Blu for group dining?

[limoncello07]

Hello, I’m considering a 3-night Caribbean itinerary on Reflection for a group of 12 adult family members (6 staterooms) celebrating a birthday.  The idea is that everyone would mostly do their own thing during the day, possibly in smaller sub-groups, but the whole group would gather for dinner. Would Blu likely be able to accommodate that size group at one table (more likely smaller tables pushed together) if we were to all book Aqua Class?  

[hcat]

this has been done... big group set up at the back..Sometimes 2 seatings of larger groups. Must arrange with maitre d  

 

Frankly,  it is disruptive to other  diners as  folks are louder with cross conversations,  and absorbs staff attention.. Other diners are pushed closer to the front ..but it still is not ideal.

 

We always try to avoid  BLU at times when a large group is there  .

 

suggest 2 smaller tables  and switch around. 

[cruise47]

Please notify the Blu Restaurant Manager asap to arrange for this group sitting.

[limoncello07]

Thank you both for the informative replies, that gives me a better sense of the restaurant scale.  I think we’ll probably go in a different direction.

[Miaminice]

They will make it work. We have seen them do it and - as @hcat mentioned - weren’t really happy about it. Groups might have fun… the people around the groups, not so much.

[Liao]

1 hour ago, limoncello07 said:

Hello, I’m considering a 3-night Caribbean itinerary on Reflection for a group of 12 adult family members (6 staterooms) celebrating a birthday.  The idea is that everyone would mostly do their own thing during the day, possibly in smaller sub-groups, but the whole group would gather for dinner. Would Blu likely be able to accommodate that size group at one table (more likely smaller tables pushed together) if we were to all book Aqua Class?  

I’m sure if you call and arrange it in advance, they will be able to accommodate you.  With the advance notice they can make the table arrangements so they are somewhat separated.  

[limoncello07]

Thanks for the additional replies.  A related question now comes to mind:  if we are booked into Aqua Class could we (by prior arrangement) eat dinner in one of the specialty restaurants without extra charge?  

[WrittenOnYourHeart]

7 minutes ago, limoncello07 said:

Thanks for the additional replies.  A related question now comes to mind:  if we are booked into Aqua Class could we (by prior arrangement) eat dinner in one of the specialty restaurants without extra charge?  

No. Specialty restaurants are for a charge except for some upper level suites.

[CHEZMARYLOU]

6 minutes ago, limoncello07 said:

Thanks for the additional replies.  A related question now comes to mind:  if we are booked into Aqua Class could we (by prior arrangement) eat dinner in one of the specialty restaurants without extra charge?  

No, specialty restaurants are not included in Aqua Class. You have to be in an upper level suite for it to be included.  

 

As far as calling in advance, not sure who you would call. Blu has several rows of 6 tables that are very close together.  They could push them together for a large table but that many people would be disruptive to other diners. Best to talk to the Maitre D upon boarding.

 

[hcat]

23 minutes ago, CHEZMARYLOU said:

No, specialty restaurants are not included in Aqua Class. You have to be in an upper level suite for it to be included.  

 

As far as calling in advance, not sure who you would call. Blu has several rows of 6 tables that are very close together.  They could push them together for a large table but that many people would be disruptive to other diners. Best to talk to the Maitre D upon boarding.

 

they generally do not push them together at the front of the  dining rm but set up a long table  at the back end..

we once went to a roll call dinner in BLU (Only guests in BLU from roll call).about 16 to 18 people..several tables... it was arranged ahead..not on a formal night...they asked us to attend early..like at 5 and added staff.

 

Very successful but perhsps a one and done  Doubt that would be possible these days.  

[mrgabriel]

I don’t think I’ve seen tables of 12 in Blu. Definitely 8 but 12?

 

Another option if you don’t want Blu is the MDR. They may more easily be able to accommodate 12. 

[miched]

Blu, MDR, Luminae, specialty restaurant.  12 at a table anywhere isn’t the best situation.  One time in Blu there was a large group.   They always sat at the 2 tops in a row that butted up to the window.   4 tables, 8 people.   Naturally there was alway the life of the party.   She would come in and announce that she was here to everyone in the dining area.  Every time one of her group came in she would greet them loud enough so everyone in  dining area knew they arrived.  She was very loud during the whole time at the table and wanted to make sure that everyone in her group was having a great time.  I was waiting for her to get up on the table and start dancing.  

 

On our last cruise we were in a suite so we were dined in Luminae.   There was a group of 8.  They all sat at one table and the organizer had name cards that were placed at random.  The group would come in look at the cards and yell who the name was at that spot.  During the whole time they were talking very loud across the table to everyone.   Fine first night and maybe the next would be different.   We liked the server and the area except for that.   It was the same on the 2nd night.   The 3rd night we asked the Maitre d to be seated in a different area because of them and it had nothing to do with the server.  He said understood as many have complained not only because of the noise but of the language being used and he talked to them about it.   We sat in a different area after.   The dining area was split in 2 different rooms by a divider. 
 

Think about having that special night in a specialty restaurant and then have to put up with a large group that destroys the intimacy.  
 

Just something to think about.  Sit at a 2 tables of 6 or 3 or 3 of 4.   You are only able to talk to the people next to you.  The other is when in a large group the dinner gets served very slow and the food isn’t always at the right temp.  It isn’t polite to start eating until everyone is served. 🤗
 

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅

[chemmo]

9 hours ago, limoncello07 said:

Hello, I’m considering a 3-night Caribbean itinerary on Reflection for a group of 12 adult family members (6 staterooms) celebrating a birthday.  The idea is that everyone would mostly do their own thing during the day, possibly in smaller sub-groups, but the whole group would gather for dinner. Would Blu likely be able to accommodate that size group at one table (more likely smaller tables pushed together) if we were to all book Aqua Class?  

In our experience the MDR can handle this sort of request much better. As others have said two tables of six may work better. With twelve guests you really can’t all join in the same conversations…
 

If you chat with the M’D in the MDR and offer to dine late he will probably manage to arrange a table for twelve for you away from others as the volume of guests in the restaurant reduces. Perhaps you could have two tables of six most nights but have one celebration night of twelve?
 

 

[kabmab]

Edge/E class ships have large group tables in their four MDRs that are sometimes set off a little bit from other tables so noisewise not as disruptive.  Still disruptive to other diners with the same wait staff.  But large groups are more easily accomodated.

[hcat]

for the Special celebration night, there might be a large alcove area in a Specialty restaurant that woud be nice.. not sure what is available on Reflection. 

 

There are more large groups these days, so shipboard  maitre ds are probably able to assist and accomodate.

[limoncello07]

Thanks for the additional replies.  The good news (from a dining perspective at least) is that we are now down to 9 people in the group, which sounds like it will be an easier-sized group to accommodate — not at Blu, but at least at the MDR and maybe one of the other restaurants.

[hcat]

dont give up on BLU..but maybe not every night as a large group!

[Oville]

45 minutes ago, hcat said:

dont give up on BLU..but maybe not every night as a large group!

It’s only 3 nights.

[hcat]

40 minutes ago, Oville said:

It’s only 3 nights.

oh.. short cruise indeed!

[keesar]

6 hours ago, hcat said:

for the Special celebration night, there might be a large alcove area in a Specialty restaurant that woud be nice.. not sure what is available on Reflection. 

 

There are more large groups these days, so shipboard  maitre ds are probably able to assist and accomodate.

There is a semi-private area in Murano that will accommodate larger groups.  In the Tuscan Grill, larger groups are accommodated in the rear on the port side.

[hcat]

1 minute ago, keesar said:

There is a semi-private area in Murano that will accommodate larger groups.  In the Tuscan Grill, larger groups are accommodated in the rear on the port side.

Good tips for OP.. and the rest of us if we ever have group needs!