Sailing on Edge June 26th

[toohod]

4 hours ago, D C said:

What did they do with people who were early to their assigned boarding time? Just stand aside?

They made you return at the time you were supposed to. Some droppes luggae and took cabs. 
 

check in from arrival to on ship was less than 10 min for us—flawless execution

[D C]

7 minutes ago, toohod said:

They made you return at the time you were supposed to. Some dropped luggae and took cabs. 
 

check in from arrival to on ship was less than 10 min for us—flawless execution

Thanks. Must have been a lot of people loitering for a while.   We've never paid any attention to our given boarding time and haven't had an issue.  Wouldn't expect it to be any different now. 

 

 

 

 

[basenji56]

16 minutes ago, toohod said:

They made you return at the time you were supposed to. Some droppes luggae and took cabs. 
 

check in from arrival to on ship was less than 10 min for us—flawless execution

Does anyone know if Concierge Class gets an earlier check in time?

 

One of the benefits is a lunch in the MDR on the day of sailing. 

 

The last time I sailed in Concierge class (out of Vancouver, first sailing of the season), the checkin lines were so long that the MDR was closed for lunch by the time we got there.

 

 

[wrk2cruise]

6 minutes ago, D C said:

We've never paid any attention to our given boarding time and haven't had an issue.  Wouldn't expect it to be any different now. 

 

Why in the world wouldn't  you expect it to be any different now?  The entire boarding process (oh and world) is different now.   They have made it very clear not to arrive outside your assigned boarding time.

 

We have received "Important Boarding Day Information" emails each day for the last 2 days for our Saturday sailing.  It clearly states:

 

 

[D C]

7 minutes ago, wrk2cruise said:

 

Why in the world wouldn't  you expect it to be any different now?  The entire boarding process (oh and world) is different now.   They have made it very clear not to arrive outside your assigned boarding time.

 

We have received "Important Boarding Day Information" emails each day for the last 2 days for our Saturday sailing.  It clearly states:

 

 

Why would I not expect it to be different? 

1) It has been consistently ignored on every cruise I have ever been on

2) I am more then 6 days out from my next sailing, so the information that YOU received for your very soon sailing isn't exactly information that I would expect to be common knowledge.

[Gracie115]

57 minutes ago, wrk2cruise said:

 

Why in the world wouldn't  you expect it to be any different now?  The entire boarding process (oh and world) is different now.   They have made it very clear not to arrive outside your assigned boarding time.

 

We have received "Important Boarding Day Information" emails each day for the last 2 days for our Saturday sailing.  It clearly states:

 

 

 

Thank you...that was my first reaction too...... No one should be arriving early.  Show up at your allotted time.... if you miss lunch, oh well......  far more important for every sailing to go as smoothly as possible right now.  

[Sweet Dreams]

2 minutes ago, Gracie115 said:

 

Thank you...that was my first reaction too...... No one should be arriving early.  Show up at your allotted time.... if you miss lunch, oh well......  far more important for every sailing to go as smoothly as possible right now.  

What is the first boarding time being offered? 

[lux4me]

Thanks for the info on the chefs table. I will pass on it now.  Was thinking about it after dining at Daniel in NYC. 
the best Chefs Tables are Oceania wine dinner and Seabourn.  
Been fortunate to enjoy both.  
 

[graveytrain]

We are to arrive between 12:00 and 12:30. I don’t know if earlier times are available. 

[C-Dragons]

1 hour ago, wrk2cruise said:

 

Why in the world wouldn't  you expect it to be any different now?  The entire boarding process (oh and world) is different now.   They have made it very clear not to arrive outside your assigned boarding time.

 

We have received "Important Boarding Day Information" emails each day for the last 2 days for our Saturday sailing.  It clearly states:

 

 

Our cruise on Edge is July 17. We each received the same email notification today.

 

[C-Dragons]

2 minutes ago, graveytrain said:

We are to arrive between 12:00 and 12:30. I don’t know if earlier times are available. 

12:00-12:30 is the earliest time slot offered.

[Sykes]

6 hours ago, D C said:

What did they do with people who were early to their assigned boarding time? Just stand aside?

I didn't see it first-hand since I'm in a suite, but I'm told that they had different lines for each boarding time and, for example, processed the 1 PM people once they got through the 12:30 people; however, the process was efficient enough that they got through people pretty quickly and started taking people outside of their designated times pretty early.

 

22 hours ago, Alabaster Cruiser said:

I see "low stakes gaming" in the casino from 2pm till 6pm.  What does that consist of?  Thanks

As far as I can tell it doesn't mean anything at all. The table minimums were the same. I don't play slots but maybe they decreased the minimums on some of them? But it seems like that would be pretty silly since there's already such an array of different minimums.

 

19 hours ago, jcpc said:

Would you happen to know who the manager (maitre'd) of Luminae is?  Also, have you met the Retreat Manager and the Retreat Concierges?  If you know their names would you please post them? 

Maitre'd is Marko (I think that's how his name is spelled). The concierge team is Amber, Houssain, and João. I haven't spent a ton of time in The Retreat so I don't know who the manager is.

 

[djh]

4 hours ago, Gracie115 said:

 

Agree completely about the "bubble."  Especially right now it's so important that ships remain as virus free as possible.

 

We were disappointed in our Chef's Table on Reflection a few years ago.  Food was okay, wine was too but we didn't think the experience was worth the $$.  Believe it or not our best Chef's Table experience on the sea was on Royal's Oasis.  Just outstanding.

 

Still thinking about that 8/21 sailing....would be good way to celebrate my birthday.

 

Would love to know staff's names in Luminae too, but just thankful for all that you have shared!!!!

Marco is the the maitre’d in Luminae. Dennis is the sommelier. Our waiter is Jose. We knew him as Luis and he was our waiter in Luminae on our last cruise on the Infinity in March when they shut down. So wonderful to see them. They are all great but in all the crew  (especially the kitchen) hasn’t found their rhythm yet.  Not a complaint, just an observation. The suites are more full than the rest of the ship and Luminae at times is crowded and service is slow. We are loving the ship and the warm welcoming from  everyone. If you are looking for perfection, wait a few months. They are still not fully staffed and it will take time. That being said, we are having a fantastic time!

[bnurick]

29 minutes ago, Sykes said:

I didn't see it first-hand since I'm in a suite, but I'm told that they had different lines for each boarding time and, for example, processed the 1 PM people once they got through the 12:30 people; however, the process was efficient enough that they got through people pretty quickly and started taking people outside of their designated times pretty early.

 

As far as I can tell it doesn't mean anything at all. The table minimums were the same. I don't play slots but maybe they decreased the minimums on some of them? But it seems like that would be pretty silly since there's already such an array of different minimums.

 

Maitre'd is Marko (I think that's how his name is spelled). The concierge team is Amber, Houssain, and João. I haven't spent a ton of time in The Retreat so I don't know who the manager is.

 

 

24 minutes ago, djh said:

Marco is the the maitre’d in Luminae. Dennis is the sommelier. Our waiter is Jose. We knew him as Luis and he was our waiter in Luminae on our last cruise on the Infinity in March when they shut down. So wonderful to see them. They are all great but in all the crew  (especially the kitchen) hasn’t found their rhythm yet.  Not a complaint, just an observation. The suites are more full than the rest of the ship and Luminae at times is crowded and service is slow. We are loving the ship and the warm welcoming from  everyone. If you are looking for perfection, wait a few months. They are still not fully staffed and it will take time. That being said, we are having a fantastic time!

I see two fellow shipmates helped with some questions.  I agree that there are many kinks to work out.  We are in a suite too and Luminae takes awhile, but it doesn’t bother us.  Our room being cleaned has been inconsistent to Noon to 3pm today.  Had to ask for a scheduled time now so we can better plan out our days.

 

If you want perfection, I agree you need to wait a few months for things to be back into a routine.

[djh]

Today in Costa Maya we were allowed to go to the port shop area. This was because according to a shop owner, all that worked in the area were required to be fully vaccinated and have a negative covid test within 48 hours. 
 

[Gracie115]

53 minutes ago, djh said:

Marco is the the maitre’d in Luminae. Dennis is the sommelier. Our waiter is Jose. We knew him as Luis and he was our waiter in Luminae on our last cruise on the Infinity in March when they shut down. So wonderful to see them. They are all great but in all the crew  (especially the kitchen) hasn’t found their rhythm yet.  Not a complaint, just an observation. The suites are more full than the rest of the ship and Luminae at times is crowded and service is slow. We are loving the ship and the warm welcoming from  everyone. If you are looking for perfection, wait a few months. They are still not fully staffed and it will take time. That being said, we are having a fantastic time!

 

I remember Marco, but don't know the other names.  Davut and Sonny and Daniel  were 3 of the waiters we've had but have no idea if any have been called back yet.  

 

Not surprised that things aren't running smoothly yet, but am sure they will get up to speed soon.

[helen haywood]

Enjoying reading about this exciting first sailing!!  We sail in August and the app just let me do checkin…but when I clicked dining it just gave me a description of the restaurants and said reservations are recommended…but no way to do so.  Did any of you make reservations on the app?  Are they only available closer to sailing date?

[Cruising89143]

Really enjoying the updates. Hoping someone on board can snap a photo of the current Eden menu to see if it matches that of the Apex. 

[TommyD3]

3 hours ago, C-Dragons said:

12:00-12:30 is the earliest time slot offered.

1:00 PM was the earliest available for our July 10 Edge sailing.

If we have to wait till then and go to the cabin to get the Seapass cards will probable miss the Concierge lunch !!!

[goldsmip115]

At this point I would categorize missing the concierge lunch as a third word problem that should be the worst problem that you face.

[goldsmip115]

I actually survived missing my boarding first day lunch in Luminae on one cruise. Life did go on.

[Blackduck59]

13 minutes ago, goldsmip115 said:

At this point I would categorize missing the concierge lunch as a third word problem that should be the worst problem that you face.

 

While I take your point, it's not much of a "perk" if the supplier of said "perk" makes it impossible to partake in it. It's not a world changing event but it is definitely bait and switch.

[basenji56]

4 minutes ago, Blackduck59 said:

 

While I take your point, it's not much of a "perk" if the supplier of said "perk" makes it impossible to partake in it. It's not a world changing event but it is definitely bait and switch.

Yes, this is definitely true.  Given how crazy the Oceanview is the day of sailing, the Concierge lunch in the MDR is a nice perk.  

[goofysmom99]

49 minutes ago, goldsmip115 said:

At this point I would categorize missing the concierge lunch as a third word problem that should be the worst problem that you face.

If you're intending to criticize, missing a conceirge/luminae lunch would be first world problem.  Missing a meal IS a third world problem.

[cruiserchuck]

Pretty much any problem you could have on a Celebrity cruise would be a first world problem.  

 

However, during my one time in a suite, I was annoyed when I arrived at the ship in time for lunch on embarkation day, and was advised that Luminae was not open for lunch that day.