

I watched the entire video and was very glad I did.  He did a very good job covering the venue's and gave his honest opinion.  There are a couple of things I wish he had commented on, e.g. the room service coffee and orange juice.  I keep telling myself to try Blu and may do that on our next cruise. 

 

Noted. Will definitely do that next time. I love feedback ❤️❤️

I’ve just returned from 14 nights onboard Celebrity Eclipse. I used the move up program to successfully bid on an Aquaclass stateroom. 
 

What are people’s thoughts on the food quality and selection in Blu?

I found myself ordering from the main restaurant menu while in Blu more often than not. Does anyone else do this?

I can’t fault the service in Blu. Some of the best I’ve had at sea!

I’ve made a video about my experience, it is quite a long video but if you’re interested in seeing the food quality then it might be worth a watch. Wait till you see the “afternoon tea!” 🤣

On 5/11/2024 at 1:56 PM, Cruzinforpeace*** said:

Great video.  I liked how you got “right to the point”.

That’s very kind of you to say. Thank you 🤩 

8 minutes ago, fowler9 said:

Great video.  Been on a few MSC cruises now and for the price point I think they're spot on.  Although I do think the price gap is shortening between them and more "premium" lines so there will come a point for me where I'd rather spend that extra few pounds on a Princess cruise for instance.

 

As you talk about a bargain cruise. The family and I (2 adults and 2 kids) booked a 5 night cruise for £600 back in 2021 for October 2023.  That in itself was a good price but then that cruise was then cancelled by MSC and they offered to move us to a 10 night cruise for the same price so essentially £15 per person per night.  Not sure I'll ever get a repeat of that!

That sounds amazing. That was good of MSC to do that. I hope you have a great 10 nights!

Just had to share the incredible journey I had aboard the MSC Euribia. I snagged a balcony cabin for just £99 GBP ( for the three days and two nights! That’s around $124 or €115!

And let me tell you, it was worth every penny.

Embarking from Southampton was a breeze, and stepping onto the Euribia was amazing. The main was stunning.

While my cabin location wasn't ideal, and it was filthy! The ship itself was stunning, boasting amenities for all ages. I loved it he Eurovision-style shows and impressive big band performances, entertainment onboard was top-notch. I feel I got my moneys worth. 

Although the main dining room fell short, specialty restaurants like Hola! Taco's and Le Grille exceeded expectations.

I paid extra to add the premium drinks package – a must-have for worry-free indulgence and sampling new beverages. Which I did. 

I even tried my luck at the casino and walked away with a modest win! See the video to see how much! I did like all the onboard bars which provided unique atmospheres, perfect for people-watching and enjoying sea views.

Would I sail on the MSC Euribia again? Absolutely. In fact, I booked my next MSC cruise while onboard, looking forward to a luxurious experience aboard the MSC Meraviglia. I like that booking onboard comes with additional onboard credit and a reduced deposit. 

I’ve put together the above video which summarises my cruise. 

I just booked this voyage last night. I'd been thinking about it for the past few weeks, but after seeing all the photo's/video's yesterday during the eclipse, I decided to go for it. Quite a special transatlantic and my first time to Iceland.

48 minutes ago, saffy12 said:

It's worth noting that you were AQ, so all of your reviews were from Blu or Room Service.   From what I've seen, it's the regular MDR that has gotten the most complaints, so not sure how much this addresses those concerns.

 

Your video was enjoyable to watch, though!   So sorry you were quarantined.   Off topic, but  how did that feel in an IV room?   I'd think I'd go a bit stir crazy and want to actually be outside in fresh air,  not just open a window, for that long!

 

Edited to add - lots of comments pointing this out already!  Sorry, I was watching your whole video first!

Hi and thanks for watching the video and commenting here.

In the 5 Days isolation, all but 1 of my meals I ordered from the MDR menu. The food was actually very good. 

As for the actual isolation itself…. Yes, it was very difficult and I felt pretty rough. A very long 5 days. The TV choices are very limited, which didn’t help. My only saving grace was the infinite verandah for the views and fresh air. 

Thanks for watching again. David

24 minutes ago, Mark_T said:

Really should make it clear when promoting your video that you don't actually have a perspective on the MDR food as you didn't eat there...

Hiya,

I didn’t actually eat in the MDR, however I ate 5 days worth of MDR food delivered to my room. Honestly, I thought it was all good/very good. If I was sat in MDR, I would have been more than pleased with the food I ate. 

Best Wishes,

David

1 minute ago, LB_NJ said:

 

Which class were you in?

I sailed Aqua Class - (after placing a move-up bid), but I also experienced the Oceanview Cafe and Room Service (a lot of Room service as you'll see in my video!) 😅

Firstly, I'd like to acknowledge the concerns raised by Nashua, Helen Haywood, and di T regarding the food quality and selection on Celebrity Cruises. It's evident that food plays a significant role in our cruising experience, and it's essential for cruise lines to maintain high standards to ensure passenger satisfaction.
 

I've literally JUST returned from a ten-night sailing on Celebrity Beyond, and I'd love to share my perspective on the matter. While I respect and understand the experiences shared here, my recent journey paints a slightly different picture. I found the food to be of excellent quality throughout my trip. It's true that the menu options might seem more limited compared to previous sailings, but the buffet still offered a plethora of delightful choices that catered to various tastes.
 

For those who are curious to see a detailed review of my experience, I've documented it in a video which you can watch below. 

I delve into the various dishes I tried, the ambiance of the dining areas, and my overall thoughts on the food quality and selection.

To di T's point about room service and other non-food related issues, it's essential to remember that the cruise industry, like many others, has faced challenges in recent times. While it's no excuse for lapses in service, it might be a reason. I hope Celebrity takes note of such feedback and ensures that all aspects of their service, not just the food, meet the high standards we've come to expect from them.
 

6 hours ago, Ready2go11 said:

Also, just off the QE. I agree with the prior poster. It is a beautiful ship and has been well-maintained. Of course it is not modern in design, but it is not expected to be.  It has the old world elegance I had hoped for on my first Cunard cruise.  Very clean, easy to navigate and everything was in good working order. Service and entertainment generally exceeded our expectations. 

Thanks for the feedback. Much appreciated, David

2 hours ago, CRUZBUDS said:

Hello Brian - We enjoyed your video very much and we'll be watching more of your content.

 

We totally agree with you about ordering dessert at the same time as the rest of your dinner -- it takes away more of the elegance that cruise lines used to strive for. 

 

We were on the Koningsdam for 18 days earlier int he year and are going back for a 10 day in November.  It is a beautiful ship and the food was very good. (except the chocolate muffins in the GDC 🙂)

 

 

Thanks so much. Hope you have a lovely cruise in November. 

I just uploaded a YouTube video showcasing the daily food experience aboard the Koningsdam cruise ship. Filmed on a sea day at end April 23. 
 

There's a couple of tips in there too. Let me know what you think 🤔 

1 hour ago, david,Mississauga said:

Last year we had our second Alaska cruise on the QE - our third cruise on the ship. We knew there would be changes due to COVID which was still an issue. 

 

We saw the humour in not having cocktail parties to keep people safe but allowing people to pack into tenders and stand in a long queue at disembarkation.  There were other minor cutbacks that had nothing to do with keeping us safe.  The quality of red meat in the Princess Grill was inconsistent. Some of it was tough and even  inedible but the rack of lamb and Beef Wellington were superb. We don't each much red meat so this didn't bother us as much as it did other passengers. Some of the finger sandwiches in the Queens Room were stale. The string orchestra did not play once at tea-time. An amplified saxophone made conversation impossible, something we have never before experienced on any Cunard voyage at tea-time. 

 

Some of the usual amenities in the PG cabin were missing but cheerfully provided on request, such as a tea-pot and cups and saucers (there was a kettle and mugs) ice, a laundry list and bag. 

 

On the plus side: the crew were uniformly excellent, the food was mostly very good, the ship was in good condition.  We normally avoid the "big shows" in the Royal Court Theatre, but there was one we were pleased to attend: Top Hat.  A quiet after-dinner drink could be enjoyed with the string trio or pianist in the lobby or the Commodore Club. I have read that a harpist has returned.

 

The QE is one of our  two favourite ships, the other being the QM2.  Within two weeks of getting home last summer we booked another QE Alaska cruise for next month.  We have reason to believe that the ship is getting back to normal.

Thanks for taking the time to comment. I really appreciate it.

David

1 hour ago, jimdee3636 said:

@luv2cruzuk

Having been on the Koningsdam recently (actually, the cruise just before yours), I enjoyed your video reviews and can endorse just about everything you said, including your love of Tamarind and your disappointment with the Pinnacle Grill.

 

When we first started cruising with HAL back in 2007, dinner at the Pinnacle was something special, and it more-or-less remained so for quite a while. But around 2014 or 2015 we started to notice a deterioration in Pinnacle food and service standards (no matter what ship we were on). Even with our "four-star Mariner" discount, it didn't seem worth the dinner surcharge. However, we tried going there for lunch on sea days and were pleasantly surprised by how good it was. We found that the key to good luncheon service there was to make a reservation for when they open (12:00PM, I think), order a bottle of wine, and tell the waiter we won't be ordering food until the wine has arrived. It always seemed to do the trick. We'd enjoy a nice, leisurely lunch with good service. But we still avoid the venue at dinner. The MDR (late fixed seating, table for two) has always worked well for us, and when we want a special treat there's Tamarind.

 

Thanks for your insightful reviews.

Jim

What a great tip about lunchtime at Pinnacle Grill. I’ll definitely be trying that next time. 
 

Wasnt Tamarind simply amazing! I could eat there right now! 
 

I’ve got another video lined up, last one of this series, where I explore what you can eat in one day!

Hi and thanks for the reply. Sounds like you really like QE to Alaska, that’s really good to hear.

The poor reviews were recent ones about the actual ship.

Thanks again, I think I’ll give it a try. They have a great 11 night itinerary, that I’d love to do.

Best Wishes,

David

On 5/14/2023 at 3:40 AM, WannaSea said:

Really enjoyed watching your Koningsdam food review. Your comments were very useful with an appropriate description to complete the well composed and edited video clips. Though I may not order the same, your information will be helpful to me for dining choices on my upcoming K cruise. Nicely done.

Thanks so much. 
 

I hope you have a wonderful cruise. 

Hi Everyone,

I have been looking at Alaska on the QE this July or August. I'm on the verge of booking, however, I've read quite a few negative reviews which are really putting me off.

Has anyone been onboard recently and can you give me a brief opinion? What would you rate it out of 10!

Best Wishes,

David