Sigyn

ah, okay! I didn't get it. it was late when I read. Sorry. 🙂

That makes sense. I wouldn't have paid a significant amount more for it, either. But looking at my old notes, it was only $600 more to do Prime AQ or Prime Concierge than a large balcony Veranda, which was all that was available at the time I booked, so it wasn't a big deal to choose AQ or Concierge over that category either. We just got off a holiday NCL cruise last month where we paid $339 each for the two of us for a thermal spa pass for the week and we really enjoyed it, but felt like that was a lot of $$ for what we received. With this, we'll get the spa experience plus Blu, so it will be a better way to spend that extra $600 it cost us.

For the record, no priority embarkation and debarkation now for Concierge and AQ. Apparently the website I pulled that from wasn't updated. Those perks are no longer offered to either category.

Here are my notes from early October when I was comparing cabins on the July 7 Millennium cruise. I didn't price AQ at that moment, apparently, but in the end, it was very close, to Concierge. I ended up booking the Prime AQ class, so it was very comparable to the Prime Concierge class. I paid right at $6,000. I didn't realize it was so close, since now there is a $170 difference. Still not a precise comparison because the regular veranda wasn't available, only the larger balconies, but at least something to compare it to and the guaranteed veranda price is in my notes. Deluxe Veranda Stateroom (larger veranda, regular ones not available) All included - drinks, wi-fi, tips $5,540 on deck 6 ( can do guaranteed regular veranda for $4919 all included) Or Prime Concierge Class deck 8 midship regular veranda for $5964 all included) $10,773 for the Retreat on deck 6

You were IN the lifeboats????? What happened?! Great photos! What a difference!

I booked back in early October and the price was very similar then, too. I didn't pay the price it's showing now. Each one was about $500 less than they are now, both concierge and AQ. I was deciding between the two and they were so similar, and I wasn't impressed with the concierge amenities, so I went with AQ.

the ones I've used are heated, and quite relaxing.

I looked at everything concierge class offered and it didn't appeal to me. I read that you receive priority embarkation and debarkation as well as during excursion, lunch on embarkation day, concierge service for reservations and such, priority dining time, canapés and sparkling wine, a pillow menu, use of an umbrella and binoculars during the cruise (but the binoculars must remain on the ship at all times, they can’t be used for excursions), complimentary shoe-shining service, extra hairdryer in the stateroom (two, instead of the usual one), upgraded Hansgrohe rainfall showerhead, embossed keyholder and tote bag. For Aqua Class, I get use of the Persian Garden, Blu, massaging water jets in the shower in the stateroom, an special air filtration system in the stateroom for cleaner air, an aromatherapy diffuser in the stateroom, priority embarkation and debarkation and for excursions, canapés and sparkling wine, a pillow menu, a menu of exercise equipment to have in the room (I already picked ours out) - it includes everything from yoga equipment to meditation gear, to a recovery kit (foam rollers, etc), to strength and conditioning tools, slippers to use in the room, use of an umbrella and binoculars during the cruise (but the binoculars must remain on the ship at all times, they can’t be used for excursions), complimentary shoe-shining service, extra hairdryer in the stateroom (two, instead of the usual one), upgraded Hansgrohe rainfall showerhead, embossed keyholder and tote bag. I based this one what this article says: https://www.cruisemummy.co.uk/celebrity-cruises-aqua-class-benefits/ The items Concierge gets that AQ doesn't are these: An exclusive welcome aboard lunch Concierge service for help booking dining reservations and entertainment Priority dining times

We'll be on the Millennium on an Alaskan cruise in July. Does the ship have any covered pools or hot tubs?

We're sailing Celebrity to Alaska in July and I'm wondering if there are any extras available as a result of the often misty, wet and chilly weather, even in July. Do they have blankets available for those out on the decks if it's chilly, or warm drinks readily accessible? Just curious...we're not in the Retreat. Just going as steerage in AquaClass. Thanks!

That makes sense. I haven't seen anything in Concierge that would make me want to pay extra for it, but Blu alone makes me swoon for Aqua Class. And then the thermal loungers in the spa...I love those on any ship! We booked Aqua Class for our Alaska sailing in July.

I debated that part, too, as this is my first Alaskan cruise that's an overnight, but not my first trip to Alaska. I did a one-day daytime cruise to College Fjord out of Whittier in 1999 on a three-week land trip to Alaska. I decided I was okay without seeing Glacier Bay on my first "real" cruise because even College Fjord was breathtaking and amazing, and there's just so much beauty everywhere in Alaska that it's not as if I'd be disappointed in what I'd see. If anything, it will just spur me to go back and see more the next time and be sure of a return visit.

I booked Millennium this summer for our Alaskan cruise because I liked the times in port better than the Eclipse. We are northbound from Vancouver on July 7. I considered several ships from different lines, several routes, and this just stood out in all ways. The Millennium is an amazing ship from the sound of it all.

I keep hearing that AquaClass is much more expensive than Concierge but, at least on my cruise, it is not and that's one of the reasons I booked it. I'm on a July 7 cruise on the Millennium from Vancouver to Alaska. An AquaClass stateroom is $3,089 pp for a total of $6,634. That includes a classic drink package and Wi-Fi and gratuities and $250 OBC. And of course access to Persian Garden and Blu. A Concierge stateroom is $2,407 pp. Once you upgrade to All Included and add a classic drink package and Wi-Fi and tips it is $3,004 a person, for a total of $6,464.58 once discounts are taken. And you get a $250 OBC with that. So it's $170 more for AquaClass than Concierge. And that means we get access to Persian Garden all week, and dining at Blu. To me, $170 isn't terribly more expensive, yet everyone is always saying AquaClass is much more pricey. Is this the amount they're talking about, or is is just more affordable on the Millennium or this particular cruise? Or do most people not spring for the All Included? I would think the All Included is pretty much a given since it's a classic drink package and Wi-Fi and gratuities. But that's just me and I like a couple glasses of wine each day.

This was a useful article about waterproof shoes for women. I know that CNN gets some of the $ for sales, but they actually tested each of the shoes for this article to see how waterproof they are. I ended up reading more reviews and opting for a pair of the Vessi athletic shoes. They were on sale, too. https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/reviews/best-waterproof-shoes-for-women

Agreed. We have visited the winery, too. It's a lovely experience.

I agree about the Decoy. We like Duckhorn, but their Decoy label isn't that great, not worth an upcharge. I read the Premium list for wines and nothing was that appealing. We are huge wine fans, heading to Napa and Sonoma at least once a year, from our home base in Kentucky, and are members of a few wine clubs and have wines shipped to us from Napa Valley and Sonoma. We are particular about what we'll pay an upcharge for, otherwise we're buying wines from Trader Joe's and Costco and are perfectly happy with $16 bottles. If we pay $80 to $100 or more for a bottle from a winery, we want it to be worth it.

I've only done one Med cruise but I was too tired every evening to do much stuff on the ship, so it was definitely more about the ports. You've already done one Med cruise, so you know what's most important to you. But do consider how much time you will be on the ship versus at port. Europe is about long days at port and very little time on the actual ship. I've heard a lot of people say they love Connie, and I know there are fan clubs for Millie (the Millennium), too. I'm actually sailing on Millie for the first time in July and I'm normally all about the newest ships. I think there's something to be said for a well-maintained, classic vessel.

So you cannot get any wine over $17 a glass if you upgrade to the Premium package? On NCL you can get pretty much anything if you upgrade to a Premium package. We were getting $35 a glass wines and $50 a glass Japanese whiskeys.

One of my friends who sails MSC a lot describes the service as "very European" in that they act as if they're doing you a favor to be there. She said they're not nearly as polite as the staff on other brands of ships. She still sails MSC on occasion because it's a very good deal, but it's not her favorite line.

For those who have gotten the Premium liquor package on Celebrity, please tell me if it's been a good experience. We just took an NCL cruise in December and upgraded to the Premium drink package and found it difficult to get Premium liquors and wines. When we were at bars the bartenders didn't ask if we had the premium package and would give us drinks with the basic liquor, and we didn't always think to say anything because they were so busy, or specialty restaurants didn't know which wines were premium and which weren't, and then they'd finally bring over the list outlining which bottles were free on premium, etc. It was always an extra step or two. It wasn't seamless by any means. We didn't learn until midway through the cruise, for instance, that Perrier and specialty flat waters were included, etc. My question here is, how easy is it on Celebrity to access the Premium package? Is there a separate menu at each bar that you can immediately see, do the bartenders ask, do you always know upfront how to get your Premium liquors or do you have to know what you're doing in order to make sure you're getting your money's worth on your drink package? And if you don't get the Premium package, do you simply pay the difference in drink prices from the basic drink package, which is what we have now as an AquaClass cabin?

I guess that was my problem. I didn't watch it. I kept it running on my laptop while I read a book. lol.

No January PUPs for me yet, either. But I'm hopeful. I watched that hour long movie to get 5 points for myself and my husband in December. That was painful.

Just wondering if the walls are metal on the Millennium. We're cruising in July. Thanks!

I love this post. So helpful.