terrydtx

Last year we were in the suite on the top floor and the view of the Caldera was spectacular. It is in the middle of Thera and there over 50 bars and restaurants within a 3 block walk. We got to see and laugh at all the cruise ship passengers fighting to get on the lift to the city and at night the city gets so much quieter with all the cruise ship passengers gone. There are a lot of full suites hotels at pricing up to $2K or more per night, my TA recommended the Asha Suites.

Asha Suites Luxury Hotel, we stayed with them last year, which is why we are returning. They only have 7 suites and they sell out fast.

After our Apex cruise next month we are flying to Santorini for 5 nights. We are staying in a boutique Suites only hotel for about $400 per night ($200pp) that includes a made to order breakfast delivered to our balcony by a Butler. It also includes afternoon wine and cheese plate, delivered to our suite by the same butler. Each suite includes a private splash pool/hot tub on our huge private balcony. The suite itself is about 800 sq feet in size with an included no cost mini bar. No other meals but at the price it is a bargain compared to our Sky Suite.

Are they still hot chocolate cookies after they sit out for an hour? Do they throw them out? or "One moment Sir, while I put your cookie in the microwave to make it hot and fresh"

Or Luxury A La Carte!!

I never would have thought to have my butler bring a drink to my cabin, but on our 2021 Equinox cruise our butler saw my DW and I walking down the hall to our cabin with drinks in hand. He looked surprised and said "please Mr. D**** next time call me and I will get them for you, it is part of my job".

You are not the first to think this way, we are most likely done with X after our 2 January cruises on the Edge. A lot depends on how the butler team handles themselves on our Apex cruise next month.

Specifically if that change incurred an added cost to Celebrity it surely will not be considered. I am surprised the Captain Club members still get a free scoop of Gelato, this has always seemed to be a cheezie $4 value member benefit. The Gelato could also be a smart marketing ploy, get first scoop free and then you will pay for many more on the cruise. I have never gotten more than my one free scoop as I do not find it to be as good as what I can get in Italy.

Very interesting article and this should end speculation that this is merely a rumor. It also brings up if this goes fleetwide what other formerly free things will soon be an extra charge. I can see Celebrity not stopping at the cookies at Cafe Al Bacio but making all of the sweet treats an extra charge.

I thought about that, but at 2am the cookies would not be fresh baked and would come from a pile of day or two old unsold cookies and charging $2 for the cookie was just too cheezie even for Celebrity.

Prior to our 2021 Equinox cruise, I bought that Drinks and More package pre cruise but it was canceled before we sailed and refunded to my account. The first day we boarded was when our butler told us that the mini fridge drinks and premium bottled waters were now included with suites having the Premium drinks package and he specifically said this replaced the drinks and more package. I forgot all about that conversation until you mentioned the D&M package in your post. It had been that way on the 3 SS cruises after that one in 2021.

I agree, that person is very reliable and I would take his word 100% over any speculation.

They can always turn the coolers into vending machines where you have to insert your sail pass to get charged $5 plus 20% tip for the privilege of using the vending machine. I see another profit center for Celebrity. Let me add this to the suggestion box, LOL

The guest lecturer's that show up on cruises and do seminars on things like Whales actually get a free cruise in exchange for their onboard services, but it's not in a suite, so I would have to pass.

On another site we can't mention, it has been reported more than once by current Equinox passengers that that sign is in place and they are indeed charging for the cookies. What other proof do you need?

Sir, will you report to the naughty room we found a package of Orios in your checked bag.

Our Weekday cook was fabulous and she gave me some of her recipes for cooking for 40+ in our Fraternity. I still love cooking and many in my family consider me to be a gourmet chef, with no training.

I was in a fraternity in college and complained about the quality of the food we got on weekends when our normal cook was off. I was then offered the job of cooking Saturday and Sunday breakfasts and dinners in exchange for my room and board costs. The complaints stopped after I took over, LOL

The only time I have used the tiny little bottles of spirts is when I am flying. Even though our past butlers have said those bottles they left in our cabin was included in our PDK, we never opened one for a drink.

I have also seen similar reviews on Oceania about downgraded food, but when you start with luxury restaurant quality food and downgrade you hopefully are still better than the mainstream cruise lines.

But, are they available 24/7? I might have a cookie craving at 2am! If I call room service that $2 cookie just became $9.95 + 20%🤢

I prefer to get a 12 year old Mccallan and then ask the closest vapor to please exhale close to me so I can enjoy the delightful and safe aroma. 😡

When I wanted a drink with spirits in my cabin, I would call my butler and have it delivered to my SS,

I never eat the cookies or enter the casino anyway.

As I said the Equinox.