Is a Sky Suite worth the premium over AquaClass?

[Covepointcruiser]

No perks are available on transatlantic repositioning cruises. You can get free drinks in Michaels Club but it will be very busy as all Suites , Celebrity on down, we do all their drinking here. They will also carry out beverages rather than spend money at other venues. At times the hostess will stop this but I have seen men stuff all of their pockets with beer cans.

 

If you book a Royal Suite or Penthouse premium drinks are included everywhere on the ship. In addition you can dine at Specialty Restaurants for all lunches and dinners.

[ECCruise]

No perks are available on transatlantic repositioning cruises. You can get free drinks in Michaels Club but it will be very busy as all Suites , Celebrity on down, we do all their drinking here. They will also carry out beverages rather than spend money at other venues. At times the hostess will stop this but I have seen men stuff all of their pockets with beer cans.

 

If you book a Royal Suite or Penthouse premium drinks are included everywhere on the ship. In addition you can dine at Specialty Restaurants for all lunches and dinners.

 

Actually all suites, Sky Suite on down, have access to Michaels.

[sippican]

Actually all suites, Sky Suite on down, have access to Michaels.

 

Sky Suites are the lowest suite category. So it would be "Sky Suites on up" have access to Michael's Club. (Which makes us very happy!):)

[jagoffee]

Our experience may be unique. Although we see the value in suites, our perception of price to value is way off what most is.

 

We never have paid more than $350 per day (total for 2) for a suite, and frequently less. For us, that is the sweet price point. Anything more than that and we can't justify the value. Our target for a balcony cabin is $200 a day total (hit that over 40 times) so we roughly can justify a $150 per day upcharge.

 

Have had a pretty wide range of experience. 7 of our last 9 cruises in the last 2 years have been in suites on different lines, everything from SS1 (=X=) to 2 BR, 2 BA suites (RCCL), and a variety in between.

 

How do we do it? Book early, the day sailings are announced. Book longer cruises, never 7 days. Only book group prices. Keep looking for upgrade offers (like a poster in this thread was offered a suite guarantee for $65 per day). If the line has an upsell department, use it. Have your TA always nosing around for deals.

 

It's definitely worked for us.

 

Impressive that you have been able to enjoy all those suites for $175 a day per person. With the improvements in the Suite benefits on Celebrity and the often included four perk package, I suspect you will not see very many Celebrity suites in the future.

[Mynki]

Impressive that you have been able to enjoy all those suites for $175 a day per person. With the improvements in the Suite benefits on Celebrity and the often included four perk package, I suspect you will not see very many Celebrity suites in the future.

 

Agree 100% :)

 

Connie after final payment sometimes has cheap suites during Middle East itineraries. There are a couple of other M class ships that can on rare occasions be in that ball park ($200 - $225 pppn) after final payment also on certain itineraries.

 

We had an aqua class booking on an M class ship which was ($235 pppn) but changed to an S2 suite on an S class ship with all four perks and significant additional OBC from our TA for $255 pppn. The additional perks and OBC more than cancel out the price difference so in the real world the sky suite is actually a fair bit cheaper and I much prefer the S class ships. Also we're nowhere near final payment date yet! I'm hoping for an S1 or CS upgrade....

 

In short, I've stopped listening to those who make sweeping statements about suites being far more expensive than balcony rooms. Whilst it might be true on some sailings it's not always the case and with the way cruise quality on Celebrity is polarizing between suite and non suite rooms it makes perfect sense to be vigilant and make more savvy bookings.

[ECCruise]

Impressive that you have been able to enjoy all those suites for $175 a day per person. With the improvements in the Suite benefits on Celebrity and the often included four perk package, I suspect you will not see very many Celebrity suites in the future.

Except one of those sailings was only a few months ago, long after benefit changes.

 

Sent from my SM-G930V using Forums mobile app

[anoncruiser1988]

What is the likelihood of booking an Aquaclass room and upgrading to a Sky suite? Is this even possible?

[bengaltiger1]

What is the likelihood of booking an Aquaclass room and upgrading to a Sky suite? Is this even possible?

 

 

 

Someone was upgraded from Aqua to a S1 on my Transpacific cruise in April last year.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[Mynki]

What is the likelihood of booking an Aquaclass room and upgrading to a Sky suite? Is this even possible?

 

Possible but extremely unlikely.

 

Most suites are sold before final payment day. Those that are not are sometimes offered to other passengers on a paid for upgrade basis both before and after final payment is due.

 

What can happen is that after final payment the prices drop and you can get a cheap upgrade but again no guarantees.

[dgparent]

My wife and I love suites mostly for Luminae and MC, on the reflection last year I would meet her in MC. Loved it when the line at the bar was crazy long in the casino and the Martini Bar, normally right around dinner time/casino opening after leaving port, I would just go upstairs to MC and grab a beer out of the fridge then head back downstairs, and see the same people standing there waiting for service. The service at Luminae can be quite slow so if you are famished grab a little something somewhere else first.

[rollie]

As we are doing our first suite in December, I really enjoyed reading this thread. A lot of useful information.

 

Rollie

[anoncruiser1988]

Possible but extremely unlikely.

 

Most suites are sold before final payment day. Those that are not are sometimes offered to other passengers on a paid for upgrade basis both before and after final payment is due.

 

What can happen is that after final payment the prices drop and you can get a cheap upgrade but again no guarantees.

 

I had a feeling that would be the answer. Thanks for the help! :):):)

[aggiejeff]

We will be cruising Celebrity for first time in January, we've been with Royal up until now. I had originally booked Aqua but the price on the Sky Suite guarantee dropped so much I couldn't pass on the upgrade. Only ended up being a $300 difference. Our last cruise on Royal was in a Grand Suite so we were a little spoiled with the extra room and the concierge lounge, so looking forward to experiencing Michael's Club.

 

We were loyal RCL cruisers, but one you there the suite life on Celebrity, it is hard to go back.

[aggiejeff]

All,

 

Does Blu allow you to order off the main dining room menu as you can in Luminae?

[Mynki]

All,

 

Does Blu allow you to order off the main dining room menu as you can in Luminae?

 

You're likely to receive a number of responses advising that the daily 'classic' menu items are available to order. However on our last cruise in Blu in December we were able to order anything from both menus.

 

The things to bear in mind here are that this was on an M class ship and the maitre 'd knew that we were not overly impressed with food and service this time. That might have swayed his decision to offer this.

[bEwAbG]

On S-class ships, Blu is not co-located with the main dining room, so it's a different proposition than the M-class ships in which Blu was created by taking space away from the MDR. Blu is on a deck above the MDR on S-class.

[phoenix_dream]

I much prefer traveling in suites now that Celebrity has enhanced the perks so much, but will only do so if the price is a reasonable difference above and beyond lower categories ($300 per/day would be too high IMHO). My strategy is I generally initially book an Oceanview; so far the past few cruises have had substantial price drops where I have later upgraded. Often I am able to upgrade to a Balcony or Concierge Class for little-to-no extra money at some point before final payment, and upgrade to a suite at a decent price (the exact amount has varied, but has generally been for around $150/day) at some point after final payment date. If on a future cruise prices don't drop and I end up in an Oceanview or Balcony I'd miss the suite life, but manage just fine. Fortunately this strategy has worked out very well and have done mainly suites of late.

You've been lucky it seems! On almost all of our cruises the past couple of years the suites are all sold out by the time of final payment. If any are left, they tend to cost upwards of $400 per day for Sky Suites. Unfortunately too much for our blood.

[Tarwood3]

We have sailed primarily on Silversea but also one offs on Paul Gauguin, HOlland America, Celebrity, Azamara and Royal Caribbean. We do have 3 more Celebrity booked...2 in Sky Suites and 1 in Sunset Veranda. We are definitely more about the itinerary, which is why we have tried so many different cruise lines...we also have Regent and Crystal booked. When looking at many of the Celebrity itineraries in suite class, the prices seem quite considering its’ not all inclusive such as ultra luxury lines of Silversea, Regent , Crystal. So we end up booking other lines because of that. I dont Iike buying into Suite class but stil having to pay for a beverage package, internet , specialty restaurants...all that is included in the ultra luxury lines and those ships are smaller and have more interesting itineraries since they are smaller and can get into many different ports than the standard ones that the big ships can only get into. I think we will always go back and forth between big and small ships...we like the variety...but for best value for you buck, just give an all inclusive ultra luxury ship a try....the service is out of this world and the pool area is so peaceful!

[jagoffee]

Except one of those sailings was only a few months ago, long after benefit changes.

 

Sent from my SM-G930V using Forums mobile app

 

Good or you. Let us know if it happens in the future.

 

We have sailed primarily on Silversea but also one offs on Paul Gauguin, HOlland America, Celebrity, Azamara and Royal Caribbean. We do have 3 more Celebrity booked...2 in Sky Suites and 1 in Sunset Veranda. We are definitely more about the itinerary, which is why we have tried so many different cruise lines...we also have Regent and Crystal booked. When looking at many of the Celebrity itineraries in suite class, the prices seem quite considering its’ not all inclusive such as ultra luxury lines of Silversea, Regent , Crystal. So we end up booking other lines because of that. I dont Iike buying into Suite class but stil having to pay for a beverage package, internet , specialty restaurants...all that is included in the ultra luxury lines and those ships are smaller and have more interesting itineraries since they are smaller and can get into many different ports than the standard ones that the big ships can only get into. I think we will always go back and forth between big and small ships...we like the variety...but for best value for you buck, just give an all inclusive ultra luxury ship a try....the service is out of this world and the pool area is so peaceful!

 

I keep checking with the all inclusive ultra luxury ships for something even close in price without any luck. With the four perks included with most Celebrity ships it is almost all inclusive. But I can understand how it would be a very nice experience. Do you have any examples for me?

[Mynki]

Good or you. Let us know if it happens in the future.

 

 

 

I keep checking with the all inclusive ultra luxury ships for something even close in price without any luck. With the four perks included with most Celebrity ships it is almost all inclusive. But I can understand how it would be a very nice experience. Do you have any examples for me?

 

Seabourne regularly has prices in the SS / CS ball park.

[jagoffee]

Seabourne regularly has prices in the SS / CS ball park.

Thank you. I will check Seabourne more closely for prices comparable to the SS pricing.

[BarbaraB2]

Considering upgrading to a suite and would like to know if complimentary specialty coffees are offered in Michael’s?

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[Bostonluvs2cruise]

Considering upgrading to a suite and would like to know if complimentary specialty coffees are offered in Michael’s?

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

 

 

 

We sailed in a SS on the Infinity last March and specialty Teas are available in Michaels, and they had Nespresso coffee. I’m pretty sure specialty coffee was also available. You can get juices, water, sodas and drinks. If you don’t have a beverage package you will be all set.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[LA_CA_GAL]

What is the likelihood of booking an Aquaclass room and upgrading to a Sky suite? Is this even possible?

 

I did it on our last cruise.

 

We had Aqua, and I checked suite costs, and the difference was about an additional $700 total, so I jumped on it.

[anoncruiser1988]

I did it on our last cruise.

 

We had Aqua, and I checked suite costs, and the difference was about an additional $700 total, so I jumped on it.

 

Wow that's really not bad! I'm booked in Aqua for our next cruise but I'm considering doing a Sky suite for the next one.