Suites, Spas and Signature Sailings - a Q & A with Celebrity!

[chief190]

Celebrity would be well advised to listen to these types of questions and quickly establish a suite "hotline" to respond to concerns and questions about policies surrounding suite benefits...and to resolve some of the more illogical situations forced by "policy" well before the cruise...not one week before the cruise.

 

My question: When will there be a "hotline" or special email address set up for suite guests to use when considering or after booking a cruise?

 

We are booked a royal suite in may and have received a phone call and email from pre cruise concierge. They said they would take care of any precruise arrangements bed configuration for living room beer preference and pillow menu etc. I think some of these concerns are already taken care of.

[PSU]

We are in a Royal Suite on the Constellation that sails Feb. 1. We have not been contacted by the suite concierge yet.

We are booked a royal suite in may and have received a phone call and email from pre cruise concierge. They said they would take care of any precruise arrangements bed configuration for living room beer preference and pillow menu etc. I think some of these concerns are already taken care of.

[Hawkeye hfx]

That seems unusual. Any chance your email is incorrect on their website? We were contacted a week ahead.

 

Sent from my SGH-I467M using Forums mobile app

[PSU]

No, I get emails from Celebrity all the time. I just checked online in my profile and my email is there.

That seems unusual. Any chance your email is incorrect on their website? We were contacted a week ahead.

 

Sent from my SGH-I467M using Forums mobile app

[rainy4stu]

If you are in a CS or above, the MC concierge should send you an email about a week before your first cruise.

 

Thanks for reply, we are in a Celebrity Suite. Won't hold my breath about getting an email as haven't been able to get luggage tags or cruise docs as there appears to be an I T glitch on our booking! Have been assured we will have no problem boarding though as we have got our express passes etc.:)

[Project_gal]

Are there any plans to extend the suite benefit to the pre-cruise period? The service higher-end suite receive on board [especially since the announcement of the new suite benefits] is outstanding while the pre-cruise customer service is noticeably deteriorating [at least in the UK].

[Cruise Critic Chris]

Hi everyone! The chat is over, and we got quite a few of your questions answered. We've asked Celebrity to see if we can get a reply to some of the others. You can read the link here. Thanks for your participation!

[dkjretired]

I think BLU is allowing access first come first served, not really lining Aqua on one side, and Suites on other then taking all suites making aqua stare at them.

 

My personal observations have been empty seats and tables the few times I have dined in BLU, so the issue isn't always an issue.

 

My thought is, X is clearly making suites have full access to most anything, that they have stated in the Suite Perks FAQ that the access policy won't change, and that the direction is unlimited access, I can't imagine restricting suite access to BLU. I do think stress on BLU will be less with the Suites having a dedicated dining room and that is the intended fix to the "problem" in BLU.

 

I honestly don't see X reverting BACKWARDS on a policy like this.

 

But surely Suite guests will be able to dine with friends and traveling companions at BLU if their companions are in Aqua.

 

But we shall see, if they choose to take this issue up on the call next week...

 

As jazz beau referred to, there have been reports of the Michaels Club concierge escorting suite guests into Blu and these people being seated immediately while AQ guests wait upwards of a half hour to be seated. Makes me also wonder if the concierge is bringing in people from rooms that don't qualify.

[diligaf51]

Hi Chris,

 

When Luminae makes it's debut, will the venue be open for lunch on all days, or only sea days ?

 

Also, can we have access to additional menus ? The first set of menus look fantastic, and it would be great to have an additional "taste" of what's to come.

 

Thanks very much !

 

 

First set of menus? Can you please post them again? Thanks.

[need2bespoiled]

http://www.celebritycruises.com/onboard-celebrity/cruise-restaurants-luminae

 

Example menus are there.

 

See also: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyU-DqbNTK4&feature=youtu.be

 

In the live chat yesterday, it was confirmed Luminae would be open for lunch everyday, including embarkation day. Brunch hours were still not set.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

[DiamondSuiteCruiser]

I would like to know the policy about inviting the guests. Currently we have several future bookings with one or two persons in a royal suite with one adult family member in the connecting concierge cabin to the royal suite.

 

I am fine with paying the suite dining upcharge for the one person in the concierge cabin, but only if we can do so for the entire sailing.

If they can only be invited once to the suite dining, then we will have to rebook two lower suites, or move the extra person into the royal suite.

 

 

Will the suite dining have offerings for those who are vegetarians different from the main dining room?

 

Will any of the suite dining offerings be available through room service?

 

We are looking forward to being on the inaugural roll out suite dining sailing on Constellation!

 

I have the same situation on our up coming cruise. My DH and myself booked one of the PH suites, and when my MIL decided to join us, DH said he did not want his mother in our suite for 15 nights on a sofa bed, so we booked her a C2. Our reservations are linked, and we are okay with paying for her to eat with us, but we would never ask her to eat by herself, not even for one night. If we are not allowed to eat together in suite dinning, I guess we will book select dinning or the main dinning room with her.:confused::(

 

As for Michaels Club, that is not a deal breaker that she will not be allowed in there, I really don't see us using that perk much. We only went in MC one time on our last cruise, so not a big deal there.

Edited February 1, 2015 by DiamondSuiteCruiser

[need2bespoiled]

I have the same situation on our up coming cruise. My DH and myself booked one of the PH suites, and when my MIL decided to join us, DH said he did not want his mother in our suite for 15 nights on a sofa bed, so we booked her a C2. Our reservations are linked, and we are okay with paying for her to eat with us, but we would never ask her to eat by herself, not even for one night. If we are not allowed to eat together in suite dinning, I guess we will book select dinning or the main dinning room with her.:confused::(

 

I feel these discrepancies are easily managed with the pre-cruise suite concierge and / or the MC concierge as I would have a hard time believing they wouldn't have you all dine in Luminae.

 

I also feel your decision makes sense, especially given that 6145/6146 are not often available and that there are no connecting cabins with PH on S-class.

 

Finally, I'd like to note, that it is easily possible that a C2 x2 (solo supplement) is cheaper than a third guest in a Penthouse for 15 nights, which may give Celebrity some small leg to stand on, but not much.

 

I just don't feel you'll have an issue, as the they bend over backward for upper level suite guests.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

[DiamondSuiteCruiser]

I feel these discrepancies are easily managed with the pre-cruise suite concierge and / or the MC concierge as I would have a hard time believing they wouldn't have you all dine in Luminae.

 

I also feel your decision makes sense, especially given that 6145/6146 are not often available and that there are no connecting cabins with PH on S-class.

 

Finally, I'd like to note, that it is easily possible that a C2 x2 (solo supplement) is cheaper than a third guest in a Penthouse for 15 nights, which may give Celebrity some small leg to stand on, but not much.

 

I just don't feel you'll have an issue, as the they bend over backward for upper level suite guests.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

 

Thanks Jenna for your thoughts and support, either way I know we will make it work.

[uktog]

A question for Celebrity

There is mention made of paired wines and recommendations for dishes being made each night. There is also mention of a new wine list. Will the recommendations be priced such that they fall within the premium package we have with our suite or will we still be looking at a further supplement - we were very limited on wines by glass even allowing for the higher limit on the premium package on previous cruises

[Project_gal]

A question for Celebrity

There is mention made of paired wines and recommendations for dishes being made each night. There is also mention of a new wine list. Will the recommendations be priced such that they fall within the premium package we have with our suite or will we still be looking at a further supplement - we were very limited on wines by glass even allowing for the higher limit on the premium package on previous cruises

 

We are also really interesting in knowing this. [i wish I had remembered to ask the question on Friday although I am sure that we would simply have been told that the list was still being finalised!] We tried the Premium Beverage Package once but the wines are really not to our liking. The specialty dining sommelier made great efforts to offer us other wines not normally on the wine-by-the-glass list but we really did not enjoy those either and ended up spending considerably more [in surcharges] for them. A wider choice of wines by the glass within, or closer to, the Premium Beverage Package limit would be much appreciated.

[Project_gal]

I feel these discrepancies are easily managed with the pre-cruise suite concierge and / or the MC concierge as I would have a hard time believing they wouldn't have you all dine in Luminae.

 

I also feel your decision makes sense, especially given that 6145/6146 are not often available and that there are no connecting cabins with PH on S-class.

 

Finally, I'd like to note, that it is easily possible that a C2 x2 (solo supplement) is cheaper than a third guest in a Penthouse for 15 nights, which may give Celebrity some small leg to stand on, but not much.

 

I just don't feel you'll have an issue, as the they bend over backward for upper level suite guests.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

 

With a maximum capacity of 54 guests for Luminae on M-class ships, I just do not see how Celebrity can offer that sort of flexibility as I can also see there being difficulties if it is offered to PH guests only unless that is a published perk of the PH suites.

[need2bespoiled]

With a maximum capacity of 54 guests for Luminae on M-class ships, I just do not see how Celebrity can offer that sort of flexibility as I can also see there being difficulties if it is offered to PH guests only unless that is a published perk of the PH suites.

 

As you know they bend over backward for PH guests. I've seen similar accommodations, such as MC access for an adult child of a PH guest staying in a CC room. The PH guest also happened to be zenith so maybe that mattered.

 

Capacity is not a huge issue. If the person in question was staying on the sofa bed, she would have access to Luminae anyway. Remember, not everyone will eat at once and some will dine at specialty restaurants too. My partner last night told me we're still going to eat in the MDR :eek: (surprised as she is pretty critical of food) as she likes meeting new people too. I explained on our last cruise we met folks we stay in touch with at the pool, martini bar and MC. I agree with her, and we also have two sailings coming up where we're with friend on one where they're not staying in suites and another wth family where less than half are in suites. We'll eat in Luminae rarely, but use select dining and specially restaurants to connect, so we'll see as I think this is pretty common. My point is, I think it will work out.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

Edited February 1, 2015 by need2bespoiled

[uktog]

Any chance of a reply to the question re wines by the glass in Luminae?

[cle-guy]

A question for Celebrity

There is mention made of paired wines and recommendations for dishes being made each night. There is also mention of a new wine list. Will the recommendations be priced such that they fall within the premium package we have with our suite or will we still be looking at a further supplement - we were very limited on wines by glass even allowing for the higher limit on the premium package on previous cruises

 

My expectation is that any wines in Suite Dining will all be at charge. There are already so few that fall within a package in MDR, any decent wine to pair with the planned dinners will certainly be above package limits.

 

Murano and its sister restaurants also offer wine pairings on their menus, and these recommendations are at cost, and not within package.

 

It would be a great surprise to find out I'm wrong and the meals come with complimentary paired and selected wines, but as specialties have so few wines in package, I would assume SDR follow suit. It's one of the few ways X can still gain additional revenues form these guests as many have all-in perks already.

 

Wines seem to be the only beverage revenue stream they can count on across the board these days.

[uktog]

My expectation is that any wines in Suite Dining will all be at charge. There are already so few that fall within a package in MDR, any decent wine to pair with the planned dinners will certainly be above package limits.

 

Murano and its sister restaurants also offer wine pairings on their menus, and these recommendations are at cost, and not within package.

 

It would be a great surprise to find out I'm wrong and the meals come with complimentary paired and selected wines, but as specialties have so few wines in package, I would assume SDR follow suit. It's one of the few ways X can still gain additional revenues form these guests as many have all-in perks already.

 

Wines seem to be the only beverage revenue stream they can count on across the board these days.

 

Curt

 

You are missing the point of the original post - the position is that many guests, including those in the PH and RS will have a premium beverage package which will either have been included in their room perks or will have been purchased along the way. No one was expecting free wine, the issue was what type of wine per glass will be offered as currently, the range of wines within the premium package can be limited for some foods.

 

I have frequently been able to enjoy a recommended paired wine within Murano within the package limits - although some of the pairings were not to my taste

 

Mention is made of a new wine list and recommended pairings - but will at least one of these pairings be within the premium package price points each night.

 

I do not accept that everyone will be happy to pay extra for wine - the "package perk" for PH and RS is significantly devalued

 

Anyway, I would like the cruiseline to answer as they indicated they would do on a weekly basis to clarify the matter

Edited February 15, 2015 by uktog

[cle-guy]

Kurt

 

You are missing the point of the original post - the position is that many guests, including those in the PH and RS will have a premium beverage package which will either have been included in their room perks or will have been purchased along the way. No one was expecting free wine, the issue was what type of wine per glass will be offered as currently, the range of wines within the premium package is somewhat limited.

 

I have frequently been able to enjoy a paired wine within Murano within the package limits.

 

Mention is made of a new wine list and recommended pairings - but will at least one of these pairings be within the premium package price points each night.

 

I do not accept that everyone will be happy to pay extra for wine - the "package perk" for PH and RS is significantly devalued

 

I;m not saying anyone will be happy or not happy. I'm saying I expect the SDR to operate just like the others do. There's a thread going on somewhere here that recently the Murano Restaurant (or its sister, forget which ship) had ZERO package included wines on the menu, and the server would not even seek those wines out when asked, instead selling ONLY wines on the menu in the restaurant, none of which were in package. Clearly this is the other end of a spectrum, but it shows what can happen.

 

But I have no delusions that there will be a plethora of included wines on the SDR menu, if the choice in the MDR is already lousy, as most on these boards suggest. I personally never get any wines in MDR that are in package, I just don't care for any, I always end up with something out of package at a premium price.

 

I expect all the wines on offer will be more than the $13 threshold on premium package, and guests will be paying "the difference" for them. It'd almost be embarrassing to have the Celebrity Vintage that is within package on the special menu, is it even on the Murano/Ocean Liners menu? If it is, then perhaps it will make SDR.

 

We can hope for anything of course, I just looking at prior track record, and have come to what I think is the logical conclusion. Only time will tell of course.

 

If they give SDR guests a wine paired menu inclusive, then these guests are all lost in inviting to the special wine pairing dinner, which comes at a fee. I just don't see X doing that, and losing those potential "high rollers" if you will, from taking up the special menu and paying for it.

 

I don't recall any of the suggested paired wines in Murano or other restaurants ever falling within package prices, so again, don't see why they would in SDR.

 

Its just a fact that the suggestions of wines for the SDR will be of a higher caliber than can fit in the package price points- we've all seen the nature of wines that make the cut already.

[uktog]

As I said, there are paired wines on the premium package (not classic) in Murano I do not agree with the info on the other threads.

This thread is not to debate the issue, it is to get the facts from Celebrity Cruises so over to them, lets not have theotertical hypotheses, thanks

[Project_gal]

As far as we are concerned, unless Celebrity significantly increase the range of wines available by the glass, whether or not below the price limit for the Premium Beverage Package, having the package will be an almost meaningless perk for us. With water, beer and sodas available in our suite and in Michael's Club, coffee and chocolates available as Elite+ perks and the other alcoholic beverages available in our suite and in Michael's Club, we really only need the package for our wine at dinner. Those currently available by the glass are more to our American tastes than ours.

[uktog]

As far as we are concerned, unless Celebrity significantly increase the range of wines available by the glass, whether or not below the price limit for the Premium Beverage Package, having the package will be an almost meaningless perk for us. With water, beer and sodas available in our suite and in Michael's Club, coffee and chocolates available as Elite+ perks and the other alcoholic beverages available in our suite and in Michael's Club, we really only need the package for our wine at dinner. Those currently available by the glass are more to our American tastes than ours.

 

ditto

[Bernard1]

ditto

 

We'll ditto again, except when travelling with my mother. We have no choice except sky suite next to her. Top Whack. Surely it is not beyond the ken of man to design a full suite that can be accessible. Hubby has a good recognition as a designer - If celebrity is remotely watching. You can hide a lot from normal. And as I said, if you are making such differential between mini suite and full, well, I am surprised that they are not making the most. But then again the accessible cabins have lacked any imagination to be able to play all ways....!!!!!???????