Suites/Retreat Are Getting Pricey

[1Virgo]

Just now, 1Virgo said:

we will see. Family have sailed both and say for them, they had a better experience and no cheaping out  with Princess. 

oh. Sanctuary is new on Sun Princess from what we have been told

[Cruise Junky]

8 minutes ago, 1Virgo said:

oh. Sanctuary is new on Sun Princess from what we have been told

The Sanctuary has been around forever on Princess but this new classification of Sanctuary “class” is new. Looks to be in direct competition with Celebrity Retreat

[Tudy]

FWIW, here is my strategy for booking a Sky Suite with Celebrity. If the sky suites are approximately $300-400 per person per night (pppn), then I book it outright. If they are $700-$1000pppn, then I book a veranda cabin that I know I will enjoy. If the suites sell at those inflated prices, I will still have a wonderful cruise.

 

However, I continue to watch the number of available Suites. If my TA is showing 50 S1's as available, I know that there are at least that many unbooked. I have found that right around final payment date, the prices will drop. First they will drop just a little bit and bounce around there. Then, as suites remain unsold, they will cut about 50%, usually a couple days before final payment. When this happens, I will pay to upgrade (not place a Move Up bid). By paying to upgrade, I can select my cabin, get the retreat perks and loyalty points. 

 

This strategy has worked for me on several cruises.

[Cruise a holic]

We love Celebrity and Royal- but as said pricing getting out of control.  Clearly many people can well afford the high prices as the ships are sailing practically full.  We are also considering trying other options now- perhaps MSC yacht club, Oceania maybe.

 We enjoy Suites and like the extra service on the e-class ships, but are rethinking our choices of cruise lines now. Have tried Carnival (no!), NCL (no!), and Princess (No!)   So we need other options.

[ExArkie]

14 hours ago, Syd58 said:

Silversea is all-inclusive of excursions and gratuities, while these are extra on Celebrity. Even Celebrity's Simply More pricing did not usually cover the entire cost of excursions.

Correct on both, of course. For my price comparisons, I always include gratuities in the comparison - they are a part of the cruise fare, as far as I am concerned, so I factor that into the comparisons.

 

As for excursions, we usually don't do them. I think we have actually done two in the past fifteen years, so that cost doesn't even register in my comparisons.

 

I also include the cost of additional airfare when the lines against whom I am comparing include it in their price (e.g., Regent). Although it may not be a direct cost comparison, I have to look at the departure port, too. If I'm comparing, for example, Lisbon and Barcelona as departure ports, I can usually find cheaper airfare to Lisbon, so that is a consideration.

 

Also, if drinks are included on one and a drink package is not included on the other, that cost also has to be added. 

 

I guess my point it that everyone needs to figure out how to compare costs in a way that makes sense to the way they travel. I have a multi-recursive spreadsheet wherein everything for which we will be paying money is included in the analysis.

[20165]

I agree with  the posts that state that its all about supply and demand, and i think demand may be coming down a bit.  We paid $11.8k for a royal suite 7 day southern carrib. about 5 months ago and now its down to about $10.5k.  It may be a less popular cruise and sailing date, but clearly the demand isnt what they thought it would be when the originally priced that cruise. 

[TeeRick]

14 hours ago, markeb said:

They've been high for a while, and selling. You'd swear from some threads around here that Celebrity must be going broke from all their stupid decisions, but it's not from lack of sales...

 

I also think there's no universal in comparing the Retreat to a true luxury line. We're taking a pause from cruising for now, but we were shopping the ABCs for late next year/early 2026 (probably push it back at this point). When we first looked, the best deals were Sky Suites on Celebrity. We could leave from Fort Lauderdale, an easy and generally affordable flight for us. S-Class ship with a nice sized cabin. I don't remember all the details, but looking at Regent, Silversea, and Oceania, they were either more expensive or much less convenient, or both. More included, in general, although we rarely do a ship's excursion so that's kind of a wash.

 

If you moved up from a Sky Suite, there really was no comparison and other than the convenience factor for embarkation/disembarkation, all three offered more for the money (still lose out on big ship entertainment).

 

 

Mark a sky suite on Celebrity can still be a good deal (yeah an expensive one sometimes).  But it does include everything (well not tips anymore).  The CS was our go to but it is truly expensive for no additional suite benefits (but more space/enclosed BR).  We have put Celebrity suites aside for the time being.  Our next cruise is on RCCL (Indy) in a 2 BR grand suite.  We are going primarily for the 12 night Canaries itinerary, and is is less expensive than anything comparable on Celebrity.  But----- on these older ships no suite restaurant and WiFi is not included for some unexplainable reason.  But we do not need an expensive drink package as we can use the suite lounge and also have 5 drink vouchers each day (D+) anywhere anytime.  We are doing a 5 night dining package and will also (gulp!😀) use the MDR and Windjammer.  We can squeeze in a couple more specialty dinners with our D+ BOGO.  But without these D+ perks this would not be worth it.

[Cruise a holic]

16 minutes ago, TeeRick said:

Mark a sky suite on Celebrity can still be a good deal (yeah an expensive one sometimes).  But it does include everything (well not tips anymore).  The CS was our go to but it is truly expensive for no additional suite benefits (but more space/enclosed BR).  We have put Celebrity suites aside for the time being.  Our next cruise is on RCCL (Indy) in a 2 BR grand suite.  We are going primarily for the 12 night Canaries itinerary, and is is less expensive than anything comparable on Celebrity.  But----- on these older ships no suite restaurant and WiFi is not included for some unexplainable reason.  But we do not need an expensive drink package as we can use the suite lounge and also have 5 drink vouchers each day (D+) anywhere anytime.  We are doing a 5 night dining package and will also (gulp!😀) use the MDR and Windjammer.  We can squeeze in a couple more specialty dinners with our D+ BOGO.  But without these D+ perks this would not be worth it.

We also used to enjoy a celebrity suite and sometimes a royal suite on celebrity- but on royal, we enjoy either a crown loft suite or grand suite.  We had a bad experience on the Adventure of the Seas,  as it was old, limited choices of specialty restaurants, cafeteria style buffet and the suite (lol) was a rust bucket- we will not sail on old ships that haven't been revolutionized on Royal.  Also the suite lounge was really a make-shift area- and the suite sun deck was bleacher style seating in direct sun.  Never again.  On Royal, will stick to Oasis class.  Did the Icon of the Seas and really was very disappointed.  

[DaKahuna]

12 hours ago, Syd58 said:

The lounge in Ft. Lauderdale is beautiful.

 

 If you are talking about pier 25 I agree.  However, we sailed twice on Reflection from pier 29 and the "lounge" were folding metal chairs in a separate area of the terminal.  Nothing to write home about. 

 

[Syd58]

2 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

 

 If you are talking about pier 25 I agree.  However, we sailed twice on Reflection from pier 29 and the "lounge" were folding metal chairs in a separate area of the terminal.  Nothing to write home about. 

 

Not sure of the pier number, but the Retreat pre-departure lounge was beautiful and we were on the Reflection.

[jelayne]

2 minutes ago, Syd58 said:

Not sure of the pier number, but the Retreat pre-departure lounge was beautiful and we were on the Reflection.

Pier 25 has the nice lounge, pier 29👎

[Oceangoer2]

16 hours ago, Cruise Junky said:

Yes and Simply More has been discontinued. 

Yes...discontinued and replaced with something many loyal cruisers aren't happy with.

[canderson]

Guess it will definitely be Silversea again for us for our 2025 Fall TA.

 

Across all of the Celebrity ships returning from Europe in the Fall of 2025, there's exactly ONE suite left - a CS on Eclipse.  I've never seen a total suite wipeout more than a year in advance before like this.  And Celebrity wants $9362 per person for 13 nights ($720 pp pn) for that CS.

 

I can get 14 nights in the equivalent of a Celebrity RS for $11300 per person ($807 pp pn).

 

 

[crusinthrough]

People always compare Celebrity with Silversea, Seabourn, and Oceania.  Just because it's a cruise ship doesn't mean the experience will be the same.  There is a lot of factors in cruising aside the price.  

 

In August someone posted on here that Beyond Caribbean sailings pricing was atypical. I checked and saw great pricing for the Retreat.  I booked a guarantee for $5400 total.  I was assigned a Magic Carpet suite on deck 12, which I expected.  I called and changed the room number.  I haven't seen Retreat prices less that $6k in awhile.  

 

AQ class rooms are only about $200 more than an IV guarantee or the same price as a non guarantee.  

 

Downside - The Beyond does have the creaking sounds but maybe things would have settled by then and it's quiet. 

 

There are deals but you have to check regularly.  

[20165]

19 minutes ago, crusinthrough said:

People always compare Celebrity with Silversea, Seabourn, and Oceania.  Just because it's a cruise ship doesn't mean the experience will be the same.  There is a lot of factors in cruising aside the price.  

 

In August someone posted on here that Beyond Caribbean sailings pricing was atypical. I checked and saw great pricing for the Retreat.  I booked a guarantee for $5400 total.  I was assigned a Magic Carpet suite on deck 12, which I expected.  I called and changed the room number.  I haven't seen Retreat prices less that $6k in awhile.  

 

AQ class rooms are only about $200 more than an IV guarantee or the same price as a non guarantee.  

 

Downside - The Beyond does have the creaking sounds but maybe things would have settled by then and it's quiet. 

 

There are deals but you have to check regularly.  

Of those three cruise lines you mention, Silversea, Seabourn, and Oceania, do you have a preference when sailing in the Caribbean?  We are looking for a good 'upper end' cruise line for the Caribbean and did princess earlier this year which was very good, but probably not going to be our go to line going forward.  We are doing summit this november, but i dont have high hopes for that one so we are looking into the three mentioned above for 2025.  thx

[crusinthrough]

15 hours ago, 20165 said:

Of those three cruise lines you mention, Silversea, Seabourn, and Oceania, do you have a preference when sailing in the Caribbean?  We are looking for a good 'upper end' cruise line for the Caribbean and did princess earlier this year which was very good, but probably not going to be our go to line going forward.  We are doing summit this november, but i dont have high hopes for that one so we are looking into the three mentioned above for 2025.  thx

I have not cruised Silversea, Seabourn, or Oceania.  I don’t think I will enjoy any of the three.  They are too small and intimate for me.  

 

I did not like the Summit.  It’s older and smaller.  The martini bar frozen ice bar top was only half frozen and the bar ran out of martini glasses.  The food in Oceanview was the same every night and the tv signal was poor or non existent the entire cruise.  There were other things as well but these were the most annoying.  I prefer newer and larger ships.  

 

Virgin Voyages is my new go to because of no kids and superior food.  

[canderson]

2 minutes ago, crusinthrough said:

Virgin Voyages is my new go to because of no kids and superior food.  

The availability of a tattoo parlor aboard didn't help to sway your opinion? 🤣🤪

[Syd58]

17 hours ago, crusinthrough said:

People always compare Celebrity with Silversea, Seabourn, and Oceania.  Just because it's a cruise ship doesn't mean the experience will be the same.  There is a lot of factors in cruising aside the price.  

 

In August someone posted on here that Beyond Caribbean sailings pricing was atypical. I checked and saw great pricing for the Retreat.  I booked a guarantee for $5400 total.  I was assigned a Magic Carpet suite on deck 12, which I expected.  I called and changed the room number.  I haven't seen Retreat prices less that $6k in awhile.  

 

AQ class rooms are only about $200 more than an IV guarantee or the same price as a non guarantee.  

 

Downside - The Beyond does have the creaking sounds but maybe things would have settled by then and it's quiet. 

 

There are deals but you have to check regularly.  

I don’t think seasoned cruisers compare Celebrity to any of those three. Even Celebrity Retreat isn’t comparable. It’s like I tried to describe to our friends, the entire ship on Silversea and Seabourn is a step up from the Retreat, IMO. I like Silversea since it’s all-inclusive, and it has some newer, beautifully designed ships.

[Cruise a holic]

I have family members that sail frequently and lately have been sailing on the MSC in the Yacht club and love it- might give it a try.  Service supposed to be excellent and the price lower then our go to lines Celebrity and Royal- we sail only in suites.

[20165]

5 hours ago, Syd58 said:

I don’t think seasoned cruisers compare Celebrity to any of those three. Even Celebrity Retreat isn’t comparable. It’s like I tried to describe to our friends, the entire ship on Silversea and Seabourn is a step up from the Retreat, IMO. I like Silversea since it’s all-inclusive, and it has some newer, beautifully designed ships.

Thats exactly what we are looking for.  I poked around on the pricing yesterday and they really arent any more expensive than what we are paying for our celebrity cruise in november. 

Thanks for the info.

[billc23]

23 hours ago, crusinthrough said:

People always compare Celebrity with Silversea, Seabourn, and Oceania.  Just because it's a cruise ship doesn't mean the experience will be the same.  There is a lot of factors in cruising aside the price.  

In the past 2 years people do the comparison - this is true. I think it is because the Celebrity Retreat pricing used to be less than half of the luxury lines and now the Retreat pricing is often more. If someone is willing to pay the Retreat prices the luxury lines do offer an elevated experience and MSC Yacht Club, at least on the Seaside class ships, offers an excellent experience with a physical layout nicer than E class retreat. 

[billc23]

23 hours ago, 20165 said:

Of those three cruise lines you mention, Silversea, Seabourn, and Oceania, do you have a preference when sailing in the Caribbean?  We are looking for a good 'upper end' cruise line for the Caribbean and did princess earlier this year which was very good, but probably not going to be our go to line going forward.  We are doing summit this november, but i dont have high hopes for that one so we are looking into the three mentioned above for 2025.  thx

If you desire a Celebrity Retreat like experience I would recommend MSC Yacht Club. You will be a VIP - escorted onto the ship, escorted to venues on the ship to the front of the line, special elevator access by using your key card/wrist band, etc. - a hierarchy you may enjoy OR not. The class system created on various cruise lines embarrasses some and others expect and enjoy the extra special treatment if paying more for the cabin. 

 

Silversea and Regent tends to treat passengers mostly the same when you leave your cabin. No special pool deck, no special dining room... and the overall experience is great. 

 

I have not sailed on the luxury lines in the Caribbean yet - I do have 3 weeks booked on Silversea late January 2025 - so at this time I can only recommend MSC Seaside class over the Retreat from my experience. 

[billc23]

8 hours ago, crusinthrough said:

I have not cruised Silversea, Seabourn, or Oceania.  I don’t think I will enjoy any of the three.  They are too small and intimate for me.

Then do not try a river cruise or a Galapagos sailing!

[crusinthrough]

8 hours ago, canderson said:

The availability of a tattoo parlor aboard didn't help to sway your opinion? 🤣🤪

I barely noticed the tattoo parlor.  It just looks like another ship shop, which I avoid on all cruise lines.  No children is one of the things you didn’t think you needed until you don’t see them… LOL

Edited Sunday at 01:43 PM by crusinthrough

[billc23]

6 hours ago, Syd58 said:

I don’t think seasoned cruisers compare Celebrity to any of those three. Even Celebrity Retreat isn’t comparable. It’s like I tried to describe to our friends, the entire ship on Silversea and Seabourn is a step up from the Retreat, IMO. I like Silversea since it’s all-inclusive, and it has some newer, beautifully designed ships.

It is hard to describe the differences between the Retreat and the luxury lines. Few if any lines to wait in, nearly double the public space per passenger, all spaces available to all passengers, never asked what package do I have or silly $2.40 uncharge for a glass of wine, Silversea newer ships have 4 or more sit down restaurants open on a port day and on and on...