I noticed fewer bars on the Edge. Is it a problem?

[SandG]

In anticipation to our spring cruise on the Edge, I was looking over the deck plans and surprised at how few bars there seems to be on board the ship.  Our last cruise was on the Eclipse and there was such a large variety of bars, it was easy to find one that was not crowded or quiet (if that's what you want), or the style of entertainment you like (if that's what you want) with plenty of seating there.  As I think back, there was the Passport Bar, Quasar, Cellar Masters (a favorite for getting a good selection of wines, and always super quiet), Martini Bar, Ensemble Lounge (another favorite for live music), World Class Bar (great drinks and rarely crowded), Casino Bar, Sky Lounge (tons of seating except during captains club parties); and outside were the Pool Bar, Mast Bar, Oceanview Bar, and Sunset Bar.  Oh, and that little bar inside the buffet area.

Looking at the Edge plans, I see only the Martini Bar, the Club, the Casino Bar, and Eden Bar.  And outdoors only the Pool Bar and Sunset Bar?  ... and the Magic Carpet Bar sometimes I guess.   Are there others that aren't marked in the deck plans?  This worries me that the bars will be overcrowded with long wait for drinks.  Or are the fewer bars just so much bigger on this ship that it really isn't a problem?  

[MVPinBoynton]

I noticed that while on the ship also.  The inside bars are pretty crowded too.  

[royalcruz]

Is there a bar at Grand Plaza Cafe?

[MVPinBoynton]

7 hours ago, royalcruz said:

Is there a bar at Grand Plaza Cafe?

No, it is just some small food items.  You can see in the below photo that there is no bar there.

[vtcruising]

I noticed that early on as the deck plans were revealed and was concerned about the lack of a smaller lounge for more mellow music (guitarist, duo, strings, jazz, piano, house band) such as the Ensemble Lounge. We aren't into production shows so that is where we would head if there was a show on that didn't interest us. We also stopped by for a cocktail before dinner usually and listened to music. It is an important part of cruising for us.

 

After talking to some people on the ship, it appears that they have a different type of vision for the Edge. They have less small, closed spaces and instead want to keep spaces open and flowing, if I understand it correctly. They want less bartenders behind a bar separating people from the bartenders, but instead want them mingling with people, taking orders and interacting.

 

We were surprised at the lack of a bar in the Retreat Lounge. We were told that the concept was what I described above - nothing to divide the bartenders from the guests. They have wonderful bartenders circulating and taking orders and then going into a drink area to make the drinks and return with them. I think it worked quite well, but some miss the bar and the camaraderie of chatting with guests and bartenders at the bar (I would think especially if you are cruising alone or going to the lounge alone). There is a pool bar one floor up so people can hang out there in good weather. This is a new concept and needs time to see how well it works.

 

Looking at some of the other areas, it seemed that the same concept was carried out in other areas where there may be entertainment. The Grand Plaza has many comfortable seats and tables, with the Martini Bar as the centerpiece. I think I counted only 12 seats at the bar itself, but there are bartenders covering the whole Grand Plaza area. The Roof Top Garden doesn't have a bar, but bartenders rove through getting people drinks. Eden has a pretty bar and bar service throughout the space. The Club has a bar, but also seems set up for less hanging out at the bar as it is a place to interact (variety of activities going on). All of these places have performers during the day and night, but none are the smaller, more intimate lounges we have been used to having a choice of on X.

 

These spaces are multi-purpose, so there aren't the same expectations for a certain type of experience in any of these venues (as you would have with Ensemble and Cellar Masters, for example). Celebrity has moved wine tastings and the World Class type drinks to Eden (not as tasty though, IMO) and mellow performances or louder, flashing lights type entertainment could be scheduled in any of the venues.

 

We enjoyed the Roof Top Garden for music in the afternoon and evening. They had a few really good musicians onboard that were magical to listen to up there in comfortable seats. There was bar service. Unfortunately, it can't be counted upon because of weather and also the screen up there is used to show sports sometimes and will be used for dinner and movies at others. We did enjoy a piano player and sax musician one afternoon in the Grand Plaza. My DH went to a great set by the wonderful Reckless Charms one early evening in the Club, but most of the time that place is hopping with a different style of music.

 

So, I think it is a work in progress. There are some bars and larger bar/lounges, but not any smaller lounges that we are used to enjoying on X. We will have to see how this shakes out for our own particular tastes - hopefully they will be able to balance the tastes of all cruisers in these larger, varied bar/lounges.🙂

 

 

[TeeRick]

47 minutes ago, vtcruising said:

I noticed that early on as the deck plans were revealed and was concerned about the lack of a smaller lounge for more mellow music (guitarist, duo, strings, jazz, piano, house band) such as the Ensemble Lounge. We aren't into production shows so that is where we would head if there was a show on that didn't interest us. We also stopped by for a cocktail before dinner usually and listened to music. It is an important part of cruising for us.

 

After talking to some people on the ship, it appears that they have a different type of vision for the Edge. They have less small, closed spaces and instead want to keep spaces open and flowing, if I understand it correctly. They want less bartenders behind a bar separating people from the bartenders, but instead want them mingling with people, taking orders and interacting.

 

We were surprised at the lack of a bar in the Retreat Lounge. We were told that the concept was what I described above - nothing to divide the bartenders from the guests. They have wonderful bartenders circulating and taking orders and then going into a drink area to make the drinks and return with them. I think it worked quite well, but some miss the bar and the camaraderie of chatting with guests and bartenders at the bar (I would think especially if you are cruising alone or going to the lounge alone). There is a pool bar one floor up so people can hang out there in good weather. This is a new concept and needs time to see how well it works.

 

Looking at some of the other areas, it seemed that the same concept was carried out in other areas where there may be entertainment. The Grand Plaza has many comfortable seats and tables, with the Martini Bar as the centerpiece. I think I counted only 12 seats at the bar itself, but there are bartenders covering the whole Grand Plaza area. The Roof Top Garden doesn't have a bar, but bartenders rove through getting people drinks. Eden has a pretty bar and bar service throughout the space. The Club has a bar, but also seems set up for less hanging out at the bar as it is a place to interact (variety of activities going on). All of these places have performers during the day and night, but none are the smaller, more intimate lounges we have been used to having a choice of on X.

 

These spaces are multi-purpose, so there aren't the same expectations for a certain type of experience in any of these venues (as you would have with Ensemble and Cellar Masters, for example). Celebrity has moved wine tastings and the World Class type drinks to Eden (not as tasty though, IMO) and mellow performances or louder, flashing lights type entertainment could be scheduled in any of the venues.

 

We enjoyed the Roof Top Garden for music in the afternoon and evening. They had a few really good musicians onboard that were magical to listen to up there in comfortable seats. There was bar service. Unfortunately, it can't be counted upon because of weather and also the screen up there is used to show sports sometimes and will be used for dinner and movies at others. We did enjoy a piano player and sax musician one afternoon in the Grand Plaza. My DH went to a great set by the wonderful Reckless Charms one early evening in the Club, but most of the time that place is hopping with a different style of music.

 

So, I think it is a work in progress. There are some bars and larger bar/lounges, but not any smaller lounges that we are used to enjoying on X. We will have to see how this shakes out for our own particular tastes - hopefully they will be able to balance the tastes of all cruisers in these larger, varied bar/lounges.🙂

 

 

Did they have any live music at the Sunset Bar at any time?

[vtcruising]

21 minutes ago, TeeRick said:

Did they have any live music at the Sunset Bar at any time?

I don't think they did on these short cruises, but maybe will on the longer cruises. There have been some complaints about the Sunset Bar being narrower than usual and the bar stools facing away from the sea. We spent a little time there for sailaway - it was hard to get a seat. I didn't spend enough time there to get a sense of the place (preferred RTG), but what time I did spend there was comfortable and there was a lively atmosphere.

[cruisestitch]

The lack of bars didn’t become an issue for me until last night.  I just wanted somewhere quiet and mellow, but no such place.  The incessant boom boom boom beat could not be escaped.  Because there’s no wine bar, no passport-type bar, no ensemble-like space, it’s the Martini Bar or the Club or Eden for a pre-dinner cocktail, and you had better like the beat because you’ll get it everywhere you go.

 

Even in The Retreat, suddenly the lack of a bar became a real downer,  I used to like to sit at the bar and chat with the bartender, getting ideas for some new drink he or she might pour.  You would get to know the bartender who would greet you cheerily and make your favorite.  There is no bar in Edge’s Retreat and the servers head to the back to make the drinks, so there’s no telling what they are doing.  There’s also no menu so you have no idea what beers are there, either.

 

 

[hcat]

Very interesting thread.. getting many good ideas on how to avoid the boom boom beat... Changes may be made but not by  the date  of our Jan cruise!

 

Since most seem to have alcohol packages...maybe cruie line hopes to dispense less with fewer bars,,, I am not a bar person but enjoy the Ensemble Lounge, Passport Bar, wine Bar in S class as well as the club style  entertainment spaces on M class...cozy, good music of all types, nice conversation... great bar service!

[MVPinBoynton]

6 minutes ago, hcat said:

Very interesting thread.. getting many good ideas on how to avoid the boom boom beat... Changes may be made but not by  the date  of our Jan cruise!

 

Since most seem to have alcohol packages...maybe cruie line hopes to dispense less with fewer bars,,, I am not a bar person but enjoy the Ensemble Lounge, Passport Bar, wine Bar in S class as well as the club style  entertainment spaces on M class...cozy, good music of all types, nice conversation... great bar service!

 

You could be right.  I was thinking while on the 2-day cruise with all drinks included how frustrated I would be if I had a drink package.  Even with the ship at only about 60% occupancy, it was a challenge to get a drink in the Martini Bar or Eden.  I didn't try at the Club.  I have a feeling that I might get rather frustrated trying to get our Elite cocktails at the few venues available on the ship.  I hope the weather is good for our cruise, since the Sunset Bar might be the only place that isn't packed to the gills.

[mnocket]

5 hours ago, cruisestitch said:

The lack of bars didn’t become an issue for me until last night.  I just wanted somewhere quiet and mellow, but no such place.  The incessant boom boom boom beat could not be escaped.  Because there’s no wine bar, no passport-type bar, no ensemble-like space, it’s the Martini Bar or the Club or Eden for a pre-dinner cocktail, and you had better like the beat because you’ll get it everywhere you go.

 

Even in The Retreat, suddenly the lack of a bar became a real downer,  I used to like to sit at the bar and chat with the bartender, getting ideas for some new drink he or she might pour.  You would get to know the bartender who would greet you cheerily and make your favorite.  There is no bar in Edge’s Retreat and the servers head to the back to make the drinks, so there’s no telling what they are doing.  There’s also no menu so you have no idea what beers are there, either.

 

 

If you take a seat in Eden for a pre-dinner cocktail how long do you have to wait for someone to take your drink order and for the drink to arrive?

[Oville]

3 hours ago, mnocket said:

If you take a seat in Eden for a pre-dinner cocktail how long do you have to wait for someone to take your drink order and for the drink to arrive?

We went straight to the bar with no wait at all then proceeded to climb the ramp and to find a quiet space.

[Cruise Junky]

lack of bars is definitely being reported on the Celebrity Facebook group from people onboard.

[Alakegirl]

Can you post a link? I am curious to see those comments.  Is it visble to all or just those on Facebook? 

Edited December 14, 2018 by Alakegirl

[cruisestitch]

Lack of bars was evident again last night.  I saw that one of the Officer’s was hosting a table, and the guests’ meeting point was Cafe al Bacio.  We were seated at one of the tables and were asked to move so it could be used for their gathering.  With no Cellar Masters or the equivalent,Café al Bacio was the only alternative.

 

 

   Then, after dinner, somebody said let’s go to karaoke. And we realized there is no karaoke. There is no place to have it. Eden was out, obviously. Martini bar, no good, and the Club had some sort of activity going on in there that wasn’t karaoke.  And that’s it for interior bars.  

 

 

[MVPinBoynton]

As much as I enjoyed the Edge for our 2 days, I do believe that the lack of a lounge to be used for before dinner drinks would be enough for me not to book it, even if the pricing was the same as the other ships.  

[vtcruising]

2 hours ago, MVPinBoynton said:

As much as I enjoyed the Edge for our 2 days, I do believe that the lack of a lounge to be used for before dinner drinks would be enough for me not to book it, even if the pricing was the same as the other ships.  

We will be watching to see how they balance out the evening entertainment over the next year as the various venues develop their "personalities." For example, if the theater has something loud with flashing lights going on, maybe the Club could have something more mellow, such as a duo or guitarist and vice versa. I think Eden may evolve over time to something different or at  least not have the same show every night. It is a beautiful space and the restaurant is excellent.

 

We did love the RTG for evening music (and never had a problem getting a drink), but due to weather and other uses, it isn't always available for music.

 

If they can't sort out how to balance the entertainment, maybe they could do with one less boutique and have a nice lounge instead. 😉

[cruisestitch]

Ha ha, like that would ever happen😁What they actually need is a couple more shops, with reasonably priced souvenir items. The little stuffed bears, the little ship models, Keychains and magnets. I’m no great fan of the shops on the S class ships, but they’re better than what we had here on edge.

[ecslady]

On 12/10/2018 at 9:26 AM, TeeRick said:

Did they have any live music at the Sunset Bar at any time?

 

Not on the Dec 9-16 cruise.  The Sunset Bar is also narrow and not a nice an area as on the S class ships.  Very disappointed in that.

[ecslady]

I went up to the RTG only once to listen to music at night, but behind the group singing some songs, the football game was on the big screen.  Really hard to enjoy some music with the game going on. Not the right atmosphere. It was not very crowded at all, and it was windy.  I think more people were watching the game.  The Edge really needs an indoor bar and lounge similar to the Ensemble Lounge on the S class.

[hcat]

On 12/15/2018 at 11:16 AM, cruisestitch said:

Lack of bars was evident again last night.  I saw that one of the Officer’s was hosting a table, and the guests’ meeting point was Cafe al Bacio.  We were seated at one of the tables and were asked to move so it could be used for their gathering.  With no Cellar Masters or the equivalent,Café al Bacio was the only alternative.

 

 

   Then, after dinner, somebody said let’s go to karaoke. And we realized there is no karaoke. There is no place to have it. Eden was out, obviously. Martini bar, no good, and the Club had some sort of activity going on in there that wasn’t karaoke.  And that’s it for interior bars.  

 

 

They  actually asked you to move..did you have drinks at the time?  

[cruisestitch]

Yes but they were actually very nice and there was plenty of seating nearby.  

[sunluva]

I'm glad this subject was brought up. I was planning on mentioning this subject once we returned. We just got off the ship this morning. One complaint from us was lack of indoor bar space. Martini bar and Eden seemed to be the biggest bars. Martini bar was hard to find a place to sit during pre dinner and post dinner times.  We would head to Eden but after a certain time, it just wasn't "our thing" to watch the performers walking around the bar. 

[cruisestitch]

I can’t imagine what they were thinking with so few bars in this size ship.  It’s going to be really bad on transatlantic if they hit foul weather and people can’t disperse throughout the outdoor spaces.

Edited December 16, 2018 by cruisestitch

[Silkroad]

I’m thinking the same thing, cruisestitch. We’re booked on the April TA, and I wonder where everyone will go if the crew must lock down outside access due to weather. When we had a bit of bad weather on our Reflection TA and Silhouette Baltic cruises, passengers were able to find spots at inside bars and lounges.