Pinboy

" self respect " ? Perhaps you meant " principle " ? How about this: If we want to dine in Murano ( as an example ) a few times during the cruise and there are no reservations available at the time(s) we want, so, I play the " game " and hand over a few $$ to the Maitre'd. IMO it has nothing to do with " self respect ". LOL, it does have something to do with enjoying a dinner or two in an excellent restaurant , with very good service, on a nice clean ship, during a very enjoyable cruise.

It probably was a Professor at the Maitre'd Business School that taught the concept. Talk about " poor ethical concepts "--- Ever hear the expression " Buyer Beware " ? Ever go into some of the jeweler shops on the Islands ? Ever hear " Have I got a deal for YOU " ? Ever notice how fast a calculator appears on the counter ? ( LOL-- Years ago a salesman, oops, sales person ( gotta be politically correct ) showed me a Rolex for $125 and " swore " it was real. He forgot the word " junk" )! So, is it really that bad handing a few $$ to get a reservation to a Specialty restaurant ?

I never once mentioned " table ", as in " can't you find us a better table than this "? I mentioned reservation at a time when they say, right on the first day, even before sailing " Sorry, we are booked up all week for the times you want ". You smile and shake his/her hand with a few $$ and " Please notify me if anything becomes available ",then all of a sudden reservation(s) become open. LOL--- it's all part of the " game "--- So, what's the big deal ? The Maitre'd gets a few $$ and you get the reservation(s) -- it's all good. ( Never had a Maitre'd refuse--- only smile " I'll see what I can do "). Bye the way, haven't we all seen on Cruise Planner where Specialty Restaurants were all booked and no advance reservations could be booked. Perhaps they hold back a few for suite passengers, but , the entire restaurant all week ???

Ooowwww -- I have a " feeling " who you are referring to. So, let me ask you--- Someone in the Service Industry who relies on tips as part of their salary does you a favor and you give him/her a few $$ to say " Thanks, I appreciate what you did for me ". You call that a bribe ???

How it works: You get on board and head straight for the Specialty restaurant(s) of your choice and all the times you want are booked-- The Maitre'd will ask for ( or you tell him/her ) your cabin # and tell you he/she will let you know if " something " comes available-- Then, you say " Gee, I really appreciate your help and look forward to your call ( and smile )--- It's pretty sure your " message " ( $$ ) was received. Poof--- the call comes, you say Thank You ( $$ ) when you arrive for dinner -- everybody is happy. C'est la vie --- That's life.

"I am opposed to the present culture". Totally agree, however in the " real world " it's been a part of doing business for " years ". An example, I have noted several times on CC --- no reservation available in a restaurant ( on board or on land ) --- a few $$ makes it happen. I heard of a restaurant in Florida specializing in stone crabs ( not to be confused with " stoned " crabs on a cruise ship or some of the posts on CC ) where you better shake the Maitre'd's hand ( $$ ) or no seating for you --- The guy has blisters from all the hand shakes and never got Covid !!

Seats for shows in the theater Early entrance to the OVC ( slugfest on 14 ) 4th shrimp cocktail Photo with the Captain email address of an Executive who " cares and will do something about it " In addition : ANYONE posting a 2 positive comments on the same day receives a Complimentary cruise for 10 on the ship of their choice. ANYONE posting 5 complaints on the same day receives a Complimentary cruise for 1 on the ship of their choice---- Food not included to ensure enjoyment.

Correct---Ummm---Ya gotta win a lottery to afford the prices. M&Ms in any store on land -- $4.99--- on the ship---$14.99 Come to think of it, if Celebrity had their logo on it--- $24.99

That's toooo many chocolates to " stash away " to bring home for your grandchildren, your barber or your golf buddies. For those that are upset with Celebrity reducing the number of "chocolates on my pillow" nights, why not just buy a bag of M&Ms prior to the cruise ? It will save time standing in line behind people removing their gratuities for the same reason.

Appreciate it, especially since you have been a member in " Good Standing " ( probably sitting ?? ) and enjoying CC since 2006. As you know, we have to take some of the comments from the trolls on CC with a " grain of salt " . Oops, that reminds me---- salt and pepper shakers with a Canadian flag logo---- would that be a nice memento( tip ) with $20 for our Cabin Attendant instead of $100 ?

We have been on all Classes ( M-S-E ) of Celebrity ships-- never had a bad cruise. " Loved the most " : Our preference is an S class -- with a large balcony on the " hump" ( as they are referred to) in the center of the ship , the outdoor Lawn Club Grill Specialty restaurant on the top deck, Murano, and Tuscan Grill for a second breakfast, and the Solarium Pool ( Adults only , except for the time a CCer " spotted " a child in there and ran back to their cabin to post it on CC for people like me to laugh at )!! However, ( and, I'm not intending to start another debate ) on a recent cruise on the Edge we enjoyed everything -- except the Infinite Verandah -- which is only a 3ft addition to the cabin with a window that opens 1/2 way down. " Why " : Service--- Food-- Lots of very nice people -- there was nothing to complain about. ( And, FYI -- I never even once noticed that there were no round tomatoes in the buffet which " prompted " a CCer to start a thread about a few days ago ( LOL ).

LOL-- If ya got seasickness and piles, what the hell kinda break ya lookin for ? A break in the " action " ??? Ya can't do nothin anyway !!!

It's kind of hard to believe all the negative reviews and comments about Celebrity in general. Food ( quality, selection, portions , cold soup ) , no "this", no "that " , a child in the Solarium, no towel animal on my bed, no response from the Executive Office. We were on 2 cruises this winter-- both were excellent -- no complaints. We know two couples that were on two separate ships in the last month --- loved their cruise. If people are so upset with Celebrity, why are they interested in looking at Celebrity's CC site ? For example-- We have no interest in Carnival , so I don't look at their CC site. Make sense ??

There is someone in the iLounge on deck 6 ( ? ) from time to time every day. FYI--When I forget to log off and use up all our internet time ( 90 free minutes for Elite ), they always add back the time. Celebrity does do some things right even though it's not very evident on CC lately. ( Why are so many people now posting about friggin mashed potatoes , no round tomatoes, cold soup , instead of " I'm removing my gratuities because ", " Is Julio still on the xyz ", " I seen a kid in the Solarium " , and of course , " What would you do with the $29 of OBC left etc ,etc " ).

How about a personal letter instead of the standard " form " letter( I'll use myself as an example ) " Pinboy, NOW what ? I told you 4 times -- YOU are not entitled to receive a free cruise because your Waiter forgot to bring your 3 shrimp cocktails at the same time. Also, You claim you heard that a guy overheard another man who knew someone who's friend received a free cruise because there were no round tomatoes in the buffet and his wife was served cold French onion soup. That is not true-- All they received was a plate of chocolate covered strawberries --- which you refused because you break out in hives when you eat strawberries. About your recent request for 2 free room service deliveries in lieu of the complimentary cruise you were refused -- We have forwarded your request to Head Office for consideration and hopefully receive a reply prior to the end of the cruise ".

Too much mashed potatoes, no round tomatoes, cold onion soup, small lobster tails, ---- That's it !!! J'ai fini-----(I'm done ) ------- reading nonsense.

LOL--- I guess ( ?? ) you missed post #13. Your " tactic " might not work--- Sharing a flat bread ( pizza ) isn't going to help Hubby "manage" ( enjoy ) two desserts ( warm chocolate cookie with vanilla ice cream ) -- not even one.

Absolutely -- great food, great service. Your 2nd warm chocolate chip cookie dessert will taste as good as the 1st !!! Forget the flatbread (pizza) , forget the salad, go straight to the " good stuff " . Suggestion: Go early in the cruise and who knows , they might offer you a discount to come another time. Remember--- there is competition between restaurants and sales targets to meet on every cruise.

A youth

In general-- never had a complaint: Clean ships, excellent Staff throughout , Food- especially our favorite Specialty restaurants ( Murano, Rooftop Gardens, Lawn Club Grill, Tuscan ) , Solarium pool area , a large balcony ( on the hump as they are referred to ), golf putting contest ( where you meet fellow golfers that lie about their hcp -- uummm, Pinboy included ), -- and, throughout our years of cruising, we met so many very nice people. ( LOL---- remember that old fart with the 32 yr old I keep blabbing about---- I never got to meet her ) !!!

LOL--- So, You're the guy that you didn't like when you were a " yute " ?

4-- The Solarium is very relaxing and a great spot. ( We are non-drinkers , so, can't comment on bars ) Listen slowly ( LOL ) to this----Beware of the Free 5 minute massage offered by the Staff of the Persian Gardens, located near the Solarium pool--- My " Free " massage cost me over $300 ( US ) before she let me go. So, when I got back to our cabin and told " you know who " ---- Oh boy--better not go there. So, the next day when I looked in the mirror-- there I was--- didn't look no 20 yrs younger ! LOL---So, when I went to GR to complain------ nope--- nothing !! 5-- As a perk for Elite class ---Tuscan Grill is excellent in the morning for continental breakfast. Ask for a seat near the window --- great view. We also enjoy a nice dinner there --- food and service always excellent. Murano is more of a fine dining experience ---excellent menu selections, dishes prepared table-side , French service , --- try it-- you won't be disappointed.

Excellent point-- We've probably read 100's of posts about " Dress Codes ". It is not enforced because Staff are too afraid of the repercussions from Management when an " Entitled " slob complains. End of story--

LOL-- That's a good one-- Can I add : The bellyflop contest The drink 12 beers from a funnel contest View 264 overweight " honey's " ( ??? ) wearing thongs -------in the buffet. ( That reminds me about that old fart with the 32 yr old--- she wore a thong --( yikes )--- I'll bet etc etc -- never mind )!!!

We can have a lot of fun with that —How about : - Can you get me some of them round tomatoes that they are hiding — and hurry up with my 3 rd shrimp cocktail. - I want my bath “drawn “ at 10:45 - not too hot, not too cold - Have the Captain call me about the cold French onion soup I was served 9 days ago. - Tell the laundry department to be careful with my suit - it’s the only one I have—— that fits. - Can you open the door to the Retreat so I can see what it’s like in there? - Ask the VP Marketing to read CC every day and listen to the voice of the people ! Now—Your turn