keesar

Make sure you are booking the same class of service. It can be confusing with Basic Economy, Economy, etc.  Sometimes, it is not clear on the Celebrity site.

2 hours ago, WrittenOnYourHeart said:

Thanks. I'm on Beyond, so... 😞  If my stateroom attendant says no, I'll try what @Banjo did.

 

And if they say no, I'll have one or 2 glasses and politely take the rest to Guest Services to show what is wasted (unless they want someone passed out drunk from drinking a whole bottle to prevent it going flat) when they aren't flexible.

 

Kidding. Kind of. I'd probably try first taking it unopened to Guest Services and explaining that I am solo and it would be flat before I was able to finish it.

I have found that if  we get an experienced room attendant, there has not been a. problem.   Lately, we have had new, inexperienced staff and I guess they are following the letter of the law.  I bring home the bubbly and serve it as part of mimosas for guests.  Actually, it is not bad when served that way.

50 minutes ago, WrittenOnYourHeart said:

Thank you!!

We had no luck making an exchange on Beyond and Ascent.  However, we were able to do so on the Equinox 2X  and Reflection.  

It is available at the Mast Grill on Celebrity.   Also, you can find it on German night at the Oceanview Buffet.

37 minutes ago, WrittenOnYourHeart said:

 

Did X eat the extra cost or were the relocated diners having to pay the difference - or given a refund if they didn't want to pay extra? (I get that weather happens, but I wouldn't be that happy to suddenly be having to pay more for something not my fault.)

I really don't know about the financial end of things.  But on this cruise, there was plenty of availability and there were nice discounts available nightly at most of the Specialty Restaurants.

3 hours ago, Sunset329 said:

We will be on the Beyond during our 20th anniversary. We have never been on the Beyond and are not familiar with their restaurants. What restaurant on the Beyond would you recommend for an anniversary dinner? Our anniversary falls on a sea day. Also, when can I make reservations for the anniversary dinner? Our cruise is in March of 2025. Thanks for your help.

Definitely Eden.  You should be able to make reservations now or in a couple of weeks.  Eden is very popular and fills up quickly.  

Not a fan of Roof Top as it is subject to weather.  On our cruise, due to winds and rain, it was closed.  Not good if celebrating an anniversary.  They did try to get people into other venues.  When we ate at Roof Top, this poor waiter had nearly all the table to serve. Never had that at Eden in all of our visits there. Plus it is indoors with a great view.

2 hours ago, luv2cruzuk said:

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! 

If you like their pizza, you will like the burgers.  😀

1 hour ago, lovecruzin said:

Last week on Edge we filled in a form with crew names and position. When I turned it in to guest relations, the rep had me verify the picture of each person while she wrote down their ID number.

She said the amount would go on the salary card.

One of the individuals confirmed she will get the $ as long as the ID number is used.

On Ascent, I wanted to use  unused OBC to give to selected staff. I was given the form at Guest Services and brought the form to the employees I wanted to tip.  They each filled out a line with their name, employee number and then signed.  No problem.  All were very appreciative.  Money. was deducted from the OBC account.

2 hours ago, Happy Cruiser 6143 said:

I just got the email for my November cruise--we're going to Turks & Caicos instead.  Not fond of that, but it is what it is.  I'm sorry for the poor locals who were able to earn some income at Labadee.  I wonder if Haiti will ever manage to rid itself of all the crooks and charlatans who have been running it into the ground forever.

Guess who has been supporting the government?   

On 5/11/2024 at 10:23 PM, Purplsmurf said:

Regular glass bottles and 12 oz cans

Yes, the cans are 12 oz. and the bottles are the same.

5 minutes ago, RichYak said:

I do remember. Those were days of only 1 dining room and only early or late seating with the same wait staff each night. That was the past. Now your gratuities are charged to your on board account and allocated automatically. There's nothing you need to do unless you feel someone deserves extra. It's much easier and convenient this way.

Those were the days when there was less utilization of credit cards.  As mentioned, people don't need to complicate things.  Let the cruise line post the tips and you  pay for them by means of a credit card on file  or OBC.  No need to bring cash along unless you want to add $$$.  You can also add supplemental tips by utilizing excess OBC.  

As mentioned, the tips are posted daily and will be charged against your OBC or credit card.  Envelopes are still available at guest services.  Remember to bring your unwanted Holiday gifts to pass out to deserving crew members. 😀

9 minutes ago, Lena11033 said:

 

I had closed off areas too on Celebrity, with no signs only found out when trying to walk through a public space only to be shouted at by the group 😐

But yes with higher ranking staff being 'all about the charter' it makes you feel like you've crashed a party you weren't invited to - which for the money you are paying you should feel like

On an Alaska cruise, this group booked all of the Specialty Restaurants on one night and a few of the excursions.  On the sea days, the  Sky Lounge was closed for this group to conduct seminars.  

I feel badly for some of the crew.  For instance, stateroom attendants used to have an assistant.  Those are largely long gone.  The number of rooms they are responsible for has increased.  We have had a couple of attendants who were "challenged" due to their not being familiar with the position, apparent lack of organization and the demands of the position.  These individuals have been placed in a situation not to succeed.  

2 hours ago, skivoodoo said:

Thank you both. While I know it’s not the best Lobster in the world it’s part of our tradition. 🦞

We are in Retreat so I’m also curious to try the Luminae version to see if it’s cold water. 

Not a cold water 'lobster' there either.  Not worth trying to schedule around that dish in my opinion.  

2 minutes ago, catgirl411 said:

Hi all,

we are booked on a October Canaries and Portugal cruise on Apex. While we are experienced S Class cruisers, this will be our first E Class cruise. I’m staring to organize dinner reservations and am looking for advice on choosing the MDRs. Is it best to try all 4? Do you have favourites? If so, why? Your advice will be most appreciated. TIA

I would try all 4 MDRs just to get a change of scenery.  And maybe one theme night in the buffet and maybe a Specialty Restaurant.  You can order food from any of the MDRs but just bring your app.  Also, on our cruise, it was Anytime Dining which means show up when you want to eat.  Not true for the Specialty Restaurants where you need to book months in advance to guarantee and day and time.

We did one of the RCL big ships.  People were out late and there was plenty of activity.  Then we went over to Celebrity and it was quiet after 11.  This could be due to the older cruisers on Celebrity --and i mean older.  Ignore those that they show in their ads.

On 5/16/2024 at 5:45 PM, horseymike said:

I wish celebrity would let the staff serve everyone in the OVC , it helps prevent norovirus spreading etc….

We were on the Ascent and it was disgusting watching people use their fingers to take food from the buffet. Coughing into the air.    Thereafter,  we had our lunches at different venues.  

I have seen similar decorations on doors  at the local nursing home.  

No foot stools on the Equinox in Aqua Class.  Two chairs and a small table.  Table is much smaller versus the previous table before the partial renovations.

3 hours ago, kelkel2 said:

Can you tell me about the nightlife on the ships?

we’re not looking for a ship that closes up shop at midnight. We’re looking for a ship that has an active nightlife and possibly a dance club open until late into the morning. 
Does Celebrity have that? We’re looking at a 4 night in January on the Silhouette if that makes a difference. 

Celebrity seems to close up shop at 11 pm.  Not a high energy cruise line.  There has been nothing open early in the morning.  Look at other options.

There is another option called shade.  It is located under trees.

Never had a problem sending out socks, underwear, and t-shirts for the wash and fold.  Be careful with the dry fit  athletic shirts.

On some cruises, there has been a $29 mid-cruise  wash and fold special.  Be on the lookout for this offer in the Celebrity Today paper.

6 hours ago, rinshin said:

We booked one dinner for Murano back in March for our cruise in 12 days but recently it continuously show there are no reservations left.  If possible, we would like to make another dinner reservation and lunch reservation.  Never saw any spots for lunch.  Is this normal to be fully booked up?  Any chance once on board to make extra reservations. 

Very good chance to make reservations. Go early in the cruise.   We always go to the lunch in Murano which typically on Day 6,   It is a limited menu but worth the $$$. 

3 hours ago, kruzgal said:

We sailed on Infinity for 11 nights in April and had a great time. We are now considering Apex this summer but wondered if the MDR menus will be exactly the same. That might sway us towards a different cruise line to get some variety. Thanks 

No need to worry.  Menus tend to vary across classes of ships.   On the S class ships, one sailing had prime rib on the first night.  The other had prime rib on the second night.  However, expect filet mignon and lobster tails on the Evening Chic nights. E-class has quite the variety as there are 4 MDRs.