Is Blu Breakfast Crowded? Opening time?

[Caribbean Chris]

We're early risers (traveling with a service dog for the first time), booked in a Sky Suite for a December 2014 cruise.

 

We usually book Concierge or lower, and go to the OceanView buffet for breakfast - or (rarely) the main DR or order room service. I see positive comments about Blu's breakfast (I like muesli a lot!) and understand that suite guests can eat there if space is available.

 

Does Blu usually fill up in the mornings? With the dog (60 lb Labrador), we want to be as unobtrusive as possible to our fellow passengers, and will hope if we arrive early, we can request a table alongside a bulkhead, rather than out on the middle of the room, which works better for settling the dog quietly (and her tail) away from traffic.

 

If it turns out to be a hassle, we realize there are plenty of other options. But I'm interested in trying Blu for future reference.

[ghstudio]

We're early risers (traveling with a service dog for the first time), booked in a Sky Suite for a December 2014 cruise.

 

We usually book Concierge or lower, and go to the OceanView buffet for breakfast - or (rarely) the main DR or order room service. I see positive comments about Blu's breakfast (I like muesli a lot!) and understand that suite guests can eat there if space is available.

 

Does Blu usually fill up in the mornings? With the dog (60 lb Labrador), we want to be as unobtrusive as possible to our fellow passengers, and will hope if we arrive early, we can request a table alongside a bulkhead, rather than out on the middle of the room, which works better for settling the dog quietly (and her tail) away from traffic.

 

If it turns out to be a hassle, we realize there are plenty of other options. But I'm interested in trying Blu for future reference.

 

If I recall correctly, Blu opens at 7 for breakfast (but check). We have never seen it full at breakfast. They should be able to accomodate you (and service dog) at either a table for 4 or at a table along the inside bulkhead. The tables by the windows are almost all for two and spaced very close together.

 

I'm sure that the maitre d' will assure that you are seated so that you and your service dog are not uncomfortable.

[vulcan1971]

It's always hard to know what seating will be available at any given time on any given cruise. I would recommend that you stop by the Blu maître d' and let them know about your request and/or concerns. Chances are that the maître d' will be able to best give you an idea of when the restaurant is the least busy.

 

 

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[ClaudiaB]

Never is full for breakfast, and it turns over fairly quickly. Seating in the booths on the back or on some of the sides might work very well for you, out of the traffic paths.

[Caribbean Chris]

It's always hard to know what seating will be available at any given time on any given cruise. I would recommend that you stop by the Blu maître d' and let them know about your request and/or concerns. Chances are that the maître d' will be able to best give you an idea of when the restaurant is the least busy.

 

Yes, good suggestion...I've concluded my husband will be visiting early on to get to know the maitre d' at each of the venues including the two specialty restaurants where we have res. I think they'll be very accommodating.

 

Last cruise (Century Hawaii) before we had my Hearing Dog (from Dogs for the Deaf in Oregon), my husband talked to the MDR manager for Select dining and we ended up with a perfect two-top in a kind of niche by the wall where I could hear much better than out in the center.

[Caribbean Chris]

Thanks, everyone, for the input.

 

Booths and corners are ideal. Ideally, service dogs tuck under the table by the handler's feet, but big dogs have to arrange themselves around the metal table leg parts on the floor and it can be kind of hard for them to settle sometimes.

 

Glad to hear Blu isn't likely to be real crowded upon opening in the a.m.

[miched]

End table is probably also the best option for muesli as it is made at the table from a cart. If seated away from a aisle you would have to walk to it instead of sitting at the table

 

Happy cruising🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅

[Adammara]

This is the layout of Blu on Eclipse in 2011, it was very similar in 2012. We have not been in Blu since May 2012, so it may have changed! Other posters may comment on the layout!

 

[candycaramel]

No disrespect but do you have to take the dog with you every where when you have a partner with you? Just wondering?

 

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[ghstudio]

No disrespect but do you have to take the dog with you every where when you have a partner with you? Just wondering?

 

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no disrespect, but if one has a trained service animal, one lives with that service animal all the time, everywhere. You don't kennel a service animal or have friends sit for it.

[Caribbean Chris]

Thank you, Adammarra, for the Blu layout. Perhaps Constellation will be similar, though smaller.

 

candycaramel, no disrespect is taken at all. I understand the question. Here's a bit of explanation. Even traveling with a spouse, there will be times you want to do separate things (and it isn't fair or much of a vacation for the other person to be the safety net responsible for your well-being and unable to leave your side 24/7).

 

For example, my husband may be off doing an activity while I am in the middle of changing clothes when a room steward might knock at the door and walk in thinking no one is inside. The dog would alert me to the knock. Or in a more serious case, I think about the Costa Concordia that hit a rock and sank at 9:45 in the evening when my spouse foreseeably might be in the casino or at a show while I am back to the stateroom when people are running down the corridor knocking and calling.

 

A hearing dog is a highly visible symbol of invisible disability, which could be lifesaving in emergencies because its presence alerts other people that the handler may not hear what's going on.

 

What ghstudio wrote is correct. According to the standards of Assistance Dogs International, when in public, the dog should be within 24" of the handler at all times unless performing a task requiring greater distance. (Although part of their public access test for certification is not to whine or show aggression or anxiety if left with another person while the handler walks 20 feet away.) The dog sleeps on the floor very close to my bed and I am the only one who feeds or cares for her.

 

The partner training is aimed at forming a specific, one-person bond. My husband sometimes does have to hold onto the dog's leash as needed and would of course care for her if I were very ill or had to have surgery, and there's no question that the dog loves him. But the whole time I am gone, she stares intently at the door or direction I went. So kenneling or leaving the dog with a friend would be too hard on her and disrupt the training.

[CarolRick]

Thank you, Adammarra, for the Blu layout. Perhaps Constellation will be similar, though smaller.

 

candycaramel, no disrespect is taken at all. I understand the question. Here's a bit of explanation. Even traveling with a spouse, there will be times you want to do separate things (and it isn't fair or much of a vacation for the other person to be the safety net responsible for your well-being and unable to leave your side 24/7).

 

For example, my husband may be off doing an activity while I am in the middle of changing clothes when a room steward might knock at the door and walk in thinking no one is inside. The dog would alert me to the knock. Or in a more serious case, I think about the Costa Concordia that hit a rock and sank at 9:45 in the evening when my spouse foreseeably might be in the casino or at a show while I am back to the stateroom when people are running down the corridor knocking and calling.

 

A hearing dog is a highly visible symbol of invisible disability, which could be lifesaving in emergencies because its presence alerts other people that the handler may not hear what's going on.

 

What ghstudio wrote is correct. According to the standards of Assistance Dogs International, when in public, the dog should be within 24" of the handler at all times unless performing a task requiring greater distance. (Although part of their public access test for certification is not to whine or show aggression or anxiety if left with another person while the handler walks 20 feet away.) The dog sleeps on the floor very close to my bed and I am the only one who feeds or cares for her.

 

The partner training is aimed at forming a specific, one-person bond. My husband sometimes does have to hold onto the dog's leash as needed and would of course care for her if I were very ill or had to have surgery, and there's no question that the dog loves him. But the whole time I am gone, she stares intently at the door or direction I went. So kenneling or leaving the dog with a friend would be too hard on her and disrupt the training.

 

Thank You for the thorough explanation. It makes a lot of sense and gives a perspective that I had not thought about.

[fleckle]

We're early risers (traveling with a service dog for the first time), booked in a Sky Suite .....

 

Does Blu usually fill up in the mornings? With the dog (60 lb Labrador), we want to be as unobtrusive as possible to our fellow passengers, and will hope if we arrive early, we can request a table alongside a bulkhead, rather than out on the middle of the room, which works better for settling the dog quietly (and her tail) away from traffic.

 

If it turns out to be a hassle, we realize there are plenty of other options. But I'm interested in trying Blu for future reference.

 

You will be much better off going to Blu for breakfast, rather than the buffet which is always more of a hassle.

Blu should be no hassle at all.

 

If you speak to the maitre d' at Blu the first day to make him/her aware of your situation, the staff there should always arrange an appropriate table to accommodate you and your dog.

 

But as early risers, you may also want to consider ordering room service breakfast as a starter if you are hungry before Blu opens, or even occasionally as an alternative.

Many of us love having breakfast on the balcony, especially in nice weather for enjoying the scenery along those early morning approaches to the next port.

In a suite, you will really be pampered and your butler will set up the breakfast table for you.

 

End table is probably also the best option for muesli as it is made at the table from a cart. If seated away from a aisle you would have to walk to it instead of sitting at the table

The muesli should not be a problem, regardless of where you are sitting. Just let them know how you want your muesli prepared and if you are not close to the cart, they will bring it to you.

 

You are probably already familiar with Roz's long thread on cruising with a service dog, but just in case you are not (or for anyone else who may want it), here is a link

 

Cruising With A Service Dog....everything You Ever Wanted To Know!

 

Unbelievably, that thread is now 635 pages long!

 

[Hapytocruise]

Word of caution about Blu breakfast hours. They are not the same every day, check the daily planner evening before for opening and "doors closed" hours. Port and sea days can differ.

 

 

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[Loracpin2]

Just got off the Infinity this past Wednesday. Breakfast hours for Blu were 8:00-9:30 everyday except last morning of disembarkation.

[Sloop-JohnB]

No disrespect but do you have to take the dog with you every where when you have a partner with you? Just wondering?

 

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Great explanation post by the OP with Reply # 11

 

I would just add that the dog has a working relationship with it's owner... It is not a pet

 

These animals fulfil a role that an able person may take for granted (ie your eyes & ears... Or countless other skills)

 

Should someone go without their eyeglasses or hearing aids solely because they are with their spouse ?

 

Same principle

 

And for the record...

 

From a Celebrity POV

 

Service Animals must be with their owners 24/7... They are not allowed to be left in the cabin alone

 

Cheers!

Edited October 5, 2014 by Sloop-JohnB

[galavant3]

Just got off the Infinity this past Wednesday. Breakfast hours for Blu were 8:00-9:30 everyday except last morning of disembarkation.

 

It must depend on the ship and itinerary. Last cruise on the Summit, Blu breakfast was 7:30-9 on port days and 8-9:30 on sea days.

[lhbsurf]

We found Blu to be more crowded closer to the closing time (usually was 9:00 a.m. on our Alaska cruise) than early. Much nicer place for breakfasting than any where else on the ship, in my opinion.

[Caribbean Chris]

Yes, fleckle, thanks for that link. That thread has taken on a life of its own and become a kind of community where cruise-loving service dog partners, puppy raisers for future service dogs, and interested others "gather" almost daily. Including me. People have supported others through deaths of spouses and of dogs, and shared a lot of joys, too, like the arrival of new partner dogs. Always good feedback when someone returns from a cruise.

 

Thanks, everybody. Good to be aware the hours for breakfast will vary in Blu.

 

Yes, we'll probably have some balcony breakfasts. My sister-in-law and her adult daughter are coming along, also in a Sky Suite, so we'll do dinners together in various venues.

 

This is the first time we've booked a suite, since I wanted to have plenty of room for the dog and her suitcase full of "stuff." Doubt we'll do it often, but maybe Aqua Class will be an option, too, so I'll give Blu a try a time or two.

[Caribbean Chris]

We found Blu to be more crowded closer to the closing time (usually was 9:00 a.m. on our Alaska cruise) than early. Much nicer place for breakfasting than any where else on the ship, in my opinion.

 

I've seen other positive posts about it. Looking forward to a new Celebrity experience this trip!

 

I think we've all seen that the buffet can really get crowded. Searching for seating, peope rushing around carrying stuff. It's challenging enough to just walk a service dog from point A to B in that kind of environment, and my husband would either have to get my food or sit there alone monitoring the dog at the table while I did. Partnering with SDs is all about anticipation and preventing problems before they happen, I've learned.

[spookwife]

No disrespect but do you have to take the dog with you every where when you have a partner with you? Just wondering?

 

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uh YES they do. that's the whole POINT go having a service animal. so that you can be independent and NOT have to burden a partner or other companion.

[A Sixth?]

No disrespect but do you have to take the dog with you every where when you have a partner with you? Just wondering?

 

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Why do guests bring two lungs and two kidneys everywhere they go when one gets the job done.... :cool:

 

People!!! :rolleyes::p

 

Seriously, service animals are part of the person attached to them, and make excellent co-diners.

Edited October 5, 2014 by A Sixth?

[warmwinds]

On our cruise Blu opened at 7 am for breakfast, every day.

 

Helpful hint is to go to the buffet on sea days - everyone is sleeping in and it is not that crowded early on. On port days everyone wants to eat and get ready to go ashore so the buffet is a mess.