Elite cocktail lounge changes ?

[lovescarborough]

2 hours ago, doghog said:

@frteach and @lovescarborough. What ship?

Equinox 

[frteach]

Thanks for the update, kwokpot. As I said, we used to have the drink pkg when we cruised in the past, so we didn't care about the elite drink perks and didn't need them. Nice to know that we can drink to our heart's content for the HH, but we still won't have more than 2! Guess I will read up on the CC perks! Really looking forward to this next cruise.

[dazey]

We sailed on Apex in December and always enjoyed the HH for a few drinks(maybe 2) and also got waters for the room.  There is no limit mentioned.  We also do visit the casino and would receive complimentary drinks if playing.  No upscale liquor of course.  Sometimes we would get a wine before leaving the casino for dinner(late dining).  

 

We always would purchase premium beverage plan but once we became Elite we thought we would try to sail without a beverage plan and was so surprised how much money we saved. We do buy a bottle of wine and also a bottle of sake with the 20% discount once on a 7 day cruise. I believe we do drink less but that may be a good thing for the pocketbook and the body. Has not changed our cruise experience at all.

 

 

[frteach]

This has been a good discussion for me bc I was definitely in need of an update on the Elite drinks rules, having sailed with Always Included before and after I reached Elite status.  Last year I was on Explorer OTS and enjoyed the Diamond Lounge and the 4 drinks anytime, any drinks.  I wish I could say that I am fully enlightened now, but I'm not really. Maybe I won't figure it out until I'm on board. Anyway, you people seem to get it, so set me straight.  During the HH, 5-7, any bar, not restaurants or MDR, drinks from the list are unlimited, and we can take any drink into the DR.  We eat as early as possible after 5:30.  At least one poster stated that they were served whatever they wanted, and were not limited to the list, although the warning at the bottom of the list seems pretty clear. At the Elite Lounge or Event, (which occurs how often, where, and for how long?) there is a different list, more limited, sometimes good canapes and music, and sometimes nothing at all. Did I read that someone got a drink that was not on the list at one of these events as well? I'm trying to save money too, so no pkg will be purchased, but I hope this works out. We will certainly buy what we really want around the pool or in the evening, of course. 

To change the subject, I was reading the CC tier benefits on the website and I saw no mention of the complimentary 90 min (I believe that was the number) of internet for Elite members that we used to get. Has this been discontinued? The agent I spoke to when I booked the cruise seemed not to know this, and recommended that I use it up for both of us, then see about getting more for whatever time was left on the cruise. Am I hijacking this thread? Sorry!

[Ex-Airbalancer]

4 minutes ago, frteach said:

This has been a good discussion for me bc I was definitely in need of an update on the Elite drinks rules, having sailed with Always Included before and after I reached Elite status.  Last year I was on Explorer OTS and enjoyed the Diamond Lounge and the 4 drinks anytime, any drinks.  I wish I could say that I am fully enlightened now, but I'm not really. Maybe I won't figure it out until I'm on board. Anyway, you people seem to get it, so set me straight.  During the HH, 5-7, any bar, not restaurants or MDR, drinks from the list are unlimited, and we can take any drink into the DR.  We eat as early as possible after 5:30.  At least one poster stated that they were served whatever they wanted, and were not limited to the list, although the warning at the bottom of the list seems pretty clear. At the Elite Lounge or Event, (which occurs how often, where, and for how long?) there is a different list, more limited, sometimes good canapes and music, and sometimes nothing at all. Did I read that someone got a drink that was not on the list at one of these events as well? I'm trying to save money too, so no pkg will be purchased, but I hope this works out. We will certainly buy what we really want around the pool or in the evening, of course. 

To change the subject, I was reading the CC tier benefits on the website and I saw no mention of the complimentary 90 min (I believe that was the number) of internet for Elite members that we used to get. Has this been discontinued? The agent I spoke to when I booked the cruise seemed not to know this, and recommended that I use it up for both of us, then see about getting more for whatever time was left on the cruise. Am I hijacking this thread? Sorry!

There another thread to read 

 

[doghog]

1 hour ago, frteach said:

 During the HH, 5-7, any bar, not restaurants or MDR, drinks from the list are unlimited, and we can take any drink into the DR. 

 

 

At the Elite Lounge or Event, (which occurs how often, where, and for how long?) there is a different list, more limited, sometimes good canapes and music, and sometimes nothing at all. 

 

I was reading the CC tier benefits on the website and I saw no mention of the complimentary 90 min (I believe that was the number) of internet for Elite members that we used to get. Has this been discontinued? The agent I spoke to when I booked the cruise seemed not to know this, and recommended that I use it up for both of us, then see about getting more for whatever time was left on the cruise. 

CC HH is from 5 to 7 each night except the first night (embarkation). CC HH drinks are unlimited from the limited CC HH beverage menu. No CC HH drinks in any of the dining venues and theater. 

 

The CC HH for elite and above at a lounge to be announced for that sailing is from 5 to 7. Unlimited drinks. I've only read one post since the CC reinstated the lounge event that the drinks are from a more limited beverage menu and no snacks. Could have been a ship thing and not fleetwide (?). Hopefully others will chime in with their recent experiences. 

 

The 90 minutes of internet for Elite has not be discontinued. Once you've used your minutes, you're done. You can purchase additional internet minutes or a package. The agent you spoke with is clueless!! 

Edited January 28 by doghog

[frteach]

Thanks for confirmation, doghog. I am going to try to take my HH drink into the dining room with me, as several posters have said that it is possible, and we will see if I am stopped. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Ditto for my H's glass of red wine. We only need one with dinner anyway. We will also go to the Elite lounge event and judge for ourselves if it is worth it. 

[Ex-Airbalancer]

1 minute ago, frteach said:

Thanks for confirmation, doghog. I am going to try to take my HH drink into the dining room with me, as several posters have said that it is possible, and we will see if I am stopped. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Ditto for my H's glass of red wine. We only need one with dinner anyway. We will also go to the Elite lounge event and judge for ourselves if it is worth it. 

You can take a glass of wine from your cabin into MDR if you want 

[doghog]

7 minutes ago, frteach said:

Thanks for confirmation, doghog. I am going to try to take my HH drink into the dining room with me, as several posters have said that it is possible, and we will see if I am stopped. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Ditto for my H's glass of red wine. We only need one with dinner anyway. We will also go to the Elite lounge event and judge for ourselves if it is worth it. 

No problem. Many do exactly that. I even leave once we are seated and bring back a couple glasses of wine from the one of the bars. 🍷

Edited January 28 by doghog

[dazey]

Give it a try having no drink package using the Elite and above HH and events.  If you need something else to drink, order a drink or two.  You will be surprised the money you will save.  We treated it like a game the first time we tried no drink package. Aksi never once have we been asked not to bring a drink in the MDR.  I believe it is not allowed in specialty dining but have not tried that.

 

 

[kwokpot]

44 minutes ago, frteach said:

Thanks for confirmation, doghog. I am going to try to take my HH drink into the dining room with me, as several posters have said that it is possible, and we will see if I am stopped. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Ditto for my H's glass of red wine. We only need one with dinner anyway. We will also go to the Elite lounge event and judge for ourselves if it is worth it. 

Since the Celebrity Elite HH is now available in multiple bars taking drinks to dinner is a non-issue;there's no prohibition. In years past when the HH was in one dedicated lounge it was against the rules to take out a drink from the HH lounge location. So your worries about this is unfounded. 

[doghog]

12 minutes ago, dazey said:

Give it a try having no drink package using the Elite and above HH and events.  If you need something else to drink, order a drink or two.  You will be surprised the money you will save.  We treated it like a game the first time we tried no drink package. Aksi never once have we been asked not to bring a drink in the MDR.  I believe it is not allowed in specialty dining but have not tried that.

 

 

Brining a drink (doesn't matter what it is) into any dining venue is allowed, fleetwide. 

[doghog]

On 1/26/2024 at 12:52 PM, lovescarborough said:

Equinox 

Thanks. OK, so far only one cruise on one ship.  I'll consider what you experienced with the reintroduction of the CC HH in a lounge an anomaly. Cheers. 🍻

[jelayne]

On 1/26/2024 at 2:38 PM, frteach said:

Ex-Airbalancer, I think we are talking about different Elite perks. To my understanding, Elite gets 3 free drinks during the HH from 5-7, chosen from a list, and I guess these are available from any bar. This is not to be confused with the Elite cocktail parties, which are unlimited drinks from a list, and also have hors d'oeuvres. It is not always convenient for us to attend these events, but we usually use the HH perks. We will never drink 3 each in the 2 hour period, however. We can take a glass of wine into the MDR. I haven't cruised Celebrity since 2022, and things could have changed. Last time we cruised it was with AI so we weren't bothered about drinks. This will be my first time trying to work with the Elite perks only. Maybe someone who has cruised more recently can tell me if it is different now. I love Celebrity and am happy to be Elite, I was just opining that the RC way of letting you use your perk anytime seems more convenient for us.

Your understanding is wrong.  Unlimited number of drinks from 5-7, which also includes bottled water and soda.  Have a cocktail or 2 grab, get water or soda to take away then get a glass of wine on your way to the dining room.  

Edited January 28 by jelayne

[doghog]

1 minute ago, jelayne said:

Your understanding is wrong.  Unlimited number ofvdtinksb

Someone is having a few  Bloody Marys this morning. 😉

[deb18]

I just want to make sure I am understanding.  During the hh I can ask for unopened cans of soda /water and take it back to our room?  can we ask for more than one drink at a time?

 

[doghog]

16 minutes ago, deb18 said:

I just want to make sure I am understanding.  During the hh I can ask for unopened cans of soda /water and take it back to our room?  can we ask for more than one drink at a time?

 

You can ask for unopened CC HH beverages. My WAG on ordering more than one CC HH drink at a time per person would be a no. Never hurts to ask the server. 

[dazey]

We each order a cocktail on the list and also ask for a water .  Never an issue. 

[shofer]

On 1/24/2024 at 4:09 PM, DaKahuna said:

 

 If you are not Elite or higher or do not have a drink package, you will be charged for the drink.  

 In days of old, they checked your Sea Pass card upon entering but that was when they used the entire Sky Lounge. 

 

My last cruise on Royal had a load of Diamond+ and Pinnacles and the Crown Lounge was restricted to those members per the Cruise Compass.  They even had someone posted at the door!

My friend (who enjoys riding my Diamond coat tails) & I wandered up there before dinner one night and I scanned my card which went green and the "bouncer" opened the door for us.  I scored a drink and we noshed on the snacks which were pretty good.  Better than most MDR food.  Unfortunately (don't know why) we never went back on a 12 day trip.

 

 

[frteach]

Glad to be enlightened for 2024. I was stuck in the past when I was thinking about only 3 drinks. When we first started cruising, it was only 3, and there were coupons to redeem. We first cruised with Elites who also had the drinks pkg, and they used to give us their coupons. This was done quite a bit during the HH, since no one checked the cards. I think we will be fine for the drinks, but I do like my special coffees as well...