Pinboy

We always choose " Anytime Dining " when we make the reservation.

As soon as the reservation is confirmed, activate Cruise Planner , then scroll down to Dining Packages and select Complimentary Dining. We are then able to reserve a time for each night of the cruise in the MDR. There is no option to reserve a table for two, or, whatever.

On the first night we arrive on time and request a table for two ( learned that lesson years ago !! We do enjoy chatting with folks nearby , though ) .

Never had a problem getting a table for two and as we left were asked if we would like the same wait staff in the future ( always did ).

I believe they do it for a few reasons :

1--- The Servers get to know your likes/dislikes and makes it a little more personable during the cruise. ( We also enjoy chatting with any Staff member on board--- always nice to show them that we care and appreciate their service ).

2--- Because you have the same folks serving you every night, they are more likely to receive an extra few $$ at the end of the cruise. It's well deserved and appreciated.

( There are always those that use the old " Don't show up for dinner on the last night trick " to avoid giving a few extra $$ to the people that served them all cruise---- One day I'll express my opinion about them ).

1 hour ago, davekathy said:

Couldn't help myself. Some post are too ridiculous not to comment on. 🙄

LOL--- I " contribute " one post today, adding a little humor, and you gotta kick me in the, oops, ---- Is that nice ? 

1 minute ago, davekathy said:

Since the XYZ ship hasn't been put in to service yet,  your question can't be answered.

Congratulations !!! I knew it !!! You are the first to reply to the XYZ ship--

OK, now---- Who is your fav---- oops, forget it !!

22 hours ago, mahdnc said:

BTW, some really nice rice cookers can set you back over $1000.

$1000 is a bargain ! My rice cooker costs a hell of a lot more --- but, came with a pretty face.

A more important thread--- I was wondering---- saw it posted many times on CC---

Do YOU think we " might " hear any noise if our room was under the pool deck, the OVC, or the theater on the XYZ ship ??? 

13 minutes ago, Wineaux007 said:

You have to wait for the FCC to be sent to you.  Ours took around a month.  Once I received it, I sent it to our TA to have it applied to a currently booked sailing.  

That's very good to know.

I always thought a NRD ( say $900 ) is totally Non-refundable. But it appears that only $200 is taken off and the balance of $700 is returned as a FCC which can be applied to a future booking or a current booking that hasn't been paid if full.

Is that correct , or am I missing " something " ?

Thank you.

13 hours ago, Wineaux007 said:

We recently cancelled a non-refundable cruise with a $900 deposit.  We lost $200 and $700 was refunded as a FCC which we applied to a future sailing we had booked.

Thank you for that--- Excellent to know.

So, if we have 2 cruises booked with Non-refundable deposits( $900 each ) and cancel one, we would only lose $200 and the $700 balance can be added to the other cruise ( already booked ) as part of the Final Payment ?

1 hour ago, Bo1953 said:

One can always ask for either of those desserts each day if they do not appear on the menu and one evening you may be surprized that it magically appears....

 

So not to fret if not on the menu....

 

bon appetit and bon voyage

" one can always ask " ------ Absolutely !!

Example:

On our recent cruise ( March ) on the Edge the Maitre'd in the Normandie Dining Room came by our table ( for 2 ) every night and asked if there was " anything " we might like other than what was on the menu. One night we requested, if possible , chichen schnitzel at some time during the cruise ---- He served it to us the next night.

Overall, we found the service and food ( choices and taste ) on the Edge exceptionally good.

Bye the way, the Normandie dining room's Beef Tenderloin was superb-- ( on occasion 2 servings " hit the spot " ) , followed by crème brulé for desert.

3 minutes ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

 

Never tried it but to my surprise, and IDK if this is a normal thing, they let you get many entrees at no extra charge.  I considered the burger to try it yet ultimately skipped

The Rooftop Garden I'm referring to is a Specialty Restaurant ( extra charge ) on the Edge.

Order as many appetizers, main courses , deserts as you want--- they now add an 18% gratuity.

The food and service is excellent-- 

On 5/24/2023 at 2:20 PM, NutsAboutGolf said:

 

From the Rooftop Garden Grill and as @davekathy stated it's arugula 

Why would anyone order a burger at the Rooftop Garden Grill when there are so many other options to select from ?

It's arugula on the burger or is it from Arugula ?  We have a cruise booked to Arugula in 2025 and waiting to hear who the Captain will be on our ship.

I posted awhile ago, if ya want a " great " burger go to Madame Chartrand's World ( ?? ), ok, Quebec famous chip stand--- don't forget to bring an English to French translation dictionary or better still just point at what the people in front of you ordered.

( Her tip jar does accept $US ).

On 5/23/2023 at 8:34 AM, njsmom said:

but luggage tags are still "pending" - when do those become available?

Suggestion : Don't give it another minute of thought---The Porters at the dock will put them on for you.

LOL--- Don't forget to say Thank You ( $$ ).

If I may ? Another " suggestion " because it's your first Celebrity cruise:

Don't get " hung up " on some of the negative posts on CC regarding "food" in particular--- 

We have always found the food ----and service excellent.

4 hours ago, CU64 said:

You might want to take a class in “ boundaries.”

What " boundaries " are you referring to ? Explain .

If there was anything in post #7 that was not within the accepted Guidelines , the Moderator would have removed it. 

1 hour ago, gold1953 said:

lol.. We get a lot of free 5 minute massages and never book

YOU get a lot of free 5 minute massages and never book ???

Really ??? Ummm , are we thinking of the same thing ?? 

As for me, look at the $$ I saved because she told me that the " Special discount " was only for our cruise !  How lucky can you get ?? 

She also told me I would look " years " younger if I applied some smelly "stuff " for 48 ( or was it 480 ) days after the cruise. Didn't work--- must have been past it's " best before date " .

Lastly, she kinda " hinted " for a tip ----there goes another $25. 

Every time Captain ( didn't know his name ) walked by I was worried he would accuse me of taking advantage of the Spa Attendant with my " negotiating skills " (??). 

15 minutes ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

Another is when one buys their S.O. a top with pineapples (the S.O. has no idea what pineapples mean) and convinces them to wear it on the first day of the sailing

That's the best laugh I've read on CC !!!!!!

LOL--- Makin " fun " of my S.O is not nice--- Who do I report you to ??

Just for that -- I hope you 4 putt on the 18th hole with a bunch of $$$ on the line !!!!

1 hour ago, DLWood said:

Do we get extra discounts for massage appointments or will there be sales on board?  

Warning :

Beware of the " Free Five Minute Massage " offered every day around the pool by the Spa Attendants.

You will be up-sold to $450 in all kinds of treatments-- most you won't know what they are--And, she will " guarantee " you will feel better etc, etc.(the stuff does smell nice) ---

Plus, on this cruise they have a " Special Discount " , blah, blah blah.

Because I am a "great negotiator " ( ?? ) she let me "off the hook " with only $357 ( $US ) added to our account !! 

So, when I returned to my stateroom and told " you know who "---- forget that part !!!

On 5/20/2023 at 7:59 PM, keesar said:

 

How about the question that has not been asked in a week or so...   "Are there self-service washers and dryers on Celebrity ships?"  

Hey Partner---more " important " stuff to worry about prior to the cruise:

What to do if my luggage tags don't arrive in time ?

How many wall plugs are there in suite 2085 ?

Can we wear shorts, tank tops, and flip flops on formal nights because " I'M " more comfortable like that and don't give a #*&@ about others?

Are tips included in room service at 2 am when we feel like 4 burgers, chocolate chip cookies, fries, diet cokes, etc ?

What trinkets should I bring from home as souvenirs for our stateroom attendant.

On our last cruise the cabin beside us had cute little pineapple sticker decorations hanging upside down on their door -- anyone know where to get 'em ? 

And, don't forget---( Everyone's favorite )--

Who's the etc, etc on our cruise in etc,etc  in ( I just couldn't help that one ) !!!!!

1 hour ago, EatonDoolittle said:

Chill!

This is exactly what I mean about the correcting/scolding done here.

Kindly re-read the post--I believe you over-reacted to it.

No intent to offend anyone.

38 minutes ago, EatonDoolittle said:

It's bound to get a lot of publicity. 

 

Why ? Is that what Celebrity and a few customers think is a brilliant " marketing strategy" ?

Why all the interest of who the Captain on a cruise ship is scheduled to be ?

What do you do if there are changes ? 

Over the years we have met many Captains---- all very approachable and exceptionally well trained in customer relations. 

Isn't it too bad that we have to " remind " people to tip.

I am not referring to anyone in particular---- Only those that use " Gratuities Included " as an excuse--- a good example is room service delivery. How anyone can order a " pile of food "and not give the delivery person a few $$ is just not right------ Ok, Ok , I get it---- who am I to tell you what to do.

Guess why Celebrity added 18% gratuity to the Specialty restaurants ??

1 hour ago, drakes2 said:

There are many rude guests on a cruise.

You noticed ???? 

This ( Rude guests on a cruise ) would make a good thread for discussion on CC.

LOL-- Maybe not as many pages as " Who's the Captain on our cruise in December 2025 " --- " Here's some pictures of our dinner last night "---- " My luggage tags are lost in the mail --Now what do you suggest I do " ?

On 5/15/2023 at 8:06 AM, cruisestitch said:

They aren’t supposed to be there, and if you see one, flag down a passing officer to have a quick word with the parents

A " passing officer " is always with a phone to his/her/them ear so as not to be disturbed.

A pool attendant is usually picking up towels that people are too lazy to return to the bin.

So, yell " Hey, can't ya read the sign " and point at them.

That will work.

( Caution----- look at the size of them first--- you might change your mind and look the other way like most of us will ).

I don't see any upside-down pineapples on any door .

No wonder Carnival " fun-seekers "  call us Celebrity cruisers " boring ".

3 hours ago, CruisinShips said:

Other than that people don't know an attempt at humor when they see one? 😉

" an attempt at humor " ???

LOL--- From where I come from ----A pretty poor "attempt" --- A " troll " could do better.

Not to insult anyone ( as per the Guidelines of CC ), but, no way this thread will get the number of posts as " Who's the Captain on the XYZ in May 2026 " ???

38 minutes ago, jwlane said:

Yes.  

Agree 100%-- the only disadvantage could be room selection, or, on the other hand there might be last minute cancellations which could benefit you.

"Never travelled on Celebrity " ---Ok-FYI :

Being in Aqua class, you have a dining room exclusively for Aqua class guests , which provides an any time dining option. You are still able to go to the MDR ( Main Dining Room ) or book Specialty dining ( extra charge + 18% gratuity ).

Regarding " the best excursions "--- there really is no such thing as there are many to choose from and not everyone is interested in the same one. 

LOL--- Unless you are looking for Belly Flop or Who Can Drink 9 Bottles of Beer in Less than 3 Minutes contests, you will enjoy Celebrity as we have for many years.

8 hours ago, 4-2-N-8 said:

Alas, you have allayed my fears, though no less a concern still for the required body language. This I must study.

LOL--- No University requirements necessary-- just a little smile and a " Thanks for your help ".

" Sometimes " I got the feeling that a few $$ at the time would " seal the deal " and it worked.

No bribe, just a little "incentive" to find us a table.

41 minutes ago, 4-2-N-8 said:

 

42 minutes ago, 4-2-N-8 said:

Where are you from?

CANADA-- Why ???