Reflection Luminae Construction Feb 7 2015

[JonAlone]

Guarantee cabins are like lottery tickets. You don't know what you are going to get. You are reserving a cabin type, but you can't choose the cabin you want. The prices of guarantee cabins are lower than the same cabin when you choose the one that you want. Some people get lucky and are upgraded or get a really good room but that's not the norm. If you ask here what most get when booking a guaranteed suite, for example, the answer is an S-2 and most times accessible. Some get a Royal suite or a Celebrity suite, but not often. If you booked a guaranteed cabin expecting the best cabin available, then someone didn't give you the best advice.

About lighting and the best seats available, I like my table with a view, close to a window. But to us the best table is the one we share with friends, where we can have a good conversation.

We are suite guests most of the time and have been assigned good and bad tables. Again, sometimes you get lucky sometimes you don't. Looking forward to try the new Suite dining room in July. Believe me, we are paying a premium price for this privilege. I was taught that you get what you pay for.

 

Elite status on Celebrity offers upgrades when available too.. I have never had the benefit of that either..

 

I see you recently cruised on the worst ship I have ever experienced.. Adventure of the Seas. This was the most revolting scenario when the smell in the cabin on arrival was so gross I refused to unpack and insisted on leaving the ship. Inspection of mattress and duvet + carpet around the bed confirmed my worst suspicions! I do hope it was a better experience for you. Only when the ship had sailed with me on-board due to nobody coming from guest relations in time for me to leave, and with me unpacking in the Maharaja Lounge to occupy for the trip, did they eventually find a new mattress and bed linen then deep clean the cabin to make it acceptable. This process took 6 or 7 hours with me guarding my suitcases throughout.

Edited February 10, 2015 by JonAlone

[Gracie115]

I do know many airline crew who take advantage of last minute "Interline rates", but so far none have been placed in suites. I think they end up with final left open cabins, perhaps some folks you know are getting lucky, but none I know so far have even gotten a Sky Suite.:(

 

It is a bit like paying full fare to travel first class on a flight .. most there are having fares paid by businesses, in the trade for free upgrades or using airmiles.... few actually put their hands in their own pockets for the privilege of a comfy seat and a glass of champagne. There are always exceptions that set the price to discount for others.

 

I have been on Celebrity and RC having booked guarantee grade outside cabins when cruise staff have been allocated suites - This really is against the principle of a "guarantee cabin" which is a contract supposed to be for the best free cabin available... but they give the best ones away to staff ! - I no longer book an X-Grade cabin because of this..

 

I'm going with Curt's explanation on this...... I have NO doubt at all that special deals are given to fill cabins....I cruised shortly after 9/11/01 and I KNOW how they nearly gave staterooms away....that did NOT include suites....which were booked well in advance...... and have been on nearly every cruise I've ever been on..... that's not to say a "high roller" hasn't been given special deals but that is NOT the same thing at all...

Edited February 10, 2015 by Gracie115

[Yorkshire-Pudding]

JonAlone in response to one of your earlier posts i read whilst in my hospital bed. Your comments struck me as particularly interesting. Why do believe that it should suite guest that should leave for another line if they want certain facilities. It would appear that you are clearly unhappy with the direction Celebrity is now taking perhaps it is you that needs to reconsider who you sail with. No company can afford to stand still and must evolve to market and customer demands. I have never sailed in a none suite cabin and have certain expectations of the minimum facilities I expect. If Celebrity does not provide them you just go elsewhere. My family is not at that stage in life where the luxury brands are attractive but Celebrity is a great alternative.

 

Ah time for the next round of painkillers.

 

Sent from my SM-N910F using Forums mobile app

Edited February 10, 2015 by Yorkshire-Pudding

[wallie5446]

Thanks for the updates and pictures Arno!

 

If the hijacking of your post gets to much to bear:D you can share your wonderful pics on the Reflection pg on the book of faces;)

EW

[cle-guy]

Elite status on Celebrity offers upgrades when available too.. I have never had the benefit of that either..

 

Where is this written? The only "Upgrades" given are a 1 category upgrade within the Supergategory, up through aqua class, but excluding upgrades into the 3rd tier Concierge categories - and only done at the time of booking when requested, subject to capacity controls. Upgrades to Suites or within suites are not a perk of Captain's Club. This is spelled out in the Captain's Club T&C's.

 

So this all is to say

• Book an inside category 12, you can be upgraded to category 11, but not to a 10. Nor can you book an Inside Cat. 9 and get upgraded to an OV Cat. 8
  
• Concierge you can book C3 and get a C2, but a C2 can't upgrade to C1.
  
• Aqua book A2 get an A1.
  
• But you can't book 12 inside and hope to get an A1, or even a C3 and get an A1.
  

Edited February 10, 2015 by cle-guy

[NLH Arizona]

JonAlone in response to one of your earlier posts i read whilst in my hospital bed. Your comments struck me as particularly interesting. Why do believe that it should suite guest that should leave for another line if they want certain facilities. It would appear that you are clearly unhappy with the direction Celebrity is now taking perhaps it is you that needs to reconsider who you sail with. No company can afford to stand still and must evolve to market and customer demands. I have never sailed in a none suite cabin and have certain expectations of the minimum facilities I expect. If Celebrity does not provide them you just go elsewhere. My family is not at that stage in life where the luxury brands are attractive but Celebrity is a great alternative.

 

Ah time for the next round of painkillers.

 

Sent from my SM-N910F using Forums mobile app

Have to say, Yorkshire Pudding, even on your pain meds, you make a whole lot of sense.

 

Get well soon.

[richsea]

Arno, thanks for the photos & info, & please keep your updates coming,in spite of the hijackers.

[Algebralovr]

I'm seriously hoping we get to see another peek of the new Luminae!

 

I can't believe it will really take 3 weeks to construct it - so hopefully they will show it off while I'm on board!

[Yorkshire-Pudding]

It is a bit like paying full fare to travel first class on a flight .. most there are having fares paid by businesses, in the trade for free upgrades or using airmiles.... few actually put their hands in their own pockets for the privilege of a comfy seat and a glass of champagne. There are always exceptions that set the price to discount for others...

 

 

Ah, the wonders intravenous pain relief, can't beat. Well had a nice sleep and the pain fog has lifted for a few hours.

 

On what basis do you arrive at this conclusion. I would say looking at my husband's travel arrangements and many of this contemporaries, since the financial crash, employers are now less inclined to pay for business travel and force even senior members of staff to fly cattle. Take a look at British Airways flight schedules there are more holiday destinations and less reliance on the business market. When we fly business class as a family it is because we have paid for it ourselves not an upgrade or Avios/Air miles. I have more than 1 million unused. I always found that the upgrades I paid for myself rather sweeter than expecting something for nothing as a courtesy of an airline or cruise operator.

 

Quite honestly, my hope is that Celebrity does not offer free upgrades but upsells them or sails with unsold suite cabins empty. Many years ago when I flew Virgin it was their policy to leave many Upper seats empty and not offer free upgrades. That way those that had paid for it did not feel that others got for free what you had paid for.

 

The OP original intent appears to be to update folks on how the new build is progressing and my hats of to them for doing that whilst they are on their holiday. Yet as often the case recently, these kind gestures quickly become an excuse for others to take a pop and demonise a relative small number of passengers that sail in suites.

Edited February 10, 2015 by Yorkshire-Pudding

[Gran2five]

The only issue this cruise is the 1,2,3 program resulted in 2,300 pax with the beverage package.

 

Fellow Canadians on board are really loading up on anti-freeze in preparation for their return home.

 

As so they should - it is darn cold up here.

 

We are more interested in what the menu will be for the Suite Restaurant rather than the fact that there will be one.

 

Interesting to see difference between MDR food and Suite Restaurant food.

[vtcruising]

Thanks for the updates and pictures, Arno. Can't wait to see the completed "SDR."

[Algebralovr]

As so they should - it is darn cold up here.

 

We are more interested in what the menu will be for the Suite Restaurant rather than the fact that there will be one.

 

Interesting to see difference between MDR food and Suite Restaurant food.

 

 

Didn't the original info state that the chef would be allowed to go into port and see what was fresh and special to add daily specials for the SDR?

[Karynanne]

Didn't the original info state that the chef would be allowed to go into port and see what was fresh and special to add daily specials for the SDR?

 

 

I read the same information. Hopefully this is true. Fresh fish from a Med port would be wonderful.

[C 2 C]

Deck 3 starboard side will be the entrance to the suite dining room. Port side will be used for all other passengers in the MDR.

 

The S- class ships are in contact with one another about the effects of ongoing construction on regular dining. Only when many people decide to eat at the same time is their any congestion. For example those who enjoyed the first show heading straight to the dining room can't all be expected to be seated instantaneously.

 

Three straight nights of eating in specialty restaurants has caused my clothes to shrink. I'm looking for a solution but not quickly. ;)

[C 2 C]

Hi Arno,

 

Any chance you have the Monday, Tuesday, and Friday dailies from the Western Caribbean cruise? Thanks and love reading your "onboard posts".

 

The dailies were posted on this thread:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2152568

 

Enjoy your western cruise

[TommyD3]

Deck 3 starboard side will be the entrance to the suite dining room. Port side will be used for all other passengers in the MDR.

 

WOW

Almost 1000 passengers having to enter the MDR through ONE door? The line will stretch the length of the ship on embarkation day!

[cle-guy]

WOW

Almost 1000 passengers having to enter the MDR through ONE door? The line will stretch the length of the ship on embarkation day!

 

This is why I choose on embarkation day to sit at Martini until 20 minutes into dining, by then lines are starting to wain. First night is always going to be an issue. On M class, do the waiting in Rondezvous lounge, as the lines pass thru there anyway get a seat and wait till the bodies are past.

 

I also have just taken my table number, entered the upper deck and walked down the stairs on many occasions, and self-sat myself at my table. NO lines in this scenario. If you know where you are going, you don't have to wait for an escort.

 

Though you do bring up a valid query, wonder if Arno can get the word on how 1,000 people getting into MDR for seatings went on opening night, or subsequent nights for that matter.

Edited February 10, 2015 by cle-guy

[Gran2five]

Didn't the original info state that the chef would be allowed to go into port and see what was fresh and special to add daily specials for the SDR?

 

I missed that info - sound like a great menu each night!

[Algebralovr]

I also have just taken my table number, entered the upper deck and walked down the stairs on many occasions, and self-sat myself at my table. NO lines in this scenario. If you know where you are going, you don't have to wait for an escort.

 

Though you do bring up a valid query, wonder if Arno can get the word on how 1,000 people getting into MDR for seatings went on opening night, or subsequent nights for that matter.

 

I'm wondering if we won't see more passengers going down the stairs from 4th to 3rd. On the other hand, is it really 1000 people? There are plenty of people who choose Select, many who take them up on the 20% off first night deal, plus those who just don't feel like dressing. I wonder, of the 2800 passengers, how many are actually assigned to each seating of traditional, and how many actually show up?

[wallie5446]

I'm wondering if we won't see more passengers going down the stairs from 4th to 3rd. On the other hand, is it really 1000 people? There are plenty of people who choose Select, many who take them up on the 20% off first night deal, plus those who just don't feel like dressing. I wonder, of the 2800 passengers, how many are actually assigned to each seating of traditional, and how many actually show up?

We sailed the Reflection in Nov 2013 and the Equinox last Nov 2014, and had late seating. Most evenings the room was only 70-75% full, many empty tables all over the MDR on both cruises.

Edited February 10, 2015 by wallie5446

[happicruzer]

We ended up with Select Dining when MDR was full. Found we really liked the idea of showing up at a time that was convenient for us.

 

Our last table assignments worked well (we almost always end up with the same dining team, just not the same table (95% of our last five cruises)). Some cruises we are even offered the opportunity to sit with others which ended up very similar to fixed dining as 4-6 of us at an 8-top were repeaters.

 

Have observed lots of vacant seats each and every night - both in the MDR and the Select Dining areas.

 

It seems to me that, when using Reservations for Select Dining, vacant tables are tied up for hours on end - with no one sitting at the table. Ditto for MDR.

....Example: a 6:00 reservation that doesn't show till 7:15. That table could have been available and turned over for second dining instead of sitting vacant. Suite diners currently must book MDR/Select for post-April cruises.

 

I'm all for MDR and Select Dining. However, the concept as used now doesn't work. Why? If you don't want to eat in the dining room, you are still required to pick MDR or Select Dining (and pay the tips in advance).

 

Celebrity (and other cruise lines) need to address their reservation system and offer what the consumer wants (MDR, Select, Blu (which usually ties up an MDR/Select time), for-fee or buffet).

 

The space and the seats are there, the reservation system currently in place ties up what - will end up to be - unused seats. The lines for the all diners would shorten if the tables weren't reserved for no/late-shows.

[iMedic]

With the construction and the suite guests receiving free speciality dining, I'm wondering if there will be difficulty securing reservations for us non-suite guests?

 

I'm on reflection as if Saturday and my partner and I are looking forward to at least two specialty meals.

[cle-guy]

I'm wondering if we won't see more passengers going down the stairs from 4th to 3rd. On the other hand, is it really 1000 people? There are plenty of people who choose Select, many who take them up on the 20% off first night deal, plus those who just don't feel like dressing. I wonder, of the 2800 passengers, how many are actually assigned to each seating of traditional, and how many actually show up?

 

I have provided an analysis of this on another thread. On any night, Specialty dining restaurants seat about 540 or so people, over 2 seatings minimum, or over 1000 diners can dine outside MDR. Take out BLU diners, even more. Take out those that use Buffet, even fewer!

 

Each seating is designed to accommodate 1400 people I'd assume 400 select, 1000 main floor, and as you say many don't ever even show up. My first cruise, I never even knew there was a MDR - I ate specialties the whole time.

[cle-guy]

With the construction and the suite guests receiving free speciality dining, I'm wondering if there will be difficulty securing reservations for us non-suite guests?

 

I'm on reflection as if Saturday and my partner and I are looking forward to at least two specialty meals.

 

Specialty dining accommodates around 550 at any one time. Assume 2 turns of the seats, that's 1100 diners accommodated each night.

 

There are only about 60 suites all said and done, or 120 diners (rough figures). So that means of the 1100 Specialty seats, if every suite guest used them, there would still be 980 seats available for non-suite guests.

 

And currently on a 7 night cruise those suite diners are entitled to 1 night in there anyway as part of existing suite program.

 

Non-issue.

[MVPinBoynton]

Arno,

Thanks for the info and pics. Great to see what is happening.