Jump to content
Cruise Critic Community

Specialty Dining vs. Ultimate Dining Package on Reflection

dkny330

By dkny330,
in Celebrity Cruises

 Share

Recommended Posts

dkny330

dkny330

Posted
Posted

In just over a month we'll be sailing on the Reflection - can't wait! We pre-booked the 5 night Specialty Dining Package as we like to eat in those restaurants and figured it was a good deal at $139 pp. However just learned through reading different posts that there is an Ultimate Dining (unlimited specialty dining for $29 pp per day).

 

This would be $150 more total which I do not think is worth it as the Dining Room and Blu would be fine the two other nights, but is the other perks for breakfast and dinner worth that amount of money? How much is breakfast or lunch at the Porch, Bacio, etc? Not sure if I'm missing any other benefits to the Ultimate Dining Package. Thanks!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
miataman19

miataman19

Posted
Posted

Pulled this from another post. cruiseguys2009. I also bought the 5 day package and an additional QSine dinner so the extra fee for me is only around $50 so I'm jumpimg on the Ultimate.

 

If you call Celebrity directly, and once connected, ask the agent that you would like to speak with the Special Guest Services Rep, and they will assist you in planning the Ultimate Dining Package.

 

The Ultimate Dining Package is Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Special Event and Special Brunch/Night Dining in all of the Specialty Venues throughout your cruise. It's and All-In package. We found out about it on a review and then I called directly. We are planning on booking it immediately when we get on board. By the way, it is only available for purchase once on board, according to the Celebrity Newsletter.

 

• "Ultimate Specialty Package," which can be purchased only onboard, and features unlimited dinners in specialty restaurants of guests' choice, at least one specialty restaurant lunch, one admission to "Champagne High Tea," and unlimited breakfasts, lunches and dinners in "Bistro on Five" and, on Celebrity Reflection and Celebrity Silhouette, also at "The Porch"

The cost is $29.00 per day, per person, plus gratuity, or about $420 total for each 7 day period.

 

I asked about "Sold Out" status in restaurants we would like to eat in and the program is limited for each sailing and only about 30 packages are sold. I was told that the Specialty restaurants set aside a certain number of places each night for those with the Ultimate Packages.

 

So basically, you can eat in all of the Specialty Restaurants, for the entire journey for one package price, including the Bistro on 5 and The Porch for lunch. Where ever there is a charge to eat, it's included. Having never sailed on Celebrity before and this is our upcoming first cruise on the Reflection, we felt the package was a great introduction to all the wonderful dining opportunities available to us.

 

My representative told me that on our first night, the ship assigns your first specialty dining restaurant reservation, but at your preferred time. After that, you then make your own reservations for dinner, brunch, events, etc on your own.

 

Every restaurant is available to Package participants, so you are not supposed to be "stuck" with reservations at 9 PM if you would like 7 PM. We are flexible and enjoy later dining times anyway.

 

I am anxious to hear from someone who has already used the package as well, to see if there were any glitches to the program. We are on the Reflection in 55 days....Whooo Hoo! Can't wait!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
cruiseguys2009

cruiseguys2009

Posted
Posted
Pulled this from another post. cruiseguys2009. I also bought the 5 day package and an additional QSine dinner so the extra fee for me is only around $50 so I'm jumpimg on the Ultimate.

 

If you call Celebrity directly, and once connected, ask the agent that you would like to speak with the Special Guest Services Rep, and they will assist you in planning the Ultimate Dining Package.

 

The Ultimate Dining Package is Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Special Event and Special Brunch/Night Dining in all of the Specialty Venues throughout your cruise. It's and All-In package. We found out about it on a review and then I called directly. We are planning on booking it immediately when we get on board. By the way, it is only available for purchase once on board, according to the Celebrity Newsletter.

 

• "Ultimate Specialty Package," which can be purchased only onboard, and features unlimited dinners in specialty restaurants of guests' choice, at least one specialty restaurant lunch, one admission to "Champagne High Tea," and unlimited breakfasts, lunches and dinners in "Bistro on Five" and, on Celebrity Reflection and Celebrity Silhouette, also at "The Porch"

The cost is $29.00 per day, per person, plus gratuity, or about $420 total for each 7 day period.

 

I asked about "Sold Out" status in restaurants we would like to eat in and the program is limited for each sailing and only about 30 packages are sold. I was told that the Specialty restaurants set aside a certain number of places each night for those with the Ultimate Packages.

 

So basically, you can eat in all of the Specialty Restaurants, for the entire journey for one package price, including the Bistro on 5 and The Porch for lunch. Where ever there is a charge to eat, it's included. Having never sailed on Celebrity before and this is our upcoming first cruise on the Reflection, we felt the package was a great introduction to all the wonderful dining opportunities available to us.

 

My representative told me that on our first night, the ship assigns your first specialty dining restaurant reservation, but at your preferred time. After that, you then make your own reservations for dinner, brunch, events, etc on your own.

 

Every restaurant is available to Package participants, so you are not supposed to be "stuck" with reservations at 9 PM if you would like 7 PM. We are flexible and enjoy later dining times anyway.

 

I am anxious to hear from someone who has already used the package as well, to see if there were any glitches to the program. We are on the Reflection in 55 days....Whooo Hoo! Can't wait!

 

 

Thanks for the plug!

 

...... and yes, the CC Member SusieV above a couple of posts is correct, you take what they give you on the five night dining package, but on the Ultimate, you are in charge of your dining preferences, except the very first night when you only get to choose the time, not the venue. We think it is a great way to experience all the wonderful options and opportunities on the Reflection and have just one bill at the end of the cruise.

 

Our Reflection sailing is going to be so cool for our first time on Celebrity...have the 1,2,3 GO Promo with all our Premium Liquor (upgraded the package) included, plus the dining package........nothing else to spend money on except the casino........!

 

When we return from our Cruise in April, I will post an extensive review, particularly about the Ultimate Specialty Dining Package. In addition, we are also scheduled to sail again on the Reflection in November so if we like the Ultimate Package on the first trip, we will repeat it again, or, enjoy the MDR the second sailing. We'll see and I will most certainly let everyone know!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 3 months later...
Cruise a holic

Cruise a holic

Posted
Posted (edited)
Pulled this from another post. cruiseguys2009. I also bought the 5 day package and an additional QSine dinner so the extra fee for me is only around $50 so I'm jumpimg on the Ultimate.

 

If you call Celebrity directly, and once connected, ask the agent that you would like to speak with the Special Guest Services Rep, and they will assist you in planning the Ultimate Dining Package.

 

The Ultimate Dining Package is Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Special Event and Special Brunch/Night Dining in all of the Specialty Venues throughout your cruise. It's and All-In package. We found out about it on a review and then I called directly. We are planning on booking it immediately when we get on board. By the way, it is only available for purchase once on board, according to the Celebrity Newsletter.

 

 

 

• "Ultimate Specialty Package," which can be purchased only onboard, and features unlimited dinners in specialty restaurants of guests' choice, at least one specialty restaurant lunch, one admission to "Champagne High Tea," and unlimited breakfasts, lunches and dinners in "Bistro on Five" and, on Celebrity Reflection and Celebrity Silhouette, also at "The Porch"

The cost is $29.00 per day, per person, plus gratuity, or about $420 total for each 7 day period.

 

I asked about "Sold Out" status in restaurants we would like to eat in and the program is limited for each sailing and only about 30 packages are sold. I was told that the Specialty restaurants set aside a certain number of places each night for those with the Ultimate Packages.

 

So basically, you can eat in all of the Specialty Restaurants, for the entire journey for one package price, including the Bistro on 5 and The Porch for lunch. Where ever there is a charge to eat, it's included. Having never sailed on Celebrity before and this is our upcoming first cruise on the Reflection, we felt the package was a great introduction to all the wonderful dining opportunities available to us.

 

My representative told me that on our first night, the ship assigns your first specialty dining restaurant reservation, but at your preferred time. After that, you then make your own reservations for dinner, brunch, events, etc on your own.

 

Every restaurant is available to Package participants, so you are not supposed to be "stuck" with reservations at 9 PM if you would like 7 PM. We are flexible and enjoy later dining times anyway.

 

I am anxious to hear from someone who has already used the package as well, to see if there were any glitches to the program. We are on the Reflection in 55 days....Whooo Hoo! Can't wait!

 

We haven't taken it, but on on next Silhouette cruise have decided to splurge and rather then Aqua Class and dinining in Blu, took CC class and will dine in the speciality restaurants. We are elite members and receive many perks without Aqua class. The only reason we took CC class is that the cost was about the same as a decent balcony cabin, and we get an extra cruise credit- if the formula for Elite plus changes, I want to be high up with points.

 

We LOVED the lawn Grill our favorite. The variety is wonderful and we will dine their at least twice, maybe three times. We also love Tuscan Grill and Murano's. Will also dine in Qsine which is fun- but once on a week long cruise for us is enough. Since we have a alcove for a couple of days, lunch at the porch would be nice. We will go to the Tuscan Grill and Murano's if (when) speciality lunches are available. I also heard that we can go to the high tea- not a big fan, but if included, will try it. Our "new" boarding ritual is to have lunch the first day at Bistro on Five. Starts the vacation off on a very relaxing positive note.

 

We are tired of Blu now. The only reason we take Aqua is for Blu, but the speciality restaurants are so much better and the money we saved by not booking Aqua will help offset the cost of the package. Just trying something different on our next Celebrity Cruise.

 

Another adventure!

 

Enjoy your cruises.

Edited by Cruise a holic
Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 1 year later...
soxfan2013

soxfan2013

Posted
Posted

What if ur in a sky suite which I think comes w a free specialty dinner and free breakfasts in Blue. I take it you can't buy a 5- or 6 night ultimate dining package or get a credit for your free specialty dinner that comes w the Sky Suite?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Project_gal

Project_gal

Posted
Posted
What if ur in a sky suite which I think comes w a free specialty dinner and free breakfasts in Blue. I take it you can't buy a 5- or 6 night ultimate dining package or get a credit for your free specialty dinner that comes w the Sky Suite?

 

Our experience [twice] is that they deduct the nights you are entitled to the complimentary speciality dining [and, the second time, also the night we did the Chef's Table] but there is nothing in the T&Cs on the website to say that this is correct. Both times we have assumed we will pay for every night and been pleasantly surprised at paying less.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
soxfan2013

soxfan2013

Posted
Posted
Our experience [twice] is that they deduct the nights you are entitled to the complimentary speciality dining [and, the second time, also the night we did the Chef's Table] but there is nothing in the T&Cs on the website to say that this is correct. Both times we have assumed we will pay for every night and been pleasantly surprised at paying less.

 

Thanks...that's nice to know that they deduct for your free dinner...I think on a 7 night cruise we get 1 free dinner w a Sky Suite.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Project_gal

Project_gal

Posted
Posted
Does anyone have the current cost of Ultimate Dining. I know that prices have gone up for Speciality Restaurants so I assume UD is no longer $29 pp, per night. Thanks

 

It was still US$29 per night in November after, I believe, other prices had risen.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Lois R "Live from...." Rare

Lois R

Posted
Posted
Does anyone have the current cost of Ultimate Dining. I know that prices have gone up for Speciality Restaurants so I assume UD is no longer $29 pp, per night. Thanks

 

Good morning. I had the Ultimate Dining Package in November on

Reflection and yes, it was 29.00 per person. The total came to 203.00

for me on a 7 night cruise.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 3 months later...
HuggyL

HuggyL

Posted
Posted
Don't forget that you pick your own restaurants with the Ultimate package and you take what they give you with the 5 night package.

Sorry, can you explain what you mean by you take what they give you on the 5 night package? Thanks

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Cruise a holic

Cruise a holic

Posted
Posted
Sorry, can you explain what you mean by you take what they give you on the 5 night package? Thanks

The cruise line breaks down which secialty restaurant you dine in. For example you might only want muranos and lawn grill. If you take package you might have to dine in qsine, tuscan (2 times ) muranos and lawn grill for the 5 package

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 10 months later...
Cruise a holic

Cruise a holic

Posted
Posted
Bistro on 5 is now $10

 

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

We are on the reflection. Sushi on five, formerly known as Bistro on five is al la carte. Dining can be pricey. The porch is seafood and i do not recall the price but more then $15 pp. all ships we have both soon. We were fortunate and for $29 pp have unlimited specialty dining. This was a bargain. We had lunch and dinner daily in specialty restaurants, including snacks. We are in a suite and while luminea is very good not nearly as good as specialty restaurants

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 4 weeks later...
  • 3 months later...
Bobby Dee

Bobby Dee

Posted
Posted
Does the Ultimate Dining Package include non-alcoholic coffee/espresso drinks at Al Bacio?

 

I think you are confusing a Dining Package with a Beverage Package. The beverage packages do include coffee/espresso drinks, some of the more elaborate alcoholic drinks are only available with the Premium Beverage package, but the type of coffees that you mentioned are included with the Classic Beverage package.

Dining Packages do not include drinks anywhere on the ships including in the specialty restaurants. These packages only include the cover charge for the restaurants.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing
  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • Hurricane Zone 2024
      • Cruise Insurance Q&A w/ Steve Dasseos of Tripinsurancestore.com June 2024
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Cruise Critic News & Features
      • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
      • Special Interest Cruising
      • Cruise Discussion Topics
      • UK Cruising
      • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
      • Canadian Cruisers
      • North American Homeports
      • Ports of Call
      • Cruise Conversations
×
×
  • Create New...