CathyCruises Posted June 1, 2012 #1 Share Posted June 1, 2012 I had quite an ordeal getting Celebrty to properly credit me for cruises taken in order to become Elite. It took months and the brilliant suggestions of a fellow poster to finally achieve this status. I was really looking forward to it for our Eclipse TA in April and to enjoying the nightly cocktail party. Sorry to say, I was so disappointed when reality struck. We always have late seating for dinner, on this cruise at 8:30. When we went to the cocktail party the first night, we got there about 6:15. I had a cosmo, and DH, who doesn't drink alcohol, had a diet coke. I may have had one more, and then we left at 7 when it closed. Hmmm. Now what to do??? An hour and a half until dinner. I had already had two cocktails which is plenty. Go back to our room and sit there in our fancy duds? Go sit someplace else? Really, what DO you do?? It was great for the early diners, who could have a drink or two and go to dinner, but it really is inconvenient for late diners. We tried it one additional night on the 13 night cruise with the same results, and then just stopped going. We ended up hitting the martini bar every night about 7:30, having a drink and sipping very slowly, and talking with our friends before dinner. Am I the only one who feels like the cocktail hour should be revamped to include the late diners as well as the eary ones?? Is this an unreasonabe thought? Many cruises have so many Elites that they have to splut them up and have multiple events--maybe they could have two cocktail hours as well?? Cathy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sascol Posted June 1, 2012 #2 Share Posted June 1, 2012 We are Elite for the 1st time on our upcoming cruise this fall and the timing of the cocktail party was making us wonder as well. We have late seating and usually have a drink or two before dinner but NOT before 7:00. It would be nice if instead of an Elite get together where free drinks are provided they gave Elite members coupons for drinks to use at a lounge/time of their choice. Even if it was just one drink per day it would be nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cruisestitch Posted June 1, 2012 #3 Share Posted June 1, 2012 Some people re=arrange their days a different way -- go to the cocktail hour when it opens, have a nice drink, then go to the T-pool / Solarium pool (blissfully uncrowded) around 7, have time to change for dinner, and eat the late seating. Or, go to the 6 p.m. movie. There's a logistics problem with having two cocktail hours, and it hinges on Select Diners. Say you had two cocktail hours, one for early, one for late, and used color-coded passes or some other scheme to allow people in. Select Diners could, in theory, go to either, but might actually try to go to both. This already happens with the afternoon Captain's Club Celebration -- some people (actually a lot of people) try to attend both to get the free drinks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt1120 Posted June 1, 2012 #4 Share Posted June 1, 2012 Very strange. We are at the premium level with both =X= and RC, and with our last cruise on RC, the cocktails were flowing until 8:30. We usually do early seating so I'm not sure what the time frame was on our last =X= cruise. I will say that on RC they keep it open from 5:30 - 8:30, so the problem that you encountered would not have happened. Still, what I would do is go to dinner. Now that everyone has an "anytime" option, why not just go to dinner at 7 instead of waiting until 8:30? I guess in my book, if there is a will, there is a way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CathyCruises Posted June 1, 2012 Author #5 Share Posted June 1, 2012 That's funny that you bring it up. We were going to go to the Captain's Party but at lunch one of the a cappella members sat down at our table and we were chatting. He said he had to go warm up for their appearance. I asked how it was, and he said, "boooorrrringggg" so we didn't bother! I don't need a free drink that badly to go trying to sneak in! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caladezi Posted June 1, 2012 #6 Share Posted June 1, 2012 Why not try being grateful for what you get and enjoy it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sascol Posted June 1, 2012 #7 Share Posted June 1, 2012 Why not try being grateful for what you get and enjoy it. I think that is the point of the original post - the time for late seating can be awkward and they are not able to enjoy it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cruisestitch Posted June 1, 2012 #8 Share Posted June 1, 2012 How odd that the entertainer thought the party was boring. That seems like an admission that he wasn't very good somehow? The Captain's Club celebration is, like anything on the ship, what you make of it. There's a nice buffet with sushi, crepes suzette, carved tenderloin sandwiches, a chocolate fountain, and maybe another station or two, there's entertainment by the a cappella singers and a couple of soloists, the band plays and some people dance, the officers walk around and chat, but mostly it's a nice party in a great venue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
workingboy Posted June 1, 2012 #9 Share Posted June 1, 2012 We are Elite and always have late seating as well. While I would prefer the Elite event to be open later, sometimes it works well when the show is early at 7:00. Other times we normally try to find some live music after 7 to pass the time or hit the Casino. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkjretired Posted June 1, 2012 #10 Share Posted June 1, 2012 The hours used to be 4 to 6 and were changed to better accomodate late diners. Any change I'm sure would not make early diners happy. I would be grateful for what I got. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pollux Posted June 1, 2012 #11 Share Posted June 1, 2012 Late dinners complain but I think it is set up just fine. Do all the late dinners want to drink for 2 hours? Sure its free. Early dinners go from 5-6 and then eat. Late dinners should go at 6-7 and then go to the early show and dinner. This way the lounges are not over crowded and everyone get their share off free booze. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruisingChick Posted June 1, 2012 #12 Share Posted June 1, 2012 Am I the only one who feels like the cocktail hour should be revamped to include the late diners as well as the eary ones?? Is this an unreasonabe thought? Many cruises have so many Elites that they have to splut them up and have multiple events--maybe they could have two cocktail hours as well?? Cathy We always do late seating dinner. After the Elite cocktail party we go to the show, which most nights is at 7:00 PM. It works out perfectly for us. Cocktails, show, a martini at the martini bar after the show and then dinner. The few evenings that the show is late we usually find something to do, some other live entertainment, the casino, etc. We like the 5-7 time and it works well for us much better than the 4-6. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MEcruzr Posted June 1, 2012 #13 Share Posted June 1, 2012 We're "late seating", too... we go to the cocktail hour and then go take our time getting ready for dinner. Even on formal nights we do it this way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyriecat Posted June 1, 2012 #14 Share Posted June 1, 2012 I've been a Royal Caribbean cruiser for a while but hav a couple cruises coming up with Celebrity. Because of my RC C&A status, I have elite status with Captain's Club. Royal Caribbean's cocktail time is 5:30 - 8:30 so it works well for early, late, and open seatings. I don't know for certain, but I don't think anyone stays in the lounge for the whole 3 hours to drink. On our RC cruises, my husband and I have had late (8:30) seating. We normally go by the lounge around 7:45 to have a drink or two and chat with our fellow passengers before heading for dinner. I've always enjoyed that. Cruisestitch & MEcuzr mention going to the cocktail hour then getting ready for dinner. What is the usual dress for cocktail time on Celebrity? On RC it was "dinner" type dress so most people changed for dinner before going to the lounge or went to the lounge after dinner (depending on seating). Is it different for X? Do people show up in the shorts & tees that they use for daywear? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orator Posted June 1, 2012 #15 Share Posted June 1, 2012 This is one of those topics if your damned if you do and damned if you don't. There was much discussion on these boards in the past expressing dissatisfaction with the Elite Hour times. Celebrity changed the time period to accommodate some of the concerns. Now, some find that they can't receive full enjoyment of this free benefit. What would they suggest Celebrity should do? If they keep within a two hour time period and simple adjust the time they will impact one group or another. If they increase the time time they also increase their cost. The cost is not just drinks, it includes the time employees need to serve, Since servers come from bar areas if would impact service in those venues. In most cases shows begin at the close of the Elite Hour. so as has been suggested on could have a drink and a show prior to dinner. Many in late seating especially on formal nights return to their cabins to change into formal wear following the Elite Hour. Perhaps one might suggest that they just end the whole time and save money and perhaps be able to sell more beverage packages. Of course they'll take lots of flack, but what the heck, its all about the bottom line. As the old line goes: "Just watch what you wish for". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cruisestitch Posted June 1, 2012 #16 Share Posted June 1, 2012 Cruisestitch & MEcuzr mention going to the cocktail hour then getting ready for dinner. What is the usual dress for cocktail time on Celebrity? On RC it was "dinner" type dress so most people changed for dinner before going to the lounge or went to the lounge after dinner (depending on seating). Is it different for X? Do people show up in the shorts & tees that they use for daywear? __________________ No, shorts and tees are not allowed. The dress is "smart casual and above" for the Elite cocktail hour. Even on formal night, if you are going to one of the specialty restaurants, that's the dress code for them, so you will see a mix of people on those nights some in formal wear, some in "smart casual and above". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CRUZBUDS Posted June 1, 2012 #17 Share Posted June 1, 2012 We always do late seating dinner. After the Elite cocktail party we go to the show, which most nights is at 7:00 PM. It works out perfectly for us. Cocktails, show, a martini at the martini bar after the show and then dinner. The few evenings that the show is late we usually find something to do, some other live entertainment, the casino, etc. We like the 5-7 time and it works well for us much better than the 4-6. This worked fine for us also, except many nights we were having so much fun in the lounge with our friends we didn't leave until way after 7:00 and skipped the show. The servers were very good at making sure we had "last call" a few minutes before 7:00. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruisingChick Posted June 1, 2012 #18 Share Posted June 1, 2012 This worked fine for us also, except many nights we were having so much fun in the lounge with our friends we didn't leave until way after 7:00 and skipped the show. The servers were very good at making sure we had "last call" a few minutes before 7:00. I have to admit we did miss a few shows too because of this reason. There have been times in the past when we have gone to the lounge and then gotten ready for dinner but this last cruise my DH wanted to be ready before we went. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phyllisrf Posted June 1, 2012 #19 Share Posted June 1, 2012 We enjoy and appreciate Celebrity's Elite Cocktail Hour. The hours for us are perfect. We choose Select Dining. We'll have a Martini (or 2) and then have dinner around 7:15. We like Holland America also, but continue to cruise with Celebrity because of the wonderful Elite perks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
excitedofharpenden Posted June 1, 2012 #20 Share Posted June 1, 2012 Sorry Cathy, as others have said here it's a very difficult thing to please everyone. On the TA in April we ate at 7pm and the Elite event worked very well for us. On other cruises we have eaten late and foregone the free drinks and bought our own. If I was truly honest I missed the Martini Bar this year by reason of our dining time, especially with Ocha there. I was however very grateful for the Martinis at the Elite event and wonderful service provided by Ioana from Romania. I think trying to manage numbers is difficult enough as it is without splitting the times and then you are tying up all those bar staff in a non-revenue function for longer. I don't think it would work. Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyriecat Posted June 1, 2012 #21 Share Posted June 1, 2012 Thanks, cruisestitch, for the attire clarification. I have the feeling that I won't be attending the cocktail time. On RC I would soak in the hot tub until around 6:30 or 7 while it wasn't crowded, then get dressed and stop by cocktail hour right before dinner. I don't see me getting dressed for cocktail hour, getting a couple drinks, soaking in the hot tub, then getting dressed again for dinner. I'll probably keep my normal cruise routine and just enjoy a drink in the cabin with hubby or we'll stop by a lounge right before dinner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Posted June 1, 2012 #22 Share Posted June 1, 2012 Why not try being grateful for what you get and enjoy it. The hours used to be 4 to 6 and were changed to better accomodate late diners. Any change I'm sure would not make early diners happy. I would be grateful for what I got. We always do late seating dinner. After the Elite cocktail party we go to the show, which most nights is at 7:00 PM. It works out perfectly for us. Cocktails, show, a martini at the martini bar after the show and then dinner. The few evenings that the show is late we usually find something to do, some other live entertainment, the casino, etc. We like the 5-7 time and it works well for us much better than the 4-6. Hi Everyone, I agree with the above comments. I wish to make it clear, the following is not directed at the OP, and is a general observation. It's become apparent that no matter how Celebrity handles this, there will be some Guests who aren't happy with the schedule. I highly doubt Celebrity will add hours (prohibitively expensive) or move to a later schedule (not ideal for Early Dining & entertainment issues). Originally, the lounge hours were 4-6pm, and the late seating guests complained. Celebrity listened, and the time was changed to 5-7pm. IMO, this is the most equitable solution. With all due respect, this is a wonderful benefit, and this is not the time to complain about the schedule, or ask for expanded hours. Take a look at the world financial markets over the past few weeks. Everything is once again in a tailspin, and many companies are making cutbacks. The lounge benefit must be costing Celebrity a huge amount of $$$. By complaining or asking for more.... IMO, it's practically begging Celebrity to reduce or eliminate the lounge. My feeling ? I'm going with those who said, be grateful & happy for what we have, enjoy it, and leave well enough alone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orator Posted June 1, 2012 #23 Share Posted June 1, 2012 Hi Everyone, I agree with the above comments. I wish to make it clear, the following is not directed at the OP, and is a general observation. It's become apparent that no matter how Celebrity handles this, there will be some Guests who aren't happy with the schedule. I highly doubt Celebrity will add hours (prohibitively expensive) or move to a later schedule (not ideal for Early Dining & entertainment issues). Originally, the lounge hours were 4-6pm, and the late seating guests complained. Celebrity listened, and the time was changed to 5-7pm. IMO, this is the most equitable solution. With all due respect, this is a wonderful benefit, and this is not the time to complain about the schedule, or ask for expanded hours. Take a look at the world financial markets over the past few weeks. Everything is once again in a tailspin, and many companies are making cutbacks. The lounge benefit must be costing Celebrity a huge amount of $$$. By complaining or asking for more.... IMO, it's practically begging Celebrity to reduce or eliminate the lounge. My feeling ? I'm going with those who said, be grateful & happy for what we have, enjoy it, and leave well enough alone. Hi Andy: Well said. I'm on the same page. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teajak Posted June 1, 2012 #24 Share Posted June 1, 2012 Hi Everyone, I agree with the above comments. I wish to make it clear, the following is not directed at the OP, and is a general observation. It's become apparent that no matter how Celebrity handles this, there will be some Guests who aren't happy with the schedule. I highly doubt Celebrity will add hours (prohibitively expensive) or move to a later schedule (not ideal for Early Dining & entertainment issues). Originally, the lounge hours were 4-6pm, and the late seating guests complained. Celebrity listened, and the time was changed to 5-7pm. IMO, this is the most equitable solution. With all due respect, this is a wonderful benefit, and this is not the time to complain about the schedule, or ask for expanded hours. Take a look at the world financial markets over the past few weeks. Everything is once again in a tailspin, and many companies are making cutbacks. The lounge benefit must be costing Celebrity a huge amount of $$$. By complaining or asking for more.... IMO, it's practically begging Celebrity to reduce or eliminate the lounge. My feeling ? I'm going with those who said, be grateful & happy for what we have, enjoy it, and leave well enough alone. Thank you Andy,well said and we totally agree.:cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeaBag Posted June 1, 2012 #25 Share Posted June 1, 2012 DH used to teach seminars where lunch was provided. The most frequent complaints about the seminars were about the lunches! Guess how they solved it? Yes, the lunches disappeared. No more complaints. We need to appreciate what we have, as others have suggested. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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