Alcoves on the Silhouette

[Clancy14]

Hello;

 

For those cruisers who have rented an Alcove on the Silhouette, is it true that you do not have an Ocean/Water view from them? I read that it is only a view of the Lawn area !? (I hope this is not the case as I live in a log home on 30 acres and see enough grass during the rest of the year!:eek:)

 

If you have rented one, what tips can you give to improve the experience? I have rented them for 3 different days on my March 2012 cruise, as my DH cannot sit in the sun for very long (and enjoys a good nap) but likes to be outside.

 

Any help that you can give me would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

 

- Miriam

[adavidw]

From all the pictures I've seen, it doesn't look like you can see any water except through a little gap in the "planters" around them.

 

I don't know if you're going to get very many replies on this. Every Silhouette review I've seen that mentions the Alcoves says that they didn't see them being used. I'd love it if someone who did actually rent one would come forward and let the rest of us know whether they enjoyed it or thought it was a good use of time and money.

[Brian Raine]

The alcoves are inward facing to the "grass area".Basically a glorified garden swing with a low "wall" around it.They can be booked at $99 and $179.After some 4 weeks of cruising the grass was showing signs of a little wearing, by the end of the year a lot of maintenance will be required.

[dkjretired]

Hello;

 

For those cruisers who have rented an Alcove on the Silhouette, is it true that you do not have an Ocean/Water view from them? I read that it is only a view of the Lawn area !? (I hope this is not the case as I live in a log home on 30 acres and see enough grass during the rest of the year!:eek:)

 

If you have rented one, what tips can you give to improve the experience? I have rented them for 3 different days on my March 2012 cruise, as my DH cannot sit in the sun for very long (and enjoys a good nap) but likes to be outside.

 

Any help that you can give me would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

 

- Miriam

 

I realize you said your husband likes to be outside but I have found the pool at the solarium to be wonderful. I am a melanoma patient and avoid the sun and spent a lot of time in there. Very quiet, no kids, right by the Aqua Spa cafe and a nice pool..

[Scrapchick]

The Alcoves were all in use on our Silhouette cruise, which surprised me. I think they are very overpriced and as has been said, they face inwards towards the lawn, so the only ocean view is across the other side of the ship and past the set of alcoves that looks back at you. As long as people are willing to pay to use them, Celebrity will keep them there and will probably install them on the other S class ships too, which would be a real shame. They are very close together but angled in one direction, so they have privacy from each other but not from the Lawn Club.

 

I took pics on the day we boarded and can hunt those down if you like and try to post them.

[boogs]

I think they are very overpriced .....

 

They are priced competitively with similar cabana-like amenities at many resort hotels. Having said that, they, and the ones at a resort hotel, are too pricey for my tastes.

[marie61]

If you have booked a cabin with a balcony, why on earth would you pay an exorbitant price for an alcove?

 

I've got privacy, my own private lawn chair, drinks and a private washroom on my balcony. My husband takes my cruise card and goes to the bar and brings me fancy drinks. Room service brings me food for free.

 

This is a ridiculous idea. Passengers who want this kind of thing should look into booking a room with a balcony rather than an inside cabin...far more cost-effective.

[Christine Frances]

To each his own:D We have chatted with friends and we are thinking about sharing one - I think it would be fun!! We are social people and I think I would enjoy it - If we want "privacy" we would go to the cabin but we only usually go there in the evenings to change or sleep!

[boogs]

If you have booked a cabin with a balcony, why on earth would you pay an exorbitant price for an alcove?

 

Why on earth do you care how people spend their own money?????

[JFontaine]

If you have booked a cabin with a balcony, why on earth would you pay an exorbitant price for an alcove?

 

I've got privacy, my own private lawn chair, drinks and a private washroom on my balcony. My husband takes my cruise card and goes to the bar and brings me fancy drinks. Room service brings me food for free.

 

This is a ridiculous idea. Passengers who want this kind of thing should look into booking a room with a balcony rather than an inside cabin...far more cost-effective.

 

Actually, people will pay this fee for many good reasons: they don't want to sit on a cramped balcony, they want seating for more than two people, they don't want to ride an elevator to get a cocktail, they want to people watch, they want to be accessible to their kids, they want to try something new, they want to feel the breeze. I had a Royal Suite on Eclipse and I think this would be fun so I'm not sure your point about cost effectiveness is correct.

[Clancy14]

If you have booked a cabin with a balcony, why on earth would you pay an exorbitant price for an alcove?

 

I've got privacy, my own private lawn chair, drinks and a private washroom on my balcony. My husband takes my cruise card and goes to the bar and brings me fancy drinks. Room service brings me food for free.

 

This is a ridiculous idea. Passengers who want this kind of thing should look into booking a room with a balcony rather than an inside cabin...far more cost-effective.

 

Whoa there!!! What's the bee in your bonnet ?!?! Not that it matters to anyone, but I have a Concierge Cabin on the Sky Deck, with lounge chairs on my balcony and enough money to rent an Alcove every day, if I wanted to. I just wanted to know what the view is from them?

 

But to answer why I want to rent them:

 

1. I like to be with my husband when we're on vacation, but not stuck in my cabin when it's daytime and I can be on deck and see things, people etc.

 

2. I like to be able to go the pool, casino, snack bar etc. when I want to and still come back and visit my snoozing husband!!

 

I have 2 questions for you.

 

1. Doesn't your husband get to have his own cruise card?

 

2. What cabin has a bathroom on the balcony?

 

- Miriam

[lovespositano]

To each his own.

 

We've got one booked for October, mostly so we can share time with our friends who are not in an adjoining cabin (we both have balcony cabins, though). The price I paid was lower than quoted above in this thread and when spread over four people I didn't think it was too exhorbitant. It's probably the only time we'll do this, but I thought it would be fun to try it. I'll let you know what we thought when we get back.;)

[Cruise Junky]

They are priced competitively with similar cabana-like amenities at many resort hotels. Having said that, they, and the ones at a resort hotel, are too pricey for my tastes.

 

The main difference being the Cabanas at resorts are actually by the pool or on the beach, not on the roof of the hotel.

[Orator]

Can't figure out why some people just need to judge how others spend money. Can't figure out why some of those who choose to spend feel the need to justify and defend their spending.

[JFontaine]

Can't figure out why some people just need to judge how others spend money. Can't figure out why some of those who choose to spend feel the need to justify and defend their spending.

 

The reason why I responded to this post is simple, and it is the same reason why I make 90% of my posts - to share my considerable cruising experience with 'newbies'. In this case I thought newbies considering reserving an alcove might benefit from understanding the other side of the analysis. Obviously I don't need to defend my spending to anyone.

[Orator]

Perfectly ok with me. However, my query wasn't inspired by your comments, but rather by those that seem to attack the spending choices of others and the tendency of those who are attacked that take time to defend what they really don't need to defend.

[Cruising Forever!]

I was actually very enthused with the Alcove concept when I first heard about them. But finding out later that there are no real ocean views killed the whole thing for me.

[boogs]

I was actually very enthused with the Alcove concept when I first heard about them. But finding out later that there are no real ocean views killed the whole thing for me.

 

I agree with this comment. I'm still trying to find the rational in placing them so the face the lawn and the superstructure in the middle, instead of the ocean view. Isn't a cruise ship supposed to look like it's on the water and not at a country club???

[Clancy14]

To each his own.

 

We've got one booked for October, mostly so we can share time with our friends who are not in an adjoining cabin (we both have balcony cabins, though). The price I paid was lower than quoted above in this thread and when spread over four people I didn't think it was too exhorbitant. It's probably the only time we'll do this, but I thought it would be fun to try it. I'll let you know what we thought when we get back.;)

 

 

Thanks! It'll be great to read your thoughts on not only the Alcoves but the whole ship itself. What itinerary did you choose?

 

- Miriam

[Clancy14]

Anybody just returned on the last sailing have some descriptions/comments on the Alcoves ? Thanks in advance! - Miriam

[Clancy14]

Puh-leeze!!! Help! Tell me about the Alcoves!!!! Thanks ;)! - Miriam

[CruisingEsq]

Well, pretty heated thread here on CC! I didn't want to step in it, but thought I'd offer my $.02 FWIW. We're on the Silhouette's TA on 10/22 and rented an alcove for every day they were available. Yes, it's our money, and we'll spend it how we see fit (:D). But, here's our thinking:

 

1. I'm traveling with my parents and the alcove will provide a good meeting place for all of us.

 

2. Not a huge fan of the sun - so appreciate the shade, but also the chance to be outside. I know about the Solarium, but it can be quite full.

 

3. I don't really like "squatting" on deck with deck chairs.

 

But, all that said, yes, it is expensive. However, we're planning "the trip of a lifetime" for this crossing, so wanted it to be special. And, yes, I'm a bit perturbed that there is no view of the ocean from it (how easy would that have been)? Also, don't know much about the other benefits -- don't seem to be too much. But, it is a nice piece of private real estate on the ship!

 

Hope I'm approaching this the right way!

 

Sunny days and smooth seas to all.

[kahell]

Well, pretty heated thread here on CC! I didn't want to step in it, but thought I'd offer my $.02 FWIW. We're on the Silhouette's TA on 10/22 and rented an alcove for every day they were available. Yes, it's our money, and we'll spend it how we see fit (:D). But, here's our thinking:

 

1. I'm traveling with my parents and the alcove will provide a good meeting place for all of us.

 

2. Not a huge fan of the sun - so appreciate the shade, but also the chance to be outside. I know about the Solarium, but it can be quite full.

 

3. I don't really like "squatting" on deck with deck chairs.

 

But, all that said, yes, it is expensive. However, we're planning "the trip of a lifetime" for this crossing, so wanted it to be special. And, yes, I'm a bit perturbed that there is no view of the ocean from it (how easy would that have been)? Also, don't know much about the other benefits -- don't seem to be too much. But, it is a nice piece of private real estate on the ship!

 

Hope I'm approaching this the right way!

 

Sunny days and smooth seas to all.

 

Hi there,

My husband, parents and I will be on the same cruise as you! The Transatlantic on Silhouette in October. We are very much looking forward to it.

 

I was considering hiring one of the alcoves (though they may all be booked by now), but I just wanted to check with someone who has booked already - is it $149 USD per person on a sea day, or per alcove?

 

thanks,

Katy

[Clancy14]

It is $ 149 per Alcove on sea days (can bring in up to 4 people to share) and $ 99 per Alcove on port days. I already reserved mine for 3 non-consecutive days and did not get a price break (although I may be able to get an adjustment from Guest Relations once on board, per the X Rep. that I booked with).

 

I did read on one review on CC that people spread their towels on the "Lawn" right up against the opening of the individual Alcoves (hoping to use some of the "free shade" I guess) and that you have to almost step over them to get to "your" Alcove. I think this might only be a problem if there are kids running around, loud music from each group etc. That's why I'd like to hear more someone who have actually rented one! :D

 

I will be sigining up for the X Connections party soon, as well as joining the roll call. I just want to get past my Allure cruise on the 23rd of October first.!

 

- Miriam

[CruisingEsq]

Hi Katy - I'll be traveling with my parents, too. (I'm single though!). I reserved the alcove because I thought my folks would be more comfortable having their "own" spot on the ship (and not spend hours looking for each other . . . or me). Looking forward to a great trip!