Celebrity Select Dining - all it's cracked up to be?

[contessaMD]

Semi related question. I see on the April 23 Silhouette trans Atlantic that traditional dining is listed as 6:30 and 8:45...seems pretty late for late seating. Anyone know if this is likely accurate?

 

Could be as an EB itinerary will have the ship losing clock hours every day. I don't know when they adjust the clocks on the ship though - hopefully it's when people are asleep!

[sasset]

Sailed both directions several times...always advise to set forward or back upon retiring. This is just the first time in several crossings that we late listed as 8:45.

[varoo]

,,,,,,,,On a personal note, I would hope given we always book Select that Select dining flexibility isn't hindered by those who are allocated fixed dining wanting to use my dining room when I booked well ahead to secure Select dining. I've read reports of people who were allocated Blu and Luminae being allowed into Select (without reservations and ahead of Select diners queuing ) so they can 'try' another venue. Fine, as long as I can take their seats in Blu or Luminae.

While standing in line waiting for Select dining, we have seen the Michael's Club concierge lead large groups of suite passengers and their companions directly into Select dining ahead of all the people who have been patiently waiting in line.

 

We have seen other staff members bring in groups that way as well, but did not know who they were or why they received priority treatment. (Possibly people from Blu?)

As you point out, the Select people do not get to take their seats in Luminae or Blue.

 

People from fixed dining who miss their regular dining times, or want to dine with new friends, also go to Select, although (as far as I know) they do not get priority seating.

In past years, we loved Select dining as the lines were short and they seated people very quickly.

It has only been on recent cruises that we have encountered the frustrating, long waits to be seated.

[NEW 2 CRUISIN]

personally, i think allowing pre-reservation of dining times just removes the flexibility for everyone else and they should scrap it. However whilst its still an option its one we feel reluctantly forced to take.

 

I agree 100%!!!

[hcat]

While standing in line waiting for Select dining, we have seen the Michael's Club concierge lead large groups of suite passengers and their companions directly into Select dining ahead of all the people who have been patiently waiting in line.

 

We have seen other staff members bring in groups that way as well, but did not know who they were or why they received priority treatment. (Possibly people from Blu?)

As you point out, the Select people do not get to take their seats in Luminae or Blue.

 

People from fixed dining who miss their regular dining times, or want to dine with new friends, also go to Select, although (as far as I know) they do not get priority seating.

In past years, we loved Select dining as the lines were short and they seated people very quickly.

It has only been on recent cruises that we have encountered the frustrating, long waits to be seated.

 

Prior to Luminae opening, the Michaels Club Concierge was doing this regularly on Reflection,..leading suite guests directly into BLU en masse while AQ class diners were left to stand on line. Big controversey ensued and this practice abruptly ended...just before we cruised on Ref. On our cruise, AQ class was given priority in their assigned BLU dining room and suite guests were admitted as space permitted. We have not seen groups from BLU led out, but who knows?

 

 

We did make res 1 night for early dining in the Select area when we could not take the continued bad service in BLU on Infinity on our Oct cruise. We were told they only had two time slots we could take...seems it was capacity controlled

 

.Now that Luminae is up and running, I agree that it should be the assigned spot for suite guests...

[Hlitner]

As long tine Select Dining fans, we think some cruisers just do not get it! If you want to dine from about 6:30 - 8, you are likely going to have some issues. Reservations (we think there should be no reservations for Select) simply puts you into a different line then those without reservations. If you are willing to share a large table, your waiting time might be reasonable. If you want a 2-top, you have to wait your turn. Since many folks dine between 5:30 and 6....these folks are still eating! A 7:00 dining time is probably among the worst times because earlier diners are not finished and many others are trying to get in around 7. It is simply the law of supply and demand...and the demand (at that popular time) exceeds the supply of available tables/waiters.

 

We normally dine a little after 8 (having enjoyed our cocktails) and seldom have to wait more then 5 minutes....since we love to share large tables. If we wanted a 2 top we might be given a beeper..in which case we would simply head to a bar and enjoy a drink while we wait to get beeped. Those folks that are happy to spend lots of time (every day) standing and waiting in queues are a mystery...as we are all on vacation and most do not enjoy waiting in lines. On the other hand, we know plenty of cruisers who always want to do everything at the time of maximum lines...and that is certainly their right.

 

Hank

[clr315]

There is a line for reservations that was longer than the line without reservations and they got a pager? I guess I will try making reservations and if I have this problem cancel and try the no reservation line.

Yes that was exactly what happened. There wasn't a line for no reservations because they got the buzzers. Only happened on this particular cruise but still leave your options open.

[ChucktownSteve]

Sometimes it also depends upon the ability of the hostess. On Equinox last December, there was never a wait of more than a minute or two on the starboard side as she was the most efficient I have encountered. Conversely, the port side always had a waiting line for both reservations and walk ups.

[Anubi]

We had Select dining on the Eclipse and we didn't have to wait to be seated any night. We always asked to be seated with a larger table, maybe that had something to do with it. It was so efficient that DH commented on how much better Celebrity was than Princess for Anytime dining.

[kevinyork]

Semi related question. I see on the April 23 Silhouette trans Atlantic that traditional dining is listed as 6:30 and 8:45...seems pretty late for late seating. Anyone know if this is likely accurate?

 

 

 

Our June Eclipse British Isles cruise has late sitting at 8.45pm as well. We couldn't eat that late. Wonder if this is creeping out across the fleet?

 

 

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[kevinyork]

I keep reading that on some ships that Select moved down to the main floor thereby creating more seating but on our Eclipse trips it's always been on the upper floor of the MDR. When we look down from Select we frequently see empty seats where presumably diners are eating elsewhere. Their empty seat can't be given to someone else. I don't think it will be long until Celebrity move to totally flexible dining, maybe with the Edge class?

 

 

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[Fish Lover]

... I've read reports of people who were allocated Blu and Luminae being allowed into Select (without reservations and ahead of Select diners queuing ) so they can 'try' another venue. Fine, as long as I can take their seats in Blu or Luminae.

 

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This may be what you have read here, from a few posters, however it is patently incorrect. The number of people who opt on any given evening to eat in select dining as opposed to Blu or Luminae is insignificant. The number of passengers who have select dining and then opt to either eat in their cabin, eat at the buffet or go to a specialty is far greater. If select is over booked it is far more likely that an unexpected number of passengers had chosen to eat in the dining room. Further if passengers "miss" their fixed dining time, they are permitted to dine in select. Also, for the very few people who may be eating in the MDR instead of Blu or Luminae, they DO NOT get priority seating over anyone. Your impression is based on posts that are not factual. Some "groups" who have made special arrangements do seem to get seated together at an appointed time, in a manner that appears to bypass those waiting. These are special events. They travel as a group. They have done their "waiting" at another location. Also, no assumptions should be made as to who the group is, based on who escorted them in. Ship staff is always available to be reassigned for something out of the ordinary as well as a matter of course.

 

It is utterly amazing how many assumptions are made in an effort to "prove the negative" and claim that a person is being treated badly. It is perplexing to me how many people proclaim themselves as Elite, Elite +, Zenith, suite guests as though ithat alone defines them, and to make sure they get the preferential treatment they are entitled to, and the willingness to claim foul when anything appears to be of the contrary. Even if they aren't personally. impacted.

[kevinyork]

Fish lover. My comments on the use of Select by Blu and Luminae passengers who skip the lines isn't just based on posts on here. It's from speaking with a quite lovely Maitre' D on Eclipse (who shouldn't really have told us) and speaking to suite passengers we saw escorted past us in the line. They confirmed that Blu and Luminae diners can choose to eat in Select without queuing. Finally, why are fixed dining guests who miss their dining time allowed to eat in Select? They have fixed dining. Why should they be allowed to take a space in Select. That's unfair.

 

 

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[chowderbsk]

I'm with you Contessa! Starting dinner at 8:30....which means getting out of there close to or after 10pm did not work for us on our Silhouette TA last October....We heard awful reviews from those who had Select on this particular cruise as well....most experienced a long wait and drove many to the Specialty restaurants...This is what we ended up doing as well for over half our dinners. We enjoyed the dinners in the MDR for the most part...(a few send backs, but overall fine), but trying to get to sleep while digesting dinner did now work for our metabolism! I noticed that a nice size chunk of the lower MDR was transformed into Luminae for suite guests, and I would assume that this accounts for at least one reason the early dining fills up so fast. As we seem to book our cruises last minute, we have not had early dining in years....for many cruises. Next month on Solstice to Alaska we may simply dine in Specialty restaurants, which is not what we would like, as dinner guests from past cruises have become great friends. Good luck with your dining decisions and bon voyage!! Brian K.

[NordicPrince]

There are reports of people on fixed dining who miss their dining time being allowed to use Select however given your allocated dining is fixed then it's a slim chance as Select is usually the busiest option.

 

On a personal note, I would hope given we always book Select that Select dining flexibility isn't hindered by those who are allocated fixed dining wanting to use my dining room when I booked well ahead to secure Select dining. I've read reports of people who were allocated Blu and Luminae being allowed into Select (without reservations and ahead of Select diners queuing ) so they can 'try' another venue. Fine, as long as I can take their seats in Blu or Luminae.

 

 

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Is "my dining room" a new feature that Celebrity is offering, or do you have to pay an added fee for that? I hope you let us eat in "your dining room"

because DW is very difficult when she is tired, thirsty and hungry. Just a warning.

If the 8:30 seating is too late there is a little thing called "Room Service" to get you something to tide you over.

We always eat at the 8:30 seating, it gives us time to relax at the Sunset Bar and watch sail away and get cleaned up after being off the ship for the day, DW goes up to the Persian Garden, have a cocktail or 3 and dine with the same group of people in a relaxed unrushed manner. But to each his\her own.

[tuft]

I signed up for Select dining on our next cruise because we got stuck in the miserable abyss known as the late seating the last time. This girl needs dinner by 7:00 or bad, bad things happen. I dealt with it before by having "pre-dinner" in the OVC at around 5:00 to tide me over the many hours before we were seated, but I don't desire to have another four-meal-a-day cruise next time!

 

I did take notice, though, of the veritable log-jam of diners waiting in line for Select dining arrangements when we were on the Reflection. I'm beginning to have second thoughts about my choice. Waiting on a line and not-knowing doesn't sound like a step in the right direction.

 

Is it possible to reserve a set/regular dining time after the first night?

 

If not, does the Maitre d' hand out buzzers to let diners know when a table is available? I'm not keen on taking up residence outside the MDR doors waiting to hear my name called.

 

Would one greatly increase their chances of dining at a particularly popular time if we were open to eating with other passengers? (I feel like this may have been what sunk us last time - I innocently requested a 2-top, but perhaps this limited our choices a lot more than I assumed it would?)

 

Do you have any other Select dining tips/tricks/warnings you can share with me?

 

 

If you have been confirmed for "Select" dining you can go ahead and reserve reservations online for any night you'd like. Log into your cruise reservation. Under the name of the cruise you will see a variety of menu options. Select and open "Explore Cruise Planner". Now scroll down until you see "Dining" listed under "Explore the Possibilities". Once the "dining" option opens, scroll all the way down to the bottom of the page until you see "Celebrity Select Dining". Hit "add to cart". The next page will bring you to a page where you can make reservations for every night of the cruise. It is pretty self explanatory. If you run into any problems contact Celebrity by telephone. The staff will be very helpful in getting your reservations set.

Hope this helps!

 

Peg

[tuft]

Hi. Looking at my reservation online for our April transatlantic. I don't see an option for reserving a time in Select. Can you point me there?

 

Thanks

 

Sure. Log into the Celebrity website and find your cruise under "My Reservations". Under the cruise name you will find a menu of choices. Select and open "Explore Cruise Planner". When the page opens it will say "Explore the Possibilities". Select the "dining"option and open it. When the page opens scroll all the way down to the bottom of the page until you see "Celebrity Select Dining". Hit "add to cart". A page will then open and a drop down box will appear that allows you to make reservations for all or any day you'd like. It is pretty self-explanatory though it can be a bit cumbersome. If you run into any difficulty contact Celebrity by phone. They will help you out. Hope this helps!

 

Peg

[sasset]

Thanks. Just debating time last several cruises late fixed dining was 830 so we would reserve select for 845, worked out great for us... a little uncrowded Martini Bar. Upcoming cruise lists late dining as 845...9 would be too late.

[zebra36]

Any solo cruisers have experience with the select dining option, curious as to how this worked out for you.

[bottomfeeder]

Any solo cruisers have experience with the select dining option, curious as to how this worked out for you.

 

I am a solo cruiser and I always choose select dining because I love the flexibility. They will ask if you want to share a table usually, though sometimes they just assume you do--so if you want to eat by yourself just let the host/hostess at the desk in front of the dining room know. After the first couple days they will just assume you want to share/not share as you have chosen already, so if you chose to share the first couple days but on the 3rd day you want to eat by yourself you will need to be sure to let the host/hostess know that.

 

Not sure what else you might be uncertain about re select dining? Yes, sometimes you get a buzzer and have to wait if you choose to dine alone, but if you share you pretty much always get seated right away, though you may then have to wait until the table is full before the waiter takes your orders. Though in my experience they are pretty good about letting you order and starting service after 10 minutes or so even if the table has not filled.

[JaniceB]

Yes that was exactly what happened. There wasn't a line for no reservations because they got the buzzers. Only happened on this particular cruise but still leave your options open.

Thanks for the tip!

[sanger727]

We've cruise once w celebrity select dining, though we always choose that dining time on every cruise we take because we prefer it. We didn't have any issues w our select dining last time, but we also ate early. We usually eat between 5:30-6:30, if I make a 6:00 reservation every night can we use the reservation line then if it's shorter and still come between 5:30-6:30? I really dislike the making of reservations for select dining but don't want to lose out because everyone else is. Clearly, no one except a capacity controlled portion of passengers that get select should be allowed in at all (so no suite, no blu, no traditional) but it appears that isn't the case.

 

 

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[rjp50]

Also, for the very few people who may be eating in the MDR instead of Blu or Luminae, they DO NOT get priority seating over anyone. Your impression is based on posts that are not factual.

I'm wondering on what basis that the previous assertion was deemed "not factual'. I know for a fact that on our Equinox cruise last summer that there was a couple who ate at the same table in the select dining section of the MDR at the same time every night. They were eligible for Blu but preferred the MDR so they were given this reserved table on a standing basis. I know this as a "fact" because we sat next to them several nights and that is what they told us.

[starette]

I signed up for Select dining on our next cruise because we got stuck in the miserable abyss known as the late seating the last time. This girl needs dinner by 7:00 or bad, bad things happen. I dealt with it before by having "pre-dinner" in the OVC at around 5:00 to tide me over the many hours before we were seated, but I don't desire to have another four-meal-a-day cruise next time!

 

I did take notice, though, of the veritable log-jam of diners waiting in line for Select dining arrangements when we were on the Reflection. I'm beginning to have second thoughts about my choice. Waiting on a line and not-knowing doesn't sound like a step in the right direction.

 

Is it possible to reserve a set/regular dining time after the first night?

 

If not, does the Maitre d' hand out buzzers to let diners know when a table is available? I'm not keen on taking up residence outside the MDR doors waiting to hear my name called.

 

Would one greatly increase their chances of dining at a particularly popular time if we were open to eating with other passengers? (I feel like this may have been what sunk us last time - I innocently requested a 2-top, but perhaps this limited our choices a lot more than I assumed it would?)

 

Do you have any other Select dining tips/tricks/warnings you can share with me?

 

yes you can reserve online - we always do for 7 and always get a table for 2, and we like our table the first night we request to have it again the rest of the cruise.