Sorry Newbie Questions

We are on the Reflection next week and staying in a Aqua cabin, here are my questions and I hope you can help

1) We have Choice Air thru Celebrity and I know they will transfer me to the ship but will they also take us back to the airport when the cruise is over?

2) On the day of embarkation is there a restaurant that is open for us to eat something without paying extra, we have the premium drink pckg and are in Blu but what about the first few hours, where do people eat before dinner?

3)Tipping in Aqua veranda, how does it work, is it automatically taken from my shipboard credit (I have about $300 in credit) and if so is it only taken at the end of the cruise? I don't want to give any credit back to the cruise line and I really don't want to owe more than the credit that I have

Thanks for any help

We are on the Reflection next week and staying in a Aqua cabin, here are my questions and I hope you can help

1) We have Choice Air thru Celebrity and I know they will transfer me to the ship but will they also take us back to the airport when the cruise is over?

yes they will

2) On the day of embarkation is there a restaurant that is open for us to eat something without paying extra, we have the premium drink pckg and are in Blu but what about the first few hours, where do people eat before dinner?

most people go to the buffet. You can also go to the Aqua spa cafe which is nice. Remember that Blu only serves breakfast and dinner.

 

3)Tipping in Aqua veranda, how does it work, is it automatically taken from my shipboard credit (I have about $300 in credit) and if so is it only taken at the end of the cruise? I don't want to give any credit back to the cruise line and I really don't want to owe more than the credit that I have

your OBC will show up on your account the day after boarding. Gratuities will be added to your account daily. You can track your spending via the "app" on the TV, so you can better gauge your spending.

Thanks for any help

Enjoy your cruise!!!!

The buffet will be open when you arrive on the ship. No additional charge. The Aqua Spa Cafe by the Solarium will also be open and it is also free.

The tips will be automatically added to your room charge and deducted from your credit. You can figure that out before you leave so you will know how much you have left to spend on the ship. On our last cruise, we had a credit and Celebrity benefitted from that. You can monitor your charges via the television in your room.

The Reflection is a great ship and you will have a great time.

Thanks folks!! really appreciate it

I hope you enjoy your first Celebrity Cruise.

1) ChoiceAir doesn't transfer you to or from the ship. You typically buy transfers from the Cruiseline or arrange your own transportation. If you bought transfers it should show in your e-Docs or in the invoice your TA sent to you.

2) You can eat at the buffet for free. Bistro on Five has a cover charge, so it's not free, but it is not usually as crowded as the buffet. Don't take the drinks in the souvenir classes that they offer on embarkation day - their cost is more than the premium package covers.

3) Unless you've prepaid your gratuities, they will be billed daily. You can check your onboard account via the TV in your cabin. You will need to provide a credit card or some other form of payment when you checkin, just in case your shipboard charges exceed your OBC. I'd recommend you take some small bills (ones, fives and tens) to provided extra tips to crew members who deserve it.

Your questions have already been answered so, if I may, I'll add a little advice from a relatively "new" Celebrity cruiser.

1) Easy to say but hard to do but, when you first board and get your glass of bubbly, take a deep breath, relax, don't feel rushed to do everything right away and enjoy the moment. Wonder around and take in the thrill of being on a beautiful ship.

2) If you have any questions, ask fellow cruisers or Celebrity staff. Everything on a first cruise can be unfamiliar and overwhelming at times. We prepaid drink packages and gratuities on our first cruise. I checked our account half way through the cruise and saw OBC $100. I thought it was a service charge or something. It wasn't until I got home that I realized we left $100 on the table. Never used it ;-))

3) Register a credit card on your account when you get your boarding pass. It beats being detained trying to leave at the end of the trip due to an outstanding balance. You can always dispute erroneous charges later.

4) see point 1

And, you don't have to say you are sorry for asking "newbie" questions. We were are newbies at one time Lion, and I'm not lying. :)

You never have to say you are sorry for newbie questions. All of us were there at one time and even veteran cruisers are learning something new about cruising with each sailing.....sometimes from newbies.

So, with rule number one out of the way, you may want to try the buffet on the first day. It is set up with different stations and the food is actually quite good. There is just about something for everyone.

I particularly like the sandwich station -- they make it up for you just to your liking. It is kind of popular so I am sure I am not the only one that really likes it.

They also have a pizza station, pasta station (also made to your liking) and a Chinese stir fry station (again, made to your liking)....oh, and all sorts of other stations with different choices. If you like really casual, there is the mast grill (I think that is what it is called). They have bar none, the best turkey burgers and French fries ever!! The Aqua spa café is available and used to have a little better selection but still good. If you aren't worried about spending a little extra, (think it is $5 pp), the crepe place down by the coffee shop gets rave reviews (think it is called café al Bacio ...but that might be the coffee place).

What is so great about the concierge and aqua class cabins is the room service has an expanded menu. If you just want to get away from all the embarkation crowds, this is such a nice option. We did that a couple of times for dinner -- a veggie platter, chicken skewers and other appetizers. You won't want to spoil your dinner too much as Blu is fantastic.

Also, I am sure someone with more knowledge on this will chime in but I thought we were told that the gratuities had to be paid up front with Blu. Again, might be wrong -- still learning myself. But, if this is part of your shipboard credit and you have pre-paid, this portion is refundable. If you are unsure, you can check at the front desk and they know the portion that is refundable and the portion that is non-refundable. They will use the non-refundable portion first and automatically refund to your account.

For the non-refundable portion, if you just don't see yourself using it, you can charge it to your account and get cash in the casino for a 5% fee -- still better than leaving it on the table.

One more thing -- generally, if you have transfers through Celebrity, it is roundtrip from and to the airport. If you don't have them, I wouldn't despair. There are always cheaper options at most every airport. Not sure where the Reflection is sailing next week but if you look into the departures link on this site, you should be able to find a reasonable way to and from the ship if you don't already have them. We were even offered 1/2 price transfers on the same bus from Celebrity once on our way out of the customs area of the pier. I am sure that was supposed to be a secret -- as everyone else on that bus had booked the full price transfers through Celebrity ahead of time. Ouch!!

Enjoy your cruise and be sure to post all the new tips you've learned from you cruise.

Dining in Blu does not require pre-payment of gratuities. We will be in AQ for our next sailing and have not been asked to do so.

Choice Air and Transfers: They do not automatically include transfers with Choice Air - they are an extra charge item. You should check your edocs to see if they include transfers or not. If you still are not sure then contact your TA, or Celebrity if booked direct, to see if you bought them or not. If not then just take a cab to the port from any of Celebrities ports sailing to the Caribbean. At some European ports cruise line, or private, transfers are more advisable than cabs but this depends on the city.

Embarkation lunch: Here is a post I made about this on another thread recently:

Actually all of the no-extra charge dining areas except for the Main Dining Room and Blu are open for lunch on embarkation day and Bistro On Five ($5 cover charge) is open for lunch then as well.

 

To recap the posts above the no extra charge dining areas on the ship are:

Main Dining Room (called San Marco Restaurant on Constellation)

Blu (assigned dining room for Aquaclass with suites allowed access on space available basis

Buffet (called Oceanview Café & Grill on Constellation)

Pool Grill (by pool just outside of buffet area and called Mast Grill on some ships)

Aqua Spa Café (in Solarium)

 

Also, as others have mentioned the pastries and other food items at Café al Bacio are no extra charge although this is for snacks and not a dining area where meals are served.

 

A special note about the buffet on Constellation and other M class ships, or the Century, is in order for first timers: The buffet is separated into many different serving stations. This is not apparent when you first walk in and most new guests tend to line up at the very front as they enter the area which creates huge lines there and also causes them miss nice options in other areas of the buffet. The first time you go for lunch or breakfast there do not get in line right away. Instead take a tour down one side, around the inside back of the buffet and up the other side to see all the stations and options before deciding where to start. You can also consider the grill area outside as the burgers and hot dogs there are excellent and can be brought into the buffet area for seating. And when picking out a dessert or snack, don't miss the ice cream bar located towards the front of the buffet which has a great selection of ice creams and toppings at no extra charge.

 

The buffet area on the S class ships is organized into more discrete serving stations so the above approach in more intuitive there.

Tipping, including your dining room (MDR or Blu), stateroom service and other standard service tips: The "standard" gratuities are either prepaid in advance of the cruise or automatically charged to your account daily. Those signed up for "Select" dining must prepay their tips. Others may or may not depending on choice and how, and where, they booked. The total "Standard" gratuities range from $12 to $15.50 per day depending on your stateroom type. http://www.celebritycruises.com/footer/faq.do?pagename=footer_pages_faq#faq551

.

Also, I am sure someone with more knowledge on this will chime in but I thought we were told that the gratuities had to be paid up front with Blu. Again, might be wrong -- still learning myself. But, if this is part of your shipboard credit and you have pre-paid, this portion is refundable. If you are unsure, you can check at the front desk and they know the portion that is refundable and the portion that is non-refundable. They will use the non-refundable portion first and automatically refund to your account.

For the non-refundable portion, if you just don't see yourself using it, you can charge it to your account and get cash in the casino for a 5% fee -- still better than leaving it on the table.

 

Enjoy your cruise and be sure to post all the new tips you've learned from you cruise.

We were in Aqua class on the Solstice in March this year and we had to prepay our gratuities as in Aqua it is anytime dining. We have just booked another cruise on Solstice for January, 2015 in Aqua and again we have to pay our gratuities in advance.

It is added on to your cruise fare and when you pay the full amount, the gratuities are included.

You will love Aqua and dining in Blu for both breakfast and dinner. The buffet upstairs is also great at lunchtime.

Jennie

In the US, you can either prepay Blu gratuities or wait till you are onboard. Even though Blu is "anytime dining," when you check-in online you still have to choose select and early/late seating a. Choosing select requires prepayment of gratuities.

I have sailed in Aqua Class and did not have to prepay my gratuities.

Even though we live overseas, we book through a U.S. T.A. so it must be different for everyone. I am happy to pay in advance as that is one less amount that will go on our ship's account.

Jennie

We were in Aqua class on the Solstice in March this year and we had to prepay our gratuities as in Aqua it is anytime dining. We have just booked another cruise on Solstice for January, 2015 in Aqua and again we have to pay our gratuities in advance.

 

It is added on to your cruise fare and when you pay the full amount, the gratuities are included.

 

Jennie

You do have the option of prepaying your gratuities. It is not mandatory in Aqua to pay in advance.

You do not have to prepay graututies in Blu and when you check in on line make sure you choose a set dining time. This is only a computer thing and will have no bearing on when you eat since Blu is totally anytime dining. DO NOT choose Select dining because then you will have to prepay gratuities. The tips will be taken out daily and you can check them on your TV.

Also, I know you mentioned that on the first day you wanted to eat in a non pay restaurant. Bistro is a pay restaurant but is only $5 pp and is worth it.

Even though we live overseas, we book through a U.S. T.A. so it must be different for everyone. I am happy to pay in advance as that is one less amount that will go on our ship's account.

 

Jennie

Nope, it's the same for everyone. No requirement to prepay gratuities if you're in Aqua Class. Just be sure not to select "select dining." Then the computer thinks you're in select dining where gratuities must be prepaid.

And I would not book anything that required me to prepay my gratuities as I usually have sufficient OBC to take care of them.

My suggestion is to pack a swimsuit in your carry-ons. First day is one of the few times you won't have to fight for a poolside lounger. Since you're staying in Aqua you'll be able to enjoy Persian Garden.

My suggestion is to pack a swimsuit in your carry-ons. First day is one of the few times you won't have to fight for a poolside lounger. Since you're staying in Aqua you'll be able to enjoy Persian Garden.

Great idea, thank you

I wonder if prepaying has to do with what you are assigned since there is no aqua class option for dining we had early on our paperwork, maybe if it showed select you would have to prepay but early/late then you don't?

Mine was all prepaid by my TA so we never saw it at all!

2) On the day of embarkation is there a restaurant that is open for us to eat something without paying extra, we have the premium drink pckg and are in Blu but what about the first few hours, where do people eat before dinner?

 

We are a few weeks after you on Reflection (1/11) and will scope out the buffet, but we plan to try The Porch on embarkation day. It has a $5 up charge, but should be less crowded and has a nice view of Miami from deck 15.

Please post a review after you return!

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You DO have to prepay for Select, you do NOT have to prepay for early/late seating or AQ.

The hamburger grill by the pool is also one on embarkation day, but the best bet, best service, least crowded, is Bistro on 5, WELL worth the $5 charge for anything you care to order.

You DO have to prepay for Select, you do NOT have to prepay for early/late seating or AQ.

 

The hamburger grill by the pool is also one on embarkation day, but the best bet, best service, least crowded, is Bistro on 5, WELL worth the $5 charge for anything you care to order.

I thought Aqua was select as you can dine anytime you like. Perhaps I am wrong but on our cruise in March, we dined when we felt like it, anytime from 7pm to 7.45pm.

Originally I had booked Concierge Class and then a few months later there was a special and Aqua became the same price as C.C. so we moved there, that is when we had to prepay the gratuities. We weren't given a choice.

Jennie