Who are Celebrities here?

We were also on the Panama Canal Christmas cruise and we were not satisfied with our stateroom experience or the Concierge Class service level which we paid $800 each for the privilege to have. I am appalled at the grafitti experience another post sighted but I had a similar experience with the way the ship's guest relations folks treated me when I complained about the noise and the obstructed view in our cabin. Let me tell everyone now that the COncierge Class service is nothing more than other 5 star ships provide through their normal channels. Our deck (which is the only deck that has Concierge Class staterooms) has a huge projection cantilevered out to support the deck above us. Therefore we constantly felt as though we had the basement apartment. The "finer" appointments in our stateroom we all very similar to my mother's inside cabin, with the exception of a thicker bathrobe and some textured towels. Most anyone can bring their own robe, and towels and pocket the difference!

We had mild GI problems as did most everyone at our table throughout the voyage. Since everyone ate on board, that is where it had to be coming from.

I am not sure how this ship became a top rated ship by Conde Nast unless there were some serious politics involved. I could go on, but it would be too lengthy. Needless to say, I am writing to the company.

i feel for you. i see you are a new poster to these boards. the skinny on the cc class cabins is that they are cabins which are difficult to sell for one reason or another. so x throws in some "small" perks and sells them as cc class. not only do they sell but at a premium price to those who are not in the know. i am traveling with my wifes uncle in june and he booked his own cabin and fell prey to this marketing ploy (which is brilliant by the way). i looke his cabin up....bingo........ obstructed view.

Here's the CDC's factsheet on noroviruses. Your gastrointestinal problems may have been caused by a norovirus. It's not necessarily the crew's fault. It's more likely a passenger had the virus and brought it on the ship.

We were on the Century for the holidays. We had a great cruise. The appointments in our inside cabin were sufficient. We walked through the Penthouse Deck corridor a lot to get to the spa from our Vista Deck cabin. We did not like walking through the narrow corridors of the Vista Deck and did not want to walk through the Islands Cafe in our swim suits. I'm glad someone could afford those cabins. I figure some of those people paid $1,700 more per person.

i feel for you. i see you are a new poster to these boards. the skinny on the cc class cabins is that they are cabins which are difficult to sell for one reason or another. so x throws in some "small" perks and sells them as cc class. not only do they sell but at a premium price to those who are not in the know. i am traveling with my wifes uncle in june and he booked his own cabin and fell prey to this marketing ploy (which is brilliant by the way). i looke his cabin up....bingo........ obstructed view.

First, only the old Category 1 cabins are being "converted" for CC cabins. None of these were "bad" cabins. Further, during the conversion, there was only a very small premium to be paid between the remaining Category 1A cabins and a CC cabin, and a slight bit more from 1B and 1C. Now granted, there were reasons why , while all Category 1, these were A, B and C before, and the new CC designation makes no distinction between them. So caveat emptor -- both then and now. Pays to review deck plans, doesn't it? There are some "so so" cabins and some fantastic ones offered at the same price, and there always have been. As an example...

While all of the Category 1 M-Class cabins offered the requisite 191 sq. ft. of interior space, not all had equally good views. This cuts both ways, of course. For whatever reason, Celebrity didn't believe that the aft cabins on Deck 7 rated "1A" status, and these were some of the nicest Category 1 cabins on the boat, right along with the 1A cabins right above them on Deck 9! They're becoming (or already are) CC cabins, of course.

Long and short of it:

Yes, there should probably be a distinction made between the CC cabin prices based upon views just as there were before these Category 1 cabins got lumped together.

Yes, cabins offered for the same price don't always have the same views, verandas, etc. Either the cruiser or the TA needs to be observant and do their homework! The deck plans that Celebrity publishes and that are also found elsewhere are pretty much to scale, and view questions can still be answered... no excuses.

Your comment that these must have been "hard to sell" cabins makes no sense unless one assumed that Celebrity had been having a hard time selling their Category 1 cabins -- something I've not noticed in my history sailing with them. Being somewhat larger than Category 2 cabins, they are in fact more comfortable. In fact, some of these cabins are nearly impossible to book due to their popularity.

We were also on the Panama Canal Christmas cruise and we were not satisfied with our stateroom experience or the Concierge Class service level which we paid $800 each for the privilege to have.

I meant to ask -- $800 more per person as compared to what cabin class, what duration, and was this price for the CC to the Category??? cabin checked contemporaneously?

On my next scheduled cruise (below), coming up all the way from 2C to CC is only $150 per person.

i am sprry. what i meant by "hard to sell" was that the cc cabins tend to be the least desierable of the 1a's. it has been the conensus of these boards that the perks offered in the cc's are not worth the extra $. "hard to sell" was a bad term since all ships leave virtually full, hence all the cabins sold.

thanks for clearing things up:)

Of the 2 CC category cruises we've done, both were sold out. Now our 11/20 Transcanal cruise has CC gone 10 months in advance, AFT CC was gone in a week! Plenty of Inside, Ocenaview & a few 2's available per "X" site.

i am sprry. what i meant by "hard to sell" was that the cc cabins tend to be the least desierable of the 1a's. it has been the conensus of these boards that the perks offered in the cc's are not worth the extra $. "hard to sell" was a bad term since all ships leave virtually full, hence all the cabins sold.

 

thanks for clearing things up:)

i am sprry. what i meant by "hard to sell" was that the cc cabins tend to be the least desierable of the 1a's. it has been the conensus of these boards that the perks offered in the cc's are not worth the extra $. "hard to sell" was a bad term since all ships leave virtually full, hence all the cabins sold.

 

thanks for clearing things up:)

Would have to disagree with you still. We sailed in December 2003 on the Infinity, and those aft 1A cabins were some of the first to be converted to CC, and they were fantastic.

a) there never were any bad 1A cabins to begin with, so those were never hard to move (there have been some 1C cabins without a good a view, and remain the least desirable of the CC cabins)

b) the 1A's (the presumed best of the Category 1 cabins) were the first to be converted to CC cabins.

the obstructed view in our cabin

i am traveling with my wifes uncle in june and he booked his own cabin and fell prey to this marketing ploy (which is brilliant by the way). i looke his cabin up....bingo........ obstructed view.

What is the obstruction that you both speak of? We have CC stateroom 9097 on the Sky deck. Is that going to be a problem? Also, our friends are in 9106.

I complained about the noise and the obstructed view in our cabin.... Our deck... has a huge projection cantilevered out to support the deck above us.... Therefore we constantly felt as though we had the basement apartment.

I'm sorry you seemed to have a bad cruise experience. As you say, the CC cabins are below a deck that overhangs. This has been mentioned numerous times here on Cruise Critic, and other sites cite this feature as well. The pictures of the ship illustrate this as well. In addition, you might also infer it from the deck plan.

While I understand your disappointment, I don't know that Celebrity is the one to blame. Don't you think it is important to research big purchases like a cruise? Maybe your travel agent (if you used one) should have helped you more with your decision.

Regarding your other points, the perks of the CC cabins are clearly stated in Celebrity's literature. Like you, I don't think they are that special. Unlike you, however, I reviewed these perks before purchasing my cruise and opted for a suite.

How were the other aspects of your cruise?

People can't have been too disappointed with the CC class cabins because they are expanding the category. You really do need to do your research prior to purchasing a cruise, there are so many variables involved. There are deck plans at many sites that you can look at and you can always check with your TA or on this board to get more info. That being said, I'm very sorry that your cruise wasn't what you wanted it to be.

We were on the Infinity Christmas/New Year's cruise, and we thought it was outstanding. We always research our cabin, and we got exactly what they said it was.:)

Thank GOD for these boards!!! :D

OK...so, I have been researching and planning for a special cruise. Have only sailed 3x (all on Carnival). My DH and I are planning (way in advance) for a 2007 (winter) Panama Canal Cruise. Will (if the ships schedules stay similar in 2007) most likely be on the Summit...possibly the Infinity. I was thinking that the Consierge Class would be a good idea...now, I'm thinking it's a bad idea.

Should I just skip it?? Heck...my last Carnival cruise gave me HUGE fluffy towels, fluffy bathrobe and tons of cabin space and it wasn't even an expensive cabin!!

Help me out X cruisers...This is new to me...what category cabin should I try to book???

PS...since I have definitely decided on X for this cruise and it is sooooo far off :( I will probably be hanging around asking tons of questions for the next two years.... :eek: have patience with me PLEASE!!!! ;) )

These boards can be helpful, especially if you do not use a knowledgeable travel agent. The overhang issue for deck 9 cc cabins have been discussed numerous times. There are other cc class cabins on other floors that have great view. Also our cc cabin w as only $100+pp over an outside w/veranda. It's foolish to compare vastly different categories.

These boards can be helpful, especially if you do not use a knowledgeable travel agent. The overhang issue for deck 9 cc cabins have been discussed numerous times. There are other cc class cabins on other floors that have great view. Also our cc cabin w as only $100+pp over an outside w/veranda. It's foolish to compare vastly different categories.

Well, I'm pretty sure that most issues have been discussed at length, numerous times on all the boards. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to read them all. I do agree it's foolish to compare vastly different categories, I just would like feedback from people on their experiences...didn't think it was asking too much.

Ultimiately it comes down to personal choice and preferences. Having just returned from the Millie the CC cabin was wonderful. We got lucky and managed to get one of the extended balconies. One of the secret finds that I found out about after reading these boards. Doing the homework more than paid off. The robes were nicer than the standard, but the best part had to be the extra bit of space in the room and the bedding! It was great having as many down pillows as we wanted. Our room steward gave us 4 down and she offered to leave the two regular as well just to make us comfy. We came back to our room with a tower of pillows. Then the comforter and added mattress padding was a wonderful treat. The duvet covered comforter was far better than those scratchy blankets you get. As for view, I didn't feel like I was in the basement even with the overhang. The cabin was always bright in the daytime. To me the perks were worth the extra but it only amounted to about $150 extra for the two of us. Again, these were worth it to me, but others may not feel that way.Enjoyed it so much, I am only looking at cc for my next cruise.

Thanks joelmarj!!

So, what I can expect in CC is more comfortable bedding, thicker robes/towels...any other amenities that you don't get in a regular ocean view or balcony cabin...or is that it???

Keep in mind that all of the "M" class ships are expanding Concierge Class to include ALL former category 1 veranda cabins. Far fewer non-CC veranda options will be available.

Well, I'm pretty sure that most issues have been discussed at length, numerous times on all the boards. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to read them all. I do agree it's foolish to compare vastly different categories, I just would like feedback from people on their experiences...didn't think it was asking too much.

Direct experience coming right up -- Panama Canal on Infinity, December 2003, aft CC cabin #9160. LOVED IT.

Would gladly take 9160, 9162, 9164, 9201.

If issues of a little noise around midnight as they close down the upstairs might be an issue, just move to Deck 8 instead: 8170, 8172, 8176, 8185. No reason not also to consider Deck 7, 7206, 7208, 7212, 7203.

My next trip? Constellation. #8170.

There's a reason that these cabins don't usually last long.

I can't speak for how the other CC cabins look and feel. I've stayed in some 1A cabins, but never any of the 1B or 1C that have been converted to CC cabins. If I couldn't get one of the above numbers or a FV, I think I'd probably prefer to be in one of the higher numbered CC cabins (port or starboard, no matter) on the Panorama deck.

Thanks joelmarj!!

So, what I can expect in CC is more comfortable bedding, thicker robes/towels...any other amenities that you don't get in a regular ocean view or balcony cabin...or is that it???

I posted the perks elsewhere off "X" site. A bucket of champagne greets you. We put our in the fridge for later in the week. Fresh fruit bowl twice a day, canapes at 4PM daily, many invites to parties & get togethers, casino coupons for free play both BJ & slots. Very nice HUGE tote bag that is folded into a "purse" sitting on the bed last night. (I do hope this isn't a repeat gift as we have 2 already........) We had a party in our AFT CC cabin & the steward got us 2 champagnes & 4 plates of canapes for folks..................(yes, he got a great tip). a great breakfast menu only offered to CC & Suites with smoothies in 3 varieties, frittatas, all out on your table set up just like the dining room & cushioned seats, binnoculars & umbrella for use, a leather key case for 2 keys, but I got another one for me (in case we got separated).

We were on the Summit 11 day in late Oct/early Nov. It was a FABULOUS experience...and the CC room was GREAT. We only paid about $100 more than a normal 1B or C...and the bed and pillows were worth it. (Perhaps this cruises has never had the bad beds and pillows on many cruise lines.)

Okay, so the flowers or canapes aren't worth it....I agree...but the towels, the second hair dryer, and our VERY attentive cabin attendant were added features.....and priority tender doesn't hurt either.

The ship was near perfect....our food on Summit was EXCELLENT and the staff (including Simon - CD - who is now on Infinity, I think) we extra good.

We definitely got what we paid for and would do it again in a heartbeat.

Just came off the Constellation 9 day Christmas/Newyears holiday cruise. Cabin 9108. Loved it!!!!! Overhang provided welcome shade from carib sun yet cabin was still bright and airy.

Well I'm in 9201 in a few weeks on the Millie.

I'll post a complete review when I get back.

I did not think that my cabin would be a hard sell?

Now that's what I'm talking about!! That helps me tremendously..thank you all!!! :D

double post again.... :o dang boards :p