irobro Posted August 31, 2013 #1 Share Posted August 31, 2013 The Blu Restaurant on the Reflection has a many Cruise Critic comments about overcrowding and wait times. I recently received two travel agent cruise magazines with 'sponsored articles' (written by Celebrity) that specifically state "AquaClass passengers receive assigned seating in specialty restaurant Blu". You can't get any clearer than that. However, when I called Celebrity I was told there was no assigned seating in Blu. Maybe the reservation specialists haven't been clued in? Then again, I can't find any cruise critic comments that refer to assigned seating. What gives? I know what "assigned seating" means. Does anyone have any very recent first hand knowledge? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jomf Posted August 31, 2013 #2 Share Posted August 31, 2013 The assigned seating, I think, refers to the fact that you are guaranteed a seat in Blu if you are in Aqua class. It does not give you a particular table or time. However, if you ask the matre'd, then I would think he could give you the same table at the same time each evening. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkjretired Posted August 31, 2013 #3 Share Posted August 31, 2013 The Blu Restaurant on the Reflection has a many Cruise Critic comments about overcrowding and wait times. I recently received two travel agent cruise magazines with 'sponsored articles' (written by Celebrity) that specifically state "AquaClass passengers receive assigned seating in specialty restaurant Blu". You can't get any clearer than that. However, when I called Celebrity I was told there was no assigned seating in Blu. Maybe the reservation specialists haven't been clued in? Then again, I can't find any cruise critic comments that refer to assigned seating. What gives? I know what "assigned seating" means. Does anyone have any very recent first hand knowledge? Aqua is anytime dining and no assigned seating. You may ask the Maitre'd who will probably do everything he can to approve your request. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pushkin Posted August 31, 2013 #4 Share Posted August 31, 2013 The assigned seating, I think, refers to the fact that you are guaranteed a seat in Blu if you are in Aqua class. It does not give you a particular table or time.However, if you ask the matre'd, then I would think he could give you the same table at the same time each evening. Right. You are "assigned" to Blu, rather than the MDR. No actually assigned seating times or tables. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xport Posted August 31, 2013 #5 Share Posted August 31, 2013 However, if you ask the matre'd, then I would think he could give you the same table at the same time each evening. While a cooperative Maitre 'D who clearly knows your dining time and table preferences may refrain from showing other guests to your preferred table--especially if you are on line awaiting seating--he/she will never refuse a request by guests arriving earlier who express interest to dine at any vacant table... To do otherwise is a significant breech of the published dining concept operative in Blu and, in the hands of an angered guest, invites--at a minimum--complaint against the Maitre 'D with potential career repercussions... No matter how much he or she might like to meet your preference for a fixed table at a fixed time, it's not going to happen... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jagoffee Posted August 31, 2013 #6 Share Posted August 31, 2013 While a cooperative Maitre 'D who clearly knows your dining time and table preferences may refrain from showing other guests to your preferred table--especially if you are on line awaiting seating--he/she will never refuse a request by guests arriving earlier who express interest to dine at any vacant table... To do otherwise is a significant breech of the published dining concept operative in Blu and, in the hands of an angered guest, invites--at a minimum--complaint against the Maitre 'D with potential career repercussions... No matter how much he or she might like to meet your preference for a fixed table at a fixed time, it's not going to happen... They certainly do that in Select dining, so I would not think it was highly unlikely. In fact the one cruise that we ate in Blu that is exactly what happened from the 3rd day on and I did not even request it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dodger1964 Posted August 31, 2013 #7 Share Posted August 31, 2013 They certainly do that in Select dining, so I would not think it was highly unlikely. In fact the one cruise that we ate in Blu that is exactly what happened from the 3rd day on and I did not even request it. Th only time we were in AQ we had same seat every night. I would guess they serve that same table 3 or 4 times each night, so I'm sure they try to keep it open until one of the past guests comes. Of course if its busy and they have no choice they would sit somebody else at that table, but it would be their last choice if possible Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PinkUK Posted August 31, 2013 #8 Share Posted August 31, 2013 Hi, I must admit my experience is only of Silhouette, we ate every night in Blu every party was seated as they arrived, no tables were reserved. Blu was more quiet earlier in service and could get very busy towards the end of service. We loved Blu and would never now book a cruise that was not Aqua class. Karen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare keesar Posted August 31, 2013 #9 Share Posted August 31, 2013 We did receive a specified dining time for the first evening only in Blu. From then on, you could dine any time you wished. As for having a select table, it has been on a first come first choice basis. When we enter, we look about the dining room and request a particular table that is empty based on location. We have never been refused. I don't think they reserve tables for guests. You are assigned to the Blu Restaurant if you are sailing AQ. No assigned seating. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkjretired Posted August 31, 2013 #10 Share Posted August 31, 2013 We did receive a specified dining time for the first evening only in Blu. From then on, you could dine any time you wished. As for having a select table, it has been on a first come first choice basis. When we enter, we look about the dining room and request a particular table that is empty based on location. We have never been refused. I don't think they reserve tables for guests. You are assigned to the Blu Restaurant if you are sailing AQ. No assigned seating. You may not have known but they do give you an assigned time on the first night but you do not have to abide by it and they accept that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare keesar Posted September 1, 2013 #11 Share Posted September 1, 2013 You may not have known but they do give you an assigned time on the first night but you do not have to abide by it and they accept that. Thanks for the tip. Usually we have been given a time similar to what we requested if we had been dining in the MDR. It is good to know that there is some flexibility. Last cruise, we took advantage of a 2 for 1 at any specialty restaurant for the first night only. It was a deal we could not refuse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riclop Posted September 1, 2013 #12 Share Posted September 1, 2013 Just ask and you shall receive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giraffe65 Posted September 1, 2013 #13 Share Posted September 1, 2013 We sailed Reflection in June and ate at Blu at more or less the same time each night. First night we didn't enjoy the table and asked night 2 to be seated at the back. We had a 15min wait in the nearby Emsemble lounge which then became our regular arrangement. By night 4 /5 we didn't need to ask they just gave us a wait time if our preferred table was taken and we enjoyed the entertainment and bar service while we waited...Enjoy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xport Posted September 1, 2013 #14 Share Posted September 1, 2013 They certainly do that in Select dining, so I would not think it was highly unlikely. In fact the one cruise that we ate in Blu that is exactly what happened from the 3rd day on and I did not even request it. The post to which I responded was one that represented that one could reserve a specific table in Blu at a specific time each night; I still maintain that an assured reservation--as to table/time--is highly unlikely... The fact that you happened to secure the same table every night is very different than having a reserved table... I've had that happen on some sailings [13 trips/161 nights in AquaClass] too but it was because no one else requested "my" preferred table before I arrived... When other guests express interest in a vacant table--other than the one to which they are initially shown--the Maitre 'D will not refuse the request [even if guests with a known table preference are lined up for seating] if that table is right-sized to the party [didn't say so initially--but should have--that they're not going to seat a group of two at one of the few tables for four or eight]... They'll generally try to accommodate--if not successful as to table, then by service team--but won't guarantee... If reserved seating in Blu were the reality, one would not see people lined up outside the door/jockeying for position--long before the restaurant opens--to secure one of the coveted [by some] tables adjacent to the window wall [on Solstice-Class] or a port hole [on Millennium-Class]... Same thing occurs when there are multiple large groups with similar time preferences vying for one of the two tables for eight... To my mind, Select Dining is a somewhat different animal in that it does allow for reservations--by time, not by table--and its seating capacity is three or four time larger than is the capacity of Blu so as to allow the Host/Hostess more options... That said, I've witnessed initial disappointment--which can in either venue always be remedied with a wait--in Select Dining too... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wbrumel Posted September 1, 2013 #15 Share Posted September 1, 2013 My experience was that the Maitre D tried to seat us at the same table when we showed up each night. We never requested a particular table, understanding that it was not reserved tables. Frankly, I think part of trying to put guests at the same table is about tipping. Although your tips are billed to your account, most passengers, I would think, give an additional tip to servers who add something special to their cruise. Can't do that if you have a different server every meal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Honeybearhollow Posted September 1, 2013 #16 Share Posted September 1, 2013 I think the article means "assigned to Blu" rather than MDR, not a particular table. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare welshfamily Posted September 2, 2013 #17 Share Posted September 2, 2013 Just of the Reflection. We had the same table nearly every night and always in the same waitresses section. We always ate before 8pm to make our cruise a better experience as there were a lot of Europeans on board who like to eat as late as possible, the line had at least 20 people in it by 9pm ever night. However we sat in many different seats for breakfast. Re Extra Tips. The Maitre'd told us it was a pool system so we gave him extra in an envelope labelled Anna and all blu staff. We thought this was fair as quite often other staff helped clearing places etc when the section was busy in the evening and at breakfast a lot of staff serviced us. All were wonderful. This was also confirmed by the Captains club host as we asked about tips in Michael's Club. Staff pool extra tips here as well. I was pleased to think our tios/thanks were shared by all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Cruiser 6143 Posted September 2, 2013 #18 Share Posted September 2, 2013 My experience was that the Maitre D tried to seat us at the same table when we showed up each night. We never requested a particular table, understanding that it was not reserved tables. Frankly, I think part of trying to put guests at the same table is about tipping. Although your tips are billed to your account, most passengers, I would think, give an additional tip to servers who add something special to their cruise. Can't do that if you have a different server every meal. I specifically asked the maitre d' about extra tips because he had tried to assign us to our preferred service team every morning and night, but it wasn't always possible. He told me that ALL the tips in Blu are pooled. Which makes a lot of sense, since many different people wait on you at breakfast even if you have your regular waiter. So you can just give your extra tips to your favorite waiters and it will all work out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xport Posted September 2, 2013 #19 Share Posted September 2, 2013 I specifically asked the maitre d' about extra tips because he had tried to assign us to our preferred service team every morning and night, but it wasn't always possible. He told me that ALL the tips in Blu are pooled. Which makes a lot of sense, since many different people wait on you at breakfast even if you have your regular waiter. So you can just give your extra tips to your favorite waiters and it will all work out. But my understanding--I've asked the same question to several of the Maitre 'D I've encountered in Blu--is exactly the same as yours... Those working in Blu--and it's not for everyone--view it as a plum assignment and take great pride in working as a team and are amenable to sharing all gratuities... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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