Going on Beyond.- Is Premium Access worth it.

[cruisegal40]

Hello. I did search these boards, however "access" and "premium"  loaded tons of threads, however, not what I was looking for.

 

We are leaving on Beyond on September 6th. We currently have a concierge cabin now (location). I am considering doing the Premium Access which is currently at 40% off.  $33.99/day/person.  My question is....are all the perks actually worth it? We already have the lunch on the first day. But I am wondering about is all the other perks. I would purchase the wifi for 40% for only one devise as DH does not use the wifi.  Are there really seats available and priority boarding and such?  This is my first Celebrity cruise so please go easy on me.

[bikerunner]

Look at it this way, You both have to get it vs only one person buying internet cost wise. Your going on beyond, what time is your boarding time, but also never really have issues at Ft Lauderdale for boarding when you want.  Maybe a little delay but latest I got on was like 1215.  My luggage has always shown up by sail away and shows never have had problems finding seats.  I never use room service as easy enough and much better selection to grab a plate from the OVC to bring to your room if need be. To me the only useful benefit is the Wifi but if both do not need it save the money and use it elsewhere.  

[PTC DAWG]

$500 bucks a week to maybe board the ship a little earlier?  Hard pass for me..

[cruisegal40]

25 minutes ago, cruisegal40 said:

Hello. I did search these boards, however "access" and "premium"  loaded tons of threads, however, not what I was looking for.

 

We are leaving on Beyond on September 6th. We currently have a concierge cabin now (location). I am considering doing the Premium Access which is currently at 40% off.  $33.99/day/person.  My question is....are all the perks actually worth it? We already have the lunch on the first day. But I am wondering about is all the other perks. I would purchase the wifi for 40% for only one devise as DH does not use the wifi.  Are there really seats available and priority boarding and such?  This is my first Celebrity cruise so please go easy on me.

We have a 12:00 check in.  If that helps?  I am thinking of passing. 

[39august]

Certainly would not be worth it to me! As mentioned above, boarding at Ft. Lauderdale is pretty fast and easy. Have read several reports that luggage didn't arrive before usual times anyway. 

[WrittenOnYourHeart]

Nope. The only true benefit I could see is the internet access...and you can almost certainly get that for less. And as you've said, you only need it for one person.

 

I'm picky about seating and their idea of "preferred" is not mine.

 

The people who purchased it were on MAYBE 5 minutes before general boarding started - and honestly that's probably from when the first person scanned on board to when they started letting those of us who had not bought it on.

 

I'd pondered it at a point where the price was very close to the internet since I'm solo, but ultimately decided against it as for me the internet was literally the only thing I'd use (the lunch menu doesn't appeal to me). You sound very similar since you're already Concierge. I'd skip it.

[cruisetonowhere10]

I’d vote no.  You really aren’t boarding much earlier.  If you had a tender port intensive itinerary potentially that would be a benefit, but it says tender ports only so I don’t think you get priority disembarkation at regular ports.  You’re already getting lunch on day one so the only usable benefit is the WiFi and it’s more $ than what you can get that for.

[cruisegal40]

Thank you for all the knowledgeable input. I guess all are great points.

[Ellis1138]

I'm hoping to tag on and ask more about Premiere Access. It'll be my first time on a Celebrity ship (Silhouette). 

My sailing gives me a price of $280 for premium wifi.

The Premiere Access price is $310. 

 

Aside from the Access giving me internet on an extra device, I had a question.

The blurb points out that if I buy this, I get a welcome lunch from 12 pm to 1:30 pm. Doesn't anyone who boards the ship in time get that? Or does everyone else have to eat at the buffet on embarkation day?

 

Or do the Premiere Access people get to eat Welcome Lunch in a specialty restaurant?

[jelayne]

Guests who are booked in Concierge Class get a lunch in the MDR, limited menu.  Others, with the exception of Suite guests,  can have lunch at Oceanview Cafe or the  Mast Grill.

 

If you cruise isn’t soon keep an eye out for a flash sale that may offer a better price on wi-fi.  There is a flash sale now for some sailings.  Also Black Friday can offer some good sales and wi-fi, drinks, excursions etc. 

[StopTheWorld]

10 hours ago, Ellis1138 said:

I'm hoping to tag on and ask more about Premiere Access. It'll be my first time on a Celebrity ship (Silhouette). 

My sailing gives me a price of $280 for premium wifi.

The Premiere Access price is $310. 

 

Aside from the Access giving me internet on an extra device, I had a question.

The blurb points out that if I buy this, I get a welcome lunch from 12 pm to 1:30 pm. Doesn't anyone who boards the ship in time get that? Or does everyone else have to eat at the buffet on embarkation day?

 

Or do the Premiere Access people get to eat Welcome Lunch in a specialty restaurant?

If you have premier access you can have a sit-down lunch in one of the dining rooms along with Concierge cabin, back-to-back and Zenith guests. Suite guests can have lunch in Luminae. Everyone else has access to the buffet and mast grill at the pool.

Remember you also get free room service, if this is something you’ll use a couple of times, you’ll soon recoup the extra $30. 

I had the premier access for a recent Apex cruise and it wasn’t much more than the wifi on its own, so it was a no brainer. The embarkation lunch was a nice way to start the cruise, and the reserved seats in the theatre were a godsend as it was standing room only most nights. 

[hcat]

where were the reserved theater seats? with the suite gyests or elsewhere?

 

guess this works for some..

to us it's a "cut the line gimmick" that hss pushed others back who used to get priority boarding etc.  like AQ Class guests..

 

We are trying Concierge next..so will have the lunch included if we board on time! And we also have E +  internet minutes..do not need more or better.

 

 Priority shuttles to tender ports is given to those with excursions, suite guests, Elite etc. So if everyone has priority..not sure of the real value.?

[StopTheWorld]

The reserved seats were on the lower level, not directly in front of the stage, but just to the right, about half way down from the entrance. The seats were available every night and a member of staff checked your card before allowing you to sit there. 

[Ellis1138]

Thank you. This tips me towards the access, because I like to eat my embarkation day lunch in a MDR, since it's quieter and also I need to find a maitre d' for discussing food allergies and pre-ordering dinner (if Celebrity does that.)

 

And I guess having the option for room service would be okay. I don't normally get that, but who knows.

 

I don't usually see a show at the theater, but I guess it would be nice to have a section waiting for me if I did go.

[Straughn]

I have used Premium Access once, sailing on Constellation, from Tampa. The embarkation experience was wonderful. When I arrived, the lady who was checking boarding passes immediately called another woman over. I was escorted, past a long line of passengers, to a separate checkin desk. From there I was escorted to the escalator that led to the ship’s boarding ramp. At the escalator, the line was stopped and I was allowed to board, bypassing another long line.

 

As a solo, I loved the lunch in the MDR. I didn’t have to search for a seat in the over crowded buffet and then hope a server came by to take my drink order. The premium seats were on the second level of the theatre and were a decent location. I don’t use room service, so that wasn’t a motivator for the purchase. The two Wi-Fi logins were great as I didn’t have to keep logging off my phone to use my iPad and vice versa. The thing I enjoyed  most, and was something I hadn’t thought about, was the priority departure, with my luggage in group 1. I was off the ship, in my car, and  headed home at 8:10. Before someone says that I could do self carry off and get the same timing, I chose not to do that. I am retired/older and have no desire to schlep my two suitcases off the ship. The price  difference between premium Wi-Fi and the Premium Access was around $30. For me, it was worth the additional $ for the other perks.

 

Would I do it again? That depends on the port and the ship. I certainly will when I sail out of Tampa next year. Out of Port Everglades on an E class ship, probably not. On an S or M class, I would seriously consider it. 

 

 

[jelayne]

1 hour ago, Ellis1138 said:

Thank you. This tips me towards the access, because I like to eat my embarkation day lunch in a MDR, since it's quieter and also I need to find a maitre d' for discussing food allergies and pre-ordering dinner (if Celebrity does that.)

 

And I guess having the option for room service would be okay. I don't normally get that, but who knows.

 

I don't usually see a show at the theater, but I guess it would be nice to have a section waiting for me if I did go.

Just FYI there is no Room Service charge for Continental breakfast.  

[cruisetonowhere10]

I think as a solo traveler this makes sense.  I have been looking at it and next cruise there are 3 of us so it ends up being quite a lot and makes for an expensive lunch.  lol.  Always have to compare options and do a cost benefit analysis.

[Ellis1138]

6 hours ago, jelayne said:

Just FYI there is no Room Service charge for Continental breakfast.  

Thanks. I don't eat a continental one. I like my hot stuff, eggs and bacon. But unless I don't feel well, I'm probably not using room service.

 

The MDR lunch, meager as it is, plus the little embarkation and disembarkation access is probably worth the extra $30 to me. Especially since the $280 internet is only 1 device.

[miched]

A lot of fluff  like most of the marketing that the cruise lines make. 
 

Save your money.   
 

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅

[hcat]

19 hours ago, Straughn said:

I have used Premium Access once, sailing on Constellation, from Tampa. The embarkation experience was wonderful. When I arrived, the lady who was checking boarding passes immediately called another woman over. I was escorted, past a long line of passengers, to a separate checkin desk. From there I was escorted to the escalator that led to the ship’s boarding ramp. At the escalator, the line was stopped and I was allowed to board, bypassing another long line.

 

As a solo, I loved the lunch in the MDR. I didn’t have to search for a seat in the over crowded buffet and then hope a server came by to take my drink order. The premium seats were on the second level of the theatre and were a decent location. I don’t use room service, so that wasn’t a motivator for the purchase. The two Wi-Fi logins were great as I didn’t have to keep logging off my phone to use my iPad and vice versa. The thing I enjoyed  most, and was something I hadn’t thought about, was the priority departure, with my luggage in group 1. I was off the ship, in my car, and  headed home at 8:10. Before someone says that I could do self carry off and get the same timing, I chose not to do that. I am retired/older and have no desire to schlep my two suitcases off the ship. The price  difference between premium Wi-Fi and the Premium Access was around $30. For me, it was worth the additional $ for the other perks.

 

Would I do it again? That depends on the port and the ship. I certainly will when I sail out of Tampa next year. Out of Port Everglades on an E class ship, probably not. On an S or M class, I would seriously consider it. 

 

 

wow.. looks like you received Top treatment, esp for embark & disembark..

 

We used to get  that (not the lunch) for E+  or AQ Class..Might have to consider, if we sail from Tampa.

[bbeanpin]

I don't know if it is worth it as we haven't sailed Celebrity yet, but I just got it for our 1st for only 17.99 pp/pd. It was less than the Premium WiFi for 2 devices.

[cruisetonowhere10]

1 hour ago, bbeanpin said:

I don't know if it is worth it as we haven't sailed Celebrity yet, but I just got it for our 1st for only 17.99 pp/pd. It was less than the Premium WiFi for 2 devices.

That’s pretty good.  It’s 31.99 on sale right now for my next cruise.  But there are 3 of us so not cheaper than the 2 WiFi for one person that we’d share.  At at 17.99 I’d get it.

[bbeanpin]

1 hour ago, cruisetonowhere10 said:

That’s pretty good.  It’s 31.99 on sale right now for my next cruise.  But there are 3 of us so not cheaper than the 2 WiFi for one person that we’d share.  At at 17.99 I’d get it.

It has been 30.99 pp/pd with 10% off since we booked and then this morning it is 17.99 with 10% off not sure why. Premium wifi for 2 devices is still 42.99 with 20% off. I don't no if I am missing something or what, but just for the wifi its worth it.

[MNSails]

On 8/25/2024 at 12:41 PM, cruisetonowhere10 said:

I think as a solo traveler this makes sense.  I have been looking at it and next cruise there are 3 of us so it ends up being quite a lot and makes for an expensive lunch.  lol.  Always have to compare options and do a cost benefit analysis.

 

It made sense for me a solo. I paid $28 per night on a short cruise, which was only slightly more than the single device wifi package.  Since I'm not doing the retreat this time I'm hoping to avoid the embarkation lines and have a decent lunch the first day.  May take advantage of room service as well.  If I was in the retreat, sailing with someone, or on a longer cruise, I don't think it makes sense financially. 

Edited August 31 by MNSails

[Ellis1138]

On 8/24/2024 at 9:57 PM, jelayne said:

If you cruise isn’t soon keep an eye out for a flash sale that may offer a better price on wi-fi.  There is a flash sale now for some sailings.  Also Black Friday can offer some good sales and wi-fi, drinks, excursions etc. 

 

Thank you for the tip! I watched and I'm almost not believing the sale. I grabbed the Premium Access because the wifi with 1 device was way more now. Now I just have to figure out what the priority luggage on debarkation is.