Hapytocruise

Thank you! I guess that the Margarita's are not on the list? Is a G&T allowed?

 

How did I miss free BM's at the Elite breakfast?

 

 

 

 

Growing up, we always said...knickers in a twist and panties in a wad.:D

Also available - champagne or a mix with either peach juice or orange juice

I always thought the auto tips were pooled depending on your dining arrangement being Select OR Blu - but MDR was a calculation on the folks assigned to their tables.

I have heard a waiter comment that if they were sick and unable to work it affected their salary as a pro ration of the tip share. I do think it is easier for the MDR servers to get extra due to the opportunity to develop a more personal relationship and provides them opportunity to know their guests preferences...ie soft drink waiting at the table before guest arrives, knows who takes coffee vs tea vs something else.

For our stateroom we usually (unless service is really bad which has happened only once in all our years of cruising) tip extra to both the steward and their assistant making a point of giving the envelopes while they are together.

Vancouver is lovely and you should plan a few days there. Hawaii is a great cruise destination we did it in once from San Diego, the islands are beautiful It is a bit like a transatlantic with all the sea day so if you liked the one you did you should also like this one.

You all will have a much better time with two cabins. Like others have pointed out, an inside cabin will cost the same for one or two occupants..so for your mom to invite a friend would not cost more (other than gratuities for the second person which perhaps the friend would pay that portion or perhaps for some of the cabin).

Not sure if this is still the case but you use to be able to make a reservation for select dining allowing you to "jump the line" or go to a different line if you had a reservation vs just showing up. Anyone know if this is still the case?

Sunset bar is non smoking.

Excellent!

Perhaps you could tell me where Blu is hiding on Connie?

 

Has it another name?

 

I looked at the deck plan in my brochure and upon reading a discussion yesterday about room changes etc and there being a new deck plan, had a look on Celebrity site. With magnifying glass!

 

No. Nothing.

 

I may starve if I don't find it . .

All M Class ships have Blu upper floor right hand side of main dining room area. They built walls in that area so it is totally separate from MDR and lovely.

Your TA does not have a clue as to what she is telling you. You will be assigned to Blu as your dining room but I have heard many times persons in Aqua have had success getting a seat in the MDR after speaking with the Blu Matr'd . Your friends should definitely choose "select" dining and then you should not have a problem dining with them on occasion. If they are at a traditional table it would be much more complicated.

Hello everyone,

For those of you who have had both Aqua and Concierge cabins, could you please let us know if you think one is preferable over the other. We've read the Amenities list for both, and we've also had a Concierge cabin ourselves (which we enjoyed) but we're wondering what the opinion would be from those of you who have been in both.

(On our last X cruise, we had a Sky suite, and we're Elite. We see that Concierge cabins have lots of amenities that are the same as what you'd get in the suite cabin, while Aqua cabins may not?)

Thanks for all your opinions! :)

It has been our experience that Aqua cabins have everything the Concierge cabins have plus Blue, Persian Gardens, and bottled water daily. Unless you are specifically referring to C1 back of the ship which I agree have bigger balconies. While I appreciate not all will agree...We LOVE Blue. The menu can be a bit hit or miss but I always find something (may be double apps for dinner or "the always offered") but the atmosphere is soooo much better than the MDR.

I would not discount the Constellation if the itinerary is more convenient and if less cost. The M class ships of which Constellation is one, are smaller and older but for the most part well maintained. I would highly suggest Aqua class on either M class or S class ships. We love dining in Blu and the few extra perks which go along with Aqua.

While we would never have tried it because we could not understand the big deal of Blu...we were booked on Infinity just prior to their announcing drydock to renovate to convert some cabins to Aqua class - one of which was the one we were booked in. So we were technically upgraded. We absolutely loved it and have always sailed Aqua ever since.

Our next cruise will be our first as "Elite Plus". Can anyone clarify the complementary expresso - is café Americano included? Is it only avail at the café mid ship or can you also order it elsewhere? Thanks

Funny how things are considered. Since DW and I hate champagne, I would have thanked them and either thrown it away or given it away. A nice gesture though and would have been appreciated regardless.

You can exchange it in the dinning room for a bottle of equal $ value. Just speak to the wine steward before hand (plus we give him/her a tip for there trouble.

OP: For a little more money than Concierge Class, I would highly recommend Aqua Class, and its Blu Restaurant. Much better food in a more intimate environment.

Agree completely - UNLESS - you are into that "table for 8" in MDR and getting to know your tablemates. Blu is tables for 2 and you rarely have the same table twice. BUT if you do enjoy tables for 2...Blu is the way to go. You also have free access to The Aqua spa with heated loungers which is very nice on sea days.

You can purchase a bottle to take and keep in your room. Last cruise there were a few priced between $30-$35 which were not bad. With the drink package you may even get a discount on the full bottle purchase...not sure since we do not take the package.

I second the self-service laundry OR at the very least, an "ironing" room if you will. This is causing stress in my house for our upcoming cruise :o

Yes, an ironing room please. It could be on deck 2 down with medical centre so not to take away from prim real estate

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We have done 3 fall west bound TA's - all provided warm to hot weather conditions during the sea days. Bring T shirts, shorts and a bathing suit.

Something else to consider - Blu is anytime dining and does not take reservations which could be problematic if your party of 18 shows up for dinner all at the same time - not only (as already mentioned) you will be seated at multiple tables but most likely spread around the room. Also (unless you all show up at opening first in line) you may not all get seated at the same time - some may have to wait for tables to become available. On occasion we have waited up to 20 minutes for a table for 2.

Your TA may be pushing Aqua without first hand knowledge or understanding how dining in Blu works. Your better bet would be CC or regular balcony cabin with early or late dining in the Main dining room with 2 or 3 tables next to each other if you want to dine as a group. Plus the cruise will be less expensive for everyone.

SHIP: Equinox

CABIN: 1598

DECK: 11

CLASS: Ai

AREA: Middle under pool deck

BED NEAR: Bathroom

QUIET?: Very

BALCONY VIEW: Good

BALCONY SIZE: Normal

WIND A PROBLEM? No

SOOT A PROBLEM? No

COMMENT: A great location near the central elevators with a great overhang. We do our sunning by the pool and prefer to have cocktails and lunch on our balcony in the shade. While I expected some noise due to location it was very quite.

On our most recent cruise, I think that no party had to pay an additonal charge to eat in Blu. In respect to other charges, we were so impressed with the service that we gave additional gratuities to the hostess and the matre'd.

I hope you also gave additional to the waiters and their assistants.

Huge fan of Blu, but will admit that the daily menu can either be fantastic or a bit off for me. However there are options - the "always available" chicken/salmon/steak and there is also a salad entre (meat and salad) which if the meat appeals to you can be ordered instead with veggies and potato. Also there could be a hot appetizer which works well doubled/tripled as an entre such as short ribs (yes it is an appetizer) or lobster ravioli. Each meal is plated after it is ordered (this is not banquet style dining which IN MY OPINION is the main dining room style) - so "usually" mixing or swapping from one entre to another is possible. We have had waiters tell us not to get the fish as described on the menu (sort of like floating in a broth) but request it broiled with veggies on the side.

The service in Blu is also amazing. They aim to please.

The Blu dining room is lovely, service (generally) spectacular and for the most part the food is way better than MDR. On occasion the menu can be a bit odd but with the "always available" or requesting the salad entre with potato/veggies we have very rarely been disappointed. The plates are individually and artistically prepared, the room is small with lots of tables for 2 (which is a requirement for us). If you prefer to be assigned "table for 6/8/10" to meet and dine with those fellow passengers during your cruise - it is not that kind of dining. Note: the tables are close enough to strike up a conversation IF you want to and feel that conversation is welcome.:)

Just off the TA Equinox and while the talent was there but the timing and venue programming was not to our liking (just our opinion). Gaps during cocktail time when nothing was happening and putting music which would put you to sleep in the lounge bar pre dinner. We wished the classical playing ladies were in the open coffee area and the guitar guy in the lounge.

Just off the Equinox, dined in Blu but I believe the always available options are also part of MDR menu. That said the Carmel chocolate cake and cheesecake are both amazing!!!

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Just my 2 cents worth. Everything really sounds lovely. Just a wish list, a passenger coin laundry would be helpful.

I agree that is one thing Princess has going for it. I would even be happy with an "ironing room" in the bowels of the ship.

On the Equinox we had great response time whenever we went on really early in the morning (6-8 am) or later in the evening (after 8pm). Whatever they did to the system it was really easy and quick to sign-on from the cabin on my ipad. The few times we tried mid day response was slow.