Zenith back in the Retreat

[canderson]

11 minutes ago, fstuff1 said:

 

thx!

 

how does AI work now since there's no option to NOT have it?

Do you not even see the additional charge for AI on your invoice? or it's just part of the cruise fare?

 

On MOST invoices (though we have seen any number of exceptions), each of the AI items is added and then credited on the invoice.  Sometimes takes a magic decoder ring to understand what each item represents (e.g., fast or slow internet, etc.) but there are many here with the requisite experience to guide someone through it.

[fstuff1]

2 minutes ago, canderson said:

On MOST invoices (though we have seen any number of exceptions), each of the AI items is added and then credited on the invoice.  Sometimes takes a magic decoder ring to understand what each item represents (e.g., fast or slow internet, etc.) but there are many here with the requisite experience to guide someone through it.

 

again, interesting.

if X is going all inclusive with no option of backing out of it, then why waste time/effort itemizing it?

Just include it in the cruise price.

 

edit:

ahh.. i think it's itemized so people can compare prices with other cruise lines.

 

And to make comped casino cruisers feel left out. 😮 😄 

[bigbenboys]

8 hours ago, cublet said:

Hello,

 

Omnibus posting.

 

I count myself fortunate in having missed Perry Grant both on X and P&O having heard his CD being played in one of the shops. Unless the CD player was very faulty?

 

I miss Michael's Club as a piano bar but can understand it morphing into something else as it had very few patrons whenever I was there.

 

In terms of repaying loyalty, I get a discount on on-board spend from P&O and a discount on the cruise cost from MSC. But the real biggie is I get (roughly) 25% discount on the cruise cost from RCI by virtue of the reduced single supplement. Apart from bags of laundry (at E+), I'm not sure what else I get from X given their current pricing/benefits offers/policies.

 

Regards,

 

Cublet

We saw Perry Grant once on Connie. He was not my type of Entertainment. I remember M/C on Mercury. I want to say could seat 10 people.

[canderson]

3 minutes ago, fstuff1 said:

 

again, interesting.

if X is going all inclusive with no option of backing out of it, then why waste time/effort itemizing it?

Just include it in the cruise price.

 

edit:

ahh.. i think it's itemized so people can compare prices with other cruise lines.

 

And to make comped casino cruisers feel left out. 😮 😄 

Because there are different levels of some AI items, and those are added/credited on the invoice as a record of what is being included.

The coding will, for example, indicate whether you have the Classic or Premium beverage package, and whether you have the surf or stream internet.

 

[bigbenboys]

7 hours ago, TeeRick said:

Or just do this at the Martini Bar, World Class Bar, wherever you want to go on the ship.  I find all this discussion (primarily by non-Zenith members) about Zenith members in The Retreat a bit of a manufactured problem.  Not enough Zenith members (other than those in suites) actually frequent the Retreat/Michael's Club to create an overcrowding problem.  I pretty much only sail suites and I have never experienced overcrowding due to Zenith members.

We were sailing in Asia on Millie. While in M/C I met 2 really nice couples that were Zenith. M/C is rarely busy. We went to the CC event in the evenings, not to M/C before going to Luminae for dinner. We like the bar on the S-Class ships in the Sky Lounge.

[hcat]

29 minutes ago, bigbenboys said:

We saw Perry Grant once on Connie. He was not my type of Entertainment. I remember M/C on Mercury. I want to say could seat 10 people.

Agree about Perry..one and done ( early on).  My old  recollection differs abt Michaels on the Merc..was a great spot with a nice humidor, and a nice shaped area,, on S class it was  odd shaped but did have a nice bar towards the back..

Eventually all humidors were removed,  dh relgated to outside areas for his cigar and scotch!

 

Nicest similar bar we found was on QM2..aft..for any that have had the pleasure. dh could enjoy the enclosed area and I sat in the area outside.. happily smoke free!

[jagoffee]

7 hours ago, verizon said:

Wow Wow Wow

Just from my post you already found out who I am.

Have to admit that was the Solo Cruiser that you met at the Retreat.

Hope everything goes well with you.

 

Thanks.
 

 I connected your screen name to you when we were in the cruise from various posts.  Hard screen name to forget.  I just did not know the Zenith part. Your secret is safe with me, I am not very good with regular names.  I do recall your friends vineyard/farm.

Edited April 12, 2022 by jagoffee

[the penguins]

10 hours ago, fstuff1 said:

 

thx!

 

how does AI work now since there's no option to NOT have it?

Do you not even see the additional charge for AI on your invoice? or it's just part of the cruise fare?

 

Part of the fare with options to upgrade the internet and drinks package at a cost. If you cancel an AI booking the cancellation actually gives you a breakdown of all the elements. 

[mfs2k]

12 hours ago, fstuff1 said:

ahh.. i think it's itemized so people can compare prices with other cruise lines.

 

And to make comped casino cruisers feel left out. 😮 😄 

I think all those paying for cabins are the ones feeling left out of the “free cruise experience.”

[the penguins]

3 hours ago, the penguins said:

Part of the fare with options to upgrade the internet and drinks package at a cost. If you cancel an AI booking the cancellation actually gives you a breakdown of all the elements. 

Sorry should have added that yes this means that on most cruises  solo  passengers now pay 2 times tips, 2 times internet and 2 times drinks package.

[mfs2k]

4 minutes ago, the penguins said:

Sorry should have added that yes this means that on most cruises  solo  passengers now pay 2 times tips, 2 times internet and 2 times drinks package.

What happens if your travel companion texts positive for Covid and you decide to take the cruise alone?

[Spif Barwunkel]

1 hour ago, mfs2k said:

What happens if your travel companion texts positive for Covid and you decide to take the cruise alone?

Your traveling companion beats the snot out of you when you return because you went alone. Then sues for lack of support.

[cublet]

1 hour ago, the penguins said:

Sorry should have added that yes this means that on most cruises  solo  passengers now pay 2 times tips, 2 times internet and 2 times drinks package.

Hello,

 

This why X isn't going to see much of me until it gets something sorted.

 

My June Iceland has zero single supplement ie I am paying half a couple's rate.

 

Regards,

 

Cublet

[cublet]

1 hour ago, mfs2k said:

What happens if your travel companion texts positive for Covid and you decide to take the cruise alone?

Hello,

 

Does it depend on who is the lead party on the booking?

 

Regards,

 

Cublet

[TeeRick]

16 hours ago, fstuff1 said:

 

then why were Zeniths included on Day1 when the Retreat/Michael's Club was created?

Lots of things from the past have changed on cruise ships so this is not really relevant now.   The old Michael's Club (Retreat Lounge) has now become the suite lounge.  Not the loyalty lounge.  And the Sky Lounge nightly loyalty event has been replaced on some ships (enhanced on others) with free drink coupons at any bar.  That being said, I still have zero issue with having non-suite Zeniths in the Retreat Lounge with me if I am in a suite.  With the caveat that their access will be determined by the number of suite passengers in there and the crowding situation on any given night/time.  I also think it would be a very good idea to have a Zenith Lounge on ships (or perhaps E+/Z).  

[fstuff1]

1 hour ago, TeeRick said:

Lots of things from the past have changed on cruise ships so this is not really relevant now.   The old Michael's Club (Retreat Lounge) has now become the suite lounge.  Not the loyalty lounge. 

 

And the Sky Lounge nightly loyalty event has been replaced on some ships (enhanced on others) with free drink coupons at any bar.  

 

I also think it would be a very good idea to have a Zenith Lounge on ships (or perhaps E+/Z).  

 

i miss the sky lounge free drinks happy hr where we mingle with others.

but now that everyone is forced to have AI, the point is moot.

 

i guess X can convert the sky lounge as a E+/Z lounge.

put up a wall that cuts the sky lounge in half that runs through the middle of the sky lounge bar.

 

one half is the E+/Z lounge (with host like at the Retreat), the other is for the usual activities at the sky lounge.

 

Edited April 12, 2022 by fstuff1

[C-Dragons]

9 minutes ago, TeeRick said:

Lots of things from the past have changed on cruise ships so this is not really relevant now.   The old Michael's Club (Retreat Lounge) has now become the suite lounge.  Not the loyalty lounge.  And the Sky Lounge nightly loyalty event has been replaced on some ships (enhanced on others) with free drink coupons at any bar.  That being said, I still have zero issue with having non-suite Zeniths in the Retreat Lounge with me if I am in a suite.  With the caveat that their access will be determined by the number of suite passengers in there and the crowding situation on any given night/time.  I also think it would be a very good idea to have a Zenith Lounge on ships (or perhaps E+/Z).  👍🏆

I agree. And Imo, you have pointed out the crux of the matter.
We sailed several times since cruising resumed and found the Retreat full to capacity each day. On each of those cruises we were told the ship was booked at 50% capacity or less, but all of the Suites were fully booked. One thing not taken into consideration is the total occupancy of each suite. There were many families on board with 2 or more children each who came to the Retreat every day and we also observed other guests come into the Retreat looking for somewhere to sit, but left because it was fully occupied. There were no special functions or entertainment during those times.

As I have mentioned before,  the Retreat Lounges are not large enough to accommodate large numbers of suite guests at any specific time. But use of the Retreat is included in the price of the fare for suites and guests normally want to use those venues that they have paid for, hence the conundrum.

[fstuff1]

1 hour ago, cublet said:

Hello,

 

This why X isn't going to see much of me until it gets something sorted.

 

My June Iceland has zero single supplement ie I am paying half a couple's rate.

 

Regards,

 

Cublet

 

which ship? what port does it sail from?

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

5 hours ago, the penguins said:

Sorry should have added that yes this means that on most cruises  solo  passengers now pay 2 times tips, 2 times internet and 2 times drinks package.

 

Yup.  A major fail that would have been easy to fix IF Celebrity wanted to.  Obviously they don't.  Extra revenue for them.

[fstuff1]

7 hours ago, the penguins said:

Sorry should have added that yes this means that on most cruises  solo  passengers now pay 2 times tips, 2 times internet and 2 times drinks package.

 

geez.. X really dont want solos, do they?

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

12 minutes ago, fstuff1 said:

 

geez.. X really dont want solos, do they?

 

Solo Sapphire or Ruby perhaps...

 

Tom

[rM3panno]

On 4/10/2022 at 4:49 PM, goofysmom99 said:

Bingo!

 

On 4/10/2022 at 4:43 PM, Straughn said:

Your comment about The Retreat Lounge being empty mirrors my experience just before the shutdown and since cruising has returned. On my last pre Covid cruise, there were 10-12 individuals who I saw in the Lounge on a regular basis, all at differing times during the day. One afternoon, I had a lovely discussion with a retired lady, during afternoon tea. She was also a solo cruiser, so when we left, I asked if I would see her there for cocktails. She replied that she would not be there. Since she now had the premium  beverage package, she preferred going to different locations to experience the entertainment and have a cocktail. She said she found the Lounge boring during cocktail hour, didn’t want/need the snacks, and there was no one to talk to as the same folks were always there and only wanted to mix with their friends. 
 

I think this is true of many suite passengers now. The diehards always show up, but many prefer a more lively pre dinner experience.

Exactly, we used to enjoy the lounge more but find it quiet and a little stuffy. The noted exception has been when they have a duet or other musical performer.

 

As background, we are longtime Celebrity loyalists (Elite +) and then became sapphire casino level while concurrently starting to sail in more suites. I will say one thing that X needs to get a handle on is simplification of their varied and disjointed rules. We mostly sail in suites but on a very early Edge sailing couldn’t justify suite pricing. So I assumed no big deal, we can check out the new Retreat lounge and sun deck to see about the next trip. Of course they complicate this by having to check with a bunch of staff to tell me we can access the lounge but not the sun deck. 
 

They really need to get a handle on the customer experience from start (booking) to finish and create a brand that people can count on to give them a consistent and repeatable guest experience. Right now, X is anything but that. That said, we still love it. 
y 6 year old is the equivalent of Elite and after our TA will be E+ and my 3 year old will be Elite. I think they have a bettter chance at Zenith than my wife or myself. I could not care less if they let Zenith in the lounge. 90% of the time it is empty. 

[the penguins]

20 hours ago, fstuff1 said:

 

i miss the sky lounge free drinks happy hr where we mingle with others.

but now that everyone is forced to have AI, the point is moot.

 

i guess X can convert the sky lounge as a E+/Z lounge.

put up a wall that cuts the sky lounge in half that runs through the middle of the sky lounge bar.

 

one half is the E+/Z lounge (with host like at the Retreat), the other is for the usual activities at the sky lounge.

 

Not on Edge Class that area is now exclusively for Suite Passengers. 

Edited April 13, 2022 by the penguins
Spelling

[TeeRick]

22 hours ago, fstuff1 said:

 

i miss the sky lounge free drinks happy hr where we mingle with others.

but now that everyone is forced to have AI, the point is moot.

 

i guess X can convert the sky lounge as a E+/Z lounge.

put up a wall that cuts the sky lounge in half that runs through the middle of the sky lounge bar.

 

one half is the E+/Z lounge (with host like at the Retreat), the other is for the usual activities at the sky lounge.

 

No forward facing Sky Lounge on Edge Class ships.  Aft facing Eden area instead.  When I sailed Edge in 2019 they had the Captain's Club nightly event in The Club.  Not the same at all and not well attended.  Everybody preferred the drink coupons and any bar option.  I am not sure if they even have a dedicated nightly event for loyalty members on E-Class these days.

[fstuff1]

2 hours ago, the penguins said:

Not on Edge Class that area is now exclusively for Suite Passengers. 

 

39 minutes ago, TeeRick said:

No forward facing Sky Lounge on Edge Class ships. Aft facing Eden area instead. 

 

When I sailed Edge in 2019 they had the Captain's Club nightly event in The Club.  Not the same at all and not well attended.  Everybody preferred the drink coupons and any bar option.

  I am not sure if they even have a dedicated nightly event for loyalty members on E-Class these days.

 

oh wow.. so on Edge class, the Sky Lounge is now the Retreat Sundeck.

I guess they can still split the Sky Lounge on m+s classes so 1/2 of it is for E+/Z's/high level casino players