jelayne

We are not big Eden fans.  We have dined at Le Voyage on  both the Beyond and Ascent.  We enjoyed LV, actually liked it on the Beyond better than the Ascent.

It is a smaller space than Eden, doesn't have views but it is quieter than Eden.

The feeling is more like Murano than Eden, but with a more modern decor than Murano.

5 hours ago, jgmorgan said:

 

We had the same question and thanks fmlsprtfn for asking and thanks to janabellev2.0 for answering. 🙂

 

Our issue is compounded by the size of our group (11 family members).  We have four separate reservations that are linked and originally had selected Anytime dining. As I investigated making reservations, the max size was for a party of 8, and there was only one of the four main dining restaurants that showed up as an option. So given that, I shifted us all to Early dining (which would have been about our preferred dining time anyway).

 

There is a picture on the Celebrity website of a table set for ten, but I haven't been able to find any info specific to large groups.  Is it reasonable to think that we can speak to the dining room folks when we board and arrange accommodation for a party of eleven (or alternatively tables for six and five that are in proximity)?

 

Thanks in advance for your help and any advice. 

 

 

 Talk to the host or hostess at the dining room.  You may find it better to have 2 tables and have people rotate between the tables as serving a table for 11 could result in a long dinner.  They will serve the staters and when everyone is done they will serve the main course, same with dessert.  Plus conversation with a large table is difficult and tends to get loud as a person at one end is raising their voice so those at the other end of the table can hear.  Than can be bothersome to those seated in adjacent tables who want to have a conversation vs hearing your conversation.

I don’t believe there is anyone currently doing a Live review from the Millennium.  A search may bring up a past thread. 

Could be a talk by the Captain, guest vs Officers activities ( pool volley ball, bocce ball), fitness classes, possibly an art and craft class, wine tastings, afternoon show.  

Constellation does not have Craft Social.  The casino bar is probably your best bet.   They also may be shown on the TV in your cabin.

Generally if you want drinks and wi-fi both it is better to add All Included to the booking.  Check the price difference between cruise only and AI, convert to a daily rate then compare that to the cost of purchasing the drink package separately.  Remember to add the 20% to the per day price of the drink package when purchasing separately. 

For our upcoming cruise the Classic drink package has 20% off and is $68 pp pd so $81.66 per day with gratuity if purchased in the Cruise planner.  The cost difference per day on that cruise is $70 per day more for AI then cruise only.
So for that sailing $70 would get you the drink package and Wi-Fi, cruise only adding the drink package would cost more and that’s with no Wi-Fi.

We prefer the Beyond.  It has some features that the Edge & Apex do not have:

LeVoyage Restaurant

World Class Bar

Larger Martini Bar with more bar seating

Cabanas that face the pool vs a walkway

Much larger Sunset bar with more covered seating

Plunge pool near the Roof Top Garden

A 2nd bar area at the rear of  the Oceanview Cafe whiched improved drink service in the buffet.

If you are in a suite:

Luminae is larger and has more window seating

There are 2 hot tubs on the Retreat Sundeck vs 1 on Edge and Apex

Retreat Sundeck is largerand doesn't feel as crowded.

13 minutes ago, Gracie115 said:

I don't think anyone here has mentioned the Aqua Spa Cafe on deck 14.  I would think it would still be open on port days.  

 

Much quieter than the buffet with some interesting dining choices.

the OP is looking for Retreat guests only, non fee lunch options.

When this was announced back around March we were able to reprice some bookings, but not those already paid in full. 

When we have considered booking hotels and transfers through X it was always more costly and transportation less efficient than doing it ourselves.

Sundeck is the only Retreat only place open without a fee.  The MC suites are entry level suites, high end suites on. Celebrity are Royal Suites and above.

We have been cruising primarily in suites for tge past few years and we don’t order room service, no table to eat at in most suites. However, I thought Room Service had no fee for suite guests.  If I’m wrong someone will correct me. 

We frequently stay on the ship in the Caribbean and the only place open at lunch for Retreat only guests is the Sundeck with a limited menu.  
 

1 hour ago, PTC DAWG said:

Sailed a good bit on both, I don’t get this take at all..

 

 

Agree.  

2 hours ago, depplep said:

I'm having trouble all over the site. My Power Up Points haven't credited yet from last month and others have said theirs have. Also, every link I click on to dining or a specific restaurant comes up and says, "Bad Request." I was only Elite, so that didn't change for me.

The PUP points see roll out through out the day.  Some in the UK received theirs when it was before dawn here.  Ours have not shown up yet but I’m not worried if not here today they will be there tomorrow. 

19 hours ago, Mr. Click said:

I believe that the benefit is either/or, not both.   We are Elite and get 90 minute or 30% off the regular rate.  Sadly we cannot stack that 30% on the flash sale pricing so some times the flash sale price is the best deal.  Gotta do all of the math.

As I recall it was one of the other in the past.  I don’t know when it changed but the benefit description does as the discount + the minutes.  

Eden sells much better than LPC so generally can get a decent discount there.  We actually had a free dinner there but the 2 times we picked both got cancelled as there were not enough bookings to justify opening.

Eden, while not a favorite of ours, generally is booked so any discount is minimal.  

Ask your TA to send you a copy of the Celebrity Booking Confirmation - Guest Copy.

Some don't do this routinely but they can access it and send it to you.

36 minutes ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

Im not saying it’s right but X sounds like they are charging solos more to make up for the second person’s anticipated on board spend

Yes, much of the profit is in the on board spending and making a profit is the name of the game with for profit businesses.

Just checked a TA site and when I get to selecting a  category it says call to book.  So I wait a day or so, it may reappear

The Celebrity site show the Ascent TA arriving in US on Nov 8.  But no beginning on the 8th.  Could be off the website for inventory management.

5 hours ago, cruisebeachgirl703 said:

23 days to sailing. will keep an eye out for email. thanks all.

If you are in a Sky Suite our experience is about 60% of thectime we get a email.  It is a generic form, arrival time, departure time, type of pillow, extra hangers ? . Red, white or sparking wine.  50% of the time the request didn’t reach the ship.  On the bright side the cabin attendant takes care of the hangers, pillows and wine in a short amount of time.

We book most cruises when they open up +/- 2 years out, specialty dining opens about 12 months out, so at 4 months out the space available for pre-booking could be sold.  They hold back some space for on board booking. 

There are limited number of packages and the longer the cruise the fewer, if any, 3 or 4 night packages.

Only the buffet or Mast Grill are no fee places.  If you are on an Edge Class ship Le Gran Bistro is normally open for a fee.

We have found  that if you wait until 1-1:30 to go to lunch the buffet is not that crowded.  By then most have had lunch and are off to explore the ship .

3 hours ago, kwokpot said:

LOL, just goes to show you everyone likes/wants different things. I would tend to agree, it's always so dark and dreary. 

 

On the E-Class ships I think my favorite spot is Cafe Al Bacio. Since it's so large there's various places you can sit depending on your mood. You can sit way in the far right corner near where they setup the photo background; or right up front facing the walkway near the counter to watch the comings and goings, or by the railing so you can see what's going on down below at the Martini Bar. 

 

One spot on all E-Class ships that I failed to mention is on Deck Five right before the entrance to the Eden corridor and just past one of the designer boutiques. It's pictured below from the Apex. I never see anyone sitting there at any time on any E-Class ship, which is ashame since it's out of the way and quiet enough for conversation.

 

 Cafe Al Bacio is a good spot to have a drink in the evening.  Near the back it can be quieter and there are windows.