Totally Ridiculous Question - New to Suites

[Reel Love]

Totally silly question so my apologies in advance.  We have sailed Celebrity several times and have always enjoyed the glass of sparkling offered once one steps onto the ship....truly enjoy this gesture as to us it feels like a "welcome back home"   😊    We will be booking our first suite and just wondering....do you still receive a glass of sparkling when coming onboard when you are booked in a suite?  I have read different comments about folks being escorted onto the ship and straight to their suites by staff so just curious.  Understanding of course that due to the pandemic things are quite different!  

[Cruise Gopher]

I would think so since you are using the same gangway as everyone else. They hand out the sparkling wine as soon as you step aboard. 

Edited March 20, 2022 by Cruise Gopher

[canderson]

If they are offering it when boarding, yes, you'll definitely be treated to one on M and S class -- haven't done E class, so don't know if the path is the same.  On M and S, even when being escorted, your path will take you through the 'champagne gauntlet' on your way through!

 

Our cruise at the end of 2021 didn't offer that - a COVID thing, but it may now be available again.  Haven't noticed one way or another in the cruise blogs here lately.

 

You should also find a fairly serviceable bottle chilled and waiting for you in your suite - a cut above what other cabins receive.

[Cruise Gopher]

“Champagne Gauntlet” I love that!!!

[Reel Love]

Thank you so much for the replies.  I didn't know if suites had a separate "entry" onto the ship and thus this particular welcoming gesture.   We have two other couples cruising with us (one couple has never cruised before and the other couple has never cruised Celebrity) so I often comment on the "little things" that Celebrity does that mean a lot to us and this is one aspect that I often refer to.   I am going to feel like a total newbie again for my first time in suite class lol.

[canderson]

4 minutes ago, Cruise Gopher said:

“Champagne Gauntlet” I love that!!!

Our November Connie cruise had the absolute BEST champagne gauntlet ever.  Granted, it's now become common to arrive to applause as you enter the grand foyer, but this was the restart for our ship, and the enthusiasm was pretty overwhelming.  Have never seen officers/crew so happy to see passengers boarding a ship.  It was really quite touching.

 

 

Edited March 20, 2022 by canderson

[Reel Love]

6 minutes ago, canderson said:

If they are offering it when boarding, yes, you'll definitely be treated to one on M and S class 

Ooops, great point!  Forgot to mention....S Class (Equinox).  I think that was the ship where the Revolution was "interrupted" by the crane accident so not even sure that the suites were updated?

[Ken the cruiser]

We’ve been on 9 Celebrity cruises, 6 of which were in sky suites on all 3 classes of ships, since cruising started back up, and they have yet to offer us a glass of sparkling wine as we boarded the ship on embarkation day on any of them as they used to prior to C19. As others have said, it’s probably due to the C19 protocols currently in place.

[cangelmd]

We got our “champagne” in August (I got teary-eyed), but not in January at the height of Omicron

[jelayne]

We did 2 cruises in Oct and 2 in February and no champagne upon boarding on those cruises.

[chemmo]

Yes, you will get the fizz as you board if it is being offered on your cruise. Like you we love the gesture and whilst it may not be the best quality drink in the world it tastes wonderful as it is the real start of the cruise!
 

If you are escorted on board you take the same route as everyone else. In our experience you are escorted on board if you are in a RS or above. Perhaps those who have cruised in CS or SS can confirm if they have been escorted. If you pick up a glass of fizz as you board simply walk with it. Your escort will offer to take you to your suite or to the Retreat Lounge/Michael’s Club. We usually go to the suite first to get rid of our hand luggage and pick up our cards. The escort will offer to wait but we usually thank them and say no as we will want to spend a few minutes on our balcony, wash hands etc.  We then head to the lounge to say hello to the concierge and to enjoy another (and better) glass of fizz. Luminae opens fairly early, I think 11.30? We tend to skip breakfast and head there about 12/12.30 as it does get busy later. Enjoy another glass of fizz with your meal if you like!

 

When you drop your luggage off your room should be ready but it is possible that it may not be fully completed. For example, towels may not yet be in place or glassware not yet replaced. However, by the time you have had lunch your room will definitely be ready and your champagne will be on ice if you require yet another glass of fizz!

 

Sincere best wishes for a fantastic cruise!

[Jim_Iain]

On recent cruises October and November they did not have it on boarding due to Covid but had trays of it at the bars close by. 

 

If traveling in Retreat they will have Champagne available just for the asking.  

[kwokpot]

Boarded the Reflection three weeks ago in a SS and no escort and no welcome glass of champagne.

Boarded the Apex in December in a SS also without escort or welcome glass of champagne.  

[Shadow9612]

2 hours ago, chemmo said:

Perhaps those who have cruised in CS or SS can confirm if they have been escorted. 

I can confirm being escorted onto M-class when booked in a CS (pre-pandemic).  

 

It was an incredible experience overall (Connie).

 

[Reel Love]

Thank you everyone for the helpful replies and insights  ☺️    

[TeeRick]

16 hours ago, Ken the cruiser said:

We’ve been on 9 Celebrity cruises, 6 of which were in sky suites on all 3 classes of ships, since cruising started back up, and they have yet to offer us a glass of sparkling wine as we boarded the ship on embarkation day on any of them as they used to prior to C19. As others have said, it’s probably due to the C19 protocols currently in place.

Apparently the COVID virus survives in cold, 12% alcohol sparkling wine bottled under pressure perhaps from a few years ago.  Sneaky little bugger!  I guess that is what caused the spike in our area after New Year's Eve.😊  Funny that the CDC did not say this was a suspicious source of transmission.  But I guess Celebrity is being cautious not serving you any welcome champagne.  But I guess the stuff in their bars that you pay for is certified virus-free.

[Plaidlulu]

17 hours ago, chemmo said:

However, by the time you have had lunch your room will definitely be ready and your champagne will be on ice if you require yet another glass of fizz!

 

 Do you have to order/pre-order to have a bottle of champagne in your room? Or is that included in your suite.  (We are in a SS if that matters). Thank you! 

[39august]

Sparkling wine is included on embarkation day with SS, no need to order.  First time in SS it was passable. Sept. in SS it was awful. We poured it out. For our next cruise in May, we will be asking for cabernet instead. 

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

1 hour ago, TeeRick said:

Apparently the COVID virus survives in cold, 12% alcohol sparkling wine bottled under pressure perhaps from a few years ago.  Sneaky little bugger!  I guess that is what caused the spike in our area after New Year's Eve.😊  Funny that the CDC did not say this was a suspicious source of transmission.  But I guess Celebrity is being cautious not serving you any welcome champagne.  But I guess the stuff in their bars that you pay for is certified virus-free.

 

Is that sorta like the virus can get you while you're standing in a restaurant, so you must wear a mask, but it will leave you alone while you're sitting at your table not wearing one?  Apparently we were all to suspend critical thinking during the great lockdown.

[MamaFej]

2 minutes ago, Happy Cruiser 6143 said:

 

Is that sorta like the virus can get you while you're standing in a restaurant, so you must wear a mask, but it will leave you alone while you're sitting at your table not wearing one?  Apparently we were all to suspend critical thinking during the great lockdown.

Cutlery and glassware apparently have anti-viral properties. 

[chemmo]

1 hour ago, Plaidlulu said:

 Do you have to order/pre-order to have a bottle of champagne in your room? Or is that included in your suite.  (We are in a SS if that matters). Thank you! 

I think in a SS it is sparkling wine which can be swapped. Champagne is included (I think) for  RS and above.

[LGW59]

1 hour ago, Happy Cruiser 6143 said:

 

Is that sorta like the virus can get you while you're standing in a restaurant, so you must wear a mask, but it will leave you alone while you're sitting at your table not wearing one?  Apparently we were all to suspend critical thinking during the great lockdown.

But of course, once I am seated at the bar at my fav restaurant, and remove my mask after walking 15 feet to my seat, the virus magically leaves me alone. 

[TeeRick]

5 minutes ago, LGW59 said:

But of course, once I am seated at the bar at my fav restaurant, and remove my mask after walking 15 feet to my seat, the virus magically leaves me alone. 

The virus is very smart and selective.  It knows when to let you drink in peace.

[canderson]

18 minutes ago, TeeRick said:

The virus is very smart and selective.  It knows when to let you drink in peace.

Well it had certainly better.  A man has to draw a line somewhere!

 

[thepoint]

We were on the Reflection January 29th out of Port Everglades.  We were in a Sky Suite.  I don’t remember boarding Champagne,  but that doesn’t mean they didn’t have it!   However, we were asked in advance what type of wine we wanted in our room on Embarkation Day.  It was in the room on ice when we arrived.   I believe during the online check in we selected our wine choice. 
 

Edited March 20, 2022 by thepoint
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