robandlil

The menu states that the price includes 3 courses. You had 4. Did they charge you?

I'll be making dinner and show reservations soon. We bought the UDP, so we'll be eating all our meals in specialty restaurants. Can you estimate how long it took to eat in Cagneys, Tepanyaki, and LeBistro. We like to eat before the show, and in many instances that may be difficult.

Any advice on this?

Megacruiser

Also, how did you know that Cirque would be free the first night under UDP?

Thanks again! I've been on a dozen cruises but never paid for upscale dining, as I figured the money saved would pay for an excellent dinner at home.

Does one tip after the meal? Way back when i first cruised, it was explained that the fee for the upscale dining was the gratuity for the service. I know it's probably discretionary, but what is the typical practice?

Yes, Megacruiser. It did help. But unfortunately I'm still a bit confused.

Had you planned to do the UDP? You said you bought it on the first day as it then included Cirque. So Cirque didn't count as one of your dines? After Cirque how many dines do you get?

And the extra charges don't apply, if you're on UDP?

I can call NCL about whether it's also offered on the first night of Rome embarkation. Does anyone else know this?

Thanks again, Lillian

This is probably the best review I've ever followed. I love your attention to detail. Thank you so much for the hours of time you've dedicated to this. You must have a very generous spirit.

I am trying to make a decision about the UDP and would like our input to help clarify. We had originally decided to just eat in Taste all week, and spend the money saved to eat in authentic restaurant in our ports of call. But your review implies that if we buy the UDP on the first day, we will have the Cirque show included for free. And now on this page you state that you ate in LeBistro twice. So my questions are:

Do we buy UDP ahead, to avoid VAT or on the first day to get a free Cirque dinner/show? FYI, We board in Italy which may effect VAT or first day offer.

In addition to Cirque, am I correct that we can get an additional 4 dining opportunities? And these can include multiples of the same restaurant? FYI, We have no interest in the Italian, Moderno, or the Tepanyaki.

Again, thanks for your help.

Lillian

Following. We're doing this itinerary in October. Your review heightens the anticipation. Thanks for the effort.

So the menus are the same, and taste is quieter and has faster service. DH can wear shorts. Thanks for the help, that's what I wanted to hear.

We chose NCL despite the fact that we hate freestyle dining because of the Mediterranean itinerary. It exactly fit our dates and where we wanted to go. In port, we love adventure, but when we get back to the ship we like predictability. That's why we like cruising.

We sail on Epic in October and will be using the no extra charge dining. I'm hoping someone can answer these questions

Does Manhattan MDR have the same menu as Taste?

Can anyone post the Mediterranean menus for them?

We've read that Taste is quicker and quieter. Would you agree?

Where would you prefer and why?

We're hoping to just choose one, eat at the same time and table and establish a rapport with the wait staff.

Thanks for any help

We're on Epic in the Fall for the Western Mediterranean. We booked an aft cabin on deck 9. Most days we are booked for all day excursions, but for sail away from Barcelona and the next day which is a sea day, the idea of a posh lounger in shade is very appealing.

Will posh sell us 2 one day passes, or do we have to buy a weeks pass?

Are there other places with cushioned loungers?

Does Posh have its own sail away party?

If so, what is included?

Thanks for your help.

Please comment on the following dinners and shows we're thinking of doing. I know it's subjective, but I'd appreciate your opinion.

Mostly we will eat in MDR but are considering the following:

Prime rib dinner at O'Sheeans

Taste of the Islands dinner at Garden Cafe

Taste of the Orient dinner at Garden Cafe

Spanish Fiesta at Garden Cafe

We know we want to see Dreamgirls, Blue Man Group, and Legends. But how are:

Graffiti Classics show

Ivann: Belgian singer

I don't see any comedians on the dailies. Am I missing them?

Again thank you for helping us.

Thanks for the quick reply! You even answered a question I didn't know I had. We will also plan on Blue Man after the lobster buffet. That will work out perfectly. As all we want is the lobster, we will go to a side station with no waiting.

Here are some other questions, and i understand you may or may not be able to answer. We board in Rome. I'm seeing no sign of a sail away party for us, correct?

Will we have any opportunity to buy posh passes, or will the Barcelona people have taken them all?

Is there anywhere else on the ship other then posh with cushioned loungers and shade?

Do we really have to get to shows 20 minutes early if we have reservations?

Thank you so much for all the valuable menus and dailies. Very helpful for our planning!

I see that on the sea day after embarkation it says special seafood in the buffet. Is this the lobster?

Was lobster ever offered in the MDR?

We will be on Epic in October and like the idea of posh. Is posh the only place where we can get cushioned lounge chairs? That and the umbrella for shade is what's appealing to us.

I also think I read there's a sail away party with free drinks and hors devours. Is that orrect?

Our cruise embarks twice, once in Barcelona for most passengers and then 4 days later for Rome, where we get on. Do they have 2 sail away parties? Will all the posh passes go to the Barcelona people?

I know no one can answer for sure as things change, but any details from the Epic sailing in Europe would be appreciated. Thanks.

We'll be doing your exact cruise mid October. Would love to read your review of the ports and what you did. Particularly Cannes. Any tendering?

Thanks for the menus. Is there a lobster night in the MDR? Or just in the buffet? What day/port did it coincide with. We get on in Rome not Barcelona, so our days may be slightly different.

Thanks again, Lillian

Thank you so much as we're on the Infinity in October. I'm hoping you can tell me more about the LeHavre port. The ship docks at 7 and we are hoping to catch an 8 o'clock train. How swiftly were you able to get off the ship? Do you know if the ship is ever late getting into this port?

It sure sounds like you had a great time!

I read on another site that you can't book the free cruise until you come back from the paid for cruise.

We ate all 3 meals in the MDR unless we were in port.

On formal nights, my husband wore his tux, and we ladies wore spangled, sequined dresses with high heels.

Again, this is for the poster who asked, what were the luxuries, that are now cut back.?

I haven't sailed with Celebrity in years, using instead Carnival and Norwegian for their price and or itinerary. But we are booked on the Infinty for Oct 1. I'm posting to list the fond memories we have of Celebrity that have made other cruises seem not quite up to par. I remember

Champagne and a cold damp cloth when returning to the ship from a port.

A person going around and misting people with a cool spray of water as they sunbathed.

Alternately another crew member went around with rolled up cool washcloths that they handed you with tongs so they were pristine.

I remember being addressed as Madam, as in "would madam care for more coffee?"

I remember drinks for $4.50 as liquor was duty free and cheap.

I remember tea time mid afternoon in one of the lounges where they went around with scones, jam and clotted cream.

Free drink were served on many occasions, ie past guest, and captains party

And I am not ancient. I'm 60 and these little luxurious memories are from about 15 years ago. We've been on 5 cruises since and always wish we were back on Celebrity because they do it right. Please, Tell me this Celebrity still exists.

I just booked with them for a full day trip on October 19, 2014. We are in port off the Epic. Isabel helped me and she adjusted their regular tour to include entrance into Sagrada Familia. They only required a 20 euro deposit for the four of us.

Their prices are reasonable about $150 pp and everything except lunch is included.

We have room for more people if you want to join us. Our booking is Francis1019

Their website is wwwbarcelonadaytours.com. This is also top day tours. Same company.

The porch maidens are called Catyadids. (Sp?). I love them too. They speak to me about how hard it can be to be a woman. Yet we do it with strength and beauty.

Loving your review. Thanks you.

Book as soon as you see a cruise you want. Get exactly the cabin you want, but only pay a deposit. Do not pay in full until you must. Then every time there is a promotion or sale you call and they lower your price or add the promotion. You can do this repeatedly. If you wait for a sale you might miss the cabin you want.

Some people upgrade cabins, but since I like aft cabins, I don't take that chance.

This has always worked for me. Good luck. Life is short, you deserve a cruise.

When you write, I feel like you're talking to me! Thank you. You missed you're calling as a travel reviewer.

We're on the Epic next October from Italy, so the info and pictures adds to our anticipation. I'm intrigued by the ice bar. Do they serve drinks other then vodka? My DH is a Crown Royal man.

We booked Epic for next OCT. I love aft facing so I did a lot of research.

Move up tp deck 9. Deck 8 hears noise from the steakhouse below. Upper decks hear noise from the bar above. Also try to get a cabin with the curve for the bed near the balcony so you don't have to walk around the bed every time you need the closet, bathroom or front door.