Upgraded to Aqua. Not sure why...

[jelayne]

On a previous cruise we were talking to 2 guys at the Martini one evening before dinner.  They left for dinner and about 15 minutes later we found ourselves sitting next to them in Blu.  By the end of the cruise there were 6 six us who sat together for dinner.

 

2 weeks ago we were on the Edge and ran into them.  Has dinner together a couple of nights.  Socializing is possible in Blu and better food & service too.

Dont miss the short ribs - frequently on night 5.

[mafig]

Not everyone likes Blu.  We booked Aqua once because it was a cruise over Easter week and we wanted to avoid what we thought would be loads of children.  Turned out there were less than 30 on the whole ship.

DH and I both missed Eggs Benedict at breakfast.  Also hashed browns.  They served finger link potatoes that were good in the beginning of the cruise but greenish toward the end.

DH still mentions how they put "stuff" on his lobster.  Some kind of sauce.  I liked it, but he wanted drawn butter.

The rain shower was nice, though.

[stevea36]

1 hour ago, If only said:

 

Not true, the tables are close together that it’s almost impossible to not talk to the people on either side, unless of course they don’t want to.  We have met some wonderful people on cruises this way.

 

We were just as concerned when we took our first cruise in AQ.  At the first meal we met a bunch of people and every dinner afterwards had a preset early table for 9 !!!  

 

Also, as a matter of clarification, AQ does not get free use of the SPA, you get free access to the Persian Gardens area (heated loungers, steam, aromatherapy, etc).   You also get a magnificent multi jet shower in your cabin (My DW refers to it as the car wash).

 

[upwarduk]

2 hours ago, rf52 said:

 

For us, the big advantage is eating in Blu.  The food is not spa food.  Instead is was food similar to the MDR, but fixed cleaner, i.e. not as much cream sauces, etc.  

HMM, sounds maybe a good fit for a Dairy Intolerant passenger!

[Cruising Domer]

11 minutes ago, mafig said:

DH and I both missed Eggs Benedict at breakfast.  Also hashed browns.  They served finger link potatoes that were good in the beginning of the cruise but greenish toward the end.

 

 

Your experience may have been different, but on my last few cruises (most recent one ended a few weeks ago in early January 2019), Eggs Benedict were on the Blu breakfast menu each day.  Their version included spinach, but it was simply a matter of asking for "no spinach" and a traditional Eggs Benedict would be provided.  I typically ordered those in the morning with a side of hash browns, which although they were not on the menu, were always provided.  My wife doesn't like the ham they use, so she would order hers with bacon. 

 

I'm sorry that you weren't able to order Eggs Benedict and hash browns on your cruise, but they've been available each of the times I've been in Blu.

[Greenymac]

19 minutes ago, mafig said:

Not everyone likes Blu.  We booked Aqua once because it was a cruise over Easter week and we wanted to avoid what we thought would be loads of children.  Turned out there were less than 30 on the whole ship.

DH and I both missed Eggs Benedict at breakfast.  Also hashed browns.  They served finger link potatoes that were good in the beginning of the cruise but greenish toward the end.

DH still mentions how they put "stuff" on his lobster.  Some kind of sauce.  I liked it, but he wanted drawn butter.

The rain shower was nice, though.

What does DH stand for???

[mafig]

We asked about the eggs benedict and were told no.  Don't recall if we asked about the hash browns or not.

 

 

[schlu1dm]

7 minutes ago, Greenymac said:

What does DH stand for???

 

Dear Husband

[mfs2k]

this is great info about Blu.  I'm learning a lot.   Nice to know I can order things from the regular menu like hash browns if I want.  mmmm.  

[cangelmd]

7 hours ago, mfs2k said:

I'm questioning my choice because I've never sailed on Celebrity before (although I've sailed on 12 cruises on other cruise lines) so everything is new.  Cruisecritic is awesome for learning about your trip before you go, but it also is great for instilling a little self doubt about your choices.  The boards are full of people wondering if they made the right choice about cruise lines, ships, itineraries, dates, excursions, perks, balcony categories, meal times, port or starboard, etc...  This is my time and topic to wonder and ask you guys for your input. From what I'm reading, most of you have loved it, so I will go ahead with new expectations and a positive outlook.  Thank you. 

Blu has at least 2, maybe 3 round tables for 8. If you ask the maitre d, it is likely that you can get seated at one of those, especially the first night or two. You may then have a group to eat with

[Covepointcruiser]

We enjoy Blu when we are in Aqua Class but have never had a problem eating in the MDR whenever we wanted.   You can probably ask to be moved to MDR for the entire cruise.   This will free up space in Blu for the Suite passengers who can eat there on a space available basis.

[mfrc]

We travel Aqua all the time.. You can go to MDR or Blu... We do both depending on what is being served at Blu.. Blu you can always order off MDR which we do all the time.. We only do breakfast at Blu a couple of times as we enjoy the Oceanview Café..

 

 

[dkjretired]

10 hours ago, mfs2k said:

another follow up question, 

 

Since I'm now Aqua Class, and I'm booked in Blu for 830 dining, are we allowed to go to the MDR for anytime dining for dinner?  or are our only options Blu, Specialty restaurants, or the buffet? 

 

 

I just wanted to clarify the time on this post.  I assume that the 8:30 is on your reservation which is a common thing for Blu.  This is a computer thing that Celebrity's IT department can't solve after all these years of having Blu as part of their ships.  As someone else stated, Blu is anytime dining all the time.  You will receive a letter in your stateroom asking you to come a particular time the first night, just ignore it and go whenever you wish.   Celebrity does a lot of things good and Blu is one of them but sometimes in the process they just confuse the heck out of people.  We have been dealing with and answering questions about this ever since Solstice was launched.  

 

By the way, in that same envelope is usually a coupon for a certain percentage off on one of the Specialties the first night.  

 

As to items from the MDR menu, the Onion Soup, Escargot, shrimp cocktails and creme brûlée's are available in Blu every night and are really good.  Also, in addition to the nightly items in Blu there are three every night items, a steak, fish dish and chicken dish. 

Edited January 29, 2019 by dkjretired

[dkjretired]

8 hours ago, schlu1dm said:

 

Dear Husband

In my case, it's dumb husband🙂

Edited January 29, 2019 by dkjretired

[GoodScout]

We've passed twice on an Aqua upgrade, for many of the reasons you've mentioned. 

 

We're not spa people, so hanging out in Persian Gardens or a sauna don't really appeal to us too much. 

 

Everyone raves about Blu, but checking out the menus online doesn't make me think it would be any better for my taste than the MDR or a specialty restaurant. I'm not into "healthy menus," and I know that's a gross simplification of their offerings, but the other restaurants' menus are more my speed. 

 

And a fancy shower head doesn't mean much to me either. 🙂

 

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

11 hours ago, mfs2k said:

yes, I have.  I didn't realize Blu is now my dining room.  I thought it was an option only available to Aqua Class guests.  I like getting to know people at large MDR tables in my past cruises.  I guess this will no longer be possible for me. 

 

There are larger tables available in Blu.  Just tell the maitre d' you'd like to share and be at a large table.

[bajathree]

There has just been another price drop ;)

[K12Guy]

12 hours ago, chemmo said:

If it is the social aspect of dining you are concerned about rather than the menu remember you can turn up at Blu as a group of 4/6 and ask them to make up a table for you. Once you have socialised in a few bars and across tables in Blu (yes they are very close) you may find that a few of you choose to dine together on a few nights. Remember, however, friends you may make in standard rooms can not join you in Blu. 

 

You did mention moving to a suite if prices dropped....Luminae does have more of a gap between tables but it is more of a speciality restaurant and you would have the advantage of meeting fellow suite guests in Michael’s Club where again you could find likeminded fellow guests to dine with. Non suite guests can, by arrangement, join you in Luminae but there is a cost.

 

Final option is to join the roll call for your cruise and see if you can make some Aqua friends pre cruise to regularly share a table with.

 

 

Such good advice. Paying the suite price is worth every cent, in my opinion. But, I'm spoiled.

 

[mfs2k]

16 minutes ago, bajathree said:

There has just been another price drop 😉

 

Oooh!

[K12Guy]

3 hours ago, dkjretired said:

In my case, it's dumb husband🙂

It's always good to know how we are recognized, Don. Nicely done.

[GottaKnowWhen]

15 hours ago, mfs2k said:

I recently booked and fully paid for a C3 concierge class cabin on Celebrity Equnox (3/23/19) and 5 days later there was a huge price drop. 

From these boards I learned I couldn’t get a refund but I could get an upgrade so that’s what I did. 

I called my TA and was able to get a free upgrade to an assigned cabin Aqua Class on deck 15. 

 

Now I’m wondering why I bothered. We don’t expect to use the spa regularly and I’m not going on a cruise to eat healthy spa cuisine. Do guests get a lot of benefit from Aqua class if they’re not regular spa users?  Should I have just stayed in concierge class?  Did I make a mistake ?  

Ps. I wish there was another big price drop. I’d love to have the added space of a suite. 

I haven’t done Aqua yet in my 13 Celebrity Cruises, probably never will. So I can’t speak to the Blu dining experience that many rave about. But I would caution you to check your new cabin location. Aqua tends to be crammed up under the overhang and in my opinion the reason extra “ perks” are given Aqua is to compensate for horrible location. If you don’t mind having a roof overhead while you are on the balcony, you may be able to put up with the Aqua upgrade. 

Stan

 

[mfs2k]

7 hours ago, GottaKnowWhen said:

But I would caution you to check your new cabin location. Aqua tends to be crammed up under the overhang and in my opinion the reason extra “ perks” are given Aqua is to compensate for horrible location. If you don’t mind having a roof overhead while you are on the balcony, you may be able to put up with the Aqua upgrade. 

 

I looked up the cabin reviews on the S Class spreadsheet. The reviews are all good except for some minor complaints about drawer space, outlets, hallway noise. . No complaints about the roof of the balcony. Thx

[bajathree]

9 hours ago, mfs2k said:

 

Oooh!

Yup...pricing on this sailing has been a rollercoaster ride.

[DrKoob]

No one has mentioned our favorite part of Blu---breakfast! Especially on port days. You can get a full breakfast, early, fast and it is DELICIOUS! So much better than the buffet or the slowness that is the MDR for breakfast.

 

We love Blu. My biggest complaint about Aqua is that my lovely bride is spoiled by it and now we can't book anything else.  Plus, Blu is perfect if you are traveling with friends or if you make new ones. We can walk up and ask for a table for...just about any number of people and they accommodate us by sliding tables together.

 

Jim

Edited January 29, 2019 by DrKoob

[bajathree]

22 hours ago, mfs2k said:

I'm questioning my choice because I've never sailed on Celebrity before (although I've sailed on 12 cruises on other cruise lines) so everything is new.  Cruisecritic is awesome for learning about your trip before you go, but it also is great for instilling a little self doubt about your choices.  The boards are full of people wondering if they made the right choice about cruise lines, ships, itineraries, dates, excursions, perks, balcony categories, meal times, port or starboard, etc...  This is my time and topic to wonder and ask you guys for your input. From what I'm reading, most of you have loved it, so I will go ahead with new expectations and a positive outlook.  Thank you. 

I think you summed it up very well. Everyone will always have a different opinion on things. This is a great place to get info and do research...however sometimes too much info does exactly what you say above also...only you can determine what works best for you:)

Edited January 29, 2019 by bajathree