Karynanne

We told the MC Concierge and she admitted they were having a difficult time with the bartenders. Most people using MC didn't think they needed to tip the bartender at the end of the cruise (since it was included). Just stupid people. We would have gladly tipped the bartender, as we always do and as we did the Concierge.

We always tip the MC bartender each time we ordered drinks. Our way of saying thank you.

Do SS's also get the 2 free Specialty Restaurant meals? I don't see any mention of this on the website and I'm wondering if the new Luminae venue has taken place of that since it is also considered a specialty restaurant.

This was eliminated as of Jan 1, 2016. If you booked your cruise prior to this date, this perk would be honored.

There are no restrictions as such in Michael's Club re children. However, there is nothing there to entertain them. We have seen a few well behaved ones sat with their parents for pre and post dinner drinks and a very sulky and wimpy 'can we go now, can we go now...' poor little boy on some sort of hand held game...

 

 

 

It is quite a confined space with a club type ambiance. You know your kids, how long you can expect them to sit quietly for. The conceirge will prioritise you for babysitting for a few nights if you want so then you will be able to enjoy a couple of really relaxing meals and Michael's Club sessions!

 

 

 

I have to be honest and say we did see a couple 'challenged' when their toddler was crying loudly for several minutes in Michael's. In typical professional style the bartender came over and politely but quite firmly said 'Can I mix you the same to go or something different to take back to your cabin?' After four Michael's Club cruises this is the only time we have ever seen an issue.

 

 

 

Whilst there is no breakfast as such in Michael's at any time of the day they will offer little savouries, some really yummy!

 

 

 

Have a great vacation!

Some of the ship's do have a Continental Breakfast. Infinity did last Fall. But Equinox didn't, this past April. Apparently, it depends if that room was originally designated as a dining venue.

So this is a little unclear to me -- are the drinks in Michael's complimentary (regardless of the beverage package you have) or do you have to pay (based on the package you have)?

If your cabin is in any Suite, or if you have Zenith Captain's Club status, then all drinks in Michael'sClub are complimentary.

S2! Closet and drawer space! Larger bathroom, with great bath amenities, and a wonderful dining venue.

Yes. Luminae is open to lunch at 11:30 am.

I still would love to hear examples of this 'extra service' that justifies tipping more than the already extortionate 18%. If it's just "skipping the line", I feel it's unethical to pay for that.

 

 

 

What else are they doing for you? Shoe shines? Like, I legitimately cannot imagine what 'extra' 'above and beyond' service a bartender can provide that would justify any additional tips.

Maybe it's just not about the "tip". Maybe it's our way of saying thank you.

And 18% is not an outrageous amount for a tip. 20-25% in the San Francisco Bay Area is pretty much the norm.

Charlie Palmer's Harvest Inn is lovely. Also Villagio in Yountville. Both beautiful properties. Nov. is a great time to visit wine country. The summer tourists are gone.

I just wanted to add my personal reasons for additional tipping.

We usually have a Suite cabin, and Michael's Club is our designated bar lounge. All drinks are gratis. And due to our Captain's Club status, coffee drinks in Il Bacio are also gratis.

Based upon these two situations, we feel it is only right to leave an additional cash tip for the servers.

I don't want to be admonished for doing what I feel is the right thing.

They will be very happy to take tips from you either in cash or on the slip that you sign when you get your drink.. My attitude however is since they get a 15% tip for handing me a can of beer or pouring a pre-made trip, there is no reason to tip them more. A 15% tip is way too much for the limited service they provide me.

 

For those who say that they tip $1 per drink, do you realize that on top of the mandatory 15% tip, your additional tip means that you are tipping them at the rate of 27%. If you buy a $5 can of beer and tip at the same rate, you are tipping at 35%. Think about it.

 

For those of you who say that you get faster service by bribing them with cash tips, my comment is that I am entitled to exactly the same service as those who pay bribes to the bartenders. If I feel that they are serving me faster than they are serving you, that will be the very last drink that I purchase on the ship.

 

DON

I'm very aware of the percentage rate. But these servers work extremely hard and a little personalized attention (tip), isn't going to impact my wallet, over the course of a long cruise. To each his own...

We always leave a $1.00/per drink tip (in cash) for alcohol or coffee drinks. Most servers remember our orders and service has been excellent.

There will always be a business decision to their plan in all aspects. They're a business after all. Do they take guests requests into that plan? Sure, so long as they feel that they will still make a decent profit off of it. They're not going to just stick ships anywhere someone asks for. They have limited resources (their ships) and will need to put them where it makes sense for the business. Remember, there are lots of guests with different needs (ask a West Coaster if they would like a ship out of California, they've been clamoring for one). Not all are going to be met, and many are not going to match yours.

 

 

 

As for Caribbean year round. Considering their parent company, and other lines (like NCL) has a number of their newest and largest ships sailing it year round, I don't think this is just "we are doing this to be the only ship sailing year round". My opinion would be more, they've had a lot of guests requesting summer sailings, and with the current outlook of Europe, it would be best to move the ship and fill those wants at the same time.

I'm a West Coaster. I'd love a Celebrity ship to be based somewhere on this coast, but it wouldn't be a good financial decision for the company. I accept that.

Celebrity is a floating hotel entity, that needs to be profitable to stay "afloat". Moving Equinox to the Caribbean wasn't a decision based upon a whim or immediate decision.

As to addressing the factors why the ship was redeployed, it's irrelevant at this point. It's done. To quote Hilary Clinton, "what difference does it matter?"

Either customers like the change, or move on and find another company that meets their needs.

Room service had lactose free milk on Equinox, this past April/May.

I wonder if Celebrity will make this change for the full season, on Reflection. Our cruise is in October. Time will tell...

2219 is another Reflection S2 cabin that has the pole.

Reflection has more Aft cabins, than other S-Class ships, due to the additional deck.

Actually, you really don't know in advance how the weather will be. We've done 10+ TA's, and it's always a mixed bag.

This past April on Equinox, we had rough seas the first few days out, and then gorgeous weather afterwards. In past years, there has been some rain, other times, just sun.

Just enjoy your cruise.

Imagine that...children onboard during the summer months.

I would guess that this cruise was a 7 day-Alaska-Solstice out of Seattle. It embarks every Friday and 6/24 was a Friday.

Apparently, the OP didn't have a great experience onboard. Maybe they should take longer cruises...and during months where children are in school. Just a thought...

Would like to elaborate? Which ship and itinerary?

Absolutely. We routinely book multiple cruises for ourselves, and a friend just booked a cruise for us as well, a few weeks ago.

On any given cruise, there are approximately 5-7% of those passengers are CC members, and out those, only a fraction routinely post on this board.

There will probably be two "Evening Chic" evenings, on an 11 day cruise.

Happy Birthday Andy!

As a Californian who also prefers =X= over Princess, I'll just say "don't hold your breath" for Celebrity to home port a ship on the West Coast outside of summer season in Alaska.

 

 

 

=X= will deploy their ships wherever they believe they can make the highest per diems. They're a business, not a community service organization.

 

 

 

But If/when they deploy a ship here, I'll fight to be the first in line to book! ;)

Hi Beav. I'm completely in agreement with you. We have done 5 R/T Hawaii cruises with Celebrity, quite a few years ago. We loved them! We're from California, and also would like to see cruises out of San Diego or San Francisco with the OP's suggested itinerary.

I've purchased a few watches throughout the years onboard. Mostly Anne Klein. They run great, are attractive, and relatively not expensive. About $100 each. I get the batteries changed when needed, and enjoy them as a piece of jewelry.

I'm the OP, and after several inquires with BA, I was told that "their screen" shows the correct name. My screen doesn't. I'll be at SFO a few weeks prior to our flight, and I'll ask a ticket agent to check on it.