Upper Suite Benefits

[oh2cruise]

Aware of the listed included benefits of Royal, Penthouse... etc suites.  Wondering if there are other perks that are unwritten, but available ie: thermal spa access, lunch with officers, etc...

Thanks!!!!!

[phoenix_dream]

45 minutes ago, oh2cruise said:

Aware of the listed included benefits of Royal, Penthouse... etc suites.  Wondering if there are other perks that are unwritten, but available ie: thermal spa access, lunch with officers, etc...

Thanks!!!!!

I would be curious about this as well.  Booked our first Royal Suite next year as we found a great price and decided to splurge.  Previously Sky Suite was as high as I could afford.

 

Wondering the same about Zenith level as well?  I've seen FB posts of lunches with senior staff and so on, but don't know if this is a regular thing or not.  Will finally reach Zenith after our next cruise - can't wait!  If nothing else it will save me $$ on internet and premium drink upgrades.  

[Georgia_Peaches]

There is no included thermal suite for merely booking a RS or PS but strangely, it is part of the aqua class...strangely in that at the RS and PS price point, I would think the thermal suite is a logical perk.

 

The last time we were in a RS we were invited to several sail away parties on the helo deck and we most certainly received special attention in both Luminae and Murano...mostly in the form of receiving nice wine that wasn't necessarily on the by the glass menu.  One time we were offered a bottle of Caymus that was rejected by another guest when it was opened.  It tasted wonderful to me...but each his own.

 

[kk99]

Since cruising restarted, I have sailed 4 times in higher level suites, also as a Zenith member. On each sailing, there was a Zenith lunch for just the guests, with some of the officers or Captain’s Club hosts stopping by at the beginning to take a picture, but not eat with the guests. There is an officer’s cocktail party for the suites, where you can meet the officers, and have your picture taken in the retreat lounge. Zeniths are not allowed in the retreat lounges unless sailing in a suite at the current time.There was no sit down lunch with officers for top suites on my sailings. You can in the RS suites and higher request to trade your 2 bottles of alcohol for one better bottle of alcohol. There is usually a sailaway from at least one port stop on the ships for invited guests which is always nice for picture taking. We have gotten nice flower arrangements, extra bottles of wine from the Hotel Director, and invitations to Captain Club and Senior Officer’s cocktail parties.
As a Z no matter what category of room you are in, you get the upgraded toiletries.

phoenix _dream when you make Z they will recognize you in the Captain’s Club event, they will give you dining at one of the speciality restaurants, a cake, flowers, a bottle of wine. They used to have the celebrations up on the bridge with Captain & staff. Once they started sailing again, it appears to be more of a low key celebration,  just as nice, but not on the bridge. You should email the CC host to ask what the particular ship is doing for your special celebration as there are always new changes. You will get a nice picture for making Z.  The internet, laundry & premium drinks are always appreciated perks. 

 

As for RS & higher, ask about spa perks, some will let you have a thermal pass included on some ships, and not on others. If you want a party with snacks and beverages in your suite, with some advance notice they will take care of it. You can order off different menus for room service dinners. You can also have someone from future cruises meet you in the retreat lounge to book any future cruises you want without waiting at the future cruise booking area. Your stateroom attendant, butler and retreat concierge will do whatever is reasonably possible to make your voyage a wonderful holiday. I find that to be true no matter what category of room that I book.

Happy sailings to all, and beautiful weather.

[JFontaine]

Top suite, elite plus. I don't think there's a list, as it depends on the ship, your butler, and the rest of the staff. Based on two cruises since February,  different ships, the only common amenities not listed was monogrammed pajamas and embarkation escort, which is hit or miss, but could be helpful if the embarkation is chaotic. Most cruises I've received free pay per view movies (if there are any on the ship).  Have had many invitations for each cruise, sometimes two or three per day, but I can't recall a meal with an officer this year.  Fresh flowers one cruise not another. "Endless" Veuve Clicquot on one cruise not another.  One cruise I was offered continental  room service breakfast the final morning, the other I wasn't.  One cruise I received hors d'oeurves every afternoon,  the other nothing (I didnt ask). 

[geneandjoe14]

We did a RS this year on Summit & Apex. Both experiences were wonderful, but Apex was over the top.

Our butler sat us down in our suite the first day & spoke to us for 30 minutes, told us we would never wait in a line, never go to the guest relations desk, future cruise desk, etc. And he was right. 
We were escorted off the ship for all our excursions, via a private gangway, & walked all the way off the dock to our excursion host. We were also escorted on & off the ship the first & last day.

Le Labo Santal 33 toiletries in our suite, and monogrammed PJ’s. Snacks delivered every afternoon…too much…fruit, shrimp, cheese etc. 

Special wines offered at several meals.

We made friends with another couple, & hosted them in our suite one afternoon before dinner. Our butler provided beautiful appetizers & champagne. This couple also wanted to go to Eden but it was booked all week, we asked our butler if they could join us the night we were going, he made it happen so we had a table for 4, no extra charge for them.

No officer lunch, but we we were invited to a helipad sail away. Also no spa perks that we were aware of, but the spa isn’t really our thing.

Our butler was fantastic. Overall an amazing & extravagant experience.

 

 

 

[chemmo]

We have cruised many times in RS and PH.

 

Service has always been good but sometimes is  outstanding. The difference, in our experience, seems to be related to staff experience/effort and individual ship general running.

 

Personal Retreat Hosts…

 

Good ones will do everything you ask.

Excellent ones will do everything you ask and provide a few treats.

Outstanding ones will almost ‘read’ you and predict what you may want, exceptional experience.

 

Retreat Lounge Concierges…

 

Standard ones will run a range of activities that suite guests will be invited to. 
Good ones will approach you first day and later in the cruise to ask if there is anything you want.

Excellent ones will suggest a few things (extra) they could arrange for you.

Exceptional ones will (somehow) know what you may like and suggest and provide a few treats.

 

Retreat Managers…

 

In our experience after a possible quick introduction they are not usually involved in your day to day experience. However, if you do have a difficulty with any aspect of the suite experience, they are there if needed. 

 

Other staff…

 

The Captain…On some cruises we have been on we have been personally greeted and been invited to dine with them (pre covid). This has happened when we have cruised in both RS and PH. On other cruises we have been invited to a lunchtime officers meal in Blu last sea day after a bridge tour (all RS, PH guests and a couple of others). Some Captains and officers are definitely more interactive with guests. We have been on cruises where officers have not been visible and others where, mid cruise, we have been approached by the F&B manager or the Hotel manager to ask how our cruise is going…

 

The advice I would give to all new higher suite cruisers is to communicate to staff exactly what would make your cruise special. Unless you get the ‘exceptional’ staff if you don’t request things staff may think you don’t want. There have been reviews where suite guests have said their Personal Retreat Host has done nothing. Not realising that they need to use the phone and ask. PRH rarely just ‘knock on’ to see if you want anything, they respect your privacy. Equally, concierge staff may assume there is nothing you want if you don’t talk to them.
 

Just  a few examples of things you may request…

 

From your Personal Retreat Host…

 

Additional simple suite amenities like fruit bowls.

Customised snacks daily.

In suite ‘special event meal’ (give at least 24 hours warning).

Private cocktail party (give at least 24 hours warning).

 

From your Concierge….

 

Behind the scenes tours in a small group (theatre, galley, bridge…).

Escort off the ship at difficult ports and end of cruise.

Dining with an officer (not necessarily the Captain).

 

9 hours ago, oh2cruise said:

Aware of the listed included benefits of Royal, Penthouse... etc suites.  Wondering if there are other perks that are unwritten, but available ie: thermal spa access, lunch with officers, etc...

Thanks!!!!!

 

OP in our experience, Spa services are not usually provided. As the spas are not run by Celebrity this is not surprising.

 

OP I suggest you ensure you have a fantastic cruise by doing the following….

 

When you are approached by the Shoreside concierge pre cruise draft an email listing your bar set up preferences, pillow preferences and any other room amenities you may like (we always ask for a kettle and tea tray).

 

On boarding chat to your PRH about your daily requests and generally anything you may want to arrange later in the cruise. If you do want to arrange a special in suite meal or a party give your PRH some warning. Obviously this is not necessary for in suite general room service.

 

Early in your cruise chat to the concierge about events you would enjoy like behind the scenes tours. You can also say you would like to dine with an officer. Please be aware these activities may not be happening owing to covid restrictions.

 

If at any point in your cruise you want something, ask!

 

 

[RichYak]

6 hours ago, chemmo said:

We have cruised many times in RS and PH...

Wonderful info and advice.

[danceswithphones]

We had a visit by an officer during our last sailing in a PH (Constellation). I assume the butler let her know we would be in the room. The visit was brief but appreciated. I'm a little iffy on her title but it may have been Hotel Services. She just dropped by to make sure we were happy. 

[Whinenowine]

We were in a PS last week in Alaska.  Butler/Host was excellent with multiple daily snacks, escorts to meals to ensure each maitre d took care of us, escort to several shore excursions, escort to photo session….and offers galore to do more.  Everything we asked of shoreside concierge was actually done (yea!) plus there were additional bottles of wine and champagne in our fridge. No officer dinners, but daily contact with Director of Hotel Services (very personable), frequent contact with Retreat Mgr and brief meet and greet with the Captain.

[sbcs5390]

3 minutes ago, Whinenowine said:

We were in a PS last week in Alaska.  Butler/Host was excellent with multiple daily snacks, escorts to meals to ensure each maitre d took care of us, escort to several shore excursions, escort to photo session….and offers galore to do more.  Everything we asked of shoreside concierge was actually done (yea!) plus there were additional bottles of wine and champagne in our fridge. No officer dinners, but daily contact with Director of Hotel Services (very personable), frequent contact with Retreat Mgr and brief meet and greet with the Captain.

Which ship were you on?

[JFontaine]

47 minutes ago, Whinenowine said:

We were in a PS last week in Alaska.  Butler/Host was excellent with multiple daily snacks, escorts to meals to ensure each maitre d took care of us, escort to several shore excursions, escort to photo session….and offers galore to do more.  Everything we asked of shoreside concierge was actually done (yea!) plus there were additional bottles of wine and champagne in our fridge. No officer dinners, but daily contact with Director of Hotel Services (very personable), frequent contact with Retreat Mgr and brief meet and greet with the Captain.

If this had been my first upper suite cruise experience everything after would've been a disappointment.  Celebrity needs to do a better job standardizing the experience to this. 

[Whinenowine]

2 hours ago, sbcs5390 said:

Which ship were you on?

Millie

[George C]

4 hours ago, Whinenowine said:

We were in a PS last week in Alaska.  Butler/Host was excellent with multiple daily snacks, escorts to meals to ensure each maitre d took care of us, escort to several shore excursions, escort to photo session….and offers galore to do more.  Everything we asked of shoreside concierge was actually done (yea!) plus there were additional bottles of wine and champagne in our fridge. No officer dinners, but daily contact with Director of Hotel Services (very personable), frequent contact with Retreat Mgr and brief meet and greet with the Captain.

We have done a royal and a penthouse never had a officer dinner , only time I ever had one was about 10 years ago on rccl. 

[Marriedonacruise]

We were on a Royal Suite and a Penthouse on the Millie last year and both times were invited to an officer's lunch in Blue on one of the sea days.  It was excellent.  There were around 6-8 officers and 12-14 suite guests.

[jcpc]

Well.....after reading all these posts I definitely feel like I'm "getting the short end of the stick".  

 

I'm Z and travel in RS all the time.  My last 2 RS experiences and 1 PH experience (all within the last 11 months) encountered the following.  Granted I'm low maintenance.......but.....after reading all your replies I'm thinking I'm not just "low maintenance" but I'm basically "ignored".

 

• I didn't have any snacks delivered at any time
• I did not have Santal toiletries (claimed the ship was "out of them")
• I did not have any contact with any officer whatsoever
• I asked butler to trade the champagne (which, by the way, was the "Celebrity issued" champagne (again claimed there was no better champagne onboard) for a bottle of white wine.  In the past when I've done that the butler left the champagne and came in with the bottle of wine.  Not this past April - champagne was taken by butler and we were given a bottle of white wine
• Unable to change specialty dining reservation from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm
• Asked for Grey Goose in the suite - received Tito's - again claiming no Grey Goose onboard (????)
• No contact with Retreat Manager until we had a maintenance problem in our RS
• No flowers delivered to the suite except for the "Captain's Club single rose"
• No officers lunch
• No Zenith lunch

 

 

 

Edited August 24, 2022 by jcpc

[phoenix_dream]

21 hours ago, kk99 said:

Since cruising restarted, I have sailed 4 times in higher level suites, also as a Zenith member. On each sailing, there was a Zenith lunch for just the guests, with some of the officers or Captain’s Club hosts stopping by at the beginning to take a picture, but not eat with the guests. There is an officer’s cocktail party for the suites, where you can meet the officers, and have your picture taken in the retreat lounge. Zeniths are not allowed in the retreat lounges unless sailing in a suite at the current time.There was no sit down lunch with officers for top suites on my sailings. You can in the RS suites and higher request to trade your 2 bottles of alcohol for one better bottle of alcohol. There is usually a sailaway from at least one port stop on the ships for invited guests which is always nice for picture taking. We have gotten nice flower arrangements, extra bottles of wine from the Hotel Director, and invitations to Captain Club and Senior Officer’s cocktail parties.
As a Z no matter what category of room you are in, you get the upgraded toiletries.

phoenix _dream when you make Z they will recognize you in the Captain’s Club event, they will give you dining at one of the speciality restaurants, a cake, flowers, a bottle of wine. They used to have the celebrations up on the bridge with Captain & staff. Once they started sailing again, it appears to be more of a low key celebration,  just as nice, but not on the bridge. You should email the CC host to ask what the particular ship is doing for your special celebration as there are always new changes. You will get a nice picture for making Z.  The internet, laundry & premium drinks are always appreciated perks. 

 

As for RS & higher, ask about spa perks, some will let you have a thermal pass included on some ships, and not on others. If you want a party with snacks and beverages in your suite, with some advance notice they will take care of it. You can order off different menus for room service dinners. You can also have someone from future cruises meet you in the retreat lounge to book any future cruises you want without waiting at the future cruise booking area. Your stateroom attendant, butler and retreat concierge will do whatever is reasonably possible to make your voyage a wonderful holiday. I find that to be true no matter what category of room that I book.

Happy sailings to all, and beautiful weather.

Thanks for the info.  On one of our upcoming sailings (March I think it is) we will be both Zenith and in a Royal Suite.  So looking forward to it!

 

It is frustrating that as you read the posts on the thread there are so many differences from one ship to another.  They really should be standardizing things.  I'm sure all the promised perks will be delivered as published, but it sounds like a lot of the "extras" are on a ship by ship basis, depending on who the Captain is, how the officers interact, etc..  It will be interesting to see how our welcome to Zenith goes.  We hit Zenith after our September cruise and have a December cruise on Solstice where we should be recognized as Zenith.  Can't wait to see how it goes - it's been a loooooong time coming.

[jcpc]

9 minutes ago, phoenix_dream said:

Thanks for the info.  On one of our upcoming sailings (March I think it is) we will be both Zenith and in a Royal Suite.  So looking forward to it!

 

It is frustrating that as you read the posts on the thread there are so many differences from one ship to another.  They really should be standardizing things.  I'm sure all the promised perks will be delivered as published, but it sounds like a lot of the "extras" are on a ship by ship basis, depending on who the Captain is, how the officers interact, etc..  It will be interesting to see how our welcome to Zenith goes.  We hit Zenith after our September cruise and have a December cruise on Solstice where we should be recognized as Zenith.  Can't wait to see how it goes - it's been a loooooong time coming.

Congrats on hitting Zenith.  Although I think Celebrity is now "downplaying" the loyalty program, it still is a great accomplishment to hit Zenith.  Of course.......all it really said to me is that I've spent way too much money cruising.........LOL

 

It really is frustrating that there are such vast differences.  I think you hit the nail right on the head when you said it seems like the "extras" are really dependent on who the Captain is, etc.  I think a lot is or isn't done based on direction from the upper Management onboard.

 

Anywho.....I'm not losing any sleep over what extras I did or did not receive!!

 

Enjoy your September, December and March cruises (I have September, October, and April cruises to look forward to!)  I'm sure you'll have a lovely Zenith celebration in December (well......of course......depending on who the Captain is.....LOL!)

Edited August 24, 2022 by jcpc

[canderson]

@jcpc

 

Comparing notes:

Our experience in RS from B2B November 2021, Constellation:

 

• I didn't have any snacks delivered at any time

They just kept showing up - afternoon and later in the evening until we cried "Uncle!"  Amazing little confections in clear, rectangular Lexan boxes.  In fact, our Butler/Retreat Host was as attentive as one could possibly ask without ever becoming obtrusive.  Anu was absolutely outstanding, and I certainly hope we run across him again some day.

• I did not have Santal toiletries (claimed the ship was "out of them")

We weren't expecting Santal, but it depends upon which ship class you are sailing as to which they supply.

• I did not have any contact with any officer whatsoever

We didn't either, apart from the usual meet-and-greet time at Michael's.  However, the Captain and Hotel Manager did sign our souvenir model of the Constellation, and we received a photo folio with a group picture.

• I asked butler to trade the champagne (which, by the way, was the "Celebrity issued" champagne (again claimed there was no better champagne onboard) for a bottle of white wine.  In the past when I've done that the butler left the champagne and came in with the bottle of wine.  Not this past April - champagne was taken by butler and we were given a bottle of white wine

Prior to embarkation, I'd discussed the booze setup and traded out the 4L of booze for a couple of very nice bottles of wine.  Our butler (Retreat Host) kept us supplied with that same wine for the entire cruise.  We hadn't wanted champagne, so that wasn't an issue.

• Unable to change specialty dining reservation from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm

Had no issues with reservations, though the second leg was a low-pax-count cruise.

• Asked for Grey Goose in the suite - received Tito's - again claiming no Grey Goose onboard (????)

See above - we swapped out and were very pleased with the swap.

• No contact with Retreat Manager until we had a maintenance problem in our RS

Ditto, but we did see and visit with them a fair number of times in Michael's, so there was really no reason for them to contact us separately from that.

• No flowers delivered to the suite except for the "Captain's Club single rose"

Ditto on the 'no flowers'.  Had rather expected to see those.

• No officers lunch

This was a November restart (one of the last) and COVID concerns seemed to be keeping the officers on a low-profile mission.  Staffing was challenging as it was at that point in time.  We didn't have an officers lunch, either. 

• No Zenith lunch

Still only Elite+, so didn't expect one.  Was there ANY form of acknowledgement for Zeniths on your cruise?

 

I'd add to your list and comment on an earlier one:

• We did have escort service to our cabin from the pier offered.  We accepted.  However, once aboard, we sent our guide back to pick up the next couple.  We already knew where we were going.  Have probably sailed Constellation a dozen times.
• No PJ's offered.  We weren't all that excited about them anyway, as neither of us normally wears them.
• We were only twice escorted for our shore excursions.  Both of those were Private Journey arrangements, and our Butler/R. Host saw us from our cabin to the gangway, where we were met by another X employee tasked specifically with seeing us off the ship and connecting us with our guides in each case.  That was most helpful.  Other than that, we lined up with everyone else in whatever space was set aside for our particular events.

 

I've heard it said that they really do have our mug shots posted in various venues around the ship.  I doubted this until this last November cruise when something occurred that changed my mind.  One day we decided to use the MDR for lunch, and were greeted by last name upon entering.  We'd never set foot in the MDR before on this cruise, nor had we ever met the Maitre d' that greeted us.  Freaky.  I now believe the mug shot stories.

 

[DCPIV]

Folks need to be very careful about what they wish for when they talk about standardizing. In this context, that typically involves more elimination than addition. 

[CHEZMARYLOU]

A lot of our experience in a PH suite mirrors @canderson, especially 2 post Covid cruises. Officers on both were no where to be found.  We were encouraged to go to The Retreat for afternoon tea rather than having snacks brought to our suite.  This was ok with us, kept the calories for wine. The PRH both times set up a party for us and Christian on Edge offered to have the chef prepare an Indonesian meal that he served in the suite.  Pre covid we were offered bridge tours and lunch with the officers several times.  

[jcpc]

@canderson

 

I may have misled you (and others).  I listed things that occurred on my last 3 cruises (2 in RS and 1 in PH.....and actually there were 4 cruises because I forgot about the one in the CS! )  But anyway....not ALL of the things I listed happened on all 3 of the cruises.  For example, on our RS cruise in April we did get snacks delivered (and yes, the plastic box was one of the snacks) but on our RS cruise in July (same ship)  not one snack was delivered. 

 

And mention of that plastic box reminds me of a funny story.  We sailed in PH on Edge (and the following week on our B2B in CS -- that's the one I completely forgot about!  And our butler DID bring us snacks without us asking in the CS - a bowl of potato chips!)).  Anyway, our butler (PRH) for the PH was a lovely man and he did deliver some delicious very thin chocolate wafers in that box one day.  We each tasted some of the chocolate and loved it so decided to save it to last us a few days.  The next day our butler came in and took the box away even though it was about 80% filled with the chocolate treats.   He said he would bring another full box but we never saw another box.  That was the one and only treat delivered during our 7 night PH sailing on Edge.

 

 

[islabahia]

We must be outliers….we have no desire to dine with an officer.  
 

We prefer to be low key and do our own thing.  We prepare a list for the butler of requests, likes, dislikes and if we have made dinner reservations advising dates/times as well.  I have social anxiety and being around large numbers of people is not enjoyable for me.  

[RichYak]

43 minutes ago, canderson said:

I've heard it said that they really do have our mug shots posted in various venues around the ship. 

The various maitre d's know who you are. It's on their computer/tablet screens. An Eden maitre d confirmed this to me during a somewhat related conversation about the Iconic Suite passengers on our sailing.

[Whinenowine]

The pandemic changed so much, so it’s really hard to know what is due to what, exactly.  But I have to say that there was a clear difference in my service last week in the PS than any recent RS experience. In fact I was told that much by the crew.  Now I don’t cruise X as much as many of you, so maybe I’m wrong and was just told what they thought I wanted to hear. But I wasn’t told ‘no’ a single time, including changing almost every reservation over the course of the week (both times and venues), dining in and out.