Elite "coffee lounge" What's this?

[barric]

Just made Elite after our May 4 Summit cruise.  I see we now get  "Access to daily coffee lounge for exclusive breakfast".  What is this?  Is it a decent perk?  I've never seen a coffee lounge around the various ships. 

 

We usually sail in Aqua class, and do get breakfast at Blu, which is quite good.  

 

Also we now get   "Complimentary Captain’s Club Daily Elite cocktail hour".  Where is this and is it anything worthwhile?

 

 

 

[Northern Aurora]

The breakfast is a casual plated continental style breakfast.  It is generally from 8 to 10 AM (if my memory is correct) and the particular location will be provided in a welcome letter from the Captain's Club host which will be in your stateroom on embarkation day.  For those who aren't interested in a hot breakfast it is a nice perk.  

 

The cocktail hour runs from 5 to 7 PM.  With the proliferation of beverage packages it isn't as popular as it once was.  Prior to the widespread beverage packages the two hours of complimentary drinks was  a popular perk.  Years ago it was generally held in the Sky Lounge with a menu of wines and limited mixed drinks.  Also servers circled with canapés.  It is now generally held in bars distributed throughout the ship.  You may have noticed the little menu tents in bars such as the Rendezvous at times.

[NutsAboutGolf]

The good news is on your next sailing they'll be flyer explaining both perks.

 

Breakfast, usually in a specialty restaurant, small continental buffet or its plated.

 

Happy Hour, it's a specific menu of cook tails, usually well drinks, a beer or two and a cheap red and white wine.  Some non-alcohol beverages included as well; many grab water to save for later

[aycee]

23 minutes ago, barric said:

Just made Elite after our May 4 Summit cruise.  I see we now get  "Access to daily coffee lounge for exclusive breakfast".  What is this?  Is it a decent perk?  I've never seen a coffee lounge around the various ships. 

 

We usually sail in Aqua class, and do get breakfast at Blu, which is quite good.  

 

Also we now get   "Complimentary Captain’s Club Daily Elite cocktail hour".  Where is this and is it anything worthwhile?

 

 

 

It's lovely ! Usually in the Tuscan Grill - nice window seats. We call in after our Blu breakfast for a pastry and a Mimosa - choice of about 4 'breakfast' alcoholic drinks plus teas and various coffees. Pastries and fruit if you didn't partake in Blu. We never had pastries in Blu - saved this for the Elite Coffee Lounge. If you didn't feel like a Blu breakfast you could have a Continental Breakfast in the lounge instead. No hot food though. A very nice perk !!

 

[jelayne]

There is no “lounge” the Captains Club events are held in various venues.  As mentioned by @Northern Aurora you will received info in your cabin with the times and location of all events.

[Luvcrusn]

Since the resumption of cruising the Elite breakfast (Coffee House) hasn't been buffet, but plated offerings that were served and on S-class and M-class ships has been held in the Tuscan Grill.

[Purplsmurf]

We are currently on Reflection and first time as Elite and we have seen nothing. I had no idea that we had to use our free 90 minutes if WiFi before the package. Also had no idea we had priority tendering. My husband and I both said that they should explain to first time elite passengers what we have. I knew that we had a free bag of laundry, but not clue how to even do it. Guess we learn for our next cruise. 

[Luvcrusn]

10 minutes ago, Purplsmurf said:

We are currently on Reflection and first time as Elite and we have seen nothing. I had no idea that we had to use our free 90 minutes if WiFi before the package. Also had no idea we had priority tendering. My husband and I both said that they should explain to first time elite passengers what we have. I knew that we had a free bag of laundry, but not clue how to even do it. Guess we learn for our next cruise. 

There should have been info in your cabin on embarkation day about Captains club events etc. As for as the bags (you get 1 bag each) of laundry, just ask your cabin steward. He/she will give you a fabric bag to use and you fill in the form and write Elite on it. 

[chemmo]

11 minutes ago, Purplsmurf said:

We are currently on Reflection and first time as Elite and we have seen nothing. I had no idea that we had to use our free 90 minutes if WiFi before the package. Also had no idea we had priority tendering. My husband and I both said that they should explain to first time elite passengers what we have. I knew that we had a free bag of laundry, but not clue how to even do it. Guess we learn for our next cruise. 

There is usually a letter in your cabin when you board. It lists the breakfast along with any other events. Often easy on boarding to miss it as being a sales leaflet or you may simply put it to one side meaning to read later…There can be events you need to phone up to say you want to attend like a wine tasting and a behind the scenes tour.

Surprised you hadn’t read about the perks on CC there have been multiple posts and one of the few things well described on the Celebrity website. Historically, pre drinks packages, a key perk was the evening cocktail event in the sky lounge with free drinks, canopies and music. Although we always had access to the suite lounge and a drinks package we loved the Captains Club events and would frequently attend. Nice venue, good company. I do understand that many like to have drinks elsewhere but it would be nice if a few ‘events’ were reinstated.

 

As others have said the breakfast makes a nice change. On S class ships it is in Tuscan with wonderful wake views. It is also open a bit later than Blu and Luminae (10am). We find it a great choice on sea days when we may have slept in and want to avoid a busy buffet.
 

The laundry is a great perk. Whilst I would never put delicate items in it is great for items you would put in a general mixed wash at home. Clothes come back folded.

 

[upwarduk]

The Elite Coffee lounge is usually in Tuscan on ‘S’ class ships.The attached picture shows the ‘Ultimate platter’ on Silhouette last summer, which my husband and I shared.

 

 

 

The menu for the Elite cocktail hour(5-7 pm). We were told by the Captain’s Club host, that there are some Premium drinks on it, so that is an extra perk for those only on the Classic package.

 

Edited May 21, 2022 by upwarduk

[laslomas]

3 hours ago, Purplsmurf said:

We are currently on Reflection and first time as Elite and we have seen nothing. I had no idea that we had to use our free 90 minutes if WiFi before the package. Also had no idea we had priority tendering. My husband and I both said that they should explain to first time elite passengers what we have. I knew that we had a free bag of laundry, but not clue how to even do it. Guess we learn for our next cruise. 

 

I was on Reflection 2nd May sailing. All the Captain's Club information was in the cabin on arrival. This may seem a silly question, but as you are newly Elite, just check your Key Card to see that it is noted for you.

 

I found the Captain's Club Hosts were very on the ball and kept us updated with any events we could attend, including a visit to the Heli-pad for an arrival and a sail-away. We had numerous messages left on the stateroom phone to remind us too. 

We had lovely breakfasts in Tuscan Grill, and a couple of cocktail parties too. Didn't bother with the laundry as I had overpacked, as usual. Try to find the Captain's Club Hostess and enjoy the benefits as they are gradually dwindling away. Have fun 😎🍸😀

[wendyam76]

4 hours ago, Luvcrusn said:

Since the resumption of cruising the Elite breakfast (Coffee House) hasn't been buffet, but plated offerings that were served and on S-class and M-class ships has been held in the Tuscan Grill.

Even pre covid it was usually plated - I love it’s available till 10am! 
Wendy

[Fly and Sail]

My recommendation: See the friendly CC concierge if you need a detailed explanation and/or haven't received the flyer on embarkation in the cabin.

[Fly and Sail]

1 minute ago, wendyam76 said:

Even pre covid it was usually plated - I love it’s available till 10am! 
Wendy

 

Especially with BLU closing down at 9am.

[PKB]

Captain's Club Tiers and  benefits chart

 

 

[NutsAboutGolf]

4 hours ago, Fly and Sail said:

 

Especially with BLU closing down at 9am.

 

It's all sit down service venues for breakfast and lunch, BLU, the MDR and Luminae are only open for 90mins.

[flifish64]

8 hours ago, Purplsmurf said:

We are currently on Reflection and first time as Elite and we have seen nothing. I had no idea that we had to use our free 90 minutes if WiFi before the package. Also had no idea we had priority tendering. My husband and I both said that they should explain to first time elite passengers what we have. I knew that we had a free bag of laundry, but not clue how to even do it. Guess we learn for our next cruise. 

Did you just qualify for Elite with the current cruise?  Elite benefits start on the cruise after the one where you reach Elite status.  Check your key card and see which status it reflects.

 

[miched]

11 hours ago, Purplsmurf said:

We are currently on Reflection and first time as Elite and we have seen nothing. I had no idea that we had to use our free 90 minutes if WiFi before the package. Also had no idea we had priority tendering. My husband and I both said that they should explain to first time elite passengers what we have. I knew that we had a free bag of laundry, but not clue how to even do it. Guess we learn for our next cruise. 

Priority tender is a joke.   Everyone has it.   Everyone in a suite has it,  those with tours are really first.  Many ships sail with 60% or more of the passengers at elite or above status.   

 

The crew has no clue if you just made elite.   There should be a paper that is in your cabin that is double sided about 4” x  10 “ that has all the Elite privileges plus the schedule of activities and events.   It can be easily overlooked in the excitement of being on board.   It is usually included in the welcome aboard package of papers that can get buried.  
 

If you can’t find it go to the Concierge or Captain Club host desk. 
 

if you have a issue with the internet talk to the ILounge attendant.   They are usually  very accommodating.

 

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅

Edited May 21, 2022 by miched

[Ex-Airbalancer]

Since Celebrity almost everyone has the drink package , hour hour and the breakfast are really irrelevant

just got off the Apex TA where the group of us all elite never once thought of the breakfast , and we did happy hour every hour 😁

[cruisestitch]

Almost everyone but not everyone— don’t overlook casino rates, military rains, travel agent rates, people who booked before always included, and now people who book with the no perks rate. For them, the two hour cocktail window is not irrelevant, Nor are the bloody Mary’s and mimosas available at the elite breakfast irrelevant.

[SueMo]

Have to disagree about priority tendering being a joke.  There have been quite a few cruises where we wanted to be off the ship asap in order to meet with a private guide.  We were not in a suite.  We asked the  CC Host where to meet and she gave us the location.  She had a walkie talkie and communicated with the people loading the tender.  When a tender had loaded an X excursion and had extra seats, we were escorted down by the hostess to the gangway.  We didn't need to go to the theater and get tender tickets and wait until our number was called, but rather rode the tender over with the X tours.  And we never had to wait more than a few minutes.  

[Shire12]

I will be cruising in a few weeks on the Solstice.  We booked the no perks rate.  Is the happy hour (we are elite) still happening at a specific time and place? I traveled earlier this year on RCL and our drinks were loaded on our  sea pass cards to be used anytime.   Just wondering if Celebrity is doing something similar.  Thanks in advance for assistance.

 

[cruisestitch]

Specific time, 5 to 7 PM, but not a specific place. You can order from the happy hour menu at various bars around the ship during that time.

[sgmn]

2 hours ago, Shire12 said:

I will be cruising in a few weeks on the Solstice.  We booked the no perks rate.  Is the happy hour (we are elite) still happening at a specific time and place? I traveled earlier this year on RCL and our drinks were loaded on our  sea pass cards to be used anytime.   Just wondering if Celebrity is doing something similar.  Thanks in advance for assistance.

 

There's not a specific lounge like RC's diamond lounge with snacks. Rather the Elite drink menu is available from most bars between 5 and 7.  There will be a list of perks in your cabin which will tell you which bars it's not available at. I don't think happy hour is available on the first night

[Shire12]

Thank you Cruisestitch and Sgmn for answering my questions.  I have a better understanding of what will take place.