The "new" Celebrity Secrets thread

[MissCruising1]

The treats in the glass case at Cafe Al Bacio are complimentary and they can be packaged to go. The mini-sandwiches, which are available mid-day make a great appetizer to go with pre-dinner wine/cocktails on the veranda. Just keep them cold in your room fridge. And the desserts are delicious whenever!!

 

Great tip!

[alliebrandy]

The treats in the glass case at Cafe Al Bacio are complimentary and they can be packaged to go. The mini-sandwiches, which are available mid-day make a great appetizer to go with pre-dinner wine/cocktails on the veranda. Just keep them cold in your room fridge. And the desserts are delicious whenever!!

 

Great tip!

 

In addition to having them as a pre-dinner appetizer, you can also have them as a late night snack in the room too. There have been many nights when we have gotten back to the room and have been a bit hungry and just do not feel right waking up our steward to bring to the room service order, as well as the long wait for the delivery too. So we just pick up a few sandwiches and sweets to go and keep them in the fridge.

 

We also make sure to get a couple for the morning of debarkation. We can sleep a bit later and still have something to nosh on before leaving the cabin. DH must eat something in the am after taking all of his morning meds.

[Theologator]

We prepaid the tips. Is it customary to tip beyond that?

 

My grandfather had a place on Cedar Island in the 1970's, grew up scalloping and crabbing in the bay, fishing etc. - amazing place. Rarely hear about it , just had to say "Hi!"

[cpl100]

Of course this is not a secret.

 

For those who might want to know what kind of tea is available for free, on our last cruise on the Solstice there are decent varieties, all in the MHAI DIVA brand (Ceylon).

Earl Grey, English Breakfast, Green Tea, Jasmine, Cammomile, Cinnamon, Mango, Raspberries etc. Fruity flavours alternates and may not be available at times.

 

We are happy, and never have to pay extra for premihm tea.

 

Don't see a single black decaf tea listed! :eek: I cannot have caffeine. :(

[chamima]

Don't see a single black decaf tea listed! :eek: I cannot have caffeine. :(

 

 

There's no Green Decaf either.

I bring my own. It's the lightest, smallest thing in my suitcase. ;)

(And I bring enough for 3 or 4 cups a day!)

[rumfan]

You won't get foie gras in ANY Celebrity dining room. Maitre'd in Murano told us on Reflection cruise that RCL/Celebrity corporate made a decision to stop serving for animal ethics reasons.

 

Yippee for Celebrity!!! :) One more reason for me to choose Celebrity over other lines.

YIPPEE is right. Good for Celebrity.:)

[Fouremco]

You won't get foie gras in ANY Celebrity dining room. Maitre'd in Murano told us on Reflection cruise that RCL/Celebrity corporate made a decision to stop serving for animal ethics reasons.

Not saying that the Maître d' was wrong, but the Celebrity website shows Pan Seared Foie Gras as still being part of the Five Senses offering at Murano.

 

[Theologator]

I took some time to compile the 'tips' and arranged them by general topic. This is not a comprehensive list but I think I got most of the good items from the prior 47 pages. I did not include the medical or much on the casinos (I don't gamble and as the 47 pages began to blur that blurred first.)

 

I hope this is helpful for those jumping into this thread toward the end. If you've slogged through from the beginning, I'm very proud of you.

 

General

 

If you do not like the Celebrity advertising/writing on some of the pictures they take, the photography dept. will print it for you without it...no extra charge.

 

If you are B2B on Celebrity (or RCI) and have on day between cruises in the same port, the receiving cruise line will cover the cost of a hotel stay for the night.

 

Rooms

 

The "refrigerators" in your rooms are actually are coolers. Don't expect things to get ice cold in them. This is by design. They will get somewhat cooler if you keep the cabinet door open.

 

Ladies, bring a rubber band to hold the hair dryer button down.

 

Solstice class ships have two US plugs and one European plug on the desk.

 

Solstice class ships have night light function built into the bathroom lighting...

 

The room steward's key overrides all locks including the inside latch. Use the “Do Not Disturb” sign to ensure privacy.

 

You can withdraw cash (US dollars) in the casino and it will be charged to your on-board account. There is a charge of 5% to do this. If you have unused nonrefundable On Board Credit at the end of your cruise, then you care about this one

 

Any room can order room service 24/7 – including late afternoon cheese & fruit.

 

You can bring non-alcoholic beverages like water, soda, etc. by the case if you want. You can put a luggage tag on the case and check it to your room. Have your steward empty your mini-fridge to make room.

 

The tap water on the ship is reverse-osmosis treated, making it as good as bottled water. Bring a water bottle to fill from the tap for excursions and rotate one in the cooler as well.

 

There are typically Wi-Fi discounts offered on the first day of the cruise.

 

All the cabins and doors are made of metal. Magnets are useful to hang up itinerary, notes to steward or each other; or calendar of specialty restaurant/show reservations.

 

You can plug in your own DVD or other devices to the room TV with an HDMI cable (bring your own.) Turn the TV off, plug in your HDMI cable to the second port, and then turn it back on. When done, turn off the TV, disconnect your HDMI cable and then turn the TV back on and you will resume the ship’s programming/channels.

 

A short power strip/surge protector is better than an extension cord, which will be removed if causing a trip/fall hazard.

 

 

Drinks

 

Pay attention to the drink specials on the daily sheet and watch for ‘happy hour’. It applies to non-alcoholic drinks like bottled water.

 

 

Dining

 

They often offer some specialty dining discounts on the first day of the cruise. If you have a reservation where a discount would apply, you can ask for the difference to be credited to your account.

 

You can order off the MDR menu in the evenings by calling Room Service. You will have a much better chance of having your food arrive hot that way rather than by having your cabin attendant go get it. This is available in all cabin types. If you are in a suite, you could ask your butler to bring it.

 

Steak Diane is available in most of the "fine dining" specialty restaurants. It's not listed on the menu and you have to ask for it in advance.

 

The treats in the glass case at Cafe Al Bacio are complimentary and they can be packaged to go. The mini-sandwiches, which are available mid-day, make a great appetizer to go with pre-dinner wine/cocktails on the veranda. Just keep them cold in your room fridge. And the desserts are delicious whenever.

 

Cellar Masters has an awesome cheese and olive, bread stick set up before dinner. Swing by and have some....the cheese is MUCH better than the buffet cheese.

 

You can ask for smaller portions at QSINE and/or remember that you do not have to finish everything served before they give you another. Yes, it is enjoyable for 2 people although many seem to feel it is better with large groups.

 

At breakfast and lunch buffets, walk around before you dive in....some things are sort of hidden and you won't see them if you immediately stop for the first thing you see.

 

If you are on any sort of special diet, go to the place where they are handling dinner time changes and remind them (or tell them) of your restrictions.

 

They have anchovies for Caesar salads but you have to ask.

 

Some ships will bring berries with or without cream upon request for dessert.

 

You can have your dessert delivered to your cabin for a late treat.

 

Solstice Class ships make their own ‘scooped’ ice cream which is available at the buffet (along with soft serve.) This is not to be confused with the premium charge gelateria

 

You can make your own milk shakes with a little ice cream and milk – or chocolate milk. Just stir.

 

The ice cream station will happily give you a cup of M&M’s or whatever from their topping if you want sweet nibbles for your room.

 

Made-to-order Belgian waffles are available at the breakfast buffet.

 

 

Concierge Class and Above

Concierge and above passengers who receive a bottle of bubbly (I'll call it bubbly instead of champagne because it isn't champagne) and prefer wine instead have two options:

 

Ask your room steward/butler to exchange it for the house red or white wine (a $5 tip helps but officially they don't do this.

 

Take the bottle to dinner with you and ask the sommelier to credit you towards a bottle of wine.

 

If you are concierge of above, you can ask that instead of the afternoon canapés, you get cheese or shrimp cocktail. Note: they will only deliver the canapés if you are in your cabin...frankly, it's no loss if you miss them, but that's just my opinion

 

Celebrity provides binoculars in concierge and above cabins, however if you actually want to see anything, bring your own.

 

Elite Cruisers

 

If you are elite, you are welcome to drink as much as you want at the Elite function, but you may not take drinks out of the room (to your cabin, to dinner, to anywhere). This applies to both breakfast and the cocktail hours.

 

If you will be elite at the end of your cruise, you can not get credit early....many have tried. If you are B2B and will become elite after your first cruise, see the captain's club host/hostess and they will arrange for you to be elite on the second cruise.

 

Religion

 

There is often a DIY Jewish service on the Friday night of the cruise. It is not typically on the official schedule but usually someone takes the initiative to do one.

[ghstudio]

I started this thread and I think it's become too long for most to read to get the good ideas. Theologator's post today gave me a great springboard to hopefully close this thread (which will remain here for anyone who wants to review it) and start a new thread:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1826925

 

Hopefully the moderators will close this thread so there is no confusion with two threads on similar subjects. I've messaged them with that request...but that's up to them, of course.

[taznremmy]

Theologator:

WOW!!! Thank you sooooo much for taking the time and effort to do this and to share it with us! Much appreciated.

Pat

[rupertfrog]

I started this thread and I think it's become too long for most to read to get the good ideas. Theologator's post today gave me a great springboard to hopefully close this thread (which will remain here for anyone who wants to review it) and start a new thread:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1826925

 

Hopefully the moderators will close this thread so there is no confusion with two threads on similar subjects. I've messaged them with that request...but that's up to them, of course.

 

Thank you Theologator for the recap of details!

GHStudio ... thank you for making the move. Hopefully CC will handle your request & I just added the "new" subscription.

[vulcan1971]

Don't see a single black decaf tea listed! :eek: I cannot have caffeine. :(

 

I always bring a few teas from home that I know I cannot find on the ship or will not be of the same quality as I'd like to have.

 

 

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