What's best about sailing in a suite?

[buzz031]

First time in a suite (Aqua Sky Suite) on an upcoming Reflection cruise (not our first cruise). Sailed previously in Aquaclass and Concierge class. Tell me what's your favorite thing about sailing in a Sky Suite?

[omahabob]

The best thing about sailing in a suite is it makes my wife happier. Every single aspect of any cruise is better when the wife is happier.

 

We do it because, as a general rule, there's more space and better amenities/service. But the space issue is debatable from ship to ship, and cruise line to cruise line. The amenities and service also seem to be trending downward everywhere, so we may not do it much longer. We're sticking with it for now though.

Edited April 10 by omahabob

[celebrity cruiser]

I would say best service, best bar package and best food in Lumanae, plus it makes my wife very happy also. 😉

[hcat]

only tried it once.  for us it was early embark and disembark,  and larger cabin and balc    ..

[DaKahuna]

What others said above, especially about happy wife, size of the room, and DPB, but also the included WiFi and for me, the private lounge.  I like to get out of the room and sit in a nice peaceful area and enjoy reading a book on my tablet or watching YouTube videos (with my ear buds of course).  

 

However, the prices Celebrity is charging for Suites and the removal of pre-paid gratuities and OBC is having us re-think our cruising model or shifting to other cruise lines. 

 

[LoveRoughSeas]

Celebrity Suite is wonderful!  Best perks - Private Bar and lounge, private outdoor lounge with a bar and Luminae restaurant is the best!   Can select meals from Luminae menu, Blu or Main Dining room.  Very attentive service - staff remembers your name and preferences!  Worth the price

[NanaPam00]

For us, it is the feeling that you have a team to help if there are any issues.  Two examples, both on the same trip - we were on the Solstice in Alaska.  one of our group started feeling quite unwell during an excursion.  He contacted the Retreat concierge and was able to get escorted to the front of the tender line when he returned.  On that same trip, my husband was dropped from a ship's excursion that we had already booked prior to sailing (it was a vendor error), and when we tried to rebook it the excursion showed full.  Th Retreat concierge was able to work with the vendor or get him a space on the full excursion. That safety net makes us so much more relaxed.

[DaKahuna]

26 minutes ago, LoveRoughSeas said:

Luminae restaurant is the best!   Can select meals from Luminae menu, Blu or Main Dining room.

 

 This seems to be hit or miss with regards to ordering from the Blu menu in Luminae.  We have been told no, but could order ahead and they would see if the chef could accomodate. 

 

 On Edge we were told no orders from either the Blu and or MDR menu's.  Seems to hold true across all of the Edge class ships. 

 

 

[1Virgo]

For us, we appreciate the larger cabin, having a contact like Butler/team  that will actually expedite things or get answers, service, upgraded  amenities and Luminae. 

(We do sail Aqua if Retreat sold out or ridiculous in price.)  

[jbcallender]

I sailed in a Celbrity Suite on Millie last August.  We thoroughly loved the priority embarkation,  priority tendering, meals in luminae or blu, the concierge lounge, the butler, reserved seating for shows.  I recently sailed on Princess in a higher end suite and there is virtually no recognition of being a suite guest on Princess.  The Celebrity suite experience was far better.

[Kteacher]

As others have said, expedited embarkation and debarkation, Michael’s Club (prefer it to Retreat Lounge), Luminae restaurant, and the level of service we always receive. See you on board 😀

[Lastdance]

My DH could cruise in an SV, but I prefer a suite for the following reasons:

 

1.  I love to get on the ship ASAP.

2.  E-class is a perfect fit for both of us, but a suite is still a suite!

3.  Our relationships onboard with the staff are excellent and we all feel like friends.

4.  Vacations are meant to be special, so being in a suite is lovely due to the larger bathroom and extra space so that it does not feel crowded.

5.  My DH loves the bar on the Retreat Sundeck with private pool area, not to mention wants me to feel loved...that’s what he just said!  Plus, you can’t take it with you!

6.  We have had issues at home while abroad, so having people who really care has made life much easier for us!

 

🤷‍♀️However...pricing is so much higher for our cruises, so when we do b2b’s, we book a suite and SV due to pricing.  In addition, Luminae needs to update its menu!  We love the Celebrity product:  E-class is wonderful, but also pricey too.

Edited April 10 by Lastdance

[Straughn]

I like the priority embarkation and disembarkation. I drive, so getting off the ship on my schedule is great.  Michael’s Club/ The Retreat offers a chance to get to know other suite passengers and to make friends for dining. I enjoy Luminae because of the personalized service and, of course, the food. I was one of the folks who, when the butler service in Sky Suites, was reduced, thought “whatever.” I don’t order in room breakfast and rarely have special requests. The butler was useful for dining reservations, but The Retreat concierge team could accomplish the same thing.

 

Now if someone was in a higher level suite, there are benefits which are fantastic. As a solo, those suites are out of my price range!

Edited April 10 by Straughn

[samplecd02]

I have only traveled once on Celebrity and in  a Edge Villa so  my thoughts are limited.
I like the  priority embarkation and disembarkation. I didnt try Luminae more than once  or twice since I had the specialty restaurants included. I loved being able to decide where I wanted to eat based  on  my mood for the day.
Also the 2 story room that had a door directly to the Retreat sundeck and my own private plunge pool was awesome as  well. 😁

Loved the butler and the pampering.

 

[Gracie115]

On 4/10/2024 at 3:12 PM, LoveRoughSeas said:

   Can select meals from Luminae menu, Blu or Main Dining room.  Very attentive service - staff remembers your name and preferences!  Worth the price

 

Only allowed on M & S class ships not on Edge.  Just another reason we won't be booking E class again.

 

On 4/10/2024 at 3:41 PM, DaKahuna said:

 

 On Edge we were told no orders from either the Blu and or MDR menu's.  Seems to hold true across all of the Edge class ships. 

 

Certainly true on Apex and E class from what I've read/heard.

[ICANTWAITTOCRUISE]

I always feel sort of bad thinking this or saying this but it is the truth.... I just love how special everything associated with the suite makes me feel. I feel more pampered. 
For me it seems much more special than non suite accommodation which obviously  it is.

Edited April 11 by ICANTWAITTOCRUISE

[George C]

Priority getting on board and disembarking. Luminae which is far better than mdr . Love suite lounge , concierge is really helpful with any problems you may encounter. Biggest problem is you will not want to sail in anything but a suite again .

[happyyaya]

Much of what others have said. Priority embarkation and disembarkation; priority to tenders if you're doing a private excursion; when booked in a Sky Suite we LOVE the Luminae and the ability to also eat in Blu; of course the larger room is a huge plus. Sky Suite comes with premium beverage package and wifi. Both very nice. Retreat lounge is fantastic: love their small bites for breakfast and going later, after dinner, to an almost empty lounge for a pre-bed small drink. Retreat pool area is also very nice. And I must also add, once, we came down with Covid and had to spend 5 days in quarantine....our larger room was FANTASTIC and the ability to have room service from the Luminae menu made all the difference in the world!

[Liao]

The incredible butlers, Luminae and specialty restaurant options.

[miched]

It use to be the prepaid gratuities, $400 pp SBC, premium bev pack,  premium wifi. and butler.   On our last cruise in a SS we didn’t have a dedicated butler but have heard that they are rolling out the service again starting on the Edge Class ships.   May take some time to staffing the whole fleet.   New bookings don’t  include the gratuities or any SBC.  

 

Everything is nice but the way the prices are I doubt we will be booking anymore in a suite.  Can’t justify the extra cost.    I know people will say once you try a suite you will never go back.  Not true. We have  done it a few times and not missed it.   We booked our next 3 cruises in AQ and won’t do a move up bid. 
 

Enjoy it while you can and don’t chase after what others do. 
 

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅

[zitsky]

Banana splits in Luminae so I don’t have to wait for gelato like a regular person.  And the way folks bow as you walk by.