Jump to content
Cruise Critic Community

Reserving Alcoves: How far in advance?

travelingirl70

By travelingirl70,
in Celebrity Cruises

 Share

Recommended Posts

Sonoma fans

Sonoma fans

Posted
Posted

As mentioned previously, you must pay by cc if booked prior to sailing. They are listed under dining on the web site when you enter your reservation number. The ads show the picnic basket, but these are not used. You get a fruit and cheese plate and bottles of water. The attendants will bring you food from available venues if you ask them, but we usually grab some breads and snacks with the cheese plate for lite lunch snacks. We used to have paninis delivered when the porch was not a seafood venue, but have not tried to have porch food delivered since the change. We have an alcove for our upcoming B to B 1/28/17 through 2/11/17. We have enjoyed them for the week on our last 4 reflection cruises, we decided to book for the 2 weeks.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 1 month later...
travelingirl70

travelingirl70

Posted
  • Author
Posted

OP here....

 

Just thought I would report back. My cruise leaves December 24, 2017 (413 days away) and I just checked online and was able to book all of my alcoves and specialty dining!

 

Last time we sailed on a holiday cruise, we had a tough time booking much of anything even 6 months out. So, I decided to jump on it this time. We prefer speciality over MDR (unless we are in AQ with Blu) so I've booked our whole week. Wish I could use my OBC, but I'm sure I will put that to good use.

 

Anyway..... it appears alcoves open up WAY early. Almost 14 months early in my case.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
need2cruisesoon

need2cruisesoon

Posted
Posted (edited)
I did not know what an "alcove" was and punched it up on You Tube. So let me get this straight....it is over $100 to rent a place to SIT and stare at grass? Lmao. Ok....to each their own, I guess. :confused:

 

Yup:

(But the grass is sure pretty)

 

DSC01704_1.jpg

 

DSC01701.jpg

Edited by need2cruisesoon
Link to comment
Share on other sites
champagne123

champagne123

Posted
Posted (edited)

Lol. Thanks for the pics, but I can do that in my own front/back yard for free. Ahhhh, what people will pay for. :eek: It gives that old saying..."watching the grass grow" a new meaning.....lol. Now you have to pay for it!

Edited by champagne123
kkkk
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Cruise a holic

Cruise a holic

Posted
Posted (edited)

Having booked the alcove on both the reflection and the Silly, it is well worth it! You have a beautiful comfortable space, for about 4 adults, no worry about chair hogs who get up at 7AM only to find a mediocre chair touching the person next to you! IMO money well spent. In addition, you are served a beautiful cheese platter and cut fruit platter when you request it. Of course you might say- well I can get it myself- and you can if you wish! You "alcove butler" will get you drinks. You will be given a cooler with water, ice, glasses, etc. You can bring in food if you want to dine in the Alcove. Sometimes activities and music are held on the lawn.

 

As somebody said- to each his own! I do not understand how people waste money in the casino, playing bingo or purchasing "art" prints for more then $5. each. I guess Celebrity appeals to different people differently.

Edited by Cruise a holic
Link to comment
Share on other sites
watchdiva

watchdiva

Posted
Posted

We rarely if EVER spend $$ in the casino, don't attend art auctions or bingo...and sure as heck don't shop the onboard sales! We have our Alcove booked for one sea day and one port day (we often just stay on board) and cannot wait!

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

Link to comment
Share on other sites
champagne123

champagne123

Posted
Posted
Having booked the alcove on both the reflection and the Silly, it is well worth it! You have a beautiful comfortable space, for about 4 adults, no worry about chair hogs who get up at 7AM only to find a mediocre chair touching the person next to you! IMO money well spent. In addition, you are served a beautiful cheese platter and cut fruit platter when you request it. Of course you might say- well I can get it myself- and you can if you wish! You "alcove butler" will get you drinks. You will be given a cooler with water, ice, glasses, etc. You can bring in food if you want to dine in the Alcove. Sometimes activities and music are held on the lawn.

 

As somebody said- to each his own! I do not understand how people waste money in the casino, playing bingo or purchasing "art" prints for more then $5. each. I guess Celebrity appeals to different people differently.

 

I don't hand my hard earned $$$ for the casino, bingo or "art" either and I certainly don't waste it on a chair, staring at grass. TO ME, it is hysterical. In other words..."now I've heard everything". Celebrity must be laughing their asses off all the way to the bank.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
travelingirl70

travelingirl70

Posted
  • Author
Posted
Lol. Thanks for the pics, but I can do that in my own front/back yard for free. Ahhhh, what people will pay for. :eek: It gives that old saying..."watching the grass grow" a new meaning.....lol. Now you have to pay for it!

 

I will admit I was skeptical at first and didn't book the last time we were on the Silhouette. But after fighting for chairs together on sea days, I decided it was well worth it. How many of those chairs face the water anyway? Most of them are bumped up against other passengers, facing a walkway or pool. I prefer having a little space. Cruise ships are crowded enough. Me? I won't be watching the grass grow, but I will be reading my book without some drunk guy passed out next to me snoring (been there) or some person who wants to talk to the person to my right who sits on the foot of my lounger WHILE I WAS ON IT (been there too). Ahhh..... space...... it's worth it to me.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
sandc4e

sandc4e

Posted
Posted
We aren't sailing until next April, but when I try to book online I get the message that they are unavailable for both port and sea days. Would all the alcoves be sold out for the entire week...Forums

 

Keep checking sometimes the website can be funny. We had both sea days booked and had to cancel to rebook the same cruise with another TA due to issues. We thought our alcoves booking we're gone forever but their availability showed up again this week. It took over a month, but be patient and check eve.

 

Sheila

Link to comment
Share on other sites
xmarksx

xmarksx

Posted
Posted
Thanks! I was able to reserve one over the phone for the first sea day!

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

 

Kteacher, I think you will really enjoy them. Like Cruise a holic, I am a huge fan of Alcoves and have rented them several times. Really no different than renting a cabana and either you find value or you don't.

 

I would focus my attention on the critiques coming from those who have sailed Celebrity recently and actually have viewed them.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing
  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • Hurricane Zone 2024
      • Cruise Insurance Q&A w/ Steve Dasseos of Tripinsurancestore.com June 2024
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Cruise Critic News & Features
      • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
      • Special Interest Cruising
      • Cruise Discussion Topics
      • UK Cruising
      • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
      • Canadian Cruisers
      • North American Homeports
      • Ports of Call
      • Cruise Conversations
×
×
  • Create New...