NOW I have a problem with the new Suite policies

[luckyinpa]

On 10/3/2023 at 8:00 PM, sixpackeddie said:

Was a great experience. Perks in Edge Villa were:

-priority boarding was met by our butler and escorted on the ship

-dedicated butler

- 2 complimentary bottles of alcohol in suite

- fruit and cheese platter delivered daily

-monogrammed Retreat PJ’s

-unlimited dry cleaning, pressing and laundry

-mini fridge stocked with complimentary alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages

- unlimited specialty complimentary specialty resteraunt dining

If I missed anything I will let you know!

 

 

 

 

curious. do they size you up for the pjs. or just a one size fits all. ive gotten more..muscular in my old age

[CHEZMARYLOU]

15 minutes ago, luckyinpa said:

 

curious. do they size you up for the pjs. or just a one size fits all. ive gotten more..muscular in my old age

2 sizes: small/medium, large/extra large, and I understand they shrink. I've given 4 sets away and have 2 from our last cruise.  I really liked the robes.

[C-Dragons]

1 hour ago, CHEZMARYLOU said:

2 sizes: small/medium, large/extra large, and I understand they shrink. I've given 4 sets away and have 2 from our last cruise.  I really liked the robes.

Agree, the robes are very nice.

With regards to the PJ's, if they are washed in cold water only and hung to dry they won’t shrink. At least our haven’t.

[Baynanno1]

6 hours ago, terrydtx said:

If we hadn't booked our 2 January Edge cruises in a SS at more than $2500pp less than today's cost, we would be cancelling them both. Both cruises were booked at less than $4900pp with $800 OBC and prepaid gratuities. Today the 12-night NZ cruise SS is $7390pp and the 10-night Great Barrier Reef SS is $6852 plus both now have no OBC or prepaid gratuities. I hope this ridiculous pricing and new policies will eventually bite the Celebrity bean counters in their butts. Then and only then would we consider cruising with them again.

 

Like you, we got a very good price on a March 2024 cruise, Singapore to Sydney, with all the inclusions and generous OBC and unless our cruise in a couple of weeks is a total disaster, we will do it.

 

On 3rd October the same cruise was priced higher than we paid, at $6,000 per person, with the same inclusions and OBC.

On 4th October it was a little lower, but when adding the missing gratuities and OBC was around $1,500 more per person.

[phoenix_dream]

2 hours ago, luckyinpa said:

 

curious. do they size you up for the pjs. or just a one size fits all. ive gotten more..muscular in my old age

They run very small FYI. I could wear the xl top but the bottoms were not comfortable at all. The idea is nice but for us larger size people they often don't work (and I am not all that large - a woman's xl or xxl depending)

[CHEZMARYLOU]

1 hour ago, C-Dragons said:

Agree, the robes are very nice.

With regards to the PJ's, if they are washed in cold water only and hung to dry they won’t shrink. At least our haven’t.

I wash in cold water but have no interest, space or time to hang to dry.  Still like the robes and might buy two on our last Celebrity cruise.

[islabahia]

We cancelled our December ‘24 cruise and booked on the new Allura with Oceania.  X no longer provides a suite product for a reasonable price.  We have no interest in a Butler Team.  At what point will X stop shooting themselves in the foot?

[Dolebludger]

Well, I think the Celebrity Retreat, as it is now,  might find a market at a price much less than that offered by the true lux lines. But it is offering us a decreased product at a price higher than other lines that offer the full product. That “will not fly” for long.

[chemmo]

3 hours ago, phoenix_dream said:

They run very small FYI. I could wear the xl top but the bottoms were not comfortable at all. The idea is nice but for us larger size people they often don't work (and I am not all that large - a woman's xl or xxl depending)

They don’t particularly fit small people well either…the sleeves were too long on mine!

[mac_tlc]

22 hours ago, terrydtx said:

I do not think they want to hear my comments. We got off the Apex on September 26th.

 

 

I’d be interested in your observations and differences in the Retreat experience now vs. “then”. 
 

 

mac_tlc

[jagoffee]

21 hours ago, CHEZMARYLOU said:

2 sizes: small/medium, large/extra large, and I understand they shrink. I've given 4 sets away and have 2 from our last cruise.  I really liked the robes.

They had newer sizes on the Summit last month including XXL

Edited October 7, 2023 by jagoffee

[C4HCG]

22 hours ago, CHEZMARYLOU said:

I wash in cold water but have no interest, space or time to hang to dry.  Still like the robes and might buy two on our last Celebrity cruise.

How sad that it’s your last Celebrity cruise, they’ll miss you.

[Dolebludger]

21 hours ago, islabahia said:

We cancelled our December ‘24 cruise and booked on the new Allura with Oceania.  X no longer provides a suite product for a reasonable price.  We have no interest in a Butler Team.  At what point will X stop shooting themselves in the foot?

It matters not to me whether they call suite service providers butlers, retreat assistants, or room stewards. What  does matter is the service that is (or is not) provided. On smaller ship lines, the steward and room service are far more active and reliable than in large ship lines. For example, on Regent, only the “super premium suites” have butlers. The rest do not. But it is the consensus of those cruising that line that steward, room service, other services, and the included socked mini fridge really make the addition of a butler unnecessary. The steward restocks the fridge and brings us any items we need. The steward renews the flowers and supply treats daily. Room service is prompt, and has a rather large menu. The only reason anybody needs a “butler” on a cruise ship arises when the other “departments” aren’t doing their job, which would seem to be the case with Celebrity. 

[CHEZMARYLOU]

1 hour ago, C4HCG said:

How sad that it’s your last Celebrity cruise, they’ll miss you.

I sincerely doubt that. We don't meet the new demographic or profile. Life goes on though.

[RichYak]

4 hours ago, C4HCG said:

How sad that it’s your last Celebrity cruise, they’ll miss you.

It’s ironic that those who complain the most about the negativity on this board are actually the ones who bring the most negativity.

[C4HCG]

4 hours ago, RichYak said:

It’s ironic that those who complain the most about the negativity on this board are actually the ones who bring the most negativity.

I was being sincere but you think what you like, and not sure how you reach that conclusion anyway. I do think those that have cruised Celebrity far more than me will be missed by the crew that served them all those years and I do find it sad that they feel driven to this. 

[goofysmom99]

I take at least one Transatlantic cruise every year, sometimes several more (my record was 5 in 13 months).  I'm booked on Silhouette next November in C2, planning to dine in specialties each night to avoid the MDR but have been toying with upgrading to an accessible suite instead (can't do bathtubs).  Last night in the wee hours, checked Oceania's TA offerings and lo and behold, a single penthouse suite showed as available for 2024 on Vista (new in 2023).  Chewed on it all morning, comparing it to suites on X and other lines.  That turned out to be more difficult than I expected because suites are pretty much booked up everywhere next year except on Celebrity; only Beyond TA is booked up.  All other X ships have beaucoup suites available (Apex is wide open).  I don't know if that's telling or not, but X certainly has a lot of inventory to fill.  Then I studied the Vista PH video on youtube.  Wow. And their sundeck definitely competes with E-class.  The Vista PH suite is same price as an accessible sky suite on Silhouette, less than Apex!  And it comes with a butler, among other things (definitely better cabin and room service 🤗).  So called my agent a few minutes ago and booked the only remaining PH on the 2024 Vista TA.  Deposit was only $250 (solo); BTW, Silhouette C2 deposit was $450 for which I plan to take the $100 change fee hit and move the balance to something in Feb 2025, preferably short.    

 

From a vantage point of experience, X seems to be trying to win a race to the bottom.  Rather than the incessant slashing of their product and reputation, especially in suites and MDR, X really needs to step up their game if they're going to compete.  I honestly think their current management is inept.

[mac_tlc]

1 hour ago, goofysmom99 said:

I take at least one Transatlantic cruise every year, sometimes several more (my record was 5 in 13 months).  I'm booked on Silhouette next November in C2, planning to dine in specialties each night to avoid the MDR but have been toying with upgrading to an accessible suite instead (can't do bathtubs).  Last night in the wee hours, checked Oceania's TA offerings and lo and behold, a single penthouse suite showed as available for 2024 on Vista (new in 2023).  Chewed on it all morning, comparing it to suites on X and other lines.  That turned out to be more difficult than I expected because suites are pretty much booked up everywhere next year except on Celebrity; only Beyond TA is booked up.  All other X ships have beaucoup suites available (Apex is wide open).  I don't know if that's telling or not, but X certainly has a lot of inventory to fill.  Then I studied the Vista PH video on youtube.  Wow. And their sundeck definitely competes with E-class.  The Vista PH suite is same price as an accessible sky suite on Silhouette, less than Apex!  And it comes with a butler, among other things (definitely better cabin and room service 🤗).  So called my agent a few minutes ago and booked the only remaining PH on the 2024 Vista TA.  Deposit was only $250 (solo); BTW, Silhouette C2 deposit was $450 for which I plan to take the $100 change fee hit and move the balance to something in Feb 2025, preferably short.    

 

From a vantage point of experience, X seems to be trying to win a race to the bottom.  Rather than the incessant slashing of their product and reputation, especially in suites and MDR, X really needs to step up their game if they're going to compete.  I honestly think their current management is inept.

See you onboard the Vista next November!

 

After being cancelled twice by Celebrity on Fall 2024 TA's (Beyond and Apex) and getting little or no compensation or price protection, we booked a PH1 on Viata for less than either of the Celebrity options (which were in Sky Suites) even when adjusting for gratuities and Premium Bev Pkg. 

 

We also booked the Vista Fall TA for November 2025 and its even cheaper than the 2024 version. 

 

 

mac_tlc

[neverlaysup]

On 10/6/2023 at 6:19 AM, terrydtx said:

We have not received any post cruise surveys from Celebrity, I do not think they want to hear my comments. We got off the Apex on September 26th.

 

I did use the QR code on the cruise once and got no response, so i quit using them.

On a survey for my cruise that ended on 30 September, I gave some seriously low ratings (zero and one) for a few items. Did they ask me to explain.....NOPE. On the 1 item I gave a 10 to.....they asked me to explain. Celebrity does not actually care or seek feedback on the survey...it's just a feel good thing they give people to let them think they are making a difference.

[talljules1]

I think the comments in this thread neatly explain why I am feeling nervous about our forthcoming Christmas/NY cruise on the Infinity.  We have reached the sweet suite life and generally sail in Sky Suites, but pushed the boat out an booked a Royal Suite. We got a good price, having booked over a year ago (about £1000/day for the two of us) and I am excited about being away for Xmas/NY for the first time. Infinity was our first cruise ship but, until now, we've not been back, so was excited to see it again.

 

I should be excited about having a RS. But all the changes mean that I am more anxious than excited.  Will try to go with a positive attitude and to roll with the punches. Maybe being in a RS will insulate us from the changes. Not sure. Would have liked to have lots more Celebrity cruises booked, but this ongoing sense of insecurity means we haven't. This might well be our last X cruise for a while, I suspect. As many others have said here, the price:value ratio is no longer favorable on Celebrity and unless our Xmas cruise is up there as one of the best we've done (as it should be as it's one of two RS's we've had) likely won't book with them again.  Already looking at other lines.  We've done 2 weeks in a YC Duplex suite on MSC Virtuosa this year and had a great time. Oceania, Regent etc look interesting too.  Celebrity never advertised itself as a premium line like Oceania, Regent, but now their prices are as high or higher than the premium lines, and the offering doesn't match. I am royally fed up with paying more and more and, every time, finding out that something else is no longer included. Also realising we could go far away with Business class flights, stay in a nice hotel and pay less than a Sky Suite (even when factoring in food and drinks etc) so also thinking about land-based hols for a while.

[micruiser2002]

6 minutes ago, talljules1 said:

I think the comments in this thread neatly explain why I am feeling nervous about our forthcoming Christmas/NY cruise on the Infinity.  We have reached the sweet suite life and generally sail in Sky Suites, but pushed the boat out an booked a Royal Suite. We got a good price, having booked over a year ago (about £1000/day for the two of us) and I am excited about being away for Xmas/NY for the first time. Infinity was our first cruise ship but, until now, we've not been back, so was excited to see it again.

 

I should be excited about having a RS. But all the changes mean that I am more anxious than excited.  Will try to go with a positive attitude and to roll with the punches. Maybe being in a RS will insulate us from the changes. Not sure. Would have liked to have lots more Celebrity cruises booked, but this ongoing sense of insecurity means we haven't. This might well be our last X cruise for a while, I suspect. As many others have said here, the price:value ratio is no longer favorable on Celebrity and unless our Xmas cruise is up there as one of the best we've done (as it should be as it's one of two RS's we've had) likely won't book with them again.  Already looking at other lines.  We've done 2 weeks in a YC Duplex suite on MSC Virtuosa this year and had a great time. Oceania, Regent etc look interesting too.  Celebrity never advertised itself as a premium line like Oceania, Regent, but now their prices are as high or higher than the premium lines, and the offering doesn't match. I am royally fed up with paying more and more and, every time, finding out that something else is no longer included. Also realising we could go far away with Business class flights, stay in a nice hotel and pay less than a Sky Suite (even when factoring in food and drinks etc) so also thinking about land-based hols for a while.

Not sure what changes you are referring to, everything so far that has been discussed is only relevant to Sky Suites and you are in a Royal Suite.

[jelayne]

I’m not aware of any changes that affected the high level suites.  They have the same amenities as before and they still have butlers.  

[Dolebludger]

If I understand correctly, RS and above still have butlers, and still can use the mini fridge in the suite with out charge. As I understand, these things are no longer true for suites below RS. So those already booked in RS should have a great cruise. There have been comments about Luminae changes, but comments about food are subjective and may not apply to you. We have cruised X in a RS, and the only reason we don’t do it again is the greatly inflated price now. If we could book a RS for the price per day you stated, we would.

[jelayne]

19 minutes ago, Dolebludger said:

If I understand correctly, RS and above still have butlers, and still can use the mini fridge in the suite with out charge. As I understand, these things are no longer true for suites below RS. So those already booked in RS should have a great cruise. There have been comments about Luminae changes, but comments about food are subjective and may not apply to you. We have cruised X in a RS, and the only reason we don’t do it again is the greatly inflated price now. If we could book a RS for the price per day you stated, we would.

The changes did not impact the Celebrity Suites, just Aqua Sky Suites, Sunset Sky Suites, Sky Suites and Magic Carpet Sky Suites.  

[Dolebludger]

11 minutes ago, jelayne said:

The changes did not impact the Celebrity Suites, just Aqua Sky Suites, Sunset Sky Suites, Sky Suites and Magic Carpet Sky Suites.  

Glad to hear that. Can CS guests still use mini fridge contents without additional charge?