Dining on Celebrity - Qs

[Windsailer]

Long time HAL cruiser - going on my first Celebrity cruise soon. I have some questions about MDR dining.

 

We've asked for a 2 top - early dining. If we decide to eat elsewhere on some evenings - do we have to let someone know so we don't lose our table the rest of the cruise?

[Chicago Boy]

Long time HAL cruiser - going on my first Celebrity cruise soon. I have some questions about MDR dining.

 

We've asked for a 2 top - early dining. If we decide to eat elsewhere on some evenings - do we have to let someone know so we don't lose our table the rest of the cruise?

 

If you have requested early seating in the MDR then that would mean you have been assigned a table for the duration of the cruise. If we are not going to dine in the MDR on a particular evening we always let our waiter know the evening before or if that is not possible just let the dining room know and they will tell your waiter. This way he / she will not be expecting you. :) Enjoy your cruise.

[Cruise Raider]

If you know ahead of time, just let your waiter know and they may be able to fill the table with others from anytime dining. While this is not common practice, if the table is open and a huge line in the anytime dining, they may escort others to your table if you have let them know it is going to be empty for that evening. It happened to us once before....like I said, not really common but there was a really long line at the anytime dining.

If you forget to tell them, you won't lose your table and all will probably be forgiven....so no worries. It is just a courtesy, not a requirement.

[kevinyork]

If you know ahead of time, just let your waiter know and they may be able to fill the table with others from anytime dining. While this is not common practice, if the table is open and a huge line in the anytime dining, they may escort others to your table if you have let them know it is going to be empty for that evening. It happened to us once before....like I said, not really common but there was a really long line at the anytime dining.

 

If you forget to tell them, you won't lose your table and all will probably be forgiven....so no worries. It is just a courtesy, not a requirement.

 

 

Thats interesting and a great way to manage the select dining queue. Though in reality on a table for 2, I reckon many club diners dont notify their waiters that they will eat elsewhere the next evening. Ive never witnessed a select diner being led downstairs in the MDR to fill a table vacated by people dining elsewhere.

 

 

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[Windsailer]

It seems that Select Dining is similar to HALs "As You Wish" (show up whenever you want) dining. But I really don't understand the pre-paid gratuities if you do Select. What's the logic there?

[ECCruise]

It seems that Select Dining is similar to HALs "As You Wish" (show up whenever you want) dining. But I really don't understand the pre-paid gratuities if you do Select. What's the logic there?

 

If you do traditional, you will have the same dining staff every night: that is who your gratuities are designed for. Many still tip direct the last night.

If you do anytime, you may have different staff every night. Much more opportunity to ignore the gratuities and stiff the staff, so pre-paying precludes that.

Have done nothing but Select since it was first introduced in 2010 and have no problem with pre-paying. Generally tip over and above that for good service.

[vulcan1971]

It seems that Select Dining is similar to HALs "As You Wish" (show up whenever you want) dining. But I really don't understand the pre-paid gratuities if you do Select. What's the logic there?

 

Windsailer -

 

Welcome to Celebrity and hope you have a wonderful time on your cruise itinerary. Just so this thread does not become a free for all about tipping and pre-paid gratuities for the "Select Time" dining, I have included a link that was recently started on this topic. It's an okay read and has some decent facts about it if you are really truly interested to know more. Happy reading!

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1491135&highlight=pre+paid+gratuities

[Windsailer]

I'm still confused. Celebrity says:

"For your convenience, we automatically add gratuities for your restaurant and stateroom services to your onboard SeaPass® account on a daily basis in the following amounts, which may be adjusted at your discretion:

• $12 per person per day in staterooms

• $12.50 per person per day in Concierge Class and AquaClass® staterooms

• $15.50 per person per day in suites

This gratuity is shared by your stateroom attendant, dining services staff, and housekeeping staff members who help enhance your vacation experience."

 

So whether you eat in Select or Traditional Fixed Dining, you'll still be paying the gratuities for dining room staff. With the option of tipping extra. So I still don't understand the logic of pre-paying the gratuities for Select Dining.

[cruisestitch]

Some people remove gratuities and stuff the staff, and that sort might be more likely to do so if they saw different waiters each night.

[ECCruise]

I'm still confused. Celebrity says:

"For your convenience, we automatically add gratuities for your restaurant and stateroom services to your onboard SeaPass® account on a daily basis in the following amounts, which may be adjusted at your discretion:

• $12 per person per day in staterooms

• $12.50 per person per day in Concierge Class and AquaClass® staterooms

• $15.50 per person per day in suites

This gratuity is shared by your stateroom attendant, dining services staff, and housekeeping staff members who help enhance your vacation experience."

 

So whether you eat in Select or Traditional Fixed Dining, you'll still be paying the gratuities for dining room staff. With the option of tipping extra. So I still don't understand the logic of pre-paying the gratuities for Select Dining.

 

Because some people remove the daily gratuities and handle the tips directly when they have traditional. This is easy to do when you have the same dining room staff (you tip them the last night) and near impossible to do if you have a different dining room staff for 14 nights. Ergo, they are pre-paid.

Plus, it is a moot point since if the gratuities are not pre-paid, you won't have Select Dining. But I really don't understand your question(s) since you have traditional, early dining.

Edited August 22, 2014 by ECCruise

[Sloop-JohnB]

Some people remove gratuities and stuff the staff, and that sort might be more likely to do so if they saw different waiters each night.

 

Yes and some choose to forego the MDR altogether... Figuring then that they can remove that amount from their Daily Grat Bill. When actually those who work in the MDR at Night... Also work elsewhere in Food Services during the day on their typical 10 to 12 hour shifts... Places that those not eating in the MDR frequent (Buffet - Mast Grill - Aqua Spa). All free venues.

 

In recent years Celebrity has changed the wording on their Grats Clause... From MDR Staff to Dining Services Staff. But it still could use improvement.

 

I personally am in favour of Celebrity not making this optional for any Pax... In the same way that Taxes & Fees are not optional. Just call it a Daily Service Fee (by room cat) and be done.

 

Hope this helps,

 

Cheers!

Edited August 22, 2014 by Sloop-JohnB

[ECCruise]

 

I personally am in favour of Celebrity not making this optional for any Pax... In the same way that Taxes & Fees are not optional. Just call it a Daily Service Fee (by room cat) and be done.

 

Hope this helps,

 

Cheers!

 

Absolutely and totally agree and have mentioned this on our cruise comment card (well, when they used to use them) on many of our previous cruises.

Unfortunately, there is a certain subset of pax who have the mindset that gratuities/tips are ONLY for when they receive unbridled, exceptional service, and if everyone on the staff does not rock their boat 24/7, they rush to the purser and have the grats removed. And =X=, in their mistaken quest to be all things to all people, actually stirs the pot by announcing in the Daily that "gratuities can be adjusted up until X:XX on such and such a date"

 

And don't really want to turn this into a tipping thread but it is frustrating to see staff work their butts off 70-80 hours a week for a $50/month salary (plus, of course, gratuities) and see them chipped away.

[Mistymya]

If you dine in specialty restaurant and book ahead, they will let mdr know you won't be there.

[Windsailer]

What if you go to the buffet? Do you actually have to tell the MDR you won't be there?

 

I'm still confused. For Select you have to pre-pay all of your gratuities - even though only a part of it goes to Dining Room Staff? Where's the logic?

 

I'm not opposed to tipping - quite the opposite, but I'd like to have my gratuities paid out of my OBC and still have flexible dining. Guess it's not to be.

Edited August 22, 2014 by Windsailer

[Lois R]

What if you go to the buffet? Do you actually have to tell the MDR you won't be there?

 

I'm still confused. For Select you have to pre-pay all of your gratuities - even though only a part of it goes to Dining Room Staff? Where's the logic?

 

I'm not opposed to tipping - quite the opposite, but I'd like to have my gratuities paid out of my OBC and still have flexible dining. Guess it's not to be.

 

Hi:).....everyone has a different opinion on here....IF you have

traditional dining and you plan on eating at the table most every night?

If you know you won't be there the following night...(example)....you

could let your tablemates know you won't be dining with them....then

your waiter will know as well.....just a courtesy. But do you "have

to tell them"? No...nobody is forcing you to tell anyone.

 

If you have Select Dining? There is nobody to tell.

 

I sailed on Century earlier in the year and had wonderful tablemates:D

and one evening, one couple didn't come to dinner....they had called

me to let me know but I ended up not seeing the flashing message

button on my phone till after I got back to the cabin later that

evening:eek:.......

[cruisestitch]

It's not required to tell your waiter you won't be there on a given night, it's just helpful and polite.

[ECCruise]

Yes, unfortunately, square peg round hole if you want Select Dining and Grats not prepaid. Won't fit.

And if, as you said, you are doing traditional and a 2 top, then no tablemates to notify.

[Windsailer]

When / how do we find out if we get the 2 top we requested?

[ECCruise]

When / how do we find out if we get the 2 top we requested?

 

When you visit the DR early on embarkation day (do it as so as staff is there). In the old days, when we used to do Traditional, we always were successful securing a 2 top.

Edited August 22, 2014 by ECCruise

[Sloop-JohnB]

When / how do we find out if we get the 2 top we requested?

 

When your cabin becomes available... Inside it, amongst the paperwork left for you will be your Dining Info. If one is Traditional it will say the time (early or late) as well as the table number.

 

Many Pax then take a wander down to the MDR to locate where their table is located and how big it is (2 thru 12 tops). If you didn't get a 2 top as you hoped, you can see the Maitre D' and see if he cannot make a switch on the floor plan for you.

 

Personally, one of the reasons we like Traditional Dining vs Select is the ability to get to know both out table mates & our wait stafffeuding the cruise (have made some great friendships). If I wanted to purely sit just the two of us, think we would opt for Select Dining vs Traditional.

 

Hope this helps,

 

Cheers!

Edited August 22, 2014 by Sloop-JohnB

[wwcruisers]

I sailed on Century earlier in the year and had wonderful tablemates:D

and one evening, one couple didn't come to dinner....they had called

me to let me know but I ended up not seeing the flashing message

button on my phone till after I got back to the cabin later that

evening:eek:.......

 

Hey there, Lois! :D Dang, I thought I felt my ears burning, just now! :p

[blindrid]

If you do traditional, you will have the same dining staff every night: that is who your gratuities are designed for. Many still tip direct the last night.

If you do anytime, you may have different staff every night. Much more opportunity to ignore the gratuities and stiff the staff, so pre-paying precludes that.

Have done nothing but Select since it was first introduced in 2010 and have no problem with pre-paying. Generally tip over and above that for good service.

 

I disagree.

 

Granted, I don't care if I pre-pay grats or not for Select. The amount of the gratuity is the same so who cares? In my way of thinking the servers get paid out of their share regardless of it's the same people or not. If one waits on 25 people at 6:00 and then another 25 at 8:00 or 50 total in Select.

 

I'm thinking one could adjust regardless of pre-paid or not. But, the way I look at it, its pay me now, pay me later.

[cruisestitch]

If you have Select you cannot remove or adjust downward once on board, if I understand the system correctly.

[sunnygidget]

Never cruised Celebrity before, our first trip is coming up. Other lines we've been on we like open seating with a table to share. We meet so many interesting people this way, it's very enjoyable as well as enjoying different service staff. If we get back from port late or want to enjoy a pre dinner drink we don't have to remember to call and tell them we will not be dinning at the assigned time.

 

Grats are just part of the cruise, but we like them taken out of our on board credit, not paid ahead of time. The pre-paid deal for only open dinning is a bit outdated, and should dropped or everyone should have to pre pay.

 

Just a thought.

[blindrid]

If you have Select you cannot remove or adjust downward once on board, if I understand the system correctly.

 

May be. I never mess with the tips, pre-paid, or not.