NOW I have a problem with the new Suite policies

[JDPCruisers]

12 minutes ago, Beachlover1989 said:

The crew is wonderful! But after so many wonderful retreat experiences, this one has taken a little to get used to. The retreat concierges are amazing!!!!! But we see our butler once a day if we’re lucky. The retreat lounge is often full. And dinner in Luminae is often loud and crowded. 

 

Are you in a Celebrity or above or Sky and only see your butler was a day? Asking as we will be on Connie in December in a Sky and have really enjoyed our butler.

[sixpackeddie]

1 hour ago, prmssk said:

The only items you have to pay extra for are ones that in the past were not available every day in Luminae or the MDR, unless I am misunderstanding you. 

When in a sky suite in the past we have never been charged additional for any items that have been on the menu. Since the main dining rooms Opus, Cosmopolitan etc are now charging addition for lobster, surf and Turf all guests including Sky Suite guests must pay the additional. The only guests that are exempt from this additional charge are guests in upper suites.

[jelayne]

27 minutes ago, Beachlover1989 said:

Ours have been filled too. The only thing the butler is bringing in is the canned water. 

Have to wonder why if they are bringing water they can’t bring soda or beer as they have been.  
 

[phoenix_dream]

1 hour ago, prmssk said:

The only items you have to pay extra for are ones that in the past were not available every day in Luminae or the MDR, unless I am misunderstanding you. 

Except unofficially.  Many times I've hated the Lumine menu and asked for a filet mignon.  Never had a problem.  If I have to start paying $20 to get one after paying thousands for the suite I will not be a happy camper that's for sure!

[phoenix_dream]

4 minutes ago, sixpackeddie said:

When in a sky suite in the past we have never been charged additional for any items that have been on the menu. Since the main dining rooms Opus, Cosmopolitan etc are now charging addition for lobster, surf and Turf all guests including Sky Suite guests must pay the additional. The only guests that are exempt from this additional charge are guests in upper suites.

Considering what Sky Suites cost these days that is really, really low of them to do that, especially for the filet which was always available for free in Luminae if you asked for it.

[Beachlover1989]

5 hours ago, JDPCruisers said:

Are you in a Celebrity or above or Sky and only see your butler was a day? Asking as we will be on Connie in December in a Sky and have really enjoyed our butler.

We are in a Celebrity Suite

[C-Dragons]

43 minutes ago, phoenix_dream said:

Except unofficially.  Many times I've hated the Lumine menu and asked for a filet mignon.  Never had a problem.  If I have to start paying $20 to get one after paying thousands for the suite I will not be a happy camper that's for sure!

And will they also charge those with allergies who can’t eat the main protein offered on the menu and would normally choose the filet instead?

[PinkSandGirl]

10 hours ago, terrydtx said:

What I figured would happen, how about the premium bottled water like Evian, do you have to get that as well from the Retreat lounge? Every one of our past Retreat cruises our fridge was kept filled with beer, wine and water by our butlers.

 

I just looked at current Sky Suites perks to see if anything has changed. <Butler is still there by the way>  This is for a cruise I have booked on the Beyond. 

 

It states: Bottled water on embarkation day.

 

My last cruise, on the Beyond in a Sky Suite, our butler asked what we would like.   We were easy.  I said evian, my boyfriend asked for water and pineapple juice.  She brought a glass every night and placed it in the refrigerator for the next morning.  We could have had whatever alcohol we wanted as well.  

 

I drink evian.  It's what I drink in my every day life.   Besides the Beyond not having evian in numerous locations during that cruise, it was always in the cabin.  The large glass bottles.  Much appreciated since I drink alot of it.   The small bottles, I go through so quickly.  

 

I would still stock up on small glass bottles when in the Retreat or from a bar so I had them to take around the ship/excursions this way I always had it.  

 

Anyway...back to why I posted.  The 'perk' of Bottled Water on Embarkation Day is just ridiculous.  If it truly is only on embarkation day.   If you look at Aqua Sky Suites they get 2 bottles daily (like regular AquaClass). Upper Suites get daily water.  The Celebrity Suite doesn't mention anything about water which is probably an oversight.

 

Yes, I can clearly stock up like a squirrel on my own but having the large bottles is convenient when in the cabin.   For the cost of Sky Suites and for the Retreat touted as all inclusive, bottled water stocked in the room shouldn't even be questioned.  Again, this may be determined by the Butler's discretion but it shouldn't have to be.

 

If this is the case and the Butler/team/whoever it may be won't continually stock large evian bottles, I guess I will be asking for large bottles (unopened) in Luminae.  😅   I laugh but it really isn't funny when you think about it.  Who knows, they may even charge me...by the way some things seem to be going.    

 

I will wait to see how it goes but it clearly states bottled water on embarkation day and I do not remember seeing that exact wording before.  Maybe I was lucky with a nice Butler but I don't think bottled water being stocked in the cabin should be a question.

 

It's the little things.

 

🍹

 

Sky Suites - some of the amenities 

 

 

[Mark_T]

3 hours ago, JDPCruisers said:

So, more cutbacks and X going the way of RC without the families....at least for now but who knows! Thanks for the real time update on the butler situation.

Charging the lower suites for what is in effect a speciality item can't really be considered a 'cutback', and if it only applies to the Sky Suite level and not Celebrity Suites then it would actually be an enhancement for the Celebrity Suites... 

[Georgia_Peaches]

On 8/16/2023 at 1:11 PM, kwokpot said:

As per requirements all drinks in Michael's Club on the Reflection and the Retreat Lounge on the Apex were complementary. Alcoholic beverages including wines and beers are chargeable for dinner at Luminae. 

I'm a little confused by this because I thought that if you sailed Retreat you automatically had the premium beverage package making wine and cocktails complimentary unless one ordered something that wasn't included.  Has this changed?

[Mark_T]

7 minutes ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

I'm a little confused by this because I thought that if you sailed Retreat you automatically had the premium beverage package making wine and cocktails complimentary unless one ordered something that wasn't included.  Has this changed?

No change, but if it was a 'move up' bid from a cruise only fare to a Sky Suite then you keep the drinks package you have, even if that is no package at all....

 

... on the lower suites the drinks package is not an amenity of the suite, it is a perk of the booking...

Edited August 17, 2023 by Mark_T

[kwokpot]

15 minutes ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

I'm a little confused by this because I thought that if you sailed Retreat you automatically had the premium beverage package making wine and cocktails complimentary unless one ordered something that wasn't included.  Has this changed?

On both occasions it was a casino booked complementary cruise. It didn't include a drink package or internet. 

Edited August 17, 2023 by kwokpot

[jelayne]

34 minutes ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

I'm a little confused by this because I thought that if you sailed Retreat you automatically had the premium beverage package making wine and cocktails complimentary unless one ordered something that wasn't included.  Has this changed?

Passengers who are in a Suite without a beverage package ( Move Up) do not get drinks in Luminae or the Sun Deck.  The Retreat Lounge has been the only place where a beverage package wasn’t needed.

[acrane]

1 hour ago, jelayne said:

The Retreat Lounge has been the only place where a beverage package wasn’t needed.

 

Does anyone know, does that mean the $17 limit on the premium package wouldn't apply in the Retreat Lounge?

[Covepointcruiser]

In the PH, meals from the Specialty Restaurants were included if you ate in that restaurant.   We were never promised Specialty Restaurants meals would be served in our suite.    Many of the restaurants have tableside offerings not conducive to room service.

 

Hopefully Celebrity will train the Butlers and Retreat Hosts so individual butlers won’t  be pressed to break the rules.

[CHEZMARYLOU]

It used to be very understandable what you got when you booked any suite in The Retreat. Now you need a PHD to figure it out. The surprise party department and the practical joke department have now taken over. The fairy godmother department has walked the plank it seems.

[wrk2cruise]

1 hour ago, acrane said:

 

Does anyone know, does that mean the $17 limit on the premium package wouldn't apply in the Retreat Lounge?

 

You never pay for anything in the Retreat Lounge (well at least up to now).   They will accommodate within reason but I believe technically the offerings are limited to whats available on the Premium Beverage Package.

 

[luckyinpa]

On 8/16/2023 at 3:04 PM, sixpackeddie said:

We are in reflection suite, having a great time, love the location, balcony. Food and staff are amazing have not really noticed any change other then a but  disappointed we could not order from specialty restaurant to our suite. It’s really not a huge deal but was able to order on our past cruises when in upper suite. Again staff here is phenomenal, food and service is great. It would be great to hear feedback from clients that are in sky suites to see how these changes have affected their experience.

 

ive seen vids of that shower and would love that cabin! for the price paid they really should deliver any food to you. period. even in the over the water shower!

 

reading all this stuff i wonder in a year what perks will be taken from my edge villa..

[chrisn-au]

1 hour ago, CHEZMARYLOU said:

Now you need a PHD to figure it out.

And that for me is the thing . We loved the retreat because it was simple and it was generally all inclusive (no speciality restaurant access for lowly ss guests) - it was a big selling point for me. I did not do a google sheet and add up the potential values - I did it because it was nice and easy . If it becomes complicated and I need to think about what is included or not I am less inclined to just accept it - would go back to a google sheet and probably not book the sky suite

 

regardless very much first world problems - very excited by my upcoming Israel,Egypt, Turkey cruise in a SS. Will be interesting to see 

[jelayne]

1 hour ago, luckyinpa said:

 

ive seen vids of that shower and would love that cabin! for the price paid they really should deliver any food to you. period. even in the over the water shower!

 

reading all this stuff i wonder in a year what perks will be taken from my edge villa..

At the rate things are being reduced and cut you probably won’t have to wait a year to hear what the next round of cutbacks and uncharges will be. 

[DaKahuna]

On 8/16/2023 at 10:16 AM, sixpackeddie said:

Also if you want a 2nd lobster in Lumaine and in a Sky Suite it’s now a room charge. Time will tell what else is changing.
 

 When was this and on which ship? We sailed on Millennium in April /May and I had two helpings of lobster in Luminae and was not charged. 

[Georgia_Peaches]

I just returned form a cruise in Yacht Club on MSC last week. We were in the least expensive category… a Yacht Club interior cabin. We were entitled to and received every perk associated with the highest suite category  (a Royal suite) with the exception of a dedicated cabana on the sun deck…a perk just for Royal Suite guests. Anything I wanted in the mini fridge, combined surf n turf…no extra charge. Butler at my beck and call…yacht club is yacht club is yacht club… if you pay to be in it, you get the perks….period. 
 

I know there have always been some differences between SS and RS and up but it’s starting to feel like the SS are an easy target for either nickel and diming for things that were once included or just to eliminate certain perks altogether. SMH… and shopping around. 

[jbcallender]

12 hours ago, prmssk said:

Lobster tail is currently on the MDR menu every night for an upcharge (which is fairly new) but it is still included without an upcharge on the formal lobster night in the MDR.  Was it the formal night where lobster traditionally is served or another night?

It was the chic night.  The Luminae head waiter told me it was the first time they had implemented the charge.  I did not eat any night in MDR, so I can't say what was happening there.

[jbcallender]

24 minutes ago, DaKahuna said:

 When was this and on which ship? We sailed on Millennium in April /May and I had two helpings of lobster in Luminae and was not charged. 

I was charged in Luminae on Millie last week for a lobster tail from the MDR that I added on a Luminae filet.  It was Chic (lobster) night in MDR  Head waiter told me it was a change in policy and that was the first night they implemented it.  Lobster Tail was not on the Luminae menu that night. Later that week, there was a butter poached lobster in cream sauce on the regular Luminae menu.  I ordered one, no upcharge.  I had only one, so I don't know if I would have been charged for the second one.

[markeb]

14 minutes ago, jbcallender said:

It was the chic night.  The Luminae head waiter told me it was the first time they had implemented the charge.  I did not eat any night in MDR, so I can't say what was happening there.

Was it free in the MDR that night? First or second chic night?

 

it’s not a good look either way, but it’s a very bad look if they charged you for a free MDR entree!

 

I don’t do lobster, but I think I would have told the head waiter where he could put his lobster. And I don’t do that…