HappyTvlr

I was on Solstice for the first time in Oct 13 and really didn't like that the Sky lounge was shut every evening from 5-7 for the elite happy hour. We would leave the lounge after trivia at four and take the two seats just outside the lounge and play cards. It was so sad seeing so many people turned away. I will have elite status for the first time on my next cruise, and while I want to experience the perk of the happy hour I can't shake the discomfort associated with attending and simultaneously not liking that they shut the lounge to everyone else. I always get the premium drink package so that is not the reason for attending, but I just like the idea of getting dressed up a bit to attend what seems like a cocktail party. I know there are limited areas on the ship and space required varies each cruise based on elite numbers, and I do not like the idea of vouchers so I can easily see Celebrity's difficulty in finding balance.

No craft beers on Solstice. They actually posted a promo in the dailies highlighting them, and wow was the bartender PO'd because everyone went there only to be disappointed.

On Reflection it looked and felt more like the original Michaels did on the Century back in 1996. The server or Som would go to the back and get the bottle we wanted, bring it to a table, pour, then return the bottle to the back. A lot of wasted steps which made service very very slow. But very nice seating with windows, comfortable area.

 

I actually enjoyed the service as you described. It did take a bit longer, but it is consistent with service in upscale wine bars especially when coupled with the fact that they use nice Riedel glasses. It is easy enough to get a quick glass anywhere else on the ship so we enjoyed the change. What I didn't like was the constant upsale by Sommelier. It actually put us off going in there because it was always a long sales pitch for a $35 glass of wine followed by a bit of an upturned nose when we went with something within the premium package or a heck of a lot closer. A word with the head Sommelier confirmed we were not the only ones with the complaint. This to me would be more of an explanation for the place being empty.

I too have suffered with some very difficult customer service issues with Celebrity over the years, but thought I would share a positive experience for a change. I booked a cruise online for myself and all went well in seeing the 123gobev package show up. I later added a guest online, and the price was properly adjusted with no problems. I then called to upgrade to the premium package and instantly received a confirmation email and could see the booking updated online as well. A flawless experience overall. I do suggest anyone considering upgrading to premium do so before 18 Feb as the agent was clear that the prices would rise after that date. Not to go to the negative, but this is difficult to swallow because all the advertising indicates the price to upgrade will be 10+15% ($11.50) and no deadline is given. I wasn't willing to risk it or go on for a drama later so I went ahead with the upgrade prior to the 18 Feb price increase.

Would also like to know about vouchers. I am really interested in knowing if there about cooking classes and chef's dinners. Enjoy!

You don't need to collect bottles of water at the bars. There will be lots of cold bottled water on a table at the gangway that you can pick up on your way off the ship. It's included in the drink package.

Not always. We got caught out thinking this and had to go back because they did not have a table as expected. This was on the Solstice last year.

I think HostAndy got it exactly right that you first need to be comfortable with them choosing your cabin. As for the perks, I never found them worth it. The canapés are a bit sad when compared to the wonderful food available anytime, and we always get a bev package and end up giving our wine away. If you are chasing elevation in the Captain's Club, then 10 nights in CC may help but this would be the only specific perk that makes it worth the money. I opted for CC on our last cruise in order to secure Elite in the old system, but we both laughed at the "perks". Basically we paid $250 for Elite which seems like a good deal in the end.

If it wasn't for my wife insisting that she needs a balcony that she rarely if ever uses ( claims she just likes knowing that it is there) I would book a outside for that cruise if we go again.

 

 

Love this! I have always insisted on a balcony and my husband is always the one on it. I think he does it just to get his money's worth and could easily do without it. We spend very little time in our room, and his time out there is when I am getting ready for dinner. I'm sailing solo for the first time because he can't make it and I opted (reluctantly) for an OV because the cost is over $1000 for the balcony. Maybe I can get a spa treatment or two with the extra cash.

Sounds like the room attendant may have gotten it wrong to your friend's advantage. Perhaps it is just another sheet of coupons to them with little understanding to the value they hold. I can see this occurring given the amount of paperwork they have to sort. I'm just pleased my friend can attend the events. I usually travel with my husband who is also elite so the question has not come up before.

My friend is traveling with me in my cabin but is not elite. Can she come with me? The website indicates she is welcome at the cocktail hour and morning coffee, but did not address the tea.

Had numerous bottles of beer on both Solstice and Century. I always use a stubby holder/beer koozie that adds protection. Not that it lasts long enough to get warm.....

If they just gave the suites "free" access to the specialty restaurants, would you be ok with that? Everyone has access to those restaurants as long as they pay for it either by increased fare or by the day.

 

Hasn't this been the case for Aqua class for quite a while? They pay more for an exclusive dining experience.

 

Also, many of the smaller all inclusive lines simply don't have the space to add extra "suite" dining. I'm not convinced that if it was possible, they wouldn't do it. Plus on those ships, eveyone is paying, what I consider to be, "suite prices". In fact, most refer to all cabins as "suites".

 

The simple answer is I would be fine with any perks for suites that don't interfere with non-suite guests being able to access the entire ship. As for Blu, I think that this is on the slippery slope but the price is often the same or close to that of CC so I see that as an option to upgrade to get into the restaurant. With regard to R&S, you are correct that everyone is paying for an entire upscale package. The result is that all guests are at level pegging which is why I said this is not a reasonable comparison to the hypothetical Celebrity situation of allowing access to certain venues based solely on room type.

It was really bad on Solstice, and I was not happy that it was not obvious (to me anyway) when my package ran out and I started paying by the minute. The lounge was understaffed as well so it took forever to get started. I take my itouch with me into port and go to a bar or restaurant for free wifi. Most places will give you a code if you buy something.

We had a horrible sommelier on the Solstice last year. We explained we were on the package, and when looking at the list there were several wines within the package. However, the sommelier continually recommended wines that were $25 -$35 per glass and was very passive aggressive when we declined the offers. It got to the point where we avoided the place which was a shame because it is a lovely venue.

[quote name='bigreckster']Just returned from the Summit in a Royal Suite and opted to eat in the Normandie spec. dining every night because the noise and bedlam of the MDR is just not for us. I don't want to sit at a large table with strangers, I want a level of service like fine restaurants provide and I paid handsomely for that, in addition to the suite cost! We never saw but a few people in Bistro on 5 during the entire week which makes me wonder whether this venue is really as popular as some have indicated. I'd definitely be in favor of an alternative venue for dinner for suite passengers because that's what you're paying the extra fee for...same as airline seats, seats at a Broadway show or any other facet of vacation experience. Seems that there has to be a way to alleviate the strain on Blu dining facility and they are looking for ways to address that. As for those who decry the alleged move toward a "Cunard class system", you get what you pay for in this life...in the end, it's all about business and profitability on the part of any cruise line...just check the prices on the all- inclusives like Regents and Silverseas for a comparison.[/quote]

I do not believe this is a "get what you pay for" situation. As it is proposed, one is asked to pay more for a certain room in order to get into a different restaurant. For those of us that don't spend much time in our rooms it is difficult to reconcile paying more for the room in order to have full access to other parts of the ship. Previous posts even have me laughing at the irony that some suite passengers are upset that they may have to pay more for their suite in order to have an exclusive restaurant. When comparing Regent and Silversea, their price is an all inclusive package of better room, drinks, shore excursions, and food among other things which include full access to all the ship's venues. So my opinion is that by adding exclusive venues to Celebrity changes the dynamic of the cruise, and would more closely resemble Cunard not R or S. Those of us loyal to Celebrity developed the loyalty based on the status quo, and if this changes so too shall we.

I really hope this is not the case, and I am happy to see others share my view by comparing the change to Cunard. I opt not to stay in suites because I dump my bags and head out. I am of the opinion that the extra cost for the suite is for the suite, special attention, and butler among other things and should not extend to the restaurants. I am very happy to pay more for specialty restaurants, special dinners, wine events, spa treatments, and similar experiences but fail to see why I should pay more for a room that I will not be in to get access to these things. I am guessing that Celebrity sees as much money from my husband and I when you add in restaurant, event, spa, and drinks charges as it does for suite passengers. I specifically stay away from Cunard because I will not pay $11k for an awesome room just so I can dine in a specific restaurant. I can pay (and have paid) $1k for what I am sure is a better meal in any city and head back to my standard room at Hyatt or Marriott. I like the concept of paying for what you get. You pay more for a room, and you get more of a room. You pay more for food choices, and you get more food choices. I just don't get paying more for a room so I can get to a specific restaurant. As for Bistro on Five, I love it and will hate to see it go away. I don't mind that it isn't busy because it ensures the staff are available to top up my wine. Don't tell Celebrity, but I would pay more than $5.

Thanks! I can not get the Century sailing to show up on at all on the US or Aus site. I found the sailing on a TA site, but it says to call for info. This is really frustrating. Thanks to you I can rule it out though. I live in AUS and was hoping to go to Hawaii and ride home, but not going all the way to SF. Looks like I'll be on the South Pacific sailing. Thanks again!

I may have really "missed the boat" on this one, but I can't find the Solstice or Century coming over to Australia in Sept/Oct this year. Any thoughts or clarification?

On a recent Solstice trip we went to the lunch at Murano and Tuscan for around $25 each. They both offered a limited menu, but lobster was offered at Murano. We thought the food at both restaurants was excellent as always. I loved going to Tuscan for lunch and enjoying the view. We eat dinner late and had not had the chance to enjoy the view in daylight. As for booking, we learned from previous trips that they are not advertised so we went around the first day or so of the cruise and enquired and easily booked in.

There is a preprinted code on the card, and they do swipe it each time. It is a sequence of letters and not a symbol, but I can't recall what it was. The only exception is if you get to know a bartender or sommelier and they remember your number, but they still enter each beverage into the system. No idea how they handle upgrades after the seapass is issued since I have always prepaid for premium. Perhaps they get you a new one????

I believe they are SPD's as well as cages, but if the bikes and instructors are anything like Century or Solstice I would leave the shoes at home and plan on figuring out an alternative exercise. The bikes were really old and unstable, and the instructors knew nothing about spin. Also, the classes are $15.

Solstice does not have the extensive beer selection in Michael's. This was a huge disappointment to us.

I was on Solstice in Oct/Nov 13 and the Martini bar was still broken. As for the previous post about the bar with the ice on top of the bottles, I believe you are referring to the Crush bar which is very close to the Martini Bar.

The Martini Bar does carry a variety of drinks, but the main purpose is skewed towards the making of martini's and there will an abundance of different vodkas and gins to make this happen. Because of space restrictions, this particular bar will not keep in stock a full array of BEER choices. My statement was in response to a poster that was upset and stated that it was "unacceptable" that they ran out of certain types of beers. On my Summit cruise last October, the Martini bar ran out of espresso vodka, but it wasn't a deal breaker for me. I just switched to another type of drink. You're on vacation, so flexibility and adaptability should come into play once in awhile.

 

Sorry, I was on my second Sapphire and tonic and didn't check my grammar. What was "unacceptable" was that all of the bars ran out of several types of beer, and the Martini bar ran out of several mixers. To make matters worse, there were no menus at the Martini bar for over half of our 12 night cruise because they were supposedly being reprinted. So we were flexible and adapted quite well by ordering by flavor. We asked for something with strawberries or blueberries or peaches. It was fun, but having sailed previously with Celebrity I know that we were missing out on some special Martinis that were listed on the menu but just couldn't recall. As for Michael's, it was the Solstice and they don't have any craft beer. The Molecular bar also ran out of liquid nitrogen so no smoking drinks after the first couple of days. The MDR ran out of Domain Chandon by the glass. Again we were flexible and adapted by ordering real champagne and just paying the difference. As for the comparison about the seafood restaurant, if they have porterhouse on the menu I expect to have it on my plate if I am in the mood that night. If there is anything else you want to correct me on or lecture me about, go for it. I'm headed toward my second G&T and find your level of seriousness and hostility quite amusing.

Service at the pool does seem slow to me who gets a beer or something simple and has to wait for several mixed/frozen/blended drinks to be made, but hell I'm on a cruise and will have a frosty beverage in the near future so I can wait. The worst part of the bev packages promo on our last cruise was that they ran out of several kinds of beer and mixers at the Martini bar. That was unacceptable.