Michaels Club

[Guernseycruiser]

Just of the Silhouette. In addition to the breakfast, there is afternoon tea, and canapes available in the evening. I can not advise of the choices, as we only made afternoon tea on one day, and the canapes in the evening changed over the various evenings.

 

As this was a TA, there were a number of activiites arranged in Michaels Club during the day and sometimes in the evening. The whole set up of Michaels Club was a very nice perk, and both the conceirge Gareth, and the staff in the Club were very professional and helpful.

[Scotty G]

On our recent cruise on the Constellation, Michaels club was definitely open to all--

It is now changed to Suites and Zenith members only. Just off last month. It seemed to be barely used every time we passed by.

[metrolady]

I wonder if Derek Lewis ( the entertainer in Michaels on the Constellation) has been moved to another lounge? His evening shows in Michaels Club were fun sing-alongs with lots of audience participation. We really enjoyed ourselves!! I hope Celebrity keeps him on board.

[fr0mNJ]

Sailing 6/15/14. Did Celebrity Summit, by any chance, move the Craft Beer selection from Michael's to anywhere else on the ship?

[C 2 C]

Sailing 6/15/14. Did Celebrity Summit, by any chance, move the Craft Beer selection from Michael's to anywhere else on the ship?

 

There are some posters who recently returned from Summit. Perhaps you could ask returnees.

 

Welcome to cruise critic.

[cle-guy]

There are some posters who recently returned from Summit. Perhaps you could ask returnees.

 

Welcome to cruise critic.

 

They were in Cellar Masters last week when I was aboard. I spent a couple lonely nights there for an hour or so as the sole person in the venue chatting up the sommelier, a Russian whose name escapes me at the moment. He had the beers, but as a true sommelier, was not too pleased to have to be serving them...!

 

He convinced me to partake in the wine pairing dinner at Normandie, and I had a fantastic evening there with 6 other fine people. I highly suggest going.

[Cruising89143]

Michael's Club is very nice on the EQ. Nice live music in the evening. We have only been a few times so far as this is a very port intensive itinerary. Milica Stankovic is the Concierge and she is outstanding. Very sweet young lady.

[caladezi]

I am on the Summit right now heading back to NJ. Michaels Club has been empty for almost the entire cruise. The most that I have ever seen in there is two other people. If it's that way on the other ships it sure is a waste of good space.

[bvocruise]

We are taking our first X cruise next May on the Reflection. I watched a great video online and Michael's Club looks great. I read somewhere in the brochure (I think) that only people staying in suites or who have status with X can use it.

 

Do you know if the great craft beers Michael's Club is know fore are available at the other bars? This seems like a great place but I'm not sure we want to spend the $$ to upgrade to a suite.

 

We are looking forward to the trip. We chose X over HAL this time based on itinerary and the smoking policy. I've heard the X ships have less smoke and no smoking is allowed on the the balconies.

[WestLakeGirl]

You would need to go to one of the high end suites, not just a sky suite, to have access to Michael,s Club, and you won't find the craft beers there anyway so it might not be worth it to spend the big money.

 

On Celebrity no smoking indoors, in staterooms, on balconies. Just a few places outdoors designated for smoke

[cle-guy]

We are taking our first X cruise next May on the Reflection. I watched a great video online and Michael's Club looks great. I read somewhere in the brochure (I think) that only people staying in suites or who have status with X can use it.

 

Do you know if the great craft beers Michael's Club is know fore are available at the other bars? This seems like a great place but I'm not sure we want to spend the $$ to upgrade to a suite.

 

We are looking forward to the trip. We chose X over HAL this time based on itinerary and the smoking policy. I've heard the X ships have less smoke and no smoking is allowed on the the balconies.

 

Michaels is reserved for guests in Celebrity Suites and higher, and Zenith level Captain Club members (their highest tier). Sky Suites (i.e. Junior Suites as other lines would call them ) do not have access.

 

The beers have moved to Cellar Masters though the list has decreased in number.

 

Celebrity is testing a new concept called Gastropub on Equinox that took over the space formerly known as Cellar Masters, and it has an extensive beer list. More than likely, the concept will roll out fleet-wide at some point presumably when they add the Private Suite Dining Rooms to the ships in the sprain (April 2015), so I'd bet that by the time you sail Reflection in May, the full craft beer list will be back in Gastropub on Reflection.

 

Michaels's was always hit and miss, and some people often reported the beers had gone "skunk" due to lack of consumption (i.e. low sales and low use of the space), some cruses it would be active, others dead, so now Celebrity has caught up with every other line and finally has a concierge dedicated lounge for its suites and top tier elites - the room still seems to be hit and miss as to when it's occupied, but not really unlike any hotel concierge lounge is - it' has its busy period at breakfast and dinner drink time.

[bvocruise]

I appreciate the replies. The video I was was a few years old when Michael's Club must have been open to the public. The commentator mentioned is was amazing and the place to be on the ship.

 

We look forward to trying X. I wonder part of the ship they are going to take away for the private suite dining room. Too bad they can use the conference center.

 

Also, is the casino smoke free also?

[cle-guy]

I appreciate the replies. The video I was was a few years old when Michael's Club must have been open to the public. The commentator mentioned is was amazing and the place to be on the ship.

 

We look forward to trying X. I wonder part of the ship they are going to take away for the private suite dining room. Too bad they can use the conference center.

 

Also, is the casino smoke free also?

 

The suite dinng room is being created from a "newly created space" off the upper port side level of the MDR.

 

They generate revenue from the conference centers, so they wont be using those spaces at all.

 

Yes, the casino is smoke free. There are only 3 dedicated smoking spots, all on the outer decks outside, no smoking whatsoever inside anyplace. I had a friend who smoked on his veranda, he returned to his cabin later that day with a letter from the HD saying he has been warned, next time they caught him smoking, $250 fine, and if a 3rd he would be disembarked at the next port.

[bvocruise]

The suite dinng room is being created from a "newly created space" off the upper port side level of the MDR.

 

They generate revenue from the conference centers, so they wont be using those spaces at all.

 

Yes, the casino is smoke free. There are only 3 dedicated smoking spots, all on the outer decks outside, no smoking whatsoever inside anyplace. I had a friend who smoked on his veranda, he returned to his cabin later that day with a letter from the HD saying he has been warned, next time they caught him smoking, $250 fine, and if a 3rd he would be disembarked at the next port.

 

Thank you for the information. I'm looking forward to X. We are loyal HAL folks but the itinerary and smoking policy made us try the Reflection. I expect great things. My only worry is it appears me made a mistake booking Aqua Class on this ship as some of our friends told us Blu restaurant experience is not as good. Evidently they have many more passengers to feed and it can be a zoo. My friends recommended ordering room service or eating in the main dining room if the wait is too long.

[cle-guy]

Thank you for the information. I'm looking forward to X. We are loyal HAL folks but the itinerary and smoking policy made us try the Reflection. I expect great things. My only worry is it appears me made a mistake booking Aqua Class on this ship as some of our friends told us Blu restaurant experience is not as good. Evidently they have many more passengers to feed and it can be a zoo. My friends recommended ordering room service or eating in the main dining room if the wait is too long.

 

I've only eaten in BLU 2 times, once on Reflection and once on Connie.

 

My experience on Reflection, is if you go at an "off time" like 6:30 or 8:30, there is no problem. I was there at 8pm, and there were several empty tables to choose from - a couple 6 tops, and several 4 and 2 tops. Tables are close together as they are in many fine restaurants in larger cities, they are not spaced out far like they are in the for-fee specialty restaurants, that's certain. Think of it kind of like an upscale "bistro" i guess.... Food itself is so subjective, it's really hard to take posts that "the food is bad" with any real meaning. In general the food is the same as everywhere else, but instead of a sauce, it may be a reduction, instead of ice-cream on the apple pie, it may be frozen yogurt. Instead of fried, it may be grilled. If the ship gets a good batch of steaks, then they are good everywhere, if they get a bad batch, then yes they will be bad everywhere. I don't really think they are trolling thru the steak order to give the best ones to one restaurant and the lesser quality to another.

 

But again since you are sailing in May, after Suite Perks rolls out, several of the AquaSuite cabins (a cabin type unique and tested, apparently not successfully, only on Reflection) are being converted to SkySuites, and with that conversion, that number of cabins will reduce the number of guests entitled to dine in BLU, which will help with the crowding at certain periods.

 

I say don't worry about it, enjoy your Aqua cabin and its amenities, and if BLU does;t work for you there are many other places to try. Reflection has a good variety. As you can see in my signature, I travel mostly in suites, and I don't always even use my complimentary specialty dining perk, as I do rather enjoy the MDR service and meals, unless I have something special to celebrate or want a quieter dining experience for a change.

 

One other thing, I also wouldn't judge BLU (or any other venue for that matter) on the first night, as it will be a zoo as all guests learn the ways of the dinging rooms etc. Typically, the 1st night, the ship assigns BLU guests a specific dining time to help with the chaos, then you can pick better times for you for the rest of the cruise.

Edited June 14, 2014 by cle-guy

[bvocruise]

Is reflection going in a mini dry dock or something to make the changes? These changes seem too extensive to do while at sea full of passengers.

 

I agree that reducing the Blu dining load by 80ish people should improve the customer experience.

 

I don't mind tables being close together am I'm a city person and understand space is limited.

[cle-guy]

Is reflection going in a mini dry dock or something to make the changes? These changes seem too extensive to do while at sea full of passengers.

 

I agree that reducing the Blu dining load by 80ish people should improve the customer experience.

 

I don't mind tables being close together am I'm a city person and understand space is limited.

 

Not sure how they will do it, but ship builders build in a modular fashion, like trade shows do, and that lends itself to a 1 or 2 day installation pretty easily.

 

Every X ship has a conversion scheduled for the 1st 2 weeks of April, so it's doubtful they are dry-docking for the changes, they are fairly cosmetic when all is said and done, just some walls carpet and tables really, some paint, light fixtures, voila! dining room. A well organized team can do it magically.

 

The transition of AquaSuite to Skysuite is just a swap of amenities, the cabins are the same, except for the fancy body shower in Aqua.

Edited June 14, 2014 by cle-guy

[Xport]

But again since you are sailing in May, after Suite Perks rolls out, several of the AquaSuite cabins (a cabin type unique and tested, apparently not successfully, only on Reflection) are being converted to SkySuites, and with that conversion, that number of cabins will reduce the number of guests entitled to dine in BLU, which will help with the crowding at certain periods.

 

The AquaSuite cabins on Reflection have sold with comparable demand and at comparable [or better] pricing as do Sky Suites... The issue, as relayed to me and as I've personally noted, is that Blu was not adequately upsized [a few tables were added; the space was not expanded] when the AquaSuites and standard AquaClass cabins were added to Reflection's Deck 12 so as to create crowding in Blu inconsistent with the experience on other ships...

 

As someone who typically sails AquaClass, I welcome the reclassification of the AquaSuites to Sky Suites on Reflection as well as the introduction of a separate dining area for Suite guests in the MDR across the fleet [initially, Suite guests were assessed a minor upcharge for dining in Blu; the practice was discontinued as unpopular and an administrative hassle] to better level out the demand for dining in Blu as it was originally conceptualized/introduced in 2008...

Edited June 14, 2014 by Xport

[bvocruise]

The AquaSuite cabins on Reflection have sold with comparable demand and at comparable [or better] pricing as do Sky Suites... The issue, as relayed to me and as I've personally noted, is that Blu was not adequately upsized [a few tables were added; the space was not expanded] when the AquaSuites and standard AquaClass cabins were added to Reflection's Deck 12 so as to create crowding in Blu inconsistent with the experience on other ships...

 

As someone who typically sails AquaClass, I welcome the reclassification of the AquaSuites to Sky Suites on Reflection as well as the introduction of a separate dining area for Suite guests in the MDR across the fleet [initially, Suite guests were assessed a minor upcharge for dining in Blu; the practice was discontinued as unpopular and an administrative hassle] to better level out the demand for dining in Blu as it was originally conceptualized/introduced in 2008...

 

Are you saying the Reflection will no longer have Aqua Class Suites? That would be good new for people like me booking Aqua Class. Will suite people still have access to Blu once their private dining area is complete? Hopefully Suite guests will pick their own dining room over Blu even if they can eat there.

[cle-guy]

Are you saying the Reflection will no longer have Aqua Class Suites? That would be good new for people like me booking Aqua Class. Will suite people still have access to Blu once their private dining area is complete? Hopefully Suite guests will pick their own dining room over Blu even if they can eat there.

 

Effective April 11, 2015, the Aqua Suites will be converted to sky suites and as such will get the entitlements ONLY of Suites as per the Suite Perks Program, not those of Aqua Class. If you look at the X website now, the reflection has 2 different deck plans to select from, and when booking past April 2015, you will note all the AquaSuites are noted as SkySuites.

 

The new Sky Suites will have exclusive access to Suite Dining room, and as with all suites, will be allowed into BLU on an available basis.

Edited June 14, 2014 by cle-guy

[bvocruise]

Effective April __ 2015, the Aqua Suites will be converted to sky suites and as such will get the entitlements ONLY of Suites as per the Suite Perks Program, not those of Aqwua Class. If you look at the X website now, the reflection has 2 different deck plans to select from, and when booking past April 2015, you will note all the AquaSuites are noted as SkySuites.

 

The new Sky Suites will have exclusive access to Suite Dining room, and as with all suites, will be allowed into BLU on an available basis.

 

Thank you for the information. I booked a Wine Cruise thru a big box company and only saw the deck plans on their website. It sounds like Blu should be less crowded in May if everything goes as scheduled.

[Orator]

Are you saying the Reflection will no longer have Aqua Class Suites? That would be good new for people like me booking Aqua Class. Will suite people still have access to Blu once their private dining area is complete? Hopefully Suite guests will pick their own dining room over Blu even if they can eat there.

 

Reflection will no longer have AQ Suites. As has been said the former AQ suites will be Sky Suites and the new Suite dining venue will be their assigned dining venue. No longer assigned to Blu. Several HDs and Executive Chefs told me that the new Suite Restaurant will be a major step up from Blu. Time will tell.

[bvocruise]

Reflection will no longer have AQ Suites. As has been said the former AQ suites will be Sky Suites and the new Suite dining venue will be their assigned dining venue. No longer assigned to Blu. Several HDs and Executive Chefs told me that the new Suite Restaurant will be a major step up from Blu. Time will tell.

 

I personally hope the private suite dining room is a big step up from Blu. This should significantly reduce crowding. I think having a reserved upscale place for suite guests is a good idea and selling point.

[cruise47]

The suite dinng room is being created from a "newly created space" off the upper port side level of the MDR.

 

They generate revenue from the conference centers, so they wont be using those spaces at all.

 

Yes, the casino is smoke free. There are only 3 dedicated smoking spots, all on the outer decks outside, no smoking whatsoever inside anyplace. I had a friend who smoked on his veranda, he returned to his cabin later that day with a letter from the HD saying he has been warned, next time they caught him smoking, $250 fine, and if a 3rd he would be disembarked at the next port.

 

Thanks for posting about the smoking policy. I am for this 110%.

[scifimonkey]

The suite dinng room is being created from a "newly created space" off the upper port side level of the MDR.

 

It will be interesting to see how they do this without impacting on the general appearance and experience of the MDR on the S class as the MDR was designed as a single space with those raking structural columns passing through both levels. It will look rather lopsided if they enclose one side on the upper level and if it it remains open it will be difficult to generate a small dining room atmosphere with a few screens and some different furniture/finishes . I suppose that they could minimise the effect of the new enclosure by retaining a gallery around the edge but the impact of this change ( gallery or not) will be a much less efficient use of MDR space and an almost certain reduction in space for either traditional or select dining spaces. The end result will be longer queues for select dining as either there will be more select passengers due to less traditional space or simply less select dining space. I doubt if a high proportion of the suite passengers used the MDR a lot to offset the loss of space. From these boards it sounds like they mostly use Blu. Blu may end up being less crowded but the MDR may suffer a further downgrade which will affect many more passengers.

It will be interesting to see the results of the first conversion so some posts on any knock on effects, or the quality of the new dining room would be much appreciated. Is it already operational on Equinox?