RMac713

17 hours ago, Miaminice said:

I thought the same thing… why not Aqua. Concierge offers nothing. And personally we even prefer Aqua over suites.

Location.  Blu doesn't really interest me, and I like the aft cabins.  Also you do get daily snacks in concierge and a few small perks, nothing like Retreat but OK.  My sister sailed concierge on Reflection in March.

16 hours ago, SeaMee said:

I am a little confused how you went from the November cruise to the October cruise.  I was told I would loose my entire deposit if I didn't go on the cruise I originally had booked.  Personally, I thought I would just lose $200 by moving to another cruise but my TA said I'd lose the entire deposit?  I had $1000 deposit on a suite and this is what I was told.

 

I was not using a TA.  If I canceled the cruise I would lose the whole retreat deposit.  If I rebooked on another cruise it only cost $200 change fee.  That's why we just chose a small one.

2 minutes ago, crusinthrough said:

On the Reflection there isn’t much for suite class that you can’t purchase.  With the Access pass you get priority boarding and room service plus two devices with premium wifi.  The only things I can think of you will be missing from sky suite life are Michael’s Club, Luminae, a Butler and bigger room and bathroom.  All perks that are hard to put a monetary value on.  It comes down to preferences.  

I did get the access pass the other day during a flash sale.  So as you said the only perks are Michael's, Luminae, and a butler. Still get daily snacks though!

24 minutes ago, chisoxfan said:

I would agree with your logic particularly since you are on an S class ship. Our main (only) reason for booking Retreat was also the pool and sundeck on E class. On S class it just doesn't offer as much particularly on warm weather cruises or those with intense itineraries. Just curious as to why you would not book AQ as this was our go to on S class (subject to pricing of course). We are doing something similar next Jan. ie we will be in suite on Sun Princess go to a balacony on HAL (with Orange Club) and then go to YC. We certainly aren't 'dreading our balcony room on HAL. X Retreat has lost it's luster for us due to pricing and inconsistencies in product.

 

 

Yes, that was the reasoning.  It is only a 4 nighter and we LOVE aft cabins so I thought I'd go that route.

We are going on our 5th Celebrity cruise in July, an ABC on Beyond in a magic carpet sky suite.  We also had one booked for November of 25.  However, I discovered we could do a week on MSC next March in the Yacht Club for over $2000 less than that one, so I booked it.

I didn't want to completely cancel the 11/25 and lose my retreat deposit, so I rebooked this October on Reflection in concierge.

Our first Celebrity was on Equinox and although Luminae was great, that was about it for amenities I enjoyed.  I LOVE the pool deck on Ascent and Beyond.  Also on Reflection the retreat lounge/retreat aren't in the best spots.  Without the special pool deck it's not the Retreat I enjoy.

So I decided to just go with concierge.  I upgraded the drinks during a flash sale, along with upgrading the internet with priority embarkation, and got a sunset room on the aft.  We can live with the main dining room.

I would appreciate support from anyone who has done this recently.   Although I'm pleased with the financial aspect of my decision, I am still a little nervous about it.

Good thread.  I got OBC from my Visa in two increments of $250.  The first one showed up and I have $18 left.  The second one never showed up, so I'll call the Captain's Club tomorrow.

On 4/1/2024 at 7:53 PM, miched said:

If you are in a suite and book one of those cabins for a family member that are also in the same category.  That is the purpose of those cabins.  You may have to pay more than the rate for an inside cabin. It is like those adjoining cabins next to the penthouse suites on the M class.  We had 11172 and asked the attendant about the adjoining door to 11170.  He said it is for families in that suite wanting the extras space for others traveling with them.   It isn’t the same  as booking  a regular inside cabin, or IV with a SS.  
 

That is also why I suggested to look into it.

 

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅

How was 11172?  We have not stayed in a magic carpet suite yet, I know I'd love the big window, but just got a move up offer to a sunset sky suite and now I'm wondering if I should give it a shot (we love Aft cabins, but boy would that be a lot of steps to the Retreat)

I already booked (last night) a trip for next March.  I have always booked my own on Disney and more lately Celebrity.  I am still in the window to transfer to a TA, should I do that?  Someone recommended vacations to go.

I don't remember this on my April Beyond cruise, and certainly not on the "tryout" Ascent cruises last month.  I did have some in the room as we were in a sky suite.  As for the tote bag, in April it was in the room at the start of the cruise.  Last month on Ascent the room steward left it for us with the yellow excursion towels the day before we were in Cozumel.  So we got it on day #3.  

1 hour ago, zitsky said:

Pillow request?  We always ask for two extra firm pillows for a total of 4.  I vaguely remember a Celebrity email about preferences but I recall some debate about whether it willl be fulfilled.  So should I talk to the stateroom attendant?  How fast are they with a minor request like pillows?

 

I would ask the butler but we’re in Aqua and we don’t have one this time.  I wasn’t happy on the Beyond because I asked for 32F ice and the butler would always bring 0C ice cubes.  🙄

We got questions via email a few weeks before we left and one of the questions was about pillow preference, firmness, etc.  I asked for memory foam pillows and when the stateroom host talked to us she pointed out that we had those pillows.

The pool itself would start getting crowded around noon but taper off a couple of hours later.   I usually would go up early and get a spot for us (I don't leave my stuff, but I did take a couple of little naps) then my husband would hit the lounge and bring me up a couple of chocolate croissants.  We would stay until about 2 on sea days. 

Luminae only seemed crowded one night when they put us in a completely different section and all of our servers, sommelier, bread person, etc were different.  We didn't spend too much time in the lounge.

4 minutes ago, dleahy4444 said:

Was the pool crowded? How about the lounge and Luminae? I’ve read that those s

sailings were not at capacity. I love being by the pool but the retreat pool is quite small for a crowd 

When we were on Ascent for the two short cruises last month we booked another cruise on Apex (Sky Suite) for 2/25.  We are already doing the ABC(magic carpet suite) on Beyond this July with tips, OBC because we booked it in April of last year. 

By far my favorite thing on the Edge class is the retreat pool (we started our Celebrity journey on Equinox--nice ship but just a retreat deck, no pool).  We spent every morning into early afternoon at that area last month.  We live in Ohio and do NOT have a pool at home so we really enjoy it.  I'm spoiled now.   I know some people don't care but that is a priority for us.

Our stateroom host/butler/whatever on Ascent was a gem and so friendly.  We do not ask for a lot (never finished the afternoon snacks we had on Beyond last April), just ice 2x a day.  We got our pillow request and she stopped in on day one and explained the remote and asked us when we would like our champagne iced.  

If I had to downgrade, I would check retreat on the S class ships first (we'd just have to get to the pool earlier) or a room with a real balcony on the edge class.  We'll see what happens after our Apex cruise.

I'm pretty sure she introduced herself to us as "stateroom host".  But she was very excited as we were the first guests she talked to because she saw us drop off our carry on bags.  She did give me a separate card.  There was a card for the head butler in our portfolio but we never needed it.  She asked when I wanted the champagne ready for both cruises and made sure I had ice, which I used to fill up my stanley with the water provided.

We asked for ice to be filled twice a day, and coffee/iced tea in the mornings.  Not much but she did a great job, checked on us at least twice a day, and was super friendly.  

My husband and I just did the 4 and 3 night first two cruises on Ascent B2B.  We were in the same sky suite (10141) for both.  Our "stateroom host" Kate was great and did everything we asked and quickly.   Service on the retreat deck was quick and correct.   Luminae was well done and great service from our server Eduardo.   Ate at Eden and Final Cut, and enjoyed the Martini Bar.  

We already had an 8 night in July on the Beyond and booked a 7 night on Apex in 2/25.   

And I was the first ever winner of the new trivia show "Duel" on the 4 night.  🙂

Should have booked the 5 night when I first saw it because hours later it was a lot more money.  As for the 7 nights I've been to all the ports but Bimini.  

Just a side note....when you win trivia on Beyond you don't get anything for it.  On DCL there was a little medal, and on Equinox last summer I got little coupons that added up and at the end of the cruise I got a T shirt.  But on Beyond in April there was nothing.   

I am cruising on the first two "preview" cruises on Ascent in Retreat.  Honestly, the best part of our retreat sailing on Beyond in April was the pool area and that is what I'm focusing on.  I wonder what Zach would think if he had access to that kind of retreat deck.

We are doing both of the Ascent "try-out" cruises in November BTB.  I know they are not considered the maiden voyage, but will there be any merchandise involved about being the real first cruise?  I'm excited but I'm hoping there is at least some hoopla.

Before Celebrity we did 6 Disney cruises--2 with 3 kids, one with our youngest who was a senior, and 3 as adults. Only one post-pandemic--a holiday cruise to see the decorations.  When I started looking at prices for another cruise last summer I decided to try Celebrity but I was nervous.  However, for the price of a Disney cruise (without tips or drinks or excursions) we booked a 6 night celebrity suite on the equinox.  Wow!  We were sold.  So in April we took a 7 night on Beyond in a sky suite--WOW again!  We now have a Beyond scheduled in November and an Apex next November.  Disney is great, but unti the grands can go, no point in spending the money.  In fact, we have been spending our vacation money on cruises and saving up our Disney Vacation Club points to see our daughter in Hawaii this summer--we may sell them after that because need to do Disney every year is gone.  I'd rather cruise and see new places.  My grand plan is to cruise the Greek Isles in 2026 for our 40th anniversary.

I "heard" during our spring break cruise (week before Easter) that there were 400 kids on board a full ship.  Only a few were in the retreat.  On the last night we did see kids in the teen club having an activity around the pool and ping pong table but nowhere near the numbers we saw when we cruised Disney.

23 hours ago, cw2go said:

If you call now it will most likely reprice your sailing. My DH is retired US Navy and to be honest the resident discounts are usually better for us. 

 

Patty 

Is this Florida discounts?  We are looking at moving in a year or so to FL or SC and that would be a major pro for Florida (which is losing right now on our list)

9 hours ago, NorthStarStateCruiser said:

Good on you to speak up.  What a ridiculous thing to bring to the Retreat pool.

 

We're not talking this big, are we? 😂

Not quite!  But it would have pretty much filled up the deeper part of the retreat pool.  That's great though!

10 hours ago, cheeseheads4ever said:

Nice review. Did you make it to the Martini Bar at all? How was it? We are in Aqua next week dining in Blu.

Great job on review!

Yes!  Made it to the martini bar twice.  I had a snowflake martini and a coco-creme tini (might not be the exact name--has coconut in it and coconut on the rim).  Never went during the light show though, hope to next time!