Celebrity Error - Build a "Class System" into Your Ships

[canderson]

If your cruise ship comes with oar locks, you might be a ...

 

(with apologies to Jeff F.)

[billc23]

21 hours ago, PTC DAWG said:

I like the barstool seats in the balcony myself, great views and easy exit if the show isn’t to my taste..

Those seat are the best on S class ships. Easy trip to the WCB to refresh my drink...

[TeeRick]

15 hours ago, QuestionEverything said:

Everyone!

Purchase what you want.

The mass cruse line are class segmented;

The Premium lines are not.

Consider what you want.

Up to you!

 

So choosing to cruise on a true premium or luxury line - isn't that also a segmented decision?  

[TeeRick]

14 hours ago, zitsky said:

Oh god.  This again.  Do people not understand that if they are on any cruise ship at all, that they are part of an elite?  I have many relatives that could not even afford an inside cabin.  

Next we’ll be complaining that inside cabins don’t have windows and that’s not fair!  Why should other people get to pay more and have something that I don’t have?

 

Maybe if you want a more equitable cruise line you should pay 3-4X the Celebrity price to sail on the “egalitarian” cruise lines Regent, Oceania, Cunard.  I still haven’t figured out why spending $50,000 on a cruise is more egalitarian than a $15,000 Celebrity cruise which anyone is allowed to purchase.  But I was not the top student in business school, so I could be missing something,

 

🙄

Agree.  I'll never understand why a cruise line and a luxury vacation should be "egalitarian" in the minds of some.  Why?  It is not a government or an "ism".  It is a buyer's vacation choice with their own money and nothing more.  People do not need to cruise if they are put off by that. 

[zitsky]

16 minutes ago, TeeRick said:

Agree.  I'll never understand why a cruise line and a luxury vacation should be "egalitarian" in the minds of some.  Why?  It is not a government or an "ism".  It is a buyer's vacation choice with their own money and nothing more.  People do not need to cruise if they are put off by that. 

I once said a plumber or a secretary might be next to you in the Retreat.  The faux outrage was amusing from the folks who thought I was saying they don’t belong there.  I’m the secretary or I was.  
 

The point is that anyone is welcome in the Retreat.  Their money is as good as anyone else’s.  I’m still waiting for someone to explain why spending $50,000 is more egalitarian than spending $15,000.

Edited October 10 by zitsky

[kirtihk]

5 minutes ago, zitsky said:

I once said a plumber or a secretary might be next to you in the Retreat.  The faux outrage was amusing from the folks who thought I was saying they don’t belong there.  I’m the secretary or I was.  
 

The point is that anyone is welcome in the Retreat.  Their money is as good as anyone else.  I’m still waiting for someone to explain why spending $50,000 is more egalitarian than spending $15,000.

"Everything is relative."

[billc23]

14 hours ago, canderson said:

That's overstating the case.  Spend some time sailing these lines either with your eyes wide open or in the right cabin class and you'll discover that not even 'premium' lines are entirely egalitarian in nature.  However, the differences (or should I say deferences?) are handled far more subtly (or should I say tastefully?) than they are on mass market lines.

Very true astute observation Chris. I have sailed in a Deluxe Veranda on Silversea, for less than the price of a Sky Suite on Celebrity, and did not notice any class system during that sailing. My next Silversea sailings were in some of their top suites, much more expensive than the top suites on Celebrity, and I noticed the 'deferences' when asking for restaurant reservations, preferred seating and the particular wait staff I had on a prior sailing. The differences was instead of checking if my requests could be accommodated the answer was an either a simple yes, no problem sir, of course I can make that happen.  Also, I was addressed by name throughout the ship - even my first time at a bar for example - rather than the staff learning my name after a few days.The key point is  None of these more subtle differences took away from anyones enjoyment of the entire ship! I was never escorted to the front of the line, had special reserved seating, priority tendering/boarding... 

 

I would have the same overall wonderful experience in a Deluxe Veranda and would not hesitate to book one in the future. 

[zitsky]

5 minutes ago, billc23 said:

Very true astute observation Chris. I have sailed in a Deluxe Veranda on Silversea, for less than the price of a Sky Suite on Celebrity, and did not notice any class system during that sailing. My next Silversea sailings were in some of their top suites, much more expensive than the top suites on Celebrity, and I noticed the 'deferences' when asking for restaurant reservations, preferred seating and the particular wait staff I had on a prior sailing. The differences was instead of checking if my requests could be accommodated the answer was an either a simple yes, no problem sir, of course I can make that happen.  Also, I was addressed by name throughout the ship - even my first time at a bar for example - rather than the staff learning my name after a few days.The key point is  None of these more subtle differences took away from anyones enjoyment of the entire ship! I was never escorted to the front of the line, had special reserved seating, priority tendering/boarding... 

 

I would have the same overall wonderful experience in a Deluxe Veranda and would not hesitate to book one in the future. 

Do you think those perks you experienced on Silversea should be eliminated to make it more “egalitarian”?

[billc23]

14 hours ago, zitsky said:

Maybe if you want a more equitable cruise line you should pay 3-4X the Celebrity price to sail on the “egalitarian” cruise lines Regent, Oceania, Cunard.  I still haven’t figured out why spending $50,000 on a cruise is more egalitarian than a $15,000 Celebrity cruise which anyone is allowed to purchase.  But I was not the top student in business school, so I could be missing something,

Perhaps you are missing something. I have no problem finding a similar sailing on one of the luxury lines for a similar or lower price than that of a Retreat Sky Suite. A few months ago I decided to book a 2025 Vancouver to Seward sailing. I looked at the Celebrity Summit SS vs a Silversea Silver Moon Verandah and the Silver Moon was priced lower. The Silver Moon included excursions too. 

[zitsky]

8 minutes ago, billc23 said:

Perhaps you are missing something. I have no problem finding a similar sailing on one of the luxury lines for a similar or lower price than that of a Retreat Sky Suite. A few months ago I decided to book a 2025 Vancouver to Seward sailing. I looked at the Celebrity Summit SS vs a Silversea Silver Moon Verandah and the Silver Moon was priced lower. The Silver Moon included excursions too. 

So you’re saying that people can make their own choices of how they travel and how much they spend?  
 

Does a Silversea Silver Moon Verandah come with any perks like a dedicated restaurant or a lounge?  You mentioned the excursions are included.

 

I’m not familiar with SS but a 9 day Japan cruise on Silver Moon seems to be $10,000 per passenger including airfare.  Are all cabins the same?

 

 

[kirtihk]

4 minutes ago, zitsky said:

So you’re saying that people can make their own choices of how they travel and how much they spend?  
 

Does a Silversea Silver Moon Verandah come with any perks like a dedicated restaurant or a lounge?  You mentioned the excursions are included.

 

I’m not familiar with SS but a 9 day Japan cruise on Silver Moon seems to be $10,000 per passenger including airfare.  Are all cabins the same?

 

 

This price doesn't include air (economy air is additional $1,700 pp).  Next to this booking there is 15-day Tokyo to Singapore for $9,000 (would be $6,000 readjusted for 10-day).  Again, it's all relative.

[DaKahuna]

1 hour ago, billc23 said:

Those seat are the best on S class ships. Easy trip to the WCB to refresh my drink...

 

They are also great on Millennium - close to the men's room and to the Retreat Lounge for pre, during, and post performance needs. 

 

[zitsky]

28 minutes ago, kirtihk said:

This price doesn't include air (economy air is additional $1,700 pp).  Next to this booking there is 15-day Tokyo to Singapore for $9,000 (would be $6,000 readjusted for 10-day).  Again, it's all relative.

Is the Silversea cabin just a cabin or are there any benefits like the Retreat?

[montythecat]

This is a genuinely interesting debate and I have some 

sympathies with both sides of it. On the whole, I just about

favour the  “if you have paid more you deserve more”

approach although it does need to be handled with sensitivity.

However, one of our main pleasures on our cruises is

enjoying a forward facing lounge which is now no more on 

the Edge Class ships unless you are in a suite. We only ever

book fairly standard balconies. On X our Elite Plus status

did not give us a lot of benefits, although tender priorities 

and booking in were always appreciated.

 

So, with, in our opinions, declining dining room standards 

(food and service) we have joined the “Celebrity refugees”

elsewhere. That involves HAL with superior dining

experiences, music to our tastes (ok, I admit to liking

very loud electric rock bands) and no thumping musak

being piped around the X ships. If we need to treat 

ourselves we go to Viking, Azamara and now Silversea. A

very recent cruise from Alaska to Japan on Silver Muse

was delightful (our first on Silversea). By our standards

it was at the top of our normal budget but we hope to return.

 

The one near certainty is that Celebrity is unlikely to be in

our future cruise deliberations. In a way it is a pity, it

served us well and then it changed.

 

 

[zitsky]

13 minutes ago, montythecat said:

This is a genuinely interesting debate and I have some 

sympathies with both sides of it. On the whole, I just about

favour the  “if you have paid more you deserve more”

approach although it does need to be handled with sensitivity.

However, one of our main pleasures on our cruises is

enjoying a forward facing lounge which is now no more on 

the Edge Class ships unless you are in a suite. We only ever

book fairly standard balconies. On X our Elite Plus status

did not give us a lot of benefits, although tender priorities 

and booking in were always appreciated.

 

So, with, in our opinions, declining dining room standards 

(food and service) we have joined the “Celebrity refugees”

elsewhere. That involves HAL with superior dining

experiences, music to our tastes (ok, I admit to liking

very loud electric rock bands) and no thumping musak

being piped around the X ships. If we need to treat 

ourselves we go to Viking, Azamara and now Silversea. A

very recent cruise from Alaska to Japan on Silver Muse

was delightful (our first on Silversea). By our standards

it was at the top of our normal budget but we hope to return.

 

The one near certainty is that Celebrity is unlikely to be in

our future cruise deliberations. In a way it is a pity, it

served us well and then it changed.

 

 

How’s the entertainment on HAL and would someone who is 57 like the music?

[Dolebludger]

41 minutes ago, zitsky said:

Is the Silversea cabin just a cabin or are there any benefits like the Retreat?

On Silversea, the lowest level room is a suite of about 285 sq ft with balcony in addition. All suites have a butler. Higher level suites have free laundry. The whole ship has benefits like the Retreat as to drinks and dining. Some shore x are included, as is in suite mini bar. Basically, there are more benefits than in the Retreat, and all public areas are available to all guests. So, fact is, the whole ship is like the Retreat+.

[zitsky]

28 minutes ago, Dolebludger said:

On Silversea, the lowest level room is a suite of about 285 sq ft with balcony in addition. All suites have a butler. Higher level suites have free laundry. The whole ship has benefits like the Retreat as to drinks and dining. Some shore x are included, as is in suite mini bar. Basically, there are more benefits than in the Retreat, and all public areas are available to all guests. So, fact is, the whole ship is like the Retreat+.

I’m looking at their website now.  It sounds just a more expensive version of Viking with more restaurants.  Our average spend including the Retreat and business class air is about 30% less than what Silver Sea would cost for a basic cabin plus business air.  Including our excursions.  But I will look at several companies before we decide.

Edited October 10 by zitsky

[AC Stew]

Just a clarification if possible?

 

Does anyone have recent experience with this new theatre priority seating on an M class? (I'm aware of the reserved seating location for suites.) "Priority seating" means different spots for different people. Our personal preferred seating is a few rows from the stage. Is this area one of the locations that anyone has observed being roped off?

 

Thanks!

[Dolebludger]

1 hour ago, zitsky said:

I’m looking at their website now.  It sounds just a more expensive version of Viking with more restaurants.  Our average spend including the Retreat and business class air is about 30% less than what Silver Sea would cost for a basic cabin plus business air.  Including our excursions.  But I will look at several companies before we decide.

Yes, Silversea may not be competitively priced at all times and for all itineraries. These days we all must do some shopping, and assume nothing.

[kirtihk]

1 hour ago, zitsky said:

I’m looking at their website now.  It sounds just a more expensive version of Viking with more restaurants.  Our average spend including the Retreat and business class air is about 30% less than what Silver Sea would cost for a basic cabin plus business air.  Including our excursions.  But I will look at several companies before we decide.

But again, there are much less expensive itineraries (as in my post # 162 example).

[zitsky]

11 minutes ago, kirtihk said:

But again, there are much less expensive itineraries (as in my post # 162 example).

If I want to go to Japan, it doesn’t help me if they also go to South America.

[kirtihk]

3 minutes ago, zitsky said:

If I want to go to Japan, it doesn’t help me if they also go to South America.

Hmmm.  It was just an example.  Tomorrow, perhaps, a Japan cruise might have a reduced price.

[zitsky]

3 minutes ago, kirtihk said:

Hmmm.  It was just an example.  Tomorrow, perhaps, a Japan cruise might have a reduced price.

Thanks but I’ve already said I can get a similar Celebrity cruise for 20-30% less than Silversea.  No surprise there.

[kirtihk]

24 minutes ago, zitsky said:

Thanks but I’ve already said I can get a similar Celebrity cruise for 20-30% less than Silversea.  No surprise there.

Well, for the 3rd time, everything is relative: 48-day March 14, 2026, Silversea Down cruise (3 combined in one booking legs of their 2026 World cruise) was $330 pp per day (without air) at a time of booking which is way less than practically any Retreat (and most likely even Aqua) booking.  So ...

[zitsky]

11 minutes ago, kirtihk said:

Well, for the 3rd time, everything is relative: 48-day March 14, 2026, Silversea Down cruise (3 combined in one booking legs of their 2026 World cruise) was $330 pp per day (without air) at a time of booking which is way less than practically any Retreat (and most likely even Aqua) booking.  So ...

Exactly what was the price of that cruise and WHAT Celebrity suite are you comparing it to?

 

Guess what?  Every time you find something cheaper, I can find something more expensive.  Who cares if some cruise is cheaper if I don’t want it?  You haven’t convinced me that Silversea is cheaper on average nor am I asking you to do so.

Edited October 10 by zitsky