Class based on cabin

[cangelmd]

On 6/29/2022 at 2:00 PM, Mark_T said:

Unless something has changed post-Covid, as a Retreat guest, you do not need to go to the Theatre to collect excursion tickets, you just go to the Retreat.

 

The Host will collect your tickets for you and then at the right moment, escort you, and others waiting in the lounge down to the security point, past any lines that may be waiting so you can immediately disembark.

 

Felt a little awkward at times, but certainly made it a much easier process.  

Huh! I realized, reading your answer, that we’ve only booked suites in the Caribbean and we don’t take many ship excursions there. We were in a suite on Reflection late 2019, and I know we took a couple of ship excursions that time, but I don’t remember going to Michael’s to be taken to the excursion, and we were in a Royal Suite. Good to know, though, we are in a suite in Oct for the TA, and we have a couple ship excursions booked.

[Guppy99]

10 minutes ago, cangelmd said:

Huh! I realized, reading your answer, that we’ve only booked suites in the Caribbean and we don’t take many ship excursions there. We were in a suite on Reflection late 2019, and I know we took a couple of ship excursions that time, but I don’t remember going to Michael’s to be taken to the excursion, and we were in a Royal Suite. Good to know, though, we are in a suite in Oct for the TA, and we have a couple ship excursions booked.

Excursions on a transatlantic?  (I know there may be ports...just sounds funny)

[jelayne]

18 hours ago, 5waldos said:

To be serious for just a moment- the issue of class really doesn't have a lot to do with the benefits you buy but rather how you are treated. Both by other guests and by staff. The issue of seating in the theater, for example, comes close and apparently did cause problems. The "Oh Mr and Mrs Suite- let us seat you first and those of you who have been waiting patiently in line- well, you aren't as special."

 

I am not saying that this happens. Just wonndering. 

To clarify, reserved seating is only on Evening Chic nights not every night.  Some don’t use it because 1 the location isn’t where they want to sit and 2 being escorted is a bit much. 
There isn’t a need to arrive before the doors open so no needed to “line up”. Just go in and find a seat, there are no ushers.

[TeeRick]

18 hours ago, 5waldos said:

To be serious for just a moment- the issue of class really doesn't have a lot to do with the benefits you buy but rather how you are treated. Both by other guests and by staff. The issue of seating in the theater, for example, comes close and apparently did cause problems. The "Oh Mr and Mrs Suite- let us seat you first and those of you who have been waiting patiently in line- well, you aren't as special."

 

I am not saying that this happens. Just wonndering. 

The theatre has a reserved section in the balcony on Chic nights only, for suite passengers.  I don't really like it as the actual seating is not as good as what I could find on my own.  It is a suite (paid) benefit and not a class exclusion.  I have sailed in suites and standard and concierge balcony cabins.  I had no issue with the staff treating me any differently in a balcony cabin.  Always a top notch experience.  I was well aware that suite passengers paid for more benefits and received them.  It did not bother me or make me feel like second class.  It was my choice.  That feeling of inferiority with cabin choice of course is in the mind of the beholder.  It comes up a lot.  Is it envy?  It should not be.  Again a buying option.   When I sail a Sky Suite I am not really thinking about those in Penthouse suites and the level of service they get.  Who cares?

[canderson]

39 minutes ago, cangelmd said:

We were in a suite on Reflection late 2019, and I know we took a couple of ship excursions that time, but I don’t remember going to Michael’s to be taken to the excursion, and we were in a Royal Suite.

On our last cruises, the only time we were provided that service was when we had scheduled a couple of 'Private Journey' excursions with Celebrity.  We were taken down and through security, walked down the pier to shore, and handed over directly to the person who was conducting our excursion.  We had no special need for it at any other time, and had it been offered, probably would have declined.

 

[LGW59]

10 minutes ago, TeeRick said:

The theatre has a reserved section in the balcony on Chic nights only, for suite passengers.  I don't really like it as the actual seating is not as good as what I could find on my own.  It is a suite (paid) benefit and not a class exclusion.  I have sailed in suites and standard and concierge balcony cabins.  I had no issue with the staff treating me any differently in a balcony cabin.  Always a top notch experience.  I was well aware that suite passengers paid for more benefits and received them.  It did not bother me or make me feel like second class.  It was my choice.  That feeling of inferiority with cabin choice of course is in the mind of the beholder.  It comes up a lot.  Is it envy?  It should not be.  Again a buying option.   When I sail a Sky Suite I am not really thinking about those in Penthouse suites and the level of service they get.  Who cares?

These kind of questions posed by the OP IMO are intended to generate controversy, where there is none.  We all have the option to pay for the level of service we want on our vacations, land or sea.  Thus far the only opulent and decadence I’ve experienced is when I stayed in a SS3, that’s a joke for those expecting an emoji.  Prior to that only stayed in standard cabins.  How I was treated by the crew/staff was ZERO difference.  Of course Luminae and retreat were included, however that was the only difference and I’ve never been asked what level suite I was in and if I were, I’d simply say “a very nice one, thank you “.

[DCPIV]

1 hour ago, canderson said:

On our last cruises, the only time we were provided that service was when we had scheduled a couple of 'Private Journey' excursions with Celebrity.  We were taken down and through security, walked down the pier to shore, and handed over directly to the person who was conducting our excursion.  We had no special need for it at any other time, and had it been offered, probably would have declined.

 

 

We've never done anything like that, either.  I think the only time I really would be interested in doing so would be if we were having a light breakfast in the Retreat Lounge and would just as soon stay there until it was time to leave.  That actually sounds pretty nice, now that I think of it!

[boxkite]

On 6/29/2022 at 11:28 AM, 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?

 

5waldos, please do not be concerned about a focus on what cabin class one has booked or made to feel like a second class passenger.  As many have already noted, you will have a great cruise to Alaska!

 

And welcome to the Celebrity Cruises family!

[Dolebludger]

Swaldos, none of your fellow guests on Celebrity will ever ask you about the type of your room. Nor will they care. Naturally, certain types of rooms come with certain types of pre-paid amenities and perks. If you don’t book those rooms, you will either have to pay extra for those and, in some cases, just not be able to get them. Celebrity seeks to provide all sorts of accommodations and choices of perks and amenities included in the fare, depending on what one chooses to book. Celebrity offers everything from a “bare bones” cruise in an inside room for a very low price (like we used to take) all the way to a huge suite with everything imaginable included (except shore excursions) for a much higher price, giving an experience equal or better than the luxe lines for a lower price. The only problem with this business model is that it is confusing, at least to us. When booking a Celebrity cruise, it is hard to decide what we want or need and what we don’t. But it is good that Celebrity is offering something for virtually every one. And one thing I really like about Celebrity is it is the only line I have found where I can wear nice jeans almost anytime and anywhere. So it is the least snobby line I know of.

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

On 6/30/2022 at 3:17 PM, 5waldos said:

To be serious for just a moment- the issue of class really doesn't have a lot to do with the benefits you buy but rather how you are treated. Both by other guests and by staff. The issue of seating in the theater, for example, comes close and apparently did cause problems. The "Oh Mr and Mrs Suite- let us seat you first and those of you who have been waiting patiently in line- well, you aren't as special."

 

I am not saying that this happens. Just wonndering. 

 

It doesn't happen.  There is a small area reserved for suites on chic nights.  About ten minutes prior to the start of the show, the ropes are removed and the area is opened to all.

[chemmo]

19 hours ago, cangelmd said:

Huh! I realized, reading your answer, that we’ve only booked suites in the Caribbean and we don’t take many ship excursions there. We were in a suite on Reflection late 2019, and I know we took a couple of ship excursions that time, but I don’t remember going to Michael’s to be taken to the excursion, and we were in a Royal Suite. Good to know, though, we are in a suite in Oct for the TA, and we have a couple ship excursions booked.

We have never gone via Michael’s or Retreat for an excursion either…last couple of cruises, however, we have not booked ship excursions at all….

[Mark_K]

21 hours ago, Guppy99 said:

Excursions on a transatlantic?  (I know there may be ports...just sounds funny)

Most TAs have as many port stops as a typical Caribbean cruise, they just have an extra weeks worth of sea days.

[Guppy99]

On 6/29/2022 at 9:39 PM, GottaKnowWhen said:

The room key cards are color coded. Some wear theirs on lanyards so people can admire their status, but that is rare.

 

This is absolute BS. I and my mother wear a landyard because we don't stuff pockets (even if what we wear has any), we don't carry a purse on board,  and don't want to lose it.  Furter, I don't have a spouse/partner who can use his/her card to fetch and open everything. There are lots of folks who opt to do this and not for this reason. 

[BratDet]

13 hours ago, Happy Cruiser 6143 said:

 

It doesn't happen.  There is a small area reserved for suites on chic nights.  About ten minutes prior to the start of the show, the ropes are removed and the area is opened to all.

We have been seated a few times as suite guests. The butler always gives you a time that is pretty early so never has anyone been waiting for a seat that is a non suite guest....it feels weird to be honest so we might skip it next cruise...

[BratDet]

On 6/29/2022 at 1:21 PM, Mark_T said:

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...

Ahhh...one of the best benefits. Leaving the ship, you meet with a group in Retreat Salon....and you are escorted off...thereby beating long lines for customs that most others experience....we have had a suite 3 times and it has happened each cruise....you walk by many hundreds of people who are waiting...Bernadette

[terrydtx]

4 minutes ago, BratDet said:

Ahhh...one of the best benefits. Leaving the ship, you meet with a group in Retreat Salon....and you are escorted off...thereby beating long lines for customs that most others experience....we have had a suite 3 times and it has happened each cruise....you walk by many hundreds of people who are waiting...Bernadette

This is very nice when you have early flights or trains to catch. When we get off the Reflection next month, we have a private limo to catch that is taking us to the main train station in Rome to catch our express train to Florence.

 

[RichYak]

On 6/29/2022 at 9:39 PM, GottaKnowWhen said:

The room key cards are color coded. Some wear theirs on lanyards so people can admire their status, but that is rare.

 

2 hours ago, Guppy99 said:

This is absolute BS.... There are lots of folks who opt to do this and not for this reason. 

 

Perhaps you missed the words "some" and "rare" in the post you replied to.

[Ferry_Watcher]

As someone who has check-in cruise passengers (X, HAL, PCL, RCI and Carnival), I have to say that generally speaking, Celebrity folks are the easiest group.  They are prepared with all their online check-in done, if there are lines they don't complain, and they are usually quite polite.  

I prefer sailing on more quiet smaller ships, and tend to favor Celebrity and HAL.  I have never seen a Celebrity passenger treat a crew member poorly.  I have, while working at the pier observed folks on other cruise lines berate my fellow workers, and afterwards we would collectively express sympathy for the unexpecting crew members that will have to deal with these classless individuals while onboard.  The suite guests are also easy to work with, and those in the upper suites (President, Royal and Celebrity Suites) are escorted on to the ship, but it's all very understated. 

And I think that that captures Celebrity -an understated elegance for all passengers.

[terrydtx]

2 minutes ago, Ferry_Watcher said:

The suite guests are also easy to work with, and those in the upper suites (President, Royal and Celebrity Suites) are escorted on to the ship, but it's all very understated. 

Last year on the Equinox we were escorted to our Sky Suite from the VIP lounge in the FLL terminal, but the ship was at 40% capacity which may be why.

[terrydtx]

4 minutes ago, Ferry_Watcher said:

I prefer sailing on more quiet smaller ships, and tend to favor Celebrity and HAL.  I have never seen a Celebrity passenger treat a crew member poorly

The only time I have seen this was around the pool when the attendants didn't remove after 30 minutes "Chair Hogs" stuff left for hours to reserve a lounger. When they do move the stuff, I have seen the Hogs come back and yell and scream at not only other passengers but at the pool attendants for doing their jobs. Not as bad as other cruise lines where I have seen fist fights over pool loungers.

[RedIguana]

14 hours ago, Dolebludger said:

And one thing I really like about Celebrity is it is the only line I have found where I can wear nice jeans almost anytime and anywhere. So it is the least snobby line I know of.

That would be way overdressed on a few lines 😁

[Covepointcruiser]

Excuse me, but what are “nice” jeans?    

[Guppy99]

15 minutes ago, Covepointcruiser said:

Excuse me, but what are “nice” jeans?    

Please do NOT start a dress thread.

[RichYak]

2 hours ago, Covepointcruiser said:

Excuse me, but what are “nice” jeans?    

[mfs2k]

21 hours ago, terrydtx said:

The only time I have seen this was around the pool when the attendants didn't remove after 30 minutes "Chair Hogs" stuff left for hours to reserve a lounger. When they do move the stuff, I have seen the Hogs come back and yell and scream at not only other passengers but at the pool attendants for doing their jobs. Not as bad as other cruise lines where I have seen fist fights over pool loungers.

Are there are more chair hogs on the retreat deck or around the main pool?