pja&raa

This was very helpful as we were considering a MSC cruise based on a friend recently sharing that they were very pleased with their experience with MSC’s main dining room.  We did not, however, discuss the buffet. Hours of operation are very important to us as we look to have as much flexibility in our schedule as possible.

We were recently on the Celebrity Edge Alaska cruise and we were very impressed with the hours that the Ocean View Cafe was open. They opened very early for breakfast, available pretty much throughout the day and evening and even had late night hours albeit with a limited menu.  This was very different from my recent experiences with Royal where after 9:00 or so the only thing available is pizza.

My question is - are the OVC hours similar on all cruises or was my experience unique to Alaska sailings?

Just returned from Celebrity Edge, 7 night, Alaska cruise. . . .
Have cruised Royal Caribbean multiple times and after recent disappointments with their food offerings we decided to book Celebrity for our family cruise to Alaska with the hope that we would have a better experience. While we found the ship to be very well maintained and clean, our room with the infinity balcony was perfect for an Alaska cruise, the staff were extremely friendly and helpful … the food was less than satisfactory.

While we were very pleased with the Ocean View Cafe (both the variety and quality of the food offerings as well as the extended hours of operation) our disappointment was with the main dining room.  This included the menu selections, quality of food and most disappointing service.  Several times we waited 45 minutes before being served our starters and left the dining room after 2 hours without dessert.

But the reason for my title is if you or a member of your party is hoping to get a good steak or cut of beef on the Celebrity Edge you will most likely be disappointed.  The steaks we were served in the main dining room were a THIN strip steak - similar to what you would likely get when ordering steak and eggs for breakfast at your local diner. The ribeye that I ordered at Fine Cut was so tough I could not cut it let alone eat it, and the strip steak my husband ordered was so over tenderized it was inedible.  However, the filets served to others in our party were fair/good.  But again, the service was so slow that the time between courses was unbearable.  3 of the 6 people in our party left before dessert was even ordered - they gave it 2 1/2 hours before throwing in the towel. Hmmm…maybe if we had been on the drink package they would have been willing to stay a little longer.

Again, I very much enjoyed most aspects of our cruise and would definitely choose Celebrity over Royal Caribbean.  However, as I prepare to book our next cruise I am hoping to find a cruise line that offers a dining room experience that includes quality food offerings and an enjoyable dining experience.  Thoughts/recommendations???
 

I am somewhat confused by the response you received. In a prior post I asked about bringing sodas on board and was told that while I could bring them they would have to be in cans - no plastic or glass bottles. Is that not the case?

Just thought I should have said that I am familiar with the Deal or No Deal game show - I just don’t know how it translates to an activity on a cruise ship.🤔

So my title pretty much says it. Can someone tell what this is, how does it work, when do they play it and what can you win. Just looking hood a little more information than what we are finding on the Celebrity website.

Thanks in advance for any information you are willing to share.

We are planning to visit Pike’s Market the morning before we board the Celebrity Edge for our Alaska cruise. If we purchase flowers at the market would we be allowed to bring them on board?

Thank you so much for the response. What you describe was what I have experienced on our Royal Caribbean cruises but I thought I better double check. 

I am considering purchasing this package. There are 3 of us traveling together and want to be sure it will meet our needs. Will the 3 of us be able to switch between multiple devices/multiple times (back and forth).

…pool water! We will be on the May 31st Alaska cruise out of Seattle with my 12 year old granddaughter who has cruised several times but always in warm climate so she spends the majority of her sea days in the ship’s pools. With it being an Alaskan cruise and the only climate controlled pool area is in the adult solarium might they open that pool to the general population?

In addition, I have been checking the celebrity app to try and get information on what entertainment/shows will be available on our sailing but I don’t see anything listed. Is there somewhere else I should be looking or do I need to wait until it is a little closer to our actual departure date

Finally (and a little off topic), can we bring sodas back to the ship when we return from ports ( if so do they have to be cans)?