Strange Bar Closings on Equinox Today in Grand Cayman

[mac_tlc]

Here is what it says on Page 2 of the Celebrity Today for our stop in GC tomorrow on Beyond.

 

 

[mac_tlc]

9 minutes ago, Dar & Bob said:

And what about Cafe Al Bacio and the one at the OV?

 

Here is Page 3 from the Celebrity Today for our stop in GC tomorrow. Shows bar hours, most open at 5pm except pool bar, and shows Cafe alBacio and il Segundo Bacio open all day, I suspect only for non alcoholic drinks.

 

 

Edited February 3, 2023 by mac_tlc

[prmssk]

10 minutes ago, Dar & Bob said:

And what about Cafe Al Bacio and the one at the OV?

 

 

Yes, Cafe al Bacio was open.  

 

There isn't an OV bar listed on the planner and I'm trying to picture where it might be on an M Class ship.  I've always just gotten my drinks from the Sunset Bar when I'm in that area.

[DCPIV]

3 hours ago, prmssk said:

How many bars are normally open when the ship is in port?  Don't most of the bars not usually open until 4 or 5 on a port day?  

 

Just looking at my Constellation daily planners from my last cruises.  The pool bar and the sunset bar usually opened starting in the morning.  Sometimes (but not always) one other opened at 1.  But otherwise, they opened at 4 pm or later.  

 

In addition to the others mentioned, Sushi on 5 would have beer, wine, sake, and cocktails available. 

[C4HCG]

7 hours ago, horseymike said:

If you paid for a drink package $$$$$$ and had to wait in a long line at the only open bar on a ship that can accommodate 2800 passengers for a drink you may reconsider your position.

I would have made provision in advance, fridge in room coming to the rescue stocking with beer and soft drinks in advance, simple.

[horseymike]

6 hours ago, C4HCG said:

I would have made provision in advance, fridge in room coming to the rescue stocking with beer and soft drinks in advance, simple.

should not be necessary

[TeeRick]

This notice was the same for our GC stop last week from the Celebrity Today on Equinox.  It seems from recent posts that all Celebrity ships stopping there for the day only have the Pool Bar Open.  I do not personally believe it is some sort of evil plot by Celebrity but a government - based initiative which we do not yet understand.  But it is puzzling that other cruise lines do not seem to be buzzing about this here on CC.  It will eventually be explained by somebody knowledgeable.  On port days on ship there are usually some bars open and some bars closed at most ports.  I understand that only having the Pool Bar open in port in GC is an inconvenience to some folks.   Just like having the Casino closed also by government regulations.  

[horseymike]

51 minutes ago, TeeRick said:

This notice was the same for our GC stop last week from the Celebrity Today on Equinox.  It seems from recent posts that all Celebrity ships stopping there for the day only have the Pool Bar Open.  I do not personally believe it is some sort of evil plot by Celebrity but a government - based initiative which we do not yet understand.  But it is puzzling that other cruise lines do not seem to be buzzing about this here on CC.  It will eventually be explained by somebody knowledgeable.  On port days on ship there are usually some bars open and some bars closed at most ports.  I understand that only having the Pool Bar open in port in GC is an inconvenience to some folks.   Just like having the Casino closed also by government regulations.  

I don't recall anyone paying $100. + per day for a casino package.

[terrydtx]

30 minutes ago, horseymike said:

I don't recall anyone paying $100. + per day for a casino package.

You seem to be upset by this, but do you really think this is some conspiracy by Celebrity? Not everyone on the ship has a drinks package so it would be in Celebrity's benefit to have more bars open so they can make revenue from selling more drinks. If Celebrity really wanted to limit drinks in port, they would do this in more than just the port of GC. You will still be able to use your drink package and get all the drinks you want at any venue after the ship leaves port or during the day at the pool bar. Nothing has been taken away from you.

 

We are booked on the Equinox in June in the Retreat and I should be upset that I can't use my very expensive Retreat benefits in the Retreat Lounge and Retreat deck, but it doesn't really bother me that much.

 

This thread has gone on long enough let's just more on.

Edited February 3, 2023 by terrydtx

[C4HCG]

1 hour ago, horseymike said:

should not be necessary

Maybe not but when on holidays I don’t want to get angry at things, defeats the purpose of them. 

[terrydtx]

15 hours ago, horseymike said:

If you paid for a drink package $$$$$$ and had to wait in a long line at the only open bar on a ship that can accommodate 2800 passengers for a drink you may reconsider your position.

Not all 2800 passengers will be on the ship, the vast majority will be on shore for the day.

[horseymike]

1 hour ago, terrydtx said:

Not all 2800 passengers will be on the ship, the vast majority will be on shore for the day.

That is correct Terry. I still do not think those who choose to remain onboard should be inconvenienced

by having to wait in a line to get a drink. After all , they are on a vacation that has been paid for and in some cases , like those with a beverage package , paid dearly.

[horseymike]

1 hour ago, terrydtx said:

You seem to be upset by this, but do you really think this is some conspiracy by Celebrity? Not everyone on the ship has a drinks package so it would be in Celebrity's benefit to have more bars open so they can make revenue from selling more drinks. If Celebrity really wanted to limit drinks in port, they would do this in more than just the port of GC. You will still be able to use your drink package and get all the drinks you want at any venue after the ship leaves port or during the day at the pool bar. Nothing has been taken away from you.

 

We are booked on the Equinox in June in the Retreat and I should be upset that I can't use my very expensive Retreat benefits in the Retreat Lounge and Retreat deck, but it doesn't really bother me that much.

 

This thread has gone on long enough let's just more on.

suppose every port instituted this new policy ?

[Jim_Iain]

3 minutes ago, horseymike said:

suppose every port instituted this new policy ?

 

I guess the simple answer would be you and I would have to make the decision if cruising was the appropriate vacation for us.    At least those that have not paid final payment can make the decision to change ships to those that don't have a stop in the Caymen Islands.

[prmssk]

14 minutes ago, horseymike said:

I still do not think those who choose to remain onboard should be inconvenienced

by having to wait in a line to get a drink

Aren’t lines part of cruising on a ship with 2-3K passengers?

 

Based on what I have seen on port days, I’m just having a hard time imagining that long of a line building up at the bar that is open. A lot of people get off and those that stay on don’t all want a drink at the same time. Plus, from the reports I’ve read, they seem to be sending more staff to the bar that is open to help meet the demand. 
 

With the current cruise only rate option, there are quite a few people without drink packages. If lines deter those paying a la carte for drinks, it actually hurts Celebrity. I suspect this was a matter of Celebrity doing the math to decide what fees to pay to meet the actual demand they see on port days. 

[terrydtx]

21 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

I guess the simple answer would be you and I would have to make the decision if cruising was the appropriate vacation for us.    At least those that have not paid final payment can make the decision to change ships to those that don't have a stop in the Caymen Islands.

Exactly no one is twisting arms to make anyone book a cruise that stops in any port that has regulations one does not like. 

[terrydtx]

9 minutes ago, prmssk said:

With the current cruise only rate option, there are quite a few people without drink packages. If lines deter those paying a la carte for drinks, it actually hurts Celebrity. I suspect this was a matter of Celebrity doing the math to decide what fees to pay to meet the actual demand they see on port days. 

Exactly, there is no proof that this is some conspiracy by Celebrity to take away anything paid for. Celebrity could make much more in revenue by selling drinks to non-drinks package passengers with more bars open, but in GC does not seem to be an option.

[Dar & Bob]

14 hours ago, prmssk said:

 

Yes, Cafe al Bacio was open.  

 

There isn't an OV bar listed on the planner and I'm trying to picture where it might be on an M Class ship.  I've always just gotten my drinks from the Sunset Bar when I'm in that area.

It's something like secnd Al Bacio on Equinox at the entrance to the OV Cafe.  If open were they and Cafe al Bacio serving alcohol.  

[mac_tlc]

Here is the first direct observation of the line at the Pool Bar on the Beyond today.

 

 

It’s early, about 11:30 am, but the number of bartenders outnumber the patrons. More later….

 

mac_tlc

Edited February 3, 2023 by mac_tlc

[Dar & Bob]

22 minutes ago, prmssk said:

Aren’t lines part of cruising on a ship with 2-3K passengers?

 

Based on what I have seen on port days, I’m just having a hard time imagining that long of a line building up at the bar that is open. A lot of people get off and those that stay on don’t all want a drink at the same time. Plus, from the reports I’ve read, they seem to be sending more staff to the bar that is open to help meet the demand. 
 

With the current cruise only rate option, there are quite a few people without drink packages. If lines deter those paying a la carte for drinks, it actually hurts Celebrity. I suspect this was a matter of Celebrity doing the math to decide what fees to pay to meet the actual demand they see on port days. 

Obviously you weren't on the ship.  And this was not a typical port day - GC is a tendered port and we did not dock at George Town so once tendered in there was literally a parking lot with the buses for the tours and I think a few cabs.  There were about 5 vendors set up. All of the snorkeling, stingray city and water related tours were cancelled.  So more than half I would say were still on the ship.  At lunch as has been mentioned some of us like to enjoy a beer, wine or cocktail.  There were 4 bartenders to take care of everyone left onboard and as people came back from their excursions it got worse.  People were shoulder to shoulder 4 or 5 deep on the horseshoe shaped bar.  

As I said obviously you weren't ther.

[Dar & Bob]

4 minutes ago, mac_tlc said:

Here is the first direct observation of the line at the Pool Bar on the Beyond today.

 

 

It’s early, about 11:30 am, but the number of bartenders outnumber the patrons. More later….

 

mac_tlc

And fortunately you are docked at Georgetown  -  Are any of the other venues serving alcohol?

[39august]

Mactic- Are alcoholic drinks available in Sushi and Cafe Al Baccio? They were not on EQ on my Jan cruise with Dar and Bob.

Edited February 3, 2023 by 39august

[mac_tlc]

1 minute ago, Dar & Bob said:

And fortunately you are docked at Georgetown  -  Are any of the other venues serving alcohol?

All others bars are listed in the daily planner with a 5:00pm opening, which is when we leave. None in Retreat although the retreat hosts will go to the Pool bar for your drink if you wish. Retreat Lounge is on deck 15, Pool bar on deck 14, Retreat Sundeck on 16 and 17.

[mac_tlc]

2 minutes ago, 39august said:

Mactic- Are alcoholic drinks available in Sushi and Cafe Al Baccio? They were not on EQ on my Jan cruise with Dar and Bob.

Just asked a waiter at Cafe alBacio and the alcoholic coffees are NOT available until 5:00pm.

 

mac_tlc

[terrydtx]

10 minutes ago, mac_tlc said:

Here is the first direct observation of the line at the Pool Bar on the Beyond today.

 

 

It’s early, about 11:30 am, but the number of bartenders outnumber the patrons. More later….

 

mac_tlc

OMG over 2800 passengers and those lines are unreal, you might have to wait for 20 seconds or so to get a drink that is unacceptable.!  I would demand a refund or more OBC!!!