Pinboy

18 hours ago, Miss Studio said:

can I change the time to something earlier, once we are onboard?  Thanks, as always, to everyone that offers advice!  

Threads re Specialty restaurant reservations come up all the time on CC, with varying opinions, suggestions, and accusations of bribery.

Our best advice came from a few ( 2 ) Maitre'ds several years ago:

Here's how it was explained -----It's a " System ". 

( Keep in mind they work for tips ).

Go to the restaurant as soon as you board---

Ask the Maitre'd about changing your time.

Know that they hold back some prime times for suite passengers.

If the Maitre'd tells you there is no space at the time you want, then asks for your cabin number " in case a slot comes open "--- there's your clue.

Tell him " Excellent ,hope you can help us out "--

Before you know it, ring, ring -- " Good news -- we had a cancellation and can accommodate you etc, etc".

Show up, say " Thank You $$ " and enjoy your meal.

If you want to go back again you won't have a problem getting a good time.

To me, that's not a bribe and well worth a few extra $$ on the cost of the cruise.

( Better than spending $20 on some crap t shirts, spices, knock-off perfume, or " another " I LOVE ARUBA beach towel ).

3 hours ago, renebfl said:

We just ended our Reflection transatlantic cruise.  We didn’t know until day 5, you had to ask what special is offered in the main dining room.  (not listed on the menu or told by wait staff).    It was never mentioned by our waiter.  

Hard to believe that they had a " Special " every night and the Waiter didn't tell you. 

What then would be the purpose of having a " Special " ?

If I might add:

We were asked on several cruises (by the Maitre'd ) if there was something not on the menu that we would like and took advantage of the offer from time to time.

He had it for us the next night.

We have always found the service very good , except, ( LOL ) the time our Waiter forgot to bring my 3 shrimp cocktails at the same time.

2 hours ago, mickey89 said:

So the correct answer should be YES, the OP can adjust their gratuities to suit their situation.

No offence meant ( gotta cover my butt and be nice, oops, " politically correct " and not offend anyone )--

Anyone ( that wants to) WILL find a reason to remove all the Gratuities !!

Adjust them " to suit their situation " ?? 

Here's a suggestion---- Remove the gratuities---Bring the Staff some souvenirs from home, like a key chain or a stuffed teddy bear, or even a fruit cake--- that'll do it.

4 hours ago, Miss Studio said:

1---Will I be required to make a reservation once on board?

2---Are there a limited amount of “day” passes available?  

3---with tiled loungers, co-Ed steam, rain shower

4---we could use same-sex steam room

1-- No reservation required

2-- No--- However, they do sell a Pass that can be used any day, any time , as much as you like for the entire cruise. 

3--Tiled loungers-- people are requested to only use them for 20 minutes--- It doesn't happen-- Some folks read books, do crossword puzzles, listen to music, sleep/snore etc.

4-- Did you mean " we could use some (?) sex in the steam room ?

WHAT ?? No sex permitted in the steam room !!

24 minutes ago, 1Virgo said:

locking in the promos  at the time being offered.

" locking in promos " ?

Not so sure about that.

From what I understand you only get what is offered at the time you book.

15 hours ago, 1Virgo said:

We bought a Future Cruise Credit

" Future Cruise Credit " ? 

I'm not sure if it's the same as their " Book NOW or Book LATER " Certificate /Program, which we have purchased a few times on board and used with no difficulty.

The benefits are:

Lower deposit ( $100 per person )

6 months to book a cruise or your money is refunded

Based on the number of nights of the cruise and the accommodation booked an amount of additional ( over what the price includes ) OBC is applied.

If it is the same as what you refer to, there is nothing that I can see about AI and in the small writing on the back of the form there is a provision that Celebrity reserves the right to make changes at anytime without prior notice.

15 minutes ago, chemmo said:

I love the humour in many of your posts.  I value your contributions. I expect you to value the opinions of myself and others with a different viewpoint without needing to see us as ‘bad’ or ‘thoughtless’ cruisers which is the implication I took from your comment

Thank you for your compliment re my posts. Appreciate it. 

Of course we might have different viewpoints on some Threads-- No big deal.

Never implied or thought you or anyone on CC was " bad "--- some maybe a little " thoughtless " in comments posted or Threads started. 

No need to list any, but, some Threads are just --- I better leave it at that.

1 hour ago, chemmo said:

I find your remark a little offensive

why do you have to assume I am a nonconformist? 

No offence intended---

Did not refer to or quote anyone.

My comment---"I get the impression that some of the posters "

2 hours ago, horseymike said:

We don’t go to the kids club.

Some of the bars are empty at times too.

Very good-- Keep the kids out of the Solarium!!

I get the impression that some of the posters on this thread that would allow kids in the Solarium don't follow the Dress Code and remove Gratuities ( I'll decide who to tip).

I'm not sure if they are the ones who taste food at the buffet while pushing their way around.

LOL--- about the hot tubs---- I think the bubbles are caused by etc etc. 

1 hour ago, Salf777 said:

We have Murano booked already thanks!

is Lawn Club better than Tuscan Grill? It’s only a 4 nighter to try out the ship as we have never been on. We are doing retreat so we want 2 nights at the retreat restaurant 

The “ experience “ is different in both .

Each has its own ambiance, however we prefer The Lawn Club Grill because of the outdoor setting and don’t forget their “ famous “ warm chocolate chip cookie topped with ice cream desert. 
If you hear of someone that eats 2 , that’s me .

The service throughout the ship is excellent.

Perhaps a longer cruise next time which will give you a better overall impression.

16 minutes ago, Salf777 said:

First time sailing on the Silhouette

Suggestion re Specialty dining:

If you don't mind spending a few $$ in Specialty restaurants, I would recommend:

1--- Murano--- French service.

2--- Lawn Club Grill --- Outdoor setting at the top of the ship.

Both for us are " outstanding " ( service, selection, food ) and worth the money.

I don't think you will be disappointed.

1 hour ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

 

Well...

 

Don't need no studies, don't need no articles, don't need no surveys, don't need no nothing !!

Just open you eyes and see how long some of the " old farts " are in the hot tub or pool without getting out !!! 

4 minutes ago, Jeremiah1212 said:

1---snoring that will rattle the windows from those taking their 6 hour morning nap

2---screamers in the hot tubs

1---That's called " Celebrity Olympics " and takes place every afternoon between 2-4pm

2--- That's permitted -- Ya can't get hearing aides wet and besides everyone around the pool wants to hear that your Waiter forgot to bring your 3 shrimp cocktails at the same time, and if it happens again, etc etc.

No kids, No loud music , No loud videos on computers, No nude sunbathers ,

Every one of the above is tooooo distracting !!

24 minutes ago, miched said:

Don’t need to listen to the officers or staff telling us how much they value our loyalty and etc. 

" bragging that they are members of Cruise Critic as if that makes them an authority on cruising"

 It's all part of the " Game " ( duty, responsibility, job, whatever ). 

LOL--- You know as well as we all do, there are some Threads posted that certainly do not appear to be from any " authority " on cruising. I'd love to mention some of my favorites, but better not for fear of being sent back to the woodshed

Land of Ice, Snow, and Potholes --- Montreal ????

18 minutes ago, miched said:

Personally the comment about being able to associate with other elite and above guests claiming to have the same passion for sailing doesn’t apply to me.    I am vey content and happy meeting and talking to anyone even if they aren’t Elite or above. 😱   

Exactly--- On all our cruises nobody ever asked nor did we ask anyone " What status level are you"?  

As a matter of fact, we met many people on cruises and nobody ever asked if we read CC.

As for HH, wherever they have it, that's fine with me -- ( Diet coke, appetizers = perfect ).

As for the " Mix and Mingle  "--- Are we expected to " reveal " (?? ) our name ?

If so, I couldn't take the chance--- just in case ----

3 hours ago, peachcreamsicle said:

My husband and I are excited to experience the perks bestowed upon Elite status cruise

Really ???

To spend all that money to receive a few perks ----- that might change at any time?

We " graduated " to Elite a few yrs ago--- nothing to get " excited " ( as you say ) about.

Suggestion : Wanna get " excited " ?? Go to Centre St Deli ( was there twice when in Toronto ) for a great meal and mingle with some of the Toronto " Elites "---- more fun than having a few mini canapes with a Jr Officer, a free bag of laundry , or a scoop of gelato.

LOL--- "Elite" sounds better than it is---- I believe 80-90 % of the passengers are Elite or higher on most cruises . 

FYI--- We enjoyed every one of our Celebrity cruises --- Food, Service , Cleanliness of the ships, met very nice people--- etc .

35 minutes ago, mayleeman said:

 

You have now many many more comments about the whole tomato complaint than the complainer did. Would you mind putting it to rest? We get it.

"Would you mind putting it to rest "?

You are correct---Agree--- Enough already----Will do.

( LOL-- It came to me when I saw the " lemon " inquiry ).

Movin on !!

There's lemons everywhere on the ship, so not to worry. 

Put some in your fridge and add a plate of shrimps/sauce --uumm good !!

Now, If you want to bring " round tomatoes "--- that's a different " story "--- but, don't.

( Whatcha gonna tell your family/friends when you get home earlier than expected after being denied boarding for " smuggling " tomatoes )?

LOL---A few weeks ago someone posted a thread about " No round tomatoes , blah, blah ".

Luckily, a long time contributor to CC noticed it and suggested  " Just ask for one ".

3 hours ago, Oceangoer2 said:

some already think Canadians are a bunch of northern hicks...

A smart answer isn't necessarily a smart answer....😉

Ya callin me a "hick" ??

Just because I got " sucked " in and tipped a Maitre'd $200 ( US ) and got a table at 9:30pm?

He " found " us a beautiful location--- right outside the kitchen door .

I overheard him laughing about some hick from Canada wanted a reservation at 9:30 pm, etc etc .

I see ya live in Southern Ontario--- my guess--- Thunder Bay.

10 hours ago, NMTraveller said:

So when you get a traffic ticket and go to court,  do you also tip the judge??? 🤣

LOL---That's a " Good One "-- 

Where I live we don't get traffic tickets here---

A Red light is only a " suggestion" to stop if you have time, Yellow light means " speed up ", and Green light means " keep your peddle to the metal ".

1 hour ago, Oceangoer2 said:

Hi Pinbory....I was waiting for your always interesting reply...LOL.  You'll never know what might have happened if you hadn't 'crossed the palm'....maybe still would have had your reservation but these folks are not going to say 'no sir...we can't accept that'.  On the other hand I did observe a hostess being plied with $$s in order to receive a 'good' table in the MDR...of all places.  She did exactly that....wouldn't accept and the fellow looked a little embarrassed as we were all overhearing while standing and waiting for OUR table.

"I was waiting for your always interesting reply...LOL"---- always interesting ????  ( LOL )

" if you hadn't 'crossed the palm' "---It was kind of implied and understood when he asked for our cabin number and I said " We'd appreciate it--- Do your best ".

"maybe still would have had your reservation "--- most likely, but who knows what kind of service we would have received or what if we wanted to dine there again ?

"wouldn't accept and the fellow looked a little embarrassed as we were all overhearing while standing and waiting for OUR table------That's an easy one----She wouldn't accept because you were standing there. My guess--- She gave him a " good " table and after dinner ( when you were not there ) I'll bet he " twisted her arm " and she accepted his " Thank You " ( $$ ).

On 10/22/2023 at 6:59 AM, IDL said:

do we need to go to each individual restaurant we want to book. 

Oh Boy-- I know I'm going to be scolded again and accused of bribing.

As soon as you board go to the Specialty restaurant(s) to make reservations.

Just as on land in an upscale restaurant the Maitre'd " controls " the reservation system.

It's a " game "---

On occasion we were told :

" We are all booked up, but, IF you leave your name and cabin number, perhaps we can find something for you ". 

Our answer :

" Oh, that would be very nice and we'd appreciate that-- Do your best ".

Before you know it :

Ring, ring, " We had a cancellation ( ?? ) and can accommodate you at xx time ".

Show up, shake hands, transfer a few $$ from palm to palm---everybody's happy.

To me, it's all a part of the "system " and a few extra $$ makes no difference, but adds to our enjoyment.

( No disrespect to those who disagree ).

8 hours ago, cachouonacruise said:

I am not sure which chip wagon you are referring to, but if it's Laberge's, sadly it closed a few years ago. This said, Châteauguay, as you know, is neither big nor fancy, and despite the arrival of multiple restaurants from asian, east-asian food culture, we still have quite a few good spots for hamburgers, hot-dogs, fries and poutines...better than the Mast Grill. Lol! 

LOL-- I can't remember the name, but ,I do remember a Madame Chartrand at a chip wagon-- 

Let me tell all of our CC friends---- She was the "Best "-- never measured anything ( the size of her burgers, the amount of fries or chou ( coleslaw), always in a good mood --- Unless it was taking too long to decide what you wanted. Ok, so she had a bit (??) of trouble with her English---as an example--she couldn't say " Coffee Crisp " ( chocolate bar )---- always said " Coffee CRIPS "----no big deal. What a great memory !!

On 10/20/2023 at 9:58 AM, PTC DAWG said:

The asking a crew member to dinner mentioned above sounds a little creepy to me…YMMV. 
 

I think they would rather have the CASH. 

Agree 100%-- and besides, I was under the impression that Crew members were not permitted to socialize with passengers. 

In fact, I believe a CCer was banned from Celebrity for something like that, but, I could be wrong.