Specialty Restaurants - deals

[emiliesmom]

Hi everyone,

I am on my first Celebrity cruise in a couple weeks. I have read numerous posts about people getting deals on specialty dining while on board. I'm wondering - how? Do you ask? Is it posted somewhere?

Thanks!

Emiliesmom

[neverbeenhere]

Ask the maitre 'd or the person standing outside the buffet or the person walking up to you to try to sell you the specialty dining. Remember the discounts are best for early hours and on non elegantly casual nights.

[neverbeenhere]

Don't expect to get a discount when you show up for dinner. Generally, you need to ask early in the morning or the day before.

[ghstudio]

You should be able to get a discount on the first night if you just ask. After that, wait a couple of days and then find the person selling specialty dining outside the buffet....suggest that you would enjoy trying xxxx restaurant, but the price is too steep. "I'd really like to try it if you could let us dine for $30 each". the individual might say yes or no. Repeat that scenario the next day....probably the same person who will remember you and/or your offer. Just ask if there's a chance of dining for $30 a person. The next day...say "I just have to ask again because I've heard good things...couldn't you let us try the restaurant for $30 each.

 

You get the drift here....be friendly make a reasonable offer and if they aren't filling up, you'll get the deal.

 

Now...one other scenario...they come to you..poolside or at dinner and try to get you to sign up for specialty dining. If that happens, say something like if you'll let 2 of us dine for the price of 1...you've got a deal. I have been taken up on that offer more than once.

 

Good luck.

[Quitwhin'n]

When we checked in, there was a table set up near the registration desk (FLL) selling drink and dining packages. We booked it there before stepping on the ship. Definitely ask for a discount. They offered either $30 or $35 for the first night. They have a radio and confirmed the reservation on the spot. Like others say, there will probably be a table set up outside the buffet or random people walking around with clipboards. We also booked directly with our waiter in the main dining room, all discounted in the $30-$35 range.

[RickT]

Another good option is when they have the reservation table setup when you return from shore. If it's setup after you clear security it's usually a good indication of availability.

 

I always ask politely and joke a bit. I'm always prepared to walk away if they don't. I have also used, the "I met a guy last night who said he got 30% off". Never hurts :)

 

Once you get a deal, if you can find that same person they'll usually give you the same deal if you wish to go back or try one of the other restaurants. I've also been told your regular waiter in the MDR can help.

[jsf]

We've always found that the discounts get bigger later in the cruise.

J.

[Cruise Raider]

On the Infinity, we ate at QSine rather early in the cruise. As we were leaving, we were offered another meal at a greatly discounted price if we returned during the remainder of the cruise. We wanted to try the SS United States and were treated to second meal there as well as being invited to the Captain's table one night so never did make it back to QSine....but could have gotten a discount if we had.

 

If you gamble quite a bit in the casino or have an M-life gold status account (mostly Vegas), be sure to contact the casino host. They do hold some comped meals for those that gamble a lot while on the cruise. May not even apply....just thought it was worth mentioning.

[whitbob]

We were able to get deals for that night or the next when we returned from shore excursions. There was a table by the elevators. I would ask for a discount and would always get one. The only issue was they always wanted us to go at 6:30.

[Host Jazzbeau]

We have always been able to get a deal from the specialty restaurant Maitre d' for a return visit. So we take the first-night discount and keep working from there.

[Brittany C]

Hi Emiliesmom,

 

Specialty restaurant packages also provide savings, depending on how much you plan on eating at the specialty restaurants. We break down the Celebrity package in our story Will a Cruise Dining Package Save You Money?

 

Happy Cruising!

 

~Brittany Chrusciel, Associate Editor, Cruise Critic

[emiliesmom]

Great information! Thanks everyone!

[monicajay]

After reading these boards we tried often using many of the noted techniques to get a discount on our first Summit Cruise. They weren't biting, the second time we were offered 20% off at Normandie on the night we wanted at the time we wanted. I had a feeling I could have gotten more had I pushed for it.

 

It might also depend on the ship, the sailing and how well the restaurants are selling.

 

Opening the specialty restaurants to children will have more families booking that could not go before, there could be less discounting.

[TXHappyCruiser]

Am I the only one that would be embarrassed to ask for a "deal"?

[Jobeth66]

Am I the only one that would be embarrassed to ask for a "deal"?

 

Why would you be embarrassed? Did you pay rack rate for your cabin? If not, it's because you either asked for or were offered a 'deal' from your TA or Celebrity. No need to be embarrassed, it doesn't hurt to ask - the answer is either yes, no, or 'let's see what we can do' and negotiation ensues.

[RealDeal]

Are deals really tough to come by on 7-day cruises? I've heard it's much more challenging on 7-day vs longer cruises.

[neverbeenhere]

maybe and then again maybe not. Every cruise is different. How busy is the restaurant?, who is the maitre 'd?, how busy was the restaurant last week?, did you eat once already at full price?, etc.

Edited January 14, 2016 by neverbeenhere

[ghstudio]

Are deals really tough to come by on 7-day cruises? I've heard it's much more challenging on 7-day vs longer cruises.

 

Maybe, maybe not....just give it a try when you're on board. Don't ever count on getting a deal on any cruise. If you really want to dine at a restaurant...or if you want a specific date or time.....book a package.

[RealDeal]

Thanks to both of you...I know it totally depends. Well, I'll find out soon enough!

[spiritkat090909]

Am I the only one that would be embarrassed to ask for a "deal"?

 

 

Definitely NOT...I hate negotiating (begging) for favors. Perception.

 

I will jump at a clearly tagged bargain, but I won't ask. If it's not a value to me as marked..I walk. I don't even like it when people approach you walking away to offer lower prices. Why couldn't you sell it fairly to everyone in the first place?! What makes one individual so much better than another that they deserve special consideration? It makes me feel that the seller is dishonest & cheats select individuals. - Rant complete.

[rjrpar]

Negotiating is not begging.

[ghstudio]

Definitely NOT...I hate negotiating (begging) for favors. Perception.

 

I will jump at a clearly tagged bargain, but I won't ask. If it's not a value to me as marked..I walk. I don't even like it when people approach you walking away to offer lower prices. Why couldn't you sell it fairly to everyone in the first place?! What makes one individual so much better than another that they deserve special consideration? It makes me feel that the seller is dishonest & cheats select individuals. - Rant complete.

 

Have you ever purchased a car? Hopefully you make an exception to what you posted above....

[Rob the Cruiser]

Negotiating is not begging.

 

Exactly. When a person approaches me and starts to explain the specialty restaurants I reply "Are there any promotional discounts?" or "Two for one and I'll do it." If they say no, and they usually don't, wait for the next time someone approaches. Expect a minimum of 25%. Why? Because if they are approaching passengers rather than standing passively outside Oceanview, that means they are not meeting their quota. Sales 101. The buyer is in control, not begging.

[jan-n-john]

There is no fixed pattern. Whether or not deals are being offered depends entirely on how specialty restaurant bookings are going on the particular cruise. On some cruises lots of people are booking so no deals. On other cruises sales are slow so there will be deals. You never really know in advance. Just ask. If things are really slow they may become aggressive and send people around, e.g. around the pool, soliciting business and offering deals on the spot. Again, it all depends, and there's no way to know for sure in advance of your particular cruise.

Edited January 16, 2016 by jan-n-john