sixpackeddie

We are on the same cruise as you and will be following your posts! It’s our first cruise on the Ascent, looking forward to it!

Yes I agree. I am also Sapphire and have noticed a huge reduction in perks/benefits. My play over the past 4-5 years have not changed and have really noticed a decline in the Blue Chip Club Benefits. Prior to September 2023 I used to get Aqua Class, Concierge and sometimes Sky Suites with all the perks. I have done 4 cruises in the past 4 months and only have received a complimentary inside, 2 ocean view and a veranda with no perks. Since Blue Chip has been amalgamated with RCL Casino Royal’s casino program the benefit’s have diminished. We are doing another cruise on the Ascent in an inside cabin this Sunday and honestly will just take my $500 in free play chips and once that’s gone I am done. I doubt I will dig into my pockets as it’s not worth the diminished perks.

Good point. I was not aware that Sapphire levels used to get $1000 in free chip play, like there are cuts everywhere.

So….if you are Sapphire you should be granted access to the lounge. I will test this out on my next non suite cruise to see if I can access the retreat. Honestly there has been so many changes with Blue Chip Club in the past 6 months it makes your head spin. These changes have NOT been for the better, my play has not changed and now am only getting veranda cruises with no perks. I used to get Aqua Class with all the perks and the occasional Sky Suite.

Was super quiet for us last august on our European Cruise! Loved this suite.

We just got off the apex in a penthouse with our butler Ronald. While the service was excellent he had 1 other Penthouse Suite, 2 Celebrity Suites, 2 Royal Suites and one Iconic suite to take care of as well.

Just did a mock booking on the beyond. Sky suite description description is personalized butler service. Upper suites Royal and above says butler. celebrity suite and below - Retreat Butler and team royal suite and above - Butler

We also enjoyed fine cut a couple of weeks ago and really enjoyed our meal. The Tomahawk was delicious!

Correct. I sent a email to the ship when we had a skysuite booked and was asking the retreat concierge on the ship if butlers were back. They did not respond even though they did receive my email as directed by upper management. When we were on the Apex last week I can confirm dedicated butlers are not back for sky suites.

I actually used this email address directly to the retreat concierge on the ship. ax_retreatconcierge@celebrity.com

We were booked in a sky suite on the Apex last week and before we won our move up to a penthouse I sent a email to the ship directly to the retreat desk asking if dedicated butlers were back on the apex but did not receive a reply. When we boarded the ship and were escorted by one of the retreat concierge staff they mentioned they received my email and really wanted to respond but were instructed not to by upper management. Clearly not wanting to be transparent about the timeline when butlers will be back.

I hope the butlers are in place by then!

Just got off Apex on Saturday and spoke to the retreat manager and confirmed sky suite dedicated butlers have not been put back in place as of yet.

I really did, thank you to everyone for their assistance. It’s a valid point to make sure she is capable of operating a scooter otherwise there could be a few casualties with broken toes! Thanks again to everyone for taking the time to assist here.

My aunt is almost 90 and needs a scooter for our upcoming cruise, and idea how to rent one? I called Celebrity and they only had wheel chairs available?

When we were in a suite out of Rotterdam on the Apex this past June they did not have a embarkation lounge for suite passengers but a roped in area for suite passengers similar to the one in Barcelona.

Agreed loved the long balcony on the signature suite with a beautiful soaking tub. Was no relaxing on seas days.

We have been cruising with our 13 year old daughter with Celebrity since she was 4 years old. She has always enjoyed the pools and activities. She has met new friends she still keeps in touch with. We only had 1 negative experience with our daughter on the Edge in 2019. We were dining in Luminae and our daughter met some other kids her age, they were walking back and forth to each others table on 3 occasions during our dinner. They were not being loud, disrespectful or running. On the 3rd time one of the passengers who was dining with his wife on the table closest to the isle stuck his foot out to try to trip one of the kids. Well the father of the little girls saw this and freaked out at the guy was almost a full out brawl. To make a long story short security was called and the reviewed the footage and verified what happened. We didn’t see this passenger again, really not sure what happened to him. The Retreat manager followed up with us and issued us a future cruise credit for our trouble. Really didn’t expect this. Other than this one negative experience cruising with our daughter has been an amazing experience.

I am also Canadian and do the same thing. Agreed about the exchange rate too. Worse case scenario if I loose I get points on my visa…

I have always just taken an advance on the stateroom which is linked to your credit card on your onboard account. I don’t think I have ever been charged fees?

Thank you so much for your replies! Looking forward to the Penthouse on the Apex!

Prices really haven't gone up much since 2023. That's good to see.

Well Joe, from my experience you are on the shortlist to move up to Aqua Class. I recently had the same thing happen with my March cruise. Good Luck!

I would honestly give Blue Chip a call. So many changes going on with this casino program.

Yes I believe BCC57 is premium drink and premium wifi. I get it, all these codes are confusing.