Should suite passengers get anything except their cabin.

[Go-Bucks!]

I've stayed in every type of cabin --> inside, port hole, window, balcony, minisuite and full suite. Had fantastic cruises in all of them!

 

As circumstances have changed (kids married and gone/career advancement with higher salary), I've gradually worked my way up to full suites and really enjoy the extra space and perks. Since I'm paying LOTS more than other cabins, I think the perks are appropriate. They add to my vacation enjoyment, but I could still have fun in an inside room.

 

My personal opinion is that if someone thinks the suite perks should be eliminated then they're jealous. Why else would you care?? The perks certainly don't detract from your vacation, so why be concerned what others get if they're willing to pay alot more money for their room?

[need2bespoiled]

Funny thing about Michael's Club, it was the original location for the Elite cocktail hour. I usuallly never went there -- too dark and it got crowded easily. And, after X moved the Elite event to a larger lounge (on most ship), I never really saw anyone in Michael's. :confused: So, I'm somewhat amused by the howls of protest over Michael's now being used as the Zenith/Suite club. :rolleyes:

 

And, I think it will be interesting to see just how well the "Haven" concept works on NCL. Sounds like they are trying to copy Cunard.

 

Haven has been around for almost 10 years. The first ship I think was NCL Jewel which I believe was launched in at least 2005. The've expanded it more on most builds since.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

[PoppyandNana]

I've stayed in every type of cabin --> inside, port hole, window, balcony, minisuite and full suite. Had fantastic cruises in all of them!

 

As circumstances have changed (kids married and gone/career advancement with higher salary), I've gradually worked my way up to full suites and really enjoy the extra space and perks. Since I'm paying LOTS more than other cabins, I think the perks are appropriate. They add to my vacation enjoyment, but I could still have fun in an inside room.

 

My personal opinion is that if someone thinks the suite perks should be eliminated then they're jealous. Why else would you care?? The perks certainly don't detract from your vacation, so why be concerned what others get if they're willing to pay alot more money for their room?

 

I don't have an argue with your logic that because you're paying LOTS more than other cabins you think the perks are appropriate.

 

Following your logic top category balcony cabins cost LOTS more than inside cabins. Therefore what perks would you suggest would be appropriate for these passengers? Of course we don't want them to have more perks than you even though the differential between the lowest suite category and the highest balcony cat may be minicsule.

[SPacificbound]

Surely, it would make more sense if all lines adopted the following arrangements:

 

• All cabins to be exactly the same size. Pax will rotate among the cabins every morning, to ensure that there is an even spread of exposure to sunshine and the bowels of the ship.
  
• All tickets to be exactly the same price, regardless of country, time or channel of purchase. You can forget the free OBC as well.
  
• One restaurant, one sitting, with a fixed and limited range of bland food. First come, first served.
  
• No spa, wine tasting, art auctions, photographers, or even tours to spend your money on. The ship stops, you get off, you get back on and the ship sails to next port.
  
• A single theatre with all seats removed. Standing room only works fine for the proms at the Albert Hall.
  
• All drinks included. Selections limited to a range of supermarket own-brand sodas, Polish garage made vodka and the cheapest beer available at the last port.
  
• No loyalty programmes. Absolutely none. In fact, the more you sail, the less chance you have of scoring a cabin with a window. You've seen the sea before, so someone else should get a chance.
  
• Tender priorities determined according to those who can make the most annoying whining noise over a measured 10 minute period. Auditions to be held in the buffet on a formal evening, so that those too cheap to buy a decent suit have the best chance.
  
• No formal evenings. They pose a risk of extravagant displays of wealth. So tender priorities should be the same as abandoning ship - elbows out and fittest to the front.
  

I'm sure North Korea will be rolling out this business model for cruising soon. I commend it to anyone who would rather not have their holiday cost sponsored by the high prices paid by suite guests.

 

.

 

 

Too funny! :D

[Cruising89143]

I don't even understand why this is a topic for discussion. Suite accomodations are open to everyone, as are concierge class, aqua, and standard staterooms. If Celebrity chooses to make the prices look more attractive by the addition of certain benefits, that's just good marketing. Same thing is done by airlines, hotels, etc., so why would one comment or even complain about the practice?

 

Because someone was bored and decided to start this thread to try and get a rise out of posters. Because someone is jealous of what others receive. The list goes on and on. Take your pick but basically much ado about nothing. :(;)

Edited August 3, 2014 by cruisingator2

[Cruising89143]

I've stayed in every type of cabin --> inside, port hole, window, balcony, minisuite and full suite. Had fantastic cruises in all of them!

 

As circumstances have changed (kids married and gone/career advancement with higher salary), I've gradually worked my way up to full suites and really enjoy the extra space and perks. Since I'm paying LOTS more than other cabins, I think the perks are appropriate. They add to my vacation enjoyment, but I could still have fun in an inside room.

 

My personal opinion is that if someone thinks the suite perks should be eliminated then they're jealous. Why else would you care?? The perks certainly don't detract from your vacation, so why be concerned what others get if they're willing to pay alot more money for their room?

Bingo the reason that this thread was started.

Edited August 3, 2014 by cruisingator2

[Adidas4fun]

Following your logic top category balcony cabins cost LOTS more than inside cabins. Therefore what perks would you suggest would be appropriate for these passengers? Of course we don't want them to have more perks than you even though the differential between the lowest suite category and the highest balcony cat may be minicsule.

"the differential ... MAY be miniscule?"

 

Lowest suite with access to Michaels club pays 25% more per square foot of cabin than the highest balcony cabin without perks. And you want to call that miniscule?

 

Please, dont let the facts get in the way of your jealousy.

[Yorkshire-Pudding]

... Of course we don't want them to have more perks than you even though the differential between the lowest suite category and the highest balcony cat may be minicsule.

 

I believe I am booked booked on the same July 2015 cruise on Eclipse to the Baltic as the PoppyandNana so I thought I would just check the veracity of this statement.

 

The prices quoted are from Celebrity's website, today 3rd August at 7.31 am UK time, prices are quoted in UK Sterling for the following cabin types based on two adults sharing:

 

(SV) Sunset Veranda Stateroom - Deck 6 - £4 252

 

Concierge - Deck 10 - £4 312

 

AquaClass - Deck 11 - £4 712

 

(S2) Sky Suite - Deck 12 - £7 892

 

(CS) Celebrity Suite - £9 992

 

Now I have no idea whether an SV is the highest standard balcony or not, but I do know that an S2 is the lowest level of suite and does not qualify for most of the new Suite Class amenities except for the butler and suite dining room.

 

No prices are available for Royal Suite or Penthouse as both these categories are sold out, 11 months before sailing.

 

Regards

[scotslizzy]

Well I guess my next cruise in a CS (this Sept) will be our last. I will be interested to read what people who booked these expensive suites make of it.

 

Those prices are akin to Silversea etc .Does Celebrity really think they will be able to match and manage expectations to this level ?

 

Anyway looking forward to our last CS next month.

 

 

Scotslizzy

[NLH Arizona]

Well I guess my next cruise in a CS (this Sept) will be our last. I will be interested to read what people who booked these expensive suites make of it.

 

Those prices are akin to Silversea etc .Does Celebrity really think they will be able to match and manage expectations to this level ?

 

Anyway looking forward to our last CS next month.

 

 

Scotslizzy

Have you picked another cruise line or will you stop cruising in general?

[Chunky2219]

Well I guess my next cruise in a CS (this Sept) will be our last. I will be interested to read what people who booked these expensive suites make of it.

 

Those prices are akin to Silversea etc .Does Celebrity really think they will be able to match and manage expectations to this level ?

 

Anyway looking forward to our last CS next month.

 

 

Scotslizzy

In a nutshell, Celebrity were not providing the sort of benefits that matched what I was paying for real estate. It may have only cost marginally more for speciality dining and sodas in the cabin, but it didn't sit comfortably with me.

 

Now, the new suite benefits bring X closer to Cunard Queens Grill and the smaller premium lines, so they would be matching my expectations quite nicely. Celebrity was a choice for us only because of the voyages and destinations that others did not do. Now they should be right in the frame as a choice regardless of itinerary.

 

.

[Jane2357]

I would not be embarrassed at all... It's stated as a perk and you have every right to it.

 

In the past I visited Universal Studios and stayed onsite because if you did you got to go thru a special line for every ride. It cut hours off the big rides and 20-30 minutes off others. It was fantastic and I did not feel embarrassed even once. I paid for it because of the prices for the rooms.

 

The one and only time that I sailed in a suite we had 3 evenings of being escorted to our seats in the theater by our Butler. I was not embarrassed at all nor did I feel like I was paraded to the roped off area. In fact I didn't notice one person noticing me :p everyone was too busy finding their seats, getting settled in for the entertainment, visiting with others, ordering drinks, etc. It was a very nice perk and one that I appreciated and the Butler told us how much the Butlers enjoy the process - it is fun for them too.

 

This entire thread was written by someone who has been bitten by the green eyed monster. I won't be elite until after my next cruise - do I spend 1 second of my cruise being jealous of those that are elite and above and what they are getting - heck no - I'm too busy enjoying MY EXPERIENCE. Our last cruise in an S1 was amazing but I'm just as excited about the next cruise in a C1 (yes I'm an aft addict). Will I be jealous of the suite dining room - no way. I hope to cruise in a suite again soon but until then - I'm a happy camper to just be onboard. :D

[scotslizzy]

Have you picked another cruise line or will you stop cruising in general?

 

 

Not at the moment but on checking the new suite prices for April 2015 onwards there is a big jump and it would make me consider other cruise lines for suites.

 

I do love Celebrity and apart from one other cruise on Oceania (great by the way ) we have stuck with Celebrity because we like the overall package . We will just have to wait and see how our cruise in Sept goes .I know that not all the nice things will not be on offer but I am hoping that I will get a flavour of things to come and then decide if the price increase in value for money.

 

Scotslizzy

[wwcruisers]

Jane, I like your attitude about appreciating the finer things in life, but being happy with what you have. :cool: On our upcoming Summit cruise, we have good friends who are sailing in a suite. Am I a tiny bit jealous that they will have a butler, and we won't? You bet! ;)

On the other hand, I am looking forward to experiencing an aft cabin -- with all that balcony real estate. As an old mentor of mine was fond of saying: Life is good! :D

Edited August 3, 2014 by wwcruisers

[Jane2357]

Jane, I like your attitude about appreciating the finer things in life, but being happy with what you have. :cool: On our upcoming Summit cruise, we have good friends who are sailing in a suite. Am I a tiny bit jealous that they will have a butler, and we won't? You bet! ;)

On the other hand, I am looking forward to experiencing an aft cabin -- with all that balcony real estate. As an old mentor of mine was fond of saying: Life is good! :D

 

Thank you. I try to everyday be grateful for what I have and not dwell on what I don't have. I grew up without much and I've never ever forgotten that - I treasure and give thanks for every thing I am blessed to have. :D

[cle-guy]

Not at the moment but on checking the new suite prices for April 2015 onwards there is a big jump and it would make me consider other cruise lines for suites.

 

Scotslizzy

 

I haven't done the math and comparison to pre and post suite perks suit pricing, but for a 7 day cruise in a suite with suite perks, I'd expect it to cost more than before as follows:

 

$45 times 2 people x 7 days - for unlimited specialty dining/enhanced suite dining = $630

Unlimited internet for 2 $600 (variable, of course, I assumed $300 per person)

Unlimited Premium Beverage package for 2 = $474.95 x 2 = $949.90

Mini bar drinks access, $20/day/person = $280

 

So I figure the added value is at least $2500 plus the "ancillary" benefits.

[SPacificbound]

I will wait until 2016 spring and fall schedules come out to get a better idea of the prices on a "fresh batch". :)

 

The Celebrity Cruises we have booked for 2015 have gone up so much in price since we booked them, that it wouldn't really be an accurate way to judge at this time.

[Project_gal]

I haven't done the math and comparison to pre and post suite perks suit pricing, but for a 7 day cruise in a suite with suite perks, I'd expect it to cost more than before as follows:

 

$45 times 2 people x 7 days - for unlimited specialty dining/enhanced suite dining = $630 $29 x 2 x 7 - Ultimate Dining Package = $405

Unlimited internet for 2 $600 (variable, of course, I assumed $300 per person)Less Elite Benefits 90 Internet minutes currently usually given - how many will use more than this? - say $300

Unlimited Premium Beverage package for 2 = $474.95 x 2 = $949.90

Mini bar drinks access, $20/day/person = $280

 

So I figure the added value is at least $2500 plus the "ancillary" benefits.

 

I believe that "average" value is more like $2,000 or less if you take into account how many people now receive the basic Classic Beverage Package. Of course, that is the value to the customer. The cost to Celebrity is much less.

Edited August 4, 2014 by Project_gal

[scotslizzy]

Well I suppose if you decided to eat every night in the speciality restaurant's then perhaps you would get value for money .

 

But even as someone who does enjoy the speciality rests I could not imagine eating in them every night then spending my time on the internet to ensure that I had used up my allowance!

 

And I also thought that it was only PH and RS that got unlimited drinks package?

 

Scotslizzy

[Project_gal]

Well I suppose if you decided to eat every night in the speciality restaurant's then perhaps you would get value for money .

 

But even as someone who does enjoy the speciality rests I could not imagine eating in them every night then spending my time on the internet to ensure that I had used up my allowance!

 

And I also thought that it was only PH and RS that got unlimited drinks package?

 

Scotslizzy

 

It is only the PH and RS.

 

I assumed that cle-guy's calculation was from Celebrity's viewpoint. Everyone will have their own personal evaluation of the benefits. For example, from our view point - we only eat in the speciality restaurants but the included complimentary specialty dining is not the main attraction. Rather it is the new suite dining room. Either way, we will still save the $29 pp/per night. Conversely, I do not use much of my free Captain's Club Internet access so that perks has no value to me.

[scotslizzy]

Do they allow you to order off the menu in Murano or change the sauces etc . I could well imagine that would be a winner for us .

 

Thanks

 

Scotalizzy

[Yorkshire-Pudding]

Well I suppose if you decided to eat every night in the speciality restaurant's then perhaps you would get value for money .

 

But even as someone who does enjoy the speciality rests I could not imagine eating in them every night then spending my time on the internet to ensure that I had used up my allowance!

 

And I also thought that it was only PH and RS that got unlimited drinks package?

 

Scotslizzy

 

I must have been writing this the same time as Project_gal.

 

IMO, I don't think the PH and RS package is about value for money per se, but about giving passengers choice, convenience and freedom at a fixed price, albeit a high one. How the unlimited dining, drinking and internet is used is very much determined by the individual so whilst it is possible to derive a notional value on each amenity, the value of each amenity is very much driven by the individual.

 

We are relative cruise novices so are still trying to work out what works for us. My husband rarely drinks alcohol (loves the idea of the Aqua Spa smoothies, yuk) but needs to remain in contact with his global team (holidays are not an exception) so accessing unlimited internet is crucial to him so any loss by not drinking will be gained from internet use.

 

As for the dining. We have sailed in the NCL Haven and for 7 day port intensive cruise ate only in the suite dining room. By the end we hated it so on our RC Alaska cruise last year we never ate in the MDR and purchased a dining package to solely eat in the speciality restaurants which was more to our liking.

[Project_gal]

Do they allow you to order off the menu in Murano or change the sauces etc . I could well imagine that would be a winner for us .

 

Thanks

 

Scotalizzy

 

Yes and no!

 

Off menu items are typically offered once you have eaten in a Murano [and equivalents] once you have eaten there a couple of times on a cruise but we have never been off menu items in the Tuscan Grille. I say typically because this is less likely to happen if they are busy. In the time we have been solely eating in these restaurants, they have become much busier [despite all the reports on Cruise Critic that they are empty] and staffing has been greatly reduced. Thus, in our experience, off menu items are offered less frequently.

 

In fact, the specialty restaurants have become increasingly stale for us but the MDR has not become any more appealing. Any menu changes over the years and most of the off menu items are all very much of the same old same old. This is why the new suite restaurant is a huge draw for us. Had Celebrity not introduced this, we possibly would have stopped cruising.

Edited August 4, 2014 by Project_gal

[smtcan]

I don't have any problem with suite passengers receiving extra benefits. If we chose to, we could put our annual holiday budget into one cruise in a suite, but for us, cruising is about destinations not the ship board experience. We appreciate a clean well maintained cabin, a varied menu and some activities for sea days, but what we really enjoy is an exciting itinerary that takes us to new places. For us, three or more cruises in moderate accommodation have more value at present. The time may come when we will not be able to travel as often, then we will appreciate the benefits of a suite and be prepared to pay for them.

[phoenix_dream]

As long as suite guests are being charged appropriately for getting the perks they get, then I have no problem with it. I think part of some of the frustration evidenced by some, is that by adding all these perks with the up-pricing of suites that goes with it, the possibility of ever getting a suite for many of us has gone from low to never in our lifetime. From that perspective, you might find opinions that the perks should be more limited so that more people could afford a suite every now and then. I had one once via a guarantee and absolutely loved it. With today's pricing, going up for all cabins and exponentially more for suites, there is no way I will ever sail in a suite again unless I win the lottery:). So from that perspective alone, I wish the perks were back to what they were. At the same time, I do not begrudge people getting the perks as that is not the model now, and they are paying a significant up charge for their suites.