What facilities for steerage?

[UpcountryTravelers]

With only one Celebrity cruise, I have a question. We have done one Celebrity cruise, and am going with two other couples who are new to Celebrity.

 

To simplify for us, what onboard venues are off-limits to us, who are traveling basic (no suite, or Concierge - which we were last time)? I know Aqua and Conceirge have certain venues which are not allowed to us, like Michaels and Luminae and Aqua bar.

 

Where shall I tell I our newbe friends to "simply avoid"? This is on Equinox.

[Hlitner]

There is actually very little off limits :). Those is Aqua Class have a small restaurant called "Blu" as their assigned venue for dinner...and that is off limits. There is also a lounge called "Michaels" which is now utilized only by those in suites or in the rare Zenith frequent cruiser category. Keep in mind that when Michaels was open to everyone...the place was empty most of the time...so its not something that most of us miss. And of course Luminae is a small annex of the MDR that is reserved for suites only. There is no other place to "avoid."

 

Hank

[Lois R]

With only one Celebrity cruise, I have a question. We have done one Celebrity cruise, and am going with two other couples who are new to Celebrity.

 

To simplify for us, what onboard venues are off-limits to us, who are traveling basic (no suite, or Concierge - which we were last time)? I know Aqua and Conceirge have certain venues which are not allowed to us, like Michaels and Luminae and Aqua bar.

 

Where shall I tell I our newbe friends to "simply avoid"? This is on Equinox.

 

Hi, welcome:).....Concierge cabins? They get lunch in the main dining room on sail day.......but as for venues? It is considered

a regular balcony..... (no special dining room for it). It is Aqua Class and Suite guests who have their own dining rooms

and Suite guests have access to Michael's Club, which is off limits to everyone else (except for ZENITH Members of

Capt's Club)....they always have access to Michael's no matter what cabin category they book.

 

Not sure what Aqua Bar you are referring to though.....never heard of an Aqua Bar and I have been in Aqua Class a couple

of different times.

 

As Hank mentioned, not many venues are off limits.

[WestCoastFlyer]

The short answer is if it looks interesting, check it out. The worst that happens is that they ask if you are staying in a suite or aqua class room.

 

The long answer is that Luminae is the dining room reserved for passengers in suites and their guests. Michael's Club is the lounge for passengers staying in a suite, and Blu is the dining room for Aqua class passengers. There is no lounge or dining room for concierge class except for lunch in the main dining room on the day of departure.

 

The best answer is, relax, have fun, and don't worry about it.

[CHEZMARYLOU]

Michaels Club, Luminae & Blu, and Persian Gardens will not be available, unless you buy a pass for Persian Gardens. Other venues will be open to you unless there is an event taking place, such as the Sky Lounge during the Elite happy hour, usually from 5:00 to 7:00 PM. The Aqua Café, which has been renamed, is available to anyone. It is located in the Solarium.

[CaroleSS]

The first cruise we ever took was in "steerage" and to this day, it might be our favorite!

 

All you do in your room is sleep and bathe. The rest of your time is spent enjoying the ship......so your room doesn't matter! You can eat in the main dining room or a specialty restaurant (ok, so Blu and Liminae are "off limits", but who cares?). You can still enjoy the activities, music, nightly shows, casino, etc.

 

I heard a reccommendation that (if you have an inside room) you turn on the tv to the front-of-the-ship camera when you go to bed. That way when the sun comes up, it will be like having a window....but minus the cost!

[Lois R]

The first cruise we ever took was in "steerage" and to this day, it might be our favorite!

 

All you do in your room is sleep and bathe. The rest of your time is spent enjoying the ship......so your room doesn't matter! You can eat in the main dining room or a specialty restaurant (ok, so Blu and Liminae are "off limits", but who cares?). You can still enjoy the activities, music, nightly shows, casino, etc.

 

I heard a reccommendation that (if you have an inside room) you turn on the tv to the front-of-the-ship camera when you go to bed. That way when the sun comes up, it will be like having a window....but minus the cost!

 

Hi Carol, interesting perspective. When I first started to cruise all I could afford were inside cabins and I always had a good time:)

But (and this is fortunate for me) as the years have gone by and I have become more financially stable (if that is the right word)

I have been able to book windows and balconies. We all have different priorities and budgets but after all this time, I really do

love waking up to the outside......and as I have changed, I do more than just sleep and bathe in there.....I really enjoy

sitting out on my balcony......I used to feel the same way as you do and I am not sure when I changed but I did;)

 

Different strokes for different folks:)

[UpcountryTravelers]

Not sure what Aqua Bar you are referring to though.....never heard of an Aqua Bar and I have been in Aqua Class a couple of different times.

 

...

 

It was a pool bar which was off-limits to us on the Reflection (we were only Concierge Class). That was in 2013, may have changed by now.

[cruisestitch]

I think someone might have been pulling your leg, or perhaps your memory is of some other ship, but there is no Aqua Bar. Ere is an Aqua Spa Cafe but it is open to all, not just those in Aqua Class.

[UpcountryTravelers]

I think someone might have been pulling your leg, or perhaps your memory is of some other ship, but there is no Aqua Bar. Ere is an Aqua Spa Cafe but it is open to all, not just those in Aqua Class.

 

As I said, may have changed by now. That was on Reflection in 2013, and we could not order from that pool bar. I distinctly remember having to walk all the way back to the stern bar to get drinks when we were at that pool.

Edited February 4, 2017 by UpcountryTravelers

[rmats]

The first cruise we ever took was in "steerage" and to this day, it might be our favorite!

 

All you do in your room is sleep and bathe. The rest of your time is spent enjoying the ship......so your room doesn't matter! You can eat in the main dining room or a specialty restaurant (ok, so Blu and Liminae are "off limits", but who cares?). You can still enjoy the activities, music, nightly shows, casino, etc.

 

I heard a reccommendation that (if you have an inside room) you turn on the tv to the front-of-the-ship camera when you go to bed. That way when the sun comes up, it will be like having a window....but minus the cost!

 

Ssshh, don't let these secrets out! Keeps the interior stateroom prices low!

[2theship]

The very few places that are limited use are ones that you'll barely notice around the ship. One big misconception is often the Aqua Spa Cafe which has nothing to do with Aqua Class other than it's a lighter menu that the other restaurants. Someone above mentioned that it's been re-named but I'm not sure if that's fleetwide yet. It's certainly a good idea because the old name has caused many questions here on Cruise Critic. Also mentioned is Michael's Club. The fact is that not many people went there before so it's been re-purposed as a venue for suites and zenith members. There's another bar right outside it so it's not like you'll have to walk far for a drink.

 

From 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. the Sky Lounge will probably be limited to Captain's Club Elite members but that has nothing to do with cabin category, it's a venue for loyal Celebrity repeat cruisers. I know plenty of people who've gotten to that level just sailing in inside cabins.

[UpcountryTravelers]

.... Also mentioned is Michael's Club. The fact is that not many people went there before so it's been re-purposed as a venue for suites and zenith members. There's another bar right outside it so it's not like you'll have to walk far for a drink.

 

That's a little disappointing, because that's where the craft beers are. (I remember from Reflection.)

 

From 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. the Sky Lounge will probably be limited to Captain's Club Elite members but that has nothing to do with cabin category, it's a venue for loyal Celebrity repeat cruisers. I know plenty of people who've gotten to that level just sailing in inside cabins.

 

We're used to that, as Princess has the same thing in Skywalkers (or Club 6 on the newer ships) for Platinum and Elite guests.

[cruisead]

As I said, may have changed by now. That was on Reflection in 2013, and we could not order from that pool bar. I distinctly remember having to walk all the way back to the stern bar to get drinks when we were at that pool.

 

Seriously, I really have no idea what you're talking about. We were on Reflection in 2013, 2014 and 2015 and there was never a bar at the pool that was off limits to anyone. We were in your basic accessible balcony cabin, and we got drinks from the pool bar all the time.

[warmwinds]

I believe the Aqua spa café is only open for breakfast and lunch...and it closes down completely between the two, only the coffee machine (and water and maybe juice?) are available (self serve). I didn't even know they sold alcohol, but if they do maybe you were trying to get a drink around 10 or 2 and they told you to go to the back because they were closing?

[villauk]

Seriously, I really have no idea what you're talking about. We were on Reflection in 2013, 2014 and 2015 and there was never a bar at the pool that was off limits to anyone. We were in your basic accessible balcony cabin, and we got drinks from the pool bar all the time.

 

As 2theship quoted, perhaps it wasn't the pool bar but the Sky Lounge (both near the top of the ship) and the OP visited during the Elite happy hours?

[Ex-Airbalancer]

Going steerage , we get to see areas of the ship no one else see,

Here the picture of the wife and me doing our daily hour ( some people get happy hour , steerage we get coal hour ) , have make up for the cheap price someway :D

[excitedofharpenden]

 

The long answer is that Luminae is the dining room reserved for passengers in suites and their guests. Michael's Club is the lounge for passengers staying in a suite, and Blu is the dining room for Aqua class passengers. There is no lounge or dining room for concierge class except for lunch in the main dining room on the day of departure.

 

 

That's actually the short answer. Everywhere else is open to the "masses".

 

Just remember that if it says something like "Crew Only" or similar you shouldn't go through those doors. The bridge is off limits unless you are on a bridge tour;)

[dkjretired]

As 2theship quoted, perhaps it wasn't the pool bar but the Sky Lounge (both near the top of the ship) and the OP visited during the Elite happy hours?

 

Probably the best explanation because there was never anything on any Celebrity ship called the Aqua Bar.

[JMG]

I will admit that when we have been on Royal Caribbean we have begun to feel like steerage. Suite Passengers have become very demanding and a section of chairs by the pool and seats in the theater are reserved for the "Royal" guests. The other passengers are quickly told they do not belong in those spots. It is very obvious.

 

On Celebrity, we did not get that feeling. There are plenty dining options and various bar options so not being able to go Luminae, Blu, or Michael's is not that bad. You know that those areas are for those that paid the higher fares but it is not "in your face". The crew on Celebrity smile and speak politely to all passengers.

 

Enjoy your cruise!

[cruisestitch]

Could the OP perhaps have gone to the Aqua Spa cafe and asked for an alcoholic beverage and been told "you can't buy that here, you need to go to the aft bar" and that got interpreted as "only certain passengers can buy here". In fact the Aqua Spa Cafe doesn't serve alcohol at all, to anyone.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[Wellard]

With only one Celebrity cruise, I have a question. We have done one Celebrity cruise, and am going with two other couples who are new to Celebrity.

 

To simplify for us, what onboard venues are off-limits to us, who are traveling basic (no suite, or Concierge - which we were last time)? I know Aqua and Conceirge have certain venues which are not allowed to us, like Michaels and Luminae and Aqua bar.

 

Where shall I tell I our newbe friends to "simply avoid"? This is on Equinox.

 

 

You write like you are about to embark on the titanic where Class snobbery and segregation was the norm...plus, cabins were far more basic than what we have now. Make sure you tell your friends, you'll all be able to swim in the same pool, walk around the same decks together and drink coffee in the same cafe...

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[dkjretired]

You write like you are about to embark on the titanic where Class snobbery and segregation was the norm...plus, cabins were far more basic than what we have now. Make sure you tell your friends, you'll all be able to swim in the same pool, walk around the same decks together and drink coffee in the same cafe...

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

 

 

For now....

[CruzeBoozer]

That's a little disappointing, because that's where the craft beers are. (I remember from Reflection.)

 

Equinox has the Gatropub which has a wide variety of craft beers.

[cve]

Equinox has the Gatropub which has a wide variety of craft beers.

 

I was going to say this. Much better selection in the Gastropub and the craft beers in Michaels used to get quite old.