Is Premium Acess worth it?

[lsok]

• 
   
• • 167
• August 2, 2011

• #203  

 

Considering signing up for -Premium Access: Wi-Fi & More Perks

A "sale" is available for today only.  $24.99 per day per person in the stateroom.

Sailing on 4/23/24-- did not purchase the all inclusive package.  Paid gratuities separately and we were going to get the premium WiFi for 2 devices.

 

What's Included

• Premium Wi-Fi for two devices.
• Complimentary room service, unlimited (waived delivery fee & gratuities)
• Early access at the terminal. (See FAQs for more information)
• Priority luggage delivery to staterooms.
• Welcome lunch in the main dining room served from 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm; be sure to select an early boarding time.
• Priority departure from ship to shore in ports that require tender service.
• Reserved seating at shows in The Theatre.
• Express luggage service in the terminal when debarking.

 

-Prem WiFi cost for 2 devices is $34.99 for one person.  That is what we were originally considering.

-The Complimentary room service-- is tempting since we have 2 tours that have a 7:15-7:20 meeting time and there is no fee or gratuity for this.  Think with our concierge cabin-- we have room service, but would have to cover the delivery and gratuties. 

-Since we are in a concierge cabin, we supposedly already have a welcome lunch.

 

Think this is a good value?

[jelayne]

I dont think so.  But it depends on if the benefits are of value to you on your cruise.

 

You may want to call and check that it is premium wi-fi, some reported being told they had to have the basic wi-fi and this  package was the upgrade to Premium.

 

Early access to the terminal, isn't early boarding, you still have to select a arrival time.  In concierge you already have the lunch they offer.   Luggage is delivered quickly so no need for priority delivery unless you really need your luggage before 3 as much of the luggage is delivered by then.

 

Reserved seating in the theater - do you need that?  .  The reserved area for Suites is released 10 minutes before the  show so I would assume that same for this pass.  Go 15-20 minutes before and you should have no problem finding nice seats. 

 

Does your cruise have a lot of tender ports?  Are you Elite or above in the Captains Club as they also have tender priority.  

 

For 2 of you on a 7 Night cruise you would be paying $350 for 2 room service fees (total $25)  and if the is wi-fi more than just a upgrade then it could be a good deal.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited February 29 by jelayne
typo

[twins_to_alaska]

All cabin levels have room service. 🙂

[paulh84]

If you booked with All Included as we always do the perks included are virtually useless to us. 

[1Virgo]

2 hours ago, twins_to_alaska said:

All cabin levels have room service. 🙂

yes. complimentary as long as ordering a Continental breakfast.  Any other items added, or want to order meals  incurs a $9.99 + 20% gratuity. 

[DaKahuna]

3 hours ago, twins_to_alaska said:

All cabin levels have room service. 🙂

 

 But it only complimentary for Retreat guest.  Everyone else pays except for continental breakfast.

 

[jelayne]

5 hours ago, paulh84 said:

If you booked with All Included as we always do the perks included are virtually useless to us. 

AI is includes Basic wi-fi, the pass would add Premium wi-fi for 2 devices.   AI doesn’t waive the Room Service Delivery fee which is in place except for Continental breakfast nor does it give you lunch in the  MDR on embarkation day or priority for tenders or reserved seating area in the theater.  
So depending on ones Captains Club level and cabin category the value of perks of the pass can vary.  But AI really doesn’t overlap with the Premium Access pass. 

[paulh84]

10 hours ago, jelayne said:

AI is includes Basic wi-fi, the pass would add Premium wi-fi for 2 devices.   AI doesn’t waive the Room Service Delivery fee which is in place except for Continental breakfast nor does it give you lunch in the  MDR on embarkation day or priority for tenders or reserved seating area in the theater.  
So depending on ones Captains Club level and cabin category the value of perks of the pass can vary.  But AI really doesn’t overlap with the Premium Access pass. 

 

That's why I said "to us". YMMV. My next cruise shows a cost of $521.82. I already upgraded WiFi for $71.82. The rest of the things included have no monetary value or benefit to me. I could order room service 38 times for the difference in price before breaking even. I would be paying $460 for the illusion of faster boarding, quicker bag delivery, and a special seat in the theatre twice. We've never used priority tendering as the times often don't make sense. 

Edited March 1 by paulh84

[bikerunner]

15 minutes ago, paulh84 said:

 

That's why I said "to us". YMMV. My next cruise shows a cost of $521.82. I already upgraded WiFi for $71.82. The rest of the things included have no monetary value or benefit to me. I could order room service 38 times for the difference in price before breaking even. I would be paying $460 for the illusion of faster boarding, quicker bag delivery, and a special seat in the theatre twice. We've never used priority tendering as the times often don't make sense. 

Exactly, it is only maybe if someone books a room only cruise where it might be beneficial overall to me, tho I usually can get a rate from my TA for the AI that is just about the same as room only with Celebrity, or have in the past, so the added WIFI is no value. I have rarely ever ordered room service, and the shows I dont go often tbh. 

[Club Eleven]

I am travelling solo on a TA cruise, with a fare-only (+ prepaid tips) veranda cabin and no Captains Club points. This looked like a good value to me, especially because I had already booked the premium wi-fi for two devices at the same price as I was being offered the premium access at sale price. So I cancelled the upgraded Wi-Fi and bought the premium access.

I don't have any other packages, because I don't drink enough of anything to justify the package price, so I don't really have any perks. I liked the idea of being able to get room service any  time without any special charge. The rest of it struck me as "nice to have" without being critical, but cool if it turned out that they provided a benefit. Since I was getting all the stuff other than Wi-Fi at the price I had previously paid for just the Wi-Fi alone, it was pretty much a no-brainer for me. 

Your mileage may vary... 😎

Edited March 1 by Club Eleven

[Saturngrl]

We always sail Concierge and are Elite level members.  We considered the Premium Pass, but:

1.  Basic wi fi for one device is fine with us.  We cruise to disengage from the constant phone disruptions

2.  We enjoy the embarkation luncheon in the MDR as Concierge class passengers

3.  The PP offers early terminal access, but fails to mention any priority in boarding the ship

4.  Despite a dedicated area for luggage on disembarkation day,  this pass does not offer the exclusive breakfast in the MDR and an escort off the ship at a time of our choice. 

 

Hope this helps in your decision-making.