Newbie cruiser with questions on Solstice

[cruiseycruisin]

We're very excited to be embarking on our very first cruise! As newbies to the cruising world, we have a lot of questions, many we have researched online. Hoping someone can help us give clearer answers to the following:

 

Luggage tags -

We keep checking each day on the Celebrity site to see if luggage tags are available and they are still not available yet. The cruise leaves in about one month's time so wondering when we can expect them.

 

Food -

We like to snack throughout the day and wondering whether smallish meals and snacks (such as fruit, cheese), coffee and tea can be ordered from the restaurants (not specialty) or room service at anytime of the day without extra charges? What kind of food can we expect to order outside of breakfast/lunch/dinner time?

 

Dining -

It seems we weren't asked by the travel agent our preference for select or traditional dining and we've been automatically booked into the traditional dining at 8.30. (6.00pm is unavailable on the site). Our preference is select dining (even if it might mean a bit of queuing) and wondering how we can get this changed as we can't seem to do this online. Do we have to call them or do we change it onboard? Also, with traditional or select dining, do we have to share a table or will there be tables for 2 only?

 

Also, is this 8.30 slot only specific to the Main Dining Room dining? What if we wanted to dine at the Oceanview buffet. Can we turn up at anytime?

 

Port days -

During the days at port, are we free to venture out and back on board as we please throughout the day? For example, can we go out for a walk in the morning and then come back to the boat for lunch and drinks and then head out again?

 

Thanks for everyone's insights in advance!

[Payd]

We're very excited to be embarking on our very first cruise! As newbies to the cruising world, we have a lot of questions, many we have researched online. Hoping someone can help us give clearer answers to the following:

 

Luggage tags -

We keep checking each day on the Celebrity site to see if luggage tags are available and they are still not available yet. The cruise leaves in about one month's time so wondering when we can expect them.

 

Food -

We like to snack throughout the day and wondering whether smallish meals and snacks (such as fruit, cheese), coffee and tea can be ordered from the restaurants (not specialty) or room service at anytime of the day without extra charges? What kind of food can we expect to order outside of breakfast/lunch/dinner time?

 

Dining -

It seems we weren't asked by the travel agent our preference for select or traditional dining and we've been automatically booked into the traditional dining at 8.30. (6.00pm is unavailable on the site). Our preference is select dining (even if it might mean a bit of queuing) and wondering how we can get this changed as we can't seem to do this online. Do we have to call them or do we change it onboard? Also, with traditional or select dining, do we have to share a table or will there be tables for 2 only?

 

Also, is this 8.30 slot only specific to the Main Dining Room dining? What if we wanted to dine at the Oceanview buffet. Can we turn up at anytime?

 

Port days -

During the days at port, are we free to venture out and back on board as we please throughout the day? For example, can we go out for a walk in the morning and then come back to the boat for lunch and drinks and then head out again?

 

Thanks for everyone's insights in advance!

 

One important thing off the top. You indicate the travel agent did ask about you preference for dining time.

 

If you booked through your own travel agent, that individual needs to guide you through the process. They will need to order you luggage tags (they call and request that they get mailed). The agent also must request select dining. If select you can opt to dine alone or share. If you stick with 830 pm ask the agent if the request was table for two.

 

Good for you to want to do some research...but your agent should be answering all of these questions.

 

Food...there are items available in the Oceanview cafe through the day.

 

If you choose Oceanview cafe for dinner go at anytime. Your "Celebrity Today" newsletter will list dining types available and times.

 

 

If you booked with a Celebrity agent. Call them and ask all of your questions. They are helpful and friendly, and will take the time you need to understand the cruise experience.

 

Happy travels.

 

 

 

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[Payd]

We're very excited to be embarking on our very first cruise! As newbies to the cruising world, we have a lot of questions, many we have researched online. Hoping someone can help us give clearer answers to the following:

 

Luggage tags -

We keep checking each day on the Celebrity site to see if luggage tags are available and they are still not available yet. The cruise leaves in about one month's time so wondering when we can expect them.

 

Food -

We like to snack throughout the day and wondering whether smallish meals and snacks (such as fruit, cheese), coffee and tea can be ordered from the restaurants (not specialty) or room service at anytime of the day without extra charges? What kind of food can we expect to order outside of breakfast/lunch/dinner time?

 

Dining -

It seems we weren't asked by the travel agent our preference for select or traditional dining and we've been automatically booked into the traditional dining at 8.30. (6.00pm is unavailable on the site). Our preference is select dining (even if it might mean a bit of queuing) and wondering how we can get this changed as we can't seem to do this online. Do we have to call them or do we change it onboard? Also, with traditional or select dining, do we have to share a table or will there be tables for 2 only?

 

Also, is this 8.30 slot only specific to the Main Dining Room dining? What if we wanted to dine at the Oceanview buffet. Can we turn up at anytime?

 

Port days -

During the days at port, are we free to venture out and back on board as we please throughout the day? For example, can we go out for a walk in the morning and then come back to the boat for lunch and drinks and then head out again?

 

Thanks for everyone's insights in advance!

Sorry...forgot about ports.

 

Yes you can go off and on as you wish. Keep in mind tender ports take far more time. You will go through security each time you reboard. We have done as you suggest, wander in the morning, on ship for lunch, afternoon excursion.

 

Departure time is posted at the gangway, along with the actual time you must return to the ship.

 

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[ChucktownSteve]

We're very excited to be embarking on our very first cruise! As newbies to the cruising world, we have a lot of questions, many we have researched online. Hoping someone can help us give clearer answers to the following:

 

Luggage tags -

We keep checking each day on the Celebrity site to see if luggage tags are available and they are still not available yet. The cruise leaves in about one month's time so wondering when we can expect them.

 

If you're paid in full you should be able to order your luggage tags directly. Sign in on the Celebrity web site and go to Manage reservation. If you've completed your online check in information, you should be able to request luggage tags once your cruise document is available.

 

Food -

We like to snack throughout the day and wondering whether smallish meals and snacks (such as fruit, cheese), coffee and tea can be ordered from the restaurants (not specialty) or room service at anytime of the day without extra charges? What kind of food can we expect to order outside of breakfast/lunch/dinner time?

 

You can order cabin service on your TV where you'll also find your account channel to see what's been charged to your account. The main dining room is only available during restricted hours which will be printed in your dailies. Coffee/tea are available in the buffet supposedly 24 hours. No extra charge. You can also eat any of the pasties at Cafe al Bacio for free without ordering specialty coffee. That coffee is included at no charge if you have the classic liquor package. Check out the grill at the pool and the aqua spa cafe which are both free. The buffet has limited food offerings between their standard meal times during the day.

Dining -

It seems we weren't asked by the travel agent our preference for select or traditional dining and we've been automatically booked into the traditional dining at 8.30. (6.00pm is unavailable on the site). Our preference is select dining (even if it might mean a bit of queuing) and wondering how we can get this changed as we can't seem to do this online. Do we have to call them or do we change it onboard? Also, with traditional or select dining, do we have to share a table or will there be tables for 2 only?

 

You can ask your TA to request you be wait listed for Select Dining. Or as soon as you board the ship, go to the dining room and request the Matre d if you can alter your dining preference. There may be a line so do it asap because others will be trying the same thing. In Select you can request a two top or say you want to share with others. The latter will get you seated faster.

 

Also, is this 8.30 slot only specific to the Main Dining Room dining? What if we wanted to dine at the Oceanview buffet. Can we turn up at anytime?

 

The fixed seating is specific to the MDR only. You can go to the Buffet any time you wish that it's open. Just show up. If you're sharing a large table and you know the day before that tomorrow you'll be doing the buffet instead of traditional dining, you might consider letting your waiter know so the table won't wait on you to not show.

 

Port days -

During the days at port, are we free to venture out and back on board as we please throughout the day? For example, can we go out for a walk in the morning and then come back to the boat for lunch and drinks and then head out again?

 

You can come and go as you wish when docked as long as you get back on the ship before last all aboard time.

 

Thanks for everyone's insights in advance!

 

Welcome to the world of cruising and Cruise Critic.

 

I responded in red above to make it easier for you to see by topic asked.

Edited November 12, 2016 by ChucktownSteve

[easyboy]

Port days -

During the days at port, are we free to venture out and back on board as we please throughout the day? For example, can we go out for a walk in the morning and then come back to the boat for lunch and drinks and then head out again?

Yes you can go in and out as you please. Just be aware always of the all-aboard time when having drinks.

[cruiseycruisin]

Awesome! Thank you for everyone's responses. Very pleased to hear there is flexibility with the dining times and getting back on the ship.

[chemmo]

You have picked a wonderful ship for a first cruise. We have cruised Solstice twice now and loved her!

 

Re the ports...you don't mention where you are cruising to. There are ports like Sydney and Auckland where you are central and security apart it is very easy to get on/off the ship as you suggest at mid day.

 

At other ports you could be tendered or have a shuttle ride to the main tourist areas or be moored in a very unattractive commercial dock with a long walk even to the gates. If you plan your trips out you will be able to identify these ports. If you are planning any excursions look and see which ones have lunch included. It can often be cheaper to book two tours with lunch (boat ride, island tour lunch included) than one tour am, return to ship another tour pm....It can be really tiring and time consuming just returning to the ship.

 

Re Oceanview. Although this venue can be really busy if you avoid peak times it can be a pleasant area to dine. If you return to the ship afternoon and want something to eat but don't want to spoil your evening meal look for the 'afternoon tea' area (small tasty nibbles, little cakes) ideal! The Indian food in this area we find consistently good too!

 

Enjoy!

[Kiwi-in-perth]

Celebrity does not mail luggage tags to Australian and NZ cruisers. We have to print the tags out from their website - if they aren't showing as available you'll have to contact your travel agent and get them to request the tags. And don't stress if you don't get them, the porters at the dock will have plenty that you can attach to your bags.

 

 

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[sanger727]

We're very excited to be embarking on our very first cruise! As newbies to the cruising world, we have a lot of questions, many we have researched online. Hoping someone can help us give clearer answers to the following:

 

Luggage tags -

We keep checking each day on the Celebrity site to see if luggage tags are available and they are still not available yet. The cruise leaves in about one month's time so wondering when we can expect them.

 

Food -

We like to snack throughout the day and wondering whether smallish meals and snacks (such as fruit, cheese), coffee and tea can be ordered from the restaurants (not specialty) or room service at anytime of the day without extra charges? What kind of food can we expect to order outside of breakfast/lunch/dinner time?

 

Dining -

It seems we weren't asked by the travel agent our preference for select or traditional dining and we've been automatically booked into the traditional dining at 8.30. (6.00pm is unavailable on the site). Our preference is select dining (even if it might mean a bit of queuing) and wondering how we can get this changed as we can't seem to do this online. Do we have to call them or do we change it onboard? Also, with traditional or select dining, do we have to share a table or will there be tables for 2 only?

 

Also, is this 8.30 slot only specific to the Main Dining Room dining? What if we wanted to dine at the Oceanview buffet. Can we turn up at anytime?

 

Port days -

During the days at port, are we free to venture out and back on board as we please throughout the day? For example, can we go out for a walk in the morning and then come back to the boat for lunch and drinks and then head out again?

 

Thanks for everyone's insights in advance!

 

Not sure about the luggage tags. Reference the snacking, I am the same way. The buffet will always have food available except for late late night. You won't have any problem finding fruit, cheese, meat, crackers, bread, etc. along with whatever else they have on the buffet at any time of day. For me it's a lot easier to run to the buffet for cheese and crackers and a piece of fruit rather than trying to order from room service.

 

Not sure how far out your booked, but it's entirely possible your agent didn't ask about your dining preferences because late dining was the only time available. The availability of that comes and goes and you just have to know to watch for it (i.e., I have a cruise booked 18 months out, at the time of booking select wasn't available, but it became available later). Your best shot is to see the matre'd upon boarding and see if you can move to select, but if it's full, it may be full. You can still dine in the specialty restaurants and buffet anytime.

 

Yes on port days, free to come and go as often as you like. Just be aware of if any of the ports are tender ports. Those take longer to get on and off the ship.

[cruiseycruisin]

Such good insights. Thank you all!

 

We booked fairly last minute, about a month before sailing so I am not surprised if select dining is not available. I see that the cruise is now sold out on the Celebrity site.

 

The cruise is from NZ to Australia. If you do tip outside the automatic gratuities, what currency do you use?

[jelayne]

We try and tip in the currency where the ship is; NZ -Australia we gave AUD, in Eurpoe- euros, Caribbean -USD.

[magpies66]

We try and tip in the currency where the ship is; NZ -Australia we gave AUD, in Eurpoe- euros, Caribbean -USD.

 

 

That makes things easier. I am also a newbie and thought that, being an American ship, all tipping would be in USD even in Australian waters? Thanks for the info [emoji2]

 

 

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[Duanerice1]

I envy you. First cruise. Nothing like the first time. I hope you have a blast!

[easyboy]

That makes things easier. I am also a newbie and thought that, being an American ship, all tipping would be in USD even in Australian waters? Thanks for the info [emoji2]

Personal tips in any currency are always appreciated as they use some in port of destination. Although some prefer USD for sending to their home country.

[ChucktownSteve]

You may want to enroll in the Captains Club now even though this will be your first cruise. The level will be called Preview because you don't have any cruising points yet but the points will be automatically awarded shortly after the cruise disembarks.

https://secure.celebritycruises.com/captains-club/membership-benefits-enrollment-my-celebrity-login

 

Your benefits as Preview status will be:

 

• Access to Captain's Club newsletter online
  
• Use of the Loyalty Desk member service center between cruises
  
• Eligibility for Captain’s Club promotions when booking a future cruise onboard
  
• Earn Double Club Points if you travel solo in a stateroom (as of July 1, 2014)