talking2u

When renting an Alcove, can you have your children with you? One post seemed to imply kids were not allowed, however, I cannot find this in writing in the website and I have reserved the full week of Alcove for myself, grandmother and daughter. Awkward if daughter cannot join.

You can absolutely have your children at the Alcove. It was a wonderful meeting point and place to gather a relax for my family (husband, self, and 13 year old son), on our recent cruise on the Reflection.:)

Enjoy!

Re the quote.....

My only concern is the ban on bringing food from Oceanview or the Mast Grill to the Alcove. That one doesn't make sense to me. The picnic baskets they offer just don't sound that good to me.

****There is no problem bringing food in from anywhere on the ship....in fact our server for the Alcove suggested that on our first day we booked..... Mast Grill or the Ocean View Cafe....we also brought some lunch over from the Porch too, which is really close by.

:)

I did not post my opinion on here to start a verbal attack at other people's opinions....to each their own.... If we all agreed on every little detail and option in our lives... the world would be a pretty boring place. For me and my family....they were perfect and what we were looking for to add enjoyment to our vacation. On our trip, they were completely booked with a wait list, both port and sea days. As for the price.... our tour on San Juan cost 99.00 each and lasted 2 hours...... our days with the Alcoves were either 99.00/147.00 for the use of the Alcove (not per person), and brought us peace and quiet and what we considered a beautiful place to relax and enjoy family time.

And just so those that are interested know, you do not ever have to hop over yellow ropes....if you walk along the sides of the Alcoves which is a standard deck path, there are many openings between the Alcoves for anyone to enter the lawn area.

So this is my opinion......it is here because I was responding to a post requesting that I share my opinion when we returned from our vacation....

Happy Travels to all......

We just got home last night from our week on the Reflection, which we had booked the Alcoves for 4 of those days. in my opinion, they are worth every penny. :)

We loved our Alcove, the personal assistant assigned to it brings drinks, etc... the IPAD, the shade......and sun if you wanted it, and the ease of knowing you always had a relaxing area reserved just for you and your family.

To answer some questions posted here..... You can wear what you want.... play the music you want (or not) from your IPAD....have drinks and snacks delivered....as well as have privacy and a place for your group or family to meet up.....

When you have an Alcove booked you will have your name posted on the little sign (see attached pic). You have them from 9-9 so you can come and go as you please....

They are peaceful, quiet and totally relaxing. As for comments about taking up too much space on the grass....I just don't see that as an issue..... Our 4 days included the 3 sea days + the San Juan day....I spent 75 percent of my day there relaxing as my family dropped in an out of activities, and I can say that I saw 7 people in total actually lie on the grass or spend any time there. They had officer and guest Bocce ball a couple of times, and 2 lawn concerts....and there was lots of room for all. I tried to book one extra day, and they were completely booked up with a wait list so if you are thinking of booking....book ahead. Cheers and happy travels!

talking2u --

 

please remember to come back & post on this thread your thoughts after experiencing the alcoves!

 

have fun,

Mary

Sure Mary! We sail on the 9th of March....

.....so looking forward to this cruise! :)

Based on this thread, we've reserved alcoves for all 3 sea days on our upcoming Reflection cruise!

 

I did ask about a discount, but was told that only applied if reserving for all week - in which case the discount would be 10% off (maybe because we're on the Thanksgiving week sailing? or overall new policy due to popularity?)

three days seems like a luxury as it is, so we stuck with that. we'll find a way to make do the rest of the week ;)

 

also, in case this is of interest, cancellation policy is 24 hours in advance. so, if for some unimaginable reason, we don't like the luxury, comfort, and convenience of a reserved area just for us, we can cancel after the first day and let someone else have the space :)

 

Mary

Maybe double check the discount.... I think it was you had to book a port day as well (3 plus port day)

......so we booked the day we go to P Rico as the ship doesn't dock until 3 pm that day...and the price is a port day price... our holiday on the Reflection is only a few weeks away. Can't wait! :)

First trip on Celebrity but it will definitely not be our last! We have been treated like VIPs from the minute we boarded. Have eaten at Murano and QSine for dinner so far. Both were terrific. QSine is an absolute MUST DO. the food was fantastic and the presentation was very entertaining. Possibly the most fun I've had in a restaurant on land or sea. We ate lunch at the Lawn Club Grill today (we are in San Juan today) and that was also wonderful. We will be back there tomorrow evening for dinner. Tonight it's Tuscan Grill.

 

After reading all of the constant negativity about the Alcoves I have to admit I was worried when I reserved them for the week before we boarded. All I had read was they were uncomfortable, poorly designed, and rarely used. Well today they are all booked and in full use. They are comfortably appointed and the service is outstanding. Our group if four couples rented two for the week and we all agree is was a great idea. No fighting over pool chairs or trying to arrange in advance where the group will meet up each day.

 

Arguing their relative value is a lot like arguing who has the correct favorite color. If you don't find them to be a value, don't reserve them. If you feel they block your view if the ocean in the relatively small area they occupy, cruise on the ships that don't have them. Celebrity seems to have hit a home run with the Alcoves. We will try to reserve them every time in the future.

 

Thanks to Marko, Jordan, Bailey, Regulas, Eliza, Andrea, Evika, and Cesar. You've made this cruise super and we are only on day 3!!

This is great news! We have rented them for 4 days on our upcoming cruise....nice to hear some positive feedback! :)

Thanks once again for the great review......

I must admit, although I can see from reading here I will be very unpopular for this comment.....I will share my perspective about the Alcoves.....

We have booked the Alcoves for a few days on our upcoming Reflection holiday...

I have had skin problems of the dangerous kind ....and cannot take a risk by sitting in the lounge chairs around the pool, in the sun. Looking at the beautiful pictures of the pool area, I do see a limited amount of space that does have some shade, however, when it is my only option for lounging outside..... and I can reserve some shade in the open air, for me it is a bonus.

As for the pricing, I felt a day at sea ($149)was the same price for a cabana as one or two people participating in an offshore events on port days..., so I really don't see the price as a big issue. As well, I truly hate chair hogs (and I know none of you are those), but they do exist.......and the stress of getting up to the deck, and getting a chair that doesn't have towels all over it......'reserved' empty for hours.......i appealing for me

That being said, I will have a better perspective perhaps.....after our upcoming holiday.

I close by thanking you ever so kindly for the best review I have ever read on this or any site, regarding a cruise.

Cheers,

Laurie

Thanks so much Sandi!

Stay warm..... I too am in the cold! We live in Toronto ON and have had the coldest week in a few years, I'd say. My husband was in the lovely city of Chicago this week on Business......tonight I am munching on some of Chicago's famous Garrett's Popcorn while I enjoy your posts!

Cheers! Laurie :)

Sandi,

I am sooo enjoying reading about your cruise experience! Thank you so much! This question is technical and may seem silly but I am quite new to this site and don't know how to subscribe to your particular posts......if you don't mind, I would love a little advice so that I can continue to hear all about your journey. My family and I are on our first Celebrity Cruise in March ....on the Reflection and just can't wait!!! Thanks in advance.

Laurie :)