Aqua Class Worth Extra Cost?

[villauk]

Those tables for 2 look VERY close together-that's one of the reasons we have never been tempted to try Aqua.

 

In the MTD we always go select dining and ask for a quiet table for 2 not too close to the others. We also dine in one the speciality restaurants every 2nd or 3rd night where this is not an issue.

 

Perhaps we are not as sociable during dinner as everyone else:)

 

I know exactly what you mean. We have experienced Blu on previous cruises for the Elite Afternoon Tea and I felt like I was virtually eating off the gentleman's plate sitting next to me :eek:. That's what puts us off booking Aqua. I think I'd prefer to put the extra towards the UDP. I suppose if you travel as a couple and wish to socialise closely with the diners next to you, then you would be happy in Blu ;). Aqua can often be cheaper on M class ships than booking Concierge.

[Blondie008]

I know exactly what you mean. We have experienced Blu on previous cruises for the Elite Afternoon Tea and I felt like I was virtually eating off the gentleman's plate sitting next to me :eek:. That's what puts us off booking Aqua. I think I'd prefer to put the extra towards the UDP. I suppose if you travel as a couple and wish to socialise closely with the diners next to you, then you would be happy in Blu ;). Aqua can often be cheaper on M class ships than booking Concierge.

 

I don't think going for an Afternoon tea qualifies you for having experienced BLU -

My husband and I are VERY private people - and can honestly say, out of the 28 nights we have experienced BLU over this past 18 months, we never ever felt our "bubble" was invaded - our romantic table for two was always given - never ever ever - even at breakfast - did we feel encroached by the neighbouring table...

[villauk]

I don't think going for an Afternoon tea qualifies you for having experienced BLU -

My husband and I are VERY private people - and can honestly say, out of the 28 nights we have experienced BLU over this past 18 months, we never ever felt our "bubble" was invaded - our romantic table for two was always given - never ever ever - even at breakfast - did we feel encroached by the neighbouring table...

 

I wasn't referring to experiencing the service, but the tables were in exactly the same position as when they are used by diners in Aqua. It all depends on what you are comfortable with ;). Obviously my thoughts are similar to other pax as I was replying to another poster having the same concerns.

[El Crucero]

My husband and I are VERY private people - and can honestly say, out of the 28 nights we have experienced BLU over this past 18 months, we never ever felt our "bubble" was invaded - our romantic table for two was always given - never ever ever - even at breakfast - did we feel encroached by the neighbouring table...

 

Our sentiments exactly. Sometimes we engage in conversation next to us and sometimes we don't. It depends on the dynamics at that time. Most of the time there are very private tables in a less desirable location - away from the windows. You can usually find a table in Blu that will suit you.

 

I wasn't referring to experiencing the service, but the tables were in exactly the same position as when they are used by diners in Aqua.

 

We have attended the Elegant Tea several times. It was never served in Blu in our experience.

[villauk]

 

 

We have attended the Elegant Tea several times. It was never served in Blu in our experience.

 

Perhaps you will get to experience it on a future cruise in Blu ;).

[BunnyLebowski]

Blu is DIFFERENT than the MDR. "Lighter" food (not necessarily "healthier" given that low-fat has now been shown to be of questionable health value). Have found the tables for 2 to be uncomfortably close if the couple next to you wishes to chat and you do not...Otherwise still "cozier" than the MDR.

 

Luminae, however, is SUPERIOR to the MDR both in terms of service and food quality. If you are used to Luminae, you will probably be disappointed by Blu.

 

Just my opinion, for what it's worth.

 

Enjoy your trip!

[Cruizen Susan]

I don't think we are going to do Aqua anymore. Unless there is not much difference in price. I'd rather get a well positioned CC and use the savings for lots of specialty dining!! My next Equinox sailing in 2017 is booked in a Concierge hump, so we will enjoy the extra points, and have lots of OBC and savings from not booking Aqua for our specialty dinners. Blu is good, but not as good as those!!

[suesie]

Very unusually when we booked our cruise in the far east in November Aqua class was cheaper( by just a few pounds) than all the the other cabins.

Having been in Aqua before and really enjoyed it we jumped at the chance to go again.

Pricing seems to vary greatly. I wouln't pay any significant amount extra for Aqua though.

[LuAnn]

Here's my 2 cents...what it is worth for sure! We only book AZ because of Blu...my DH is not able to partake of the spa due to heart issues...but we love the ambiance of Blu and the food and service. TBH...the MDR has really lost it appeal...

 

We have booked a holiday cruise without AQ...and I'm hoping the price will come down so we can be in AQ again...but it was just too much $$!! LuAnn

[OBX-Cruisers]

I don't think we are going to do Aqua anymore. Unless there is not much difference in price. I'd rather get a well positioned CC and use the savings for lots of specialty dining!! My next Equinox sailing in 2017 is booked in a Concierge hump' date=' so we will enjoy the extra points, and have lots of OBC and savings from not booking Aqua for our specialty dinners. Blu is good, but not as good as those!![/quote']

 

I would be interested to hear what you consider the advantages of a CC cabin other than the extra points. We have not been in CC class and have wondered what this would add.

Thank you

[Cruise a holic]

We also , if not in a suite, woud select a well located cc or balcony cabin and dine in specialty restaurants with the unlimited sp dining package. Have sailed in blu at least 5 times and no longer. Food isn't great and tables are very close. Most tables for two are lined up in front of the windows and aren't private. Surely not worth paying more for. On the M class ships however the cabins are newer and larger then balcony cabins as are the cc. Cabins. aQ cabins are located under the pool and gym. Not the quietest location on the ship. I think in order to market these cabins they throw in some alleged perks and charge more for poorly positioned cabins. Very clever marketing

Edited July 18, 2016 by Cruise a holic

[TheCount]

We love tha Aqua class. Use the Persian garden each day , Blu for breakfast and most dinners. We book well in advance, and usually does not have too costly difference. And watch for price drops as well, which have come our way from time to time.

[varoo]

I would be interested to hear what you consider the advantages of a CC cabin other than the extra points. We have not been in CC class and have wondered what this would add.

Thank you

Often (but not always) better location than AQ cabins and lower price.

 

On M-class ships, the CC cabins are slightly larger than regular balcony cabins.

 

 

We need to compare the trade-offs of the various categories each time before deciding. They can change considerably from cruise to cruise.

 

For example, cost of CC or regular balcony plus specialty restaurant package vs. cost of Aqua with Blu,

vs. cost of the different suite categories with included suite amenities, plus consideration of location of cabin we would be able to get in each category.

 

 

[ShawninFL]

We enjoy Aqua Class because of Blu; however, that being said we would probably only pay about $100 more pp for a 7 night cruise. Once we paid about $150 more pp after final payment to upgrade, but that was only because everyone else we were traveling with were in Aqua. The 2 top tables can be very close together, but that's never bothered us. Our next cruise in August we will be trying Luminae for our 1st and probably only time (special occasion cruise) and then for Thanksgiving it will be back to the MDR. So this year it's a tour of all of Celebrity's dining rooms. We haven't eaten in a Celebrity MDR for a number of years, so I'm interested to see how closely it compares to my memory.

[Duanerice1]

Love Blu as was said before, more like a restaurant than a banquet center.

 

I don't understand all the comments about the tables being close together. And yea, they are but on our recent Equinox cruise the tables for 2 in select dining were just as close if not closer. No way would anyone be able to walk between the tables in the main dining room.

 

The only time we book Aqua (3 times) the price is real close to CC and Veranda. The pricing structure is strange, just need to hit it at the right time.

 

enjoy

[Cruise a holic]

I think the point is why pay significantly more. I agree the MDR is more like banquet service and food, so why not book balcony or if you want the points the least expensive cc then book specialty restaurant unlimited package and dine daily in them? works the best on the Silly and Reflection as they have the lawn grill.

 

I have also learned it is critical to check the rates often for any booked cruise and have always saved money as the rates vary from week to week and Celebrity will adjust your higher rate down. Not a problem as long as payment hasn't been paid in full.

[Jetswdo]

OK. First of all, we were once on the Summit. I didn't care for that ship. DH was fine as he is a lot more easy going then me, truthfully.

I prefer the larger ships, Solstice class on Celebrity.

 

That being said: We are in our early 60's. I can't stand children running back and forth around their cabins. Aqua cabins are 2 to a cabin, therefore, unlikely to have any kids in them, or just a baby or a single parent with 1 child (usually well behaved)-- So that deck area is very quiet.

 

We only eat 2 or 3 times in Blu on a 7 to 10 night cruise, for dinner, maybe a few times for breakfast. Dining is very quiet; although the tables are close together, we have managed to be seated when restaurant is maybe 1/3 full and only once did we have another couple near us -- still a table between us.

The other nights we eat at specialty restaurants, the buffet, or room service.

We prefer to eat at our own table. We have never seen any children in Blu when we have dined, only adults.

We enjoy the Persian Gardens for many days on sailings- this is included with Aqua cruise fare. I would like to add that we would have liked to have tried a sky suite, but don't like the locations of them. I also prefer the locations of Aqua 2 cabins to Aqua 1.

[keesar]

 

I don't understand all the comments about the tables being close together. And yea, they are but on our recent Equinox cruise the tables for 2 in select dining were just as close if not closer. No way would anyone be able to walk between the tables in the main dining room.

/QUOTE]

 

On the Reflection, our tables were so close that the waiter could not walk between them Maybe 12 inches between tables. It got so bad that he leaned over and gave me my serving.

[chisoxfan]

Those tables for 2 look VERY close together-that's one of the reasons we have never been tempted to try Aqua.

 

In the MTD we always go select dining and ask for a quiet table for 2 not too close to the others. We also dine in one the speciality restaurants every 2nd or 3rd night where this is not an issue.

 

Perhaps we are not as sociable during dinner as everyone else:)

 

We observed same (close tables) in our only AQ sailing Eclispse. That said we just booked AQ on an 11 night carib. The price was 300 more than C3 or 200 more than C2 so we felt it was worth it. As before we plan to check on Blu menu and mix in specialty and MDR dining. Honestly was hoping tables would have been spaced a bit farther apart since our last cruise.