seacruise9

17 hours ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

 

1) Have you enjoyed dining in Blu?  Yes, it is an elevated experience over the MDR

2) Are tables generally available or do you need to wait for a table?  Yes, haven't had to wait for a table, yet

3) Do you generally have dinner at the same time each evening?  No, in fact no reservations are accepted outside of large groups, perhaps there are other exceptions

4) Do you have the same server each night?  Haven't yet, also not requesting the same person, everyone has been great yet don't have problem with getting different servers

5) Have you tried breakfast in Blu?  Haven't yet in this sailing but I did last month on the Equinox, it was a great experience for those who have extra time.  On this sailing, overslept on the one sea day and had early tours on the port days

Hi, 

Thank you very much for your replies. This will be my first time dining in Blu.

Chuck

Hi, 

I am booked on the Celebrity Infinity in an AquaClass stateroom for early September. Have you enjoyed dining in Blu? Are tables generally available or do you need to wait for a table? Do you generally have dinner at the same time each evening? Do you have the same server each night? Have you tried breakfast in Blu? Any advice on Blu is appreciated.

Thanks,

Chuck

Hi,

Thanks for your reports on the Celebrity Infinity. I am booked on the Infinity's cruise departing on September 3, 2022. It sounds like the ship has improved since its prior sailings. I have booked an AquaClass stateroom on Deck 9 and I am looking forward to dining in Blu. It would be great if you could provide updates / recommendations for Blu.

Thanks,

Chuck

1 hour ago, Loracpin2 said:

Based on the topics of so many of the threads lately, it does appear that many things that made Celebrity a "cut above" are not what they used to be. After 4 cancelled cruises, we finally have back to backs booked on the Beyond for 2023 and am starting to get concerned.

 

Hi,

I have taken three Celebrity cruises during the past year (Celebrity Summit in July 2021, Celebrity Reflection in Feb. 2022, and Celebrity Apex in April 2022) and greatly enjoyed all three cruises. The dining experience and service were excellent on all three ships. I sailed on my first Celebrity cruise in 1991 (on the Horizon) and have taken a variety of Celebrity cruises over the past 31 years. The cruise experience obviously has changed over the years on all of the cruise lines, but these three recent Celebrity cruises were wonderful.

I currently have three more Celebrity cruises booked (Celebrity Infinity for Sep. 2022, Celebrity Beyond for Feb. 2023, and Celebrity Ascent for Feb. 2024).

Chuck

20 hours ago, vivskivs said:

I am considering booking the AquaClass on Infinity but could tell what benefits it has over the Concierge class on these type ships?  Why did you select Aqua? TIA

Hi, 

I selected AquaClass over Concierge Class so that I can dine in Blu. This special restaurant is available to AquaClass passengers for breakfast and dinner each day.

Chuck

20 hours ago, bigbenboys said:

Hi Chuck, One of the problems I have found with Celebrity is that sometime employees on the ships take things into their own hands. It is not the norm to make reservations in Blu or Luminae. Seems like the maitre d is doing their own thing. Our cruise in Aqua/Blu last year on Millie we showed up later than our normal time. We were given the pod that buzz's and the 4 us were seating after a short wait.

After board you could go and see if the Blu maitre d is at Blu. To see how the  maitre d is handling Blu dining. I would talk to the maitre d in Blu or Luminae if your party dining together is more than 4. Just a heads up for the maitre d.

What I have found is trying to show up about the same time for dinner each night will get you the same table and servers. 

Hi, 

Thanks for the information. This is helpful. This will be my first time dining in Blu.

Chuck

7 hours ago, wrk2cruise said:

 

Don't be surprised if you don't find an option to make reservations for Blu.  They have never in the past accepted reservations.  If they are now then it will be years for Celebrity IT to catch up.   I'd check once you get onboard.  I suspect if they were taking reservations in Blu it was an attempt to alleviate a situation on a particular sailing.

Hi,

Thanks, I called Celebrity about making reservations online for Blu. They told me to check with the Blu staff about making reservations after I board the ship.

Chuck

17 minutes ago, MrCoachRentz said:

You have the option to make reservations, yes.

Hi,

I am booked on the Celebrity Infinity in an AquaClass stateroom for the cruise departing on September 3, 2022. I don't see an option to make reservations for Blu on the Celebrity website, but this hopefully will become available closer to my cruise.

Chuck 

Hi, 

I cruised aboard the Celebrity Apex in late April 2022 (the ship's last Caribbean cruise of the season) and there were approximately 2,100 passengers on my cruise. I took this cruise solo and had Select (Anytime) Dining. Prior to the cruise, I made my dining reservations for a different restaurant each night (the four main dining rooms and three specialty restaurants). For most nights, I made my dining reservation for 6:30. I never had any problem and was always promptly seated at a table for two in each restaurant. In my experience, Select Dining worked very well. I am following a similar approach for my cruise on the Celebrity Beyond for February 2023.

Chuck

10 hours ago, CDJcruiser said:

I am very interested in learning more about both the Bimini port stop and the Puerto Plata one.  I am booked on this itinerary later this summer.
 

When in Bimini with Crystal last summer, there was a tram from the ship that made a few stops around Resorts World and the beach.  Did this happen for the Celebrity ship?  Also, there has not been an options online to book a day pass at the Resorts World Beach Club, only an excursion to Paradise Beach.  Was that offered as an option on your Celebrity Cruise?  Doesn’t the tram stop at Paradise Beach as well?

 

I have never been to Puerto Plata and am wondering if it is safe to go out on your own or if we need to book an excursion.  Most of the excursions that I am interested in include long bus ride (which I am not interested in).  I saw the beach break and have looked at the falls.

 

Thank you for any information you can share.

Hi,

I visited Bimini on the Celebrity Reflection in late Feb. 2022. This was my first visit to this port. Prior to the cruise, I booked a shore excursion that featured a boat ride. My excursion was canceled and I purchased the day pass to the Resorts World Bimini Beach Club aboard the ship for $40 (I honestly don't remember if it was available for purchase prior to the cruise). I road the tram to the Beach Club with the beautiful beach and two large pools (it was very nice). They gave us wrist bands to wear prior to boarding the tram. We could stay as long as we wanted. 

I am booked on the Celebrity Infinity for the cruise departing on Sep. 3, 2022. There is an excursion in Bimini to Paradise Beach (which apparently is a public beach near the Beach Club), but there currently is no option to purchase the day pass to the Beach Club. I purchased the excursion to Paradise Beach, but I will change my booking if the pass to the Beach Club becomes available. 

It has been a very long time since I have been to Puerto Plata (I visited this port during a cruise in 1976 when I was a child). For what it's worth, I have booked the "Explore Puerto Plata and Cable Car" excursion. This looks interesting to me. 

Chuck

3 hours ago, puffycloudz said:

What am I missing? I'm on the upcoming sailing on July 2 and I understand it's a dated ship with a really fun itinerary. I know I paid less for a dated ship so I'm not expecting the latest and greatest. To me, as long as the food is good, drinks are cold, and I get to partake on the excursions I like how can you have a bad time? The cabin is just for resting up for the next adventure 🙂

 

Hi, 

I have the same attitude. It is unfortunate that some people are experiencing problems on the current cruise, but I am hoping that the issues soon will be resolved. I am booked on the Sep. 3 sailing of the Celebrity Infinity. I am taking this cruise solo and was able to get an incredible price on an AquaClass stateroom. Although the ship may be dated, I am looking forward to the cruise and dining in Blu for a week.

Chuck

Hi,

Thanks for your posts and photos. I am booked on the Celebrity Infinity in an AquaClass stateroom for early September. I am taking this cruise solo and was able to get an incredible price. This will be my first time dining in Blu.

I have taken three Celebrity cruises since July 2021 (Summit, Refection and Apex) and was very pleased with these cruises. Hopefully, the air conditioning and other issues will soon be resolved. I booked this cruise realizing that this is an older ship that has not had the major refurbishment, but I am hoping that this will still be a nice cruise. 

Chuck

Hi, 

I have cruised aboard both ships in the Caribbean recently: the Celebrity Reflection in February 2022 and the Celebrity Apex in April 2022. I sailed on both cruises solo and had a standard veranda stateroom on Deck 7 on the Reflection and one of the "porthole" veranda staterooms on Deck 7 forward on the Apex (thus, I had a traditional veranda rather than one of the infinite verandas).

I greatly enjoyed both ships. The Reflection is in excellent shape even though it has not received the major refurbishment. On the Apex, I really liked the modern design of the ship and trying the different restaurants. I had dinner in a different restaurant each night (the four traditional dining rooms and three specialty restaurants). I liked the Apex better than I expected. Choosing between these two ships is difficult, but I would probably pick the Apex. 

Celebrity has been providing incredible deals for solo travelers recently. I am currently booked solo on the Celebrity Infinity for September 2022 (AquaClass so that I can try Blu) and the Celebrity Beyond for February 2023 (Concierge Class). 

Chuck

Hi, 

I had an existing booking for a single stateroom with infinite veranda on the Celebrity Beyond for the cruise departing on Feb. 19, 2023 (Always Included fare). I called Celebrity yesterday and upgraded to a Concierge Class stateroom with infinite veranda (Always Included fare) and the price of my cruise actually decreased by several hundred dollars.

Last week, I booked an AquaClass stateroom as a solo cruiser on the Celebrity Infinity for the cruise departing on Sep. 3, 2022 (Always Included fare). I received an incredibly low price and I am looking forward to dining in Blu.

This sale has been great for me.

Chuck

Hi, 

Thanks for the information. 

I thought that I would not receive double points for one of the solo staterooms on the Edge class ships. When I booked my solo stateroom on the Celebrity Beyond, the future cruise consultant on the Celebrity Reflection said that I would receive double points. However, I did not think that he was right. I am trying to determine when I will reach Elite Plus.

Chuck

Hi, 

I have cruised aboard all three ship classes during the past year (Celebrity Summit in July 2021, Celebrity Reflection in Feb. 2022, and Celebrity Apex in April 2022) and honestly enjoyed all three ships. They each have their strengths. I think the Summit looks great after its major refurbishment. The Reflection is beautiful and crowding was not a problem because there were only 900 passengers on my cruise. I was a little apprehensive about trying the Apex, but I liked it better than expected. The Apex probably is my current favorite because I loved the ship's modern and innovative design, increased dining options, and Eden. 

I am booked on the Celebrity Beyond for Feb. 2023. Earlier this week, I saw an incredible price for a seven-day Caribbean cruise on the Celebrity Infinity for Sep. 2022 (yes, I realize that this ship has not been refurbished like the Summit). However, I booked an AquaClass stateroom for the first time and I am looking forward to trying Blu.

My recent Celebrity cruises all have been excellent.

Chuck

Hi, 

I know that solo travelers usually receive double the number of Captain's Club points. For example, I cruised aboard the Celebrity Apex on a seven-day cruise in April 2022 in a Deluxe Porthole View with Veranda stateroom and received 42 points (3 club points per night for 7 nights =  21 points x 2).

How do the points work for a Single Stateroom with Infinite Veranda that are on the new ships? I booked one of these staterooms on the Celebrity Beyond for a seven-day cruise for February 2023. Do solo travelers receive double points for these single staterooms? Will I receive 21 points or 42 points? I have received conflicting information.

Thanks,

Chuck

Just now, NutsAboutGolf said:

FYI, in the rules you're allowed to invite one guest with you to BLU for breakfast and dinner; they can be in any room type.  Also as a solo you'll receive double points, currently AQ = 5/night so on a 7 night cruise you'll receive 70 points.

Hi, 

Thanks for the information.

Chuck

Hi, 

I recently decided to book the Celebrity Infinity for a seven-day Caribbean cruise in early September. I cruised aboard the Celebrity Summit in July 2021 and really liked the new look of the ship's revolutionized staterooms and public areas. I realize that the Infinity has not been revolutionized, but I have reasonable expectations and should still enjoy the ship. I was able to get an incredible price as a solo cruiser in an AquaClass stateroom. I am looking forward to dining in Blu. 

Chuck  

Hi, 

I am booked on the Rotterdam's 10-day Southern Caribbean cruise that departs on Nov. 20, 2022. For dining, my reservation states "Confirmed Main." Is "main" the second (8:00 pm) seating?

Thanks,

Chuck 

Hi, 

I did the behind-the-scenes tour on the Celebrity Apex in late April and thought that it was very interesting. I also booked the art tour prior to my cruise, but it unfortunately was canceled for my cruise. However, I was able to get a copy of the souvenir book of the ship's art.

Hi, 

I cruised aboard the Celebrity Apex in late April 2022 on its final Caribbean cruise for the season. I didn't notice any difference regarding the experience (it was an excellent cruise). 

Hi, 

I recently cruised aboard both classes of ship in the Caribbean (Celebrity Reflection in late February 2022 and Celebrity Apex in late April 2022). I honestly greatly enjoyed both ships and think they have their own strengths. The Solstice class probably has more out-of-the-way places, but I really liked the lobby, Eden and overall futuristic design of the Apex. I enjoyed the Apex more than I expected. In fact, I am booked on the Celebrity Beyond for February 2023. 

Hi, 

I cruised aboard the Celebrity Apex during the last week of April 2022 as a solo cruiser. I made reservations in advance of the cruise for a different venue each night (each of the four main dining rooms plus three of the specialty restaurants). All of my reservations were for a table for two. This worked out well for me. It is true that many of the tables for two are close together. I chatted with people at neighboring tables some evenings but not others. If you don't want to talk to people at neighboring tables, I think they will be respectful.

On some evenings, the tables next to my table were not occupied. The likelihood of people being seated at a nearby table probably varies by the dining time and the number of passengers on the particular cruise. lf it is important for you to have a table that is not near other occupied tables, I suggest talking to the person at the host desk at the entrance to the dining room. 

I greatly enjoyed the Celebrity Apex (stunning ship) and I am booked on the Celebrity Beyond for February 2023.

Hi,

I cruised aboard the Celebrity Apex during the last week of April and did the Inside Access behind-the-scenes tour. I booked this online prior to the cruise. I recommend this tour if it is available. 

Chuck