Aquaclass Questions

[Cruisegirl6]

Hello,

 

We are booked for the Beyond in March, and decided to try aqua class.  We have a few questions if you can please help it be greatly appreciated!

 

We probably not going to use the spa, don't ask me why I chose aqua class but it was a casino special upgrade.

 

Where do we go to book Blu for dinner when we board the ship as aqua class guests?

Does anybody know if dining in Blu if I can request something that is on one of the main dining room menus that evening?

Does Blu with advance notice take special requests, I love my meat is it possible to ask for a rib eye or similar steak even if it is not on the menu?

Just curious, does aqua class board before concierge class?

We really appreciate your help and than you very much.

[zitsky]

I’ll answer what I know.  Some questions have been answered and might be available on search.

 

For Blu, You go to the front door and you either get a table or you get a buzzer and a short wait.

 

There is no priority boarding for Aqua class or concierge I believe.  I think it’s only Suite passengers.  You get an assigned time and that’s when you board.

Edited January 25, 2023 by zitsky

[jelayne]

Blu does not take reservations.  Just show up and unless you arrive at a particularly busy time you will be seated in a couple of minutes.

If you can get an entree from the MDR depends on what ship.  However there are some off menu items that you can get, shrimp cocktail, Cesar salad, French onion soup, mashed, baked or French fried potatoes come to mind.

Unless rib eye is on the menu probably not, you can get the everyday Classic items of chicken, salmon or sirloin.

 

The only priority boarding is for suites.  When you do check in on the app or online you select a boarding time, it doesn’t matter whether you are in a inside or Aqua.

[Peteymil]

5 hours ago, Cruisegirl6 said:

Hello,

 

We are booked for the Beyond in March, and decided to try aqua class.  We have a few questions if you can please help it be greatly appreciated!

 

We probably not going to use the spa, don't ask me why I chose aqua class but it was a casino special upgrade.

 

Where do we go to book Blu for dinner when we board the ship as aqua class guests?

Does anybody know if dining in Blu if I can request something that is on one of the main dining room menus that evening?

Does Blu with advance notice take special requests, I love my meat is it possible to ask for a rib eye or similar steak even if it is not on the menu?

Just curious, does aqua class board before concierge class?

We really appreciate your help and than you very much.

Aqua class does not have priority boarding. The first night a time will be suggested to you for dinner. Unless it is the time we want to eat, we just go when it is convenient. After the first night, just go any time during Blu's open hours and you will be seated. Occasionally, but rarely, you may have a short wait. 
We have never made a request for something not on the menu, so I'm not sure what they will tell you. We have ordered from the main dining room menu. On the Beyond, the regular dining rooms are quite a distance from Blu, and some people have reported they could not order, but I would still give it a try. 

[Miaminice]

Priority boarding, except for suites, is long gone since they have the time slots.

 

Blu does not take reservations - rarely ever a short wait.

Ordering from MDR has been eliminated as per fleetwide policy from the headquarter. 
Some Maitres will still allow it. Try but don´t be disappointed.

Spa is only a secondary reason to book Aqua. Blu is #1

[Miaminice]

2 hours ago, Peteymil said:

On the Beyond, the regular dining rooms are quite a distance from Blu, and some people have reported they could not order, but I would still give it a try. 

 

Actually the distance from Blu to the MDRs on E class is minimal (there´s connecting stairs). Other than Luminae, whis is on the other end of the ship.

[Cruise a holic]

Interesting that you booked AQ.  Concierge class gives you the same perks- without the spa and blu access and is typically much cheaper.  The money saved could be used to book specialty dinners. Cabins the same as balcony cabins with a few alleged perks.  If you go to Blu, go early so no problem getting in.  Or dine late- between six and eight crowded.

[cmaleblanc]

51 minutes ago, Cruise a holic said:

Interesting that you booked AQ.  Concierge class gives you the same perks- without the spa and blu access and is typically much cheaper.  The money saved could be used to book specialty dinners. Cabins the same as balcony cabins with a few alleged perks.  If you go to Blu, go early so no problem getting in.  Or dine late- between six and eight crowded.

This is why we are trying concierge class this time around, we didn't find we used Blu or the Spa enough for the AQ price. 

 

That being said, OP you got this as part of a Casino Special, and depending on the price it may be the best way to experience AQ to see if it's for you, we did it for a minimal MoveUp bid on our last trip. 

 

10 hours ago, Cruisegirl6 said:

 

Where do we go to book Blu for dinner when we board the ship as aqua class guests?

Does anybody know if dining in Blu if I can request something that is on one of the main dining room menus that evening?

Does Blu with advance notice take special requests, I love my meat is it possible to ask for a rib eye or similar steak even if it is not on the menu?

Just curious, does aqua class board before concierge class?

We really appreciate your help and than you very much.

 

1. You'll have a card in your room when you get on the ship, inviting you to your seating time on the first night. You can take it or go whenever you want. I would suggest trying to make it on time for your first night, so you get a feel of the place and if you want to continue on the way out you can book for the remainder of the trip. (we opted for the MDR and Specialty on the Apex)

2. You should be able to order anything "off" the Blu menu if it's on any of the other MDR menus.

3. I'm not sure if they can cook something that isn't offered on any menu, unless you've put in a dietary restriction prior to sailing.  

4. No more priority boarding for anyone below suites, But concierge does get a sit down lunch in the MDR on boarding day that AQ won't be invited to, and I believe the canapés (love them or hate them) have also been removed from AQ and are only for concierge now. Although this seems to be a recent change along with everything else, we'll see on our trip in a few weeks. 

 

Most importantly, it's a vacation, nothing is going to be so problematic, that it will destroy your vacation, the on ship staff are amazing and will do everything to try and make things work. Enjoy AQ and make your own decisions on what works/doesn't work and adjust for your next trip! 

[AstoriaPreppy]

10 hours ago, Cruisegirl6 said:

Does Blu with advance notice take special requests, I love my meat is it possible to ask for a rib eye or similar steak even if it is not on the menu?

 

It's also worth pointing out that Blu is a "clean cuisine" restaurant. They generally offer lighter, and more veg/healthful options than what you'd get in the MDR/Luminae. 

[Cruise a holic]

20 minutes ago, AstoriaPreppy said:

 

It's also worth pointing out that Blu is a "clean cuisine" restaurant. They generally offer lighter, and more veg/healthful options than what you'd get in the MDR/Luminae. 

Had heard that isn't necessarily true.

[Georgia_Peaches]

24 minutes ago, Cruise a holic said:

Had heard that isn't necessarily true.

Yes, I think the original intent of Blu was to offer a more spa like cuisine...but alas, I still managed to gain a pound or two when we tried Aqua...

[eas2225]

We were on the Beyond this past November, in Aqua class.

 

If things are still the same, you will get a bottle of sparkling wine(upon request), daily bottled water, and access to to the Persian Garden.

 

We ate both breakfast and dinner in Blu most times and I often ordered from the MDR menu, although that may not be available now.

 

For dinner, the dining room opens at 5:30.  We would arrive about 5 minutes  before and were able to have the same waitstaff and table.  

 

Enjoy your Aqua class cabin and all that comes with it!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[AstoriaPreppy]

49 minutes ago, Cruise a holic said:

Had heard that isn't necessarily true.

 

Compared to the MDR, the food and sauces are definitely lighter. Lots more fish, shellfish than the MDR, and more veg-forward than Luminae. Still a red meat option each evening, and certainly most cruisers can find options on the menu to enjoy.

 

If you're looking for a steak-forward experience, you'd probably need to be dining in Tuscan on most ships or Fine Cut on E-class. 

 

 

[Cdncruisecpl]

38 minutes ago, eas2225 said:

We were on the Beyond this past November, in Aqua class.

 

If things are still the same, you will get a bottle of sparkling wine(upon request), daily bottled water, and access to to the Persian Garden.

 

We ate both breakfast and dinner in Blu most times and I often ordered from the MDR menu, although that may not be available now.

 

For dinner, the dining room opens at 5:30.  We would arrive about 5 minutes  before and were able to have the same waitstaff and table.  

 

Enjoy your Aqua class cabin and all that comes with it!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just out of curiosity, whom do you make the sparkling wine request to?

[cmaleblanc]

2 hours ago, Cdncruisecpl said:

Just out of curiosity, whom do you make the sparkling wine request to?

On your first day you should meet your room attendant. you can just let them know when you would like it delivered and they can arrange it. 

 

Edited January 25, 2023 by cmaleblanc
Remove excess information.

[kwokpot]

5 hours ago, Cruise a holic said:

Interesting that you booked AQ.  Concierge class gives you the same perks- without the spa and blu access and is typically much cheaper.  The money saved could be used to book specialty dinners. Cabins the same as balcony cabins with a few alleged perks.  If you go to Blu, go early so no problem getting in.  Or dine late- between six and eight crowded.

I don't see any benefit in booking a Concierge Class over a standard Veranda cabin. With regards to Aquaclass the WHOLE point of it is BOTH Blu and unlimited Thermal Suite Access. If you don't want to use either benefit, there's no point in paying for it. In booking cabins it's all about understanding the differences and whether you would benefit and/or utilize them. 

[OysterD]

28 minutes ago, kwokpot said:

I don't see any benefit in booking a Concierge Class over a standard Veranda cabin. With regards to Aquaclass the WHOLE point of it is BOTH Blu and unlimited Thermal Suite Access. If you don't want to use either benefit, there's no point in paying for it. In booking cabins it's all about understanding the differences and whether you would benefit and/or utilize them. 

Agreed. Concierge class to me is the most pointless of all cabin designations. AQ is all about Blu and the Persian Gardens, and Blu is definitely worth it. 

Also (at the moment, knowing Celebrity this is liable to change at any time!) when booking AQ the fares have WiFi, tips and classic drinks package included by default. Concierge and below the all included option costs extra.

[kwokpot]

29 minutes ago, OysterD said:

Concierge class to me is the most pointless of all cabin designations.

Even if the difference is a couple of hundreds of dollars, actually even at only $100 you're better off booking a standard veranda and using the difference to pay for specialty dining. Unless you need/want a specific cabin type that only exists in CC. 

[Oceansaway17]

1 hour ago, kwokpot said:

I don't see any benefit in booking a Concierge Class over a standard Veranda cabin. With regards to Aquaclass the WHOLE point of it is BOTH Blu and unlimited Thermal Suite Access. If you don't want to use either benefit, there's no point in paying for it. In booking cabins it's all about understanding the differences and whether you would benefit and/or utilize them. 

I wanted to eat in one of the MDR on my last cruise in Aqua class, and when I showed up they asked me rather perplexed why I wanted to eat in MDR.  I told them that this night their menu was more appealing.  They still shook their head and mentioned that Aqua class is supposed to eat in blu.

hmmm  I just smiled and so not me not tonight.  table please. 

[Cruisegirl6]

The reason why I asking about whether I can order something in blu that is served in the MDR menu is because I really don't care for what is on the menu at Blu some nights.

[kwokpot]

17 minutes ago, Oceansaway17 said:

I wanted to eat in one of the MDR on my last cruise in Aqua class, and when I showed up they asked me rather perplexed why I wanted to eat in MDR.  I told them that this night their menu was more appealing.  They still shook their head and mentioned that Aqua class is supposed to eat in blu.

hmmm  I just smiled and so not me not tonight.  table please. 

I wasn't implying that if you're in Aquaclass that you should desire wanting to eat at one of the MDRs, especially on E-Class ships. We done it many a time. I was directing my comments to people who say that they don't particularly like Blu AND they don't really like using the thermal suite; if that's the case, why would you pay more to book AQ? 

Edited January 25, 2023 by kwokpot

[Miaminice]

1 hour ago, kwokpot said:

I don't see any benefit in booking a Concierge Class over a standard Veranda cabin.

👍👍👍

[Miaminice]

7 minutes ago, Cruisegirl6 said:

The reason why I asking about whether I can order something in blu that is served in the MDR menu is because I really don't care for what is on the menu at Blu some nights.

if that’s the case it’s more simple to go to one of the MDRs now. 

[zitsky]

9 minutes ago, Cruisegirl6 said:

The reason why I asking about whether I can order something in blu that is served in the MDR menu is because I really don't care for what is on the menu at Blu some nights.

 

May I ask, why do you book Aqua, if you don't like the food in the restaurant?

[Cruise a holic]

Imo reason to book concierge class is the extra points you get.  Otherwise if not important, I agree regular balcony cabin and a few dinners at specialty restaurants