Barnos

Hi All, We are about to join a New Year cruise on celebrity Equinox's and are really looking forward to it.

It's a long time since we cruised with Celebrity and we've heard  there have been some "changes " ...  in particular we seem to have the impression that the buffet restaurant is not open or available on embarkation day?..  this seems a bit odd – could anyone clarify.

We're going to be in concierge and there seems to be a meal available in the MDR.. but is the Buffet also an option?

Were also hearing strange stories about the quality of food in the MDR and the fact that some charges seem to have crept in there?  my memory of the MDR was always that it was pretty good, with quite a bit of choice each day plus a  selection of regular meals e.g. steak, chicken , salmon always available as alternatives.. is that pretty much how it is now?

 I expect the New Year cruise will be busy, we are on I think they call it "like dining" which usually let you dine more or less any time? .. Where used to waiting a few minutes, but we've heard that at peak times you can wait longer – has anyone got any feedback on that.

Any thoughts or advice would be much appreciated big smiles and many thanks

Thanks for the info.. that  sounds brilliant… next  question .. the obvious one .. is covid still effecting these things ?

big thanks again

Hi all, we are pondering our first ever Christmas cruise including Christmas Day and wondered what are the cruise line do for a Christmas day meal.

Being from the UK, we are used to eating the Christmas Day meal (usually turkey) around lunchtime or late lunch – but understand that for some evening maybe the time to eat a large meal?

Any thoughts advice or experiences would be great to hear. Thanks

I'm delighted that this  thread has become active again as I started  it, some weeks ago in relation to the beverage plus package options?

We've now completed our cruise... and I have to say our opinion of the Haven is a little bit mixed.. I will post a full cruise review sometime over the next few days but the edited highlights would read..

Beverage package upgrade -  was ultimately offered to us a few days before the cruise  we took it, and were delighted with our decision (but why on earth were we told that the upgrade was not available by NCL staff until we got on board... although apparently the concierge would be able to sort it out for us?)

Talking of that concierge – yes the senior concierge was very helpful (when she was there) but her assistant was less than useless  (when she was there) quite often there was no one there.

 Haven spa Suite -  Nice room, but half in - half out of the Haven -  that was definitely the feeling we had

 Haven spa Suite cleanliness -  absolute major disappointment -  we had major problems despite complaining to the concierge -  I will put full details on my review

Haven spa suite Butler -  I've cruised with a butler before,  on that occasion the butler was useless, so was this guy -  I would describe it as having average room service.

Let me not end on a negative – the Haven itself is wonderful and the Haven restaurant is one of the best I've ever been in on a cruise and the majority of the staff inside the Haven (despite a few language problems) were also exceptional..

If you've book  a Haven cruise I'm sure you will enjoy it :-) it is a lovely place

Quick question about the speciality dining package – we've selected this as one of our options.. were staying in the Haven.. and we're on a 10 night cruise.

So the question is, how many times can you dine in the speciality venues,  if you've taken this as an option?

 I understand that there is restaurant in the Haven as well... but we like to try the other restaurants on the ship 🙂

Thanks to all

Thanks for all the feedback... much appreciated – we were going to leave it until we got on the ship and check with our butler/concierge but miraculously – after I checked in the offer to upgrade the package for just the $29 per person per day rate appeared!\

 So I am a happy cruiser.. knowing I've got my premium plus beverage package secured 🙂

Thanks everyone, based on the answers I think we've left it too late to upgrade online – I'm not seeing that upgrade in my account pages.

 However, based on the answers I'm pretty sure we're going to be able to carry out the upgrade on the first day of the cruise 🙂

 happy bunny and looking forward to the cruise🙂

Thanks for the very quick answers – by way of explanation the main reason for upgrading is to be able to  have a choice of  bottles of wine with a meal. The wine by the glass choice is very good, but if your preferred wine is not sold by the class (which the expensive ones aren't) .. you end up paying full price for a bottle of wine.. and not really feeling the benefit of having a beverage packet at all 😕

Hi all,

 I wondered if anyone has any experience of trying to upgrade the beverage package from premium to premium plus. 

We are lucky enough to be booked in the Haven in a few weeks, and we just spoke to NCL directly to enquire if this was possible. We were told politely, but clearly that no this was not possible and if we wished to take the premium plus beverage package the cost would be approximately £1200 each that's £2400 on top of the price of our cruise!

Quite astonishing to even suggest that. IMHO

 The nice chap did say that as we were Haven guests, he felt that  if we raise the issue with our butler/concierge he would quite possibly be able to offer us some form of upgrade..  in other words we pay the difference between the $99 and $128 per day price ... this would seem to be sensible.

... but it's disappointing to be told that we have to wait till we get on the ship before these details can be confirmed.

 just wondered if anyone else has encountered this at all – thanks

Many thanks for the answers – much appreciated.

 I've done the Google search for viva vino  but can't seem to find any current information – the price list shown seem to date back to 2010! - Am I missing something?  I seem to recall there was a similar package offered when we cruised with NCL last June -  but that the discount ( compared to simply buying a bottle of wine each meal) was very small.

I should say the main reason for starting this thread was this question?

If you take  the premium beverage package is one of your free at sea options (price $99) -  can you upgrade to the premium plus beverage package (price $128) for just the difference between the two ( $29) ?  our online account seems to say that you can't – that we have to pay full price if we want to upgrade?  seem strange?

Once again – any thoughts advice appreciated –

NCL wine list please?

Hi can anyone point me to a link or even upload a fairly recent wine list from NCL – we are cruising on break away in January this year. We have the standard drinks package included but are considering whether or not it’s worth the upgrade to the premium all-inclusive (no $15 limit) one. My decision is going to be entirely based around the cost of bottles of wine with dinner (which I know are included on premium, package) what I’m trying to work out is what is available – and at what cost on the standard package.

I found that drinking wine by the glass doesn’t really work when you’re sitting down for dinner (although I know it is included)

Any images links would be much appreciated – big thank you to all.

Hi Everyone, we are really lucky to have booked a Haven suite on Norwegian breakaway in January and, with the free at sea deal we have the  premium beverage package included.

However, last time we cruised we upgraded to the premium plus beverage package and really appreciated the difference – the drinks limit goes up to $35 a glass which basically means you can treat yourself to a class of bubbly.. PLUS  and this was the important thing for me, you had an additional range of wines by the bottle you could choose at dinner.

 I've just been told that to upgrade this time it's going to cost about 548 UK pounds total .. So  I was wondering, as we'll be able to dine in the Haven restaurant whether the drinks and wines in particular are still limited to the "standard" premium beverage package ... or do you have any additional beverage allowance – wines in particular? Because you're in the Haven restaurant?

 I'm not interested in expensive spirits molecules, but mostly being able to choose a nice wine at dinner is the thing I really like to be able to do.

 Any help or advice would be much appreciated – big thank you to everyone

Colin

 Thanks to everyone for the replies, it’s much appreciated and the answers are pretty much as expected.

My problem is that we like to drink a bottle of wine with our evening meal and I’m guessing the wines by the glass is from  a limited selection (I don’t know if anyone can point me towards a drinks included list?) The other thing when serving wine by the glass, it’s sometimes it’s a question of exactly how quick your waiter to can be 😀 Nothing worse than sitting there with an empty glass! 

Hi All,

We’re lucky enough to have booked a 10 day cruise from Orlando to the Caribbean in a spa suite within the Haven on Norwegian breakaway – I’m just wondering exactly how this haven deal works.

 Evidently we have a beverage package included – but is that the basic one with a $15 limit on drinks? Are those drinks still limited within the Haven bar, can you get a bottle of wine at dinner for example? I’m thinking we might be faced with the cost of upgrading the beverage package but I’m unsure?

I understand we have full access to the Haven restaurant, but do we have access to all of the other speciality restaurants at no other cost? Or is there a four day limit or something?

Similarly with the Internet – we haven’t we have a package but I’m guessing it’s not unlimited?

 The truth is, I’m a bit disappointed (At the thought of having to pay for these extras!)having splashed out for a haven suite, and we were comparing this with the other top cruise lines evidently offering completely all-inclusive deals – any guidance help would be appreciated.

Big thank you 

Hi All,

We are booked on the Norwegian Sun cruise on 24 June ... was Cuba but now rerouted to Bahamas L – thanks Donald :-).

I think they've made a decent offer by way of compensation but I have to say I'm completely confused by their pricing policy for speciality dining and having called them, the lady on the other end of the phone seem to know less than I do.

Can anyone tell me –

Can you book the speciality restaurants day by day on board? ( I don't really want to buy the full speciality dining package)

Is there a fixed price per diner (like I've seen on other cruise lines) or is this genuinely à la carte?

Is there likely to be availability  in any of the speciality restaurants (if we are willing to be flexible)  or do these tend to book up fully pre-cruise

 I could ask the same questions about the Internet package ...  but would limit it to this – is the Internet on-board Norwegian Sun any good? I'm just looking to browse the Internet and check emails – not interested in streaming really.

Thanks to all

Thanks to everyone for their replies. I’m one of those people who need to be connected 24 seven 365 days a year, I appreciate it’s a choice but believe that these days, being connected is (or should be) everybody is divine right 🙂 and the cruise companies should recognise that.

I have no problem paying for it but the one device limit would appear to be a bit rubbish! I’m going to make the call to P&O and I will see if I can get an any leeway on that rule..

 Big thanks again to all 🙂 

 Hi, can anyone tell me anything about the Internet availability on board Britannia ?We are going to the Caribbean in January.

Fo example is the Wi-Fi available in your room and all over the ship? And does anyone have any recommendations about which is the best package to go for. If you buy a package can you connect more than one device ?

I’ve read that it’s cheaper if you buy it before you get on board?  Any help would be much appreciated.

Many thanks 

Wow.

 

We were on the same cruise and had a FANTASTIC time. In fact, when the comment cards came around, I did not have one negative thing to say!

 

Honestly, your complaints seem very picky and minor. I had understood that in lieu of champagne on boarding, when one's hands are full of carryon baggage, they offered the champagne at the Captain's Welcome Toast, a much more appropriate time.

 

No weather report? Hardly earth-shattering. The wrong drink? Again, a minor language difficulty. I did not see one serious issue in your whole post, and in fact I think it's nitpicking complaints like yours that make the cruiselines disregard most of these letters and miss some actual serious flaws. And when you send a complaint to management referring to your 'crews', I doubt they will take you very seriously!

 

I couldn't have asked for a better crew, service, or vacation experience. I'm sorry you had such a miserable trip--better luck next time.

 

Oh, and one night I asked for wine and the waiter brought me a martini. . .oh well, ship happens!

Firstly, thanks to all who took the trouble to reply to my post back in 2013.. the problem is this message board is so archaic in its approach and technology I wasn't aware anyone had replied...:confused:

Secondly, let me apologies for my spelling of cruise (Crews) as I am mildly blessed with the gift of dyslexia I use DragonDictate software hence cruise, can easily become crews.. my dyslexic tendencies make me the world's worst proofreader (I will apologize for any silly typos in this response – I'm sure there will be some).

[RANT 1]For those of you who are interested, and particularly any spelling evangelists out there – I've worked in IT since I was 16, I'm now 58 – I seen the evolution of software – and hardware in many ways. I quickly discovered that computers have no innate intelligence, absolutely none, they are capable of nothing (until they are programmed).. and yet, what is the first truly useful thing that they learn to do – spellcheck? A famous dyslexic once wrote, that spelling is a circus trick that most of the world happens to be able to do, it is absolutely NOT a measure of intelligence or care, or attention to detail. The world is full of truly brilliant people who cannot spell at all, indeed in my personal experience, people who obsess about spelling, frequently lack creativity, originality and in that sense true intelligence. [Rant Over]

[RANT 2 - Regarding my original "complaint"] .. my point was, we had been SO impressed with our first two sailings on Equinox, it was such a disappointment to witness so many admittedly "minor" issues with our experience on Silhouette (although, I still can't get over the fact that a member of staff positively argued with me about the fact that she had brought completely the wrong cocktail!).. I really do not like conflict so, surely that was pretty poor by anyone's standards.

The experience didn't put is off Celebrity – indeed it was interesting to hear the other people did not notice any lowering of standards – perhaps we were just unlucky! Our next booking is on Eclipse and I am looking forward to it and really hope that I can write a really positive review... but fear that will be probably on one of the more modern forums or groups out there.

Happy CREWSing everyone :)

Yes i too am getting blank screen when trying access any constellation thread?

(i find CC great for info but AHHHHHGGGGHHHHH to use? .. is it me?).

We are on the TA to arrive in Rome 22nd April and we need to TF to ciampino for flight back to the uk.. our flight is about 10.30 am so i am thinking of leaving the ship about 7.30.. is anyone interested in sharing a transfer OR can anyone recommend the best service to use.. because a suitcases etc.. a car/taxi is the only option for us.

Thanks ..and sorry this is the wrong place!

Barnos Manchester UK

Hi,

I wonder of any regular cruisers (possibly Florida residents) could tell me, just how late the cruise lines leave it to make any last minute very special price offers?

We will be in Florida in April this year and would love to take a TA back to the UK or Europe.. we've been with Celebrity in the past, there are quite a few cruses we could choose from (e.g. 19th/20th/24th).. but as yet not much price reduction yet.. ive heard that if you leave your booking 'till maybe a week or 2 before you can get some amazing deals? ..

any advice would be much appreciated.

thanks

Colin (Manchester UK)

Hi All,

...

I've pasted below an email I have just sent to celebrity because frankly I was really disappointed with this cruise. Let me explain first, the disappointment stemmed primarily from the fact that we were so absolutely delighted with our last transatlantic cruise on-board Equinox, taken the same time, last year. It just seems that silhouette, in particular in the area of service, just wasn't quite up to the mark.

I don't know whether this was down to cutbacks (we did get the cruise is an exceptionally good price) or some other reason. I suspect that the whole ethos on the ship was just not the same–on Equinox they simply could not do enough for you.

I noticed another post complaining that people failed to turn up for the cruise critic–connections party–we registered for the party, with celebrity, and were told that information would be sent to lose but nothing arrived. When I queried at Guest relations they told me there was nothing they could do?

I even managed to fall through the middle of the gap between the beds–because - it had not been converted into a double correctly.

I am interested–am I being overly picky–or did any other cruisers find that Silhouette did just not quite live up to the mark?–email below.

last thought–I work in IT, I have done since ( forever!) .. I find this message forum just about the most difficult thing to use in the world–is it me?

-----

Hello,

I thought it appropriate that I forward you my feedback in relation to the above crews. I did not complete the questionnaire given to me on board, because frankly I was disappointed with the cruise and did not feel in the right frame of mind to comment at the time.

Let me start by saying that we have only cruised 3 times, the first 2 cruises with celebrity on Equinox, the first in the Caribbean in 2011, the second transatlantic in 2012. We were so absolutely delighted with every single aspect of the last cruise we had no hesitation in making a further booking before we left the ship.

We took up the option of that reservation to take the same transatlantic cruise this time on celebrity silhouette, we were really looking forward to being on board the new ship with all the new features.

Sadly, whilst the facilities were excellent, the service could best be described as adequate. This may be a little harsh an assessment but having set the bar so high with the quality of service on Equinox I have to say that, not to have that excellence repeated was a disappointment.

As we boarded there was no welcome glass of bubbly. Perhaps we missed it somehow, but that welcome made you feel so, well, welcome!

At one point during the cruise we ordered a liqueur Cointreau, but we were served a Curaçao - when we pointed this out to the waitress she positively argued and debated the point. So disappointing. I suspect a lack of fluent English was the problem.

I visited the customer relations desk and asked if there was any weather forecasts available for a crossing. I was told that these were not available on transatlantic crossings. Despite the fact that I could obtain the information myself on my laptop and they had been provided to us daily on the Equinox cruise again–very disappointing.

A highlight of the Equinox cruise was a morning cookery course organised in Murano restaurant. We asked if something similar would be arranged this time. The maitre d' of blue tried to arrange this, but somehow failed, xxx in some cases typifying our experience. Nice try but not quite.

Perhaps my final piece of feedback would be to say that whilst we'd certainly like to cruise again, we simply didn't feel moved to make an on-board reservation and we are now considering whether we can find that excellence that we so enjoyed an equinox, with other cruise lines.

I wondered whether this fall standards was down to savings and cutbacks, but would probably be of the opinion that in some way the ethos on the silhouette was just not the same as we had experienced on Equinox.

I hope you find these comments constructive.

Best regards,