Alcoves on the Silhouette

[kitty9]

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.

 

If I don't tell you how much to drink on your balcony, please don't tell me, and others, how to spend our money on a cruise, OK?

 

Some might see gambling and losing in the casino as ridiculous. Others see spending money on overpriced drinks as ridiculous. To each his own.

[Guest maddycat]

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.

 

Just a thought........Won't it be too cold out on the top deck during your Oct. 22 TA sailing on the Silhouette for you to enjoy the Alcove?

[gillyE]

We did not rent one; however another couple we know did and we joined them for an hour one day. The only real benefit I see is that sometimes it is difficult to get sunbeds together with friends/family, especially on sea days. With the Alcove you can ensure that you can all sit together throughout the day without worrying about losing your beds if you're gone for too long/towels being removed etc, and you don't have to run around trying to find several beds together. Also you can put the shade up or leave it down, so you can have sun or shade whenever you want, again without having to move sunbeds, find empty ones etc.

[Nanatravel]

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

 

Per alcove. Plus it can be shared by 4 people. Like cruisingEsq who will be sharing with folks, it can be a nice daily perk. ie; $25 per person per day. This fact and a view on a Celebrity sales video confirmed the location and price of the Alcoves.

[bhughey]

Just a thought........Won't it be too cold out on the top deck during your Oct. 22 TA sailing on the Silhouette for you to enjoy the Alcove?

 

Not necessarily! Temps in Rome/Sardinia/Mallorca/Lisbon hover around 70 - 72 that time of year so it could be pleasant the first part if the cruise; however, it could be chilly once we start crossing since we're heading north. Our last TA was a westbound to Galveston in late Nov/early Dec. and it was hot and sunny everyday of the crossing! I got quite a tan!

[lovevacadays]

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.

 

Oh my goodness. So no oceanview? Do people really pay that price? I'm thinking of trying Celebrity so trying to learn all things Celebrity. Princess has the Sanctuary for an extra cost but there are very good oceanviews. Are there other areas on Celebrity ships that are adult's only - pool areas, etc.?

[lovevacadays]

If I don't tell you how much to drink on your balcony, please don't tell me, and others, how to spend our money on a cruise, OK?

 

Some might see gambling and losing in the casino as ridiculous. Others see spending money on overpriced drinks as ridiculous. To each his own.

 

I agree with your response to Marie61. I book balconies on a regular basis but I also love being up on deck and in the mix of things and will pay for the equivalent on Princess to the alcoves on Celebrity. Can't understand why someone would be so critical and call people ridiculous for their personal choices.

[Gonzo70]

Oh my goodness. So no oceanview? Do people really pay that price? I'm thinking of trying Celebrity so trying to learn all things Celebrity. Princess has the Sanctuary for an extra cost but there are very good oceanviews. Are there other areas on Celebrity ships that are adult's only - pool areas, etc.?

 

The indoor pool (solarium) is adults only.

[kahell]

Thanks for your replies. I have booked one for the 29th! I'm looking forward to having a nice picnic there.

 

I was worried about the price because it was showing up as 149USD per person on my computer. So I only booked it under my husbands name abut all four of us will use it.

[bhughey]

The indoor pool (solarium) is adults only.

 

Hi Gonzo - I see your cruise on the Silhouette is coming up - don't forget to take a pic of the beer menu in Michael's! :)

[Parrot57]

If I don't tell you how much to drink on your balcony, please don't tell me, and others, how to spend our money on a cruise, OK?

 

Some might see gambling and losing in the casino as ridiculous. Others see spending money on overpriced drinks as ridiculous. To each his own.

 

 

Amen to that!

[Gonzo70]

Hi Gonzo - I see your cruise on the Silhouette is coming up - don't forget to take a pic of the beer menu in Michael's! :)

 

Thanks for the reminder. I will snap a picture for you. :)

[lovevacadays]

The indoor pool (solarium) is adults only.

 

Thanks. I appreciate the info!

[Boo's Mom]

Can someone talk about the "discount" if the Alcove is rented for several days, or for the entire cruise?

 

I mentions this discount on the Celebrity Website, but I would like to hear specifics.

 

Thanks!

[Cruise Junky]

As a price comparison, we booked a cabana at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki on Thursday. $75 for the day...pool and ocean views, same amenities as Celebrity except the IPad (had our own anyway)...the pool attendant actually did peel my husband a grape though ;)

[Gracie115]

I'm just back from Silhouette 9/15-27 Med cruise. The Alcoves were booked solid for EVERY sea day....people sure seemed to enjoy them. I thought they were a bit pricey too but split over several people really not so much. The staff at the Lawn Club which services them are all so friendly and accommodating I'm sure that helps one enjoy the experience. Don't know how busy they were on port days as we were off ship most of the time.