Aqua Class Cabins - Reduction in Amenities

[Longhorn Tex]

I have heard rumblings that Celebrity is cutting back on the aqua class amenities. Specifically no bottle of wine/champagne in the room upon arrival, no daily fruit, and no flowers. I just went to Celebrity website and don't see these listed. I am not a complainer by nature at all, but I have talked the Aqua class cabin up to my wife and I don't want to disappoint her. This will be my first cruise with Celebrity and am alarmed. When I paid a premium for this cabin category these items were listed, plus Celebrity never notified me these items were no longer being furnished. I realize these are all small items, but it is the principal. They were advertised. How about If I bought a car to find out that the radio advertised in the car wasn't there? Again I don't usually complain or get upset.

[shoesonfire]

We had Aqua Class cabin on Summit June 2012 and enjoyed all the amenities, wine, flowers, daily fruit and coaxed friends to join us in Oct. Aqua Class on the Infinity. We promoted Aqua and the additional cost based on the amenities of this cabin level and will also be very disappointed if things change.

[just_looking]

I don't know anything about the reductions, but I don't think the amenities you mentioned are that big a deal. We were in Aqua Class on two cruises last year. Both times the fruit was 2 apples and an orange that sat on a small plate for the duration of the cruise. When there are so many other tasty options...I was never in the mood for a "red delicious" apple. Our room had a tiny vase with a single daisy-type flower, so also not a big deal. And, our sparkling wine was left untouched because we had the drink package. (If we didn't have the drink package, I admit this would have been an appreciated amenity).

 

Our favorite part of AQ, and the reason we'd choose it again, was dining in Blu. That's the only amenity worth paying extra for, IMO.

 

(I do understand your disappointment that the amenities were listed when you made your reservation, though).

Edited April 18, 2014 by just_looking

[jjm34957]

Had the champagne, fruit and flowers, afternoon canapés in November. The best part of Aqua is Blu for breakfast and dinner, the bottled water, the plush bathrobes, we also enjoyed the steamrooms.

 

Joe

[shoesonfire]

I don't know anything about the reductions, but I don't think the amenities you mentioned are that big a deal. We were in Aqua Class on two cruises last year. Both times the fruit was 2 apples and an orange that sat on a small plate for the duration of the cruise. When there are so many other tasty options...I was never in the mood for a "red delicious" apple. Our room had a tiny vase with a single daisy-type flower, so also not a big deal. And, our sparkling wine was left untouched because we had the drink package. (If we didn't have the drink package, I admit this would have been an appreciated amenity).

 

Our favorite part of AQ, and the reason we'd choose it again, was dining in Blu. That's the only amenity worth paying extra for, IMO.

 

(I do understand your disappointment that the amenities were listed when you made your reservation, though).

 

Agree the fruit and flowers are not a big deal, however, I thought that the drink package does not include wine, champagne in the cabin, only at the different dining room and bar venues. If that is correct it's nice to be able to enjoy a sail away drink on your balcony.

[cruzzzinma]

The amenities are still shown on the Celebrity website. Aqua Class is a subset of Concierge Class - if you look at the Concierge Class amenities, you still see the sparkling wine, fruit, and flowers.

[Longhorn Tex]

The amenities are still shown on the Celebrity website. Aqua Class is a subset of Concierge Class - if you look at the Concierge Class amenities, you still see the sparkling wine, fruit, and flowers.

 

Bob and Carolyn - appreciate the clarification. FYI - we are also on the April TA cruise from Miami to Harwich.

[Iamcruzin]

I think new passengers or passengers who are looking to book Aqua for the first time are picturing a bouquet containing stargazer lilies or roses and a real fruit basket. Honestly until I started reading these threads that's what I would be looking for. I do assume that the Champagne is just bottled headache water.

[4774Papa]

I have heard rumblings that Celebrity is cutting back on the aqua class amenities. Specifically no bottle of wine/champagne in the room upon arrival, no daily fruit, and no flowers. I just went to Celebrity website and don't see these listed. I am not a complainer by nature at all, but I have talked the Aqua class cabin up to my wife and I don't want to disappoint her. This will be my first cruise with Celebrity and am alarmed. When I paid a premium for this cabin category these items were listed, plus Celebrity never notified me these items were no longer being furnished. I realize these are all small items, but it is the principal. They were advertised. How about If I bought a car to find out that the radio advertised in the car wasn't there? Again I don't usually complain or get upset.

We did Aqua last May on Infinity and could never eat much of the fruit, after all, the other food on the ship. Missing the flowers would be another minor miss. We would miss the champagne, but still, that is not a huge matter. Still, X needs to make it clear what is included in the program.

[akowilm]

Was in AQ last week. We had the twice daily bottled water service, the herbal iced tea, arrival bubbly, a small vase of fresh flowers and daily fruit that we could request specifically (I love pears....). Also had the upgraded shower, VERY plush bedding and linens, and upgraded toiletries. These are all nice, but we paid for AQ for the location (aft) and for Blu. Persian Gardens, especially on the S-class ships, is also a big plus! Enjoy your cruise!

[Longhorn Tex]

Appreciate everyone's advice. You have calmed down a first time Celebrity cruiser. I just want and need to keep my wife happy.

[BosoxI]

I guess my only question for the OP is "Where or from whom did you hear the rumblings of Aqua cutbacks?"

[miched]

About 3 years ago was the first time we sailed on X and it was AQ. They listed a pillow menu. Never seen one, asked for it and was told "there are the pillows, just pick one." Haven't ever seen the pillow menu and now dont see the pillows either except for those on the bed and the throw pillows on the sofa.

 

Had to ask for the credit card holder.

 

Use to have a nice cloth laundry bag. Don't see that anymore.

 

Use to get both of the Celebrity bags, the nice one and the blue one. Last time had to ask for the bag that we usually get.

 

Soaps, and etc in the lav were in a tube on our last cruise in Mar instead of the bottles. The tubes were large but there was hardly anything in them.

 

Towels don't appear to be as plush.

 

Use to get all the CC benefits plus. I don't think we get express luggage delivery.

 

They can keep the two apples, and orange, flavored water, and scented sticks. Told the attendant to remove it and not bother wasting his time or resources.

 

Bubbly is nice. Have a cabinet full of it. Some day I may crack one open.

 

In room wellness classes are also useless.

 

Still got the goody bag with the useless slippers that are way too larg for my size 11's.

 

Wife always complains about the over size robes that are one size fits all. Not very accomodating for someone under 5'-10.

 

But as others have noted those aren't the main reason that we book AQ. We like the large overhang in AQ1 on the S class.

 

.🌅🚢

[shoesonfire]

OP is correct if you check the X website, no mention of fruit, flowers or wine on Aqua class, however, they are listed under Concierge. Is this an new or updated listing on their website?

[SkystheLimit]

Just off the Silhouette. Had all the Aqua class amenities as expected. Small flower buds were placed in the cabin the first night after departure. Sparkling wine was iced down and available when we entered the cabin on embarkation. We did not have a fruit bowl--instead 3 green apples on a linear tray. The apples were fresh and I ate them when having a bout of sea sickness(crew recommended). We could request any other fruit. We could not drink all the bottled water supplied. Carafe of tea and ice refreshed daily. I did ask to have the fragrance sticks to be removed because of allergies.

 

Bulgari bath products arrived on the second day. Otherwise, we had Celebrity branded products. They were fine. Fresh towels supplied every morning and evening. Beach towels available before our first port of call.

 

Afternoon canapés were on request. There is a request form supplied each day to fill in and leave for the room steward by 11am each day. We did not request the canapes because we did not anticipate being in the cabin most afternoons.

 

Blu service was outstanding as well as the food for the most part. Couple of misses on the food but that's just personal taste. We look forward to menu changes for Blu since the menu has not varied much for the last couple of years.

 

Overall, everything we had last week was comparable to our experience two years ago in Aqua class. So, we did not see any reductions.

 

Had a great cruise. Hope you do as well.

Edited April 18, 2014 by SkystheLimit
grammar

[Longhorn Tex]

I guess my only question for the OP is "Where or from whom did you hear the rumblings of Aqua cutbacks?"

 

Read the discussion in the "Sparkling Wine???" Thread in CC Celebrity forum. Hope this answers your question.

[hulamoon]

The last flowers we had, last week, were in a beautiful three flower vase and gorgeous. And I like the fruit, if it wasn't there I wouldn't chase it down.

 

Although I also find the sparking water a sure bet to a headache, I would rather have it to trade than not have it all.

 

The canapés are finally good. Thank goodness.

 

We can always Ask not to have amenities, let's not encourage them to go away.

Edited April 18, 2014 by hulamoon

[Oville]

I think new passengers or passengers who are looking to book Aqua for the first time are picturing a bouquet containing stargazer lilies or roses and a real fruit basket. Honestly until I started reading these threads that's what I would be looking for. I do assume that the Champagne is just bottled headache water.

 

Good grief. In mid March we had the water, fruit, tea, the sparkling wine we share at sail away(never have had a headache from it) and great breakfasts and dinners at Blu. Love the showers.

 

Were you in AQ on the Summit. If not, why the negativity?

[4cats4me]

The lemongrass products have been substituted out for newer products, which still smell nice. We did receive lemongrass body wash, however, as well as the new body wash The one thing that we didn't get this time that we did get last year was the facial mist spray, but honestly, I didn't even realize it until we got home and I found last year's facial mist. The only thing that I did look forward to though was the lemongrass lip balm, but it has been replaced with another flavor, and I'm with hula moon, I enjoyed the canapés this time.

Hula moon, (Sharie) I wrote you a long email last night and our wireless went out and the email didn't save in my draft file, so I will rewrite in the next day or two;)

 

ON day one we had 3 green apples, which we didn't eat. On day two the apples had been supplanted with a pear, orange and a red apple.

We received the flowers on day two, which wilted by day six. I threw them out.

We also received a single red rose. We actually DID have a smattering of pillows. There were only feather pillows on arrival, which I can't use, so we asked for foam pillows and received a non-traditional foam pillow, more of an ergo pillow made out of some memory foam. I disliked it greatly on the first night, so they brought regular foam pillows, but they did leave the ergo pillow behind, so I grew to really like it, and my neck doesn't hurt anymore :eek:

 

Loved the bathrobes I use it to add warmth to the bed.

 

The incense was a tad potent, but I liked the scent. Last year I had to toss them because of allergies.

Edited April 18, 2014 by 4cats4me

[kevinyork]

The flowers, fruit and wine have gone from the AQ description on the UK site too but are still shown under Concierge Class. However the photos for AQ still show the flowers, fruit and wine.

 

 

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[lexdisic]

With the relentless cut backs happening - the rumours are rife about AQ's amenities. They were going around way before we sailed and at the moment it looks like thats all they are - rumours Take away AQ amenities and it would no longer be AQ and no justification for higher charges, so cant see it happening.

 

End of Feb we had - Sparkling wine -3 fruits - 2 bottled waters daily (more on request) - flowers - Persian gardens - daily carafe of flavoured tea -twice daily ice bucket - breakfast/dinner in Blu - 2 celebrity bags each - use of binoculars/umbrella - afternoon canapes which exchanged for fruit and cheese plate (once ordered, had it every day) - discount vouchers on everything from laundry to casino bet (dont know how they compared to other categories) - upgraded in room breakfast menu - smoothies and real orange juice. Plush robes and slippers. If anything was missing we only had to ask and it was there.

 

The price difference between AQ and other grades would determine value, but its not always value thats important, its the experience, which we thoroughly enjoyed and thought it was well worth it.

[thebutlerdidit]

On our Dec Silhouette cruise we had to ask for an ice bucket and the iced tea if we wanted them. If you had never sailed Celebrity or traveled in Aqua Class perhaps you wouldn't have missed them, but since they're listed as Aqua Class amenities I feel that they should be automatically supplied and then we could choose to opt out if we don't need or want them.

 

We were expected to fill out a daily form if we wanted canapes delivered that day. There were 3 time slots listed to choose from. We filled out the form the first day but then just told our room steward that we DID want them each day and 4:00 was fine.

[BosoxI]

Read the discussion in the "Sparkling Wine???" Thread in CC Celebrity forum. Hope this answers your question.

 

Thanks. We had a bottle on the Connie's March 8 cruise, and tomorrow we'll board the Eclipse, so I'll have first hand experience in 30 hours or so. 'Twill be interesting to see what's up. We've always traded it in for a still wine and the credit has ranged from $18 t0 $32 depending on the ship and the sommelier.

[ghstudio]

I don't think anything has changed recently...we were on the infinity in February in aqua. The most recent changes were the switch to the three fruit tray from a fruit bowl...and the brand of chocolate on the pillows. Ice, water, etc haven't changed.

[kevinyork]

Thanks. We had a bottle on the Connie's March 8 cruise, and tomorrow we'll board the Eclipse, so I'll have first hand experience in 30 hours or so. 'Twill be interesting to see what's up. We've always traded it in for a still wine and the credit has ranged from $18 t0 $32 depending on the ship and the sommelier.

 

 

So you can ask to swap the free sparkling wine for still and they credit any reduction in price despite the original bottle being a 'free' perk?

 

 

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