The NEW Celebrity Secrets thread (4/2013)

[karelet]

Now that the non-secret discussions have died down, I thought I would get back to the main purpose of this thread which is "Secrets".

 

A secret my wife and I have found is that after departure the various specialty restaurant staff circulate throughout the day trying to drum up business for their restaurants. It is often possible to get 2 for 1 pricing from these folks, or other offering. Due to this, we don't buy the upfront specialty restaurant packages; or perhaps just buy the most limited package if we are on a 2 week cruise.

[karelet]

There is a room on the front of Deck 11 of the S Class ships called the Relaxation Room. It supposedly is reserved for Aqua Class and Spa Guests (although to my knowledge no one ever checks eligibility). It has tea and coffee, and is a wonderful place to read or view the approach to new ports. My wife and I have even gotten up at strange hours to view the passage between close land masses from there. It is absolutely empty at late hours.

We are amused when we see passengers who have accidentally stumbled in trying to decide if they can stay (they usually don't). Give it a try...

[karelet]

While Cafe Al Bacio has already been mentioned for its free sweet treats, I have found that they have delicious breakfast muffins (blueberry, etc.) that are not available elsewhere on the ship. I often stop there and take one to breakfast in the buffet, or to eat with coffee on our balcony.

[upwarduk]

How do the vouchers work for the Elite Cocktails? Can you take the vouchers anywhere and how many do they give you per day?

 

Thanks in advance!

 

3 per day and most bars will accept them between 5-7pm.

The lounge on Deck 14 forward is still open for Elites during that time.

[Tuffy1129]

Something we learned is that if you really like trivia - take a tiny pencil sharpener and an eraser with you - the golf pencils they use for trivia wont be sharp unless they are new and don't have erasers

[ccruisequeen]

This will be my second trip on X. The first one was on the Millie so this will be a different class.

 

I loved the freshly made waffles with a choice of lemon or orange butter. Also the hot chocolate croissants. Does the Century offer these in the mornings?

[chelseauk]

Just back from the eclipse and because they sail from the UK you get a kettle.

 

So my tops tips are :-

 

Tea in room.

 

1. get some mugs from the ocean view - as the cups in the room are tiny.

2. get your tea/chocolate etc from the ocean view café so you have plenty.

3. The milk in the ocean view dispensers is UHT (nasty stuff in tea) but in the morning they have fresh cartons by the cereal of full or skimmed fresh milk (for the brits it's micro filtered like Cravendale so is fresh but lasts ages) and put it in the rooms cooler (We got ours emptied by the steward).

 

Eh voila decent cuppa in your room (Our steward washed up the mugs for us each day without being asked)

 

Simple breakfast in room

 

Also there are Weetabix and Alpen in packets which If you need and early and simple breakfast like on the last day and don't want to visit the bear pit (Ocean view) then some bowls, spoons, milk and packets as above from the day before taken to the room work well.

 

Mike

[cruiser61262]

You can call ahead and ask for an egg crate for your bed. It will be on your bed when you get there. You can also ask one for the third and fourth in the room because the sofa is not very comfortable. If you don't like it after you get there, the steward will remove it for you.

 

When you call Celebrity don't always believe what the first person tells you. After a major price drop my TA asked about an upgrade and twice she was told nothing could be done. Then she called for something totally different and talked to someone who offered an upgrade without her asking. You never know who will be answering the phone.

[Honeybearhollow]

There is a room on the front of Deck 11 of the S Class ships called the Relaxation Room. It supposedly is reserved for Aqua Class and Spa Guests (although to my knowledge no one ever checks eligibility). It has tea and coffee, and is a wonderful place to read or view the approach to new ports. My wife and I have even gotten up at strange hours to view the passage between close land masses from there. It is absolutely empty at late hours.

We are amused when we see passengers who have accidentally stumbled in trying to decide if they can stay (they usually don't). Give it a try...

 

It IS for AQ. It is one of the perks you pay so much extra for and is one of those things that is understood and should not have to be policed. If there are complaints, I'm sure they will start checking eligibility.

[MarisaBlu]

There is a room on the front of Deck 11 of the S Class ships called the Relaxation Room. It supposedly is reserved for Aqua Class and Spa Guests (although to my knowledge no one ever checks eligibility). It has tea and coffee, and is a wonderful place to read or view the approach to new ports. My wife and I have even gotten up at strange hours to view the passage between close land masses from there. It is absolutely empty at late hours.

We are amused when we see passengers who have accidentally stumbled in trying to decide if they can stay (they usually don't). Give it a try...

Hi Karelet

 

The Relaxation Room is for AQUA passengers.......and the attendants DO CHECK your sea pass at the entrance for eligibility to enter.

This is strictly an AQUA class perk!

[SNJCruisers]

It IS for AQ. It is one of the perks you pay so much extra for and is one of those things that is understood and should not have to be policed. If there are complaints, I'm sure they will start checking eligibility.

If you are a cruiser that is unaware of the situation and you're just exploring the ship and you happen to stumble upon the place, why are you making the assumption that it is "understood"? It may be understood for those that are staying in an AQ class cabin because it is an included perk, but the majority of the clientele on board do not know all of the perks associated with the caste system on X. I'm sure many a cruiser has tried to get into Blu for a meal, not knowing that it is reserved for those in AQ cabins and suites (with availability).

 

Unless there is a sign stating that the relaxation room is for AQ patrons only and of course those exploring the ship see and read that sign, how can you expect them to know that this area is reserved for AQ only?

[olemissreb]

Here's one that I didn't see before we left on our cruise. Not sure if it's ship specific or if it applies across the fleet.

 

We were on the Millie in a Royal Suite and by virtue of booking that class of suite (or higher), we were awarded Elite Status for the Captain's Club for that cruise only. Sure came in handy for all the laundry we had to do!

[travellink]

One of my secrets is Deck 5 forward starboard(non smoking). Usually very quiet and a nice place to sit "close to the ocean".

 

 

[nyjetsfans]

Premium drinks package will get you Grey Goose Bloody Mary or Screwdrivers at the brunch:D Do not miss the brunch. Go early to admire the hard work the staff put in for this presentation and to grab a table.

 

On a sea day we noticed staff setting up cooking stations and we were told to come back for a galley tour. When we returned we were escorted in parties of 30 for a tour of the galley and educated how each station worked. After the tour we tasted 5 or 6 samples. This was totally free on the Reflection last December. It was a very nice treat that other lines charge a fee for.

[late2cruisin]

Premium drinks package will get you Grey Goose Bloody Mary or Screwdrivers at the brunch:D Do not miss the brunch. Go early to admire the hard work the staff put in for this presentation and to grab a table.

 

On a sea day we noticed staff setting up cooking stations and we were told to come back for a galley tour. When we returned we were escorted in parties of 30 for a tour of the galley and educated how each station worked. After the tour we tasted 5 or 6 samples. This was totally free on the Reflection last December. It was a very nice treat that other lines charge a fee for.

 

We had the free galley tour on the Silhouette TA in April. Very interesting tour. No samples for us though...:(

[rupertfrog]

Premium drinks package will get you Grey Goose Bloody Mary or Screwdrivers at the brunch:D Do not miss the brunch. Go early to admire the hard work the staff put in for this presentation and to grab a table.

 

On a sea day we noticed staff setting up cooking stations and we were told to come back for a galley tour. When we returned we were escorted in parties of 30 for a tour of the galley and educated how each station worked. After the tour we tasted 5 or 6 samples. This was totally free on the Reflection last December. It was a very nice treat that other lines charge a fee for.

Would love to do a galley tour .... where more specifically did you go to get told to return for the tour? The samples would be great too!

[Photojunkie_I_am]

You can call ahead and ask for an egg crate for your bed. It will be on your bed when you get there. You can also ask one for the third and fourth in the room because the sofa is not very comfortable. If you don't like it after you get there, the steward will remove it for you.

 

This is a great tip, thank you! Our pre-teen children thank you for this tip as well!

[UniPac]

Would you please explain what egg crates are used for in your cabin?

As a toy for kids maybe? Sorry this the first time I came across this word (english ain't my first language) and I don't get the connection to a cabin.

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

[TenerifeSharon]

Would you please explain what egg crates are used for in your cabin?

As a toy for kids maybe? Sorry this the first time I came across this word (english ain't my first language) and I don't get the connection to a cabin.

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

"Egg crates" is the term used for the mattress toppers that you can request from your cabin steward. So-called because it looks like the paper carton which holds 12 eggs. If you are used to a very soft, comfy mattress, then the egg crate will be very much to your liking.:)

[mundocruiser]

This is not a Celebrity-specific secret, but it is a great tip.

We take a couple of bags of the mini-chocolate bars (Milky Way, Snickers, etc.) on each trip.

When we have someone bring something to our room, we wrap a dollar around one of those.

The crew loves them. The first time you hand it to them, they look puzzled at the lumpy dollar, but when they open it, they say, "Oh! Chocolate!"

You get amazing service from then on out. We have had extra canapes at night brought to us before dinner, extra strawberries, cookies with the decaff coffee we order at night and so on.

You also get service with a smile after that, too. Our steward said that they don't often have access to such things and that it was really nice to have it.

[suekay]

One of my secrets is Deck 5 forward starboard(non smoking). Usually very quiet and a nice place to sit "close to the ocean".

 

 

 

Which class of ship is this? (hope it's Millenium:) )

[varoo]

Which class of ship is this? (hope it's Millenium:) )

No, it is not.

The promenade on Millennium (and the other M-class ships) is on deck 4 and much nicer than the one shown here because the lifeboats are raised up above so they do not block the views from the promenade deck at all.

 

[suekay]

No, it is not.

The promenade on Millennium (and the other M-class ships) is on deck 4 and much nicer than the one shown here because the lifeboats are raised up above so they do not block the views from the promenade deck at all.

 

 

Thank you for speedy reply. Do you know if there are similar chairs on Millenium promenade deck?

 

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

[phoenix_dream]

If you are a cruiser that is unaware of the situation and you're just exploring the ship and you happen to stumble upon the place, why are you making the assumption that it is "understood"? It may be understood for those that are staying in an AQ class cabin because it is an included perk, but the majority of the clientele on board do not know all of the perks associated with the caste system on X. I'm sure many a cruiser has tried to get into Blu for a meal, not knowing that it is reserved for those in AQ cabins and suites (with availability).

 

Unless there is a sign stating that the relaxation room is for AQ patrons only and of course those exploring the ship see and read that sign, how can you expect them to know that this area is reserved for AQ only?

I wonder if perhaps people are talking about two different areas? On our last cruise on the Solstice, you could not 'stumble in' to the relaxation room- you needed a special key. Not sure if all AQ have that programmed into their keys as we used the one day entry which is part of the Elite perks. We had to go to the desk and get a special key to enter. Not sure if it is that way on all ships?

[MisterBill99]

Things I've learned...

 

The chocolate croissants at Cafe Al Bacio (I still call it Cafe Cova) have twice the chocolate as those served at the buffet (or the MDR, although I don't think I have seen them there). I had this confirmed by a food/beverage manager we met on a cruise. Check it out -- the Cafe Al Bacio ones have two lines of chocolate vs one at the buffet. They also have almond croissants there, and we have not found them anywhere else on the ship.

 

The Aqua Spa cafe has some pretty good food at breakfast and lunch. For lunch, you can actually get them to prepare the salmon to order if you like it cooked medium-rare. Try getting it like that in the MDR or at the buffet. Their desserts leave something to be desired.

 

Lunch in the MDR has some pretty good stuff on the menu.

Edited August 5, 2013 by MisterBill99