What's the attraction of The Hot Glass show!

[scifimonkey]

We have had 2 cruises on Silhouette and have just booked one on Eclipse. Can someone explain the attraction of the glass blowing show to me as having loved the Lawn Club Grille I am already suffering withdrawal symptoms and I haven't even set foot on the Eclipse cruise yet.

I don't get why, whilst they are installing the suites only restaurants and other adjustments on all of the S Class ships, they do not convert those with the show to incorporate the additional specialist restaurant. Is the glass blowing show just a 1/2 hour of marginal interest entertainment and thereafter of little benefit or am I doing it a great injustice?

[ghstudio]

It really depends on your view of watching "masters" of the craft create beautiful large glass sculptures in front of you. If you appreciate their talent and skills working with a very difficult material, then the glass shows are wonderful.

 

If you could care less....then you will view it as wasted space on the ship. Personally, I would go out of my way to book a cruise with the glass shows...these are incredibly talented folks who always surprise with what they can produce.

 

I'm sure it's different strokes for different folks. Personally, I'd be very unhappy if they eliminated the glass shows.

[cruisestitch]

They are interesting, educational, inspiring, beautiful, and extremely entertaining. I'm a huge Hot Glass fan and know many others who are, too.

 

They typically last around two hours, but you can come and go as you please.

 

You might be lucky enough to win one of the pieces of glass in a raffle, but if you don't want it, I'll be happy to take it.:)

[CaribbeanBound]

Agree with cruisestitch completely. We found it fascinating as well.

 

We won a nice piece in the auction.

[AnchorsAweigh2011]

While everyone has different tastes,we enjoy the glass blowing shows. It's amazing to watch these artists turn glass into pieces of art before your eyes. I think the hot glass show helps Celebrity differentiate itself from other cruise lines.

 

Since it isn't on every solstice class ship, you can choose a ship that doesn't have the hot glass show and one that has the Lawn Grille..

[Chitown12562]

I agree with all the replies so far. At first my GF thought it would be no big deal, but once she saw her first show she wanted to see the others. Each show is different. It is one of the few crafts you can see quickly unfold before your eyes in just an hour or two.

 

Being a person who loves to cook, and misses it when I cruise past 7 days, I would really appreciate being able to cook my own meal at the Lawn Grill. However I would miss the glass show. I want both!

 

Good thing you can choose ship you'd like to sale on to enjoy the features you want...but I want both!:)

[Mr. Click]

It is like chocolate and vanilla... some like one, some like the other. We saw the hot glass shows on the Equinox a few years ago and I thought it would be just another chance to Celebrity to try and sell us something. Instead it was a wonderful show put on by very talented and personable craftsmen who take a lot of time to explain the process and their art. I was disappointed to find out the newer S class ships would have a fee charge restaurant in that space. We are booked on the Silhouette this May because it goes where we want to go.. I would be happier if it was the Equinox, I can do quite well without another restaurant. That is my two cents...

[Turtles06]

I totally agree that watching glass blown by masters is a fascinating thing to see, but speaking only for myself, it's not something I want to see that often. We've sailed on the Eclipse and the Silhouette, and again, speaking only for myself, I liked having the Lawn Club Grill in that space. Fantastic meal, I wish we hadn't waited till so late in our cruise to eat there, as I'd have gladly dined there again.

 

Obviously, opinions differ on this! :)

 

Now, about those alcoves . . .

Edited January 7, 2015 by Turtles06

[dkjretired]

It is like chocolate and vanilla... some like one, some like the other. We saw the hot glass shows on the Equinox a few years ago and I thought it would be just another chance to Celebrity to try and sell us something. Instead it was a wonderful show put on by very talented and personable craftsmen who take a lot of time to explain the process and their art. I was disappointed to find out the newer S class ships would have a fee charge restaurant in that space. We are booked on the Silhouette this May because it goes where we want to go.. I would be happier if it was the Equinox, I can do quite well without another restaurant. That is my two cents...

 

Dating myself here but I remember seeing a similar show on the Boardwalk in Atlantic City when I was a kid (pre casinos), when I saw the show, it brought back some good memories. Its a fun time on the cruise which is what cruises are really for.

[FunCruiser56]

We too love the glass show, it is a very unique experience and never the same show no matter how many times you see it. We watch every show we can and honestly prefer it over another specialty resturant

 

Bev

[Duanerice1]

I am not a fan of the glass blowing. Just off a 10 night Equinox cruise and I went for probably 10 minutes one night. I mean it was OK, but after 10 minutes I was done. Others were there for the full time. But, no issues with it being there, especially since it is free. And they give stuff away!

 

I hope they do not replace it with another specialty restaurant. That's one thing they don't need, another place to eat and spend money. There are too many already. But that is my opinion and if they do and others like it, so be it.

 

But really, in my opinion whenever they replace something free with something that costs, that is not a good trend.

 

Enjoy

[fortinweb]

I am not a fan of the glass blowing. Just off a 10 night Equinox cruise and I went for probably 10 minutes one night. I mean it was OK, but after 10 minutes I was done. Others were there for the full time. But, no issues with it being there, especially since it is free. And they give stuff away!

 

I hope they do not replace it with another specialty restaurant. That's one thing they don't need, another place to eat and spend money. There are too many already. But that is my opinion and if they do and others like it, so be it.

 

But really, in my opinion whenever they replace something free with something that costs, that is not a good trend.

 

Enjoy

 

They did replace it with a specialty restaurant on Silhouette and Reflection, the Lawn Club Grill. It's one of the best specialties on Celebrity and very popular. Much more satisfying than the glass show on the first three ships, and much more fun. I don't understand the objection to having more choices to dine. Some people seem to think variety is somehow unacceptable. :confused:

[cle-guy]

It's a one time thing. Fine for the first cruise, but no reason to revisit it on subsequent cruises.

[thebutlerdidit]

The hot glass shows are nothing short of magical to me. I appreciate the art form and I appreciate that it's something that all passengers can enjoy as a no-cost and educational performance.

 

A tip for all the other glass show fans: if you ever make it to Skagway, sign up for the Golden Glassblowing excursion. You'll be able to work with one of the artists to create an ornament and they'll ship it to your home (they need to stay in the cooling oven overnight). I recently reviewed that excursion on the Celebrity website and uploaded a few photos.

[Duanerice1]

They did replace it with a specialty restaurant on Silhouette and Reflection, the Lawn Club Grill. It's one of the best specialties on Celebrity and very popular. Much more satisfying than the glass show on the first three ships, and much more fun. I don't understand the objection to having more choices to dine. Some people seem to think variety is somehow unacceptable. :confused:

 

No issues, variety is fine. But when they take away a free activity replace it with a free activity. That's all I'm saying. Nothing against the restaurant but it is in place of what used to be a free activity. Even if glass blowing was not for me there is now less to do for free and more to do that costs. I'll repeat, not a good trend.

enjoy

[ericftaylor]

I find this to be the most entertaining venue on the ship. The artisans are incredibly talented and it takes years for them to master their incredible craft.

 

 

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[Happy Cruiser 6143]

I'm another major fan of the hot glass shows; you could almost call me a hot glass groupie. I attend every one I can. To me, restaurants are a dime a dozen, they're everywhere on land and sea. No so the hot glass show artisans.

 

Linda

 

[LabGuy64]

I really wish they had it on the Silhouette....love the art of it...plus I believe what they put pieces up for sale...I would find something like that a good souvenier of the trip...as opposed to some of the junk otherwise available

 

It really depends on your view of watching "masters" of the craft create beautiful large glass sculptures in front of you. If you appreciate their talent and skills working with a very difficult material, then the glass shows are wonderful.

 

If you could care less....then you will view it as wasted space on the ship. Personally, I would go out of my way to book a cruise with the glass shows...these are incredibly talented folks who always surprise with what they can produce.

 

I'm sure it's different strokes for different folks. Personally, I'd be very unhappy if they eliminated the glass shows.

[ClaudiaB]

I've been on six 10-14 day cruises where there was the Hot Glass Show and I probably saw the entire two hours 10 times at least on each cruise. I love it, and really enjoy watching the pieces come to life. To me it's definitely not a one and done. I'd also enjoy having the Lawn Club Grille - never been on a ship with it but hear it's awesome. Wonder how they could have both....

[Tricia724]

....I don't understand the objection to having more choices to dine. Some people seem to think variety is somehow unacceptable. :confused:

 

Well, that's kind of our point, too. Some of the others, myself included, see the glass show as an enjoyable experience which brings a welcome variety to the activities onboard. You can't walk five minutes in any direction without running into food on a cruise ship. The glass blowers are not only artists, but they are educational and entertaining. I spent quite a few hours up there on Eclipse, but like everything else in life, it's not for everyone.

 

Next cruise is Silhouette. I'll decide then whether I think another pricy restaurant was a good trade-off.

[Mr. Click]

Then I guess it is ok to admit that I have a 16x20 print of a picture I made on the Equinox of a piece of hot glass hanging in my living room.....I appreciate the art of it all. It is not an easy craft, it is even harder on a moving ship. Other than adding something that makes them more money, I wonder if they found they could not get enough artists/craftsmen to add more shows..

[scifimonkey]

Well clearly on the balance of views expressed here it will be a worthwhile experience at least for this first time. I am sure that they are very talented folk just from the responses here but what is the nature of the art they create? is it contemporary in line with the Modern luxury branding or is it the traditional glass animals and fluted vases in line with much of the art work ( and all of the framing) sold on board.

I come from a visual arts background and therefore may well appreciate and even purchase contemporary peices, especially as we are out of Southampton this time so shipping is less of an issue, however if it is very trad I will appreciate the craftsmanship but happily donate any windfall to cruisestitch.

[goodycruising]

I enjoyed the hot glass show also, and thought there was a fairly good crowd there. It is a small area really, for the amount of people that attend.

 

You could take the idea further and get rid of the kids club areas, as really how many adults use it? Now that just sounds silly doesn't it? A variety of facilities and attractions makes for a good cruise ship.

[jveevers]

Have been on 3 cruises with the Glass show.

First time I thought it was fantastic BUT I think "seen it once, that's enough", So I didn't watch it on the second and third cruises. It would be great to win or maybe buy one of the pieces but safely transporting it, for most people would be difficult.

I have to say that they always seem to have a packed house, even when it was raining one evening.

[WestLakeGirl]

The glass artists are well respected in their field and their pieces fetch large prices.

 

You cannot buy the pieces they create on board but after each demonstration they do raffle a piece off. On the last sea day they also auction four or five pieces. The proceeds from one piece goes to breast cancer research, the others to the Corning Museum.

 

If you win a piece they wrap it securely. We have been lucky enough to win two!

 

Bring a cushion because the benches are hard to sit on for two hours. In chilly weather, stewards hand out blankets. We would rather see the glass blowing than the main stage shows