Is It Worth It ?

[mrbill62]

Taking a cruise on the Infinity in Sept. Is the specialty dining at $30.00 per person worth It? Thanks for the feed back. Mrbill tracy ca

[drfun48]

Without a doubt.

[Friscorays]

I think so as well. Here is another thread with additional thoughts and menus:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=791084&highlight=united+states

[emptynest1]

We loved it and have reserved a night for our next cruise.

The food is great, but the service was even better.

[Sky Sweet]

Taking a cruise on the Infinity in Sept. Is the specialty dining at $30.00 per person worth It? Thanks for the feed back. Mrbill tracy ca

 

Hi mrbill :)

 

Yes, it is worth it because the food and service in Celebrity's specialty restaurants are significantly superior to their main dining room.

 

However, some of their wines are very overpriced and every time we order wine in their specialty restaurant they try to convince us to buy a more expensive one. This isn't a big deal because we just order what we want anyway, but I find it to be comparable to the people at their spa who diminish the enjoyment of a wonderful spa treatment by trying to sell me products that I don't want.

[jerseygirl3]

I think the specialty restaurants are well worth it.

[Seahorse44]

Definitely worth it - for me I can't come near eating it all, so if I could I'd take a big doggie bag of all those fantastic cheeses I'd be a happy camper!

[Bowie MeMe]

Everybody gets to choose what they like. Me I think the food in the main dining room is MUCH better than anything I usually get and is indeed fancy compared to what the Dr./nutritionist insists I should be eating. I don't drink alchol (same Dr. messed with that too:rolleyes: ) and I sort of worry about which fork etc. so maybe this would not be my choice but for those who love it -- great! I hope everybody gets exactly what they want from the cruise and love the choices they made. So many ways to be happy and each person gets to define happy.

[Pat.bz]

Love specialty dining! Have done it multiple times on Millie and Infinity (and will miss that it isn't available on Galaxy). If your party is 6 (or you can find others to pair up with) reserve the wine cellar in these venues at least once. Over Xmas our 2 families included 2 teen boys (one a picky eater) and the cellar was perfect (their enthusiasm didn't distract other diners). Last year after our B2B on Millie we did a mth in Europe which included a Michelin rated French restaurant; the Olympic restaurant on Millie was nearly as good food-wise and the service was better!

[Karynanne]

Love specialty dining! Have done it multiple times on Millie and Infinity (and will miss that it isn't available on Galaxy). If your party is 6 (or you can find others to pair up with) reserve the wine cellar in these venues at least once. Over Xmas our 2 families included 2 teen boys (one a picky eater) and the cellar was perfect (their enthusiasm didn't distract other diners). Last year after our B2B on Millie we did a mth in Europe which included a Michelin rated French restaurant; the Olympic restaurant on Millie was nearly as good food-wise and the service was better!

 

Pat, I rarely compare land restaurants to ship restaurants...but the Speciality Restaurants on the M-Class ships are very, very good.

 

We have a restaurant locally (Walnut Creek, CA.) that has a wonderful French Restaurant. It's called Le Bistro. I found out that the owner/chef was one of the original chef's that worked with Michel Roux on the Galaxy. When we dine at this resturant it is by far much, much more than the $30/pp.

Personally I feel that the level of dining at the Specialty Restaurants is worth more than their charged amounts.

[madelinerose]

We plan to try every specialty restaurant on Equinox. :)

[as41shots]

.... and I sort of worry about which fork etc. so maybe this would not be my choice but for those who love it -- great!....

Fret not, Bowie.

 

Simple rule... you work from the outside, in.

 

Start with the fork furthest to the left for the first course, then move right.

 

Easy as pie. They might even bring a new fork for that. :D

[oavcech95]

Hi, I will also be boarding the Infinity for December. I will be 14 nights with 2 kids and me, does anyone knows how many nights does it value to reserve in the special restaurant.

And for Christmas and New Year, is there anything special? it costs?

 

Thanks.

Oscar,

[dkjretired]

Taking a cruise on the Infinity in Sept. Is the specialty dining at $30.00 per person worth It? Thanks for the feed back. Mrbill tracy ca

 

Mr. Bill:

 

Don't equate it to land based restaurants just make it a special night on the cruise. It is well worth it and will make your overall experience much better. Look at it like an excursion.

[emptynest1]

I forgot to mention, along with the wonderful food and impeccable service, the ladies will be escorted to the rest room should they need to refresh.

Way cool.:D

I have to say the whole experience was very special.

[cruise kitty]

It is so worth it! Not only is the food wonderful, but the presentation, the wine pairings and the service is excellent!

[Karynanne]

I forgot to mention, along with the wonderful food and impeccable service, the ladies will be escorted to the rest room should they need to refresh.

Way cool.:D

I have to say the whole experience was very special.

 

LOL...I do remember the first time I was "escorted". I didn't know whether to be flattered, or did they just think I couldn't find my way there on my own!

In either case, it is a lovely gesture.

[oavcech95]

Hi, I will also be boarding the Infinity for December. I will be 14 nights with 2 kids and me, does anyone knows how many nights does it value to reserve in the special restaurant.

And for Christmas and New Year, is there anything special? it costs?

 

Thanks.

Oscar,

 

Anyone, help, please.:confused: :D :mad: ;)

[Friscorays]

Anyone, help, please.:confused: :D :mad: ;)

 

I believe that you can make an online reservation now:

 

 

http://www.celebritycruises.com/dining/product/detail/view.do;jsessionid=00009xepsv5cOXE-t1OK25c8vBz:12hdbcveb?ProductCode=SS+UDINNER&componentType=3&currencyCode=USD&shipCode=IN

 

And a link to frequently asked questions (with answers):

 

http://www.celebritycruises.com/beforeyourcruise/faq/subject.do;jsessionid=00009xepsv5cOXE-t1OK25c8vBz:12hdbcveb?faqSubjectName=Specialty+Dining&pagename=faq_questions

 

One thing to note in particular is that your children must be at least 14 to dine in the Infinity specialty restaurant.

[Denny01]

We'd sailed a number of times with Celebrity, but hadn't used the Specialty Restaurants - loved the main dining. I thought it had excellent quality and choice, and wasn't rushed as can be attested to the 2hr dining experince many nights - great service and fine conversation with tablemates.

 

On our last two cruises on Constellation and Summit, tried the specialty and had a fantastic time. We will probably go one night each cruise from here on.

 

I was one of those types that when asked if there was a good restaurant in port, I'd point back at the ship and say "there is the best restaurant in town, and it's free!". Still think that is true, but will now add one night a cruise - on our upcoming Solstice, it could be a challenge!

 

Denny

[CathyCruises]

Well, for a slightly different opinion, I did enjoy the experience--but the service is so over the top that it's more akin to theatre! We had to stop ourselves from snickering at the somewhat pompous nature of the whole thing!! For instance, when they bring the entree, two waiters appear, and on cue and in unison, they lavishly remove the silver dome from your plate--ta da!! Now, I have eaten at some great restaurants, most of the outstanding restaurants in San Francisco for instance, and never have I seen such a production. But if you enjoy that kind of thing and appreciate it, definitely go!

 

Also, we got sneakily upgraded on wine--we ordered a moderately priced bottle, and the sommelier kind of sniffed and recommended another choice--I asked about the price and he said it was the same--turned out to be almost twice as much--so beware. I heard the same thing from other diners so I guess it is company policy. I won't make the same mistake next time--but will be interested to see if they attempt to upsell me! As in anything, it's "let the buyer beware"!

 

;) Cathy

[Sky Sweet]

Well, for a slightly different opinion, I did enjoy the experience--but the service is so over the top that it's more akin to theatre! We had to stop ourselves from snickering at the somewhat pompous nature of the whole thing!! For instance, when they bring the entree, two waiters appear, and on cue and in unison, they lavishly remove the silver dome from your plate--ta da!! Now, I have eaten at some great restaurants, most of the outstanding restaurants in San Francisco for instance, and never have I seen such a production. But if you enjoy that kind of thing and appreciate it, definitely go!

 

Also, we got sneakily upgraded on wine--we ordered a moderately priced bottle, and the sommelier kind of sniffed and recommended another choice--I asked about the price and he said it was the same--turned out to be almost twice as much--so beware. I heard the same thing from other diners so I guess it is company policy. I won't make the same mistake next time--but will be interested to see if they attempt to upsell me! As in anything, it's "let the buyer beware"!

 

;) Cathy

 

Hi Cathy :)

 

We had a similar experience the first time we dined at their specialty restaurant. However, we were told that they would give us a much better wine, which was more expensive than what we asked for, at the same price, but when we got our bill we were charged its regular price.

 

That was the last time we ordered wine based on their suggestion. Since that experience we always insist on getting the wine we asked for, no matter how hard they try to push a more expensive wine on us.

[bobbyleduck]

Well, for a slightly different opinion, I did enjoy the experience--but the service is so over the top that it's more akin to theatre! We had to stop ourselves from snickering at the somewhat pompous nature of the whole thing!! For instance, when they bring the entree, two waiters appear, and on cue and in unison, they lavishly remove the silver dome from your plate--ta da!! Now, I have eaten at some great restaurants, most of the outstanding restaurants in San Francisco for instance, and never have I seen such a production. But if you enjoy that kind of thing and appreciate it, definitely go!

 

Also, we got sneakily upgraded on wine--we ordered a moderately priced bottle, and the sommelier kind of sniffed and recommended another choice--I asked about the price and he said it was the same--turned out to be almost twice as much--so beware. I heard the same thing from other diners so I guess it is company policy. I won't make the same mistake next time--but will be interested to see if they attempt to upsell me! As in anything, it's "let the buyer beware"!

 

;) Cathy

 

Thank you for saying what I was trying to say, but in a much more diplomatic way.

 

No, it isn't worth it, for all of the reasons Cathy mentioned.

 

Happy cruising to all who can still afford to cruise (and fly)!

 

Bob

[Drifting Happily]

We just got back from our first cruise with Celebrity on the Constellation. After enjoying specialty dining on both Princess and Carnival, we gave it a try on the Constellation. And I have to say I agree with CathyCruises. The service was over the top--except I didn't get escorted to the bathroom! And the food was mediocre, especially the highly recommended chocolate souffle! Though I did really enjoy the cheese course. We were much happier in the dining room.

[Cruisenouvelle]

IMHO - it's worth it! We dined in the Olympic earlier this year. I cannot speak to Celebrity's other specialty restaurants, but we were treated 'famously' (although not fawned over) and the cuisine was indeed a step above. One of our tablemates in the main dining room groused that for what the cruise cost him, he should be able to get Olympic- quality beef - and perhaps that's true. But my husband said the difference between the cuts was noticeable. I will also offset negative sommelier experiences - the suggested wine pairing for my entree' was one that I don't care for. Our sommelieuse tactfully suggested a Riesling, which I loved - and it was less expensive, not more.

So - if you pass it up, you'll still have great meals. But if you do it, enjoy!!