Class based on cabin

[5waldos]

Have not sailed on Celebrity before and looking forward to our Alaska cruise in late July. But am a bit concerned about seems like quite a focus on what cabin class one has booked. Special places onboard, special treats, special this and that and the other thing. I do understand that there is a rather huge difference in the price paid for different levels of cabins but I am not entirely comfortable with what seems like a real classist experience. Is this something that we will experience onboard? In line waiting for something will "upper suite" passengers be pushed to the head of the line, for example? My recent sailing history has been on the luxury lines where cabin choice didn't really make much of an impact on the onboard experience- and I worry that it might on Celebrity. 

 

Am I going to feel like a second class passenger? Or am I just reading too many posts which highlight these differences?

Edited June 29, 2022 by 5waldos

[FlorenceItaly]

I understand how you have this impression as most of the LIVE postings are from the suite class.

But, to answer your question, no, you will not feel like a second class passenger.  Out of my 15 cruises on Celebrity, we have sailed in a suite only once.   We mainly sail interior, or ocean view, rarely even balcony as for us we find we do not use it much.  On our upcoming Summit cruise we are booked in an OV.  I did use the Move Up program and bid for some higher class cabins, including AQ.  This mainly appeals to me due to a lower count passenger dining experience.  The AQ is now pending, and the rest expired, but, if it doesn't develop, I will be very happy in my OV, and money saved.

[Bo1953]

Not to worry, if you are NOT booked into Aqua or a suite and not Elite or Elite+, your experience will be like most others aboard, easy, attentive and relaxing.

 

You will only "...feel like a second class passenger?" if you choose to do so.

 

Enjoy your sailing accordingly and bon voyage

 

 

[rzyjzq]

I've only sailed twice on Celebrity; once in a veranda and the second time in Concierge class.  I never felt like a "second class" passenger or that I was treated differently than anyone else.

Susan

[Marriedonacruise]

Even the luxury lines have special "privileges" for their upper end suites - Celebrity is no different.  Food and service is definitely a step up than Princess, NCL, RCCL (IMO).  As others have said, you won't feel like a "second class" passenger - you just may not have access to the Retreat Lounge or Blu - but there are many other places, bars, and restaurants to pick from. 

[Dolebludger]

Celebrity is merely trying to provide guests with options. You can book Celebrity for little more than booking Carnival and have a much better cruise on a budget. Or you can book a Retreat suite and get an experience equal to the lux lines for less money — and everything in between. Some cruise lines are one size fits all, but Celebrity isn’t.

[WrittenOnYourHeart]

When I sailed on Edge in Feb 2020 I was in a "lowly" single stateroom with IV and never felt "less than" anyone on board.

 

As has been pointed out, many of the "LIVE FROM..." posts are suite guests, and I would guess that a lot of that may be that it includes the premium internet so it's easier to do that.

[hrhdhd]

Suite passengers have their own lines, so they won't be pushed to the front of the ones you're in. 😃 

 

This board has a lot of posts from people who travel in suites. I've traveled in suites and not traveled in suites, and I've had great cruises. You'll be fine.

[Jim_Iain]

I don't think you will feel like a second class passenger but that is in the eye of the beholder.   Reality it is like flying.   There are classes of service and each get their specific service level as well as there is a pecking order according to FF Status.  

 

Believe me - it's not like the Titanic with a metal gate between steerage and first class.

[CHEZMARYLOU]

I don't think you will notice a difference. The only time suite guests are taken to the head of the line is disembarking, either at a port or at the end of the cruise.  Most terminals have dedicated suite entrances or lines for embarkation at the beginning of the cruise.  You might not even see them.  Check out the live post from Generation X for a good feel about cruising in something other than a suite is like on Celebrity.

[Mark_T]

3 minutes ago, hrhdhd said:

Suite passengers have their own lines, so they won't be pushed to the front of the ones you're in. 😃

There are really only two exceptions that come to mind...

 

When escorted from the Retreat to go ashore for excursions, you will get moved past other guests who may have been queuing for a while, which can cause some friction.

 

On Chic nights there will be reserved seating in the theatre, which seems to irritate those not in suites to the point where ignore the ropes and move into the seats anyway, leaving the Butlers with the distasteful task of coping with that if necessary.

 

For the rest, it is really just the Retreat itself and the forward sun deck where 'revolutionized'.

 

The experience outside of the Retreat is far from '2nd class', so don't let the little differences annoy you and just think of how much more has been paid to get those rather small features...

[Arizona Wildcat]

58 minutes ago, 5waldos said:

Have not sailed on Celebrity before and looking forward to our Alaska cruise in late July. But am a bit concerned about seems like quite a focus on what cabin class one has booked. Special places onboard, special treats, special this and that and the other thing. I do understand that there is a rather huge difference in the price paid for different levels of cabins but I am not entirely comfortable with what seems like a real classist experience. Is this something that we will experience onboard? In line waiting for something will "upper suite" passengers be pushed to the head of the line, for example? My recent sailing history has been on the luxury lines where cabin choice didn't really make much of an impact on the onboard experience- and I worry that it might on Celebrity. 

 

Am I going to feel like a second class passenger? Or am I just reading too many posts which highlight these differences?

You will likely never know who is travelling in a suite except for boarding when passengers are sorted by cabin class, handicapped and Captain's Club status.

That said you seem to be very concerned about all sorts of things so who knows.

[George C]

Most of the ship is for everyone, aqua class has there own dining room, suites have there own dining room and a suite lounge and possibly outside area with separate pool called the retreat.

[Cruising89143]

Agree with many of the other posters on this thread. You should not feel any different based upon your stateroom choice. Just be prepared to have a great time and enjoy the Celebrity experience. 

[5waldos]

"That said you seem to be very concerned about all sorts of things so who knows."

 

Not really- to some degree I was trolling. And a bit set off by a couple of posts I read elsewhere which did strike me as being rather snarky- all but saying of course plebians shouldn't expect. etc etc. 

Edited June 29, 2022 by 5waldos

[Orator]

No different for airlines & hotels. The more you spend, the more you get and the Suite passengers do pay for their experience.

[cangelmd]

I agree with others, the times that suites get treated differently are uncommon and not very obvious.

I don’t know exactly what Mark_T is exactly talking about, the only time I got escorted anywhere in a suite was embark and disembark. Once in awhile you will walk past the door to Luminae or Retreat Lounge and wonder what’s going on in there, but that thought is fleeting! Use your savings for specialty dining and higher end excursions and you’ll rapidly forget about those suite people.

One of the cruises we were on in an inside provided some of our best cruise memories, and a recent suite cruise left us feeling we may have overpaid for our next suite reservation.

[Saturngrl]

I've only sailed Concierge on Celebrity.  I like the perks that come with that status but have never felt deprived because I couldn't dine in Luminae or Blu,. or use Michael's lounge.   There's too much other great stuff on Celebrity ships to enjoy! 

[TeaBag]

30+ cruises on Celebrity in everything from an inside to a suite and have never felt like a second class citizen.  Enjoy your cruise from the minute you step on board.

[verizon]

Think in this way the amount of money you will save if you are in a lower category.

 

Edited June 29, 2022 by verizon

[jagoffee]

13 minutes ago, 5waldos said:

"That said you seem to be very concerned about all sorts of things so who knows."

 

Not really- to some degree I was trolling. And a bit set off by a couple of posts I read elsewhere which did strike me as being rather snarky- all but saying of course plebians shouldn't expect. etc etc. 

you said in your earlier post that “My recent sailing history has been on the luxury lines where cabin choice didn't really make much of an impact on the onboard experience- and I worry that it might on Celebrity.”

 

Which Luxury lines have you been using?  Perhaps I can compare the experience for you.  
 

[5waldos]

Silversea Excursions and Crystal River, mostly. Of course, sadly, Crystal is no more. 

Edited June 29, 2022 by 5waldos

[Bo1953]

26 minutes ago, 5waldos said:

"That said you seem to be very concerned about all sorts of things so who knows."

 

Not really- to some degree I was trolling. And a bit set off by a couple of posts I read elsewhere which did strike me as being rather snarky- all but saying of course plebians shouldn't expect. etc etc. 

ahemmmm, need the plebeians expect more??? LOL

 

enjoy your sailing, plebeian, and bon voyage

[5waldos]

Just now, Bo1953 said:

ahemmmm, need the plebeians expect more??? LOL

 

enjoy your sailing, plebeian, and bon voyage

Of course not! Fair is fair. 😜

[Bo1953]

1 minute ago, 5waldos said:

Of course not! Fair is fair. 😜

It is fair to expect more and ask for it, too... IMO!!!

 

bon voyage