MoveUp from Concierge to Sky Suite: how does it work with respect to some things?

[ricasso]

Hello, we're leaving next week for a 4 night cruise on the Summit and our bid was accepted to move up to a Sky Suite. It's our first Celebrity cruise in over a decade. I've read through these boards and the Celebrity website, but I've still got a few questions--and apologies for missing easy answers on previous posts.

 

 

Before the upgrade, our purchase included a classic drink package, basic Wi-Fi, and included tips. As I understand it, those "perks" will be retained, not upgraded (unless we pay extra), as they accompanied our previous reservation. Also, we're on the hook for the higher tip charges because of this change.

 

We're not interested in upgrading the drink package (maybe Wi-Fi) as our tastes are, so far, less discriminating. But I have some questions:

 

1) With respect to The Retreat Lounge and Retreat Sun Deck: are we treated like any other Suite guest with respect to drink orders, or will we be considered to be *only* classic package drinkers and be charged extra for premium drinks? Do the bartenders check/ask/care? I don't even know if we'll be inclined to drink something that's "premium," but don't want the hassle of having to think about it.

 

I other words, I think I understand the differences between classic and premium packages *on the rest of the ship*, but does this apply to The Retreat as well? 

 

2) Our 15 year old son is included on our classic package, apparently. What are the non-alcoholic options like for him? Is he able to get unlimited Coca Cola products, for example, or is he limited to some other options? I've to believe a "soda is a soda," but other than seeing that he's not eligible for Red Bull, premium water, and other non-alcoholic premium options, it's not clear to me what choices he does have. 

 

And, like my question above, is he basically treated like a premium drinks package guest while in The Retreat, or will he be told to limit his choices? Again, it's not really about the limitations per se, but about the hassle of having to think about it (and tell him what to do). 

 

3) What's the meaningful difference between premium and basic Wi-Fi (via our "unlimited" package) on the Summit? I'd only want to check email and surf news sites, not inclined to stream anything. 

 

4) We have an assigned embarkation time. If we arrive at the Miami terminal before then, will that be disregarded because we're Suite guests, or will that not matter?

Is there indeed a separate entrance and does it make things any smoother?

 

5) As Retreat guests, will we be able to get off the ship any earlier when we arrive at Cozumel, in order to rendezvous with a privately-arranged excursion? Or is it the same for everyone?

 

Thanks in advance!

 

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[actuarian]

1 hour ago, ricasso said:

Hello, we're leaving next week for a 4 night cruise on the Summit and our bid was accepted to move up to a Sky Suite. It's our first Celebrity cruise in over a decade. I've read through these boards and the Celebrity website, but I've still got a few questions--and apologies for missing easy answers on previous posts.

 

 

Before the upgrade, our purchase included a classic drink package, basic Wi-Fi, and included tips. As I understand it, those "perks" will be retained, not upgraded (unless we pay extra), as they accompanied our previous reservation. Also, we're on the hook for the higher tip charges because of this change.

 

We're not interested in upgrading the drink package (maybe Wi-Fi) as our tastes are, so far, less discriminating. But I have some questions:

 

1) With respect to The Retreat Lounge and Retreat Sun Deck: are we treated like any other Suite guest with respect to drink orders, or will we be considered to be *only* classic package drinkers and be charged extra for premium drinks? Do the bartenders check/ask/care? I don't even know if we'll be inclined to drink something that's "premium," but don't want the hassle of having to think about it.

 

I other words, I think I understand the differences between classic and premium packages *on the rest of the ship*, but does this apply to The Retreat as well? 

 

2) Our 15 year old son is included on our classic package, apparently. What are the non-alcoholic options like for him? Is he able to get unlimited Coca Cola products, for example, or is he limited to some other options? I've to believe a "soda is a soda," but other than seeing that he's not eligible for Red Bull, premium water, and other non-alcoholic premium options, it's not clear to me what choices he does have. 

 

And, like my question above, is he basically treated like a premium drinks package guest while in The Retreat, or will he be told to limit his choices? Again, it's not really about the limitations per se, but about the hassle of having to think about it (and tell him what to do). 

 

3) What's the meaningful difference between premium and basic Wi-Fi (via our "unlimited" package) on the Summit? I'd only want to check email and surf news sites, not inclined to stream anything. 

 

4) We have an assigned embarkation time. If we arrive at the Miami terminal before then, will that be disregarded because we're Suite guests, or will that not matter?

Is there indeed a separate entrance and does it make things any smoother?

 

5) As Retreat guests, will we be able to get off the ship any earlier when we arrive at Cozumel, in order to rendezvous with a privately-arranged excursion? Or is it the same for everyone?

 

Thanks in advance!

 

----------

 

 

It sounds like you will be on the November 10th Summit Cruise.  If so, that is the same cruise that I will be on.   By an extreme coincidence, I also used "move-up" to upgrade from a Concierge Class cabin to a Sky Suite (but accessible in my case).  However, I have done this before so I can answer some of the questions:

(1) I upgraded to the Premium drink package and I think that is worth it. They are supposed to check which package you are on everywhere but my experience is that the bartenders usually do not ask at The Retreat Lounge or the sundeck.  They are often the same people who were there when it was Michael's Club and in those days all drinks at the club were complementary, even for people who had no drink package at all. The servers at Luminae do ask.

(2) The Classic package covers all of the Coca Cola products.  It does not cover the more expensive non-alcoholic drinks like Red Bull, Evian Water, and specialty coffees. Perhaps more important for adults, it does not cover the large martinis made at the martini bar (although you just pay the difference for those, not the full cost). It also does not cover brand name spirits but, again, you just pay the difference. That matters to those of us who like our vodka to be Grey Goose.

(3) The wi-fi on Celebrity is often very slow. For example, the surfing package is usually too slow to play games like "wordle". The streaming package probably makes it a little better but I have never used wi-fi enough during a cruise to justify paying to upgrade it. On my last cruise (on the Apex), I reserved a sky suite from the start so I had the streaming package and it was still painfully slow.

(4) Assigned boarding times have never been enforced for Suite guests.

(5) My experience is that only people in the top suites (Royal Suites and Penthouse Suites) get special treatment at port stops.

Edited November 6, 2022 by actuarian

[Jim_Iain]

At embarkation suite guests can board at any time.   There will be a separate entrance With a Big flag saying Suite Entrance -  If at the new terminal you will be sent to an elevator where you will sit down in an airport lounge type area and an agent will come over and check you in.

 

In any port where there is tendering and on disembarkation you go to Retreat and when a tender is available or when you wish to depart the Hosts will escort you down and taken to the front of the line.   This is for all suite types.

[39august]

I don't know if the separate suite entrance and  a suite lounge as described above at the Miami port. The above does describe the suite experience at Ft. Lauderdale. 

[jelayne]

The drinks in the Retreat Lounge are included even without a beverage package.  For Luminae and the Sun Deck the Classic package would be what you have, now whether anyone will check is another question. 
 

 

[George C]

We did a cruise without a drink package in a sky suite , I most likely wouldn’t upgrade drink package, you can get high end drinks in suite lounge all day . 
Outdoor retreat we found disappointing, no bar , no pool etc

Love suite restaurant on summit great staff and food , Luminae.

I don’t even recall priority getting off , even in penthouse, not really needed, concierge will walk you off at end of the cruise.

[jelayne]

For docked ports, like Cozumel getting off is very quick so no need for priority.  Where the priority is a plus is for tender ports and ports where going through immigration is required.

[ricasso]

4 hours ago, actuarian said:

It sounds like you will be on the November 10th Summit Cruise.  If so, that is the same cruise that I will be on.   By an extreme coincidence, I also used "move-up" to upgrade from a Concierge Class cabin to a Sky Suite (but accessible in my case).  However, I have done this before so I can answer some of the questions:

(1) I upgraded to the Premium drink package and I think that is worth it. They are supposed to check which package you are on everywhere but my experience is that the bartenders usually do not ask at The Retreat Lounge or the sundeck.  They are often the same people who were there when it was Michael's Club and in those days all drinks at the club were complementary, even for people who had no drink package at all. The servers at Luminae do ask.

(2) The Classic package covers all of the Coca Cola products.  It does not cover the more expensive non-alcoholic drinks like Red Bull, Evian Water, and specialty coffees. Perhaps more important for adults, it does not cover the large martinis made at the martini bar (although you just pay the difference for those, not the full cost). It also does not cover brand name spirits but, again, you just pay the difference. That matters to those of us who like our vodka to be Grey Goose.

(3) The wi-fi on Celebrity is often very slow. For example, the surfing package is usually too slow to play games like "wordle". The streaming package probably makes it a little better but I have never used wi-fi enough during a cruise to justify paying to upgrade it. On my last cruise (on the Apex), I reserved a sky suite from the start so I had the streaming package and it was still painfully slow.

(4) Assigned boarding times have never been enforced for Suite guests.

(5) My experience is that only people in the top suites (Royal Suites and Penthouse Suites) get special treatment at port stops.

Thank you. Spot on. Hopefully we'll meet in The Retreat Lounge along the way!