"LIVE" from Celebrity BEYOND. October 26th, 2022. 9-Night Repositioning. 1st Sailing from the USA.

[bandp407]

2 minutes ago, kwokpot said:

For people following this review just be aware Beyond no longer offers fixed early or late seating in any of the 4main restaurants. It doesn't matter what you chose as your dining preference precruise. The ship is 100% Select anytime dining.

It was explained that 40% of each dining room is allocated to precruise reservations, the remaining 60% for walk-ins.

This would explain way there have been posts on CC of people choosing fixed early or late set seating but able to make whole cruise reservations in whatever dining room they wanted. 

Thank you very much for the heads up. This is VERY UPSETTING! We sail end of November and we booked  this cruise over a year ago and selected late sitting. We enjoy the same wait staff and did not want to deal with hassle of waiting in line with what will probably be a heavy sailing. In any case there are no slots open to pre reserve & says to see guest relations. What a mess that will me! This almost makes us want to switch to the S class ships. Thank you again for sharing this info. Enjoy your cruise and Happy Birthday, many more, to your Dad!

[amcco]

10 minutes ago, kwokpot said:

For people following this review just be aware Beyond no longer offers fixed early or late seating in any of the 4main restaurants. It doesn't matter what you chose as your dining preference precruise. The ship is 100% Select anytime dining.

It was explained that 40% of each dining room is allocated to precruise reservations, the remaining 60% for walk-ins.

This would explain way there have been posts on CC of people choosing fixed early or late set seating but able to make whole cruise reservations in whatever dining room they wanted. 

Thanks for the update. May take a bit for the staff to get used to that crush!

[NutsAboutGolf]

1 hour ago, kwokpot said:

For people following this review just be aware Beyond no longer offers fixed early or late seating in any of the 4main restaurants. It doesn't matter what you chose as your dining preference precruise. The ship is 100% Select anytime dining.

It was explained that 40% of each dining room is allocated to precruise reservations, the remaining 60% for walk-ins.

This would explain way there have been posts on CC of people choosing fixed early or late set seating but able to make whole cruise reservations in whatever dining room they wanted. 

 

I personally think that's a good move.  Pro tip for anyone reading, if there's a wait at one MDR and if you'd rather not wait to eat, you can ask any MDR host which other MDRs do not currently had a wait.  This was the case on the Edge, haven't been on the beyond yet.

[otownfins]

On 10/26/2022 at 8:25 AM, PinkSandGirl said:

Hi!   Thank You!    I will ask and let you know about Dinner on the Edge. 

 

Wine. I drink it, not often but when I do, I prefer it on the sweeter side.  😉  If there is a specific kind/brand you are curious about, let me know and I'll find out. 

 

🍹

 

if you can please ask if they have Caymus Cabernet by the glass & Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc. 
Wishing you luck in the casino 🍀 

[Ex-Airbalancer]

1 hour ago, bandp407 said:

Thank you very much for the heads up. This is VERY UPSETTING! We sail end of November and we booked  this cruise over a year ago and selected late sitting. We enjoy the same wait staff and did not want to deal with hassle of waiting in line with what will probably be a heavy sailing. In any case there are no slots open to pre reserve & says to see guest relations. What a mess that will me! This almost makes us want to switch to the S class ships. Thank you again for sharing this info. Enjoy your cruise and Happy Birthday, many more, to your Dad!

 Just go at 8:30 , there will probably be no line up than anyway 

also would it be nice to try the food in the different restaurants 🤔

[Cruise a holic]

following    Have sailed on the edge- doing a b/2/b on the Apex New Years and the week following.

 

Edited October 27, 2022 by Cruise a holic

[Team Stag]

1 hour ago, kwokpot said:

For people following this review just be aware Beyond no longer offers fixed early or late seating in any of the 4main restaurants. It doesn't matter what you chose as your dining preference precruise. The ship is 100% Select anytime dining.

It was explained that 40% of each dining room is allocated to precruise reservations, the remaining 60% for walk-ins.

This would explain way there have been posts on CC of people choosing fixed early or late set seating but able to make whole cruise reservations in whatever dining room they wanted. 

I wonder if this is a short term change due to all the challenges they had last week.  Anyone following some of those threads read about dining wait times.  Maybe this is a reactive solution to address the previous issues.  If so, well done to Celebrity for being dynamic and trying their best to improve the guest experience.  

[kwokpot]

Just now, Team Stag said:

I wonder if this is a short term change due to all the challenges they had last week.  Anyone following some of those threads read about dining wait times.  Maybe this is a reactive solution to address the previous issues.  If so, well done to Celebrity for being dynamic and trying their best to improve the guest experience.  

I don't think it's a short term change. When we spoke to the dining reservations host she was very clear that although the Edge and Apex has early and late fixed seating the Beyond does not. The problem is communication. There was no communication in the cabin about this change. Even when my parents inquired at Guest Relations the way it was explained is 'we don't have that on this ship. You just go to any dining room you want whenever you want.' We thought my elderly parents were confused by what was told to them which is why we asked this morning at breakfast for clarification. It wasn't presented as, 'We understand that you had booked a fixed Early Dining option but since you booked we have made changes on this ship and no longer offer this option.' That statement acknowledges what the guest presumed they were getting but there were subsequent changes. The current explanation is just flatly we don't have that.

[hcat]

Not a good change in our opinion...lines will be  out the door!

 

Does anyone on board now know if The Cafe Bistro still serves Rack of Lamb on Tuesdays?  We missed it twIce on EDGE..hope to catch it  next tume around

[calicakes]

On 10/22/2022 at 1:52 PM, PinkSandGirl said:

I'm a little 'worried', maybe that's not the best word to use, about Luminae menus on some nights.  I tend to be more on the pickier/particular side.

I voiced the same concerns before our Reflection cruise last month.  This was our first time in a Sky Suite as well.  My wife is super picky and while I consider myself a "foodie", there are still a lot of things I don't eat( organ meats, red meat, etc).   I did blog about our cruise and posted numerous food pics.  I was able to modify my meals.  I would replace a side dish, leave a sauce off, etc.  My wife ate a lot of kids filet mignon.  LOL.   I think you'll be fine, they were very accommodating. 

[cangelmd]

23 hours ago, MamaFej said:

Sidebar to the sidebar: I don't know if this would work for any of you, but just in case, here goes:

 

Have you considered a one-way rental car? It's a bit pricier than picking up and dropping off at the same place, but it can be a great option. In recent years, we have found it is our best option when we have to fly out of LAX. We pick up a car locally, top off the tank near LAX,  drop it off, and take the car rental shuttle to the terminal. We do the reverse for getting home. We much prefer to fly out of the smaller airport about 15 minutes from our house, but LAX is generally far less expensive, so the one-way rental is a great option for us, and far more affordable than paying for parking for more than a few days or using any sort of ride service. 

We done this a couple of times when flying out of Atlanta. One way price was quite reasonable, I think the company was happy to get car back to the big flight hub, rather than our small airport.

It saved our bacon on a flight to London for a TA once, we woke that morning to dense fog, and would have likely been very delayed getting to Atlanta.

[Stem to Stern]

What has anyone heard about the Below Deck captans?  I understand  that an episode of Bravo’s Watch What Happens Live hosted by Andy Cohen and featuring the Below Deck captains will be filmed on board and air on November 1st.  Can anyone on board confirm this intell?

[lola2013]

3 minutes ago, Stem to Stern said:

What has anyone heard about the Below Deck captans?  I understand  that an episode of Bravo’s Watch What Happens Live hosted by Andy Cohen and featuring the Below Deck captains will be filmed on board and air on November 1st.  Can anyone on board confirm this intell?

Why do I get the feeling we are going to have a lot to talk about on Silhouette? 😉

[Stem to Stern]

Just now, lola2013 said:

Why do I get the feeling we are going to have a lot to talk about on Silhouette? 😉

I love Below Deck.  Guilty as charged.

[lola2013]

4 minutes ago, Stem to Stern said:

I love Below Deck.  Guilty as charged.

Fraser Olender is coming back soon as chief stew on the new series.  Love him!  Oops, I think we hijacked this thread.  Sorry PinkSandGirl 😉

[nimiq]

8 hours ago, kwokpot said:

I don't think it's a short term change. When we spoke to the dining reservations host she was very clear that although the Edge and Apex has early and late fixed seating the Beyond does not. The problem is communication. There was no communication in the cabin about this change. Even when my parents inquired at Guest Relations the way it was explained is 'we don't have that on this ship. You just go to any dining room you want whenever you want.' We thought my elderly parents were confused by what was told to them which is why we asked this morning at breakfast for clarification. It wasn't presented as, 'We understand that you had booked a fixed Early Dining option but since you booked we have made changes on this ship and no longer offer this option.' That statement acknowledges what the guest presumed they were getting but there were subsequent changes. The current explanation is just flatly we don't have that.

We will be cruising here Beyond in November and I guess the 40% has already been achieved as the only place left is too late for us un most MDR. The range of time left is between 08-09PM and we prefer 07 0r 0730PM and we’re only able to secure that on first night.

 

How does the walk-in wait time look like at present now with the changes ? 
 

thanks 

Sea Ya 

Eric

[kwokpot]

Just now, nimiq said:

We will be cruising here Beyond in November and I guess the 40% has already been achieved as the only place left is too late for us un most MDR. The range of time left is between 08-09PM and we prefer 07 0r 0730PM and we’re only able to secure that on first night.

 

How does the walk-in wait time look like at present now with the changes ? 
 

thanks 

Sea Ya 

Eric

Day 2 dinner. My parents went to dinner at 6pm and tried to get seated right away. Nope, buzzer would be given, about 30 mins. They asked if there any other dining room. Was told no, but if you want to sit with others we can seat you now (they were at Tuscan) as they were walking to the shared table my dad spotted an empty table for two and said I want to sit here alone. The waiter for that table just happened to be there and overheard my dad ask to be seated there. The waiter chimed in to the escorting host, that's fine, let them sit there. So they did. They enjoyed the service much better than the previous first night. When they were leaving the dining room my mom asked how they can be assured to get a table right away. She was told to queue up at 5:15 before the 5:30 opening time and they should be seated when the dining room opens. 

Edited October 28, 2022 by kwokpot

[PinkSandGirl]

Day 2.  A great day!    I now have two days to catch up on!  I will reply and post lots of stuff.  I just need some time.  Cruises are a lot of work.   😅

 

A quick recap:

~ Room service Breakfast (good)

~ Behind the Scenes Tour (excellent)

~ Lunch in Eden Cafe (bad set-up but food was good) - I'll comment on all of it and post pics

~ Slot Pull (Fun)

~ Afternoon Tea in the Retreat Lounge (nice)

~ Explored the ship some more 

~ Dinner Rooftop Garden Grill (very good)

~ Show - Arte. (Enjoyable)

~ Silent Disco (fun)

~ Drinks from Martini Bar, World Class 

~ Casino 

~ The Club - dancing.   Closed it down.  Hehe

 

All crew interactions were wonderful today! 

 

Here is our current position on our approach to Bermuda.  8am arrival (ship time).  Bermuda is AST time but we didn't change the clocks to an hour ahead.  Bermuda was cut short a few months ago and now,  we dock at 8am and have to be back onboard at 2:30pm.  Such a tease.  We have changed our plans.  I love Bermuda but don't want to be stuck there. 😉

 

I've met a lot of nice, friendly people from the Roll Call!  🥳

 

🍹

 

Edited October 28, 2022 by PinkSandGirl

[hcat]

7 hours ago, kwokpot said:

Day 2 dinner. My parents went to dinner at 6pm and tried to get seated right away. Nope, buzzer would be given, about 30 mins. They asked if there any other dining room. Was told no, but if you want to sit with others we can seat you now (they were at Tuscan) as they were walking to the shared table my dad spotted an empty table for two and said I want to sit here alone. The waiter for that table just happened to be there and overheard my dad ask to be seated there. The waiter chimed in to the escorting host, that's fine, let them sit there. So they did. They enjoyed the service much better than the previous first night. When they were leaving the dining room my mom asked how they can be assured to get a table right away. She was told to queue up at 5:15 before the 5:30 opening time and they should be seated when the dining room opens. 

BRAVO..Well done!

On EDGE, Tuscan and Cyprus were our favorites!  Normandie had  beautiful decor..corner table  was private with good service!

[hcat]

3 hours ago, PinkSandGirl said:

Day 2.  A great day!    I now have two days to catch up on!  I will reply and post lots of stuff.  I just need some time.  Cruises are a lot of work.   😅

 

A quick recap:

~ Room service Breakfast (good)

~ Behind the Scenes Tour (excellent)

~ Lunch in Eden Cafe (bad set-up but food was good) - I'll comment on all of it and post pics

~ Slot Pull (Fun)

~ Afternoon Tea in the Retreat Lounge (nice)

~ Explored the ship some more 

~ Dinner Rooftop Garden Grill (very good)

~ Show - Arte. (Enjoyable)

~ Silent Disco (fun)

~ Drinks from Martini Bar, World Class 

~ Casino 

~ The Club - dancing.   Closed it down.  Hehe

 

All crew interactions were wonderful today! 

 

Here is our current position on our approach to Bermuda.  8am arrival (ship time).  Bermuda is AST time but we didn't change the clocks to an hour ahead.  Bermuda was cut short a few months ago and now,  we dock at 8am and have to be back onboard at 2:30pm.  Such a tease.  We have changed our plans.  I love Bermuda but don't want to be stuck there. 😉

 

I've met a lot of nice, friendly people from the Roll Call!  🥳

 

🍹

 

Looking forward to hearing more!

Short time in Bermuda..will you just stay at the dock area?  Plenty of shops and a few  nice places for  lunch or a drink .

[mfs2k]

9 hours ago, Stem to Stern said:

What has anyone heard about the Below Deck captans?  I understand  that an episode of Bravo’s Watch What Happens Live hosted by Andy Cohen and featuring the Below Deck captains will be filmed on board and air on November 1st.  Can anyone on board confirm this intell?

Yes. This was filmed when the ship was docked for 2 days in Bayonne. Before this current sailing. 

[mfs2k]

Disney Magic following us into port in Bermuda 

[danceswithphones]

I'll be watching on the webcam!

[PinkSandGirl]

Docking in Kings Wharf, Bermuda.  Swinging the ship around. 

 

🍹

 

 

You can see each end of the island in this picture:

 

 

 

[PinkSandGirl]

🍹

 

Bermuda blue water. 😃

 

The chairs...yeah, they could definitely be better.  I prefer the reclining chairs on S-class with a foot stool.

 

When the cushion gets wet, it stays wet for a long time so you can't sit on it.  Not very comfortable.