Lady Arwen

Exactly why we never visit the buffet on a cruiseship or on land. The cross contamination of germs is mind boggling.

Is your cruise doing an overnight embarkation in Quebec City? I ask because a 3:30 flight arrival is really cutting it close should you experience any flight delays along the way. You have connecting flights, so even more room for problems. If you’re overnight in Quebec and sail the following day, then obviously no issue. Sorry, just checked your itinerary and you are overnight in Quebec. Please disregard my post.

You just made my day! Just you keeping it real. I’m still chuckling….thank you.

You, my friend, have a much more sophisticated palate than I when it comes to wine. In your case, I would most definitely buy the bottle and enjoy what you like. I’ve been known to drink wine out of a jug (my university days with limited funds). When people ask what kind of wine I prefer I say pink.

Take a look around this forum. This has been discussed numerous times and just the other day. Everyone knows to take masking tape if it’s an issue. Many people don’t care.

I drink mostly Prosecco and Whispering Angel. Not a wine connoisseur by any means. Would never bother buying a bottle of “better” wine because I just don’t care. My DH only drinks wine at dinner and he’s not fussy, either. He prefers Scotch or Whiskey.

So get what you like and just pay the small difference plus gratuity. Just. a couple of dollars. Or, move up to the Premier package if Plus doesn’t work for you. Plus works for us and most people. We had a ton of FCC for our next cruise, so moved up to Premier.

Confession: I can drink Prosecco like it’s soda! Shush, don’t tell anyone. They’ll be calling me an alcoholic. lol

Yes! Mimosas for breakfast are the best.

And, wherever we choose to dine you and I get to enjoy our wine and after dinner cocktails! And, pre dinner cocktails. And, a lovely nightcap. Love the Plus package!

Isn’t it wonderful that there is something for everyone! Thank goodness for you lovely people who enjoy the MDR because otherwise we’d never get a reservation in the other restaurants.

Totally agree, Michael. For longer voyages I would definitely do a mix of both dining venues. Right now we’re unable to cruise longer than 12 to 14 days, so it works out fine. I’m a very light eater, so honestly the food is not that important, but I do enjoy a quieter more romantic atmosphere. That’s just me.

Agree, the buffets are not for us, too. MDR is great, if that’s what you enjoy. We just prefer the quiet atmosphere and the elevated service you get in the specialty restaurants. The MDR at dinner is so loud and chaotic. We’ve always enjoyed our meals in the specialty restaurants and believe it’s well worth the extra cost. I love that there is something for everyone’s tastes when you’re cruising. To each their own!

That’s us, too! Occasionally, for lunch or breakfast. In the specialty restaurants you are seated immediately, you get very nice service and really good food. And, it costs less than Reserve Class in the MDR! Love it!

Yes, it’s called “The Sanctuary” for a reason! Peace and quiet. No music, no kids, no tv. This is why we love it so much and we book for the entire cruise so we have our own place to get away from the hustle and bustle. Yes, we have a balcony, but we only use it in the evening.

This made me smile. For Christmas this year my granddaughter gave me a pretty pink Stanley tumbler because she thought it would be great to take with me on cruises. I didn’t know at the time that these tumblers were such silly status symbols. Oh well, it will be coming with me on our upcoming Enchanted Princess sailing.

Celebrity has done it for years and the casinos are filled every night. Smokers go outside to very comfortable smoking areas. I do not appreciate indoor smoking venues. The smoke always drifts out and into the public areas.

I would absolutely agree to once per day cabin service. We’re very neat and organized and perfectly capable of taking care of ourselves. The stewards have so much to do in so little time.

Yes, but your hair and clothes still reek from that awful smell! I would have to do laundry everyday. Nope, better to stay away.

Exactly!

In Canada, you basically cannot smoke anywhere outside of your own property. The casinos do offer an outdoor area that is small and basic with no way to avoid the wind, rain and cold. Not at all pleasant. And yet, the casinos are filled to the rafters. We sail predominantly with Celebrity and I’m always disappointed that on our Princess cruises we can’t use the casino. It is time!

I would love to see a total ban of all indoor smoking, including the casino. It’s time, Princess.

For us, we choose to save the difference. The food, the service, the ambience in the specialty restaurants is so much better. Even if Reserve Class was less expensive than dining in the specialty restaurants, we would still not choose Reserve Class. Some people love it and that’s great!

You are so right about the tables being so close together in the MDR. This is one of the reasons we choose the specialty restaurants rather than the MDR. We just pefer the quiet atmosphere and the tables for two are very far apart.

Reserve Class is nothing like Blu on Celebrity ships. Reserve Class dining is a roped off portion of the MDR using the same kitchen and menu. Each night you will be offered a “special” dish which could be an entree, appetizer, salad, etc. You do not need reservations and the service will be most likely be elevated from the rest of the MDR. Blu on Celebrity is a separate restaurant with their own kitchen and menus. No reservations and service is highly elevated. This restaurant is only available to those sailing in Aqua class or suites. Big difference. On Princess, we prefer to forgo the MDR as much as possible and eat in all of the specialty restaurants. It’s actually much less expensive than Reserve Class and you get much better food and service. I would only book Reserve Class if it were offered at a sale price. However, some people enjoy it, so it’s strictly a matter of your expectations and tastes,