Is there any point booking Royal Suites any more?

That [what your wrote in brackets] is precisely the point. It is hard to be more specific because we have found, sailing in a PH [it is some years since we booked a RS], is that each cruise the crew manage to surprise us in a very personal way. The little extras are never the same and never something we would guess but always something very special.

 

Occasionally, we have also received a special extra pre-cruise. The most memorable is the year we were sailing from Miami on Miami Marathon day and we understood from our Roll Call that there could be difficulties reaching the port. Never having sailed from Miami before, I simply contacted someone at the Miami office to ask what was the best way to reach the port. It was arranged that two members of the Shoreside Concierge team to collect us from our hotel in their private car and take us to the port. We thought that this was wonderful only to have our expectations totally exceeded by being escorted past all the queue and onto the ship in no time.

 

It is hard to explain why but, once you have upgraded, it is very difficult to downgrade again.

Sue,

I understand the benefits of a suite. Ginny and I had a wonderful upgrade to a Skysuite on Millennium for our Japan and China cruise in 2015. We loved dining in Millennium. Our suite was spacious, the bathroom had double sinks with a tub and shower and our butler was great.

However, without the bargain upgrade, we both felt that a veranda cabin is our best choice when considering the very significant price difference for even a sky suite. Suites may run for 2-5 times the cost of a veranda.

Yes, we loved Luminae, but find the MDR to be very good. We hardly used our butler for anything. We would rather do more travel in a veranda than less travel in a suite.

Another issue was that all of our cruise friends from the roll call were not in suites and we didn't dine with them since we had Luminae.

That [what your wrote in brackets] is precisely the point. It is hard to be more specific because we have found, sailing in a PH [it is some years since we booked a RS], is that each cruise the crew manage to surprise us in a very personal way. The little extras are never the same and never something we would guess but always something very special.

 

It is hard to explain why but, once you have upgraded, it is very difficult to downgrade again.

Agree. One of our little treats was an Indian banquet (not on any menu) arranged by a butler one sea day after we had said we love Indian food....All the more special as the suggestion came from the butler.

Another example of 'above and beyond' was a Michael's Club host raiding every bar on the ship to ensure the last two part bottles of 'Harvey's' on board were kept 'below the shelf' for my pre dinner tipple! Again not something that had been a big issue to us. I had requested first night and they didn't have any so I requested something else. Next night it was there with a message from the Michael's host that if I was served by anyone other than the main server to mention it was 'below shelf'!

I'm sailing in a RS later this month and also booked 3 other cabins for family members on this sailing...all in concierge class cabins. I'm not sure if this class of cabin gets that phone call but everyone of us received a call from the Shoreside Concierge.

We have sailed in SS and CS before. This will be our first RS and we booked it for the powder room, larger veranda, and dinning room table. We are traveling with 13 other people and decided to spring for the bigger suite.

As far as value goes I think the CS should be receiving the same perks as the RS and the PS. The increased cost of that real estate should have drink packages and specialty restaurants included.

So the question now is: if we don't need all the space of an RS, what do we get for the extra $$$? To me, the CS is the sweet spot of the suite life. So I too would like to know what more I might enjoy in an RS.

I agree with you 100%....we've been in both the RS and CS and we have opted for the CS for the last 4 cruises....no need to spend LITERALLY thousands more for the RS..... I know ALL the arguments about there not being a dining table in the living room of a CS on "S" class, we never missed it, we never cared..... the table on the balcony is wonderful and we've dined on it many times....... I would never spend more for a RS .... just not worth it.....well...I guess if I won a lottery I wouldn't mind wasting my money that way....but for now the CS is the best option for us....alas...it's price too is escalating so who knows how many more times we will book it....:o

As far as value goes I think the CS should be receiving the same perks as the RS and the PS. The increased cost of that real estate should have drink packages and specialty restaurants included.

TOTALLY agree...especially with the increases in the last year for CS

Pat

 

I hope you have a great cruise but please beware, many of us thought that we would book a RS just for one cruise - because it was too good a deal to miss, for a special occasion, .... You may well find yourself looking to see if you can upgrade your next two cruises.

This is what I am afraid of. I know if my husband really likes it I will definetly be looking for an upgrade on my cruises after this.

Pat

TOTALLY agree...especially with the increases in the last year for CS

We have been (very) closely monitoring the cost of suites generally, especially if you don't book as itineraries are published.

A CS on our March 2018 cruise is now only a couple of £ cheaper than we paid for a RS as the itinerary was released....If I wanted a RS cruise at that time it would be tough...non available on any similar itineraries!

Celebrity's marketing seems to be working well. Most of us who value RS/PH are booking as itineraries come out....this then puts 'extra value' on CSs...From the other end of the marketing spectrum the 'cheaper' suites are more likely to go quickly leaving CS as a cheaper option than a 'top suite' if the SS sell well.

Looks like all of us who enjoy the suite life are paying a premium for a product which seems to be hitting the mark!

Funny thing is that we cannot get excited about ever booking any Suite on Celebrity. Why? If we want to spend the big bucks (per passenger day) we prefer to go on a higher end (ultra-luxury) line such as Crystal, Seabourn, Sea Dream, etc. While the big bucks can get you a lot more space on X, use of a butler, and a few amenities.....you are still on the same ship (and getting the same entertainment) as those in the cheapest inside cabin. The space and crew ratios on the luxury lines cannot be beat. And there is a significant difference in the quality of the cuisine (although we do think Murano measures up to any ship food). Lets face it...I can go to a buffet on some high end lines and get grilled whole lobster, or a decent steak sandwich (made with a real steak). On X, if I go to the Lido for lunch I will likely be looking at the some ole chicken, a sandwich bar with such "delicacies" as Olive Loaf, etc. On a high end cruise line I could ask for a mile high hot pastrami sandwich...and they would say "it will just be a minute,,,,sir."

Speaking of higher end cuisine, we recently heard the retelling of an old tale. A Dame (Lady) traveling on the original Queen Mary once decided to order an Elephant Steak. The waiter's response was, "India or Africa." :).

Hank

We booked an RS on Silly around the fjords in 2018 in Nov 2016 and paid just over £10K for 3 adults in the suite. At the time we booked a CS was £7635 for 3.

Both of these are in the first week of booking and without perks.

Working on the basis of what we would probably pay for anyway if we didn’t get it included...... then a premium beverage package for 3, unlimited internet for 2, a bottle of brandy and a bottle of Campari in the room, one evening at a speciality for 3, one sea day lunch for 3 at Sushi on 5 and one at the Lawn club grill. Then we are only £500 shy of the price of the RS. In real terms we would also have all the sodas in the room, a third internet package, the extra room and the not quite tangible, but oh so real, RS experience then to my mind there is very little extra to pay for an RS.

Add to the mix that all the RSs sold out before the year was out and when the last CS sold in April 2017 it went for £9.4K (though that did include a classic dinks package and $300 OBC), I think our RS on the fjords for 2018 was almost cheaper than a CS. The PHs sold out in Nov 2016 over 2 years in advance of sailing. X can't have got their pricing that wrong if the demand is that high (the last S2 sold in May this year for a tad under £8k).

I for one am going to enjoy Sept 2018

Funny thing is that we cannot get excited about ever booking any Suite on Celebrity. Why? If we want to spend the big bucks (per passenger day) we prefer to go on a higher end (ultra-luxury) line such as Crystal, Seabourn, Sea Dream, etc. While the big bucks can get you a lot more space on X, use of a butler, and a few amenities.....you are still on the same ship (and getting the same entertainment) as those in the cheapest inside cabin. The space and crew ratios on the luxury lines cannot be beat. And there is a significant difference in the quality of the cuisine (although we do think Murano measures up to any ship food). Lets face it...I can go to a buffet on some high end lines and get grilled whole lobster, or a decent steak sandwich (made with a real steak). On X, if I go to the Lido for lunch I will likely be looking at the some ole chicken, a sandwich bar with such "delicacies" as Olive Loaf, etc. On a high end cruise line I could ask for a mile high hot pastrami sandwich...and they would say "it will just be a minute,,,,sir."

 

Speaking of higher end cuisine, we recently heard the retelling of an old tale. A Dame (Lady) traveling on the original Queen Mary once decided to order an Elephant Steak. The waiter's response was, "India or Africa." :).

 

Hank

Hank

We are all different. The small ship experience is not for us. We like the Celebrity product. We investigated every cruise line, in detail, for a special occasion cruise in 2012. The result was booking a PH on Celebrity. To meet our personal list of "must haves" on the lines you mention is either impossible or impossibly expensive and, for us, we would not be getting our preferred product. We are certainly not going to book something other than Celebrity for any perceived "Premium" label.

As we always tell friends, family and acquaintances who ask for advice about cruising, the most important thing is to understand what you want from your cruise. Book someone else's cruise and you are bound to be disappointed.

We booked an RS on Silly around the fjords in 2018 in Nov 2016 and paid just over £10K for 3 adults in the suite. At the time we booked a CS was £7635 for 3.

 

Both of these are in the first week of booking and without perks.

 

Working on the basis of what we would probably pay for anyway if we didn’t get it included...... then a premium beverage package for 3, unlimited internet for 2, a bottle of brandy and a bottle of Campari in the room, one evening at a speciality for 3, one sea day lunch for 3 at Sushi on 5 and one at the Lawn club grill. Then we are only £500 shy of the price of the RS. In real terms we would also have all the sodas in the room, a third internet package, the extra room and the not quite tangible, but oh so real, RS experience then to my mind there is very little extra to pay for an RS.

 

Add to the mix that all the RSs sold out before the year was out and when the last CS sold in April 2017 it went for £9.4K (though that did include a classic dinks package and $300 OBC), I think our RS on the fjords for 2018 was almost cheaper than a CS. The PHs sold out in Nov 2016 over 2 years in advance of sailing. X can't have got their pricing that wrong if the demand is that high (the last S2 sold in May this year for a tad under £8k).

 

I for one am going to enjoy Sept 2018

I hope you have a wonderful cruise.

For those of us in a CS that do NOT buy a beverage package, or bother with the specialty dining areas(which we've tried on earlier cruises) because Luminae REALLY is THAT good, and are able to get by with the internet minutes we get for our Capt. Club status the CS is a much better deal....especially if booked early....

But the RS is wonderful and I am sure you will love it!!! Enjoy!:D

Reading your reply made me feel so much better in that it isn't just us. My husband does not drink and we still have the bottles of Grey Goose and Patron unopened at home. The table is a lovely addition. I just wish you could have Luminae or Murano meals delivered. I would happily pay a delivery fee. We were told we could not.

 

Sent from my SM-N910F using Forums mobile app

Our experience too, we are not booking RS again - a waste of money in our experience, we have all the benefits we need lower down the food chain and can purchase those benefits that are value to us that we are missing. We too found the best butlers by far were in the Sky suites if we need a butler. The other thing, the location of some of the RS/PH is lousy - right under the pool deck so we had a heard of elephants above us from about 0630. OK each time we rang down to guest relations it was stopped because someone went and told the pool butlers to move the chairs quietly but by then we were awake.

Add into the mix the SS have lovely aft balconies and I'm really happy. I don't need to worry about any soft hidden benefits - I get all I need if I book a suite in a SS these days and I have more money for another cruise.

Funny thing is that we cannot get excited about ever booking any Suite on Celebrity. Why? If we want to spend the big bucks (per passenger day) we prefer to go on a higher end (ultra-luxury) line such as Crystal, Seabourn, Sea Dream, etc. While the big bucks can get you a lot more space on X, use of a butler, and a few amenities.....you are still on the same ship (and getting the same entertainment) as those in the cheapest inside cabin. The space and crew ratios on the luxury lines cannot be beat. And there is a significant difference in the quality of the cuisine (although we do think Murano measures up to any ship food). Lets face it...I can go to a buffet on some high end lines and get grilled whole lobster, or a decent steak sandwich (made with a real steak). On X, if I go to the Lido for lunch I will likely be looking at the some ole chicken, a sandwich bar with such "delicacies" as Olive Loaf, etc. On a high end cruise line I could ask for a mile high hot pastrami sandwich...and they would say "it will just be a minute,,,,sir."

 

 

 

Speaking of higher end cuisine, we recently heard the retelling of an old tale. A Dame (Lady) traveling on the original Queen Mary once decided to order an Elephant Steak. The waiter's response was, "India or Africa." :).

 

 

 

Hank

I agree with everything you said except about the olive loaf. I have been eating olive loaf since 1950 and savouring every bite. Olive loaf haters are mean...

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I agree with Hank. For the first time in 17yrs. I do not have a X cruise booked. We like Sky Suites. The prices are now as much as the luxury lines.

In the last year we have been on Oceania, Crystal and next week our first with Seabourn. I feel these are much better value as food and service are smashing. No diaper`s in the pool, crowds at the buffet and 2800 of your new best friends.

I still think X is by far the best of the Mass cruise lines but not in the same category as the luxury lines.

I really enjoy the S1 corner afts. I love the long walk, aft balcony and the wake. My DH and I have one for Italy and Greece booked on the Reflection for next year; our friends have the same suite on port-side. Our cruise is 10 days and we paid 7,600. We also booked an S1 corner aft for the inaugural of the Edge to see what it would be like... paid 3299 for it...as for the CS-no thank you ! RS is great for more than two. When the tub in the S1 becomes an issue, I will move on to???? I would not pay those high prices for an S1 either!!! But it is supply and demand that rules...

We all grow and move on to what we feel suits our needs and pocketbook. Honestly, you can't take it with you and you do need enough for great healthcare, but life goes on and things change. You either change with it, move on , but just not expect everything to be as remembered years ago...just keep looking for new excitement and find some good in each day....

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

I am presently on a resort holiday in Mexico with lots of time to kill by the pool and reading CC is part of my daily routine. Recent comments on the board are of patrons in Sky Suites having their butler to replenish there fridge with beverages using their Premium Drinks cards. On another thread, the question of whether the Shoreside Concierge contacts Sky Suites.

 

The point I am getting to is whether there is any value anymore in booking either the Penthouse or Royal Suites at significant cost difference is worth if many of the amenities previously part of the offering appear for higher suites are available if in a Sky Suite?

 

Has the difference between these suites just become one of space not amenity?

 

I ask because we have a RS booked for a 14 night Ireland & Iceland cruise in 2018 and I am starting to regret this and wonder if I should have booked a smaller suite. Maybe it is the tequila talking, but as we are UK based, we would forfeit our not in considerable deposit if we cancel. Now I have not sailed Celebrity since 2015 when I booked 2 Royal Suites for my family. Back then Sky Suites did not access Michael's but Celebrity has evolved which is good but can someone explain if there is still any difference for the cost.

 

Sent from my SM-N910F using Forums mobile app

We have been in both a Sky Suite and a Royal Suite, and the extra space and amenities in a Royal suite are well worth the difference in price. You are also included in and receive a number of other invitations for special events when in a Royal Suite that you would not otherwise receive.

I really enjoy the S1 corner afts. I love the long walk, aft balcony and the wake. My DH and I have one for Italy and Greece booked on the Reflection for next year; our friends have the same suite on port-side. Our cruise is 10 days and we paid 7,600. We also booked an S1 corner aft for the inaugural of the Edge to see what it would be like... paid 3299 for it...as for the CS-no thank you !

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

We love the aft corner S1 suite on the S class ships.

To us, the most important consideration is having the beautiful, large aft corner balcony, where we spend a lot of our time watching the wake. The cabin itself is adequate.

Our next S1 is on the Reflection next March, and we have booked a back to back aft corner suite on the Edge Feb./19.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

We have been in both a Sky Suite and a Royal Suite, and the extra space and amenities in a Royal suite are well worth the difference in price. You are also included in and receive a number of other invitations for special events when in a Royal Suite that you would not otherwise receive.

Interesting 6 RS stays over the last 8 years no "other invitations" received that were unique to RS. Lots of tours, helipad invites etc plus small drinks receptions but actually had more exclusive invites in SS than RS. As I'm not one who worries about being in the inner sanctum I'm now saving money and will thoroughly enjoy Sky suites aft.

I never could justify spending that much for a cruise, so my answer is no.

It all depends on what your base is and how much you are willing to pay for the luxury you feel you need.

Happy cruisng 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌞

Interesting 6 RS stays over the last 8 years no "other invitations" received that were unique to RS. Lots of tours, helipad invites etc plus small drinks receptions but actually had more exclusive invites in SS than RS. As I'm not one who worries about being in the inner sanctum I'm now saving money and will thoroughly enjoy Sky suites aft.

Although our RS stays are only 2 (I wish it was 6!), I agree with you.

Our last time in a RS we didn't receive any special invitations. Other than the ones you mentioned.

So unless there is an amazing deal on a RS, we will be grateful to be able to have a S2.

As far as value goes I think the CS should be receiving the same perks as the RS and the PS. The increased cost of that real estate should have drink packages and specialty restaurants included.

I've been saying this for years...and completely agree. Great minds think alike :)

I completely get where OP is coming from here -- it is not envy or sour grapes or whatever. At one time (I believe) you had to spring for the RS in order to get the real Suite Life on Celebrity. Now even the lowest Sky Suite gets the same benefits [although rumor has it that onboard personnel know which level of suite you are in and there are some unspoken benies at the upper levels...]. So the question now is: if we don't need all the space of an RS, what do we get for the extra $$$? To me, the CS is the sweet spot of the suite life. So I too would like to know what more I might enjoy in an RS.

DH and I agree that CS is the sweet spot. We love the couch and living room lay out and the large balcony if you get one on the hump. Wish all the extra perks applied like in room bar set up and all specialty dining. Only downside is not being to see the sea when in bed.

We've stayed in several SS including an aft SS, CS, RS and Signature Suite. for port intensive cruises we prefer an SS cruise especially if 10 days or longer.

We love the CS hump cabins for caribbean cruises...been there done that so we spend alot of time on our balcony relaxing. We love the living room area with the L shaped couch- DH can both have a spot just like at home. Feels just right for us.

RS is ok for 2 people- I dont feel like I am on a cruise in this cabin. Something about smaller space makes it feel more cruiselike (I know, I am strange...lol).

Signature suite on reflection was our least favorite. Living room small. Bathroom was AWESOME! We never quite found our mojo in this cabin. We asked for Malibu rum in our room and was done with no problems at all as part of liquor package as well as a request to upgrade the vodka.

Butlers have been a hit and a miss for us. One of the worst was the last time in an RS. Not personable at all despite his rave reviews on CC...maybe it was us...lol. One of the best we had was when we were in a SS on eclipse- Igor was fantastic and we still miss him!

In closing, we have received what we perceived as special invites in all cabin categories including hump cabin 1A (invite to helipad sail away in Alaska) and many invites to captains table in MDR and now specialty restaurant. Sometimes I wonder if folks believe they are getting something extra when paying more...we have never been denied any request from our butler in any class cabin and have had many special invites to bridge, engine room (really computer room) etc and always feel special.

Happy Sailing.

Just off the Summit in the Penthouse. I don't know of any other suite on a luxury line that compares as to space. It's like being on a private yacht. That said, a big miss on the amenities (especially simple pre-cruise requests that despite a confirmation never made it to the ship), no special invitations, and a few other issues. I hope Celebrity gets its suite act together with the new suite manager.

Just off the Summit in the Penthouse. I don't know of any other suite on a luxury line that compares as to space. It's like being on a private yacht. That said, a big miss on the amenities (especially simple pre-cruise requests that despite a confirmation never made it to the ship), no special invitations, and a few other issues. I hope Celebrity gets its suite act together with the new suite manager.

We are also fans of this suite! Unfortunately to the point where if we do an M class ship it has to be the PH!

We have found pre cruise requests 'hit and miss' since the introduction of the shoreside concierge....We much preferred direct contact with the Michael's Club host. We don't request much and once on board it has been easy to get the butler to restock the fridge, for example, with our pre cruise preferences. However, breakdowns in communication must be frustrating and cause extra work for the staff....

The more you cruise in suites I guess the harder it is to be "wowed" by treats like bridge tours, helipad invites, Captains table....It has often been little thoughtful gestures by the butler or Michael's Club host that have made our cruises special. Things they have suggested or done rather than things we have asked for...

We do love cruising in RS and PH....Perhaps it is our stage in life, our cruising now does involve quite a lot of rest and relaxation and we enjoy a nice room to do it in.

We do also enjoy lots of time on our own balcony...Another real advantage for us is we do prefer the speciality restaurants to Luminae (yes I know we are in the minority, no further discussion needed!) so for us we do get value from the unlimited speciality dining. This is a factor now putting us off the M class ships as they no longer have the Murano equivalents....

We are sailing in our first RS next month - up until now we have loved the CS but on our selected cruise the cost for the two of us for the RS was only £800 more. As I will have just retired before we sail, we thought we'd splash out - hope we've made the right decision and thought that the larger cabin and extra perks well worth it. We're a bit worried about the bed size, looks smaller than the CS. Can anybody confirm - we are sailing on the Eclipse out of Barcelona. So excited about the whole trip.:D