Indulgence

[Host Jazzbeau]

The cocktails would have been a select limited menu of possibilities, as with the Captain's club elite events. Open Bar means whatever you want that they serve.

 

So instead of cheap vodka on the cocktail menu, premium liquors are now up for grabs for example....

 

Thanks!

[Big_G]

I'm confused. What's the difference between the cocktails that were advertised and the open bar they had to offer instead?

 

 

The servers had the free cocktails. There were some pretty exotic looking drinks. Thinking it was open bar, I went to the bar and ordered a Captain and Coke. Our regular server from the Elite cocktail hour was behind the bar and said it wasn't on the menu but he made it for me anyway. Then they let the servers know that they were opening the bar because of Ken's announcement.

[XandraMic]

On the past Reflection cruise, the price was 20$ pp plus 3$ service charge. There was no food, just dessert and drink. It took place at 10.30 in the Ensemble lounge. Most of the singers and dancers were there to socialize with guests. You can take photo and video as you want.

 

The drink included Cosmopolitan, chocolate cocktail, banana cocktail, wine, champaigne, and more. I also order some non- alcoholic cocktail from the bar. The dessert were chocolate truffles, chocolate mousse, mini cakes, macarons, etc.

 

There were about 60 people registered, but i don't know if they all appeared.

Edited September 6, 2014 by XandraMic

[Lsimon]

On the past Reflection cruise, the price was 20$ pp plus 3$ service charge. There was no food, just dessert and drink. It took place at 10.30 in the Ensemble lounge. Most of the singers and dancers were there to socialize with guests. You can take photo and video as you want.

 

The drink included Cosmopolitan, chocolate cocktail, banana cocktail, wine, champaigne, and more. I also order some non- alcoholic cocktail from the bar. The dessert were chocolate truffles, chocolate mousse, mini cakes, macarons, etc.

 

There were about 60 people registered, but i don't know if they all appeared.

 

 

Does this mean that the Ensemble lounge was closed to other guests that night?

 

On my last few cruises the Ensemble lounge was one of the 2 or 3 places on board that had live musical entertainment after dinner and sometimes it was the ONLY one of the three where you could sit down to enjoy a drink while listening to music. The other two were the sky lounge which did not have live music every night and the Grand Foyer by the customer relations desk which had a totally different environment and sometimes had no seating and/or no late night music.

 

So I'd be very disappointed if the only place offering live music in a lounge setting after dinner became unavailable to guests that didn't pay an extra fee for it. This goes to my earlier posts on this thread where I expressed a concern that this "pay" event was taking away from the existing cruise experience rather than just adding another additional option.

Edited September 6, 2014 by Lsimon

[New Hampshire]

Am I the only once who is saddened by the fact that they are devoting time and effort of their development team, the cruise director and entertainment staff to an extra cost entertainment/party event instead of an entertainment/party event that all passengers can enjoy as part of their cruise fare? At $39/pp this adds nearly $80 (plus tip?) for one entertainment event of a type that has been free in the past.

 

I'm with you, Larry. This saddens me also. Do you remember the wonderful deck parties that took place on every cruise? I don't mind the addition of revenue generating events, but more and more of what we enjoyed as part of our cruise fare is being eliminated. If this continues, I think we will be taking fewer cruises and more land based vacations.

[vivi9909]

During our recent Summit Cruise (Aug. 24-31), Indulgence was still at 39$pp but was offered at 20$ for passengers with a beverage package.

 

We didn't attend and I don't know if it is due to comments on this forum, complains from passengers or poor success of the event.

Edited September 6, 2014 by vivi9909

[bboop51]

We did attend Indulgence (we sailed Summit 8/31). They closed Cellar Masters for the event. It was $39 PP or $20 PP if you had any beverage package. There were costumed characters/performers, drinks, a table with food (unidentifiable because it was too dark to see) and some passed hors d'oeuvres. To be honest it was FAIL for us. We chatted with people we knew, but we could have done that for free at any one of the bars. I thought it was a waste of $40. Had we paid the $39 each I think smoke would have been coming out of my ears. Others we spoke to felt the same way.

Of interest, I heard it was totally booked. DH took some photos, which actually make it look much more fun than it was :p.

[patty1955]

We did attend Indulgence (we sailed Summit 8/31). They closed Cellar Masters for the event. It was $39 PP or $20 PP if you had any beverage package. There were costumed characters/performers, drinks, a table with food (unidentifiable because it was too dark to see) and some passed hors d'oeuvres. To be honest it was FAIL for us. We chatted with people we knew, but we could have done that for free at any one of the bars. I thought it was a waste of $40. Had we paid the $39 each I think smoke would have been coming out of my ears. Others we spoke to felt the same way.

Of interest, I heard it was totally booked. DH took some photos, which actually make it look much more fun than it was :p.

We also attended and paid the $39. There's no smoke but between that and the waste of money that is Qsine, I'll think I'll keep a tighter grip on the pocketbook next cruise.

[ghstudio]

The summit has become the "experimental" ship where they try new things to see how they work. It seems that Celebrity is trying to get one to pay to attend a "flash mob" event. I enjoy flash mobs (witnessed one in the Miami airport by an opera company).....but I'd really have to understand the dinner/food aspect a bit better before paying $39 a person.

[bboop51]

We also attended and paid the $39. There's no smoke but between that and the waste of money that is Qsine, I'll think I'll keep a tighter grip on the pocketbook next cruise.

 

Patty, did you & Eric have the drink package ? I ask because I know they made a big point out of telling us it was only $20 w/ ANY drink package and then they charged Sharon & Bob $39, which they corrected before the event.

[bboop51]

The summit has become the "experimental" ship where they try new things to see how they work. It seems that Celebrity is trying to get one to pay to attend a "flash mob" event. I enjoy flash mobs (witnessed one in the Miami airport by an opera company).....but I'd really have to understand the dinner/food aspect a bit better before paying $39 a person.

 

The daily newsletter advertised practices for a flash mob event, but if anyone saw the actual event on our 8/31 sailing, I did not hear about it. I don't think it was a paid event. Those seem to be very well advertised.

[patty1955]

Patty, did you & Eric have the drink package ? I ask because I know they made a big point out of telling us it was only $20 w/ ANY drink package and then they charged Sharon & Bob $39, which they corrected before the event.

No, we paid the full price. I started to write "fool price" and that would have been correct too.

[CruisingChick]

We did attend Indulgence (we sailed Summit 8/31). They closed Cellar Masters for the event. It was $39 PP or $20 PP if you had any beverage package. There were costumed characters/performers, drinks, a table with food (unidentifiable because it was too dark to see) and some passed hors d'oeuvres. To be honest it was FAIL for us. We chatted with people we knew, but we could have done that for free at any one of the bars. I thought it was a waste of $40. Had we paid the $39 each I think smoke would have been coming out of my ears. Others we spoke to felt the same way.

Of interest, I heard it was totally booked. DH took some photos, which actually make it look much more fun than it was :p.

 

I also think this would be a fail for us as we have late seating dinner in the MDR and usually don't get out until 10:15 PM, so there's no way I would want to go from there to a closed off Cellar Masters to eat and drink. After dinner we like to go out dancing.

 

One thing our recent Royal Caribbean cruise had over all our Celebrity cruises is the band they had playing up at Dizzys at night. We actually stayed out until 1:00 AM - we have not done that in years. If Celebrity could just steal them away from Royal and have them play up in Reflections (etc.) after dinner that would be great.

[CruisingChick]

We also attended and paid the $39. There's no smoke but between that and the waste of money that is Qsine, I'll think I'll keep a tighter grip on the pocketbook next cruise.

 

Patty you didn't like Qsine? We have not been yet. Can't decide if it's worth it.

[patty1955]

Patty you didn't like Qsine? We have not been yet. Can't decide if it's worth it.

The filet Mignon was great, the rest was so-so. IMO not worth the money.

[CruisingChick]

The filet Mignon was great, the rest was so-so. IMO not worth the money.

 

Okay, thanks for the reply.

 

Sent from my Nexus 7

[ISABELLA]

We sailed Summit June 15th to Bermuda. I'm not much for writing reviews but after reading a couple from our cruise, I noticed no one mentioned the new party that premiered on that cruise called Indulgence. It was held in a closed off Cellar Masters. The cost was $39 per person which included cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, and a show. It was like a cabaret cocktail party with many performers in character mingling with the crowd. It reminded me of Royal Caribbean's Prohibition Party but with a different theme, many more characters, and better food and drink. We're still really not sure what the actual theme was but we had a great time. Being the party's inauguration there was one mix-up when the new CD Ken Mills promoted it as open bar. Woops! Not exactly but when they were told that it was promoted as open bar, they let people get the drinks they wanted. I highly recommend it to others.

 

 

We did not have it as an open bar on out 8/31 Summit sailing. If you have a beverage package - you pay only $20pp

[patty1955]

We did not have it as an open bar on out 8/31 Summit sailing. If you have a beverage package - you pay only $20pp

We paid $39 and got any drink we wanted.

[bboop51]

We paid $39 and got any drink we wanted.

 

Patty, Sharon and Bob were charged $39 went to Guest Services and pointed out the error. They were refunded the difference or they cancelled that transaction and did a new one.

 

They did get any drink you wanted. They were taking drink orders. I couldn't drink and brought me club soda.

Edited September 13, 2014 by bboop51

[patty1955]

Patty, Sharon and Bob were charged $39 went to Guest Services and pointed out the error. They were refunded the difference or they cancelled that transaction and did a new one.

Sharon and Bob had a drink package, we didn't.

[jcpc]

We also attended on the 8/31 Summit sailing.

 

Whether you paid $20 pp or $39 pp or were given complimentary admission - in my opinion - a total waste of time. Perhaps in a more "open" venue it would work but Cellar Masters was not the proper space for this type of entertainment. I think the entertainers/officers, etc. had more fun than the paying guests!

[patty1955]

We also attended on the 8/31 Summit sailing.

 

Whether you paid $20 pp or $39 pp or were given complimentary admission - in my opinion - a total waste of time. Perhaps in a more "open" venue it would work but Cellar Masters was not the proper space for this type of entertainment. I think the entertainers/officers, etc. had more fun than the paying guests!

Agreed!

[need2bespoiled]

We also attended on the 8/31 Summit sailing.

 

Whether you paid $20 pp or $39 pp or were given complimentary admission - in my opinion - a total waste of time. Perhaps in a more "open" venue it would work but Cellar Masters was not the proper space for this type of entertainment. I think the entertainers/officers, etc. had more fun than the paying guests!

 

Agreed!

 

Unfortunately, We felt the same way. We felt like we were sort of at a staff party, which would be great, in other circumstances.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

[bighairtexan]

I still feel, on paper, the concept was interesting and had promise. Otherwise I wouldn't have bothered. But I felt like they had no idea what they wanted it to be. Sight lines were abysmal for most (we had decent sight lines) but seriously, how many times can you watch some chick put her leg behind their head (OK settle down men!)

 

And I still don't get what was so "exotic" about the drinks they brought around. Bailey's w/ a donut hole plopped into it? Wine? It wasn't the $20 I was charged (once I got it straightened out about the drink package). It was the total waste of my time. I thought perhaps I'd come out saying "I didn't like that. It was too weird." Instead it is more of "I HATED that. It was too boring."

 

Oh and add to that, since Cellar Masters on M class is more of a long corridor than a room, they blocked off the ends w/ heavy velvet curtains. It has a low ceiling. It was packed w/ people. So the temp was about 80 in there w/ matching humidity. It was all sort of embarrassing since it was such an epic fail.

 

For whomever asked about QSINE (CruisingChick), I was comped by the casino or I wouldn't have gone. So I've given it 3 tries. It was worth it when it was free…. barely. To me the best things were the sliders. And that's a lot of $$ for sliders! I think the quirkiness and presentation would be the reason to try it, not the food. At lease, UNLIKE INDULGENCE, they have a quirky idea at Qsine, and execute it pretty well.

 

OH and ODD THING: My iPad said specialty drinks were $12, Bob's said $13 and Curt's said $14. I wanted a Moscow Mule (one of the specialty drinks) and wasn't allowed it on the Premium Package (remember mine said $12). And I wasn't allowed to order it and pay the difference of $1 or $2. I asked for the manager and was told very apologetically that he was mortified the iPad prices hadn't been appropriately adjusted, and was sorry but I'd have to pay full price. I call BALONEY on that one! (I just had a martini)

Edited September 14, 2014 by bighairtexan

[need2bespoiled]

I still feel, on paper, the concept was interesting and had promise. Otherwise I wouldn't have bothered. But I felt like they had no idea what they wanted it to be. Sight lines were abysmal for most (we had decent sight lines) but seriously, how many times can you watch some chick put her leg behind their head (OK settle down men!)

 

And I still don't get what was so "exotic" about the drinks they brought around. Bailey's w/ a donut hole plopped into it? Wine? It wasn't the $20 I was charged (once I got it straightened out about the drink package). It was the total waste of my time. I thought perhaps I'd come out saying "I didn't like that. It was too weird." Instead it is more of "I HATED that. It was too boring."

 

Oh and add to that, since Cellar Masters on M class is more of a long corridor than a room, they blocked off the ends w/ heavy velvet curtains. It has a low ceiling. It was packed w/ people. So the temp was about 80 in there w/ matching humidity. It was all sort of embarrassing since it was such an epic fail.

 

For whomever asked about QSINE (CruisingChick), I was comped by the casino or I wouldn't have gone. So I've given it 3 tries. It was worth it when it was free…. barely. To me the best things were the sliders. And that's a lot of $$ for sliders! I think the quirkiness and presentation would be the reason to try it, not the food. At lease, UNLIKE INDULGENCE, they have a quirky idea at Qsine, and execute it pretty well.

 

OH and ODD THING: My iPad said specialty drinks were $12, Bob's said $13 and Curt's said $14. I wanted a Moscow Mule (one of the specialty drinks) and wasn't allowed it on the Premium Package (remember mine said $12). And I wasn't allowed to order it and pay the difference of $1 or $2. I asked for the manager and was told very apologetically that he was mortified the iPad prices hadn't been appropriately adjusted, and was sorry but I'd have to pay full price. I call BALONEY on that one! (I just had a martini)

 

Hard to disagree with this, including Quisine. Any mortified manager should have at least honored the pricing on the menu, but probably should have taken care of the drink, or just charged the difference in the minimum.

 

I'm on my way back to the Cosmopolitan on Wednesday. They have a similar concept call Rose, Rabbit Lie. Between the new buffet concepts testing on Summit mimicking the Cosmo, and now this, it is interesting to see what they're doing or maybe "trying" to be. Rose, Rabbit, Lie is definitely more of a site down meal. Here is a link (if it posts) http://roserabbitlie.com/. Here are reviews of Rose, Rabbit Lie (should post as this is TripAdvisor, parent company to Cruise Critic:

 

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g45963-d5969372-Reviews-Rose_Rabbit_Lie-Las_Vegas_Nevada.html

 

If the links don't work, just Google it.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna