NEW to CELEBRITY, have some questions ...

[maryred]

First a little background, we are sailing the Summit on 5-7-17 for 7 days to Bermuda. Basically I qualified for 5 day cruise as a comp from Resorts AC's online gambling. We decided to upgrade to this cruise and pay the difference, as traveling to FL for the offered "free" cruises was out of the question due to a health issue. Since we are now just under 2 weeks out from the cruise DH is questioning about the drink packages, other comps that we may receive, dining times, and shows.

 

The biggest set of questions concerns the comped drinks in the casino. The paperwork from Resorts states complimentary drinks while in the casino without much details about any restrictions other than must be playing, BUT the booking agent we talked to from CEL Casino Dom Alliance stated something about 14 drink vouchers. SO here we go with the questions ...

 

1) There's no mention of any type of drink package on my booking confirmation nor my ticket booklet,, to clarify which method, am I looking for confirmation in the wrong place? (I do have the print out from Resorts stating drinks in the casino, but only a verbal from the booking agent.)

 

2) Does anyone know if the comped drinks are only for the person that qualified through the casino or is for both adults booked to the cabin?

 

3) Is there a restriction on what can be order either as maximum dollar or as a list of specific drinks?

 

4) If what the Resort paperwork states is the "package" I'm getting, do I have to wait for a wandering server or casino host(ess) to take my order or may I go direct to the casino bartender? OR if vouches are issued are they redeemable in lounges & bars other than the casino?

 

5) Is there a reception or other special gathering for those that are "guests" of the casino, and if so what is the dress code?

 

6) Beyond the drinks are there any others comps that come from the on board casino for slot or rated table play? Other cruise lines I've sailed offered free specialty dining, in cabin treats, and logo items for reaching certain "milestones" during the cruise. (sometimes even a "free" cruise.)

 

7) What is the menu price of non-alcoholic frozen drinks,smoothies, and milkshakes? Price of specialty/premium teas or chai?

 

8) We have Select dining, our usually pattern is to see the on board shows first then attend dinner. How long are the main production shows? (I've heard the early show alternate between a 6:30 and 7 pm start time.)

 

9) When is the busy hour for the open seating diner?

 

10) Realistically how long does dinner service take (online reservation tool states to allow 2 hours)? and How strict is the dining room staff about being 10/15 minutes early or late for a reservation? (Royal was very accommodating.)

 

11) Is there an online wine list? If not does anyone know if there are any bottles or by the glass selections for Italian Moscato in the MDR or elsewhere on the ship?

 

TIA,

Mary

[Cruise Raider]

I can try to answer some of your questions as we've booked on casino offers through Mlife (large casino corporation in Vegas and some other areas). While our offers are most likely different from yours, there are some questions which I may be able to give a stab. You can also check onboard to see if you are able to get Blue Chip status. Those that are offered free cruises might very well qualify. With Blue Chip status onboard, I've seen free drinks handed out while those players were gambling in the casino.

 

First a little background, we are sailing the Summit on 5-7-17 for 7 days to Bermuda. Basically I qualified for 5 day cruise as a comp from Resorts AC's online gambling. We decided to upgrade to this cruise and pay the difference, as traveling to FL for the offered "free" cruises was out of the question due to a health issue. Since we are now just under 2 weeks out from the cruise DH is questioning about the drink packages, other comps that we may receive, dining times, and shows.

 

The biggest set of questions concerns the comped drinks in the casino. The paperwork from Resorts states complimentary drinks while in the casino without much details about any restrictions other than must be playing, BUT the booking agent we talked to from CEL Casino Dom Alliance stated something about 14 drink vouchers. SO here we go with the questions ...

 

We are given anywhere from 5-10 drink vouchers in the casino when sailing under an Mlife offer, so 14 does sound reasonable. We usually have the drink package so those vouchers have not been all important to us. The casino host, if he/she sees you in the casino gambling heavily, will most likely give you a few more if requested.

1) There's no mention of any type of drink package on my booking confirmation nor my ticket booklet,, to clarify which method, am I looking for confirmation in the wrong place? (I do have the print out from Resorts stating drinks in the casino, but only a verbal from the booking agent.)

 

If vouchers are provided, you will meet with the casino host on the first night out and he/she will provide you with those vouchers. If by chance your avg wager and time spent in the casino is enough, you may be provided with a beverage package sticker to be used in the casino. Blue Chip gamblers require a large amount of money passed through the machines or at the tables, though.

2) Does anyone know if the comped drinks are only for the person that qualified through the casino or is for both adults booked to the cabin?

 

If you get vouchers, it would probably only be for the person that was given the offer. You could probably get two drinks with two vouchers without any issue, though. If the other pax is not qualified, you probably wouldn't each get 14 vouchers.

 

3) Is there a restriction on what can be order either as maximum dollar or as a list of specific drinks?

 

It really depends on who is taking that voucher. Last cruise out (a couple of months ago), it was limited to what was on the classic package which is a $9 limit.

 

 

4) If what the Resort paperwork states is the "package" I'm getting, do I have to wait for a wandering server or casino host(ess) to take my order or may I go direct to the casino bartender? OR if vouches are issued are they redeemable in lounges & bars other than the casino?

 

A wandering service or the bartender at the casino bar can take your order. The vouchers that we received were only redeemable in the casino. There was no identification on the vouchers as to which group we booked with so believe you will get the same type of vouchers. They also give these out in some of the raffle envelopes ... they also use the same vouchers.

 

5) Is there a reception or other special gathering for those that are "guests" of the casino, and if so what is the dress code?

 

Not that I have seen before.

 

6) Beyond the drinks are there any others comps that come from the on board casino for slot or rated table play? Other cruise lines I've sailed offered free specialty dining, in cabin treats, and logo items for reaching certain "milestones" during the cruise. (sometimes even a "free" cruise.)

 

We also have received specialty dinner reservations, free wine corkage, chocolate covered strawberries, a bottle of bubbly sent to our room ... but it is inconsistent. However, our time spent in the casino, depending on our itinerary is also sometimes inconsistent. We usually don't gamble heavily on our cruise. You could check with the casino host when meeting with him/her on the first night out.

 

7) What is the menu price of non-alcoholic frozen drinks,smoothies, and milkshakes? Price of specialty/premium teas or chai?

 

Many of these will not be offered in the casino bar but the prices are for the smoothies, frozen drinks range from about $10- $13. I haven't seen milkshakes but don't care for ice cream so haven't looked for them. Specialty coffees and teas start at $5 and think they go up to about $8....maybe more with alcohol.

 

8) We have Select dining, our usually pattern is to see the on board shows first then attend dinner. How long are the main production shows? (I've heard the early show alternate between a 6:30 and 7 pm start time.)

 

The production shows are usually between 45-60 minutes. We've not gone to the early shows so not sure when they start.

9) When is the busy hour for the open seating diner?

 

It gets really busy as early as 6:15 PM through about 8:15 PM.

 

10) Realistically how long does dinner service take (online reservation tool states to allow 2 hours)? and How strict is the dining room staff about being 10/15 minutes early or late for a reservation? (Royal was very accommodating.)

 

It does take about 2 hours but for a table of two, you could shave about 30 minutes off realistically. If you speak with the hostess at the anytime dining room, let them know you might show up a little early or a little late some nights. If the table is empty and cleaned, it is no problem if you show up a little early but you may have to wait. If you show up late, they may give your reserved table to someone else unless you notify them ahead of time. They are really fabulous and pretty flexible if you just notify them a little in advance.

 

11) Is there an online wine list? If not does anyone know if there are any bottles or by the glass selections for Italian Moscato in the MDR or elsewhere on the ship?

 

Unfortunately, there is not an online wine list. The list is ever changing. I have seen some people post that they have received Muscato and a friend of mine was told they didn't have it anywhere on the ship. So, it's a crxx shoot on whether or not they will have it onboard for your sailing.

 

TIA,

Mary

[maryred]

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