ernieglenman

15,121 posts and 1038 days at sea, now that is impressive. I am sure you have seen a lot of changes. 

I really like the sound of all inclusive dining on Virgin, just thought I would share it on here as on my last cruise a lot of loyal Celebrity cruisers were complaining about the cost of the speciality dining and the intrusiveness of the hard sell to the point that even when actually eating in the MDR they were coming to the table with their boards.

Still enjoyed my cruise mind you.

3 hours ago, WestLakeGirl said:

This is the Celebrity board

I am well aware of that.

The point I was making is that, in my opinion, Celebrity like the other cruise lines are getting away from the all inclusive experience and maybe some Celebrity cruisers like myself are getting tired of their continual extras. I used this opportunity to inform others.

Of course we will have to wait and see their pricing but good to see Virgin coming into the market and reverting to all inclusive dining rather than offering speciality dining to those who want to spend the whole cruise telling everyone they speak to that they have been to the speciality dining restaurants. 

Virgin Voyages does not believe in paying more for great food and ditched the traditional up-charges levied when dining in speciality restaurants at sea.  Virgin Voyages has designed all eateries on board to offer exceptional made to order eats and opted to include all restaurant food in the voyage fare.

On 11/6/2018 at 10:44 PM, krob90189 said:

Hello all, first timer with the first of probably many dumb questions. Travelling next summer to the Mediterranean on Reflection for 12 days. Wondering if it is better to book a package of the specialty dining before or after arriving. Was reading that crew offer 2 for 1's and other discounts once you arrive on ship. What's the better deal ?

Thanks in advance

If you haven't been before why bother with speciality dining? The food on the ship which you have already paid for is excellent and really varied. Speciality dining is not necessary, spend your money on excursions and dine out at home. The cost of speciality dining is now ridiculous as are the drinks packages. If you want a drink though it is best to get the package as they really rip you off if buying ad hoc on the ship. That's my opinion of course. Be prepared to be pestered on the ship about speciality dining as they really push it.

My understanding of the OP’s initial post is that he is currently assigned Late Dining. He is waitlisted for Select but he is currently booked under Traditional. As such, he cannot select his dining times in the MDR. He can only make specialty dining reservations. Otherwise his assigned MDR time is 8:45. There is nothing he can do about this on the website. Only if he is able to switch from Late to Select will he be able to make MDR reservations.

 

 

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And that would explain why I can't book select dining. I couldn't understand why working to cruise - 59 could as they stated they were in the same slot as me.

If you are able to put in times for Select Dining then you are already in the option for setting up SD. Try this if you want. Go to "Cruise Planner", scroll down to "Explore Possibilities", click on "Dining" (right side of the page), when the dining page comes up scroll down the page until you see "Celebrity Select Dining". Click on "Add To Cart".

When I say I can put in times for select dining I mean that when I go in to make a reservation it allows me to go in, select our names, select a date and time then when it pulls up the options they are all paid restaurants. Definitely no option for Celebrity Select Dining. I also tried your route but same again. :(:(

Thanks for your help.

Select dining is the 1st option, once you select the option you need to select the date and time, hit next...enter name and email...next and you will receive a message that confirmation via email. Need to do process for each night.

 

 

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Thanks for the reply but I am still not getting this option, as I say it must be the way my account is setup. I'll try giving them a call.

Scroll down to the bottom of the ‘Speciality restaurant’ section. Select dining is there, with the option to book your date & time. Unfortunately, you have to book day by day, there is no option to do the entire cruise.

 

 

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Hi,

I had tried that and have tried it again putting in different times but I never get the option for select dining. Either it's blocked for my booking or I am doing something wrong.

I am going into Cruise Planner - Dining & Beverage - View All Dining and only the speciality restaurants come up. If I select Make a reservation and put in my details, same thing?

Hi Working to cruise - 59,

I tried to do this after reading your post as I have the same predicament i.e. 8.45 pm which is too late. I could only seem to book speciality restaurants. How were you able to select MDR as your option?

Thanks

Ernest

We are currently wait-listed for Select Dining on our cruise on the Eclipse in November.

We are currently assigned Traditional Dining at 8.45 pm.

I logged into our booking and, as it seemed, we could book Select for each night.

Would this be possible if we were assigned Traditional?

Also, when I booked the first night for Select it stated that Select was only available with pre-paid gratuities - is this correct?

We would probably be happy with a set time each evening but would like a table for two.

 

We would be grateful for any advice/suggestions.

 

PS I have searched the boards and asked a question on another thread but still do not know the answer to my queries.

 

Many thanks

Cheers[

quote=fizzy1;56724472]Jardin Tobaco. Right in the centre

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Thanks everyone.

Thank you to everyone who replied. I may have to reconsider my options of which there are plenty.

Many thanks for your comprehensive reply.

Regards

Ernest

Ernest, I haven’t yet been to Lisbon, but you may find something useful here:

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=234

 

I found the link above by going to “Other European Cruise Ports” in the “Ports of Call” section.

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2451371&highlight=Lisbon

 

The link above may be helpful. It confirms what I thought, that Lisbon has more than one cruise port. Using your arrival date, I would search all Lisbon port docking schedules for your ship.

 

Here’s another link to helpful information about the ports. You will find links to port information and schedules here:

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2449084

 

Good luck! I hope your tour works out. - Michelle

Hi,

Which terminal do Celebrity use when docking in Lisbon? We are supposed to dock at 09.00 and there is a tour I want to take which starts at 10.00. It's a 20 minute walk to the meeting point and I am wondering if I can make it?

Regards

Ernest

They schedule the shows twice a day, at 7 and at 9, and the dinners are at 6 and 8:30, No tickets or reservations are needed for the shows.

 

 

Bon Voyage

Thanks Bon Voyage

Thanks Debbie

Hi Everyone,

I am taking my first cruise with Celebrity in October on the Silhouette out of Southampton. Will there be an option to pre-book shows before the cruise or is it just turn up on the night?

Thanks in advance

Ernie

I have the compasses but only a pic of the first evening menu I think. Just a problem getting photos onto pc at the moment but hoping to do a full review asap. If you have specific questions I can check the compasses for you before then.

Hi Waterlegs,

Was the wine package available in the MDR i.e. 5, 7 or 9 bottles for a fixed price?

Thanks

Ernie