Pinboy

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 ".

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.

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 ".

"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 " ( $$ ).

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 ).

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 !!

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.

Very difficult for any of us to answer what you should do. We all have different priorities, and situations depending on " issues " ( family, health, work, financial, etc ). For us re cruising, we have a few cruises planned in the winter and to ensure we don't have travel problems ( snow storms, flight cancellations, etc ) we always go to our cruise destination a few days ahead of time. LOL-- Years ago I heard about a motel in Ft Lauderdale---they even discount the room by 50% if you stay the whole night. So, I suggested it to " You know who " ---- any guesses where we didn't stay ? Châteauguay, Qc---- I think I played golf there " years " ago---Is that great chip wagon close by still there ? ( Burgers, fries, poutine , hot dogs -- better than the Mast Grill )

That's the best post on " tipping ", and exactly what we do. Being non-drinkers, and don't stay in a suite---- It's our pleasure to tip our cabin Steward, Waiter, Asst Waiter, and Maitre'd "if" he/she ( Maitre'd ) did something extra ( have a meal prepared for us that is not on the menu )--- never ahead of time, always on the last day of the cruise and thank him/her for their excellent service. What's a few extra $$ in the overall cost of the cruise? If I posted my thoughts about " I prepaid my gratuities and don't tip any extra ", or " I remove the gratuities and tip who I want ", or " In my Country tipping is not , etc etc " my post would be deleted.

Not mentioned yet---- If you plan to go to any Specialty restaurant, go there asap as prime times get filled up very quickly. They do hold space for suite passengers which limits prime time availability. Suggestion --- For a nice relaxing lunch try the Spa Cafe in the Solarium pool area instead of the " Zoo " in the OVC. Not as much selection, but, very adequate.

So many different opinions. On the Edge, we enjoyed the choice of the 4 MDRs and found the food, the service and the menu very good-- nothing to complain about. As a matter of fact, one night the Maitre'd asked if there was something that we might like that was not on the menu and he had it prepared for us the next night. As for the Specialty restaurants, they all seemed similar to what we can get at home, except the Rooftop Gardens, and it was excellent. LOL-- Off Subject: We had a very nice cabin in which we could not find the verandah-- Our Cabin Steward pointed to a 3 ft extension to the room and lowered the window halfway down--- That's it ???? On a recent thread re Cruise Directors--- Can't comment--- Don't care--- We don't participate in the Newlywed game, the Art Auction, or where the best deals are in port , you know, the places that provide the Cruise Line with a " Thank You $$ ". Now, waiting for another " Who's the Captain ,etc etc " thread. C'est la vie.

No disrespect intended---- How could she be " so nice " and not return messages for a day or two or ---- never ? How could she be " so nice " if she doesn't check emails until later in the evening when clients are waiting and want answers ( service ) asap? It's too bad you missed a booking because of her poor service. Next time be " nice " to yourself .

Exactly correct-- So, let me think---- Why are sooooo many CCers with only negative comments about Celebrity still reading/posting on Celebrity ? What's the purpose ? FYI--- We don't cruise on Carnival ( as an example ) ----- soooo , I don't read any Carnival's threads. Let's hope you never need help with Customer Service or Tech Support from the 1000's of Companies employing off-shore services.

Here's what we have done for several years without any problems. Why ?? Because our Personal Celebrity Cruise Planner never returned calls after he said " I'll look into it and get back to you " or never returned phone messages. So, we book a future cruise while on board and receive a few extra perks ( 1 category cabin upgrade + a bit of extra OBC ( $ depends on cabin category and length of cruise ). Immediately transfer the booking to Big Box Travel and at the end of the cruise receive a Gift Card based on 8-9% of what we paid. Never had a problem, and it's like " found money ". Also, there is someone available all the time-- ( English and/or French speaking ). I don't have to wait for the TA to finish his/her 36 holes of golf, or his/her 3 hr lunch or, or---to get a call back. Again, we always had a very good Agent. Perhaps we were just lucky ? I'm on your side--- Sounds too good to be true , but, I have no reason to believe otherwise. Some folks receive $$$$ thousand(s) ?? of OBC for booking suites and being a loyal customer. I wouldn't know what to spend it on---- Holy cow, there have been threads on CC where someone had a few $ OBC left and asked " What would you do with it " ?? Now, you got me thinking of that old fart with the 32 yr old--- Again !!! I'll bet she still has the Rolex and he has only the memories. The easiest ( IMO) is to book/pay in $US -- The TAs in the US would have to search the current exchange rate and add a " service fee " etc. etc.

You still get a schedule every night on your bed with the chocolate bar ( ?? ). On the last night you might have a towel wrapped as a bunny as a surprise---- if you didn't remove the gratuities. The menu for each day is posted outside the MDR. " the inconvenience of having to haul your phone around with you "? Not necessary--- unless you forget what time " Zumba at the pool at 2 pm with Officers is " or " Cigar tasting at 4 in the MDR is " etc. Is this another " Celebrity Downfall " thread ???? What next ?

22 pages and I'm still confused as it appears others are as well. We are not suite passengers--- ( non-drinkers, don't require much internet, had a Butler " years "ago but didn't use his services, don't entertain ( no upside-down pineapples here) , or dine in our room ). I keep asking myself : Suite passengers pay high prices for their accommodations and service, and expect ( deserve ) to receive what they have paid for-----( within reason ). How can one person, call him/her " whatever ", service and satisfy 12-14 rooms, cabins, suites , etc everyday ?

I hear ya and totally understand your thinking. What you might not be aware of is that they hold back the " prime times " apparently for suite guests, which makes it impossible to book on line in advance. We don't want to have dinner at 5 or 9 pm, thus, we are stuck to " play the game "-- Everyone has different priorities--- and for us to tip a few $$ ( once in a while ) and have a very nice dinner in a Specialty restaurant when , as you say, our dinner is already paid for, means nothing. To quote---"you simply must eat in it that night " LOL--- That sure isn't us !! --- LOL Again to quote---" strikes some of us as preposterous ". The same can be said about cabin accommodations, expensive purchases on board, etc. We all have choices. Who knows, maybe we will meet in person one day and share a good laugh.

Sorta makes sense --- You win !! From now on : LOL----" We ain't going to that Specialty Moriano Restaurant for a nice dinner that we been talkin bout since we booked the cruise 4 yrs ago--- you know, the one everyone posts excellent comments about on CC in addition to "who the Captain will be on their cruise in 3 years " and that " there were no round tomatoes no where" .Ya, that's the one. They ain't gonna get me to pay no extra for food I already paid for , and then they esspect me to leave a extra tip ?? They must think Pinboy is a sucker-- nice try !! No, I didn't dream that up !! Someone on CC told me that people share jokes and stories, yes, jokes and stories about people who go to Specialty restaurants--- you know, the ones that are always busy".--- LOL Perhaps it's time to put this " baby " to bed ???

" self respect " ? Perhaps you meant " principle " ? How about this: If we want to dine in Murano ( as an example ) a few times during the cruise and there are no reservations available at the time(s) we want, so, I play the " game " and hand over a few $$ to the Maitre'd. IMO it has nothing to do with " self respect ". LOL, it does have something to do with enjoying a dinner or two in an excellent restaurant , with very good service, on a nice clean ship, during a very enjoyable cruise.

It probably was a Professor at the Maitre'd Business School that taught the concept. Talk about " poor ethical concepts "--- Ever hear the expression " Buyer Beware " ? Ever go into some of the jeweler shops on the Islands ? Ever hear " Have I got a deal for YOU " ? Ever notice how fast a calculator appears on the counter ? ( LOL-- Years ago a salesman, oops, sales person ( gotta be politically correct ) showed me a Rolex for $125 and " swore " it was real. He forgot the word " junk" )! So, is it really that bad handing a few $$ to get a reservation to a Specialty restaurant ?

I never once mentioned " table ", as in " can't you find us a better table than this "? I mentioned reservation at a time when they say, right on the first day, even before sailing " Sorry, we are booked up all week for the times you want ". You smile and shake his/her hand with a few $$ and " Please notify me if anything becomes available ",then all of a sudden reservation(s) become open. LOL--- it's all part of the " game "--- So, what's the big deal ? The Maitre'd gets a few $$ and you get the reservation(s) -- it's all good. ( Never had a Maitre'd refuse--- only smile " I'll see what I can do "). Bye the way, haven't we all seen on Cruise Planner where Specialty Restaurants were all booked and no advance reservations could be booked. Perhaps they hold back a few for suite passengers, but , the entire restaurant all week ???

Ooowwww -- I have a " feeling " who you are referring to. So, let me ask you--- Someone in the Service Industry who relies on tips as part of their salary does you a favor and you give him/her a few $$ to say " Thanks, I appreciate what you did for me ". You call that a bribe ???

How it works: You get on board and head straight for the Specialty restaurant(s) of your choice and all the times you want are booked-- The Maitre'd will ask for ( or you tell him/her ) your cabin # and tell you he/she will let you know if " something " comes available-- Then, you say " Gee, I really appreciate your help and look forward to your call ( and smile )--- It's pretty sure your " message " ( $$ ) was received. Poof--- the call comes, you say Thank You ( $$ ) when you arrive for dinner -- everybody is happy. C'est la vie --- That's life.

"I am opposed to the present culture". Totally agree, however in the " real world " it's been a part of doing business for " years ". An example, I have noted several times on CC --- no reservation available in a restaurant ( on board or on land ) --- a few $$ makes it happen. I heard of a restaurant in Florida specializing in stone crabs ( not to be confused with " stoned " crabs on a cruise ship or some of the posts on CC ) where you better shake the Maitre'd's hand ( $$ ) or no seating for you --- The guy has blisters from all the hand shakes and never got Covid !!

Seats for shows in the theater Early entrance to the OVC ( slugfest on 14 ) 4th shrimp cocktail Photo with the Captain email address of an Executive who " cares and will do something about it " In addition : ANYONE posting a 2 positive comments on the same day receives a Complimentary cruise for 10 on the ship of their choice. ANYONE posting 5 complaints on the same day receives a Complimentary cruise for 1 on the ship of their choice---- Food not included to ensure enjoyment.