Lastdance Posted July 31, 2016 #1 Share Posted July 31, 2016 I haven't been in Michaels Club for a couple of years, so I need some questions answered by those of you who are in the know. What are the hours? Can you get any drink or wine available, at least within reason, like on the Classic Beverage package? What other services are available? Any other things you have used them for that are not the norm? Many thanks in advance! S Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cruisestitch Posted July 31, 2016 #2 Share Posted July 31, 2016 It's open 24 hours a day but bar staff are there only certain hours. The Michaels Club Concierge only has certain hours a day. He/she will send you a letter to your stateroom outlining the hours you can find a Concierge on duty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClaudiaB Posted July 31, 2016 #3 Share Posted July 31, 2016 We love Michael's! You really can get any drink you want. If they don't have the ingredients for something special you want (like the chocolate martinis I like) they'll get it. I like pina coladas and the bartender always had one for me. He also worked in the pool bar at other times of the day and made great drinks! He made a creme brûlée martini that was excellent and then I asked the bartenders at the Martini Bar to make one and they made an even different one. I think they like doing things out of the ordinary. It must be kind of monotonous to always make the same drinks. We had a couple of Cabernets that we liked and there was always a bottle there, and anytime we wanted to could go get a bottle of water or Diet Coke. Even though we had a package it was nice to go in a visit with people and relax. The concierge or bartender doesn't have to be there to go enjoy it. The only thing that's regrettable is it's carved out of space in the center of the ship so there are no windows. I sure hope that the new Edge ships put Michael's somewhere that has a great view like the Sky Lounge. We wanted an engine room control room tour. Got it. If you want to eat at one of the captain's or his staff tables, probably can be arranged. Bridge tour, sure. The concierge set up a couple of teas and some nice little musical concerts during the two weeks we were on Eclipse last fall. Our butler happened to be a good friend with the concierge there and on some of his off hours he came by to "visit." He would always ask us if there was anything special he could do. We really felt pampered with Luminae and Michael's and the butler. Enjoy your cruise! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orator Posted July 31, 2016 #4 Share Posted July 31, 2016 Drinks are far beyond the Classic Package, in fact exceed the value of drinks on the Premium Package. Each ship and each MC Concierge is different and although most of the policies are they same the same, I've noticed some differences in what the Concierge does. For example: On some ships the MC Concierge will take you off the ship for tender service and debarkation, on a few ships, not. I've had the MC Concierge escort me to a Restaurant. The Concierge might arrange for special events in Michael's Club. There was a recent thread on Anca, a MC Concierge on Silhouette. Find that thread and it will help to answer some of your questions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emileg Posted July 31, 2016 #5 Share Posted July 31, 2016 We love Michael's! You really can get any drink you want. If they don't have the ingredients for something special you want (like the chocolate martinis I like) they'll get it. .. We have our first Sky Suite coming up in October. Because it is a TA, we were unable to get any promo that includes a beverage package. Nice to know the concierge of Michael's Club can get my favorite martini: the chocolate.:) Thanks for the info. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lastdance Posted July 31, 2016 Author #6 Share Posted July 31, 2016 Can you take water or a caramel macchiato out of Michael's Club? How does that work? Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WestLakeGirl Posted July 31, 2016 #7 Share Posted July 31, 2016 They ask you not to remove beverages but how strictly the Concierge enforces that varies Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emileg Posted July 31, 2016 #8 Share Posted July 31, 2016 They ask you not to remove beverages but how strictly the Concierge enforces that varies Does that mean you can't take a glass of wine with you to dinner? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cruisestitch Posted July 31, 2016 #9 Share Posted July 31, 2016 I remember seeing wording to the effect that beverages were to be consumed in the lounge only. YMMV. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare roxievegas Posted July 31, 2016 #10 Share Posted July 31, 2016 we were on the Silhouette in May and saw people come in, remove waters, soda out of the glass refrigerators and leave. i asked about taking water and was told that we could take what we wanted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cynbar Posted July 31, 2016 #11 Share Posted July 31, 2016 We have our first Sky Suite coming up in October. Because it is a TA, we were unable to get any promo that includes a beverage package. Nice to know the concierge of Michael's Club can get my favorite martini: the chocolate.:) Thanks for the info. You probably won't need to spend much on beverages. When you go to Michael's, they will make you any drink you want and try to get the brands you favor, as long as they are on the ship. Some cruisers have said they were not allowed to carry drinks out of the club, but others have said no problem. Plus, there is a cooler where you can help yourself to sodas, bottled water, wine and beer --- and those you are free to take with you out of the club. We had a premium beverage package last cruise and still used Michael's every day, loved the personal service and warm welcome. Never crowded, either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare groryjm Posted July 31, 2016 #12 Share Posted July 31, 2016 When sailing in a CS on X Reflection last summer most evenings I would visit Michaels before dinner and have a Campari and soda before returning to the room with another for myself and Aperol spritz for my DW. After dinner or whaterver entertainment we had seen that night we would invairably return to Michaels for a last drink and to chat with whoever was there. We would then take a Calvados and a Benedictine (or similar) back to the suite to drink on the balcony before retiring. Oh happy days:) There was never any questiuon of not removing drinks from MC. In fact most mornings I would take a coffee back to the room for DW along with a couple of bottles of water from the fridges for port excursions. We experienced similar on X Equinox the summer before so while I have occasionally seen others post that there is a "do not remove beverages rule" in our experience on Reflection and Equinox there has been no restriction. I most assuredlly hope there will be none on Connie next month either:eek: Michaels is one of the reasons we book suites and oh so worth it:cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pdxsteeler Posted July 31, 2016 #13 Share Posted July 31, 2016 So this is a little unclear to me -- are the drinks in Michael's complimentary (regardless of the beverage package you have) or do you have to pay (based on the package you have)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karynanne Posted July 31, 2016 #14 Share Posted July 31, 2016 So this is a little unclear to me -- are the drinks in Michael's complimentary (regardless of the beverage package you have) or do you have to pay (based on the package you have)? If your cabin is in any Suite, or if you have Zenith Captain's Club status, then all drinks in Michael'sClub are complimentary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jelayne Posted July 31, 2016 #15 Share Posted July 31, 2016 Complimentary, it is one of the benefits of sailing in a Suite. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orator Posted July 31, 2016 #16 Share Posted July 31, 2016 So this is a little unclear to me -- are the drinks in Michael's complimentary (regardless of the beverage package you have) or do you have to pay (based on the package you have)? No charges for any drinks in MC. I've asked several MC Concierges about removing drinks. Official policy is that the are not to be removed. Actual policy is that they can be removed. I've been in MC many, many times and have always taken a drink out if I wished. Always get water, iced tea without any problems. in fact, the bar server usually hands me a couple of bottles as I'm leaving. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russg140 Posted August 1, 2016 #17 Share Posted August 1, 2016 MC is a perk for Suite guests and all drinks are complimentary. Once the bartender knows what you like they will make sure to have it for you. You can take a drink or glass of wine with you to dinner without an issue. We even would go back to MC during dinner (pre-Luminae) to get a refill without issue. On our last cruise we had a very poor experience with MC. While the concierge was awesome (they always are, and you can ask them just about anything within reason), the bartender on embarkation day and the following day was horrible. Surly and rude. On prior cruises we went into MC to use the Nespresso machine to get a latte after lunch. Anka on RF used to say to me "Don't break my machine!" jokingly as it became a habit every day. On the second day of this cruise I started making my own (almost all of the pod containers were empty btw) and she emerged from the back and scolded me, telling me "this isn't self serve, so what do you want". Needless to say we never went back (hard to do on an 18 night cruise). She was the exception I would say. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icat2000 Posted August 1, 2016 #18 Share Posted August 1, 2016 MC is a perk for Suite guests and all drinks are complimentary. Once the bartender knows what you like they will make sure to have it for you. You can take a drink or glass of wine with you to dinner without an issue. We even would go back to MC during dinner (pre-Luminae) to get a refill without issue. On our last cruise we had a very poor experience with MC. While the concierge was awesome (they always are, and you can ask them just about anything within reason), the bartender on embarkation day and the following day was horrible. Surly and rude. On prior cruises we went into MC to use the Nespresso machine to get a latte after lunch. Anka on RF used to say to me "Don't break my machine!" jokingly as it became a habit every day. On the second day of this cruise I started making my own (almost all of the pod containers were empty btw) and she emerged from the back and scolded me, telling me "this isn't self serve, so what do you want". Needless to say we never went back (hard to do on an 18 night cruise). She was the exception I would say. Did you go see Passenger Services about this staff member. Maybe they just not suited for working there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cl.klink Posted August 1, 2016 #19 Share Posted August 1, 2016 MC is a perk for Suite guests and all drinks are complimentary. Once the bartender knows what you like they will make sure to have it for you. You can take a drink or glass of wine with you to dinner without an issue. We even would go back to MC during dinner (pre-Luminae) to get a refill without issue. On our last cruise we had a very poor experience with MC. While the concierge was awesome (they always are, and you can ask them just about anything within reason), the bartender on embarkation day and the following day was horrible. Surly and rude. On prior cruises we went into MC to use the Nespresso machine to get a latte after lunch. Anka on RF used to say to me "Don't break my machine!" jokingly as it became a habit every day. On the second day of this cruise I started making my own (almost all of the pod containers were empty btw) and she emerged from the back and scolded me, telling me "this isn't self serve, so what do you want". Needless to say we never went back (hard to do on an 18 night cruise). She was the exception I would say. Was this one the Reflection? Is that person still the bartender in MC? - Joel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pdxsteeler Posted August 1, 2016 #20 Share Posted August 1, 2016 Thanks for the replies. Doing our first cruise next week on the Millennium in one of the Sky Suites. Looking forward to it. Two more questions: 1) any restriction on children in MC? We have our 1-year old and 3.5 year wit us. 2) Breakfast -- I read that MC has a continental breakfast. But I see that Luminae also has breakfast (some days? every day?). What is the recommendation on how to choose (MC for light/fast, Luminae for more hearthy or something else). Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicogirl Posted August 1, 2016 #21 Share Posted August 1, 2016 No restrictions on children. In Michaels there is not much of a continental breakfast. Luminae is open for breakfast everyday. Only closed for lunch on port days. There are a few light meals in luminae, or you can try Blu. And if you need fast, just let you waiter know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare chemmo Posted August 1, 2016 #22 Share Posted August 1, 2016 Thanks for the replies. Doing our first cruise next week on the Millennium in one of the Sky Suites. Looking forward to it. Two more questions: 1) any restriction on children in MC? We have our 1-year old and 3.5 year wit us. 2) Breakfast -- I read that MC has a continental breakfast. But I see that Luminae also has breakfast (some days? every day?). What is the recommendation on how to choose (MC for light/fast, Luminae for more hearthy or something else). Thanks. There are no restrictions as such in Michael's Club re children. However, there is nothing there to entertain them. We have seen a few well behaved ones sat with their parents for pre and post dinner drinks and a very sulky and wimpy 'can we go now, can we go now...' poor little boy on some sort of hand held game... It is quite a confined space with a club type ambiance. You know your kids, how long you can expect them to sit quietly for. The conceirge will prioritise you for babysitting for a few nights if you want so then you will be able to enjoy a couple of really relaxing meals and Michael's Club sessions! I have to be honest and say we did see a couple 'challenged' when their toddler was crying loudly for several minutes in Michael's. In typical professional style the bartender came over and politely but quite firmly said 'Can I mix you the same to go or something different to take back to your cabin?' After four Michael's Club cruises this is the only time we have ever seen an issue. Whilst there is no breakfast as such in Michael's at any time of the day they will offer little savouries, some really yummy! Have a great vacation! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gracie115 Posted August 1, 2016 #23 Share Posted August 1, 2016 Does that mean you can't take a glass of wine with you to dinner? We were always able to take our glass of wine to dinner on both Eclipse and Reflection....expect, hopefully, to do the same on Equinox in October. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DelawareTom Posted August 1, 2016 #24 Share Posted August 1, 2016 Just curious. Is Michael's Club more crowded now that sky suite passengers can go there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare chemmo Posted August 1, 2016 #25 Share Posted August 1, 2016 Just curious. Is Michael's Club more crowded now that sky suite passengers can go there? From our personal experience little change...Nicely busy pre and post dinner but always a few seats available. However, we were told on the Solstice that on the TP and on another cruise from Sydney with limited drinks packages included that Michael's had been very busy....I assumes the TA cruises could be similar. Certainly something to monitor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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