New Suite Benefits - Sky Suites get Michael's Club Access

[uktog]

If you look at the suites as two "groups" as Celebrity did, putting the Sky & Celebrity suites in one group and all the others in another, you will see that other than cabin features such as size or bathroom/shower/hot tub configurations, the perks are almost identical within the group.

 

Why would I pay a lot more for a Celebrity Suite over a Sky suite when the difference in benefits is nothing? I looked at the website (which I'll admit is probably not completely accurate) and see that the list of perks is the same. The difference in cabin size is just not worth the difference in cost.

 

I think the comparison between a Royal and Penthouse Suite is about the same as Sky/Celebrity. The only difference in perks I can see is that the PH has a piano. Why pay the difference unless you are a performing artist and need the practice? :D

 

If you really want the top-level perks, you can get all of them in a cheaper cabin (Signature on the Reflection and Royal on the others).

 

We have Celebrity Suites booked on a b2b2b next year and if the same sky suite was available for all three, we would probably downgrade to the sky suite (and would definitely not have booked the CS). Not exactly what Celebrity would want.

 

Good post as ever Bob. We are in exactly the same position as you are.

[cle-guy]

I think the comparison between a Royal and Penthouse Suite is about the same as Sky/Celebrity. The only difference in perks I can see is that the PH has a piano. Why pay the difference unless you are a performing artist and need the practice? :D

.

 

Oh, you've clearly never experienced the shower in the master in an S class PH. I could just stay in there for a week and have the butler deliver my meals. If only they'd have a steam option. :D

 

If traveling with 4 in the cabin (they will allow 6 and bring in 2 roll-away beds, but this reservation needs made by phone), having the 2nd full bathroom with shower is also a nice feature.

 

Also the PH is far nicer to entertain and host gatherings in, be that S or M class. M class, the full sized Fridge make storing extra champagne and drinks handy for gatherings, and the butler pantry is awesome to have stuff just dropped off without bothering you in the privacy of the cabin. Where a RS will hold about 50 nicely for a party on S class (I'd say 30 M class) the M class PH is comfortable with over 100, and S class around 100, speaking from experience.

[cybx]

Why would I pay a lot more for a Celebrity Suite over a Sky suite when the difference in benefits is nothing?

 

For some people I assume the extra space is worth it. And before this whole suite class thing come out, weren't all the suite perks basically the same? Many people spent thousands of more dollars for a larger room, why wouldn't they do the same today?

[colliercruiser]

Why would I pay a lot more for a Celebrity Suite over a Sky suite when the difference in benefits is nothing? I looked at the website (which I'll admit is probably not completely accurate) and see that the list of perks is the same. The difference in cabin size is just not worth the difference in cost.

 

 

How consumers value something varies widely. For example, we recently had a 25-night B2B in a CS, and I definitely found the separate living/bedroom to be worth a lot (for us), and worth the difference in price between a CS and a SS, regardless of perks.

 

Everyone is different and will make choices based on those differences.

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[hulamoon]

There is thousands for a larger suite and there is a lot of thousands with watered down benefits, or at least the possibility of it.

 

Remember it was the benefits that were offered that jumped the rates so high in the first place. If the benefits do not seem as special its worth a second thought.

 

We are with Bob on this one, If its not Royal then its probably SS or AQ. I should be evaluating moving down to SS right now but instead I am taking a break and then going back to scratch, checking all the options again, particularly for our transpacific CS.

 

I have said it before, but I am still amazed at how often X invites it's customers to rebook.

[C-Dragons]

If you look at the suites as two "groups" as Celebrity did, putting the Sky & Celebrity suites in one group and all the others in another, you will see that other than cabin features such as size or bathroom/shower/hot tub configurations, the perks are almost identical within the group.

 

Why would I pay a lot more for a Celebrity Suite over a Sky suite when the difference in benefits is nothing? I looked at the website (which I'll admit is probably not completely accurate) and see that the list of perks is the same. The difference in cabin size is just not worth the difference in cost.

 

......

 

We have Celebrity Suites booked on a b2b2b next year and if the same sky suite was available for all three, we would probably downgrade to the sky suite (and would definitely not have booked the CS). Not exactly what Celebrity would want.

I agree completely, Bob. We have 2 upcoming B2B's already booked in CS's. Yesterday we were looking at booking another CS for a TA in 2017. The difference in price between the CS and the S2 was $5,000! We ended up downgrading our booking to the S2, it was a no-brainier.

[need2bespoiled]

If you look at the suites as two "groups" as Celebrity did, putting the Sky & Celebrity suites in one group and all the others in another, you will see that other than cabin features such as size or bathroom/shower/hot tub configurations, the perks are almost identical within the group.

 

Why would I pay a lot more for a Celebrity Suite over a Sky suite when the difference in benefits is nothing? I looked at the website (which I'll admit is probably not completely accurate) and see that the list of perks is the same. The difference in cabin size is just not worth the difference in cost.

 

I think the comparison between a Royal and Penthouse Suite is about the same as Sky/Celebrity. The only difference in perks I can see is that the PH has a piano. Why pay the difference unless you are a performing artist and need the practice? :D

 

If you really want the top-level perks, you can get all of them in a cheaper cabin (Signature on the Reflection and Royal on the others).

 

We have Celebrity Suites booked on a b2b2b next year and if the same sky suite was available for all three, we would probably downgrade to the sky suite (and would definitely not have booked the CS). Not exactly what Celebrity would want.

 

Oh, but that deck on an M-Class PH sure is nice.

 

We personally enjoy the separate bedroom from living space. We enjoy entertaining but would not do so in our " bedroom" on a sky suite, but we can in any of the other suites.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

[bob278]

How consumers value something varies widely. For example, we recently had a 25-night B2B in a CS, and I definitely found the separate living/bedroom to be worth a lot (for us), and worth the difference in price between a CS and a SS, regardless of perks.

 

Everyone is different and will make choices based on those differences.

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

Absolutely. And the extra space and cabin features do have value. Some place more on that than we do. We like more space than a balcony/concierge/aqua cabin provide but don't need quite as much as the CS or higher.

 

Curt makes some good points. Folks who like to host parties or groups of people need more room. And I can only imagine how special some of the upper suite showers or hot tubs might be. Our traveling style/budget doesn't reach to that level (although I would love to try it). My comments (as with most people) were from my point of view.

 

We like to play games with 2 - 4 other people and the CS on Millennium has a very nice table that is intended for dinner but works very well. So the space and features played a part in our choice. But going forward, that is probably not going to be enough to justify the difference.

 

I think the perks before the change were very similar, but they were grouped into at least three with the sky suite being sort of a "junior suite" and the Celebrity suite being the entry to the upper levels. Another point is that the Captain's Club points earning is also in three groups (sky earns 8/night, celebrity, signature & royal earn 12 while penthouse and reflection earn 18). That's still true (today).

 

There are certainly some differences as you move up but within the grouping, space is the biggest difference. Each person has to evaluate what matters to them. Celebrity thinks they have mapped it out and they have a lot more historical information on their customer base than I do. But their analysis misses the mark with me and my wife so our CS next year will probably be our last one.

 

It's all about how we value the product and we feel blessed to have the ability to make the choices that are available to us.

Edited November 20, 2015 by bob278

[Gordoncruickshank]

We are winning and losing looking at what we already have booked. When the suite program was released, I switch 4 cruises from AQ (hump rooms) to S1 cabins. Following that after experiencing Michael's last February I switch one in 2016 and one 2017 to CS, to get the benefit of Michael's. We won with the S1s and lost with the CS - the only reason we upgraded was for Michael's.

 

We also keep our free specialties although with Luminae we tend not to use them all.

 

We actually prefer the layout of the S1 cabins to the CS cabins becauSe the partitioning for the bedroom makes it feel tight around the coffee table - which is too big for the space and also the walk round space to the walk in closet in the bedroom is tight for 1 and impossible for 2. The RS bedroom is not much better I am afraid although the closet is easier to reach from the door.

[TommyD3]

One thing to be mindful of so far as the workload for the Concierge is concerned, is they have transitioned the pre-cruise email/notifications to dedicated shoreside staff now, so that's all those emails and replies and more emails they don't have to field any longer.

 

When we were on the Infinity (post dry dock) cruise 2 weeks ago the MCC was ALWAYS busy either socializing with guests, helping them at his desk or performing other tasks.

 

We requested a cheese palte pre dinner every night. The MCC had to go and get this for us every day. With 150 guests to take care of that would not have happened.

[cle-guy]

When we were on the Infinity (post dry dock) cruise 2 weeks ago the MCC was ALWAYS busy either socializing with guests, helping them at his desk or performing other tasks.

 

We requested a cheese palte pre dinner every night. The MCC had to go and get this for us every day. With 150 guests to take care of that would not have happened.

 

Were I that concierge, after the 1st night, I would have just let the kitchen runner know to add a cheese plate to the other plates they automatically deliver at that time of day, or pick up the phone and request one b delivered from room service.

 

You'd have still had the cheese plate and service, service would have been faster since there was no need for the trip to the kitchen to get it, and the MCC would have better used their time to assist other guests, rather than be absent from their desk as they were doing errands and putting other guests off with their absence. Unless the club was so vacant of activity, that they had so much time to leave their post to fetch a tray of cheese, in which case, means there will be -lenty of ability to service the added load of guests.

[TommyD3]

Were I that concierge, after the 1st night, I would have just let the kitchen runner know to add a cheese plate to the other plates they automatically deliver at that time of day, or pick up the phone and request one b delivered from room service.

 

You'd have still had the cheese plate and service, service would have been faster since there was no need for the trip to the kitchen to get it, and the MCC would have better used their time to assist other guests, rather than be absent from their desk as they were doing errands and putting other guests off with their absence. Unless the club was so vacant of activity, that they had so much time to leave their post to fetch a tray of cheese, in which case, means there will be -lenty of ability to service the added load of guests.

 

I agree with what you are saying. On several nights the regular apetizers arrived within minutes of the MCC with our cheese plate. We are Zenith (almost 2X) and dont spend the 2X+ to sail in a suite. If we were in a suite we could have the butler do this but then would not have the cocktails / wine unless in a RS or PH. I would rather sail 3X - 10X as often instead of sailing in an RS or PH.

 

I think the MCC was going above and beyond. We definately appreciated it. My point was that this will not happen if the MCC has 150 guests to attend to.

 

I personally do not see how the level of service can be maintained with 3X the number of guests to take care of. Maybe the suite butlers will pick up the slack???

[DWhit]

I personally do not see how the level of service can be maintained with 3X the number of guests to take care of. Maybe the suite butlers will pick up the slack???

I certainly understand your concern about having the value of a provided service reduced.

 

However as one of the SS folks who will have the new access to Michaels club coming this February, I really do not anticipate spending much time there. We already have the drink package, and we usually do not require any assistance with booking reservations or excursions. And if we do, I think the butler is supposed to help with that.

 

I imagine we will duck in at the beginning of the cruise to check it out. If its great fun going on, we might visit more than I think, but I am guessing we will spend most of our time at other more lively locations in the ship.

[need2bespoiled]

Were I that concierge, after the 1st night, I would have just let the kitchen runner know to add a cheese plate to the other plates they automatically deliver at that time of day, or pick up the phone and request one b delivered from room service.

 

You'd have still had the cheese plate and service, service would have been faster since there was no need for the trip to the kitchen to get it, and the MCC would have better used their time to assist other guests, rather than be absent from their desk as they were doing errands and putting other guests off with their absence. Unless the club was so vacant of activity, that they had so much time to leave their post to fetch a tray of cheese, in which case, means there will be -lenty of ability to service the added load of guests.

 

But you're not but the concierge should have anticipated this, at least after a night or 2. I've also seen employees looking for a reason to "escape". Hopefully this wasn't the case here.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

[need2bespoiled]

Just a piece of information, when Michael's Club was announced, many people said they wouldn't use the space or spend time there. Sure that is true for some, but there are obviously many who find it valuable, both for the space it provides, and for the service that comes with it, but additionally, it is a really nice environment to meet people.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

[C-Dragons]

Just a piece of information, when Michael's Club was announced, many people said they wouldn't use the space or spend time there. Sure that is true for some, but there are obviously many who find it valuable, both for the space it provides, and for the service that comes with it, but additionally, it is a really nice environment to meet people.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

Agreed! :)

[need2bespoiled]

And to clarify, my point is that when someone (Sky Suite or otherwise) who has never used or had access to MC, says they wouldn't, they just might change their minds after being offered and escort to a tender or off the ship, and then they meet some folks there or in Luminae...it just might happen (not that I have any experience).

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

[CHEZMARYLOU]

We used Michael's Club quite a bit on our last cruise. While talking about the cruise after we got home we realized we missed some of our favorite places such as Cellar Masters and the martini bar. We will not be using MC as much in March.

[Gracie115]

We used Michael's Club quite a bit on our last cruise. While talking about the cruise after we got home we realized we missed some of our favorite places such as Cellar Masters and the martini bar. We will not be using MC as much in March.

 

Interesting comment.......we have talked many times after our spring Eclipse TA, where we utilized Michael's A LOT that we had not used SO MANY other areas of the ship on that sailing. While I am sure we will frequent Michael's again on our Reflection TA next spring I am also sure we will visit other area more than we did this past April....

[scifimonkey]

One thing to be mindful of so far as the workload for the Concierge is concerned, is they have transitioned the pre-cruise email/notifications to dedicated shoreside staff now, so that's all those emails and replies and more emails they don't have to field any longer.

 

Based on a ten hour day they will have about 4 minutes per guest per day so they are certainly not going to be very chatty. Sounds to me like they will need 2 concierges on most ships and 3 on Reflection to get close to the previous service levels but time will tell. Will probably take a while from the point of inception for this to percolate through to head office but they will probably get there in the end : other wise not only will they have disgruntled suite guests but they will have their excellent set of MCC's quitting the company. There is nothing more demoralising than wanting to provide a first class service and being too overrun to do so.

[andnosyd]

For some people I assume the extra space is worth it. And before this whole suite class thing come out, weren't all the suite perks basically the same? Many people spent thousands of more dollars for a larger room, why wouldn't they do the same today?

 

Back when we first started to cruise in 2004, they had just launched concierge class. They actually had the same or more benefits than suites did, minus a butler. Celebrity at that point determined that people book suites for the extra space and concierge class for the benefits. So there was a time when suites really did not have many benefits. A PH had the same benefits as a Sky Suite, but the cost structure was similar as it is today, you were just paying for the larger room.

 

Then around 2007 they started taking even more things away from suites. The coffee was the same as from the buffet and the afternoon snacks were virtually inedible.

 

Fast forward to today there are so many more things that are included with suites. The price has gone up, but not significantly from 2004 and so much more is included now than before.

 

It seems the structure that Celebrity now has with Sky Suites getting MC looks is on par with RCCL. Aqua=junior suite. SS and CS=Standard suite. RS, PH and Reflection Suite=Top end suites.

 

We get so much more now than we ever did in 2004, so I'm done complaining about MC getting packed. I mean, it used to be a public space for 2000 plus passengers originally.

[rogfam]

If you look at the suites as two "groups" as Celebrity did, putting the Sky & Celebrity suites in one group and all the others in another, you will see that other than cabin features such as size or bathroom/shower/hot tub configurations, the perks are almost identical within the group.

 

Why would I pay a lot more for a Celebrity Suite over a Sky suite when the difference in benefits is nothing? I looked at the website (which I'll admit is probably not completely accurate) and see that the list of perks is the same. The difference in cabin size is just not worth the difference in cost.

 

I think the comparison between a Royal and Penthouse Suite is about the same as Sky/Celebrity. The only difference in perks I can see is that the PH has a piano. Why pay the difference unless you are a performing artist and need the practice? :D

 

If you really want the top-level perks, you can get all of them in a cheaper cabin (Signature on the Reflection and Royal on the others).

 

We have Celebrity Suites booked on a b2b2b next year and if the same sky suite was available for all three, we would probably downgrade to the sky suite (and would definitely not have booked the CS). Not exactly what Celebrity would want.

 

To some, size DOES matter.........

[hcat]

Just a piece of information, when Michael's Club was announced, many people said they wouldn't use the space or spend time there. Sure that is true for some, but there are obviously many who find it valuable, both for the space it provides, and for the service that comes with it, but additionally, it is a really nice environment to meet people.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

 

We miss that it is no longer available for the Elite gathering. It used to be a wonderful get together. As the number of Elites grew, the space could no longer be used for the gathering and then the space went to suite guests and Zeniths.

 

It is still nice upstairs but not the same....

[Cruise a holic]

To some, size DOES matter.........

 

I agree size does matter in a suite. If you can afford it go for it. So nice to have two rooms!

[doowopbob]

Just returned from Trans-Atlantic on Eclipse. Stayed in Celebrity Suite and loved MC. Just being able to escape the happy hour 5-7 madness for the quiet intimate atmosphere in MC was wonderful. Spent hours in there enjoying cocktails and meeting some very interesting people. Told my wife I was completely spoiled by MC and couldn't imagine booking anything less than a CS for our future cruises. We discussed how there would be no way they could keep the atmosphere they have now if they ever opened it to SS. There just isn't enough space. It will revert back to the way it was before when the elite happy hour was in MC and most of the time you couldn't get a seat even then.

Now upon catching up on CC I find they are indeed opening this benefit to the SS. We have a CS booked on a Trans-Atlantic for Oct 2016. We will be canceling. Thanks Celebrity, you've saved me a lot of money over the next few years.