Need Help!

My wife and I will be taking the Celebrity Horizon to Bermunda in early September. We are looking forward to the cruise and have heard many good things about it. When we booked the cruise we asked for late dinner seating. The travel agent who booked our trip felt this would not be a problem. Unfortunately we have been given main seating. Is there anything we can do to have this changed before our departure date? The travel agent has suggested that we take care of this when we arrive at the ship. She said we need to meet with the Dining Room Manager and slip him $10 for the seating we want. It sounds like we already have to tip people for things we thought were included in our cruise price. We understand the importance of tipping the wait staff but do not understand why we need to tip managers. The ship is not full at this time, so we are confused on why we cannot reserve the time we want to dine. Are there reasons why this happens? Does the Cruise line hold late seating for higher category or paying passengers? We would also like a table for two but if we cannot have this arranged we would like to sit at large table. We feel that a large table would be better, since it would increase our chances of being with a couple who are more like us. Arranging which table is not that big of a deal for us but having the late seating is. Any suggestions on how to guarantee late dinner seating before our departure date would be greatly appreciated.

elaine

From time to time, we have been assigned early [or Main] seating, but always prefer 2nd seating. If your sailing is not 'full' [did your travel agt. tell you this?], then he/she should phone Celebrity every day prior to sailing to see if you can be switched to 2nd seating. If agent is successful, make certain you have it in writing from Celebrity. Think you will have better luck switching once onboard. I have never tipped anyone on cruise line to ensure the change in seatings. We had a table for two only one sailing...we enjoy each other's company but would not do this again. Large table is always better preference. But that is just my subjective opinion. However, when we were changed to a better [more lively] table at 2nd seating, we did tip the dining room manager, since he was intuitive and our tablemates were fabulous. <BR>I doubt you'll have any problem switching to 2nd seating..but do this as soon as you are onboard, even before checking into your cabin. Sometimes folks w/2nd seat. want to make a switch to main. Keep your ears openend for passenger comments as you are boarding! <BR>Bon Voyage!

kristi

The same thing happened to us last year on our cruise to the Caribbean. People who sail frequently with that line get priority and I suspect probably those with the more expensive cabins also get priority. Some people also book way far in advance and they get priority. The problem is that most people prefer late seating and they can't possibly fit everyone in the dining room at the same time. <BR> <BR>You may be able to request second seating when you arrive at the boat and as with most things in life, a little extra money never hurts. We were not able to switch ours, no matter what we did. <BR> <BR>There are alternative dining sites on most boats now that serve similar food to what is in the dining room. We ate there more often than not on the last two cruises that we took. <BR>

Vickie

Have your travel agent wait list you for the late seating and ask her to call Celebrity a few days before you sail to try again. If that doesn't work, definitely check as soon as you get on board. Don't explore the ship - just find your cabin, get your map of the ship and go the lounge where the maitre d' is working on table assignments (it's usually a lounge, but might be the library or other space - if you can't find it listed in the daily newspaper, call the Purser's desk). Experienced cruisers know the importance of getting there EARLY and beating the crowds who waited until they unpacked, napped, etc. - by that time, any openings on the late seating have been taken!! I've been on 20+ cruises and I ALWAYS check with the maitre d' when I board (even if I've been the seating I want, I like to make sure I'm a table for 8, centrally located, etc.) I never tip them and still always get the seating/table I want. Good luck.

April

I agree with Vickie - get your table assignments rearranged as soon as you get on board. We did this on a Holland America cruise and got what we wanted with no hassle. We didn't "slip" anybody anything. I preferred the table for two. <BR>

jm

First - your travel agent should be doing much more for you than telling you to fix it yourself! She should be calling the cruiseline herself at the very least! After all, she has much more potential to give them future business than you do yourself. <BR> <BR>If that doesn't work - go with what the others have said. As soon as you get to the cabin, grab your dining seating card and head for the dining room. Someone there will know where the maitre d' or hotel manager has set up specifically for the purpose of handling dinner seating change requests. It's usually in the lounge/bar closest to the dining room. <BR> <BR>It is not necessary to tip him. This is Celebrity - not Carnival. If he has the space, he will do his best to arrange it for you. <BR> <BR>Even for those who have the seating they want, it's a good idea to check the location of your table. It's much easier to change it before the first or second night.

Kathy

IF your travel agent has told you the cruise is not full, he or she should be doing more to get you the seating you requested. As others have said, ask again that they call Celebrity to request a change and get it in writing. If this doesn't work, as soon as you board, get your dining card info and find out where the head waiter is working. Without any extra tipping, Celebrity will always do it's best to accomodate your request if there's any way at all it's possible. They might not be able to give you the info right there, but the change may be delivered to your cabin before your first dinner. If this doesn't happen, go your first dinner as assigned, then check again afterwards to see if a change is possible. Sometimes people decide after their first dinner to change to early seating. We always request late seating at a large table. Have met so many great people that way and it makes dinner so much more interesting and fun. We're heading back to Bermuda on the Zenith 8-28 - cruise #16 for us. If you haven't been to Bermuda, you're in for a real treat. It's a beautiful island and cruising Celebrity makes it even better! <BR>

Ruth

We have taken two cruises, both on Monarch. On the second, we were booked (two weeks before sailing) as a make up for the Enchantment cruise we had originally booked but was canceled. Our papers arrived (one weeek before sailing) and we had main seating ( having requested late seating). Once we (and the two couples we traveled with) got on board and were being processed, we discovered that we had been given late seating after all. Go figure.

Julia Elzie

Hello! <BR> <BR>I saw your message and I had to let you know not to worry! <BR> <BR>I am a travel agent myself and a cruise specialist and I want to reassure you that this is not a big problem. The late dining is ALWAYS more popular, so this could be entirely true. It also sounds like your travel agent may not be too familiar with cruises, (like we would hope!) and so may not be familiar with the routine. The agent may be an skilled expert in family travel or otherwise - it is impossible to know everything in our business. One of the first questions to ask, as an agent, when someone reserves a cruise is regarding dining preferences. In fact, this question should have been asked of the agent and you! when the reservation was made. <BR> <BR>Anyway, you should visit or phone your agent and sit and watch or wait on hold on the other line while she calls the cruise line and specifically asks to have the dining changed. If you are not satisfied or not comfortable with the result, do not hesitate to politely ask to speak to either the agency's cruise specialist or the agency manager - they will have the most knowledge and experience and be able to help. <BR> <BR>My second suggestion is to speak to the maitre d' when you arrive on ship. Most cruise lines have a specific time and meeting place designated to speak to the maitre d' regarding seat assignments - look in the daily programs for the schedule. Again, be polite and ask! (The worst they can say is no!) Many people change their dinner seatings and most of the time, most requests can be accommodated and without the $10 bribe. <BR> <BR>Have a great trip!

Paul

<BR>I am a travel agent also. Most writers are correct. See the Maitre 'D AS SOON AS YOU GET ON THE SHIP. <BR> <BR>There is NO PREFERENCE regarding accommodations. I always book a suite and do not recieve any special consideration. <BR> <BR>DO NOT TIP THE MAITRE 'D. HE WILL NOT ACCEPT IT AND HE MAY GET INSULTED. <BR> <BR>If there is no additional room for your seating preference, continue to talk to the Maitre 'D. When you get to the dining room talk to the Maitre 'D again and again. Make sure he gets to know you. Keep requesting, do not give up. BE PLEASANT. I have always received my preferred seating, sometimes not until after the first night. <BR> <BR>Most cruise lines assign their seating on a first come, first served basis. This is one reason why I advise my customers to book in advance. Also you save the most money.