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Michaels Club crowding with zenith?

cindivan

By cindivan,
in Celebrity Cruises

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jcpc

jcpc

Posted
Posted (edited)
18 hours ago, cruising teacher said:

We are one of the original Zeniths. Early on Zeniths were invited. No longer. Are you sure that you were not also traveling in a Suite?

On the Edge, the Zenith members are not being invited to the Senior Officers gathering in the Retreat.  I would not be surprised to see all the other ships following the Edge's lead on this.  Zeniths were also not invited to the senior officers luncheon. 

 

I have also been on sailings on other ships where Zenith members have not been invited to the "senior officers lunch", but rather only those folks in higher level suites were invited.

 

In my cruising experience, I have found that Michael's Club (now the Retreat) has been a "gathering place" for all the Zeniths as they like to get together and converse with each other as they have developed personal friendships and relationships over the years.   However, I have never found that the Zeniths made the venue feel "overcrowded".

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TeeRick

TeeRick

Posted
Posted
On 12/18/2018 at 3:25 PM, cindivan said:

We typically have cruised RC but as DH and I become empty nesters next year we are branching out. One cruise we have talked about for a long time is a TA. Recently there was a thread on RC where people who had booked suites on a TA were saying how disappointed they were to find how crowded the suite lounge (equivalent to Michaels lounge I think) and the Coastal Kitchen (equivalent to Luminae?) were with pinnacle members (the highest loyalty members on RC of which I doubt DH and i will ever be).  They were saying how it very much decreased the value of booking a suite when they couldn’t make reservations at Coastal Kitchen on a regular basis.   There was also several comments about entitlement attitude which I won’t get into. The thread got quite long and there wasn’t a whole lot of disagreement that there are a lot of pinnacles on TA cruises (and longer off-season cruises in general) and sometimes do compete with suite guests for room in the lounge and Coastal Kitchen. 

 

A TA will probably be a few years out for us, but it just made me wonder if Celebrity was like that. We have loved the cruises we have done with Celebrity so it’s in the running for us, and if we splurge for a suite we want to be able to take advantage of this benefits. It’s my understanding that Zenith have access to Michaels but not Luminae.   

 

Any one have thoughts/exoperience regarding this?

 

TIA

 

 

 

Firstly- how would we honestly answer your question ?  The Zenith members do not go around advertising who they are.  Sometimes you meet one or two and it might come up in conversation.  In my experience they are just a pleasure to cruise with. Not sure who gets the info about how many Zeniths or E+ etc are on board that others have referenced.  Crowding has never been an issue in MC in my experience- no matter who is invited in there.  On RCCL there have been issues brought forward about certain cruises like the President's cruise on ships with a suite lounge like Oasis-Class with a large number of Pinnacles on board.  A few call them self-entitled.  Again IMO I have never experienced cruising with a rude Pinnacle- but have experienced a multitude of self-entitled rude cruisers on every ship.  They are in general not related to a particular CC or C&A level at all. Or any specific state or country. They are just the same rude people we meet everywhere!

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hcat "Live from...." Rare

hcat

Posted
Posted

 Michaels Club started as an upscale cigar venue, then a piano bar, then it was for  Cap Club  Elites and up for morning and afternoon gatherings. At one point it was a craft beer venue.

 

.Re- purposed  a few years ago as a suite club.. Too many Elites ( and Diamond crossovers)  to fit there by that time,  and there was a  need to make a special lounge for suite guests.

 

In my opinion  Zeniths have shown amazing loyalty to X and deserve their perks...and more! Glad they are welcomed ....

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cruiseerf

cruiseerf

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Many Zenith members know each other throughout years of cruising, Ceremonies etc.  Transatlantics have the highest numbers of Zeniths gathered together.  Our last transatlantic had 22 Zeniths onboard and Michaels club was a hot mess.  Suite guests couldn't get drinks, at one point they arranged their own snacks and wouldn't let the suite guests have any because they had not ordered them.   It is a difficult balance at times however most MClub staff negotiate it quite well.    In answer to your query, Yes, Michaels club IS more crowded when you have many Zenith members.  Safe sails!  

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chemmo Holiday Sharing Rare

chemmo

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We would not have a clue who is in Michael’s because of being in a suite, Zenith, Casino, VIP...Conversation tends to start with ‘Where are you from?’ and continues from there...

 

We did find when cruising on RC people did seem to discuss their status more both in terms of ‘suite level’ and ‘loyalty level’...I found it amusing to be challenged in the Diamond lounge by a fellow guest saying ‘You shouldn’t be in here it is for Diamond only and you come from England’....

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jagoffee

jagoffee

Posted
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7 hours ago, chemmo said:

We would not have a clue who is in Michael’s because of being in a suite, Zenith, Casino, VIP...Conversation tends to start with ‘Where are you from?’ and continues from there...

 

We did find when cruising on RC people did seem to discuss their status more both in terms of ‘suite level’ and ‘loyalty level’...I found it amusing to be challenged in the Diamond lounge by a fellow guest saying ‘You shouldn’t be in here it is for Diamond only and you come from England’....

I guess they thought that they did not diamonds in England.

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Jim_Iain "Live from...." Rare

Jim_Iain

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14 hours ago, cruiseerf said:

Many Zenith members know each other throughout years of cruising, Ceremonies etc.  Transatlantics have the highest numbers of Zeniths gathered together.  Our last transatlantic had 22 Zeniths onboard and Michaels club was a hot mess.  Suite guests couldn't get drinks, at one point they arranged their own snacks and wouldn't let the suite guests have any because they had not ordered them.   It is a difficult balance at times however most MClub staff negotiate it quite well.    In answer to your query, Yes, Michaels club IS more crowded when you have many Zenith members.  Safe sails!  

 

We were on the same cruise as it was our initiation into Zenith and of course met the other 20 Zenith's.   I don't think it fair to say it was much more crowded because of Zeniths as at least 60% of those Zenith's (including ourselves) were also traveling in suites.   

 

We neve had a problem getting a drink and our drinks were constantly  topped up without even asking.   Possibly had to do with us being late diners and never arriving before 7:45-8:00.    The crowding we saw was Suite guests, who don't have packages coming in for a free drink,  to bring to dinner or the theater and then leaving. 

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Cruise Raider Great Review Rare

Cruise Raider

Posted
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38 minutes ago, hcat said:

When we had access to Michaels Club...neither drink nor food could be removed. Same for Diamond Club.

 

We've always enjoyed going to the Elite event up in the Sky Lounge on Celebrity, even when we've had the drink package.  You are right, we've been stopped on the way out if we had a drink in our hand.  We would explain we have the package so it would just cost them more money to have us dump a perfectly good drink and have us order another one outside the lounge.  They just don't want drinks walking out of that lounge / Michael's Club.  

They aren't quite as picky about that on RCCL.  Many times, there were no seats so they were encouraging you to take your food /drink elsewhere on the ship.  

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Covepointcruiser

Covepointcruiser

Posted
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We have been on two transatlantic in the past two years.   On the Reflection, Michaels Club was extremely crowded from 5 pm to 7:30 pm.  Getting a drink before dinner was very difficult.   On the Reflection there are extra suites so the impact of Zenith passengers would have been felt.   Michaels wasn’t as crowded on the Silhouette but it was still difficult to get a drink before a 7 pm dinner.

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Northern Aurora

Northern Aurora

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1 hour ago, hcat said:

When we had access to Michaels Club...neither drink nor food could be removed. Same for Diamond Club.

 

1 hour ago, Cruise Raider said:

 

......They just don't want drinks walking out of that lounge / Michael's Club.  

......

 

 

Our experience in Michael's Club has been quite different.  While I've observed folks stopped from taking drinks out of the Elite/Elite+ cocktail event, I have never observed anyone stopped in MC from leaving with a beverage.  We frequently stop in MC after dinner and are often asked if we want a "top off" to take back to the stateroom.

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George C

George C

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We and others took drinks out of micheals all the time, same as rccl suite lounge, not a big deal for us since we also get drink package . We did a 70s rock and romance charter several of the musicians stopped there fun talking to one of the guys from America which is one of our favorite groups. 

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Jim_Iain "Live from...." Rare

Jim_Iain

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We have had the same experience as @Northern Aurora.    We spent 37 days on Millennium, 7 on Constellation and 15 Silhouette this year and have always been offered a top up to take to dinner.   We usually decline as we have drink packages.  When MC first opened to only  CS and above I had heard that they restricted drinks being taken from the lounge but never experienced myself.  

 

 

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jcpc

jcpc

Posted
Posted (edited)
18 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

We have had the same experience as @Northern Aurora.    We spent 37 days on Millennium, 7 on Constellation and 15 Silhouette this year and have always been offered a top up to take to dinner.   We usually decline as we have drink packages.  When MC first opened to only  CS and above I had heard that they restricted drinks being taken from the lounge but never experienced myself.  

@Jim_Iain - you are correct in that when Michael's Club first opened (CS and above only) you were not allowed to take drinks out of Michael's Club.  The Michael's Club Concierge told you that on the first day.  Things have certainly changed as now they encourage you to leave with a full drink.

 

 

 

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groryjm "Live from...." Rare

groryjm

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8 hours ago, phoenix_dream said:

.......... I rarely see many people in there at all...........

one of the things we like about Michael's is that it can be a quiet sanctuary away from the hussle and bussle.😎🍸

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cruiseerf

cruiseerf

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On 12/23/2018 at 4:32 AM, Jim_Iain said:

 

We were on the same cruise as it was our initiation into Zenith and of course met the other 20 Zenith's.   I don't think it fair to say it was much more crowded because of Zeniths as at least 60% of those Zenith's (including ourselves) were also traveling in suites.   

 

We neve had a problem getting a drink and our drinks were constantly  topped up without even asking.   Possibly had to do with us being late diners and never arriving before 7:45-8:00.    The crowding we saw was Suite guests, who don't have packages coming in for a free drink,  to bring to dinner or the theater and then leaving. 

 

Just to follow up on your Zenith numbers.  When The program switched over the "New Captains" club program rewarded people for the # of cruises and not $$ spent, because they were using old data with new parameters.  So your first "Batch" of Zeniths were mostly inside or Window cabin cruisers who cruised for winters etc, Not suite guests(only 5% in the beginning I believe).  Celebrity had to start here in order to move over to rewarding their biggest spenders.  So of our 22 Zeniths on that cruise I believe 3 were in suites, perhaps we were on a different cruise?  Only now are we starting to see Zeniths who have made their cruises all in Suites etc....we meet them in Luminae.   Regardless, our experience is that Michaels club is crowded, day of arrival and departure and between 5-8PM usually if there are many Zeniths onboard.  Safe Sails!  

 

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Ma Bell

Ma Bell

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14 minutes ago, cruiseerf said:

 

Just to follow up on your Zenith numbers.  When The program switched over the "New Captains" club program rewarded people for the # of cruises and not $$ spent, because they were using old data with new parameters.  So your first "Batch" of Zeniths were mostly inside or Window cabin cruisers who cruised for winters etc, Not suite guests(only 5% in the beginning I believe).  Celebrity had to start here in order to move over to rewarding their biggest spenders.  So of our 22 Zeniths on that cruise I believe 3 were in suites, perhaps we were on a different cruise?  Only now are we starting to see Zeniths who have made their cruises all in Suites etc....we meet them in Luminae.   Regardless, our experience is that Michaels club is crowded, day of arrival and departure and between 5-8PM usually if there are many Zeniths onboard.  Safe Sails!  

 

Do you ask someone how many Zeniths are on board?

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jagoffee

jagoffee

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24 minutes ago, cruiseerf said:

 

Just to follow up on your Zenith numbers.  When The program switched over the "New Captains" club program rewarded people for the # of cruises and not $$ spent, because they were using old data with new parameters.  So your first "Batch" of Zeniths were mostly inside or Window cabin cruisers who cruised for winters etc, Not suite guests(only 5% in the beginning I believe).  Celebrity had to start here in order to move over to rewarding their biggest spenders.  So of our 22 Zeniths on that cruise I believe 3 were in suites, perhaps we were on a different cruise?  Only now are we starting to see Zeniths who have made their cruises all in Suites etc....we meet them in Luminae.   Regardless, our experience is that Michaels club is crowded, day of arrival and departure and between 5-8PM usually if there are many Zeniths onboard.  Safe Sails!  

 

Obviously we do not how you collected your data for this conclusion, but my observations somewhat contradict this conclusion.

I seldom see people in the Michael’s club that I do not also see at least occasionally in Luminae. (So my assumption is that they are not Zenith)

 

The cruises that I find Michael’s club busiest is on repositioning cruises.  I guessed that this was because those cruises have less suite people with drink packages.  I do not recall ever meeting any Zenith status cruisers in Michael’s Club , but it is not a question that I would ask.  (Nor would I care)

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