DingoMom

49 minutes ago, asnaleah said:

Happy for you all. Thanks for reporting, I learned a lot.

Same! @Mark_UK, you did a great job! Your parents (and you) look terrific and happy! I am your Mom’s age (or more!) but you are a very handsome young man! More importantly, you are a great son and I know your parents are very proud of you! 

@cruisestitch, I am also interested in @someguyfl’s question. Why do you suppose that is?

Although I understand the title of this thread, I was much more entertained by the Stags Leap and Caymus discussion @RedIguana@drakes2@Whinenowine and you other fun, er, fine, folks!! 🍷🍷🍷

@Jim_Iain I had NO idea the Retreat had breakfast! Thank you for this tip!!

On 10/18/2023 at 10:33 PM, markeb said:

I'm now really curious about something that will be unanswerable. In the US, managers cannot participate in a tip pool. In some states they can accept a tip if and only if they alone provided the service (and even then I'd hope they'd drop it in the tip jar anyway). And I realize it's different, but 30 years in a military uniform as a commissioned officer make me psychologically incapable of tipping an officer. You eat last...

This! Mark, I totally agree and for the same reason. Spent 30 years in a military uniform as a commissioned officer. Officers are salaried professionals. IMHO, their job IS to go the extra mile and always do their best. (But I do like @Jim_Iain’s thought of a special gift for special people that I see repeatedly!)

Next, when I eat in the MDR and the ‘head waiter’ comes over (usually the last night or two of the cruise) to inquire how the service has been, why would I tip him? I take care of my service personnel. In the 4 MDRs on E-class ships, I take a small gratuity for the sommelier  and the server. I hand that to them if there is great service…as when the Sommelier doesn’t let my wine glass stay empty (too long!) and takes the initiative to also bring my husband’s beer. Alternatively, I have also picked a favorite MDR and asked for the same sever and tip them (and the sommelier) later in the cruise based on the number of nights we have been their guests. 

It is interesting to read the differing thoughts and philosophies!

I also try to tip as I go in Al Bacio.

And I have been told that in Luminae and other restaurants that the Sommelier does NOT share in the restaurant tip pool, so I always tip that person separately.

Sooo sorry to hear the child’s filet in Luminae is gone. It has been my go-to on many occasions! A strip steak is just not the same. Agree that Sanjay is outstanding and we also enjoyed Jamie in the Retreat Lounge!

What is an IGLU, please?

The first sign that you have won the bid is when your credit card has been charged. After that, Celebrity should notify you via email.

Hi, NMT! When you successfully move up, you keep ALL of the perks that you had with your old room. In your example, you would keep your included grats. Note that if you moved up to a ‘higher’ category (such as Suites, not sure about AQ or CC) where the grats are more, you would get ‘credit’ for the grats you prepaid and would be charged for the additional grats. 

Group rate does not affect this. If you are successful with your move up, you will get any amenities that come with your cabin.

Hope this helps, and good luck on your move up!

Okay, so probably Not important to the OP, but in case other folks are wondering:

E-Class ships do not have Tuscan Grille, but, IMHO, they have a might fine Specialty steak restaurant in Fine Cut!

Oops!

Hi! It does depend on which E-class ship you are on! Most people swear by Eden, but we have been there several times and it is not our favorite. We like Fine Cut the best, but only if you plan to eat around 6 p.m. or so…it gets really loud later than that, as it is open to the Martini Bar below. Le Petit Chef is very good, but check the menus; I think the better menus are at the second half of the cruise. Finally, Le Voyage seems to be a big hit; I am looking forward to trying it in January!

On a Holiday sailing especially, I would book prior to boarding. On other cruises, I am willing to take my chances (and book upon boarding), but I have been on several Holiday cruises, and they do seem to book up quickly. X will hold some reservations back from pre-booking, but unless I was in an upper suite (a girl can dream, right? 😉), I would pre-book.

Enjoy your Holiday cruise!

@Ben100014But first, please tell us what kind of phones and what settings? Thank you!

@Silkroad, I am quite confident Charla and Jeremy will have cocktails in hand LONG before they get to Rome! 🍷🍷🍷

@GenerationX enjoy the journey and please send us some Flagship pictures!!

No; this is on Beyond.

I am so excited to read you are going on the Beyond and you are taking all of us with you!! I have been off of Cruise Critic for nearly a week, because I was Not happy. We were supposed to leave for Barcelona this Monday for a 2-week Transatlantic that I put a lot of love, time, money, and effort into. We had a sweet Sunset Sky Suite booked for 18 months. On Oct 4, I had a nasty fall and broke my leg in three places. The surgeon fixed me up 9 days ago, but no amount of sniffling, bargaining, or promises persuaded him that I could go on the cruise. I have spent this week canceling all of our trip plans - not a fun task. Yesterday, I thought, “I sure wish Charla has an upcoming cruise.” Lo and behold, I get back on the boards today and HERE YOU ARE! I am now super-motivated to heal and be ready for our Beyond cruise in January. Thank you so much for posting and taking me along…you will be my coffee companion (oooh, and wine!) for two weeks!!

Have a FABULOUS cruise, and thank you for making me smile with joy and anticipation!

Dawn

On my upcoming cruise, the Twin Souls is listed with a minimum age of 13. 

Great news, @Mark_UK!! Have a marvelous cruise!

Aw, Mark. I am SO sorry. I sincerely HATE that this has happened to your parents. I hope that the Executive Office does the right thing by them. Or that the Consumer lady can get results. You are a good son, and my positive thoughts are with you all.

Okay, I’m new around here! Would dressy (maybe even sparkly!) sandals be inappropriate? 
is it only “casual” sandals that should be avoided at dinner? TIA!

Earplugs!!

We left the Equinox on Sunday, August 27. We were in a Sky Suite, so our Dining Room was Luminae. I was told that there is NO LONGER a kid’s filet (4 oz) available. Our beef choices were either Luminae’s, or the MDR. We really used to enjoy the small filet when nothing else seemed appealing.

28 minutes ago, George C said:

Last November on beyond everything in fridge was free and they restocked it , all we had was a few waters and maybe one beer. Curious how is the outside retreat on this ship. 

Hi George!

we are in a Sky Suite, and I was told nothing in the mini-fridge was free. 

Also of note…you can’t grab a beer out of the big refrigerator in the Retreat Lounge. I used to snag two to drink later in my cabin. Now the Retreat Lounge refrigerator only has water, Club soda, and soft drinks.

Looking forward to our March music cruise!

Okay, I’m back, and I sincerely appreciate the well- wishes. I feel much better today. Here is what I found out … at least, on the Equinox.

First, we are very frequent X cruisers and have been on all classes of ships. We usually sail in Sky Suites, and this is our 4th this year. I am generally in the camp of “stop cheapening the product once I have paid for it.” I also was up in arms about all the ‘experiments’ … vaping, anyone? … that X has been throwing out after final payment.  
 

The Sky Suite ‘ transition’ has been seamless to me. Our Retreat Host is our room attendant and also does what we ‘used’ to have a butler do. Ice, removing used glassware / dishes, and laundry come immediately to mind. We don’t get canapés and we don’t have any ‘standing requests’ for certain services. Our wonderful Host takes care of seven cabins.

(As an aside, we emptied out the mini-fridge of water, wine, and some soft drinks when we boarded and stored the contents in the large cubbie next to the fridge.)

I asked about the structure that is being implemented. Each Host also has a Head Butler that backs them up and ensures that Sky Suite guests are taken care of. When I inquired of the Concierge, I was told that yes, you can request certain items from either the Host, your Head Butler, or the Concierge. I specifically asked about room service (breakfast), a pot of coffee in the mornings, or a specialty drink from Al Bacio. For the coffee, I was reminded that one must have the proper drink package to avoid a charge. (Lest anyone thinks that everyone in Sky Suites has a premium drink package, please note that casino players, as well as any other comped programs, and ‘move up’ bids into Sky Suites do not necessarily have either the Classic or Premium packages.)

The Retreat Lounge is staffed by 3 concierges, and it is staffed for at least 12 hours per day. The bar is open from something like 9 a.m. - 11 p.m. There is also a Retreat Manager. We never had to wait for anything, and we did our future cruise booking by appointment in the Retreat Lounge.
 

One night I got a single (beautiful) long-stemmed red rose. (I think I recall in the past usually  getting a small vase with a rose and baby’s breath sometime during the cruise - none this time.) We haven’t received ‘extra wine’ during our cruise…we used to get one or two bottles in our room during each cruise.

Right now, the only folks in Luminae whose names I can remember are Antonio, the maitre de and the sommelier, Arnold. The service there has been impeccable. Some of the recently added entrees make me shake my head; but have nonetheless, I am sure I have gained the requisite weight for this length of cruise. (Except 3 sick days says maybe no weight gain!)

Evening chic nights have butlers at both sides of the 5th floor theater entrances to escort Retreat Guests to the middle section of the 5th floor balcony.

 One morning I ordered Room Service for breakfast (but only so I could report back to y’all 🥰) I didn’t coordinate with my Host, but I filled out the tag and hung it on the door that night. I chose a delivery time of 9 to 9:30. It was delivered at 9 on the dot, piping hot, thoroughly delicious, and it was someone other than my Host who brought it. He offered to set the whole thing up, but I declined. Not a single item that would enhance the meal was forgotten.

On the cookie note, the only chocolate chip cookies I have seen are the ones for sale at the Gelato place. Although it is a stone’s throw from Al Bacio, Al Bacio has had No. Cookies. At. All. He ice cream station in the OVC has put out some cookies, but no chocolate chips.

I will answer more questions later…if you have any. Right now I need a drink so I can begin my preliminary packing!!