dingy

Wow, I don't think I would be quite as polite as you.

Thanks for the links LHT.

Article today listing Ponant as the best luxury line according to Cruise Critic but I don't see them listed here or discussed. Very possible I'm not looking in the right place (geezer-itis). Anyone able to offer opinions on this line?

Thank you

We didn't make reservations in advance. Made them each day based on what our plans and mood was for that day and night. Most people lock them in for all nights and then decide to go to a Speciality Restaurant or the Buffet or dine on the balcony. So, there are always a lot of no shows. We had no problem getting a same day reservation.

I am also new to River Cruises and just starting research for a Spring 2015 Europe adventure. I need to find out the basics before I can even begin to ask relevant questions. But one comes to mind that would help. Ocean cruises have a "luxury" classification. Oceanana, Crystal, etc. Does the River cruise industry have a similar classification and ,if they do, which lines would fall into that group? Thank you.

Never been on an MSC ship but have sailed on most of the others. With the exception of some "Luxury" lines, the Celebrity Reflection is the best ship we have been on. Depending on what other line or ship you want to compare it with, The Reflection is either somewhat better or significantly better.

Dingy (a one-passenger study)

If one of the reasons you take a cruise is for poker in the Ship's casino, you've done a poor job with your research. If you want a serious game, ask one of the officers where a game can be found. It won't be in the casino. If you are in a suite, your butler may be able to direct you to one.

I think that many passengers pre book all the Select dining nights and times and then decide to go to a speciality restaurant or use room service or go to the buffet without canceling the select dining reservation. So, it's never as fully booked as it appears to be.

How far in advance can/should you make your select reservations?

 

Thank you!

Maybe it depends on the size of your party and the ship but we just finished a cruise on the Reflection and always booked our times in both the MDR and the Speciality restaurants on the day it was occurring. For us, the whole idea of Select Dining is what we want to do that day based on plans for that day and night after dinner. We had no problems getting our desired time although we tend to eat 8 or later. Once we wanted a 8:00 time and were told 8:30 was the best they could do but if we showed up at 8 they would see what they could do. We showed up at 8 and we were seated immediately. With so many dining choices now, nothing is that totally booked.

This is just a theory so, feel free to blow it out of the water. The recent announcement of SUITE DINING ROOMS may be ....to some extent ......a response to what is happening on FORMAL NIGHTS in the MDR. I believe that Celebrity is starting to hear complaints from the higher end, of their customer base.

We took a cruise many years ago on the QE II in its maiden year. The men wore sports jackets and suits on non formal nights and tuxes or dark suits on formal nights. Just finished a cruise on the Reflection and the formal nights dress requirements in the MDR were just ignored by many. Matter of fact, there were people in the MDR on formal nights that weren't even dressed to satisfy the generally understood "smart casual" guidelines.

Things have certainly changed. Jeans are worn to the fanciest of Manhattan restaurants. Everyone is dressing down. I have 2 sons who live in NYC. Their idea of "dressing up" is dumping the t-shirt and putting on a nicer shirt over their jeans. I'm not trying to push a bolder up hill. I understand the trend and that's just the way it is.

However, I do think that something needs to be done with formal nights on these cruises. Maybe SUITE DINING is part of it. Maybe not. But, when you see slobs walk into the MDR on formal nights, you either need to kick them out or just do away with formal nights and forget about dress codes. Many things have cycles. How we dress will always be evolving. The next generation may be like the last generation ...and want to get dressed up. But for now, I guess I will be dining in my tux sitting next to a guy wearing his "GO Huskers" Nebraska University t-shirt.

Just returned from the Reflection....4/12 sailing. We has an Aft Suite on Deck 12 and would do it again. As was mentioned, a bit of a walk to the elevators but we look at it as earning a gelato. Some overhead noise from time to time with chairs moving on 14 observation deck but no biggie. The panoramic view while having breakfast on the balcony is worth it just for that.

When our kids were "kids", we cruised on Carnival. Loads of other kids and they had a blast. Two things I was looking forward to not doing anymore: getting up before the sun came up on Saturdays and and Sundays to get to soccer games and wrestling matches and sailing on Carnival. I haven't been on NCL but Celebrity is much better than Carnival.

A bit tardy with the question since you already booked it. But not to worry. The choices between the two ships and the part of the Caribbean they sail is like trying to choose whether to order the snails or the escargot. It just doesn't matter. Show me the person who can look out his porthole and say: "look at that. We just crossed over from the East Carib to the West Carib." And I'll show you a person desperately in need of a Piña Colada.

Your cruise will be remembered by the fun your group had together. In 5 years you will talk about the time you had. Probably won't remember if it was the East or West. Maybe you won't remember the name of the ship either. Just enjoy the experience. What and where make little difference.

Well said Renman. We usually get a Suite and have no interest in becoming part of any group or pre planning any group activities. But at the same time, when we decide to go to the MDR, we like to sit at larger tables and meet new folks. No snobbery. Just our idea of enjoying time together. As you say, these are all business decisions. If they turn out to be mistakes, they will be changed or discontinued. If the average customer is made to feel like he/she is a "second class cruiser" as a result of any changes, the plan will fail. If the price for the Suites and the perks that go with them becomes too high, the plan will fail.

I was advised that if I wasn't planning to book a suite, I should make reservations ASAP to ensure that I wouldn't get a cabin next to the livestock.

That's a "come on". A JB featured chef on every cruise? That's like saying Celine Deon has abandoned her million dollar a night gig in Vegas to join the contortionist in the Celebrity Reflection theater.

Formal applies to the MDR only. Why should someone pick another cruise line? Some cruisers never step foot in the MDR

 

 

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You are right. Poor job of communicating on my part. I meant that I don't understand those who book a cruise with formal nights and then complain about them when there are so many alternatives.

"GET LOST.... You don't need to know where everything is on the ship before you get there. Part of the fun is investigating".

 

And can I investigate in shorts, or is there a specific Investigatory Dress Code...

 

Enjoy

 

Woody

Just got off the phone with CC. Although not mandatory, they prefer that you get lost in Formal Wear.

There are so many different cruises to choose from these days, I don't understand why someone would choose a cruise with Formal Nights and complain about it or not participate in it. My spouse loves "dress up" so, I pack my tux and we do our thing. Plus, it gives me time to sneak up to the Sunset deck and smoke a cigar while she is getting ready. The MDR wants pants so, I wear pants. I don't see If I can get away with breaking the rules. Again, there are cruises that allow shorts.....choose one of them. Doesn't make a lot of sense to choose a cruise with formal nights and try to figure out how not to get with the program.

I just booked a cruise last week.... 4/12 Reflection (sort of last minute). I came here to look at some of the Q & A and comments. There seems to be a lot of questions about all sorts of things as people seem to want to know just about everything and try to plan just about everything accordingly. I asked a few questions myself. We don't keep track of the number of cruises we have taken but it's in the teens somewhere. I offer this "view" for the newer cruisers who may think they have to do everything and know everything about their cruise before they step foot on the ship. I'm sure there will be some who will take issue with my suggestions. That's fine, I'm sure most will not agree but it may help some to just take a deep breath, relax and not worry.....

GET LOST.... You don't need to know where everything is on the ship before you get there. Part of the fun is investigating. Getting lost a couple of times is no big deal. I promise, you won't wind up on another ship.

FOOD....With the exception of dietary restrictions, don't worry about the food...what is served and when. I look at it this way. If food was an issue when planning a vacation, I would yet to have taken a my first cruise. (We have taken cruises on smaller yacht-type vessels with 50 guests and that is the exception.) Food on a cruise ship is like a grand catering hall. Not like a fine restaurant. The steak you order isn't thrown on the grill when your server goes back to the kitchen with your medium-rare order. He just goes over to the 1000s of pre-cooked steaks being kept warm and grabs one from the medium rare pile for you. It has to be that way. Too many people...too little time. And for those who are sailing with Celebrity for the first time, I think they are the best when compared to other lines in their category when it comes to food. Just don't worry about the food. Go. Eat. Enjoy the company.

PLANNING...we take cruises because we find them extremely relaxing. Part of that relaxation is having little or nothing on the daily calendar and filling it up as we go....or just relax.

Don't think you need to pre-schedule everything. There are plenty of excursions and they are not all filled. There is always a table on a speciality restaurant somewhere. Last cruise, I called for a reservation and was told they were booked. I walked down there in the afternoon with a $20 bill and a table magically opened up. You don't need to fully pre-book trips and dinners. Play it by ear. Believe me. You won't miss out on a thing.

So, find out what the the cruise line wants you do do. Make sure you have complied. Everything else can wait until you are on board. As helpful as this message board is, most people who cruise don't read it. And, I'm sure they have a grand time. You don't need to plan everything. Enjoy the discovery.

Trying to make specialty dining reservations. Which nights are the Formal nights on the Reflection .....4/12 departure? Thanks.

Looking into our first River Cruise. Just a couple of questions (to start). What would be the "luxury" lines? And (I know this is subjective) but forgetting itineraries, length of cruise, prices, and just focusing on the boat, suites,, balconies, service, food.....what is the best line (boat)?

Thank you .

Yes, it is a third party operation that Celebrity sends you to.

http://www.luggageforward.com/celebritycruises. Haven't contacted them yet.

Is the OV Cafe a late night spot? Only time noise would be an issue for us. Thanks for the reply.

Has anyone used CCs " Luggage Forward" service?......having luggage pre-shipped to the port.

We tend to include everything (including the kitchen sink) when we pack for travel.....wondering if we can avoid lugging all of it.

Thanks,

Dingy

Just received suite designation. Sky Suite 2221, as aft as aft can be. Panoramic views but a trek to the elevators which doesn't bother us. Anyone familiar with this? Negatives? Deck 12. Reflection.