specialty restaurants questions

[fragilek]

Hi looking at packages on line for the restaurants for the 3 nights but would prefer to book when on the cruise as we have a lot of OBC to use up.  Do they do these offers on board.  Also we have the drinks package are we able to order from that in these restaurants or do we have to buy by the bottle in there.

 

[colocop004]

I am sure that they do offer the packages on board, probably a bit higher price.  If you are flexible, a lot of times they will offer individual specialty restaurants at a discount if they are not completely booked.   

 

Yes, the drink package works in the specialty restaurants.  Just have to be mindful of the cost per drink depending on the package you have.  If you do want to buy a bottle of wine, the package should give you a discount on the wine.  

[George C]

Drink package is good for all restaurants and bars on ship . They may or may not have specials when you board.

[fragilek]

thanks for the quick responses.

[ghstudio]

Your drink package applies in all the restaurants and bars.

 

like many other areas, the policy can vary by ship, by cruise.  I believe the current practice is that you can buy things using your on board credit even before the cruise.  If you are concerned about OBC given by your travel agent, that's almost always refundable so you don't have to spend it, you'll get it returned to you at the end of the cruise.

 

Several comments:

1) most cruises offer a special deal on specialty restaurants if you eat there the first night....30-50% off. If you buy a 3 dinner package, one of those nights will be the first night....making it not such a good deal since you could have booked that first night without the package. 

2) On many/most cruises, there are deals offered on specialty restaurants once they figure out there are lots of openings.  Not all restaurants...not all times, but they may offer 30% off.  You can also make them a quiet offer...sometimes if you say something like could you do 2 people for $40 instead of $50 each, we'd book....and they may say yes.

3)If you want to dine at a specific restaurant, time or date,...that's when to book in advance.  Even with the packages, you may not get what you want...you can only book the other 2 (or more) nights when you get on the ship...and then it's first come, first served (sorry for the pun)..

 

[fragilek]

There are 8 of us we are sailing on the infinity do you think that we would have any chance of tables after we board.  Can the restaurants be booked in advance  somehow on cruise planner (even if at usual price)

[OT-Miami]

When we sailed on Equinox in Oct 2018, we waited too long to book the 3-night specialty dining package pre-cruise.  About 4-weeks prior to sailing the only specialty dining packages available were 5-nights and up, which we were not interested in.  However, once onboard we were able to book the 3-night specialty dining package right outside Tuscan Grill, and we made all 3 reservations right on the spot. 

[ghstudio]

Booking for 8 is problematic....I think the web site only allows a booking for 4.  Suggested approach is to book 2 parties of 4 and then as soon as you get on board, see the maitre d' or whoever is handling dining changes/etc....and explain that it's really a party of 8.  If you tell them in advance on board, there should be no problem.  Don't waste your time trying to arrange before you get on the ship....experience says that folks in HQ never ever speak to anyone on the ship about personal requests.

[FLbeachbaby]

4 hours ago, ghstudio said:

Booking for 8 is problematic....I think the web site only allows a booking for 4.  Suggested approach is to book 2 parties of 4 and then as soon as you get on board, see the maitre d' or whoever is handling dining changes/etc....and explain that it's really a party of 8.  If you tell them in advance on board, there should be no problem.  Don't waste your time trying to arrange before you get on the ship....experience says that folks in HQ never ever speak to anyone on the ship about personal requests.

Hi ghstudio- fellow FL person here. Noticed you are sailing Constellation soon. Will you come back and report on your trip? Not much coming from Europe yet and we are in August wondering how things are. Curious about Luminae menu, debark time, if you are in Venice, general ship stuff as well.  Sorry to hijack.. 

[ghstudio]

1 hour ago, FLbeachbaby said:

Hi ghstudio- fellow FL person here. Noticed you are sailing Constellation soon. Will you come back and report on your trip? Not much coming from Europe yet and we are in August wondering how things are. Curious about Luminae menu, debark time, if you are in Venice, general ship stuff as well.  Sorry to hijack.. 

I always do a "live from" thread.....not in suite or aqua so won't be commenting on Luminae or Blu

[FLbeachbaby]

1 hour ago, ghstudio said:

I always do a "live from" thread.....not in suite or aqua so won't be commenting on Luminae or Blu

Awesome, I'll look for it ! Thank you

[like2cruise]

You can buy your specialty dining package, if you decide you want it, with your onboard credit prior to your cruise through the cruise manager.  We have on our  last 2 cruises.  

[George C]

2 hours ago, ghstudio said:

I always do a "live from" thread.....not in suite or aqua so won't be commenting on Luminae or Blu

If it’s in your budget to get a suite we just loved suite restaurant luminae, on last couple of cruises, I thought food and definitely service was better than specialty restaurants, also love suite lounge micheals.

[keesar]

17 hours ago, fragilek said:

Hi looking at packages on line for the restaurants for the 3 nights but would prefer to book when on the cruise as we have a lot of OBC to use up.  Do they do these offers on board.  Also we have the drinks package are we able to order from that in these restaurants or do we have to buy by the bottle in there.

 

 

If you really want the 3 night package, you should consider booking one before you cruise.  On one of our cruises, they were "sold out" of the 3 night package upon boarding.  Probably unusual but it can happen.   

[oneputt18]

9 hours ago, like2cruise said:

You can buy your specialty dining package, if you decide you want it, with your onboard credit prior to your cruise through the cruise manager.  We have on our  last 2 cruises.  

Only Celebrity OBC can be used in advance, TA OBC can only be used onboard.

[NantahalaCruiser]

On 6/21/2019 at 2:08 PM, fragilek said:

Hi looking at packages on line for the restaurants for the 3 nights but would prefer to book when on the cruise as we have a lot of OBC to use up.  Do they do these offers on board.  Also we have the drinks package are we able to order from that in these restaurants or do we have to buy by the bottle in there.

 

At $129pp ($43 per meal) the 3-night package is not a great deal unless you intend to eat all 3 at Murano's; and then you are only saving $7 per meal. You will probably be better off negotiating a discounted price for individual dinners while on board.

[grandgeezer]

On 6/21/2019 at 11:08 AM, fragilek said:

Hi looking at packages on line for the restaurants for the 3 nights but would prefer to book when on the cruise as we have a lot of OBC to use up.  Do they do these offers on board.  Also we have the drinks package are we able to order from that in these restaurants or do we have to buy by the bottle in there.

 

If you got the obc right from Celebrity you can book the dining packages on line, right now. If you got it from a TA, you'll have to wait until you get on the ship.

[countess5]

Not sure what is up with ultimate dining package......we are on Constellation in October out of Rome and they want $299 PP with only three restaurants to select from. Will do my bargaining after we get on the ship to get deals along the way! 

 

Cheers!🍸