Celebrity Select Dining - Suggestion for better service

[basejump]

Celebrity claims that "Guests choosing Celebrity Select Dining will enjoy the same world-class dining experience as guests in traditional dining. The only difference is that you will have the flexibility of dining at the time of your choosing." We recently chose this option and did appreaciate the flexibility; however we were disappointed by inconsistent service provided by different waiters and sommeliers. I cant help to think that this is in part due to fact that Celebrity insist that gratutities for guests choosing this option must be prepaid and there doesn't seem to be an effective means of providing feedback about the service except by complaining/praising on a nightly basis. I was thinking that having a feedback card on the table each night would allow Celebrity and their staff to know who is doing an ok job and who is doing a great job.

[Lsimon]

They could have the cards presented by the waiters, on table after mean, or available by the door to the select dining section with a drop box there.

 

We've heard so many times how important comments and ratings are to the staff's assignments and perks but we too have wondered how this is handled for select dining.

[GeorgiaPeach51]

Have to say that our experience with Select was really outstanding. We asked each night to be seated with the same waiter on Equinox (Eladio), and that was done. We were not at the same table each night but always seated in his section. They even accommodated us when we joined with another table of 4. So, for us, the service was ideal. We got the time we wanted with the waiter we enjoyed, so it was exactly like regular dining for us. Also thought the sommelier was great and very attentive.

 

We showed up each night at the same time and had a standing reservation for 6:45, since the early sitting was too early and the late sitting was too late.

 

However, I can see that if the service was not up to expectations, it would be good for passengers to be able to express their concerns. I'm wondering, though, how quickly they would be able to get the cards, read them, contact the waiter in question prior to your next visit to the dining room?

[Can'tstopcruising]

If you have a problem, you can always tell the Maitre d' before you leave the dining room. He will be happy to hear about it and will surely try to have it corrected.

[pspercy]

Our only problem was the temperature of the "hot" food - always tepid at best.

[Lsimon]

Comments are not only for pointing out problems or complaints, they are also for making sure those that provide great service get the acknowledgement they deserve.

[Can'tstopcruising]

Comments are not only for pointing out problems or complaints, they are also for making sure those that provide great service get the acknowledgement they deserve.

 

Favourable comments are very important. One person told me she got a day off, thanks to my comment.

[emms]

We tried select dining for one night on our recent cruise on the Eclipse. We found it to be so busy it was almost chaos ( we were sitting very close to the waiters station) Not enjoyable at all, so we moved back to the early seating. After reading the Celebrity Today we found out that "for fixed seating dining,entrance to Moonlight Sonata Restaurant will remain open for 30 minutes after the assigned dining time" this was so much better, not people coming and going all over the place ( which was our main issue with the select dining) we didnt have to rush to be there at 6.15 on the dot and its the same food anyway!!