Is Celebrity going to Eliminate Butlers on Sky and Celebrity Suites?

[danceswithphones]

2 hours ago, terrydtx said:

We book Suites for many reasons, but when we booked, a Butler was one of the amenities we bought into.

We sail X because of the butlers. Time to rethink Princess with the Sun Princess coming up. 

[terrydtx]

Just now, PTC DAWG said:

Which ship?  Or class of ships are the newer ones on HAL…

We are on the Koingsdam which is one of the 3 new Pinnacle Class ships, the others are the Rotterdam and New Statendam. They are all about the same size as the E Class ships.

[terrydtx]

2 minutes ago, danceswithphones said:

We sail X because of the butlers. Time to rethink Princess with the Sun Princess coming up. 

We may be looking at MSC Yacht Club now.

[Jim_Iain]

18 hours ago, wrk2cruise said:

I'm sure then the SS and CS gratuities will be lowered to that of CC and AQ 🤣

Since gratuities are built into the all included rate that there will be no affect on pricing.

[CruisinBanka]

6 minutes ago, terrydtx said:

This was just posted in the social media site we can't mention and it doesn't look good as it sounds like the Butlers are being let go after current cruises end.

 

For what it's worth, our butler from our most recent Celebrity cruise (Edge Villa on Beyond in June) reached out to me to say that indeed the mass dismissal of butlers is true. He was one of those let go. That surprises me since he was working upper level suites.

It also seems to be immediate...as in they are all no longer on the ships when they finish their current cruises. In any case, I would expect that those of you with bookings in anything below a Royal will NOT have a butler and I wouldn't even be sure if you're Royal or above.

And for those who think "oh, I don't use the butler much", I'd just caution you to think how overwhelmed your cabin stewards and Retreat Lounge staff will be now that there is no butlers to fulfill all of those requests for all of those cabins.

I don't want to be the "downer" on someone's upcoming vacation, but I think everyone should be prepared.

If any of this proves incorrect, I apologize. It is hearsay, but it's hearsay from as close to the situation as I could imagine. So, take it for what it's worth

Sad. Another Celebrity cutback while prices continue to rise. 

[wineoclock]

7 minutes ago, terrydtx said:

We may be looking at MSC Yacht Club now.

Same. Their prices will probably rocket.

 

We sail in Europe any recommendations for other lines & ships? If this is a question that is allowed to be asked. Apologies if not. 
 

Edit: I had a sales call from Crystal recently. May go back to them if I see an itinerary I like. 

Edited July 29, 2023 by wineoclock

[Fly and Sail]

21 hours ago, 39august said:

If so, then once again, X is changing the product after purchase. Seems to me these types of changes (vaping in the casino, for instance) should grandfather in those who booked under the rules at the time of booking. I know they can do anything they want due to the contract.  But these changes to the product do not seem fair for the prices paid. 

 

This bothers me way more than the fact that butlers might not be available in the future. Just like the cut away the room service inclusion and added a fee.

[PTC DAWG]

14 minutes ago, terrydtx said:

We are on the Koingsdam which is one of the 3 new Pinnacle Class ships, the others are the Rotterdam and New Statendam. They are all about the same size as the E Class ships.

Thank you. 

[PTC DAWG]

14 minutes ago, terrydtx said:

We may be looking at MSC Yacht Club now.

I have sailed in YC. We have another booked this Sept.  I highly recommend it. 

[terrydtx]

12 minutes ago, wineoclock said:

Same. Their prices will probably rocket.

 

We sail in Europe any recommendations for other lines & ships? If this is a question that is allowed to be asked. Apologies if not. 
 

Edit: I had a sales call from Crystal recently. May go back to them if I see an itinerary I like. 

We have a South America cruise booked on Oceania, March 2025 for 18 days. We booked a Concierge Verandah cabin, for 18 days for $200pp less than the similar itinerary on the  Equinox Sky Suite for 14 days. No butler but we have a larger cabin on a small ship with awesome food. I see use going more with Oceania as they are now competitive with Celebrity.

 

August next year we booked on the small HAL Volendam for an 11 day cruise from Boston to Montreal in a Vista Suite with Club Orange and all the premium Have it all amenities.. The cost was half of what Celebrity wanted on a 11 day RT from New York. The Volendam is a 1400 passenger ship.

Edited July 29, 2023 by terrydtx

[Jim_Iain]

22 hours ago, terrydtx said:

There is a long discussion, on the social media site we can't mention here, that recently Celebrity management made a decision to eliminate Retreat Butlers for Sky and Celebrity Suites. Supposedly this information was given yesterday to a meeting of butlers on the Apex and that there would only be 6 butlers left on the Apex in the future.

 

Has anyone else heard about this? We have a Sky Suite booked and paid for on the Apex in September. I sincerely hope this is just a rumor and not reality.

On the same site you reference, a member called the Shoreside Concierge and verified the elimination of Butler's in some suites.   They were told the change has indeed been approved but that it would only apply to Sky Suites.

"I just spoke with a Shoreside Retreat Concierge who confirmed the changes I reported but clarified it only applies to Sky Suites. She also told me there are no plans to make an announcement of these changes or to notify people already booked in Sky Suites. She also said there’s no plan to offer any compensation or allowing penalty-free cancellation or return of deposit. So, this is no longer “rumor”. It’s a done deal. Changes will be rolled out starting mid-August starting with the Constellation (I think that’s the ship she mentioned). You can call the Shoreside Retreat Concierge to verify."

[Mark_T]

... well at least Celebrity are consistent in terms of not giving any notice to those with existing bookings...

 

The ripples from all these recent changes are going to continue for some time I think as it really forces home the realization that there is no aspect of whatever persuaded us that a particular cruise was going to deliver good value for our money, that cannot be removed on a whim...

Edited July 29, 2023 by Mark_T

[Fly and Sail]

1 minute ago, Jim_Iain said:

She also said there’s no plan to offer any compensation or allowing penalty-free cancellation or return of deposit.

 

I wonder how many people get peeved enough by Celebrity's constant bait and switch that they take them to court in case the cruise line refuses a refund, reimbursement, or cancellation.

 

Would I live longer periods in the U.S. these days I'd have already done so over the room service fees.

[micruiser2002]

5 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

On the same site you reference, a member called the Shoreside Concierge and verified the elimination of Butler's in some suites.   They were told the change has indeed been approved but that it would only apply to Sky Suites.

"I just spoke with a Shoreside Retreat Concierge who confirmed the changes I reported but clarified it only applies to Sky Suites. She also told me there are no plans to make an announcement of these changes or to notify people already booked in Sky Suites. She also said there’s no plan to offer any compensation or allowing penalty-free cancellation or return of deposit. So, this is no longer “rumor”. It’s a done deal. Changes will be rolled out starting mid-August starting with the Constellation (I think that’s the ship she mentioned). You can call the Shoreside Retreat Concierge to verify."

So I wonder if that means no more pre-cruise emails from Shoreside Retreat for those in a Sky suite?  I think it is time for another mass email push to the executive offices.  I understand making changes but to just not plan to inform anyone is bs.  

[phoenix_dream]

39 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

Since gratuities are built into the all included rate that there will be no affect on pricing.

So theoretically we should get a refund for part of our cruise price paid. That will happen round about the same time I win the current 1 billion MegaMillions lottery.

[Cap_D]

FWIW - The personal connection one makes with a crew member helps increase satisfaction and repeat business.  The elimination of a butler, even if it's just as a point of contact, makes it now less likely for customers to form a personal connection.  A constant theme throughout comments about cruising is the connection people form with crew, for some it's towards the top reasons why they feel positive about their cruise even if there are issues.  

[PTC DAWG]

All this makes sense, as I have my first Suite booked on Celebrity this January on the Ascent. A Sky Suite.  

Edited July 29, 2023 by PTC DAWG

[phoenix_dream]

So the rumor, as expected,  seems to be confirmed as reported by several sources.  To say this upsets me is the understatement of the year. If they changed it for sailings from "x" date going forward and allowed refundable deposits that's one thing. But to suddenly pull a promised perk with no notice and no explanation is outrageous.  The Celebrity I've known and loved for 30+ years no longer exists.  Time to seriously check out other lines.

Edited July 29, 2023 by phoenix_dream

[Jim_Iain]

4 minutes ago, phoenix_dream said:

So theoretically we should get a refund for part of our cruise price paid. That will happen round about the same time I win the current 1 billion MegaMillions lottery.

 

Nah... I just bought the winning Mega Million Ticket.  LOL

 

When I read the information I was thinking that next they will kick Sky Suites out of Retreat and it will be just like when Retreat was first opened -  CS and above only.    Let me just say that upper suites were complaining like the sky had fallen.  "It will be so packed it will never be the same again-"

[NCteacherlovescruising]

49 minutes ago, terrydtx said:

We may be looking at MSC Yacht Club now.

We were in the Yacht Club last month. It was an amazing experience!

 

34 minutes ago, PTC DAWG said:

I have sailed in YC. We have another booked this Sept.  I highly recommend it. 

Same!

 

5 minutes ago, PTC DAWG said:

All this makes sense, as I have my first Suite booked on Celebrity this January on the Ascent. A Sky Suite.  

Us too. We have a sunset sky suite booked on the Equinox for June. We will be celebrating our 30th anniversary and thought we would splurge. This is quite disappointing, especially since the yacht club got us quite spoiled last month!  And for only 57% of the cost!!

[Jim_Iain]

2 minutes ago, phoenix_dream said:

So the rumor, as expected,  seems to be confirmed as reported by several sources.  To say this upsets me is the understatement of the year. If they changed it for sailings from "x" date going forward and allowed refundable deposits that's one thing. But to suddenly pull a promised perk with no notice and no explanation is outrageous.  The Celebrity I've known and loved for 30+ years no longer exists.  Time to seriously check out other lines.

 

I guess Laura Hodges Bethge is trying to put her mark on Celebrity.      I have to agree that this is not the way you change an amenity that was advertised as part of the fare you purchased.   

 

IMHO they should at least be upfront and make an announcement and potentially a gesture of good faith to those affected.

[micruiser2002]

Just now, Jim_Iain said:

IMHO they should at least be upfront and make an announcement and potentially a gesture of good faith to those affected.

I agree completely.  Just showing their customers that they really don't care.

[jcpc]

This is not surprising to me.  I usually sail in Royal Suites but earlier this month I sailed in a Sky Suite on Summit.  I could see a significant change between Royal and Sky Suites.  Our butler was great (he left snacks at night, etc.) BUT if we wanted Evian water there was a charge (Aqua Panna was complimentary), there were no "fancy box of chocolates" on Chic night, there was no upgraded tote bag.  The last time two times that I sailed in a Sky Suite (Beyond October 2022 and Infinity September 2022) all was the same as when I sail in a Royal Suite (i.e., Evian, box of chocolates, tote bag).  I commented to my travel companion that they really diluted the Sky Suite amenities on the Summit.  But now I know it's not just the Summit.....it's the "new Celebrity"!

 

I'm trying MSC Yacht Club in September (saved approximately $6000 over Celebrity Equinox pricing for our two suites).  So I'm thinking if all goes well MSC will be in my future travel plans for sure!

Edited July 29, 2023 by jcpc

[CruisinBanka]

11 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

Nah... I just bought the winning Mega Million Ticket.  LOL

 

When I read the information I was thinking that next they will kick Sky Suites out of Retreat and it will be just like when Retreat was first opened -  CS and above only.    Let me just say that upper suites were complaining like the sky had fallen.  "It will be so packed it will never be the same again-"

That was my first thought as I posted above. Sky Suites will become the Junior Suites on Royal .

[mac_tlc]

This is definitely their MO lately:

 

She also told me there are no plans to make an announcement of these changes or to notify people already booked in Sky Suites. She also said there’s no plan to offer any compensation or allowing penalty-free cancellation or return of deposit.

 

Three of our future X cruises are in Sky Suites. This along with the debacle of the Beyond redeployment, vaping in casinos and skyrocking prices have soured us on X. We were already soured on Royal and will sail our last booked cruise with them next week. Other than the Alaska family cruise next August, we will reconsider our February Beyond and November Apex cruises. They were booked on board under the old rules, so only $100pp at risk. I’d rather forfeit that and move to YC or Oceania or Viking. This cheapening of the advertised, and booked, product is ridiculous.

 

Was never going to make Pinnacle or Zenith anyway😜.

 

mac_tlc