Zenith back in the Retreat

[WestLakeGirl]

On 3/6/2022 at 9:22 AM, Beachin2 said:

RC Pinnacles have pretty much ruined the Concierge/Suite Lounge experience for many suite guests on that line - lesson should be learned from that brand.  Don't make the same mistake X. 

 

Give the Z's their own (but separate) preening space if need be.

Suggestions like this or just laughable. Celebrity ships don’t have empty spaces just lying around that can be reassigned to a lounge

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

8 minutes ago, fstuff1 said:

 

i just made a reservation on Apex on Sat.
the blue chip person said still no on Retreat for Sapphires + zenniths. Still $100 obc for compensation

 

Not sure when it was changed on their website (PDF), but it definitely was between the original post and the version I found last week --- though both were dated the same. Seems if you're going to update a document, you should change the date!

 

I wish the Blue Chip folks would send me offers for several+ months out rather than just 2-3. I'd be able to take them up on more, that's for sure!

 

Tom

[TrueCruiseaholic]

As I had stated earlier in this thread, when Michael's Club was initiated as a private lounge in 2014, it was a lounge for Suites (minus Sky Suites (which have gained access since)), Zeniths, Sapphire and above for Blue Chip (which I don't know exactly when Blue Chip access began because I don't gamble), and other VIPs. 

 

 

If crowding is the issue, Celebrity could push up the requirements for non-suites to get access. Blue Chip access could be limited to Ruby (I know all the Sapphires and Sapphire Pluses would not be happy). A requirement of some number more than 3000 Captain's Club points could be required. For guests who had gained access from spending a certain amount at the shops or spa aboard, the number could also be increased (if it was say $5000 or $10000 make it some amount more).

 

My bottom line point is that if there were other criteria that enabled access in the past, the same criteria should enable access in the future (but possibly at a higher amount of said criterion).

 

I'm sure that there is some number for amount of money spent onboard or wagered in the casino that would warrant someone being a VIP. Similarly, there is some number of Captain's Club points that would warrant someone being a VIP (even if most of the top top cruisers are suite guests anyway which would not add more people to Retreat Lounge anyway).

 

A final note: I guess most top Blue Chip members are comped suites anyway so this may all be mostly moot.

[TeeRick]

19 hours ago, WestLakeGirl said:

Suggestions like this or just laughable. Celebrity ships don’t have empty spaces just lying around that can be reassigned to a lounge

@WestLakeGirl I think they could design a dedicated space if they really wanted to on a new build ship.  

[Beachin2]

19 hours ago, WestLakeGirl said:

Suggestions like this or just laughable. Celebrity ships don’t have empty spaces just lying around that can be reassigned to a lounge

Name the ship - I'll find you the space.  Doesn't need to be a concert hall you know.

[verizon]

54 minutes ago, Beachin2 said:

Name the ship - I'll find you the space.  Doesn't need to be a concert hall you know.

If there is a will there’s a way

Quoted by WILLIAM HAZLITT 

[bEwAbG]

There are a lot of underutilized spaces on every ship.  Either venues that sit empty for most of the day or spaces like conference rooms that don't get used on every sailing.  It definitely wouldn't be that hard to add a lounge of some sort.  The dirty secret is that the Retreat lounges are not often that full for most of the day, either. 

 

The rule should probably be something like "Zeniths welcome as capacity permits."  From what I gather, that's more of an issue on things like TAs, but there are very few of those every year.  So, just kick them out of the Retreat during TAs and similar sailings when there are lot more on board and give them their own lounge space to utilize instead.  For other cruises, base it on how many Zeniths are on a particular sailing.

[tomcruiser1234]

Hi All,

 

ZENITH guest in Lounge

 

Interesting topic with lots of opinions.

 

We have sailed with Celebrity since 2004 and have enjoyed every cabin on the ships from an inside to the PH.  I remember no cruise where the services lacked. Suites were of course unbelievable and all should try but when in suite cabins with access to MC. We seldom saw it crowded accept a few pre diner times and frankly we didn’t choose to go to the MC at that time because of the crowd and noise. I don’t believe a hand full of Zenith members would have made much a difference. In fact we have only met maybe a dozen in all my years cruising and those i met were always polite. 

 

Oh, guess what?  We just got made Zenith (3004) points for our next cruise to Hawaii in April and we still booked a suite Sky 1 since we like the corner view. Since all suites are fully booked for this cruise i will try and take note just how many Zenith members are on this cruise and or in the lounge and report back. 

 

If there were more people in the lounge during the off hours i would absolutely like it since most of the time its just dead and very few people to visit with. 

 

If crowding becomes a problem I would understand the Suite guest complaint but until then just put things back the way they were pre-covid and adjust when it’s required. 

 

Just My humble opinion. 

 

 

[davekathy]

Only once did a couple in a round about way ask us what tier level we were while sitting in the embarkation center. We ignored them by changing the subject. Other than that we haven't been on a cruise where the conversation leads to what tier level someone is or the stateroom category. A lot more interesting things to talk about. 

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

37 minutes ago, tomcruiser1234 said:

Hi All,

 

ZENITH guest in Lounge

 

Interesting topic with lots of opinions.

 

We have sailed with Celebrity since 2004 and have enjoyed every cabin on the ships from an inside to the PH.  I remember no cruise where the services lacked. Suites were of course unbelievable and all should try but when in suite cabins with access to MC. We seldom saw it crowded accept a few pre diner times and frankly we didn’t choose to go to the MC at that time because of the crowd and noise. I don’t believe a hand full of Zenith members would have made much a difference. In fact we have only met maybe a dozen in all my years cruising and those i met were always polite. 

 

Oh, guess what?  We just got made Zenith (3004) points for our next cruise to Hawaii in April and we still booked a suite Sky 1 since we like the corner view. Since all suites are fully booked for this cruise i will try and take note just how many Zenith members are on this cruise and or in the lounge and report back. 

 

If there were more people in the lounge during the off hours i would absolutely like it since most of the time its just dead and very few people to visit with. 

 

If crowding becomes a problem I would understand the Suite guest complaint but until then just put things back the way they were pre-covid and adjust when it’s required. 

 

Just My humble opinion. 

 

 

 

I agree.  The only time I've seen a substantial number of people in the retreat lounge is the night of the officers party.  Some times when I've gone in, I've been the only one in there.  If I wanted to be by myself, I could stay in my cabin!

 

[WestLakeGirl]

On 3/8/2022 at 8:21 AM, TeeRick said:

@WestLakeGirl I think they could design a dedicated space if they really wanted to on a new build ship.  

Ok.  That’s one.  What about the other 12?

[WestLakeGirl]

On 3/8/2022 at 9:40 AM, bEwAbG said:

There are a lot of underutilized spaces on every ship.  Either venues that sit empty for most of the day or spaces like conference rooms that don't get used on every sailing.  It definitely wouldn't be that hard to add a lounge of some sort.  The dirty secret is that the Retreat lounges are not often that full for most of the day, either. 

 

Venues that sit empty for most of the day are used for part of the day, so they won’t work.  Conference rooms that don’t get used on every sailing get used on some sailings so they won’t work.  Two possible places that could have been used on Sillhouette, the card room and the I-lounge, have been turned into staterooms, so that is probably going to happen in other ships.  The M class library also turned into staterooms.  Just where do you propose they insert another lounge on these ships?  Maybe take away the kids clubs, after all they don’t get many children on Celebrity🤪🤪🤪

 

Edited March 9, 2022 by WestLakeGirl

[djh]

32 minutes ago, WestLakeGirl said:

Ok.  That’s one.  What about the other 12?

I could think of several places on every ship that are under utilized and could be transformed into meeting place.  The bottom line is, if Celebrity considers it a priority and really wants to do it, they will figure it out.

[canderson]

53 minutes ago, djh said:

I could think of several places on every ship that are under utilized and could be transformed into meeting place.  The bottom line is, if Celebrity considers it a priority and really wants to do it, they will figure it out.

There's a big difference between providing 'space' and 'space with services'.  I would think that those using it would like to have full bar service and munchies as are provided in the Retreat lounges.  Implies a lot of added infrastructure and additional space to do it right.

[cruisestitch]

56 minutes ago, djh said:

I could think of several places on every ship that are under utilized and could be transformed into meeting place.  The bottom line is, if Celebrity considers it a priority and really wants to do it, they will figure it out.

They could cut “bait on five” in half. Talked about an underused venue!

[bEwAbG]

It's not hard to set up a pop-up bar.  You can make venues out of all sorts of alcoves, unused-at-the-moment rooms, wide hallways, etc.  Now whether or not the cruise line wants to do that is another thing, but it's not hard to find space for people to meet while providing them with a bar setup that includes munchies.  With a limited population of Zeniths, it would be easy enough to communicate where the pop-up is going to be at any given time or sailing.

[cruisestitch]

2 minutes ago, bEwAbG said:

It's not hard to set up a pop-up bar.  You can make venues out of all sorts of alcoves, unused-at-the-moment rooms, wide hallways, etc.  Now whether or not the cruise line wants to do that is another thing, but it's not hard to find space for people to meet while providing them with a bar setup that includes munchies.  With a limited population of Zeniths, it would be easy enough to communicate where the pop-up is going to be at any given time or sailing.

Don’t forget the Blue Chip folks.  
 

And I really can’t imagine anything worse than a pop-up schedule. “On Monday for breakfast meet at X from 8 to 10, then moved to Y from 11 to one but be sure you’re out on time because they’ll be a meeting in there right after you. Then you can go to Z from 1 to 4 and after that meet back at X.”  Yeah, right.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

I say a dedicated pimped out lifeboat would be ideal... lol

 

Tom

[bEwAbG]

I was just suggesting it was possible, not that it would be ideal.  Tough crowd.  Bottom line is that there is a way it could be offered when the Retreat would be too full if all the Zeniths (and others with some sort of VIP status) showed up.  Or they can stick to the status quo and not let anyone but suite guests into the suite lounge.  

[davekathy]

If elite and elite plus don't have a dedicated lounge, neither should zenith. Apparently Celebrity agrees. Zeniths aren't at fault for using the Retreat/Michaels Lounge.  

Edited March 9, 2022 by davekathy

[canderson]

1 hour ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

I say a dedicated pimped out lifeboat would be ideal... lol

 

Tom

Throw a wet bar at this and some fuzzy dice up on the helm and it might work, but not sure it would fit on the existing davits.  (Watch the whole video ... quite the rig!)

 

https://www.panopticmotion.co.uk/virtual-tour/severn-lifeboat-virtual-tour/

 

[hcat]

On 3/1/2022 at 3:17 PM, cruisestitch said:

That is not true.  It was originally a Captains Club area long before it was a suite passenger area.

Agree,

Pax used to "earn" Loyalty Perks by sticking with the brand for many years.  "Pay your way in"  for instant perks by booking a suite or other  marketing programs  came around  much later.. "Suite today. Non suite another time"..not the same.,Zenith is forever.  We won't quite make it there  but  we support the ZENITHS!

 

Sad to see an exclusionary approach from newer guests...squeezing in a few more guests wont kill anyone.  

 

[jagoffee]

If we had chosen to cruise only on Celebrity, we would have obtained the Zenith category some time ago.   Although we cruise mostly Celebrity, we cruise other cruise lines as well.  We now cruise in suites, so most of the Zenith benefits are not that critical.

 

Zenith members were allowed access to the Retreat Lounge/Michael’s club prior to the Pandemic.  Once the large group and other Covid restrictions are lifted, they should be allowed to return.  In my opinion it is a matter of fairness and ethics.  It was clearly stated that this change was temporary.

If Celebrity  wishes to remove the Retreat Lounge access from the list of Zenith benefits, they should do it has a separate action after the benefit is reinstated.  

 

The number of customers who accumulated numerous points by taking inexpensive short  and lower category cruises (before the conversion) should be dropping off at some point.  I am left wondering if the Casino access and other VIP categories may be more of an issue long term.  
 

Best of luck to those Zenith category customers not cruising in Suites.

[Spif Barwunkel]

3 hours ago, davekathy said:

Only once did a couple in a round about way ask us what tier level we were while sitting in the embarkation center. We ignored them by changing the subject. Other than that we haven't been on a cruise where the conversation leads to what tier level someone is or the stateroom category. A lot more interesting things to talk about. 

Because davekathy seems a nice, interesting person(s), I am curious as to his/her/their Celebrity status. I'll not be "round-about" about it. So, davekathy, through the tiers in my eyes allow me to see at what level you reside within the Celebrity strata. If you wish to conceal that information from others, use whatever code or language you prefer and I will interpret. If you wish that I not know, preface that in your comments, list your tier and I won't read it. Rest assured, however, once I know I will never broach the subject with you again. Whether in an embarkation lounge, at the Martini Bar (totally dependent on number of martinis consumed), or on the silent disco dance floor, it just ain't happenin'. 

 

For clarification, see post #83.

[verizon]

May be Celebrity should set the bar higher to 9000 points for Zeniths to retreat.

Only the Celebrity suite and above guests are allowed to retreat.

That will solve the over crowded problem in Retreat.