Aqua/Blu vs. Regular/Specialty

Need some advice. I'm eyeing a short cruise on the Equinox this winter. For $100 more, I can get in aqua class (and thus, Blu), or I can save the $100 and splurge on 3-nights of specialty restaurants (probably spending more than the $100 I saved). What would you do? Are breakfasts in Blu worth the upgrade? And is the experience of having dinner in Blu equally "special" as dining in the specialty restaurants? I would love to try Murano but feel I would need to bring something extra snazzy to wear, which I was hoping to avoid given the brevity of the itinerary. So basically, it's a toss-up for me.

In our opinion Blu is better than any of the specialty restaurants and we always eat there. Our waiter will always get us something from the MDR menu if asked and we also love the vegetarian menu.

We would choose Blu. We we are on a long B2B cruise of 25+ nights we

we will do 1-2 dinners outside of Blu could be speciality, MDR with friends or outside at Oceanview.

For that price I would do Aqua to get Blu. Also, if you choose to eat in Murano, you do not have to dress up, the dress code of evening chic nights only applies in the Main Dining room, not the specialties or Blu.

I would choose Aqua. Blu is an excellent restaurant for both food and service. As stated, breakfast is also excellent! A bonus not mentioned, is unlimited access to the Persian Garden with Aqua class travel.

But my opinion may be one sided, as we have enjoyed Blu so much, we've never felt a need to try the other specialty restaurants!

I think this would be the perfect opportunity to see if you like Aqua/Blu before you commit to it on a longer cruise. You can eat at the Specialty restaurants any time.

Need some advice. I'm eyeing a short cruise on the Equinox this winter. For $100 more, I can get in aqua class (and thus, Blu), or I can save the $100 and splurge on 3-nights of specialty restaurants (probably spending more than the $100 I saved). What would you do? Are breakfasts in Blu worth the upgrade? And is the experience of having dinner in Blu equally "special" as dining in the specialty restaurants? I would love to try Murano but feel I would need to bring something extra snazzy to wear, which I was hoping to avoid given the brevity of the itinerary. So basically, it's a toss-up for me.

Having sailed on Celebrity in suites and AQ, I must say blu isn't what it is cracked up to be- I would save the money and use it for the speciality restaurants which (having dined in all of them on many celebrity ships multiple times) are so much better. The service and ambiance cannot be beat. Even the MDR is better. The blu breakfast do not appeal to my husband nor I either- Not fans of Museli. The only positive thing about blu is that it gives you the appearance of dining in a restaurant, albeit tables are extremely close to each other, rather then a banquet hall.

Other perks from AQ really not worth it either. You get a balcony cabin with a few added "benefits".

Give me Blu every time. I think the dress code applies to all restaurants other than the buffet. The speciality restaurants are only good if you like what they specialise in;p

Here is another vote for Blu. We love it. We have eaten in the Tuscan Grill once. It was better than Blu, but I would rather eat in Blu every night, than specialty dinning 3 times and main dinning room 4 nights.

Give me Blu every time. I think the dress code applies to all restaurants other than the buffet. The speciality restaurants are only good if you like what they specialise in;p

The specialty restaurants, including Blu, have always have had a smart casual dress code. You may see people dress nicer but also see those that book in AQ or book specialty restaurants because they don't like to dress up. Although, now with evening chic, there is little distinction between that and smart casual.

Even with a good discount, yes, you will definitely eat up $100 in savings by going to the specialty restaurants. I would try Aqua Class at least once as you will always be able book a specialty restaurant on any cruise. Don't get me wrong, the specialty restaurants are wonderful but Blu is definitely as well. And, you will have many other perks that come with Aqua Class.

Another vote for Blu - the service was fantastic, I LOVED the muesli and there were many more options for "mix ins" than were available at the Ocean View cafe. Don't forget, the $100 for Aqua class will also get you more captains club points and that wonderful shower as well as access to the Persian Gardens.

We are trying AQ for BLU on our next cruise, which is 12 days. We also get access to the Spa.

We do enjoy the Speciality restaurants and plan to eat there too, depending on our experience in BLU.

For sure, I would suggest trying AQ and then you will have your own experience / opinion.

Have a great cruise!:)

Another vote for Aqua/Blu.

Blu on Eclipse in 2016 not so great. Blu on Equinox in 2017 AMAZING! We love AQ

Blu Blu Blu...every time!

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Thanks, everyone! I'm leaning toward going with Aqua Class. This will only be a 4-night cruise, so like someone said, this might be a great way to try Aqua Class before committing on a longer itinerary. One of the people in our party is timid when it comes to trying new things, so I worry that some of Blu's offerings might be a little intimidating for her. Just curious, how are the always-offered chicken breast and salmon in Blue? Also, when I look at pictures for Blu, I see the plethora of 2-tops near the windows. If we are a party of 3, will they push 2 of those together, or will they keep us at a 4-top? Thanks!

We enjoy Blu and have since we first tried it on Silouette when it ways first introduced. That said on our Equinox cruise in Oct 2017 we found the dinners as enjoyable as always but the breakfasts were not up to the usual standard. The pancakes and French toast were obviously served after sitting in a prep area for a while and my DH had to send back eggs that were not completely cooked. A shame Blu used to have the best breakfasts at sea for any price. On the positive side they was a pool butler actually removing personal items left on lounge chairs for over 30 minutes, IMO a very we,come development.

On a side note, I found a January cruise on Independence of the Seas for the same price that is 2 nights longer. I've never sailed RC before, though.

.I suspect the number of pro Blu votes will confirm you in Aqua. Our experience there has been mixed, as I have noted in other threads... The tables are close, the place can be terribly noisy, and the service can be spotty. We tend to go early in the evening to select a table we know to be as far from the madding crowd as possible. Plus, the waiters at that time tend to be less harried. the downside is that when the traffic is slower, some waiters hover, especially if a beautiful woman in dining. The food is OK but that is a matter of taste, is it not? Breakfast? Please don't base a decision on breakfast, the most ordinary of all meals.

For me and my wife Murano is head and shoulders over Blu and Luminae for that matter. Sure hope you have a great time wherever you dine, but don't get your hopes up too high in Blu.

As you can see, Blu is a ver popular option. We are not spa people and therefore Aqua and Blu are not a great option for us. We love Tuscan and Murano so we would opt for regular. Just my preference.

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Thanks, everyone! I'm leaning toward going with Aqua Class. This will only be a 4-night cruise, so like someone said, this might be a great way to try Aqua Class before committing on a longer itinerary. One of the people in our party is timid when it comes to trying new things, so I worry that some of Blu's offerings might be a little intimidating for her. Just curious, how are the always-offered chicken breast and salmon in Blue? Also, when I look at pictures for Blu, I see the plethora of 2-tops near the windows. If we are a party of 3, will they push 2 of those together, or will they keep us at a 4-top? Thanks!

All AQ rooms have ocean view balconies, so I wouldn't worry about sitting next to a window in Blu.

However, your mention of a party of 3 makes me wonder if you know that AQ cabins ONLY are for 2 people...is the 3rd person getting their own AQ cabin?

Having a window table isn’t that fantastic.

At night it may be dark or if the sun is shining in they lower the shades.

The tables are pushed up against the wall and the drape is against your arm and you are hitting the window sill or wall with your elbow. Every time I had a window table I had to pull it away from the wall a few inches for elbow room and it isn’t because I am a large person.

We now prefer a table away from the window and the host usually looks puzzled when we refuse it.

Happy cruising 🌊🛳🇺🇸🌅

All AQ rooms have ocean view balconies, so I wouldn't worry about sitting next to a window in Blu.

 

However, your mention of a party of 3 makes me wonder if you know that AQ cabins ONLY are for 2 people...is the 3rd person getting their own AQ cabin?

Having a window table isn’t that fantastic.

 

At night it may be dark or if the sun is shining in they lower the shades.

 

The tables are pushed up against the wall and the drape is against your arm and you are hitting the window sill or wall with your elbow. Every time I had a window table I had to pull it away from the wall a few inches for elbow room and it isn’t because I am a large person.

 

We now prefer a table away from the window and the host usually looks puzzled when we refuse it.

 

Happy cruising 🌊🛳🇺🇸🌅

I'm not saying that I WANT a table by the window, just asking if that's where a party of 3 would likely be seated. Or if they also have 4-tops. And yes, 1 person will have their own Aqua room.

As you can see, Blu is a ver popular option. We are not spa people and therefore Aqua and Blu are not a great option for us. We love Tuscan and Murano so we would opt for regular. Just my preference.

 

 

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Just an FYI, other than Persian Gardens, Aqua class really doesn't have anything to do with the spa. Pretty much everything you do in the Spa area is open to all passengers including AQ for a fee. Really just an advertising thing.