ouiswim

18 hours ago, CruiseDuck said:

Glad to hear the buffet is good. I had previously read  they had really limited the variety of food there. Do you remember the hours the buffet is open? We will be boarding in November. Thanks!

We will be going for Thanksgiving. Anyone know if they serve traditional Thanksgiving dinner?

1 hour ago, Panhandle Couple said:

Rocketman - Our time is 12-12:30.  We chose that based on reading about long lines on CC.

No sense waiting in a line that isn't going to move until 11.  (has happened to us before in LA)

 

Also rain predicted Sunday AM, so waiting some might be better.

 

We are staying in nearby hotel, so no huge rush for us.

 

Our time is also 12-12:30 tomorrow. Hope it's a wise choice. We've seen so many negative remarks about embarkation. See you on line!

Thanks for the suggestion. Your're correct about the cost of hotel rooms, but my husband decided it was most important that we get a hotel close to the pier. We have booked Pinnacle Harbourfront. It seemed like the hotels were filling up fast and we didn't want to take a chance. Thanks again!

We're arriving the day before our cruise in September and can't figure out a reasonably priced hotel. Saw some unusual items such as "shared bathroom." Lol. Also security deposits of $200? Would love to have a recommendation from someone who has stayed there before or after a cruise. Thanks!

Thank you!

20 hours ago, mick70 said:

Was one the cruise 31 May -7 June and talked to someone who did this and they caught 18 salmon but none where keepers.

Thanks. I'm not sure what constitutes a keeper. I imagine it has to do with size.

1 hour ago, sfpd3000 said:

I hope they found the OP's luggage too.   Here are the menus.  I hope I'm doing this correctly.  If not, I apologize.

Yes you did great. Thank you so much!

On 6/11/2019 at 6:00 PM, sfpd3000 said:

The OP is preoccupied with his missing luggage (as he should be).  I can post menus from the first Solstice Alaskan sailing of the season (May 10) if you want.

Thank you! Sorry about your luggage.

Solstice is offering a 5 and a half hour salmon fishing excursion in Ketchikan. Has anyone done it? We can't find any reviews so we are hesitant to book without knowing what we are getting into. Is it worth the cost? Catch anything? Food? Restrooms? Helpful crew? Our cruise is in a week. Thx.

On 6/11/2019 at 6:00 PM, sfpd3000 said:

The OP is preoccupied with his missing luggage (as he should be).  I can post menus from the first Solstice Alaskan sailing of the season (May 10) if you want.

That would be wonderful! Hope you find your luggage promptly!

On 5/25/2019 at 2:07 PM, Joelstone said:

Here are the daily planners for our recent Alaska cruise on the Celebrity Solstice.  Word of caution though.  We were the first Alaska cruise of the season for Solstice and several schedule changes took place during the week including restaurant hours, etc.  The basics seemed to be all correct but I imagine there continues to be changes as they adjust to Alaska itinerary.  Review and more pictures to follow in a week or so.

 

 

Friday May 10 2019 Celebrity Solstice DP.pdf 1.58 MB · 80 downloads Saturday May 11 2019 Celebrity Solstice DP.pdf 1.74 MB · 62 downloads Sunday May 12 2019 Celebrity Solstice DP.pdf 1.43 MB · 53 downloads Monday May 13 2019 Celebrity Solstice DP.pdf 1.53 MB · 43 downloads Tuesday May 14 2019 Celebrity Solstice DP.pdf 1.32 MB · 46 downloads Wednesday May 15 2019 Celebrity Solstice DP.pdf 1.79 MB · 41 downloads Thursday May 16 2019 Celebrity Solstice DP.pdf 1.48 MB · 41 downloads

Thank you! That is very helpful. Do you by chance have any of the Main Dining room menus? We're taking this cruise in 2 and a half weeks.

On 6/1/2019 at 2:35 PM, NutsAboutGolf said:

On the 5/31/19 sailing, dailies/celebrity today aside, any requests?

Can you post the dinner menus? We will be on the June 21st sailing. Thanks!

On 5/19/2019 at 9:00 PM, sfpd3000 said:

Don't know if this is what you're looking for.   If not hope this helps somebody.  Solstice ad insert from last week. 

16 minutes ago, musik07 said:

 

This was on an Alaska sailing. The papers were given out on a galley tour. 

I hope this "classic beverage" info is incorrect. We're  sailing the Solstice in a month and have the Classic package. It was told to us that the wine by the glass limit was $11, not 9 which is on the above card. I see almost no wines by the glass for $9 or under. Wine is our drink of choice.

I feel that there are a large number of people who make MTD reservations as soon as they can, usually 90 days before the cruise. They just want to make sure they have a dining slot. I mean, how could you possible know what time you want to eat 90 days from now? I'm not eve sure what time I want to eat tonight.

 

When you get on board, go to the dining room & there will be a person there taking MTD reservations. Check with them as some people may have cancelled their reservations.

 

If they are still booked solid, just go as a walk-up each night. Sometimes the walk-up line moves quicker than the line of people that have reservations. And if you don't mind sharing a table with strangers, just tell the matire'D and they may be able to seat you even quicker.

Thank you!

Go to RC website and sign in to your reservation. Find your cruise planner and look for dining. Since you are My Time you can make reservations for any time you want. If it isn't available then when you board go the the MDR and ask to make reservations for the nights you want to go at 6pm. There really shouldn't be a problem.

We tried. We went online and every single time slot for my time dining was taken. It happened with the Oasis too and we didn't book last minute on that one.

My husband and I booked 1 1/2 week before departure and was able to grab a balcony on deck 9 which was a pleasant surprise. We drove to Tampa day prior and stayed at the Hampton Inn. Not crazy about the area but the Hampton was great and convenient. We booked a park and cruise package. Shuttle service was great.

 

We arrived at the port by 10:45 and on the ship within 30 minutes. Easy peazy! This is our second time on Brilliance this year, first time was in January. We love being able to see the ocean from so many areas. The crew was great, ship is beautiful and refreshed! We relaxed in the Solarium and enjoyed a roast beef sandwich from the Solarium Bistro and people watched. Rooms opened up around 1:00. Went and dropped off our carryons and walked around a bit.

 

 

This cruise for us was all about relaxation due to some stressful months prior. So from this point on to most it would be a pretty boring cruise, but for us it was perfect. We did MTD at a table for two. Made 6:15 reservations prior to cruise. Service and food was exceptional. We did not do any specialty dining. On Cozumel day, we ate dinner in the Windjammer around 7:00 and enjoyed it.

 

 

We went to the shows each night, they were good. There was entertainment in the Centrium which ranged from musical to games which were fun to watch. We were always able to find a couple chairs around the pool deck or in the Solarium.

 

 

There seems to be a problem with the filtration system. There was strong cigarette smoke in certain areas of the shops and the Centrium. I assume it is coming from the casino. For us it was very noticeable.

 

 

One note to mention regarding saving chairs. I consider myself to be a rule follower to the point that my family always makes fun of me! On our last day which was a sea day, we went to the pool deck around 9:30 am and found a couple chairs, not prime chairs, just chairs off to the side. Then we went to grab some breakfast. Came back to find our chairs had been tagged! Time on the sticker was 10:00, we returned at 10:08. That’s ok, I’m fine with them tagging, I don’t feel we were breaking the rules, but I was glad to see them actually watching for chairhogs. My husband saved the note to share with our kids so they can laugh at me. That’s ok too!

 

 

Morning of departure was easy, we were on our way back to the Hampton and in our car by 10:00. Long ride home.

 

 

I love cruising! Our next cruise is on Freedom out of San Juan. Can’t wait.

 

 

CruiseBell

We're doing the same cruise a week from now. We booked about 3 weeks ahead for basically the same reason and tried to get MDR reservations, but all slots for all nights were filled. We do have 2 nights in specialty restaurants, but we would have loved to get the 6:15 reservations. Our sailing must be more crowded. We are frustrated since we had a similar problem on the Oasis. We've gotten some suggestions of how to fix once we get on board, but it my be our last Royal Caribbean cruise. Never had this problem on any other cruise lines.

To the OP, how many are in your party? If it's just 2, then the wait times for walk-ups is usually not long. Maybe 10 minutes or so. And if you don't mind sitting with others, it could be even quicker as the dining staff likes to keep the line moving and maximize table seating.

 

If you have a large party - say 6 - then go into the Cruise Planner on RCI website and make MTD reservations. Or visit the dining room as soon as you get on the ship and make your reservations for the rest of the cruise.

We tried going online, but every single "My Time Dining" slot for every night was filled.

You booked last minute. You have to expect that some time slots might be taken by those that booked early.

 

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Every single "My Time Dining" slot was filled for every day of the cruise!

All the suggestions are good, it is not like the Oasis. As they said, go to my time dining on 5 when you get on the ship, always joke and be nice with the folks. Give them options, seating for 2 or with others. Like it was said, go at six. Many people book my time, knowing they are not going to stick with it. Just got off that ship few weeks ago, T&A. The my time people were great, hope you have the same ones.

Thank you! We will try that. We have always been more than nice. We are baby boomers, early to bed, early to rise so we really need to eat earlier. We like to go to MDR or specialty restaurant for dinner and buffet for lunch. We have always preferred assigned seating and have chosen it when we book our cruises, but we certainly enjoy meeting new people. I meant it when I said we would just book other cruise lines if we are not treated better this time, not because we "didn't get our way." I know this is a very popular line, but I guess everyone wants different things on a cruise. Thank you for the suggestion. We will head there first thing.

Yeah, that seemed like quite the threat to me. Sounds like OP was almost ready for a fight before even investigating further.;p:D Anyway, I hope our replies have put OP at ease. It should be no problem for MTD before 6 pm.

Not looking for a fight at all. Bad experience on Oasis. If you read some of my other replies, you will see. We actually liked the Oasis, but the sheer size seems to be an issue. Only other problem we had was the 45 minute wait to re-board in Cozumel Mega ships are probably not our thing. I'm optimistic after seeing the helpful suggestions. Again, other cruise lines don't seem to have these issues.

We do MTD on Brilliance on every cruise, and rarely have had any difficulty eating at the times we want. Their setup is a bit weird however, since the MTD section is on one side of deck 5 and traditional seating is on the other side. There will be two "lines" - one for people with reservations and one for "walk-ins". We've never waited more than 10-15 minutes in the "walk-in" line (even on holiday cruises). My only add to the suggestions already made would be to go into your cruise planner and book the earliest time available, and then go to the maître D and ask to change the times once on board.

 

As a side note, Chops, Giovanni's, and Izumi are all excellent on Brilliance - and rarely crowded if the OP is looking for alternatives. The Windjammer on Brilliance in the evenings is also quite good - the captain and his officers often can be found there for their evening meals.:)

My post said we have booked specialty restaurant for 2 of the nights. Just worried about the other 3. I'm looking forward to the Brilliance. I guess those mega ships just aren't our thing. Thank you!

Gotcha. I admit I skimmed... and put together MTD, late booking, and never again on royal if we don’t get what we want.

 

 

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I said this because we had such a difficult time getting a table on Oasis and 2 of the nights ended up at the Windjammer. It wasn't that we weren't willing to wait, but 45 minutes was ridiculous. We were not treated well. We have been on many other cruise lines and have never had a problem. I said 6:00 because that is a listed seating. 6:30 or even 7:00 would work. Also, we called Royal Caribbean weeks before our cruise on the Oasis to try to get seating time, not "My Time Dining" and we were told they couldn't do anything. We had to talk to our agent who booked us. Of course our agent said her only option was my time dining. We will try all of these helpful suggestions. I'm grateful for all of the positive ideas.

Thank you. It was a problem when we went on the Oasis last year, but it was a much larger ship. I feel better about this now that I see some replies to my post.

Just go to the dining room a few minutes before 6. They have lots of tables for 2 in the MTD section and you shouldn't have to wait very long, maybe 5 minutes or so. Larger parties could have a longer wait time, but we have never waited more than 4-5 minutes for table for 2.

Thank you for the suggestion. Oasis is a much bigger ship so hopefully we won't have an issue on this one.

You booked last minute. You have to expect that some time slots might be taken by those that booked early.

 

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I realize that, but I was asking for suggestions.