Tips and Tricks for the Retreat?

[AbbyCruiser45]

Hi all-

I wish I was posting about a cruise I am on, however my parents bid for a Sky Suite was accepted for the Apex this weekend! They sail frequently, so to save costs they never go with suites. I thought this might be a fun place to ask about all the tips and tricks about the Retreat that they should be aware of! They know what the Retreat entails based on the website, but I know you all have a lot of personal experience. I want to make sure they are taking full advantage of the perks available to them. For those curious, their minimum bid of $700/person from a IV was accepted. Thank you in advance!

[DCPIV]

The best generic advice I can give is to just let the crew pamper your parents and to let them know not to be shy about asking for something. We've only had one experience, but the crew were excellent and never ran out of suggestions even after we ran out of ideas. 

 

Just have fun! 

[Mark_T]

Make sure they go to The Retreat when heading out on ship excursions, the concierge there will sort out their tickets and when ready they will be escorted past any lines to get off the ship.

 

Similarly go there for pretty much anything that would normally take them down to the 'front desk' as the concierge can deal with any billing or reservation issues and also arrange future cruise staff to come meet them in The Retreat.

[crusinthrough]

Personally, I don't think there are any tricks to the Retreat.  It's pretty straight forward.  The Retreat lounge is open 24 hours and has everything you need.  Concierges are helpful.  Just ask for whatever is needed from setting up Internet service on a device to making reservations (dinner / shore excursions) and anything in between.

 

Lunch is available in Lumaine on boarding day. 

[Mark_K]

I notice on the website that suites include a personal retreat host.  Is that just a new name for the butler?  If so, make sure your parents utilize their services.

Edited September 17, 2021 by Mark_K

[Mark_T]

19 minutes ago, Mark_K said:

I notice on the website that suites include a personal retreat host.  Is that just a new name for the butler?  If so, make sure your parents utilize their services.

Yes, they have re-branded the butlers.

[Laurab23]

Can the butlers bring alcoholic drinks to your suite?

 

Laura

[AbbyCruiser45]

6 hours ago, Mark_T said:

Make sure they go to The Retreat when heading out on ship excursions, the concierge there will sort out their tickets and when ready they will be escorted past any lines to get off the ship.

 

Similarly go there for pretty much anything that would normally take them down to the 'front desk' as the concierge can deal with any billing or reservation issues and also arrange future cruise staff to come meet them in The Retreat.

They dd not know this about excursions, that's a big help. Thank you!

[canderson]

How is that working on current cruises where suites tend to be fully booked?  Crowded at Michael's in the mornings?

[George C]

10 minutes ago, canderson said:

How is that working on current cruises where suites tend to be fully booked?  Crowded at Michael's in the mornings?

Never saw it that crowded on our edge in July even though it was 100 percent capacity for suites , Luminae was always crowded and small wait to enter.

[snorkelcruiser]

One time in a suite, the retreat invited us to the helo pad on the eclipse as we approached San Juan while serving us Champagne and apps.  Absolutely beautiful.  Were sailing again in November and had questions about what other people request from the retreat? One time on Seaborne , we requested popcorn while watching a movie in the cabin.  They brought it… 

[George C]

6 hours ago, Laurab23 said:

Can the butlers bring alcoholic drinks to your suite?

 

Laura

Depends on the butler, I have heard no , but I have had butlers that offered this.

[brownc424]

Will the butlers reserve chairs for you at the pool (Solstice class, no Retreat area)?

[wendyam76]

They are going to be so spoiled on Apex! We sailed in a Sky Suite in July and oh my goodness they were all amazing. So many lovely little areas to sit in and the Retreat pool area is gorgeous with amazing staff. However the whole ship is amazing and with so few passengers it really feels like a private yacht - I was often the only one in the main pool and was doing lengths! 
Wendy

[morpheusofthesea]

We had a unique dilemma on the Edge this July 2021. Booked a Retreat cabin someone cancelled 72 hours before sailing. Supposed to have all the perks included (Wifi, OBC, drink package, gratuities) and when we got on board our key cards reflected none of them. Went to the Retreat lounge and told them of our problem. Being a weekend, no TA (had to leave SOS message on her cell phone). In the mean time all the Retreat concierges could do was sign us up for all the perks and add everything to our credit card ship board account. We thought we might escalate the matter by going to Guest Services and having to wait in a long line. As we left our cabin our Personal Retreat Host stopped and ask us where we were off to and I explained. She suggested that we allow her to escort us to her personal friend in guest services to evade the long line. The Retreat does have its advantages and yes, our TA picked up the call and contacted shore side Celebrity which contacted the ship and the 'friend' in guest services reversed all the charges and gave us new key cards reflecting all the perks.

[Oville]

8 hours ago, canderson said:

How is that working on current cruises where suites tend to be fully booked?  Crowded at Michael's in the mornings?

Luminae might be crowded for breakfast.  Haven’t been to the Retreat for breakfast but I’d be surprised.

Edited September 17, 2021 by Oville

[canderson]

Was meaning with regard to using it for shore excursions.  If all suite guests gather there to start off for morning excursions, seems it would pretty busy there. 

[DCPIV]

12 hours ago, AbbyCruiser45 said:

They dd not know this about excursions, that's a big help. Thank you!

 

Heck, yes. If there's anything that involves a line, ask the butler or concierge about it. 

[jagoffee]

5 hours ago, brownc424 said:

Will the butlers reserve chairs for you at the pool (Solstice class, no Retreat area)?

Never heard of such a thing and I cannot imagine that they would.  Even the “reserved” seating in the theater on Chic night is just a general area in the balcony section and not an actual seat.  I am sure the butter will help you reserve a Cabana.

[Oville]

20 hours ago, Mark_T said:

Make sure they go to The Retreat when heading out on ship excursions, the concierge there will sort out their tickets and when ready they will be escorted past any lines to get off the ship.

 

 

Is this true for all suite levels or just the upper ones?

[Catlover54]

8 hours ago, George C said:

Depends on the butler, I have heard no , but I have had butlers that offered this.

No drinks to suites?  How strange.  Perhaps they just bring the ingredients and let you mix them yourselves?  What do they then charge and how does tipping for suite ingredients work?  I am new to this

[Mark_T]

1 hour ago, Oville said:

Is this true for all suite levels or just the upper ones?

All suite levels.

 

 

[Gracie115]

On 9/17/2021 at 10:13 PM, canderson said:

Was meaning with regard to using it for shore excursions.  If all suite guests gather there to start off for morning excursions, seems it would pretty busy there. 

 

We have used this service many times and it has been VERY helpful to say the least.  Never felt crowded, and the ability to avoid long debark lines was most welcome.

[Stem to Stern]

On 9/16/2021 at 12:00 PM, AbbyCruiser45 said:

their minimum bid of $700/person from a IV was accepted.

That seems like a nice price for an upgrade to SS on Apex.  I am so excited for your parents.  I have been contemplating a booking on an E-class ship to give them a try before bookings pick up steam again, but not a fan of the IV concept, so may spring for a Sky Suite again.  I have only been in a Sky Suite once (on Silhouette) in 2016, so my first-hand knowledge is a bit dated.  I can say we really enjoyed the experience.  We loved Luminae.  Michael's Club (now called The Retreat Lounge) was never crowded during the times we visited.  We loved the quiet respite from the Martini Bar, no long waits for drinks, and the personalized service the bartender provided. I recall her bringing snacks or hors d'oeuvres of some sort to the table. It is also a great place to grab a beverage to go from the refrigerated coolers.  I forget if this was self-service or if the bartender had to grab them for you.  But it is a whole new set-up on Apex.  I like the idea of The Retreat Sundeck as an added option which I have read is pretty swanky on E-class.   Bon voyage to your folks.  And not long now for some of the rest of us.

Edited September 19, 2021 by Stem to Stern

[Eglesbrech]

Be specific in asking for what you want. As an example they serve a really poor generic champagne which in my opinion did not taste too good but they do also have decent brands available.
 

Ask for what you want, they will remember after the first time.

 

I also got the water in the suite changed from still to sparkling, small things but if you ask you get (if the request is reasonable).