Booking ? Cabin Selection

[bigjim_610]

I was on this board some years ago and forgot everything, sorry, once the cruise was over we drifted away.

 

We want to book on Millenium for a Vancover to Seward cruise. We want our cabin on the Starboard side, near the bow, ahead of the elevator.

 

All three agents and Celebrity want $200 for the ability of us selecting where we want to be in Concerige (SP) class. Really?

 

We will spend >$5K and we cannot select what side of the ship we want to be on?

 

Should I wait out the booking until we are closer to the July 22 sailing date?

 

Or give in to further fees and book the cabin we want?

 

Thanks,

 

sf;vl

[jbuch02]

Assume you are talking about the price difference between CC GTY and a booking for a cabin you want.

 

If that is the case and you want a specific cabin, hold out until inside the final payment date that should be April 22nd or there about. I didn't count.

 

My sense is that CC has relatively low demand not to mention that the Alaska cruise season has more cabins available than can be filled between all the lines that sail this region.

 

I'd also point out that there are better places to see the Alaska scenery than from your balcony. If you don't mind the chill, you'll get a better panoramic from deck 12 forward or if you don't like the chill, from the Cosmos Lounge on deck 11. There are plenty of other places as well.

Edited April 13, 2016 by jbuch02

[bigjim_610]

We are not fair weather travelers, just want to be on Starboard side, period. If CC will not waive the fee we will go back and fish for Halibut without the cruise.

 

Assume you are talking about the price difference between CC GTY and a booking for a cabin you want.

 

If that is the case and you want a specific cabin, hold out until inside the final payment date that should be April 22nd or there about. I didn't count.

 

My sense is that CC has relatively low demand not to mention that the Alaska cruise season has more cabins available than can be filled between all the lines that sail this region.

 

I'd also point out that there are better places to see the Alaska scenery than from your balcony. If you don't mind the chill, you'll get a better panoramic from deck 12 forward or if you don't like the chill, from the Cosmos Lounge on deck 11. There are plenty of other places as well.

[sooper]

It's not a "fee" but the price difference of the different categories.

 

XC (gty) fare is cheaper than a C3/C2/C1 category.

 

Doing a mock booking on the Celebrity website, only one Concierge starboard stateroom is available, but aft.

[bigjim_610]

On the same deck is $200 more expensive?

 

It's not a "fee" but the price difference of the different categories.

 

XC (gty) fare is cheaper than a C3/C2/C1 category.

 

Doing a mock booking on the Celebrity website, only one Concierge starboard stateroom is available, but aft.

[sooper]

It's not about the location but choice. Some rental car places have a "wild" choice for cheaper than if you book a category directly. Same here. Think of the normal fare as being $200 more, while you save $200 if you let them choose the cabin for you.

 

Once the cabin is assigned, you can always move to another cabin in the same category. But do a mock booking and see all the available cabins - there's only one starboard in the aft.

[bigjim_610]

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It's not about the location but choice. Some rental car places have a "wild" choice for cheaper than if you book a category directly. Same here. Think of the normal fare as being $200 more, while you save $200 if you let them choose the cabin for you.

 

Once the cabin is assigned, you can always move to another cabin in the same category. But do a mock booking and see all the available cabins - there's only one starboard in the aft.

[sooper]

Celebrity is not the only cruise line that offer a cheaper fare for guaranteed categories.

[bigjim_610]

XC (gty) fare is cheaper than a C3/C2/C1 category.

[royalcruz]

XC (gty) fare is cheaper than a C3/C2/C1 category.

 

What this means is that there are 4 different categories of Concierge Class staterooms, and each category has a different price. There are also several different categories within inside, outside, veranda, suite, etc. staterooms.

 

The XC fare means that you will be assigned a cabin by the cruiseline, called a "guarantee"...guarantee cabins are often priced the lowest in each cabin class. The other categories within the class correspond with the location of the staterooms. Almost every cruiseline offers "guarantee" cabins at a lower price than other staterooms in the same room class. What you are viewing as a "fee" is simply different pricing for different categories.

 

BigJim, what none of the 4 professionals you have spoken with have told you is this: There are NO concierge class cabins forward of the forward elevators on the Millenium. You can study the deck plans here and then figure out what would suit you best (notice that concierge cabins are different shades of purple):

http://www.cruisecritic.com/celebrity-millennium-deck-plans/dp/

Edited April 13, 2016 by royalcruz

[sound_guy0918]

XC (gty) fare is cheaper than a C3/C2/C1 category.

 

Carnival offers Guarantee staterooms at a significant discount also.

 

You are essentially getting a discount because you might get the worst cabin in that class. But you might not. On our Carnival cruise we booked a guarantee balcony and scored an aft-facing cabin.

 

If you want a specific cabin, they charge more.

[bigjim_610]

Another ?

 

On Celebrity, what is the difference between Concierge class and Aqua? Besides price?

 

Carnival offers Guarantee staterooms at a significant discount also.

 

You are essentially getting a discount because you might get the worst cabin in that class. But you might not. On our Carnival cruise we booked a guarantee balcony and scored an aft-facing cabin.

 

If you want a specific cabin, they charge more.

[sound_guy0918]

Another ?

 

On Celebrity, what is the difference between Concierge class and Aqua? Besides price?

 

Not much difference with the physical cabins. There are service differences. Check the X website for details. Personally, I didn't see the point in Concierge class compared to a standard balcony cabin, but others report Aqua class has privileges and complimentary benefits that fit their lifestyle (assuming it fits your budget).

[rdt10]

Another ?

 

On Celebrity, what is the difference between Concierge class and Aqua? Besides price?

 

Aqua has Blu as its dedicated dining room. We think Blu is quieter and better service, but not enough to pay a significant difference for. Aqua has a nicer shower.

 

Concierge and Aqua cabins on Millennium (M class) are the same size, but larger than the standard veranda rooms.

 

The rooms are the same in each class. Location determines the category (C1, C2, C3 or A1, A2) and the price. Celebrity charges for location.

 

If Aqua cabins aren't selling well, they may be cheaper than Concierge. We have found that many times.

Edited April 13, 2016 by rdt10